Groton Indian raid of 1964 and Lydia longley, The

Historical Journal of Massachusetts, Summer 2002 by Wolkovich-Valkavicius, William L

Parkman records a few fragments about the Frenchman. Le Ber was known in Montreal as "one the principal merchants and most influential inhabitants of the settlement..." He and his wife sold goods to whites and Indians alike. In a dispute over control of fur commerce, he had become an avowed enemy of La Salle. To enhance his rank, the ambitious entrepreneur bought himself the prestigious title of gentilehomme.13

Le Ber's business pursuits did not interfere with the religious ambience of his home. Indeed, it was here that the extraordinary religious calling of his favorite daughter Jeanne germinated. She did not choose any of the three extant communities on hand in Montreal -- neither the Ursuline Sisters, Sisters of Hotel Dieu, or the Congregation of Notre Dame. She forsook her suitors and renounced the comforts of her family home. Instead, Jeanne chose to live in the Notre Dame convent as a recluse behind the chapel altar. Before she entered the enclosure, Lydia and Jeanne had occasion for a brief time to become acquainted, exposing the ransomed young woman to intense religious dedication. 14

A priest in Montreal who spoke English, which was a rarity, eased Lydia's adaptation to new surroundings. Fr. Henri-Antoine Meriel was an invaluable link with many captives, instructing and baptizing as many as thirty-four of them. This Sulpician priest was pastor of the Notre Dame parish, chaplain at Hotel Dieu, and also director and confessor for the pupils in the care of the Sisters of the Congregation.15

While Lydia was adjusting to her French Catholic environment, her surviving townspeople learned of her safety over a year after the Indian raid. Lydia's name first appeared on a prisoner list of October, 1695, surviving in the state archives. Lydia, listed as "Lidey Langly," was among forty-two "remaining still in hands of the french at Canada." Lydia was the sole Groton resident on this roster, alongside Oyster River captives. The rest were from other New Hampshire and Maine villages. Thus, not until fifteen months after the Groton assault did Lydia's neighbors gain confirmation of her survival and whereabouts.16

At this time, Lydia had no knowledge of sibling John's fate. Lydia harbored only the lingering nightmarish horror of the death of her parents and other siblings. Nevertheless, her grief was considerably assuaged by this time. A whole new world had opened up for her in Montreal. She had been living in surroundings of elegance, in sharp contrast to the drab Groton household of her upbringing. She soon learned to speak French. For the first time in her life, she was exposed to the elaborate Catholic ritual of the Latin Mass. How different it must have seemed, unlike the reputed "idolatrous" ceremony, alleged in a sermon, remarks of her parents, or in a catechism.

Soon Lydia voiced an interest in learning about the Catholic faith, much to the delight of the Le Ber family. Accordingly, on March 24, 1696, her benefactor confided Lydia to a tutor, Marguerite Bourgeoys, dynamic foundress of the Congregation de Notre Dame.17