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WILLIAMLCLEMENTS
LIBRARY OF
AMERICAN HISTORY
UNIVERSITY/MICHIGAN
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V2 - 2 - tº , ºººººº-
N A R R A T L V F.
LIFE & TRAVELS
JOHN ROBERT SHA/,
THE WELL-DIGCERs
Noſy RESIDENT IN LEXINGTON, KEWTUCK?'.
WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.
---
* He that once sins, like him that slides on ice,
* Goes swiftly down the stippery ways of vice;—
* But happy he, who with a prudent care,
* Retreats betimes from the fallacious snare.”
LEX IMG 7.0/V's
*R* N E ED BY DAN IE r. B R A D Fox tº
JNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
KE.WTUCKY DISTRICT, set.
BE it remembered that on the sixteenth day of Mſiril, in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven,
and in the thirty-first year of the American Indefendence,
John Rober ºr SHA iſ defiosited in this office the title of a
book, the right whereaf he claims as author, in the following
words, to wit - “A narrative of the Life and Travels of
John Robert Shaw, the well-digger, now resident in Leº-
ington, Kentucky.” In conformity to the act of congress of
the United States, entitled “An act for the encouragement
of learning by securing the cofies of mafis, charts, and books
to the authors and ſhrofirietors of such cofies during the time
therein mentioned,”
- Certifted under my hand, as clerk of the dis-
:: º gº ºf trict court of the United States, in and
º & for the Kentucky district, and seal of aſ-
& L. S. & fice at Frankfort, this sixteenth day ºf
º & Aftril, one thousand eight hundred and se-
% % ven, and of the Americon Indefendence
the thirty-first.
THQs. TU.WSTALI, c. K. D. c.



AN ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC.
---
ISHOULD deem myself guilty of an unjustifi-
able neglect, were Ito omit availing myself of this
favourable opportunity of declaring how deeply
my mind is impressed with a grateful sense of the
obligation I lie under to my patrons in particular,
and the public in general, for the Wºry ample º
couragement which I have received in the humble
line of my profession; as well as for the generosi-
ty which has been still further manifested, by a li-
beral subscription towards defraying the expenses
of publishing the following narrative, which, with
all its imperſections, is now presented to them with
all humility, respect and veneration.
It is humbly hoped, that this small performance
will not be examined by the rigid rules of criticism,
nor its inaccuracies too severely censured ; espe-
cially when it is known to be the production of a
man almost totally illiterate, and who for the stºp-
port of himself and family, has been long and labo-
riously engaged in “blowing rocks and digging
wells.”
Perhaps no author had evergreater reason to so.
licit the kind indulgence of his readers than myself.
It was, indeed, my wish, with the assistance of a
friend, to have thrown the materials into better or.
der, retrenched some redundancies, and made some
improvements in the diction; but my solicitude to
comply with the wishes of my subscribers, who
were impatient for the work, has in a great mea.
sure precluded the intended corrections.
The principal object, however, I had in view in

| 4 |
sompiling my narrative, was to deliver, in plain and
intelligible language, a true and faithful detail of
the various incidents, vicissitudes and errors of
my life; and this I flatter myself I have in some
measure attained.---To have aimed at any thing
higher, or to have affected a display of knowledge,
which I was conscious I did not possess, would
only have rendered my feeble efforts more conspi-
cuously ridiculous, and exposed me to the just
contempt and derision of a discerning public.
To amuse my readers by a specious fiction was
not my design : but, what with the generality of
them, will, I flatter myself, be a greater recommen-
dation,---a strict adherence to truth. For,
“To me more dear, congenial to my heart,
“One native charm than all the gloss of art.”
The greater part of my past life (with regret I
speak it) has been little else than a series of errors
and follies, and consequent misfortunes; and some
no doubt, of my friends, as well as enemies, will be
disposed to look upon the publication of this nar-
rative, as one of the greatest errors in the whole
catalogue:---and they may probably be in the right:
but, -
* In things indifferent, reason bids us choose,
* Whether the whim 's a monkey or a muse.”
And be it ever remembered, that
* To err is human; to forgive divine.”-
- I am, with all possible respect,
the public's most obliged,
most devoted,
and most obedient,
humble servant.
JOHN R, SHAW.
Lexington, April, 1807.

THE LIFE & TRAVELS
of
JOHN ROBERT SHAW.
CHAP. I.
HIs BIRTH AND PARENTAG E.---IS SE DUCED BY
EVIL COUN SE L.---D ISO BEYS HIS FATHER.---
ELOPES AND ENLI's TS FOR A SOLDIER----RE-
FU's ES TO RETURN. --- IS PUT ON BOARD A SHIP
A N D S E N T TO A. M. E. RIC A. --- T H E H A R D SHIPS
H E E N DURE. D. --- HIS A C COUNT OF SOME BAT-
TL ES AND S K1 RM Is H E S IN W H ICH. H. E. W. As
ENGAGE D, &c.
I WAS born on the 19th day of August 1761,
-
in the town of Manningham, in the parish of
Bradford, Yorkshire, Old England. My father
was by occupation a stuff weaver ; and I was put
to the same business at the age of twelve years.---
About two years after, I unfortunately fºrmed a
acquaintance with a certain Thomas Fields, who
used every artifice and device in his power to draw
_ _
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me into vicious company, in order to bring me to
ruin, which he too easily effected. The first great
adventure in which he engaged me was this ha.
ving learned of me that a certain old gentleman,
with whom my father was particularly intimate,
was in good circumstances, and had always money
at command, he addressed me as follows: “Now
John,” says he, “let us go and borrow some mo-
ney of this man, in your father's name.’ Accor-
dingly through a long persuasion he prevailed upon
me, and putting a plausible story in my mouth, off
we went, and borrowed two shillings, [stirling.]
Being as yet but a novice in wickedness, and alto-
gether unpractised in the profligate ways of the
town, I was entirely at a loss, how to dispose of
my ill gotten treasure. But friend Tom soon
found the way to the tavern, where to my shame,
I got drunk for the first time. “Well Tom,”
said I, having somewhat recovered my senses,
“what is to be done now 2 My father it seems has
discovered my roguery---there he comes.”---Poor
Tom made no reply but slipped out of the back
door, like a thief; and left me to answer for my
misconduct, to my father, who led me off by the
shoulders like a criminal. This broke the way
for my total overthrow.
My next offence was sabbath breaking, to which
my father was much opposed, being a strict church-
man, and called by his neighbours a sober moral
man ; -
“Religious, punctual, frugal and so forth:
Whose word would pass for more than he was
worth.”
But as one bad practice generally brings on ano-
ther, the blush of innocence being worn of I soon
transgressed again, which induced me to apply to
my old friend Tom, and other new comrades, for
JOHN R.




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advice what to do, to avoid the effects of my father's
displeasure ?
Upon this, Tom and Jack immediately propo-
sed that we should all go and enlist for soldiers, get
clear of work, and be gentlemen at once. So we
all concluded to go and enlist the very first oppor-
tunity that offered. And lest this should come to
my father's ears and I should thus be prevented
from accomplishing my design, I determined to
lose notime; but accordingly in a few days I made
my escape to a place called Leeds, a considerable
town in the west Riding of Yorkshire, and ten miles
from my father's house, where I hoped to be secure
and spend my hours more agreeably. But the
keeping of bad company is a growing evil, by which
my situation was rendered so unpleasant, that I
began to entertain serious thoughts of returning
home: having found by experience, that my uncle
John Hall's house, was not my home. According-
ly returned to my father, like the repenting prodi-
gal, and lived with him contentedly for some time.
But as old habits are hard to be relinquished, Ia-
gain relapsed into my former irregularities, and
grew weary of labour. In 1777 I ran away a se-
cond time; being, as I ſancied, ill treated by my
step mother; though the true motive for myelope.
ment was this early on Monday morning my fa.
ther went to Bailden mill, he told me before he set
of that “if I did not finish my last week's work,
When he came back he would give mea trimming.”
This being too hard a task, I put on my best appa-
rel, and directed my course to Shipley, and thence
to Windal, to a magician, to have my fortune told:
afie, which Ipursued my journey to Coverly; and
on Coverly moor, I seriously deliberated with my-
self what was best to be done. At first Ithought
of returning home again; but the dread of Pater-

I 8 J
mal chastisement, and the ridicule of my acquaint-
ances, to which I must be exposed, in case I came
back the second time, banished all thoughts of do-
mestic concerns, and firmly fixed my resolution of
enlisting as a king's soldier. So on I went to the
place of destination, and arrived there late in the
evening. No sooner had I entered the town than,
to my great joy, I met one of the 33d regiment’s
recruits, who, when I told him my business, gladly
gave me his hand and said, “Come, my fine lad,
the king wants soldiers: come on, my fine boy,
I’ll shew you the place where the streets are paved
with pancakes; and where the hogs are going
through the streets carrying knives and forks on
their backs, and crying who will come and eat?
I accompanied him to the recruiting party's
place of rendezvous, at the sign of the Leopard,
behind the Shambles, in Bridget street, and was in-
troduced to the recruiting sergeant, whose name
was James Shackleton; and also to the corpora!
whose name was Coggell. Says the sergeant,
“well, my fine lad, will you enlist for a soldier *
* Where did you come from ?” I came from Bail-
den. “What is your name * My name is John
R. Shaw. “Are you willing to serve the king?”
Yes sir. “Well here is a shilling to serve
king George the III, in the honourable 33d regi-
ment of foot, commanded by the honourable lord
Cornwallis, knight and baronet of the star and gar-
ter.”—“Well, my lad, you must go to the cap-
tain.”---So we went to the captain ; says the ser-
geant, “here is a young lad who wishes to enlist
for a soldier.” “Well, my lad says the captain,
“how old are you?” Fifteen or sixteen. “Well,
sergeant, bring the standard;" which beingbrought
I measured five feet and one inch high, without my
shoes. “Well, my lad,” says the captain, “yo-
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are too low and under size, and I cannottake you ;
but here is a shilling and I’ll give you a new hat
and a cockade, and a new suit of clothes, and go
home and be a good boy, and go to school, and
come to me two or three years hence, and I will
enlist you.”
[The name of this generous captain was Carr]
“No,” said I, “if you will not take me, I will
go and enlist for a drummer in the 59th regiment;”
for recruits were then taking in at Leeds to fill up
that regiment which had been cut off at the battle
of Bunker's hill. “Well then,” said the captain,
“since the lad is determined to be a soldier, and
appears to be a promising youth, I will take him,
and here are three guineas, and a crown to drink his
majesty's health; now, my finelad, be a good boy,
and I will take you to be my waiter,”---Sergeant
Shackleton, you must take this young soldier un-
der your care, and provide abillet for him, and get
him good quarters; and to-morrow go with him
to buy such necessaries, as you think he will stand
in need of, to make him appear like a gentleman.”
“Come on, my fineBailden lad,” says the sergeant,
“come to my quarters.” And when I arrived
there among my jolly companions, --' Drummer,
beat the point of war,” was the word ; for which
a crown bowl of punch was called for, to drink
his majesty's health. So we spent that night mer-
rily, and all retired to bed at 12 o'clock. I was
put to bed to a naked man, which I thoughtstrange,
but this is a common custom with soldiers, in or-
der to save their linen; as it is the policy of sol-
diers to preserve their cloathing; for we had to ap-
pear three times a day dressed and powdered
In the mean while, my absence occasioned a
great deal of uneasiness in my father's family, and
much solicitude to know what was become of ºne.
















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After strict enquiry, however, information was at
length obtained, that I had gone to enlist for a sol-
dier at Leeds; pursuant, therefore, to this intelli-
gence, about two weeks after my elopement, my
father accompanied by my uncle set out in search
of me, and having arrived at the place of rendez-
vous enquired for me of the sergeant. “Would
you know your son,” said the sergeant, “if you
saw him?” My father answered in the affirmative.
The reader will please to observe that at the same
time I was then setting between my father and un-
cle, and like an undutiful son, withholding from
the former that filial regard due to a parent, and
from the latter the respect to which he was entitled.
“Well,” proceeds the sergeant, “what is your
son’s name?” “ His name is John R. Shaw, from
Bailden.”---"Well there he sits between you.”
As soon as my father had composed himself, he
proposed to me to be boughtoff, and return home;
but I obstinately refused it, and replied, “if you
buy me off to day, I will enlist to-morrow for a
drummer.” Here I cannot avoid reflecting on the
shamefulness of my conduct; and among the nº-
merous errors and improprieties of which I have
been guilty, this must be considered as none of the
least. For to those who gave us existence, and
protected the weakness of our infancy, we certain-
ly owe subjection and obedience, during our
minority ; and honour and reverence du-
ring our lives.---Great, indeed, must be the force
of parental affection, which, not even the profliga-
cy, ingratitude, and rebellion of children can total-
ly suppress or destroy! --Obedience to parents is
the foundation of all youthful virtues; but disobe-
dience and ingratitude the introduction to every
vice. Ingratitude---that blackest of vices, steels
the heart against all noble and exalted emotions,















I Il 1
and obliterates the finest feelings of the soul!
But, to proceed with my narrative–My father
finding me inflexibly determined to continue in the
army, gave overallentreaties, and departed in tears,
leaving me to pursue the bent of my inclinations:
for my situation, surrounded by giddy, thoughtless
wretches like myself, effectually precluded all see
rious reflection on the impropriety of my conduct.
The next day I was sent with a billetto the sign
of the Cross-keys on Quarry-hill, and there treated
like a gentleman. In a few weeks, however, the
militia were called for, in order to do duty in the
town of Leeds; and all the recruiting parties of the
different regiments were to be billeted out ºn the
country villages. It fell to my lot to go to Brom-
ley, from which once a day I was obliged to go to
Leeds, in order to march round with the recruit.
ing party; and exercise myself in running jump-
ing and learning to walk straight. One evening,
however, as I was returning to my quarters, ha-
wing rashly attempted to leap over a fence, I stuck
a tenter hookin my leg, which solacerated the same
that I was obliged to hobble back to town as
well as I could, where a surgeon was called in to
dress the wound. I was then billeted at the sign
of the Eagle and Child, in Cawe-lane, and there
treated very well; but not being satisfied, I was
sent to the hospital at the upper end of the town :
where having remained for eight weeks, I was dis-
charged by the surgeon, and sent with a billet to
my old quarters, at the sign of the Cross-keys on
Quarry-hill. -
After sometime I obtained a furlough for eight
ºccº's to go home to Baiſden, to visit my father.
During this period, I became acquainted with one
Samuel Crabtree, an old soldier and lately from
Minorca; from this man I received great encou-
[ 12 J
ragement concerning the military life, and was
highly delighted in hearing him recount the parti-
culars of the many sieges and battles in which he
had been engaged. While at Bailden I had fre-
quent visits from several of my relations and neigh-
bours; allendeavouringtopersuademe to be bought
off, and abandon the army; but all their arguments
& expostulations were in vain; though my grand-
father, who was intolerable circumstances, and wil-
ling to assist me, in case of good behaviour, re-
peatedly declared that if I persisted in my contu-
macy, he would leave me only a shilling to buy a
halter; as no better fate could be expected by such
agraceless & undutiful youth. Yet regardless of
consequences, my resolution remained unshaken.
Still I was determined to be a genleman soldier.
The term of my furlough being expired, re-
turned to the recruiting party at Leeds, and was re-
ceived with expressions of great applause for my
constancy. We afterwards spent a considerable
time in recruiting at the country villages, and with
a good deal of success. While thus employed,
we had an account of the battle of Long-Island, and
of the gallant and soldier like behaviour of the 33d
regiment, commanded by lieutenant colonel Web-
ster, for which as a mark of distinction an addition-
al ribband of the orange colour was bestowed : the
whole consisting of thered, blue, white and yellow.
These colours composed our cockade. Fourgui-
neas more were given as a bounty to each recruit,
which, with the 3 guineas and a crown, which they
received at the time of enlisting, as already men-
tioned, amounted to seven guineas and a crown.
Shortly after, having gained a sufficient number
of recruits, we received orders to march. Accor-
dingly we marched on through Wakefield, Black-
barnsley, Sheffield, Northampton, Nottingham,


[ 13
and so on to London. We halted a few hours in
the city in order to take some refreshment; for there
was a Yorkshire man in London, who made it acon-
stant rule to treat all the Yorkshire recruits enlisted
for the 33d regiment; having himself been an old
soldier, and served the king in that regiment for-
merly in Flanders. So we all ate and drank hear:
ily, and parted with our generous host in high
spirits, and marched on to Greenwich, about five
miles east from London; where we remained for
three days, and viewed the curiosities of the place.
Among these nothing'so much engaged my atten-
tion and commanded my admiration as the Royal
Hospital. It was formerly aroyal palace, built by
Humphry, duke of Gloucester, enlarged by Hen-
ry VII, and completed by Henry VIII. The lat-
ter often made this his place of residence; as did
also the queens Mary and Elizabeth, who were
born in it. It was greatly improved and embel-
ished by Charles II, who spent 36,000 pounds on
that part of it which is now the first wing of the
hospital towards London. King William III, in
1694, granted it, “with nine acres of ground there.
to belonging, to be converted into a royal hospital,
for old and disabled seamen, the widows and chill
dren of those wholost their lives in the service, and
for the encouragement of navigation.” Upwards of
2000 old disabled seamen are maintained in this
hospital-they are vulgary called the king's bee/
£aters. The buildings are undoubtedly the finest
in the world. From Greenwich there is a fine
View of the city of London, and the Thames with
the shipping of almost all nations....The royal ob-
ºvatºry commands a most delightful prospect.
charming indeed beyond description.
Having spent our limited time in amusing our.
sºlves with the curiosities of the place, we march.
[ 14 |
-
ed on to Chatham barracks, the finest garrison in
old England. Chatham is the principal station of the
royal navy and the yards and magazines are furnish-
ed with all sorts of naval stores, as well as materials
for building the largest ships of war. Here are at
least 1000 ship carpenters working every day.--
They work twelve hours in the day, i. e. from 6
o'clock in the morning until six in the evening.
Every thing here is conducted with the utmost re-
gularity. We were now in barrack-quarters, 16
or 20 privates in a room, with a sergeant to keep
good order, and purchase provisions, and see it di-
vided, when cooked and prepared according to the
laws of the place. Four pence a day, foreach pri-
vate soldier, are laid out for provisions at market;
a half-penny to the doctor, the same to the chap-
|ain and a penny for cloathing : the whole pay of a
soldier being six pence per day, with the queen’s
bounty of nineteen shillings a year, and a complete
suit of clothes, consisting of 1 hat, livest, 1 pair of
breeches, 1 shirt, 1 pair of shoes, I pair of stock-
ings and l stock and stock buckle.
While we lay at Chatham, we were constantly
exercising and learning the military evolutions
under corporal Coggell; whose experience and
skill in such matters were equalled by ſew in the
army.
There were nineteen in number of the 33d regi-
ment, who after only six months practice, chal-
lenged the whole garrison to contend with them in
military discipline. The garrison then consisted of 30
additional companies, besides the first regiment of
the Royal Scotch,(as they were cºlled)who had been
in practice for many years. A review of clothing
was then and probably is yet in practice every
Monday morning : each soldier marching on the
parade, with his knap sack on his back, and his fire.













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ſock and accoutrements in complete order : ---
drums beating and colours flying : and to crown
she whole an instrument called the cat and nine tº's
tipt with brass wire was constantly displayed. T he
review being ended, if any cloathing is missing, a
circle is formed, and a drum-head court martial is
called and the delinquent is tried and punished ac-
cording to his desert.
After lying in Chatham barracks almost a year.
a draught was made, and four hundred of us delu-
ded out under the pretence of doing duty in Ports-
mouth. The next morning a sergeant was dis-
patched to prepare the barracks, as we supposed,
for our reception. We accordingly marched on
to Portsmouth in good spirits, hoping to spend a
few happy years in that place. But how great was
our disappointment when we arrived at Ports-
mouth, and found the streets lined with old pen-
sioners to guard us safe on board a ship ! The
boats were ready to convey us all on board of the
ship Mone-such, which then lay at anchor in the
port---The cries and lamentations of the poor raw
country soldiers were sufficient to have excited
compassion in the breast of the rudest barbarian;
and, as for myself. I thought I was going to the
Devil, when they rolled us down the hatchways,
like so much lumber. Having each received some
bedding, and an allowance of provisions, we lay
promiscuously, and crouded togetherin the utmost
confusion.---The next day we weighed anchor and
sailed for the Isle of Wight, where we lay four
weeks; after which we set sail for Ireland, favoured
at first with a pleasant breeze; but we had not been
sailing more than twelve hours, before we were
surprised with a thunder storm and a contrary
wind. It was, I think, about eleven o’clock at
night, when a man on the forecastle espied a rock,
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E 16 J
close a head of the ship ; upon which he immedi.
ately called out to the steersman at the helm, “a.
bout ship ;” which was done with all possible speed
and so by the skill and dexterity of the mariners &
the mercy of Providence, we were preserved from
being wrecked on the rocks of Scilly. Thus ex-
tricated from danger, we proceeded on our voyage
and soon anchored in the harbour called the Cove
of Cork, which is perhaps the most spacious and
commodious haven in the world. The entrance
is safe, and the whole navy of England might ride
in it, secure from every wind that blows. Ships
from England, bound for all parts of the West-In-
dies, take in here a great part of their provisions;
and for the same purpose the Cove of Cork is vi-
sited by the vessels of many other nations. Ships
of burthen, however, are obliged to unload at a
place called Passage, five miles and a half from the
city, the channel not admitting vessels of above 150
tons.--This port we entered in the beginning of Fe-
bruary 1778, and were all separated and put on
board of different vessels. It fell to my lot to go
on board the Alexandria of 24 guns;---and she
was called “a letter of marque,” There were 19
Englishmen, & 6 Irishmen who were brought on
board in irons, and 24 Hessians, making in all 49
in number, to do duty as marines Our ship's
crew consisted of 60 able by died seamen, besides
officers, one captain, 1st, 2d and 3d mates, one
boatswain, one carpenter and a cook and cook’s
mate. A fleet of transports then lay in the Cove
of Kinsale repairing their rigging, and embarking
provisions for America. Kinsale, especially in
time of war, is a place of much business, and fre-
quented by rich homeward bound fleets, as also by
ships of war. The Cove is a convenient and beau-
tiful harbour, and lies about seven miles from the
|-|- ）.
UCli, in iuſsuress, onth
e coast of Sicily.




| 17 |
city of Cork. The town is defended by a strong
foºtcalled Charles's Fort; and on the opposite shore
there are two villages, called Cove and Scilly: the
inhabitants of which are generally native Irish, and
live in low built houses made of mud, on a beauti-
ful eminence, ranging with the barracks, and facing
the inlet of the harbour. The barracks are capa-
ble of containing and lodging 12 companies of foot,
besides a regiment at Charles's Fort. The garrison,
however, then consisted of only four companies,
with 16 or 20 pieces of cannon ; and deemed suſ-
ficient to protect the town and harbour. -
We lay eight weeks on board before we were
ready to sail; during which time we were visited
by the bomb ketches, in order to sell and buy all
sorts of necessaries; for we had no liberty to go on
shore, except two men at a time. We weighed
anchor April 7th in company with upwards of twen-
ty transpotts,(besides two letters of marque) laden
with provisions, as well as men to assist in carrying
on the unjust and unhappy war against the Ame.
rican colonies. We met with nothing extraordi-
nary during the voyage; only we were blown off
our coast on the roads of certain islands, which I
think belonged to Portugal, where we got in ex-
change for such necessaries as we could spare,
oranges, cocoa-nuts and pine-apples. Continuing
our voyage from thence, we arrived safely in Ame.
rica, and landed on Rhode-Island, in the space of
three months from the time of our setting sail from
the coast of Ireland. We remained in Rhode Isl.
and doing duty, while the British army were on
their march from Philadelphia.
joined the 33d regiment on Long-Island, at
Graves-end; and then we marched to Bedford,
where we lay until the beginning of autumn, when
a detachment was called out, to perform as we
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B 2
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supposed, some great exploit. This detachment
consisted of the 33d and 42d regiments, with two
companies of the body guards, commanded by the
colonels Webster and Frazer. We went on board
the flat bottomed boats, just as it began to grow
dark, and pursued our expedition, and landed on
the beach about four miles from Elizabethtown
point, with our pilot or guide, as we thought.—
We had marched about a mile through the marsh,
before we discovered the trick;-our pilot had left
us in the snare ; some times up to the middle in
mud and water; some times over head and ears
in the ditches, crawling one over another, in the
greatest confusion. At length with much difficul-
ty we made our appearance near Elizabethtown,
just at day break, in woful pickle, all bedaubed
with mud and mire, as black as chimney-sweepers;
we looked more like frightening the people out of
the town, than making them run for fear of the
sword or bayonet. In this plight we advanced up
to the town and took it ; and as a further instance
of British inhumanity, the barracks were set on fire
and burnt down with about ten or twelve poor
sick soldiers in them. This being the day the
continental troops were to draw their provisions,
the English officers called on the bakers for their
bread, but the bakers very boldly answered: “This
bread is for gentlemen and not for you d---d bloody
backs.”—Bread was therefore taken by force.
We then marched on to form a line between the
river & the town, leaving two companies for arear
guard; but the Americans being reinforced with
about 4000 troops, got between us and the river:
now who dare say that the English never turned
their backs, or fled from an enemy?–Colonel
Webster was, it is true, for charging on the enemy,
but colonel Frazer, who was the oldest officer, and
had the command, gave orders to face to the right,


[ 19 J
and make the best of our way to the boats. That
moment the enemy fired with their artillery, and
killed two men of captain Campbell's company, of
the 33d regiment, whose names were Proctor and
Keith; and according to our colonel’s account
these men died in glory. Pursuant therefore to
our orders, we took to our heels, and made our
way to the boats in the utmost disorder. The
bakers of Elizabethtown had now the satisfaction
of seeing the English scattering and leaving behind
them, the bread which they had forcibly taken away
at the point of the bayonet. On this occasion we had
two killed, as already mentioned, two wounded,
and five taken prisoners ; besides a considerable
number wounded, as we made our escape down
the East river. We hurried down with all possi-
ble speed, landed at Brooklin ferry opposite to
New-York, and proceeded on to Bedford and lay
there for some time. Not long after, an army was
called forth to go on an expedition up the East ri-
ver. We all embarked, and sailed some distance
above New-Bedford, where we landed, marched to
the town, plundered and burned it, with all the ship.
ping in the harbour. Such predatory excursions,
of which this is but a small specimen, reflect dis-
honour on the British name, and consign the re-
putation of the British officers who conducted them
to eternal infamy. The next day we marched into
the country without opposition, except from a few
of the militia who brought on a skirmish; but they
were soon dispersed, & we proceeded on our march
without further interruption. In this excursion,
among other plunder, we took a store of molasses,
the hogsheads being rolled out and their heads
knocked in, a soldier's wife went to dip her camp.
kettle in a hogshead of molasses and while she was
stooping in order to fill her kettle, a soldier slipped
-
[ 20
behind her and threw her into the hogshead when
she was hauled out, a bystander threw a parcel of
feathers on her, which adhering to the molasses,
made her appear frightful enough.--This little cir.
cumstance afforded us a good deal of amusement.
We then returned to our ships well satisfied with
our booty, and soon arrived at our former quarters
on Long-Island. -
A few months after this, a most inhuman mas-
sacre took place near Tapaan in New Jersey.-A
farmer and his son living near each other, it hap-
pened that a small regiment of light horse, (raised
a short time before in Virginia, and known by the
name of Lady Washington’s regiment), quartered
at their houses and barns in number about 300:
the son being a true born American, and the father
a detestabletory; the latter went to New-York and
gave information of those unhappy soldiers, and of.
fered to lead us to the place where they lay. Ac-
cordingly general Gray undertook the barbarous
task ; and ordered out 10,000 troops, marching
them one half to the right, and the other to the
left, with this hard- hearted tory, and one of his as-
sociates topilot us to the unhappy spot, where the
shocking scene commenced. When the advanced
guard came up to the yard-gate, the centry was
asleep, one of the officers of the grenadiers instant-
ly cut of his head, without a word. The 33d re-
giment, to which I belonged, was about three miles
off when the cruel carnage began; but as we ap-
proached, the shrieks and screams of the hapless
victims whom our savage fellow soldiers were
butchering, were sufficient to have melted into
compass on the heart of a Turk or a Tartar.-
Tongue cannot tell nor pen unfold the horrors of
that dismal night—Some were seen having their
arms cut off, and others with their bowels hanging

[ 21 J
out crying for mercy.--To preserve, however,
some appearance of clemency, 43 were admitted
prisoners of war; seven of the whole regiment be-
ing out reconnoitering, escaped ; the killed and
wounded amounted to 250,-How destitute of na-
tural affection must have been the heart of the ſa-
ther, who could invite an enemy to murder his own
son in cold blood and how contrary to the princi-
ples of honor it was in the enemy to accept such
an invitation | Let Britain boast no more of her ho-
nour, her scince and civilization ; but with shame
hide her head in the dust; her fame is gone ; Tap-
paan will witness against her.—Having performed
this ignoble exploit, the few prisoners that were
spared being conducted to New-York by a guard
of British soldiers, and the wounded sent off in
Waggons, we returnded to Long-Island to be ready
for another scene of British barbarity. -

--- -º-º-º-º-º-º-
-
CHAP. II.
---
STONY POINT SURPRISE D BY THE AMERIC A.N.S.
-EXPEDITION UNDER SIR HENRY CLIN TON
A CAIN ST CH A R L E S T ON IN SOU TH- C A R O LIN A.
—som E. Account or tº E voyage, &c.—A
NUM BER or IN TE REST IN G. P. A. RTICULARs
RELATING TO S E V E R A L E N G A G E M E N T S BE -
TW. E. E. N. T. HE ENGLISH AND AMERICANs.
IN 1779 we marched up the North river to Ver-
plank's Neck, commonly called the King’s ferry.
There was a bomb-roofed block-house in the fort,
which mounted two six pounders opposite to Sto-
ny Point. The ſort at Verplanks stood on the east
side of the river, where were stationed the 33d re-
giment, colonel Robertson's corps, colonel Fan.
nen's corps, and major Ferguson’s rifle company,
making in all about 700 rank and file, able bodied
fighting men, commanded by lieutenant colonel
Webster. We formed a block-house one mile
from the old fort, on a piece of rising ground-
This block-house mounted 2 three pounders, and
was well set with pickets, and commanded by one
captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, two sergeants,
four corporals, with a drummer and fifer, and fifty
private soldiers, with a picket 100 yards in front,
the guard consisting of one sergeant, one corporal,
and twelve privates, forming a line of four centi-
nels. When this was completed, a range of batte-
ries was erected, with two block-houses, one on
















L 23 J
the right, and the other on the left side of the bat-
teries, so as to command both the and and the ri-
ver, These works mounted six 6 pounders, and
one long 18 pounder, with a great number of swi-
vºls. There was a deep ditch in front of the works
with three rows of abbatis, 40 yards apart, and
three large piles of tar-barrels between the rows of
abbatis, where stood a man with a slow match
ready to set fire at the ºpproach of the enemy. Du-
ring the building of these fortifications, the regu-
latiºn was, one half on duty, and the other on fa-
tigue. While we continued there, which was ºcar-
ly four months, we generally lay at night with our
accoutrements on, and with our firelocks in our
arms.
Stony Point was a strong post on the west side
of the river, nearly opposite to Verplanks, ſhe
works had been completed and repaired with the
utmost assiduity; so that they were now in a very
strong state of defence, and were garrisoned by the
17th regiment of foot, one company of the 71st
regiment of granadiers, and a part of Fannan’s
corps; the whole being commanded by lieutenant
colonel Johnson–General Wayne paid a visit to
Stony-Point, on the 15th of July about 12 o'clock
at night; and first from the picket a running fire
was heard, which occasioned some alarm. A ge-
eral silence followed for some time, during which
the American officers held a council; and the Eng-
lish soldiers were dismissed to their tents, But
woe to the simple commander of Stony-Point:
When that undaunted hero general Wayne tickled
their ears with “Remember the Paola and the
massacre of Lady Washington’s light horse at the
Tapaan.” The granadiers, in particular, of the
71st regiment made for awhile a gallant defence;
but neither the formidable rows of abbatis, nor the







