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The Courage of Hannah Hendee |
Hannah Hendee
In 1780 Vermont villages were being ransacked by Indians working with the British Army. Hannah Hendee lived in a small village in Vermont that had just received warning the Indians were nearing their town. Fearing for his family, Hannah's husband told her take their children to the house and barricade themselves in, while he jumped on his horse to gather the men and warn the other villages.
On the way to her neighbor’s house, Hannah was overcome by a band of Indians who rode by and ripped her seven year-old son Michael right from her hands.
Hannah, holding her baby daughter in her arms, immediately ran after the vicious mob that stole her son but they were too fast for her. Resolute in her mission to rescue her son, Hannah followed the Indians’ path of destruction and burning homes until she finally reached the British camp where they had originated. Hannah’s son and several other boys were huddled together in the encampment surrounded by several Indians.
Hannah, British officer in charge: demanded the release of her son.
Officer: boys were payment to the Indians and that they would not be killed but taken to Canada and trained to become Indian Warriors.
“No child will be able to endure the long trek back to Canada!” Hannah cried. “They will die before you reach there! Have you no mercy? Have the British become such savages that they murder children?” Hannah then pleaded, “Give me my son. Don’t let him die.”20
Lt. Horton finally relinquished her son but Hannah didn’t stop there. She also demanded the release of every one of the boys who had been stolen from their families in the raids. Lt. Horton finally relented and allowed Hannah to take all the boys. Still holding her baby in her arms, Hannah pulled the small, scared and crying boys in around her skirts and walked them back to the town where they were reunited with their families. Such amazing courage is absolutely awe-inspiring.
In 1780 Vermont villages were being ransacked by Indians working with the British Army. Hannah Hendee lived in a small village in Vermont that had just received warning the Indians were nearing their town. Fearing for his family, Hannah's husband told her take their children to the house and barricade themselves in, while he jumped on his horse to gather the men and warn the other villages.
On the way to her neighbor’s house, Hannah was overcome by a band of Indians who rode by and ripped her seven year-old son Michael right from her hands.
Hannah, holding her baby daughter in her arms, immediately ran after the vicious mob that stole her son but they were too fast for her. Resolute in her mission to rescue her son, Hannah followed the Indians’ path of destruction and burning homes until she finally reached the British camp where they had originated. Hannah’s son and several other boys were huddled together in the encampment surrounded by several Indians.
Hannah, British officer in charge: demanded the release of her son.
Officer: boys were payment to the Indians and that they would not be killed but taken to Canada and trained to become Indian Warriors.
“No child will be able to endure the long trek back to Canada!” Hannah cried. “They will die before you reach there! Have you no mercy? Have the British become such savages that they murder children?” Hannah then pleaded, “Give me my son. Don’t let him die.”20
Lt. Horton finally relinquished her son but Hannah didn’t stop there. She also demanded the release of every one of the boys who had been stolen from their families in the raids. Lt. Horton finally relented and allowed Hannah to take all the boys. Still holding her baby in her arms, Hannah pulled the small, scared and crying boys in around her skirts and walked them back to the town where they were reunited with their families. Such amazing courage is absolutely awe-inspiring.
