Sebastien Rasles strongbox, ca. 1720
Description
Father Sebastien Rasles (1657-1724) moved to Canada from France in 1689 and learned many of the customs and languages of the Indians in the Northeast. He became a beloved and powerful influence on the Indians. In 1721 the British raided the village of Norridgewock where Father Rasles was living. He escaped capture, but his strongbox, containing letters and documents, was confiscated. The box has a secret compartment shown here.