[ 24 J
strong works in front and flank could damp the ar.
dour of the American troops, who, in the face of
an incessant and tremendous fire of musquetry,
and cannon loaded with grape shot, broke their
way through every obstacle, until the van of each
column met in the centre of the fortress, and obli-
ged the surviving part of the garrison, amounting
to upwards of 500 men, to surrender themselves
prisoners at discretion—Butletus pass over to
our side of the river at Verplanks—there you will
not find a colonel Johnson, lying snug in his tent,
as at Stony-Point; but you will find old colonel
Webster, the Scotchman, ready cut and dry for
you, when the action commenced at the opposite
fort. Four men out of each company turned out
for a reserved guard, to receive the enemy when
they should come over the river, as we expected
nothing else but to be engaged front and rear at
once; for we soon found Stony-Point was taken,
by their turning their artillery against us at Ver-
planks, and commencing a dreadful cannonade,
which necessarily obliged the shipping that lay in
the river, to cut their cables and sail down. But
the Yankey army lay in our front eating molasses
instead of attacking us.-Two or three days after
this, the Americans commenced the evacuation of
Stony-Point, by destroying the works dismount-
ing the cannon, and removing their military stores,
and prisoners of war. Among the number of
small vessels that came to carry off the booty, was
a row-galley laden with cannon and other stores,
on our side of the river. Against this galley we
directed our artillery, and poured in a volley of
grape and chainshot, which obliged the officers on
board to desist from loading any farther, and find-
ing it impracticable to save the vessel, they spiked
their cannon, and set fire to the galley which ha-









D 25
wing burned to the water, sunk with her cargo to
º, bottom. The balance of the military stores
were conveyed to West-Point; and the troops
withdrawn. In ten days we also evacuated our
fortress at Verplanks, and withdrew our troops tº
New York. We lay that winter at a place called
he wºrrows on Long-Island until Christmas day,
When an expedition was undertaken by Siy Henry
Clinton, and admiral Aubuthnot, against Charles-
on in South Carolina; as the conquest of the
southern colonies was now meditated and consider-
ed as practicable. Our shipping lay on East river
with the troops on board until the breaking up of
the ice, when several regiments were in the most
imminent danger of being lost, particularly the 42d,
who were driven ashore with eight or ten ships,
great and small. It was some time in the spring
before we could proceed in our voyage, being
prevented by rough seas and tempestuous weather.
We set sail in very low spirits—our prospects
were gloomy indeed—the very elements seemed
to conspire against us, and threaten us with des-
truction. The distance between New-York and
Charleston is commonly sailed in two weeks; but
we were eight weeks on the passage. The ship
in which I was, being accidentally separatcd from
the fleet in a storm, we were all in danger of being
lost. The tempest blew with violence for about
six hours.-We had 400 soldiers on board, and
by the heaving and rolling of the ship, all the beds
in which we lay broke lose from the sides of the
vessel to which they were fastened; and the ship
was so agitated by the wind and waves, that she
changed her position, so that her gunnels ran un-
der water, and the guns on the same side broke
loose on the quarter deck. The storm, however,
having somewhatabated, we refreshed ourselves,

| 26 |
and cheered our hearts with a good can of grog,
and pursued our voyage, hoping the worst was over
and that we should soon getin sight of the fleet.—
But alas! all our pleasing expectations were frus-
trated; for after sailing a considerable time, we lost
all hopes of ever coming up with the fleet. A quar-
rel took place between some of the land and sea offi-
cers, and a fight ensued in which the fire fell into
the steerage and communicated into the hold,
from which the smoke was immediately perceived
to issue in curling volumes, so that we expected
every moment to be blown up. In this critical &
perilous situation the cries of the women & children
were truly distressing: & to render our danger still
greater, we were again assailed with aviolent squall:
the waves rose like mountains, and threatened to
overwhelm us : the ocean seemed to open its bo-
som to receive us : the swelling surges broke in
upon us, until we had five feet water in the hold;
our pumps were choked, and for a while refused
to perform their office.—Our condition was des-
perate-But it pleased God to prolong our ex-
istence:–the fire was extinguished; and by re-
peated attempts and strenuous exertions, we at
length brought the pumps to work; the tempest
ceased and we continued our voyage, still hoping
to come up with the fleet.---Many a tedious hour
did I sit on the foretop, eagerly casting my eyes
around to see if I could any where descry a sail.
At length the wished for moment arrived ; We
espied our fleet and soon joined it with joyful ag-
clamations. The signal was given for the diſ-
ferent captains to go on board of the Convoy, and
a general invitation was given on board of the ad.
miral's ship, where a concert of music was held,
and the soldiers and sailors got a double allowance
of rum to banish sorrow, and exhilerate their spi
|

| 27
its. We soon came in sight of land, and took
possession of St. John's Island near Charleston :
5,000 men were sent forward to erect a right and
left hand battery of 24 guns each. This was ac-
complished the first night; and a centre battery the
second night. An entrenchment was likewise dug
in such a direction, as to have a communication
from right to left ; during which operation, we
were played on by the batteries in the front of the
town, by a well directed fire of grape, round and
chain shot, with a great number of bomb-shells.-->
There was one line of batteries after another until
we came close to the canal; so that I have stood
centinel many a time on one side of the canal, while
the American centinel was directly opposite to me
on the other side-Though the offensive opera-
tions of the seige were conducted with great spi-
rit and success; yet the town had still kept up a
communication with the country on the farther
side of Cooper’s river, and some bodies of militia,
cavalry and infantry began to assemble on the high-
er parts of that river, who, by keeping possesion
of the bridges might, at least, by cutting off sup-
plies, and molesting our foraging parties, have con-
siderably retarded and disturbed the operations of
our army. To dislodge these troops, our gene.
ral, as soon as his situation would permit, detach.
ed the 33d and 23d regiments and Tarleton's light
horse, in all about 1400 men, under the command
of lieutenant colonel Webster.... We came on the
enemy by surprise in the night, at Monk's corner,
and bloody work we had : being however victori.
ous, we succeeded in our object of effectually stop-
ping up the pass.
We remained at Monk’s corner until the capi-
tulation of general Lincoln; after which we march.
ed for Camden under the command of general
28
Cornwallis and lord Rawdon, with 1500 effective
infantry and 150 cavalry. When we arrived at
Camden, a detachment was ordered to Ninety-six;
but it fell to my lot to continue at Camden, where
I fell sick for the first and last time, that is, with
common sickness; for I have been often times in
disposed with the bottle-ſever, and by wounds,
bruises and broken bones, and such like acci.
dents. -
While we continued at Camben we fared pretty
well; only general Gates advanced to disturb our
repose ; and having encamped at a place called
Ruggles, about thirteen miles from Camden, he sent
us word that “ he would eat his dinner in Cann-
den, or in hell, the next day.” His force was vast.
ly superior to ours, at least in numbers, being
computed at 5000 or 6000 men; the greater num-
ber, howeverof these consisted of militia, on whom
little dependence could be placed. -
Having received intelligence that general Gates
had encamped in a bad situation, Lord Cornwallis,
mustered his troops, and harangued them in words
nearly to this effect: “Now, my brave soldiers,
now an opportunity is offered for displaying your
valour, and sustaining the glory of the British
arms;---all you who are willing to face your ene-
mies;---all you who are ambitious of military fame
stand forward ; for there are eight or ten to one
coming against:---Let the man who cannot bear
the smell gun-powder stand back, and all you who
are determined to conquer or die turn out.” Ac-
cordingly we all turned out except a few who were
left to guard the sick and military stores. We
marched out of Camden about ten o’clock at night,
August 15th, 1780; it being the intention of our
general to surprise the enemy in their quarters at
Ruggles; but in this he was disappointed, for ge-


| 29 J
neral Gates had set out about the same hour, in
hopes to surprise us at Camden. We came up
with their advanced party, about seven miles from
Camden, when the light troops and advanced
guards on each side. necessarily engaged each
ºther in the dark. In this blind encounter, the
American cavalry being driven back on the van,
occasioned some disorder in their ranks; and ha-
wing thus repelled them, we were eager for a gene.
ral engagement; but Lord Cornwallis finding that
the enemy were on bad ground, was unwilling to
hazard in the dark, the advantages which their si-
tuation would afford him in the light. We then
lay on our arms until day break, when both armies
formed their lines, and approached within 100
yards of each other, and the Americans gave the first
fire, which killed and wounded nearly one half of
our number. We returned the fire, and immedi-
ately charged on them with the bayonet. The ac-
tion became general along the lines, and was sup-
ported with great obstinacy. The haziness of the
morning prevented the ascent of the smoke, which
occasioned such a thick cloud, that it was difficult
to observe the effects of a well supported fire on
both sides. It was discoverable, however, that
the British troops were pushing forward, and the
Americans giving way; and after an obstinate re-
sistance, for about three quarters of an hour, the
latter were thrown into confusion. We then ODCn-
ed to the right & left and let Tarleton's light horse
pass through -º-Victory declared in our favour.
We took 900 prisoners and more are said to have
been killed and wounded; but the precise number
was probably never ascertained. All their artillery
amounting to ten or eleven brass field pieces, with
about 2000 stands of arms, 6 stands of colours and
all their baggage-waggons, to the number of 150
tellinto our hands.....The whole body of themi-

30
litia (which constituted, as I before observed, much
the greater part of general Gates's force) with the
exception of only one North-Carolina regiment,
took to their heels the first fire, and though their
general did all in his power to rally them, he could
not persuade them to make a single stand, and so
getting to the woods as fast as they could, they to-
tally dispersed, leaving the continental regular
troops to oppose the whole force of the British ar-
my. The continental troops indeed made a gallant
stand, and merited the highest encomiums. It
was a hard fought battle, and the victory not very
cheaply purchased on the side of the British ; for
even in one regiment (the 33d to which I belonged)
not less than 116 out of 240 were killed and
wounded. The whole loss may be esteemed at
between 300 and 400 killed, wounded and mis-
sing; and among these were several brave officers.
Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton who had distin-
guished himself in this battle, was detached the
next day with his cavalry, and the light infantry of
the 23d regiment, called the English Fusiliers, in
pursuit of general Sumpter, who had retreated
with a body of Americans and some pieces of
cannon. General Sumpter, it seems, confiding in
his distance from the enemy, was surprised in the
middle of the day on the 18th of August, as his
men were engaged in getting peaches in an orch.
ard not far from the Catawba Fords. Sumpter
himself having taken a number of tories, with a
hogshead of rum and some provisions which they
were carrying to the English army, was employed
in dealing out the liquor, and was generous enough
to give a gill to each prisoner, when Tarleton game.
on him, killed 150 of his men, and took 300 of
them prisoners, with two pieces of cannon, and se-
veral waggons. The prisoners were conducted to

L 31
Camden, and there treated with civility, and from
thence they were sent off to Charleston, under a
guard of mounted infantry; but several of them
were rescued by their countrymen before they
could be carried to Charleston.
We lay in Camden until our wounded recover-
ed, and then we marched on to Salisbury in North-
Carolina, in close pursuit of the enemy, who had
abandoned the town, leaving only a few sick tories
in jail, to die for want of water; and all the provi-
sions they had were a few pounds of salt beef.---
We were detained a few days in Salisbury in order
to procure some provisons. Had it not been for
this delay, we might probably have overtaken ge-
neral Morgan, and retaliated upon him for Tarle-
ton's defeat, and rescued the prisoners taken at the
Cowpens.—This action in which the English were
entirely routed, happened but a few weeks before;
and for the bravery of the Americans, and the ad-
dress of their general merits a particular relation.
In order to prevent the Americans under gene.
ral Morgan from taking possession of the valuable
district of Ninety-six, Lord Cornwallis, detached
lieutºcol. Tarleton with 300 cavalry 300 lightinſant.
ry, the 7th regiment, the first battalion of the 71st
regiment, and 2 three-pounders. This force his
Lordship thought sufficient to oppose the progress
of Morgan; having full confidence in the success
of Tarleton, who had so highly distinguished him.
self informer engagements. The British troops
came up with the Americans on the 18th of Janua.
y 1781, at a place called the Cowpens, near Paço.
let-river. General Morgan boldly stood on his
defence, and drew up his troops with great judg-
mºnt. The militia (composing about tºo ºrds
of his force) were drawn up in a line on the edge
ºf a wood, and exposed to open view; but the
-
I 32
cond line consisting of the continental and Virgi.
nia troops, were out of sight in the wood itself,
where they were drawn up in excellent order, and
ready for action.
The British, besides their field-pieces, had the
advantage of five to four in the infantry, and of
more than three to one in cavalry. The attack was
begun by the first line of infantry composed of the
7th regiment, and a body of light infantry, with a
troop of light horse placed on each flank. The
first battalion of the 71st regiment and the remain-
der of the light horse formed the reserve.-The A-
merican militia constituting the firstline (as we said
before) were unable to resist the assault, and im-
mediately gave way; upon which the royal troops
supposing the victory already gained, ardently pur-
sued, and were thereby thrown into some disorder.
Upon this the second line of the Americans, having
opened to the right & left, to afford a passage to the
fugitives, as well as to inclose their pursuers, as
soon as they perceived the king's troops fare nough
advanced, poured in a close and deadly fire on both
sides. The ground was instantly covered with
the bodies of the killed and wounded, and a total
rout ensued. Not less than 400 of the British in-
fantry were either killed, wounded or taken prison-
ers. The loss of the cavalry was not so much;
but the colours of the 7th regiment, with the two
field pieces ºll into the hands of the Americans, &
all the detachment of royal artillery were killed in
defending their standard,
In this engagement colonel Washington, who
commanded a small detachment of American ca-
valry, had an opportunity of displaying his person-
al valour in a combat with colonel Tarleton, in
which he cutoff two of Tarleton’s fingers & would
have cut off his head, had it not been for his stock-

















| 33 ||
buckle, which deadened the force of the stroke, and
saved the life of the British officer. They were
both undoubtedly brave men, so that it remains a
doubt with me to this day which of the two was
the better soldier, when I consider that Washing-
ton was fighting for a good cause, and Tarleton for
a bad one. However be that as it may, colonel
Washington, I believe, to this day (if he be alive)
carries a mark on two of his fingers, which he re-
ceived in his rencounter with colonel Tarleton.
But on this occasion, colonel Tarleton was glad
to make his escape with the small remains of his
army. This defeat was very mortifying to Lord
Cornwallis; and I myself was an eye witness when
at the first interview between him and Tarleton,
the account of the disaster brought tears from
Cornwallis's eyes; lamenting, no doubt, the
loss of so many brave soldiers.
The Cowpen prisoners were pushed off towards
Winchester in Virginia, and we pursued in hopes
of overtaking Morgan before he crossed the Yad.
kinriver, a few miles from Salisbury; but in this
we were deceived, as we had been before in seve-
ral of our bad undertakings. We then returned
back some distance, and took a rout by the Mo-
ravian towns, and encamped one night on a rising
ground contiguous to one of these towns, the in
habitants of which were very generous in rolling
out their whiskey-barrels to make us drunk. The
Moravians were always suspected of being tories,
but on this occasion, we had reason to think dif.
ſerently, by their liberality in furnishing us so a
bundantly with spiritous liquors, as all the world
knows that a soldier's chief delight is in drinking.
And, I believe, they would have succeeded in the
in idious design, had the Americans been vigilant.
for it is my candid opinion, that there were nº fifty
34 I
sober men among us; for it was a very rainy night,
and we had suffered much for want of drink, as
well as through fatigue.
But we fortunately escaped being discovered,and
lay there secure for some time.-We next directed
our march towards Charlotte, and coming within
two miles of the town, the enemy formed a line
of battle; but we advanced on them, and they re-
treated ; and a running fight ensued until we came
to the town, where they made a stand for a while;
but we rushed on them with the bayonet, and they
again retreated. We pursued them for about 7
miles; but they were too swift on foot for us; so
finding we could not come up with them, we re-
turned back to Charlotte. The next day a guard
was sent to Rigley’s mills, in order to do duty there
and I turned baker for the guard, [and a little for
myself.] We continued there for some time---
but now comes the trouble—the enemy got a re-
inforcement of 3000, or 4000 men, and we had to
run backfaster than we came. We made our retreat
like lost sheep, not knowing where to go–no ſo-
rage—no provisions for our men, though march-
ing day and night. At this time I saw an English
guinea offered for a bit of corn-brºad, not larger
than my two fingers —Hard times with us indeed
– 16 days without a morsel of bread. In this star-
ving condition we made our retreat to Wynnes-
borough, 40 miles from Camden, where we fixed
our winter quarters, and sent to Camden for provi-
sions which were soon brought us by water, and
then we fared sumptuously ; being plentifully sup-
plied with all sorts of provisions, and having our
back rations paid up.
In relating the various incidents of my life, I
should deem myself guilty of an unpardonable o-
mission, were I to pass on without mentioning the
_

I 35
circumstance of a fist-fight, which I had while we
were quartered at Wynnesborough and the first
that I ever had since I came to the years of dis-
cretion. -
There was a certain Bill Airton, a butcher, who
was a mess-mate of mine, and had often endeavour-
ed to provoke me to a fight; but as I always consi.
dered him a stouter man than myself, and being
besides unacquainted with the art of boxing, (as it
is called) I had constantly declined his invitations,
and endeavoured to keep clear of all private quarrels.
It happened, however, one day, when myself and
several of my companions had made a fire before
our wigwam, that Mr. Airton, who had been abº
sent while the fuel was gathering, came up to the
fire, and in a very abrubt manner, says to me,
* Shaw, d-----n you stand back, you have no right
here; d---n you stand back.”---Giving me at the
same time suchablow in the eye, as made my head
sing psalms for some time. The sergeant then
coming up, and understanding the circumstance,
says “Shaw you must fight and whip him, or else
I will whip you.” So we buckled to it in our buff;
and having a good second helped the cause very
much on my side; for a good officer makes a good
soldier. Inspired with confidence through the en-
couragement of the sergeant, I soon gave Mr.
Airton an Irishman’s coat of arms, i. e. “ two black
eyes and a bloody nose,” which made him a good
friend ever after.
Poor john and the butcher then strip to their
buffs, - -
Fell to work and engaged in what's called fisti.
cuffs; - -
ºf so the big ºutcher that would be a brºwſing
ºng a guarrel, at as got a maºng.
-






CHAP. III.
---
THE AUTHOR IS TAKEN PRIs on ER BY THz
AMERICA NS.--- HIS T REATMENT. --- A C cou Nº.
OF THE BATTLE OF G UILD FORD,--- HE EN-
DEAVOUR'S TO ESCAPE FROM CONFIN EMENT :
B UT IS DISCOVE RED AND PREVENT. E. D. ----
FORMS A SE COND PLOT FOR ELO PING, AND
succeeps. ---stays som E TIME wrºn ong
OF THE MOR A VIAN BRE THREN, BY WHOSE
A D VI C E H E RETURNS TO H IS C.A. PT IV. I. T.Y. ---
A N A CCOUNT OF A P R O LIC WHICH. H. E. H. A. D. IN
conſ PAN # witH so M. E. of B. J R got N. E.'s MEN.
---THE CENTRY GETS DRUNK, AND LET’s
T H E M ES C.A. P. E.---T H E Y DIS PER SE IN DIF -
* E R E N T DIRECTION. S. ---T H E A U THOR. G. O. E. s.
To WoRK iN THE COUNTRY----EN LISTS SOME
Tº M. E. A. F.T. E. R. I. N THE AMERICAN ARMY.---
cers MARRIED, &c.
IT was early in the spring before we set out;
and then we took our rout to Hillsborough, where
we set up the royal standard; and our general by
a proclamation invited all loyal subjects to repair
to it, and assist in restoring order and govern-
ment. But though we had been led to believe,
that the king had many friends in that part of the
country; yet the event did notanswer our expec-
tations. The royalists were but few, and most of
them too timid to join the king's standard. A
party of them, indeed, under the command of a
certain colonel Pyle, had set out with a view of




















joining us at Hillsborough; but they were º
dentally met by a detachment from the American
army, and most of them cut off. -
W. aid at Hillsborough about a week, and
all got completely shod-We left ºn the
night, and made a movement towards the Haw ri-
ver, marching by the way of the Rocky Ford-
we came up with the enemy by the river side, and
having formed a line, we changed a few shots, and
then avanced to give them the bayonet; but
they retreated and crossed the river. and then we
had a standing fight; and though we had orders
not to cross the river, yet the front line consisting
of the 33d, 23d, and 71st regiments, the Irish vo-
lunteers, and the Yagers, under Lord Rawdon,
would not be stopped by any thing. So we cros-
sed the Rocky Ford, and hot work we had but
we beat them off and formed alºne on the same side
of the river which they had occupied, and soon put
them to flight, and pursued them for 14 miles, un-
tilwe lost sight of them. We then directed our
march towards Guildford court-house and halted
about three or four miles from town. At this
time the scarcity of provisions was so great that we
had but one pound of flour for six men per day
with very little beef, and no salt the half of the time.
With this allowance my mess-mates and I made
two meals a day, which we managed by first boil-
ing our beef, and then taking it out, and having
mixed our pound of flour with some water, we put
it into the kettle in which the beef had been boiled;
and when sufficiently heated we took it off the fire,
and let it stand until it cooled. This served us
for breakfast, and the beef we kept for dinner; and
as for supper we were obliged to do without it.
On one occasion, the officers having by some
means neglected to put out centinels on guard for







[ 38 |
three hours together, impelled by hunger we took
the blessed opportunity of going out in search of
something to satisfy our craving appetite. A so-
dier of the 23d regiment, by the name of Tattes.
dell, and myself made a push for the country.-
We had not gone above a mile before we came to
a house in hopes to get something to eat; but the
house was already full of soldiers upon the same
business; and I heard the woman of the house
crying, “I will go and tell your officers.” Upon
hearing these words my comrade and I proceeded
forward about three or four miles, until we came
to a fine open plantation, and an elegant framed
house belonging to a major Bell of the American
army. So we entered the house, where we found,
anold lady and her two daughters—we saluted them
with as much politeness as our awkward manners
would admit of; and the old lady very civilly ask
edus to sitdown.—We soon told her our business,
that we wanted some flour; upon which she imme-
diately filled our knapsacks, and invited us to stay
*till something could be made ready, which invita-
tion we readily accepted; and I very well remem.
ber that I got some of the best Jonny-cake I ever
ate in my life. While we were partaking of the
delicious repast, for to us it was truly delicious, a
conversation arose -
Says the old lady, “ Now if you will go with
what you have gotten, and join our boys, I will
give you my two daughters, and a complete suit
of clothes a piece.” But we argued “the bad
consequence of desertion, that it was death by the
laws of war, and that even if we could bring our-
selves to act so dishonourable a part as to desert
our colours, yet death by shooting or hanging was
a thing not much to be desired.”—But by the bye.
imust inform the reader,that for my part, if I could













D 39 j
have entertained the smallest hopes of succeeding
in gaining the affections of either of the young lº
dies, so lovely were they in my eyes, that I would
cheerfully have hazarded my life and taken the old
lady ather word; for Ithought them the most beau-
tiful creatures my eyes ever beheld. But as such
good fortune was not to be expected, and we had
no time to delay, my comrade and I, after we had
finished our meal, took our leave of the old lady,
thanking her for her charity, and immediately de-
parted.
Scarcely had we gone halfway up the lane, when
seven of Lee’s light horse made their appearance :
my companion swore there was Tarleton's light
horse coming, and, says he, “we shall be taken
up on suspicion of plundering, and get 500 lashes
a piece.” “No," said I, upon observing their
brown coats, and white cockades, “no friend, you
are deceived; these must be the rebels.” Having
therefore discovered his mistake, he began to cry;
—but for my part, I thought it very good fortune.
—As they were advancing towards us, we conclu-
ded to go and meet them; which we accordingly
did, and falling on our knees begged for quarter;
which they granted us and said, “ come on, we
will give you good quarters;” and so on we went
past the house that had betrayed us it was fine
fun for the old lady to see how handsomely she had
tricked us.-They brought us on a short distance
beyond major Bell's, and there were Washington’s
and Lee’s light horse, and Morgan’s riflemen.—
These officers examined us as to the strength of
Cornwallis's army, and sent us under guard to
general Green's encampment; and while the guard
were conducting us thither, they suffered one of
Morgan's subaltern officers to strip us; against
which conduct we remonstrated, by observing that

I 40 I
no British officer would permit a continental so-
dier to be stripped while a prisoner of war.—But
we were obliged to submit; for the officer drew his
sword and swore, if we did not comply, he would
run us through. So they took our clothes, not
leaving us even our leggings or shoes; and, God
knows, they wanted them badly; for such ragged
mortals never saw in my life before, to pass in-
der the character of soldiers. We were then
brought to the camp, on the 11th day of March
1781, and after being re-examined by general
Green, we were sent to the provost, where we ſound
about thirty fellow-prisoners who had been taken
on straging parties. From thence we were sent
to Halifax court house, where we remained until
after the battle of Guildford; which took place
the 15th day of March, and was one of the hardest
fought battles that ever happened in America.-
And as a brief description of this memorable action
may not perhaps be unacceptable to some of my
young readers, I shall present them with an ab-
stract of the most remarkable facts and circumstan.
ces, from the best information I could obtain, and
with as much impartiality as possible. -
On the morning of the 15th of March, Lord
Cornwallis marched with all his forces, consisting
of 5000 or 6000 men, with a view either to meet
the Americans under general Green, or to attack
them in their encampment. A few miles from
Guildford, theadvanced guard under colonel Tarle-
ton, fell in with colonel Lee's legion, and some mi-
litia, with whom he had a severe engagement, and
was, at last, obliged to retreat.
The American army under general Green, were
about equal to the British in number, and posted
on a rising ground, about a mile and an half from
Guildford court-house. Tife Americans were
-
-

41 ||
drawn up in three lines; the front line was com:
posed of the two brigades of North Carolina mili-
jaunder the generals Butler and Eaton: the sº-
cond line consisted of two brigades of Virginia
militia commanded by the generals Stephens and
Lawson; and the third line also of two brigades of
continentalorregular troops commanded by general
Hugar, and colonel Williams. Colonel Washing-
ton, with the dragoons of the first and third regi-
ments, a detachment of continental light infantry,
and a regiment of riflemen under colonel Lynch,
formed a separate body to cover the right flank:
while colonel Lee, with his legion, a detachment of
light infantry, and colonel Campbell's riflemen,
formed a corps of observation for the security of
the left flank. -
The British commander disposed his troops in
the following order:---On the right the Hessian
regiment of Bose, with the 71st regiment led on
by general Leslie, and supported by the first bat.
talion of guards. On the left were the 23d and
33d regiments, led on by colonel Webster, sup-
ported by the grenadiers and the 2d battalion of
guards, commanded by general O’Hara. The
German Yagers, and the light infantry of the guards
remained in the woods on the left of the guns, and
the cavalry under colonel Tarleten were drawn up
in the road, ready to act as circumstances might
require. -
The action commenced by a dreadful cannonade
about one o'clock in theaſternoon.---The discharge
of the artillery (which lasted about 20 minutes)
having ceased the British troops advanced in three
columns, and attacked the Carolina militia with
great fury, and soon forced part of them to quit
the field, but the Virginia militiagave them a warm
reception, and kept up a heavy fire for a conside-
D 2
D 42 |
rable time, till they also were beaten back, and
the action became general almost every where --
The thickness of the woods rendered the British
bayonets of little service, until the second battalion
of the guards gained the clear ground nearCuildford
court house, and having found a corps of conti-
mental infantry drawn up in an open field on the
left side of the road, attacked them with vigour, and
defeated them, taking two six-pounders: but asthey
pursued the Americans into the woods, they were
thrown, in their turn, into great confusion, by a
heavy and well directed fire from the Americans,
and furiously charged and driven back by colonel
Washington's dragoons with the loss of the two
six-pounders they had taken. But the American
cavalry were again repulsed, and the two six poun-
ders fell once more into the hands of the British.
The victory for a while seemed doubtful but after
several bloody conflicts, in which great bravery was
displayed on both sides, the American general
thought it prudent to order a retreat. Many of the
militia dispersed through the woods; but the con-
tinental troops made a very orderly retreat. The
British general remained master of the field, and
consequently claimed the victory, --but it was a
dear bought victory; for the loss on the side of
the British, according to the account of Lord Corn-
wallis himself, was 532 killed, wounded and mis-
sing. Several of their bravest officers fell in the
action, and amongst the rest my good ºld colonel
Webster received a mortal wound---he was as gal-
lant an officer as ever drew the sword---I served in
his regiment five years and some months. General
Green in the account he sent to congress stated the
loss of the continental forces at 329 killed, wound-
ed and missing, in which number however, the loss
of the militia was not included; it amounts to up-
wards of 100. - -


[ 43 ||
In this battle a few prisoners were taken by the
Americans, and sent forward to join us at Halifax
court-house; and in ashort time we were all march-
ed on to Winchester in Virginia, where we join-
ed the Cowpen-prisoners, and were put into the
barracks a few miles from the town, under a strong
guard. Here we suffered much our houses had
no covering to shelter us from the inclemency of
the weather; and we were exposed to cold, hun-
ger and wantoſ clothing; and all manner of ill-treat-
ment insult and abuse. Having thus for a consi:
derable time (I cannot say with the patience of Job)
endured many hardships, we formed aproject for our
escape, by means of one of the guard, who agreed for
3 half Joes, to conduct us to New-York. The time
and mode of elopement being fixed upon, we part-
ed with our uniform and put ourselves in disguise
ready for the journey- But when the appointed
hour arrived, we found ourselves deceived by the
fellow's wilful neglect, in fulfilling his promise, but
what better could we expect from a tory and trai-
tor:-He that would turn tory is worse than the
Devil; for, be the Devil as bad as he may he is still
said to be true to his party. So we had to conti-
nue in our confinement, and were now worse treat-
ed than ever; for we had parted with our uniform,
and were considered as refugees. But some time
in the summer, we were ordered to be ready to
march at a moment's warning ; and soon after a
new guard was appointed to conduct us to Lancas-
ter in "ennsylvania. The cruelty of this new
guard exceeded any thing we had yet seen; their
conduct was indeed shameful, and altogether in-
compatible with the profession of either soldiers or
christians —they drove us like so many bullocks
to the slaughter—Scarcely had we advanced three
miles, belore the captain broke his broad sword

I 44 1
by cutting and slashing the prisoners, who were
too much weakened by hunger, and former ill.
treatment to keep up in the march. The lieuten-
ant, a snotty-nosed stripling, just from the chimney
corner, came up, raging like a madman, with his
small sword in his hand, and pushed it with such
violence into the back of one of my fellow-prison-
ers, that he broke it in the wound, where it re-
mained till one of his comrades pulled it out.--
Now such dastardly conduct towards poor prison.
ers of war, who had no weapon to defend them-
selves, was a disgrace even to chimney-corner of
ficers. However, we marched along as well as we
could, consoling ourselves with the hopes of being
delivered one day or other from such cruel bond-
age. We came to a place where there was a mill
turned by a stream, the source of which was not
more than 100 yards above the mill:—here we ex-
pected to draw some provisions, but were sadly
disappointed, as we had been three days without
any, and through perfect weakness, I trembled like
a patient in a severe fit of the ague. All we drew
was but one ear of corn per man, and this was a
sweet morsel to us : —we softened it in water, and
grated it on the lid of our camp-kettle, and made
bread of it. This we did until we came to Frede-
ricktown barracks, where we drew provisions, and
found the people more hospitable and kind ; many
of them having experienced the hardships and ca-
lamitics of war : and at the same time they had se-
veral of their friends and relations, then prisoners
with the English, and suffering much greater hard-
ships than I ever experienced while prisoner with
the Americans.—But it is natural for every man
to think his own case the hardest; and though of
ill usage I had my share, yet I enjoyed the fresh
air, while thousands of soldiers lay languishing and
-



