USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Windham > Windham in the past > Part 4
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
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THE EARLY SETTLERS
right of Michael Bowden, who, like many of the grantees, sold his land to other parties.
Mr. Winship was an inmate of the old Province Fort during the last Indian war, and was one of the party attacked by the savages on that memorable 14th day of May, 1756. On this occasion he was shot down and lost one eye and two scalps, besides suffering other wounds, and was left for dead on that gory field. He appears to have been made of sterner stuff, how- ever, as he eventually recovered and lived about ten years after the battle. His wife, Mehitable, died Apr. 17, 1753. Although bruised and battered beyond the common lot, there seems to have been enough of him left to attract the fair sex. as we find that, soon after his recovery, he married Mrs. Elizabeth, widow of Samuel Mathews, one of the early settlers, who had died some time before. By her he had four children. He died on the farm where he first settled, in June, 1766, aged 57 years. His remains lie interred in the Smith Cemetery at South Windham, but no stone marks the spot.
Ezra Brown came to Windham from Georgetown, Me., as early as 1750 (possibly before that time). He located on Home Lot No. 59, built a house, and had nine acres of land cleared pre- vious to 1756. He married in Georgetown, Mary Boobier, and they had one child born there and three more born in this town between 1750 and 1755. In addition to his home lot, Mr. Brown owned Lot 21 in the first division of hundred-acre lots. Here he was shot and instantly killed by Chief Polin. May 14, 1756. His widow afterwards became the second wife of Eleazer Chase and died in Buckfield. Me.
Joseph Starling located on Home Lot No. 8, in 1750, where he is reported to have the "Remains of a house," with nine acres cleared; also on Lot 7 he had a house and eight acres cleared. His wife's name was Mary -, but where they came from we have never been able to ascertain. They had seven children, born in this town between January, 1751 and 1766. Mr. Starling was an inmate of the Fort during the last Indian war, at the close of which he returned to his farm. There he remained for several years. He finally sold his property to Richard Dole and shortly afterwards left town to settle elsewhere.
Micah Walker settled on Home Lot No. 49, and he is also re- ported as "settled on the hundred acres;" but on which one we
44
WINDHAM IN THE PAST
are not informed; neither is there any mention of a house on cither lot. However, it is presumable he had one, as he had a family here in 1751, which was probably about the date of his settlement. He appears to have been twice married. His first wife was Beulah -, and, according to the church record, they had a daughter, Molly, baptized by Rev. John Wight, on Dec. 22, 1751. They also had a son, William, born Oct. 30, 1753. Mr. Wight records the death of Mrs. Walker as taking place on May 29, 1759. Mr. Walker married a second wife whose name was Elizabeth -, and they had several children born here. We have never been able to learn where Mr. Walker came from, but he appears to have been a man of considerable influence in town. Ile was Town Clerk from 1771 to 1773; and, in October, 1770, he was chosen deacon of the church, that office being made vacant by the resignation of Deacon Chute. Mr. Walker removed from this town, and we think he settled in New Gloucester.
John Stevens, ancestor of the family in Windham, came from Newburyport. At just what time he located here we are not able to state positively, but it must have been previous to May 7, 1751, as, on that date, his son, Nathaniel, was born in this town. His wife was Hannah --- , and they had five children born before they settled here. Mr. Stevens, according to the old records, "improved" IIome Lot No. 48. which had been drawn as the original right of Capt. Joseph Smithurst, one of the grantees. He also owned, later on, land in other parts of the town and died here, Dec. 18, 1786, aged 80 years.
John Stevens, Jun. was the son of the above-named John. He came to Windham with his parents and "improved" Lot No. 47, which adjoined his father's. He is reported to have had fourteen acres cleared with a house, in 1759. He married, Oct. 10. 1763, Ilannah Wescott or (as the old record has it) "Waist- coat" of Windham. They had two children born and baptized here. John Stevens died, according to the church records, June 20, 1769. Ile and his wife both "owned" the church covenant, April 7, 1765, at which date their first child, Richard, was baptized. No record of his wife's death can be found, but she is said to have outlived her husband for several years.
