USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Charlestown > History of Charlestown, New-Hampshire, the old No. 4 > Part 45
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
Mrs. Johnson and family were taken prisoners together with her sister Miriam, Peter Labaree and Ebenezer Farnsworth, on the 30th of August, 1754, and were carried to Canada. The story of their journey and captivity is one of deep interest and is now familiar to thousands who have read her graphic and exciting narrative. The manner of her capture and the subsequent circumstances of her captivity and sufferings will be best appreciated from her own description of them. But as this
446
JOHNSON.
cannot be inserted on account of its great length, a brief abridgment of the facts and circumstances, as narrated by herself, must be accepted in the place of it.
About the 20th of Aug., 1754, the capture of the Maloon family on the Merrimac River by the Indians became known in Charlestown, and very great excitement prevailed in consequence. Mr. Johnson was ab- sent at the time and Mrs. Johnson and the family were living in their house on the farm, which stood at what is now the north end of the street in the village, and which, being at about the distance of a hun- dred rods from the fort, was in a very exposed situation. It is scarcely a matter that should surprise us, therefore, that her mind should be fill- ed, as she describes it to have been, with the most fearful apprehensions. But her husband soon returned and putting confidence in his courage and ability to protect her, all fears were thereon dismissed.
But although special danger had ceased to be feared it was still no less imminent, for, on the morning of the 30th of Aug., they were sud- denly surprised by a party of eleven Indians and all the family were taken prisoners. The circumstances were these: There had been a so- cial gathering of neighbors at the house the evening previous, who be- ing very agreeably entertained with fine ripe melons and exciting bever- ages prolonged their stay to an unusually late hour. The consequence was that the family on retiring soon fell asleep and would doubtless have continued to sleep until late in the morning had they not been aroused about half way between dawn and sunrise by the loud knocking of Mr. Peter Labaree at the door, who had been engaged by Mr. Johnson for a day's work and had thus early come to commence it. On being awak- ened Mr. Johnson slipped on his jacket and trousers to go and let him in " But" to employ the language of the narrative of Mrs. Johnson, "by opening the door he opened a scene terrible to describe; Indians! In- dians ! were the first words I heard. He sprang to his guns, but Laba- ree, heedless of danger, instead of closing the door to keep them out be- gan to rally our hired man up stairs for not rising earlier. But, in an instant, a crowd of savages, fixed horribly for war, rushed furiously in. I screamed and begged my friends to ask for quarter. By this time they were all over the house; some up stairs ; some hauling my sister (Miriam Willard) out of bed ; another had hold of me, and one was approaching Mr. Johnson, who stood in the middle of the floor to deliv. er himself up. But the Indian supposing that he would make resist- ance and be more than his match went to the door and brought three of his comrades and the four bound him. I was led to the door fainting
447
JOHNSON.
and trembling. There stood my friend Labaree bound. Ebenezer Farnsworth, whom they found up chamber, they were putting in the same situation; and, to complete the shocking scene, my three little children were driven naked to the place where I stood. On viewing myself I found that I too was naked. An Indian had plundered three gowns, who, on seeing my situation, gave me the whole. I asked anoth- er for a petticoat but he refused it. After what little plunder their hur- ry would allow them to get was confusedly bundled up, we were ordered to march. After going about twenty rods we fell behind a rising ground where we halted to pack the things in a better manner. While there a savage went back, as we supposed, to fire the buildings. Farnsworth proposed to my husband to go back with him to get a quantity of pork from the cellar to help us on our journey, but Mr. Johnson prudently replied that by that means the Indians might find the rum and in a fit of intoxication kill us all. The Indian presently returned with marks of fear on his countenance and we were hurried on with violence. Two savages laid hold of each of my arms and hurried me through thorny thickets in a most unmerciful manner. I lost a shoe and suffered ex- ceedingly.
We heard the alarm guns from the fort. This added new speed to the flight of the savages. They were apprehensive that soldiers might be sent for our relief When we had got a mile and a half my faintness obliged me to sit. This being observed by an Indian he drew his knife, as I supposed, to put an end to my existence, but he only cut some band by which my gown was tied and then pushed me on. My little children were crying; my husband and the other two men were bound, and my sister and myself were obliged to make the best of our way with all our might. The loss of my shoe rendered traveling extremely painful. At the distance of three miles there was a general halt. The savages sup- posing that we as well as themselves might have an appetite for break- fast gave us a loaf of bread, some raisins and apples which they had taken from the house. While we were forcing down our scanty break- fast a horse came in sight known to all by the name of Scoggin, be- longing to Phineas Stevens, Esq. One of the Indians attempted to shoot him but was prevented by Mr. Johnson. They then expressed a wish to catch him, saying by pointing to me, for squaw to ride. My husband had been previously unbound to assist the children. He with two Indians caught the horse on the bank of the river. By this time . my legs and feet were covered with blood, which being noticed by Mr. Labaree, he with that humanity which never forsook him, took his own
.
