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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 1^ *sr'' ,4' •♦.t .: ♦■■- V i-'' t ."« j?^ ^* .' "/: :g»' T" ^ NARRATIVE OF THE m CAPTIVITY AND SUFFERINGS O F BENJAMIN GILBERT A Jf D HIS M Y; Who were surprised by the INDIANS, and TA«LEN FROM THEIR FaRMS, OK THE FRON- TIERS OF PfiNNSifLVANIA. In the spring, 1780. PHILADELPHIA, frin LONDON: ted: Reprinted »nd Sold hy ] a m k s P h 1 1,! , „, George- A ai u, A^moaia-otreet, M.p^C.LXXXV. \^' S^Pfpr * t ^ .^v^-. Q.-€Z 5. John H ufton, jun. j" Cay ugas 6. John Fox, of the Delaware nation. The other 5 were Senecas. At this place they made captives of the following perfons i 1. Benjannin Gilbert, aged about 2. Elizuoeth, his wife, 3. Jofeph Gilbert, his fon, 4. JcfTe Gilbert, another fon, 5. Sarah Gilbert, wife to Jeflfe, 6. Rebecca Gilbert, a daughter, 7. Abner Gilbert, a fon, 8. Elizabeth Gilbert, a daughter, 9. Thomas Peart, fon to Benjamin 7 Gilbert's wife, . ^23 10. Benjamin Gilbert, a fon of/ John Gilbert, of Philadelphia, . J;^^/ A 4 II. Andrew 69year8 55 41 19 16 14 12 '^i ■"WP^ ■«IVP««> J I ( 8 ) ir. Andrew Harrigar, of Ger- Tf man defcent, hired by Benjamin f26year» Gilbert, 3 12. Abigal Dodfon, (daughter! of Samuel Dodfon, who lived on a I farm near one mile diftancc from f 14 the mill) who came that morning J with grift, They then proceeded to Benjamin Peat's dwelling, about half a mile further, and brought himfclf and family, viz. 13. Benjamin Peart, fon to Benja- , min Gilbert's wife, ]^7 14. Elizabeth Peart, his wife,, ao 15. Their child, about nine months old. The prifoners were bound with cords,. which the Indiana brought with them, and in this melancholy condition left under a guard for the fpace of half an hour j during which time, the reft of the captors employed: themfelves in plundering the houfe, and packing up fuch goods as they chofe to carry off, until they had got together a fuf- ficient loading for three horfes, which they took, befides compelling the diftrefied pri- foners to carry part of their plunder. When they had finifhed plunderi-ng, ihcy began their retreats two of their number being de- tached to fire the buildings, which they did without any exception of thofe belonging to the unhappy fuffcrers ; thereby aggravating their diftreftes, as they .could obferve the flamesjf I ( 9 y flames, and the falling in of the roofs, fronv an adjoining eminence called Summer Hillv They cad a mournful look towards their dwellings, but were not permitted to ftop; until they had reached the further fide of the- hill, where the party fat down to make a fliort repart; but grief prevented the prifon- ers from fharing with them. The Indians fpeedily put forwards from thi» place; as they apprehended they were not fo far removed from the fettlements> as to be fecure frompurfuit. Not much further was a large hill, called Mochunk, whioi* they fixed upon for a^ place of rendezvous: here they halted near an hour, and. prepared fhoes or fandab, which they call mockafons,. forfome of the children: confidering themfelves ia lome degree relieved from danger, their fears abated, lo that they could enjoy their meal at leilure, which they ate very heartily. At their removal from this hill, they told the prifon- ers that Colonel Butler was no great diftance fromthem, in the woods, and that they were: going to hiim Near the foot of the hill flows a^ ftream of water, called- Mochunk Creek, which was crolTed, and the fecond mountain palfedi the fteep and diflicult afcent of which appeared very great to the much enfeebled and affrigh?^ ed captives: they were permitted tareft them- lelvesfor fomc minutes, and then prefTed oiv •^ 5 wards < : i:l 1 1 1! 5 ^nrcJs to the broad mountain, at the loot of which runs N^fcaconnah Creek. Doubly diftrefTcd by a recollection of paft' bappinefs, and adrcad of .»ic miferics they had now to undergo, they began the afcent of this mountain with great anguilh both of body and nfiind. Benjamin Gilbert's wife, difpirited iwrth the increaiing difficulties^didnotexpedl ihc was able to pafs this mountain on foot, bu-t being threatened with death by the In- dians if flic did not i^erform it, with many a heavy ^ep flie at length fucceeded. The broad mountain is faid to be feven miles over in this place, and about ten miles diflant from Benjamin Gilbert's fettlement. Here they halted an hour,, and then ftriick into the Nelkapeck Path) the unevennefs and rugged- ncfs of which rendered it exceedingly toil- fome, and obliged them to move forwards (lowly. Quackac Creek runs acrofs the Nefkapeck l^ath> which leads over Pifmire Hill. At this laft place they (lopped to refrefli themfelves, and then purfued their march along the fame path, through Moravian Pine Swamp, to Mahoniah Mountain,, where they lodged, being the fkft night of their cap- It may furnifli information to fome, to mention the method the Indians generally ufe to fecure their prifoners: they cut down a fapling as large as a man's thigh, and there- ic loot^ of n of pad' they had nt of this of body difpiritcd lOtexpedl on foot > y the In- h tnany a ^he broad :s over in tant from lerc they into the 1 rugged- ngly toil- forwards crofs the r Pifoiire to refreih ;ir march kvlan Pine ^here they their cap- fome, to generally cut down and there- ( ir 1 r I in cat notches, in which they fix their Icg^, i and over this they place a pole, ccoG^ng the I pole on each fide with flakes drove in the ground, and in the crotches of the flakes they place other poles or riders, cfFedlually con- fining the prifoners on their backs; befidcs which, they put a ilrap round their necks, which they faflcn to a tree: in this manner the night pafTcd. Their beds were hemlock branches flrewcd on the grourd, anc^ blankets rbr a covering, which was an indulgence fcarccly to have been expected fronr* favagcs: it may reafonably be cxpedled, that in this melancholy fituation, deep was a ftranger to their eye-lids. Benjamin Peart having far ted in the even- ing, occafioncd by the fufFerings he endured, was threatened to be tomahawked by Rowland Montcur. 26th. Early this morning they continued their route near the waters of Teropin Ponds. The Indians thought it mofl eligible tofcpa* rate the prifoners in companies of two by two, each company under the command of a par- ticulaiTndian, fpreading them to a confidcr- able diftance, in order to render a purfuit as impradicable as poHible. The old people, overcome with fatigue, could not make as much expedition as their fevere tafk-mafters thought proper, but failed in their journey, Iand were therefore threatened with death by A 6 ilic rl 'I N c " ; the Indian under whofe direflion they were- placed: thus circumftanced, they refigned themfelvcs to their unhappy lot with as much fortitude as poflTble. Toward? even- ing the parties again nnet and encamped, hav- ing killed a deer, they kindled a fire, each one roafting pieces of the flefh upon fharp- cned fwitches. The confinement of the cap- tives was the fame with the firft night; but, as they were by this time more refigned to the event, they were not altogether deprived of fleep. 27th. After breakfaft a counlcil was held concerning the divifion of the prifoners, which being fettled, they delivered each other tholfe prifoners who fell within their feveral allot- ments^ given them^ directions to attend to tte jparticular Indians whofe property they be- came. In this day's journey they paffed .'- -ar Fort Wyoming, on the eaflern branch of Sufquehanna, about forty miki from their late habitation. The Indians, naturally timid, were alarmed as they approached this garrifon, and obferved great caution, not fufFering any noifc, but flapped on the ilones that lay in the path, left any footfteps fhould lead to a difco- very. Not far from thence is a confiderable ftream of water, emptying itfelf into Sufque- hanna, which they croffed with great difficulty, it being deep and rapid, and continued here this night. Benjamin Gilbert, beinsr bound fall with cords, underwent great fulfcrings. z8th. \H\'>- C rj J iSth. This morning the prifoners were alf painted according to the cuftom amone the Indians, fooie of theni with red and black fome all red, and fome with black only- thofe whom thL7 fmut with black, without any other colour, are not confidered af any value, and are by this mark generally de- voted to death: although this cruel piirpofe may not be executed immediately, they are Seldom preferved to reach the Indian hamlets alive. In the evening they came to Sufque*. hanna, having had a painfyl and weariioinc journey thrmigh a very flony a-nd hilly path. Here the Indians fought d-iligently for a pri. vate lodging place, that they might be as lecure as poffible from any fcouting-parties of the white people.. It is unnecelTary to make further mention of their manner of lodeine' as It flill remained the fame. ^' ^""^uu 7t^^ T?^ ^" fearch of the horfes which had ftrayed from them in-the night, and after fome time found them. They then kept the cou^e of the river, walking along its fide with difficulty. In the afternoon th^y came to a place where the Indians had direded four negroes to wait their return, having left them fome corn for a fubfiftence : thefe negroes had elcaped from confinement, and were on their way to Niagara, when firft difcovered by toe Indians; being challenged by them, anfwered, - - ^ ^.^. ^^^^ iviiigi u^uu wiiicii they immediately received theni into proteaion/ 3Qth, *i ^<^9 1 0' ^o. The negroes, who were added to the' company the day before> began cruelly to donmineer and tyrannife over the prilbners, frequently whipping them for their fport, and treating them with more feverity than even the Indians themfelves j having had their hearts hardened by the meannefs of their con- dition, and long fubjedion to flavery. In- this day's journey they pafled the remains of the Indian town, Wyaloofing. The lands round thefe ruins have a remarkable appear- ance of fertility. In the evening they made ft lodgment by the fide of a large creek. 5th Month I ft. After eroding a confider- gable hill, in the morning, they came to ^ 'place where two Indians lay dead. A party of Indians had taken fome white people, whom they were carrying ofF prifoners, they jrofe upon the Indians in the night,, killed four of them, and then efiefted their efcape^ The women were fent forwards^ and the men prifoners commanded to draw near and view the two dead bodies, which remained (the othertwo being removed)', they ftaid to obferve them a confiderable time, and were then or- dered to a place where a tree was blown down. Death appeared to be their doom j but after remaining in a ftatc of fad fufpenfe for fome time,, they were ordered to dig a grave; to cfFedt which, they cut a fapling with their tomahawks, and fliarnerked one end- wirK ■which '-^4 , c If y which wooden inftrument one of them broke the ground, and the others caft the earth out with their hands, the negroes being, permitted to beat thenn feverely whilft they were thuS' employed. After interring the bodies, thef went forward's to the refty and overtook thenv as they were preparing for their lodging. They were not yet ^eleafed from their fapling, confinement. 2d. Having fcwmc of their provifions with them, they made an early mealy and travelled the whole day. They crofTed the eaft branch of Sufquehanna towards evening, in canoesy at the place where General St^llivan's army had paffcd it in their expedition. Their en- campment was on the weftcrn (Ide of this branch of the river; but two indianSy who did not crofs it^ fent for Berijamin Gilbert, jun„ and Jefie Gilbert's wife-, and as no probable caufe could be afTigned why it was fb, the defign was confidered as a very dark one^ and was a grievous affiid^ion to the others* 2d, The morning however dlfpelled the|| fears, when they had the latisfadlion of fee-^ ing themagain> and underftood they had Bot received any treatment harder thait their ufuai fare. The horfes fwam the Sufque- hanna> by the fide of the canoe. This day the Indians in their march found a fcalp, and took it along with them^ as alfo fome old _r L!_u ^1 1^ _ r. -«i\#*tij VA VriJIVM blAWV liACMAW Cfc II 'k't v«* fsc- Ml ( r6 ) frequently killed deer, and by that means fupplied the company with meat, being al- moft the onlyprovifion rhey ate, as the flour they took with them was expendedi 4th. The path they travelled this morninit was but little trodden, which made it diffi- cult for thofe, who were not acquainted with the woods, to keep in it. They crofTed a creek, made up a large fire tawarn? them- felves by, and then feparatcd into two com- panies, the one taking the Weftward Path*, with whom were Thomas Peart, Jofeph Gil- bcrc, Behjamin Gilbert, jun. and JefTe Gil'- bert*s wife Sarah; the others went more to the north, over rich level land. When even- ing came, inquiry was made concernino- the four captives who were taken in the Weflr, ward Path, and they were told, that " Thefc «« were killed and fcalpcd, and you may ex:- *' pea the fame fate to mght." * Andrew Harrigar was fo terrified at the threat, that he refolvcd upon leaving them, and as foon as it was dark, took a kettle with pretence of bringing fome water, and made his efcape under favour of the night: he was fought af- ter by the Indians as Ibon as they obferved him to be miffing, • Andrew Harrigar endured^ many hardfhips in the woods, and at length returned to the fettlements, and gave the firft authentic intelligence of Benjainiii Gilbert t meams eing al- :he floui: tiorning it difH- ted witfi roffed a ) thennr- 7o com- d Path', •ph Gil- ffe Gil'- nore to n even- ling the s Weflr, ' Thefc "nay ex- ^ndrev/ It, that loon as *nce of cfcape ght af- Dferved >s in the nts, and I Gilbext ( 17 3 5th. In the morning the Indians Returned'; their fearch for Andrew Harrigar being hap*' pily for him unfuccefsful: the prifoners who ^ remained, were therefore treated with great Severity on account of his efcape, and were often accufed of being privy to his defign* Captain Rowland Montciir carried his refefit- ment fo far, that he threw JefTe Gilbert down; and lifted his tomahawk to ftrike him, which the mother prevented, by puttrng her head ori' his forehead, befeeching him to fpare her fon : this fo enraged him, that he turned round', kicked her over, and tied them both by their necks to a tree, where they remained lintil hisfury was a little abated j he then loofed them^ and not long after bid them pack up and go forwards. They pafTed through a large pine fwamp, and about noon reached one of the Kittareen towns, which was defo- lated. Not far from this town, on the fum- mic of a mountain, there ilTues a large fpring, forming a very confrderable faH, and runi very rapidly in an irregular windrng flream down the mountain's fides. They left this place, and took up their lodging in a defertcd wigwam covered with bark, which had form^ erly been part of a town of the Shipquagas. 6th, 7th, 8th. They continued thcfe three ^^3^s ^n the neighbourhood of thefe villages, which had been deferted upon General Sullr- W A A t 5 th. iivfc tiicy iivcu wcii, oav*« » "41 fr i*' ill ,. 'I'l ii 1 1 1 1 1 ■!il ( i8 ) ing, in addition to their ufual 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 Shipquagasj and whenever their induftry prompted them to go out a hunting, they had no difBculty to procure as many deer as they defired. Roaft and boiled meat, with vegetables,! afforded them plentiful meals; they alfo caught a wild turkey, and fome fifh, called fuckers. Their manner of catching fifli, was, to il^^rpen a ftick, and watch along the rivertj until a fifh came near them, when they rud-[ dcnly pierced him with the ftick, and brought! him out of the water. # [ Here were a number of colts, fome of them were taken, and the prifoners ordered tol manage them, which was not eafily done. 9th. When they renewed their march, the) placed the mother upon a horfe that feemcdl dangerous to ride, but fhe was prefer ved fro ml any injury. In this day*s journey they camel to Meadow Ground, where they ftaid thcl night, the men being confined as before re-| lated, and the negroes lay near them for guard. 10th. A wet fwamp, that was very troublc-l fome, lay in their road ; after which they had! to pafs a rugged mountain, where there wasj no patk* The undecbiuih n?ade it hard laboui tot ( »9 ) for the women to travel , but no excuft would avail with their fevere mafters, and they were compelled to keep up with the Indians, however great the fatigue : when they had paflcd it, they tarried a while for the negroes who had lagged behind, having fufficient employ to attend to the colts that earned the plunder. When all the company met together, they agreed to rendezvous ia an adjoining fwamp. nth. A long reach of favannas and low ground rendered this day's route very fa- ^gmng and painful, efpecially to the women s thzabeth Pcrt's hulband not being allow- ed to reheve her by carrying the child, her J^us and ftrength were fo%xhaufted that whofe care fte was, obferving h^r diftrefr gave her a violent blow. When we comDart the temper and cuftoms of thefe p^op^Hkh thofe of our own colour, how much caufe have we to be thankful for the flpJriorS we derive from the blefllngs of civiuSiL* It might truly be faid, days of bitter for- row, and wearifome nights, were appo ntod relilh, beef, bu£ 1, gave the the Indians cuufe, and >nteur; and! e other In- mh provi- apany foon| )nae bread, lall pieces, )mpany. ch farnningl and beauti- flat, thatl i the waters ^er ihowersi e muddied, lad brought! and Indian meal. He ers, having ys, and or- hands with informatioQ omas Peart, s Oil the 4th inftant, ( *5 ) inftant, that they had arrived at the Indian fettlemcnts, fomc time, in fafcty. The company ftaid the night at this place. One of the Indians refuJ^d to fuffer any of them to come near his fire, or converfe with the prifoncr, who in the diftribution had fallen to him. 19th. Pounding hommony was this day's employment, the weather being warm made it a hard taflc; they boiled and prepare^ it for fupper, the Indians fetting down to eat firft, and when they had concluded their meal, they wiped the fpoon on the foal of their mockafons, and then gave it to %hc captives : hunger alone could prevail on any one to eat after fuch filth and naftinefs. 