It might be wondered what a person would do or react when faced with devastating tragedy such as the brutal death of their child and one’s own life in peril. Throughout history, across the world, the same circumstances of life and death have faced many people, men and women for centuries. It is a learning experience to look back at examples in our own backyard and examine how some Americans dealt with enormous calamities and managed to survive.
Early in America’s colonial period there were the true events surrounding an ordinary wife and mother living in Haverhill in the English colony of Massachusetts in the late 1600s. Sometimes referred to as a heroine and other times a cruel villain, it was Hannah Emerson Dustin (also spelled 'Duston') who found herself in 1697 making life and death decisions.
Hannah Webster Emerson Dustin
Hannah was born Hannah Webster Emerson to Michael and Hannah Emerson on December 23, 1657 in Haverhill. She married Thomas Dustin, a farmer and bricklayer, on December 3, 1677. They led a peaceful family life for twenty years along Sawmill River in Haverhill, raising their children. Hannah had given birth to 11 children by 1897 or which 8 were still alive when she and Thomas had their 12th child, named Martha, on March 9, 1697. To assist Hannah with the birth and help care for her for several days afterwards was a family friend and neighbor, Mrs. Mary Neff, the widow of William Neff, age 50 years old.
Abenaki Indians Attack
The early morning of March 15, 1697 started as usual with Thomas working in the fields and at his brick mill. Off in the distance Thomas spotted a band of Indians (Abenaki tribe) near his home. He immediately got on his horse and headed for the house to warn his family. He called to the children to get out of the house and run for the protective garrison (fort) which was nearby. Hannah in bed still trying to gain back her strength couldn’t run but told her husband to go and protect the other children. Left with Hannah in the house was Mary Neff and the baby Martha. Thomas rode off with his horse and gun protecting the children and preventing the Indians from following them.
A group of the Abenaki Indians entered the Dustin home and quickly captured Mary Neff and the baby. They forced Hannah out of her bed and demanded she get dressed. She hurried and in the process missed putting one of her shoes on. The Indians took items from the house and then set the home on fire. The smaller group of Indians took Mary, the baby and Hannah into the woods while other band of Indians (those who had chased Hannah’s 8 children and Thomas) now were attaching other nearby homes within the village. An additional 13 people were captured with 27 of the English settlers killed in their homes and five other houses burned to the ground.
Death of the Baby
Once in the woods, Mary Neff had problems carrying the baby and running with the Indians. One male Indian suddenly took the baby away from Mary and smashed the baby’s head against an apple tree, killing Martha. All of which was done right in front of Hannah.
Forced to keep moving, they were brought to a camp where the Indian women and children were located, waiting for the warriors to return. Within a short time, the other Indians arrived with the stolen items and their 13 captives in tow.
Journey North
All the Indians and captured settlers began walking north, fearing they would be pursued. Some of the settlers captured became extremely weak and couldn’t keep up. The Indians killed them immediately and scalped them. In spite of Hannah’s condition she managed the walk and assisted Mary Neff, as they covered about 12 miles before stopping for the night.
Day after day they traveled in the dense woods. Some areas still had snow on the ground while other areas were covered in mud. At the junction of Contoocook and the Merrimac River, Hannah was directed to join a certain Indian family after traveling some 75 miles. This group consisted of 12 Indians; two men, three women, and seven children. Joining Hannah and Mary was a 14-year-old English boy who had been captured in Worcester some 18 months earlier. His name was Samuel Lennardson (also spelled 'Leonardson'). He was considered by the Indians as “a domesticated captive.”
What would Hannah do now to survive? Read in Suite 101: Finding Revenge -- Hannah Dustin
Sources:
Alice Luckhardt - As a social science teacher in Florida for 18 years, office manager for the family business, historical and genealogical researcher and ...
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