448
JOHNSON.
stockings and presented them to me, and the Indians gave me a pair of moccasins. Bags and blankets were thrown over Scoggin and I mount- ed on the top of them and on we jogged about seven miles to the up- per end of Wilcott's Island. We there halted and prepared to cross the river. Rafts were made of dry timber. Two Indians and Farnsworth crossed first. Labaree, by signs, got permission to swim the horse, and Mr. Johnson was allowed to swim by the raft, that I was on, to push it along. We all arrived safe on the other side of the river about four o'clock in the afternoon. A fire was kindled and some of their stolen kettles were hung over it and filled with porridge. The savages took delight in viewing their spoil, which amounted to forty or fifty pounds in value. They then, with a true savage yell, gave the war-whoop and bade defiance to danger. As our tarry in this place lasted an hour I had time to reflect on our miserable condition. Captives in the power of unmerciful savages, without provision and almost without clothes, in a wilderness where we must sojourn as long as the children of Israel did for aught we knew, and, what added to our distress, not one of our savage masters could understand a word of English.
Here, after being hurried from home with such rapidity, I have leis- ure to inform the reader respecting our Indian masters. They were eleven in number ; all men of middle age except one, a youth of six- teen, who, on our journey discovered a very troublesome disposition. According to their national practice he who first laid hands on a pris- oner considered him his property. My master, who was the one who first took my hand when I sat on the bed, was as clever an Indian, as ever I saw. He even evinced, at numerous times a disposition that showed he was by no means void of compassion. The four who took my husband claimed him as their property. And my sister, three child- ren, Labaree and Farnsworth had each a master. When the time came for us to prepare to march I almost expired at the thought of leaving my aged parents, brothers, sisters and friends and travel with savages through a dismal forest to unknown regions in the alarming situation in which I then was with three small children. The eldest, Sylvanus, was but six years old. My eldest daughter, Susanna, was four, and Polly, the other, two. My sister, Miriam, was fourteen. My husband was barefoot and otherwise thinly clad. His masters had taken his jacket, and nothing but his shirt and trousers remained. My two daughters had nothing on but their shifts, and I only the gown that was handed me by the savages, In addition to the sufferings which arose from my own deplorable condition I could not but feel for my friend Labaree.
449
JOHNSON.
He had left a wife and four small children behind to lament his loss, and to render his situation extremely unhappy. With all these misfor- tunes lying heavily upon me the reader can imagine my situation. The Indians pronounced the dreadful word "munch," march. and on we must go. I was put on the horse ; Mr. Johnson took one daughter, and Mr. Labaree, being unbound, took the other. We went six or eight miles and stopped for the night. The men were made secure by having their legs put in split sticks somewhat like stocks and tied with cords which were tied to limbs of trees too high to be reached. My sister, much to her mortification, must lie between two Indians with a cord thrown over her and passing under each of them. The little children had blankets, and I had one for my use. Thus we took lodging for the night with the sky for a covering and the ground for a pillow. The fa- tigues of the preceding day obliged me to sleep for several hours in spite of the horrors which surrounded me. The Indians observed great silence and never spoke but when really necessary ; and all the prison- ers were disposed to say but little. My children were much more peaceable than could be imagined. Gloomy fear imposed a deadly silence."