[ 45
dying in loathsome prison-ships. stinking jails, and
dark dungeons, deprived of the privilege of the -
fresh air, necessary to preserve health; and evenºx-
cluded from the cheerful light of heaven, and having
nothing for subsistence, but damaged provisions.
such as even a wretch starving on the gibbet and
ready to eat the fleshoff his own body with hunger,
might turn from with disgust. Such was the un-
happy situation of those who were taken at Long-
Island, Fort Washington, Brandy-wine, German-
town, Monmouth, Camden, and several other pla-
ces. Indeed the treatment of prisoners in general
during the American war, was harsh, severe and
in many instances, inhuman : except only with re-
gard to those who were taken under a capitºlation;
for such were always treated well:—Burgºyne's
and Cornwallis's men were treated like gentlemen,
to my own certain knowledge, and why not e-
soldier who is taken prisoner in the field of action,
or in any other way discharging his duty to his
king or country? -
We next arrived at Lancaster, where we had
reason to expect good treatment, the inhabitants
being in general remarkable for hospitality, and for
contributing to the relief of objects of distress; yet
such of us as had no trade or mechanical profession
fared but indifferently.—While we were in Lancas-
ter I became acquainted with a man in the army,
belonging to the 44th regiment, whom I think pro-
per to mention in this place on account of his pie-
ty. I had frequently observed him retiring into a
secret place, which at length awakened my curios-
ity to see what he was about;-I watched him, and
found he went there to pray: he was remarkably
reserved in all his conduct and conversation ; was
ºften alone, and seldom spoke, except when spo.
kento; and from his general deportment, I firmly
[ 46 |
believe, he was, what is truly a phenomenon in the
army, a conscientious christian-But this pious
example had little influence on my conduct. One
day, I very well remember, I got a quarter of adol-
lar from a Mr. John Hoover, by dint of hard beg-
ging : I now fancied myself as rich as a king, and
immediately sent for a loaf of bread and a pint of
whiskey, with which I and my comrade regaled
ourselves, and sung some merry songs: being for
the time as happy as princes.
Not long after, before we left Lancaster, we con-
certed another scheme for our release, by under-
mining, from one of the cellars under the barrack-
yark and stockades, about 100 yards, and coming
out in the grave-yard, --conveying the dirt in our
pockets, and depositing it in the necessary house,
and other private places. The next thing was
to seize the magazine which contained a large
quantity of ammunition and firelocks, with which
we intended to arm ourselves, and being joined by
a strong party of tories, set fire to the town, and so
proceed toform a junction with the English army.
Butourevil designs were entirely frustrated, by one
of our own men belonging to the 71st regiment,
of the name of Burk, who first made our plot
knownto the officer of the guard; and being conduct-
ed to general Wayne, who was then in Lancaster,
gave in all the names of the non-commissioned of.
ficers. The consequence of this was, that about
11 o'clock at night, general Wayne came to the
barracks with a guard of militia, and called out
those unhappy men, and marched them down to
the jail, and put them in close confinement. And
the commissary of prisoners, whose name was Hoº-
Jew, ordered a ditch to be dug at the foot of the
stockades, 7 or 8 feet deep, and filled with large
stones, to prevent us from undermining; and had





47 |
pieces of scantling spiked along the top and bot-
tom of the stockades. The prisoners were employ-
ed to do the work, and they very cunningly cut
the spikes in two, so as to go through the scºnting
and but slightly penetrated the stockades. These
short spikes were put in at the bottom, º order
that the stockade might swing when cut of under
ground.
A day or two after this, when Mr. H. the com.
missary of prisoners came to call the roll, a man of
Lord Rawdon's corps, whose name has slipped my
memory, took the commissary aside, and offered
to shew him all the private ways by which the pri-
soners went out and in. Accordingly he went
round the stockades with the commissary, and
made all the discovery he could. When all was
done, and the fellow wanted to be discharged, Mr.
H. called the prisoners together, and represented
to them the bad policy of one prisoner turning
traitor against the rest, and concluded with telling
the fellow he ought to be hanged for acting so
much like a scoundrel. We accordingly held a
court-martial, and the fellow pleaded guilty, and
was sentenced to receive 500 lashes, on his bare
posteriors, well laid on with a broad leathern strap.
Soon after this, two of my fºllow prisoners and
myself laid a plan for our escape, which we effected
in the following manner:---the night being ap-
pointed for the purpose, we procured a large knife,
with which about two o'clock in the morning we
had dug about two feet under ground, where, to
our great joy, we found the stockade rotten, or at
least considerably decayed we cut away by turns,
till the stockade swung by the upper spike; so the
boldest fºllow went formost, and the centry filed
at the hind most; but we all escaped to a rye field
where we lay hidden for a while, and then made





| " |
the best of our way to a friend's house, two miles
from town, and found there 30 or 40 more lying
in a barn.--Next morning each man taking his
own road, I directed my course for the Moravian
town (as it is called) 8 miles from Lancaster, and
there I met with a friendly reception from a certain
Joseph Willey, one of the Moravian society, a wool
weaver by occupation, and a native of the town of
Putsey in Yorkshire, old England. This man
though a friend to individuals, particularly those
from Yorkshire, was notwithstanding a true repub-
lican in principle, and as warm an advocate for the
rights and liberties of America, as any man could
be. He recommended me to the brethren of his
society as a prisoner of war belonging to a chris-
tian nation, and an object of compassion, and pray-
ed for their assistance; which they granted and
furnished me with what I stood in need of: but
not until they had exacted a promise from me
that I would return to my captivity, and wait with
patience for the exchange of prisoners.--This pro-
mise I fulfilled, and accordingly returned to Lan-
caster barracks. And in a few days after my re-
turn, an officer of an additional company of the 33d
regiment taken with general Burgoyne's troops,
came to Lancaster, and an application was made
for some money, and each man received five gui-
neas: there were 16 of us in a room together ma-
king ourselves as happy as possible; and we were
determined to have a general feast or frolic. Ac-
cordingly having laid in provisions of different sorts
and procured a barrel of whiskey in the morning,
I leave you to guess, my courteous reader, what an
appearance we made by the middle of the day,
when a pot-pie was proposed for dinner, and the
preparation of it undertaken by a drunken old sol-
dier, who, in making up the crust of the pie, used


| 49 |
whiskey instead of water : the dough being made
and rolled out, and put in the pot; the ingredients
of the pie were added consisting of old rangid ba-
con, dried apples, onions and old chews of tobacco;
and when sufficiently baked at the fire, the whole
compound was next stewed in good old whiskey:
and when ready, a general invitation was given to
the neighbours to partake of this delicate repast;
and we concluded the entertainment with a good
bucket of whiskey, dancing withour shirtsoff while
we were able to stand, and then we lay down pro-
miscuously, and slept till morning.-Our frolic
so much resembled the Irish feast, as described
by Lean Swift, that I cannot forbear transcribing
a few lines from that poet:
“We danced in a round,
Cutting capers and ramping;
A mercy the ground
Did not burst with our stamping.
The floor was all wet
With leaps and with jumps,
While the water and sweat
Splish splash in our pumps.
Bless you late and early
Zººlin Cºnagin,
By my hand, you dºnce rarely
Margºy Grimagin.
Bring straw for our bed
Shake it down to the feet,
Then over us spread
The winnowing sheet.
to show I don’t ºch
Fill the bowl up again,
Then give is a pinch
Of your * 4 years, ºr—
- º, -
-
[ 50 |
Next morning myself and a certain M'Gowan,
after taking a little more of the usquebaugh, deter.
mined to try our fortune; and accordingly made
application for a pass for a few hours, and a sentry
to go as a safe-guard to bring us back at the expi.
ration of the limited time. Previously to this,
we had made ourselves acquainted with a certain
militia-man by the name of Everman, a tobacco
spinner, who lived in Lancaster, and a notorious
drunkard.--- We called on him, and he readily at-
tended us to a certain Tom M*Honey’s, who kept
the sign of the white-horse in Donnegal street,
near the barracks.--So now, Mr. Everman,
what will you please to drink 2 What you please,
gentlemen, said Mr. Everman. So a lusty bowl
of punch was called for, and we all drank heartily
together, until our sentry got drunk, and fell asleep
on his guard.-We seized the favourable oppor-
tunity, and set out to push our fortune; and in or-
der to avoid suspicion, we soon parted, and took
diº ent roads. I came to a farmer's house, and
inquired for work :---the farmer very readily a-
greed to give me employment;---but “what.”
says he, “can you do?” I told him I was brought
up a stuff weaver. Can you weave worsted? says
hº. Yes, sir, said I, “Well then,” said he, “if
you will weave a piece of worsted I have on hands,
and continue with me five weeks, I will learn you
to be a linen-weaver.” I consented, and fulfilled
the contract, and he made me an indifferent linen-
weaver. After that I parted with my new master,
and went to live with one John Bostler, a Dutch-
man. The family consisted of the old man and
his wife, and three daughters:---I was very much
at a loss to understand their language, as none of
them cºuld speak English but the ºld man. who
spoke it in a very broken manner. This circums


[ 51 ||
stance was to meaninsurmountable obstacle, as it
prevented all conversation with the female part of
the family; and to be candid I should have had no
objection to pay my court to one of this Dutch-
man's daughters; for they were fine, hearty, in-
dustrious girls; but finding it impracticable, I
left Mr. Bostler, and set out with a view of going
to Coleman's ſurnace; but before I got there, I
fell in with one William Cassel, who had a large
stone building on hand, at the Cross-roads, leading
to Lancaster, Stickle’s tavern, Grub's forge and
Hornet’s tavern. Here was the second well I ever
dug , it was 65 feet deep, and in digging we came
to a cavern in the side of the well, in which we could
have turned a waggon and team, at the depth of
26 feet, with some other curiosities too tedious to
mention here. After the completion of this well,
I went to work for Christopher Laby, a monºist
by profession; and here was the first quarry I ever
wrought in. After I had been at the quarrying
business for some time, I had the misfortune to
break three of my ribs.
To the Cross-roads there was a resort ºf all de-
scriptions of men, from furnaces and forges; pri.
soners of war, and deserters both from the English
and continental army and men of diabolical prin-
ciples and practices from almost all quarters, em.
ployed in card-playing, cock-fighting, horse-rac.
ing, billiard-playing, longbullet-playing, fiddling
and dancing, drinking and carousing, and almost
every otherwicked practice, no matter what day of
the week, though the Sabbath was more frequently
chosen for such exercises.—My headshews to this
day the bad effects of such practices.—A party of
is had agreed to go one Sunday morning to Capt.
Huston's (commonly called Hornet’s) tavern, in
ºrder to drink bitters, and take a game at long.

[ 52 |
bullets close by the Dutch meeting-house. And
while the good people were at sermon, and pray.
ing to the Great Author of all things to turn our
hearts from those evil ways, I was chosen to look
out for the bullets, and on a sudden one of the
bullets struck me on the head, and knocked me
down, where Ilay, to the great consternation of all,
for some time before the company could tell what
was best to be done with me. But at length some
signs of life appearing, they removed me to the
-
ºvern in a very dangerous situation; for by this
unlucky accident a fracture was made in my scull
which so disturbed my brain, that ever after, if I
drank spirituous liquors, a temporary phrenzy was
produced, which caused me to conduct in a most
extravagant and outrageous manner.
I was not the only person that received punish-
ment for his immoral and irreligious practices; for
many of my acquaintances fell victims to the same,
and among the rest were Curtis Grub and Peter
Grub : the former of whom in one of his frolics
jumped into the furnace in full blast; and the lat-
ter by Pºtting a pistol into his mouth blew out his
brains.—These with several other instances of the
ruinous effects of dissipation, and of keeping bad
company, were, and perhaps justly, considered by
the good people of the vicinity as a judgment
from Heaven upon those wretches for their impi-
ety.
As soon as I was able to workºſ finished the job
I had undertaken, and went to live with a certain
Hugh H-gg—y, a few miles from Lancaster,
with whom I took up my winter quarters. Mr.
H–– was very much addicted to getting drunk,
and lying out in the woods, which made his wife
very uneasy; but as good luck would have it, he
had a dog that always accompanied his master, and
º

[ 53 |
when any misfortune befel him, the dog woºd
come running home, and alarm the family.
Upon which occasions, I had to set out in search
of him, through the thickest woods, and frequently
when it was so dark that I could not see my hand
before me: my dependence being entirely on the
dog; but he never failed to lead me to the place
where his master lay.
During my stay here I fared pretty well, and
lived with some degree of contentment, until a cir-
cumstance occurred, which obliged me to leave
the house. — Mr. H-- one night at home got
very groggy, was in a very ill-humour, and swore
“he would have revenge that night , and accord-
ingly he ordered his wife to bring him some more
grog, which she did and handed the bottle and
some water. Having drank what suited him, he
began to curse and swear at his wife, calling her
a d-----d strumpet, and loading her with every ap-
probrious epithet which his indignation suggested.
She endeavoured by mild words to pacify him and
bring him to reason ; but this only made him more
furious, he knocked her down, and jumped with
his knees on her breast, and then pulling out his
knife, swore he would kill her on the spot, -Nov.
I thought it would be wrong in me to stand by
and see murder committed, without endeavouring
to prevent it: so I took him by the collar and puſ-
led him of until she made her escape. This in-
terſºnance of mine (which I thought perſectly jus-
tifiablº) was likely to produce such domestic Drºils,
that for the peace of the poor woman, I thought
it most prudent to leave the house; which I did,
and ºn to live with one captain Wilhelem, an
inn-keeper, who lived about three miles from Lan-
happened to be in one of my mad fro-
. . . . . . . . --- - .. - -.
lics one day when three continental *
º 2
-

| 54 I
on a visit to captain Willhelem's :-I was pretty
tipsey and used a good deal of unnecessary lan.
guage, which caused the officers to inquire, who
was? They were told I was a prisoner of war, and
by name John R. Shaw. Being therefore afraid
lest such inquiries might lead to a detection, and
that some person for a reward might deliver me up
to the British, who, at that time offered a halfjoe for
every British prisoner brought to them at Lancas-
ter, I was brought to a stand what to do in this de-
licate circumstance. Upon a little reflection how-
ever, I was determined against having any farther
connexion with the English army; but if I could
by any artifice, get enlisted in the American army,
as the war was, in all probability, nearly at an end,
I should soon get my liberty, and be released from
the hardships of military duty, of which I was pret-
ty well tired. -
But there was an act of congress against the en-
listing of prisoners of war, which made my under-
taking rather desperate; however, as I knew that
many others in the same condition had got admit-
tancº; and that there were several hundreds of pri-
soners, who now enlisted in the different corps of
the American army, I resolved to try my fortune,
by inventing the most plausible fiction which I
cºuld devise, in order to prevent suspicion and de-
ſection. So on I went to Lancaster, where I soon
met with the recruiting sergeant whose name was
Townsel, an old British deserter —but according
to the good old adage, always set a rogue to catch.
a rogue;—I sauntered about a little while before he
took notice of me; but at length he asked me if I
would enlist for a soldier 2 I pretended to be very
much alarmed, and told him I was not acquainted
with the life of a soldier, and was afraid to go to
** -

[ 55 |
*Well but, says the sergeant, you are a prisoner
of war, are you not?” “No sir, said I, I never
was a soldier in my life.”—Where did you come
from ? I came from Little Chickes, and served my
time with one William Curran.-How long did
you serve? I served four years, and I can prove it
by my indentures, and by a number of respectable
gentlemen in the neighbourhood, such as Alexan-
der Scott, and captain Scott, with many others-
“Well, Shaw,” said the sergeant, “ you have a
fine story truly, and I hope you will stick to it; for
you must know that a liar has need of a good me-
mory;-so look sharp, or else you will be caught.
* Well, Mr. Shaw, we must go to the officers;”
so we went to the captains Doil and Powers.-
“Well, gentlemen,” says the sergeant, “here is
another recruit for you.-" Young man where did
wou come from ?” I came from Little Chickes.---
* With whom did you live there?” My last place
of residence was at Coleman’s furnace. “And
what did you follow * I followed working at the
mine-banks.---' But with whom did you live at
Chickes?” I served my time with Mr. Curran,
and I can prove it by my indentures, and by men
of the first respectability, such as Alexander Scott
and his nephew captain Scott.---So without asking
me any more questions, they gave me three half
joes as bounty-money, and I went with the recruit.
ing sergeant to quarters; where my new compa-
nions used all means in their power to jockey me
out of my money; but “it is not easy to catch old
birds with chaff,”---I was not so raw a soldier as
they ignorantly supposed, nor so easily imposed
on as they imagined; for I deposited my money
with the officer, and drew it as I stood in need; but
by this conduct, I got a goºd deal of ill-will among
those sharpers. But by this time, Cornwallis was
taken, and the very regiment to which I belonged,
E. 56
while in the British service, had come to Lancas.
ter; and in a few days I was attacked by the ser.
geant major, who called me a d----d rebel ; and
upon returning to the rendezvous, I made my
complaint to the lieutenant, who had been an old
British deserter, and from whom I had received
singular favours. I was now made a corporal,
and a cutlass was given me to enable me to stand
in my own defence against the British officers, who
often threatened to take me out of the ranks. But
they soon ceased to disturb me; for there were but
few in our recruiting party, who were not prison-
ers of war. Having been with the recruiting par-
ty for some time, I got acquainted with some
of the congress regiment soldiers to my cost;
for as I was walking the streets of Lancaster with
one of them, he robbed me of my handkerchief
and money, in open day light. This may be cal-
led complete street robbery.
We stayed here until we enlisted nearly 300
men, and most of them prisoners of war; and then
we were sent to Carlisle-barracks, by which time
the Pennsylvania line was broken, and formed into
three regiments [i. e. the 1st, 2d and 3d.] It was
my lot to belong to the 3d regiment, commanded
by that undaunted hero, colonel Richard Butler,
(who afterwards fell in St. Clair's defeat) and the
honourable George Bush’s company : [the son of
Squire Bush of Wilmington.]
We lay here a considerable time, and I began to
grow weary of a single life, and paid my addresses
to a certain young woman, who was at service in
the family of a Mr. Samuel Stuart, inn-keeper in
York-street, Carlisle; and after a short courtship
we were married at the house of a Mr. Robert
Johnston, a respectable citizen, who gave us a good
dinner, and in the evening, I was conducted to the















57 H -
barracks, with my new bride, by a number of sol-
diers of the first respestability.— -
* Imprºmis, at the temple-porch
Stood Hymen with a flaming torch :
The smiling Cyprian Goddess brings
Her infant loves with purple wings;
And pigeons billing, sparrows treading:
Fair emblems of a faithful wedding:-
Behold the bride groom and his bride,
Walk hand in hand, and side by side;
She by the tender graces drest,
But, he by Mars, in martial vest.-
And then to make the matter sure,
Dame juno brought a priest demure.
Luna was absent on pretence
Her time was not till nine months hence.
The rites perform’d, the parson paid,
In state return'd the grand parade;—
But still the hardest part remains.”----
But--" I pity the ... so modest and nice.”
-
—The young woman whom I married was
a native of Ireland, and from the town of Sligo,
and by profession a Roman Catholic ; her maiden
name was Mary O'Hara, who, before the com-
mencement of the American revolution came in a
redemptioner,and servedouther timein Kishicocles
valley, in the family of a certain Robert Homes,
and always supported a good character.---I did eve-
ry thing in my power to render our connubial life
as comfortable as the nature of our circumstances
would admit. I endeavoured to gain the good
will of the officers, and got permission to work in
the town, and by the recommendation and interest
of one Robert Gibson, I met with employment
from Mr. John Creech, a merchant in whose
I 58 ||
service I continued while the army lay at Car.
lisle. -
---
CHAP. Iſº.
CON ºr A IN IN G. A. v A R IB ºr Y or P A R T 1 C U L A R 3.
SOME time in the summer of 1782, we were
ordered on an Indian expedition to a place called
the Standing-Stone. We marched by way of Cal-
lender's mills, and so on to Sherman’s valley, to
Juniata, and then to Kishicocles valley, by way of
Squire Brown's, where we lay for a shºrt time;
and some of our men got to plundering, and being
caught in the act, were tried and sentenced to re-
ceive one hundred lashes a piece, which they got
well laid on. Our expedition, however, was ren-
dered unnecessary, as the Indians were dispersed
without our assistance. We then returned to Car-
lisle; soon after which the great anniversary of
American Independence was celebrated ; and, on
this occasion, a well conducted representation of a
battle was exhibited by the 3d Pennsylvania regi-
ment, and the town-militia consisting of one com-
pany of foot, and one of horse, with a small redoubt
erected in front of the town, commanded by colo-
nel Richard Butler, whose name ought never to be
forgotten. The day was spent to the great satis-
faction of all the spectators, and the scene closed
with an elegant ball, honoured with the attendance
of nearly 100 ladies of the first character both in
town and country. -
Soon after this an affair of a more unpleasant na-













[ 59 |
ture happened:—a certain sergeant Thompson,
who was on guard over a few prisoners who were
confined for desertion, being provoked by the ill-
language of one of them, whose name was Robert-
son, seized a fire-lock and with it beat Out the DOOr
prisoner's brains. The sergeant indeed in his de-
fence alledged that Robertson arose from the guard
bed with an intent to force the sentry. However,
the murderer was immediately arrested and sent to
jail under a strong guard, and confined in irons,
where he lay until his trial cºme on. But one thing
was much in his favour, he had always supported
a good character, and was generally esteemed in
the army. He was tried and tried again; for colo-
nel William Butler was determined to save him
guilty or not guilty. Horrid, indeed, were the
cries and screams of the murderer while in the dun.
geon :---he was constantly exclaiming in the most
frantic manner “Here he comes in a flame of fire
he will catch me! --O here he stands ! He stands
here grinning at me! O guilty, guilty conscience
---How I am tormented ſº -- If the torment of a
guilty conscience be so great in this world, what
must it be in the next ſº-This wretch escaped
hanging, but he died a miserable death not long
after. -
At the same time two deserters were tried and
condemned to be hanged; and when the day came
for their execution, they were brought to
the gallows, and, a circle being formed, a hang-
man was wanted, as there was a number of other
prisoners brought out who had been condemned
for diºrºnt crimes. Accordingly lieutenaa But.
er, who did the duty of an adjutant, made choice
of an old man by the name of O'Connor to be hang-
man; but the oldman positively refused to perform
the office, and said he would die rather than accº pt
-
L 60 J.
respect for his manly conduct.
it. He was then tied up to the foot of the gallows
for his disobedience and received one hundred lashes
well laid on, which he bore without a murmur,
and was then ordered into the ranks. A man by
the name of Burns was next pitched upon to per
form the honourable office, and after some hºsta-
tion he complied, and put the one on the neck of
one of the criminals; but before any ºf then were
swung off, a reprieve came to the joy of all the
spectators, and all were dismissed The intended
hangman was knocked and kicked about ºk a dog
while Mr. O'Connor was applauded by every solº
dier in the garrison, and treated with all imaginable
In a few days after that, a small party of us were
ordered to M Collister’s town in pursuit of desert-
ers. The party consisted of sergeant Mºon,
corporal Webb, a man by the name of MºCollister,
(as great a scoundrel as ºver came from Ireland)
and one Myres, and myself; being only five in
number. We pursued our journey until we came
to Yellow-Breeches Creek, and so on to Conowaga,
where we stopped to take some refreshment; and
some country-people coming in, we asked them
to dºnk with us, which they readily did, and have
ing spent some time in conversation with them,
the sergeant asked one of them if he would enlist
but as he seemed not very willing, the conversation
- - --
was dropped, and we proceeded on our way, all be
MºCoºster who delayed behind, for what we could
not tell. But he soon called after us, and swore
he had enlisted a man fairly; but the man positive-
y denied it. M'Collister, however persisted in
declaring that he had given him money, and en-
listed him in due form. “Well,” says the ser
geant, “ you must gºong with us and be sworn
in, or else we must tie you, and take you by force.”


[ 61 ||
I do not recollect the time that my feelings were
more hurt than on this occasion; the poor ºn Yºs
evidently trepanned, for M'Collister Put half a dol:
lar between his fingers, and so offering his hand
º, the countryman under pretence of shaking
hands with him, and the poor man giving his hand.
without any mistrust, M Collister says: . Take
this in the name of the Congress of the United
States;” which fightened the simple rustic almost
out of his senses. We all marched on together,
but did not go far before the poor man began to
cry, and beg to be discharged, saying, I have a
wife and six small children, who must suffer if you
take me from them—I will give you my horse, my
saddle and great coat, and all the money I have, if
you will let me return home.” Says the sergeant,
* How much money have you ?’ ‘‘ I have six
dollars and some pence,” replies the poor man,
“with which I intended to have bought shoes for
my children.” Upon this a consultation was held,
and I pleaded as hard for the man, as if he had
been my own father. At length the sergeant con-
sented to let him keep his horse, saddle and great
coat, and some of the money to bear his expences
home; and accordingly he departed congratitula-
ting himself on his happy delivery,
I have enlisted many a man, but I always des-
pised the dishonest methods practised by some of
repanning a man when he is intoxicated, and en-
listing him by slipping a piece of money into his
hand, or into his pocket, or his boots, and then
swearing that he is enlisted fairly—If the Devil
does not get such recruiting officers, and all who
follow such diabolical practices, I will give up that
there is no occasion for a Devil at al.
Shortly after this I was made a drill corporal,
and from that a lanch * and sent out re-
º

[ 62 J
cruiting. In this business I had tolerable success;
and my captain who was a man of good principles,
would never enlista man unless he was sober, and
Perfectly willing, and to this purpose he gave point-
ed orders to enlist every man fairly, as it was his
opinion, that a man so enlisted, would be more
likely to make a good soldier; “ For what,” he
would frequently say, “can you expect a man to
do for you when he is forced to it in an unlawful.
manner.”
Before we leave Carlisle, a few desultory re-
marks on the town and its inhabitants may not be
unacceptable to some of my readers.-
Carlisle is a handsome town, regularly laid offin
squares. The court-house is of brick, and the
market house of the same. The presbyterian
meeting house is a spacious and elegant building
of blue lime-stone, which makes a very beautiful
appearance. There is also an episcopal church
built of stone, and the private houses are generally
of stone and brick, with a few framed and log
houses. The university is a large and stately fa-
brick, and well calculated to answer the laudable
purpose for which it was intended. When it was
finished, the founders of this great building were
at a loss for water :-a bletonist was procured,
who pitched upon a certain spot of ground, where
they dug, and blew to a vast depth without finding
water. They then procured a large auger which
bored a hole 4-inches in diameter, with which they
perforated the rock to the depth of twenty or thirty
feet, and no prospect of water yet appeared. A
cube was then prepared, and a cartridge made to
hold twenty pounds of the best powder, with which
the hole was loaded, and fire applied.—The force
of the explosion went both up and down, and the
rock was so cleft and divided, that an immense bo-
dy of water issued forth sufficient for the supply,

I 63 ||
not only of the university, but of all the neighbour-
ing houses that stood in need of water.
"The wells which are dug here are mostly deep:
it being commonly necessary to penetrate throu gh
a very thick stratum of limestone rock. The usu-
al depth of the wells is from forty to eighty feet-
There are, however, many excellent springs in the
vicinity of Carlisle; such as Wilson's spring, which
sends fortha stream sufficient to turn a mill at ave-
ry little distance from the source, and runs by the
town in a considerable brook. And on the other
side of the town there is the river Conagoguin, on
the bank of which, is a vast cave curiously formed
by the hand of nature, with a spring on each side
of it, yielding the purest water. There is in this
cavern, about a hundred yards from the entrance,
an elegant apartment of a square figure, large and
spacious, and having seven beautiful boiling springs
in the middle of it. In this room, I have enjoyed
a good deal of pleasure, and helped to drink many
a good bottle.
The barracks are largeenough to contain 10,000
soldiers, with a house convenient for a hundred
artificers to work in making all sorts of arms and
implements for the use of the army and garrison.
The inhabitants of Carlisle are, generally speak-
ing, of Irish extraction, and more particularly those
who dwell in the main and back streets. They are
very decent and respectable people. But there is
a street, very properly denominated Hell-street in-
habited chiefly by high Dutch people, and in this
street was kept the holy ground, where all sorts of
past-time were carried on. -
From Carlisle we were ordered to Lancaster, in
order to relieve the Congress-regiment, and to do
duty over the prisoners who were taken with Corn-
wallis. We lay for some time in several old sta.

[ 64 |
bles that had been occupied by the light horse;
and afterwards formed into barracks, between iºn.
caster and Conastoga. Here we mounted an of
ficer's guard-2 sergeants, 2 corporals, one drum
and fife, and 50 privates, to guard the English pri.
soners, the magazine and the repository of provi.
sions. -
Here I connot help mentioning ascene that I was
witness to, though I acknowledge that it was
something extraordinary and to me. Very unac-
countable.
There is a hole in the ground on one side of the
barracks, called Stophel Funk's hole, that never
could be closed : for if it was filled up in the even-
ing, it would be open again in the morning; and
old Funk would come forth several times in the
night, in the shape of a ball of fire. One night in
particular, as we were going round with a relief,
and having stopped to relieve the sentinel next the
graveyard, who should come forth but old Funk
in his usual appearance. I took the fire in my
hands and threw it on the ground without receiving
any hurt. You may think what you please about
it, I was frightened considerably, and all who were
with me, were glad to get to the guard-house as
quickly as possible; leaving the sentry in a trem.
bling condition, who afterwards gave us a sad ac.
count of old Funk. I have known the sentry to
run from his post, from the magazine and the stores,
in the greatest trepidation, panic-struck by the
formidable appearance of old Funk. And some
who had courage enough to face the enemy in the
field of battle, immediately took to their heels on the
appearance of old Funk. Some asserted that they
had seen him as a boy, others like a horse without
a head, and others again as a wool-pack rolling on
the ground; but for my part, I never saw him in
any other shape than that of a ball of fire.

