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g^^sS^^SSiSS^

1746.

r^^ii^s^

NARRATIVE

or THE

Capture and Burning

FORT MASSACHUSETTS

BY THE

FRENCH AND INDIANS,

IN THE TIME OF THE WAR OF 1744-1749, AND THE CAPTIVITY

OF ALL THOSE STATIONED THERE, TO THE

Nl.'N?BER OK THIRTY PERSONS.

WRITTEN AT THE TIME BY ONE OF THE CAPTIVES, THE y f

Rev, Mr. JOHN NORTON, ^/

CHAPLAIN OF THE FORT. ^

NOW FIRST PUBLISHED WITH NOTES, BY

SAMUEL G. DRAKE.

ALBANY :
Printed for S. G. Drake of Boston^ by Joel Munsell.

1870.

ONLY ONE HUNDRED COPIES PRINTED.

NOTICE

l>F THI

REV. MR. JOHN NORTON.

•3

iR. NORTON was born in Berlin,
Connedticut, 1716 ; graduated at Yale
College in 1737. Four years after,
namely, in 1 741, he was ordained in
Fall Town, since Bernardston, Massa-
chusetts, and was the first minister in
that town. Owing " to the unsettled state of the times," he
continued in Fall Town but about four years ; the people
had quite as much as they could do to maintain their families,
while they were exposed to inroads of the enemy in a war
already commenced. The statement of his having been set-
tled at Deerfield in 1741, is probably incorredl. After bis
return from captivity he was installed pastor of the Congre-
gational church in East Hampton, Middlesex county, Con-
nedlicut, November 30th, 1748, where he continued about

BBife

4 Notice of Rev. John Norton,

thirty years, at which period he fpll a vidim to the small pox
(March 24th, 1748).

Bernard's Town, at the time Mr. Norton preached there was,
as just mentioned, called Fall Town. It was thus designated
because it was granted to the soldiers, or the descendants of
those soldiers who were in the fight with the Indians at the
Great Falls in the Connecticut river. May i8th, 1676. While
in captivity his wife applied to the government of Massachusetts
for the wages due him as chaplain, and at one time received one
pound sixteen shillings and six pence, then due, March 12th,

1747-

Mr. Norton's captivity was of one year's continuance, want-
ing four days. His narrative was printed in 1748, in Boston,
"and sold opposite the prison." Who the printer was, or the
bookseller, is not mentioned. As Daniel Fowle kept in Queen
street at this time, and the prison was in that street, where the
court house now is, he was probably the printer. The author
was perhaps his own publisher. He appears not to have had
much pradice as a writer, but what is of more importance, he
was evidently one of the most truthful, while the printer did
not perform his part with much credit to himself, which might
have been the occasion of his withholding his name to Mr.
Norton's work.

Mr. Norton was thirty years of age when taken prisoner ;
and though he has given us a work full of valuable fadts, he
evidently had had little experience in literary matters, and would

Notice of Rev, John Norton. |

have made his work much more valuable had he re-written it at
a later day. But narratives of the kind of this of Mr. Norton's
would not at the time of its publication, attraft the attention
of the reading public. His immediate friends, and the friends
of those in captivity with him, were about all who would take
any interest in its publication. There was no charm of compo-
sition about it. Its details are the dryest possible. Hence its
circulation was of the most limited kind. This circumstance may
account for its extreme scarcity, which scarcity probably extends
back to within a very few years of its publication. Many of
the most valuable works have been issued in small editions i a
few copies only bound or stitched up to meet the first demands
of friends ; the rest are taken by the author into the country,
perhaps in sheets, and eventually used for waste paper ; or,
possibly left on the printer's hands to meet a similar fate. Such
cases are known to the writer. m^

..#

Il I

[Cnpy of iht Tith'fiage ai origina/ly inutii.]
Being a

NARRATIVE

Of the taking and carrying into CAPTIVITY

The Reverend
MR. JOHN NORxON

When Fort Massachusetts Surre. iered to ^ hrgt
Body of French ^ Indians Aug. 20 h, 4746.

With a particular Account of the Defence made before the
Surrender of that Fort, and the Articles of ^^apitulation, &c.

Together with an account both entertaining and affe'^ing of
what Mr. NORTON met with and took Notice of, in a'ln
travelling to, and while in Captivity at Canada^ and til) his
arrival at Boston^ on August 16, 1747.

WLvitun f}V! fiftnself.

Jere. 21-4. Thus saith the Lord, — Behold, I will turn back the Weapons
of War that are in your Hands tvherewith ye fight against the King
of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you rvithout the
Walls iff I will assemble them into this City.

Chap. 50. 33. The Children of Israel, and the Children of Judah were
oppressed together, and all that took them Captives held them fast, they
refused to let them go.

Lam. 1. 3. Judah is gone into Captivity, because of Affliction.

Neh, 7. 6. These are the Children of the Province, that went up out of
the Captivity, of those that had been carried away.

BOSTON : Printed & Sold opposite the Prison. 1748.

Norton's lEleDeemeD Captibe*

HURSDAY, August 14, 1746, I left
Fort Shirley, t in company with Dr.
[Thomas] Williams, and about four-
teen of the soldiers ; we went to Pel-
ham Fort, and from thence to Captain
Rice's, where we lodged that night.
Friday, the 15th, we went from thence to Fort Massachu-
setts, where I designed to have tarried about a month.

Saturday, 1 6th. The doClor, with fourteen men, went off
for Deerfield, and left in the fort, Sergeant John Hawks,| with
twenty soldiers, about half of them sick with bloody flux. Mr.
Hawks sent a letter by the doctor to the captain, supposing
that he was then at Deerfield, desiring that he would speedily
send up some stores to the fort, being very short on it for
ammunition, and having discovered some signs of the enemy ;

* The figures thus enclosed denote the J The same who was ambushed and

original paginatio" of Mr. Norton's work, wounded at Fort Massachusetts, May

f In what is since the town of Heath, 9th, 1746. He had been a captive

about eighteen miles north noith west of" among the Indiins, and was recently

Northampton, Mass. reti"-ned.

'J^iUdLWiiita^

Norton's Redeemed Captive. [^746.

but the letter did not get to the captain seasonably. This day,
also, two of our men being out a few miles distant from the
fort, discovered the tracks of some of the enemy.

Lord's day and Monday, 17th and i8th, we met with no
disturbance, nor did we discover any enemy ; but the sickness
was very distressing ; for though some began to amend, yet
there were more taken sick. Eleven of our men were sick,
and scarcely one of us in perfect health ; almost every man was
troubled with the griping and flux.

Tuesday, 19th. Between eight and nine o'clock in the
[4] morning, when, througli the good providence of God, we
were all in the fort, twenty-two men, three women, and five
children, there appeared an army of French and Indians, eight
or nine hundred in number, commanded by Monsieur Regand
de Vaudriile,* who, having surrounded the fort on every side,
began with hideous acclamations to rush forward upon the fort,
firing incessantly upon us on every side. Mr. Hawks, our
officer, ordered that we should let them come without firing at
all at them, until they should approach within a suitable distance,
that we might have a good prospedl of doing execution.

We suffered them to come up in a body i.'\ they were
within twenty rods of us, and then we fired ; upon which the
enemy soon betook themselves to trees, stumps and logs, where
they lay and fired incessantly upon us -, some taking opportunity
to run from one tree and stump to another, and so drew nearer
to the fort. This they did in a very subtle manner, running so
rooked that it was very difficult to shoot at them with any

* His real name was Pierre Fran9ois Cavagnal ; was born in Montreal, 8th

Rigaud de Vaudreuil. He was brother February, 1704. He was living as late

of the last French Governor of Canada, as 1770. See Morgan's Celebrated Cana-

the Marquis, Pierre Francois de Vaudreuil- liians, 46.

1746.] Norton's Redeemed Captive.

1 1

good prospedl of success, until we observed, that when they
came to a stump, they would fall down ; which we observing,
prepared to catch them there as they fell down by the stumps ;
and this we did probably with success ; for they soon left off
this method. About this time we saw several of the enemy
fall and rise no more ; among which was the captain of the St.
Francis Indians, who was one of the foremost, and called upon
the rest to press on upon the forv. Sergeant Hawks got an
opportunity to shoot him into the breast, which ended his days.*

At the beginning of the engagement, the General sent his
ensign with his standard (which he, standing [5] behind a tree
about thirty rods distant from the fort, displayed), the General
also walked up the hill within about forty rods of the fort, where
he stood and gave his orders ; but being discovered he had a
shot or two fired at him ; upon which he moved off; but pre-
sently after comes to his ensign, where, being discovered, he
received a shot in his arm, which made him retreat with his
ensign to their camp.

The enemy still continued to fire almost incessantly upon
us, and many of them crept up within a dozen rods of the fort.
We were straitened for want of shot. Several of our men
being newly come into the service, and for want of bullet
moulds, had not prepared for any long engagement, and therefore
the sergeant ordered some of our sick men to make bullets,
another to run some shot, having shot moulds. This put him
upon taking particular notice of the ammunition, and he found
it to be very short, and therefore gave orders that we should not
fire any more than we thought necessary to hold the enemy

* The name of this Chief does not ap- English recorded it. Though tiie St. Fran-
pear to have been mentioned in the French cis tribe were represented at the treaties
reports of the expedition, nor have the of 1735 and 1742, no names are given.

