Littleton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts was first settled in 1686 by English settlers and was the the location of the Native American village called Nashoba Plantation
Childbirth was was perilous. Around 1.5 percent of births ended in the mother's death. Since women gave birth to many children, chances of dying in childbirth were quite high.
Daniel Powers was born on May 10, 1669 in Littleton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. His parents were Walter Powers and Trial Shepard.
He married his first wife, Elizabeth Whitcomb, on April 8, 1702. Elizabeth was the daughter of Jonathan and Hannah Whitcomb. She was born in 1676 in Littleton. Her mother was killed by indigenous warriors in 1692.
Daniel and Elizabeth's children were all born in Nashobe (Littleton), although some of them are recorded in Groton. Their children included:
Daniel Powers (1703, married Mary Wilder),
Jonathan Powers (1704, married Hannah Moore),
Oliver Powers (1705), Captain Peter Powers (1707, married Anna Keyes) and
Hannah Powers (1709, Hannah may have married Barnabas Davis).
They owned a large piece of land on the west edge of Littleton. The land was about one mile in width and extended along the entire west edge of town.
Elizabeth died February 22, 1709 probably as a complication of childbirth.
He married Martha Bates in 1711.
Martha and Daniel's children included:
William Powers (1712, married Margaret Reese),
Sapheron Powers (1714),
Timothy Powers (1716), and Jerahmeel Powers (February 18, 1718, married Eunice Bennet).
Their son, Oliver, died in Cuba while fighting with England against Spain probably during the Seven Years War also known as the French and Indian War in America.
Groton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts was settled and incorporated in 1655. During King Philip's War, indigenous warriors burned all but four of Groton's garrisons. Survivors fled, but returned two years later to rebuild the town. Groton was again threatened during Queen Anne's War.
Old Style Calendar
Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.
Early European settlers in the American colonies were mostly farmers and craftsmen. They had to work hard to provide daily neccesities for themselves.
European and indiginous American fought fierce battles, sometimes called the Indian Wars, as the Europeans expanded their territory.
