- 50
Deerfield Massacre - Williams Family Correspondence
Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- paper
An extensive collection of 32 letters and documents of various members of this family, who played a central role in the Deerfield (Massachusetts) Massacre, immortalized as a part of the early American frontier story, principally due to the account of one of its captives, the Reverend John Williams. Correspondents include Reverend John Williams (1664-1729), his three sons also taken in capitivity Eleazar, Stephen, and Warham Williams, William Williams (1731-1811, signer from Connecticut), Stephen West Williams, Otho H. Williams (1749-1794), Ephraim Williams (1714-1755), Israel Williams, and Elijah Williams and others, in fine condition with the usual seal tears and folds, 1709-1851, plus 5 engraved portraits.
The contents of the collection is as follows:
John Williams. 9 autograph letters signed (mostly “John Williams”), 9 pages (small 4to and 8vo), Deerfield, MA, 23 January 1709/10 – 26 February 1724, to his son eldest son Stephen, on various topics: his son’s education at “Cambridge College”, religious matters, crops, illness, Indian attacks and other news: (23 January 1709/10) “… To get grace & learning should be your highest ambition. Endeavour that none may reach you in character. Look well to your company … Always attend your exercises …” (4 August 1712, news of Indian raids) “… On Tuesday the enemy took a young man captive in skirmish … & as I returned at night a post from Deer[field] advised that … the enemy fired upon our Scout who went to the North River about 2 mile above the Country farm & that two had escaped … we sent out 24 men to the west to get before the enemy & ambush them but without success …” (23 November 1713 from Albany, bound to Canada to ransom his daughter Eunice who married a Mohawk and assimilated) “The week before we came thither a trading cannoe of Canada Indians went from Albany … No news here only that several English captives at Canada think the War very long & wonder that no one has arrived [to ransom them] would gladly have come away with Col. Sc[h]uyler …”.
Eleazar Williams (son of the above). 2 autograph letters signed (“Eleazar Williams”), 2 pages (small 4to), Mansfield (MA), 16 November 1726 and 17 February 1738, to his brother Stephen, family news.
Stephen Williams (brother of Eleazar). Autograph letter signed (“Stephn Williams”), 1 page (small 4to), L[ong] M[eadow] (MA), 8 February 1748/9, to Reverend Joseph Noyes, on mutual business with Mr. Jones.
Warham Williams (brother of Stephen). 2 autograph letters signed (“War: Williams”), 4 ½ pages (small 4to), Waltham (MA), 16 April 17[40?] and 4 September 1738, to his brother Stephen, lamenting the “hooting, howling and agonizing” of a revival meeting, the other regrets not attending a commencement at Yale.
William Williams (signer). Autograph letter signed, autograph document signed, and autograph endorsement signed, 1780-1781, 5 pages (folio and oblong 4to), the letter to Polly, a document relating to enlistment bounties in the Revolutionary War and a note regarding an estate. Plus 13 additional letters and documents written or signed by family members including William Williams (1771 & 1772), Eleazar Williams (“The Dauphin, 1851), William Williams of Weston (1714, 1725, 1755), William Williams (1763, 1772), Stephen West Williams, Otho H. Williams (1749-1794), Ephraim Williams (1714-1755), Israel Williams, Elijah Williams (1742).
The contents of the collection is as follows:
John Williams. 9 autograph letters signed (mostly “John Williams”), 9 pages (small 4to and 8vo), Deerfield, MA, 23 January 1709/10 – 26 February 1724, to his son eldest son Stephen, on various topics: his son’s education at “Cambridge College”, religious matters, crops, illness, Indian attacks and other news: (23 January 1709/10) “… To get grace & learning should be your highest ambition. Endeavour that none may reach you in character. Look well to your company … Always attend your exercises …” (4 August 1712, news of Indian raids) “… On Tuesday the enemy took a young man captive in skirmish … & as I returned at night a post from Deer[field] advised that … the enemy fired upon our Scout who went to the North River about 2 mile above the Country farm & that two had escaped … we sent out 24 men to the west to get before the enemy & ambush them but without success …” (23 November 1713 from Albany, bound to Canada to ransom his daughter Eunice who married a Mohawk and assimilated) “The week before we came thither a trading cannoe of Canada Indians went from Albany … No news here only that several English captives at Canada think the War very long & wonder that no one has arrived [to ransom them] would gladly have come away with Col. Sc[h]uyler …”.
Eleazar Williams (son of the above). 2 autograph letters signed (“Eleazar Williams”), 2 pages (small 4to), Mansfield (MA), 16 November 1726 and 17 February 1738, to his brother Stephen, family news.
Stephen Williams (brother of Eleazar). Autograph letter signed (“Stephn Williams”), 1 page (small 4to), L[ong] M[eadow] (MA), 8 February 1748/9, to Reverend Joseph Noyes, on mutual business with Mr. Jones.
Warham Williams (brother of Stephen). 2 autograph letters signed (“War: Williams”), 4 ½ pages (small 4to), Waltham (MA), 16 April 17[40?] and 4 September 1738, to his brother Stephen, lamenting the “hooting, howling and agonizing” of a revival meeting, the other regrets not attending a commencement at Yale.
William Williams (signer). Autograph letter signed, autograph document signed, and autograph endorsement signed, 1780-1781, 5 pages (folio and oblong 4to), the letter to Polly, a document relating to enlistment bounties in the Revolutionary War and a note regarding an estate. Plus 13 additional letters and documents written or signed by family members including William Williams (1771 & 1772), Eleazar Williams (“The Dauphin, 1851), William Williams of Weston (1714, 1725, 1755), William Williams (1763, 1772), Stephen West Williams, Otho H. Williams (1749-1794), Ephraim Williams (1714-1755), Israel Williams, Elijah Williams (1742).
Provenance
Western Historical Reserve Society (sale, Christie’s New York, 14 December 2000, lot 313)
Literature
See J. Demos, The Unredeemed Captive: A Family Story from Early America (1994)
Condition
Generally fine condition with a few seal tears and slight stains.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
A fine collection, formed in the 1930s and 1940s, noteworthy for the letters of John Williams "The Redeemed Captive" who, along with five of his children, was taken captive by a force of French and Indians who attacked Deerfield on 29 February 1704. The 112 captives were taken overland to Canada (92 survived the journey). The Reverend and all of his children (save Eunice) were ransomed.