Thursday August 14. 1746.

I Left Fort-Shirley in Company with Dr. Williams, and about fourteen of the Soldiers; we went to Pelham-Fort, and from thence to Capt. Rice's, where we lodged that Night.

Friday 15. We went from thence to Fort-Massa­chusetts, where I design'd to have tarried about a Month.

Saturday 16. The Dr. with fourteen Men went off for Deerfield, and left in the Fort Serjeant John Hawks, with twenty Soldiers, about half of them sick with the bloody Flux : Mr. Hawks sent a Letter by the Dr. to the Captain, supposing that he was then at Deerfield, desiring he would speedily send up some Stores to the Fort, being very short on it for Ammunition, & having discovered some Signs of the Enemy; but the Letter did not get to the Captain seasonably. This Day also two of our Men being out a few Miles distant from the Fort, discovered the Tracks of some of the Enemy.

Lord's-Day & Monday 17, 18. We met with no Disturbance, nor did we discover any Enemy; but the Sickness was very distressing, for tho' some began to amend, yet there were more taken sick; eleven of our Men were sick, and scarcely one of us in perfect Health, [Page 4] almost every Man was troubled with the Griping and Flux.

Tuesday 19. Between eight & nine o'Clock in the Morning, when thro' the good Providence of God, we were all in the Fort, twenty two Men, three Women, and five Children, there appeared an Army of French and Indians, eight or nine Hundred in Number, com­manded by Monsieur Regand de Vaudrüle; who hav­ing surrounded the Fort on every Side, began with hideous Acclamations to rush forward upon the Fort, firing incessantly upon us on every Side. Mr. Hawks our Officer, ordered that we should let them come without firing at all at them, until they should approach within a suitable Distance, that we might have a good Prospect of doing Execution. We suffered them to come up in a Body 'till they were within twenty Rods of us, and then we fired; upon which the Enemy soon betook themselves to Trees, Stumps & Logs; where they lay and fired incessantly upon us, some taking Opportunity to run from one Tree and Stump to another, and so drew nearer to the Fort: This they did in a very subtil Manner, running so crooked, that it was very difficult to shoot at them with any good Prospect of Success, until we observed that when they came to a Stump, they would fall down; which we observing, prepared to catch them there as they fell down by the Stumps; and this we did probably with Success; for they soon left off this Method. About this Time we saw several of the Enemy fall and rise no more, among which was the Captain of the St. Francois Indians, who was one of the foremast, and called upon the rest to press on upon the Fort; Serj. Hawks got in Opportunity to shoot him into the Breast, which ended his Days.

