Solomon Stebbins

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1790, Hinsdale, Windham, Vermont, USA
• Residence: 1800, Hinsdale, Windham, Vermont, USA
• Residence: 1820, Vernon, Windham, Vermont, USA

Eliakim married Rebecca Hawks on 4 Aug 1785 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. Rebecca (daughter of John Hawks and Elizabeth Nims) was born on 4 Jul 1753 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; died on 9 Feb 1816 in Vernon, Windham, Vermont, USA; was buried in Vernon, Windham, Vermont, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Rebecca Stebbins

Notes:

Indian Attack
August 20, 1756: Cpt. Stebbins with daughter Tabitha and son Elijah and others, were harvesting wheat, 2 Indians discovered the reaping party & lay in ambush among the thick alders. When observed from horseback by The men fled up the path with the Indians in pursuit, expecting that Wright would fall from his horse and they would obtain his scalp as a trophy of victory. The white men had only 1 gun, Stebbins requesting Wright to hold his horse, he would return & kill at least one of the Indians as they came up the brook. One shot, an Indian leaped in the air & exclaimed "Ugh !" & fell to the ground. Returning to the waiting party, they proceeded to Fort Hinsdale, New Hampshire.

Joseph married Thankful Belding in 1741 in Vernon, Windham, Vermont, USA. Thankful was born on 6 Jan 1718 in Northfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; died on 9 May 1788 in Vernon, Windham, Vermont, USA; was buried in Vernon, Windham, Vermont, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Military service of John Hawks
The Hero of Fort Mass; he went into the military service early; on the breaking out of the old French war was stationed at Fort Mass., under Capt. Ephraim Williams, where he was wounded May 9, 1746; in Aug. of 1746 he was a Sergt. in command of the fort, with a garrison of 22 men, when it was assaulted by a force of 700 French and Indians under Rigaud de Vaudreuil, a brother to the Governor of Canada; after a brave defense for 28 hours, he was forced to surrender for lack of ammunition; this was a notable event of that war; for a full account of this affair and of his adventure with the Indians, May 9; in 1748 he was sent to Canada with "Rainbout," a French officer,prisoner of war, to be exchanged for English captives; he served through the Last French war; as sergt. and Lieut. he had charge of the Colrain forts, 1754-7; commanded a company at the attack on Old Ti, 1758, under Abercrombie; was under Amherst as Major in the successful campaign of 1759, and with the army of conquest in 1760 as lieut. colonel; this closed his military career.

Deerfield — Old French War
Extracted from "History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, Volume II," by Louis H. Everts, 1879.
After a brave defense by Sergt. John Hawks, Fort Massachusetts fell into the hands of the enemy, Aug. 20, 1746. About fifty of the assailants at once came over the mountain and down the Pocomptuck in search of scalps and plunder. On Sunday, the 24th, they arrived in this vicinity, and reconnoitred to lay an ambush. Seeing some new-mown hay in Stebbins' meadow, they rightly judged the haymakers would come to take care of it the next day, so placed themselves in the woods near by. As they were stealing down the hill, intending to get between their victims and their arms, surround and capture the whole party, they met Eleazer Hawks, who was out hunting with his gun. Supposing they were discovered and about to be attacked, they shot him, and the alarm was given. Quickly discovering their mistake, the Indians rushed out after the flying settlers. Simeon Amsden was the first victim. Adonijah Gillet and John Sadler made a stand under the river-bank near the mill. Gillet fell, and Sadler escaped across the stream. Samuel Allen, bidding his three children fly for life, turned upon the pursuers, killed the foremost, and checked the rest. It was but for a moment, however, and the heroic father fell riddled with bullets and gashed with knives. Of his children, Caleb escaped, Samuel was taken, and Eunice was tomahawked and left for dead. She revived and lived to old age, but never fully recovered. Oliver Amsden was overtaken and seized. He made a gallant defense, but was cut to pieces. The guns being heard in town, the guard, under Capt. Hopkins, the Minute-Men, under Capt. Clesson and Lieut. Hoyt, hurried to the scene of blood. The enemy had fled up the river. Capt. Clesson followed their trail toward Charlemont, but could not overtake them. Along the cordon of forts the irruptions of the enemy had been frequent, and the loss of the English very serious. Frequent "'larrums" reached the town, upon which our men marched to the threatened point. Lieut. Jona. Hoyt led a party to Shattuck's Fort, March 31, 1747. May, 1748, Sergt. John Hawks led a party over to Hosack. Capt. John Catlin had command at Fort Shirley; Capt. Samuel Childs, at Fort Pelham; Lieut. Daniel Severance, at Coleraine; Elijah Williams was captain of the snow-shoe men, and commissary on the death of Col. Stoddard. Sergt. John Hawks and Elisha Nims were wounded near Fort Massachusetts. The following were some of the soldiers serving in this war:

