Rebecca Kellogg Ashley facts for kids

Rebecca Kellogg Ashley was born on December 22, 1695, and lived until August 1757. She was an English girl who was captured during a major event called the Raid on Deerfield in 1704. This raid involved soldiers from France, Canadian militia, and Native American groups like the Iroquois and Algonquin.

Rebecca was only eight years old when she was captured. This attack on Deerfield was part of a bigger conflict known as Queen Anne's War. This war lasted for about ten years, from 1702 to 1713. It was also connected to a larger European conflict called the War of the Spanish Succession.

Rebecca was not the only child captured that day. Another girl named Eunice Kanenstenhawi Williams was also taken. Eunice's father, John Williams, was also captured. He later wrote a famous book about his experience called The Redeemed Captive.

Like Eunice and many other children from Deerfield, Rebecca Kellogg was adopted by the Mohawk people. The Mohawk are part of the larger Haudenosaunee nation. Rebecca lived with them in a town called Kahnawake. She grew up there, got married, and had children of her own.

Rebecca's Journey

Unlike Eunice Williams, Rebecca Kellogg eventually returned to the British colonies. She married a man named Ben Ashley. Rebecca became very important as a translator. She helped several Christian missionaries communicate with Native American communities.

A Gifted Translator

One of the famous people she worked with was Jonathan Edwards. He was a well-known missionary at the Stockbridge Indian Mission. Edwards wrote many letters where he praised Rebecca. He admired her strong faith and her amazing ability to translate between languages.

Even after returning to the British colonies, Rebecca often lived with the Haudenosaunee people. She felt a strong connection to them and considered herself a member of the Mohawk nation.

Her Final Years

Rebecca Kellogg Ashley passed away in 1757. She was living with the Oneida Haudenosaunee in a place called Oquaga, New York. Rebecca did not leave behind any writings of her own. However, we know about her life through the letters and journals of the missionaries she worked with.

For example, a missionary named Gideon Hawley wrote about her death. He said that the Haudenosaunee people were very sad and "greatly lamented" her passing. This shows how much she was respected and loved by both the Native American communities and the missionaries.