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In 1666 Snowshoes were described as similar to a "Rackett tyed to each foote", and were used by the French, English and Native American people to travel through heavy snows. They were made sort of like baskets. John Sheldon (b.1658) of Deerfield, Massachusetts, was sent to Canada 3 times by Governor Dudley to bring back New England captives. He made his first trip in the winter of 1705 and the last in 1707. He was able to return a total of 113 English captives who had come from different parts of New England.