Planting the Roots of Research

‘Like Whicher, I needed to distinguish the meaningful evidence from the red herrings, and then to put the facts in a sequence that told a story.’

Although I am not working on a detective case but rather a period of history, Kate Summerscale’s point of having to work out the difference between false evidence and facts, rings true to my story due to the many different accounts of the event.

My research has shown me that most of the historical accounts revolve around quotes of Reverend John Williams, whom I have already previously mentioned through his book. I have therefore decided to research further into the Williams family story, while matching their accounts up to other captives.

‘Fact-checking is what makes the (story) trustworthy in the eyes of the reader.’ – Gutkind.

The William’s family consisted of John Williams (who was a current, prominent Puritan minister), and Eunice Mather (who was the cousin of Cotton Mather, a socially and politically influential New England Puritan minister, prolific author, and pamphleteer. Known for his vigorous support for the Salem witch trials.) The eight Williams children; Eleazer, 16, Samuel, 15, Esther, 13, Stephen, 9, Warham, 5, Eunice, 7, John Jr, 1, and Jerusha, 6-weeks.

Eleazer Williams was away at school when the raid’s began and therefore, was the only member of the family to escape captivity. John Jr and Jerusha were killed during the raid while the rest of the Williams family were part of the 112 taken captive. The day after the raid, part of the way through the 300-mile journey to Canada, a Mohawk warrior killed Mather after she fell, crossing the icy waters of the Green River.

As April came around, the Natives took Williams and three of his children - Esther, Samuel and Warham - to Montreal. All four were turned over to the French authorities. Stephen stayed in the woods with the Abenaki for 14 months, until he was ransomed and sent to join his father in captivity. Eunice was taken to live with Catholic Mohawks in a small mission fort near Montreal called Kahnawake. She was adopted by a family that had lost a daughter to smallpox. The family gave her a new name: A'ongonte, meaning ‘she who has been planted like an ash.’ She was also baptized Catholic and given the name Marguerite.

By 1706, five of the Williams family were ransomed and sent home, Eunice stayed with her adoptive family, later marrying a Mohawk Native at 16.