20th. Elizabeth Gilbert, the mother, be- ing obliged to ride alone, miffed the path, for which the Indians repeatedly ftruck her. Their route ftill continued through rich meadow; After wandering for a time out of the direcl path, they came to an Indian town. and obtained the neceffary information to purfue their jojrney : the Indians ran out of their huts to fee the prifoners, and to partake of the plunder, but no part of it fuited them. Being direded to travel the path back again, for a fliort diflance, they did fo, and then Itruck mto another, and went on until night, by which time rh^v w#»r*» \7*»ft» k.««^... vik.^ Having eat fince morning j the kettle was B agam ,i''in\ rh '4\ M "!l iHi,., ( a^ ) Again {et on the fire for hommon' , this be- ing their only food. 2 1 ft. The report of a morning-gun from Niagaraj which they heard, contributed to raife their hopes, they rejoiced at being fo near. An Indian was difpatched on horfe- back, to procure provifions from the fort. Elizabeth Gilbert could not walk as faft as the reft, fhe was therefore fent forwards on foot, but was foon overtaken, and left be-j hind, the reft being obliged by the Indians to go on without regarding her. She would | have been greatly perplexed, when ftie came to a divifion-path, had not her huft)and lain! a branch acrofs the path which would have| led her wrong: an affeding inftance of bothi ingenuity and tendernefs. She met feveralj Indians, who pafTed by without fpeaking to her. An Indian belonging to the company, who! was on the horfe Elizabeth Gilbert "had rode, overtook her, and, as lie went on flowly, con- vcrfing with her, endeavoured to alarm her, by faying, that ftie would be left behind, and! perifti in the woods; yet, notwithftanding this, his heart was fo foftened before he had gone any great diftance from her, that he alighted from the horfe and left him, that ihe might be able to reach the reft of the 'company. The more ferioufly ftie confidered this/ the more it aoneared to her. to be al ^on- convr teftio [man, :ourfc 216 labita lalloo m anf he coi t to p ians, :heir j 'ork. :he ca laughi :as, b was ra ;enera Inothei ly the ian, a :akcn ; le was ler, ftii :hey br >ly of ] :ance b( lany w ralutati< telling I., J ^»- . 'iiU lili ■■P-'V. ( ^7 ) [convincing inftance of the over-ruling pro- tcflion of him, who can « turn the heart of [man, as the hu/bandman turneth the water- kourfe in his field.'* aad. As the Indians approached nearer their labitations, they frequently repeated their lalloos, and after fonie time, they received in anfwer in the fame manner, which alarmed the company much} but they foon difcovered ft to proceed from a party of Whites and In- dians, who were on fome expedition, though their pretence was, that they were for New- rork. Not long after parting with thefe, the captain's wife car.ie to them; fhe was daughter to Siangorochti, king of the Senc- :as, but her mother being a Cayuga, fhc Mras ranked among that nation, the children generally reckoning their defcent from the liiother's fide. This princefs was attended hy the captain's brother, John, one other In- Iian, and a white prifoner, who had been Ukcn at Wyoming by Rowland Monteur- [he was drefled altogether in the Indian man! ler, mining with gold lace and filver baubles- hey brought with them fr m the fort a funl ply of provifion. The captain being at a dif. tance behind, when his wife came, the com- oany waited for him. After the cuilomary a utations, he addrefled himfelf to his wife ^eJhng her^ that Rebecca was her daughter! --' that ilic muft not be induced, by any 2 2 confider- / I ! 1 1 J ■ ( 28 ) confideration, to part with her; whereupon fhe took a filver ring off her finger, and put it upon Rebecca, by which fhe was adopted as her daughter. They feafted upon the provifions that were brought, for they had been for feveral days before pinched with hunger, what fuftenance they could procure not being fufficient to fup^ port nature. 23d. Their fpirits were in fome degree re- vived, by the enjoyment of plenty, added to the pleafing hope of fome favourable event ;:)rocuring their releafement, as they were not Tar diftant from Niagara. The Indians proceeded on their journey, md continued whooping in the mofl frightful ■nanner. In this day's route, they met ano- ther company of Indians, who compelled *Jenjamin Gilbert, the elder, to fit on the mund, and put feveral queftions to him, to :ivhich he gave them the bell anfwers he could j they then took his hat from him, and went off. Going through a fmall town, near Niagara; an Indian woman came out of one of th( huts, and ftruck each of the captives a blow Not long after their departure from this pla^-? JefTe, Rebecca, and their mother, were de- tained until the others had got out of their fight, when the mother was ordered to pulh on : and as ihe had to go by herfelf, flie was much perplexed what courle to take, as there ftraig fpace overt a fho migh rum tv/o ( worth who I: Jeffe, and p as a t< althoi and b Th loads carry, expe6 towns their but tl the dr proacl than c the CI tives I men, ' bringi them. ( 29 ) was no path by which fhe could be dirededi in this dilenima, fhe concluded to keep as ftraight forward as poflible, and after fome fpace of time, fhe had the fatisfadlion of overtaking the others. The pilot then made a fhort flay, that thofe who were behind might come up, and the captain handed fome rum round, giving each a dram, except the tv/o old folks, whom they did not confider worthy of this notice. Here the captain, who had the chief diredion, painted Abner, JefTe, Rebecca, and Elizabeth Gilbert, jun. and prefented each with a belt of wampum, as a token of their being received into favour, although they took from them all their hats and bonnets, except Rebecca's. The prifoncrs were releafed from the heavy loads they had heretofore been compelled to carry, and was it not for the treatment they expeded on their approaching the Indian towns, and the hardfliip of a feparation, their fituation would have been tolerable^ but the horror of their minds, arifing from the dreadful yells of the Indians, as they ap- proached the hamlets, is eafier conceived than defcribed, for they were no ftrangcrs to the cuftomary cruelty exercifed upon cap- tives on entering their towns: the Indians, men, women, and children, colled together, bringing clubs and flones, in order to beat them, which they ufually do with great feve* B rity, 11' i''i U; ( 30 ) rity, by way of revenge for their relations who have been flain; this is performed im- mediately upon their entering the village where the warriors refide: this treatment cannot be avoided, and the blows, however cruel, muft be borne without complaint, and the prifoners are forely beaten, until theirj enemies are wearied with the cruel fport. Their fufFcrings were in this cafe very grcatjl they received fcvefal wounds, and two ofl the women who were on hode-back, weref much bruifed by falling from their horfes, which were frightened by the Indians. Eli- zabeth, the mother, took .heltcr by the fide of one of them, but upon his obferving that ihp met with fome favour upon his account, h^ fent her away ; Ihe then received fcveral Violent blows, fo that Ihe was almoft dif- ablcd. The blood trickled from their heads in a ftream, their hair being cropt clofe, and the cloaths they had on, in rags, made their fituation truly piteous : whilft they were in- flidling this revenge upon the captives, the king came, and put a (lop to any further cruelty, by telling them^ " It was fufficient," which they immediately attended to. Benjamin Gilbert,, and Elizabeth his wife,, Jcflfe Gilbert, and his wife, were ordered to Captain Rowland Monteur's houfc; the wo- men belonging to it were kind to them, andL gave them fomething to eat: Sarah Gilbert J Jeirc'if C 31 ) Jeffe's wife, was taken from them by three women, in order to be placed in the family Ihe was to be adopted by. ' tl Jj^n^'^o"" ?°"' ^'"g"''* ^°«' Captains Dace and Pov/el, came to fee the prifoners, and prevent (as they were inforn'.ed) an^ abufe that might be given them : Benlamin Gilbert informed thele officers, that he wis apprehenfive they were in great danger of him they would fend a boat the next day, to bring them to Niagara. ' of the officers, they did not: derive the Z ^ft?H / r""^''^'*''" "'^°'- '!'«= Indians in- .1, ?" t^'^l" 8°i"g to the fort on foot Z beforf tr^'t' "^'^ Y ^«" vcdT d,; Detore, from the many feverc blows eivtn them, rendered their journey on foot^wv diftreffing; but Captafn Monteur obfti.^ lypernfting, they dare not long remonAl^: When they left the Indian town, feveral Inlt ■"'H' '5"'^ ''"'' «^'«^ them, with ftTcS LaVc ''?'*'' '''"'"g '"d fcreech ns in a moft difmal manners but through the inter come with d'°"'" '""''" "''"'^". i had pr ferved ^"^7 T'f ' '''"''' '^ey were SZtn7ZjL'^'?} -'^'king between " - —'"WW aiiu nis wue, led them, ^4 and I' f ( J^ ) and dcfircd JcfTe to keep as near them as he could I the other three walked behind, and prevailed with the young Indians to defift. Ihcy had not purfued their route long, be- fore they law Captain John Powel, who can^e from his boat, and perfuaded (though with fome difficulty) the It dians to get into It, with the captives, which relieved them from the apprehenfions of further danger. After reaching the fort, Captain Powel in- troduced them to Col. Guy Johnfon, and Col. Butler, who afked the prifoners many quef- tions, in the prefence of the Indians. They prefented the Captain with a belt of wam- pum, which is a conftant pradtice among them, when they intend a ratification of the peace. Before their connexion wich Euro- peans, thcfe belts were made of fhells, found on thecoafts of New-Englarni and Virginia^, which were fawed out into beads of an ob- long (hape, about a quarter of an inch long, which when ftrung together on leathern firings, and thefe Itrings faftencd with fine threads made of finews, compofe what is cal- led, a belt of wampum : but fince the whites have gained footing among them, they make ufe of the common glafs beads for this pur- pofe. The Indians, according to their ufual cuf- tom and ceremony, at three feparate times, ordered the prifoners to fhakc hands with Col. Johnfon. 25th, C 33 ) 25th. Benjartiin Gilbert, Elizabeth fil. wife, and Jefle Gilbert, were forrendered to Col. Johnfon : this deliverance from fuch fcenes of diftrefs, as they had become ac- quainted with, gave them a more free oo. portun.ty of clofe refleftion than heretoforfc. Ihe manyforrowful days and nights they had paffed, the painful anxiety attendant on their frequent feparation from each other. and the uncertainty of the fate of the reft of their family, overwhelmed them with grief. ,1 ^^ j'''n. ^xpremon is too weak to defcribe Itj t f' °^ '^"'''"g '^'^'"- "Children with thele hard matters j they were not unac- quainted with many of the difficulties, to which they would neceflarily be expofed in a " refidence amongft Indians, and the lofs which the young people would fuftain, for want of a civilized and Chriftian education. k\XtkJ'fV^" ^'='P°"'^'"g fituation, the kmdnefs of fympathy was awakened in one ot the Indian women, who even forgot her prejudices, and wiped away the tears which trickled down Elizabeth Gilbert's cheeks 1 he particular attention of Col. Johnfon's houfekeeper to them, from a commiferation of their diftrefs, claims their remembranw" Bfnjamin. h.s wife, and Jefle Gilbert, were L1!i^l5« A- hpufe, wLe fhe not ^n" °^^ toiiis her beft room, but ad'- S 5 mjniftered Iii«'l « ( 34 ) miniftered to their neceflities, and endeavour- ed to footh their forrows, JefTc Gilbert was favoured to get employ, which, as it was fome alleviation of hisi misfortunes, may be confidered a$ a provi-i dential kindnefs. 28th. A few days after they came to the fort, they had information that Benjamin Peart was by the river fide with the Indians J upon hearing this report, his mother went to fee him, but every attempt for his re-l leafe was in vain, the Indians would by no means give him up. From this place they| intended to march with their prifoner to the Genefee River, about an hundred miles dif-^ tance. As the afFedtionate mother^s folicita- tions proved fruitlefs, her fon not only fek the affliaing lofs of his wife and child, from] whom he had hej^n torn fome time before,] but a renewal of his grief, on this (hort fighi of his parent : fhe procured him a hat, anc alfo fome fait, which was an acceptable bur- den for the journey* Benjamin Gilbert, converfing with the In- dian captain who made them captives, obferv* ed that he might fay what none of the othei Indians could, *< That he had brought in the « oldeftman, and the youngell child j" hisj reply to this was expreflivei " It was not iJ *« but the great God who brought you] ** through, for we were determined to kill " you> but were prevented." Th( i 3S- r T Ponu"'^ officers,. being acquainted that Jeffe Gilberts wife wa^ among the Indians, with-great tendernefs agreed to feek her cut! and after a diligent enquiry, found that flic was among the Dclawares; they went to them, and endeavoured to agree upon terms fo^ her releafement } the Indian* brought her to the fort the next day, but would not eive her up to her relations. ^ 29th. As the cabins of the Indians were ther ,nH'"T'^'^'°'"^ ''!.'= ^°"' '^^y '^^"f 'hi- ther, and Jefle and the officers ufed every argument m their power to prevail upoi them, reprcfcnting how hard it was to part fi^^'T°u^°""S peoples at length they cm- fcnted to bnng her in next day. with thdr whole tribe, for a final releafe. 30th. They accordingly came, but fliaried. fo many pbjeaions, that^L was ob iSdlo return with them. ^ 31ft. Early next morning O •. Robefnn generoufly undertook to profure h ritrty which, after much attention and folicitude' he together with Lieutenant Hillyard han piiy accomplilhed. They gave the inH; P" feveral fmall prefents, an^ fave ttm .S pounds as a ranfom. . ^ ber^'fU^r'' f^u^"J ^^'^ obtained her li. berty, flie altered her drels more in charafter for her fex, than Ihe had been Lble to do .„-....^,i. .^i^ i.^uiau»y dnU' went to her B 6 huihAnd » nufband and parents at Col. Johnfon's, where ihe was joyfully received. Col. johnfon's honfekeeper continued her kind attentions to them, during their (lay here, and procured clothing for them from the king's flores. 6th Month, id. About this time the Se- necas, among whom Elizabeth Peart was captive, brought her with them to the fort -, as foon as thg them, in the place of a deceafed relation. Capt. Powel inte- refted himfelf in her cafe liicewife, and offer- ed to purchafe her of them, but the Indians refufed to give her up i and as the mother and daughter expelled they fhould fee each other no more, their parting was very affe(^ing. The Indian woman who had adopted Re- becca as her daughter, came alfo to the fort, and Elizabeth Gilbert made ufe of this op- portunity to enquire concerning her daugh- ter J the interpreter informed her, there was no probability of obtainihg the enlargement of her child, as the Indiana would not part with in's, where tinucd her their (lay hem from c the Se- Peart was the fort i le went to h her, but e fcnt to; and pref- at was to \ he corn- he was to f the Se^ the place wel inte- md ofFcr- e Indians other and ach other fling. )pted Re- r the fort, this op- T daugh- there was argement not part with ( 37 ) with her: all fhe could do, was, to recom- mend her to their notice, as very weakly, and of confequence not able to cndirc much fatigue. 2d. and 3d. Not many days after their ar- rival at Niagara, a veflel came up Lake On- tario to the fort, with orders for the prifonera to go to Montreal. In this veffel came one Capt. Brant, an Indian chief, high in rank amongft them. Elizabeth Gilbert imme- diately applied herfclf to folicit and intcreft hirn on behalf of her children, who yet re- mained in captivity ; he readily promifcd her to ufe his endeavours to procure their liberty. A fhort time before they failed for Montreal^ th^y received accounts of Abner and Eliza- beth Gilbert the younger, but it was alfo un- derflood that their poffeflbrs were not dif- pofed to give them up. As the profpef: of obtaining the releafe of their children was fo very difcouraging, it was no alleviation to their didrefs, to be removed to Montreal, where, in all probabiliry, they would feldom be able to gain any information refpe i^g without a light in the boat, the dark- t^ of the night added not a little to their %jelancholy fituation. As there were not any others with Elizabeth Gilbert but her chil- dren, and the four Frenchmen who managed the boat, and her apprehenfions alarmed her, left they fhould throw the corpfe overboard, as they appeared to be an unfeeling company j fhe therefore applied to fome Britifli officers who were in a boat behind them, who difpel- led her fears, and received her under their protedion. 