Colonial Deerfield Massachusetts

Colonial

 Deerfield Massachusetts

Historic Marker

N42° 32.510; W72° 36.326

Short Description: An historic marker on Old Main Street in Old Deerfield summarizes its violent colonial history.

Long Description: The historic marker is inscribed: 

1630 - 1930

OLD DEERFIELD

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INDIAN LAND CALLED POCOMTUCK, 

SETTLED BY MEN FROM DEDHAM IN 

1671. ATTACKED BY INDIANS, BURNT, 

AND ABANDONED IN 1675. REOCCU-

PIED AND ATTACKED IN 1704 BY 

FRENCH AND INDIANS, WHO TOOK 

47 LIVES, AND CARRIED OFF 112 

CAPTIVES TO CANADA, OF WHOM 6

60 WERE LATER REDEEMED.

MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY

TERCENTENARY COMMISSION

In the late 17th century Deerfield, MA was on the western frontier of the British settlements in North America. The attacks mentioned  in the historic marker refer to the Battle of Bloody Brook in 1675 where colonist were defeated under the command Captain Thomas Lathrop. This was followed up with a counter-offensive by Captain William Turner. The story of the attack of 1704 and its aftermath was described by Reverend John Williams in his book The Redeemed Captive Returning to Zion; or, The Captivity and Deliverance of Rev. John Williams of Deerfield