Another early settler in this town was Eleazer Chase. He settled on llome Lot No. 58 as early as 1750. His wife was Jane Elder, daughter of the emigrant, Samuel, and they had a son.
45
THE EARLY SETTLERS
Nathaniel, born here, July 14, 1750, and baptized by Rev. Mr. Wight Oct. 18. The lot on which he settled was drawn by William Goodwin, one of the grantees, and Mr. Chase, according to the old report, had a house built and nine acres of land cleared in 1759. His wife, Jane, died about 1762; and he married Mary, widow of Ezra Brown, who had been killed by Chief Polin in 1756. They had a son, Joseph, baptized in October, 1766. He appears to have lived here until about 1782, when he removed to Buckfield, Me., where one or more of his sons had previously located.
Nathaniel Evans was one of the original grantees. He was of Marblehead and is called a "chairmaker." In the division of the land in Windham, he drew Home Lot No. 55. It has been asserted that he never came here, but, like many of the grantees, disposed of his right ; in this case to Robert Mugford, or, as the old records call him, Muckeford. However, it is a fact that Mr. Evans, with his wife and daughter, Mary (or Molly, as she was called), came here and lived on his lot. There traces of his old settlement can yet be seen, while directly opposite, on the easterly side of the River Road, is a spring that is still known by his name.
We do not know how carly he came here, but his daughter, Mary, married Robert Mugford of Marblehead, and they had a son, also named Robert, born in Windham, Dec. 30, 1755. They were then living with Mr. Evans on his land. On the church records we find that, on Oct. 20, Nathaniel Evans was admitted to the church here, having been regularly dismissed from the church in Marblehead. His wife died Oct. 27, 1763. The simple entry on the church book under the above date is, "Died the wife of Nathaniel Evans." Mr. Evans outlived his wife for several years, as we find on the town records that, on Mar. 28, 1771, he was chosen "Enformer of Dear and Moos," and also, on Mar. 9, 1772, he was chosen "Dear Reaf." No record of his death is known to exist, neither do we know Thomas L. Smith's authority for the statement that he was 99 years of age at the time of his decease.
Samuel Mathews is reported to have settled on Home Lot No. 22, with a house and seven acres cleared, in 1751. We have no means of knowing where this early settler came from. That he had a family is evident, as we find on the church book the
46
WINDHAM IN THE PAST
births of two children, born between 1756 and 1758. Mr. Mathews died before 1759.
Curtis Chute, son of Thomas and Mary (Curtis) Chute, came to this town with his parents. He appears to have been an active, influential young man and, like his father, to have possessed the entire confidence of his fellow townsmen. He lived with his parents on Home Lot No. 12. On March 26, 1767, at the annual town meeting, he was elected Selectman, and while on town busi- ness in Portland, he was instantly killed by lightning, June 4, 1767.
Parson Thomas Smith records this casualty as follows : "Curtis Chute and one young man were instantly killed by lightning at the Widow Goodings. Harrison and others hurt and nearly killed, and the house near being destroyed also." He gives the date as June 5, 1767. Curtis Chute left a widow and five children to mourn his untimely death.
Gershom Winship, son of Ephraim and Mehitable (Cutter) Winship, was born in Lexington, Mass., May 10, 1736. He came with his parents to Windham when about fourteen years of age and spent the remainder of his life here. On June 27, 1759, he was united in marriage with Anne or, (as it is sometimes written) Nancy, daughter of William Mayberry, the emigrant, the officiat- ing clergyman being Rev. Thomas Smith of Portland. At the time of his marriage, he owned Lot No. 6, on which he had a barn and six acres cleared. Shortly afterwards he built a house on his land, in which he lived until his death, on May 25, 1802. After his decease, his widow went to live with her daughter in Gorham and died there Feb. 10, 1808. She was the second white child born in Windham. Gershom Winship and his wife, Anne, had eleven children, nine boys and two girls. The third child, Me- hitable, married Samuel Dole, and she was the writer's grand- mother.
