HISTORY
OF CARBON COUNTY
Pages
573 to 593
Including
sections on:
The Indian Uprising and the Massacre at Gnaddenhütten
Benjamin Franklin Builds Fort Allen
The
Captivity of the Gilbert Family in 1780
The Massacre at Gnadenhütten in 1755 - Franklin
builds Fort Allen for the Protection of the Frontier - Captivity of the Gilbert
Family.
On the 18th of August,
1746, the missionaries and the Indians partook of the first-fruits of the land
and of their toil at a love-feast, and gave thanks to God for the blessings
that he had bestowed upon them. Morning
and evening the sound of song arose from the little forest hamlet, and the work
of the day was invariable begun and concluded with devout prayer. Discourses were delivered every Sunday by
the missionaries, and several portions of the Scripture, translated into the
Mohegan language, were read whenever the congregation was assembled. The Holy Communion was administered to the
communicants every month. This day was
called by the Indians "the great day." Christian Rauch and Martin Mack were the first missionaries who
resided here, and were succeeded by others after a comparatively short period,
it being the policy of the Brethren to make frequent changes, that the Indians
might not form too strong an attachment for men, but learn to fix their hope
and dependence on God alone. The church
built during the first year of the mission was too small for the congregation
of five hundred, and the missionaries usually preached in the open air, that
all might hear. The affairs of the
station being promising, Bishop Johannes von Watteville went to Gnadenhütten in
September, 1749, and laid the foundation of a new church. all went well until 1754, when a part of the
Indians were led to desert the mission and go to the Wyoming Valley. Efforts to alienate…
"The Indians in the
French interest," says Loskiel, "were much incensed that any of the
Moravian Indians chose to remain at Gnadenhütten, and determined to cut off the
settlement. After Braddock's defeat the
whole frontier was open to the inroads of the savage foe. Every day disclosed new scenes of barbarity
committed by the Indians. The whole
country was in terror; the neighbors of the Brethren in Gnadenhütten forsook
their dwellings and fled; but the Brethren made a covenant together to remain
undaunted in the place allotted them by Providence. However, no caution was omitted, and because the white people considered every Indian as
an enemy, the Indian Brethren at Gnadenhütten were advised, as much as
possible, to keep out of the way, to buy no powder nor shot, but strive to
maintain themselves without hunting, which they willingly complied with." The Moravians were suddenly and horribly
aroused from their sense of comparative security. Late in the…
…
evening of the 25th of November the mission-house was attacked by the Indians who
were allies of the French, burned to the ground, and eleven of its inmates
murdered.
"The family, being
at supper, heard an uncommon barking of dogs, upon which Brother Senseman went
out at the back door to see what was the matter. On the report of a gun several ran together to open the
house-door, and firing immediately upon its being opened, Martin Nitchman was
instantly killed. His wife and some
others were wounded, but fled with the rest up-stairs into the garret, and
barricaded the door with bedsteads.
Brother Partsch escaped by jumping out of a back window. Brother Worbas, who was ill in bed in a
house adjoining, jumped likewise out of a back window and escaped, though the
enemies had placed a guard before his door.
Meanwhile, the savages pursued those who had taken refuge in the garret,
and strove hard to burst the door open; but finding it too well secured, they
set fire to the house, which was soon in flames. A boy called Sturgeons, standing upon the flaming roof, ventured
to leap off, and escaped, though at first, upon opening the back door, a ball
had grazed his cheek and one side of his head was much burned. Sister Partsch, seeing this, took courage,
and leaped likewise from the burning roof.
She came down unhurt and unobserved by the enemies, and thus the fervent
prayer of her husband was fulfilled, who, in jumping out the back window, cried
aloud to God to save his wife. Brother
Fabricius then leaped also off the roof, but before he could escape was
perceived by the Indians, and instantly wounded by two balls. He was the only one whom they seized upon
alive and having dispatched him with their hatchets, they took his scalp and
left him dead on the ground. The rest
were all burnt alive, and Brother Senseman, who first went out at the back
door, had the inexpressible grief to see his wife consumed by the flames. Sister Partsch could not run far for fear
and trembling, but hid herself behind a tree upon a hill near the house. From thence she saw Sister Senseman, already
surrounded by the flames, standing with folded hands, and heard her calling
out, " 'Tis all well, dear Saviour.
I expected nothing else."
The house being consumed, the murderers set fire to the barns and
stables, by which all the corn, hay, and cattle were destroyed. Then they divided the spoil, soaked some
bread in milk, made a hearty meal, and departed, Sister
Partsch looking on unperceived 1.
At Bethlehem the people
had been in an agony of suspense, for all had seen the lurid glare beyond the
Blue Ridge made by the burning buildings, and had known that evil news of some
kind would be borne to them in a few hours.
The alarming news did come after midnight, carried by those who in
terror fled from the fire-illumined scene of murder. Towards night of the day after the tragedy eight of the white
people and between thirty and forty of the Indians, men, women, and children,
who had made their escape from New Gnadenhütten, arrived in Bethlehem. From this time on for several days the
people of the upper part of Northampton County and along the Lehigh Valley down
to the Irish Settlement and below were precipitately pushing southward into the
older and larger settlements of Bethlehem and Easton. They were filled with the wildest alarm, and many came with
scarcely clothes enough upon their backs to protect them from the cold, while
all were entirely destitute of the means to obtain the necessities of
life. There was a general hegira from
the region beyond the Blue Ridge, and hundreds of farm-houses below the
mountains, in what is now Northampton and Lehigh Counties, were abandoned by
their inhabitants.
To these panic-stricken
people the utmost kindness was shown by the citizens of Bethlehem and
Easton. The Moravian Brethren of the
former place kept their wagons plying to and from between the town and…
TO THE MEMORY OF GOTTLIEB AND CHRISTIANA ANDERS,
WITH THEIR CHILD JOHANNA.
MARIN AND SUSANNA NITSHMAN.
ANN CATHARINE SENSEMAN.
LEONARD GATTERMYER
CHRISTIAN FABRICIUS, clerk.
GEORGE SCHWEIGERT
JOHN FEEDERICK LESLEY AND MARTIN PRESSER, WHO LIVED
AT GNADEN-HUETTEN UNTO THE LORD, AND LOST THIER LIVES IN A SURPRISE FROM INDIAN
WARRIORS, NOVEMBER THE 24TH, 1755.
"PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD IS THE DEATH
OF HIS SAINTS." - Psalms cxvi.15
The inscription on the marble obelisk reads:
TO HONOR AND PERPETUATE THE REMEMBRANCE OF THE
MORAVIAN MARTYRS WHOSE ASHES ARE GATHERED AT ITS BASE THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED.
… points eight or ten miles
up the road, bringing in the women and children who had become exhausted in
their flight and sank down by the way.
This was by no means the
first one after the Gnadenhütten massacre.
The lull of peace had lasted but a few days. A few scattered settlers from New York and New England had
located on Pohopoko Creek, in Upper Towamensing township, Carbon Co., and here
the Indians made one of their forays on the 10th of December, 1755. The marauding party appears first to have
visited the plantation of Daniel Broadhead, on Broadhead's Creek (in what is
now Monroe County and not far from the site of Stroudsburg); but the proprietor
and his sons succeeding in barricading themselves in the house and repulsing
their attack, the little war-party left to fall upon other settlers, - the
Hueth, Culver, McMichael, and Carmichel families, - where their
bloodthirstiness was gratified in a number of murders. The attack upon the Hoeth family, which
comes more especially in the province of this work than do any of the
contemporaneous incidents, appears to have been made by five or six Indians, a
straggling division of a much larger band.
At the house of Frederick Hoeth, which was about twelve miles east of
Gnadenhütten, the family was at supper, when shots were heard just outside the
walls, and two of the family fell to the floor, - Hoeth himself dead and a
woman wounded. Several more shots were
fired, and then all who could do so ran out of the house. The Indians immediately set fire to the
house, stables, and adjoining mill.
Hoeth's wife ran into the bake-house, which was also set on fire. The poor woman ran out through the flames,
was very much burned, and in a mad effort to relieve her agony ran into the
creek, where she died. The Indians
mutilated her in a horrible manner with their knives and tomahawks. Three children were burned, one daughter was
killed and scalped, and two or three more were carried away into
captivity. One of the Indians was
killed and another wounded in this attack.
The
state of affairs produced by these and other murders is well described in a
letter written to Governor Morris by Timothy Horsfield, of Bethlehem, December
12th. He says, --
"In the night an express arrived from Nazareth acquainting me that there is certain people in Nazareth who fled for their lives, and informs us that one Hoeth and his family are cut off, only two escaping, and the houses of Hoeth, Broadhead, and others are actually laid in ashes, and people from all quarters flying for their lives; and the common report is that the Indians are two hundred strong.
"Your
honor can easily guess at the trouble and consternation we must be in, on this
occasion, in these parts. As to
Bethlehem, we have taken all the precaution in our power for our defense. We have taken our little infants from
Nazareth to Bethlehem for their greater security, and these, with the rest of
our children, are nearly three hundred in number.
"Although
our gracious king and Parliament have been pleased to exempt those among us of
tender conscience from bearing arms, yet there are many among us who make no
scruple of defending themselves against such cruel savages. But, alas! what can we do, having very few
arms, and little or no ammunition, and we are now, as it were, become the
frontier?
Page 577
and,
as we are circumstanced, our family being so large, it is impossible for us to
retire to any other place for security.
"I
doubt not your honor's goodness will lead you to consider the distress we are
in, and speedily to afford us what relief shall be thought necessary against
these merciless savages."
Intelligence of the
massacre at Gnadenhütten had induced the government to undertake strong
measures for the protection of the frontier, and the subsequent outrages had
the effect of hastening their execution.
