Elias Keyes - Werewolf

Elias Keyes, my very Great Uncle was born in Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts on 20 May 1643. His father was Robert and his mother Sarah. In 1645 Robert Keyes moved his family to Sudbury, Middlesex County, Massachusetts roughly 14 miles east. The journey would have taken about 6 hours. The settlement and town was established September 1639.

Wooden barrels and casks of all sizes were used extensively for many things in Colonial. In 1664 when Elias asked for wood and timber, a building and hoop poles he was granted them and Sudbury had their own cooper shop and no longer needed to import them from Boston or other villages. 

On 11 September 1665 Elias married Sarah Blanchard. They had 5 children, 4 sons and a daughter.  Their son, Elias Keyes II drowned in June of 1690 when his canoe tipped over while he was on the Merrimac River near Chelmsford. The river was running fast and the wind was high on this tragic summer day. Another man tried to rescue him but drowned also.

                Merrimac river

In another attempt to drive away the English and other settlers Pokunoket tribe leader, Chief Metacom otherwise known as King Phillip gathered the warriors and leaders of other Tribes and led a rebellion that lasted 14 months (1675-1676) and destroyed 12 settlements. In what became known as the Sudbury Fight toward the end of the war and included the settlement of Sudbury, and what is now Wayland and Maynard most of the real estate property and personal property of the settlers was either stolen or destroyed by King Philip and his army. The Sudbury town records show that Elias claimed a loss valuing 60 pounds from fire and plunder. 

By 1680 Elias wife Sarah had married a man named John Maynard and there is no further information on Elias. It is assumed he passed in 1679. 

In Sudbury in 1679 an increase in the "Wolf Bounty" of 10 shillings was granted. It seems that shortly after King Philips War an increase in the wildlife population brought with it an increase in the wolf population. The bounty that was suspended in 1646 granted 10 shillings per wolf and was reinstated. The increase of 10 more shillings was for the presentation of a wolf head to the town constable. 

There is no death notice or any other proof of death for Elias. Could he have been attacked and killed by wolves. Was he accidentally shot or killed by another person out for the "Wolf Bounty".  


Or ... 



was Elias a werewolf and killed by a hunter.