NortoTis Redeemed Captive. [ 1 746.

back, unless when we had a very good opportunity and fair
prospedl of doing execution ; so that we fired but little. We
had sometimes very fair shot, and had success. We saw
several fall, who, we are persuaded, never rose again. We
might have shot at the enemy almost any time in the day, who
were in open view of the fort, within fifty or sixty rods of the
same, and sometimes within forty and less; the officers some-
times walking about, sword in hand, viewing of us, and others
walking back and forth as they had occasion, without molesta-
tion, for we dare not spend our ammunition upon them that
were at such a distance.

Towards evening the enemy began to use their axes and
hatchets. Some were thoughtful that they were preparing lad-
[6] ders in order to storm the fort in the night; but afterward
we found our mistake, for they were preparing faggots in order
to burn it. This day they wounded tv/o of our men, viz,
John Aldrich they shot through the foot, and Jonathan Bridg-
man with a flesh wound the back side of his hip. When the
evening came on the sergeant gave orders that all the tubs,
pails, and vessels of every sort, in every room, should be filled
with water, and went himself to see it done ; he also looked to
the doors, that they were made as fast as possible. He like-
wise cut a passage from one room to another, that he might put
the fort into as good a posture for defense as might be, in case
they should attempt to storm it. He distributed the men into
the several rooms. While he was thus preparing, he kept two
men in the north-west mount,* and some in the great house,
the south-east corner of the fort, to watch the enemy and keep
them back.

I was in the mount all the evening ; it was cloudy and very

* A sort ot watch box in an angle oi corner of" the fort, on the top of the wall.

1746. J Nortoris Redeemed Captive.

dark the beginning of the evening. The enemy kept a con-
stant fire upon us, and, as I thought, approached nearer and in
greater numbers than they had in the daytime. We had but
little encouragement to fire upon the enemy, having but the
light of their fire to diredl us, yet we dared not wholly omit it,
lest they should be emboldened to storm the fort. VVe fired
buck-shot at them, and have reason to hope wc did some exe-
cution, for the enemy complained of our shooting buck-shot at
that time, which they could not have known had they not felt
some of them. They continued thus to fire upon us until
between eight and nine at night, then the whole army (as we
supposed) surrounded the fort, and shouted, or rather veiled,
with the [7] most hideous outcries, all around the fort. This
they repeated three or four times. We expe6led they would
have followed this with a storm, but were mistaken, for they
diredlly set their watch all round the fort ; and besides their
watch they sent some to creep up as near the fort as they could,
to observe whether any persons attempted to make their escape,
to carry tidings to New England.* The body of the army
then drew back to their camps; some in the swamp west of
the fort, the other part to the south-east, by the river side.
We then considered what was best to be done ; whether to send
a post down to Deerfield or not. We looked upon it very
improbable, if not morally impossible, for any men to get off
undiscovered ; and therefore the sergeant would not lay his
commands upon any to go ; but he proposed it to several,
desired and encouraged them as far as he thought convenient ;
but there was not a man willing to venture out. So the ser-
geant, having placed the men in every part of the fort, he

* It seems odd at this day, tliat but writing of" a locality in Massachusetts,
little more than a hundred years ago, one should refer to it as out of New England.

Norton* s Redeemed Captive. [1746.

ordered all the sick and feeble men to get what rest they could,
and not regard the enemy's acclamations, but to lie still all night,
unless he should call for them. Of those that were in health,
some were ordered to keep the watch, and some lay down and
endeavored to get some rest ; lying d' «vn in our clothes, with
our arms by us. I lay down the fore part of the night. We got
little or no rest, the enemy frequently raised us by their hideous
outcries as though they were about to attack us. The latter
part of the night I kept the watch.

Wednesday, 20. As soon as it began to be light the
enemy shouted and began to fire upon us for a few minutes,
and then ceased for a little time. The serg[8]eant ordered
every man to his place, and sent two men up into the watch-
box. The enemy came into the field of corn to the sou h and
south-east of the fort, and fought against that side of the fort
harder than they did the day before ; but unto the north-west
side they did not approach so near as they had the first day, yet
they kept a continual fire on that side. A number went up
also into the mountain north of the fort, where they could
shoot over the north side of the fort into the middle of the
parade. A considerable number of the enemy also kept their
axes and hatchets continually at work, preparing faggots, and
their stubbing hoes and spades, etc., in order to burn the fort.
About eleven o'clock, Thomas Knowlton, one of our men,
being in the watch-box, was shot through the head, so that
some of his brains came out, yet life remained in him for some
hours.

About twelve o'clock, the enemy desired to parley. We
agreed to it, and when we came to General De Voudriule, he
promised us good quarter, if we would surrender ; otherwise
he should endeavor to take us by force. The sergeant told

1746.] Norton* s Redeemed Captive.

him he should have an answer within two hours. We came
into the fort and examined the state of it. The whole of our
ammunition we did not judge to be above three or four pounds
of powder, and not more lead : and, after prayers unto God for
wisdom and dire(5lion, we considered our case, whether there
was any probability of our being able to withstand the enemy
or not ; for we supposed that they would not leave us till they
had made a vigorous attempt upon us; and if they did, we
knew our ammunition would be spent in a few minutes time,
and then we should be obliged [9] to lay at their mercy. Had
we all been in health, or had there been onlv those eight of
us that were in health, 1 believe every man would willingly
have stood it out to the last. For my part I should ; but we
feared, that if we were taken by violence, the sick, the wounded,
and the women, would most, if not all of them, die by the
hands of the savages; therefore our officer concluded to sur-
render on the best terms he could get, which were,

I. That we should be all prisoners to the French ; the
general promising that the savages should have nothing to do
with any of us.

II. That the children should all live with their parents
during the time of their captivity.

III. That we should all have the privilege of being ex-
changed the first opportunity that presented.

Besides these particulars, the general promised that all the
prisoners should have all christian care and charity exercised
toward them ; that those who were weak and unable to travel,
should be carried in their journey ; that we should all be allowed

ililii

Norton* s Redeemed Captive. [ 1 746.

to keep our clothing ; and that we might leave a few lines to
inform our friends what was become of us.*

About three of the clock we admitted the general and a
number of his officers into the fort. Upon which he set up
his standard. The gate was not opened to the rest. The
gentlemen spake comfortably to our people; and on our peti-
tion that the dead corpse might not be abused, but buried.
They said that it should be buried. But the Indians seeing
that they were shut out, soon fell to pulling out the underpin-
ning of the fort, and crept into it, opened the gates, so that the
parade was quickly full. They [lo] shouted as soon as they
saw the blood of the dead corpse under the watch-box ; but
the French kept them down for some time, and did not suffer
them to meddle with it. After some time the Indians seemed
to be in a ruffle ; and presently rushed up into the watch-box,
brought down the dead corpse, carried it out of the fort, scalped
it, and cut off the head and arms. A young Frenchman took
one of the arr.iS and flayed it, roasted the flesh, and offered
some of it to Daniel Smeed, one of the prisoners, to eat, but
he refused it. The Frenchman dressed the skin of the arm
(as we afterwards heard) and made a tobacco pouch of it.f
After they had plundered the fort, they set it on fire, and led
us out to their camp.

We had been at their camp but a little time, when Mons.
Doty, the general's interpreter, called mc aside, and desired me

* Mr. Norton accordingly wrote a brief
letter, which he placed upon the well
crotch. It was afterwards found by the
English. Its contents are given in the
history of this war, page 1 20.

f It was no uncommon thing for the
Indians to make use of the skin of their

enemies in this way; but instances of
the white people imitating them are rare.
It is probably true that some of the Ken-
tuckians, in the war of 1812, were guilty
of such adts, after General Harrison's
vidlory of the Thames, and perhaps at
other times.

1746.] Norton* s Redeemed Captive.

to speak to our soldiers, and persuade them to go with the
Indians ; for he said the Indians were desirous that some of
them should go with them ; and said that Sergeant Hawks,
myself, and the families, should go with the French officers.
I answered him, that it was contrary to our agreement, and the
general's promise ; and would be to throw away the lives of
some of our men who were sick and wounded. He said, no ;
but the Indians would be kind to them ; and though they were
all prisoners to the French, yet he hoped some of them would
be willing to go with the Indians.

We spoke to Sergeant Hawks, and he urged it upon him.
We proposed it to some of our men who were in health,
whether they were willing to go or not, but they were utterly
unwilling. I returned to Doty, and told him that we should by
no means consent that any of our men should go with the
Indians, [ii] We took the General to be a man of honor,
and we hoped to find him so. We knew that it was the man-
ner of the Indians to abuse their prisoners, and sometimes to
kill those that failed in traveling, and carrying packs, which we
knew that some of our men could not do ; and we thought it
but little better for the General to deliver them to the Indians
than it would be to abuse them himself; and had I thought
that the general would have delivered any of our men to the
savages, I should have strenuously opposed the surrender of
the fort, for I had rather have died in fight, than to see any of
our men killed while we had no opportunity to resist. He said
that the general would see that they should not be abused ; and
he did not like it that I was so jealous and afraid. I told him
I was not the officer, but as he spake to me, so I had freely
spoken my mind, and discharged my duty in it; and he had no
reason t.o be oft'ended, and I hoped the general would not insist

Norton's Redeemed Captive. \ 1 746.

on this thing, but would make good his promise to all the
prisoners. He went to the general, and after a little time the
officers came and took away John Perry and his wife, and all
the soldiers but Sergeant Hawks, John Smeed, and Moses Scott,
and their families, and distributed them among the Indians.
Some French officers took the care of the families, namely,
Smeed's and Scott's ; and Mons. Demuy * took me with him,
and M. St. Luc Lacornf took Sergeant Hawks with him ; and
so we reposed that night, having a strong guard set over us.

