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Why did Eunice Williams remain unredeemed
hands of the Mohawks” However due to the distance separating her from her family back in Deerfield, negotiating her release proved difficult, especially as they had to use a third party- the French, to communicate with the Indians in Canada.
In later life meeting her husband and falling in love could have been a reason as to why she stayed in Canada. It is documented that Eunice and Arosen went to the priest themselves and asked to be married, suggesting that the marriage was not arranged and that their feelings for each other were genuine. Arranged marriages were common at this time and it is documented that “when the matrons have determined the choice of a wife…they go make the proposal to the girl’s relatives” Due to his commitments to the Indian community it would not have been possible for Eunice to return to Deerfield without leaving her husband behind, something which she would not do.
Although her visits to Deerfield to stay with her brother and her attendance at his church services could have given hope to her family that she could still be redeemed this was not the case. When they asked her to stay in New England and not return she would not agree to it. The only reason she offered was that “living among heretics would endanger her and her children’s salvation”. The fact that she was allowed to travel to her old home and meet her family without restriction shows the confidence of the Indians that she would not return to the place of her birth. She did however care for her brothers as evidenced by her letters addressed “My dr brother” and the fact that she and her family “have a great desire of going down to see you” and that she will remain his “loving sister until death”. These feelings show that despite not wishing to speak with her father due to his re marrying, she is quite willing to speak with her brothers. However there is no mention of staying in New England permanently despite the death of her husband, which proves he was not the only thing keeping her in Canada all those years and that other factors were involved.
All of these factors contributed heavily as to why Eunice remained unredeemed, as it is likely they all had a role to play in the turn of events. It is unlikely that the different environment in which she was living was the sole reason for her not returning. Similarly it is also unlikely that the different style of parenting was solely responsible. However all of these reasons combined, affecting her over a period of time could be why Eunice stayed away. It could be argued however that Eunice’s redemption was successful as she was freed from an overbearing society in which she felt like a prisoner and lived a freer existence with the Indians. This however is only speculative due to the few sources available on the life of Eunice and the efforts of [next page]