Situated beside Great Bay where the Oyster River meets the Piscataqua
River, Durham was originally called "Oyster River Plantation." It was
settled in 1635 as a part of Dover.

During King William's War, on July 18, 1694 "Oyster River" was attacked
in the Oyster River Massacre by French career soldier Sebastien de
Villieu with about 250 Abenaki Indians under command of their sagamore,
Bomazeen. In all, 45 inhabitants were killed and 49 taken captive, with
half the dwellings, including 5 garrisons, burned to the ground. Crops
were destroyed and livestock killed, causing famine and destitution for
survivors.

CRAIG J. BROWN is a former museum director in New Hampshire, who now
lives in Wells, Maine. He specializes in military history of the colonial
and Civil War eras.

July 18. The Indians fell suddenly & unexpectedly upon Oyster River about
break of Day. Took 3 Garrisons (being deserted or not defended) killed &
Carried away 94 persons, & burnt 13 houses - this was the first act of
hostility Committed by [them] after ye peace Concluded at Pemmaqd.[1]

At dawn on July 18, 1694, Chief Bomazeen's tribal band waged an attack on
the residents of Durham, N.H. This was known as "The Oyster River
Massacre." The raiding party consisted of 140 Indians and 14 Frenchmen.
Bomazeen was the chief that controlled the Indian raids. The Indians took
3 garrisons that were deserted and not defended, killed and carried away
94 persons and burnt 13 houses.

The fight began at "Newtown", north to Turtle Pond and extending to the
upper part of Oyster River and towards Wheelwright's Pond. Families
killed, captured and homes burned were Dean, Donis, Jenkins, and Burnhams.

Massachusetts State Archives Microfilm Card Index Vol.8 : Page 40

also, Ann Jenkins, her three children and many other persons are taken in
the attack on Oyster River in 1694. (See deposition)