Elizabeth Hanson
Elizabeth Hanson, born in 1684, is primarily recognized for her account of captivity, detailed in her 1728 book, *God's Mercy Surmounting Man's Cruelty, Exemplified in the Captivity and Redemption of Elizabeth Hanson*. This narrative recounts her experience after being captured by Native Americans in 1724 while living in New Hampshire with her family, during which two of her children died. Hanson, along with three of her surviving children, was held captive for just over a year before being ransomed. Her work later saw a republication in 1760 under a different title, further contributing to its historical significance as a resource on the interactions between European Americans and Native Americans during that era. Although the narrative is presented in the first person, some historians suggest that Hanson may have received assistance in writing, but the details of any collaboration remain unclear. Hanson passed away in 1737, thirteen years after her release, while her husband had died shortly after her return. Her story continues to serve as an important reflection on the complexities of frontier life and cultural encounters in early American history.
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Elizabeth Hanson
Writer
- Born: 1684
- Died: 1737
Biography
Elizabeth Hanson was born in 1684, and very little is known about most of her life. She is known for publishing the book God’s Mercy Surmounting Man’s Cruelty, Exemplified in the Captivity and Redemption of Elizabeth Hanson which was published in 1728, and recounted her story living as a captive of American Indians. She had been taken captive in 1724 while living in New Hampshire with her husband and children, two of whom died during the initial attack. She and three of her children remained captives of the Native Americans for just a little over one year, when they were traded for ransom.
The book would later be republished under the title An Account of the Captivity of Elizabeth Hanson, Now or Late of Kachecky, in New England in 1760. The book was regarded as a good source of information regarding the life of European Americans on the frontier and their relationship with the Native Americans of the time. Hanson herself lived for thirteen years after being taken into captivity. She died in 1737. John Hanson, her husband, had died shortly after she had been freed years before. Though Hanson’s narrative was written in the first person, some historians and critics believe that Hanson may have had help in writing her book. Still, they have been unable to determine who may have done so.