Edward Allen, John Allen, Zebediah Allis, Daniel Arms, Thomas Arms, Adonijah Atherton, Shubel Atherton, Oliver Avery, Gideon Bardwell, John Barnard, Joseph Barnard, Samuel Bernard, Benj. Barrett, John Beaman, Samuel Belding, Josiah Burnham, Jona. Burt, Reuben Carry, Ceazer, Asa Childs, David Childs, Samuel Childs, Joseph Clessen, Mathew Clesson, Charles Coats, James Corse, Aaron Denio, Richard Ellis, David Field, Ezekiel Foster, Jacob Foster, John Foster, Joseph Gillet, Daniel Graves, Benj. Hastings, John Hawks, Joshua Hawks, Ebenezer Hinsdale, David Hoyt, Jonathan Hoyt, Ebenezer Meacham, John Munn, Daniel Nash, Phineas Nash, Azariah Nims, Thomas Nims, Abraham Parker, Abijah Prince, John Sadler, Jona. Severance, Ebenezer Smead, William Smead, Samuel Stebbins, Othniel Taylor, Samuel Taylor, Jona. Wells, Joshua Wells, Elijah Williams, Thomas Williams, Asahel Wright.

This war closed by a treaty at Aix-la-Chapelle, Oct. 7, 1748.

Lt. Col. John Hawks, of Deerfield, Mass., was one of the original proprietors of Upper Ashuelot; son of Dea. Eleazar and Judith (Smead) Hawks. He was born in 1707; married, 1730, Elizabeth, daughter of John Nims, an aunt of David Nims, who came to Upper Ashuelot; one of a committee in 1734 to layout, survey and allot the intervale lands in this township; one of another com· mittee, the same year, to "find the best place for a road from Upper to Lower Ashuelot;" a sergeant in command of Fort Massachusetts in 1746; captured after a gallant defence and taken to Canada; returned after a few months to find himself "the hero of Fort Massachusetts;" was the active agent in rescuing Nathan Blake· from captivity in 1748; was appointed a lieutenant the same year and commanded a company of scouts; was a major in Col. William Williams's regiment in Abercrombie's disastrous campaign against Ticonderoga in 1758; lieutenant colonel under Gen. Amherst in 1759 and commanded a detach· ment of several hundred men that cut a road from Crown Point over the Green mountains toward No.4. " Bold, hardy and enterprising, he' was highly esteemed and trusted with important commands."

He was the hero of Fort Massachusetts during the French and Indian War.
Husband of Elizabeth Nims Hawks, married Dec 10,1730.

Son of Eleazer Hawks and Judith Smead Hawks.

His maternal grandparents were William Smead Jr and Elizabeth Lawrence Smead.
Children: Abner Hawks, John Hawks Jr, Moses Hawks, Elizabeth Hawks Childs, Anne Hawks, Obediah Hawks, Rebecca Hawks, and Solomon Hawks.

John married Elizabeth Nims on 10 Dec 1730 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of John Nims and Elizabeth Hull) was born on 1 Mar 1712 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; died on 28 Feb 1779 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Elizabeth Hawks

Joseph married Mary Williams in 1718 in Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA. Mary (daughter of Zebediah Williams, Jr and Sarah Arms) was born on 13 Feb 1701 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; died on 23 Dec 1786 in Northfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Eleazer married Judith Smead. Judith (daughter of William Smead, Jr and Elizabeth Lawrence) was born on 18 Feb 1665 in Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA; died on 27 Jan 1719 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: John (Twin) Nims
• Married: 1696

Notes:

