Painting of a fortified house known as the Smith Garrison, located in the part of Oyster River called Lubberland, unknown artist, c. 1890.
Painting of a fortified house known as the Smith Garrison, located in the part of Oyster River called Lubberland, unknown artist, c. 1890. Credit: Courtesy of N.H. Historical Society

On the morning of July 18, 1694, approximately 250 Abenaki warriors attacked the Oyster River settlement (present-day Durham). The raid was part of a larger Anglo-French conflict, King William’s War (1688-97).

Abenaki warriors led by chiefs Bomazeen and Taxous planned the attack on Oyster River for two months and executed the raid with military precision.

Five garrison houses and many other dwellings were destroyed, crops and livestock burned, and 45 settlers were killed, with another 49 carried away to Canada as captives.

The successful raid deterred further inland settlement for decades.

N.H. Historical Society