Thursday, 21. In the morning I obtained liberty to go to
the place of the fort, and set up a letter, which I did, with a
Frenchman and some Indians in company. I nailed the letter
on the west post. This [12] morning I saw Josiah Reed, who
was very weak and feeble by reason of his long and tedious
sickness. I interceded with the general for him, that he would
not send him with the Indians, but could not prevail. I also
interceded with the general for John Aldrich, who, being
wounded in the foot, was not able to travel ; but the interpre-
ter told me they must go with the Indians, but they should npt
be hurt ; and that they had canoes a little down the river, in
which the weak and feeble should be carried. We then put
up our things, and set on our march for Crown Point, going
down the river in Hoosuck road. I was toward the front, and
within about half a mile I overtook John Perry's wife ; I passed
her. M. Demuy traveling apace. I spoke with her, and asked
her how she did ? She told me that her strength failed her in
traveling so fast. I told her God was able to strengthen her.

* His name is variously written in the f Pierre de Chapt La Corne. He was

French accounts, as De Muy, De Muyes, constantly employed till the fall of

Dumui, etc. ; he was a lieutenant in much Canada, and performed many exploits

adlive service. , against the English. . ,

1746.] Norton's Redeemed Captive.

In him she must put her trust, and I hoped she was ready for
whatever God had to call her to. I had opportunity to say no
more. We went about four miles to the place where the army
encamped the night before they came upon us. Here I over
took neighbor Perry, which surprised me, for I thought he had
been behind me with the French, but he was with the Indians.
I asked him after his health. He said that he was better than
he had been. I inquired after his -.vife. He said he did not
know where she was, but was somewhere with the Indians ;
which surprised me very much ; for I thought till then she was
with the French.

Here we sat down for a considerable time. My heart was
filled with sorrow, expecting that many of our weak and feeble
people would fall by the merciless hands of the enemy. And
as I frequently heard the [13] savages shouting and yelling,
trembled, concluding that they then murdered some of our
people. And this was my only comfort, that they could do
nothing against us, but what God in his holy providence per-
mitted them ; but was filled with admiration when I saw all
the prisoners come up with us, and John Aldrich carried upon
the back of his Indian master. We set out aga'n, and had
gone but a little way before we came up with Josiah Reed,
who gave out. I expedled they would have knocked him on
the head and killed him, but an Indian carried him on his back.
We made several stops, and after we had traveled about eight
miles we made a considerable stay, where we refreshed our-
selves, and I had an opportunity to speak to several of the
prisoners ; especially John Smeed, and his wife, who, being
near her time, was filled with admiration at the goodness of
God in strengthening her to travel so far.

I saw John Perry's wife. She complained that she was

Norton* s Redeemed Captive. [ 1 746.

almost ready to give out. She complained also of the Indian
that she went with, that he threatened her. I talked with a
French officer, and he said that she need not fear, for he would
not be allowed to hurt her. Mons. Demuy, with a number of
men, set out before the army, so I took my leave of her, fear-
ing I should never see her more. After this Sergeant Hawks
went to the general and represented her case to him. So he
went and talked to the Indians, and he was kind to her after
this. After we had traveled round the fields, I thought he was
about to leave the river, which increased my fears. But I
found out the reason ; for they only went to look some build-
ings to plunder, and burn them. A little before sunset we
arrived at Vandeverickes place, where we found [14] some of
the army, who had arrived before us, but most of them were
still behind ; and I had the comfort to see the greatest part of
the prisoners come up : God having wonderfully strengthened
many who were weak ; the French carrying the women.
There were some few that tarried behind about two miles,
where Mrs. Smeed was taken in travail : And some of the
French made a seat for her to sit upon, and brought her to the
camp, where, about ten o'clock, she was graciously delivered of
a daughter, and was remarkably well. The child also was
well. But this night Josiah Reed, being very ill, either died of
his illness, or else was killed by the enemy ; which, I could
never certainly know, but I fear he was murdered.*

Friday, 22. This morning I baptised John Smeed's child.
He called its name CAPTIVITY. The French then made a
frame like a bier, and laid a buck skin and bear skin upon it,

* It might not have been perfeftly clear the captives, that the man died of his
to Mr, Norton when he wrote the above, malady. No captives were probably ever
but it was made clear after the return of treated better under similar circumstances.

1746.] Norton's Redeemed Captive.

and laid Mrs. Smecd, with her infant, thereon; and so two
men at a time carried them. They also carried Moses Scott's
wife and two children, and another of Smeed's children. The
Indians also carried in their canoes, Br. Simon and John Aldrich
and Perry's wife, down the river about ten miles.

We had remarkable smiles of Providence. Our men that
had been sick, grew better and recovered strength. The
enemy killed some cattle which they found in the meadow ; so
that we had plenty of fresh provisions and broth, which was
very beneficial to the sick. I then expressed a concern for
the feeble people, understanding that we were to leave the
river, i. favel through the wilderness near sixty miles ; but
Mons. Demuy told me I need not fear, for the general had
promised those Indians a reward who [15] had the care of the
feeble persons, if they would be kind and carry them through
the journey.

This night I visited most of the prisoners. This night,
also, died two Indians of their wounds. The enemy had got
four horses.

Saturday, 23. This morning the general sent off an offi-
cer with some men to carry news to Canada. This day we
left the river and traveled in the wilderness, in something of a
path, and good traveling for the wilderness, something east of
north, about fifteen miles ; the French still carrying Smeed's
and Scott's wives and children ; the Indians finding horses for
brothers Simon and John Aldrich. Perry being released from
his pack, was allowed to help his wife, and carry her when she
was weary. About three in the afternoon they were alarmed
by discovering the tradls of a scout from Saratoga. This put
them into a considerable ruffle, fearing that there might be an
army after them. But I presumed that they need not be con-

Norton's Redeemed Captive. [ 1 746.

cerned about it. T'ne body of the army lodged between two
ponds, but part, with a number of the prisoners, were sent
forward about two miles, till they crossed Sarratago river ; * it
is there twenty rods wide, but shallow water. This night also
died two more Indians of their wounds.

Lord's day, 24. This day we set out in the morning and
came to Sarratago river, crossed it, and came to our company,
which had been before us. Here we came to a rich piece of
meadow ground, and traveled in it about five miles. We had
good traveling this day. We crossed several pieces of good
meadow land. We went about eighteen [16] miles. John
Perry's wife performed this day's journey without help from
any. Our sick and feeble persons were remarkably preserved
to-day ; for about two o'clock in the afternoon, there fell a
very heavy shower of rain, which wet us through all our
clothes. Mrs. Smeed was as wet as any of us, and it being
the third day after her delivery, we '-pre concerned about
the event ; but through the good providence of God, she never
perceived any harm by it, nor did any other person but Miriam,
the wife of Moses Scot, who hereby catched a grievous cold.
This night we lodged in the meadow, where was a run of
water, which makes a part of Wood Creek.

Monday, 25. This morning we set out and traveled about
eleven miles. We had something rough traveling to-day.
We quickly left the small stream we lodged by at our right
hand to the east of us, and, traveling a few miles over some small
hills and ledges, came to a stream running from east to west,!

* This was doubtless the Hudson river, f Hence they were at a stream which

but the place of crossing is difficult to be falls into Lake George; having its rise in

ascertained. The two ponds Ao not ap- the vicinity of Wood Creek; the latter

pear on any maps in the editor's posses- having its rise in Kingsbury, near the

sion. Hudson. The Indian name of Lake

1746.] Norton's Redeemed Captive.

about two or three rods in width, and about two feet deep.
We crossed it, our general course being north. We traveled
abou^ iwo or three miles farther and came to a stream running
from south-west to north-east, about six rods in width, which
we crossed. And this stream (which we suppose to be Wood
Creek*), according to the best of my remembrance, and
according to the short minute that I made of this day's travel,
we left at our right hand to the east of us ; but Sergeant Hawks
thinks I am mistaken, and that we crossed it again, and left it
at the left hand, west of us. I won't be certain, but I cannot
persuade myself that [17] I am mistaken. f The French and
Indians helping our feeble people, we all arrived well at our
camp, which was by a couple of ponds. Some few who were
before us went to the drowned land.|

Tuesday, 26. This day we took our journey. Our
course in the morning something west of north. In traveling
about three or four miles we came to a mountain, a steep
ascent, about eighty or one hundred rods, but not rocky. After
we passed this mountain, our course was about west, five or six
miles, till we came to the drowned lands. When we came to
the canoes, the stream ran from north-east to south-west. §
We embarked about two o'clock ; the stream quickly turned

George is Caniad-eri-oity signifying the
tail of the lake. It is the Lac du Sacre-
ment of the French. Wood Creeic the
Indians called Ossa-vages.

* No doubt that branch of Wood
Creek which falls into the main stream
at what is since Fort Anne — the summit
level of the Champlain canal.

f Their difficulty seems to have been
in mistaking a branch for the real Wood

Creek.

J These extend some three miles along
South River on the east side, beginning
near Lake Champlain. The Indians call
them Ond-cri-ifue-gon, or the conflux of
waters. Bassier^s Map, drawn by order of
Gen. Amherst, 1762.

^ East Creek corresponds to this ; now
called Pawlet river, I suppose, which has
its rise in what is Dorset, Vermont.