William Maxfield probably came from Marblehead, as there is a well authenticated tradition that he came here with William Mayberry, the second settler, and was an inmate of his family for several years. He was twice married, his first wife being Susannah Webb, to whom he was married in December, 1753. They had one child, born here May 2, 1754. Mrs. Maxfield died not long after the birth of this child. On June 25, 1763, he entered his intention of marriage (in which he is called "Max-
47
THE EARLY SETTLERS
well") with Mary Wescott, and, on July 21, 1763, he was married by Rev. Peter T. Smith, who calls him "Maxfield." By his last wife he had six children, born between 1765 and 1775. He settled on Home Lot No. 2, on which he built a "Double house" and had eight acres of land cleared in 1759. He also owned the adjoining lot, No. 4, on which he had a like number of acres cleared. The exact date of his death we do not know, but it was before 1785, as, in that year, his widow married her second hus- band, Daniel Cook. She died in Caseo at the age of 90 years.
John Farrow, Jr. was the son of John and Persis Farrow. He was born in Tiverton, R. I., and came here, a young man, with his father, who was the third settler in the township. He located on Home Lot No. 31, where he had a house and twelve acres of cleared land. He is also reported to have owned Lot 30, on which he had a garrison house during the last Indian war. The date of his first settlement is said to be 1743. We are unable to ascertain whom he married, save that her first name was Hannah. He had five children, all born and baptized here between 1745 and 1758. We do not know the date of his death or that of his wife, but he appears to have been living here in 1762.
William Bolton, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Mclellan) Bolton, was born in Falmouth, Apr. 13, 1731, and came to Wind- ham with his parents. In 1747, he was captured by the Indians and carried to Canada, where he was sold as a servant to a French naval officer, who soon afterwards carried him to sea. When out from port a few days. the vessel was captured by an English frigate, and Bolton became the servant of Lieutenant Wallace, with whom he remained in that capacity until the frigate put into Boston harbor. There he was discharged and returned to Wind- ham. His genealogy is given later.
William Elder, son of the emigrant, Samuel, was born in Artemore County, Ireland. The date of his birth is unknown. He came with his father from Falmouth to Windham, in 1743. He married Mary Akers, of whose parentage we can learn noth- ing. He located on Home Lots Nos. 45 and 46. The former of these lots had been drawn to Joseph Swett and the latter to Samuel Brimblecome, both of old Marblehead, and both original grantees of this town. On these lots Mr. Elder had a "Dubble house," and the date of his settlement is given as 1753. He and
48
WINDHAM IN THE PAST
his wife, Mary, had eleven children born in Windham, eight of whom were boys.
The foregoing individuals may be termed the pioneers of Windham, called by the Proprietors New Marblehead, in honor of the parent town.
On reviewing the list, we find that but very few of the original grantees settled on their lots, Thomas Chute, William Mayberry, and Nathaniel Evans being the only exceptions, so far as we ean ascertain. The others disposed of their rights and probably never eame here even for a short visit. However, it is undoubt- cdly true that those sturdy God-fearing men, who purchased these home lots, were vastly better qualified to overeome the difficulties and dangers incident to a wilderness settlement than were the sailors, innkeepers, and gentlemen of old Marblehead.
They were not adventurers in search of sudden wealth or political aggrandizement, but they came to make for themselves and their families homes, with all which that word implies. By their efforts and sacrifices they laid the foundation on which the prosperity of Windham rests securely today.
Whatever the Proprietors could do by votes, they did freely, but the breaking out of the Indian wars caused them to forego all improvements, save that of affording the necessary protection to the few settlers then in town, and nearly all the votes recorded in their book are to this effect.
On April 31, 1751, during a temporary peace, they met and "Voted, that William Goodwin be and hereby is Directed and Desired to Repair to said Township, and take an account of the present state of the Settlement thereof, viz: what is done on Each particular Home Lott, and when so That a suitable allow- anee be made to such Proprietors as have Encouraged the Settle- ment. (According to former votes,) and take of the Roads and highways, what hath been done thereon for some years past and by whom, that a judgment may be made of the Surveyor's Accts for the labor thereon, and lay the same before the proprs at a meeting for that purpose, to act as they shall see meet."
