USA > Ohio > Madison County > The history of Madison County, Ohio > Part 129
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF DAVID WATSON.
RE-ARRANGED BY REV. C. A. VAN ANDA.
My parents, Walter and Rachel Watson, were born in the State of Maryland, about the year 1750. My mother was a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church from my earliest recollection. Such was the gentle- ness of her character. the strength of hier religious convictions and the con- sistency of her life, that she exercised the most happy influence over my father. He was a man of remarkable physical strength, but from the evil associations and customs of the times, he unfortunately, in early life, fell into the ruinous habits of drinking and fighting.
I was born in Calvert County, Md., near the coast of the Chesapeake Bay, in the year 1783. I possessed a very lively temperament and an ex- traordinary degree of muscular activity. It was perhaps owing to these things that in my fourteenth year, I was induced to leave my father's home. The circumstances of my departure were as follows: In 1797, old Capt.
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Brandon, from Massachusetts, visited our country in order to trade in gro- ceries. He seemed to take quite a fancy to me, and on one occasion asked my father if he might take me home with him. " When will you bring him back?" my father asked, and added that he had no objection, if mother was willing. The wily Captain went at once to ask the same question of mother. taking care to say nothing about the conversation he had just had with father. Mother replied, "I am willing, if his father has no objection." I was exceedingly anxious to go, and had but little difficulty in overcoming all objections, save those urged by my brother. I finally offered him all my toys if he would consent, and succeeded in getting away. We embarked on the Patuxent River, and in two days reached Norfolk, Va., our first port. At that time I felt as if I would have given the world, had I owned it, to have been at home. I there for the first time began to experience that disease so well known and yet so difficult to describe, namely, homesickness.
Shortly before leaving Norfolk, a very interesting incident occurred. A negro, preferring freedom to slavery, had by some means secreted himself in the hold of our vessel, and remained some two days or more without anything to eat. /I was sent below for some purpose, and while creeping over boxes and barrels I caught sight of his teeth and eyes. I afterward fed him until we reached Beverly, Mass., where the poor fellow was free.
The Captain took me to his home and introduced me to his wife, who asked my name, and seemed much pleased to see me. In a short time the Captain started on a voyage to England, leaving me at home to attend school. I however attended school but little, having too many errands to run. During the summer, an incident transpired at Beverly, Mass., of deep and painful interest. I had formed a very pleasant acquaintance with a young man who owned a distillery in the town. Going down street one day, I saw a great many people running toward the distillery. I joined the crowd, and upon reaching the building was shocked to hear that my friend had committed suicide. He had fastened an iron kettle to his body, opened the hatchway and cast himself into the large rum cistern. He so arranged matters that all the hands were away at the time. So soon as he was miss. ing. search was made in Beverly, and Salem, an adjoining town. At length some one thought of examining the cistern, and taking a boat-hook, he caught his clothing and drew him up. Physicians were called immediately. but all without avail, as he had been in the cistern about four hours. There were evidences that the love of life had returned before consciousness was lost, as attempts had been made to loose the kettle.
The Captain, having returned, wintered at home, determined in the spring to go on a fishing excursion.
Everything was in readiness by the 18th of March, but we were com- pelled to wait for the "line galo" to subside. While lying there, a large boy among my comrades, proposed that we should drink something. The proposition was universally agreed to. "David," said he. "what have you aboard ?" "Everything." I responded. "Rum!" "Yes." "Eggs?" "Yes." I knew nothing about making "eggnog," but he knew it all. I furnished the ingredients, and the coveted beverage was soon ready, and all partook freely. The article was decided to be so superior that we ought by all means to have some more. Accordingly, the second dish was prepared. and all indulged the second time. I soon began to feel uncomfortable, and went to my hammock. I was doubtless somewhat restless, for some time af- terward my friend, who had brought all our trouble upon us, came and asked: "David, are you dying?" I said " yes." I knew nothing more un-
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til morning. The boys all found their ships, and I returned to the Cap- tain's for breakfast. When my mistress called, I answered: " I thank you, I don't want anything." The Captain inquired what we had been doing, and I frankly told him all. He simply said : "David. never do so again." I replied, "No, sir." And I never did.