Norton' s Redeemed Captive. [1746.

and ran to the north. We sailed about eighteen or twenty
miles that night, and encamped on the east side of the water.

Wednesday, 23. [27th.] We embarked about nine o'clock,
and sailed to Crown Point,* something better than twenty
miles. Some of the army went in the night before, and some
before the body of the army. The sails were pulled down,
and the canoes brought up abreast, and passed by the fort over
to the north-east point, saluting the fort with three volleys, as
we passed by it. The fort returning the salute by the dis-
charge of the cannon. This was about twelve o'clock. Here
we tarried till the 4th of September. I lodged in an house on
the north-east point. We all arrived bettor in health than when
we were first taken.

Thursday, 28. This day I was invited by Monsieur
Demuy to go over and see the fort, which I did. It is some-
thing an irregular form, having five sides [18] to it ; the ram-
parts twenty feet thick, the breast work two feet and half; the
whole about twenty feet high. There were twenty-one or
twenty-two guns upon the wall ; some four and six pounders,
and there may be some as large as nine pounders. The citadel
an octagon built, three stories high, fifty or sixty feet diameter,
built with stone laid in lime, the wall six or seven feet thick,
arched over the second and third stories for bomb proof. In
the chambers nine or ten guns ; some of them may be nine
pounders, and I believe none less than six, and near twenty
patararoes.f But as my time was short I cannot be very par-

* The French built a fort there in f How much of a ^«n a /jo^drarof was,

1721, which they n.imed Fort St. Frederic, it would have been well if the author had

• The Indians gave that spot the name of informed us, as we may travel from

Tek-ya-dough-nigan.Tee, which signifies Blount to Webster without finding out.

two points opposite to each other. Bas- Perhaps derived from the Spanish /i«ar^o,

j»>r, ibidem. or, fataremo.

1746'] Nortoris Redeemed Captive.

ticular. They have stores of small arms, as blunderbusses,
pistols and muskets. This night proved very cold and stormy.

Friday, 29. This morning Smeed's and Scot's families
were brought out of their tents into the house, that they might
be more comfortable. It rained and was very cold all the day,
and at night the wind was very high.

Saturday the 30th was something warmer.

Lord's day, 31. We had the liberty of worshiping God
together in a room by ourselves. This day, about twelve
o'clock, the enemy who v/ent off from us from Hoosuck, the
morning after we were taken, returned, and brought in six
scalps, viz, Samuel Allen, Eleazer Hawks, Jun., two Amsdels,
all of Deerfield ; Adonijah Gillet of Colchester, Constant Bliss
of Hebron, and one captive, viz., Samuel Allen, son to him
who was killed. He was taken with his father and Ealeazer
Hawks. The Amsdells and Gillet were killed in Deerfield
South Meadow, August 25th. The Indians also acknowledged
they lost one man there.* This lad [19] told us they had not
then heard in Deerfield of their taking fort Massachusetts. A
young Hatacook f Indian was his master, and carried him to
St. Francois.

Monday, Sept. i. Tuesday, 2. Wednesday, 3. We
tarried still at Crown Point. The weather was something
lowry, but warm. I lived with the general and about half a
dozen more officers, who lodged in the same house. Our diet
was very good, it being chiefly fresh meat and broth, which was
a great benefit to me. We had also plenty of Bourdcaux wine,
which being of an astringent nature, was a great kindness to
me (having at that time something of the griping and bloody

* See History of the Five Tears War, f Perhaps a misprint for Scattacook,

pp. 125, 126. or Schaghticoke.

Norton's Redeemed Captive. [ 1 746.

flux). While we lay here, we wrote a letter to the Hon. John
Stoddard, Esq., at Northampton, to give him a particular
account of our fight and surrender ; as also some other private
letters ; the French gentlemen giving us encouragement that
they would send them down by some of their scouts to some
part of our frontiers, and leave them so that they should be
found ; but I have not heard of them since, and conclude that
they destroyed them.*

Thursday, 4. We embarked for Canada about ten o'clock,
and sailed about fifteen miles. Our course, I judged to be
north, about 10° east, which I take to be the general course
from Crown Point to Champlain. Towards night we turned
into a cove, the east side of the lake, and encamped, having
the hnd upon the south-west, south and east of us. Here we
were to wait for General De Vaudriule, whom we left at Crown
Point, and expedled would come to us this night or in the morn-
ing; but the night proved very stormy.

[20] Friday, 5. The wind blowing hard from the north,
and some rain, we lay by to-day.

Saturday, 6. About nine o'clock this morning the general
came up with us ; then we embarked and sailed with a pretty
good wind the bigger part of the day. Towards night we saw
a few houses on the west side of the lake, but I suppose that
they were deserted. We sailed at least three score miles this
day. We came to where the lake was but a few miles in width,
and encamped on the east shore, where there was a windmill
and a few houses, but were all deserted. f

* One certainly found its way to the ■)• No doubt the place afterwards called
English, and was seen by Deacon Wright. Windmill Point by the English, and not
See N.E. Hist, and Gen. Reg., II, 210. far from the mouth of Onion river.

1746. J Norton's Redeemed Capthe.

Lord's day, 7. We rose early and set sail as soon as it was
fair day-light, having a good wind, but the wind fell about eight
o'clock, that they were obliged to ply their paddles. When we
came to the end of the lake, about eleven o'clock, and were
entering Champlain * river, we met a boat with three men in it,
who brought a packet of letters for the officers in the army.
They gave one to Mons. Demuy. After reading the letter he
told me the news he had by them, viz., that there were a number
of ships arrived from France to Quebec, who had brought them
plenty of stores ; that they came in company with a fleet of
forty large men of war from the Brest and Toulon squadron ;
and gave the following account ; that the English fleet having
blocked up the Brest squadron in the harbor, the admiral of the
Brest squadron wrote to the admiral of the Toulon and Roch-
fort squadrons to come to his assistance ; who, coming on the
back of the English fleet, and the Brest squadron issuing out at
the same time against them, there ensued a terrible [21] fight, in
which the P'rcnch prevailed, and sunk one-half of the English
ships, and put the rest to flight, and then they sailed for North
America;! that the King sent with them twelve merchant

* Chambly or Chamhlec river is un-
doubtedly meant ; called also Richelieu,
and Sorcl, by the French. Further on
the same error is noted, where the author
speaks of Champlain fort. He did not
distinguish between Champlain and Cham-
hlec.

■f There appears to have been abso-
lutely nothing out of which this great
fabrication was made. It refers to the
mighty fleet under the Due D'Anville,
which was then in mid ocean, it having
left Brest on the 22d of June (1746),
but did not appear on the New England

coast until the beginning of September ;
and then in too shattered a condition to
be feared. His fleet of men of war and
transports amounted to about ninety-
seven sail ; fourteen were ships of war,
with three thousand five hundred troops.
His fleet was watched by the English,
and some of his ships taken. Capt. Leke
took one of sixty-four guns; Saumarez
one of sixty-four; Boscawen one of fifty,
and so forth. The other French squad-
ron referred to was probably that of M.
De Tourmell. Saumarez was with Anson
in his late voyage round the world.

Norton's Redeemed Captive. [ 1 746.

ships with stores of ammunition, clothing, wine, and brandy,
and a thousand soldiers to strengthen Canada ; that the men of
war were divided into two fleets, one of which did now block
up Louisbourg, and were fighting against it, and the other part
of the fleet was gone for Boston. He said their King was very
angry with New England for their taking Cape Breton ; and it
was probable he would bring them into subje<9:ion. He told me
also that they brought news that Edward Stuart, the Pretender's
youngest son, was in the North of England, and had a powerful
army ; and that great numbers of English resorted to him daily,*
and it was probable he would prevail to dethrone King George.
I told him that, as for this and the fight at sea, I had good
reason to think they were false, for I had news from England
since the Brest fleet had sailed out, and there was no account of
these things, but the contrary. He told me also that Prince
William, the Duke of Cumberland,! was killed in battle at
Culloden-Muir, and that he was the only person of the House
of Hanover which the English nation loved ; so that although
the King's army got the vidtory, yet it was a loss to his interest j
for the Duke being dead, the English nation would revolt from
the House of Hanover, being weary of it, and turn to the
House of Stuart. But I told him that the Duke of Cumber-
land was yet alive, and as he had been a scourge and terror to
the King's enemies, so we had reason to hope he would still be.
He grew warm in his debate, called the King [22] a usurper,
the nation in bringing of him in, Cromwell's fadlion, and many

* This, though guess-work, was much f William Augustus, brother of George

nearer the real state of the case than the II. He died sine prole, 1765. He put

other part of the story. They probably down the Pretender, but showed himself

had heard of the defeats of the King's quite as much of a barbarian as those

men at Falkirk Moor, Inverness, etc. whom he conquered.

1746.] Norton* s Redeemed Captive.

other things, upon which we had a considerable debate, until he
grew more mild and began to flatter ; and told me what an
amiable man the Pretender was, and what good times it would
be if he came to the throne of England ; giving free liberty of
conscience to all his subjedts ; and he did not doubt but that
they would return to the church of Rome, which was the true
church. Our children, he believed, would come to a good
union in religion.

We went on shore at the first house, about three miles above
the fort,* where they were called together, and said their
prayers ; and as soon as they had done, Mons. Dumuy read his
letter. Upon which they all shouted, crying, Vive le Roy :
q. d. Let the King live. Upon which several of the young
men came laughing to me, and by signs endeavored to inform
me what the news was. I concluded that these fine tales were
framed and sent to meet the army, in order to keep up the
courage of the common people and of the Indians, who seemed
to repent of their engaging in the war, and to grow very weary
of it. Though I found afterwards that the Brest fleet was
actually come over, with a design against New England.

