John Lovewell

John Lovewell
BornOctober 14, 1691
Dunstable, Province of New Hampshire
DiedMay 9, 1725 (aged 33)
Pequawket, Massachusetts Bay (present day Fryeburg, Maine)
Allegiance New England Colonies
Service / branchNew Hampshire Militia
RankCaptain
Battles / wars
Spouse(s)Hannah Lovewell
ChildrenJohn; Hannah (Baker); Nehemiah
Signature

John Lovewell (October 14, 1691 – May 9, 1725) was a militia captain in the 18th century who fought during Father Rale's War (also known as Dummer's War or Lovewell's War). He lived in present-day Nashua, New Hampshire. He led three expeditions against the Abenaki Indians.[1] Lovewell became one of the most famous rangers of the 18th century.[2]

Although the outcome was a draw, Lovewell's Fight in May 1725 marked the end of hostilities between the English and the Abenakis of Maine. This conflict was a turning point. So important was it to western Maine, New Hampshire and even Massachusetts colonists that the Fight was celebrated in song and story; more than 100 years later, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau all wrote about Lovewell's Fight.[3]

  1. ^ Grenier 2003, p. 38.
  2. ^ Grenier 2003, p. 50.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Higgins was invoked but never defined (see the help page).