Again, at a meeting held Apr. 26, 1755, it was
"Voted, that the present Comtee be desired and Improved by themselves, or any of them to appoint some suitable person or persons to repair to sd New Marblehead, and take an account of the present state of the Settlement of the Home Lotts, in order
49
THE EARLY SETTLERS
to make such suitable allowances to the first settlers according to former votes, and to take a view of the Roads or highways, (Relating to the Accts of the Surveyors) and what Repairs may be wanting at present, and likewise the state of the Bridge at Sacaripy falls, and make a Report thereof at an adjournment of this meeting, and such person or persons be paid their Reasonable Charge by the proprs for such service. And to Inquire by what means the Salmon and other fish are Obstructed in their Natural course in Presumscot River."
We do not find on the Proprietors' records anything to show that these votes were ever carried into effect, and it is probable that on account of the war, no action was taken by the committee. We hear nothing more in regard to the matter until nearly four years later, when, fearing that the General Court would revoke the grant, the Proprietors held a meeting on April 7, 1759, at which time they
"Voted, that Capt. Nathan Bowen, Mesrs John Wight and Samuel Turner, be a Comtee for the year Ensuing.
"Voted, that the said Comtee or any two of them be and hereby are fully authorized and Impowered to lay befor the Great and General Court or Assembly of this Province, Their Original Grant of said Township, and also an Account how far the Respective Proprietors have Complied with the Conditions thereof, (according to the order of said Court passed the 12 & 13th days of January 1758 upon the Petition of the Proprietors and settlers thereof,) and in order thereto the said Comtee by themselves or some suitable Person or Persons in their Room, shall as soon a may be, Repair to said Township, and there on the spot take an Exact account of what Quantity of Ground is cleared, and what fences and buildings now are, or have been Erected on the Respective Home Lotts, or on the second Division or hundred acre Lotts in said Township, and Report the same upon Oath to the said Proprietors at a Meeting to be called by said Comtee for that Purpose, And the Comtee are to pursue the said Petition of the Proprietors at said Court for Confirma- tion of the Grant, and for Incorporating said Township into a Town or District."
It appears that the Committee proceeded at once to fulfill the above votes, as we find that, at the adjournment of this
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WINDHAM IN THE PAST
meeting held on May 24, 1759, Mr. Goodwin presented his account as treasurer for the Proprietors.
Among other items were two, by which it appears that John Wight and Samuel Turner each were paid £2 "for services at sd Township."
At the same mecting, the committee doubtless rendered a report of their doings, but no record of such action was ever entered on the Proprietors' book, and for more than a century it was believed to have been lost or destroyed.
Several years ago, however, Rev. George M. Bodge, a native of Windham, while searching among the old archives of Massa- chusetts, discovered the original report of that old-time com- mittee. Mr. Bodge at once copied its time-hallowed pages and generously made the contents public property ; hence, we have no hesitation in saying that it is the most valuable discovery relating to our early history that has ever come to light. Here- tofore the historian had to depend on seanty material gleaned, in most cases, from family records, traditions, or mere conjecture; but, in this official report, we learn positively the condition of Windham, as it existed more than one hundred and fifty years ago.
The following is a true copy of the original document, as it appears on the Archives of Massachusetts, Vol. 117, Page 481. It is entitled "An Account of the Settlement at New Marblehead and by who made. This 26 April, A.D. 1759."
"No. 1. School Lot. Unsettled.
No. 2. 8 acres of Land Cleared. Dubble houses.
No. 3. ditto, settled by Maxwell & Mayberry, 1755.
No. 4. Unsettled. Under care of Esqr. Tasco.
No. 5. nine acres cleared, with a house, settled by Eph. Winship,
1750.
No. 6. ditto, with a Barn, settled by Gersham Win- ship,
1750.
No. 7. 8 acres cleared, with a house settled by Joseph Sterling,
1751.
No. 8. 9 acres cleared, with Remains of house, settled by Jos. Sterling, 1750. No. 9. 10 acres cleared, with a house Rotten down, settled by John Bodge, 1744.