9th. In the morning they pafTed the garri- fon of Coeur de Lac, and waited for fome confiderable time a fmall diftance below if. 'Squin prifoni berths of this put th< under boat-It the lafl of her on this fenfibh difpenf which ; voured tions, J Near which i ed into being \ to turn pcnfe 01 The with an fo dangi further ; ing, am fort La: houfes i it was V room be to. and 'Squire itenothe )n of his ^orth all ler arms, gate his I diftrcf- gave a i power lich can ive him ircd, he e eighth e even- Jn, who of deep bt, but 1. Bc- ' dark- :o their not any 2r chil- lanaged ed hefj Dard, as npany j officers difpcJ- T their J garri- r fome ( 41 ) 'Squire Campbell, who had the charge of the prifoners, when he heard of Benjamin Gil- bert's deceafe, fent JefTe to the comrmndant of this garrifon to get a coffin, in which they put the corpfe, and very haftily interred him under an oak not far from the fort. The boat-men would not allow his widow to pay the laft tribute to his memory, but regardlcfs of her afflidtion, refufed to wait; her diftrefs on this occafion was great indeed, but being fenfible that it was her duty to fubmic to the difpenfations of an over-ruling providence, which are all ordered in wifdam, Ihe endea- voured to fupport herfelf under her afflic- tions, and proceeded with the boat-men. Near this place they paffed by a grift-mill, which is maintained by a (tone wing cxjend^*^ ed into the river St. Laurence j the ftrt n W being very rapid, acquires a force fufficient to turn the wheel, without the further ex- pcnfeofadam. The current carried their boat forwards with amazing rapidity, and the falls became io dangerous, that the boats could proceed no further ; they therefore landed in the even- mg, and went to the commanding officer of fort Lafheen to requeft a lodging, but the houfes in the garrifon were fo crowded, that It was with difficulty they obtained a fmall room belonging to the boat-builders to retire to. anH hi^rp- t-U/BkjT (i-^,.,^ri *U- r-i-.-_ — --^k ten others. . loth. Thr ! p. li 'Tit ill II ( 42 y I •n '°r^; r^^^ garrifon of Laflieen is on tht] Jfleof Jefu, on which the town of Montreal itands, about the diftance of nine miles- hither our travellers had to go by land, and as they were entirely unacquainted with the i^oad, they took the advantage of an emptyl cart (which was going to the town) for thcl women to ride in. I The land in this neighbourhood is vcryl ftony, and the foil thin i the cattle fmall J and ill favoured. I ^ When they arrived at Montreal,, they werel introduced to Brigadier General MCleanJ who after examining them, fent them to oncl Duquefne, an officer amongft the loyaliftsj Who being from home, they were defired tol ***^ait in the yard until he came y this want oj pohtenefs gave them; no favourable imprefJ lions of the mafter of the houfej when hel jretuf ned he read their pafs, and gave Jeirel an order for three days provifions. I Daniel M'Ulphin received them into hisi f ?"f 5 by ^^^^ they were treated with greaJ kindnefs, and the women continued at hisI houfe, and worked five weeks for hirn. | Jcfle Gilbert met with employ at ThoJ mas Bufby's, where he lived very agreeablyl for the fpace of nine months. I Elizabeth Gilbert had the fatisfaaion of anl eafy employ at Adam Scptt's, merchant, hav-P mg the luperintcndence of his kitchen: buti about! his m ( 43 ) about Cix weeks after Ihe engaged in his fer^ vice, JefTe's wife Sarah was taken fick at Thomas Bufby's, which made it neceflary for her moth/^r to difengage herfclf from the place where fhe was fo agreeably fituated, in order to niirfe her. Thefe three were favoured to be confidered as the king's prifoners, having rations allowed them; this affiftance was very comfortable, but Elizabeth's name be- ing crafed out of the lift at a time when they needed an additional fupply, they were much fl:.aightened: upon an application to one CoU Campbell, he, together with 'Squire Camp- bell, took down a (hort account of her fuf- ferings and fituation, and after preparing a concife narrative, they applied to the Briga- dier General^ to forward it to General Hsl«»^ dimand at Quebec, defirijig his attention to the fufFerers, who fpcedily iffued his orders that the relcafement of the family Ihould be procured, with particular injundions f<# every garrifon to furnifh them with ncccfia* ries as they came down. As foon as Sarah Gilbert recovered from her indifpofition, her mother returned ta Adam Scott's family. Thomas Gomerfom hearing of their fitua- tion, came to fee them j he was educated a Quaker, and had been a merchant of New- K^? 1-^^^ ti'avelled with Robert Walker in — r ---,».« ^ .rf«j,j «j^vu iiic vUiiiiiiCnCc- ment liisreii(rin 'I ' i!i i; ( 44 ) mcnt of the war, had deviated from his, former principles, and had loft all the ap- pearance of a friend, wearing a fword : he behaved with refped to the prifoners, and made Elizabeth a prefent. The particular attention of Col. Clofs, and the care he fhewed by writing to Niagara, on behalf of the captives, as he was entirely a ftranger to her, is remembered with gratil tude. ° As there was an opportunity of hearing from Niagara, it gave them great pleafure to be informed that Elizabeth Gilbert was amongft the white people, fhe having ob- tained her releafe from the Indians, prior to the others. Sarah Gilbert, wife of Jefle, becoming a mother, Elizabeth left the fervice (he wal engaged m, Jeffe having taken a houfe, that Ihe might give her daughter every necef- lary attendance; and in order to make their fituation as comfortable as poffible, they took a child to nurfe, which added a httlp to their income. After this, Elizabeth Oilbert hired herfelf to iron a day for Adam Scott; whilft Ihe was at her work, : a little girl belonging to the houfe, acquainted her that there were fome who wanted to fee her, and upon entering into the room, flie found' fix of her children j the joy and furprife fhe telt on this occafion were beyond what we Ihali itii'i. ifi! -w d from his all the ap* fword : he ifoners, and of hearing at pleafure jilbcrt was laving ob- is, prior to beconiing ice (he was loufe, that ery necef- to make 5 poffibJe, h added a Elizabeth for Adam k, ;a little ainted her to fee her, file found Jrprife fhe , what we fhali ( 45 ) fliall attempt to defcribe. A mefTenger was (ent to inform Jefie and his wife, that Jofcph Gilbert, Benjamin Peart, Elizabeth his wife, and young child, Abner and Elizabeth Gil- bert, the younger, were with their mother. It muft afford very pleafing reflexions to any affedionate difpofition, to dwell a while on this fcene, that after a captivity of upwards of fourteen months, fo happy a meeting fhould take place. Thomas Peart, who had obtained his li- berty, and tarried at Niagara, that he might be of fervice to the two yet remaining in captivity, viz. Benjamin Gilbert, jun. and Kebecca Gilbert. Abigail Dodfon, the daughter of a neio-h- bouring farmer, who was taken with th?m having inadvertently informed the Indians flie was not of the Gilbert family, all attempts for her liberty were fruitlefs. We Ihall now proceed to relate how Tofeph Gilbert, the eldeft fon of the deceafed, fared amongft the Indians: he, with Thomas mrt, Benjamin Gilbert, jun. andJeflcGil- bert s wife Sarah, were taken along the Weft- ward Path, as before related ; after fome fhorc continuaiice in this path, Thomas Peart and Joleph Gilbert were taken from the other two, and by a different route, through many difhculties, they were broup-ht to Caracal../ Where they received the infSlts of the women and #- mi yj ( 4^ ) and children, whofe hu/bands or parents had fallen in their hoftile excurfions. Jofeph Gilbert was feparated from his companion, and removed to an Indian villa, called Nundow, about feven miles from Caracadera; his refidcnce was, for feveral weeks, in the king's family, whofe hamlet was fuperior to the other fmall huts. The king himfelf brolrght him fome hommony, and treated him with great civility, intending his adoption into the family, in the place of one of his fons, who was flain when General Sullivan drove them from their habitations. As Nundow was not to be the place of his abode, his quarters were foon changed, and he was tak-en back to Caracadera j but his weaknefs of body was fo great, that he was two days accompiilliing this journey, which was^ only feven miles, and not able to procure any other food than roots and herbs, the India oeconomy leaving them without any provifions to fubfift on. Here they adopted him into the family of one of the king's fons, informing him, that if he would marry amongfl: them, he fhould enjoy the privileges which they enjoyed ; but this pro- pofal he was not difpofcd to comply with ; and as he was not over anxious to conceal his diflike to them, the fufFerings he under- went were not alleviated. The manner of his life difFcrinsr fo much fmm wllo^ k» n^^ before ( 47 ) jefore been accuftomed to, having to eat the wild roots and herbs before-mentioned, and as he had been lame from a child, and fubi. 'jeft to frequent indifpofitions. it was requifite for him to pay more attention to his weak habit of body, than his captors were willing le lliould. When the mafter of the family fis at home, the refpeft he fhewed to Jofeph. ind his kindnels to him, rendered his fitua- non more tolerable than in his abfencc. p-requently fuffenng with hunger, the privi- pge of a plenteous table appeared to him as an incftimable bleffing, which claimed the Ia""^ /r^''^"."" °*" gratitude: in fuch a diltrefled fituation, the hours rolled over with a tedioufnefs almoR infupportable, as he had no agreeable employ to relieve his mind from the refleftions of his forrowful captivity • this manner of life continued about three months, and when they could no longer pro- cure a luppiy by their hunting, Seceffity compelled them to go to Niagara Fort for provihon. The greater number of the In- dians belonging to Caracadcra attended on this journey, in order to obtain a fupply of provifionsi their want of oeconomy being fo great as to have confumed fo early as the eighth month all they had raifed the laft \lh^.' ^"V^« Prefent crops unfit to gather: he,r profufe manner of ufing their fcfnt pit- Itance of t^rr»w;ii,>r. n • . . * famine. IflSl! ( 48 ) ikminc, after a fhort time of feafting. They tomputc the diftancc from Caracadera, to Niagara fort, to be of 130 miles j on this ourncy they were upwards of five days, raking fome venifon in their route, and fcaft-l ing with great greedinefs, as they had been] \ long time without meat. When they reached the fort, they procured] clothing from the king*s (lores for Jofepli Gilbert, fuch as the Indians ufually wear themfelves, a match-coat, leggings, &c. His indifpofition confined him at Col. Johnfon's for feveral days, during which time the Bri- tiih ofiiccrs endeavoured to agree with the Indians for his releafement, but they would not confcnt. The affliding account of the| death of his father, which was here commu- nicated to him, fpread an additional glooml on his mind. After continuing at the fort! about four weeks, the Indians ordered himl back with them ; this was a fore ftroke, tol leave a degree of eafe and plenty, and refume the haidfhips of an Indian life : with this uncomfortable profpedt before him, added to his lamenefs, the journey was toilfome and painful. They were iive days in their return, and when they arrived, their corn was ripe] for ufe i this, with the advantage of hunt- ing, as the game was in its greateft per- feSion, furnilhed a prefent comfortable fub- fiilence. Jofephl ( 49 ) Jtfvf'Th'^ permiffion to vifit his fello* captive, Thomas Peart, who was at a fmall town of the Indians, about feven miles diff ance called Nundow. to whom he commt "■cated the forrowful intelligence of thri^ mother's widowed fituation. '" At the firft approach of fprine Tor^ryh Clbert and his adopted brother ^emJS hemfelves ,n procuring rails, and repairS the fence about the lot of ground thev in? *nded to plant with corn; as this na« nf kltr^ ^he grain was allotted to ^hm^ the 'planting and culture was affiened to th^ llT"' /^i^hufbandry being^al together performed by the hoe. """cetner The Indian manner of life waslJy no mean, agreeable to Jofeph Gilbert; thefr irreTula f y in their meals was hard for him to & hWien they had provifions in plenty the' H 7i "°uP'"" °^ '^°""=fti': oeconomV bu^ mdulged their voracious appetites whtk fceed°ef "^^'^ their ftoclc,^^:^ra' fgS h have recourfe again to the wild herbS 1 r°''' f^ ^"'^ ^° "-educed for Stff Cfta'ta^ittLri^^^^^^ md roafted it. " '"^ ""^at In officer from the fort came down to e« re into the fituation of the Indians/u;on" ^ obferving M t ,1. I 'li '1! < 50 ) obrcrving the low condition Jofeph was in, r.ot being likely to continue long without fome relief, which the officer privately af- forded, he being permitted to frequent his houfe, he advifed him by flight, to endea- vour an efcape from the Indians, informing him that he had no other expedient for his rcleafc ; .this confirmed him in a refolution he had for fame ti-^e been contemplating, but his lamenefs and weak habit, for want of proper fuftenance, rendered it imprafticable to make fucli an attem|3t at that time, and it would require much care and attention to his own health and ftrcngth, to gatker fuf- ficicnt for fuch an undertaking; he therefore made ufe of the liberty allowed him to vifit the officer, and partake of his kindnefs and affiftancc, that he might be prepared for the journey. . Embracing a favourable opportunity, when the iren were generally from home, fome in their war expeditions, and fome out hunt- ing,, he left them one night whilft the family fle'^it, and made the beft of his way towards ISiagara fort, following the path, as he had ^nce .before gone along it. Having a fmall piece of bread which he took from the hut, he made a h:ifly repaft, travelling day and night, in otdei to efcape from the further diftreflet; of captivity. As he neither took any Qeep, or other food by the way than the piece ;ph was in, ig without ivately af- •equcnt his to endea- informing ent for his I refolutioa :emplating, for want of ipra6ticable ime, and it ittention to gath.er fuf- le therefore him to vifit indnefs and ired for the unity, when ne, fome in ; out hunt- : the family vay towards k, as he had ing a fmall om the hut, ug day and the further leither took vay ^1 *Ua piece ( 51 ) pwce of bread mentioned, for the two day^ and nights he purfued his journey, he was much fatigued when he reached the fort, and he experienced the efft-dts for feveral days Upon his applying to Col. Johnfon, he was iiolpitably entertained, and the next day faw three of the Indians whom he had left at the town when he fet off. After a few days (lay here, as moO: of the f^imily v/ere difcharged from captivity, and waiting for a paOage to Montreal, a velT^l was fitted to take ti.em on board, in order to proceed down the lake. We come next to Benjamin Peart, who remamed the firft night ufter his arriving at the Indian huts, with his wife and child, but was feparated from them the next day, and taken about a mile and an half, and pre- icnted to one of the families of the Seneca nation, and afterwards introduced to one of their cJiiefs, who made a long harangue, which Benjamin did not iinderftand. The Indians then gave him to a Squaw, in order to be -eccived as her adopted child, who ordered him to a private h*it, where the women wept over him in remembrance of the relation in whofe ftead he was received • atcer this be went witJi his mother (by adoD- tion) to Niagara river, about two miles below the great falls, and ibid here feveral -> .uv;i vvcac CO tiie tort on their way to C a the %4--^ Ill ill ll W' iiJUiJji., C 54 ) .the Gcnefee River, where he had the plea* fure of convcrfing with his mother, and re- ceiving information concerning his wife and child J but even this fatisfadion was (hort- Jivcd, for he neither could obtain pcrmiflTion to vifit his wife, nor was he allowed to con- vcrfe freely with his mother, as the Indians hurried him on board their bark canoes, where having placed their provifions, they proceeded with expedition down the Lake to the mouth of the Gencfee Rivtr ; the com- puted di (lance from the fmall village to the mouth of the river being one hundred miles, and from thence up the Genefee to the place of their deftination, thirty miles j in their paflage up the river they were about five days, and as the falls in this river near its ^entrance into Lake Ontario has made a car- rying-place of about two miles, they drag- ged their canoe this diftance to the place of I boating above the falls. There were nine Indians of the party with them. They fre- quently caught fiQi by the way. It no doubt was a fore affiiflion to Ben- jamin, to