The Rev. John Williams, Captive of the Indians from 1703-1706: A New Volume Combining Willliams' Autobiographical Account, The Redeemed Captive Returning to Zion, with George Sheldon's Heredity and Early Environment of John Williams, "The Redeemed Captive

John Williams was a Puritan minister in Deerfield, Massachusetts, at a time of intense hostility between English settlers and the local Indian tribes. Throughout the 1690s the young clergyman was continually called upon to encourage and comfort his parishioners as members of the community were killed or captured by Indians. On February 29, 1703, Williams himself became a victim when a French and Indian raiding party sacked Deerfield. Two of his children were murdered outside his house, but ...