From thence we traveled down to Champlain,t where the
gentlemen set up their tents, and we had great numbers to visit
us of both sexes. There I expelled we should have tarried
that night. But a little before the sun setting, M. Dumuy
came and ordered his canoe's company to embarlc, and go down
the river ; and told me I must go with them, and whatever I
stood in need of, his people would [23] give me : And indeed
I wanted nothing ; having good fresh provisions and plenty of
wine to drink ; but was something surprised at this sudden

* Chamblee, or perhaps more probable, f Chamblee. The author perhaps had
Fort St. John, no maps to refer to.

Norton's Redeemed Captive, [ 1 746.

remove, and could never know the reason of it, unless it was
this, viz, some of the French and Indians going out from
Crown Point, while I lay there, fell on a number of our men
near Saratago ; had killed some and taken some prisoners, and
were come to Champlain with one of them ; and they wanted
to get what news from him they could, and so chose to get me
out of the way, and some others, lest we might give him a cau-
tion ; and he really wanted a caution, for he told them that
which he had better have kept to himself, viz, the miserable
circumstances of Sarrtago fort.*

We sailed down the river about three miles, and lodged at
a poor man's house, who, according to his ability, was courteous
to me. I lodged with him in his own bed, which was the first
bed I had lodged in since my captivity ; and though it was a
hard bed, and destitute of linnen, yet it was very comfortable
to me.

Monday, 8. This morning there came an Englishman to
see me ; his name Littlefield. He was taken a lad from Pis-
cataqua, and so continued with the French and lived, having a
family at Champlain. f We had a considerable discourse
together. About eight o'clock we embarked ; some canoes
passing down the river on the opposite side. We sailed over
the river and met with Mons. Dumuy and took him in. We
sailed down the river about fifteen miles and dined with a priest.
The country on Champlain | river appeared very poor ; it being
cold sour land. It is inhabited on each side, but the buildings
are [24] generally but poor huts. This day Mons. Dumuy

* This affair is mentioned in the Par- were great sufferers in the earlier Indian

ticular History of the Five Years War, wars. See Penhalloiv, Indian Wars, pp.

page 127. 44, 47. 71-

■j- Persons of the name of Littlefield % Chamblee.

1749'] Norton* s Redeemed Captive.

tells me another piece of news, viz, * that one of their men of
war had taken an English man of war near Louisbourg, after
a whole day's engagement ; that the blood was midleg deep
upon the Englishmen's deck when he surrendered.' I told him
they fought courageously. He said, ' True, but they were
taken notwithstanding.' He said ' they had taken three hun-
dred and twenty men out of her, who were coming up to Que-
bec, where I should meet them.' This was nothing but the
Albany sloop, one of the men of war's tenders, which Governor
Knowles sent with a packet from Louisbourg for Boston.
There were but seventy men in her. She was taken by a
French man of war near Jebu<Sla. About two o'clock it began
to rain, and continued a cold rain all the rest of the day. We
sailed down the river between thirty and forty miles, and then
carried over our canoes and packs across the land to St. Law-
rence, which was about three miles -, and we came to it above
Lozel,* and there we lodged that night, in a French house.

Tuesday, 9. This morning being something lowery, we
did not set out very early. The wind was northeasterly and
pretty high. About nine o'clock we set sail up the river for
Mountreal. It was good sailing. We dined at a French
gentleman's house on the eastern shore. There was an Irish
dodtor came and dined with us — his name O'Sullivan. He
pretended a great deal of respe6t for me, and compassion
towards all the prisoners ; a great deal of friendship to the
English nation, and especially for the House of Hanover ; and
he inquired after the state of Scotland, and pretended to rejoice
that the Duke of [25] Cumberland had got such a victory over
the Pretender and the rebels. But I presently found he grew
weary in hearing the particulars ; and therefore to mortify him

* Sorrel is doubtless the place meant. The outlet of Lake Champlain.

Norton* s Redeemed Captive. [1746.

the more, I told him all that I could ; * then we set sail and
went within about five miles of Mount Real. The weather was
something tedious, and it rained in the afternoon.

Wednesday, lo. This morning it rained very hard till near
ten o'clock, about which time the general ^ A some others
passed by us, and we embarked diredtly upon it, and arrived at
Mount-Real about twelve o'clock.

Mons. Demuy took me to the Governors. He said but little
to me. He only told me, that for the time I tarried at Mount-
Real, I should keep at Mons. Demuy's, but that after a few
days he must send me with the rest of the prisoners, to Quebec.
I went with Mons. Demuy, and was courteously entertained
by him for the time I tarried at Mount-Real. In the afternoon
came an Englishwoman to visit me. She was, I judged, between
sixty and seventy years of age. She was taken when a child
from Merrimack-River. Her name Hannah Rie. She had
been married to a Frenchman, by whom she had four children,
three sons and one daughter. Her daughter was mariied and
had several children, and came to see me. I saw also one of
her sons. She had been a widow about fourteen years, but
was under very comfortable circumstances. There was another
Englishwoman came to see me, who was taken from the east-
ward, but I have forgot both her name and place where she
was taken from.

Friday [Thursday], ii. This day I tarried at Mons.
Demuy's, where the Major of the town visited me. He told
[26] me that he married an Englishwoman whose name was
Storer.f She was taken when a child by Indians, from Pisca-

* The author appears to have suspedted f Mention was often made of child-

Dr. O'SuUivan's sincerity with no good ren being carried off by the Indians,

reason, judging from anything which he without any family being named; as in

tells us. this case: "1710, This summer, four

1746.] Norton* s Redeemed Captive.

2>1>

taqua ; that one of his sons was down at the taking of us.
Mrs. St. La Germine, one of his wife's cousins, who was also
taken with her, came with the major, and was able to discourse
in the English tongue. She told me that the Rev. Mr. Storer*
of Watertown was her brother, and that she wanted to hear
from her friends ; but I was not acquainted with any of them.

Friday, 12. This day, about two o'clock in the afternoon,
we embarked in boats, and set sail for Quebec, and sailed down
the river about five leagues. There were all that were taken
with me but six men who were yet with the Indians, and John
Perry's wife, who was at the Three-Rivers. There were also
four Dutch with us, who were taken near Sarratago. We
lodged in a house upon the north-west side of the St. Law-
rence's river.

Saturday, 13. This day we had a fair wind, and sailed
down the river twenty-five leagues, when we arrived at the
Three Rivers. We went into an inn. The general and some
others of the gentlemen which went down with us, presently
went out to the Governors, leaving only their soldiers to guard
us. And after a little time the Governor sent for Sergeant
Hawks and me to come and sup with him. Accordingly we
went, and were courteously and sumptuously entertained by
him ; and while we sat at supper the gentlemen fell into dis-
course about the wars, and about the wounds they had received.
The general's wound was discoursed upon, and the Governor
desired Sergeant Hawks to show his scars, which he did. The

children are taken at Exeter while at play." Discourses, 12. He died Nov. 27, 1774,

Belknap (Farmer's editionj, 178. x. 72. ^. B. Fuller's Record. He was

* The Rev. Seth Storer was ordained born in Saco, the son of Col. Joseph

at W., 22 July, 1724. Francis, jS. The Stlortr. Allen. Benjamin Storer was killed

author speaks of notes in Mr. Storer's old at Wells, April 12, 1677. Hubbard.

Almanacs, which he had seen. Three Indian Wars, II, 230.

Norton's Redeemed Captive. \ 1 746.

Govcr[27]nor then informed us of a fight he had been in at
sea in former wars, in which he received fifteen wounds, and
he shewed us several scars. This I thought was a very
remarkable thing, that he should receive so many wounds, and
yet have his life spared. This night John Perry's wife was
also brought to us, and added to our number.

Lord's day, 14. We set sail, but received little help from
the wind. The soldiers were obliged to row the greatest part
of the day ; but at night, the tide favoring of us, we sailed till
two or three o'clock in the morning. We sailed in the day
and night twenty-three leagues. Then we went on shore the
north-west side of the river, and lodged at a house in a small
village.

Monday, 15. This day we sailed seven leagues and came
to Quebec. We were landed at the east point of the town,
where St. Lawrence meets with Loretto,* and were conducted
up by a number of soldiers through the lower town to the
Governor General's,! where I was taken into his private room,
and he desired me to tell him what news we had in New Eng-
land. I told him of considerable news we had from Europe
concerning the Duke of Cumberland's vi»ftory over the rebels.
He seemed to have a great mind to persuade me that the Duke
was killed, but I told him he was alive and well. I told him
of several other pieces of news, but none very good for the
French. He told me he had hca, d that we designed an expe-
dition against Canada. He .^skci what there was in it. I told

* A small village of Christian Indians, converts here, resembling that in the
three leagues north-east of Quebec. It famous Italian sandluary. These con-
has its name from a chapel built accord- verts are Hurons. Morse.
ing to the model of the Santa Casa at f Roland Michel Barrin, Count de la
Loretto in Italy ; from which an image Galissoniere was at this time Governor of
of the Holy Virgin has been sent to the New France.

