February
An Indian and French force attacks
Deerfield, Massachusetts.
As part of the continuing fighting in Queen Anne’s
War (see entry for 1702), the English town of
Deerfield, Massachusetts, is set upon by Abenaki
and Caughnawaga warriors with the assistance of
French soldiers. About 50 of the inhabitants are
killed as they sleep, and another hundred are taken
prisoner. The town suffered previous attacks during
King Philip’s War (see entry for LATE JUNE 1675)
and King William’s War (see entry for 1689).
1705Virginia restricts the legal rights of
off-reservation Indians.
In a series of laws, the Virginia General Assembly
establishes rules for “free persons of color,” defined
as Indians living outside a reservation as well as
free blacks and people of black and white ancestry.
Passed as a response to the recent uprising of the
Nansatico (see entry for 1704), the laws bar these
people from holding political office, appearing as
witnesses in court, and hunting on lands claimed
by whites. These restrictions violate the rights guar-
anteed to Virginia Indians in an earlier treaty (see
entry for MAY 29, 1677). They also divide Indians
in Virginia into two classes, reservation Indians
(who retain many of the same legal rights as colo-
nists) and off-reservation Indians (who now suffer
the low social and legal status of freed slaves).
1710April 19
Mohawk and Mahican leaders have an
audience with Queen Anne.
Four Indian ambassadors—three Mohawk and one
Mahican—accompany two English officials to Lon-
don. At the request of British colonists, the Indian
leaders agree to meet with Queen Anne to request in-
creased military protection from the French. Exalted
as “Indian kings,” the visitors are treated as celebrities
by the English public. During their trip, they have
their portraits painted, hunt a deer in an outdoor
park, and draw a crowd when they attend the theater.
(See also entry for SEPTEMBER 8, 1755.)“We have undertaken a long
and tedious voyage, which none
of our predecessors could ever
be prevailed upon to undertake.
The motive that induced us, was
that we might see our greatP
Mohawk leader Hendrick holding a wampum belt
similar to one he gave to Queen Anne during his
1710 visit to London (Verelst, John/National Archives of
Canada/C-092414)