Raid on Dover
Cochecho Massacre
Part of King William's War

Major Waldron defending garrison
DateJune 27–28, 1689
Location
Dover, Province of New Hampshire
Result Pennacook victory
Belligerents
Pennacook Residents of Dover
Commanders and leaders
Kancamagus[lower-alpha 1] Major Richard Waldron
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown 23 killed, 29 captured

The Raid on Dover (also known as the Cochecho Massacre) took place in Dover, New Hampshire, on June 27–28, 1689. Led by Chief Kancamagus of the Pennacook, it was part of King William's War, the North American theater of the Nine Years' War (1688–1697), fought between England and France and their respective Native allies.

Cause

At the end of King Philip's War (1675–1678), a number of Indians fleeing the Massachusetts Bay Colony militia took refuge with the Abenaki tribe living in Dover. The militia ordered Major Richard Waldron to attack the natives and turn refugee combatants over to them. Waldron believed he could capture them without a pitched battle, and so on September 7, 1676, invited the natives—about 400 in total, half local and half refugees—to participate in a mock battle against the militia near Cochecho Falls. After the natives discharged their guns, Waldron and Major Charles Frost took them prisoner. He sent both refugee combatants and those locals who violently objected to Boston, where seven or eight were convicted of insurrection and executed. The rest were sold into slavery, most in Barbados. Local Indians were released, but never forgave Waldron for the deception, which violated both sides' rules of honor and hospitality. Waldron was appointed Chief Justice for New Hampshire in 1683.

Revenge

Death of Major Richard Waldron

Thirteen years passed and settlers believed the incident forgotten, when members of the newly formed Wabanaki Confederacy arrived at Dover. Citizens expressed concern to Waldron, but he told them to "go and plant your pumpkins, and he would take care of the Indians."[3] On June 27, 1689, two native women appeared at each of five garrison houses, asking permission to sleep by the fire, not uncommon in peaceful times. All but one house accepted. In the dark early hours of the next day, the women unfastened the doors, allowing braves who had concealed themselves to enter. The sword-wielding elderly Waldron[4][5] was cut across his belly with knives, with each warrior saying "I cross out my account." Five or six dwelling houses were burned, along with the mills. Fifty-two colonists, a full quarter of the entire population, were captured or slain.[3]

Aftermath

Captives included Waldron's seven-year-old grandchild Sarah Gerrish, daughter of Elizabeth and John Gerrish.[6][7] These were the first recorded British captives that natives abducted and sold in Quebec.[8]

In the following month Pemaquid, Maine, met a similar fate.[9] John Gyles was taken prisoner at Pemaquid and brought back to Dover, where he reported being in the company of captives taken in the earlier Dover raid.[10]

Legacy

The William Damm Garrison House, built in 1675, survived the raid, and was moved to the grounds of the Woodman Institute Museum. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Kancamagus was also known as John Hogkin or John Hawkins.[1][2]

Sources

References

  1. ↑ True stories of New England captives carried to Canada during the old French and Indian wars [microform]. 1897. ISBN 9780665024856.
  2. ↑ "Kancamagus led Pennacook uprisings against English encroachment - NashuaTelegraph.com". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  3. 1 2 Robinson, J. Dennis (1997). "Cochecho Massacre". Seacoast NH History. www.seacoastnh.com. Archived from the original on 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2010-07-06.
  4. ↑ "Cochecho Massacre", Dover Library, http://www.dover.lib.nh.us/DoverHistory/cocheco.htm Archived 2012-02-05 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ Garland, Caroline Harwood, "Old Dover, New Hampshire", The New England Magazine, Volume 0023, Issue 1 (Sept. 1897), p.103, as found at http://digital.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=newe&cc=newe&idno=newe0023-1&node=newe0023-1%3A1&frm=frameset&view=image&seq=111)
  6. ↑ "The border wars of New England, commonly called King William's and Queen Anne's wars". 1897.
  7. ↑ Hull, John Thomas; City Council, Portland (Me. ). (1885). The Siege and Capture of Fort Loyall, Destruction of Falmouth, May 20, 1690 (O.s.): A Paper Read Before the Maine Genealogical Society, June 2, 1885. Owen, Strout & Company, printers. p. 101. captive Sarah Gerrish and others quebec.
  8. ↑ Belknap, p. 129
  9. ↑ "Viasat Internet | Viasat Satellite Internet".
  10. ↑ "The border wars of New England, commonly called King William's and Queen Anne's wars". 1897.

Further reading

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