[ 65 |
The credibility of this incident will, no doubt,
be questioned by many, and ascribed to prejudice.
ignºrance or superstitious credulity; but what I
§
have seen and felt I must believe; and contenting
myself with a faithful relation of the fact, I leave it
to the philosºpher, who may probably be able to
account for the phenominon, without having re-
course to any supernatural means. - -
We had to keep a quarter guard, at the back of
our barracks, which mounted a sergeant, corporal,
snd twelve privates. It so happened at one time
while I was on guard, that the sergeant, whose
name was Pendergrass, sent me to call the relief,
as I was then corporal. At the same time he gave
the prisoners leave to go and stay in the barracks.
though contrary to orders; and then absented
himself from his guard. So between the hours of
eleven and twelve at night, the officer of the police,
whose name was Ball, came round, and called for
the sergeant of the guard; but the sergeant being
absent he called for the corporal of the guard; but
no corporal was thereto answer. He then called to
the guard to fallin; but no guard; not a man was
there but the sentry. Lieutenant Ball then called
for the sergeant-major of the regiment; but the
sergeant was in bed with his wife, and I was not
far from mine; but on hearing the sergeant-major
called for, I began to call for No. 1, No. 2, No. 3,
--
No. 4; and at the second call for the sergeant-ma-
jor by the officer of the police, I called again, as
loud as I could bawl, No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4,
in order to make it appear that I was on my duty.
But a new guard was called out, and you may
easily guess what came next:-we were all con-
fined under the new quarter-guard, for five days
and nights from our wives; but I hope they did
not suffer by our absence; for a soldier (to his ho.
F
| 66
nour beitspoken) is always ready to act a brother.
ly part in such a case as this. On the fifth day a
court martial was called, and the sergeant and my.
self were conveyed to the courthouse to be tried
by a regimental court martial, according to the mi.
litary law.—I was called into the room—“Corpo.
ral Shaw, you are charged with absenting yourself
from your guard without leave—guilty or not
guilty?”—“Not guilty; for, please your honors,
by the sergeant’s own confession, I was in the line
of my duty, as will no doubt appear, if your ho-
hours will confer the favour of calling in the ser.
geant.”—So the sergeant was called in.-- Ser.
geant Pendergrass, was corporal Shaw absent from
his guard with leave or without leave?” “I sent
corporal Shaw,” said the sergeant, “to call a re-
lieſ.”—“What relief?” “The first relief.” “Well”
says the officer of the police, “I heard corporal
Shaw call No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, when I
called the sergeant-major.”—So I was dismissed
into the next room; and the court proceeded to
the trial of the sergeant; and when that was ended,
we were conducted back to the guard-house; and
the next day at roll-call, the prisoners were brought
out, and a circle formed, and the sentence of the
court-martial was read.—“Sergeant P. you are
broken, and to receive fifty lashes.” “Corporal
Shaw, you are acquitted with honour, and may re-
turn to your duty.” - -
In a short time sergeant Everly was cashiered
for drunkenness, and I was made sergeant in his
place. Not long after this, I was ordered out, in
company with sergeant Smith (commonly called
old-fashined Smith) to go and bring back a deserter,
who was harboured about a certain man’s house
in Pickway. We accordingly set out, and pursu-
ed our march until we grew hungry, and having no






|L 67 ||
money with which to bear our expences, we were
obliged to do the best we could—appear great, and
talk big—It was our lot to callatatory's house,
and the man seemed all in confusion at our appear-
ance, and very readily put down his bottle, and
treated us with plenty of cyder; and directed his
wife to get ready the best in the house. The con-
versation very soon turned upon whig and tory,
and we had a plain indication of the truth of the
good old proverb that “a guilty conscience needs
no accuser.” However the old man through fear
and not love, treated us with much civility. We
ate and drank freely, telling him that the congress
-
would pay for all; and we gave him an order on
congress, which he readily accepted, saying it
would pay his taxes. We parted in friendship
with our ... having our canteens filled with good
old apple brandy, and pursued our journey, and
made some enquiry for the deserter; but hearing
that we were in search of him, he made his escape,
and we gave over our pursuit. In our return to
Lancaster we called at the sign of the Pennsylvania
fºrmer; a public house kept by a capt. Crawford,
about ten miles from Lancaster and fifty-six from
Philadelphia. Mr. Crawford was a true whig, who
had warmly espoused the American cause –he
treated us with great hospitality, and entertained
us with the best his house would afford ; not for-
getting to fill our canteens, as he knew that a sol-
dier loves to wet his whistle.
We then proceeded on our way for some dis-
tance and the day being far spent we called for quar-
ters at a certain Mr. H------- 's near Lancaster.—
Though the master of the house was not at home,
we were nevertheless invited in, and treated with
particular attention, for I was always of that prin-
ciple, that I would not kiss the maid when I could

H 68 J
kiss the mistress; but both rather than be called
nice. We passed the night much to our satisfac-
tion, and got a good breakfast in the morning with
a bumper of Jamaica spirits to wash it down ; and
so after eating and drinking heartily, we took our
farewell of our kind hostess, and returned to Lan-
caster in high spirits, and made a report of the
manner in which we had endeavoured to execute
our orders.
In a few days I was sent on guard to the jail over
the British prisoners. The jailor’s name was
C------- ; he had one son and three daughters.-
His old wife used to scare every guard that were
on duty : for is was a common practice then to
convey liquor to the prisoners, as the jailor exacted
such an exorbitant price for his liquor that the
soldiers were not able to buy it. Being upon
guard, application was made to me to procure some
liquor on lower terms, and conveyit to the prison-
ers.-Accordingly I undertook the task, and ha-
wing procured a bladder, I took the wood out my
cartridgebox and filled it with half a gallon of whis-
key, and went up to the iron-gate, (without suspi-
ción as I thought) in order to hand in the liquor,
when, to my great surprise, old Mrs. Devil-catch-
er cries out—“O have I caught you?” “What
do you mean madam?” said I.- I will have you
under guard, you scoundrel,” said she “I will
go and º to captain T------.” “Stop ma-
dam,” said I, “I will save you the trouble ;” and
at the same time very artfully called for my little
book, and like a conjurer, began to draw a magi-
cal circle in the barroom, saying I will ſix you my
old lady. Upon this, as she was a firm believer
in the vulgar stories of ghosts, goblins and spec-
tres, she was greatly alarmed and cried out “O
dear sentry, do not give him his little book º’ -
-

69 |
She then began to flatter me, promising me that
I should never want for anything, whenever I
mounted guard. So at her entreaties, I desisted
from my conjuration, and made friends with my
old mistress C. - - - -
My next object was to get on the right side of
the eldest daughter, and this I accomplished in the
following manner: Having reason to believe, that
she had an intrigue with a certain Mr. T. I took
the opportunity, when the young lovers had an in-
terview at a certaintime of the night, of presenting
myself at the foot of the stairs, so as just to let my-
self be known by Mr. T. and then retired to my
apartment. The next morning when the family
were dispersed about their different avocations, at
a convenient time, I thus addressed Miss C. “good
morning, Miss, how did you rest last night?”
“Indeed, Mr. Shaw,” said she, “I rested very
badly; for I was troubled with ugly dreams all
night.” “For my part Miss,” said I, “I was so
terrified by an apparition, that I was very near
breaking the jail and clearing myself: but the sen-
try prevented me by telling me, that nothing was
more common than to hear a noise in the jail, and
see spirits. Besides my fears were considerably
abated, when I summoned up resolution enough
to look at the apparition, and recognised the image
that presented itself before me.”—Bless me ! Mr.
Shaw,” said she with apparent concern, “and do
youthink you would know the person?” “Yes
madam,” said I, “it was the ghost of Mr. T. in
full shape, holding by the hand one of the most
beautiful creatures that my eyes ever beheld.”—
*"Lord bless me! Mr. Shaw, you startle me;—
but do you think you would know the figure?”
“Yes madam,” said I, “it would represent your
ownfair image, if I mistake not.—But I may pos-
f 70
sibly have mistaken it; for I absented myself as
quickly as I could.”—“Too true, indeed, Mr.
Shaw, to make a joke of,” answered she “but
I hope you will have honour enough in you, not
to make it known to the family.” “I would scorn
such an action, madam,” said I, but—but—
But from this time forth, having the old jade and
her daughter both fearful of giving me offence.
Ifared very well, and could carry liquor, or any
thing else I pleased to the poor prisoners, without
any danger of opposition or detection. * * *
** * * * * * * * * * * &c.



CHAP. V.
- º -
Second revolt of the Pennsylvania line-The army
is disbanded.—The author having spent his mo:
may goes to work in the country-travels to dif-
frºnt places—Two companies raised ſº the
purpose of dispossessing the inhabitants ºf Wyo-
ºming—our author joins them.–4 road opened
thrºugh the wilderness.-Qur author is frost-
bitten—gets his shoulder dislocated—is in danger
of being drowned in the Susquehannah-goes to
a still house-drinks excessively---falls down as
iſ dead.--is carried to the barracks, where he
conducts like a maºman---jumps down the chim-
ney and runs to the cliffs by the side of the
river---ſeaps down from thence, and takes his
seat on a cake of ice---floats down until he is ta-
ken out by some of his acquaintances.
LATE in the summer of 1783, a second revolt
took place among the soldiers of the Pennsylvania
line. Thering-leaders were sergeant-major Mor-
ris, and sergeant Noggle both belonging to the 3d
Pennsylvania regiment. They were to march on
to join their confederates at Philadelphia; but as
soon as the regiment had commenced their march,
sergeant-major Morris deserted and left us in the
lurch. He lay concealed, as it afterwards appear-
ed, in Chamberstown.---This plot was concerted
and kept with the greatestsecrecy, among the non-
commissioned officers: though it was never com-
municated to me until the day appointed for putting

















[ 72 |
it in execution arrived. I was at work with a cer.
tain Mr. Myers in Lancaster, when I was alarmed.
by a message from sergeant Noggle, desiring me
to come and join the regiment on their march, and
that they had appointed me captain of a company.
But I very positively refused it, and said I was
pointedly opposed to all such unlawful traiterous
conspiracies against the government of the United
States; adding that I was perfectly satisfied with
the treatment I had received from my superior of
ficers; for they were men of the first respectabi-
lity, and of as sound principles as could be found
on the continent. This answer Ireturned to my
new commanders; but a second message was sent
to me, with orders to bring me either by flattery
or by force. So at length I yielded, and went, at
the request of sergeant Noggle and served as apri-
vate soldier, during our absence from Lancaster.
We marched a few miles out of town, where we
encamped the first night; and lieutenant Butler
was sent to us offering us any reasonable satisfac-
tion, and promising that all arrearages should be
paid up, if we would return to our duty. But we
were still fed up by Noggle’s fine stories of what
would be done forus at Philadelphia. According-
ly we marched on, and entered the city in three
days, with drums beating, and colours flying and
all in good order. We halted a little until a coun-
cil was held by all the non-commissioned officers
in the army. A plan was accordingly laid, and
a guard sent to seize the magazines. The next
day all the forces were collected, and marched to
the state-house where sergeant Noggle made a
speech representing at large our grievances, such
as no pay--no clothing, nor other necessaries and
conveniences, without which we could serve no
longer. And the majority of the soldiers protested

73
they would not leave the ground, before they ob.
tained full satisfaction or took the congress prison-
ers by surrounding the state-house. And I my-
self saw a soldier by the name of Wright charge
on one of the members of congress with his bayo-
net, while the gentleman was on his escape, after
promising to do everything in his power tº have
our arrearages of pay and clothing paid off. At
the same time thousands of citizens were crying
“Stand for your rights.” The city militia with
several troops of lighthorse, were called out to dis-
band us by force; but they would not obey their
commanders, and the general voice was “Stand
for your rights.” Messengers were sent to in-
form us that measures would be immediately ta-
ken for redressing all our grievances; and having
received satisfactory assurances of this, we all
marched to the barracks, and from thence the 3d
Pennsylvania regiment marched back for Lancas-
ter. Old Col. Humpton was placed at Hogdon's
ferry, with such clothing as we stood in need of,
and some money. So we continued our march
under the command of lieutenant Talbot, and when
we arrived at Lancaster, we wereformed in a lineon
the parade, and were ordered to lay down our arms,
and the ring-leaders of the plot were selected out.
Accordingly sergeant Noggle, corporal Flowers,
and some others, were sent to the jail in Lancas-
ter; from whence they were afterwards removed
to Philadelphia jail, where was also lieutenant
Huston, who had been taken up on suspicion.—
General Washington also sent a guard in pursuit
of sergeant major Morris, who was taken and
brought to Philadelphia, and there tried by a gene.
a court-martial for mutiny. Both he and sergeant
*Noggle were sentenced to be shot; but while they
were on their knees, and the cap drawn over their

74
ºf ces, and the soldiers waiting for the word “fire,”
through the great cºmency of general Washington
a reprieve was obtained, and the prisoners dischar-
gºd, to the entire satisfaction of all the spectators.
Soon aſter this ºvºº we were all discharged at
Lancaster, and received four months’ pay in Mor-
ris's notes payable in sixty days, with all the ar.
rearges of clothing, and after some time we got
continental certificates; and I got 350 acres of
land as extra pay for my services. -
Whilst the money lasted we lived merrily; but
that being soon squandered, my comrade and ºy.
self entered into a contract with one lawyer Cºmer
to dig him a mill-race by Morgan town, on the
horse-shoe road, 24 miles from Łancaster. And
as this work employed us for a considerable time,
I left my bed-fellow at home, hoping that she would
not suffer, as one soldier is always ready to help
another in time of need-We had not been long
at work, before we became acquainted with the
overseer, whose name was John Oatencake, who
frequently led us to a certain tavern in Morgan
town to spend leisure evenings; and there was a
handsome landlady, and bucksome young damsel
who loved a game at cards, and was tolerably ex-
ºpert, particularly at the game of all-fours, in play-
ing which, however, we were always so generous
as to stake three to one, considering our purses the
heaviest; but they contrived to lighten them before
we had done with them.
After finishing the mill-face, were turned to Lan-
caster, and in a week or two we started for Phila-
delphia, by a circuitous rout, that is to say, by
way of Peddlehouzer, to Pickway, to the gap-tº-
vern, down Newport road to Irwin's, thence to
Cockran's, to the halfway house in Chester coun-
ity, and so on to New-London cross-roads, where
our money ſailed, and we called at a farmer's house

[ 75
to enquire for work; he readily agreed to give us
two shillingsa day to top corn. This was a bu.
siness with which I was entirely unacquainted :
so that at the first attempt, there was a boy of 12
years of age, who soon left me behind. But before
night I improved so far as to outdo both the far-
met and his son. Having staid with the farmer
for a few days, we left him and proceeded on to
Newark, and from thence to Christian bridge,
where we fell in with one Dr. M. a man of good re-
pute, who gave us employment for some time, and
treated us well; but at length we were obliged to
leave the place for for-- for doing what we
could not help doing.—
We next pursued our journey to Wilmington :
thence to Chester, and from that to Derby, and so
on to the city of Philadelphia.-Two companies
were then raised for the purpose of dispossessing
the Yankees of the town of Wyoming. These
companies were raised by the captains Stoddart and
Christie: we joined them and shortly after march-
ed forth, under the command of major Moore,
who conducted the expedition. We marched on
through Germantown, East town, crossed the
Skuylkill, and passed the white-oak run, and so
on through the wilderness to Wyoming, and took
Fort Dickinson on the river Susquehannah. After
we had been there some time, a proclamation was
issued out ordering the Yankees to remove from
Wyoming, Kingston, and Shawneetown; and all
places on the disputedland, before spring, orabide
by the consequence. That winter we received or.
ders to open a road through the wilderness; and in
our cºurse we met with a place called the Shades of
Death, on which the sun is not seen to shine the
whole year round. And as we were employed in
making a bridge over a rivulet, I was severely frost.

§ 76 j
|
bitten for the first time. The road being finished
we returned to Wyoming, where I met with ano-
ther singular misfortune, by which my life was in
great danger.---
By an unlucky accident, I got my shoulder dis.
placed, and on my recovery I went down to theri-
verside for recreation. There happened to be a
Spaniard fishing in the river, by the side of a canoe,
and he got his line entangled at the stern of the ca-
noe, and went into it to loose the line; and I very
inconsiderately stepped into the canoe also. At
the same time there chanced to be a soldier on the
-
bank who was a funny old fellow, and he pushed off
the canoe for his diversion ; but his ill-timed fun
had like to have terminated my existence; for the
Spaniard being awkward and myself lame, we
were in no condition to manage the canoe, which
having floated with us for a short distance overset,
and turned us into the water, to shift for ourselves.
We had a hard struggle; some times up, and some
times down. This I call a fair sea-fight between
the English and the Spanish. However, the Span-
iard kept the ship, and the Englishman ran a
ground ; for I luckily gained the shore by swim-
ming ; whereas the Spaniard stuck to the canoe :-
but no thanks to him for his perseverance; for he
was tied to his quarter-tiers: there being a rope
with a stone, for a cable and anchor at the head of
the canoe; in the scuffle he accidentally got the rope
fastened round his legs, and therefore having no
chance to run away, he must either fight or die by
his vessel. The canoe carried him down for a con-
siderable way, when by good fortune, a boat com-
ing up the river, he was extricated from danger,
and his life preserved.
About this time some expectation being enter-
tained of receiving pay, a merchant in the town of
-
| 77
Wyoming, who had some damaged goods on his
hands, proposed to let the soldiers have what they
wanted upon bringing an order frºm the captºn
and accordingly we took up ºdds wheneyer we
thought proper. Amongst other articles in the
store there was a considerable quantity of tea, of
which the soldiers would occasionally get three or
four pounds at a time, and go to ong captain Hol-
lowbacks, and batter the tea for whiskey so that
it became a pretty common practice to return home
reeling, like the drunken soldier, who being or-
dered to wheel to the right;" “ by Gºd,” says
he, “I wheelevery way, and some must be right.”
On these occasions, there was a certain Molly
MºMight, an old sergeant's wife, who, upon seeing
the soldiers come staggering into the garrison,
would say, “arral, by my shoul, this tea makes all
our men drunk, so it does.”
For my part I went to captain Hollowback's
still-house one day, with two of my fellow-soldiers
and having called for a quart of whiskey, we drank
it before the fire. But upon attempting to rise,
with an intention to return to the barracks, I fell
down motionless, and to all appearance dead; so.
that the alarm went to the barracks that Shaw was
dead. A company then collected to my wake, and
having procured a good cag of whiskey, were de-
termined to have a merry frolick : but they were
sadly disappointed; for, as soon as the operation
of the liquor began to abate, I rolled off the board.
upon which they had laid me, and uttered a heavy-
groan, accompanied by a loud explosion of ſºils.
from beneath, which so started the company, that
they all run out swearing that the dead was cºme to
life. However, they sºon returned, and conveyed
ºne to the barracks, wi e i va gººd with a ſin of
insanity, and behave ºn such an outrageous man-

G
2

[ 78 I
ner, that they were obliged to confineme with chains
and take of my clothes. But by some means, I
got loose, and ranthrough the fort like a Bedlamite,
climbed up to the top of the roof of the barracks,
and walking to the farther end of ridge, jumped
down, without any injury, and ran out of the gar-
rison, until I came to the cliffs by the side of the
river, from whence I leaped down, (the distance
not being less than 30 or 40 feet) to the bottom,
seated myself, naked as I was, on a cake of ice,
and floated for a considerable distance down the
river, before my fellow soldiers could get me off.
I was then taken care of, and doctored up with a
little more of the usquebaugh, which in the con-
dition I then was, produced no bad effects, but
seemed rather to contribute to the restoration of my
health, and the rocovery of my senses,
[ 79 l
CAE/AP. wn
-
An extraordinary inundation of the Susquehannaſ.
...Uncommon method of ſelling timber.---The
Tankees expelled by force.---The author sets out
again for Philadelphia.---Account of a women
and two children being frozen to death.---Ar-
rives at Philadelphia.----Goes with some sailors
to the sign of the “battle of the cags.”---Expla.
nation of the sign---continues his frolic until his
money is all spent---goes to work again--enlists
soon after as a soldier in Harmer’s expedition.
AT the breaking up of the ice, the towns of
Kingston, and Wyoming were considerably dama-
ged by an inundation of the river. The water rose
to an astonishing height; the ice having broken up
between 11 and 12 o'clock at night. So impetu-
ous was the current and so sudden the overflow,
that it was with no small difficulty the men in the
fort, or even theinhabitants of the place could make
their escape; for the water was up to our knees be-
fore we got off-We then fled to the hills for safe-
ty—I there saw houses floating down the river,
with cocks crowing in them, and cattle of every
description descending with the stream. Kingston
was entirely swept away—not a house was iſ in
the town, but a barn on one side. All the cattle
were drowned; and our commissary, whose name
was Meeds, being of a roguish turn, and wishin
to profit by the losses of others, collected all the
drowned cattle and hogs, and salted them up for


[ 80 |
the use of the army. But when his dishonesty
was discovered, he very deservedly, lost his com.
mission, and another commissary was appointed
in his stead.
While we continued here I went one day into
the woods to cut down some timber; and it so hap-
pened that one tree which I was endeavouring to
bring to the ground, was prevented from falling by
lodging in the fork of another tree. I was brought
to a stand, what method to take in order to get it
down. At length, however, I concºded to use
the following contrivance:–I suspended the axe
in the waist-band of my breeches, and then crawled
up the tree which had lodged, with more clumsi-
ness than a bear, and thus with great difficulty, I
gained the tºp, where I cut off the smallest branch
of the fork; but I cannot tell whether the tree, the
axe or myself were on the ground first : so sudden
was the down fall. For I flung my arms round the
standing tree, but not getting such a firm hold as
to support ºne, I necessarily came down with the
falling tree; and by the friction against the sough
bark of the standing tree, I got my body as well
shaved as the best barber in the world could have
done it.
As soon as I recovered from the trepidation oc-
casioned by the suddenness of this accident, 1 pro-
eeeººd tº triarcing the branches of the tree, which
in its fall, had bent down some pretty stiff saplings,
and having inconsiderately cut of the top of one
of them, which fºstook for a branch of the tree,
it rebounded with force and struck meso viºlently
on the mouth, that it laid me sprawling. I rolled
over and over and over, until I gºt or ºn posſe-
riors where sat ºr a little v. .
person beholding me in that, an ºre.---
º -
- - - * … -
looking round me, to obºe



f sº y
But now for the Yankees.…Our general orders
were, if they did not voluntarily remove, to drive
them off by force. Our two companies were di-
vided into small parties, and commanded to go
round and take off the cocks of the Yankees' guns.
Major Moore then issued orders, that they should
depart within the space often days, as no longerin-
dulgence could be allowed them. These orders,
however, were not complied with ; and according-
ly at the expiration of the time, the small parties
went round the second time, and drove off all the
inhabitants of both town and country, that would
not consent to live under the Pennsylvania laws.
The sight was truly affecting, and sufficient to ex-
cite pity in the most insensible breast, to behold
men, women and children, driven into the woods.
without being permitted to carry with them any
clothing except what was on their backs. It made
my heartache to see wives weeping round their
husbands, and poor little helpless children crying,
and hanging on their afflicted mothers; and in this
condition driven into the remotest part of the de-
sert, where they must be exposed to the greatest
* and dangers without any prospect of re-
ief.
Some time in the month of April 1784, this
land was divided into lots and small farms, and of.
fered to those who would take it under the laws of
Pennsylvania. Accordingly some of the soldiers
took lots and some farms, from the hands of squire
Patterson, who was appointed agent for the state of
Pennsylvania. Each man had to pay one ear of
corn per acre to be considered as a tax for the
land.
We were all paid off, and discharged in the
month of May: and there were nineteen of us, who
immediately set out together for the city of Phila-

I 82 J,
delphia. We marched on to the White-oak run,
[$2 miles from Wyoming, and 34 from East town]
where we stopped a few hours to refresh ourselves,
and made up a shooting match, and shot for three
gallons of whiskey, thirty yards at a large stump
four feet over, and it accidentally happened that I
proved the best marksman. A very melancholy
event had occurred here the night before we arri.
yed : a poor man, who had a wife and two children
was gone a hunting;-the night was very cold,
and they were extremely iſ provided with clothes
—the mother had to get up in the night and put
warm stones to her children’s feet, but notwithstand-
ing both the mother and her children were found
frozen to death the next morning.
After seeing the remains of these unhappy victims
of poverty decently interred, we pursued our jour-
ney towards Easttown, 12 miles from Bethlehem :
and when we arrived there we purchased a boat to
carry us down the Delaware to Philadelphia.
We were now arrived in one of the finest and
most plentiful cities in the world. The first thing
I did was to enquire for such persons as bought
continental soldiers’ pay, and I soon found a certain
captain M'Connel, to whom I sold mine. My pay
and my 350 acres of land brought me / G3 6s.-
The next thing was to spend this money, and with
this view immediately repaired to the sign of the
Checkers or Draughts in Water street, and there
I fell in with two sailors whom I invited to drink
sºme grog, and began to be so obstreperous, and
to cut so many capers, that the landlady was obli-
ged to begime to be less noisy, observing that she
had a sick man in the house, and that it would be
cruel and inhuman to disturb him in such a condi-
tion.
The sailors then asked me, if I wanted to have a
I 83 |
ſolick. I answered yes, provided we can get a
suitable place, and some fine girls to amuse us…
We then jogged on to the sign of the “battle of
the cags.” But as it is possible, that some of my
readers may not have heard of the battle of the cags,
I will give them a brief explanation of it.—While
the British army were in possessin of Philadelphia,
the Americans senta considerable number of emp-
ty barrels or cags, a drift down the river Delaware.
The British suspecting these vessels to contain
some combustible matter for the destruction of the
city, drew up their forces in battle array, and com-
menced a formidable discharge of artiſery and mus-
quetry upon these on pty cºgs. But they soon dis.
covered their mistake, and withdrew the fight, and
marched of to their quarters covered with shame
and disgrace; for being outwitted by men born in
the woods. The Americans in this instance, acted
somewhat like those seamen, who, when they meet
a whale, immediately fling him out an empty bar-
rel by way of amusement to divert him from da-
maging the ship. - -
But having arrived at the sign of the cags, the
landlady with a smiling and inviting Countenance,
taking me by the hand, says to me in a pleasant
and courteous manner, “Will this room answer
your purpose; for I understand you wish to have
a ſtolick,” “Yes, madam,” said “ with another
small apartment for greater convenience.” lac-
cordiny agreed with the old lady for the room, and
the different prices of the liquors; and the next
thing was to make choice of company suitable to
the occasiºn. The old lady then sent for half a
dºzen brisk lºsses de Bonne humºur, with as many
sailors and soldiers, and an old fiddler, to compose
out jovial party. We soon had our ball-room in
complete order, and cominenced our ſtolick, late



I 84
in the evening, and passed the night agreeably
enough. -
In such scenes of wild festivity, in the company
of the most profligate and debauched characters, I
continued until all my money was spent ; and then
to work I had to go. I met with a certain Charles
West, a quaker, who employed, me to dig a cellar
for him, in company with one Millar, a Scotchman,
who was as full of vanity and folly as myself—But
it would be abusing your patience, my courteous
readers, to trouble you with a detail of my nume-
rous frolicks and irregularities, while I remained in
the city of Philadelphia. Suffice it to say, that every
penny Imade by my work, was immediately squan-
dered away in the haunts of dissipation and vice.—
I got so far, however, in favour with the
good quaker that he recommended me to one
George Justice, a brick-layer, who employed me
in carrying the hod, and in this branch of business
I soon became as expert as any in the city. I have
run down six men in a day, in carrying the hodup
houses from two to six stories high; indeed I ne-
wer saw a man in my life, but I could outwind
him. For this reason my employer always gave
me extra wages, to push every man that came to
carry bricks. Among others employed in this
work there was an Irishman by the name of Jem-
my : and our employer one time in particu-
lar, having sent for some beer to treat his hands
with, after we had all drunk round, and Jemmy
and myself had carried a few hods of brick; “ar-
rah, by my shoul,” says Jemmy, “this beer will
all die master Justice.”—“Well, Jemmy,” said
Mr. Justice, “thou mayest drink it, if thou think-
est proper.” So Jemmy took a hearty drink of it.
But behold, after carrying a few more turns of
brick, down came Jemmy hod and all! The house

85
was three stories high, and poor Jerºmy toº. º
his quarters in the cellar; from which he º ".º
ged to be conveyed home, in a ºrºgº, with º
shoulder out of place, and his head sorely bruised.
And so much fºr dri king beer. -
I cºntinued with Mr. J ustice intil some time in
the month of August, º when the first º -
rican regiment was raised, commanded by colonel
Josiah Harmer, and consisted of four 99"Pºiºs
ºr Fort M.Intosh, thirty-five miles below. Pitts-
birgh ºn the Ohio. on the Indian, side. Having
sº predeliction for hºmilitary iº enlistº º
captain º The cº-
ficers of the four compaſſ º nºt ºntº,
and the captains M'Curdy, St. Clair, and Douglas.
About a month after I had enlisted, my former
employer, who had reluctantly parted with ºc,
wanted to buy me off, and after some Pºstasion,
he prevailed ºn me, toº and try tº obtain the
captain's consent º did and offered him two
men in my º and twººty dollars in cash. But,
he answered, “no, Shaw, Iginnot pºrt with YOU -
for I have just spoken to colonel Harmer to make
Yº a gºrpºral,” -
To tell the truth I Was very easy about it, for I
loved the life of a soldier. The bounty, indeed,
was so small, that it could not be a sufficient in
duºement to any man to enlist, who was not other.
Wiśinclined to its for we had but two dollars in
advance, and ºne cºmpete suit of clothes. A sol.
lier's pay was fifty shillings per month, a corporal’s
fifty-five shillings, a sergeant's ten dollars, and a
*gºt major's fifteen dollars. No stoppages,
however, ſo the doctor, nor for the chaplain, as in
the English army; but ºvery man had liberty to
Practice physiciand prº for himself.
After we had been rº ºriting for some time, we

| 80 J.
formed a camp on the side of the Schuylkill oppo.
site to the city, and occasionally were permitted to
go into the city, by procuring a pass, or a non-
commissioned officer to inswer for our conduct,
and bring us back at rollégiº the evening. In
these walks we usually passed ºver Mr. Hogdon's
floating bridge at the º But one day.
as a certain coporal Vaughan and myself were de
liberately walking over this bridge, not thinking
of any obstruction, as we had often gone over be
fore unmolested, old Mr. Hogden attacked us of
the bridge, and demanded pay for crossing, and
asked us for our pass. Upon this I shewed him
my fist, as he advanced seemingly with an intent
to strike me, and I gave him such a blow on the
ear as laid him asleep for a little while. In the
mean time the son came to the oldman's assistance,
and my comrade soon gave him what Paddy gave
the drum–more kicks than coppers. After that -
we could pass over the bridge when we pleased,
without interruption or molestation.
As soon as we had gained a sufficient number of
men, we received orders to march; and after we
had marched abºut thirteen miles (to the sign of
the Sorrel horse) we halted for one day and two
nights, as there was something to be done there -
some of the men had deserted, and were taken–
they belonged to capt. St. Clair’s company. They
were tried and two of them sentenced to run the
gantlet, three times through. One of them died.
that night by the severity of the punishment; and
the other eloped, and was never heard of more.
Captain St. Clair, though an officer of an undemi-
able character, was in some instances too severe.
He has wished many times to get me into his
clutches.—His mode of punishment for pºly.
crimes was flagellation, performed by laying the
- - -

[ 87 |
offender acrossa bench with his back upwards, and
causing his corporal to stand by, with * ratan lin
his hand, which he ludicrously styled his was/ºr-
ºn tº Now,” he would say, “you must give
my holy angel a few dozen on his bare posteriors,
to enable him to remember hisold friend St. Clair.”
—This officer was too cunning for the most of his
soldiers; but at length he was outwitted by one
William Grub. The captain's horse being sick, he
applied to Grub, who was something of a farrier,
to cure his horse. Accordingly Grub having exa-
mined the horse, and found that his back was sore,
and severely bruised, returned to the captain, and
told him he would undertake the cure, provided he
[St. Clair] would supply him with the medicine.
Accordingly the captain finding that it was nothing
more than a bottle of whiskey, readily granted it.
So Grub and one of his comrades went to work
upon the horse, and having rubbed his back with
the bottle, and poured a few drops on the sore,
they both set down very contentedly and drank the
whiskey. “And now,” said they, “we have out
generalled the old fellow.” But being overheard,
word wºnt immediately to the captain, who, upon
finding himself so easily out done, offered another
bottle to any person who would discover to him
the trick. Upon this Grub himself came forward,
and told him that he had rubbed the horse's back
with the bottle, and drunk the contents. The cap-
tain then treated him with another bottle, and lau gh-
ed heartily at the joke.
From the sign of the Sorrel Horse where we had
stopped as is mentioned above, we marched on to
Lancaster, and encamped on Conostoga, where we
drew provisions, and continued one day. From
thence we marched on to Carlisle; and from Car.
ise to Shippensburg, where we flogged two men

88
for desertion. From Shippensburg, we proceeded
to Chambersburg, and here we flogged one man
ºr desertion, and drummed him out with a rope
about his neck. The next day we marched to
Bedford, where we halted for several days. And
for the first night twelve of us got liberty to stay
in the town, and we put up at the sign of the Blaz.
ing Star. Among our jolly company was one
corporal Cragg, a man of a remarkably funny turn.
Whilst we were drinking by a good fire-side, this
Mr. Cragg, (who commonly went by the name of
Honour Bright that always scorns the clean thing)
says with a serious countenance, at the same time
rubbing his hand on his beard, and looking up the
chimney at some hams of bacon, “I will have you
off bright and early.” The landlady supposing
that he meant to shave his beard, for it was then
very long, told him there was no razor in the house.
Cragg, however, wanted not the razor; but the hams
of bacon ; and accordingly as soon as the family
were asleep, he took the opportunity and very
slily bore off the bacon with him.–So much for
Cragg. -
As for myself, I and another brother toper, got
so intoxicated that we could not confine ourselves
to the house; but rambled through the town rea-
dy for mischief. The first thing that happened in
our way was a garden fence, which we pulled down
and let the cows, horses and sheep into the garden
to destroy the contents. We then proceeded on
in search of adventures, until our mad career was
terminated by my falling into a well twenty feet
deep, where I lay until I was drawn out by the as:
sistance of major John M'Gaughey, now resi-
dent in Shelbyville, and fortunately received no da-
ºlº C.-
º -
The next day four men composing what was cal-

D 89 |
led the Irish Mess, viz. Connor, Welch, Hannan,
and Sands, went to a certain store in the town, and
the store-keeper having occasion to go into ano-
ther apartment, these fellows entered and began to
plunder the store, and when the store-keeper re-
turned Mr. C. instantly knocked him down, while
the rest were busied in pillaging the goods. But
the town being alarmed, the ruffians were taken
by the sheriff and lodged in the jail; and as soon
as the intelligence reached the ears of the com-
manding officer of the troops he sent a guard for
them, and they were brought to the camp, and a
drum-head court martial was held, by which they
were sentenced to receive one hundred lashes each.
This punishment was inflicted, and so hardened
were these villians in wickedness, that they bore it
with a fortitude worthy of a better cause.
H 2.

