Hannah Duston
Hannah Duston was a notable figure in early American history, born in 1657 to Michael and Hannah Webster Emerson as the first of fifteen children. She married Thomas Duston in 1677 and became a mother to twelve children, although only nine survived infancy. Duston's life took a dramatic turn in 1697 when she was abducted by Indigenous people during a raid on her town, shortly after giving birth to her twelfth child. Along with her infant and a nanny, she was taken to an island, where she staged a daring escape. Duston led a rebellion that resulted in the deaths of ten out of twelve captors, ultimately returning home to be celebrated as a heroine. Her bravery earned her a reward of fifty pounds and an engraved pewter tankard, and she was honored with a statue, believed to be the first to commemorate a woman. Duston's story is significant not only for her actions but also for its impact on the portrayal of women's narratives in the 18th century, challenging the male-dominated narratives of her time.
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Subject Terms
Hannah Duston
Heroine
- Born: December 23, 1657
- Birthplace: Haverhill, Massachusetts
- Died: c. 1736
- Place of death: Ipswich, Massachusetts
Biography
The first of fifteen children, Hannah Duston was born to Michael and Hannah Webster Emerson. In 1677, she married Thomas Duston, and the two thrived in their community soon after their marriage. By 1697, Duston had given birth to twelve children, only nine of whom survived. She had given birth six days before the Indians attacked their town and raided her home.
When Duston’s husband saw the Indians coming, he tried to hide his children, but it was no use. Duston stayed in the house with her children and was abducted with her infant and the nanny. After killing the infant, the Indians took Duston and the nanny to an island, where they warned them not to attempt an escape. Duston led a rebellion, though, and she and her fellow captives killed ten of the twelve Indians one night.
Duston made it back home and was treated as a heroine. To award her brave efforts, she was given fifty pounds and an engraved pewter tankard. A statue was also erected for her efforts and it is believed to have been the first statue to ever honor a woman. Before Duston told her story, women’s narrations were suppressed and controlled by the male editors who transcribed them. Her captivating recount of her kidnapping changed the way narratives were dealt with in the eighteenth century.