Browse the Stephen Williams diary

This collection consists of handwritten diary entries, memoranda, and sermon notes kept by the Rev. Stephen Williams. Rev. Williams grew up in Deerfield, Massachusetts and was captured by French and Indigenous allies during their raid on the town in 1704 when he was eleven years old. He was liberated after almost two years in captivity, and both he and his father, Rev. John Williams, wrote accounts of their experiences. Rev. Williams went on to graduate from Yale College in 1713 and subsequently ministered to the Congregational Church of Longmeadow, Mass. He also served as a chaplain during the French and Indian War.

Materials in this collection have been digitized in partnership with the New England Historic Genealogical Society and have been made available through our New England's Hidden Histories project.