The French and Indian War, 1754-1763, broke existing and created new alliances among the British, French and Indians in the frontier areas of North America. Defeated French and Indian forces marched through frontier areas stealing, capturing or killing settlers. One example of the destructive fallout was the massacre of the Mennonite preacher John and Eva Rhodes family in August, 1764 about 5 miles NW of Luray. A group of Indians and a white man came to the Rhodes house demanding money. When one of the sons in the yard refused to give money the group opened fire killing both parents and 6 children. Accounts of the time indicate that those killed were scalped and that the French paid $15 per scalp. 7 older children who either fled the scene or who lived separately survived. One son, Michael was captured and carried off and lived with the Indians for 3 years before returning and rejoining his family.
