History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

354 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON, [1678.
January, and another to Jennings, born in the latter part
of March. These children were named "Canada" Waite
and "Captivity" Jennings. ^
Waite and Jennings had been
absent seven months, and dnring that time no direct intel-
ligence had been received from either of them. On their
arrival at Albany, Waite and Quintin Stockwell wrote let-
ters to friends at home, which were dispatched by special
messenger. Waite urged his friends to hurry forward with
help, and he would endeavor to meet them at Kinderhook
or Housatonic. He says "We must come very softly because
of our wives and children. I pray you hasten them,
stay not night nor day, for y'' matter requireth great hast.
Bring provisions with you for us." These letters roused
the entire community to immediate action, and men, horses
and provisions were forwarded at once. On Monday, May
27*'', having waited five days to hear from home, Waite and
his party started. They met the welcome cavalcade of
towns-people, at Kinderhook. The remainder of the journey
through the woods to Westfield, where they were met by
another retinue of friends and neighbors, and on to Hat-
field, was soon accomplished. "The day of their arrival
was one of the most joyful days that Hatfield ever knew." ^
Waitc's and Stockwell's letters were copied,
A Contribution to
pay the Ransom, carried to Medfield, on the 29'^ of May, and
forwarded to the Governor and Council.
The 6"' of June had already been set apart as a day of fasting,
humiliation and prayer. An additional proclamation
was immediately issued directing that the letters should be
read in all the pulpits, and recommending that a contribu-
tion should be taken up for the relief of the sufi^erers as
well as their rescuers, "And the ministers are desired to
stir up the people thereto." Contributions were made in
forty-six towns in Massachusetts Colony, and £345.1.6 were
collected. From this donation came the £200 paid to ransom
the prisoners.
1
" Canada Waite mai-ried Joseph Smith, son of the John Smith who was slain in
Hatfield meadow, May 30, 16TG; she was the grandmother of the late Oliver Smith
(founder of the ' Smith Charities '), and his five brothers. Stephen Jennings removed
to Brookfleld, and his daughter Captivity, married Abijah Bartlett of that town."'—
History of Hadley, p. 185.
3 Ibid, p. 186.