It is important to note that 1690 was the start of the French and Indian wars beginning with King William’s War which was from 1690-1697. This was a terrifying and dangerous time for the colonists of the New World. The French had allied themselves with the Indians and encouraged them to attack the English settlements. There were atrocities, including massacres of entire villages on both sides.
Gershom Flagg, was a tanner and had his tannery in the town center of Woburn, MA. He was also a lieutenent in King William’s war. He was a member of Capt Wiswall’s company and was killed by Indians at Wheelwrights Pond or Lamprey River in what is now Lee, NH, 6 July of 1690.
Mary was only 7 years old at the time. Her mother, Hannah was left with 6 children under 16 years of age.
On Dec 10, 1696, Hannah married widower Ensign Israel Walker, whose wife, Susannah, had died in 1694. He had five children from that marriage. Mary was 11 years old by this time and was certainly expected to help her mother with many of the chores. With Hannah’s 2nd marriage, Mary now had a step father.
At the age of 31, Mary married John Adams, 27 Oct 1714 in Middlesex county, MA. John was five years younger than Mary, born 2 Sept 1688 in Waltham, Middlesex co, MA. This seems a little unusual, especially Mary’s age. Perhaps as one of the youngest daughters she remained with her widowed mother.
Mary and John had 10 children, all born in Lexington, Middlesex co, MA. Records indicate she died 21 July 1786 in Watertown, MA. She lived to be 103 years old. John died 18 May 1774.
I am related to Mary Flagg in two ways. First she is my 6th maternal gt grandmother and secondly she is a 1st cousin 8 times removed again on the maternal side. Her relationship to my children is 7th maternal gt grandmother and 1st cousin 9 times removed.
The picture above is a representation of what Mary may have dressed like.
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