After this act Roger's house was carefully watched by the townfolk, who were anxious to secure him, for it was believed he aided the enemy in plunder and devastation by valued information. One dark night in July a citizen, spying a bright light in Roger's house at an unusual hour, was convinced that he was making a flying visit to his family. He told his suspicions to the men in the fort, who immediately turned out and surrounded the house. Three of their number were chosen to enter, but found only Mrs. Stevens with her 2 children. It was afterwards learned that Roger was forewarned of their approach and hid among the weeds close to the logs of his house. It was also found that he had come as leader of a party of some Indiansto attack the fort, but finding it strongly garrisoned the savages withdrew, while Roger improved the opportunity to see his wife and children. 

        These alarms of approaching enemy were frequent and the women and children would then go to the fort until the scare subsided. Roger's farm, recently owned by Edwin Wheaton, was confiscated. The house was about 70 rods east of the present house. He had married in 1773 Martha ____.  They removed to Bastard, Canada, about 1796 and he was drowned there in 1808. His widow then went to western N.Y. and died. 

(Note: A more complete record of his family is in the possession of Colleen E. Johnson - see below). 
 
 
 

        In about a year Abel decided to revisit the same locality and took an experienced hunting friend with him. They were quite successful in collecting furs, but on their return were followed by a party of Indians, angry at their trespass and probably over the loss of their comrade the year before. At Addison, Stevens stopped at a house to warm himself and as he sat by the fire a tall, furious Indian entered and came at him, saying, "Me come to kill thee."  Stevens, who was a very large athletic man, rose quickly and struck the savage a powerful blow, felling him to the floor insensible. Our hero and his comrade hastened on their return, but, being pursued by the enemy, turned westward to Ticonderoga for several days. 

        The Indiansthen lost track of them and all turned back except one, supposed to be he whom Stevens floored. This savage went on to Pittsford and for several days lurked in the woods near Stevens' house. 

        Our hero returned home in about a week and was told of the Indian who he knew was seeking personal vengeance and that his life was in danger. Stevens' comrade understood Indian tactics and determined to protect his friend. Being well armed, he went to the woods and lay in ambush several days.  One evening just at twilight he discovered the tall form of the Indian creeping stealthily along by the creek toward Stevens' house. He shot the savage through the heart, then took his gun, powder horn and bullet pouch with the rings from his ears. After rolling the body into the creek he returned with his trophies and the grateful news to the home of his friend Stevens. 

        Abel  resided in Pittsford about 10 years longer, then (1796) removed to Canada. He married in 1778 Eunice (dau of Isaac) Buck. He was of earnest piety and preached as a Methodist. (This is an error as he was a Baptist and many records of him are found in the Baptists of Upper and Lower Canada and in the Ontario Records)  One account says he died in 1816 and another in 1828. Children: Abel died in Canada 1860, Elizabeth, Eunice, Uriah went to Ky., Alfred, Isaac, David B., Horace. (More complete info in possession of Colleen E. Johnson -- see below).

Note: His family lived in Bastard twp. Leeds County Ontario and many families left with him to go to this area. 
 

        Ephraim was young, of extraordinary strength and activity, and was claimed by the Indians in the division of captives. On reaching the St. Lawrence they continued the trip by boat and as they approached the shore near Montreal, Ephraim saw a number of savages arranged in two lines facing each other with a narrow passage between them leading to a log house about 50 yards away. As he stepped ashore he was attacked by them with clubs and soon knocked down. He protected his head with his arms and by his great strength soon arose, when a young squaw pointing to the house cried, "Run! Run!"  He rushed forward and reached it with little further injury. Thereupon the Indians threw away their clubs and greeted him with applause and kindness. The whole Indian village now gathered for the carousal of such occasions. The squaws, having hid the warriors weapons, passed around the rum in abundance. All drank freely and urged Ephraim to partake with them. He, however, drank as little as possible, using much art to deceive them as to the quantity, being determined to remain sober and ready for any possible chance to escape. 
 
 