The people of the lower settlements, in Bucks and Northampton Counties,
had been thoroughly aroused to the danger that was threatening them, and had
recruited volunteer companies for the repulse of the savages. It only remained to effect an organization
of the scattered elements of strength, and to carry them forward for systematic
defense. For this responsible and
difficult task the government brought forward no less a personage than Col.
(afterwards Dr.) Benjamin Franklin.
On the 15th of January,
Col. Franklin broke camp at Bethlehem,
and moved his little army in the direction of Gnadenhütten, where it was his
purpose to build one of a chain of forts for the protection of the frontier. A good description of the march and of some
subsequent operations is afforded by a letter from Benjamin Franklin to the
Governor, dated Fort Allen, at Gnadenhütten, Jan. 25, 1756:
one hundred and twenty-five feet long, fifty feet wide, the stockades most of them a foot thick. They were three feet in the ground and twelve feet out, pointed at the top. This is an account of our week's work, which I thought might give you some satisfaction. Foulk is gone to build another between this and Schuylkill fort, which I hope will be finished (as soon as Hays returns I shall dispatch another party to erect another at Surfas's, which I hope may be finished in the same time, and then I purpose to end my campaign, God willing, and do myself the pleasure of seeing you in my return. I can now add no more than that I am with great esteem and affection your friend. Yours affectionately,
"B.
FRANKLIN."
In his autobiography
Franklin thus describes Fort Allen:
"The next morning our fort
was planned and marked out, the circumference measuring four hundred and
fifty-five feet, which would require as many palisades to be made, one with
another, of a foot diameter each. Our
axes, of which we had seventy, were immediately set to work to cut down trees,
and our men being dexterous in the use of them, great dispatch was made. Each pine made three palisades of eighteen
feet long, pointed at one end. While
these were preparing our other men dug a trench all round of three feet deep,
in which the palisades were to be planted, and, the bodies being taken off our
wagons, and the fore and hind wheels separated by taking out the pin which
united the two parts of the perch, we had ten carriages, with two horses each,
to bring the palisades from the woods to the spot. When they were set up, our carpenters built a platform of boards
all round within, about six feet high, for the men to stand on when to fire
through the loop-holes. We had one
swivel-gun, which we mounted on one of the angles, and fired it as soon as
fixed, to let the Indians know, if any were within hearing, that we had such
pieces; and thus our fort, if that name may be given to so miserable a
stockade, was finished in a week, though it rained so hard every other day that
the men could not work. This gave me
occasion to observe that when men are employed they are best contented, for on
the days they worked they were good-natured and cheerful, and, with the
consciousness of having done a good day's work, they spent the evening jollily;
but on our idle days they were mutinous and quarrelsome, finding fault with the
pork, the bread, etc., and were continually in bad humor, which put me in mind
of a sea-captain, whose rule it was to keep his men constantly at work, and
when his mate once told him that they had done everything, and there was
nothing further to employ them about, 'N_____,' said he, 'make them scour the
anchor.’ This kind of fort, however
contemptible, is a sufficient defense against Indians, who have no cannon. Finding ourselves now posted securely, and
having a place to retreat to on occasion, we ventured out in parties to scour
the adjacent country. We met with no
Indians, but we found the places on the neighboring hills where they had lain
to watch our proceedings.
"There was an art in
the contrivance of those places that seems worth mentioning. It being winter a fire was necessary for
them, but a common fire on the surface of the ground would, by its light, have
discovered their position at a distance;
they had, therefore, dug holes in the ground about three feet in
diameter and somewhat deeper; we found where they had, with their hatchets, cut
off the charcoal from the sides of burnt logs lying in the woods. With these coals they had made small fires
in the bottom of the holes, and we observed among the weeds and grass the
prints of their bodies, made by their laying all around, with their legs
hanging down in the holes to keep their feet warm, which with them is an
essential point. This fire so managed
could not discover them, either by its light, flames, sparks, or even
smoke. It appeared that the number was
not great, and it seems they saw we were too many to be attacked by them with
prospects of advantage...
"I had hardly finished this business and
got my fort well stored with provisions, when I received a letter from the
Governor, acquainting me that he had called the Assembly, and wished my
attendance there, if the posture of affairs on the frontiers was such that my
remaining there was no longer necessary.
My friends, too, of the Assembly, pressing me by their letters to be if
possible at the meeting, and my three intended forts being now completed, and
the inhabitants contented to remain on their farms under that protection, I
resolved to return; the more willingly as a New England officer, Col. Clapham,
experienced in Indian war, being on a visit to our establishment, consented to
accept the command. I gave him a
commission, and, parading the garrison, had it read before them as an officer
who, from his skill in military affairs, was much more fit to command them than
myself; and, giving them a little exhortation, took my leave. I was escorted as far as Bethlehem, where I
rested a few days to recover from the fatigue I had undergone. The first night, lying in a good bed, I
could hardly sleep, it was so different from my hard lodging on the floor of a
hut at Gnaden-Huetten, with only a blanket or two."
Thus, after nineteen
days' absence from Bethlehem, closed the military services of a man destined to
achieve vastly greater renown in civil life.
He had no experience in actual warfare, but in the provisions which he
made for the protection of the frontier, including the building of a line of
forts or stockades, of which Fort Allen was one, he exercised the same strong
common sense and varied ingenuity which in other fields did much to make his
fame.
James Young,
commissary-general, who visited the fort in June, 1756, coming through
Allemängel (Lynn…
…township, Lehigh Co.), from which it
was distant about fifteen miles, says in his diary, "The first seven miles of this road is very hilly, barren,
and swampy; no plantations. The other
part of the road is for the most part through a rich valley, chiefly meadow
ground; several settlements, but all the houses burned and deserted. At noon we came to the fort. ...This stands on the river Leahy (Lehigh),
in this pass through the very high hills, is, in my opinion, a very important
place, and may be a great service if the officer does his duty. It is very well stockaded, with four good
bastions. On one is a swivel-gun. The works are clear all around it for a
considerable way, and is very defensible.
Within are three good barracks and a guard-room. I found here fifteen men without any officer
or commander. They told me Lieut. Jacob
Mier and two men from the fort were gone this morning, with two gentlemen from
Bethlehem and four Indians, fifteen miles up the country, to bring down some
friendly Indians, and that the sergeant with three men were gone to Capt.
Foulk's, late commander here to receive the pay that is due them...I was
informed that a captain with a new company was expected there in a day or two
to take post at this fort." 1 Young also speaks of finding "a farm-house with a small
stockade around it" at Lehigh Gap.
A sergeant and eight men, a detachment of Capt. Wetherholt's company,
were stationed here. The captain with
twelve men was at this time at another farm-house south of the gap.
"The names of these
Indians, with their respetive tribes, are as follows:
"Rowland Monteur,
first captain; John Monteur, second in
command, who was also styled captain, - these two were Mohawks, descended of a
French-woman; Samuel Harras, a Cayuga
Indian; John Huston and his son, John
Huston, Jr., Cayugas; John Fox, of the
Delaware nation. The other five were
Senecas.
"At this place they
made captives of the following persons:
Benjamin Gilbert, aged sixty-nine years; Elizabeth, his wife, fifty-three years; Joseph Gilbert, …
… his son, forty-one
years; Jesse Gilbert, another son, aged
nineteen years; Sarah Gilbert, wife to
Jesse, aged nineteen years; Rebecca
Gilbert, a daughter, aged sixteen years;
Abner Gilbert, a son, aged fourteen years; Elizabeth Gilbert, a daughter, aged twelve years; Thomas Peart, son to Benjamin Gilbert's
wife, aged twenty-three years; Benjamin
Gilbert, a son of John Gilbert, of Philadelphia, aged eleven years; Andrew Harrigar, of German descent, hired by
Benjamin Gilbert, aged twenty-six years;
Abigail Dodson (daughter of Samuel Dodson, who lived on a farm near one
mile distant from the mill), who came that morning with grist, aged fourteen
years. They then proceeded to Benjamin
Peart's dwelling, about half a mile farther, and brought himself and family,
viz: Benjamin Peart, son to Benjamin
Gilbert's wife, aged twenty-seven years;
Elizabeth Peart, his wife, aged twenty years; their child, about nine months
old.
The
prisoners were bound with cords, which the Indians brought with them, and in
this melancholy condition left under a guard for the space of half an hour,
during which time the rest of the captors employed themselves in plundering the
house and packing up such goods as they chose to carry off, until they had got
together a sufficient loading for their horses, which they took, besides
compelling the distressed prisoners to carry part of their plunder. When they had finished plundering, they
began their retreat, two of their number being detached to fire the buildings,
which they did without any exception of those belonging to the unhappy
sufferers, thereby aggravating their distresses, as they could observe the
flames and the falling of the roofs from an adjoining eminence called Summer
Hill. They cast a mournful look towards
their dwellings, but were not permitted to stop until they had reached the
farther side of the hill, where the party sat down to make a short repast, but
grief prevented the prisoners from sharing with them.
"The
Indians speedily put forward from this place, as they apprehended they were not
so far removed from settlements as to be secure from pursuit. Not much further was a large hill called
Mochunk, (Mauch Chunk) which they
fixed upon for a place of rendezvous. Here they halted near an hour, and prepared shoes and sandals,
which they called mockasons, for some of the children. Considering themselves in some degree
relieved from danger, their fear abated so that they could enjoy their meal at
leisure, which they ate very heartily.
At their removal from this hill they told the prisoners that Col. Butler
was no great distance from them, in the woods, and that they were going to him.
"Near
the foot of the hill flows a stream of water, called Mochunk (Mauch Chunk) Creek,
which was crossed, and the second mountain passed, the steep and difficult
ascent of which appeared very great to the much-enfeebled and affrighted
captives. They were permitted to rest
themselves for some minutes, and then pressed onward to the broad mountain, at
the foot of which runs Nescaconnah (Nesquehoning)
Creek.