[Page 5]At the Beginning of the Engagement, the General sent his Ensign with his Standard (which he standing behind a Tree about thirty Rods distant from the Fort displayed,) the General also walked up the Hill within about forty Rods of the Fort, where he stood, and gave his Orders, but being discovered he had a Shot or two fired at him; upon which he moved off, but presently after comes to his Ensign, where be­ing discovered, he received a Shot in his Arm, which made him retreat with his Ensign to their Camp. The Enemy still continued to fire almost incessantly upon us, and many of them crept up within a dozen Rods of the Fort. We were straitned for want of Shot; several of our Men being newly come into the Service, and for want of Bullet Moulds, had not prepared for any long Engagement; and therefore the Serjeant or­dered some of our sick Men to make Bullets, and another to run some Shot, having Shot-Moulds. This put him upon taking particular Notice of the Ammu­nition, and he found it to be very short, and therefore gave Orders that we should not fire any more than we thought necessary to hold the Enemy back, unless when we had a very good Opportunity and fair Pros­pect of doing Execution; so that we fired but lit­tle. We had sometimes very fair Shots, and had Success; we saw several fall, who we are per­swaded never rose again: We might have shot at the Enemy almost any Time in the Day, who were in open view of the Fort, within fifty or sixty Rods of the same, and sometimes within forty and less, the Officers sometimes walking about Sword in Hand, viewing of us, and others walking back & forth as they had Oc­casion, without Molestation, for we dare not spend our [Page 6] Ammunition upon them that were at such a Distance. Towards Evening the Enemy began to use their Axes and Hatchets; some were thoughtful that they were preparing Ladders in order to Storm the Fort in the Night; but afterward we found our Mistake, for they were preparing Faggots in order to burn it. This Day they wounded two of our Men, viz. John Aldrich they shot thro' the Foot, and Jonathan Bridgman with a Flesh Wound the back Side of his Hip. When the Evening came on, the Serjeant gave Orders that all the Tubs, Pails and Vessels of every Sort, in every Room, should be filled with Water, and went himself to see it done; he also looked to the Doors, that they were made as fast as possible: He like wise cut a Pas­sage from one Room to another; that he might put the Fort into as good a Posture of Defence as might be, in Case they should attempt to Storm it. He distributed the Men also into the several Rooms: While he was thus preparing, he kept two Men in the Northwest-Mount, and some in the great House the Southeast Corner of the Fort, to Watch the Enemy and keep them back. I was in the Mount all the Evening, it was cloudy and very dark the Beginning of the Evening: The Enemy kept a constant Fire upon us, and as I thought, approached nearer and in greater Numbers than they had in the Day time. We had but little Encouragement to fire upon the Enemy, having nothing but the Light of their Fire to direct us, yet we dare not wholly omit it, lest they should be embolden'd to Storm the Fort: We fired Buck-Shot at them, and have Reason to hope we did some Exe­cution, for the Enemy complained of our shooting Buck-shot at that Time, which they could not have known had [Page 7] they not felt some of them. They continued thus to fire upon us, until between eight & nine at Night; and then the whole Army (as we suppose) surrounded the Fort, shouted, or rather yelled with the most hideous Out-cries all round the Fort; this they repeated [...] or four Times: We expected they would have fol­lowed this with a Storm; but were mistaken, for they directly set their Watch all round the Fort; and be­sides their Watch, they sent some to creep up as near to the Fort as they could, to observe whether any Per­sons attempted to make their Escape, to carry Tidings to New-England. The Body of the Army then drew back to their Camps, some in the Swamp West of the Fort, the other Part to the South-East by the River Side: We then considered what was best to be done, whether to send a Post down to Deerfield or not. We looked upon it very improbable, if not morally im­possible for any Man to get off undiscovered; and therefore the Serjeant would not lay his Commands up­on any to go, but he proposed it to several, desired and encouraged them, as far as he tho't convenient; but there was not a Man willing to venture out: So the Serjeant having placed the Men in every Part of the Fort, he ordered all the sick & feeble Men to get what Rest they could, and not to regard the Enemies Acclamations, but to lie still all Night, unless he should call for them. Of those that were in Health, some were ordered to keep the Watch, and some lay down, and endeavoured to get some Rest, lying down in our Cloaths with our Arms by us; I lay down the Fore­part of the Night; we got little or no Rest, the Enemy frequently raised us by their hideous Out-cries, as tho' they were about to attack us; the latter Part of the Night I kept the Watch.

[Page 8] Wednesday 20. As soon as it began to be Light the Enemy shouted and began to fire upon us for a few Minutes, and then ceased for a little Time. The Serj. ordered every Man to his Place, and sent two Men up into the Watch-Box: The Enemy came into the Field of Corn to the South & South-East of the Fort, and fought against that Side of the Fort harder than they did the Day before; but unto the Northwest Side they did not approach so near as they had the first Day, yet they kept a continual Fire on that Side: A Num­ber went up also unto the Mountain North of the Fort, where they could shoot over the North-Side of the Fort into the middle of the Parade: A considerable Number of the Enemy also kept their Axes and Hat­chets continually at Work, preparing Faggots, and their stubbing Hows and Spades, &c. in order to burn the Fort. About eleven o'Clock Thomas Knowlton, one of our Men, being in the Watch-Box, was shot thro' the Head, so that some of his Brains came out, yet Life remained in him for some Hours.

About twelve o'Clock the Enemy desir'd to Parley: We agreed to it, and when we came to General De Voudriúle, he promised us good Quarter if we would surrender; otherwise he should endeavour to take us by Force: The Serjeant told him, he should have an Answer within two Hours. We came into the Fort, and examined the State of it: The Whole of our Ammunition we did not judge to be above three or four Pounds of Powder, and not more Lead: And after Prayer unto God for Wisdom & Direction, we considered our Case, whether there was any Probabi­lity of our being able to withstand the Enemy or not; for we supposed that they would not leave us till they [Page 9] had made a vigorous Attempt upon us; and if they did, we knew our Ammunition would be spent in a few Minutes Time, and then we should be obliged to lay at their Mercy: Had we all been in Health, or had there been only those eight of us that were in Health, I believe every Man would willingly have stood it out to the last; for my Part I should; but we feared, that if we were taken by Violence, the Sick, the Wounded, and the Women, would most, if not all of them die by the Hands of the Salvages, there­fore our Officer concluded to Surrender on the best Terms he could get: Which were,

• I. That we should be all Prisoners to the French, the General promising that the Salvages should have nothing to do with any of us.
• II. That the Children should all live with their Pa­rents during the Time of their Captivity.
• III. That we should all have the Priviledge of being exchanged the first Opportunity that presented.

Besides these Particulars, the General promised that all the Prisoners should have all Christian Care and Charity exercised towards them; that those who were weak and unable to travel, should be carried in their Journey, that we should all be allowed to keep our Cloathing; and that we might leave a few Lines to inform our Friends what was become of us.