In the morning the prisoners were aroused before sunrise and given water gruel for breakfast when they were again compelled to start on their journey. But they had not travelled over an hour before Mrs. Johnson who before her capture was in daily expectation of being con- fined, was taken with the pains of childbirth. This becoming known to the Indians, they signified that the party must pass on to a brook. The spot at which this was reached lies within the present limits of Cavendish. Here on a flat rock elevated a little above the bed of the stream, at about ten o'clock in the morning a daughter was born who was subsequently named Elizabeth Captive, and during that day the sad and weary mother was permitted to rest. But early the next morn- ing after a scanty breakfast of meal and water the prisoners were sum- moned to proceed. Mrs. Johnson was laid on a litter which the In- dians had prepared, which was borne by Mr. Johnson, Labaree and Farnsworth ; while Miram Willard and little Sylvanus were put upon Scoggin, and the two little girls were carried on their masters' backs. In this way they proceeded about two miles when the men who carried the litter grew so faint that they found it impossible to proceed any further. This the Indians perceiving, a general halt was called, while they should take counsel what it would be best to do. After a brief consultation the Indian who claimed Mrs. Johnson made signs to her
450
JOHNSON.
husband that if she could ride on the horse she might proceed, other- wise she must be left. Of course she preferred an attempt to ride to the certainty of perishing miserably and alone. But so weak was she and faint that every step of the horse almost deprived her of life. She rode an hour in this way when she had to be taken off and laid on the ground for the purpose of resting and recruiting her strength-and this had to be done every hour or every little while; and in this way her life was preserved for another day which brought them to the head of Black River Pond where they encamped for the night.
The next morning was foggy and cold, but after partaking of a little meal and water they were compelled again to pursue their journey. All the prisoners by this time were so exhausted with fatigue and bow- ed down with grief that they felt little disposition to talk and so moved on in silence. Their course lay through a difficult region lying some- times in miry levels, at others over steep and broken hills. Their fifth day's journey therefore became an unvaried scene of toil and fatigue. In addition to this, their provisions had failed and the two or three hunting parties which the Indians had sent out returned without any game. What were they to do ? All became seriously alarmed. They halted a little before night, having reached the height of land where the waters run into Lake Champlain, and the Indians by the aid of punk which they carried in their horus, kindled a fire, after which a plan was soon adopted for relieving their hunger. Old Scoggin who had served them so well was shot and the best parts of him broiled and given to the prisoners. " An Epicure says Mrs. Johnson in her narra- tive could not have catered nicer slices, nor in that situation have served them up with more neatness. Appetite is said to be the best sauce ; yet our abundance of it did not render savory this novel steak." The children however ate so much that it afterwards made them sick. Broth from it flavored with roots was made for Mrs. Johnson and lit- tle Captive. All ate enough to be refreshed and their spirits were greatly revived. But Mrs. Johnson as her mind anticipated the fu- ture, passed a most unhappy night. By the aid of poor old Scoggin she had hitherto been enabled to travel ; but what was she to do now that he was gone ? Her weakness was such that to walk was impossi- ble. In the midst of a wilderness, therefore, of a hundred miles on every side in extent what could there be for her but inevitable death ?
In the morning which commenced the sixth day from their starting out, the Indians pounded up old Scoggin's marrow bones and made a soup. Every root that could be gathered from the woods both sweet
451
JOHNSON.
and bitter was thrown in to give it flavor. Each partook of as much as his feelings would allow when the war whoop summoned them again to maren. "My fate says Mrs. Johnson was unknown till my master brought some bark and tied my petticoats as high as he supposed would be convenient for walking and ordered me to "munch." With scarce strength to stand alone, I went on half a mile with my little son and three Indians. The rest were advanced. My power to move then failed ; the world grew dark and I dropped down. I had sight enough to see an Indian lift his hatchet over my head while my little son screamed, " Ma'am do, for they will kill you." As I fainted my last thought was that I should presently be in the world of spirits. When I awoke my master was talking angrily with the savage who had threat- ened my life. By his gestures I could learn that he charged him with not having acted the honorable part of a warrior by an attempt to destroy the prize of a brother. A whoop was given for a halt. My master helped me to the rest of the company where a council was held, the re- sult of which was that my husband should walk by my side and help me along. This he did for some hours. But faintness then overpow- ered me, and Mr. Johnson's tenderness and solicitude were unequal to the task of aiding me further. Another council was held. While in debate as I lay on the ground gasping for breath, my master sprung towards me with his hatchet. My husband and fellow prisoners grew pale at the sight suspecting that he by a single blow would rid themselves of so great a burden as myself. * But his object was to get bark from a tree to make a pack saddle for my conveyance on the back of my husband. He took me up and we marched in that form the rest of the day. * We moved on faint and wearily till night. The Indians then yelled their war whoop, built a fire and hung over their horse broth. After supper my booth was built as usual and I re- posed much better than I had the preceding night."
