Abraham Josselyn

Abraham Josselyn was born in 1649.¹ He was the son of Abraham Josselyn and Beatrice Hampson.¹

Abraham Josselyn was baptized on 8 May 1649 at Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.^1,2 Harris gives his date of baptism as 8 April 1649.³

Abraham Josselyn married Ann ____ on 29 November 1672.²

Abraham was killed by Indians in an attack on Lancaster, Massachusetts, on 10 February 1675/76. His wife Ann, and their two-year-old daughter Beatrice, were captured by the Indians during the attack and were later killed in captivity.¹

From NEHG Register, Vol 2, p 308-309:⁴

This family came to a tragical end, as is related by Mrs. Rowlandson, (Narrative) the Rev. Timothy Harrington (Century Sermon at Lancaster) and Joseph Willard, Esq.)Worcester Mag.) . . .

Early in the morning of the 10th of February, 1675-6, Lancaster was surprised by a large number of Indians, who made their attack in five distinct bodies and as many places, burning the houses in their way, and destroying the people found therein. Some of the inhabitants, to the number of forty-two, being mostly women and children, among whom were Abraham Josselyn and his family, took shelter in the fortified house of the Rev. Joseph Rowlandson. This they defended upwards of two hours, during which time several of them were killed by the bullets which were showered upon it. At length the house was set on fire, and the people within were reduced to the sad necessity of either perishing in the flames or resigning themselves to the savages. In their attempts to escape, all the men, save one, were slain; many of the women and children perished on the spot; and the rest, about twenty in number, were seized by the Indians and carried into captivity. Thus perished Abraham Josselyn, as we are assured by Mr. Harrington. Mrs. Rowlandson, who was one of the captives, met Mrs. Josselyn, about the 23d of February, in the hands of the Indians, at a place called Wenimesset, now New Braintree. She found her in great distress, being very near confinement, and having in her arms her little daughter (Beatrice), then nearly two years old. In the course of her captivity, Mrs. Rowlandson heard that this unfortunate woman and her child were stript by the Indians, knocked upon the head, and cast into a fire, where they miserably perished. Some captive children, who were present, declared to Mrs. Rowlandson that Mrs. Joslin shed not a tear, but continued in prayer till death put an end to her sufferings

Note: Mrs. Rowlandson's narrative, published in 1682, was titled A True History of the Captivity & Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, A Minister's Wife in New-England: Wherein is set forth, The Cruel and Inhumane Usage she underwent amongst the Heathens for Eleven Weeks time: And her Deliverance from them. Written by her own Hand, for her Private Use: and now made public at the earnest Desire of some Friends, for the Benefit of the Afflicted.