The Beagle Log, 6 February - French and Indian War Part 1

Last edited by Don on Fri 22 Feb 2008 - 17:15; edited 1 time in total

I promised an entry on the French and Indian War which was actually a series of four wars, each international in scope. In North America, hostilities between France and Great Britain were for control of North America. The first war, known in the American colonies as King William's War (1689–1697), was part of the War of the Grand Alliance. King William III of England joined the League of Augsburg against France. In North America most hostilities occurred in what is now upstate New York and current day Canada. The outcome in North America was a stalemate.

The next war was Queen Anne's War (1702–1713). In Canada, Britain, and France this war is simply considered a theatre of the War of the Spanish Succession. Hostilities in the new world were focused in areas around Charleston, South Carolina, and the New York–New England frontier with the Canadian territories. British and colonial excursions into Florida were rebuffed and the Spanish maintained St. Augustine and Pensacola for more than a century after the war. British and colonial forces were successful in defeating a combined Spanish and French amphibious force sent from Havana against Charleston. In 1703, the New England settlements on Cape Cod were ravaged by Indians led by a small French force. In February 1704, French and Indian forces, destroyed Deerfield, better known as “the Deerfield massacre”, where 150 settlers were killed or taken prisoner.

Now this is where my interest lies. Deerfield is just up the river from Hadley where my Smith family resided. Other of my family braches, most notably the Stebbins, lived in Deerfield. John Stebbins (my 6th great grandfather) and his family were among the prisoners. Only John, his wife, and oldest son returned to Deerfield. Five other children remained in Canada, married to French colonist.

Under terms of the Treaty of Utrecht (1713), Britain gained Acadia (renamed Nova Scotia), the island of Newfoundland, the Hudson Bay region, and the Caribbean island of St. Kitts.

The peace lasted until the outbreak of the next colonial war, King George's War in 1744. This and the final the French and Indian War, which is the war most commonly referred to as the “French and Indian War” and was the most significant war will be addressed in a future post.
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Don

Hiya Don,

That is really interesting, thank you. Didn't know any of this. And its great that you've found that information about your Smith and Stebbins ancestors in realtion to it. Especially that John Stebbins had been one of the prisoners & about his family then-after. Am I right then in thinking that his eldest son who returned to Deerfield is your direct ancestor?

Interesting Don - will look forward to more about the "French and Indian War" in later Beagle Logs

Carole

Carole,

Yes, without John's eldest son I would not be here.
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Don

Hi Don

Just read your postie about the French and Indians Wars.
Look forward to reading more.

Love Jean