On the 23d of March wo weighed anchor, and started for the banks of Newfoundland. Reaching our destination, we fished for a short time with soine success, and then sailed for a better position. Running for a school of fish, the Captain discovered that ice was not far to the windward, but ap- prehending no immediate danger, all laid down to rest except one man, who was stationed so as to keep a sharp lookout for the ice. Instead of obeying orders, however, he soon went to sleep. While we were all wrapped in shunber. the ice was rapidly nearing our vessel. The Captain was the first to discover our danger. Awaking from his nap, he found the vessel al- ready partially on an iceberg, and a whole island of ice was bearing down upon us. All hands ran to the windlass, but our united strength could no more move the ship than if she had been a mountain. Every fathom of ca- ble was out, and our destruction seemed certain. The Captain calling for an ax, cut the cable, when it flew swift as lightning. At length, hoisting all sail and using crotches, we backed her out stern foremost. We then re- turned home, washed out our fish, and as soon as possible prepared for a second voyage-going this time to British America, and stopping at a point called Donahoe's Cave.
The origin of this name is declared by tradition to be as follows : Don- ahoe was a brave seaman, but so fond of sport as to be sometimes cruel in securing it. On one occasion, while stopping at the cave, in order to tease the Indians, he spread tar over the deck of his ship, invited the red men aboard. After having sprinkled scupper-nails everywhere, and then ran af- ter them with the ropes-end, and amused himself by watching their awk- ward and painful attempts at running. The Indians were terribly enraged, and tried all their ingenuity to entice him ashore. At length they succeed- ed, and then revenged themselves and showed their savage nature by cutting his heart into pieces as small as possible, and eating it, in order, as they said, to become as brave as the Captain was. From this occurrence the point was called Donahoe's Cave.
Returning from our fishing excursion, the Captain, after a time, took a position as first mate on an East Indiaman. By reason, however, of some (lisagreement between him and the Captain, as to wages, he concluded not to go. but gave me my choice, to go as cabin boy, or stay with him. I chose to go. My new Captain was a man of very violent temper, as I soon found to my great sorrow, Capt. Brandon had given me a beautiful comb, such as sailors wore at that time to keep their hair, which was worn very long, from falling over their faces Going down one morning to get buscuit to make toast for breakfast, I chanced to look into an empty hogs- head and saw that a rat had fallen into it. Iran for the cat, and put her in to catch it; but she was afraid and kept as far away as possible. I then reached down and canght it by the tail, when it turned and bit my finger. Upon coming up, the Captain asked me how I had hurt myself. When I told what had happened, he swore a terrible oath, and striking me on the head, he broke my beautiful comb. Then my troubles began. When we were but a few days out. we were attacked by a whale. He was a huge fellow, though but about two-thirds grown. He would lash the stern of the ship with such violence that every timber would quake. The
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attack began on Saturday evening and continued until late Sunday morn- ing. We had two swivels on board, but could not bring them to bear on him, as he kept so near the ship. Many musket balls were fired into him and he was severely wounded with pikes. So freely did the blood flow that the sea was purple in our wake. At length our enemy was so weak- ened by loss of blood that he could no longer hold out, and so dropped astern.
