As can be seen from this page from Elijah Williams’ day book, many Deerfield, Massachusetts, men bought powder, lead, and flints on June 11, 1755, during the French and Indian War (1754-1763). One who bought powder was “Sesar”, Jonathan Hoit’s enslaved man. Another was Caleb Sharp (also known as Sharp Caleb), a formerly enslaved man who was said to be half Indigenous and half Black. Most likely, the men who purchased ammunition were defending an outpost in Charlemont, Massachusetts. Moses Rice and others were working in a meadow near the fort on that June day when a small group of Indigenous warriors ambushed the men. Captain Rice was severely wounded and was carried off into the woods where he was tomahawked and scalped. Phineas Arms, who had been acting as sentinel, was killed. Someone from Charlemont quickly rode to Deerfield, the nearest town, and spread the news about the attack.
Williams, Elijah. Elijah Williams Day Book. 1755. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l14-001/. Accessed on January 3, 2025.
Please note: Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.