John Nims, His Capture and Escape
On October 8, 1703, according to the Rev. John Williams ("The Redeemed Captive"), Zebediah Williams and John Nims went into the meadow in the evening to tend livestock and were ambushed by Indians in the ditch beyond Frary's bridge. The Indians fired at them, missed, and took Zebediah right away. Nims ran away to a nearby pond but returned, afraid of getting shot. The Indians wounded the cattle, and marched their captives to Canada. Zebediah died there in 1706. John Nims escaped in 1705, with Joseph Petty, Thomas Baker, and Martin Kellog, all three of whom were among the Feb. 29th captives. The four men walked to New England, via territory that is now Canada, Vermont, and New Hampshire. A letter written by Joseph Petty detailing their experiences survived and was reproduced in The Nims Family Association Book. George Sheldon wrote in his History of Deerfield that they had no weapons, and only meager provisions, but they made it home, more dead than alive from hunger and fatigue. Sheldon says "they were discovered in wisdom in an imbecile condition, and seemed guided more by instinct than by reason...Their appearance when brought in was such as to melt the stoutest heart...Broth, in small quantities, was given at first, and by slow degrees more substantial food, until they were filled. It was a long time before their cravings were satisfied."

Sheldon and the Nims Family Book (more information) also relate the following anecdote, told to Mr. Sheldon by his grandmother:

One day when the fugitives seemed at the last extremity, they discovered and killed a great white owl. This was instantly torn in pieces, which were laid in four piles, and fairly divided, one turning his back, and responding to the query, "Who shall have this?" Each took his share, and hardly waiting to pull off the feathers, tore through the tough fragments with their teeth, like so many ravenous beasts. Grandmother said John Nims always insisted that a wing which fell to him was the sweetest morsel he ever tasted."

source:http://freepages.folklore.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pahlow/nims.htm

Godfrey Nims (John's Father), and the Deerfield Massacre:
Three of his children had smothered to death in the cellar of his home while it burned over their heads, and his son Henry had been slain. His daughter Rebecca Mattoon and her newborn son had been slain. His wife, his son Ebenezer, his infant daughter Abigail, his step-daughter Elizabeth Hull, his son-in-law Philip Mattoon, and his mother-in-law Elizabeth Smead--along with many of other more distant relatives, friends and neighbors--had all been taken away as captives.

Was there, finally, nobody left for Godfrey? Was he all alone? Son John and step-son Zebediah Williams had been captured and carried to Canada a few months ago. His very first child had died shortly after birth; another step-son had died in the first Nims house fire in 1694.

John Nims, the son of Godfrey and Mary Miller. He was born on the14th of August 1679 along with a twin sister, Rebecca. He grew up in Deerfield, Massachusetts and survived. He persevered through sickness, weather, and enemies. John Nims defeated death at every turn; it was meant for him to live. He is our legacy and we are his.

On October 8, 1703 John 24 years old and his half brother Zebediah Williams age 28 were watching the cattle when they were taken by surprise and captured by Indians. They were taken to the Mohawk Fort in Canada. During his time as captive he watched the Indians bring in more prisoners and scalps. He saw many captives brought in from Deerfield, his family and friends among them. He watched their torture and endured his own.

John finally managed to escape on May 14, 1705 with Martin Kellogg, Joseph Petty and Thomas Baker. His return to Deerfield was something short of a miracle. Upon arriving in Deerfield, John found his father Godfrey had passed away early that spring in March.

Zebediah died a captive the following year. And to John’s dismal he was unsuccessful at bringing home his little sister Abigail or his brother Ebenezer. He offered a considerable sum for her ransom and the Indians would have given her up if she had wanted to go. The story was told that she would rather be a poor captive among Catholics than to become a rich heiress of a Protestant family.

John lived on the old homestead and married December 19, 1707, to Elizabeth Hull his stepsister. She too had been a captive at the Mohawk Fort in Canada. Finally, his brother Ebenezer was released in 1714 and came to live with John at the Nims home for a time. John and Elizabeth had twelve children; of which two were born and died on the same day, a daughter died when she was three years old, and his first born, a son named John died when he was two months old. Their last child was Daniel, the son who we descend from. John’s cherished wife, Elizabeth, lived a long and hard life. She passed away at the age of 66 on the 21st of September in 1754; John was 75 years old. John died on the 29th of December in 1762 at the age of 83.