| 90
º-º-º-º:
CHAP. VII.
7/e author proceeds with the army to Fort ºf In
fosſ-is employed with some others in boating
provisions and merchandize down the river—mar.
rºwly escapes being lost in the river—is discharg.
*d as an invalid, and recommended to the legis-
ature ºf Pennsylvania as deserving a pension–
is disappointed in receiving the expected pension;
ºut a charitable contribution is raised for his re-
ºf by the members of the legislature-leaves the
city—travels as a charitable object from place to
flace—meets with several adventures—turns
fortune teller, &c.
THE next day we marched for Hannahstown
and so on for Pittsburgh, and we crossed the Alle-
ghany at a small island opposite Fort Pitt, and lay
there for a short time, until proper measures were
taken for a treaty with the Indians. We then
marched down to Fort M*Intosh, where we held a
treaty with four tribes of Indians. It was my lot,
in company with eight others, to be employed in
boating goods for the treaty, and provisions for the
troops down the Ohio. Our first cargo, however,
consisted of cannon and ammunition, which we
brought in a flat bottomed boat belonging to a cer-
tain Mr. Elliot, and delivered at Fort M'Intosh Lor
at the mouth of Big Beaver creek.] We were
then sent back with the boat, having on board Mr.
Elliot himself as passenger, and we were four days
a towing and setting 35 miles, and drinking a barº
| 9 |
rel of whiskey. When we got up to Pittsburgh
another boat was put into our possession by one
captain O'Hara, who was contractor fºr the army,
and is now resident in Pittsburgh. In this boat
we made four voyages; and on the fifth voyage
three officers came on board, viz. Col. Harmer,
Dr. M'Dowell, and lieutenant Ball. When these
officers came on board, I was considered as having
no more command, but had to sit and row as a
common person. After having sailed abºut 18
or 20 miles we put into the shore for the night, and
kept sentry in the boat. The next morning a
a large English cheese was missing, and great
search was made for it. But at length a man by
the name of Shickhen found it in the river at the
stern of the boat, where, in all probability, he had
put it himself. But colonel Harmer swore that
every man should be flogged when we arrived at
Fort M*Intosh: but it must be observed that he
and the other officers were, if not intoxicated, at
least highly inspired; for they drank freely.—We
sailed about two o'clock, and took the liberty of
speaking to the steersmen several times, and warned
them of the danger we were in of striking against
the rocks, at the same time intreating them to steer
for the Virginia shore, or every man would be lost;
but the best word I could get from colonel Harmer
was “silence you d----d rascal, or I will have you
flogged for an example to the rest.”—In a few mi.
nutes, however, the boatstruck, and Mr. Shickhen
and myself jumped into the water, and bore the
stern up the river, and I ordered two men to hold
her in that position to prevent the boat from being
overset. You may judge now, my candid rea-
ders, how the tune was altered from rou el-L-d
rascals” to “Wow my clºwer fºllows, which of you
will leap out and swim ashore, and run down to

















E 92
Fort M*Intosh, and bring usanotherboat?”—The
distance to the fort was above ten miles, the river
full of ice, and the banks covered with a deep snow.
—Notwithstanding the hazardous enterprize, I
pulled off my coat, tied a handkerchief on my head,
and taking a setting pole in my hand, Ijumped into
the river, and taking the advantage of the current
till the water reached my breast, I swam about five
or six hundred yards, before I struck the bank.--
Tom Shickhen followed my example, and landed
safely.—We then held a consultation, and judging
that there was a house about four miles up the ri-
ver, we concluded to make for it, which we accor-
dingly did, and to our great joy we found a canoe,
and by the assistance of the owner we hauled her
into the river, for she lay about forty yards from
the river. -
We then proceeded down the river in a cold
and shivering condition : our clothes were frozen
stiff on our backs; but we were not gone more than
two hours until we returned with the canoe. Ha-
ving arrived at the boat we refreshed ourselves with
some ardent spirits and then commenced unlading
the boat; and from this time, colonel Harmer from
the most embittered enemy, became the most sin-
gular friend to me in every instance, as you will
find in the sequel of this narrative. - -
As soon as we could get the boat off, we set in
for the shore, where we left Dr. M'Dowell and two
private soldiers to take care of the goods, which
we could not carry with us, until we slipped down
to the Fort, and returned for the balance of the la-
ding. - - -
Having tarried a few days to refresh ourselves,
we sailed to Pittsburgh, by order of colonel Har-
mer, and waited there until captain O’Hara was
ready to embark the balance of the goods and pro-

as
visions with which he had contracted to furnish the
troops. - . . . . .
Having received our cargo, we set sail late in the
afternoon, with an expectation of arriving ºf Fort
Mºntosh early the next morning. But we had to
stop at Mr. Elliot's mill (three miles below Pitts-
burgh) for some barrels of flour. At this time the
ice was floating in great abundance, and having
been detained at the mill until nine o'clook at
night, it was with no small difficulty we got into
the channel of the river. I had to standon a plank
about a foot broad, and steer the boat (which was
built after the manner of a batteau) but unluckily
the broadend of the oar slipped on a cake of ice,
and the plank on which I stood being slippery, I
pitched headlong into the river, and was out of
sight for some time; but a kind providence
made way for me, and at length I got my head
above the ice, and some of the men in the boat put-
ting out a setting pole, I caught hold of it, and
was drawn into the boat, and my life preserved.-
As soon as I got into the boat captain O'Hara says
to me “ you had better go and pull the fore oar.”
Accordingly, wet as 1 was, I obeyed his orders,
and the consequence was, that I froze stiff in a few
minutes.—The men wrought hard for about an
hour endeavouring to make their way through the
ice; but at last the boat struck against a fish-
basket below the mouth of Shirtee on the Virginia
side, on the 22d day of December 1784. Here
we lay all that night expecting death every moment;
and indeed had it not been for the iron on the stern
of the boat, which enabled her to withstand the
shocks of the floating ice, we must inevitably have
perished. Even the recollection causes me to
shudder, when I reflect how narrowly I escaped
ending my mispent life. Every means in our pow-
ºr were used to dislodge the boat from the fish-bas-
[ 94 ||
-T
et. When a cake of ice would dash against the
boat, every man that was able to stir, would jump
out, up to his neck in water, and exert himself to
the utmost, but in vain. While we lay in this dis-
tressed situation, our cries were herd to Pitts-
burg.—Capt. O'Hara offered 200 guineas to any
man who would bring him safe to the bank. In-
duced by this offer, or through motives of human-
ity, two men set outfrom the land in a canoe, with
an axe and some fire; but they had not ad-
vanced above twice the length of their canoe, before
they were obliged to return to the bank, which they
effected with great difficulty, and to the imminent
danger of their lives. - -
At length we came to a determination of throw-
ing the lading over board; but captain O'Hara
was opposed to the measure, as part of the ladin
belonged to himself, and part to the United States.
Notwithstanding this, we had firmly resolved
to throw over board not only the cargo, but cap-
tain O'Hara himself, if he persisted in his opposi-
tion. From the conduct of capt. O'Hara, in this
instance, it appeared that he cared very little for the
lives of his men, provided he and his goods could
be saved All hands then ſell to lightening the
boat, until she floated down into the eddy under
Magee's Rocks, and every man made the best of
his way to the bank, over the ice ; except myself
who lay not able to stir, with two men to keep me
company, one by the name of Grub and the other
of Shickhen. These two men remained with me
till about three hours before day, when they leaped
up, and swore that the boat was going off, and im-
mediately proceeded on the ice towards the bank;
but they broke through the ice, and had it not been
for some branches of a sycamore tree that extend-
ed over the bank, which they fortunately caught






[ 95 ||
hold of they would most probably have been
lost. tº
I begged of them if there was a rope about the
house where they were going, to send the ables:
man, and tell him to tie it about my middle, and
drag me to the land. But word was soon brºught
mºſha: there was no rope about the house. I then
gave myself up for lost; expecting nothing but
death; for had the boat gone off, she and myself
must inevitably bºndashed to pieces on the ice.
In this hopeless condition, Ilay until the rising
of the sun, when lo! to my inexpressible joy, the
lieutenants Butler and Smith came to Mr. Wood’s
just below the mouth of Shirtee, and seeing all
the men except myself, they made enquiry after
me, and were told that the boat had been seen de-
scending the river with me; but not being satisfied
of the truth oftheinformation, they proceeded to the
head of Magee's Rocks, where they beheld me ly-
ing in the boat. Accordingly, with greathumanity,
and not without difficulty, they conveyed me to
the shore, and lieutenant Butler carried me on his
back up the cliff to Wood's house, and laid me be-
fore the fire, where 1 fainted immediately. Upon
this they put me between two feather beds, where
I lay until a large tub of fresh spring water was
repared for me, when my feet and legs were put
into it, which was no doubt beneficial, for I was
frozen up to the knees. A large poultice of tur.
hips was afterwards applied to my feet and legs.-
Here I lay for twenty one days in such a deplorable
ſ
situation, that I was expected to die every hour.
There are three men now living in Kentucky
who were eye witnesses to my sad misfortune, gen-
tlemen of the first character, to whom any reader
whe is desirous of proving the truth of this relation
may apply; viz. Mr. Rogers, senior, of Bryant's
96 ||
station, and John Rogers his son, and James Steº
phenson of Madison county; for these gentlemen
were, (as I said before) eye witnesses of my un-
happy case. º - -- -
When the river became navigable I was taken
down, in a boat belonging to a Mr. Hülen, to Fort
Mºntosh, and safely conveyed into the garrison,
and put into the barrack room with ºit'ſhajºr
Duffey, his wife and corporal Reed; nºt door to
the apartment occupied by coloß Harmºr and his
lady. Here I was accommodated with all sorts of
necessaries, with two ºrderly men to wait on º, -
and the attendance ºf two Physicians, Dr. Mºjów
eli and Dr. Alison. In short, no assistance was
wanting, which could be rendered to a humaº
creature in my situation.—The kindness of Mrs."
Harmer still remains fresh in my memory, and
shall never be forgotten. She sent me every day
the best viands, and the choicest liquors her table
could afford; and everything suitable to a person
in my weak and helpless condition, Indeed had 1
been a commissioned officer I could not have ex-
pected better treatment.
ºbefore the termination of the winter; a quarrel
arose among several of the officers, and each come
pany espousing the cause of their own officer, fell
into the ranks, determined to die by the side of .
their respective captains. There would most pro-
bably have been bloody work, had it not been for
the interferance of major Finney, who threatened
the cºnding officers with a prosecution, if they did
not desist from their hostile intentions. Captain
M“Curdy was immediately put under arrest. But
how matters were compromised among the officers
was never known by the private soldiers.
While welly at Fort Mºntosh, general orders
were given, that no soldier should have liberty to

tº -

-
- - - - -
-









[ 97 ||
buy spirituous liquors without a permit in writing
first ºbtained from a commissioned officer. A-
greeably to these orders, a certain corporal Carney
ºne day made application to his lieutenant for liber-
ty to buy a quart of rum. This unfeeling officer,
having a black thorn stick in his hand, made no
more to do, but knocked out the poor corporal's
brains; and the consequence was, that the lieu-
tenant wasput under arrest, and sent up to Fort Pitt
to be trid for wilful murder. But he was libera-
ted and suffered to run at large, by reason of the
regiment's being disbanded, in consequence of
the time for which they were enlisted being ex-
pired; so that there was no court martial to try him,
and what became of him afterwards I know not.
During my stay there, every exertion was made
for my recovery, and on the 19th day of August
1785, at my request I was discharged with two
others, viz. John Harris and Thomas Parks as un-
fit for either field or garrison duty. We were fur-
nished with a recommendation to the honourable
legislature of the state of Pennsylvania, in order to
receive a pension allowed to soldiers in similar cir.
cumstances. We were accordingly sent to Fort
Pitt in a boat, with orders to stay in the garrison as
long as we pleased, and draw provisions, and when
we set off for Philadelphia to draw one month’s
provisions to carry us there. Being much lamer
than the other two, I had to travel 300 miles upon
crutches. And when we came to Annas-town,
we met two companies of three year’s men;
and the captain, who was from New-England, be.
ing a soldier's friend, treated us with much poſite.
ness, and gave us some money to bear our expen-
ces, and made intercession with some pack-horse-
men, to convey us to New-Bedford, which they
agreed to do; and when we arrived there, we part.

[ 98 ||
ºd with them and proceeded on our journey for Phi-
ladelphia-We saw very hard times until we came
to Carlisle. Here being particularly acquainted
with many of the citizens, I presented my dis.
charge and recommendation to the magistrates of
the town, who went about and raised money suf.
icient for our travelling expences to the city of
Philadelphia.
As soonas we arrived at the city, we parted, and
for my part, I had but one eleven-penny piece left;
and I thought I must go where I had left many a
halfjoe, which was at the sign of the Globe, be-
hind the barracks.--The landlord’s name was Sell.
Accordingly assuming an air of self-importance,
went in boldly, and called for a quart of beer-
“O, how do you do, Mr. Shaw 2° says the land-
lord.-" Not very well, Mr. Sell, I have met with
a sad misfortune, by being frost-bitten, which I
fear will occasion me a lameness for life.” I soon
discovered the countenance of my landlord to
change; and he began to make excuses as not being
able to help me, &c. without being asked. So I
took the hint, drank of my beer, and determined
to try my fortune elsewhere. I then went to the
sign of the Half-Moon, kept by a certain Mr. Ap-
key, above Pool’s bridge, between Front and Se-
cond streets; and made my case known to the
landlord, and begged him to let me stay in his house
for two or three weeks; telling him at the same
time that I had no money, but was in hopes of get-
ting a pension. “Well, stranger,” replied Mr.
Apkey, “if you can put up with such fare as I have,
you are welcome to my house.”
In a few days ( made application for my pension
at the Crphan's Court; where were also several
others on the same business. I employed a cer-
tain Mr. Barton, an attorney, to present my re-
coºlendation ; but nothing could be done ; for

[ 99 |
- ---
no provision had been made, for such soldiers as
were disabled since the revolutionary war. My
attorney then drew up a petition to the general as-
sembly, which I presented myself It was read
and ordered to be laid on the table, but in a few
days I prevailed on one of the members to have it
brought to a second reading; upon whicha commit-
tee consisting of Mr. Creak, Mr. Climer, and Mr.
Finley were appointed to consider my gase: In a
few days they met and reported. The result of
which was, that it would be better to petition the
council. A letter being given to me for that pur-
pose, directed to Squire Shippen, requesting of
him to use his utmest endeavours in having the
pension bill amended. From Squire Shippen I
went with a note to squire Rush and to another
gentleman, requesting of them to meet at four in
the evening of that day, which accordingly they did
in company with colonel Harmer, but without ef.
ſecting anything of consequence, further than that
of giving me a letter to the council, who promised
that something should be done next session for
me. I thought it hard, but submitted with pa.
tience, placing my confidence in that Beneficent
Being who always is able and willing to help all
who call on him, as I fully experienced in Philadel-
phia, when first I made application for my pension.
Being in want of the common support of nature,
and not being able to work, ashamed to beg, and
dreading the consequence of stealing—in this
wretched situation, I one day sat on a wharf, be-
wailing my sad destiny; when a lad stepped up to
me, saying, “ Stranger what is your complaint?
and what has brought you to this distress 2 Tell
me freely and I will afford you all the relief that is
in the power of a 'prentice boy,” I told him,
that being an old soldier, and discharged as unfit for

[ 100
service, with a recommendation to the board for a
pension; where it seems nothing could be done, as
no provision had been made for superannuated sol.
diers since the revolutionary war; which occasion.
ed me to be destitute of support, except that which
Providence threw in my way. “Well, good man,”
said he, “you are a stranger to me; however, I
will do all in my power for you, for God only
knows what I may come to myself; my father is a
seafaring man, and perhaps now may want assis-
tance.” By this time I began to feel in better spi-
rits, and asked the lad his name and where he lived.
“My name,” answered he, “is Wm. Downes,
I am an apprentice to Mr. Edwards, the cooper,
who lives in Water street; he is a charitable man,
which induces me making bold to invite you to
come and tarry in his shop until you can do better.”
I thanked him and immediately repaired to my
new lodgings, where my only dependence for sup-
port was, from what this boy could procure for me
from his master's table. One day being observed
by the house-keeper in taking some victuals from
the table she enquired into the cause, and being in-
formed ; said “She was happy in having it in her
power to alleviate the distresses of a fellow creature,
as far as the extent of her contracted finances would
admit of.” She proved as good as her word by
sending by my kind benefactor some of the best
victuals her master’s table afforded. Which was
the occasion of my situation being made known
to Mr. and Mrs. Edwards; from whose kind hos-
pitality I received an adequate sustenance, until it
pleased kind Providence to open a way for my fu-
ture support.
My hopes were still sanguine, particularly on
my meeting general Knox, who informed me that
at the ensuing session he doubted not but the pen-

[ 101 ||
-
son act would beamended, and then I would cºr-
tainly be put on the list. Colonel Harmer likewise
informed me that he would use his utmost endea-
yours in forwarding my case. - -
Shortly after I got acquainted with an old ºntº
ment officer, who kept store at the corner of Third
and Market streets. He gave mealetter tº the speak:
of the house of assembly, (Thomas Mifflin, Esq.)
requesting him to raise a subscription among the
members of the house for my present relief. On
his reading the letter he desired me to tary in the
state-house until the business of the house was over.
when the business of the day was over Mr. Mifflin
read the letter to the gentlemen; and was the first in
acquiescing with the requisition therein mentiºned,
by contributing his mite, being following by Robt.
Morris and the rest of the members present. On
the clerk's counting the money, it amounted to
nine pounds thirteen shillings. -
The speaker then ordered him to deliver it to
me. My gratitude on receiving this liberal dona-
tion may be easier imagined than expressed. Suſ-
fice it to say, that I felt as if thunder struck; how-
ever recovering myself I walked into the state-
house yard; where meeting with a fellow, whom
I believed to be a sharper, who accosted me saying
“Shaw I can tell you where you can get well used
for your money ; and I will go with you, provided
you treat me to a grog,” I answered him saying,
I could, find people enough to take a shilling out
of my pocket, but none to put a penny into it.
I started and never stopped until I got to my
old friend Abkey's, and paid him off my score,
then repaired to a slop-shop where I equipped my.
self with a suit of clothes, from head to foot.
The next day I left the city, and had not travel.
led over 15 or 16 miles * I was overtaken by
2
-

[ 102 ||
two gentlemen, who asked me “If my name was
not corporal John Robert Shaw, formerly under
the command of colonel Harmer.” Yes, please your
honours gentlemen, I belonged to captain M'Cur-
dy’s company. “Have you got the amount of a
subscription from colonel Harmer?” No, I have
got a subscription from the general assembly.—
The gentlemen then observed “That colonel
Harmer had collected fifteen pounds when they left
Philadelphia, and by then supposed he must have
increased it to twenty pounds. They then enqui.
red if I had any money. I answered yes, a little,
upon which they gave me more money and desired
me to go on to the next tavern ; from whence they
would write to colonel Harmer, to send the money
on by lieutenant B----- : then ordered the landlord
to let me have what refreshment I wanted and they
would pay for it.
In a few days lieutenant B.---- came. I went
and spoke to him concerning the money, which he
took amiss and threatened to horse whip me, if I
did not proceed on my journey. My confidence
in colonel Harmer was such, that I then thought
he had sent the money on by lieutenant B------ >
which he denied, though he promised me to write
to colonel Harmer, requesting of him to deposit the
money with lawyer Climer, a gentleman of Read-
ing, a particular friend of mine. I will hereafter
have occasion to mention what became of this mo-
hey.
Proceeding on my journey to Lancaster, from
thence to Carlisle, where I continued for some
time in extreme distress; but was providentially
relieved, by a friend whom I met there, who, be-
sides administering to my immediate necessities,
wrote a petition for me, setting forth in a pathetic
manner my misfortunes and inability to work:

D 103 J
which petition was signed by the magistrates and
the most respectable inhabitants of Carlisle.
From Carlisle I proceeded to Little York, where
I got the name of the gentleman beggar, particu-
larly owing to my appearing as clean in my dress
as my indigent circumstances would admit of . I
always made it a point to be unassuming and civil,
which was the cause of my being well treated wher-
ever I came, one house excepted, which was that
of an Englishman living in Pennsylvania. At this
man's house I called one frosty night and asked for
quarters, the man of the house invited me in, and
told me to sit down by the stove, introducing me
at the same time to his wife. When I got a little
warm a conversation took place in which I endea-
voured to entertain them with the occurrences of
my past life, after which the man of the house took
down his violin and played several tunes; when
done his wife asked him into another room to sup-
per, leaving poor pilgarlick behind the stove both
hungry and weary; having nothing to refresh him.
self with. When they had done he again repeated
his music, and shortly after withdrew to bed, leav.
ing meto pick out the softest plank for my bed and
pillow, howeverlying down hoping for better times
I rested tolerably well, considering my hard fare.-
The next morning the landlord accosted me Very
politely with “Good morning to you sir, how did
yºu ress last night?” I thanked him (for the com-
pliment but not for the bed) and told him I rested
very well.
I then proceeded on for Marsh creek settlement
from thence to Hunterstown, and so on to Gettys.
town, to Jockeystown and then back to Little
York; through York barrens to the Straw tavern,
crossing the Susquehannah at Bald Friar Ferry.
Proceeding to Nottingham township, thence thro

I 104
Chester county to Oxford, and then to Octorara,
where I stopped one night. It being snowing and
entremely cold, I went to the house of a Mr. Smith
(a seceding minister) requesting liberty of him, to
lie that night by his kitchen fire. He answered he
would not admit strangers into his house, but co-
ming to the door and pointing towards a neigh-
bouring house, observed that the man of that house
entertained every distressed traveller that came that
way. So off I hobbled in the dark, in hopes of
finding the house, but unfortunately missed the
way by taking the wrong path, which brought me
to a widow’s house; where knocking at the door
the old lady made her appearance, when I asked
for quarters; she observed that being a poor widow
and having no person about the house but herself
and daughter, she was dubious in admitting stran-
gers. Well said I, if you will but let me warm
myself, I flatter myself you will not turn me out
this dismal cold night; accordingly she admitted
me to her fire, where when I had warmed myself I
unbound my feet and shewed her the situation I
was in from the frost; and likewise observed to her
the treatment I had met with from Mr. Smith,
which induced her to pity me, and to observe that
I was welcome to whatever the house could afford,
and immediately provided me with a warm supper
and a comfortable bed. When Ilay down I rumi-
nated a considerable time on what kind Providence
had done for me, in sending me to this poor wi-
dow’s house. The pleasing thought occasioned
me to feel at that time as happy as Mr. Smith with
all his riches.
Next morning the widow’s daughter went to
Mr. Culbertson's (a covementer minister). This
was the man to whom Smith directed me the pre-
ceding evening). She told him in what manner

I 105 ||
Smith had treated me. On the girl’s return home,
she brought me an invitation from Mr. Culbert-
son and his lady, requesting of me to go to their
house, which I gladly embraced after taking leave
of my hospitable hostess and daughter. On my
arrival at Mr. Culbertson's, I was kindly invited
in ; and after a short conversation, was requested
to tarry as long as I thought proper: The next
day Mrs. Culbertson and her daughter (named
Sally) cut me out some shirts and made them : the
rest of my clothes they had washed and mended for
me. Here was a heaven on earth to me whilst I
stayed, which was twelve days—Not willing to
encroach any longer on his kind hospitality, parti-
cularly as I observed him to be daily troubled with
distressed travellers. On my departure Mr. Cul-
bertson and family, gave me a pressing invitation
to call on them if ever I travelled that way, and
that I should meet with the same hospitable recep-
tion.
Starting from Mr. Culbertson's I proceeded
to Charlestown in Maryland, and there meeting
with a person who demanded of me a pass, I obser-
ved that I thought my disabled situation was pass
sufficient; which satisfied him. Soproceeding on
to Robert Lastley’s near North-East bay, where I
continued until my feet got better and my strength
recruited, doing small jobs occasionally about the
house; but some misunderstanding taking place,
i left there and proceeded to Jacob MºDillºs in
Pickway, where I undertook a large job of ditching,
which when nearly compleated I was recommend.
ed by said MºDill to a Robert Biers, with whom I
engaged to dig one hundred and seventy rodoflarge
and small ditches which I soon accomplished.
Soon after I started down for Chester county,
and commenced working with one Francis Hoops,
-
log
(a quaker). I made no bargain with the man, any
further than that he told me he would reward me
according to my merit; accordingly to work I went
and can solemnly declare that day light never
caught me in bed during that winter, which I work.
ed for him; besides doing every thing in my
power to rendersatisfaction to the family; particu-
larly to the woman part, which was a pointſ made
never to deviate from. But alas ! I found it all in
vain, and therefore on the first of March I demand.
ed a settlement, in hopes of getting something for
my labour. How unspeakable was my surprise
when Hoops, said “John, thee may think º
well paid.” Said I, you know Francis, that I re-
ceived only thirty-three shillings for my three
month’s work. If this be ample reward for my
labour in this world, I hope God will reward you
in the next according to your deeds here; for
“cursed is he who defraudeth the labourer of his
hire.” I complained to the elders of the meeting,
but being poor and Hoops rich, consequently re-
ceived no redress. I leave you to judge, reader,
what sort of a conscience (or whether any) this
meek and lowly quaker must possess. However
I soon engaged with a man of the name of Barrack
Mitchener (a neighbour of Hoops) for six dollars
per month, to quarry stone and burn lime, with
whom I lived six months; and then hired with
Thomas Butler of London-grove township, to qua-
ry stone, where I had the misfortune of breaking
my leg, which was occasioned as follows: after
blasting some rocks, I went to wedging some
more, when the sledge glanced against the wedge
which struck me on the leg. I dropped for dead,
and lay for some time, no one being convenient to
assist me. After recovering a little, I crawled on
my hands and knees, a half a mile through frost











as
and snow, which, made my situation almost des:
perate. The kind invitation of my friendly host
Culbertson now occurred to me, to whose neigh-
bourhood I was conveyed next day on horse back.
I took up my quarters at the house of a Daniel
MºCready, where I had the attendance of doctor
Culbertson (the son of my benefactor) under whose
care I continued about eight weeks and then re-
turned to my former occupation of stone quarry-
lºlº.
§ now began to be weary of a single life (being
two years a widower) therefore paid my addresses
to a young Irish girl, by means of which I learned
a new mode of courting, which is generally styled
bundling. The mode pursued is, after the old
people retired, my dulcinia took me by the hand
andled me to her bed chamber (where, a hint being
as good as a nod for ablind horse) to bed we went
and spent the night very agreeably. This mode of
courtship I understand is fashionable in different
parts of the union, and Iflatter myself not disagree-
able to the young folks.
After living here some time I got into the dia-
bolical habit of fortune-telling, in which calling
there is a great deal of confederacy. In pursuing
this honourable calling I got the appellation of the
English fortune-teller. Here I also got acquainted
with a quack doctor, who told me, he would un-
dertake to make me take a distaste against spiritu-
ous liquor, for which I agreed to give him half a
guinea ; he accordingly got two live eels, and put
them into a quart bottle filled with rum, letting
them stand for three or four days; then gave me a
portion every third day, until I began to grow wea-
ry of the medicine; having every reason to believe
it would not answer the desired effect, consequent-
ly declined taking any more of it. Shortly I heard

[ 109 --
of a doctor Murray in Lancaster, whom I had eve.
ry reason to believe could perform the much wish-
ed for cure. I accordingly made application to
him, who agreed to cure me for three half joes—
He therefore prepared a portion, part of which I
was to take every two days until the cure was effect.
ed; however I had not taken it long before Ibegan
to swell and froth at the mouth like a madman.-
True it is it had like to have proved an effectu-
al cure by sending me to the other world. Some
time after this a Mrs. MºHarrey offered to cureme
of this dreadful propensity ; to which I agreed, and
she accordingly administered a dose to me, suf.
ficient to have killed a horse; the result of which
was my being in five minutes time, ten times sicker
than ever I remembered to have been with the bot-
tle ſever in my life. By this time I found out that
nothing but fortitude and a good resolution could
bean antidote against drinking ardent liquors to an
CXCCSS,

E 109 |
CHAP, Jº III.
The author starts for Wew-Jondon, travelling tº
and working a different places—proceeds tº ſºi-
Madelphia, from hence to Wilmington by Chester-
roºm – contracts a temporary marriage-taken
short at night, the effects of sourcyder-arrives
in Philadºſia again–leaves there and com-
ºncºs well-digging—at which he narrowly cº-
capes death ºnlists as a soldier—arrives at
Washington–St. Clair's defeat—is discharged,
ºc. &c. &c.
Shortly after I toºk a tour to New-London,
through Chester county to Newark; from thence
to Christeinbridge, where I commenced work with
one Joseph Hogle. Continuing here but a short
time, I started again for Philadelphia to Wilming-
ton, and so onto Chester, where stopping at a ta-
vern to refresh myself. I had not been long there
before a young woman came in ; I invited her to
drink, after which a conversation took place, in
which she informed me she intended travelling be-
yond Derby, but should tarry there for her bro-
ther. So I bid her farewell and pursued my jour-
ney : but did not proceed far until I stopped at a
man’s door, and fell into a conversation with him.
We had not long conversed before the young wo.
raan above mentioned passed us. Isoon followed
and came up with her, accosting her with well
overtaken young woman. She observed she should
be glad of my company, as there was no probabi.
K.

