Martha (Kitcherel) Wright was born probably in Hartford CT sometime in the 1640s, the daughter of Samuel and Martha (Chapman) Kitcherel. No birth record exists for Martha, and the date usually given to her---Jan 4 1645[/6?]---is actually the birth of her sister Hannah, according to Hartford CT vital records [Connecticut Vital Records to 1870, americanancestors.org, Hartford, p. 186].

The statement that she was scalped by Indians at Springfield MA on Jul 26 1708 apparently was first shown in Savage's Genealogical Dictionary in the early 1860s, and was repeated in NEHGR 35:75 in 1881. There does not seem to be any earlier source, primary or otherwise, for the assertion that she was scalped.

The Springfield vital records, which are in chronological order, are available on americanancestors.org, ancestry.com, and familysearch.org. There were eighteen deaths recorded in Springfield in 1708. Three of the eighteen are hereby presented.

"Henry Wright the son of Henry Wright & Han[n]ah Wright dyed upon a wound given it by the Indian Enemy July:27:1708"
"Berajah Hulburd a garison Souldier was Slain by the Indian Enemy July.26:1708"
"Aaron Parsons the Son of Samuel Parsons of North Hampton was also Slain by the abouesd Enemy July.26.1708. he also was a garison Souldier."

The next eight deaths occurred between Oct 5 and Nov 24. All eight have similar wording as Martha's record:

"martha Wright the wife of Abel Wright was Sicke & died october 19.1708."

These eight people all have the same wording---"sick and died". There is no mention of anyone (especially Martha) dying of wounds received by the "Indian Enemy", which you would expect in this case. I can find no connection between the other seven individuals and the events of Jul 26 1708, so it is doubtful that being sick is a euphemism for a mortal wound.

Did Martha die of wounds, or was she a victim of an epidemic? A contemporary record of some sort---town records, newspaper accounts or a diary entry---would do a lot to pin down the truth, but I have not been able to locate anything, at least online.

Comments welcomed.

Rick Turner
Bemidji MN