John married Elizabeth Hull on 19 Dec 1707 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Jeremiah Hull and Mehitable Smead) was born on 23 Dec 1688 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; died on 21 Sep 1754 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Elisebeth Hull

Other Events and Attributes:

• Married: 16 Sep 1684, Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA

Thomas married Elizabeth Wright on 26 Sep 1684 in Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Samuel Wright and Elizabeth Burt) was born on 31 Jul 1666 in Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA; died on 28 Apr 1712 in Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact 1: P3L3-67

Notes:

Zebediah Williams' father was killed by indians at Bloody Brook. His Mother Mary Miller married Godfrey Nims, who raised Zeb and his sister Mary as his own. Shortly before the Deerfield massacre, Zeb and his step brother John were kidnapped by indians while working in their fields. They were marched to Canada. John managed to escape in 1705, but Zeb died in 1706.

Zebediah married Sarah Arms on 2 May 1700 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. Sarah (daughter of William Arms and Joanna Hawks) was born on 21 Nov 1681 in Hatfield, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA; died on 24 Dec 1767 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: John Hawks
• Residence: , , Massachusetts, USA
• Arrival: 1634, , , Massachusetts, USA
• Residence: 3 Sep 1634, , , Massachusetts, USA

John married Elizabeth Browne. Elizabeth (daughter of William Browne and Lydia Ward) was born in 1621 in , , , England; died on 29 Sep 1685 in Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Arrival: 1630, Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA
• Baptism: 13 Nov 1635, Rye, Sussex, England
• Residence: 1680, , , Massachusetts, USA

Notes:

He served in King Philip's War and participated in the Falls Fight under Capt.Turner. His son William was killed at Bloody Brook with Capt.Lothrop.

William Smead was the son of William Smead (d.c1634) and Judith (Stoughton) Denman Smead (1599-1639). Judith was the widow of John Denman, with whom she had two children. William was only three or so when his father died. Judith sailed from Gravesend with her three children on September 3,1635 on the ship “Dorset”. They stopped in the Barbadoes, then continued to New England. She settled with her children in Dorchester. She signed the Dorchester Church covenant in 1636 and was granted 20 acres of land there in 1638.

About the time his mother died, William was apprenticed at age seven or so, to John Pope of Dorchester. Pope died in 1646 and made provision in his will for William, calling him “my Littell boy.” He left to William his looms and tacking if William was willing to live with Pope’s widow, learn the trade, and become a weaver.

He married Elizabeth Lawrence at Dorchester,MA on Dec 31,1658.

Children: William Smead III, Elizabeth Smead Janes, Judith Smead Hawks, Mehitable Hull Smead Nims, Samuel Smead, John Smead, John Smead, Ebenezer Smead, Thankful Smead Hawks, and Waitstill Smead Warner.

It has been suggested that he must be buried at Old Deerfield Cemetery since that was the only cemetery at the time. However, that is not always the case as many ancestors were buried on their homesteads at the time.


https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Smead-2

William married Elizabeth Lawrence on 31 Dec 1658 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Thomas Lawrence and Elizabeth Bates) was born on 15 Sep 1635 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA; was christened on 6 Mar 1642; died in 29 Feb 1704 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact 1: Godefrois Nismes
• Fact 2: Huguenot?
• Fact 4: Soldier in King Phillip's War.
• Fact 3: 1667; Northampton, Massachusetts
• Fact 5: 18 May 1676; Engaged in the "Falls Fight".
• Residence: 1679, Hatfield, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA

Notes:

The background of Godfrey Nims of Deerfield, Massachusetts is a mystery. One family tradition has it that he was a Huguenot, came to America as a lad, at first spelled his name Godefroi de Nismes, but changed the spelling to suit the colonial pronunciation. Others suggest he was of English birth with French ancestry. No documentary evidence has been found to verify any country of origin despite the efforts made over the years by The Nims Family Association.