be fo far removed from his wife and child whilft among the Indians: pati- ence and refignation alone could endure it. When the party arrived at the place of their defigned fettlement, they foon ereftcd a fmall hut or wigwam, and the ground being rich and level, they began with their plan- planta who hi Sufqu( in Per ment, ufe th Thefe Peart'i tlieir ( doing much His health; had no affliftei him n ed!y e knowL proved \'inter Their weakl) than 1 even o tite in fufficie pany ( viilted tov/n 1 ci£hte< nities < diftrefs, ic pica* and rc- kvife and IS (hort- TmiflTion I to con- ; Indians canoes, ns, they Lake to lie com- ;e to the ;d miles, he place in their >out five near its ie a car- icy drag- place of I ere nine rhey fre- to Ben- his wife IS : pati- iure it. place of 1 ereftcd I ground viti'i their plan- ( S3 ) plantation of Indian corn. Two white men who had been taken prifoners, the one from Sufquehanna, the other from Minifinks, both in Pennfylvania, lived near his new fettlc- ment, and were allowed by the Indians to life the horfes, and plant for themfelves. Thefe nnen lightened the toil of Benjamin Peart's fervitude, as he was frequently in tlieir company, and he had the liberty of doing fomething for himfelf, though without much fuccefs. His new habitation, as it was not very healthy, introduced frcfh difBcultics, for he had not continued here long, before he was afflifted with ficknefs, which preyed upon him near three months, the Indians repeat- ediy endeavouring to relieve him by their knowledge in fimples, but their endeavours proved ineffeftual i the approach of the vinter feafon afi-orded the relief fought for. Their provifion was nor very tempting' to a weakly conftitution, having nothing elfc than hommony, and but ihorc allowance even of that, infomuch tnat wher his appe- tite increafed, he could not procure food fufHcient to recruit his ftrcngth. The com- pany of his brother Thomas Peart, who viLted him, was a great comfort, and as the tov/n he lived at was but the diftance of eighteen miles, they had frequent opportu- j"n"~ --''' •-•''"•-iv-iii^ Willi ciiLii utiici in tiicir diftrefs. C 3 The 1 I t Im 'il ( 54 ) .v^f^' The Indian men being abfent on one of ^ their war excurfions, and the women em- ployed in gathering the corn, left Benjamin Peart much leifure to reflect in folitude. Towards the beginning of the winter fea- fon the men returned, and built themfelves a log houfe for a granary, and then removed about tv/enty miles from their fettlement into the hunting country, and procured a great variety of game, which they ufually eat v/ithout bread or fair. As he had been with the Indians for feveral months, their language became more familiar to him. Hunting and feafting after their manner being their only employ, they foon cleared the place where they fettled of the game, which made a fecond removal neceflary, and they are fo accuftomed to this wandering life, that it becomes their choice. They fixed up a log hut in this fecond hunting-place,, and continued unril the fecond month, when they returned to their firft fet- tlement, though their (lay was but a few days, and then back again to their log hut. A heavy rain failing melted fome of the fnow, which had covered the ground about two feet deep. The whole family concluded upon a jour- ney to Niagara Fort by land, which was completed in feven days. At the fort he had the faiisfaftinn of rnnverfinor wvrh Kic bm- *_► "■ - -- ther V-rbib**^' tber Thomas Peart, and the fame day hisr wife alfo came from Buffalo Creek, with' die Senecas to the fort -, this happy meeting, after an abfence of ten months, drew tears'* of joy from them. He mide an inquiry after his child, as he had neither heard from' it or the mother fmce their feparation. The" Indians not approving of their converfing* much together, as they imagined they would* remember their former fituation, and become* lefs contented with their prefent manner of life, they feparated them again the fame day,, and took Benjamm*s wife about four miles' diftancej but the party with whom he came, permitted him to flay here feveral nights ; and when the Indians had completed their purpofe of trafRck, they returned, taking- him fome miles back with them to one of their towns ; but upon his telling them he was defirous of returning to the fort to pro-- cure fomething he had before forgot, in- order for his journey, he was permitted. As- he (laid the night, his adopted brother the Tndian came for him ; but upon his com- plaining that he was fo lame as to prevent his travelling with them, they fuffered him to remain behind. He continued at the fort about two months before the Indians came back again, and as he laboured for the' white people, he had an nnnrvrf II n If 17 r\T •rM«/^r>iit-ir>rr Cn]f ^t^-r^xrlfi^-, C^ "IT"- "-'-"-"■■•'/ ~'' piv~«iii;^ itiii ^l\J^- lkk\Jlk iiUiii C 4 the f ^=^lf I' ,1.1 !i ( ss ) the king's ftores, which had been for a long time a dainty to him. When one of the Indians (a fecond adopt- ed brother) came for him, Benjamin went v^ithhim to Capt. Powel, who with earned iolicitations, and fome prcfents, prevailed *upon the Indian to fuffer him to ftay until l^eturned from his war expedition j but IS was the lafl he ever made, as he loft his- lite on the frontiers of New- York. After this another Captain (a third adopted brother) came to the fort, and when Bcnja- min Peart faw him, he applied to Adjutant Oeneral Wilkinfon to intercede for his releafe, who accordingly waited upon Col. Johnfon and other oificers, to prevail with them to cxerc themfelves on his behalf; they con- cluded to hold a council with the Indians for this purpofe, who, after fome delibera- tion, furrendered him up to Col. Johnfon, for which he gave them a valuable compen- fation. Benjamin Peart, after his releafe, was cm- ployed in Col. Johnfon's fcrvice, and con- tinued with iiim for fcveral months. Hig child had been rcleafed for fome time, and his wife, by earneft intreaty and plea of fick- nefs, had prevailed with the Indians to per- mit her ftay at the fort, which proved a gr^at confolatipn ajii gog^fprt iifter fo long 4 fepar^ti9^» About ( S7 ) About the middle of the eighth month there was preparation made for their pro- ceeding to Montreal, as by this time there were fix of the prifoners ready to go in a fhip which lay in Lake Ontario, whofe names were Jofeph Gilbert, Benjamin Peart, his wife and child, Abner Gilbert, and Eliza- beth Gilbert the younger. Thefe went on board the vefiel to Charlton Ifland, which is as far as the large veflels they ufe in the lake can proceed i the remainder of the way (on account of the frequent Ihoalsj they arc obliged to go in fmaller boats. The commanding officer at Niagara pro- cured a fuitable fupply of provifion, and turnilhed them with orders to draw more ac the feveral garrifons, as occafion required In two days they arrived at the upper end at Charlton Ifland, and went to the com- mander in chief to fhew their pafi^, and ob- tain what they were in need of. Afterwards I they continued on to the garrifon of Ofwa- gotchy, by the fide of the river St. Lau- rence, m an open boat rowed by four frenchmen, this clafs of people being chicEy [employed in laborious fervices. The ftream was fo rapid, and full of rocks that the prifoners were too much alarmed to remain m the boat, and concluded to o-o on W until they paired the danger; bul the Irrenchmpn. wkrk haH K«i»« ^ n--.^ j ^ 5 thcfe ri f w ( 58 ) ttiefe wild and violent rapids (the loneeft of! which IS known by the name of the Jong Sou) tinued for the diftance of fix miles, and they viewed It with a degree of Iiorror, their heads becoming almoft giddy with the pro- Ipea. When the boats had iliot the falls they again went on board, and continued down the riyer to Cour de Lac. No great diftance below this thev anchored, and landed at the place where their father was interred fhedding many tears of filial affecStion to h^s memory. They afterwards applied to the commanding officer of the garrifon for provifions and other necef- lanes; they then bid adieu to this folemn. Jpot of forrow, and proceeded to Laflieen, which they reached the twenty-fourth' day of the eighth month, havijig been eight days on their voyage. After refrelhing themfekes at this garrifon they fet forward on foot for Montreal, which they reached the fame day. They went to the Brigadier General, and fhewed him their paflTport, and as foon as at liberty waited on their mother at Adam Scott's, as has beeivl already related. ^ The fituation of Elizabeth Peart, wife oF| Benjamin, and her child, is next to- be re- lated., ^/^€[ ^f and the child were parted fron>| ner uulband, Abigail iJodfon and the child were lie longeft of he Jong Sou) g fccne con- ies, and they lorror, their 'ith the pro- ot tht falls, d continued . No great :hored, and their father -ars of filial y afterwards "ficer of the ther necef- this folemn to Lafheen, -fourth' day n eight days hjsgarrilbn, treal, which ey went to d him their / waited on Ls has beeivl art, wife of | to be re- ar ted fron>| I the child C 59 ) were taken feveral miles in .he night to a little hut, where they (laid till morning, and the day following were taken within eight miles of Niagara, where Ihe was adopted into one of the families of Senecas j the ceremony of adoption to her was tedious and diftreaing ; they obliged her to fit down with a young man an Indian, and the eldeft chieftain of the family repeating a jargon of wordsto her unintelligible, butwhich ihe con- fidered as fome form amongft^ them of mar- riage, arid this apprehenfion introduced the mod violent agitations, as fhe was deter- mined, at all events, to oppofe any- ftcp of this nature J buc after the old Indian con- cluded his fpeech, fhe was relieved from the dreadful cmbarraffment fhe had been under,, as fhe was led away by another Indian. Abigail Dodfon was given the fame day to one of the families ot the Cayuga nation,- fo that Elizabeth Peart faw 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 fitters in the Indian flile, who received her very kindly,* and made a grievous lamentation over her accord- ing to cuftom. After fhe had been with them two days, the whole family left their habitation, and went about two miles to Fort Slufher, where they flaid feveral davs. C 6 Thi» . I. ( fe ) ThU fore is abom one mile above Niagwa wefe' Jetai^^fH T'^ /"f 'Poftd, the Indians we detained feveral days for her • but a, tVn"7u 'J"'^ ^°^ ''^^' ^'^ was oLiiged ta r °" 'h^ damp ground, which prevented aer abated of its violence, they fet offin -i fl^wly thev td ''''' '"'^ ^^ ^''^y went fome filh^ ^ ^'^ "" opportunity of taking • .^^^? r'"^>' ^'"^^d at tfi« place of their I Fm Ser '^J^r^'' ^'^'^ Elizabeth to I ^?.i r''"^''' when fhe was told her child I affli^-'" "^'" ir">' ^'•°'" her; this was tru J I aiBifting, but all remonftrances were in vain I From tort SluAer /he travelled on foot' I carrying her child to Niagara, it bein J^S I teen m.les, and in fultry weather, rendefed I « a painful addition to th'e though s of p'rt I ing with her tender ofispring. The intent I ^A"" Jf"^"<=y was to%b?ain p ovifion" I and their Uay at the fort was of fevers day* I Sirirh-ho^jir"^^^^^-^^'^'-^^^^^ wcat With u scmik the rwei: to adopt it into. the l!^i)u bove Niagara the Indians ^ler ; but as s obliged to :h pFevented IS her difor- ' Tet off in a ded, intend- s they went y of taking ace of their [) Ib.ore, and to this new ili^abeth ta I her child is was truly ere in vain., ed on foot, Deing eigh- ^ rendered Its of part- The intent provilipns>, ^vera] days, led her aa ^ her> and- )pt it into the ( ^i ) fttJr^ V^'^ i^^ ^%"^d for it, notwith. ^! f i^T- ^^^^^' ^t his wife's reoueft interceded that it mif^hr n^^ I ^*^^"^'*» from its mother but^a it L 'r''"'"^'^ they returned u t^ tSrm;\h^:re/rt/aTf> Tt. TV ^^^^* ^' convenient '^1:,^J Obtaining the proviflon and other ner^f fanes they came to Niagara to trade fn. they returned to Fort Sluflier on /'7%^o^> whence they embarked i^therr^,^^^^^^^^ being near the time of plan cbg^^herVed much expedition in this jouraeyf ^ ml to riri '""^ ^ri^'^y ^" ^ ^^^^y fall. groun'/alf^pltifj^co:," ^^^^^^ ^he Their provifion beijie fcant tU^.r r (r » much and 03 th,ir dep^Sce |f,^"S* cient fupply untrl the iatherin^ Zt ."„ was on what they fho5d reTefve from °lfr fort, they were «nder the neceffi y of mTk^nf a fecond journey thither. ^ making They were two days on the road =.f ,»,• time. A fmall diftance before fh^ ""* the fort, they took her Sw ^7! '.°^ fent >t to its deftined familv and ;?1 V "''^ tal months before ftie had ,n '^^'.^^''«- feeing it again AfteVh.1 °PPO«"nity oC . - --.«.-. *fVA w*i,iiiig aixani;, was a fcvere #- ii"!l ( 62 ) fcvcre ftroke : fhe lamented her condition, and wept forcly, for which one of the Indi- ans inhumanly ftruck her. Her Indian father feemed a little moved to behold her 'b dif- treficd ; and in order to confole her, affurcd her they would bring it back again, but fhe faw it not until the fpring following. After they had difpofed of their peltries, they returned to their habitation by the fame route which they had come. With a heart opprefled with forrow, Eliza- beth trod back her fteps, mourning for her loft infant •, for this idea prefented itfelf con- tinually to her mind; but as ihe experienced how fruitlefs, nay, how dangerous, folicitations in behalf of her chik. were, fhe dried up her tears, and pined in fecret. Soon after they reached their own habitation, Elizabeth Peart was again afflidled with fick- xiefs. At the fir ft they fhewed fome attention to her complaints ; but as fhe did not fpeedily recover fo as to be able to work, they dif- continued every attention, and built a fmall hut by the fide of the corn-field, placing her in it to mind the corn. In this lonely con- dition fhe faw a white man, who had been made prifoner among the Indians: he inform- ed her that her child was releafed, and with the white people ♦, this information revived her drooping fpirits, and a fliort time after bottle Ithe rivi lighted |ing, a 'ight IT Iwhere returne* ifter J niflion leedle • ifForded length C to fuffej loufe, n granted. )n the c nth the this meai faking hi As th lade ufe )arture; le appli( Into a be ind they [wo week Her cl ler arriva provlfion off to the It a fmall uiced out hey went the ex- within a vere four > a fmall with the rn of the card that with tne ing fome : had alio ^ granted ordingly hufband V2i% fome 'ame day ife, but nth her, ack with been rc- fof fome z family, ; Indiana ?red the party ( ^5 ) [party with whom Elizabeth was confined a the iver toTeV^^V.? T'^L^ ^^'"S ^^^^ ^^^-^ I I ^'7 , ^,"er child, which they did andd*. .glued the fond mother with this^hajp^^ '5t monl'^^ '^^^ ^- - ^- A'acT^^ SffiL t' ^""'u^'r obained a further per- lecdJe work from the white people, which afforded her a plea for often viking k. At o"& ^K^r''^' ^''' Prevailedlkh them iJl A^ ^? '^"^^""^ ^ ^ew days at h^ an^ed""^^^^^^^ -^^^^ wt Ch. ;. ^ ^/ expiration of the time, up. Da he coming of the Indians for her to return kf '^^^', Repleaded indifpofition, and by aHnTr ^^'ryj'V^ repeatedly diiTuadcd from piving her with them. As the time of planting drew nieh fh^ i^^e ufe of a little^add/to Jtard'tr dt wrture; having a fmall fwelling on her neck ndthev^/'r 'V^P'^P^' *° ^^""o^e her. [;lr"p:!Lf,l'!^^(°"'. ^.herefhe lodged at: I ' "' " "-""■'*' *>*""* "«'' 'lulpand came f rem ipnr- iiufpand cawetrequen t- K-if III C 06 ) Ty to vifit her, which was a great happincfs as her trials in tl^^ir reparation had been many. At the time appointed fome of the Indians came again, but fhe ftill pleaded indifpofirion and had con fined herfelf to her bed. One of the women intt^rrogated her very clofely, but did not mfift upon her going back. Thus feveral months elapled, flie contriving delays as often as they came. When the veflcl which was to take the other five, among whom were her hufband and child was ready to fail; the officers at Niagara con! eluded ihe might alfo go with them, as they law no realonable objedtion, and they doubted nor but it was in their power to fatisfy thofc Indians, who confidered her as their wo perty. ^ AbnerGilbert, another of the captives, when the company had reached the Indian town within three miles of Niagara Fort, was, widi Wizabeth Gilbert the younger, fepararcd from the reft, about the latter part of thefifth month 1780 and were both adopted into John Huf- ton s family, who was of the Cayuga nation. Atter a (lay of three days at or near the fet- tlement of thefe Indians, they removed to a place near the great falls, which is about eighteen miles dilTantfrom the fort, and loiter-' ed here three days more; they then crolfed' a pie( for p corn, fort. Aft lip the with ti the ri\ fniall v oppofii They f great c ihould after tr* to their about o, mud go left thei of the fa the river, and fettled near its banks are very [place of my and mh the for Butle I'l'hey wej iMn Sec hkfofd |time befo After f< lizabeth 11 lUi a pieceiiiange to ( ^7 ) w^h them in th"; ri'tl r' ^T'^^y "^^^ the river to Jr i, r ' ^""^ wentdoA^n oppofice lide nK ,f,{ ^^- ^"^'^^^ ^"<^ Js on the rty ftliite^:,;^ at X "..at^I^r ^""• great ca -tion that nonV ^- ,1^ L°""'""S ihould converfev 'th thenrthn """kt" P'°P'' -fter tranfading their bufit?'