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View Tree for Richard TozierRichard Tozier (b. Abt. 1620, d. October 16, 1675)

Richard Tozier was born Abt. 1620 in Devonshire, England, and died October 16, 1675 in Kittery, York, Maine. He married Judith Smith on July 03, 1656 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, daughter of Thomas Smith.

 Includes NotesNotes for Richard Tozier:
The first attack at Berwick was upon the dwelling house of Richard Tozie r, situated near the present South Berwick line. Mr. Tozier and the m en of his neighborhood were absent at the time of the attack as they had g one to the aid of Saco when their help was requested. Mr. Tozier’s famil y, left at home, consisted of 15 persons, all women and children. Upon th is defenseless group the Indians fell without warning. Their appearance w as first discovered by a young unknown "heroess" who held the door fast ag ainst the Indians until they had chopped it down with their hat chets. Tho ugh wounded, she managed to survive and find her way to another garrison w here she was helped with her wounds and restored to health. On the day fol lowing, the savages set fire to the house and buildings of Capt. Wilcoin a nd reduced them to ashes. Men from surrounding garrisons pursued the fleei ng Indians without success. These two attacks roused the settlers to actio n. Troops were requisition ed and sent from Boston to aid the settlers, a nd everything possible was done to prepare for another attack. It is sa id that bounties were offered for Indian scalps in some sections.

A letter of the period indicates the difficulties of the times:"Th is is to inform you that the Indians are just now engaging us with at lea st one hundred men and have already slain four of our men, Richard Tozie r, James Berry, Isaac Botts, and Tozier’s son, and burned Benoni Hodson ’s house." They went on to request help urgently, ending their letter th ey that cannot sign their letter then pray, signed "Roger Plaisted and Geo rge Broughten."

Mr. Tozier’s residence was the object of a second attack in the followi ng month of October 16th, 1675. Mr. Tozier was killed and his son carri ed into captivity. Lt. Roger Plaisted, commandant of the garrison, sent so me of his men after the Indians but, they fell into an ambush and escap ed with the loss of three men dead. A further attempt by the garrison resu lted in an attack by 15O Indians, and in the battle that followed, Mr. Pla isted, one son and another man were killed, a second son receiving woun ds that eventually proved fatal. Mr. Plaisted and his two sons are buri ed on what was his own land on the battle ground on the present Route 2 36 in South Berwick. Their tombstones bear this inscription: "Near this pl ace lies the body of Roger Plaisted who was killed by the indians Octob er 16, 1675, age 48 years, and also the body of his son, Roger Plaisted, w ho was killed at the same time." In retiring, the Indians burned several b uildings and killed a number of settlers.

There were more attacks from both sides and it makes no sense now to try a nd decide who was to blame. One thing is certain. All sides endured many h ardships during the early years as Berwick was struggling to become a comm unity.

More About Richard Tozier and Judith Smith:
Marriage: July 03, 1656, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts.

Children of Richard Tozier and Judith Smith are:
  1. +Elizabeth Tozier, b. April 1659, Salmon Falls, York, Maine, d. April 16, 1704, Dover, Stafford, New Hampshire.
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