"Doubly
distressed by a recollection of past happiness and a dread of the miseries they
had now to endure, they began the ascent of this mountain with great anguish,
both of mind and body. Benjamin
Gilbert's wife, dispirited with the increasing difficulties, did not expect she
was able to pass this mountain on foot, but being threatened with death by the
Indians if she did not perform it, with many a heavy step she at length succeeded. The broad mountain is said to be seven miles
over in this place, and about ten miles distant from Benjamin Gilbert's
settlements. Here they halted an hour,
and then struck into the Neskapack (Neskopeck) path, the unevenness and ruggedness of which rendered it
exceedingly toilsome, and obliged them to move forward slowly. Quackac (Quakake) Creek runs across the Neskapeck path, which leads over
Pismire hill. At this last place they
stopped to refresh themselves, and then pursued their march along the same
path, through Moravian Pine Swamp, to Mahoninah Mountain, where they lodged,
being the first night of their captivity.
"It may furnish
information to some to mention the method the Indians generally used to secure
their prisoners: they cut down a sapling
as large as a man's thigh, and therein cut notches in which they fix their
legs, and over this they place a pole, crossing the pole on each side with
stakes drove in the ground, and in the crotchet of the stakes they place other
poles or riders, effectually confining the prisoners on their backs; besides
which they put a strap round their necks, which they fasten to a tree; in this manner the night passed. Their beds were hemlock branches strewed on
the ground, and blankets for a covering (which was an indulgence scarcely to
have been expected from savages). It
may reasonably be expected that in this melancholy situation sleep was a
stranger to their eyelids.
"Benjamin
Peart having fainted in the evening, occasioned by the sufferings he endured,
was threatened to be tomahawked by Rowland Monteur.
“26th. Early this morning they continued their
route, near the waters of Teropin Ponds.
The Indians thought it most eligible to separate the prisoners in
companies of two by two, each company under the command of a particular Indian,
spreading them to a considerable distance, in order to render a pursuit as
impracticable as possible. The old
people, overcome with fatigue, could not make as much expedition as their
severe taskmasters thought proper, but failed in their journey, and were
therefore threatened with death by the Indian under whose direction they were
placed; thus circumstanced, they resigned themselves to their unhappy lot with
as much fortitude as possible.
Towards evening the
parties again met and encamped. Having
killed a deer, they kindled a fire, each one roasting pieces of the flesh upon
sharpened switches. The confinement of
the captives was the same with the first night, but, as they were by this time
more resigned to the event, they were not altogether deprived of sleep.
"27th. After
breakfast a council was held concerning the division of the prisoners,
which being settled, they delivered each other those prisoners who fell within
their several allotments, giving them directions to attend to the particular
Indians whose property they became. In
the day's journey they passed near Fort Wyoming, on the eastern branch of the
Susquehanna, about forty miles from their late habitation. The Indians, naturally timid, were alarmed
as they approached this garrison, and observed great caution, not suffering any
noise, but stepped on the stones that lay in the path, lest any footstep should
lead to a discovery. Not far from
thence is a considerable stream of water, emptying itself into the Susquehanna,
which they crossed with great difficulty, it being deep and rapid, and
continued here this night. Benjamin
Gilbert, being bound fast with cords, underwent great sufferings.
"28th. This morning the prisoners were all painted
according to the custom among the Indians, some of them with red and black,
some all red, and some with black only.
Those whom they smut with black, without any other color, are not
considered of any value, and are by this mark generally devoted to death. Although this cruel purpose may not be
executed immediately, they are seldom preserved to reach the Indian hamlets
alive. In the evening they came to the
Susquehanna, having had a painful and wearisome journey through a very stony
and hilly path. Here the Indians sought
diligently for a private lodging-place, that they might be as secure as
possible from any scouting parties of the white people. It is unnecessary to make further mention of
their manner of lodging, as it still remained the same.
"29th. They went in search of the horses which had
strayed from them in the night, and after some time found them. They then kept the course of the river,
walking along its side with difficulty.
In the afternoon they came to a place where the Indians had directed
four negroes to wait their return, having left them some corn for a
subsistence. These negroes had escaped
from confinement, and were on their way to Niagara when first discovered by the
Indians. Being challenged by them,
answered, 'they were for the king,' upon which they immediately received them
into protection.
"30th. The negroes who were added to the company
the day before began cruelly to domineer and tyrannize over the prisoners, frequently
whipping them for their spirit, and treating them with more severity than even
the Indians themselves, having had their hearts hardened by the meanness of
their condition and long subjection to slavery. In this day's journey they passed the remains of the Indian town,
Wyaloosing. The lands around these
ruins have a remarkable appearance of fertility. In the evening they made a lodgment by the side of a large creek.
"5th Month 1st. After crossing a considerable hill in the
morning, they came to a place where two Indians lay dead. A party of Indians had taken some white
people, whom they were carrying off prisoners; they rose upon the Indians in
the night, killed four of them, and then effected their escape. The women were sent forwards and the
men-prisoners commanded to draw near and view the two dead bodies which
remained (the other two being removed); they stayed to observe them a
considerable time, and were then ordered to a place where a tree was blown
down. Death appeared to be their doom; but after remaining in a state of sad
suspense for some time, they were ordered to dig a grave; to effect which they
cut a sapling with their tomahawks and sharpened one end, with which wooden
instrument one of them broke the ground, and the others cast the earth out with
their hands, the negroes being permitted to beat them severely while they were
thus employed. After interring the
bodies, they went forward to the rest, and overtook them as they were preparing
for their lodging. They were not yet released
from their sapling confinement.
"2nd. Having some of their provisions with them,
they made an early meal, and traveled the whole day. They crossed the East Branch of the Susquehanna towards evening
in canoes, at the place where Gen. Sullivan's army had passed it in their
expedition. Their encampment was on the
western side of this branch of the river; but two Indians, who did not cross
it, sent for Benjamin Gilbert, Jr., and Jesse Gilbert's wife, and as no
probable cause could be assigned why it was so, the design was considered as a
very dark one, and was a grievous affliction to the others.
"3d. The morning, however, dispelled their fears,
when they had the satisfaction of seeing them again, and understood they had
not received any treatment harder than their usual fare. The horses swam the Susquehanna by the side
of the canoe. This day the Indians in
their march found a scalp, and took it along with them, as also some old corn,
of which they made a supper. They
frequently killed deer, and by that means supplied the company with meat, being
almost the only provision they ate, as the flour they took with them was
expended.
"4th. The path they traveled this morning was but
little trodden, which made it difficult for those who were not acquainted with
the woods to keep in it. They crossed a
creek, made up a large fire to warm themselves by, and then separated into two
companies, the one taking the westward path, with whom were Thomas Peart,
Joseph Gilbert, Benjamin Gil-…
…
bert, Jr., and Jesse Gilbert's wife, Sarah;
the others went more to the north over rich level land. When evening came, inquiry was made concerning
the four captives who were taken in the westward path, and they were told that
'these were killed and scalped, and you may expect the same fate
to-night.' Andrew Harrigar was so
terrified at the threat that he resolved upon leaving them, and as soon as it
was dark took a kettle, with pretense of bringing some water, and made his
escape under favor of the night. He was
sought after by the Indians as soon as they observed him to be missing.
"The prisoners who
remained were therefore treated with great severity on account of his escape,
and were often accused of being privy to his design. Capt. Rowland Monteur carried his resentment so far that he threw
Jesse Gilbert down and lifted his tomahawk to strike him, which the mother prevented by putting her
head on his forehead, beseeching him to spare her son. This so enraged him that he turned round,
kicked her over, and tied them both by their necks to a tree, where they
remained until his fury was a little abated;
He then loosed them, and not long after bid them pack up and go
forwards. They passed through a large
pine swamp, and about noon reached one of the Kittereen towns, which was
desolated. Not far from this town, on
the summit of a mountain, there issues a large spring, forming a very
considerable fall, and runs very rapidly in an irregular, winding stream down
the mountain's side. They left this
place and took up their lodging in a deserted wigwam covered with bark, which
had formerly been part of a town of the Shipquagas.
"6th, 7th, and
8th. They continued these three days in
the neighborhood of these villages, which had been deserted upon Gen.
Sullivan's approach. Here they lived
well, having, in addition to their usual bill-of-fare, plenty of turnips and
potatoes, which had remained in the ground unnoticed by the army. This place was the hunting-ground of the
Shipquagas, and whenever their industry prompted them to go out hunting, they
had no difficulty to procure as many deer as they desired.
"Roast and boiled
meat, with vegetables, afforded them plentiful meals. They also caught a wild turkey and some fish called suckers. Their manner of catching fish was to sharpen
a stick, and watch along the rivers until a fish came near them, when they
suddenly pierced him with the stick and brought him out of the water.
"Here were a number
of colts; some of them were taken, and the prisoners ordered to manage them,
which was not easily done.
"9th. When they renewed their march they placed
the mother upon a horse that seemed dangerous to ride, but she was preserved
from any injury. In this day's journey they
came to meadow ground, where they stayed the night, the men being confined, as
before related, and the negroes lay near them for a guard.
"10th. A wet swamp that was very troublesome lay in
their road, after which they had to pass a rugged mountain, where there was no
path. The underbrush made it hard labor
for the women to travel, but no excuse would avail with their severe masters,
and they were compelled to keep up with the Indians, however great the fatigue. When they had passed it they tarried awhile
for the negroes, who had lagged behind, having sufficient employ to attend to
the colts that carried the plunder.
When all the company met together they agreed to rendezvous in an
adjoining swamp.