The first official record of Godfrey Nims appears on September 24, 1667, in a Springfield, Massachusetts, court record. The transcript follows:

James Bennet, Godfrey Nims & Benoni Stebbins, young lads of Northampton being by Northampton Commissionrs bound over to the Corte to answer for diverse crimes & misdemeanors committed by them, were brought to this Corte by ye Constable of yt Towne wch 3 lads are accused by Robert Bartlett for that they gott into his house two Sabbath dayes when all the family were at the Publike Meeting: On ye first of wch tymes, the vizt. 24 shillings in silver & 7s in Wampum with the intention to run away to the French: Al which is by them confessed, wch wickedness of theirs hath also been accompanyd with frequent lying to excuse & justify themselves especially on Nims his pt, who seemes hath been a ringleader in their vilainys: ffor all wch their crimes and misdemeanors this Corte doth Judge yt the said 3 lads shalbe well whipt on their naked bodys vist, Nims & Bennet with 15 lashes apiece & Bononi Stebbins with 11 lashes. And the said Nims & Stebbins are to pay Robert Bartlett the summe of 4L being counted treble according to law for what goods he hath lost by their meanes.?

History tells us Godfrey Nims was off to a rough start in America, as all of us have had occasions in our life that we had to rise above, and better ourselves. This is exactly what Godfrey Nims did over 300 years ago. The records of Massachusetts list Godfrey Nims as one of many from Northampton who signed a petition in 1668 requesting relief from taxation on goods brought into the colony?s ports. He also appears with others when taking the Oath of Fidelity to the government on March 25, 1672/3, at the County Court at Northampton.

Family folklore tells us that Godfrey soon came to Deerfield, Massachusetts around 1670, possibly being one of the third to settle here. A deed dated 1679 gives the first written confirmation that Godfrey settled at Deerfield. He later shared in the holding of public offices, including constable, tax collector, selectman and a member of the school committee.

In 1677 he married Mary Miller Williams a widow. Her husband Zebediah had been killed by Indians. After Mary?s death in 1688, Godfrey married Mehitable Smead Hull in 1692, another widow. Godfrey had six children with Mary and five with Mehitable, in addition to caring for two stepchildren each that the widows brought to the marriages.

The records reveal, Godfrey Nims joined the Puritan society in the Connecticut Valley. He learned to make his living as a cordwainer, (shoemaker) as well as a farmer. The present day White Church, town office, town hall and Memorial Hall all stand on land formerly owned by Godfrey. J.R. Trumbull?s History of Northampton, Massachusetts describes Godfrey as ?the owner of considerable property and an honored and respected citizen.?

Godfrey Nims grew up from being a young lad in trouble with the law to having a good life in Massachusetts, with a family of 15 children. Godfrey Nims bought land in Deerfield in 1674. He was among the first earlier permanent settlers here. In 1692 he bought lot No. 27 and November 21, 1694 he bought lot No. 28. These two lots united became the Nims home lot, and has never been out of the family. The present house standing is more than two hundred years old.

He endured grave hardships in his life. May 19,1676 he served in the Falls Fight against the Pocumtuck Indians. Approximately 140 settlers marched into the dead of night into the wilderness to surprise the Indians at the salmon fishing falls near the mouth of Fall River. Some 400 Indians were killed, and 40 settlers were lost in this fight. Of them was James Bennett, friend of Godfrey's and Captain Turner. January 4, 1694 his home was destroyed in a fire, and four year old Jeremiah Hull died in the fire. Godfrey's son Henry, about 10 years old, accidently caused the fire, and was able to save one child from the room where Jeremiah slept. Henry tired to get Jeremiah from the room but the flames would not allow it.

He worked and faced tragedies and dangers common of that time. March 3, 1701 Godfrey Nims, Sergant Allyn, and Corporal Wells were chosen to lay a road to the land on the west side of the river. This led through to the present Main street of Greenfield, and northerly through Greenfield Meadows. In 1702 Godfrey and Benoni Stebins were on the school committee.

The worst tragedy was on February 29, 1704, the French & Indian 1704 massacre of Deerfield, Massachusetts. The French and Indians attacked about two hours before day break. The attackers burned most buildings and killed or took captive most of the settlers. It left him with no wife, and at the time with only a daughter, 20 year old Thankful Nims, Munn. Her home was dug into the side of a mountain, and the opening was concealed by the deep snow drifts. Godfrey?s family members were killed or taken captive in the 1704 raid on Deerfield, his second wife captured, dying on the forced march to Canada. One son killed, and one captured to be released ten years later; four daughters killed that day; one daughter captured and taken to Canada, never to return. A step-daughter, Mary Williams Brooks and a son-in-law, Phillip Mattoon, captured and killed on the march; a grandchild, infant Mattoon killed in the attack.

