Elizabeth Keyes

Deacon Thomas Keyes and wife settled on a new farm in the East part of Marlboro where they resided during their lives. This farm was passed to their daughter Dinah who m. John Weeks.

Elizabeth Howe was b. 7/11/1675 in the eastern part of Marlborough, on the Boston Post Rd., between the village and "Wayside Inn" (immortalized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow), which was built by her cousin, David Howe. Elizabeth was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Ward) How. Elizabeth's headstone and that of Thomas are found in the Old Spring Hill Cemetery in Marlborough.

The story of Elizabeth's capture by Indians can be found in Historical Reminiscences of Marlborough. On July 18,1692, as a young girl visiting her sister, the wife of Peter Joslin of Lancaster, MA, the Joslin home was attacked by Indians. Upon his return from the field, Peter found his wife, three children and [6000000007132426907 the widow Whitcomb] "barbarously butchered by their hatchets, and weltering in their gore". A contemporary chronicler wrote of Peter; "Thus was he stript naked and called to bitter weeping and lamentation." Elizabeth was taken captive into Canada. She was engaged to Thomas at the time of her capture. Believing that Elizabeth would never return, Thomas took a solemn vow never to marry. Four years later she was redeemed by the Government. After her redemption, Elizabeth returned by way of the Saco River and was brought to Boston, where she told Royal Governor Phipps "that if she had been a beaver skin she would have been redeemed much earlier"! It is said that she kept certain Indian habits, such as sitting on the floor, for some years after her return from captivity.

• the Indians were charmed by Elizabeth’s singing, and they kept her with them as they fled to Canada. She was held captive for three years, but finally released. Her husband had become a recluse when Elizabeth was captured, and swore never to marry. When she returned to him, the family moved to a new town, but he said that she never fully recovered from the trauma

After their marriage 1/23/1699, Thomas and Elizabeth settled in Marlborough, MA, later moving to Shrewsbury. Thomas d. 8/25/1742. Elizabeth d. 8/18/1764 at the age of 89.

Find A Grave Memorial# 81489936

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Apr 12 2017, 18:44:57 UTC

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GEDCOM Note

Per the Howe Genealogies, found online on ancestry.com, page 7: "b. 16 July 1675, m. 23 Jan. 1698/9, Thomas Keyes, son of Elias and Sarah (Blanford) Keyes. She was visiting her sister at Lancaster at the time her sister was killed and Elizabeth was taken captive and taken to Canada, where after about three years she was redeemed and returned to her home. They moved to Shrewsbury where they were among the early settlers, and where she died 18 Aug. 1764. He died 25 August 1742." Five children are listed.

For more details of the attack on sister Sarah's home, see Sarah's file. Elizabeth Howe was born 11 Jul 1675 in the eastern part of Marlborough. Elizabeth was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Ward) Howe. Elizabeth's headstone and that of Thomas are found in the Old Spring Hill Cemetery in Marlborough.

The story of Elizabeth's capture by Indians can be found in Historical Reminiscences of Marlborough. On 1 Jul 1692, as a young girl visiting her sister, the wife of Peter Joslin of Lancaster, Massachusetts, the Joslin home was attacked by Indians. Upon his return from the field, Peter found his wife, three children and the widow Whitcomb butchered by their hatchets. Elizabeth was taken captive into Canada. She was engaged to Thomas at the time of her capture. Believing that Elizabeth would never return, Thomas took a solemn vow never to marry. Four years later she was redeemed by the Government. After her redemption, Elizabeth returned by way of the Saco River and was brought to Boston, where she told Royal Governor Phipps "that if she had been a beaver skin she would have been redeemed much earlier"! It is said that she kept certain Indian habits, such as sitting on the floor, for some years after her return from captivity.

After their marriage 23 Jan 1699, Thomas and Elizabeth settled in Marlborough, Massachusetts, later moving to Shrewsbury. Thomas died 25 Aug 1742. Elizabeth died 18 Aug 1764 at the age of 89.

Gravestone reads: KEYES – Elizabeth Keyes Here lies ye body of Mrs. Elizabeth Keyes Relict of Deacon Tho's Keyes She died Aug ye 18

KEYES – Deacon Thomas Keyes HERE LIES BURIED BODY OF DEC THOMAS KEYES WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE AUGUST 25 A D 1 7 4 2 In ye 68 year [?]

SURNAME: Also shown as How

BIRTH: Also shown as Born Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial America.

BURIAL: Also shown as Buried Marlborough, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States.