The Boy Captive of Old Deerfield

Old Deerfield #1

by Mary P. Wells Smith

In the dead of winter in 1704, some 250 Frenchmen and Indians advance upon an unsuspecting English settlement and lead away a hundred and nine captives. The story is told through the eyes of Stephen Williams, the ten-year-old son of the village minister.

Genres: Historical Fiction

233 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Well-respected in her own time but now often overlooked, Mary Prudence Wells Smith was a children's author, feminist, and local historian. Her two most famous series, Jolly Good Times and Young Puritans, drew on her family's background and on regional history; her life and other writings demonstrated her engagement with women's rights and women's history.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second reading of this book as an adult. As a child, I loved this and its sequel. Now, not so much. It's ok, the history of the raid seems sound, but it's definitely a product of its time. You can almost see the heavenly glow above the heads of the captives and the natives speak like the stereotypes who populated the Wild West shows at the turn of the 19th to 20th centuries, even among themselves.

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first of four Historical Novels in the Old Deerfield Series. In 1704, hundreds of Frenchmen and Native Americans attacked the Deerfield settlement in Massachusetts, taking away 111 captives to Canada. Among the captives was a ten year old boy named Stephen Williams, aka Cosannip to his teacher Kewakcum. A nicely told story of strength and perseverance.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have ancestors named in this story.

[Bryn D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally read this in sixth grade after my grandmother encouraged me to read it then took me to Deerfield being from Greenfield herself and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a historical work of fiction based on the 1704 raid on Deerfield, Massachusetts in which many settlers were killed and taken into captivity by Abernaki Indians, aided by their French allies. The book centers around a 10-year-old boy named Stephen Williams, who must learn to survive the dangerous trek into Canada and adjust to the Indian ways of the woods. Excellent book that still holds nostalgia value.

[Kimmy]

I first read this book in high school & decided to re-read it since I'm in a Massachusetts history appreciation kind of mood

[Brenda Burnham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grew up in the Old Deerfield area. I don't remember ever reading this before but I may have. I loved 're-learning' the history of Old Deerfield and have ordered the sequel, Boy Captive of Canada.

[Thom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cool to read a story about your ancestor from over three hundred years ago.