In the morning she found herself greatly refreshed. Nature had be- gun to provide a remedy for the weakness she had caused ; and after a breakfast of horse-steak of which she partook with no little relish, the weary daily march was again commenced and they soon arrived at a beaver pond formed in a branch of Otter Creek which they were under the necessity of wading. In attempting this Mrs. Johnson's strength failed, and without ability to move she stood motionless and stiffened in the middle of the pond, which her husband perceiving from the op- posite shore, immediately went to her assistance, and taking her in his arms bore her safely to the other side, when the whole company stopped
452
JOHNSON.
and the Indians with great humanity built a fire for the purpose of warming her and restoring her exhausted strength. In two hours they were enabled again to move on which they did uninterruptedly till about the middle of the afternoon when they came to one of the great branch- es of Otter Creek. This was very rapid and in the view of Mrs. John- son " passing dangerous." But after a little refreshment its passage was attempted and accomplished without any fatal accident though Mr. Labaree when about half way over was tripped up by the rapidi- ty of the stream and lost little Captive whom he was carrying into the water; but was fortunately able to gain his footing in season to reach a corner of the blanket in which she was wrapped so that she was sav- ed. After they were all over the Indians built a fire at which Miriam Willard warmed the infant and very caefully dried its clothing.
The savages being now beyond danger gave tokens of their joy by the most boistrous hallooing and yelling. They also, but whether as a diversion or a religious ceremonial, Mrs. Johnson never knew, taught their prisoners to dance. Each of them also was taught a song. Mrs. Johnson's was, " Danna witchee nachepung. That of little Sylvanus was, Narwiscumpton." Of the titles of the others we are not informed. But if these things were a diversion to the Indians they do not appear to have been so to the prisoners, as Mrs. Johnson informs us that they were " very painful and offensive." "Here says Mrs. Johnson, in the forenoon we were visited by seven Indians who were received with great joy by our Masters, who took great pleasure in introducing their prisoners. 'The war dance was again held. We were obliged to join and sing our songs while the Indians rent the air with infernal yelling. We then embarked and arrived at Crown Point about noon. Each prisoner was then led by his master to the residence of the French
Commander. * We were ordered to his apartment and used with that hospitality which characterizes the best part of the nation. We had brandy in profusion, a good dinner, and a change of linen. This was luxury indeed after what we had suffered for want of these things. None but ourselves could prize their value. We after dinner were paraded before Mr. Commander and underwent examination ; after which we were shown a convenient apartment, where we resided four days not subject to the jurisdiction of our savage masters. Here we received great civilities and many presents. I had a nurse who in a great measure restored my exhausted strength. My children were all decently clothed, and my infant in particular. The first day while I was taking a nap, they dressed it so fantastically a la France that I
3
453
JOHNSON.
refused to own it, when brought to my bedside, not guessing that I was the mother of such a strange thing."
The remainder of this history must be briefly told. And only that which particularly relates to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson will be referred to here as the incidents relating to Mr. Labaree, Mr. Farnsworth, and Miriam Willard, will be given under their own names. On the fourth day after their arrival at Crown Point the prisoners were delivered to their Indian masters, when the whole company embarked in one ves- sel for St. Johns. They had not sailed far before on account of the shifting of the wind, it became necessary to cast anchor. While lying thus a canoe containing a white woman, who was bound for Al- bany, came alongside by whom Mr. Johnson forwarded a letter to Col- onel Lydius of that place. This contained some particulars of their situation and which afterwards being published in the Boston papers gave to their New England friends, the first information of their safety.
After a disagreeable voyage of three days, they arrived at St. Johns, on the 16th of September, where they experienced once more the po- liteness of the French Commander. From this place they passed on to Chamblee where in the garrison they found all the hospitality their necessities required. " Here says Mrs. Johnson, for the first time after our captivity, I lodged on a bed. Brandy was handed about in large bowls and we lived in fine style." But the next morning they were carried in the canoes of the Indians to Sorelle-From thence they were taken to St. Francis which was the home of their masters, and the head quarters of the tribe of that name.
Mr. Johnson was allowed to remain only a few days at St. Francis, before he was taken to Montreal to be sold. Soon after his arrival at this place, a parole of two months was granted him that he might re- turn home and obtain the means of redemption. By applying to the Assembly of New-Hampshire, he obtained after some time, one hun- dred and fifty pounds sterling. But the season was so far advanced and the winter so severe, that he did not reach Canada till Spring. He was then accused of breaking his parole, and a great part of his money was taken from him by violence. He was then shut up with a part of his family in prison, where he took the small pox. He was re- tained in prison three years, when he and his son Sylvanus were per- mitted to return to New England. On arriving at Boston he had no sooner landed than he was put under guard on suspicion of not having performed his duty in the redemption of the Canada prisoners, which
454
JOHNSON.
suspicion was occasioned by his remissness in producing his vouchers. But the following certificate procured his liberty.
