Around 1900, Americans took a great interest in United States history, local history and in their personal family histories. During this time Historical Societies formed, and an interest in supporting and creating local historical sites occurred. Also, linage organizations were established, such as The Daughter’s of the American Revolution and The Mayflower Society. It was at this time many books on local histories were published which often included a genealogical sketch of prominent citizens. These books, most which can be found on Google Books, are wonderful resources, but they should be treated as a clue and not as a fact. Very often their genealogies were often incorrect and the histories they include on the families were just wrong.
One such article I came across when I was researching the family of Thomas Penney (1710-1809) of Wells, Maine. In this article, on Justin Benjamin Penney in the book “Representative Men of Southeastern Massachusetts” published in 1919, by J.H. Beers & Co, states that Justin’s great-great-grandfather, Thomas Penney was the father of nineteen children, ten with his first wife Abigail Grey and nine with his second wife Adah (Hatch) Spear, who came to this marriage with two children. The article goes on to tell a fantastic story of Adah’s life saying:
“Adah (Spear) Penney was taken captive by the Indians and kept prisoner eighteen years. She had a child born shortly after her capture, of which the Indians became very fond, but in one of their drunken orgies and war dances they accidentally killed it. To conceal all evidence the burned the body before the mother’s eyes. The heartbroken woman found a rib bone in the ashes and hid it in the folds of her dress. At last the Indians discovered it, and feared she intended to keep it to show the whites’ and make trouble. She was finally set at liberty.”
It should be noted that there is no other mention of this incident in Wells history. By reviewing the time line of Adah Hatch’s life, it is clear, a lot of her life is documented. There are many times where Adah’s name appears in Wells records, from her baptism, her two marriages and the baptism of her Spear children and her Penney children. These documents will prove the unlikely story of Adah’s capture.
Timeline of Adah’s life using primary documents:
| Date | Event | Source | Gap b/w events & age |
| 13 Aug 1727 | Baptized at First Church of Wells | Wells, ME. Church records. | —– |
| 13 Dec 1748 | Intention to marry to Gideon Spear | Wells, ME. Church records. | 21 years (21yrs) |
| 15 Feb 1756 | Baptism of three Spear children: Ebenezer, Mary & John | Wells, ME. Church records. | 8 years (29yrs) |
| 13 Jan 1759 | Marriage to Thomas Penney | Wells, ME. Church records. | 3 years (32yrs) |
| 12 Feb 1760 | Bapt. of daughter Joanna Penney | Wells, ME. Church records. | 1 year (33yrs) |
| 7 Jan 1762 | Birth of twin sons Benjamin & Joseph Penney | Per Benjamin Penney’s Revolutionary pension application | 2 years (35yrs) |
| 22 Aug 1762 | Bapt of twin sons: Benjamin & Joseph | Wells, ME. Church records. | 8 months (35yrs) |
| (Maybe, but highly doubtful) 1766 to 1775 | (birth of possibly more children) | According to the article, Adah had 5 more Penney children, possibly born b/w 1766 and 1775. No records to support this notion. | 2 years to 9 years (b/w ages of 39 to 48 yrs) |
| Bef 1790 | death | There are no records for her death. As Thomas gave his all his land to son John in return for life care |
The story tells of her capture as a young woman, not a child, so Adah would not have been captured between birth and her first marriage. Documents over the next twenty years do not have an eighteen-year stretch. Also, if one takes into consideration the article’s reported notion she had five more Penney children born to her, then the only possible time block for this capture to have occurred is in the late 1770’s, (putting her in her late 40s/early 50s…almost too old to have a baby) and having a release just before 1800. Plus, history records note attacks on New England settlements by Native Americans was a problem in the 1670’s not the 1770’s. Thus, by studying the facts and comparing them with this story, illustrates that this story about Adah story is highly likely never happened and appears to be a fabrication on the author’s part.
Googling to find genealogies and histories is an excellent tool, but be aware that what you find may not be based in fact. The story of Adah’s capture is indeed an amazing story, and one that would be cool to pass down…but it simply is not true. I have also discovered that very often the genealogies found on line, whether in an early-published book, or on a web page, are fraught with errors. It should be noted that most of these histories/genealogies are accurate…but do yourself a BIG favor and check for sources. That way you know you have created an accurate tree filled with accurate stories!
Recently, I was participating in a committee, where someone stated, in reference to a local history…if it was published then it MUST be true.
No. No it is not…just do the work and prove it!
Laurie L. Kearney 