KIDNAPPING AND RECOVERY

posted by Christy Griffin Thomas, a descendant of Canada Waite

 Between 1675 and 1678, a confederation of Indians led by King Philip (Metacom) waged war against the New England colonists. The goal was to stop the expansion of colonial settlements into Indian territory. King Philip's War, as it is known, took place throughout the New England colonies (RI, CT, MA, NH, VT, ME). The Indians had been successful during the first two years, forcing colonists out of small remote towns, essentially capturing all of Rhode Island, burning Providence and Springfield, and even attacking Plymouth Plantation on the coast. Eventually, the colonists' greater numbers and ability to buy supplies from England caused the tide to turn. King Philip's War was one of the most deadly in American history with about 5% of the entire population (colonist and Indian) being killed. One long lasting effect of the war was the formation of the colonial militia - the Minute Men who 100 years later fought the British at Lexington and Concord. Benjamin Waite (or Wait) and his wife Martha lived in Hatfield, MA. Benjamin was a Sergeant in the militia.

On September 19, 1677, a band of Indians attacked Hatfield, MA while most of the men were gathering crops. The Indians killed many but carried off 17 people, including Martha Waite. The Indians intended to trade the captives for arms and food to officials in New York or Canada (both of which disliked the New England colonies). At the time of her capture, Martha was pregnant and had three children at home ranging from 3 to 6 years old. The children were not taken in the raid. A few days after the raid, Benjamin Waite and Stephen Jennings left Hatfield to follow the Indians and free their wives.

The Indians and their captives initially walked from central Massachusetts to Albany in upstate NY.   New York Gov. Andros refused to meet with the Indians and sent them on their way. When Waite and Jennings arrived in Albany, Gov. Andros had them imprisoned as potential troublemakers. Eventually they were released. Benjamin Waite continued to follow the Indians. At some point, Jennings returned to Hatfield. The Indians and their captives then walked to Quebec City arriving in December or January. The French officials reluctantly swapped a small amount of supplies for the captives.

After the journey, Martha Waite gave birth to a daughter whom she named Canada. Benjamin Waite arrived in Quebec sometime later and negotiated the release of his wife and daughter. They returned to Hatfield in the spring or summer of 1678. * It is about 500 miles from Hatfield to Albany to Quebec. Martha and Benjamin walked the entire distance during fall and winter weather. Martha was pregnant for most of the journey and carrying a newborn baby for the rest. * Canada Waite was obviously a healthy baby. She died at 71 having outlived all but one of her seven brothers and sisters. *

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In the Pease genealogy, Benjamin and Martha are grandparents. Canada is an aunt. Benjamin was in the Falls Fight and, in 1678, went to Canada to recover his family and others who had been captive there. He is often referred to as the "Hero of the Connecticut Valley". He was killed in the attack on Deerfield the 29th of February 1703/4, his body stripped and mutilated. Husband of Martha Leonard Waite, married at Hartford, CT on Jun 8,1670. Son of Thomas Waite and Eleanor ?Paine? Waite of Portsmouth, RI.

The Canada babes--- The two babes born in Canada were females. One was a daughter of Benjamin Waite born January 1678 the other a daughter of Stephen Jennings born March 14 1678. To commemorate the captivity in Canada, Waite's child was named Canada and Jennings child Captivity and these names they ever retained. . 'History of the Town of Whately, Mass'