The time passed without any incident worthy of especial notice until I experienced the process of being shaved by Neptune. The Captain had talked a great deal to the boys about an old man who lived on the " line," as he said, whose habit it was to shave all who crossed it for the first time. So much was said about the matter. and with such apparent sincerity. that at length some of the younger boys began to believe that all was real. Before my doubts were entirely removed, I would ask how the old man lived on the " line ?" How he got his food ? and so on. The replies, however, seemed so plausible, that my doubts were pretty much removed. On a certain morning, we found the sun directly over our heads. Never was there a more lovely morning. The Captain directed me to go below and ask the boys to come up and scrub the deck. All were glad to do so, and started very merrily for the deck, which they had no sooner reached, than the com- panion leaf fell. Instantly all seemed to be impressed with the idea that all this was somehow connected with the shaving process so much talked about. Meantime, preparations had been made above for the sport. When all was ready, the Captain went on deck with a speaking-trumpet, when an imaginary person-real enough to us-hailed him, and inquired for the boys who were for the first time crossing the line. At first the Captain de- nied having any, but Neptune insisted, and at length mentioned the cabin boy. Presently Neptune came aboard and addressed the Captain very cor. dially. They shook hands and seemed very happy to meet each other. I was called upon to bring the stranger a glass of grog. Upon looking out, there he was, sure enough. His mouth was wide open, his face smeared with tar, and his old coat stuffed with oakum, producing a great hump on his back. I started back with fear, when he stooped just in time to secure the glass. Some were sent down who blindfolded me and brought me up on deck. Neptune approached me in a very friendly way, shaking my hand, calling me a fine little fellow, etc., etc. No one, he said, could become a good sailor unless he was first shaved. He then told me I must answer all his questions, or else he would take me away in his little boat and I should never see the ship again. I was theu sworn, and made to answer many foolish questions. Lather, composed of all kinds of filth, was brought and applied to my face with a paint brush. An old piece of iron, filed so as to resemble, somewhat, a saw, was used as a razor. It was so dull and was used with so much violence, as actually to cut my face in several places. I would bog not to be killed; Neptune would talk soothingly, and thus this part of the programme was finished. I was thon placed upon a board which lay across the top of a large cask filled with salt water. A trumpet was placed to my mouth, and I was told to say three times, as loud as I could, " God bless the United States of America." "Louder." shouted Neptune. I was preparing to do my very best, when suddenly the old sea god poured a bucket of salt water into the mouth of the trumpet, which came near strangling me: at the same instant, the board on which I stood was turned, and I fell into the salt water, feeling sure that I was overboard and all was lost forever. In a moment, I was drawn out of the cask, the
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bandage was taken from my eyes, and I saw Neptune and knew him. My anger knew no bounds. I cursed and swore, "Hush! Hush!" said he, there are the other boys. My desire to see them shaved cooled my wrath, and I joined heartily in the sport.
After this experience, our time past monotonously for many days. At length, the following sad incident occurred: A sailor went up to the fore- top to shake out the reefs. A kink in the rope caused him to lose his bal- ance, when he pitched out of the foretops, and falling across the gunwale broke his thigh. The Captain set the broken limb, and arranging a chicken coop, so that it might swing back and forth like a hammock, placed the poor fellow upon it, where he remained for sixty days. When he did get up, he was entirely well. scarcely limping at all. Sad to relate, a few days afterward, by a mistep, the unfortunate man broke his thigh again.
It was our custom to kill a pig once a week. This we generally did on Saturday evenings. It was my business to prepare the head and feet for t e Captain and officers. Our butter was becoming low, and fearing none could be had at our destination, the Captain gave orders that I should use no more of it in preparing the head and feet. When dinner was ready, on the day the above orders were given, I saw the butter was lower than at breakfast, and that the Captain was angry about it. Addressing me, the said, " I thought I told you not to use any more butter in this way." ] replied, " I did not use any." "I will settle with you after dinner," he said. When the officers had gone on deck, he rang a little bell for me. I went into the cabin, when he addressed me as thus: " Do you still say you did not use the butter?" " I did not use it, Captain," I replied. With a terrible oath, he declared he would make me own it. " Go into the state- room," he thundered, " and bring me that cat." Returning with it, he bade me remove my roundabout, and then grasping my left wrist, he whipped me until he was tired out, and then stopping to rest, he repeated the question. I responded " no." as before. He then laid on again; stopping to take breath, the question was repeated, and the same answer given. He then de- clared he would make me own it, or whip me to death. Again the cruel cat was applied; I could not shed a tear, though my sufferings were excru- ciating. When I went down to the cabin, I resolved that should the Cap- tain shoot me, I would die rather than tell a lie. But now my resolution began to waver. To be whipped to death seemed so terrible. It was more than I could endure, and feeling that I could last but a few moments more, I said I had taken the butter. I went on deck, and sitting down, began to think of how tenderly I had been raised; of what a good home I had left: of how far I was from it, and of the awful fact that I was help- less in the hands of this inhuman wretch. For a moment, I seriously de- bated whether it would not be better to take my life then and there. and so put an end to my misery. But better thoughts prevailed. For many weeks, I could not lie upon my back, and to this day I bear the marks of that terrible flogging.