Prior to the 1704 attack, on October 8, 1703 a son, John 24 years old and Godfrey?s stepson Zebediah Williams, age 28, were captured by Indians and taken to Canada. John escaped May 14, 1705 after his father had passed away and Zebediah died a captive in 1706. Godfrey died without knowing the fate of his these surviving children.

According to the Nims Family Association, it is from the four surviving children, of Godfrey Nims, John, Ebenezer, Thankful and Abigail that members of the Nims family are descended.

Godfrey married Mary Miller on 26 Nov 1677 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. Mary (daughter of William Miller and Patience Bacon) was born on 24 Dec 1653 in Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA; died on 27 Apr 1688 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sergeant Samuel Wright Jr.
Sergeant) Samuel WRIGHT Jr. Born (about 1627-1632)(probably 3 OCT 1632)(1633-S2)(4 DEC 1638) in England; son of (Deacon) Samuel WRIGHT [F1] and Margaret STRATTON. It has been reported that he was christened at Kelvedon Hatch on 10 March 1632. This record is not found in the St. Nicholas parish register, which is not surprising, since the Kelvendon Hatch branch of the family were Catholic, whereas Samuel WRIGHT was of the puritans. It is said that he came to America with his father. It is not known exactly when his father came to New England, but probably about 1635-1636.
It is said that he came to America with his father. It is not known exactly when his father came to New England. If it was in 1630, as some have said, then Samuel was born in New England. If it was in 1636, as others have said, then Samuel was born in England.

He moved with his father to Springfield, Massachusetts about 1636.

He married Elizabeth Burt on 24 NOV 1653. It is said that this occurred at Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. However Samuel did not go to Northampton until 1655 or 1656; so he must have married Elizabeth in Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.

They were among the first to move to Northampton, in 1655 or 1656. After moving to Northampton, he settled on Bridge Street where the house of John L. Draper stood. In addition to the 3 acres for a homelot, he was granted 34 acres of meadow land. After living on this homestead about 17 years, and serving the town as one of its selectmen and in other offices, he went with his family, in company with 15 other families, as pioneer settlers, to a place about 35 miles up the Connecticut River, called by the Indians from whom it was purchased, Squakeag. This place was named by the English "Northfield" because it was the northermost settlement on the river, became the future home of Samuel Wright Jr. and many of his descendants. Samuel Wright Jr must have lived within the meadow fence & not on the plains. Here they built small huts near each other, and ran a stockade around a number of them for a fort into which they might flee, if attacked.

Samuel Wright Jr. had an illegitimate child with Elizabeth Burt's sister, Mary Burt. [(Source?) This was probably his brother Judah].

All went peacefully for 2 years until the King Philip war broke out in 1675. In the latter part of August, the safety of Northfield was threatened, and so 20 men were sent up and placed under command of Lt. Samuel Wright. On Thursday 2 September 1675, as Lt. Wright and the men under him were in the field gathering flax, they were attacked by King Philip's men. Lt. Wright was killed, aged ca 45 yrs; also 2 sons of Elder William Janes, their preacher and 5 others, and wounded Samuel Wright III. The rest, men women, and children, fled inside the small stockade, and were shut in there 5 days. What days and nights of terror those must have been to the widow and fatherless children with the savatges burning and destroying outside, and liable to break in at any time and put them all to death. The day after the attack, Capt. Beers, not knowing what had happened set out from Hadley, with 36 mounted men, to bring away the soldiers and inhabitants, but on reaching the outskirts of the town, fell into an ambush, and he and the larger part of his men were killed, but 13 escaped and flec back to Hadley. Immediately Major Treat with more than 100 men prepared to go up for the relief of Northfield, where he arrived Monday afternoon on 6 September. One account is that immediately set about burying those killed on 2 September. The first found was the body of Lt. Wright, which was taken up the bank and buried in the first grave opened in present Northfield Cemetery. His burial was hardly finished when Maj. Treat was struck with a spent ball from the thicket. Upon consulting with his officers, it was decided to take the 100 or more people that had been shut inside the stockade and start back to Hadley that night. In their journey down through the wilderness what fears they must have had; fears of falling into an ambush and meeting the same fate as came to Capt. Beers and Co., on this same route 3 days before, and the fate that came to the 80 young soldiers at Bloody Brook, a few days later.

