Abenaki Wars

After King Philip’s War of 1675—76, involving the WAMAPANOAG, NARRAGANSETT, and NIPMUC living to the south of the Abenaki, some Abenaki bands began moving north to French Canada, eventually settling at St. Francis Mission and Becancour in Quebec. During the French and Indian wars, the French and their Indian allies fought against the British and their Indian supporters. These various conflicts for control of North America lasted almost 100 years—from 1689 to 1763— and are further organized in history books as the following: King William’s War (1689—97), Queen Anne’s War

Abenaki conical wigwam with elm-bark covering

(1702—13), King George’s War (1744—48), and the French and Indian War (1754—63). The Abenaki allied themselves with the French. They launched many raids against British settlements in New England—sometimes collectively referred to as the Abenaki Wars.

The Abenaki first became involved in the fighting through their friendship with a Frenchman, Jean

Vincent de I’Abadie, baron de St-Castin. St-Castin established a fur-trading post at the site where Castine, Maine, now stands. His marriage to the daughter of a chief sealed his friendship with many of the Abenaki bands. When British troops raided and plundered his trading post and home in 1688, Abenaki warriors sought revenge against the settlers. British settlements were at risk over the following years. Saco in Maine, Dover and Salmon Falls in New Hampshire, Haverhill and Deerfield in Massachusetts, along with many other villages, were attacked.

In 1724, the Abenaki stronghold known as Norridge-wock on the Kennebec River fell into British hands. Many families withdrew to Quebec, where they made new homes among other Abenaki. A number of militant Abenaki surrendered their weapons in 1754 and relocated as well. European diseases, especially smallpox, killed more Abenaki than did warfare.