I have often since thought that the awful question of taking my own life was decided in the negative, in part, at least, through the following in- cident: The day was one of great beanty, and we were sailing at the rate of four or five knots per hour. The Captain said to the mate, "How are the hammocks holding out?" The mate replied, " Many of them are almost worn out." Directions were accordingly given, that new ones be made from sails not in nse. Not long after, the Captain and mate were sitting not far from me, when in reply to the declaration of the mate, that all were sup.
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plied with hammocks but David, the Captain said, with an oath, " He don't need any, the spars are good enough for him." I had not up to this mo- ment shed a tear, but this cruel remark opened the fountain, and I wept profusely. For a moment I gave way to anger, and it seemed to afford some relief. Looking at him, in profane language. I declared that upon reach- ing home, I would waylay him and take his life. Ieat once gave up all thoughts of taking my own life, arose and went about my work.
All our pigs had been killed but one; he was to be kept until we came in sight of land. Our grain had given out, and it became my business to provide him something to eat. This I did by catching "boobies," a sea bird about the size of a goose. These silly birds would alight upon the yard-arm, and remain perfectly quiet until I caught them. With these I so long supplied the pig that he came to know their peculiar noise, and would squeal his satisfaction when he heard them. I threw them alive into his pen, and he caught and devoured them without ceremony. When in sight of land. piggy was killed; but judge of our disappoinment to find him so fishy that he could not be eaten. Being utterly useless, we threw the whole overboard.
It was evening when we came in sight of land. We were met by a boat load of natives who had fish to sell. Having purchased some of these, we cleaned them and hung them up to dry; but such was the effect of the climate upon them as to spoil the whole. There being no wharves, we ran into " Man Eater's Island," and anchored some distance from the shore. The natives were a great curiosity to me. I was especially interested in the manner in which they confine a certain class of criminals. A vessel called · the Galliot is anchored some distance from the shore. Once incarcerated there, they were perfectly secure,since the alligators were so numerous as to make it impossible for any one to swim ashore. Our Captain went to the Harbor Master and hired ten of these prisoners to load our cargo. Their manner of eating was very curious to me. Their food was rice, an article of red color, and altogether superior to any I have ever seen in this coun- try. This was prepared by boiling. Each man was provided with a "nog- gen" and ten sticks about four or five inches long. flattened somewhat at one end; taking the sticks in one hand and holding the noggen in the other, they would eat with great rapidity. When they wished a piece of meat, they used the thumb nail instead of a knife, that article being allowed to grow to a great length.
We found several American ships in the harbor, and enjoyed ourselves very much in meeting with our countrymen, none of whom we had seen for nine months. It was decided to have a large party while we lay there, which was to be held aboard our ship. I, of course, was head cook. I did my very best, and many were the compliments I received for my excellent dinner. One Captain said it was the best dinner he ever ate on the water. Having only money, we had nothing to do but to purchase our cargo. This con- sisted of pepper, coffee. cloves and camphor. The money expended for this cargo amounted to about fifty thousand Spanish dollars.
After lying at Batavia about fifteen days, we made ready to start on our return voyage. The port was regarded as a very sickly one. The Cap- tain had said that quite possibly one-fourth would be left, but not a single case of sickness occurred. We had taken in rain water enough to fill our hogsheads, as the water of the port was regarded as very unhealthy. Hav- ing been for a long time without fresh meat, we determined to secure some at the first opportunity. Accordingly, coming in sight of the Island of Sen-
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ter, we cast anchor, and sent four men ashore to catch turtles. These were found in incredible numbers. The men were instructed to turn them upon their backs, for in that condition they are helpless. In the morning we went ashore and fastening ropes around their "flippers," drew them into the water and on board the ship. In this way we secured nine very large ones. It was supposed that some would weigh at least fifteen hundred pounds. They laid us many eggs. I think I counted eleven hundred from one. Their eggs are most excellent, as well as their flesh; so that we had fresh meat for many days. Some persons may not know that these animals can use their flippers for both fins and feet, but so it is. Upon the land their flippers are turned backward and upward, and the first joint coming to the ground, is used as a foot. Their gait is awkward and slow.