About three of the Clock we admitted the Gene­ral and a Number of his Officers into the Fort: Upon which he set up his Standard: The Gate was not opened to the rest; the Gentlemen spake com­fortably to our People; and on our Petition that the dead Corpse might not be abused, but buried; they said, that it should be buried: But the Indians seeing [Page 10] that they were shut out, soon fell to pulling out the Underpining of the Fort, and crept into it; opened the Gates; so that the Parade was quickly full: they shouted as soon as they saw the Blood of the dead Corpse under the Watch-Box, but the French kept them down for some Time, & did not suffer them to meddle with it: After some Time the Indians seem'd to be in a Ruffle; and presently rushed up into the Watch-Box, bro't down the dead Corpse, carried it out of the Fort, scalpt it, and cut off the Head and Arms: A young Frenchman took one of the Arms And flay'd it, roasted the Flesh, and offer'd some of it to Daniel Smeed, one of the Prisoners, to eat; but he refused it: The Frenchman dressed the Skin of the Arm (as we afterwards heard) and made a Tobacco Pouch of it. After they had plundered the Fort, they set it on Fire, and led us out to their Camp.

We had been at the Camp but a little Time, when Mons. Doty, the General's Interpreter, called me aside, and desired me to speak to our Soldiers & perswade them to go with the Indians; for he said, the Indi­ans were desirous that some of them should go with them; and said, that Serj. Hawks, myself, and the Families should go with the French Officers. I ans­wer'd him, that it was contrary to our Agreement, and the General's Promise; and wou'd be to throw away the Lives of some of our Men, who were sick and wounded: He said, no, but the Indians would be kind to them; and tho' they were all Prisoners to the French yet he hoped some of them would be willing to go with the Indians. We spoke to Serj. Hawks, and he urged it upon him. We proposed it to some of our Men who were in Health, whether [Page 11] they were willing to go or not, but they were utterly unwilling. I returned to Doty, and told him that we should by Means consent that any of our Men should go with the Indians, we took the General to be a Man of Honour; and we hop'd to find him so; we knew that it was the Manner of the Indians to abuse their Prisoners; and sometimes to kill those that failed in travelling, and carrying Packs, which we knew that some of our Men could not do; and we thought it but little better for the General to deliver them to the Indians, than it would be to abuse them himself; and had I tho't that the General would have delivered any of our Men to the Salvages, I should have strenuously opposed the Surrender of the Fort, for I had rather have died in Fight, than to see any of our Men killed, while we had no Op­portunity to resist. He said, that the General would see, that they should not be abused; and he did not like it that I was so jealous and afraid: I told him, I was not the Officer, but as he spake to me, so I had freely spoken my Mind, and discharged my Duty in it; and he had no Reason to be offended, and I hoped the General would not insist on this Thing, but would make good his promise to all the Prisoners. He went to the General, and after a little Time, the Officers came and took away John Perry & his Wife, and all the Soldiers, but Serj. Hawk, John Smeed and Moses Scot and their Families, and distributed them among the Indians; some French Officers took the Care of the Families, viz. Smeed's and Scot's; and Mons. Demuy took me with him, and M. St. Luc Lacorn took Serj. Hawks with him; and so we re­posed that Night, having a strong Guard set over us.

