In the woods of Rochester, far from the eyes of the curious, sits a small family burial ground surrounded by a stone wall and overgrown trees and brush. Only one stone can be found there, though; however, in a letter written in 1989, the writer remembered more. As a child, in 1904-1911, she and her brother would visit the site to lay flowers at five graves there. The one stone visible has an interesting story. It reads: “In memory of Mrs. Sarah Howfe (Howse) Relict (widow) of Lieut. Jeremiah Howfe, who died May 5th, 1791, in her 88th year. N.B (note well), Mr. Jeremiah Howfe was killed by Indians in May 1747 aged 45.”
Little is known about this family other than a church record noting the marriage of a daughter, Sarah, to Earl Clap in 1761. Clap had been a prominent family in Rochester from very early on. There was also a baptism listed for Sarah, age 30, in April 1770, and another in June 1770 for five Clap children and Sarah’s mother, Sarah Howse, a widow near 70 years old.
As for Jeremiah, only his death date is known for sure. By this time in history, only a few Native Americans remained in the area, so it is unprovable that Jeremiah was killed here, or there would have been a notation somewhere in Rochester’s history. This is where the Forgotten War comes in.
As a Lieutenant, he must have been in a militia at some point in time. Between 1689 and 1763, four wars were fought between the British and the French, with Indians fighting on both sides. The first three were King William’s War, Queen Anne’s War, and King George’s War. The fourth, the French & Indian War, is the one we today know and remember.
The British ordered towns in Massachusetts to supply men to fight in the wars as subjects of the crown. Around 1744-45, Massachusetts raised a force of some 3,300 men, many from this area. These recruits, mostly farmers and fishermen, sailed from Boston with the very inexperienced but rich Boston merchant William Pepperell in charge. The intent was for these troops to take the garrison of Louisburg on Cape Breton Island. Having no idea of how to carry out a siege, ammunition and provisions were gone in three weeks.
Disease was everywhere. Thankfully, the French garrison was poorly manned. King George did send help, and finally, the town and fort were demolished. It took 9,000 cannonballs, 600 bombs, and a great deal of courage to accomplish this deed. When departing, Pepperell left 2,500 men to hold the fort for the British. Sickness that winter took the lives of 900 men. By spring, those left were hospitalized. Three regiments of British troops were sent to help. Fighting continued for two more years. By October 1748, when it was finally over, the British signed over the fort, which was so hard fought for, back to the French.
Was Jeremiah on Cape Breton and at Louisburg or elsewhere fighting during this time? Was he one of those left behind to fight for two more years? We only know that his death in 1747 fits the timeline. What we know for sure is that he had a wife and children in Rochester who were left alone when he was “killed by Indians.”
Lonely Graveyard, Forgotten War
By Susan LaFleur, Secretary/Librarian