Thus the time passed pleasantly, though monotonously, as we sailed homeward. All were in excellent health and happy at the thought of soon reaching home. But an event occurred which illustrated the uncertainty of this world's affairs, and our liability to disappointment in this life. When not more than two weeks from home, we were taken prisoners by a French privateersman, a sloop of war named Bazier. The time about which I am now speaking was during the Presidency of John Adams. The French claimed certain moneys from the United States for funds lent us during the Revolutionary war. Our Government not admitting the claim. they took such of our ships as they found unable to defend themselves. For several days the Captain had thought we were in the latitude where the French might be expected. One beautiful afternoon, as we were driving rapidly before the wind, a French sloop was discovered under our lee bow, and we were driving right down upon her. The first intimation we had of imme- diate danger was the cry of the man on the foretop: " A sail ho!" "Where away ?" cried the Captain. "Under the lee bow," was the reply. The Cap- tain took his glass and hurrying to the main top, decided the vessel to be a French sloop of war.
The first mate drew his glass, and decided she was not. The Captain came down and ordered the ship drawn on the wind. The privateersman was at this point about three leagues away; all her sails being furled, she seemed quite small to us; but when we changed our course, her sails were unfurled in a moment, and she gave chase.
She was a very fast runner, and gained upon us so rapidly that at dawn next morning she was plainly visible from our mast-head, right in our wake. At 10 o'clock she was along side, and hailed us, " Ho! where from?" " Ba- tavia." " Where bound ?" " Beverly." "What is your cargo ?" " Pepper and coffee." "Bon prize," said the Frenchman. The officers came aboard, overhauled our papers, then drank and caroused until near 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Then the French Captain called out excitedly. "Embark! Em- bark! on board Bazier to sweet America." We were taken to Cayenne. Our cargo was, of course confiscated, and we were taken to jail. Our treat- ment was not severe. Sometimes we were taken to the sail lofts to work on sails. So matters continued for about ten months. At the expiration of that time, a Capt. Adams, of Baltimore, hearing that there were some Amer- ican prisoners at the jail, came to the gate, one morning, and inquired if there was not a little American boy there. He called me to the gate, and inquired if I did not want to get out of there. Of course I replied yes. He took me aboard his ship, and we sailed for Lisbon.
There was not the most friendly feeling, at that time, between Portu- gal and the United States, although our ships were allowed to enter any -
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port in time of distress. Our Captain was not troubled with conscientious scruples, and, knowing his cargo was valuable in Lisbon, he determined to put in there under pretense of distress. The mainmast was somewhat in- jured, and he arranged to have it carried quite away, by putting on sail. The vessel was forced on her beam ends; every moment the pilot feared a shot from the fort. At length a carpenter was bribed to come on board and condemn the ship. This cost the Captain one hundred guineas. We took
great pleasure in viewing the city of Lisbon. Everywhere were plainly visible the effects of the terrible earthquake, which had destroyed millions of property and thousands of lives. The wharves being destroyed, we rowed ashore in a boat. Not a house remained on the old site of the city. It seemed, from appearances, as if the earth, like a thin crust, had broken through wherever there was any considerable weight upon it-other por- tions being left undisturbed The poverty, wretchedness and superstition of the inhabitants was extreme. Many women flocked around us, having the cross in a box, covered with glass; with this they passed from one to another, asking. "You no care for St. Antoine?" By this means, they ex- pected from each of us a sou. Here I witnessed that cruel sport, a " bull
bait." The day was the Sabbath. I found the seats were sold, as at our theaters. These were circular in form. inclosing a large area. Upon these were seated many thousands of people. Horsemen and footmen were within, for the purpose of worrying and killing the animals. While we were look- ing on, one man was killed, but the sad event produced no more feeling than if the victim had been a horse instead of a man. Our attention was espe- cially attracted by twelve men whose business it was to keep the animals away from the seats occupied by the King and Queen.
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