FOUNDERS OF FORT NO. 4, CHARLESTOWN, NH
From:	Farns10th@aol.com - Janice Farnsworth

Surname: STEBBINS
Source:  History of Charlestown, NH - Fort No. 4 by Rev. Henry H.
         Saunderson, published 1876

p.555
Asahel Stebbins son of Asahel and Sarah (Petty) Stebbins of Northfield, MA
b. l728 m. Lydia Harwood dau of John Harwood Ware River, MA.  They settled
at Charlestown (Fort No. 4)  Their children:
1.   Asahel Stebbins, Jr. b. May 30, 1750 m. Mar l8, l77l Susanna Field dau of
      Seth Field of Northfield, MA. He was in the campaign of 1777 and died
      July 26, l822 (see also History of Northfield)
2.   Cyrus Stebbins b. April 25, l752 - Revolutionary soldier, d. Sep ll, l776
3.   Lydia Stebbins bp June 30, l754
4.   Experience Stebbins b. Sep 26, l756 m. Nov 30, l809 Moses Gunn of
      Montague  MA.

In an attack upon Charlestown (Fort 4) NH Aug 27, l758 Asahel Stebbins was
killed on the meadow just below the place now occupied by Henry Willard (this as
of l876) and his wife was taken prisoner by the Indians leaving four children, the
eldest being but seven years of age.  While on the march to Canada, Mrs. Stebbins
became worn out by the hardships of the journey and was unable to travel.  As she
had thus become an encumbrance to them, the savages determined to burn her.
She was fastened to the stake and witnessed the preparations for the horrid
ceremony.  Heart broken by her sorrows, exhausted by her sufferings, the
captive had found her trials almost too great for endurance.  She had no hope of ultimate 
release.  In full faith that the portals of eternal rest were about to open for he she
smiled upon her tormentors.  The Indians, considering this an act of bravery and
defiance were filled with admiratiion that knew no bounds.  She was at once re-
leased from her bonds and assisted and cared for the remainder of the journey.
She was redeemed between September and December l758 and lived to good old
age, dying Feb. 2, l808 aged 76.  A monument to her memory has been erected
in the cemetery at Northfield, MA by some of her great grand children.  (see also,
History of Northfield (MA)  She m. after the death of her husband, Samuel Merriman
on Dec 2l, l759.  Isaac Parker and David Hill were taken prisoners at the same time
as Mrs. Stebbins.

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