cover of episode 150. Worlds Colliding: Seizing Settlers in New England

150. Worlds Colliding: Seizing Settlers in New England

2024/5/20
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The small Puritan town of Deerfield is attacked by French and Native American forces, leading to the capture of Reverend John Williams and his daughter Eunice. The raid highlights the vulnerability of early colonial settlements and sets the stage for a complex narrative of captivity and cultural assimilation.

Shownotes Transcript

Deerfield, February 1704. The small, puritan town of roughly 300 inhabitants in western Massachusetts has been riven with tension ever since the French and Native American forces had begun raiding them at the end of the previous year. The snows of winter have settled over New England and, on the last night of February 1704, the village is attacked. What follows is an extraordinary tale that not only tells us about life in New England, but also illuminates the fragility of early colonial America. Listen as William and Anita discuss captivity in New England and how the religious and political dynamic of this period is far more porous than some would believe.

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Assistant Producer: Anouska Lewis

Producer: Callum Hill

Exec Producer: Neil Fearn

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