"11th. A long reach of savannas and low ground rendered
this day's route very fatiguing and painful, especially to the women. Elizabeth Peart's husband not being allowed
to relieve her by carrying the child, her spirits and strength were so
exhausted that she was ready to faint.
The Indian under whose care she was, observing her distress, gave her a
violent blow. When we compare the
temper and customs of these people with those of our own color, how much cause
have we to be thankful for the superiority we derive from the blessings of
civilization.
"It might be truly
said days of bitter sorrow and wearisome nights were appointed the unhappy
captives.
"12th. Their provisions began to grow scant, having
passed the hunting-grounds. The want of
proper food to support them, which render them more capable of enduring their
daily fatigue, was a heavy trial, and was much increased by their confinement
at night. Elizabeth Gilbert was reduced
so low that she traveled in great pain all this day, riding on horseback in the
morning, but towards evening she was ordered to alight and walk up a hill they
had to ascend. The pain she suffered,
together with want of food, so overcame her that she was seized with a
chill. The Indians administered some
flour and water boiled, which afforded her relief.
"13th. Last night's medicine being repeated, they
continued their march, and after a long walk were so effectually worn down that
they halted. The pilot, John Huston,
the elder, took Abner Gilbert with him (as they could make more expedition that
the rest) to procure a supply of provisions to relieve their necessity.
"14th. The mother had suffered so much that two of
her children were obliged to lead her.
Before noon they came to Canadasago, where they met with Benjamin
Gilbert, Jr., and Jesse Gilbert's wife, Sarah, two of the four who had been
separated from them ten days past, and taken along the western path. This…
… meeting afforded them
great satisfaction, the doubt and uncertainty of their lives being spared often
distressing their affectionate relations.
"John Huston, Jr.,
the Indian, under whose care Benjamin Gilbert was placed, designing to dispatch
him, painted him black; this
exceedingly terrified the family, but no entreaties of theirs being likely to
prevail, they resigned their cause to Him whose power can control all
events. Wearied with their weakness and
traveling they made a stop to recover themselves, when the pilot, returning,
assured them they should soon receive some provisions. The negroes were reduced so low with hunger
that their behavior was different from what it had been, conducted with more
moderation. At their quarters, in the
evening, two white men came to them, one of which was a volunteer among the
British, the other had been taken prisoner some time before; these two men brought some hominy, and sugar
made from the sweet maple, the sap being boiled to a consistency, and is but
little inferior to the sugar imported from the islands. Of this provision, and an hedge-hog which
they found, they made a more comfortable supper than they had enjoyed for many
days.
"15th. In the morning the volunteer having received
information of the rough treatment the prisoners met with from the negroes,
relieved them by taking the four blacks under his care. It was not without much difficulty they
crossed a large creek which was in their way, being obliged to swim their
horses over it. Benjamin Gilbert
began to fail; the Indian whose property
he was, highly irritated at his want of strength, put a rope about his neck,
leading him along with it; fatigue at
last so overcame him that he fell on the ground, when the Indian pulled the
rope so hard that he almost chocked him.
His wife, seeing this, resolutely interceded for him, although the
Indians bid her go forwards, as the others had gone on before them; this she refused to comply with unless her
husband might be permitted to accompany her.
They replied 'that they were determined to kill the old man,' having before this set him apart as a
victim. But at length her entreaties
prevailed, and their hearts were turned from their cruel purpose. Had not an overruling Providence preserved
him from their fury, he would inevitably have perished, as the Indians seldom
show mercy to those they devote to death, which, as has been before observed,
was the case with Benjamin Gilbert, whom they had smeared with black paint from
this motive. When their anger was a
little moderated, they set forwards to overtake the rest of the company. Their relations, who had been eye-witnesses
of the former part of this scene of cruelty, and expected they would both have
been murdered, rejoiced greatly at their return, considering their safety as a
providential deliverance.
"16th. Necessity induced two of the Indians to set
off on horseback into the Seneca country in search of provisions. The prisoners, in the mean time, were
ordered to dig up a root, something resembling potatoes, which the Indians
called 'whoppanies.' They tarried at
this place until towards the evening of the succeeding day, and made a soup of
wild onions and turnip tops; this they
ate without bread or salt; it could not therefore afford sufficient sustenance,
either for young or old; their food
being so very light their strength daily wasted.
"17th. They left this place and crossed the Genesee
River (which empties its waters into Lake Ontario) on a raft of logs, bound
together by hickory withes. This
appeared to be a dangerous method of ferrying them over such a river to those
who had been unaccustomed to such conveyances.
They fixed their station near the Genesee banks, and procured more of
the wild-potato roots, before mentioned, for their supper.
"18th. One of the Indians left the company, taking
with him the finest horse they had, and in some hours after returned with a
large piece of meat, ordering the captives to boil it; this command they cheerfully performed,
anxiously watching the kettle, fresh meat being a rarity which they had not
eaten for a long time. The Indians,
when it was sufficiently boiled, distributed to each one a piece, eating
sparingly themselves. The prisoners
made their repast without bread or salt, and ate with a good relish what they
supposed to be fresh beef, but afterwards understood it was horse-flesh.
"A shrill halloo
which they heard gave the prisoners some uneasiness; one of the Indians
immediately rode to examine the cause, and found it was Capt. Rowland Monteur
and his brother John's wife, with some other Indians, who were seeking them
with provisions. The remainder of the
company soon reached them, and they divided some bread which they had brought
into small pieces, according to the number of the company.
"Here is a large
extent of rich farming land, remarkable for its levelness and beautiful
meadows. The country is so flat that
there are no falls in the rivers, and the waters run slow and deep, and
whenever showers descend they continue a long time muddied.
"The captain and his
company had brought with them cakes of hominy and Indian corn. Of this they made a good meal. He appeared to be pleased to see the
prisoners, having been absent from them several days, and ordered them all
round to shake hands with him. From him
they received information respecting Joseph Gilbert and Thomas Peart, who were
separated from the others on the 4th inst., that they had arrived at the Indian
settlements some time before in safety.
"The company stayed
the night at this place. One of the
Indians refused to suffer any of them to come near the fire, or converse with
the prisoner who, in the distribution, had fallen to him.
"19th. Pounding hominy was this day's
employment. The weather being warm made
it a hard task. They boiled it and
prepared it for supper, the Indians sitting down to eat first; and when they had
concluded their meal, they wiped the spoon on the sole of their mockason and
then gave it to the captives. Hunger
alone could prevail on any one to eat after such filth and nastiness.
"20th. Elizabeth Gilbert, the mother, being obliged
to ride alone, missed the path, for which the Indians repeatedly struck
her. Their route still continued
through rich meadows. After wandering
for a time out of the direct path they came to an Indian town, and obtained the
necessary information to pursue their journey.
The Indians ran out of their huts to see the prisoners, and to partake
of the plunder, but no part of it suited them.
Being directed to travel the path back again for a short distance, they
did so, and then struck into another and went on until night, by which time
they were very hungry, not having eaten since morning; the kettle was again put
on the fire for boiling hominy, this being their only food.
"21st. The report of a morning gun from Niagara, which
they heard, contributed to raise their hopes.
They rejoiced at being so near.
An Indian was dispatched on horseback to procure provisions from the
fort.
"Elizabeth Gilbert
could not walk as fast as the rest. She
was therefore, sent forward on foot, but was soon overtaken and left behind,
the rest being obliged by the Indians to go on without regarding her. She would have been greatly perplexed when
she came to a division path had not her husband lain a branch across the path
which would have led her wrong, an affecting instance both of ingenuity and
tenderness. She met several Indians,
who passed by without speaking to her.
"An Indian belonging
to the company, who was on the horse Elizabeth had rode, overtook her, and, as
he went on slowly, conversing with her, endeavored to alarm her by saying that
she would be left behind and perish in the woods. Yet, notwithstanding this, his heart was so softened before he
had gone any great distance from her, that he alighted from the horse and left
him that she might be able to reach the rest of the company. The more seriously she considered this the
more it appeared to her to be a convincing instance of the overruling
protection of Him who can 'turn the heart of a man as the hubandman turneth the
water-course in his field.'
"22d. The Indians approached nearer their
habitations they frequently repeated their halloos, and after some time they
received an answer in the same manner, which alarmed the company much; but they
soon discovered it to proceed from a party of whites and Indians who were on
some expedition, though their pretence was that they were for New York. Not long after parting with these the
captain's wife came to them. She was a
daughter of Siangorochti, king of the Senecas, but her mother being a Cayuga,
she was ranked among that nation, the children generally reckoning their
descent from the mother's side. This
princess was attended by the captain's brother John, one other Indian, and a
white prisoner who had been taken at Wyoming by Rowland Monteur. She was dressed altogether in the Indian
manner, shining with gold lace and silver baubles. They brought with them from the fort a supply of provisions. The captain being at a distance behind when
his wife came, the company waited for him.
After the customary salutations he addressed himself to his wife,
telling her that Rebecca was her daughter, and that she must not be induced by
any consideration to part with her, whereupon she took a silver ring off her
finger and put it upon Rebecca, by which she was adopted as her daughter.
"They feasted upon
the provisions that were brought, for they had been several days before pinched
with hunger, what sustenance they could procure not being sufficient to support
nature.
"23rd. Their spirits were in some degree revived by
the enjoyment of plenty, added to the pleasing hope of some favorable event
procuring their releasement, as they were not far distant from Niagara.
"The Indians
proceeded on their journey and continued whooping in the most frightful
manner. In this day's route they met
another company of Indians, who compelled Benjamin Gilbert, the elder, to sit
on the ground, and put several questions to him, to which he gave them the best
answers he could; they then took his
hat from him and went off.
