Richard Tozer was born about 1631. His orgin is unknown but he may have
beenborn in Dover, England. He was living in Boston when he married
Judith Smith on July 3, 1656. The two had the following children;
Thomas, Richard, Simon, Elizabeth Blanchant, Martha Lord, and John.
Richard married Elizabeth, the daughter of William Wentworth. She was
captured by Indians during a raid on March 18, 1690
Richard and Judith left Boston about 1657. By 1659 whey hadsettled in
Kittery, Maine, where the town granted Richard 60 acres "adjoiningto
William Pyles lott above the Salmon falls. Richard built a garrison
house at this site.
In 1675 the King Phillips War was in full force. The area around Kittery
was a scene of much fighting and bloodshed. In the fall of 1675:
"the house of Richard Tozer, at Salmon Falls, wherein were fifteen women
and children, were attacked by two Indians, Andrew and Hope-hood, but
were valiantly defended by a young woman who held fast the door till all
the others escaped and till it was hewn in pieces by the Indians who then
entering struckher down, leaving her dead, while they followed the
others to the next housewhich better fotified, the Indians did not
attack. Two children were captured who were of this company, and could
not keep up with the others, one of three years was killed, the other of
seven was carried into captivity, but afterwards returned by them."
On October 16, 1675 Richard Tozer and his son, Thomas, were at his home
when they were surprised by a large Indian raiding party.Richard was
killed and his son was captured. A letter written at the timeto Major
Walderne describes what happened:
"Mr. Richard Waldren and Lt. Coffin, these are to inform you, that just
now the Indians are engaging us with at least 100 men, and have slain
four of our men already, Richard Tozer, JamesBarney, Issack Bottes and
Tozer's son and burnt Benoni Hodsden's house; Sir,if ever you have any
love for us, and this country, now show yourself with men to help us, or
else we are all in great danger to be slain, unless our Godwonderfully
appear for our deliverance. They that cannot fight, let them pray;
nought else, but I rest,
Yours to serve you
Signed by Roger Plaisted, George Broughton."
Major Walderne was unable to supply any help. Lt. Plaistedand his men
and settlers would have been safe if they remained in their garrisons but
Lt. Plaisted decided to leave the garrison with 20 men to recover the
bodies of the slain. After recovering Richard Tozer's body, the details
was itself ambushed. Lt. Plaisted and one of his sons were among the
dead.Another son of Plaisted was mortally wounded. Some of the burial
crew did manage to reach the safety of the garrison. Captain Charles
Frost came up andburied the dead without incident.
Judith survived the raids but died about 1683 at which time her son
Richard, was appointed administrator of her estate.Her daugher Martha
married Nathan Lord on November 22, 1678. They settled inthe garrison
house built by her father.

• Married: 3 Jul 1656

1. Thomas TOZIER b: 1657
2. Richard TOZIER b: Abt. 1660
3. Simon TOZIER
4. Elizabeth TOZIER
5. John TOZIER b: Abt. 1663
6. Martha TOZIER b: Abt. 1660