        The carousal ended, most of the party retired while some of the effects of the liquor had fallen fast asleep. As morning came an Indian entered, who had not been there the night before and fixed his eyes long and keenly on Ephraim, who recognized the stranger as one of a company who visited Pittsford before the war and with whom Ephraim had quarreled. The Indian soon left and two stout Indians came and stood guard at the door; and shortly after the young squaw who had befriended Ephraim the day before came in with looks of sorrow and even weeping. Ephraim said, "By this time I made up my mind that my old acquaintance on Otter Creek was determined to wreak his vengeance on me by a cruel sacrifice of my life and in the barbarous manner the Indians sometimes wont to do. I determined to place myself in the hands of a less dangerous enemy or lose my life in the attempt. I looked round for some weapon but saw none sufficient to use. I then thought I would try and pass the two Indians in a quiet and peaceable manner as if I wished carelessly to view the premises. Slowing and awkwardly I approached the door, but one of the Indians sprang forward placed his hand on my breast and shoved me back into the room. I quietly yielded to his push and made as though I was about to resume my seat; but as he was returning to the door I sprang with all my might and threw both prostrate on the ground. I flew like lightening through the door and the young squaw again cried, "Run! Run!" but I needed no urging this time. In the midst of my speed I met a small British guard who had in custody my two companions, B. Stevens and E. Hopkins. I passed them swiftly, their officer hailed em, told me to stop and I should not be hurt. I first intended to leave them all, but taking into view all the circumstances of my situation, I concluded it would be impossible to escape, and being promised that I should receive no harm, I returned and surrendered to them." He and his companions were soon taken to the British Garrison. Here he was visited by his brother, Roger Stevens, who had turned Tory and was then a Captain in the British Army. Roger reproved Ephraimfor joining the rebels, and disloyalty to the King. Ephraim retorted, accusing Roger of deserting his country and cursing the king. Roger promised Ephraimthe liberty of the city if he would give his word not to leave it. Ephraim spurned the offer with indignation and the three captives were sent to prison. Here Ephraimfor his praise of the Americans and contemptuous speaking of the King was handcuffed and fettered. His great stength enabled him to break the ordinary iron fetters, and he wa soon loaded down with heavy irons and with his companions put on board a vessel sent to Quebec and there thrown into a dungeon. 

        Remaining there until fall, they were taken out under guard to labor in harvesting corn and grain. They eluded the guard, escaped in a boat across the river and, pushing through the wilderness, with little to eat but roots and bark of trees, in 14 days they came in sight of the Green Mountains. But as they were fishing in the headwaters of the  Connecticut River they were recaptured by Indians and taken back to prison to Quebec. They were now ironed under guard commanded to strictest vigilance. But in a few months our heroes succeeded in replacing the iron keys in their bolts with pliable pewter ones. Recovering thus the use of their limbs, they improved the nights in digging a hole under the prison wall, which was also the main wall of the city, 12 feet thick. Under the stone mantel of the prison chimney was an iron bar, which they used in their work and replaced in the morning, before the keeper came, who always found them in irons concealed in their bunks and beds made over it. The prisoners dug to the last stone in the wall and were waiting a dark night to escape, when one of the other prisoners, becoming intoxicated, dug in the daytime and was discovered, so all their labor was lost. It created so much excitement in Quebec with crowds of folks who came to see what the  Yankees--covered with chains--had done. Their iron tool was not discovered. 

        Ephraim tried to harass the enemy by everything his active mind and powerful body could do. At one time the press-gang called at the prison for volunteers for the British Navy. Ephraim declared he was ready to go, but told his anxious comrades he would be back within a week. He was over taken on a river vessel whose Capt. after showing him over the ship, asked how he would like to be a sailor, "First rage," he said, "but the first chance I have I will put a brand of fire into the magazine and we will all go up together."and he cursed the king and all on board. An attempt was made to hang him to the yard-arm. The rope was put around his neck and while it was being adjusted our hero shouted, "Draw away! I will find neck as long as you will halter! Draw away! You are a set of infernal cowards! I dare you to hang me,--- thousands of Yankees woud be upon the war path! I curse you and your king! In about a week the Capt. ordered this Yankee tartar taken back to prison, declaring "he would have no such fellow on board his ship."

        They dug their way out of the dungeon and eluding the vigilance of the sentinels in the depths of winter they proceeded up the  St. Lawrence on the ice, traveling in the night and secreting themselves by day-- suffering keenly with cold and hunger. One bitter cold night Ephraim being a little in advance of his comrades fell through the ice. He immediately reinstated himself on the firm ice before his companions came up, but completely drenched with water which almost instantly froze, he knew he must find a fire before morning or perish. This was extremely difficult. The  British government had threatened severe punishment to any who should aid any escaping prisoners--but there was no other alternative but death. A farm house not far distant was seen,  Ephraim approached it alone, knocked for admission, the inmates were asleep, he called, told his story and after much importunity and pleading of the man's wife he was admitted at the muzzle of a gun, a fire soon made and our hero relieved of his suffering. His companions now joined him and the next night they proceeded on their way. At length when about a day's journey from Vermont,  they lost their way and fell in with some  British,  were recaptured and taken back to their prison in Quebec and there remained (their fate meanwhile being unknown to their people in Pittsford who, supposing them dead had Elder Elisha Rich preach their funeral sermon). In June 1781, Ephraim's uncle Benj. Stevens Sr., went to Whitehall, where some of the prisoners were to be exchanged; and on the first boat which came in were our three Green Mountain boys. They were at once exchanged and returned to their families. Each rec'd 40s per month for the time of his captivity and was voted $5.00 by the General Assembly for the gun he lost when taken prisoner. (From Vermont Historical Magazine) At the close of the war Ephraimwent to Leicester, Addison Co. married resided west of Lake Champlain and died in Lower Canada of smallpox. Children: Moses R., Christiana, Rhodian, Polly. (this is not complete)