"Going through a
small town near Niagara, an Indian woman came out of one of the huts and struck
each of the captives a blow. Not long
after their departure from this place, Jess, Rebecca, and their mother were
detained until the others had got out of their sight, when the mother was
ordered to push on, and as she had to go by herself she was much perplexed what
course to take, as there was no path by which she could be directed. In this dilemma she concluded to keep as
straight forward as possible, and after some space of time she had the
satisfaction of overtaking the others.
The pilot then made a short stay, that those who were behind might come
up, and the captain handed some rum around, giving each a dram, except the two
old folks, whom they did not consider worthy of this notice. Here the captain, who had the chief
direction, painted Abner, Jesse, Rebecca, and Elizabeth Gilbert, Jr., and
presented each with a belt of wampum, as a token of their being received into
favor, although they took from them all their hats and bonnets, except
Rebecca's.
"The prisoners were
released from the heavy loads they had heretofore been compelled to carry, and
was it not for the treatment they expected on their approaching the Indian
towns and the hardships of…
…
separation, their situation would have been tolerable; but the horror of their
minds arising from the dreadful yells of the Indians as they approached the
hamlets is easier conceived than described, for they were no strangers to the
customary cruelty exercised upon captives on entering their towns. The Indians, men, women, and children,
collect together, bringing clubs and stones in order to beat them, which they
usually do with great severity by way of revenge for their relations who have
been slain; this is performed
immediately upon their entering the village where the warriors reside. This treatment cannot be avoided, and the
blows, however cruel, must be borne without complaint, and the prisoners are
sorely beaten until their enemies are wearied with the cruel sport. Their sufferings were in this case very
great; they received several wounds,
and two of the women who were on horseback were much bruised by falling from
their horses which were frightened by the Indians. Elizabeth, the mother, took shelter by the side of one of them,
but upon his observing that she met with some favor upon his account he sent
her away; she then received several
violent blows, so that she was almost disabled. The blood trickled from their heads in a stream, their hair being
cropped close, and the clothes they had on in rags, which made their situation
truly piteous. Whilst they were
inflicting this revenge upon the captives the king came and put a stop to any
further cruelty by telling them 'it was sufficient,' which they immediately
attended to. Benjamin Gilbert and
Elizabeth, his wife, Jesse Gilbert and his wife were ordered to Capt. Rowland
Monteur's house; the women belonging to it were kind to them and gave them
something to eat. Sarah Gilbert,
Jesse's wife, was taken from them by three women in order to be placed in the
family she was to be adopted by.
"Two officers from
Niagara Fort, Capts. Dace and Powel, came to see the prisoners and prevent (so they
were informed) any abuse that might be given them. Benjamin Gilbert informed those officers that he was apprehensive
that they were in great danger of being murdered, upon which they promised him
they would send a boat the next day to bring them to Niagara.
"24th. Notwithstanding the kind intention of the
officers, they did not derive the expected advantage from it, for the Indians
insisted on their going to the fort on foot, although the bruises they had
received the day before from the many severe blows given them rendered their
journey on foot very distressing, but, Capt. Monteur obstinately persisting,
they dared not long remonstrate or refuse.
"When they left the
Indian town several issued from their huts after them, with sticks in their
hands, yelling and screeching in the most dismal manner; but through the
interposition of four Indian women, who had come with the captives, to prevent
any further abuse they might receive, they were preserved; one of them, walking
between Benjamin Gilbert and his wife, led them, and desired Jesse to keep as
near them as he could; the other three walked behind, and prevailed with the
young Indians to desist. They had not
pursued their route long before they saw Capt. John Powell, who came from his
boat, and persuaded (though with some difficulty) the Indians to get into it
with the captives, which relieved them from the apprehensions of further
danger. After reaching the fort, Capt.
Powell introduced them to Col. Guy Johnson and Col. Butler, who asked the
prisoners many questions in the presence of the Indians. They presented the captain with a belt of
wampum, which is a constant practice among them when they intend a ratification
of the peace. Before their connection
with Europeans these belts were made of shell found on the coasts of New
England and Virginia, which were sawed out into beads of an oblong shape, about
a quarter of an inch long, which were strung together on leathern strings, and
these strings, fastened with fine threads made of sinews, composed what is
called a belt of wampum; but since the whites have gained footing among them,
they make use of the common glass beads for this purpose.
"The Indians,
according to their usual custom and ceremony, at three separate times ordered
the prisoners to shake hands with Col. Johnson.
"25th. Benjamin Gilbert, Elizabeth, his wife, and
Jesse Gilbert were surrendered to Col. Johnson. This deliverance from such scenes of distress, as they had become
acquainted with, gave them a more free opportunity of close reflection than
heretofore.
"The many sorrowful
days and nights they had passed, the painful anxiety attendant on their
frequent separation from each other, and the uncertainty of the fate of the
rest of their family, overwhelmed them with grief.
"26th. Expression is too weak to describe their
distress on leaving their children with these hard masters; they were not
unacquainted with many of the difficulties to which they would necessarily be
exposed in a residence among Indians, and the loss which the young people would
sustain for want of a civilized and Christian education.
"27th. In this desponding situation the kindness of
sympathy was awakened in one of the Indian women, who even forgot her
prejudices, and wiped away the tears which trickled down Elizabeth Gilbert's
cheeks.
"The particular
attention of Col. Johnson's housekeeper to them, from a commiseration of their
distress claims their remembrance.
Benjamin, his wife, and Jesse Gilbert were invited to her house, where
she not only gave the old folks her best room, but administered to their
necessities, and endeavored to soothe their sorrows.
"Jesse Gilbert was
favored to get employ, which, as it was some alleviation of his misfortunes,
may be considered as a providential kindness.
"28th. A few days after they came to the fort they
had information that Benjamin Peart was by the river…
…
side with the Indians. Upon hearing
this report his mother went to see him, but every attempt for his release was in
vain, the Indians would by no means give him up. From this place they intended to march with their prisoners to
the Genesee River, about a hundred miles distant. As the affectionate mother's solicitations proved fruitless, her
son not only felt the afflicting loss of his wife and child, from whom he had
been torn some time before, but a renewal of his grief on this short sight of
his parents. She procured him a hat,
and also some salt, which was an acceptable burden for the journey.
"Benjamin Gilbert,
conversing with the Indian captain who made them captives, observed that he
might say what none of the other Indians could, 'that he had brought in the
oldest man and the youngest child.’ His
reply to this was expressive, 'It was not I, but the great God who brought you
through, for we were determined to kill you, but were prevented.’
"The British
officers being acquainted that Jesse Gilbert's wife was among the Indians, with
great tenderness agreed to seek her out, and after a diligent inquiry found
that she was among the Delawares, and went to them and endeavored to agree upon
terms for her releasement. The Indians
brought her to the fort the next day, but would not give her up to her
relations.
"29th. As the cabins of the Indians were but two
miles from the fort, they went thither, and Jesse and the officers used every
argument in their power to prevail upon them, representing how hard it was to
part these two young people. At length
they consented to bring her in next day, with their whole tribe, for a final
release.
"30th. They accordingly came, but started so many
objections that she was obliged to return with them.
"31st. Early next morning Capt. Robeson generously
undertook to procure her liberty, which, after much attention and solicitude,
he, together with Lieut. Hillyard, happily accomplished. They made the Indians several small
presents, and gave them thirty pounds as a ransom.
"When Sarah Gilbert
had obtained her liberty she altered her dress more in character for her sex
than she had been able to do while among the Indians, and went to her husband
and parents at Col. Johnson's were she was joyfully received.
"Col. Johnson's
housekeeper continued her kind attentions to them during their stay here, and
procured clothing for them from the king's stores.
"6th Month 1st. About this time the Senecas, among whom
Elizabeth Peart was captive, brought her with them to the fort. As soon as the mother heard of it she went
to her and had some conversation with her, but could not learn where she was to
be sent to. She then inquired of the
interpreter and pressed on his friendship to learn what was to become of her
daughter. This request he complied
with, and informed her that she was to be given away to another family of the
Senecas, and adopted among them in the placed of a deceased relation. Capt. Powell interested himself in her case
likewise and offered to purchase her of them, but the Indians refused to give
her up, and as the mother and daughter expected they should see each other no
more, their parting was very affecting.
"The Indian woman
who had adopted Rebecca as her daughter also came to the fort, and Elizabeth
Gilbert made use of this opportunity to inquire concerning her daughter. The interpreter informed her there was no
probability of obtaining the releasement of her child, as the Indians would not
part with her. All she could do was to
recommend her to their notice as very weakly, and in consequence not able to
endure much fatigue.
"2nd and 3rd. Not many days after their arrival at Niagara
a vessel came up Lake Ontario to the fort with orders for the prisoners to go
to Montreal. In this vessel came one
Capt. Brant, an Indian chief, high in rank among them. Elizabeth Gilbert immediately applied
herself to solicit and interest him on behalf of her children who yet remained
in captivity. He readily promised her
to use his endeavors to procure their liberty.
A short time before they sailed for Montreal they received accounts of
Abner and Elizabeth Gilbert, the younger, but it was also understood that their
possessors were not disposed to give them up.
As the prospect of obtaining the release of their children was so very
discouraging, it was no alleviation to their distress to be removed to
Montreal, where, in all probability, they would seldom be able to gain any
information respecting them, on which account they were very solicitous to stay
at Niagara; but the colonel said they
could not remain there, unless the son would enter into the king's service. This could not be consented to, therefore
they chose to submit to every calamity which might be permitted to befall them,
and confide in the great Controller of events.
"Here they became
acquainted with one Jesse Pawling, from Pennsylvania, who was an officer among
the British, and behaved with kindness and respect to the prisoners, which
induced them to request his attention also to that part of the family remaining
in captivity; it appeared to them of
some consequence to gain an additional friend.
