Leslie is using an "elaborative" style to elicit her son's autobiographical memory.
According to the research the elaborative style which contains a lot of question styles, like what?, if?, Why? When, etc. into the conversation with a child, help the child remember the past events in more detail than simple question sentences. The more elaborative a parent can be about an event the more the child will have the details memorized.
Explanation: Over the years the French and English fought for control of the region. England finally gained control at the end of the French and Indian War in 1763. Maine was part of Massachusetts during the American Revolution.