MASSACRE
ON THE MERRIMACK: Join us on Thursday, February 11th,
from 6:30-8:00pm and hear author Jay Atkinson talk about his latest book ‘Massacre
on the Merrimack: Hannah Duston's Captivity and Revenge in Colonial America.’
Early on March 15, 1697, a band of Abenaki raided the English
frontier village of Haverhill, Massachusetts. Striking swiftly, the Abenaki
killed twenty-seven men, women, and children, and took thirteen captives,
including Hannah Duston and her week-old daughter, Martha. A short distance
from the village, one of the warriors murdered the squalling infant by dashing
her head against a tree. After a forced march of nearly one hundred miles,
Duston and two companions were transferred to a smaller band of Abenaki, who
camped on a tiny island located at the junction of the Merrimack and Contoocook
Rivers, several miles north of present day Concord, New Hampshire. The Abenaki
intended to make the captives run the gauntlet at their village in Quebec,
after which they would be sold as slaves.
This was the height of King William’s War, both a war of
terror and a religious contest, with English Protestantism vying for control of
the New World with French Catholicism. The fact that the two religions could
not have worshipped a more similar God is an ironic footnote to the carnage
that would ensue.
After witnessing her infant’s murder, Duston resolved to get
even. Two weeks into their captivity, Duston and her companions, a
fifty-one-year-old woman and a twelve-year-old boy, moved among the sleeping
Abenaki with tomahawks and knives, killing two men, two women, and six
children. After returning to the bloody scene alone to scalp their victims,
Duston and the others escaped down the Merrimack River in a stolen canoe. They
braved treacherous waters and the constant threat of attack and recapture,
returning to tell their story and collect a bounty for the scalps.
Was Hannah Duston the prototypical feminist avenger, or the harbinger
of the Native American genocide? In this exquisitely researched and riveting
narrative, bestselling author Jay Atkinson sheds new light on the early
struggle for North America.
KNITWITS (TUESDAYS @10:30):
Start
the New Year right and do those things you’ve always been meaning to try. How about picking up some of those tossed
aside knitting projects or learning how?
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced knitter, come join the fun as
we learn together. Please bring your own
supplies. This is an informal gathering
to finish those unfinished projects or perhaps get some ideas for beginning
some new ones. We’ll cozy up in the
Atkinson Room of the library, share some laughs, drop a stitch or two, and make
some new friends. All experience levels
and ages welcome. This is not a class, but we have enough experienced knitters
who will guide you and get you started.
Don’t delay—come on in!
ADULT
COLORING & PAINTING (THURSDAYS @10:30): If
you think coloring for adults is all the rage, you are right. This current form of recreation is not only
fun but also healthy for you. Research outcomes of those who color or
participate in some form of visual arts are numerous. Some common therapeutic outcomes associated
with adult coloring are: stress reduction, enhanced relaxation and increased
concentration. The popularity of adult
coloring is also due to the fact that it provides a creative outlet for all
regardless of one’s artistic abilities and experience.
Kimball Library will be starting an adult coloring and
painting session on Thursdays, from 10:30 – 12:30 starting January 7th. It will be a time set aside for those who
wish to work on painting (must bring your own paint and supplies) or
coloring. There will be limited coloring
books and supplies on hand for class participants or individuals may bring
their own books, color pencils or gel pens.
Please join us and devote some time to unwind.
Registration is required.
This is for ages 18 and up.
MORE INFO: Our event
calendar found on our website has detailed information on these events and many
others you may have missed reading about.
Go to www.kimballlibrary.com
and not only read the posts on the page, but also click the calendar icon and
see each event for the month and months to come. Please also ‘like’ us on Facebook and follow
us on Twitter, Flickr, and Instagram.
You may call us Monday-Friday from 10-8 and on Saturday from 10-3 at
603.362.5234.
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