*"L ^'" ^"y' to their fettlemenf , ^"""^ ». they returned about one week when"!'""''"""'*. '^"' *'« muft go aeain fA. R !? «."'^' concluded they left tf^r f K- • ^'"'"^'ury ; after they had with the brother hifX """'"'"g ''''^ family. n^e^'i. 9"^- fl>o:iic^ ^::^n:f a piecefljange to her y tm icnt fbrj this in was an agreeable -Abner ¥ ( 68 ) Abner returned with them to the fettlement, his employ being to fence and fecure the corn- patch ; fometimes he had plenty of provifions,| but was often in want. The miftrefs of the family one day intend- ing for Butlerfbury, ordered Abner to prepare! to go with her ; but fhe had not gone far be- fore Ihe fent him back. Notwithftanding he had long been inured to frequent diiappoint- ments, he was much mortified at returning, as he expedled to have feen his fifter. When the woman came home, fhe gave him no information about her, and all inquiries on his part would| have been fruitlefs. * The place they had fettled at fcrved for al dwelling until fall, and as it was not very far diftant from the fort, by often applying for| proviiion, they were not fo- much dillreiTed be- tween the failing of thei/ old crop, and thcj gathering of the new one, as thofe who lived at| a greater diftance. In the fall John Hufton, the head of thel family, went out hunting, and in his returnl caught cold from his carelefs manner of lying! in the wet, and thereby loft the ufe of his limbs! for a long time. On being informed of his| fituation, the family moved to the place wherej he was •, they fixed a fhelter over him (as hel was unable to move himfelf) and continued] here about a month ; but as it was remote from| ■anv fptt\tmFr\t. and thev had 1"Q QQ oftfin tQ thfi for ( ^ > fort for the ncceflaries of life, they concluded to return to their own habitation. Abner, one Indian man, and fome of the women, carried the cripple in a blanket about two miles • this was fo hard a tafl<, they agreed to put up a imall hou<-, and wait for his recovery • But not long alter they had an opportunity of con- veying him on horfe-back to the landing, aj bout nine miles above the fort. As this was their plantation, and thetime of gathering their crops, they took in their corn, which, as has been before obferved, is the bufinefs of the women. Then they changed their quarter ^ carrying the lame Indian as before in a blanket down to the river fide, when they went on board canoes, and crofled the river, in order to get to their hunting-ground, where they ulually Ipend the winter. ^ Abner Gilbert lived a dronifli Indian life idle and poor, having no other employ than the gathering of hickory-nuts , and although young, his fituation was very irkfome. As foon as the family came to the huntingJ ground, they patched up a flight hut for their refidence, and employed themfelves in hunt- ing. They took Abner along wiih them m one of their tours, but they were then u nfucce/T- tul, taking nothing but rackoons and porcu« The crop of Indian corn Drovincr rnof^.n. a pittance tor the winter; Abner, In this acl county ^ ( 70 ) ooimt, had fome agreeable employ, which was to vifit the fort, and procure a fupply of pro- viTions, which continued to be his employmeat for the remainder of the feafon. In the.fpring John Hufton, the Indian who had been lame the whole winter, recovered, and unhappily had it in his power to obtain a fupply of rum, which he frequently drank to excels; and always, when thus debauched, was extravagantly morofe, quarrelling with the women who were in the family, and at length ^ left them. Soon after his departure, the family ' moved about forty miles, near Buffalo Creek, which empties its waters into Lake Erie. At this place Abner heard of his filter Rebecca Gilbert, who flill remained in captivity not far from his new habitation. This was their fummer refidence ; they therefore undertook to clear a piece of land, in which they put corn, pumpkins and fquafhes. Abner, having no uieful employ, amufed himfelf with catching fifh in the lake, and furnilhed the family with frequent meffes of various kinds, which they eat wirhout bread or fait-, ior the diftance of this fettlement from the fort prevented them from obtaining pro- vifions fo frequently as neceffary. Captfjohn Powell and Thfuias Peart ^the latter had by this time obtained his releale from the Indians) and feveral others, came among the Indian IPtflt-mpnfc with t^r/-»xri fir*" 01-.^ U^.._ r ^1 ,,_... ,-11,^1 j^i.\Jj iii\jn aiiu. liuWi i(Ji" liiCiii. The iThea mongl icame, 'as the the nu I tion of are fai power iimple It w I been p; not feei I of tim great jc were fo corn fei not beii his capt In th to Buck the worr the rele fen ted ti he mud deliver I return, i tion that a fpur t( llight. Some which was ply of pro- nploymeat Indian who recovered, to obtain a y drank to uched, was with the I at length the family alo Creek, Erie. At r Rebecca tivity not ■ was their undertook they put Yt amufed lake, and meffes of It bread or lent from ning pro- apt. John sr had by : Indians) he Indian for them. < 71 ) The account of their coming foon fpr^ad a- mongft the Indians. The chiefs of every tribe came, bringing with them as many little fticks as there were perfons in their tribe, to exprefs tne number, m order to obtain a jull propor- tion of the provifion to be diflributed. Thev are faid to be unacquainted with any other power of explaining numbers, than by this fimple hieroglyphic mode. ^ It was upwards of a year fince Abner had been parted from his relations, and as he had not leen his brother Thomas Peart in that fpace ol time, this unexpeded meeting gave him great joy, but it was of fliort duratfon, as th*T were forced to leave him behind. Durino- the corn leafon he was employed in tending it^and not being .fan impatient difpofition, he bore liis captivity without repining. In the leventh month, 178 r, the family went to Butlerfbury, when Col. Butler treated with the woman who was the head of this family for the releafe of Abner, which ihe at length con- Jented to on receiving fome prefents, but faid he mull firil return with her, and flie would deliver him up in twenty days. Upon their return, fhegave Abner the agreeable informa- tion that he was to be given up. This added a fpur to his mduftry, and made his labour light. Some days before the time agreed on, they |f -•-wviv.vi ivi ouuvTiwuiy, ana went to John Sccord'i V»%M' ( 72 ) Secord's, where his fitter Elizabeth Gilbert had been from the time mentioned in the former part of this narrative. Abner was difcharged by the Indians foon after his arrival at the Englifh village, and John Secord permitted him to live in his family with his fiften With this family they continu- ed two weeks, and as they were under the care of the Englifh officers, they were permitted to draw clothing and provifions from the king's llores. Afterwards Benjamin Peart and his brother Thomas, who were both releafed, came over for their brother and filler at John Secord's, and went with them to Capt. Powell's, in order to be nearer to the vefTel they were to go in to Montreal. The next of the family, who comes within notice, is Elizabeth Gilbert the fifter. From the time of her being firft introduced by the Indian into tlie family of John Secord, who was one in whom he placed great confidence. She was under the neceiTity of having new clothes, as thofe fhe had brought from home were much worn. Her fituation in the family where fhe was placed was comf-'.rtable. After a few days rcfidence with them, fhe- Not long after this vifit. Col. Butler and John Secord fcnt for the Indian, who claimed Elizabeth as his property, and when he arrived they made overtures to purchafe her, but he declared he would not fell his own flefh and blood ; for thus they ftile thofe whom they /have adopted. They then had recourfe to prefents, which, overcoming his fcrupies, tiiCy obtained her difcharge ; after which fh^ re- mained two weeks at Butler^uryj and then 3went to her mother at Montreal. Having given a brief relation of the happr releafc and meeting of fuch of the captives as had returned from among the Indians, ex- cepting Thomas Peart, whofe narrative is de- ferred, as he was exerting his endeavours tor the benefit of his filter and coufin, who dill •remained behind. It may not be improper to return to th * mother, who with feveral of her children were .at Montreal . The nurfe-child Avhich they had taken, as related in the former part of this account^ dying, was a confiderable lofs to them, as they could not, even by their utmofl: indufiry, gain ab much any other way. In the fall of the year 1781, Col. Johnfon,j Capt. Powell^ andfome other officers, came tOj Montreal upon bufinefs, and were fo kind inj their remembrance of the family, as to inquire] after them^ and to make them fome prefents, congratulating the mother on the happy re- 1 ( 75 > leafcment of Co m^ny of her children ri«.„ nco. raged her with the informal of Thdr agreement with the Indians, for the reLfemene Dt her daughter Rebecca, expefting Sfhl A'as by that time at Niagara; bft in this opinion they were miftakin, as the Ind.W [am.ly, who adopted her. valued her too hth ime atter this before fhe was given ud fc -zabeth Gilbert and her daughte^,; took n clothes to waft for their fupporfand bdS Jefle Gilbert obtained employ in his trade : ITS'"''' ''''''" ^ -l--'ddidon Iff W "i ^'^'"'^ ^""^'l"^ "° opportunity to Ns her, of inquiring about her friends and t ofT" ^'^'"/y^^r'' ^"'l ^"^ the fa?i fa": Jon of being informed by one who came frcL' h fouthward. that friends of pSdTa ad been very afliduous in their endeavou „ H'l^J^formaiion where their family was »d had fent to the different meetings E' g hem to inform themfelves of thef uatio« ^ wer, afford them fuch relief as they might lid TLtl^'^""' P'"'*""^^ '« hear of this Bs ^Z ^-f "^ remembrance of their I was, and it would have been P(n.„,i,ii„ ^ 2 Serviceable ^ Lii^i^iiM ..«!!< I C 76 ) fcrvkeabk to them, could they have reduced it to a certainty. Deborah Jones, a daughter of Abraham "Wing, a friend, fent for Elizabeth Gilbert, in order to attend her as a nurfe *, but her death, which was foon after, fruftrated the profped fhe had of an agreeable place, as this woman was better grounded in friends principles than moft fhe had met with •, which circumftance united them in the ties of a clofe friendfhip: and as Elizabeth Gilbert had received many civilities and favours from her, her death was doubly affli(5ting to their family. A perfon who came from Crown-Point, in formed here nat Benjamin Gilbert, a fon of the deceafedby his firftwife, had come thither, in order to be of what fervice he could to the family, and had defired him to make inquirj w? ere they were, and in what £tuation, and fend him the earlieft information poiTible. A fecond agreeable intelligence Ihe received from Niagara, by a young woman who came from thence, who informed her that her daugh- ter Rebecca was given up to the Englifh by the Indians. This information mufl have been very plea-fing, as their expedtations her releafe were but faint •, the Indian, wit whom Ihe lived, confidering her as her ow child. t ^u It was not long after this, that Thom P^orf Reher.ca Gilbert, and their coufi Benjamii] was r cxpref Refl out a ] the va the far throug the fie ftored among great a but wii the gre Reb( were ft nexions dowff, \ ^Jiagar; whom of the where h the reft Upon t family, as is cu higher i be placi over the ^e reduced Abraham Gilbert, in her death, be profped his woman ciples than rcumftance friendfhip : ived many death was ^ Point, in- i fon of the : thither, in )uld to the ike inquiry nation, and )irible. he received I who came her daugh" Englifh by mufl have edations of ndian, wit; as her owi lat Thoma heir coufiij Benjamii] ( 77 ) fenjamin Gilbert came to Montreal to the reft of she family. This meeting, after fuch icenes ot forrow as they had experienced, was more completely happy than can be cxprefled. Reflexion, if indulged, will fteadily point out a protedmg arm of power to have ruled the various ftorms which often threatened the family with deftrudion on their pafTaec through the wildernefs, under the conrroul of tlie fierceft enemies, and preferved and re- ftored them to each otlicr, although feparated among different tribes and nations : this, fo great a favour, cannot be confidered by them but with the warmeft emotions of gratitude to the great Author. Rebecca Gilbert and Benjamin Gilbert, fun were feparated from their friends and con- nexions at a place called the Five Mile Mea- dows which was faid to be that diftance from Niagara. The Seneca king's daughter, to whom they were allotted in the diitribution of the captives, took them to a fmall hut ^here her father Siangorochti, his queen, and he reft of the family were, eleven in number. Upon the reception of the prifoners into the tamily, there was much forrow and weeping, as IS cuftomary upon luch occafions, and tl^ higher in favour the adopted prifoners are to be placed, the greater lamentation is made jovcr them. . n ^ 'I I' 1 I ! I f I iilil ( 78 ) After three days the family removed to a place called the Landing, on the banks of Niagara River : here they continued two days! more, and tlien two of the women went! •with the captives to Niagara, to procure j clothing from the king's (lores for themJ and permitted them to ride on horfeback to Fort Slufher, which is about eighteen miles diftant from Niagara fort. On this journey they had a fight of the Great Falls of| Niagara. During a flay of fix days at Fort Slulher>| theBritilh officers and others ufed their utmoftl ^ndciivours to purchafe them of the Indians J but the Indian king faid he would not part with them for one thoufand dollars. The Indians, who claimed Elizabeth PeartJ came to the fort with her at this time, and although Ihe was very weakly and indifpofed, it was an agreeable opportunity to them both of converfing with each other; but they were not allowed to be frequently together, left they Jhould increafe each other's difcontent. Rebecca being drefled in the Indian manner,] appeared very different from what fhe had been accuftomed to : Ihort clothes, leggings, | and a gold laced hat. From Niagara fort they went about eighteen! miles above the Falls to fort Erie, a garrifon of | theEnglifh, and then continued their journeyl about four miles further up Buffalo creekj (illUi tages ( refl. one hu pie is five bi As ] of equi was fa\ their hi Ihe drc method fiftance baked agreeab ( 79 ) and pitched their tent. At this pJace they" met With Rebecca's father and mother by adop^-on, who had gone before on hcrfe-back. Ihey caught feme filh, and made foup of them but Rebecca could eat none of it. as it was drefled witlwut fait, and with all tlic carelelTnefs of Indians. This fpot was iiMended for their plantatio*, they theretorc began to clear the land for the crop of Indian corn. While the women were thus emp oyed, the men built a log houfe for their refidence and then went out hunting. w.^nTA /!l'^"S, ''" ^"""y ^'^^ 'i^«d with Tht f }^'-^ rank among the Indians, and he head of it ftiled King, they were inder he neceffity of labouring, as well as thofe of Wer rank, although they often had advan- llf iuP'°S"'''"S '"o/e Provifions than the T u ^i"^family raifed this fummer about one hundred fk.pple of Indian corn (a {kZ ot equal labour with the other women flip was favoured by them by often beinSinto their hut to prepare fomething to eaTj an Is ihe drefled their provifions Tfter the En,, ift fiftate'ofl'^'r^^' '"' ovenTySf'S bakeH ^h K °'}"" r'"'"' i" ^hich they ^ ^ Benjamia f i h. ( 80 ) Benjamin Gilbert, jun. was confidcrrr- ?« the king's lucceflbr, and entirely n c*^ from rcftraint, {o that he even began u h Je- lighted with his manner of lite -, and uad it not been for the frequent counfel ')f hh fel- low captive, he would not have been anxious for a change. In the waters of the lakes there are various kinds of fifh, which the Indians take fome- times with fpears j but whenever they can obtain hooks and lines, they prefer them. A fifh called Ozoondah, refembling a fhad inlliape, but rather thicker, and lefs bony, with which Lake Eric abounded, was often drefled for their table, and was of an agree- able tafte, weighing fronfi three to four pounds. They drew provifions this fummer from the forts, which frequently induced the Indians to repair thither. The king, his daughter, grand-daughter, and Rebecca, went together upon one of thefe vifits to Fort Erie, where the Britiih officers entertained them with a rich feaft, and fo great a profufion of wine, that the Indian king was very drunk -, and as he had to manage the canoe in their return, they were repeatedly in danger of being over- fct amongfl the rocks in the lake. Rebecca and Benjamin met with much bet- ter fare than the other captives, as the family they lived with were but fcldom in great want of nee they c Ber nity, • neck. Th< ly, to Benjar Fort I proccei their b to obti frequei Reb< expedta Icalt pe was dif turn ag her rel houfe-k nefs to noticed, As th home vi intoxica behaved Ontl: at Fort Ju)rl€ tc where tl ♦ rJcrn" ?