Edward Colburn Jr.

Genealogy of the descendants of Edward Colburn/Coburn : came from England, 1635; purchased land in "Dracutt on Merrimack," 1668

pp. 15, 16.

SECOND GENERATION

2. Edward Colburn, Jr. (Edward1). born, 1642; died, Aug. 2, 1675.

 In the absence of records, we are led to conclude that Edward Jr., was one of the older sons. He was born at Ipswich, and came to Dracut with his father. He received, with his brothers, a share of the Webb farm, which, after his death, was deeded to his brother, Daniel. He was one of the company who served in King Philip's War, and from the history of Ipswich we learn that he was killed at Squakheage, Aug. 2, 1675. The account of the affray is found in the History of Worcester County, in that portion relating to the Town of Brookfield, called by the Indians, Squakheage. About the middle of July, 1675, a band of Nipmucs from King Philip's neighborhood murdered four or five people in the Town of Mendon.

The people of the neighboring towns were alarmed, fearing a general uprising, but the Indians expressed a desire for peace, and appointed a time and place for a treaty. The whites were in charge of Captains Wheeler and Hutchinson, who had with thern twenty men. They were treacherously ambushed by a band of 200 Indians, and eight were killed and wounded; among them was Edward Coburn, Jr.
The survivors retreated to the shelter of a fort or garrison house, where they were besieged four days, being relieved by the arrival of Major Simon Willard with a company of soldiers who had heard of their danger.
"Brookfield or Squabeag was destroyed by the Indians Aug. 2, 1675." A footnote adds, "There were then slain to our great grief eight Men namely Zachariah Phillips of Boston, Timothy Farlow of Billerien, Edward Coleborn of Chelmsford, etc."