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THE EARLY SETTLERS
No. 10. 10 acres cleared. Settled by John Bodge, 1752. No. 11. 8 acres cleared, with a house Rotten down, settled by William Mayberry, 1740.
No. 12. 7 acres cleared, the house Rotten down, set- tled by Curtis Chute,
.
No. 13. 7 acres cleared. ) No House, improved
No. 14. 7 acres cleared. S by Capt Thomas Chute, -.
No. 15. 8 acres cleared, ye house Rotten down. Set- tled by Gersham Manchester. (Deceased) 1740.
No. 16. 9 acres cleared, with a house settled by John Manchester,
1752.
No. 17. 13 acres cleared. No. 18. 13 acres cleared. These four belong to
No. 19. 13 acres cleared. Thomas Mayberry with a
No. 20. 11 acres cleared. Garrison House on No. 19. No. 21. 10 acres cleared, with a house, settled by Saml Webb,
1752.
No. 22. 7 acres cleared, with a house, settled by Saml Matthews, deceased.
1751.
No. 23. 8 acres cleared, with a house, settled by Seth Webb,
No. 24. 8 acres cleared, with a house, Rotten down, owned by Seth Webb,
174.
No. 25. 15 acres cleared, with a house, but no) family, No. 26. 15 acres cleared, with a Garrison house, settled by William Mayberry,
1750.
No. 27. 15 acres cleared. No house, belongs to Richd Mayberry who dwells with his father.
No. 28. 9 acres cleared, the house Rotten down, set- tled by Natt. Starboard. deceased, 1745.
No. 29. 12 acres cleared, the house Rotten down. Settled by John Farrow. deceased. 1740.
No. 30. 12 acres cleared, a garrison, settled by John Farrow jun ?
1752.
No. 31. 12 acres cleared, a house, Rotten down, be- longing to sd Farrow,
1743.
No. 32. 12 acres cleared, a house, settled by Stephen Manchester,
1742.
No. 33. 2 acres cleared, Ministerial Lott.
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WINDHAM IN THE PAST
No. 34. 7 acres cleared, upon which stands the Prov- ince Fort.
No. 35. 7 acres cleared, house Rotten down, settled by Revd Mr. Wight.
No. 36. 15 acres cleared, a house built by Abraham Anderson,
1740.
No. 37. 15 acres cleared, a Rotten down house, built by sd Anderson, 174 -.
No. 38. 14 acres cleared, a house now standing, built by sd Anderson
1750.
No. 39. 7 acres cleared, a house built and settled by 1742.
Thomas Humphreys, (deceased.)
No. 40. 7 acres cleared, a house Rotten down. Set- tled by Saml Elder, (deceased.) 1743.
No. 41. 7 acres cleared, the house Rotten down, set-
tled by Jonas Napp. (deceased Knapp.)
1748.
No. 42. 5 acres cleared, a house belonging to Capt. Chute,
1752.
No. 43. 4 acres cleared, with a house, but no family.
No. 44. 7 acres cleared, with a house, settled by Zeble Hunnewell.
1756.
No. 45. 7 acres cleared ) a Dubble house settled No. 46. 8 acres cleared ( by Willm Elder, 1753.
No. 47. 14 acres cleared, a house now improved by John Stevens junr ?
No. 48. 14 acres cleared, a house, now improved by John Stevens, senr ?
No. 49. 7 acres cleared, by Mireker Walker, who is settled on the hundred acres,
No. 50. 12 acres cleared, with Barn belonging to) Hugh Crage,
No. 51. 12 acres cleared, with a house belonging 1751. to P. Crage
No. 52. 14 acres cleared, the house Rotten down, set- tled by Thomas Bolton, 1741.
No. 53. 14 acres eleared, with a Garrisond house, be- longing to Willm Bolton 1744.
No. 54. 13 acres cleared, with a hose, Rotten Down.
Settled by Thos Bolton 1742.
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THE EARLY SETTLERS
No. 55. 12 acres cleared, with a house, belonging to Robert Muckeford, 1755.