His inventory was taken March 30, 1676, and amounted to 326£ 14S. House & home lot 60£ had wheel right tools 61/ 3 horses & heofer 15.5, Land in meadow & pasture 163£ sae, grindstone & loom 61/ sheep & swine 10£10s, yoke of oxen & steers 15£, 4 cattle 4 mares & [c]olt 14£, arms & ammunition 65/, bedding & clothing 14£5s. Widow Elizabeth & son Sam'l admin. Widow & heirs made an agreement (for her & those of age) March 30, 1680, She was to have use of 1/2 house 1/2 barn 1/2 homelot which was next to the meadow including all the orchard half the pasture lying next the house containing 13 acres. 1/8 other land & movables. Samuel to have double share. Court to appoint men to divide the estate Men were appointed but not ?. Explanation "half the homelot" may mean that next to Hawley Sheet lot on the side south the land. (Or it may mean lower side of lot below swamp.)

WIFE of (Sergeant) Samuel WRIGHT Jr. [F2]:
Elizabeth BURT (BURK). Born about 1638 at Harburton, Devonshire, England; daughter of Henry BURT and Eulalia MARCHE. She was christened on 4 DEC 1638 at Harberton, Devonshire, England. She married (1) Samuel WRIGHT on 24 NOV 1653, probably at Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts. She married (2) Nathaniel DICKINSON on 26 Sep 1684 at Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts but had no children with him. She died 14 FEB 1690-1691 at Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts.

CHILDREN of (Sergeant) Samuel WRIGHT Jr. [F2] and Elizabeth BURT:
[F14]. Samuel Wright III
[F15]. Joseph WRIGHT.
[F16]. Benjamin WRIGHT.
[F17]. (Deacon) Ebenezer WRIGHT
[F13]. Elizabeth WRIGHT
[F18]. Eleazer (Eliezur/Elizur) WRIGHT.
[F19]. Hannah WRIGHT.
[F20]. Benoni WRIGHT.

Samuel, son of Deacon Samuel & his wife Margaret Unknown, born about 1629; was one of the
petitioners to the General Court for the First Settlement of Northfield, then known as Squakheag,
5/31/1671. He was a resident of Northampton, Mass., at this time. The first petition was refused &
another one was sent the next spring signed by 23 men including Samuel Wright Senior. This petition
was granted & he was one of the sixteen heads of families who took house-lots & settled there. His lot
was on the west side of the street "which they or their heirs had in the second settlement".
The Indians continued friendly until spring of 1675. Brookfield was destroyed in August of that Year.
(King Philip's War). A squad of twenty soldiers was sent by Major Pynchon to garrison Northfield who
were put under command of Sergeant Samuel Wright. A battle between Hatfield Indians & Captains
_____ & Beers was fought in town of Whately August 25. Sept 1st the Indians fell upon Deerfield &
Thursday, Sept 2d, on Northfield. It was the season of drying flax; & ignorant of what had happened the
day before to their neighbors at Deerfield, the people of Northfield went about their work as usual on
that morning. The soldiers & settlers appeared to have been scattered in the meadow & house-lots
when the assault was made. According to Rev. Mr. Hubbard "some were killed in their homes, others as
they were coming out of the meadows, the rest: men, women, & children fled to their fort, unable to
rally out & repel the enemy. The savages kept around them, killed many of their cattle, destroyed their
grain (wheat which was harvested & in the stook) burnt the houses that were outside the stockade &
laid all waste. The number of whites officially reported as killed was eight & one was Sgt. Samuel Wright.
After another attack by the Indians on 9/4 the Squakheag families having thus been driven from their
new homes returned to their old homes in Hadley & Northampton.
In the second settlement of Squakheag or Northfield in 1685 to 90, Samuel Wright's heirs were assigned
60 acres. The homestead of this Samuel Wright who went to Northampton with his father had
continued in his line from 1657 until the compilation of the New England Historical & Genealogical
Register in 1886.
He married, 11/24/1653, Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Burt who was a companion of Deacon Samuel
Wright in the settlement of Springfield. She survived him & married 2d, 9/26/1684, Nathaniel Dickinson
of Hatfield.

