STEBBINS FAMILY of Sullivan County, NH

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STEBBINS FAMILY of Sullivan County, NH
Transcribed and contributed to Genealogy Trails by Janice Farnsworth - Farns10th@aol.com
Source: History of Charlestown, NH - Fort 4 by Rev. Henry H. Saunderson pub 1876,
Claremont, NH

p.555
Asahel Stebbins son of Asahel and Sarah (Petty) Stebbins of Northfield, MA b. 1728 m. Lydia Harwood dau of John Harwood Ware River, MA. They settled at Charlestown (Fort No. 4) Their children:
1. Asahel Stebbins, Jr. b. May 30, 1750 m. Mar 18, 177l Susanna Field dau of Seth Field of Northfield, MA. He was in the campaign of 1777 and died July 26, 1822 (see also History of Northfield)
2. Cyrus Stebbins b. April 25, 1752 - Revolutionary soldier, d. Sep ll, 1776
3. Lydia Stebbins bp June 30, 1754
4. Experience Stebbins b. Sep 26, 1756 m. Nov 30, 1809 Moses Gunn of Montague MA.

In an attack upon Charlestown (Fort 4) NH Aug 27, 1758 Asahel Stebbins was killed on the meadow just below the place now occupied by Henry Willard (this as of 1876) and his wife was taken prisoner by the Indians leaving four children, the eldest being but seven years of age. While on the march to Canada, Mrs. Stebbins became worn out by the hardships of the journey and was unable to travel. As she had thus become an encumbrance to them, the savages determined to burn her. She was fastened to the stake and witnessed the preparations for the horrid ceremony. Heart broken by her sorrows, exhausted by her sufferings, the captive had found her trials almost too great for endurance. She had no hope of ultimate release. In full faith that the portals of eternal rest were about to open for her she smiled upon her tormentors. The Indians, considering this an act of bravery and defiance were filled with admiratiion that knew no bounds. She was at once released from her bonds and assisted and cared for the remainder of the journey. She was redeemed between September and December 1758 and lived to good old age, dying Feb. 2, 1808 aged 76. A monument to her memory has been erected in the cemetery at Northfield, MA by some of her great grand children. (see also, History of Northfield (MA) She m. after the death of her husband, Samuel Merriman on Dec 21, 1759. Isaac Parker and David Hill were taken prisoners at the same time as Mrs. Stebbins.