I lio J
lity of her brother coming up. Thank you ma-
dam, if my company be agreeable we will travelto-
gether as far as you go my road. So on we
jogged, as happy as king and queen. I learned
from her conversation that she had an uncle living
about two miles from Derby, to whose house she
gave me an invitation to go with her ; with which
cheerfully complied. Night coming on, and
growing weary, we sat down to rest, when an inno-
cent conversation took place, to the following pur-
port: My deer, I should think myself the happiest
man on earth if allowed to kiss your sweet lips;
this request she kindly complied with, after which
some natural familiarities took place between us,
(which may be better imaged than here expres-
sed) that induced her to throw her arms around
me, saying, my dear will not you marry me. Yes
my love, certainly, we shall get married to-morrow.
So on we jogged to her uncle’s, who, with his fa-
mily were in bed. So I proposed lodging in the
barn, to which my intended bride agreed; in we
went, made ourselves abed of hay, on which we
agreeably spent the night. In the morning I went
out, and made my escape with all possible haste
across the country, leaving my disappointed bride,
expecting every moment (I suppose) my return,
in order to perform my promise of marriage, which
to this day I have neglected fulfilling with her.
I crossed the country to Dicworthstown, where
I lodged that night, and drinking some hard cyder
which occasioned me to be taken short in the night,
unfortunately there was no chamber-pot in the
room, not yet could I get the window or door open,
which occasioned me to have recourse to my hat,
which I well filled before morning. Rising at day
light, and going down stairs, with my new, cº-
structed conveniency under my arm, was called to

[ 111 ||
by the hostler, saying “who gºes there??? a
fiend, said I.- I doubt it,” said he, “What's
that you have under your arm” said he Qome
and see said I ; accordingly he came, and going to
lay hºld of the hat, I caught his hand and put it into
the hat, which made him bestow a volley of abuse
on me. I started on to the sign of the Red-Eagle,
sixteen miles and a half from Philadelphia, kept by
Adam Cºwder, with whom I hired as an hostler,
but soon grew weary of that business. I therefore
determined to try my fortune once more in Phila-
delphia. On my arrival there (being in the even-
ing) I repaired to New-market, where being invit-
ed to a frolic, was introduced to a fine parcel of
ladies (all mother Carey's chickens). I had not
been long there before I made choice of one of
them to spend the night with, and called for a room,
where we had not been long before we were dis-
turbed by one of the men coming from a back
room, much intoxicated and as destitute of clothes
as when born, which disgusted me so much,
that I withdrew and left my fair one to sleep with-
out my company that night.
My name being established in the country as a
well-digger, I was accordingly sent for by a cer.
tain John Wilson, living on the Lancaster road, for.
ty-five miles from Philadelphia, with whom Icom.
menced digging a well, which went sixteen feet
into a solid rock. After the completion of which,
I opened an old well, which had been left unfinish.
ed for fifty-two years; at which I made very rapid
progress, and soon insured to finishitfornim, even
provided the Devil was at the bottom of it; which
I accordingly did, though unfortunately it had like
to have cost me dear; for unthinkingly leaving a
loose rock in the side of the well, twenty-seven
feet from the bottom, and thinking I had got a suſ.
I 112 ||
ficient depth under water, I called Mr. Wilson to
come down into the well and satisfy himself; he
had not been there fifteen minutes before accident.
ally looking up, he cried out “Shaw, the well is
caving in.” I looked up, and to my great sur.
prise saw the rock above mentioned, tumbling
down, which struck the battom of the well first,
then rolled on my left leg, then on Wilson's left
arm, which it broke in pieces, and there held us
fast until the neighbours extricated us. This I
look upon as one of the most providential escapes
of my life, particularly, when I inform you reader,
that it took two blasts before it could be got out.
My leg was not much injured, but Mr. Wilson
will remain a cripple the residue of his days. Af.
ter finishing the well, I felt anxious for a frolic,
and therefore started for Philadelphia (where I paid
for the roast before I got back) arriving at the sign
of the White-horse, was there ordered to assist in
conveying a madman to bedlam. On our way we
stopped at the sign of the Unicorn for refreshment,
where I beheld a ghastly sight, a poor unfortunate
man, who the day before fell into the fire in a fit, and
burnt his eyes out, and his head to a cinder. The
sight of these two unfortunate objects made such
an impression on me that I could not rest for se-
veral nights after. I thought I saw the madman
grinning me in the face, and the unfortunate dead
man following me with his ghastly appearance.
We soon arrived in the city, where I left my
company and went to one of my old rendezvous,
at the sign of the three jolly Irishmen, in water
street; here I began my career. Getting in com-
pany with a blade, equally as anxious for frolicing
as myself, we began with a gallon of mulled beer,
qualified with a quart of good spirits, in the punish-
ing of which, we were joined by some interlopers











I 113
and half a dozen fine girls with a piper and fid-
aler. These composed our jolly group, where we
spent the day merrily and late at night broke up.
pretty well done over Howev º being determined
to enjoy the pleasures of the night as well as the
day, 1 proceeded with my doxy to her lodgings.
Being introduced to the landlady, was invited up
stairs into a room, with a good bed and otherwise
fully equipped for entering on the wars of Venus:
But alas how disappointed were my hopes; for
when stripped and ready to jump into the arms of
my fair one, I unfortunately (ather request) stºpp'd
to put the candle out, when lo! the floor gradually
sunk, and in a few seconds I found myself safely
landed in a back street, with no other covering to
guard me against the inclemency of a cold winter
night, than my shirt. Finding myself completely
done over, I repaired to my old quarters, where the
landlord gave me some old clothes to cover my
nakedness.
Iput on a boldface to try my fortune once more,
and left the city, it being the middle of winter,
without shoes or stockings, the rest of my clothes
not being worth one dollar, the ground slightly fro-
zen over not sufficient to bear me up, consequent-
ly occasioned the blood to flow abundantly over
my feet. On the evening of that day which I left
the city, I called for quarters at a tavern, where I
spent freely going down. The landlord looking
at me, observed, he was afraid I would rob his
house. I must confess that my appearance was by
no means prepossessing; however he invited me
to the fire where I tarried all night, when next
morning he asked how he should dispose of me in
case I died. I told him to dig a hole and bury
mein it, which he was not at the trouble of doing.
but sent me along with some waggoners, amongst
K 2
-
[ 114
whom was a jolly young man that had drank a lit.
tle of the same bitter cup amongst the ladies in
Philadelphia. He said he would assist me, and ac.
cordingly did, by tipping me a little out of brown
Bet, which contained some double fortified stimu.
lous. Parting with the waggoners, I trudged on till
I came within a mile of the White-horse, where
meeting with three old soldiers, one of whom for.
merly belonged to captain M*Curdy’s company, in
the first American regiment, commanded by that
undaunted hero, colonel Josiah Harmer, whose
name ought to be written in letters of gold. The
old soldier gave me a pair of shoes, and recommend-
cd me to stop at the White-horse, whose landlord
was particularly hospitable to old soldiers. I took
his advice and shortly arrived there. There being
afox hunt in the neighbourhood that day, occasion-
cd the house to be thronged, however they made
way for me to the fire, where I experienced great
pain; however the landlord gave me every assist-
ance in his power, and sent me on in a waggon to
Downingstown, across Brandywine to the sign of
the Ship. There I took off the main road, and
made enquiry for colonel Humpton, formerly
commander of the sixth Pennsylvania regiment,
who treated me with genuine hospitality—supply-
ing me with a complete suit of clothes, some mo-
ney and a pair of crutches, with which Ijogged on
to a tavern, where I took up my quarters. There
happened to be a Mr. John Boyd and a Mr. Print-
er in the house, who lived in Octorara and to whose
bounty I am much indebted. I tarried here until
I got well, where leaving my crutches, I pushed
for Chester county, to my old friends the quakers,
where word was left for me that a certain Abraham
Gibbons, a quaker preacher from near Lancaster,
had a well to finish that six other diggers had given
UP-






















115
I undertook to finish the well or lose my labor.
My employer being a droll old fellow, I cannot
help mentioning a joke that happened between him
and a curious old Irishman : A conversation took
place one day at dinner, on faith, when the quaker
observed that he had faith enough to walk on wa-
ter without sinking; so on their going to work,
they had to cross a creek, over which lay a log,
the Irishman being behind as the quaker was cros-
sing, gave the loga shake, when down pops poor
broad-brim, up to his neck in the water. “Ah!
dear Abraham,” said Pat, “where is thy faith
now * * Friend,” said Abraham, “thou hastout-
witted me.” I shortly finished the well, for which
I was honourably paid.
Then went to dig a well for a Mr. Miller near
New-Holland, and setting one Sunday evening at
the door in company with the said Miller and fami-
ly, we heard the report of a gun not far distant;
however taking no notice of it but retired to bed,
from which we were shortly disturbed by some of
the neighbours coming in, ordering us to meet at
a certain mill, which we did. Immediately after
two young men having passed that way, and stop-
ping at a house, gave a young woman one dollar
for washing some blood off their shirt sleeves ; be-
ing asked what occasioned it, said they had almost
killed old M'Castleton, and were going to a Mr.
where they could be found if necessary.-
Shortly after a man came along, who found the old
man dead in a waggon rut, which gave the alarm.
to the neighbourhood, and occasioned about sixty
ºf us to meet at the aforesaid mill, where dividing
in different parties, it fell to my lot to be of the paſſ.
ty that took the culprits. We bound them and
brought them to where the dead man lay, but they
denied the fact However we conveyed them to
-
116
Lancaster, where wearrived about sunrise and took
them before Squire Abbey, who committed them.
to prison. I was surprised to see the levity of one
of them, a lad not exceeding fourteen, who seem.
ed to make little of his situation, which appeared
as if he could foretel what the event would be ; for
when they were tried, they were acquitted for want
of evidence. -
I began to grow weary of that part of the coun.
try, so pushed on to Lancaster, determined on a
frolic; putting up at Adams’ tavern, I soon met
with plenty of boon companions, to help in carry-
ing on the caper. Here I gave myself the name of
Peter Alexander Wild-Goose, and generally went
by the name of Wild-Goose the madman. The
young bucks of the town frequently making me
groggy, for which I gave them Morgan Ratler in
style. -
One day going to see the curiosities of Mr.
Whitman’s brewry, he and some more gentlemen
happened to be there, when the conversation turn-
ed on the size of kettles. He observed that one
of them contained 500 gallons. I swore he was a
liar, for which he said I should givehim gentleman-
ly satisfaction; accordingly off I started for my
sword, but totally forgot ever to return.
Off I started to the country, resolved to take up
my old trade of basket-making ; however at this
time I engaged with a Mr. Holes, to work at the
mine-banks, in company with an old soldier, who
loved a drop of a dram as well as myself. Here I
had the pleasure of getting acquainted with a wi-
dow, whose acquaintance seemed very agreeable.
One evening, being in company with her over a
bottle of good whiskey, the conversation turned on
matrimony, which I evaded, and it growing late
proposed going to bed, which my bucksome wi-














E 117 |
dow agreed to; where we spent a most agreeable
night with a promise of my repeating it. But next
morning, left both the mine-bank and the widow,
and proceeded on to within ten miles of Lancaster,
where I engaged to quarry 1000 perch of stone,
for John Shank, whom I found to be an ill dispos-
ed person. He having thirty men at work for him
in building a grist mill, with every man of whom
(when the first story was built) he fell out.
Off then I started for New-Holland, where I un-
dertook to dig a quantity of wells. The names of
the people for whom I dug, and the depth of the
wells as follows:
Adam Miller,
William Clark,
John Hance,
17—Feet.
23 Chifly rock. [stone.
10 And quarried 300 perch
Thomas Taylor, 19
Alexander Mahony, 30
George Aire, 14 burnt 3360 bus, of lime.
John Painter, 16
Thomas Harris, 52
Robert Hamilton, 36
John Peters,
William Reynalds,
Andrew Numan,
Gasper Yordan,
John Rodes,
John Wilson,
William Kasill,
Job Pile,
Abraham Penick,
Joseph Preston,
Thomas Morton,
Abraham Gibbons,
William Pugee,
John Hamilton,
Total,
24 Dug 300 rod of ditching.
14
23 [4 cellars.
23 40 rods of mill race and
26 6 cellars.
9
589 all in Pennsylvania.
[ 118 J
In 179]. I was sent for to Lebanon to hunt was
ter, where I got the name of a water-witch. Dur.
ing my continuance here, a company of six month's
men, commanded by captain Payette, halted here
being on their way for the western country. I
went to see if there was any of my old comrades
amongst them, (being fond of the company of an
old soldier) and found two, with whom I spent a
jovial night, and the next morning making too free
with my bitters, the general beat, which elevated
me so that I fell in and marched all day, and halt.
ing in the evening, I began to cut some didos, ban.
tering the captain or his men to go through thema-
nual exercise, which occasioned the captain taking
more notice of me, and proposed enlisting me, (he
not knowing my decripped state) accordingly, I
enlisted and we marched on for Carlisle and en-
camped on the commons. A quarter guard being
called out, itſell to my lot to be on duty, and plac.
ed as centry over the captain's marquee, was chal-
lenged by a gentleman (an acquaintance of the cap-
tain’s) inquiring, if my name was not John Robert
Shaw 2 I answered yes, but requested no discourse
of him whilst on centry, which he politely declin-
ed. However after I came off duty, my captain
sent for me, and told me, that Mr. Creathe (mer-
chant in Carlisle) requested me to call on him,
which I accoordingly did ; and never in my life
was more hospitably treated than I was by himself,
his family, and captain Alexander, his son-in-
law, to whose benevolent hospitality, Ishall during
my existence ever remain grateful.
We marched on through the different towns un-
til we arrived at Pittsburgh, where we continued
until the arrival of the rest of the army from the
different states, then embarking in twenty three
different boats for Fort Washington (Ohio). It













D 119 |
ſell to my lot to go in a boat belonging to a Mr.
Holsted (a sutler) where I officiated as helms-man,
in which I was very fortunate, never getting a
ground the whole voyage, though otherboats were
continually striking. I remember going to shore
and observing an uncommon large Sycamore tree,
had the curiosity to measure it, and (almost incre-
dible to tell) ſound it measured twenty-five feet in
diameter. In twenty-one days from our embark-
ing, we arrived at Fort-Washington, and encamp-
ed, and when rested, the companies commenced
drilling, which was a good opportunity for display-
ing my knowledge of tactics, which occasioned
me to be appointed drill sergeant of the company,
which I divided into grandand awkward squads; all
the experienced soldiers I put into the grand squad,
and the unexperienced into the awkward; accord-
ing to the progress of the latter they were admit-
ted into the former. Our general orders were to
drill three times a day; but my squads wish-
ing to excel, took every opportunity of becoming
acquainted with tactics; in which I was particular
in facilitating their progress. I pursued the plan
instilled in me by old corporal Coggle, of the 33d
regiment, whose knowledge in tactics was not ex-
celled, perhaps, by any soldier in the union.
I always acted as fugle-man and commander in
putting them through the manual exercise, after
Stuben’s improved plan, taking particular care to
give theºn an erect and soldierly appearance, both
in attitude, look and walk. After which I learned
them to wheel and form in every position, from
right to left, and from left to right, and from the
centre, until I had them sufficiently versed in all the
ºvolutions. After this procedure I put a firelock
into their hands and made them acquire a thorough
command of it. Through my indefatigable assi.
_

















I 120
duity and skill, I brought my squads so forward
in a short time as to be considered as good disci.
plinarians as any in the garrison. As a proof for
which Irefer my reader to major David Zeigler,
(now residing in Cincinnati) lieutenant Whistler,
and sergeant-major Bennet, whose knowledge that
way is inferior to none in the United States.
One day being walking in the garrison accompa-
nied by an old soldier, of a sudden was accosted by
general Harmer (who had just resigned his com-
mand to general St. Clair) asking me “if my name
was not Shaw 2° I answered, yes, please your
honor. “Did I not discharge you in 1785 as un-
fit for duty 2” Yes, your honor. Upon which he
desired me to come into the room, where he re-
presented my case to general St. Clair and the rest
of the officers, giving them a correct account of my
performance and unhappy disaster at Fort M'In-
tosh, and said, “I was not fit for a soldier and ought
to be discharged;” asking me how I became en-
listed; the particulars of which I informed him of,
and requested of him to speak to general St. Clair,
to allow me to perform garrison duty, as I thought
myself as capable of performing such duty as any
man in the army, which was readily granted.
I then took the liberty of asking colonel Harmer
whether or not he received some money by sub-
scription, for me in Philadelphia, and iſ not deli-
vored into the hands of a Mr. – “Yes,” re-
plied he, “and did you never receive it?” I an-
swered, no ; then gave him an account of what I
had received from the members of the legislature
—my leaving the city—being met by two gentle-
men—their kind treatment to me—my delaying
three days on the road for Mr. — his treatment
to me, &c. &c. Well says the colonel Mr. -
will be down the rivershortly, and I will make him











121
give you the money. º came, it is tr . but he
being of a sanguinary disposition and an officer, in-
duced me never to trouble him for it. -
In the course of a few weeks the army received
marching orders, and myself with every man unfit
for actual service were ordered into the garrison,
under the command of lieutenant Pasmore. Here
I remained a few months, in the course of which,
the lieutenant received recruiting orders, at which
time, I was on the commissary’s guard. A ser-
geant came there with an order for me to go to the
lieutenant, who gave me a bounty, of six dollars,
enlisting me for three years, unless sooner dis-
charged. Ithen requested ºf him to give me four
days liberty to spend my bounty in, which he
complied with. Accordingly away I went, got
half a dozen canteens, repaired to town, to one
Kelly's, a piper, called for a good grog, got my
canteens filled, and began to make merry, but did
not enjoy myself long before I was sent for by the
lieutenant, who on my arrival informed me the doc-
tor would not pass, nor the muster-master muster
me. So I told him I had spent part of the bounty in
the purchase of rum, which I hoped he would ad-
mitinto the barracks, which he accordingly did,
allowing me one day to get drunk and another to
get sober, and making me a present of another dol-
lar besides the one I spent; this with many other
favours I received from lieutenant Pasmore, parti.
cularly that of his allowing me to work in the town,
where I dug the first well that ever was in Cincin.
nati, and by my directions the well in the garrison
was finished, besides a number of other wells
which laid off, and which have been finished since
my leaving there, which is a clear demonstration
of the infallibility of the forked rod. For do
maintain that there is no danger of fºiling in pro-

[ 122 j
curing water, provided a man ºigs to the depth
prescribed by the man who carries the rod, and
understands the efficacy of it. -
In the course of some time, I was one of a com.
mand, who went to drive cattle to the army. We
drove on to Fort Hamilton and across the Great
Miami, and at night took up our quarters on good
camping ground, where we baked up all our flour,
iittle thinking how much need some of our fellow
soldiers stood in for food. However, next morn-
ing proved to us the certainty of it, for by eleven
o'clock we were met by five of the cavalry, who
communicated to us the sad news of general St.
Clair’s defeat, and which communication they
were carrying express to Fort Hamilton. The
news had a disagreeable effect on some of our par-
ty, who were immediately seized with the cannon
ſever, and retreated with all possible expedition
back to Fort Hamilton, where they received the
punishment due for descrtion and cowardice.-
However the rest of us (six out of eleven) proceed-
ed on with our cattle and shortly met the retreat-
ing army, (a sight truly grating to us) some wound-
ed and the whole of them starving and dejected.
To work they went, and in a few moments slayed
half a dozen of our bullocks, stewing them up in
a quick time, without paying any particular atten-
tion to the nicety of its cooking. However we
left them enjoying themselves in their luxury and
proceeded on to Fort Jefferson, where the sight of
our cattle was a pleasing object, particularly
as they had been subsisting on horse flesh for some
days prior to our arrival. -
The next morning we started back to Fort Ham-
ilton and from thence to Fort Washington ; when
we arrived there we encamped in a very disagree-
able situation, and suffered extremely from the in-

[ 123 J
elemency of the weather. In a short time we were
all discharged without any prospect of being paid,
however, myself and two more sold our certiſi-
cates for a mere trifle, and crossed the Ohio for
Kentucky, and proceeded on till we came to Camp-
bell's station, where we stopped all night, one of my
comrades selling a pair of stockings to pay for our
supper, being all the provision were ceived until wº
arrived in Georgetown. But before we arrived
there, we took up our night's lodging near Elkhorn,
in Craig's saw-mill house, in as cold, hungry, naked
and in fact miserable and lousy a situation as ever
I remember to have been in. Next morning we
proceeded to town, and stopping at the house of a
Mr. M'Quiddy, requesting of him liberty to warm
ourselves, which he complied with. While there,
I observed an oven full of Irish potatoes and roast
beef, which smelled so sweet that I longed to be
tugging at them. After a little conversation we
requested liberty to tarry all night, to which the
landlord did not seem to consent, but observed
there was an old school house not fºr tº, where
we might stay. The hopes of enjoying some of
the beef and potatoes, together with the pleasing
appearance of the landlady, I by no means wished
to change for the uncomfortable lodging in a cold
and dreary school house. However by the in-
tercession of the landlady we were allowed to stay
all night and likewise partook of the beef and pota-
toes. Next morning observing a pile of wood,
we cut it up by way of compensation for our sup-
per and lodging.
By this time we began to deliberate what we
should follow in this strange country for a living.
One of our company quitting us, the other (being
a New-Jersey man). I heard of a certain Mr.
Laughead, living about six miles from Lexing-

[ 124 J
ton. . We started forthere, on coming to the house
knocked and asked liberty to warm ourselves,
which was readily granted; shortly after made ap.
plication to stay all night. The landlady hesitating
a little, saying her husband was not at home, but
by her brother's interceding for us, she gave up.
Her brother was acquainted with the hardships at-
tending war, being formerly embarked in it, and
now a militia captain. He gave us a great deal of
encouragement concerning this country, and an in-
vitation to stay in the neighbourhood, telling us
there were two of his tenants who wanted men to
hire. Here we dropped the conversation for that
night, it being far spent, and being invited to sup-
per, induced me to suppose myself amongst my
old Pennsylvania farmers. Inow began to enquire
of the woman of the house what her husband’s
name was, and being informed it was Laughead,
then asked if he was related to a man of that name
in Octerara, (observing her colour change) she an-
swered, yes, that is my husband's father, do you
know him? I answered I did, and his daughter
Jenny ; *et I formerly lived with a Mr. Culbert-
son, a covenanting minister, and that Mr. Laug-
head was one of his elders, which occasioned me
to be well acquainted with him. By this time the
landlady seemed very well pleased, asking me ma-
my questions about the covenanters and seceders in
Pennsylvania, until bed time came on, when she
proposed making us a bed on the floor; but we hon-
estly opposed it, telling her that we were lousy and
not fit to sleep in a bed. She in a few minutes
brought me a cleanshirt, which made my comrade
uneasy, observing “Shaw, how comes this, that
you are so much more in favour than I?” Because
said I, you look like a Jersey-blue and I like a
Pennsylvania farmer. But I had scarce uttered

[ 125 J
these words, when she brought him another,
which occasioned him to laugh with both sides of
his mouth. She likewise brought us some old
clothes to lie on, and then retired for the night.—
After which we stripped ourselves and committed
our old shirts to the flames, from whence we heard
the cracking of the gentry very plain. Then put-
ting on our clean linen we lay down and slept ex-
ceedingly well. Early the next morning captain
Mitchel (her brother) returned with scume clothing
which he generously distributed between us, and
directing us to his tenants, as observed before...—
It fell to my lot to engage with a Mr. Lanterman,
with whom I bargained to maul 540 rails for a
new shirt (it being a business I had never been used
to) however by the dint of hard labour, I soon earn-
ed my shirt. My comrade engaged with a Mr.
Applegate to break flax, but being of a bad dispo.
sition he shortly fell out with his landlady, conse.
quently left there and likewise inticed me away.
from Mr. Laterman's. -
I, 2.

[ 126
CHAP. IX.
The author proceeds to Frank/ort—parts with his
comrade–experiences a variety of vicissitudes
and works at different places until he arrives at
Lexington ; at which place and its vicinity he
meets with a number of adventures, particularly
that of seeing a vision, and likewise the anxiety
of mind which he laboured under from an excess
of spirituous liquors and the result thereof—
swindled by Prothroe---was blown up---loses the
use of one eye---proves the infallibility of bleton.
ism---blown up a second time---gets married---
has a son---a daughter---another son, &c.
MY comrade and I started on our road for Frank-
fort, calling at general Wilkinson's, who politely
treated us to a grog and advised us to go to the salt-
works; he likewise generously put us across the
river. After we crossed the river the first house
we stopped at proved to be a particular acquaint-
ances of mine from Pittsburgh, (Mr. Haymaker),
who treated us with kind hospitality, advising us
not to go to the salt-works; for said he, “it is a
fair Hell upon earth.” From his house we started
in the morning (with grateful hearts) for Arnold’s
station, (making inquiry on the road for Jersey and
Pennsylvania people) when we arrived at captain
Arnold’s house, he generously invited us to din-
ner, which was truly acceptable. My comrade in-
quiring if there were any Jersey people convenient
to there. Captain Arnold observed his father came

E 127 J
from Jersey, and he made no doubt but he would
give him work; upon which we started on to Ba-
ker's tavern, where we had not been long before
some men came to the house, amongst whom was
old Mr. Arnold, and with whom my comrade soon
made a bargain to work, and trudged off, leaving
poor old Shaw to shift as well as he could. . .
I proceeded to Mr. M'Guire's, who lived in the
vicinity, and asked for quarters, which was grant-
ed. Soon after my arrival the landlord inquired
which way I was travelling. I told him I could
not tell how far, but that I was in pursuit of work,
which I was willing to do for my victuals and what-
ever other compensation my employer thought
proper. He told me I need go no further, asking
me what I could do; to which I answered a num-
ber of domestic affairs, such as to wait on his lady,
&c. The following morning after breakfast, my
employer and I walked to a new improvement (a
handsome situation) where he had built a double
log house after the Virginia fashion (without a cel-
lar) I asked the cause of his so doing, he observed
that the foundation was a solid rock, and that the
cellar would cost him more than the house. I
told him provided he furnished me with some
powder and the necessary tools, that I would
blow him out a cellar, for a shirt and pair of shoes;
to which he agreed, and accordingly furnished me
with a set of new fashioned tools indeed. Suffice
it to say, that by the dint of assiduity and elbow
grease, I soon earned my shirt and shoes, and that
much to the satisfaction of my employer; after
which I built him a lime kiln.
Mr. M'Guire observing a number of his hogs
to be badly torn, naturally conjectured it must have
been done by a panther, therefore proposed a hunt-
ing ſtolic to me, to which I readily agreed. We

[ 128 J
º
started and had not travelled far before we came on
the track of two panthers, proceeding on about a
quarter of a mile, I observed one of them on the
limb of a large tree; calling out to MGuire (and
being entirely unacquainted with the different qua-
drupeds) yonder is a deer on the limb of that tree,
which deer or rather panther, he observing, imme-
diately fired and wounded it, after which it jumped
down and pursued different directions, receiving
three different wounds before we killed it; and out
of his skin I made myself a good pair of shoes.
On the first day of March I started from Mr.
M'Guire's, who satisfied me well for my winter’s
work, pursuing my way across Steel's ferry, and
along the north side of the Kentucky river, until I
came to a Joseph M*Lain's, where blew some
rocks for him. After which I proceeded to one
Abraham Morten’s (Jessamine) with whom I en-
gaged to split 5000 rails. Here was the first place
I understood that cutting and splitting one hundred
rails per day, was not thought a day’s work for a
man, being the second time I undertook such a
job. I first began with forty, but soon found that
I could easily accomplish two hundred, and could
do were I acquainted with the different sorts of tim-
ber, a fourth more in a day.
I then commenced with a certain capt. ------ to
blow rocks and quarry stone, and after working
with him a considerable time, he insiduously en-
deavoured to defraud me out of my hire; and with
a great deal of persuasion prevailed with him to pay
mehalf of it, considering half a loaf better than no
bread. -
After receiving my half stipend, I proceeded tothe
mouth of Hickman, where I got pretty well fud-
died, and went to the boat intending to cross, but
Mr. Ballenger, the ferryman, observing my intoxi-
129
cation, would not admit me into the boat, conse-
quently returned to the ſerry house (Mr. Scott's]
where I spent the remainder of my hard-earned
money; the result of which was a violent attack of
the bottle fever, but the commisseration, assiduity
and kind attention of Mr. and Mrs. Scott to me,
at that time, shall always be impressed on
my heart, therefrom never to be erased.
After recovering from my indisposition I com-
menced digging a well for John Biswell, four miles
from Mr. Scott's ferry; a storm coming on pre-
vented me from progressing, therefore turned to
my old trade of frolicing, the result as usual, (the
bottle-fever). Afflicted with it, I was one night
lying in the tavern before the fire, when I was dis-
turbed by a parcel of ruffians, consisting of major
Mastin Clay, lieutenant Spence, a Mr. Moss and
Sow. They entered the house and had not been long
there, before making inquiry of the landlord who
I was 2 Answered “old Shaw the well-digger, who
is very sick.” Damn him, observed Clay, let us
have a little fün with him. With that he laid a
chunk of fire on my leg which burnt me severely.
I jumped on my feet requesting of them to let me
alone, saying I was then sick and no person to take
my part, but even so, I would try the best of them
singly: this exasperating them, and Clay being the
greatest scoundrel among them, urged the rest to
lay hold of me, which they did, compelling a ne-
gro who was in the house to butt me with his head
and gouge me severely. I observed to Clay, that
if ever an opportunity offered I should pay him off
in equal coin, which I fortunately did; for shortly
after meeting him at Taylor'stavern in Lexington,
| demanded satisfaction for the brutal treatment
had received from him; however by the interces.
Sion of some friends, and his making ample con-
cessions, we compromised the matter amicably.



[ 180
I started from Jessamine in the spring of 1793,
and proceeded on to Clear creek, where I worked
for Mr. Ephraim, James January, Joseph Wood,
James Dunn and William and Joseph Hughes, by
all of whom I was well treated. Leaving Clear
creek I went to Lexington, where I engaged with
one Trainer (a sort of a tavern-keeper) to quarry
stone for him at two shillings per day—low wages,
but he still wanted me for less, and strove by every
means in his power to take advantage of me. His
foreman, one Johnson, informed me that three
blasts a day, from ten to twelve inches deep was a
good day’s work for a man. I observed to him,
that such a man was not fit to work in a quarry,
and bet him a wager of a bottle of whiskey, that I
would blow three blasts before breakfast, which I
won. After which Mr. Trainer offered me a share
in the quarry, which I refused, observing at the
sºme time, that I had not seen a manin Kentucky
that I would join in that line of business with.
Shortly after I commenced digging a well for one
Samuel Lamb on Clear creek, who generously
supplied me with money to buy tools; he likewise
furnished me with a horse to ride to Lexington in
order to purchase them, which I did, and on my
return fell off the horse, and had a very narrow es-
cape for my life. The well I finished for Mr.
Lamb, for which I was honourably paid. It was
about this time that I dreamed a singular dream,
which was that I thought I heard a voice calling to
ºne saying, “Shaw Shaw repent or you will be
damned ;” and in the course of a few weeks after
I dreamed another, in which I thought I heard
the same voice saying, “Shaw Shaw repent and
you shall be saved.” This last dream alarmed me
so much that I awoke the family and communi-
eated my dream to them. There was in the house

I 131 |
at the time a certain Andrew Ward, supposed to
be a pious man, who exhorted me seriously to re-
form from the mode of life which I was in the ha-
bit of pursuing, and pointed out to me what must
be the inevitable result of my perseverance therein,
which I took extremely kind. -
Leaving Mr. Lamb's I came to Black's station:
and soon to Lexington, where I again commenced
my mad career; falling in company with one Proth-
roe, who assiduously assisted in distributing my
money. .
My money being expended and having no place
to stay, I requested liberty of this Prothroe to lie
in a corner of his shop, (he being a cabinet ma-
ker) until I got better (being at the time of course
afflicted with my old complaint the bottle fever).
This he refused, observing I had no money, and
thereforewished to have nothing to do with me, but
immediately observing that if I would sign my name
to a piece of blank paper, he would give mea dram,
thinking no harm, I accordingly did, after which
he insisted on my leaving his house, which I did in
a very distressed situation, and went out to Max-
well's spring ; there I drank a quantity of water,
which occasioned me to vomit a quantity of blood.
Night coming on I walked along intending to take
up my quarters that night in a friends house, but
growing weary and sick, I lay down in the woods,
and shortly fell asleep, continuing so until mid-
night, when being awoke by a noise which I could
not account for, I jumped up rather amazed, and
within nine or ten feet of me saw a ball of fire, ap-
parently as large as a bushel, and at the same time
heard avoice over my head, crying Shaw! Shaw
will not you speak to me? -
A thousand conjectures now began to floatin
my head; I began to reflect on my former dreams

[ 132 |
– rose and began to pray ſervently, in which pos.
ture I did not long continue before those gloomy
visions totally vanished. I then proceeded farther
into the woods, but did not continue long there,
before Iheard the voice and saw the fire as plain as
before ; however, day appearing, I felt relieved,
and proceeded on the road, where I had not long
continued before I observed a man walking along
side of me, on a close view of him, I found it to
bethe exactlikeness of Prothroe, immagining with-
in myself that he was killed, and that this my com-
panion must be his ghost. I then observed to him
that I never did him any harm, therefore requested
of him in God’s name to leave me; at the name of
God he immediately disappeared, and I continued
my journey, hoping the worst was over; but
shocking to relate, I did not go far before he met
me full in the face, in quite a different dress, when
again using my former arguments he again disap-
peared, and I proceeded on to the five mile cabin,
where lo! again appeared my visitant dressed in
black. Being determined to ascertain whether or
not it was substance, I made a grasp at him, and
wonderful to relate! it vanished like an airy vision,
but again appeared behind some logs, which lay
convenient, beckoning me to come to him; I did
and followed him from log to log until he vanished
and left meextremely exhausted. I then proceed-
ed to the five mile cabin, got the man of the house
to accompany me part of the road towards Lexing-
ton, passing by a house, the woman gave me some
breakfast, after which observing some drovers
going by, with whom I travelled on to Lexington,
my visiting ghost appearing to me in different
shapes, forms, attitudes and dresses, still beckon-
ing me to approach him, which I now dreaded as
|
he frequently appeared besmeared with blood; -

I 133
-
however, I found the name of God was my only
safeguard, which I continually kept repeating to
him, and he as continually disappearing until lar-
rived in Lexington. -
When I arrived in Lexington I immediately went
to the house of Prothroe, and told what I had seen,
exhorting him to reform and strive to live a better
life, observing to him that I feared something ex-
traordinary would shortly happen from the omen:
that were portending. He answered saying, “I
am determined to live a more regular and christian
life; for indeed I had shocking dreams latterly,
which induces me to take up the resolution of be-
coming a better man.” I left the house and pro-
ceeded up the hill, and meeting with Mr. Patter-
son and Ellison, who earnestly entreated me to
quit the company of Prothroe, and to endeavour to
lead a better and more uniform life.
Mr. Ellison politely invited me to his house, it
being in the evening. After prayers Mrs. Ellison
made a pallet bed for me, where I had not lain long
before I was astonished with the sight of the ball
of fire and the voice calling to me, “Shaw, wont
you speak to me?” I jumped on my feet calling
to Mr. Ellison requesting of him for God’s sake to
go to prayer. He immediately took a religious
book and began reading. I seated myself along
side of him, with my head between my knees, when
I thought I observed the hand of a man stretched
towards me. I then got up requesting him to let
me read—he accordingly gave me the book and ri-
sing up in order to bring another candie out of the
next room, when I thought I observed a venerable
old man standing between me and the door, with
his grey ſeeks hanging about his ears, Mr. Elli.
son returned and remained with me some time,
whilst I read. But growing sleepy, he called up
M.