No. 56. 10 acres cleared, with a house, belonging to John Mayberry,
No. 57. 10 acres cleared, with a house, where sd 1751. Mayberry now dwelleth,
No. 58. 9 acres cleared, with a house, settled by Eleazer Chase, 1751.
No. 59. 9 acres cleared, the house Rotten down, set- tled by Brown, (deceased),
1750.
No. 60. 7 acres cleared, the house standing but no family,
No. 61. 9 acres cleared, a Garrisond house be- 1749. longing to Caleb Grafton,
No. 62. 2 acres cleared, no house nor family, belong- ing to Wm. Knights.
No. 63. 9 acres cleared, the house Rotten down, set-
tled by Caleb Grafton,
1743.
"Quantity of Acres of Land cleared in said Town, 594.
SAMUEL TURNER, JOHN WIGHT."
The following is also a part of the report :-
"A List of 29 Lotts in New Marblehead that were settled April 26, 1759, with the names of the Original grantees to whom they belonged, and the Names of the Families now settled,-
Nos. By whom drawn. Families settled upon.
3. Robert Parramore
Maxwell & Mayberry
5. Michael Bowden
Ephraim Winship Gershom Winship
7. Ebenezer Hawkes, Junr
Joseph Sterling John Bodge
10. Thomas Wood
12. Thomas Chute
Curtis Chute
16 James Sharer
19. Joseph Majory
John Manchester Thomas Mayberry
21. John Stacey
Samuel Webb
22. Richard Reed Samuel Matthews
23. John Bayly Seth Webb
26. James Perryman William Mayberry
6. Samuel Stacey 3d
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WINDHAM IN THE PAST
27. Moses Calley
Richard Mayberry
30 Nathan Bowen
John Farrow
32. Abraham Howard Esq.
Stephen Manchester
38. Benjamin James Junr
Abrm Anderson
42. Isaac Mansfield
Tho. Chute
44 Joseph Howard
Zerubbabel Hunnewell
46 Samuel Brimblecome
William Elder
47 Joseph Griffin
John Stevens Junr
48. Joseph Smethurst
John Stevens Senr
49. William Ingalls
Micer Walker
51. John Felton
Hugh Crage
52 Joseph Blaney Esq
Thomas Bolton
53. Andrew Tucker
William Bolton
55. Nathl Evans
Robert Mickeford
57. William Meberry
John Mayberry
58. William Goodwin
Eleazer Chase
61. Giles Ivimy
Caleb Grafton."
Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 117, pp. 481-3.
CHAPTER III
INDIAN TROUBLES AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
The settlement of frontier towns in America has always pro- duced a condition of warfare between the aborigines and the white men, and the history of many an early township is stained with the blood of its citizens, shed while protecting their home- steads from the attacks of a savage and merciless foe. The Indians regarded the presence of the whites as a direct encroach- ment on their natural rights and privileges; and, with all the ferocity of their savage nature, they strove to drive back the invaders. Their animosity seems to have been directed against the English settlers of New England in a peculiar manner, and the stories of towns destroyed and of inhabitants slaughtered or carried into hopeless captivity are familiar to all students of history. It has been said that the English-speaking people had no sympathy with the aborigines and wronged them whenever and wherever they could; while the French, on the other hand, treated them fairly and so gained their confidence and esteem. This is doubtless true, to a certain extent, and our forefathers were probably, at times, the aggressors, or, at least, took but little pains to cultivate the society of the natives or put forth efforts to elevate the race. With the French, however, it was vastly different, as we know that they mingled freely with the most barbarous tribes and readily adapted themselves to their rude modes of living. Then, too, French missionaries were sent here at an early period, and the names of Rev. Fathers Biard, Masse, Rasle, and many others, who were in the District of Maine, dwell- ing among the Indians as missionaries of the Roman Catholic Church, are well known to us all. These men strove by every means in their power to teach their wild converts to be true to the Church and to the King of Franee; also to hate the English and destroy them whenever an opportunity occurred. Hence it was that, whenever a war existed between France and England, we find the Indians always taking sides with the former power ; and it is a well-known fact that several of the Indian raids
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