DEATH OF WILLIAM OLMSTEAD

 

The GOFA, in its article on Jabez, mentions that Sheldon’s History of Deerfield contains an accounting of the death of William Olmstead, who was killed by Indians in 1704. Sheldon’s account is as follows:

 

"July 31st,  a scout was ambushed near Westfield, and two Connecticut soldiers, William Olmstead and one Benton, killed. Another English scout coming up soon after, killed in turn two of the Indians".

 

Reference: Sheldon, George, "A History of Deerfield, Massachusetts: The Times When and the People by Whom it was Settled, Unsettled and Resettled; with a Special Study of the Indian Wars in the Connecticut Valley, with Genealogies", Deerfield, MA, 1895. p. 322.

 

The same episode was related as follows by Judd.:

 

"July 31, 1704, Capt. Allen of Connecticut lost 2 men, Benton & Olmstead between Northfield & Westfall, & killed 2 Indians, - John Hawks of Deerfield wounded".

 

Reference: Judd, Sylvester, "History of Hadley, Including the Family History of Hatfield, South Hadley, Amherst and Granbury, Massachusetts", Springfield, 1905.