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f » • « /

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f/'c ^A ,r/..//k/^

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r«

. t.yxx~

^L-AjtA^*^'r /f ^'

tfl/Ti^e t^i^l^^-lX***^

UyJt_ f^ ^

d^:

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f)l

I74^^vl Norton's Redeemed Captive.

him that I lived at a great distance from Boston, and could say
but little about it. I had heard that his Majesty had sent over
to some of the governors in America, that he had thoughts of
an ex[28]pedition atiainst Canada, and would have them in
readiness to assist him, in case he should send a fleet over. He
inquired what it was that had put it by. Something, he said,
was the matter. I told him I could not tell ; so he seemed to
be pretty easy.

After this I was conducted to the Lord Intendants, who
inquired also after news, both of me and Sergeant Hawks ;
after which he gave us a glass of wine ; then we were con-
duced to the prisoner's house, which is a guard-house standing
by a battery towards the south-west end of the town, about
one hundred and fifty feet in length, and twenty in width, and
two stories high ; and we made to the number of one hundred
and five prisoners. Here we had the free liberty of the exer-
cise of our religion together, which was matter of comfort to
us in our afflidlion. Sergeant Hawks and myself were put into
the Captain's room, where we found three English masters of
vessels, viz, Mr, William Chapman of Maryland, Mr. James
Southerland * of Cape Cod, and Capt. William Potef of Casco
Bay, who had all been prisoners near sixteen months.

Tuesday, i6. This day there came some gentlemen to
see me, among whom was Mr. Joseph Portois, who under-
stands the English tongue, and Mr. Pais, who, Mr. Portois told
me, was his kinsman, and that he was a protestant, and came

* The name of Southerland or Suther-
land is of rare occurrence in New Eng-
land records. It occurs but twice in the
twenty-three volumes of the New Eng.
Hist, and Gen. Register, and then with
no reference to a Cape Cod residence.

j- He belonged to Portland ; went there
from Marblehead ; had seven sons ; built
the two story house near Woodford's
Corner on the old road from Portland.
See Willis, Portland, 637, where other
interesting particulars may be found.

Norton's Redeemed Captive. [ 1 746.

on purpose to see me, and to shew me a kindness. He gave
me twenty-four livres in cash. From this time to the 23d,
there was nothing remarkable happened, only this : — that the
Jesuits and some unknown gentlemen, understanding I was
short on it for clothing, sent me several shirts, a good winter
coat, some caps, a pair of stockings, and a few handkerchiefs,
which were very acceptable.

[29] Tuesday, 23. Capt. William Pote was taken ill with
the fever and flux. Jacob Reed was also taken with the same.
This day came into prison two of our men who had been with
the Indians, viz, David Warren, and Phinehas Forbush, who
informed that John Aldrich was in the hospital at Mount-Real.
They informed us, also, concerning some other prisoners who
were taken from New England, and with the Indians.

Wednesday, 24. There came unto prison forty-three new
prisoners, who were taken at sea by a couple of French men of
war. Among whom was Mr. William Lambert, master of the
Billinder,* one of the men of war's tenders, who was taken
near Jebudla, as she was going from Louisbourg to Boston, and
Zephaniah Pinkham, master of a whaling sloop from Nan-
tucket ; and John Phillips, master of a fishing schooner from
Marblehead.

Thursday and Friday, 25, 26. There came in about seventy-
four prisoners, all taken at sea by the aforesaid men of war ;
among whom were several masters of vessels. This day f
thv e also came in Jacob Shepherd, who was taken with me,
and had been with the Indians, and one widow Briant, taken
the spring before, near Casco Bay. There was nothing further

* Properly Bylander. A coasting ves-
sel, so named as expressive of its along-
shore use. I do not know why it is not
in the didionaries.

f 0£lober i, Jacob Shepard, of West-
borough, taken at Hoosuck, was brought
to prison. Odober 3, Jonathan Bather-
ick was brought to prison. How, 19.

1 746'] Norton s Redeemed Captive.

remarkable in this month ; so that we were by this time
increased to the number of two hundred and twenty-six.

Lord's day, October 5. There came in seventeen prison-
ers, viz, three of our men. Nathaniel Hitchcock, Stephen Scot,
and John Aldrich \ two taken by Indians at the Eastward, viz,
Richard Stubs,* and Pike Gordon ; and twelve from the Bay
Verde.

Lord's day, 12. There came twenty-four men taken at
sea by the Lazora and Le Castore men of war.

[30] Wednesday, 22. I sent a petition to his lordship the
General of Canada or New France, to permit me to go home
to New England, upon a parole of honor, setting me a suitable
time, and I would return again to him ; but I could not prevail.

Thursday, 23. Edward Cloutman and Robert Dunbar,
two prisoners, broke prison and made their escape. But it was
found out the next morning, and we were upon it threatened to
be confined to our rooms, but this threatening was never
executed ; the only consequent in respedt to us was to have a
stricter guard kept about us ; but they sent out a number of
men in pursuit after them.f

Friday, 31. Mr. Phillips and Mr. Pinkham, with about a
dozen of their men, went out from us in order to retui ii home ;
but they went by the way of the West Indies.^

Here I shall speak of the sickness that prevailed among
the prisoners. It had generally been very healthy in the prison
before this fall ; for though there had been some prisoners there
sixteen months, and about fifty nine months, yet there had but

* Taken at New Casco. Ibidem, and brought ten scalps to Montreal.

Oft. 19. Six seamen are brought to pri- Hoiu^ 19.

son. Oft. 20. Jacob Read died. Ibidem. \ They may have been exchanged.

•)■ Oft. 27. A man was brought to pri- The author seems not to ha ve known on

son, and says the Indians took five more, what terms they went away.

Norton's Redeemed Captive. [ 1 746.

two died ; the first, Lawrence Platter.* He was taken at
Sarratago, Nov. 17, 1745, and died the winter following.

JohneSjf taken at Contoocook in the summer, 1 746, and

died in August following.

But our people who were taken at sea by the two French
men of war, viz, the Lazora and Le Castore, found a very mortal
epidemical fever raged among the French on board their ships,
of which many of them died. The prisoners took the infec-
tion, and a greater part of them were sick while they lay [31]
in Jebu6la| harbor, yet but one or two of them died of it.
And when they set out from thence for Menis, some of them
were sick, and some they left sick at Menis when they set out
for Canada. Some of them were taken with the distemper
upon their passage to Canada, and so brought the infection into
the prison \ and the fever being epidemical, soon spread itself
into the prisons to our great distress.

Those who brought it into the prison mostly recovered,
and so there were many others that had it and recovered ; but
the recovery of some was but for a time, — many of them
relapsed and died. It put me in mind of that text, Jude, ver.
5, ' I •will therefore put you in remembrance^ tho' ye once kneiv this,
how that the Lord having saved the people out of the Land of Egypt,
afterwards destroyed them that believe not.'' Not that I have any
reason to think ill of those upon whom the sickness fell, and
who died with it. Many of them, I hope, were truly pious
and godly persons. I thought we might very properly take up
the Lamentation of Jeremiah, Lam. i, 18. ' The Lord is

* Plaffer is probably the name in- J Chebudlto, a bay and harbor on the
tended. See Particular History, 86, 87, S. S. E. coast of Nova Scotia. Near its
where will be found an account of the h^ad, on the west side, is Halifax, set-
depredation in which he was taken. tied by the English in 1749. See Morse,

I Thomas Jones. See Ibidem, ^^. Gazetteer, ed. 1797, art. Chebucto.

1746.] Norton's Redeemed Captive.

righteous,^ for I have rebelled against his commandment. Hear I
pray for you^ all people y and behold my sorrow. My virgins and
my young men are gone into captivity.^ Ver. 20. ' Abroad the
sword devour ethy at home there is death. ^

Monday, 20. Jacob Reed died. He was taken at Gor-
ham-Town, near Casco Bay, April 19, 1746.*

November i. This day died John Reed, son to Jacob
Reed, deceased. He had been a soldier in Annapolis, and was
taken near the fort by some Indians, May 9, 1745.

Nov. 10. Died one Davis,t a soldier belonging [32]

to the King's forces at Louisbourg. He was taken on the
island of St. John's, July loth, 1746.

Nov. 13. Died John Bingham. He belonged to Phila-
delphia, and was taken at sea. May 22, 1745.

Nov. 17, died Nathan Eames.| He belonged to Marl-
borough in the province of the Massachusetts Bay, was taken
with me at Fort Massachusetts, August 20, 1746.

Nov. 18. Died at night, Andrew Sconce. He was taken
near Albany, August 17th, 1747.

Nov. 20. Died John Grote of Shenedlada. He was taken
April 27th, i746.§

About this time II there came into prison two men who
were taken at Sheepscot in the eastward. Theii names Robert
Adams and John McNeer. They were taken October 20th.

* See Particular History, etc., page

9°-

•)• John Davis, and he died Nov. 9.

Hoio, 19.

I He was doubtless a descendant of

Thomas Eames of Sudbury, who was so

great a sr*i'erer in Philip's war. Barry

(in his Framingham) has no Nathan, but

a Nathaniel, who died, he says, Jan. ist,
1746.

I On the same day, Mr. Norton mar-
ried the two captives, Leonard Lydle and
Mrs. Sarah Briant. His reason for not
mentioning it in his narrative may be
conjedured.

II November igth. Hoiv, 19.

i i

Norton* s Redeemed Captive. [ 1 746.

