Individual Details
Elizabeth Howe
(11 Jul 1675 - 18 Aug 1764)
Elizabeth was visiting her sister Sarah in Lancaster at the time her sister was killed and was taken captive and taken to Canada, where after about three years, she was redeemed and returned to her home.
The family tradition is that the Indians attacked the house of Peter Joslin, her brother-in-law, July 18,1692, while he was at work in a distant field. Mrs. Joslin (Sarah), was baking bread and Elizabeth, who was visiting, was singing while she was spinning flax. When the Indians came to the door, they were met by Mrs. Joslin, who with an oven shovel tried to prevent their entrance, when one of then threw his tomahawk, which struck her in the head killing her instantly. The Indians 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 of his folly. It is said Elizabeth never fully recovered from the fright of her capture. (History of Leonminster, Mass.)
After her marriage, she moved with her husband to Shrewsbury where they where among the early settlers, and where she died. They had five children that were recorded, probably others.
Elizabeth Howe was b. 7/11/1675 in the eastern part of Marlborough, on the Boston Post Rd., between the village and "Wayside Inn" (immortalized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow), which was built by her cousin, David Howe. Elizabeth was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Ward) How. Elizabeth's headstone and that of Thomas are found in the Old Spring Hill Cemetery in Marlborough.
The story of Elizabeth's capture by Indians can be found in Historical Reminiscences of Marlborough. On July 18,1692, as a young girl visiting her sister, the wife of Peter Joslin of Lancaster, MA, the Joslin home was attacked by Indians. Upon his return from the field, Peter found his wife, three children and the widow Whitcomb "barbarously butchered by their hatchets, and weltering in their gore". A contemporary chronicler wrote of Peter; "Thus was he stript naked and called to bitter weeping and lamentation." Elizabeth was taken captive into Canada. She was engaged to Thomas at the time of her capture. Believing that Elizabeth would never return, Thomas took a solemn vow never to marry. Four years later she was redeemed by the Government. After her redemption, Elizabeth returned by way of the Saco River and was brought to Boston, where she told Royal Governor Phipps "that if she had been a beaver skin she would have been redeemed much earlier"! It is said that she kept certain Indian habits, such as sitting on the floor, for some years after her return from captivity.
After their marriage 1/23/1699, Thomas and Elizabeth settled in Marlborough, MA, later moving to Shrewsbury. Thomas d. 8/25/1742. Elizabeth d. 8/18/1764 at the age of 89.
The family tradition is that the Indians attacked the house of Peter Joslin, her brother-in-law, July 18,1692, while he was at work in a distant field. Mrs. Joslin (Sarah), was baking bread and Elizabeth, who was visiting, was singing while she was spinning flax. When the Indians came to the door, they were met by Mrs. Joslin, who with an oven shovel tried to prevent their entrance, when one of then threw his tomahawk, which struck her in the head killing her instantly. The Indians 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 of his folly. It is said Elizabeth never fully recovered from the fright of her capture. (History of Leonminster, Mass.)
After her marriage, she moved with her husband to Shrewsbury where they where among the early settlers, and where she died. They had five children that were recorded, probably others.
Elizabeth Howe was b. 7/11/1675 in the eastern part of Marlborough, on the Boston Post Rd., between the village and "Wayside Inn" (immortalized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow), which was built by her cousin, David Howe. Elizabeth was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Ward) How. Elizabeth's headstone and that of Thomas are found in the Old Spring Hill Cemetery in Marlborough.
The story of Elizabeth's capture by Indians can be found in Historical Reminiscences of Marlborough. On July 18,1692, as a young girl visiting her sister, the wife of Peter Joslin of Lancaster, MA, the Joslin home was attacked by Indians. Upon his return from the field, Peter found his wife, three children and the widow Whitcomb "barbarously butchered by their hatchets, and weltering in their gore". A contemporary chronicler wrote of Peter; "Thus was he stript naked and called to bitter weeping and lamentation." Elizabeth was taken captive into Canada. She was engaged to Thomas at the time of her capture. Believing that Elizabeth would never return, Thomas took a solemn vow never to marry. Four years later she was redeemed by the Government. After her redemption, Elizabeth returned by way of the Saco River and was brought to Boston, where she told Royal Governor Phipps "that if she had been a beaver skin she would have been redeemed much earlier"! It is said that she kept certain Indian habits, such as sitting on the floor, for some years after her return from captivity.
After their marriage 1/23/1699, Thomas and Elizabeth settled in Marlborough, MA, later moving to Shrewsbury. Thomas d. 8/25/1742. Elizabeth d. 8/18/1764 at the age of 89.
Events
| Birth | 11 Jul 1675 | Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay, British America | |||
| Marriage | 23 Jan 1698/99 | Deacon Thomas Keyes | |||
| Death | 18 Aug 1764 | Shrewsbury, Massachusetts Bay, British America | |||
| Burial | Spring Hill Cemetery, Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States |
Families
| Spouse | Deacon Thomas Keyes (1674 - 1742) |
| Father | John Howe (1640 - 1676) |
| Mother | Elizabeth Ward (1643 - 1710) |
| Sibling | Sarah Howe (1669 - 1692) |
| Sibling | John Howe (1671 - 1754) |
| Sibling | David Howe (1674 - 1674) |