| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - February 21 2016 : 5:16:54 PM
http://www.fortat4.org/history.php
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Making a Home
The inhabitants of No. 4 recreated this English system in their settlement along the Connecticut River. They eventually secured a minister, doctor and blacksmith – all essential elements in a colonial settlement. The families of No. 4 educated their children using the common tools of the day such as the hornbook. Like most colonial children, girls and boys worked hard doing their daily chores. Girls typically helped their mothers cook, garden, sew and care for the younger children. Boys often chopped wood and learned a trade. Children had very little time for entertainment, but did have games and toys that were common in other colonial settlements. For example, they most likely made dolls from cornhusks and played games by shooting marbles and by rolling a large hoop with a stick.
The families of No. 4 cooperatively farmed land, built homes and ran businesses. For example, by the mid 1740s, the Spafford family constructed a gristmill, where grain was ground into flour, and a sawmill, which cut boards for construction of houses. Both of these industries played a significant part in building homes in the area and helping the population to thrive. However, living on the frontier meant facing dangers like Indian attacks. Several attacks on No. 4, described in diaries and other documents, record the killing and capture of settlers as well as the destruction of Spafford’s mills which were burnt down (and rebuilt) twice.
Native American Relations
The relationship between frontier inhabitants like those at No. 4 and the Native Americans whose homeland they were on was complex. In times of peace, No. 4 inhabitants had the opportunity to interact with the native population, mostly Abenaki. This included establishing a trading relationship with the local Indians. The account book of Phineas Stevens who set up a trading post at No. 4 reveals how often he traded with the Indians. This relationship was disrupted during times of conflict. Relations were already tense by the early 1740s when war from Europe spread to America (King George’s War 1744-1748). Located in the midst of Indian routes and the river, the families at No. 4 experienced this conflict first hand. Since they arrived at the settlement, they lived in fear of being attacked or captured by Native warriors allied with the French soldiers. The inhabitants of No. 4 held a meeting in 1743 where they decided to build a fort that would offer protection for the families. |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - February 22 2016 : 6:45:14 PM
You know what courage it took to leave places like Boston, small towns all over, but pretty much "safe places" and head north up into a total wilderness? - A place where growing seasons are short, very short, winters are long & cold, - not to mention the Abenaki's home ground. - Not very many of todays people could handle anything even close ... The very definition of courage. - In fact I don't think the Abernaki have ever signed a treaty with Uncle Sam, - not that it matters any longer.
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http://www.nanations.com/abenaki/index.htm
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| Fitzhugh Williams |
Posted - February 22 2016 : 08:45:00 AM
Good info. I love that area and it's history.
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| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - February 21 2016 : 5:21:16 PM
If there really was a "time machine" it would be fascinating to return & see the "real events/life" first hand. - Simply reading about it, you lose something. - I live on a lake in a woodsy area - take away the houses & roads and nothing's changed, you see things as they did - just the people of that era are missing. |
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