They informed that one of their neighbors, named Anderson,
was then killed.*

The sickness increasing and spreading itself so greatly, we
sent a very humble petition to his Lordship, the Governor
General, intreating that the sick might be removed out of the
hospital, least the whole prison should be infedled ; but he
refused to send our people to the hospital, for they told us that
their hospital was full of their own sick ; yet he did not wholly
negledt our petition, but ordered that one of the most conveni-
ent rooms in the prison should be assigned for the sick, where
they should all be carried, and have their attendance, and this
was dired:ly done, and the sick were all brought in.f

Nov. 24. Died John Bradshaw. He belonged to Capt.
Donahew. He was taken when Capt. Donahew was killed at
Canso, June 29th, 1745. He was wounded when taken, but
recovered of his wounds ; soon fell into a consumptive way,
and died of it.

[33] Nov. 28. Died Jonathan Dunham. He was taken
with Capt. Pote near Annapolis, May 17th, 1745. He died
after eight or ten days sickness.

Nov. 29. Died William Bagley.| He was master of a
vessel taken at sea. May 29th, 1746.

December i. Died Gratis Vanderveriske, after a tedious
sickness of six or seven weeks. He belonged to Sarratago,
was taken by the enemy, November 17th, 1745.

Dec. 6. Died Pike Gordon. He was taken from Bidde-
ford, September 5th, 1 746 ; was sick eleven days, and all the
time deprived of his reason.

* Nov. 22. The abovesaid Anderson's J Hoiv has this under the same date :
uncle was brought to prison. Hoiv^ 19. "Capt. Bailey of Almsbury died." Bag-
•}■ Jonathan Dunham died. Hoiv, 20. ley is probably the right name.

1746.] Norton* s Redeemed Captive. 41

Dec. 7. Died Martha Quaquinbush, a girl taken at Sar-
ratago, Nov. 17th, 1745. She had a long and tedious sickness;
what it was is uncertain.*

Dec. II. Died Mirriam the wife of Moses Scott. She
was taken with me at Fort Massachusetts. She got a cold in
her journey, which proved fatal, her circumstances being
peculiar. She was never well after our arrival at Canada, but
wasted away to a mere skeleton, and lost the use of her limbs.

Dec. 15. Died John Boon. He was taken at sea. May
ist,t 1746. He died of a consumption; belonged to Devon-
shire in England.

Dec. 18. Died Mary Woodwell, wife to David Wood-
well,! of New Hopkinton on Merrimack river. She lay in a
burning fever about a fortnight. She was taken captive, April
27th, 1746.

Dec. 23. Died Rebecca the wife of John Perry. She
was taken with me at Fort Massachusetts, August 20th, 1746.
Her illness was different from all the rest. She had little or no
fever ; had a cold, and was exercised with wrecking pains until
she died.

Dec. 24. I was taken with the distemper ; was seized
with a very grievous pain in the head and back [34J and a
fever ; but I let blood in the morning, and took a good potion
of physic, and in a few days another ; so that I soon recovered
again.

Dec. 26. Died Wm. Daily of New York. He belonged
to Capt. Rouse's ship, and was taken upon St. John's Island,
July loth, 1746. He had a very long and tedious sickness ;

* She was ten years of age. Hoiv. J See Particular History^ etc., p. 92,

■)■ One of Capt. Robertson's lieutenants where will be found some particulars of
died. How. her singular vicisitudes of fortune.

Norton's Redeemed Captive. [ 1 746-7.

several times he seemed to be in a way to recover ; but took
relapses, till he was worn out. He swelled in his neck and
side of his face, and mortified.

January 2, 1746-7. Died Thomas Atkinson of Lancashire
in England; was taken at sea, May, 1745; his sickness very
tedious about eight or nine days before his death.

Jan. 3. Died Jonathan Hogadorn. He belonged to the
county of Albany, and was taken on a scout near Fort Ann,
Nov. 1 6th, 1745 ; had a long and tedious sickness of more
than two months continuance.*

"The vi :kr' thus increasing, there were many taken sick,
which J do n't pretend to mention. The sickness also got into
the prison-keeyr's ^ ! "ly. He lost a daughter by it, the 4th
instant. Upon this the Governor ordered a house to be pro-
vided for the sick, where they were all carried the 1 2th instant,
about twenty in number, with three men to attend them ; and
after this, when any were taken sick, they were carried out to
this house.

Jan. 12. Died at night, Francis f Andrews, of Cape Ann.
He was taken at sea, June 24, 1746, and died of the bloody
flux, after a tedious spell of it.

Jan. 15. Died at night, Jacob Bagley,| of Newbury,
after about two days sickness. He was taken at sea, May
26th, 1746.

Jan. 27. Died Guyart Brabbon,§ of Maryland, after ten
weeks sickness; taken at sea. May 22d, 1745.

* Jan. 4. The Rev. Mr. Norton was
so far recovered from sickness that he
preached two discourses from Psal. 60, 1 1.

\ Hoiv, p. 20, gives the name PAineas
Andrews.

J How, ibidem, gives the fadl thus :
Jacob Baley, brother of Capt. Bailey
aforesaid, died.

I Giat Braban, Capt. Chapman's car-
penter. Ibidem.

I749"7'] Nortoris Redeemed Captive. 43

[35] Jan. 23. Died Samuel Lovet, after near a month's
sickness. He was taken with me.*

Feb. II. Died in the morning, Moses Scot, son to Moses
Scot. He was a child of about two years old, and died with
the consumption. In the afternoon died Wm. Galbaoth,t a
Scots-man. He was taken at sea, April 4th, 1 746 ; was sick
about a month before he died.

About this time I had another turn of illness. I had a
grievous pain in my head and back. The dodor blooded me,
and advised me to go to the hospital ; for, he said, I was going
to have the distemper, but, by careful living, I soon recovered,
and escaped the distemper.

Feb. 23. Died Richard Bennet. He belonged to Capt.
Rouse's ship, and was taken at the island St. Jon's, July loth,
1746. He belonged to the Jerseys, and had a long and tedious
sickness.

Feb. 24. Died Michael Dogan, an Irishman. He listed
at Philadelphia, a soldier for Louisbourg, and was taken in his
passage by a French man of war. He had been sick, and
recovered, but took a relapse the 20th instant.

March, 1747. The fore part of this month our people
were generally better in health than they had been, and we
were in hopes the distemper would abate ; yet there was a
number sick.

March ^. We had news from Nova Scotia, that the
French, under the command of Mons. Ramsey, had fallen

* He was son of Major Lovet of Men- treal to Quebec, viz., John Sunderland,

don. How, 20. John Smith, Richard Smith, William

f Printed Garivafs in Hoiv, p. 20. Scot, Philip Scofil, and Benj. Tainter,

Feb. 15. My nephew, Daniel How, and son to Lieut. Tainter of Westborough.

six more were brought down from Mon- How, 20-1.

Norton's Redeemed Captive. [i747-

upon an English army at Minis, had killed one hundred and
thirty-three, and had taken four hundred prisoners ; but the
truth I suppose was, that they had killed about seventy, and
taken about as many more.

March i8. Died Thomas Magra, an Irishman. He was
taken in the Billinder. His sickness was very short.

[36] March 21. Died John Fort, servant, a Dutchman.
He was taken on a scout near Fort Ann, November i6th,
1745. He died of a consumption. The same day died Samuel
Goodman of South Hadley. He was taken with me at Fort
Massachusetts, and died of the scurvy.

March 29. Died Mary, the wife of John Smeed, after a
tedious sickness of about eight weeks ; was taken with me.

April 7. Died John Smeed, Jun. He was taken with me
at Fort Massachusetts. He was seized with the distemper in
October last, and was bi i for a time, and then recovered in
some good measure, and after a little time relapsed, and as he
did several times, till at last he fell into a consumption, of
which he died.

April 8. Died Philip Scaffield. He belonged to Pennsyl-
vania sol4iers, was taken near Albany, Odlober, 1746. His
sickness was short, but his fever very violent.

April 10. Died John Jordan, master of a vessel taken at
sea, June ist, 1746. He came sick into prison, but seemed to
recover ; and so had frequent relapses till he died. He belonged
to the Bay government.

The same day died Antonio, a Portuguese. He was taken
in the English service, and so always kept confined. His sick-
ness was short.

April 12. Died Amos Pratt. He was taken with me.
He had a hard turn of the Fever in November and December,

1 747-] Norton's Redeemed Captive.

but recovered ; was taken again the latter end of March, and
so continued till he died.

April 13. Died Timothy Cummings. He was taken near
♦/^"George's fort, where he belonged. May 22d, 1746. His sick-
ness was short but very tedious.

April 16. Died John Dill. He belonged to Nantaskett;
was mate of a sloop, and taken at sea, near Jebu<Sta, May 29th,
1746. His sickness was upon him about ten days before his
death.

[37] April 17. Died Samuel Evans of Newbury. He
was taken at sea with Capt. William Bagley. He had a fort-
night's sickness.

April 18. Died Samuel Vaughn,* one of Capt. Rouse's
men, taken at St. John's, July loth, 1746. He belonged to
Plymouth in New England. He was sick about eight days
before his death.

April 27. Died Joseph Denning of Cape Ann, master of
a fishing schooner, taken at sea, June 24th, 1746. He was
exercised with purging the greatest part of the winter, and was
worn out with it and died.

April 30. Died Susanna Mc Cartees, infant child.

The 28th of this instant, when the prisoners were all con-
fined in their rooms, but one or two in the lower room cook-
ing the pot, the prison house took fire. It began on the ridge.
We supposed that it catched by sparks lighting upon it. It
being very dry, and something windy, it soon spread upon the
house, and we could not come at it, having no ladder, to quench
it. There were no lives lost, but many lost their bedding and
clothing.

