Father Rasle came to America from France in the year 1689 and was sent to work with the Wabanakis of the northeast. He was a Jesuit and lived among the Abenakis. A strong bond grew between Father Rasle and the tribe. He opened up their religious side and they respected him so much that they constructed a chapel and they came to Father Rasle for guidance on such subjects as their jobs, their marriage, and their personal lives. Father Rasle also aided the sick . He remained with the Abenakis for 30 years.
Father Rasle was somewhat like a body guard for the Abenakis because he stood up for them against the English who wanted more and more land along the Kennebec River. He traveled down to Swans Island to meet with the British VIP;s and represent the wishes of the Abenakis. The British viewed Father Rasle as a threat and they eventually raided the village in 1721. He evaded them and was not captured but they did steal his strongbox that contained letters. It consisted of a secret panel on the back and when you opened it up there were two compartments where he stored his documents and letters. These letters were incriminating because they showed how he was helping the Abenakis with their negotiations or legal matters.
This is a letter from Father Rasle to his nephew residing in France:
” For thirty years I've lived in the midst of the forest and with the savages. I have instructed them and informing them to their Christian virtues. I'm in the district that lies between Acadia and New England. By mixing berries with an equal quantity of tallow, you can make beautiful candles that are firm and excellent for use. I have composed some prayers to alter the minds of the savages. These prayers are of the natures. I teach catechism to the children and young people. The rest of the morning is set for listening to the people that need to talk to me. Usually people want to talk to me about their pains, their anxieties, jobs, their marriage and personal affairs. In the afternoons I visit the sick and check the cabins to check who needs some special attention. At night, for dinner we have huge feasts, which whoever is invited MUST bring one plate of wood or bark and then I give the benediction upon the meats. Some nights I hardly have time to say my prayers and get rest. The savages go to the sea in pursuit to find geese and birds. Then they build a church on the island, which is next to their little cabin for their residence. My food is simple and light. I've never been able to taste meat and smoked fish, my nourishment is nothing, but Indian corn."
The Abenaki had their own beliefs about nature and their place on earth but they also accepted the beliefs of Father Rasle because he was kind and became a role model for them. At the time Father Rasle was with the Abenakis the British were coming to Maine to obtain land and establish villages. The French, on the other hand, traded with the native americans and worked as missionaries. The land deals caused the Native Americans to be angry because they could no longer travel freely to hunt and move around. They raided English establishments and killed many settlers. A man named Moulton saw his family being killed this way.

In 1724 the same Captain Moulton and another man, Captain Harmon came up the Kennebec river from Swan’s Island to massacre the Abenakis. They brought soldiers and not one was killed but over 80 innocent men, women and children were slaughtered. On this day Bomazeen, an Indian was keeping watch with his wife and child and suddenly he spotted English troops heading towards the village ofNonrantsouack meaning Norridgewock, " . As he ran to alert them, his wife and child were killed. They shot him in the back and the place where it happend is called Bomazeen Rips today. They went to the village and found most of the men were gone hunting for food though the women, children and elderly Abenakis were left in the village. The British opened fire and the scene that followed will never be forgotten. The British took a few young boys captive.
They took 28 scalps back to Boston to parade and gloat about their victory over the infamous Father Rasle. His scalp was among those placed on a tall pole and paraded as well.
After the raid, the Abenakis went to St. Francis in Canada and returned briefly although the village was not the same. They went to different parts of Maine to live.
Father Rasle was a friend and a negotiator for the Abenakis. The destruction of the Abenakis was inevitable whether or not he was among them. His presence may have complicated matters, but the conflicts between the British and the Natives Americans were beyond the control of Father Rasle.
Thank you for your time.