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Subject: [GM-L] Sarah (Howe) Joslin wife of Peter, killed by Indians at Lancaster, MA 1692
Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 20:09:59 EST

Elizabeth Howe, daughter of John and Elizabeth Howe, was visiting her sister
at Lancaster at the time her sister was killed and she was taken captive and
taken to Canada, where after about three years, she was redeemed and returned
to her home. She and her husband moved to Shrewsbury where they were among
the early settlers, and where she died.

The family tradition is that the Indians attacked the house of Peter Joslin,
July 18, 1692, while he was at work in a distant field. Mrs. Sarah (Howe)
Joslin was baking bread and her sister Elizabeth (Howe) Keyes, who was
visiting her, was singing while she was spinning Flax, when the Indians came
to the door. They were met by Mrs. Sarah Joslin who with an oven shovel tried
to prevent their entrance, when one of them threw his tomahawk, which struck
her in the head killing her instantly. The Indains then rushed in and
murdered three of the children, taking captive another child, which they
afterwards killed, and also Elizabeth, whom it is said they spared because
she was a beautiful singer and whom they compelled frequently to sing for
them. They carried her to Canada, where she remained for about three years,
when she was redeemed and returned to her home. When she was captured her
intended, Thomas Keyes, considering her lost to him forever, resolved never
to marry; but on her return wisely repented his folly. It is said that
Elizabeth never fully recovered from the fright of the capture.

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~historyofmarlborough/familyjohnhowe.htm

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