[Page 12] Thursday 21. In the Morning I obtained Liberty to go to the Place of the Fort, and set up a Letter, which I did, with a Frenchman and some Indians in Company: I nailed the Letter up on the Well Post. This Morning I saw Josiah Reed, who was very weak and feeble by Reason of his long & tedious Sickness; I interceeded with the General for him, that he would not send him with the Indians, but could not prevail; I also interceeded with the General for John Aldrich, who being wounded in the Foot was notable to travel; but the Interpreter told me they must go with the Indians, but they should not be hurt; and that they had Canoes a little down the River, in which the Weak and Feeble should be carried: We then put up our Things, and set out on our March for Crown-Point, going down the River in Hoosuck Road: I was toward the Front, and within about half a Mile. I overtook John Perry's Wife, I pass'd by her, M. Demuy travelling a-pace; I spoke with her, and ask'd her, how she did? She told me, That her Strength failed her in travelling so sast. I told her, God was able to strengthen her; in Him she must put her Trust; and I hoped she was ready for whatever God had to call her to. I had Opportunity to say no more. We went about four Miles to the Place where the Army en­camped the Night before they came upon us: Here I overtook Neighbour Perry, which surprized me, for I tho't he had been behind me with the French, but he was with the Indians. I asked him after his Health, he said, That he was better than he had been. I inquired after his Wife, he said, he did not know where she was; but was somewhere with the Indians: Which surprized me very much, for I tho't till then [Page 13] she was with the French. Here we sat down for a considerable Time: my Heart was filled with Sor­row, expecting that many of our weak and feeble People would fall by the merciless Hands of the E­nemy: And as I frequently heard the Salvages shout­ing & yelling, I trembled, concluding that they then murdered some of our People: And this was my only Comfort, that they could do nothing against us, but what God in his holy Providence permitted 'em; but was fill'd with Admiration when I saw all the Prisoners come up with us, and John Aldrich carry'd upon the Back of his Indian Master. We set out again, and had gone but a little Way before we came up with Josiah Reed, who gave out: I expected they would have knock'd him on the Head & kill'd him, but an Indian carried him on his Back. We made several Stops, and after we had travelled about eight Miles, we made a considerable Stay; where we re­freshed our selves; and I had an Opportunity to speak to several of the Prisoners, especially John Smeed and his Wife, who being near her Time, was filled with Admiration at the Goodness of GOD in strength­ning her to travel so far. I saw John Perry's Wife; she complained that she was almost ready to give out; she complained also of the Indian that she went with, that he threatned her. I talked with a French Officer; and he said, that she need not fear, for he would not be allowed to hurt her. Mons. Demuy with a Number of Men set out before the Army, and so I took my Leave of her, fearing I should never see her more. After this Serj Hawks went to the General, and represented her Case to him; so he went and talked to the Indian, and he was kind to her after [Page 14] this. After we had travelled round the Fields, I tho't he was about to leave the River, which increased my Fears; but I found out the Reason, for they only went to look some Buildings to plunder & burn 'em. A little before Sun-set we arrived at Vandeverickes Place, where we found some of the Army, who had arriv'd before us, but most of them were still behind; and I had the Comfort to see the greatest Part of the Prisoners come up; God having wonderfully strength­ned many who were Weak, the French carrying the Women: There were some few that tarried behind about two Miles; where Mrs. Smeed was taken in Travail; and some of the French made a Seat for her to sit upon, and bro't her to the Camp; where about ten o'Clock she was graciously delivered of a Daughter, and was remarkably well; the Child also was well; but this Night Josiah Reed, being very ill, either died of his Illness, or else was kill'd by the Enemy; which, I never could certainly know, but I fear he was murdered.

Friday 22. This Morning I baptized John Smeed's Child, he called its Name Captivity. The French then made a Frame like a Bier, and laced a Buckskin and Bearskin upon it, and lay'd Mrs. Smeed with her Infant thereon; and so two Men at a Time carried them: They also carried Moses Scot's Wife & two Children, & another of Smeed's Children; the Indians also carry'd in their Canoes Br. Simon & John Aldrich, and Perry's Wife down the River about ten Miles. We had remarkable Smiles of Providence; our Men that had been sick, grew better, & recover'd Strength; the Enemy killed some Cattle, which they found in the Meadows, so that we had plenty of fresh Provi­ons [Page 15] and Broth, which was very beneficial to the Sick. I then expressed a Concern for the feeble People, un­derstanding that we were to leave the River, and travel thro' the Wilderness near sixty Miles; but M. Demuy told me I need not fear, for the General had promised those Indians a Reward who had the Care of the feeble Persons, if they would be Kind & carry them thro' the Journey. This Night I visited most of the Prisoners: This Night also died two Indians of their Wounds. The Enemy had got four Horses.

Saturday 23. This Morning the General sent off an Officer with some Men to carry News to Canada. This Day we left the River & travelled in the Wil­derness in something of a Path, and good travelling for the Wilderness, something East of North, about fifteen Miles, the French still carrying Smeed's and Scot's Wives & Children, the Indians finding Horses for Br. Simon & John Aldrich; Perry being released from his Pack was allowed to help his Wife, & carry her when she was weary. About three in the After­noon, they were alarmed by discovering the Tracts of a Scout from Sarratogo; this put them into a consi­derable Ruffle, fearing that there might be an Army after them; but I presumed that they need not be concerned about it; the Body of the Army lodged between two Ponds, but Part with a Number of the Prisoners were sent forward about two Miles 'till they cross'd Sarratago-River; it is there 20 Rods wide, but shallow Water. This Night died two more In­dians of their Wounds.

Lord's-Day 24. This Day we set out in the Morn­ing, and came to Sarratago-River, cross'd it, and came to our Company, which had been before us; [Page 16] here we came to a rich Piece of Meadow-Ground, and travelled in it about five Miles: We had good travelling this Day: We cross'd several Pieces of good Meadow-Land: We went about eighteen Miles. John Perry's Wife performed this Day's Journey without Help from any. Our sick & feeble Persons were remarkably preserved to Day; for about two o'Clock in the Afternoon there fell a very heavy Shower of Rain, which wet us thro' all our Cloaths. Mrs. Smeed was as wet as any of us, and it being the third Day after her Delivery, we were concerned a­bout the Event, but thro' the good Providence of GOD she never perceived any Harm by it, nor did any other Person, but Miriam the Wife of Moses Scot, who hereby catch'd a grievous Cold. This Night we lodg'd in a Meadow, where was a Run of Water, which makes a Part of Wood-Creek.