" This is to certify whom it may concern that the bearer Lieutenant James Johnson inhabitant in the town of Charlestown in the Province of New-Hampshire in New England, who, together with his family, was taken by the Indians on the 30th of August, 1754, has ever since continued a steady and faithful subject to his Majesty King George, and has used his utmost endeavors to redeem his family and all others belonging to the Province aforesaid that were in the hands of the French and Indians which he cannot yet accomplish, and that both himself and family have undergone innumerable hardships and afflic- tions since they have been prisoners in Canada.
In testimony of which we, the subscribers officers in his Britannic Majesty's service and now prisoners of war at Quebec, have thought it necessary to grant him this certificate and do recommend him as an object worthy of aid, and compassion of every honest Englishman.
Signed, PETER SHUYLER, ANDREW WATKINS, WILLIAM MARTIN, WILLIAM PADGETT.
Quebec, Sept. 16th, 1757.
Mrs. Johnson, with her two youngest daughters and her sister Mir- iam Willard, after remaining in captivity eighteen months, were con- veyed in a cartel ship to England, and arrived in New York on the 10th of December, 1757.
Mrs. Johnson in her narrative says, " After his (Mr. Johnson's) dis- mission from the guards in Boston, he proceeded directly to Charles- town. When within fifteen miles of Springfield, he was met by a gen- tleman, who had just before seen me, who gave him the best news he could have heard. Although it was then late at night, he lost not a moment. At two o'clock in the morning of the 1st of Jan- uary, 1758, I again embraced my dearest friend. Happy New Year ! With pleasure would I describe my emotions of joy, could language paint them sufficiently forcible ; but the feeble pen shrinks from the task."
Mr. Johnson a few days after this meeting, set out for New York to adjust his accounts in Canada. On his journey he was pursuaded by
4
455
JOHNSON.
Gov. Pownal to take a Captain's commission and join the forces bound for Ticonderoga, where he fell at the breast work on the 8th of July following, in the battle that proved also fatal to Lord Howe.
This commission was dated at Boston, March 30th, 1758, in the 31st year of the reign of His Majesty, George the Second. He was commissioned to be Captain of a company in the battalion of light infantry, to be formed out of the forces then raised by the Govern- or, for a general invasion of Canada, commanded by Colonel Oliver Patridge.
Thomas Putnam of Charlestown-afterwards Dea. Thomas Putnam, ' was in his company as a sergeant, and gave the following account of the manner in which he was killed. He says "On the 8th of July, 1758, Capt. Johnson's company was ordered on the left wing of the army, and we arrived within gunshot of the breast work, when the en- emy fired upon us. We in turn fired at them, whenever we had a chance to get sight of their heads above the breast work, till we had discharged a dozen or more shots, at which time the firing appeared to cease on the part of the enemy. Immediately the enemy hoisted a flag, which was supposed by Capt. Johnson and others, to be a signal that they were about to give up to our army. A part of his company being still at some distance to the left, Capt. Johnson ordered me to go immediately to the left, to have those cease firing, saying with joy ' The day (or battle) is ours.' I immediately set out climbing over brush, trees, and logs, lying eight or ten feet from the ground ; when stepping on a tree some rods distance from where I left Capt. Johnson, there was a full volley fired from the enemy. I escaped from being wounded, a ball only grazing my hat. I let myself down as soon as I could, and made the best way possible to escape their fire. I soon found some of my companions that were with Capt. Johnson, who gave me the melancholy tidings of his being shot through the head and of his having expired instantly on the spot where I had left him. His body was left on the ground, but his arms and equipage, together with some of his clothing were brought off. I was acquainted with him from my youth-knew him in the former war when a Lieutenant under the command of Edward Hartwell, Esq., posted at Lunenburg, Town- send, and Narragansett, No. 2 &c. He was universally beloved by his company and equally lamented at his death. He was the soldiers friend and a friend to his country-was of easy manners, pleasant, good humored, yet strict to obey his orders and see that those under his command did the same. The loss to his wife and family was irre-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.