The colonel also gave his promise to exert himself on their behalf.
"After continuing
ten days at Col. Johnson's they took boat in the forenoon of the 2d, being the
Sixth day in the week, and crossed the river Niagara in order to go on board
the vessel (which lay in Lake Ontario) for Montreal. The officer procured necessaries for their voyage in great
plenty, and they were also furnished with orders to draw more at certain places
as they might have occasion. These
civilities may appear to many to be too trivial to be mentioned in this
narrative, but those who have been in equal distress will not be insensible of
their value.
"4th. The vessel sailed down the lake on the Sixth
day of the week, and on first day following, being the Fourth day of the Sixth
month, 1780, came to Charlton Island, where there were such a number of small
boats which brought provisions that it had the appearance of a fleet. Benjamin and Jesse Gilbert went on shore to
obtain leave from the commanding officer to go to Montreal in the small boats,
as the vessel they came in could proceed no farther. They met with a kind reception, and their request was granted.
"5th. On the second day following they left
Charlton Island, which lies at the mouth of Lake Ontario, and took their
passage in open boats down the river St. Lawrence, and passed a number of small
islands. There is a rapid descent in
the waters of this river, which appears dangerous to those unacquainted with
these kind of falls. The Frenchman who
rowed the boats kept them near the shore, and passed without much difficulty
between the rocks.
"6th, 7th, and
8th. Benjamin Gilbert had been much
indisposed before they left the fort, and his disorder was increased by a rain
which fell on their passage, as they were without any covering. They passed Oswagatchy, an English garrison,
by the side of the river, but they were not permitted to stop here; they proceed down the St. Lawrence, and, the
rain continuing, went on shore on an island in order to secure themselves from
the weather. Here they made a shelter
for Benjamin Gilbert, and, when the rain ceased, a place was prepared for him
in the boat that he might lie down with more ease. His bodily weakness made such rapid progress that it rendered all
the care and attention of his wife necessary, and likewise called forth all her
fortitude; she supported him in her arms, affording every possible relief to
mitigate his extreme pains. And
although in this distressed condition, he, notwithstanding, gave a satisfactory
evidence of the virtue and power of a patient and holy resignation, which can
disarm the King of Terrors, and receive him as a welcome messenger. Thus prepared, he passed from this state of
probation the eight day of the Sixth month, 1780, in the evening, leaving his
wife and two children, who were with him, in all the anxiety of deep distress,
although they had no doubt but that their loss was his everlasting gain. Being without a light in the boat, the
darkness of the night added not a little to their melancholy situation. As there were not any others with Elizabeth
Gilbert but her children, and the four Frenchmen, who managed the boat, and her
apprehensions alarmed her lest they should throw the corpse overboard, as they
appeared to be an unfeeling company, she therefore applied to some British officers
who were in a boat behind them, who dispelled her fears, and received her under
their protection.
"9th. In the morning they passed the garrison of
Coeur de Lac, and waited for some considerable time some distance below. Squire Campbell, who had the charge of the
prisoners, when he heard of Benjamin Gilbert's decease, sent Jesse to the
commander of this garrison to get a coffin, in which they put the corpse, and
very hastily interred him under an oak not far from the fort. The boatmen would not allow his widow to pay
the last tribute to his memory, but regardless of her affliction, refused to
wait; her distress on this occasion was
great indeed, but being sensible that it was her duty to submit to the dispensations
of an over-ruling Providence, which are all ordered in wisdom, she endeavored
to support herself under her afflictions, and proceeded with the boatmen.
"Near this place
they passed by a grist-mill which was maintained by a stone wing extended into
the river St. Lawrence, the stream being very rapid, acquires a force
sufficient to turn a wheel without the further expense of a dam.
"The current carried
the boat forward with amazing rapidity, and the falls became so dangerous that
the boats could proceed no farther;
they therefore landed in the evening, and went to the commanding officer
of Fort Lasheen to request a lodging; but the houses in the garrison were so
crowded that it was with difficulty they obtained a small room belonging to the
boat-builders to retire to, and here they stowed themselves with ten others.
"10th. The garrison of Lasheen is on the Isle of
Jefu, on which the town of Montreal stands, about the distance of nine miles;
hither our travelers had to go by land, and as they were entirely unacquainted
with the road, they took the advantage of an empty cart (which was going to the
town) for the women to ride in.
"The land in this
neighborhood is very stony and the soil thin; the cattle small and ill favored.
"When they arrived
at Montreal they were introduced to Brig.-Gen. McClean, who after examining
them, sent them to one Duquesne, an officer among the loyalists, who being from
home, they were desired to wait in the yard until he came; this want of
politeness gave them no favorable impressions of the master of the house; when
he returned he read their pass, and gave Jesse an order for three days'
provisions.
"Daniel McUlphin
received them into his house; by him they were treated with great kindness, and
the women continued at his house and worked five weeks for him.
"Jesse Gilbert met
with employ at Thomas Busby's, where he lived very agreeably for the space of
nine months.
"Elizabeth Gilbert
had the satisfaction of an easy employ at Adam Scott's, merchant, having the
superintendence of his kitchen, but about six weeks after she engaged in his
service, Jesse's wife, Sarah, was taken sick at Thomas Busby's, which made it
necessary for her mother to disengage herself from the place where she was so
agreeably situated, in order to nurse her.
These three were favored to be considered as the king's prisoners,
having rations allowed them; this
assistance was very comfortable, but Elizabeth's …
… name
being erased out of a list at the time when they needed an additional supply,
they were much straitened. Upon an
application to one Col. Campbell, he, together with Esquire Campbell, took down
a short account of her sufferings and situation, and after preparing a concise
narrative, they applied to the brigadier-general to forward it to Gen.
Haldimand at Quebec, desiring his attention to the sufferers, who speedily
issued his orders, that the releasement of the family should be procured, with particular
injunctions for every garrison to furnish them with necessaries as they came
down.
"As soon as Sarah
Gilbert recovered from her indisposition her mother retuned to Adam Scott's
family.
"Thomas Gomersom
hearing of their situation came to see them;
he was educated a Quaker, and had been a merchant of New York, and
traveled with Robert Walker in his religious visits, but upon the commencement
of the war had deviated from his former principles and had lost all the
appearance of a Friend, wearing a sword.
He behaved with respect to the prisoners, and made Elizabeth a present. The particular attention of Col. Closs, and
the care he showed by writing to Niagara on behalf of the captives, as he was
entirely a stranger to her, is remembered with gratitude.
"As there was an
opportunity of hearing from Niagara, it gave them great pleasure to be informed
that Elizabeth Gilbert was among the white people, she having obtained her
release from the Indians prior to the others.
"Sarah Gilbert, wife
of Jesse, becoming a mother, Elizabeth left the service she was engaged in,
Jesse having taken a house, that she might give her daughter every necessary
attendance; and in order to make their situation as comfortable as possible
they took a child to nurse, which added a little to their income. After this Elizabeth Gilbert hired herself
to iron a day for Adam Scott. Whilst
she was at work a little girl belonging to the house acquainted her that there
were some who wanted to see her, and upon entering into the room she found six
of her children; the joy and surprise she felt on this occasion were beyond
what we shall attempt to describe. A
messenger was sent to inform Jesse and his wife that Joseph Gilbert, Benjamin
Peart, Elizabeth, his wife, and young child, Abner, and Elizabeth Gilbert, the
younger, were with their mother. It
must afford very pleasing reflections to any affectionate disposition to dwell
awhile on this scene, that after a captivity of upwards of fourteen months so
happy a meeting should take place.
"Thomas Peart, who
had obtained his liberty, and tarried at Niagara that he might be of service to
the two yet remaining in captivity, viz., Benjamin Gilbert, Jr., and Rebecca
Gilbert.
"Abigail Dodson, the
daughter of a neighboring farmer, who was taken with them, inadvertently
informed the Indians she was not of the Gilbert family; all attempts for her
liberty were fruitless.
"We shall now proceed
to relate how Joseph Gilbert, the eldest son of the deceased, fared amongst the
Indians. He, with Thomas Peart,
Benjamin Gilbert, Jr., and Jesse Gilbert's wife, Sarah, were taken along the
westward path, as before related. After
some short continuance in this path, Thomas Peart and Joseph Gilbert were taken
from the other two, and by a different route, through many difficulties, they
were brought to Caracadera, where they received the insults of the women and
children whose husbands or parents had fallen in their hostile excursions.
"Joseph Gilbert was
separated from his companion, and removed to an Indian villa called Nundow,
about seven miles from Caracadera; his
residence was for several weeks in the king's family, whose hamlet was superior
to the other small huts. The king
himself brought him some hominy, and treated him with great civility, intending
his adoption into the family in the place of one of his sons who was slain when
Gen. Sullivan drove them from their habitations. As Nundow was not to be the place of his abode, his quarters were
soon changed, and he was taken back to Caracadera; but his weakness of body was so great that he was two days
accomplishing this journey, which was only seven miles, and not able to procure
any other food than roots and herbs, the Indian economy leaving them without
any provisions to subsist upon. Here
they adopted him into the family of one of the king's sons, informing him that
if he would marry amongst them he should enjoy the privileges which they enjoyed;
but this proposal he was not disposed to comply with, and as he was not
over-anxious to conceal his dislike to them, the sufferings he underwent were
not alleviated. The manner of his life
differing so much from what he had before been accustomed to, having to eat the
wild roots and herbs before mentioned, and as he had been lame from a child,
and subject to frequent indispositions, it was requisite for him to pay more
attention to his weak habits of body than his captors were willing he should. When the master of the family was at home
the respect he showed to Joseph, and the kindness to him, rendered his
situation more tolerable than in his absence.