Monday 25. This Morning we set out and tra­velled about eleven Miles: We had something rough travelling to Day; we quickly left the small Stream we lodged by at our right Hand to the East of us, and travelling a few Miles over some small Hills and Ledges, came to a Stream running from East to West, about two or three Rods in Width, and about two Feet deep; we cross'd it, our general Course being North; we travelled about two or three Miles farther, and came to a Stream running from South-West to North-East, about six Rods in Width, which we cross'd; and this Stream (which we suppose to be Wood-Creek) according to the best of my Remem­brance, and according to the short Minute that I made of this Day's travel) we left at our right Hand to the East of us; but Serjeant Hawks thinks I am [Page 17] mistaken, and that we cross'd it again, and left it at the left Hand West of us: I won't be certain, but I can't perswade my self that I am mistaken. The French and Indians helping our feeble People, we all arrived well at our Camp, which was by a cou­ple of Ponds; some few who were before us went to the drowned Land.

Tuesday 26. This Day we took our Journey; our Course in the Morning something West of North; in travelling about three or four Miles we came to a Mountain a steep Ascent about eighty or a hundred Rods, but not rocky; after we past this Mountain, our Course was about West five or six Miles, 'till we came to the drowned Land: When we came to the Canoes, the Stream ran from North East to South West; we embarked about two o'clock, the Stream quickly turned, and ran to the North; we sailed about 18 or 20 Miles that Night, and en­camped on the East Side of the Water.

Wednesday 23. We embarked about nine o'Clock and sailed to Crown-Point, something better than 20 Miles; some of the Army went in the Night before, and some before the Body of the Army. The Sails were pulled down, and the Canoes bro't up a-breast and passed by the Fort over to the North East Point saluting the Fort with three Volleys, as we pass'd by it; the Fort returning the Salute by the discharge of the Cannon: This was about twelve o'Clock. Here we tarried 'till the 4th of September. I lodged in an House on the North East Point. We all arriv'd better in Health, than when we were first taken.

Thursday 28. This Day I was invited by Monsieur Demuy to go over and see the Fort, which I did: [Page 18] It is something an irregular Form, having five Sides to it, the Rampers twenty Feet thick, the Breast-Work two Feet & half, the whole about twenty Feet high; there were 21 or 22 Guns upon the Wall, some four & six Pounders, and there may be some as large as nine Pounders; the Citadel an Octagon built, three Stories high, fifty or 60 FeetDiameter, built with Stone laid in Lime, the Wall six or seven Feet thick, arched over the second & third Stories for Bomb-Proof; in the Chambers 9 or 10 Guns, some of 'em may be 9 Pounders, and I believe none less than six, & near 20 Patararoes; but as my Time was short, I can't be very particular: They have Stores of small Arms, as Blunderbusses, Pistols, & Muskets. This Night prov'd very cold and stormy.

Friday 29. This Morning Smeed's & Scot's Fami­lies were bro't out of their Tents into the House, that they might be the more comfortable: it rained, and was very cold all the Day, and at Night the Wind was very high.

Saturday 30. Was something warmer.

Lord's-Day 31. We had the Liberty of worship­ping GOD together in a Room by our selves. This Day about 12 o'Clock the Enemy who went off from us from Hoosuck the Morning after we were taken, re­turned and brought in six scalps, viz. Samuel Allen, Eleazer Hawks, Jun. two Amsdell's, all of Deedfield, Adonijah Gillet of Colchester, Constant Bliss of Hebron; and one Captive, viz Samuel Allen, Son to him who was kill'd; he was taken with his Father & Eliazer Hawks; the Amsdells and Gillet were kill'd in Deer­field South-Meadow August 25; the Indians also ac­knowledged they lost one Man there. This Lad [Page 19] told us they had not then heard in Deerfield of their taking Fort-Massachusetts; a young Hatacook Indian was his Master, and carried him to St. Francois.

Monday Sept. 1. Tuesday 2. Wednesday 3. We tarried still at Crown-Point. The Weather was some­thing lowry but warm: I lived with the General and about half a dozen more Officers, who lodg'd in the same House; our Diet was very good, it being chiefly fresh Meat & Broth, which was a great Benefit to me: We had also plenty of Bourdeaux Wine, which being of an astringent Nature, was a great Kindness to me (having at that Time something of the Grip­ing and bloody Flux) While we lay here, we wrote a Letter to the Hon. John Stoddard, Esq at Northampton, to give him a particular Account of our Fight and Surrender; as also some other private Letters; the French Gentlemen giving us Encouragement that they would send them down by some of their Scouts, to some Part of our Frontiers, and leave them so that they should be found; but I have not heard of them since, and conclude that they destroyed them.