« *p'^ from J '^ Jc- nd uad it f hh fel- 1 anxious e various ke fome- they can them, ig a (had efs bony, /as often n agree- to four from the J Indians laughter, together e, where 1 with a of wine, •, and as r return, ing over- luch bet- le family reat want 3^ ( «i ) of neceflaries, which was the only advai they enjoyed beyond the reft of tneir tribe ~ Benjamin Gilbert, as a badge of his dic- nity, wore a fUver medal pendant from C» neck. The king, queen, and another of the fami- ly, together with Rebecca and her coufin ?o?f'^!"k'^' f ^°' ^■■'S?ra. boing as far «, fort Slulher by water, from whence thev proceeded on foot, carrying their loads on iheir backs. Their bufinefs at the fort was to obtain provifions, which occafioned them frequently to vifit it, as before related. Rebecca indulged herfelf with the pleaGno- cxpedation of obtaining her releafe, or a? leall permiflion to remain behind among the whnen bur in ^th thefe expeftationf Ihe was difagieeably difappointed, having to re- turn again with her captors; all efllrts for her releafe being in vain. Col. Johnfon's houfe-keeper, whofe repeated afts of kind- nels to this captivated family have been noticed, made her fome acceptable prefents As they had procured fome rum to carry home with them, the chief was frequentlr mtoxicated, and always in fuch unhajpy fi,J behaved remarkably foolifh. "^' at Fort Niagara procured for Rebecca aa horfe to carry htr as far as Fort Slufher where ithey took boat, and got home after I D Soon # % -fi. ( 82 ) * Soon after their return, Rebecca and her coufin were feized with the chill and fever, which held them for near three months. During their indifpofition the Indians were very kind to them ; and ^s their ftrength of conftitution alone could not check the pro- grefs of the diforder, the Indians procured fome herbs, with which the patients were unacquainted, and made a plentiful decoc- tion ; with thefe they wafhed them, and it feemed to afibrd them fome relief: the Indians accounted it a fovereign remedy. The deceafe of her father, of which Re- becca received an account, continued her in. a drooping way a confiderable time longer than fhe would otherwife have been. As foon as fhe recovered her Ficalth, fome of the family again went to Niagara, and Re- becca was permitted to be of the company. They ftaid at the fort about two weeks, and Col. Johnfon exerted himfelf in order to ob" tain her releafe, holding a treaty with th*^ In dians for this purpofe jbut his mediation prov- ed fruitlefs : Jhe had therefore to return with many an heavy flep. When they came to Lake Erie, where their canoe was, they pro^ ceeded by water While in their boat a num- ber of Indians in^ a canoe came towards them. and informed them of the death of her Indian father, who had made an expedition to the frontiers of Pennfylvania, and was there! unatter Som^ attende and hoe happine Gonverf Rebe pleafure came wi to fettle feen eac proved " Thon fifter, b; rpeedily were ofb An of Latteridj them, ar prifoners Llininn f-l m ki»t, ■^'m. ofhh wounds ; on which occafion Ihe was under the neceffity of making a feint of for- ™ «Vl^" w««P'ng- aloud with the reft. When they arrived, at their fettlement* it was the time of gathering their orop of corn potatoes, pumpkins, and preferring cheirftor^ of hickory nuts. RriH^'^*""' beginning of the winter foiiR- Bntifii officers came amongft them, and ftaid- 7:i\t^rT^ ^Pff u4 every endeavoiS tor the difcharge of the t As fpedily as they were enabled, their In- dian drels was exchanged for the more cuftom- ary and agreeable one of the Europeans i and on the third of the fixth month, 178^2, twa days after their happy rdeafe, failed for Mon« treaL The narrative of the treatment of Thomas- Peart, another of the family, ftill remains to< be given : He was taken alon^ . weftward path witb the prifoners before m».ntioncd, viz. Jofeph,. Sarah, and Benjamin Gilbert, jun. Thomas was compelled to carry a heavy load of the plunder which the Indians ha4 feized at their farm. When fep.n-ated from the reft, they were afiured they ihould meet together again in four days. The firft day's travel was in an exceedino- difagreeable path, acrofs feveral deep brooks^ through which Thomas had to carry Saralv and Benjamin Gilbert, jun. This tafk was,^ very hard one, as he had been much reduced for want of fufficient nouriihm^nt. The firft night they lodged by the banks of Cayuga Creek, the captives being tied as ufual. The next morning they took a venifpn^ and this,, with, fome decayed corn which they gathered from the deferted fields, ferved thcm^ for fuilenance. This day's journey was by the fide of Cayuga Creek, until they came to a ftcep hill^ which they afccndied witk When .^i :^ . ii; i^'' iijipr. P-^- i ( 58 3 When night came on, they fought a wie- warn which had been dcferted precipitately upon General Sullivan's march againft the innabirants of thefe parts. The land in this neighbourhood is excel- lent for cultivation, affording very good paf- ture. ^ Thomas Peart affured the Indians, that he with the other captives, would not leave thern' and therefore requefted the favour to be freed from their confinement at night ; but one of them checked his requefl, by faying he could not deep if the captives were fuUered to be untied. Their meat being all exhaufted, Thomaj? and three Indians went near three miles to gather more decayed corn i and this, mouldy as It was, they were obliged to eat, it being their only food, excepting a few winter tur- nips which they met with. They went for- wards a confiderable diftance by the fide of Cayuga Creek, and then with much difficul- ty crofled it; immediately afterwards they afcended an uncommon miry hill, covered with fprings. Going over this mountain they miffed the path, and were obliged to wade very heavily through the water and mire. In the clofe of the day they came to a fine meadow, where they agreed to contihue that Bight, having no other provifions than the «_7 nightSj game I poor, ; that th the oti they fir Afte a fliort and th( themfel the tree a fplit iinall bi that the the poii the grc would t they Icf i^\ ■ « 1 ^ t- ( 89 ) mouldy Indian corn they accidentally met been cut h' ^"''•- fr«ions. whic^ had been cut down, and left on the ground by General Sullivan's army. " Next morning they fet forwards, walkine eifurelyon. fo that the company who weni by the other path might overtake\hem, and frequently flopped for them. When night approached, they came to a large creek where fome Indians were, who had begun to prepare the ground for plant- '"g,^°^"- At this place they ftaid two lights, and being too indolent to procure game by hunting, their diet was ftill very fZ\ l""' ^'■'."S''^ much exhaufted. fo hat they became impatient of waiting for S^trrtopte? ^" '''^ ''"^""°" ' '^" . After travelling till near noon, they made a fhort ftay. ftripped the bark ofF I Tree and then painted, in their Indian manner hemfelves and the prifoners on the body of the tree,- this done, they kt up a ftick with ? P.'l'i"'; '°P' '" which they placed a iinall bufh of leaves, and leaned the ftick fo that the (hadow of the leaves fliould fall to the point of the ftick where it was fixeJ b the ground, by which means the others # Here C*' ( 90 ) Here they feparated the prifoners again, thofe to whom Thomas Peart and Jofeph Gilbert were allotted went weftward out of the path, but Sarah Gilbert and Benjamin Gilbert, jun. with one Indian, continued in the path.. This was very diftrcfling to Sarah to be torn from her relations, and deprived of all the comforts, and even neceffarics of hfe, Thefe two> with the Indian who had the care of them, after they had parted with the other two, and travelled forward a few miles, came to fome Indians by the fide of a creek, who gave them fomething to eat. The next day the Indian, who was their pilot, exerted himfelf to obtain fome provifions, but his endeavours proved fruitlefsj they therefore fuffered greatly. At night the In- dian afked Sarah if Ihe had ever eaten horfe^ flelh, or dogsi ihe replied, ihe had not j he then further furprifed her by afking whether ihe had ever eat man's flefh j upon her ex- prefTing her abhorrence^ he replied that he Ihould be under the necelTuy of killing the. boy, for he could not procure any deer. This threat, although perhaps not intended to be executed, terrified her exceedingly. He hunted with great diligence, leaving^the captives by themfelves, and appeared to i^; 'dder himfelf at what he had threatened, willing to try every refource ; but notwith- ftanding his exertions, her fears prevailed ia 2L '^QTy. a ver flowl) their ( they \ were y tion, at Cai mains ter we whom As t Gilber going ( masPc Tor from tl mounti Inth their cc hair, e crown < in the I appear their ha headed lent hea provifio Whci ments, whoop in ioners, i tw the ni ( 91 ) a very great degree. They went forwa: \ flowly being very weak, and in addition to their diftrefs, there fell a very heavy rain, and they were obliged to continue in it, as they were without fhelter. In this reduced fitua- tion, they at length came to one of the huts at Canodofago, where they drcfTed the re- mains of their mouldy corn, and the day af- ter were joined by the part of the company whom they had left ten days before. - As the few days folitary fufferings of Sarr.h Gilbert had been before unrelated^ the fore- going digreffion, from the narrative of Tho- mas Peart's, may not be thought improper. To return to the two who were feparated from the path, and had to go forwards acrofs mountains and vallies, fwamps and creeks. In the morning they eat the remainder of their corn. The Indians then cut off their hair, excepting a fmall round tufn on the crown of the head ; and, after painting them in the Indian manner, in order to make them appear more terrible, they took from them their hats. Being thus obliged to travel bare- headed in the fun, they were feized with viow icnt head achsj and this, added to a want of provifions,. was truly diflrefling. i When they approached the Indian fettle- n-ients, the Indians began their cu-ftomary whooping, to announce their arrival with pri- soners, iffuing their difmal yells according, tu tiio liumber brought in^ Afteir ! ! I 1 ( 9a ) 'After fome Oiort time an Indian came to thtm : with him they held a difcourfe con- ccrnmg the prilbncrs, and painted them atrefh, part black, and part red, as a diftin- guiihing mark. When this ceremony was concluded, the Indian who met them retura- cd, and the others continued their route. - As they were r>ot far from the InJian towns, they foon faw great numbers of the Indians colleding together, though the pri- loners were ignorant of the motives. When they came up to this difagreeable conripany, the Indian, who firft met them, took the firing that was about Thomas mrts neck, with which he had been tied at night, and held him whilft a Squaw ftrippcd off his veft. "^^ Jofeph Gilbert was ordered to run firft, but being lame and indifpofed, could only walk. Ihe clubs and tomahawks flew fo thick, that he was forely bruifed, and one of the tomahawks ftruck him on the head, and brought him to the ground, when a lad of about fifteen years old run after him, and, as he My, would undoubtedly have ended him, as he had lifted the tomahawk for that purpofe but the king's fon fent orders not to kill him.' After him, Thomas Peart was fct ofi^j he feeing the horrid fituation of his brother, was fo terrified, that he did not ^colled the Indian ftill kept hold of the firing which was rniinrl round great i over, ' feet, I lad wh Jofeph his ton tion. Theii ed, and bert*s w tacle to After afked T replied, *' eat b; cured fo but Jofe his appe ( 93 ) round his neck; but. fpringing forwards with great force and fwiftnefs, he pulled the Indian over, who, in return, when he recovered his eet, beat him feverely with a club. The lad who was ftanding witli a tomahawk near Jofeph Gilbert, as he palTed by him. threw his tomahawk with great dexterity, and would certainly have ftruck him. if he had not fprung forwards, and avoided the weapon. When he had got oppofite to one of their huts, they pointed for him to take Hielter there, where Jofeph Gilbert came to him as foon as he recovered. In the room were a number of women, who appeared very forrow- ful, and wept aloud ; this, though cuftomary amongft them, ftill added to "the terror of the captives, as they imagined it to be no other than a prelude to inevitable dearuc- Thei^r hair cropt clofe, their bodies bruif- ed, and the blood gulhing from Jofeph Gil- bert s wound, rendered them a horrid foec- tacle to each other, *^ After the lamentations ceafed, one of thei»- afked Thomas Peart, if he was hungrV h^ replied, he was : they then told him, '• You " eat by and by." They immediately pro- cured fome viftuals, and fet it before them, but Joleph Gilbert's wounds had taken away his appetite. ' ''i ^^n ■« An IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (Mf-3) /. .5;' ^^ /. t/j 1.0 I.I 1.25 1^ m ^ us 112.0 2.2 IIIIlM i.4 ill.6 C/^ "-^ Ss.. y Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTEK. N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 s ^ ^ i-V v \\ ^ ^9) ^^ r^\ 9^ 4- 1^^ If^" '^ ^ ?^' r^v ^ m> \§pt^- t 94 ) j^n officer, who was of the French farxnlics of Canada, came to them, and brought a Jicgro with him to interpret. After qucf- tioning them, he concluded to write to CoU Johnfon, at Niagara, relative to the prifoners. The Indians advifed them to be contented with their prefent fituation, and marry a- mongit them, giving every aflurance that .rhey ihould be treated with the titmoft re- •fped: but thefe conditions were inadmif- fible. Afta- this, Jofeph Gilbert was taken from liis brother, as related in the narrative of his fufFerings. Thomas Peart continued at the village that night, and the next day was given to the care of a young Indian, who went with hirn about two miles, where feverai Indians were colledled, drefled in horrid mafks, m order, as he fuppofed, to make fport of his fears, if he difcovered any- he therefore guarded againft being farprifed, and whea they obferved him not to be intimidated, they permitted him to return again. Not long after his arriving at the village, Capt. Rowland Monteur came in, who gave Tho- mas Peart fome account how the others^ of his family had fufFered, and told him that he had almoft killed his mother and JeflTe, on account of Andrew Harrigar's making his cfca|)e. He had come in before the others. in in order compan) When accom;^a Captain i tented, a fo he ft Thomas , that if h( Niagara. They c ral days, ftring fro fully fecu The pj fix for a their crop the Genef removing went thitis was exped ed it in ab to their ol Thomai the chief his apprei meet with The In( dirty and fdvcs difre ly mortify] ( 95 ) in order to procure fortie pfovifions for tke company, who were in great need of iu When the Captain returned. Thomas Peait accom;>anied him part of the way, and the Captain advifed him to be cheerful and con- tented, and work faithful for the friend, for io he (tiled the . Indian under whofc care Thomas. Peart wa« placed, promifing him that ,f he complied, he Ihould Ihortly go to jMiagara* ^ They employed him in chopping for fevc- ral days, having previous to this taken the ftring from his neck, which they had care- tully fecured him with every night. The plantation on which they intended t® fix for a fummer refidence, and to plant their crop of corn, was feveral miles down the Genefee, or Little River. Prior to their removing with the family, fome of the men- went thither, and built a bark hut, which, was expcditiouay performed, as they execut- ed It in about two days, when they returned to their old habitation. Thomas Peart was the .ext day given t the chief Indian, who endeavoured to quiet his appreheiifmns, afluring him he ihould meet with kind treatment. The Indian manner of life is remarkably dirty and loufyj and although they them- elves difregard their filth, yet it was extreme- ly mortifying to the prifoners to be deprived of * ■ft* ( 96 ) of» the advantages of cleanlinefs : and this was by no means among the number of fmal- ler difficulties. As Thomas Peart had been accuftomed to induftryj and when firft among tne Indians was conftantly exerting himfelf, either in their aftive diverfions or ufeful labour, they were much delighted with him. When they had concluded upon fending him to the fllmily he was to refide with, they daubed him afreOi with their red paint. He was then taken about feven miles, where he was adopted into the family, and filled " Och- " nufa," or uiicle. When the ceremony of adoption was performed, a number of the relatives were fummoned together, and the head of them took Thomas Peart into the midft of the aflembly, and made a long ha- rangue in the Indian language. After this he was taken into the houfe, where the wo- men wept aloud for joy, th^t the place of a deceafed relation was again fvi{3pl led. The old man, whofe place Thomas Peart was to fill, had never been confidered by his family as pofreflcd of any merit ; and, ftrangc as it may appear, the perfon adopted always holds, in their eftimation, the merits or de- jpfierits of the deceafed, and the mod careful *condu6t can never overcome this prejudice. As loon as the ceremony of adoption at this place was finiihed, he was taken by th famil r famil River or kif was fi a feco Th( a feafc dried ^ which food; ^ the ga Tho Indian one <^ ner, as after hi Grea the wo( fituatio relation vity, Heo five wee fumed i fupply ^ to go th that Th he was I and the preparat > ■"•■■^•Ili f and this • of fmal- torned to ; Indians either in )ur, they hen they I to the daubed He was e he was I " Och- ^nnony of T of the and the into the Jong ha- fter this the wo- lace of a as Peart J by his 'j ftrangc i always s or de- l careful tudice, ption at n by th< famili < 97 -) family to Nundow, a town on thr P-,*" River. The head of this Ll^y w,s a Sf or k,ng of the Senecas. But before ThomL ihflT'' '^ '^"r'!?' '"'^ "" boiled Sher' food Thl '=**"'^''«='- ft^ng and whSS tood. They never throw away anv oarf r^ the game they take. ^ ^^ ^^'" ** inP°T. ^""> ^'^^' '^ss entirely ja the Indunftile painted and or^^enU 1^ Greatly difconte!,ted, he often retired into the woods, and reflefted upon his unhan,^! fituanon. without hopes of ^wurnLrto £1 relations, or ever being refcued K Spti! fiv"weer'when'",?'