The Surprise Massacre at Oyster River

The late 1600s were a dangerous time to live in northern New England, particularly New Hampshire and Maine. The French and English, along with local Indian tribes aligning with both sides, were engaged in King William's War and battling over the Acadian border beginning in 1688. New France and the Wabanaki Confederacy of tribes wanted to stop the expansion of New England. The Iroquois Confederacy, longtime enemies of New France, fought with New England. My husband's Drew ancestors were living in Strafford County, New Hampshire at the time, in a settlement along Oyster River.

William Drew and Elizabeth (Matthews) Drew, my husband's 8th great-grandparents, were married in 1648 and settled at Drew's Point in the Oyster River Plantation, now known as Durham. Several of their children, along with the family of William's brother Thomas, were among the scattered residents living at Oyster River when the war began. They were all well aware of the danger to their families. Along Oyster River were twelve Garrison houses, situated on both sides of the water, so if a raid was suspected, the families could all head to the closest Garrison house to take cover. When the war began, many families had taken up residence in Garrison houses. Night watchmen were posted to keep a lookout, but on July 16th, 1694, the residents gathered to hear the belated news of the Treaty of Pemaquid, signed in late 1693, that basically called a truce. The relieved residents let down their guard, called off the watchmen, and relaxed. Some even left the Garrison houses and returned to their homes.

Unfortunately, the Wabanaki and the French had made the decision to break the treaty and planned a surprise attack. Only two days after the Oyster River residents had learned of the treaty, they were surprised with a vicious attack at daybreak. The French and Indian forces had divided into two parties to reach both sides of the river simultaneously. They were instructed to kill the inhabitants and burn the Garrison houses.

Historical Marker

OYSTER RIVER MASSACRE

On July 18, 1694, a force of about 250 Indians under command of the French soldier, de Villieu, attacked settlements in this area 

on both sides of the Oyster River, killing or capturing approximately 

100 settlers, destroying five garrison houses and numerous dwellings. 

It was the most devastating French and Indian raid in New Hampshire 

during King William's War.

Among the dead and captured in the attack were the following known members of the Drew family:

Thomas Drew, brother of William, killed in the attack.

Francis Drew, son of William, was the commander of a Garrison house at Drew's Point. He surrendered during the attack on the promise of security, but was instead bludgeoned with tomahawks and was killed.

     His wife Lydia, was dragged away and left to die in the woods.

     His son Benjamin, age 9, was forced to run the gauntlet as a target for tomahawks and died soon after the attack.

     Another son, Thomas, and daughter-in-law Tamsen were taken prisoner by the Indians. Tamsen was expecting their first child and when it was born, the Indians killed it. She was released from captivity after four years of torturous treatment. She and Thomas were reunited and lived a long life, both passing in 1766.

John Drew, son of William and brother to Francis, survived the attack. He was David's 7th great-grandfather.