Thursday 4. We embarked for Canada, about ten o'Clock, and sailed about 15 Miles; our Course I judged to be North about ten Degrees East, which I take to be the general Course from Crown-Point to Champlain. Towards Night we turned into a Cove the East Side of the Lake, and encamped, having the Land upon the South West South & East of us: Here we were to wait for General De Vaudriüle, whom we left at Crown-Point, and expected would come to us this Night, or in the Morning; but the Night proved very stormy.

[Page 20] Friday 5. The Wind blowing hard from the North, and some Rain, we lay by to Day

Saturday 6. About nine o'Clock this Morning the General came up with us; then we embark'd and sailed with a pretty good Wind the bigger Part of the Day: Towards Night we saw a few Houses on the West Side of the Lake, but I suppose that they were deserted. We sailed at least three score Miles this Day; we came too where the Lake was but a few Miles in Width, and encamped on the East Shore, where there was a Wind-Mill & a few Houses, but were all deserted.

Lords's-Day 7. We rose early and set sail as soon as it was fair Day-Light, having a good Wind, but the Wind fell about eight o'Clock, that they were obliged to ply their Paddles. When we came to the End of the Lake about eleven o'Clock, and were entring Champlain-River, we met a Boat with three Men in it, who brought a Packet of Letters for the Officers in the Army; they gave one or two to Mons. Demuy: After reading the Letters he told me the News he had by them, viz. 'That there were a Number of Ships arriv'd from France to Que­bec, who had brought them plenty of Stores; that they came in Company with a Fleet of 40 large Men of War from the Brest & Toulon Squadron, and gave the following Account; that the English Fleet having blocked up the Brest Squadron in the Harbour, the Admiral of the Brest Squadron wrote to the Ad­mirals of the Toulon & Rochfort Squadrons to come to his Assistance; who coming on the Back of the English Fleet, and the Brest Squadron issuing out at the same Time against them, there ensued a terrible [Page 21] Fight, in which the French prevailed, and sunk one half of the English Ships, and put the rest to Flight, and then they sailed for North-America; that the King sent with them 12 Merchant Ships with Stores of Ammunition, Cloathing, Wine & Brandy, and a thousand Soldiers to strengthen Canada; that the Men of War were divided into two Fleets, one of which did now block up Louisbourg, & were fighting against it; and the other Part of the Fleet was gone for Boston: He said that their King was very angry with New-England for their taking Cape-Breton; and it was probable he would bring them into Subjection: He told me also that they bro't News that Edward Stuart the Pretender's youngest Son was in the North of England, and had a powerful Army; & that great Numbers of English resorted to him daily, & it was probable he would prevail to dethrone King George.' I told him that as for this and the Fight at Sea, I had good Reason to think they were false, for I had News from England since the Brest Fleet had failed out, and there was no Account of these Things, but the con­trary. He told me also that Prince William the Duke of Cumberland was kill'd in Battle at Culloden-Muir, and that he was the only Person of the House of Ha­nover which the English Nation loved; so that altho' the King's Army got the Victory, yet it was a Loss to his Interest, for the Duke being dead, the English Nation would revolt from the House of Hanover, be­ing weary of it, and turn to the House of Stuart's.' But I told him, that the Duke of Cumberland was yet alive, and as he had been a Scourge & Terror to the King's Enemies, so we had Reason to hope he would still be; he grew warm in his Debate, call'd the King [Page 22] a Usurper, the Nation in bringing of him in, Cromell's Faction; and many other Things: Upon which we had a considerable Debate, until he grew more mild, and began to flatter, and told me, what an amiable Man the Pretender was, and what good Times it would be if he came to the Throne of England, giv­ing free Liberty of Conscience to all his Subjects, and he did not doubt but that they would return to the Church of Rome, which was the true Church: Our Children, he believ'd would come to a good Union in Religion.