[ 134
two of his apprentices and then retired to bed, I
continued reading until between the hours of twelve
and one, in company with the boys, when I imma.
gined 1 beheld rising at the end of the table, ahead
like that of a man's, and eyes like two balls of fire,
glaring me full in the face. My astonishment at
the horrid sight can better be imagined than ex-
pressed. However Isummoned ſortitude enough
to say begone Satan or I'll shoot you with the
word of God; when immediately it disappeared,
leaving behind a smoke similar to that which is
produced by sulphur, which induced me tº think
it was the Devil, and consequently no hopes for
me. My lost state appeared soapparent to me that
I requested of Mr. Ellison to summon all the
profligate youth and old drunkards in the town,
in order to take warning by me and to avoid if
possible the life I had pursued, and which brought
me to this truly distressing situation. It being an
unseasonable hour, Mr. Ellison declined calling
them. I continued in extreme distress, the Devil
(as I supposed) appearing to me in various forms
too horrid to mention, until at length day appear.
ed to my inexpressible pleasure, which relieved
me in part from my fancy raised vision.
I requested Mr. Ellison to call in some pious
ºmen in order that I might converse and advise with
them, amongst whom was a Mr. Adams (a Scotch-
man and a good one) who strenuously advised me
to study the scriptures and to abide invariably by
the precepts therein laid down. During the day
my disturbed imagination still continued to raise
up ideal aparitions, but at night when bed time
came on, I implored ſervently the aid of that Su-
preme Being, who is the defender and support of
all us miserable mortals, from which I felt relieved.
I tied a handkerchief round my eyes, went to bed

135
and enjoyed as comfortable a nigit’s rest as ever I
experienced, after which I enjoyed a calm scrºny:
for the describing of which words are here denied
me, and for which my kind and candid readers
will I hope excuse me. Suffice it to say that I
turned into work for Mr. Ellison and made him a
compensation for the trouble he had been at with
ºne. -
After recompensing Mr. Ellison with my labor:
for his trouble with me, Mr. James Parker asked
me to finish a weſ, which had been begun by
Trainer, who refused giving it up, but Mr. Parker
told him that he would not employ him any longer,
as he considered him atroublesome inattentive man,
upon which Trainer gave up the well. Accord-
ingly I commenced digging at a dollar per day-
I had not worked long at this well when I was vi-
sited by Prothroe, requesting me to fulfill the con-
tents of an indenture which he said he held against
me. I will here beg leave to trespass a little on the
reader's patience, in order to be particular in deve-
loping fully the character of this nefarious swindler.
The reader must recollect reading in one of the
preceding pages of my signing a blank paper at the
request of Prothroe, which blank he filled up with
an indenture binding me as a servant to him for
three months, witnessed by some of his comrades
of equal honesty with himself. On his producing
this indenture I was astonished, and thinking there
was no alternative quitted my well and commenced
working for him. However taking into conside-
ration that he acquired this instrument of writing
unlawfully, I consulted some of my friends, who
advised me to compromise the matter with him,
which I did after paying him four pounds ten shil.
lings in merchandise. And now I call that Being
to witness, who is and will be the eventual judge
of all things, that I never directly nor indirectly,

| 136
owed this Prothroe one cent in my life. I then re.
turned to Mr. Parker's, where I had not worked
long before I got ready for a blast, when throwin
down the fire twice, and the shot not going off, ;
went down to prime afresh, but was not careful
in scraping the coals away, and eaving some tow
round the touch hole, which occasioned the pri.
ining to catch. The blast went off with about
three quarters of a pound of powder in my hand,
which consequently left meſor dead in the bottom
ºf the well, but shortly recovering and the neigh-
bours assembling who hauled me up, and after
getting bled and drinking a little spirits and water,
felt tolerably well recovered, and in the course of
eight days after went to work; though feeling ra.
ther disagreeable, being both burnt and lame; how-
ever I soon accomplished the well and for which I
was well paid.
I then with some of my companions repaired to
Wood's tavern, got groggy, after which was stand-
ing in the street, when a shop boy (Saml. Combs)
threw a handful of lime mortar into my eyes, by
which means notwithstanding every remedy con-
nected with the assistance of doctors was made use
of, I lost my right eye. I applied to the boy’s fa-
ther for assistance, but never received any satisfac-
tion. However by the assistance of some worthy
gentlemen in Lexington, viz. Messrs. James, Wil-
liams and Alexander Parker, John Bradford and
William Leavy, there was a subscription raised
for me, which assisted me much in my then dis-
tressed situation.
Mr. Castleman (tanner) of Woodford county,
came to me, observing that his tan-yard had gone
dry, requesting of me to go with him and prºcure
him water. I accordingly went, but immediately
on my arrival there was taken ill, owing to a cold ſ

[ 137 J
got, which struck into my eyes, but by the medi.
ºnal aid of doctor Ridgely was soon relieved, and
shortly after satisfied Mr. Castleman with water.
I then dug a well for Mr. Symmes near Woodford
court house.
I fell in with a man of the name of Wright,
with whom I agreed to dig wells in partnership.
Going to Woodford court house we first commen-
ced partnership in a drinking frolic, which conti-
nued until our money was all spent, and then ob-
served by the landlord's looks that it was full time
to decamp.
Fortunately a gentleman of the name of Sharp
coming to the house, invited us home, where we
were treated very politely. Leaving there we
started for Frankfort but my being taken with my
old complaint (the bottle ſever) occasioned me
quartering under a tree. My comrade proceeded
to the house of a Mr. Reeves, who kindly sent for
me and had me conveyed to an out house prepared
for my reception, where Igot bled and continued for
some days, being extremely well treated. During
my illness my comrade went on to Frankfort. For
Frankfort I started likewise after recovering, but
did not get beyond the cross roads before a Mr.
Samuel made application requesting me to find wa-
ter for him. Here proved a fine opportunity of
proving the infallible doctrine of bletonism, there
being at least one hundred people present, anum-
ber of whom disbelieved the accuracy of said doc-
trine; but I soon opened their eyes to the truth of
it, for laying off three different places which I
marked, and being then carried into the house and
there blindfolded, and then led out the same direc.
tion, I came within six inches of the abovemention.
ed marks three different times without the least va.
riation, which *". proved the infallibility
M. O.
- -

138 j
of bletonism, and caused the astonished crowd to
become proselytes to its doctrine. I then proceeded
to Frankfort, where I laid off a number of wells, and
being called on by a Daniel Weisiger to judge a
well he had on hand, which I did with my infalli.
ble forked switch and condemned it, but on fur-
ther examination found there was water to be got
in his garden, and offered to dig him a well for
forty dollars, which he refused, though since ac-
knowledged to me that he wished he had embraced
my offer. I then returned to Lexington. My fame
as a well digger being established so thoroughly,
that applications were coming to me every day from
every part of the country, which encouragement
induced me entering on a scene of intemperance,
dissipation and extravagance, the consequence of
which was, going deeply in debt in Lexington,
particularly to Mr. Hugh M'Ilvain, merchant in
said town, to whom I soon owed 100 dollars. It
may perhaps be entertaining to the reader to know
how I contracted part of this debt, which is as
follows: One court day in particular, getting a lit-
tle as usual about half seas over, and dashing thro'
and fro among the crowd, I happened to meet
with an old woman and her daughter, informing
them I had been a widower nine years, and my
attachment always being great for women, I pro-
mised them considerable presents provided the
young one would grant me certain favours, to which
she agreed. I accordingly carried then to the
store, where the young one first supplied herself
with a handsome gownd pattern, and immediately
slipped out the door; after which the old one re-
ceived her fee, observing me talking to the store-
keeper, she took the advantage and stepped out at
the blind side of me, leaving me as usual in the
ºrch.

D 139 |
During the summer I made my home at a cer-
tain Mr. Kelley’s a brother well-digger, conveni-
ent to whose house lived a young woman, to whom
I got particularly attached. She being but indif.
ferently clad, I supplied her with genteel apparel,
and likewise paid a doctor for attending her during
a severe fit of sickness, after recovering from which
she married and left measusual like the done over
tailor.
I was sent for by Mr. Elisha Winter living on
Tates creek, whom I assisted to dig a mill race,
and for which I was well paid. After that being
sent for by a Mr. Anderson, who had a large cave
on his land and was desirous of ascertaining whe-
ther or not there was water in it. I told him there
was, but he wished to have it ascertained by some
one going down. A number being present, they
all refused the disagreeable undertaking; however
for the honor of bletonism, I resolved on ventu-
ring down. Immediately ropes and every neces.
sary apparatus were prepared and then I made my
gloomy exit; at the termination of my career I
found what I was certain of before, a fine body of
water, a bottle of which I brought up to satisfy
the credulous expectants of my resurrection and
doctrine-true I was much bruised in body and
limbs, all of which I was willing to bear for the
honour above mentioned.
I then commenced well-digging for a certain
Joel Hill, in part payment for which I agreed to take
a wool hat, which I accordingly did, from a hatter,
Mr. Hill sending his son with me when I got it.
But Mr. Hill neglecting to pay or rather would
not pay for it, consequently it fell as usual upon
Jonas. I then started and came to a Mr. Red.
man's tavern, where I took a good joram. I then
Proceeded on to Mr. Hubbard Taylor's, living in
[ 140
Clarke county, for whom I dug a well and for
which he honourably paid me. I then went on to
Strode's station, where I spent all my money.
At Strode's station I met a soldier who was
amongst those who took me prisoner, and whom
I treated kindly, as he was in part the means of my
continuing in a land of liberty. Taking up goods
in Cock and Lytle's store, to the amount of eigh.
teen pounds, I jogged on with them to Clarke
court house, and there commenced a roaring fro-
lic, with a set of as jovial fellows as ever sat over
a half pint of whiskey, amongst whom was a jolly
Irishman, who cut as many didos as I could for
the life of me; consequently he and I became the
butts of the company, and at length began to wres.
tle, he being booted and spirred, and being like-
wise dexterous at the fun, had greatly the advan-
tage of me, who had no shield against his steel but
a thin pair of trowsers, and nothing to oppose his
dexterity but strength; however by repeating
our wrestling, I gained some knowledge of the
art, and ultimately got the better of my old Hiber-
nian, though not before I had my legs properly in-
dented with his steel gaffs; the only recompence
I could make for which, was to lay him on his
back in the fire to dry as it were. Here I exchan-
ged all my goods for whiskey; then turned to job-
bing about the town, and shewing Mr Baker, the
proprietor of the land a number of places where
water may be found. He kept me there a consi-
derable time, endeavouring all in his power to ac-
quire of me some knowledge of bletonism, after
which he sent me off without either fee or reward.
I now started for Lexington, frolicking as usual,
and took up goods in Thomas Hart's store, to the
amount of four pounds eight shillings. I put up
at Gabriel Poindexter'stavern, still continuing my

















D 141 ||
intemperance until stopped in my career by a severe
fit of sickness, in which I lay suspended between
life and death for some considerable time, and were
it not for the skill and kind attention of doctor
Ridgley, would never have recovered, it being full
two months before I was capable of doing a stroke
of work. My first job after recovering was to wall
a well for Mr. Wood, and by working for some
time up to my middle in water, I unfortunately
contracted a cold, which settled in my eyes, by
which I became totally blind, but was restored to
sight again by that humane and skillful physician,
doctor Ridgley.
I now began to take a retrospect of my past life,
considering maturely the sums of money and the
precious time which I had mispent ; therefore re-
solved with the assistance of Divine Providence to
amend my conduct, and be circumspect in my fu-
ture deportment; as a prelude to which I com-
menced bar-keeping for my landlord, Gabl. Poin-
dexter, during the continuance of which no soli-
citations whatever could induce me to violate the
bounds of sobriety. -
In 1795 I commenced partnership in the stone-
quarrying and lime-burning business, with a Mr.
John Cock, and continued with him until the sea-
son for well-digging came on, which was the means
ºf my partly paying off my debts; for in this same
John Cock I found a father, friend and partner, a
good citizen and an honest man. After the con-
clusion of my partnership I commenced well-dig-
sing and dug nineteen that season, besides three
more which I dug for captain John Fowler, quar-
ried stone and walled them in. In quarrying this
stone I had the misfortune to be blown again ; for
whilst I was ramming, the blast went off, blew the
hammer out of one hind and the rammer out of the



[ 142
other to a considerable distance, however I came
off unhurt, a few scattering splinters excepted.
The winter commencing I gave up well-digging
for the season, and shortly after got acquainted with
a young woman by the name of Susanna Bell, (i.
ving in colonel Patterson's family) and to whom I
was married by the Rev. Harry Toulmin. The
spring following I purchased two lots of James
Johnson, on one of which I built myself a new log
house, into which I moved and in the course of the
summer rented a quarry from John M'Connel, and
then carried on stone quarrying and lime burning
very extensively. I shortly after engaged with
captain Fowler to go to Bank lick to dig for
salt water, under the superintendance of captain
Alexander, and during my absence on the 11th
day of October, had a son born, whom I called
Henry Robert Shaw. I continued at the Bank
lick until driven away by a storm.
The year following, 1797, I engaged again
with captain Fowler to go to the Bank lick, and
was to start on the first of August. I thought it
best to move my family also, and accordingly sold
my house and lot, and at an under price. But
when the time approached that we were to depart
captain Fowler, to my loss, was elected a member
to congress, which entirely defeated my plan, which
occasioned me being under the necessity of renting
a house for myself and family. I was at this time
under the necessity of contracting an unavoidable
debt, which was utterly out of my power to pay
immediately. One of my creditors came to me
and observed that a pretended friend of mine advi-
sed him to sue me. This with some other crosses
began to make me very eneasy, but my distresses
reaching the ears of captain Fowler, he immediately
came to town and desired me to bring him

[ 143 |
count of the different debts which I owed : accord-
ingly I did, and he became responsible for them
all. Here I cannot help digressing from the thread
of my narrative to introduce an apostrophe of gra-
titude to that kind, that generous, and to me that
incomparable friend; but panegyric must be
thrown away on him; because his virtues as a man,
as a citizen, and to sum up the whole, as an enlight-
ened and disinterested patriot, are so universally
known. Colonel Patterson observing likewise the
distressed situation of myself and family, humanely
gave me a house to live in rent free, with as much
fuel as I could consume, for which I shall ever re-
tain a grateful sense.
On the 11th day of April 1798 I had a daughter
born to me, whom I called Nancy Robert Shaw.
At the same time I entered into partnership with
colonel Patterson, in the stone quarrying and lime
burning business, and likewise leased two acres of
land from him, for six years, at forty shillings per
car.
y On the 12th day of October 1799, of glorious
memory, I had a son born, whom I called John
Robert Shaw, a chip of the old block; and with
this pleasing intelligence, to you reader, I shall
close this interesting chapter.
CHAP. X.
The author moves to Shelby county, and back again
to Lexington—leases a lot and quarry–prospers
in the world—goes to Knob-lick to dig for sal:
water—is blown up again—is conveyed to Lex.
ington in a deplorable situation—a poetic adver.
tisement—an account of the different wells (pro-
prietors names and depth in feet) which the au.
thor dug–blown up for the fourth time—doctor
Fishback's letter to Mr. Bradford–spiritual
convictions—address to youth, &c. &c. &c.
I purchased a piece of land in Shelby county, in
order to commence farming—accordingly built
myself a house and moved there. I was led to be.
lieve that I should meet with good encourageme
in my line of business in Shelby county, but I soon
finished all that was to be done, and often wished
myself back delving away in my old quarry again.
Getting tired, I sold my land and moved to near
Shelbyville, on a farm belonging to colonel Lynch,
who promised me continual employment, but in
the course of seven weeks I finished all the work he
had for me, and likewise all that was to be done in
Shelbyville.
In 1801, on January the 18th, I had a son born,
whom I called Wm. Robert Shaw ; and in the fall
following I returned to Lexington, with a firm de-
termination never to move from it again. I now
rented a house of major Morrison, at twenty pounds
per annum; and shortly after engaged with Messrs.
-














145 ||
jordan, Wilkins, & Co. to try for salt water in the
Hanging Fork of Dick's river, but without success.
I now considered that the rent I was paying was
rather more than I could well afford in my present
circumstances, I therefore provided myself with a
house of lower rent; major Morrison generously
demanding no more of me, than was lawfully due
for the time I continued in his house. Shortly af.
er I went to dig a well eight miles from town, where
unfortunately was seized with the sciate, which
continued on me ten months. It was about this
time that I leased a lot from Mr. Thomas Bodley,
(the most fortunate day’s work I ever done) upon
conditions of making certain improvements, all of
which I accomplished the first year. Mr. Bodley
likewise allowed me to open a quarry, convenient
to where I leased, paying six pence per perch for all
the stone I quarried.
I now commenced stone quarrying without one
shilling in my pocket, but the jade fortune that so
often smiled as well as frowned on me, did not de-
sert me in my present exigency; for three gentle-
men, viz. Messrs. Archibald Logan, James Rose,
and Christopher Smedley, stepped forward and
rendered me every essential service which I stood
in immediate need of services which shall never
be forgotten whilst John Robert Shaw continues to
breathe the vital air. I now drove on my business
with encouragement and good success, my oldest
son assisting me as much as his tender age would
admit of, and by assiduity and industry was short-
ly able to hire as many hands as I wanted, and al-
so to purchase a couple of pair of oxen, a cart and
a waggon ; and to crown all my good fortune, was
blessed with another son, whom I called James
Robert Shaw.
A contract being entered into between Messrs.
N
[ 146

Jordan, Wilkins, & Co. with Messrs. Wilson,
Ball, & Co. for liberty to dig for salt water, at a
place known by the name of the Knob-lick, for
which purpose the gentlemen thought proper to
employme, whereafter working through different
substances strongly impregnated with salt I had the
misfortune to be again blown up. Mr. Young,
superintender of the well, hearing the explosion
from a neighbouring house immediately ran to the
well and sent a man down to see what situation
I was in. The man observing my brains running
out cryed out that it was not worth while taking
me from where I was as I was dead. However,
they soon hauled me up—had me conveyed to a
cabin—sent to Danville with all possible speed for
doctor M*Dowell, who dressed my wounds.
I conceive it unnecessary enlarging any further
n my deplorable situation; suffice it to say, that I
lay twelve hours senseless, and in two days after
was conveyed to Lexington. On my way through
Danville was treated with great humanity, which
I shall never forget. On the fourthday I arrived
at my own house, and by the medicinal skill of doc-
tor Fishback and the kind attention of my friends
and neighbours, I continued mending until Christ-
mas day, when I was setting with a few friends, and
conversing on my happy deliverance, was instantly
seized with a pain in my righteye, which occasion-
cd me the most excruciating torment, connected
with a very high ſever, which induced doctor Fish-
back to bleed me sixteen times in ten hours. In
this distressed situation I remained five days when
my eye burst and immediately the pain left me.-
This unhappy misfortune kept me from work for
three months and five days, but during said time
my kind and generous employers allowed me half
pay, for which I hope the recompenser of all good.
[ 147 |
will pay them in full. As soon as I º º tº do.
business, my employers sent ºne to the well to su-
perintend the business. But Mr. Young being
there and ordering the boring in a manner which I
told him would not do, and which after some per-
severance he found to be true. -
Mr. Young is avery clever man, but knows no-
thing about well digging. I left the Knob-lick
again, and came home to Lexington, where in ºr.
der to attract public attention, I gave the following
lines publicity :
HERE GOES THE OLD TRADE OF BASKET
MAKING.
I'll join my hand unto the spade,
When on the rock the sledge is ſaid:
I’ll hoist away and make a smell,
And that's the way to dig a well.
John R. Shaw, who now intends,
To blow up rocks and dig in weis,
Can water find by the new art;
So well the fresh, so well the salt.
Since conjurers became so wise,
In telling where salt water lies,











148
I hope I shall not be forsook,
I’ve try’d the art of Mr. Cook.
And to my friends I do declare,
A witch I never was before :
Before my master doth get rich,
Come unto me the art I’ll teach.
No stipend of my friends I’ll take,
I'll teach you all for friendship's sake;
All you that wish to dig salt wells,
May easily know that Shaw excells.
–º º ºr
ANOTHER.
In Lexington my friends may find,
Me working at my trade;
In raising stone to suit your mind,
And digging with my spade.
All you that have my stone received,
And find them not to suit,
I'll haul the of als back again,
And send a fresh recruit.
I can dig wells, you all well know,
Good water I can find ;
In spite of patent laws I’ll shew,
For naught I will be kind,
Great contention long hath been,
Who can good water find,
But I’ll insure, altho' unseen,
For all I am half blind.
[ 149
Good lime I always have on hand,
Supplied you all can be :
However great be your demand,
Come friends, come unto me.
In all the branches of my trade,
So punctual I will be,
It never shall by one be said,
John Shaw has cheated me.
AS I am drawing towards the close of my nar-
rative, I shall here insert the number of wells which
I dug in the state of Kentucky, which must be a
convincing proofto my fellow citizens, that I have
not been an idle performer on the grand theatre of
life. The depth of said wells in feet, and the pro-
prietor's names, are likewise inserted as follows:
AWºmes. Fear.
James Parker, (Hexington) - - 13
Ditto Ditto - II.
John Bradford, - - - 9.
Andrew Holmes, - -
William West, - - - - - - 4.
John R. Shaw, - - - - 5
Ditto - - - - 17
William Allen, - - - - 8.
George Adams, - - - 9
John *... - - - - 13
Andrew Holmes, - - - 14.
James Trotter, - | - - 11
A public well, - - - 14.
John Mºſair, - - - 5
Messrs. Morton & Beaty, - - 15
Benj. Stout, - - - 14
Messrs. W hitney & Mansill, - 14.
N 2.
__






E 150 |
John Postlethwait, - -
Ditto . - -
Ditto - - -
A. M*Ilvain, - - -
Mr. Parish, - - - -
Mr. M'Gowan, - - .
Mr. Coansi, - - -
Samuel R. Barr, - -
George A. Weber, - -
Robert Patterson, - -
Ditto - - -
John Ellison, 2 - - -
John Stillfield, 2 - -
John M'Bain, - - -
John Smith, - - -
Edward West, - -
Robert Campbell, - -
Robert M'Cormic, - - -
Martin Hoagland, - - -
Nicholas Bright, - -
Andrew Hare, - -
John Fowler, - -
Ditto - - -
John Cock, - - -
Thomas Theobald, - -
Andrew M'Calla, - -
Ebenezer Platt, - - -
Mr. Crawford, - - -
Michael Raber, 2 - - -
John Sprinkle, - -
John Thompson, * *
Mann Satterwhite, 2 - -
Doctor Ridgley, - -
Col. Hart, 2 - - -
Peter January, sen. - - - -
For the seminary, - - -
Mr. Bosworth, - -

D 151 ||
Samuel Boyd, (Fayette) -
1)itto Ditto -
John Higby, - -
E. Haden, (Jessamine) -
J. Wood, - - -
C. Wilkins, 2 -
Wm. Young, - -
Mr. Ferguson, - -
Thomas Reed, (Woodford)
Philip Thurman, 2 -
James Wallace, (Fayette) -
John Kennedy, - -
Hugh M*Ilvain, -
Robert Holmes, (Lexington)
Maj. Henry Scott, - -
Ditto 2 - -
Mr. Long, (Fayette) -
Mr. M'Cann -
John Dyer, (Fayette) -
John Jameson, 2, -
Lewis Castleman, (Woodford)
Josiah Mosely -
John Sellars, -
Mr. Sims, - -
Joseph McLain, -
Mr. Sims, - -
Joel Hill, (Madison) -
Ditto ditto -
Hubbard Taylor, (Clark)
George Taylor, (Bason) -
John Bucknor, -
John Gordon, (Fayette) -
John Fowler, 5 - -
Jesse Guthrie, (Lexington)
Mr. Young, - -
State-House, (Frankfort)
Major Love, -
| 152 |
Henry Ferguson, - -
George Heytel, (Lexington)
Nancarrow, & co. (Shelby) -
Ditto ditto -
Major Morrison, & co. -
Widow Parker, - -
Adam Keyser, 2 (Bason) -
David Stout, - -
Mr. Morton, -
Gwinn R. Tompkins, (Fayette)
Col. Lynch 2, (Shelby) -
Adam Stout 2, -
Mr. Shipman, - -
A public well in Shelbyville,
George Hansbrough, -
M. Flournoy, - -
Rice Smith, - - -
Wm. Merriwether, -
John Reed, (Shelby) -
John Shipman, - -
Doctor R. Henry, (burnt house)
Wm. Harris, (Shelby) -
Mr. Smith, (Bason) -
Jesse Spears, - -
B. Roberts, (Bason) -
James Rose, (Lexington) -
Margaret Wood, -
Thomas Bodley, - -
D. Payne, (Fayette) -
James Wilson, (Lexington) -
John Downing, - -
Henry Clay, - -
A. Logan, - --
Mr. Morris 2, (Jessamine)
David Stout, (Lexington) -
Buckner Thruston,
Thomas Bodley, - -

John Caldwell, - - 33
John Jordan, - * - 2}
Wm Huston, -- - - 24
C. Keizer, -- -- - - 12
Wm. Leavy, -- - - - 12
Black Charless, - - - - 9
Mr. Norton, - - - - I6
John Campbell, (Jéssamine) - - 8
Lewis Saunders, (Lexington) - 17
Col Hart, - - - - 31
Wm. Thompson, - - - - 15
Liby, & Co. - - - - - 41
Anthony Blest, - - - - 23
Andrew Price, - - - - 15
Mr. Yeizer, - - - -- 12
Alexander Parker, - - - Q
Scott and Trotter, - - - 6
Trotter and Cross, - - - 13
Mr. Young, - - - - 2]
John Ficklin, (Jessamine) - - - 22
S. G. Trotter, (Lex.) - - - - 19
Ashton and Shread, - - - 22
Widow M*Nair, - - - - 16
Ditto ditto (Fayette) - - 10
Jn. Brown, (Lexington) - - 15
Mr. Thompson, - - - 16
Turner Morris, (Jessamine) - - 9
William Campbell, (Bason) - 3.
Mason Lodge, (Lexington) - 23
The whole amounting to 177 wells, and 2608
feet, besides a number which I have dug within
these four years, which I have kept no account of:
also quarried 6339 perch of stone and burnt 12750
bushes of lime, and likewise dug and blew three
mill seats and 150 rod of mill race.
The property which I have acquired by the afore






154
said labor is five acres of land adjoining Lexington,
on which is an excellent quarry, which with indus.
try yields me annually a handsome profit. On my of
have made considerable improvements, such as a
dwelling house, spring house, smoke house, wash
house, a stable and waggon house, all of which I
estimate at two thousand dollars, and my lot and
quarry at two thousand dollars more. But in con-
sequence of accumulating said property I have been
equally if not more disabled in battleing with the
rocks than the gallant Nelson has been in battleing
against the enemies of his country, as I have lost
no less than one eye, four fingers, one thumb and
seventoes. But in taking a retrospect of my past
life, it is a pleasing gratification to me that I have
in many instances been useful to mankind in the
line of my profession, and that I have through Pro-
vidence been able to provide for my family with a
handsome prospectoffuturesupport. These con-
nected with the flattering hopes that I possess the
good will of my fellow-citizens, which I shall with
assiduity endeavour to retain, are pleasing sources
of consolation, which will eventually smoothen the
rugged path of my peregrination through this life.
I shall now relate to my readers in the words
of doctor Fishback mythen attending physician, as
delivered by him to Mr. Bradford for publication,
an account of my fourth and last time of having
been blown up when digging a well for Mr. Lewis
Sanders of Lexington —
“Mr. Bradford,
“It may not be uninteresting to your readers,
though distressing to humanity, to º publicity
to one of the most dreadful misfortunes that per-
haps has ever fallen to the lot of any individual-
“John R. Shaw, whose melancholy condition is
the subject of this narrative, is a well-digger and

[ 155 |
stone quarrier by trade, and is not less distinguish-
ed for his honesty, industry and usefulness, than
for his accumulated evils (if such they may be
called) which have pursued him for many years
ast. -
“The 23d of August I was called upon to visit
him, being informed that he had been blown up in
a well for the fourth time. On approaching his
mangled body, it presented a spectacle unparallelled
by any thing which I have seen or known in
the annals of man. The skull was fractured
upon the frontal bone, a little to the right of its
middle and just below the edge of the hair. In
consequence of a very considerable depression, it
became necessary to trepan the part, by which a
great number of small pieces of bone were taken
out, and the depression entirely removed. The
bone forming the wall of the external corner of the
left eye was likewise broken, which was also remov.
2.
ed. His right shin bone was very much shattered,
the left arm was fractured in one place with the loss
of two fingers and the rest very much bruised, his
right arm broke in two places, one just above the
wristand the other at the elbow, with a considerable
injury of the hand, the skin upon the breast, and sto-
mach was very much bruised and cut, from which
I inferred he was leaning nearly over the blast; his
mouth, nose, skin of the face, eyes and head were
exceedingly wounded. Having several years before
lost the use of his right eye, but little hopes now
remained, should he recover, of his ever enjoying
the advantage of sight again, as the surface of the
remaining eye ball was considerably bruised and
torn by a number of small pieces of stone. In ad-
dition to the above, his face was enormously swell-
ed and covered with blood, gun powder and dirt,
so that it was utterly impossible to recognize the
[ 156 ).
lineaments of John Robert Shaw. The impres.
sion produced on my mind, from seeing his
body lacerated in every part, is easier to be con.
ceived than described. It may perhaps astonish
the medical world, to be informed that the use of
the lancet was at no time necessary, nor was he at
all delerious after recovering from the first shock.
It may not be improper to observe that ultimately
the wounds healed in the most friendly manner.”
“JAs. FISHBACK.”
Here reader, picture to yourself my pitiable situ.
ation: a wife with a numerous progeny around my
bed, bemoaning my sad condition, whose cries and
situation occasioned more anguish to my heart
than my excruciating torture, did that of pain to
my feeling. But cannot injustice restrain my pen
from observing that the unremitting skillful and
assiduous attention of my surgeons, doctors Fish-
back, Dudley and Warfield, connected with the
generous contributions of my neighbours were an
innate sourse of satisfaction to me, and a great
means of alleviating those acute sensations which
I then laboured under and which at this side of eter-
nity, shall never be erased from my grateful bosom.
It may not perhaps be uninteresting to my read-
ers, to hear of the different flashings of spiritual con-
viction which at different times pervaded my bo-
som, during the career of those vicissitudes which
I have given them a detail of.-Having had calls.
intimations and warnings at various times of my
unhappy and depraved situation, by sights, dreams,
goadings of conscience and otherwise afflicted, in
order to draw me from the vortex of vice, into
which I was immerged. But all proved ineffec-
tual, until I arrived at Mr. Culbertson's (a cove-
manting minister in Pennsylvania) in whose house



















-
----
-~♥~
- ----
！~~~
. .|-
№
Thedeplorablesituation of JOHN R. SHAW, late Well.
Digger of Lexington, surrounded by his Friends and dis-
tressed Family—23d August, 1806.
©
|--
-
|- |-
- -----
|- - |-
|-
|-