>^""''"^^^'^"fion''«'out nve weeics, when their corn was moftJv rnn fumed i and as their dependence for a freA fupply was on Niagara Fort thlvcLruI^ to go thither, but at firft wn.^W^ concluded .hat Thomas' Ihould" a'cfomTny tK" ffi ne was fo uraent rhf.tr ^t- i •'^. ":* **"^ and the nexS'tta aWdi?"^'"''*^* • preparatory to tLr cxpedii;"'^""' ^'^''' In imp* ^ ^ii i 98 ) In the route Thomas P^art got a deer, -which was an acceptable acquifition, a« they had been for fome days without any meatj and their corn was likewife expended. When they came within two miles of the fort, they halted^ and ftaid there xxnttl morn- ing. A white prifoner, whocame from the fcwt, ;;gave Thomas Peart a particular relation of his fellow captives : this was the firft account he had of them fince their fcparation at the Indian t wns. As foon as he came to the fort, he applied to fome of the officers, re- quefting their exertions to procure Thomas's 4iberty, if poflible j but he was difappointed, ,as nothing could be then done to ferve him. He eat fome fait provifions, which, as he had tailed but little fait fince his captivity, (although pleafing to his palate) aflfeded his ilotnach, it being difficult for him to digeft. A. he was to return with the Indians in about a week, it was very diftreffing, being much difgufted with the fare he met amongft them; They returned by way of Fort Slulher, and then along Like Erie, up Buffalo Creek, tak ing fome iifh as they went. They paffed by the place* where Elizabeth Peart,and Rebecca Gilbert were, but he had not an opportunity of feeing them. The I ( 99 ) fiftln n?*""" ^\V°°^^°""' '^''h them, con- fifted of rum, fait, and ammunition. Lake Erie ,s about three hundred miles long from eaft to weft, and about for?? in Laltsuoerr"',[c" jf? ^^1? of waters f^om Norrh w^T 'J^"'"S»" ""'J Huron, by a Detroit A Tf' ""''^'^^ Streights^f Detroit. A very long narrow piece of land lies on ,ts north fide, which projeas remark- ably mto the lake, and has been notTcTd b» ot Long i-oint. There are fcveral iflandnfeted with different kinds of fnakes part^ularly the ratfe-fnake, thaL other The navigation of this lake is allowed to be more dangerous than the othe s on ,r count of the high lands prxjeft ng inw it fo that when fudden ftorms arifc^^boa ! ari ^TT^^ lofti « there ar<: but few p ace! welter near the craggy precipices. ^ The waters of £rie pafs through a norrh «ft ^communication into the rivfrNiari" nx miles,- falls ,nto Lake Ontario ' At the difcharge of this river' into Lake « ErL Fort LT'"'", ^'""^ ^ake Erie I t^mtotti between tJiele two forts are ^ ^ thofe ( 100 *) rUioTe dtcaordinary falls which claim the attention of the curious, and arc amongft ;thc moft remarkable ^works of nature. This ftupciiuoas catarad is fupplied by the waters of the fcvcrd lakes, and their diftant f^wit^ ; whicb> after traverfing many hundred miles, mih aftonilhingly down a moft horrid, precipictr, and which, by afmall iflaadfis feparated into two large columns, .,and eadi near one hundred and forty feet , perpendicular, and in a ftrong, rapid, in- conceivable foam and roar, extends near nine miles further^ having in this diftancc a de- fccQt aearly equal to the firft. »Tbe ftreight of Niagara is efteemed dan- *gerous for a mile or upwards above the falls. The water of the falls raifes a very heavy WMft, fomowhat r^^fembding a continuation of .the river J and this deception, together with the rapidity of the current, frequently hur- ries the dwjcks and gecfe dowa this dreadful precipice. This vaft body of water, after paffing through the Streight of Niagara, is received by Lake Ontario, Oir Cataraqui, which is nearly rof an oval form. Its greateft length is from north-^eaft tofouth-weft, and is gene- rally allowed to be fix hundred miles in cir- cumference. And although the ieaft of the five great lakes of Canada is much the fafcft for fhiiPfing, -as .the channel is lefs obftruaed by rock The foul batteaux ihelving other is Many barred i but the y On th( which fa) little Sen der then after the flow and In oi^( between' is a portaj Falls, to hills, aloi or nine nn as it poif is -about ( fwift here ftcm it foi ftifFeft ga pafs along rent is Je Borth-eaft Cataraqui. From th lakes, we prifoner, i m im the mongfl: icd hy d their * many own a a fmall lumnsj ty feet id, in- ar nine ; adc- d dan* e falls, heavy it ion of ?r with y hur- readful paffing jceived dch is length \ gene- in cir- of the * fafcft ;ru(5i;ed by ( loi by rocks or iHands, \han the other lakes. The fouth fide is the moft commodiom for batteaux and canoes, having a moderately flielving bank and Ihorc on^ that fide : the other is more rocky. Many of the rivers which fall ii^to it, are barred m their entrances by broken hills but the valJies arc uncommonly fertile, ' On the fouth th€ moft confiderabk rivers whichTall into this lake, are, the great and little Scn-ca. The falls of thefc rivers ren- der them not navigable near the lake; but after the carrying-places arc pafled, they run flow and deep. ' \ la CH»der to keep up the comimaication between the different pawls of Canada, there n a portage from the landing below Niagara trails, to the landing above, up three fharp fulls, along which, the road for about eight or nme miles has been «iade as^ eafy for carts as It poifibly could 5 (thence to Lake Erie is-about eighteen miles) but the (Iream h fo fwift here, that it is almoft impoffibFc to ftcm i-t for a mile or two in a (hip with the ttiftelt gale ; tho\>gh battcaux and canoes pafs along without much daiFger, as the cur- rent is lefs rapid near the Ihore. On the «orth.eaft it empties itfelf into the river tataraqui. From this fhort digrefllve accownt of the lakes, we may return to the fit»atmn of the pnioner, and the Indian family. E3 When et fuch dif- ficulties. His painful reflexions, and the want of neceffaries, reduced him exceeding low. « .J Whilft in this diftrefs, he happily obtained the ufe of a tcftament from a white woman, "who had been taken captive, and afterwards married amongft them. With this folacing companion, he frequently retired into the woods, and employed himfelf in reading and meditating upon the iaftruAion couched in It. The Indians direded a white girl to inform him, that they intended a hunt of twenty days, and were dcfirous he Ihould attend them ; to this he agreed, and the whole family accompanied the hunters. They paf- fed by the town where Jofeph Gilbert was, who informed his brother that he was going to Niagara: Thomas Peart replied he had already been there, and then informed him how the otheiTR of their relatioris were dif- perfed. On their way up the Genefee River, where they intended to hunt, they took a deer. The The \ beating at lengcl him. V fatigued they wer ficuation The n as they ^ quarters^ Thorn them, t This, ac them to fo weak and was the leave Their it was n fumed i were unc ries. Thep captive, and to b with the though to reach trcmity < which w fupply i year's d were at wild was fo ftomed cheer- ck dif. nd the eeding >tained ^oman, rwards >lacing to the ngand bed in inform twenty attend whole zy paf- t was, going le had d him •e dif- wherc The C 103 > The fourth day, as Thomas Peart was beating for game, he loft his company j but at length came to fome Indians, who direded him. When he came to the family much fatigued, and told them he had been loft, they were much delighted at the perplexing fituation he had been in. The next day they moved further, hunting as they went, and in the evening fixed their quarters, where they ftaid two nights. Thomas Peart, not endeavouring to pleafe them, they took umbrage at his negled:* This, added to a fit of the ague, induced them to leave him in the woods, he being fo weak he could not keep ud with them, and was obliged to follow by their tracks ia the leaves. , Their provifions foon began to waftc, and it was not long before it was entirely con- fumed i and as they took no game, they were under the neceffity of eating wild cher- ries. The profped appeared very gloomy to our captive, to be thus diftreficd with hunger, and to be from home near one hi2ndrcd miles with the whole faniily : but this fituation, though fo alarming to him, did not appear to reach their Stoic infenfibility. In this ex- tremity one of the Indians killed a fine elk, which was a long wifhed-for and delightful fupply i but as the weather was very warm, E 4 and 1 ( «04 ) anc| they had no faJt, it fooiri became putrid, and filled with maggots, which they, not- withftanding,. eat without rcfcrve. After they had been our upwards of thirty days, the Indians changed their courfc to- wards their own habitation, making but little progrefs forwards, a? they kept hunt- ing as they went. And as Thomas had long been uneafy, and defirous to return, not cxpe6ling to have been abfcnt more than twenty days, they gave him fome dircdlions, aiid a fmall iha of provifionsj he then left tlhem^^ after an unfuccefsful hunt of forty days : and, although weak and unfit for the journey, he fet off in the morning, and kept as near a north weft courfe as he could, going as faft as bis ftrength would permit over large cr-eks, fwamps, and rugged hills ; and when night came on, made up a fmall fire,^ and being exceedingly fatigued, laid hh-rifelf down on the ground, and flept very foundly. In the morning he continued his journey. When he confidered the great diftance through the woods to the Indian tov/ns, and the difficulty of procuring game to fwbfift on, k dejc(fted him greatly. His fpirits were fo depreficd, that when his fire was extinguifhed i# the night, he even heard the wild beads walking and howling around him, without regarding them, as with all his exertions and afliduity. affiduil reachir fuccee( On t roots a Wh^ were p the rea had lei fijlly ir Thii ni'w cr pumpk prorpe( quen;, Abo turned had rej that he he cvei The exciirfi but he thcrefo not Ic brothci fifteen Gcnefe Benj indifpG kim fe ■ m ( 105 ) afliduity, he had but fmrii hope of ever reaching the towns, but provicfcntblly he fuccccded. ^ ^ Oil the journey he eat a land tortoife, fomo roots and wild cherries. When he reached the town, the Indians were pkafed with his return, and inquired the reafon of his coming alotie, and where he had left the fanriily he went with; which he fully informed them of. This being the time for fcafting on their iii'w crop of corn, and they having plenty of pumpkins and fqAialhes, gave an agreeable profpeA of a Ihort feafon of health, and fre- quent:, though (impk, t'eads^r About ten days after this, the family re- tfurned i they foon inqu/ed if Thomas Feart had reached home, and upon being informed that he had, replied that it was not expeded he ever could. The Indians concluding to make a war excurfion, afked Thomas to be with themj but he determinatcly refufed them, and was therefore left ar honic with the fanjily; and not Ic^g after had permiffion to vifit his brother Benjamin Peart, who was then about fifteen or eighteen miles diftant, down the Genefee river; Benjamin Peart was at ihat time Ycry m«ch indifpofed; Thomas, therefore, ftaid with kim feverai d^s^ and, when he recovered a £ 5 UttJic ( io6 ) little ftrength, left hin,, and returned to his old habitation. cSfmr** thoroughly acquainted with the cuftoms, nranners, and difpofitions of the jult as they had done the old worthlefs In- having been confidered a perquifite of the S^fiiV.''* '\"'^°'' conclJed he would cnJeavlr',' f^'^^^f ■•'? t^^o". and ufed na endeavours to pleafe them, as his bufinefs v/as to cut wood for the family, notwTth- ftand.ng he m,ght eafily have procured Tfuf- ficient ftore yet he was not fo difpofed, but often refufcd and even left it for the Squawa fometimes to do themfelves. not doubting, if he was diligent and careful, they would-be lefs willing to give him his liberty. Jo(eph Gilbert came to fee him, and. a» has been mentioned, informed himot thede- eeafe of their father. u ^^"'^ Vnie in the fall, the king fwhofe brother Thomas was called) died, a^dSwas d retted to hew boards, and make a coffin for ;. ^iU"" !," "• **^~•"pleted,. they fmeared It with red paint. The women, wliofe atten. tion to this IS always infifted on amongft the Krt'i, P' '^^ ^°'P^'' ^°' '■^^^"l days, ht ■ff.y.P'-'^P^^ld a grave, and interred himj u being confidered amongft this tribe difgraccful for a man to take tny notice of this (107 ) this folemn and interefting fcene. A numbef of Squaws collecled upon this occafion, and there was great mourning, which they con- tinued for feveral days at ftated times. As the place of interment, as well as that ap- pointed for weeping, was near the hut Thoma* Peart refided at, he had an opp^. • tunity of indulging his curiofity, through the openings of the logs, without giving of- fence. Soon after this, one of the women, who was called Thomas's fifter, defired him to accompany her about fifty miles towards Niagara. Some others of the family went with them, and in their way they took a deer and other game. They were from home on this journey about fix days; during the time, there fell a very heavy fnow, which made their journey toilfome. The women were fent homeward before the reft„ to prepare Something againft they came. When they had loitered at home a few days, they fet about gathering their winter ftore of hickory nuts; from fome of them they extrafted an oil, which they cat with bread or meat, at their pleafure. Frequently before they fet ofF on their hunting parties, they make an Indian frolickj when, commonly, all the company become '-'-•-• **&••••*•/ iwiUAivatvu; auur wiicju Uicy in- Ed tend ( io8: ) '• . fend to go off this winter, they firft tnvc the preparatory entertainment. sx,^^^Z ^ r^y ^^'^ gone, Thomas Peart and tht miftrefs of the family difagreeing,. fhe in- lilted upon his joining to the hunters, and living on the game, that ihe might fave more corn. He pleaded the coldnefs of the fcafon, and his want of clothing, but it would not avail i he was therefore turned out, and upon finding the hunters, he built them huts^ if^here they ftaid for fomc weeks, taking the game, and eating wild meat without corn, as wF^^ they had raifed was Ihort. When they were weary with- their employ, w-. • ow*«*»*w A VM* (•■» well y vc the rt and fhe in- s, and e more fcafon. Id not i upon huts^ ng the )rn, as- nploy^ 1 their i again Jt ten nting^ lid fet ful ta 1 this cart a^ 'aHng t the fnow epth, wade often I if as well ( ro9 ) well as the reft were unclothed, exceptrn^ a blanket and pair of leggings. ^ 'o « In five days they came to^^Fort Slufher, and Next morniijg they went to Niagara, where he immediately made application to the Bri! tifh officers to folicit his releafe cLf^Z ^^-l' '"for-'d Colonel Johnt;. who' ! time to deliberate upon the fubjeft, not willing to difoblige the Colonel, and at kngth concluded to comply with his remieft- telling him, that however hard it miX be to part with the=r own flelh, yet, topleafe him! Ihl wTref^:^'' ''^'"'' '' -"'^ -^« Colonel Johnfon then diredled him to his own houfe, and defired him to clean himfeJf and fent clothes for him to drefs with. Here he had plenty of fait provifions, and eve^ peceffary of life: this, with the happy reSn?