We went on Shore at the first House about three Miles above the Fort; where they were called toge­ther, and said their Prayers; and as soon as they had done, Mons. Demuy read his Letter; upon which, they all shouted, crying Vive le Roy: q. d. Let the King live. Upon which, several of the young Men came laughing to me, and by Signs endeavoured to inform me what the News was. I concluded that these fine Tales were framed and sent to meet the Army, in order to keep up the Courage of the com­mon People and of the Indians, who seemed to re­pent of their engaging in the War, and to grow very weary of it: Tho' I found afterwards that the Brest Fleet was actually come over, with a Design against New-England. From thence we travelled down to Champlain; where the Gentlemen set up their Tents, and we had great Numbers to visit us of both Sexes: There I expected we should have tarried that Night, but a little before the Sun-setting M. Demuy came and ordered his Canoe's Company to embark, & go down the River, and told me, I must go with them, and whatever I stood in Need of, his People would [Page 23] give me: And indeed I wanted nothing, having good fresh Provisions, and plenty of Wine to drink; but was something surpriz'd at this sudden Remove, and could never know the Reason of it, unless it was this, viz▪ Some of the French & Indians going out from Crown-Point while I lay there, fell on a Number of our Men near Sarratago; had killed some & taken some Prisoners, and were come to Champlain with one of them; and they wanted to get what News from him they could; and so chose to get me out of the Way, & some others, lest we might give him a Caution; and he really wanted a Caution, for he told them that which he had better have kept to himself, viz. the miserable Circumstances of Sarra­tago Fort. We failed down the River about three Miles, and lodged at a poor Man's House, who ac­cording to his Ability, was courteous to me: I lodged with him in his own Bed; which was the first Bed I had lodged in since my Captivity; and tho' it was a hard Bed, and destitute of Linnen, yet it was very comfortable to me.

Monday 8. This Morning there came an English­man to seeme, his Name Littlefield: He was taken a Lad from Piscataqua, and so continued with the French, and lived, having a Family, at Champlain: We had considerable Discourse together. About eight o'Clock we embarked; some Canoes passing down the River on the opposite Side. We sailed over the River, and met with Mons. Demuy, & took him in: We sailed down the River about 15 Miles, and dined with a Priest. The Country on Champlain-River appeared very poor, it being cold sour Land; it is inhabited on each Side, but the Buildings are [Page 24] generally but poor Hutts. This Day Mons. Demuy tells me another Piece of News, viz. 'That one of their Men of War had taken an Englishman of War near Louisbourg, after a whole Day's Engagement; that the Blood was Mid-Leg deep upon the Englishman's Deck when he surrendered.' I told him, they fought Courageously: He said, true, but they were taken notwithstanding: He said, they had taken three Hundred & twenty Men out of her, who were com­ing up to Quebec, where I should meet them.' This was nothing but the Albany Sloop, one of the Men of War's Tenders, which Governour Knowles sent with a Pacquet from Louisbourg for Boston: There were but seventy Men in her; she was taken by a French Man of War near Jebucta. About two o' Clock it began to Rain, and continued a cold Rain all the rest of the Day. We sailed down the River between 30 and 40 Miles, and then carried over our Canoes & Packs across the Land to St. Lawrence, which was about three Miles, and we came to it above Lozel, and there we lodged that Night in a French House.

Tuesday 9. This Morning being something lowry, we did not set out very early: The Wind was North­easterly and pretty high: About nine o'Clock we set Sail up the River for Mountreal; it was good sailing; we dined at a French Gentleman's House on the Eastern Shore: There was an Irish Doctor came and dined with us. his Name O Sullivan: He pre­tended a great deal of Respect for me, & Compassion towards all the Prisoners; a great deal of Friendship to the English Nation, and especially for the House of Hanover; and he inquired after the State of Scotland, and pretended to rejoyce that the Duke of [Page 25] Cumberland had got such a Victory over the Pretender and the Rebels; but I presently found he grew weary in hearing the Particulars; and therefore to mortify him the more, I told him all that I could; then we set sail, and went within about five Miles of Mount-Real; the Weather was something tedious; and it rained in the Afternoon.

Wednesday 10 This Morning it rained very hard 'till near ten o'Clock; about which Time the Gene­ral and some others passed by us, and we embark'd directly upon it, and arrived at Mount Real, about twelve o'Clock. Mons. Demuy, took me to the Go­vernour's: He said but little to me; he only told me, that for the Time I tarried at Mount-Real. I should keep at Mons. Demuy's, but that after a few Days he must send me, with the rest of the Prisoners, to Quebec. I went with Mons. Demuy and was courteously en­tertained by him for the Time I tarried at Mount-Real: In the Afternoon came an English Wo­man to visit me; she was I judged between 60 and 70 Years of Age; she was taken when a Child from Merrimack-River, her Name Hannah Rie; she had been married to a Frenchman, by whom she had four Children, three Sons & one Daughter; her Daughter was married and had several Children, and came to see me; I saw also one of her Sons; she had been a Widow about 14 Years, but was under very com­fortable Circumstances. There was another English-Woman came to see me who was taken from the East­ward, but I have forgot both her Name, and Place where she was taken from.

