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1774, 5th Edition, “The Redeemed Captive Returning To Zion,” by John Williams

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,400.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 2,400.00 USD
1774, 5th Edition, “The Redeemed Captive Returning To Zion,” by John Williams
Colonial America
Kidnapped by Indians in 1704 Massachusetts, Deliverance of Mr. John Williams, Minister of the Gospel in Deerfield
1774, 5th Edition, “The Redeemed Captive Returning To Zion,” by John Williams, an account of the 1704 kidnapping of Williams, his family and neighbors by Indians, who took them from Massachusetts to Canada, Very Fine.
A nice, very clean Imprint Fully titled: “The Redeemed Captive Returning To Zion, or a Faithful History of Remarkable Occurrences in the Captivity and Deliverance of Mr. John Williams, Minister of the Gospel in Deerfield, Who, in the Desolation which befell that Plantation, by an Incursion of the French and Indians, Was by them Carried Away, With his Family and his Neighborhood, Into Canada,” 70 pages, measuring 4.75” x 7.5”, published in Boston by John Boyle. Some pages have minor edge wear, and some appear to have been professionally repaired and rebound with blue paper covers. Overall this book is in excellent condition.

This is one of the most famous and most popular captivity narratives. John Williams, a Harvard graduate in charge of the church at Greenfield, MA when it was attacked by Indians in 1703, was taken with others to Canada. His wife and two of his children were tomahawked on the way. "As a powerful picture of Indian cruelty, ranks next to the Rowlandson captivity narrative, published in 1682." - Howes. This is a rare 1774 early edition of this popular historic work that is an essential addition for any Colonial library.
John Williams (1664–1729). American clergyman, was born in Roxbury, MA and graduated from Harvard in 1683. In 1686 he became the first minister at Deerfield, Massachusetts. During the great Indian massacre at that frontier town in February 1704, he and his family were taken captive. Two of his children were murdered, and his wife was killed on the long journey to Canada.

In 1706 he and his surviving children (except one, who remained with the Indians) were released. Williams returned to Deerfield. The story of his adventures, “The Redeemed Captive Returning to Zion” (1707), is one of the best known of the many accounts of Native American captivity.