Samuel married Elizabeth Burt on 24 Sep 1653 in Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Henry Burt, Jr and Eulalia March) was born on 4 Dec 1638 in Harberton, South Hams District, Devon, England; died on 14 Feb 1691 in Hatfield, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Elizabeth Wright Dickinson
• Baptism: 4 Dec 1638, Harberton, Devon, England

Zebediah married Mary Miller on 18 Dec 1672 in Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA. Mary (daughter of William Miller and Patience Bacon) was born on 24 Dec 1653 in Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, USA; died on 27 Apr 1688 in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Lydia Ward. Lydia was born in 1596 in Little, Suffolk, England; died in 1624 in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Judith Stoughton in 1623 in , , , England. Judith (daughter of Thomas Stoughton, Reverend and Katherine Evelyn Montpesson) was born on 3 Jul 1599 in Coggeshall, Essex, England; died on 18 Mar 1639 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA; was buried in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Arrival: 1630, Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA

Notes:

Judith’s first husband John Denman was born in 1591 in Retford, Nottinghamshire, England. His parents were Nicholas Denman and Lady Anne Hercy. John died 1624 in Retford, Surrey, England.

Judith’s second husband William Smead was born 1601 in England. William died 1636 in Essex, England.

Judith was one of the signers of the Dorchester Church Covenant in 1636, and at the time of her death in 1639 was a widow. The General Court confirmed Israel Stoughton as executor of the will of his sister, Judith Smead, and the disposal of her effects is on record, though no copy of her will has been preserved. Though not proved, it is possible that Judith was a widow before leaving England and that she journeyed to America in 1633 with Israel Stoughton and his wife, Elizabeth.

Judith’s young son was apprenticed rather than taken into the home of his Uncle Israel.

Judith Smead signed the covenant in 1636 with the church at Dorchester, Massachusetts, and in 1638 had a grant of twenty acres there just below the First Burying Ground. An inventory of her estate after her decease was taken on May 18, 1639. She was the mother of John Denman, Mary Denman (wife of Clement Maxfield), and William Smead.

Step-mother of Humphrey Denman, an Elder of the English Reformed Church at Amsterdam, North Holland.

William Smead was the son of William Smead (d.c1634) and Judith (Stoughton) Denman Smead (1599-1639). Judith was the widow of John Denman, with whom she had two children. William was only three or so when his father died. Judith sailed from Gravesend with her three children on September 3,1635 on the ship “Dorset”. They stopped in the Barbadoes, then continued to New England. She settled with her children in Dorchester. She signed the Dorchester Church covenant in 1636 and was granted 20 acres of land there in 1638.

About the time his mother died, William was apprenticed at age seven or so, to John Pope of Dorchester. Pope died in 1646 and made provision in his will for William, calling him “my Littell boy.” He left to William his looms and tacking if William was willing to live with Pope’s widow, learn the trade, and become a weaver.

He married Elizabeth Lawrence at Dorchester,MA on Dec 31,1658.

Children: William Smead III, Elizabeth Smead Janes, Judith Smead Hawks, Mehitable Hull Smead Nims, Samuel Smead, John Smead, John Smead, Ebenezer Smead, Thankful Smead Hawks, and Waitstill Smead Warner.

It has been suggested that he must be buried at Old Deerfield Cemetery since that was the only cemetery at the time. However, that is not always the case as many ancestors were buried on their homesteads at the time.

Thomas married Elizabeth Bates in 1638 in Hingham, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. Elizabeth was born on 10 Mar 1609 in Limpsfield, Surrey, England; died on 18 Feb 1679 in Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Arrival: 1628, Weymouth, Norfolk, Massachusetts, USA

Other Events and Attributes:

• Arrival: 1648, Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts, USA

William married Patience Bacon on 3 Mar 1641 in Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA. Patience (daughter of William Bacon and Martha Worchester) was born in 1631 in Ipswich, Essex, England; died on 29 Mar 1716 in Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]