We were condu6ted by a strong guard to the governor's

* Printed in Hoiv\ Narrative^ page 21, Venhon.

Norton's Redeemed Captive. [ 1 747.

Hi'

yard, where we were kept till near night, when we were con-
ducted to the back of the town to the old wall, in a bow of
which they had set up some plank tents something like sheep's
pens. We had boards flung down to lay our beds upon, but the
tents generally leaked so much in wet weather, that none of us
could lie dry, and had much wet weather this month.

The gentlemen of our room sent in a petition the beginning
of May, that they might be removed to some more convenient
place. Upon which we had a house built for us in the prison-
er's yard, about twenty feet square, into which we were removed
the 23d instant. This was something more comfortable than
the tents. 1 1 this yard we were confined, having the wall
behind it and at each end, and the fort side picketed in, and a
guard of about twenty men to keep us in both by day and night.

N. B. 1 should have observed that several prisoners were
brought into prison before this; as Feb. 15th, there came in
seven men from Mount-Real, taken the summer before. [38]
In March there came into prison a Dutchman from Schanec-
tada, and a woman from Saratago.

April 26th, there came into prison, three persons taken some
time before at Saratago, and Jonathan Williamson, taken at
Wiscassett, at the eastward, April 13th, 1747.*

* Probably an error, and should be
1746, unless this was the second time
Williamson was a captive. His place was
at Broad Bay, and Smith says — jfour-
nalf^z — news came to Falmouth, May
z I ( 1746) that " the Indians had burnt all
the houses at Broad Bay." Sullivan says,
page 168, that he returned out of cap-
tivity the next year (1748). Williamson
lived at Broad Bay, and was doubtless
taken when the place was destroyed. If
he were taken on the 1 3th of April, and

delivered at Quebec on the 26th follow-
ing, it was rather a short time (thirteen
days) in which to take him through the
wilderness, judging from what is stated
respecting the tedious journeyings of
Indian captives of that time. Nehemiah
How also records the arrival of William-
son, and How died May 25th following ;
hence this reduces the journey to twelve
days, if Williamson was taken in 1747.
Circumstances seem to authorize the cor-
rection we have made.

1 747-] Norton's Redeemed Captive.

May 9. Died Sarah, the reliit of Wm. Bryant. She was
taken at vJorham Town, near Casco Bay, April 19th, 1746.
Her husband and four of her children were then killed ; one
escaping. She was taken sick the ist of May.

May 13. Died Daniel Smeed, a young man. He was
taken with me, and was sor to John Smeed. He was first
taken sick in November, and by frequent relapses was worn
out, and fell into a purging, by which he wasted away and died.

May 14. Came into prison John Larmon, taken at Dama-
scota, in the eastward, by eleven Indians, April 27th, 1747, and
informed that his wife and daughter were killed by them.

May 15. Died in the morning Christian Tedder,* of
Schenedlada, taken May 7th, 1746. He was taken sick about
the beginning of this month.

The same day died Mr. Hezekiah Huntington, son to Col.
Huntington of Norwich in Connefticut. He was taken at sea,
June 28th, 1746. He was well beloved and much lamented by
all sober religious persons. f

This day also died Joseph Gray of Maryland. He was
taken by sea, May 22d, 1745. A likely young man. Thus
we had three likely young men taken from us in one day.

May 17. Died Captivity Smeed, an infant about nine months
old, daughter to John Smeed.

May 18. Died Samuel Martin of Lebanon in Connecti-
cut ; a likely young man, taken at sea. His sickness short.

This day there came into Quebec, a schooner and sloop
from Martineco. In their passage they took a sk 1 bound
from Philadelphia to Antigua, and brought in four of her men.
This day came up three prisoners from Bay Verde, viz., George

* Hoiu has the name Fether.

■(• See Particular Historyy p. 97.

Norton's Redeemed Captive, [ 1 747.

Schavolani, Zechariah Hubbard, and a Negro, and three from
the frontiers of New England.

May 19. Died Samuel Burbank, of New Hopkinton, an
old man, taken April 22d, 1746.* The same day died Abra-
ham Fort, son to John Fort, deceased, taken near Fort Ann,
November i6th, 1745.

[39] ^^y 20. I was taken ill with a grievous pain in my
head, and a sore eye, that I was almost blind with it. The
2 1 St I yielded to be sick. Capt. Roberts and Capt. Williams
were also both of them very sick, being taken a few days before
me. This day I was blooded, having something of the fever.
The 23d I was blooded again ; the dodlor also gave me a bottle
of eye-water, and advised me not to be concerned about the
fever. I was sensible they did not apprehend how ill I was. I
intreated of him to give me a potion of physic, which he did,
the 25th, and it worked very well. In the night I fell into ?
sweat, and was in hopes it would go off, but I was sadly dis
appointed, for I grew worse the next day. My reason departed
from me, and returned not, until the 14th of June. Part of
this time I was given over by every one that saw me. I had
the nervous fever, and was very much convulsed. I was ex-
ceeding low and weak when I first came to myself, but I
recovered strength as soon as could be expected ; for, by the
24th of June, I got out, and went into the chamber.

May 21. Died Robert Williams. He belonged to Eng-
land, and was taken at sea.

May 22. Died Nathaniel Hitchcock of Brimfield. He
was taken with me.

* See Particular History , page 92, died two children, who were put out to the

where the circumstances of the attack on French to nurse." How, 22. May 19, he

Hopkinton are detailed, " At the same mentions receiving a letter from Major

time [the death ofMr. Burbank happened] Willard, which is his last entry.

1747'] Norton s Redeemed Captive, 49

May 25. Died Mr. Nehemiah How, of No. 2, aged
about fifty-six J taken at Great Meadow, October nth, 1745.*

May 26. Died Jacob Quaquinbush, and Isaac his son,
both taken at Sarathtoga, November 17th, 1745.

May 30. Died Jacob Shepherd, a pious young man, well
beloved and much lamented. He was taken with me.

June 3. Died Robert David Roberts of Dartmouth, in
England, master of a snow, taken at sea. May ist, 1746.

June 10. Died John Pitman of Marblehead, of the scurvy,
taken at sea, May 27th, 1747.

June 12. Died Abraham De Grave of Sechane(5tada, taken
0<St., 1746.

June 17. Died Samuel Stacy, taken at Menis, Feb., 1746, 7.

June 20. Died William Nason of Casco Bay, taken at
Menis, February, 1746, 7.

June 30. Died Matthew Loring, taken at sea. May 29th,
1746.

[40] This month there came into prison several prisoners;
first, there were three prisoners brought from Mont Real, two
of which were taken at Sarratoga, Feb. 22d, 1746, and one
from Canterhook, April loth, 1747. One man killed; at the
same time a woman and child captivated with him.

June 5. Came in two men taken at Pemaquid. There
were twelve men killed when they were taken.

June II. We had an account from the French, that they
had taken a number of Indians and Dutch, who had first done
some mischief in Canada. There was about fifty in the whole
scout, and they had taken about ten or twelve of them in this

* An account of his captivity was pub- Colleiiion of Indian Capti'vities, 1839. See,
lished in 1748, and republished in Drake's also, Particular History, 85.

Norton's Redeemed Captive, [ 1 747.

Wr'-i^

month. There came also thirty-six prisoners from Nova Scotia,
most of which were taken at Menis, February, 1746, 7.

July 2. Died Archibald Gartrage, a child, and son to
Charles Gartrage, aged nine months.

July 4. Died William Prindle, a Louisbourg soldier, a New
England man originally, taken at St. John's, July loth, 1746.

July II. Died Corporal William Norwood. He belonged
to his Majesty's troops which came from Gibraltar to Louis-
bourg, taken at St. John's, July loth, 1746.

July 16. Died James Doyl. He was taken at sea. May
29th, 1746.

The same day died Phinehas Forbush, of Westboro', taken
at Fort Massachusetts with me. He was a very likely man.

July 21. Died Jonathan Brigman, of Sunderland. He was
taken with me at Fort Massachusetts.

July 25. We came on board the ship Verd Le Grace,*
which the governor of Canada sent with a flag of truce to
Boston. The 27th we set sail for New England, at ten in the
morning. August ist we came in sight of Cape Breton Island.

August II. Died on board our flag of truce, Nicholas
Burt. He belonged to the West of England, and was taken at
sea. May ist, 1746. Died in captivity, in all, seventy-three.

August 16. We arrived at Boston. The sick and infirm
were taken to the hospital. Col. Winslowf sent to me and

* The ship Vierge-de-Grace [Hand-
some Virgin], Captain Larregni. See
N. r. Col. Docs., X, 118.

f Probably John Winslow,of the fourth
generation from Governor Winslow of
the Mayflower. He was in the calami-
tous Cuba expedition of 1740; in the
Nova Scotia e:;^eaition of 1755^ and
general and commander-in-chief at Fort

William, 1756; councillor of the Pro-
vince, etc., etc. ; died in Hingham, 1774,
aged seventy-two. In the Neivs-Letier
of 5 June, 1760, is this notice: "In
Capt. Watts came passenger General
Winslow, who was welcomed ashore and
congratulated by a great number of peo-
ple, upon his return to his rfStive coun-
try."

1747.] Norton's Redeemed Captive. 51

desired me to come and tarry with him while I continued in
Boston. I thankfully accepted it, and was courteously enter-
tained. This was a day of great joy and gladness to me.
May I never forget the many great and repeated mercies of
God towards me.

FINIS.