[ 157 |
prayer was regularly attended to morning and even-
ing, and where something innately foretold me
that the day of grace was not yet past, which indu.
ced me to form a resolution of reforming and lead-
ing a better life and to become if possible a new
mºn. But alas! transient was the resolve, for ſal-
ling in company with some of my old associates.
Irelapsed again and pursued as usual the broad road
to destruction. In this course I continued for
some years, until at length I was awakened to a
sense of my wretchedness by one of the Lord’s
wonderful works. Being walking in Lexington
within a few steps of a friend’s house, there came
up a violent thunder storm, the lightning from
which struck a scaffold pole within a few yards of
me. From the sudden impulse of the moment, I
dropped on my knees, on which I did not long con-
tinue, but jumped up and went into the house,
where I found the house-keeper and children al-
most dead from the effects of the ligtning: the
neighbours were immediately alarmed, and flock-
ed to the house, where prayer meeting was held, at
which conviction again flashed me in the face; but
pitiable to relate, equally as transient as the former.
I continued two years in my unregenerated career,
and until 1 received the calls at Mr. Lamb's on
Clear creek, the particulars of which, with the
succeeding result, have detailed in full in the pre-
ceding pages. During my residence in Shelby
county (K) the old serpent had got such a hold of
me that determined neveragain going to meeting,
strongly impressed with the idea that all this tumb-
ling, falling down and screaming was nothing but
hypocricy and deception; therefore thought it un-
necessary attending religious societies, but wait for
the Lord's working his own cure on me as he
thought proper. During the impression of these
O




sº
ºptions, I was digging a well for a Mr. Spears.-
On Saturday he and family were preparing to go
to meeting, (they being methodists) and requested
ºf nº very strenuously to go with them, observing
that probably the Lord might that day regenerateme
anew, and open my eyes to a clear sense of convic.
tion. Accordingly I wºt, where during sermon
ifelt truly uneasy and dejected, using every endea.
vour to pray and exhorting the Łord to have mercy
on my soul. The congregation dismissed and ap-
pointed to assemble again at the meeting house by
candle light. When night came on I repaired to
the meeting house and took my seat in a corner,
where I had not been long before I felt such feelings
as I never before experienced. Itrembled, shook
and after some time endeavoured to rise and go to
the window for fresh air, but I should certainly
have fallen had it not been for the assistance of two
men that helped me. The distressing appearance
I made was awful, for I never in all my life suffer-
ed so much innate anguish. I left the meeting at
two o'clock in the morning, went home and lay
down, in order get some rest, but the goadings of
my conscience kept rest from me and caused me
to lie in a state of unutterable anguish, which in-
duced me forming the resolution of taking neither
rest nor refreshment until my soul felt tranquil in
embracing the Lord Jesus Christ.
The next day being Sunday, the meeting was
held at the stand in the woods, where there was col-
lected a vast concourse of people of different tenets
and denominations, where Mr. M'Henry spoke
from the following words:
** Let us hear the conclusion of the whole mat-
ter. Fear God and keep his commandments; for
this is the whole duty of man”—ºccle. xii, 13.
After he had spºken some time, a deep horror





169 |
struck me. I thought the Devil wanted to drag
ºne from amongst the crowd, which occasioned me
to start through them, and never stopped until I
reached home, where I threw myself on the bed,
my mind being wrought up to the highest pitch of
ºurbation and anxiety. My wiſe observing my
deplorable situation, advised me to go back again
to the meeting, which I did ; and the first man I
met was Wm. Tandy, an old brother toper of
mine who was equally afflicted with myself.
Night coming on, and praying and preaching
continuing, people of all ages, sexes, colours and
conditions, began to fall, until there were at least
from eighty to one hundred on the ground togeth-
er. This worked strongly on my mind, and gave
a pleasing ray of hope, which occasioned me
to feel exceedingly rejoiced at the pleasing pros-
pect of living for the future as a new man, and
treading, if possible, the paths of the righteous.
I now joined the Methodists, whose religious
tenets always corroborated with my own; and now
it pleased the Lord to raise my drooping spirits,
and to lead me on, as I thought then, in the unde-
viating path to the new Jerusalem. But alas !
Religious controversies began to disseminate in
this the dawning of my spiritual salvation, which
caused the back-sliding of a number, with myself,
whose spiritual experience was not more perma-
nently stable. May those polemic disturbers, be
struck with a thorough sense of the multiplied
mischiefs they occasion; and likewise may they
be susceptible, that whilst they continue acrimo-
nious, metaphysical controversialists, they never
ºn accomplish the end designed by the Parent of
Christianity, whose persuasive argumentation is a
compilation of meekness and humiliation, the ge.
nuine characteristic of the real Christian. And fi-





















160
maky to conclude, I shall recommend to those con-
troversialists, – for every one of them frequently
to lay his hand upon his heart, and consider what
he is doing. It will have this good tendency-
that it will check him in all the idle, or what is
worse, the vicious pursuits of life. It will lift up
his mind when it is running on in a series of indif.
ferent actions, and encourage him when he is en-
gaged in those which are virtuous and laudable.
In a word, it will very much alleviate that guilt,
which the best of men have reason to acknowledge
in their daily confession, of “ leaving undone those
things which they ought to have done, and doing
those things which they ought not to have done.”
I will now take leave of my candid reader, if
any reader should have patience to accompany me
so far; by endeavouring to warn those who are
entering into life (and to them my admonitions are
chiefly addressed) against those follies and various
vices, which are laid down in the preceding pages,
and which the author was (through the various vi.
cissitudes of life which he experienced, unavoida-
bly, or rather intuitively) led into, from the strong
propensity of his nature, to that depravity which is
always iudigenous to us frail mortals.
Through all the career of my folly, vice and in-
temperance, I made it a point never to lose sight
of industry; from which source I now derive my
present advantages in pecuniary concerns; with
the pleasing prospect of an ample support for my-
self and family, during the residue of my declining
years. Therefore shall begin with recommending
industry to my youthful readers, which is the law
of our being; it is the demand of nature, of rea-
son and of God. Remembering always, that the
years which now pass over our heads, leave per-
manent memorials behind them. From our



















| 161 ;
thoughtless minds they may escape; but they re-
main in the remembrance of God. They form
an important part of the register of ...Our lives.
They will hereafter bear testimony, either for or
against us, at that day, when, for all our actions,
but particularly for the employments of youth, we
must give an account to God. Whether our ſu-
ture course is destined to be long or short, after
this manner it should commence, and, if it conti-
nue to be thus conducted, its conclusion, at what
time socyer it arrives, will not be inglorious or un-
happy. - - -
The tenor of the moral admonition, which I
would wish to urge, is, for youth to labour inces-
santly in overcoming the natural propensity of hu-
man nature to evil; to aim at perfection, though
he knows he cannot reach it; to aim at it, because
he will thus approach much nearer to it, than if
he gave up the pursuit in the timidity of indolence:
to have courage enough to withstand ridicule, the
weapon of the wicked, in their subtil attacks upon
virtue; to beware of the refinements of sophistry,
and to be humble enough to learn his duty, both
to God and man to beware also of the seducing
influence of fashionable vice; of those unfortunate
persons, who, from a want of education, or from
foolish pride, live without God in the world, and
on whom, addresses of a serious kind, are for the
most part, useless, as that pride, self conceit, and
self importance, which leads them to adopt with
ostentation, the tenets of infidelity, and the prac.
tices of immorality, usually renders them deaf and
blind to all representations, come from whatsource
they may. It appears to me, to be one of the
most importantº in forming our religious
principles and ideas, not fully to depend on our
own reason; to distrust the accutest understand-
o 2

I 162
ing; to be really humble; to reverence the opini-
ons received by our forefathers; to remember the
shortness of life, the imbecility of human nature,
and to accept with pious hope, rather than with
disputatious curiosity, the comfortable doctrines
and promises of the received Revelation. It will
be a great inducement to this prime virtue of hu-
mility, to reflect on the diseases and pains, both of
body and mind, incident to our nature; on theter-
rible degeneracy into which we may fall when de-
serted by the grace of God; and, at the same time,
on the consolation and improvement of heart which
may be, and is derived, under every calamity, and
on the bed of death, from sincere devotion; to
pray for faith, when doubts arise ; to beware of
that weak and wicked vanity which instigates the
Deistical and sceptical pretenders to superior pow-
ers of reasoning, to write and publish their sophis-
tical and presumptuous tenets on revealed religion.
I am happy in the opportunity of adding my tes:
timony, inconsiderable as it may be esteemed,
that all plans of conduct, and prospects of happi-
ness independent of these virtues, must terminate
in vanity and vexation, and that these shall supply
a perrennian fountain of such consolation, as the
world can neither give nor take away. -
It is impossible to recapitulate all the variety of
suggestions which have preceded, or to make any
great addition to them in the limits of this short adº
monition ; neither was it my original intention.-
It is sufficient that a few of the most important
points are touched upon in the conclusion ºf this
narrative, with a view to leave a due impression on
the mind of the reader, who may be induced for
want of something better, to bestow an idle hour
on its perusal. And now I wish to observe that in

E 163
whatever I have now said in the style of direction
and advice, I meant only to offer, not to obtrude:
to submit, and not to dictate.
- JOHN R. S.H.A.W.

-º-º-º-º:
Joshua Wilson
Subscribers’ Names.
---
Willian Dunlap
David Williamson
Ely Rosell
Bledsoe Wright
Thomas C. Thompson
Thomas Boaze
Samuel Price ir.
Samuel Downing
John Fisher
Phil. Thomas
William Smith
Thomas Sthreshly
D. MºMair
John W. Honey
Thomas Chamberlin
Ebenezer Farrow
Patterson Bain
John Brand
Francis M*Mordie
Thomas Stevenson
Thomas Railey jr.
Anthony B. Shelby
Thomas Irwin
William Todd
E. Warfield
William Allen
Alexander Patrick
Mathew H. Jouitt.
William T. Banton
* ExING TO Nº.
Robert Bradley
J. P. Wagnon
Charles Wicklife
William West -
John Downing
Gabriel Lewis
John Postkethwait
Nat. G. S. Hart 3
John L. Martin
George Russell
Ab. S. Barton
Elias Barcroft
Robert R. Hall
David Todd
Lloyd Posey
A. Le Grand
C. Kieser
Geo. M. Bibb
David M. Sharpe
C. Govett
L. Castleman jr.
J. Starkey
David Maccoun
William T. Barry
Thomas M. Gist
John H. Morton
H. M*Ilvain
John J. Crittenden



[.
165 I
James Hickman
Solomon Slaback
C. Wilson
Joseph H. Hervey
Edward How
Nathaniel Morrison
Thºmas Hatton
John Cook
D. Dodge
John Whaley
William Huston
John Leiby.
Thomas M. Prentiss
C. Coyle
Will. Morton
Robert Frazer
John Johnston
John F. Bełł
Alexander Frazer
J. Hart
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S. Wm. Megowan
J. Boyd
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James Coleman
Peter I. Robert
Isaac Yarnell & co.
Richard Monks
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W. Warfield
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John Ogilby
James Condon
John Kieser
Mathew Kennedy
Allen Davis
Joseph Day
Robert Campbell
B. F. Gore
Robert Bywaters
John Fleming
John H. Hesſer -
William Tyree
John F. Carter 2
Benjamin Dean
William Bobb
T. Dunn
John Arther
John Springle-
John Bobb
Henry Ball.
N. Prentiss
James Coºnoyer-
W. M. Nash
Robert Grinstead
Hiram Shaw
James Montgomery
Joriah Brady
Samuel Biles
Richard Willis
Craven Peyton
Jonathan Smith
David Blackwell
Charles Humphreys
James Bliss
Luke Usher
Benjamin Grimes
William Tod
John Knox
Dudley Gatewood
Benjamin Stout
David Stout
N. Burrowes







[ 167
John Bell
Samuel D. Stout
Francis Lockett
Jabez Vigus
James John
Alexander Parker 4.
Thomas Beettor
James Blythe
Thomas Q. Roberts 2
H. Taylor jr.
Cary Nicholas
John Rigglesworth
Thomas Royle
Thomas T. Barr 12
Daniel Bradford 12
N. S. Prentiss
Edward Prentiss
Peter Paul jr.
William W. Worsley
William Stewart
William Thomson
William Holmes
Samuel M'Chesney
Richard Barry
David Woodruff
Henry Shindelbower
David Irwin
Benjamin MºDaniel
J. MºDaniel
E. Palmer
James Reed
John Frazer
Archibald Campbell
Samuel Smeadºy
Thomas C. Graves
Robert Scott
John Todd jr.
Alexander M. Edmiston
William Scott
Samuel Ayres
David Sutton
Richard Holding
Mathew Elder
Elijah Noble
B. Bosworth
Eng. Yeiser -
Samuel T. Davenport
E. Sharpe
Craven T. Peyton
Benj. Davis
John L. M*Cullough
J. G. Trotter -
Robert Campbell jr.
Robert A. Sturgus
Elijah Oliver
Mathias Shryoch
Samuel F. Watson
John D. Young
John M. Young
S. K. Blythe
James Rose
James Richardson
Robert M’Cormick
Isaac Reid
Reuben Cluff
John Carty
H. Johnson, U.S. Army
Jo. Oliver
Lyndon Comstock
James Morrison
James B. January
Richard Banton
Henri H. H. Robert
Richard Stephens
168 J
New. Crockett
Maddox Fisher
Benjamin W. Dudley
James Fishback.
Caleb B. Wallace
William Hanson
William Gray
William Long
Daniel B. Price
Robert Dudley
A. Montgomery Jr.
A. W. Rollins
Thomas Bodley 2
Joseph Hudson
Charles Wilkins 2
George Mansell
William Henry
H. B. Hawkins
John P. Wagnon Jr.
John Whitney
Benjamin Temple
Warner Hawkins
Norban B. Cooke
James Wier
William Cavin
John W. Ryan
Lewis Sanders
Joseph Hawkins
John May
John H. Lonckart
David F. Todd
George Norton
William Pritchartt
Trotter & Tilford
Moses Cox Jr.
Andrew F. Price
F. Bradford, jr.
William Hart
Robert Macmitt
Henry K. Lewis
Andrew M'Calla 3
Lexington Library
John Steele
John Wrigglesworth 2
Luke Usher
John Harris
Matthew Woods 2
Henry Terrass
Isaac Holmes
Jefferson Boggs
Lilburn Boggs
John M. Boggs
L. Young
James Robert
Lindsay Blanton
Henry Clay
Jeremiah Douglass
Barry & Garreſt
Gabriel Tandy
Thomas January
James Boggs
Thomas J. Dickinson
Samuel Vanpet
John Wyatt
Thomas M'Barney
Mr. Blanchard
Martin Hawkins
Miss New
Miss Parker
Miss Bradford
Aliss Warfield
Miss Blair
Miss Austin
Miss Hughes
-


U 169 |
FA YETTE.
Alexander Willis Jacob Laudeman
William Merridith Benjamin Smith
James Wood
David Worley
John Bostick
William L. Meridith
Fielding Smithey
Benjamin Moore
James Curd
Edward Payne
Jammey Payne
John Smith
G. R. Tompkins
John Bryant
Jonathan Jewel
Matthews Flournoy
James Castarphen
James True Jr.
Absalom Bainbridge
Moses Moore
Simon Laughlin
John Vampelt
George Armstrong
Chesley Tair
E. Tudor
J. Spangler
Josiah Guess
John G. Boyer
John Niehols
Stark Johnson
Thomas Nicholds
Matthew Rule
Thomas Gutar
James Laurence
George Rogers
Benjamin Laughlin
Robert H. M-Nair
Thomas M*Ilroy
James Davis
James M*Connell
John Haggerty
John Bostick
Robert Kay
William M*Connel.
Benjamin Moore
John Gardner
Larkin Price
William W. Sutton
James R. Cooley
William Kenny
James Lindsay
James M*Dowell
Joseph Rogers
William Stone
James Tracy
Adam Winn
John Nolen
John M*Dowell 2
Moses S. Hall
William Roffe
Charles Patrick
Elijah Foley
Ludwell Carey
Edmund Cullin
John Murphy
Richard Downton
Anderson Miller
John Dudley
Henry Payne
John Irwin
[.
170
Whitehead Leonard
John Boyd
B. Gaves
Flijah Grimes
Richard Higgins
Daniel Bryan
Jacob M*Conathy
Jesse Calvert
William Roman
Thomas Hill
James Hamilton
Reuben Hudson
William Gist
John Murphy
William Vaughan
William Steel
F. R A N K FOR T.
Jephthah Dudley
Edmund Hardman
John G. Meaux
J. A. Mitchell
Thomas V. Loofberry
Ezra Richmond
Isaac Scofield
B. Hickman
John Yeatman
James Johnson
Elisha Herndon
William Samuel
William Bryan
B. G. Farrar
W. S. Waller
Langston Bacon
Ambrose Jeffries
Stephen Young
William White
John M. Scott
Nathan Payne
Starke Gilliam
Benjamin Johnson
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John Watts
Robert Simpson
Clement Ferguson
Eliza Blair
Harbin Moore
U.J. Devore
William Higgins
Andrew Armstrong
John I)illard
Josiah Lee
David Steel
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Thomas Hughes
George G. Davis
Walker During
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Spils be Samuel
John Mº Kinley
Thomas Long
Oliver Brown
John Cunningham
Simon Kenton
Thomas Hickman
Ellz. L. James
John Logan
Philip Bush
Mathew Clarke
Mark Hardin
*John Fidson
John D. Richardson
Richard Taylor
John Younger






171 ||
Owen Reiley
Reuben Runyan
Robert Brenham
Paschal Hickman
Samuel Throckmorton
Thomas S. Windgate
Joseph M. Street
Charles Sprowl
John Glover
George Greer
Adam Caldwell
Thomas Tunstall
Achilles Sneed
Mathew Talbot
James S. H. Roberts
Samuel Allison
Thornton A. Posey
Daniel Winter
T. Y. Bryant
Francis Ratliff
Edmund Bacon
Christopher Greenup
Isham Talbot
William Taylor
Charles Springer
R. C. Anderson jr.
William Medcalf
Robinson Graham
Samuel H. T. Young
William Berry
Th. Carneal
John Campbell
F. R. A. N. KL IN.
William Fenwick
James Davis
Archibald Hamilton
James Gale
William Trigg
Lyddell Bacon
Presley Oliver
Francis Graham jr.
Richard M*Graw
Thomas P. Major
William G. Brown
John Rennick
John Jackson
Charles L., Nail
Thompson Blanton
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John Castleman
William L. Cox
John J. Felix
John Price
William Owen
George Madison
Reuben Samuel
Philemon Rowzer.
Rev. Samuel Shannon 2 William Ware
John Bacon
Lewis L. Major
Hugh Innes
Thomas Bryan
John Edwards
Isaac Keller
Samuel Wars .
Philip Taylor
George Smith
William Smither
William Bourne
William Samuel
Webb Haydon
Edmund Vaughan

[.
172 J
Harkin Gatewood
Reuben Samuel
George Jordan
James Blair
Seneca M*Crackin
Paul Faut
William Hubbell
Alexander Macy
Cornelius Fenwick 2
Isaac E. Gano
John Sebree
John Crutchfield
Daniel James
Ambrose White
Hugh Alexander
Edmund Ware
Thomas Major
Thomas Carnea].
Hugh M'Creary
John Lightfoot
Edmund Waller
Robert Russell
William Marshal!
W. E. RSA I L L ES.
C. C. Conway
Jesse Tannehill.
Andrew Ross
Richard Dictum
Simon Smith
Joseph Dictum
Joseph Davidson
William George
John Francisco.
George W. M'Clary
Joseph George
Benjamin Clarke
Isaac Wooldridge
Robert Clarke
Daniel Spangler
Henry Stone
William Gatewood John Mº Kinney
W. O. O. D F O R. D.
Lewis Marshall William Dailey
William Woods James Guthrie
Mathew Gale William Steele
John Guthrie William Herndon
John L. Head
Moses Hawkins
John O'Bannon.
David Castleman
James Bell George Yellott
Richard Fox John Ramsey
Keene O'Hara Francis Allen
John Blanton William Rice
Thomas Bell Samuel Berry
Blanton,
RICHMON ID.
Thomas C. Howard Ben. Milner
|
173 ||
James Talbott
David C. Irvine
H. D. Cock
Michael Wallace
John Chapman
Ezekiel H. Field
Samuel M*Mahan
Thomas I. Stewman
John Grugate
Richard P. Hose
F dward Durbin
William Williams
Joseph Hyatte
Daniel Green
Merel Emery
M*Nemar Adams
Baxter Cooper
Hugh Brown
Higgason Grubbs
Samuel Kelly
James Barnett
Archibald Curie
Alexander Garten
Jacob Patton
Ben. Scrivner
Saschel Cooper
Samuel Turner
John Stevenson
John Boggs
Richard Ransome
Charles Cothern
Robinson Jameson
Will. Hervey
Thomas Crews
Elijah Morin
John Burnam
George Shackleford
William Conden
David King
Andrew Haynes
Adam Noble
George Morris
Joseph Morris
Samuel Logan
M. A. D. ISO N.
Abraham Hammond
Wallis Estill jr.
J. W. Walker
Robert Rhodes
John Reid jr.
William Chinait sen
Lewis Gillespie
Abner Kelly
James Hockerday
Ephraim Wayne
Joshua Quinn
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G. H. Bullard
John Bennett
Jacob Seburn
Schuyler Burnett
William Woods
Samuel Fox sen.
James Hatter
George Humes
William Beele
John White B. H.
Samuel Taylor
John Kelly
Nicholas Hawkins
James Stone
Reuben Hatton


P 2
[ 174 |
Henry White
Thomas White
Elias Simmons
Patrick Woods
Joseph Durbin
James Hendricks
Samuel Campbell
Thomas Ellis
Noble Nash
Stephen Ellis
JESSA MIN E.
- Joseph Crockett
John Wallace
Joseph Roberts
Shadrach Moore
James Lockett
William Hornbuckle
John Thomas
Thomas Bond
A. Mitchell
Humphrey Sparks
James Gough
Dempsey Carnel
James Tomblin
William Ware
James Barnes
William Massie
SCOT. T.
William Clarke
Joseph Delany
John Patrick
Joseph Lynes
Robert Miller
John Wagle
Peter Woods
William Barnett Henry Brooks
Josias Phelps Thomas Dozer
Thomas Cox Elijah Smallwood
Jesse Jones John Durbin
s H E L B. Y.
William W. Cooke Robert Miller
Jacob Castleman William Tool
Giles Smith John Goe
Jesse Lewis
William Adams
James H. Ficklin
Jacob Keller
J. Marrs
Andrew Saygar
Nicholas Lewis
Jacob Smith
John Kirley
Thomas Reynolds
William Henry
Josiah Pitts
Samuel Emison
John Sterrett
Thomas W. Hawkins
James Wood Hawkins
Strother Jones Hawkins
James Johnson




[ 175 ||
BA IRD STOWN.
John Rowan
John Speed
Levi Brashear
P. Quinton.
Robert C. Hall
John M*Mackin
James Coleman
Thomas W. Hynes
Abner Hynes
Peter W. Grayson
I. Yeiser
Jacob Tabler
Benjamin Chapey's
William Watkins
T. C. Brashear
Thomas Roberts.
Andrew Buchanan
Robert Nickeson
Nathaniel Wickliffe
E. S. Thomas
T. B. Reed
Andrew Hynes
John Webb
Samuel Carpenter
Thomas Crutcher
Lewis Quigley
William Crutcher
Charles Morehead
Thomas Headon
T. C. Slaughter
J. D. Strother
D.A. N. V. I. L. L. E.
John Cochran
Thomas Hiter
Robert Culton
Frederick Yeiser
Richard Davenport
George Cowan
Thomas Moseby
John Warren
Benjamin Smith
John Y. Hiter
Isaac Alspaugh
John P. Rasor
James Harlan
William Owens
James Clemens jr.
Michael Hope
Willis Green
Joseph Brewer 12
William Cruthfield
H A R R O IDs B U. R. G. H.
Horace Smith
George Thompson
William Phenego
Harrison Munday
William Hord
Isaac Sutton
George Smith
G. Thompson
JEFF Enson.
Richard P. Banks
Anthony Miller
John T. Gray
John C. Beeler
David L. Ward
Richard Taylor jr.
[ 176
-
M O U N T STER LIN G.
William Chiles 10
N. Hodge
John Mason jr.
William Reid
Henry Coffer
Asa K. Lewis
George Howard
Micajah Harrison
John Young
John Peebels
William Calk jr.
John Smith
James Crawford
Jeremiah Davis
David Trimble
James S. Magowan
John Mills
Archibald M*Ilvain
Joseph Simpson
M O N T G O M. E. R. Y.
Johnston Magowan
James Turley
John Martin
John R. Campbell
William Moore
William Wilson
William Bridges
William Hodge
Thomas Dougherty
Robert Turner
James Dunlap
Gabriel Evans
Henry Bruce
Samuel Kirkpatrick
Samuel M. Taylor
Richard Graham
N. S. Dallam
James Spilman
George Webb
Archibald Bristow
Valentine Crawford
J. Rawlings
Benjamin Mallory
F L E M IN G.
George MºDannold
John Johnson
Daniel Dean
Daniel P. Mosely
Gustavus Elgin
Cuthbert Banks
E. Baker
William Godard
A. C. Ballard
James Mº Kensie
John Lyans
Thomas Scott
David Blue
ci AR kº.
Mathew Thompson
Henry Daniel
John Bailelle
Mordecai Gist
Richard Stevens
John Sudduth
John W. inde
John Pearson
Isaac L. Baker

| 177
H. Taylor
william N. Lane
George Stevenson
James Boyle
John Thompson
Branch Tanner
James Ritchie
W. R. Brasfield
Philip Richardson
W. A 3 H IN C T ON .
William Murphy
John M. Lee
Henry Kenyon
George Morton
Francis Taylor
Charles Ward
John Johnston
Thomas Forman
B. B. Stith
Samuel Baldwin
James Dimmett
William B. Lurtey
A. K. Marshall
William Branurgh
John Chambers
Henry Lee
D. Vertner.
B. Bayles
Ezekiel Forman
William Ford
William Paton 4
Mathew Duncan
David Holt
Oba S. Timberlake
David Hanway
John Carnagy
Michael Litton
James Humphrey
Demovelt Talbott.
Roger Williams
John Wilson
})avid Evans
Marshall Key
James W. Coburn
Walker Reid
Edward Settle
John Howison
Charles Reiley
John Keets
William Parker
William Worthington
Eli Harris
William H. B. Philips
George Corwine
Isaac Beckley
Samuel Smith
Lawson Dobyns
Thomas Sloo
P A RIS.
Jacob A. Lane
James Tillett
William Rogers
Jacob Coyle
Samuel Love
Henry P. Brown
David Clarkson
Josiah Ashurst
Tunstall Cox
Henry Batterton
Archibald Beall

D
178 ||
Josiah Culp
Caleb E. Irvin
George Hopkins
John Waile
George Selden
Samuel G. Mitchel
Philip B. Smoot
Thomas Baker
John Porter
John Steele
Robert Hand
William Scott
William Garrard
Joseph Smith
M ILL E R S B U R G II.
Hugh Duffin
William Mitchell
Isaac Hall
William Holladay
B O U R B O N.
Abraham Jones
Robert Scrogin
Jones & Cummings
H A R R ISO N.
John Kelso
Benson Foxworthy
George Kirkpatrick
W. Moore
Milton Forsythe
Jacob Powers
Charles Hutchinson.
Jacob Kookendorfer
Robert Ellison
Thomas Martin
George Smiser
John Wallace.
| Hugh Newell
Charles Kelso
Charles N. Lewis
George Knox
Jacob Neal
William Morrison
Terrance M'Grath
Edmund Carey
Reuben Fitzgerald
Abraham Goble
Jarret Wall
G R E E N U.P.
Robert Houston
William Kasey
J. Coleman
David Humphreys
William Coleman
Perry Crosthwait
Joel Fraizer
Allen Woods
Thomas Holt
Anthony Thomas
Joseph Walker
Isaac Ruddell
Jacob M. Ham
John Young
Richard Hailey
Thomas Ohaire
Benjamin S. Miller
Nimrod Canterbury
George Smith jr.



| 179 |
RUSSE L V II, L. E .
John Todd
Joseph Ficklin
Willis Morgan
Armistead Morehead
Urbin Ewing
Mathew Lodge
Andrew Caldwell
William W. Thompson
John B. Triuitt
John P. Oldham
Richard Curd
Joseph Hamilton
Wiley I. Barner
Smith Dallam
John Adams
Frederick Wadsworth
John Sharp
William Carson
Robert A. M*Gabe
Spence Curd -
Leonard White
George W. Whitaker
Samuel H. Curd
William W. Whitaker
Thomas G. Granfield
Reuben Ewing
Thomas Rigg
John Howell
John Reed
Samuel Wilson
CHRIST). A N.
James H. M'Laughlin
John Campbell
Robert Coleman
Benjamin P. Campbe
William Ford. -
L IN CO L N.
Langstick MºWay
John Gibson
C A M P B E L L.
Enus Rust
Josiah Brady
PENDI, Eton.
Francis Flournoy
Francis W. Sternes.
H E N R Y -
James Bartlett
Peter Banta
Samuel Nelson
Oliver Hughes
H. E. N. D. E. R. S.O.N.
Samuel G. Hopkins
Nathan Anderson
G. A. L. L. A TI N.
James C. Sneed
George Craig
William Stafford
C. L. A. Y.
Hugh White
James Kincaid
A D A E R -
George Worley
James Tilford

I 180
KNOX Benjamin Chesnut
GA R RARD J. M. MºQuie
GREENE James Galloway
sHEPHERDsville William Pope
H A RT FORD Joseph Dunlap
* A R REN Alexander Adair
CHILLI corn E, (Ohio.)
Thomas Scott Peter Parcels
Thomas S. Hinde George H. Smith
Isaac Evans A. Stephenson
James M*Dougal William Long
Joseph Thompson *Catherine Wood
N. Willis Nancy D. Tiffin
John Edmiston Nathaniel Massie
Oliver Simpson Samuel James
John M*Dougal
c in crº NATI, (Ohio.)
Samuel J. Brown Stephen Gano
Andrew Dunseth William M*Farland
Henry Looker John Nimmo
James H. Looker James Conner
Jacob Broadwell
LEB Anon (Ohio) John M'Lean
Boston (Mass.)
A. F. Giraud, Fr. consul H. Newman jr.
- PHILADELPHIA (Penn.)
John Berryhill William Wiltberger
ºALTi MoRe (Md.) Richard Ridgely
BioUNT county (Ter.) John Lyle, M. D.
Sr., GENEviev (Up: Lou.) Andrew Miller 12
Several Subscription Papers not having been re-
turned, the Author has reason to believe that the names
of a number of Subscribers have been omitted in the pre-
ceding List.
º, ºn Appoºp, Printer,
Lexington, Kentucky.








181
The following additional list of Subscribers has been
received since the work was published.
LAN cast ER, (Penn.)
A. Bausman
Frederick Baker
Jacob Kirk.
Benjamin Grimler
Anthony Albright
Owen Bruner Jun,
Jacob Sharer
George Hoffman
Michael Berger
Mathew Davis
Jacob Duchman
William B. Ross Esq.
John Rohrer Jun.
Samuel Light
John Mayler Jun.
John Buchwalter
John Graul
Reuben Sneather
Henry Buchwalter
George Withers
Frederick Crout
William Barnett Esq.
Philip Ferrie
J. Andrew Shulze
Evan Green
John Bachman
William Ferree
Joel Lightner
William Henderson
John Riddle
Jacob Eichlholtz
Martin Miller
Mathew Irwin
John Jordan
John Bausman
William Bausman Esq.
Benjamin Shuler
Jacob Pickel
Samuel Garber
John Hamilton
John Sleter
Samuel Diller
Henry Carpenter
Christian Herr
Jacob Pennock
George Bressler
Thomas Wallace
James Paight
Henry Saiger
David Barnum
John Mathiot
PHILADELPHIA. M. Cake, No. 106 N. Front st
CHARLEston, (Va.) John Humphreys, 2
WA's Hºrn cºron CITY. R. Elliott.
Baltimore, Jacob Boyer.