^ ing of his liberty gave a new fpriL S%, fpints, and, for a few days, he fcarcely kncW fo7ch^angi7 ""'''^ '"'" *''""'* ""^°°*^" d^ When recruited, he went to work fon Colonel Johnfon, and a few weeks affrr h,^ the fatisfaftion of his brother ^^atoin P ar ^ comjjanyj who, though not releafed. veZ' i-errmitca to it»y at th« ion, and workidwitb his ( »I0 ) I his brother until fpring; when Captain Powell, Lieutenant Johnfon, and Thonnas Peart went up BafFalo Creek, with two boats loaded with provifions^ and a proportion of planting corn, together with hoes, to be diftributed anaong the Indians. In this expedition Thomas had the fatif- fadion of feeing and converfing with his filler Rebecca^ which was the firft of their meeting together, after a feparation of a year. At the diftribution of the corn and hoes, the Indians met, and made a general feafl; after which, they difperfedj and the officers, when they had completed their bnfinefs, re- turned to Niagara, after an abfence of eight or nine days. Thomas Peart was fettled at Colonel John- fon's, to work for him at two (hillings and fix pence per day, till the eighth month, when fix of the captives were fent to Montreal, and Thomas alfo had permiffion to go, but he chofe rather to ftay, to afford his affiftance to his fifter Rebecca Gilbert, and his coufin Benjamin Gilbert, junior, who yet remained in captivity, exerting himfelf as ftrenuoufly as poffible on their behalf. In the fall, he went up again to Buffalo Creek, where he law his filler and coufin a fecond time, and affured his filler that the Colonel intended to infift on her being rc^ icaftd; this encouraged her to hope. The The fufficieni winter; fort, gei Englilh back as neighboi fupply, 1 to the fo In the chop vjoi himfelf a in which dian cam knife in ] chief; b Thomas him. A wolf his cabbi ing, by t nights al fired at h fuppofed Next f] again up mated his ral Haldi officers t( As they ( III ) The Indians are too indolent to employ fufficient pains to preferve their grain in the winter; therefore, thofe who plant near the fort, generally fend the greater part to the Englifh to preferve for them, and take it back as they want it: therefore, what this neighbourhood had more than for a (hort fupply, they carried with them in their boats to the fort. In the winter, Thomas Peart undertook to chop wood for the Britifh officers, and built himfelf a hut about two miles from the fort, in which he lodged at night. A drunken In' dian came to his cabbin one evening with a knife in his hand, with an intention of mif- chiefj but, being debilitated with liquor, Thomas Peart eafily wrefted his knife from him. A wolf came one night up to the door of his cabbin, which he difcovered next morn- ing, by the tracks in the fnow; and,,. a few nights after, paid a fecond vifit, when he fired at him, and, by the blood on the fnow, fuppofed he had mortally wounded him. Next fpring, Thomas went with the officers again up Buffalo Creek, when he afrefh ani- mated his filter, by informing her that Gene- ral Haldimand had given orders to the officers to procure their liberty. As they returned by Fort Erie, their boats riYcr.' k^^ ( ir2 ) river. It continues in thefe parts untill late in the fpring; fometimes as late as the fifth month; and, as foon as melted, the vegeta- tion is aftonifbingly quick. About two weeks after they returned, Thomas Peart went back again with fome officers, who were going to the Indians. After a tour of fifteen days, he came again to the fort, where he ft aid for fevcral weeks, and received feveral letters from his relations ftt Montreal, by fome officers who were on their way toCataraguors, on Lake Erie, about eighty miles from Niagara; who, in their way, faw Rebecca and Benjamin Gilbert, jun.. with a number of Indians, going for Niagara. Thomas Peart made as quick difpatch as pof- fible to meet them, delighted wrth the pro- fpe6t of their obtaining their liberty. They took a porcupine, which is fomewhat larger than a rackoon, and covered remarkably with quills of bone, about eight or nine in- ches long, which they can difcharge with fucb forccy as to penetrate through aman's hand at a confiderablc diftance. A few days after he returned from this ex- pedition,, the captives were delivered upr thefe two had been with the Indians upwards of two years. In a Ihort time after their relesfe, Thomas Peart procured permiffion for them and hiin- M£ to orocccd to Montreal, and was furnilh- ed ed with what I their p The they w< cceded again ft terred, Thoma not lar after b reached night, their re receive( Gilbert of his I order tc and req tained immedi with gi to Gene dily gra favours rememi: arrival i he had t converfi nexionsj after an till late he mh vcgcta- turned, h fome ns. \e again i weeks, elations vcre on f, about eir way^ tn.. with Hagara. I, as pof- be pro- mewhat arkably nine in- ith fucb hand at this ex- •ed upr kipwards Thomas id him- furnifh- ed ( "3 ) cd with a pafs, containing an order to obtain what provifions they might be in want of in their paffagc. The fecond day of the fixth month, 1782, they went on board the (hip Limner, and pro- ceeded towards Montreal. When they came againft the place where their father was in- terred, thofe whom they were with, gave Thomas and Rebecca notice, though they did not land, but purfued their voyage;, and, after being {tven days on the water, they reached Fort Lafhe en, where they (laid that night, and the next day went to Montreal to their relations: foon after which, a letter was received from the before-mentioned Benjamin Gilbert, then at Caftleton, acquainting them of his being fo far on his way to Montreal, in order to give them a(riftance in getting home, and requefting that pcrmi(non might be ob- tained for his coming in; which Elizabetll immediately applied to the officers for: who, with great cheerf-dnefs, wrote in her behalf to General Haldimand, at Quebec, who rea- dily granted her requeil, together with other favours to Elizabeth, worthy of her grateful remembrance^ by which means, Benjamm's arrival at Montreal was foon effeae^, where he had the pleafurc once more of feeing and converfmg with his relations and nearefl con- nexions, to their great joy and fatisfaaion, after an abfence of near three yearsi during which IJ ( 124 ) It little if any certain vrhich time, they had b account of each other. After fome time fpent in inquiring after their relatives and friends, and converfing on the once unthought of and ftrange fcenfs of life they had pafled through fince their fcpa- ration, it became neceflary to prepare for their journey homewards,, which was accord- mgly done; and in about five weeks from the time of Benjamin's arrival, rhey took leave of the friends and acquaintances they had made during their refidence there, whofe hofpitable and kind treatment merits their grateful and fincere acknowledgments, and moft ar- dent defrres for their welfare in every fcene. And on the twenty-fecond day of the eighth nrionth, 1782, attended by a. great number of the inhabitants^ they embarked in boats pre- pared for them, and took their departure. Having croffed the riv^r, and carriages be- mg provided, they proceeded on thtir jour- ney without much delay, until they came to St. John's, where they went on board a floopj but the winds being unfavourable, rendered their paflage in the lake fomewhat tedious. ^ They did not arrive at Crown-Point, \in^ til about two weeks after their departure from Montreal. They continued here feveral days, and from thence went in open boats to Eaft- Bay in about two days, where they landed and llaid all night, and were next day delivered ( "5 ) up to the officers of Vermont. Here fome of the companv ftaid two nights, on account of Benjamin Pcart's child being very ill, bv which time it fo recovered, that they proceed- ed on to Caftleton, where thofe that went before had halted, and near that place ftaid all night, and in the morning, Elizabeth, the mother, having engaged to do an c rand ror a friend, was under a neceflity of ridinff about thirty-five miles, which occafioned her to be abfent two nights from the family, who were at Captain Willard's -. at which place Benjamin provided horfes and waggons for the remainder of the journey, together with Jome provifions. Here they were very civilly treated, and generoufly entertained, free of expence. > ^ w The family then proceeded on, and met their mother at the houfc of Captain Lanfon. where they ftaid that night, and until nooa him """^ *""'* '''"^'^ "■""** ^y Continuing their journey, they met with John Bracanage (who, together with Captain Lanfon. were paflengers with them to Eaft- Bay); he gave them an invitation to his houfe. which they accepted, and arrived there about noon next day, and continued with him two nights, and were refceafully entertained. " Having prepared for profecuting their jour- ney, they proceeded on for the North-River, wflcre they met with Lot Trip and William Knowles, ( 'i6 ) I Knowles, who kindly conduced the women ^ to the houfc of David Sands, where they lodged that night. The reft of the family came to them in the morning, and feveral of them attended friends meeting, not having had the like opportunity for feveral years- before. In the afternoon they purfued their journey, the before-mentioned Lot Trip and William Knowles accompanying them, and being in a waggon, kindly took Elizabeth and her younger daughter paflengers with them, which proved a confiderable relief. In a few days they came into Pennfylvania, where they met with fome of their relations, znd former acquaintances and friends, who were unitedly rejoiced at the happy event of once more feeing and converfing with them. The next day, being the twenty-eighth day of the ninth month, 178a, they arrived at By berry, the place of their nativity, and the rcfidence of their neareft connexions and friendsy where Elizabeth and her children were once more favoured with the agreeable opportunity of feeing and converfing with her ancient mother, together with their other neareft relatives and friends, to their mutual joy and fatisfa6lion ; under which happy cir- cumftance we now leave them. THOTIGHT^l Allu( th( fil FJ A' On the Wil( Here uj Its V In whic Profe Pompoi Float Nor di[ Tob J5ophIfti( The! With z( Still ( THOUGHTS Alluding to, and in Part occafioned by, the Captivity and Sufferings of BENJAMIN GILBERT and his PAMILY, AS from the foreft i/Tues the fdl boar. So human ravagersj in deferts bred, On the defencelers, peaceful hamlet pour Wild wafte o*er all, and fudden ruin fpread ? Here undifguis'd, war's brutal fpirit fee, ' Its venom'd nature to the root laid bare. In which (trick*d up in webs of policy) Profeffing Chriftians vindicate their fhare, . ■■ ** Pompous profeffion, vaunting in a name. Floats lightly on an oftcntatious fhow. Nor dips fmcere, in refignation's ftream. To bring memorials from the depths below. Sophifticated dogmas of the fchools. The flatulent, unwholfome food of ftrife. With zeal pedantic for tradition's rules, Still crucify the principle of life. The ( .18 ) The woes of this probationary ftate, Through life io mingled and diverfified, Derive their chief malicnity and weight, Iram murmuring difcontent and captious pride. Tranfient is human life, all flefh as grafs, The goodlinefs of man h.t as a flowV. Fine gold muft through the fervJ furnace pafs ; 1 hrough death we irr mortality explore. "Through judgment muft deliverance be i lown. From vile afFeftions, and their wrathful fting; True peace pertains to righteoufnefs alone. That flows, through faith, from life's eternal fpring! Should man (to glory call'd, and endlefs blifs) Bewail his momentaiy adverfe doom ? Or in deep thankful reiignation Jcifs The rod that prompts him on his journey home ? Unfearchable the providence of God, By boafted wifdom of the fon of duft ; Lo ! virtue feels oppreffion's iron rod. And impious fpirits triumph o*er the juft. Shall h ivrc a fdf-conceited reptile dare I'h' orr. 'i^r mt Rul '^ equity arraign ? Say hwiw V4iy wrath is fit, thy bounty there, Good to promote, and evil to reftrain. Believing fouls unfeignedly can fay. Not mine, but thy all-perfea will be done 5 If beft this bitter cup ftiould pafs away. Or be endur'd, to thee, not me. is known. Deep **ifMi Th. ( 119 ) Deep tribulation in the humbly wife, Through patience to divine experience leads j The ground where hope fecurely edifies, ^ Purg'd of theiilth whence confcious (hame proceeds. Affliaion IS Bethefda's cleanfing pool. Deep fearching each diftemi)er of the mind ; The poor way-farer, though efteem'd a fool, * Baptizing here, immortal health may find. Though for the prefent grim adverfity Not joyous is, but grievous to fuftain; Humbling the Shepherd's -call— '< Come learn of me'? In lowly meeknefs to endure thy pain. Yet (hall it work a glorious recompence ; Nor can the heart of man conceive in full The goed by infinite Beneficence, Stor'd for the patient unrepining foul. Some feeble ones fuftain the galling yoke. With firmnefs no ferocious tempers know j Calm refignation mitigates the ftroke Of ills, tremendous to the diftant view ! If difappointment blaft thy fanguine hope, Indulg'd ir fublunaiy profpeds fair. Conclude thy guardian angel made thee flop, 1 To check thy blind, thy dangerous career. The captive family in favage bonds. Trace through each rugged way and tracklefs wilder 1 hrough famuie, toils unknown, and hoftile wounds. Then lilt ':! y. ( I20 ) Then with thy lighter griefs their Co rows weigh, Nor let thy own demerits be forgot : Impartial inference deduce, and fay Whence thy exemption from their heavy lot : Is it thy wifdom ihields thee in the hour, When mighty dangers o*er thy head impend ? Can thine, or other mortal arm of power. From famine, peftilence, or ftorm defend ? Confefs 'tis mercy covers thee from harm, A care benign, unmerited by thee j And if the grateful fenfe thy bofom warm, Small price is paid for fuch felicity. If the hard Indian's wild ferocity, ^ Againft their race thy indignation move, Thiiik on the example due to them from theq, Profeffing Chriftian equity and love. 'So Ihall their cruel, their abhorred deeds, Inftrudion to the humble mind convey ; Remind us whence all violence proceeds. And ftrengthen to purifue the peaceful way. Vengeance with vengeance holds perpetual war : Love only can o'er enmity prevail j Sulphur and pitch, abfurdly who prepare. To quench devouring iire, are fure to fail. Hear ye vindictive ! be no longer proud. The high decree is paft, gone forth the word 5 No vain illufion 'tio the voice of God ! « Who ^^fe the Iword muii perifh by the fwcrd. " 't0^ Pe Tl Fr , In ■ I ■ W] y^ -— I Did Var I C ^ Vin i E For Mef] R Byv D But^ W How i .Y« Periih -»'g^> i lot: ' nd? 1;. ' ^-.' ». ■ ( r t ir : i/.r rd." Periih ( 1^1 ) Perifh from that divine ennobling fenfe Of heavenly good, which evil overcomes ; w- ^ ' "^^""^^ energetic influence, With piercmg ray difpels bewild'ring glooms. , ^'l\Z^rr f °'"' ^Pf^^J^^rings ! come they not T u- u r ' from pride, from felfifl, arrogance ?• -??' m'. f "" Pf ^"^^ ^"^ ^^^^^°"^ far remote. The blind goad oiitbe blind, a flavifli danc^j. ^o w u'"% '^" '.'?^'' ^^" '^^^ Ch^^ftia" faith U er heathen infidelity prevail ? -—-Yes-— -but the means is not- thy will, thv wratlr. Means which confederate with death and he^^ ' Did ever tyger-hearted Spanifh chiefs By thofe dir. mafTacres in ftory told, Vanquifh Peruvians ftubborn unbelief, I Or add one convert to the Chriftian fold ? Vindiaive man will ftill retaliate^ ^vil for evil, and ftill rack his brains., 1* or arguments the caufe to vindicate : Nor knows what fpirit in his bofom reigns. Me/Tiah is the love of God to man ' Reveal'd on earth, not to deftroy, but fave . By wifdom's peaceful influence to main atl ' Dominion over -'.ath, hell, and the grave. But why for Chriftian purity contend ? Who hath, alas ! believ'd the glad report ? How many boaft the name, the nime defend • Yet make the virtual lik their fcoiFand fport ? ^ Deal 1' 4 ( 122^ ) Deal forth their cenfures with unfparing zeal^. . 'Gainft favage violence and cruel wrong j Nor dream the real eflential infidel Holds o'er their fpirits his dominion ftrong^ What Turkifli rover, or virhat heathen foe, Shews more contempt of gofpel equity. Than thofe, to fultry climes remote who go, T' enflave their fellow men, by nature free?" The yelling warrior, with relentlefs hand. Leaves parent childlefs, fatherlefs the fon ; Their griefs our tender fympathy demand; But what have diftant Afiric's children donet Will ftill the pick-thank, temporizing prieft. Give this oppreflion Pharifaic aid? Will civiliz'd believers ftill perfift To vindicate the abominable trade? Th* extenfive, deep, unrighteous t' unfold, Weft-India's dark, inhuman laws explore;. What grofs iniquity we there behold. In loiemn adis of legiflative pow*r ? Britons, who loud for liberty contend, Affeft to guard their nation from the ftain; Yet fordidly in Mammon's temple bend, And largely ftiare in the ungodly gain. What ardent execrations do we hear, 'Gainft barb'rous Mohoc's, bloody Shawanefe? From father's arms their hopeful fons who tear; From mother's breafts love's tender pledges feize. O Chrif- Chriftian ! think with what redoubled force. Crainft which faUacious artifice is vain, Un thee recurs thy aggravated curfe, Heaven's righteous Judge pronouncing—-," Thoir art the man." 5 . ^noir Think for what end the Mediator came. On earth an ignominious death to die' 1 hy foul from wrath's dominion to redeem. And to himfelf a people purify. N S,. ■■•m^ O OK S Printed and S<^d by James Phillips. THE Selea Works of William Penn, in Five Volumes 8vo. Price 22s. 6d. well bound, or 25s. ia Calf lettered. The Works of Isaac Penington, in Four Volumes 8vo. well bound 20s. Calf lettered 22s. An Apology for the True Chriftian Divinity, by Robert Barclay, 5s. On Superfine Writing Paper, large 8vo. 7s. 6d. The Sacred Hiftory of the Old and New Teflament, by Thomas Ell wood. Three Volumes 8vo. well bound, 15s. Fruits of a Father's Love, being the Adrice of Wil-| liam Pen NT to his Children, relating to his Civil and Religious Condudl, pd. or i5d. bound. An Account of the Gofpel Labours and Chriftian Experiences of a faithful Minifter in Chrift, John Churchman, late of Nottingham in Pfennfylvania,, deceafed, 8vo. bound 4s. A Journal of the Life, Travels, and Labours in the Work of the Miniftry of John Griffith, 8vo» bound 2s. 6d,- Some Confiderations relating to the prcfent State of the Chri||ian Religion, &c. by Alexander Arscott, 8vo. bound 3s. Seleft Poems, &c. occafionally written on various Sub- je'fts. 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