Frequently suffering with hunger, the privilege of a plenteous table
appeared to him as an inestimable blessing which claimed the warmest devotion
of gratitude. In such a distressed
situation the hours rolled by with a tediousness almost insupportable, as he
had no agreeable employment to relieve his mind from the reflections of his
sorrowful captivity. This manner of
life continued about three months, and when they could no longer secure a
supply by their hunting, necessity compelled them to go to Fort Niagara for
provisions. The greater number of the
Indians belonging to Caracadera attended on this journey, in order to
obtain a supply of provisions, their
want of economy being so great as to have consumed so early as the eighth month
all they had raised the last year, and the present crops unfit to…
… gather;
their profuse manner of using their scant pittance of provisions generally
introducing a famine after a short time of feasting. They compute the distance from Caracadera to Fort Niagara to be
one hundred and thirty miles; on this
journey they were upwards of five days, taking some venison on their route, and
feasting with great greediness, as they had been a long time without meat.
"When they reached
the fort they procured clothing from the king's stores for Joseph Gilbert, such
as the Indians usually wear themselves, - a match-coat, leggings, etc. His indisposition confined him at Col.
Johnson's for several days, during which time the British officers endeavored
to agree with the Indians for his releasement, but they would not consent. The afflicting account of the death of his
father, which was here communicated to him, spread an additional gloom on his
mind. After continuing at the fort
about four weeks the Indians ordered him back with them. This was a sore stroke, to leave a degree of
ease and plenty and resume the hardships of an Indian life. With this uncomfortable prospect before him,
added to his lameness, the journey was toilsome and painful. They were five days in their return, and
when they arrived their corn was ripe for use; this, with the advantage of
hunting, as the game was in its greatest perfection, furnished a present
comfortable subsistence.
"Joseph had
permission to visit his fellow-captive, Thomas Peart, who was at a small town
of the Indians about seven miles distant, called Nundow, to whom he
communicated the sorrowful intelligence of their mother's widowed situation.
"At the first
approach of spring Joseph Gilbert and his adopted brother employed themselves
in procuring rails and repairing the fence about the lot of ground they
intended to plant with corn, as this part of the preserving the grain was
allotted to them; the planting and
culture was assigned to the women, their husbandry being altogether performed
by the hoe.
"The Indian manner
of life was by no means agreeable to Joseph Gilbert. Their irregularity in their meals was hard for him to bear; when they had provisions in plenty they
observe no plan of domestic economy, but indulged their voracious appetites,
which soon consumed their stock, and a famine succeeded.
"In the early part
of the sixth month, 1781, their corn was spent, and they were obliged to have
recourse again to the wild herbage and roots, and were so reduced for want of
provisions, that the Indians, having found the carcass of a dead horse, they
took the meat and roasted it.
"An officer from the
fort came down to inquire into the situation of the Indians, and, upon
observing the low condition Joseph was in, not being likely to continue long
without some relief, which the officer privately afforded, he being permitted
to frequent his house, he advised him by flight to endeavor an escape from the
Indians, informing him that he had no other expedient for his release. This confirmed him in a resolution he had
for some time been contemplating, but his lameness and weakness, for want of
proper sustenance, rendered it impracticable to make such an attempt at that
time, and it would require much care and attention to his own health and
strength to gather sufficient for such an undertaking. He therefore made use of the liberty allowed
him to visit the officer and partake of his kindness and assistance, that he
might be prepared for the journey.
"Embracing a
favorable opportunity, when the men were generally from home, some in their war
expeditions and some out hunting, he left them one night while the family
slept, and made the best of his way towards Niagara Fort, following the path,
as he had once before gone along it.
Having a small piece of bread, which he took from the hut, he made a
hasty repast, traveling day and night, in order to escape from the further
distresses of captivity. As he neither
took any sleep or other food by the way than the piece of bread mentioned for
the two days and nights he pursued his journey, he as much fatigued when he
reached the fort, and experienced the effects for several days. Upon his applying to Col. Johnson he was
hospitably entertained, and the next day saw three of the Indians whom he had
left at the town when he set off.
"After a few days'
stay here, as most of the family were discharged from captivity and waiting for
a passage to Montreal, a vessel was fitted to take them on board in order to
proceed down the lake.
"We next come to
Benjamin Peart, who remained the first night after his arriving at the Indian
huts with his wife and child, but was separated from them the next day, and
taken about a mile and a half and presented to one of the families of the
Seneca nation, and afterwards introduced to one of their chiefs, who made a
long harangue, which Benjamin did not understand. The Indians then gave him to a squaw, in order to be received as
her adopted child, who ordered him to a private hut, where the women wept over
him in remembrance of the relation in whose stead he was received. After this he went with his mother (by
adoption) to Niagara River, about two miles below the great falls, and stayed
here several days, then went to the fort, on their way to the Genesee River,
where he had the pleasure of conversing with his mother, and received
information concerning his wife and child;
but even this satisfaction was short-lived, for he neither could obtain
permission to visit his wife, nor was he allowed to converse freely with his
mother, as the Indians hurried him off on board their bark canoe, when, having
placed their provisions, they proceeded with expedition down the lake to the
mouth of the Genesee River, the computed distance from the small village to the
mouth of the river being one hundred miles, and from thence up…
… the Genesee to the place of their destination, thirty miles. In their passage up the river they were
about five days, and as the falls in this river near its entrance into Lake
Ontario has made a carrying-place of about two miles, they dragged their canoe
this distance to the place of boating above the falls. There were nine Indian of the party with
them. They frequently caught fish by
the way.
"When the party
arrived at the place of their designed settlement, they soon erected a small
hut or wigwam, and the ground being rich and level, they began with their
plantation of Indian corn. Two white
men who had been taken prisoners, the one from Susquehanna and the other from
Minisinks, both in Pennsylvania, lived near this new settlement, and were
allowed by the Indians to use the horses and plant for themselves. These men lightened the toil of Benjamin
Peart's servitude, as he was frequently in their company, and he had the
liberty of doing something for himself, though without much success.
"His new habitation,
as it was not very healthy, introduced fresh difficulties, for he had not
continued here long before he was afflicted with sickness, which preyed upon
him near three months, the Indians repeatedly endeavoring to relieve him by
their knowledge of simples, but their endeavors proved ineffectual; the approach of the winter season afforded
the relief sought for. Their provisions
were not very tempting to a weakly constitution, having nothing else than
hominy, and but short allowance even of that, insomuch that when his appetite
increased he could not procure food sufficient to recruit his strength. The company of his brother, Thomas Peart,
who visited him, was a great comfort, and as the town he lived at was but the
distance of eighteen miles, they had frequent opportunities of condoling with
each other in their distress.
"The Indian men
being absent on one of their war excursions, and the women employed in
gathering the corn, left Benjamin Peart much leisure to reflect in solitude.
"Towards the
beginning of the winter season the men returned, and built themselves a log
house for a granary, and then removed about twenty miles from their settlement
into the hunting country, and procured a great variety of game, which they
usually ate without bread or salt. As
he had been with the Indians for several months, their language became more
familiar to him.
"Hunting and
feasting, after their manner, being their only employment, they soon cleared
the place where they settled of the game, which made a second removal
necessary, and they are so accustomed to this wandering life that it becomes their
choice.
"They fixed up a log
house in this second hunting place and continued until the Second month, when
they returned to their first settlement, though their stay was but a few days,
and then back again to their log hut.
"A heavy rain
falling melted some of the snow, which had covered the ground about two feet.
"The whole family
concluded upon a journey to Niagara Fort by land, which was completed in seven
days. At the fort he had the
satisfaction of conversing with his brother, Thomas Peart, and the same day his
wife also came from Buffalo Creek with the Senecas to the fort. This happy meeting, after an absence of ten
months, drew tears of joy from them.
The Indians not approving of their conversing much together, as they
imagined they would remember their former situation and become less contented
with their present manner of life, they separated again the same day, and took
Benjamin's wife about four miles away; but the party with whom he came
permitted him to stay here several nights, and when the Indians had completed
their purpose of traffic they returned, taking him some miles back with them to
one of their towns; but upon his telling them that he was desirous of returning
to the fort to procure something he had before forgot, in order for his
journey, he was permitted. As he stayed
the night with his adopted brother, the Indian came for him, but upon his
complaining that he was so lame as to prevent his traveling with them, they
suffered him to remain behind.
"He continued at the
fort about two months before the Indians came back again, and as he labored for
the white people, he had an opportunity to procuring salt provisions from the
king's stores, which had been for a long time a dainty to him.
"When one of the
Indians (a second adopted brother) came for him, Benjamin went with him to
Capt. Powell, who, with earnest solicitations and some presents, prevailed upon
the Indian to suffer him to stay until he returned from his war expedition; but
this was the last he ever made, as he lost his life on the frontiers of New
York.
"After this another
captain (a third adopted brother) came to the fort, and when Benjamin Peart saw
him he applied to Adjt.-Gen. Wilkinson to intercede for his release, who
accordingly waited upon Col. Johnson and other officers to prevail with them to
exert themselves upon his behalf. They
concluded to hold a council with the Indians for this purpose, who, after some
deliberation, surrendered him up to Col. Johnson, for which he gave them a
valuable compensation.
"Benjamin Peart,
after his release, was employed in Col. Johnson's service, and continued with
him for several months. His child had
been released for some time, and his wife, by earnest entreaty and plea of
sickness, had prevailed with the Indians to permit her stay at the fort, which
proved a great consolation and comfort after so long a separation.
"About the middle of
the Eighth month there was preparation made for their proceeding to Montreal,
as by this time there were six of the prisoners ready to go in a ship which lay
in Lake Ontario, whose names…
… were Joseph Gilbert, Benjamin
Peart, his wife and child, Abner Gilbert, and Elizabeth Gilbert, the
younger. These went on board the vessel
to Charlton Island, which is as far as the large vessels they use on the lake
can proceed; the remainder of the way
(on account of the frequent shoals) they are obliged to go in smaller boats.
"The commanding
officer at Niagara procured a suitable supply of provision, and furnished them
with orders to draw more at the several garrisons as occasion required.
"In two days they
arrived at the upper end of Charlton Island, and went to the commander-in-chief
to show their pass, and obtain what they were in need of. Afterwards they continued on to the garrison
of Oswagotchy, by the side of the river St. Lawrence, in an open boat rowed by
four Frenchmen, this class of people being chiefly employed in laborious
services.
"The stream was so
rapid and full of rocks that the prisoners were too much alarmed to remain in
the boat, and concluded to go on shore until they passed the danger, but the
Frenchmen, who had been accustomed to these wild and violent rapids (the
longest of which is known by the name of the Long Sou) kept on board. This surprising scene continued for the
distance of six miles, and they viewed with a degree of horror, their heads
becoming almost giddy with the prospect.
When the boat had shot the falls they again went on board, and continued
down the river to Coeur de Lac. No
great distance below this they anchored and landed at the place where their
father was interred, shedding many tears of filial affection to his
memory. They afterwards applied to the
commanding officer of the garrison for provisions and other necessaries; they
then bid adieu to this solemn spot of sorrow, and proceeded to Lasheen, which
they reached the twenty-fourth day of the Eighth month, having been eight days
on their voyage.
"After refreshing
themselves at this garrison they set forward on foot for Montreal, which they
reached the same day. They went to the
brigadier-general and showed him their passport, and as soon as at liberty
waited on their mother at Adam Scott's, as had been already related.
"The situation of
Elizabeth Peart, wife of Benjamin, and her child is next to be related:
"After she and the
child were parted from the husband, Abigail Dodson and the child were taken
several miles in the night to a little hut, where they stayed till morning, and
the day following were taken within eight miles of Niagara, where she was adopted
into one of the families of the Senecas; the ceremony of adoption to her was
tedious and distressing; they obliged
her to sit down with a young Indian man, and the eldest chieftain of the family
repeated a jargon of words, to her unintelligible, but which she considered as
some form of marriage, and this apprehension introduced the most violent
agitations, as she was determined, at all events, to oppose any step of this
nature; but after the old Indian
concluded his speech she was relieved from the dreadful embarrassment she had
been under, as she was led away by another Indian. Abigail Dodson was the same day given to one of the families of
the Cayuga nation, so that Elizabeth Peart saw her no more.
"The man who led
Elizabeth from the company took her into the family for whom they adopted her,
and introduced her to her parents, brothers and sisters, in the Indian style,
who received her very kindly, and made a grievous lamentation over her
according to custom. After she had been
with them two days the whole family left their habitation and went about two
miles to Fort Slusher, where they stayed several days. This fort is about one mile above Niagara
Falls.
"As she was much
indisposed, the Indians were detained several days for her; but as they cared little for her, she was
obliged to lie on the damp ground, which prevented her speedily recovery. As soon as her disorder abated of its
violence they set off in a bark canoe which they had provided, intending for
Buffalo creek, and, as they went slowly, they had an opportunity of taking some
fish.
"When they arrived
at the place of their intended settlement they went on shore and built a house.
"A few days after
they came to this new settlement they returned with Elizabeth to Fort Slusher,
when she was told her child must be taken away from her; this was truly
afflicting, but all remonstrances were in vain.
"From Fort Slusher
she traveled on foot, carrying her child to Niagara, it being eighteen miles,
and in sultry weather, rendered it a painful addition to the thoughts of
parting with her tender offspring. The
intent of their journey was to obtain provisions, and their stay at the fort
was of several days' continuance. Capt.
Powell afforded her an asylum in his house.
"The Indians took
the child from her, and went with it across the river to adopt it into the
family they had assigned for it, notwithstanding Capt. Powell, at his wife's
request, interceded that it might not be removed from its mother, and, as it
was so young, they returned it to the mother after its adoption, until it
should be convenient to send it to the family under whose protection it was to
be placed.
"Obtaining the
provisions and other necessaries they came to Niagara to trade for, they
returned to Fort Slusher on foot, from whence they embarked in their
canoes. It being near the time of
planting, they used much expedition in this journey.
"The labor and
drudgery in a family falling to the share of the women, Elizabeth had to assist
the squaw in preparing the ground and planting corn.
"Their provisions
being scant they suffered much, and as their dependence for a sufficient supply
until the gathering of their crop was on what they should receive from the
fort, they were under the necessity of making a second journey thither.
"They were two days
on the road at this time. A small
distance before they came to the fort they took her child from her and sent it
to its destined family, and it was several months before she had an opportunity
of seeing it again. After being taken
from her husband, to lose her darling infant was a severe stroke. She lamented her condition and wept sorely,
for which one of the Indians inhumanly struck her. Her Indian father seemed a little moved to behold her so
distressed, and in order to console her assured her they would bring it back
again, but she saw it not until the spring following.
"After they had
disposed of their peltries they returned to their habitation by the same route
which they had come.
"With a heart oppressed
with sorrow, Elizabeth trod back her steps, mourning for her lost infant, for
this idea presented itself continually to her mind; but as she experienced how
fruitless, nay, how dangerous, solicitations in behalf of her child were, she
dried up her tears and pined in secret.
"Soon after they
reached their own habitation, Elizabeth Peart was again afflicted with
sickness. At the first they showed some
attention to her complaints, but as she did not speedily recover, so as to be
able to work, they discontinued every attention, and built a small hut by the
side of the corn-field, placing her in it to mind the corn. In this lonely condition she saw a white man
who had been made prisoner among the Indians.
He informed her that her child was released and with the white
people. This information revived her drooping spirits, and a short time after
she recovered of her indisposition, but her employment of attending the corn continued
until it was ripe for gathering, which she assisted in. Then the harvest was over they permitted her
to return and live with them. A time of
plenty commenced, and they lived as if they had sufficient to last the year
through, faring plenteously every day.
"A drunken Indian
came to the cabin one day, and the old Indian woman complaining to him of
Elizabeth, his behavior exceedingly terrified her; he stormed like a fury, and
at length struck her a violent blow, which laid her on the ground. He then began to pull her about and abuse her
much, when another of the women interposed, and rescued her from further
suffering. Such is the shocking effect
of spirituous liquor on these people; it totally deprives them both of sense
and humanity.
"A tedious winter
prevented them from leaving their habitation, and deprived her of the pleasure
of hearing often from her friends, who were very much scattered; but a
prisoner, who had lately seen her husband, informed her of his being much
indisposed at the Genesee River, which was upwards of one hundred miles
distant. On receiving this intelligence,
she stood in need of much consolation, but had no source of comfort except in
her own bosom.
"Near the return of
spring, their provisions failing, they were compelled to go off to the fort for
a fresh supply, having but a small portion of corn, which they allowanced out
one each day.
"Through snow and
severe frost they went for Niagara, suffering much from the excessive cold; and
when they came within a few miles of the fort, which they were four days
accomplishing, they struck up a small wigwam for some of the family with the
prisoners to live in until the return of the warriors from the fort.
"As soon as Capt.
Powell's wife heard that the young child's mother had come with the Indians she
desired to see her, claiming some relationship in the Indian way, as she had
also been a prisoner among them. They
granted her request, and Elizabeth was accordingly introduced and informed that
her husband had returned to the fort, and there were some expectations of his release. The same day Benjamin Peart came to see his
wife, but could not be permitted to continue with her, as the Indians insisted
on her going back with them to their cabin, which, as has been related, was
some miles distant.
"Elizabeth Peart was
not allowed for some days to go from the cabin, but a white family who had
bought her child from the Indians to whom it had been presented, offered the
part with whom Elizabeth was confined a bottle of rum if they would bring her
across the river to her child, which they did, and delighted the fond mother
with this happy meeting, as she had not seen it for the space of eight months.
"She was permitted
to stay with the family where her child was for two days, when she returned
with the Indians to their cabin. After
some time she obtained a further permission to go to the fort, where she had
some needle-work from the white people, which afforded her a plea for often
visiting it. At length Capt. Powell's
wife prevailed with them to suffer her to continue a few days at her house and
work for her family, which was granted.
At the expiration of the time, upon the coming of the Indians for her to
return with them, she pleaded indisposition, and by this means they were
repeatedly dissuaded from taking her with them.
"As the time of
planting drew nigh she made use of a little address to retard her departure;
having a small swelling on her neck she applied a poultice, which led the
Indians into a belief that it was improper to remove her, and they consented to
come again for her in two weeks.
"Her child was given
up to her soon after her arrival at Capt. Powell's, and her husband came
frequently to visit her, which was a great happiness, as her trials in their
separation had been many.
"At the time
appointed some of the Indians came again, but she still plead indisposition and
had confined herself to her bed. One of
the women interrogated her very closely, but did not insist upon her going
back. Thus several months elapsed, she
contriving delays as often as they came.
"When the vessel
which was to take the other five, among whom were her husband and child, was
ready to sail, the officers at Niagara concluded she might also go with them as
they saw no reasonable objection, and they doubted not it was in their power to
satisfy those Indians who considered her as their property."
Eventually all of the
captives were redeemed, and reaching this country in safety, assembled at
Byberry to recount in a happy reunion their strange adventures during a
captivity of two years and five months.
********************************************************************************
From
The History of the Counties of Lehigh & Carbon, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
By
Alfred Mathews & Austin N. Hungerford
Published in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1884
Transcribed from the original in January 2004
by
Shirley Kuntz
Proofing &
web page by
February 2004