Friday 11. This Day I tarried at Mons. Demuy's: Where the Major of the Town visited me; he told [Page 26] me that he married an English Woman whose Name was Storer, she was taken when a Child by Indians, from Piscataqua; that one of his Sons was down at the taking of us. Mrs. St. La Germine, one of his Wife's Cousins, who was also taken with her, came with the Major, and was able to discourse in the English Tongue; she told me that the Reverend Mr. Storer of Watertown was her Brother, and that she wanted to hear from her Friends; but I was not ac­quainted with any of them.

Friday 12. This Day about two o'Clock in the Afternoon, we embarked in Boats, and set out for Que­bec, and sailed down the River about five Leagues: There were all that were taken with me but six Men who were yet with the Indians, and John Perry's Wife who was at the Three-Rivers; there were also four Dutch with us, who were taken near Sarratago. We lodged in a House upon the North West Side of St. Lawrence's River.

Saturday 13. This Day we had a fair Wind, and sail'd down the River twenty five Leagues, when we arrived at the Three-Rivers. We went into an Inn: The General & some others of the Gentlemen which went down with us, presently went out to the Gover­nor's, leaving only their Soldiers to guard us. And after a little Time the Governor sent for Serj. Hawks and me, to come & Sup with him: accordingly we went, & were courteously & sumptuously entertained by him; and while we sat at Supper, the Gentlemen fell into Discourse about the Wars, and about the Wounds they had received; the General's Wound was discours'd upon; and the Governor desir'd Serj. Hawks to shew his Scars, which he did. The Gover­nour [Page 27] then inform'd us of a Fight he had been in at Sea in former Wars, in which he received 15 Wounds, and he shew'd us several Scars: This I tho't was a very remarkable Thing, that he should receive so many Wounds, and yet have his Life spar'd. This Night John Perry's Wife was also bro't to us, and added to our Number.

Lord's-Day 14. We set sail, but received little Help from the Wind; the Soldiers were obliged to row the greatest Part of the Day; but at Night the Tide favouring of us, we sail'd 'till 2 or 3 o'Clock in the Morning: We sailed in the Day & Night 23 Leagues; then we went on Shore the N-West Side of the River, & lodged at a House in a small Village.

Monday 15. This Day we sailed seven Leagues and came to Quebec; we were landed at the East Point of the Town, where St. Lawrence meets with Loretto, and were conducted up by a Number of Sol­diers thro' the lower Town, to the Governour-Gene­ral's, where I was taken into his private Room, and he desired me to tell him what News we had in New-England; I told him of considerable News we had from Europe concerning the Duke of Cumberland's Vic­tory over the Rebels: He seem'd to have a great Mind to perswade me that the Duke was kill'd; but I told him he was alive & well: I told him of several other Pieces of News, but none very good for the French: He told me he had heard that we designed an Ex­pedition against Canada: He asked me what there was in it: I told him that I liv'd at a great Distance from Boston, and could say but little about it; I had heard that his Majesty had sent over to some of the Governors in America, that he had Tho'ts of an Ex­pedition [Page 28] against Canada, and would have them in Readiness to assist him in Case he should send a Fleet over: He inquired what it was that had put it by, something he said was the Matter: I told him, I could not tell; so he seemed to be pretty easy. After this I was conducted to the Lord Intendant's, who inquired also after News both of me and Serj. Hawks; after which he gave us a Glass of Wine: Then we were conducted to the Prisoners House, which is a Guard-House standing by a Battery to­wards the South-West-End of the Town about 150 Feet in Length and twenty in Width, and two Story high; and we made to the Number of 105 Prisoners. Here we had the free Liberty of the Exercise of our Religion together, which was Matter of Comfort to us in our Affliction: Serj. Hawks and my self were put into the Captain's Room, where we found three English Masters of Vessels, viz. Mr. Wm. Chapman of Maryland, Mr. James Southerland of Cape-Cod, and Capt. William Pote of Casco-Bay, who had all been Prisoners near sixteen Months.

Tuesday 16. This Day there came some Gentlemen to see me, among whom was Mr. Joseph Portois, who understands the English Tongue; and Mr. Pais, who Mr. Portois told me was his Kinsman, and that he was a Protestant, & came on Purpose to see me, and to shew me a Kindness: He gave me 24 Livres in Cash. From this Time to the 23d there was nothing remarkable happened but only this, that the Jesuits and some unknown Gentlemen, understanding I was short on it for Cloathing, sent me several Shirts, a good Winter Coat, some Caps, a pair of Stockings, and a few Handkerchiefs, which were very acceptable.

[Page 29] Tuesday 23. Capt. William Pote was taken ill with the Fever & Flux; Jacob Reed was also taken with the same. This Day came into Prison two of our Men who had been with the Indians, viz. David Warren and Pheneas Forbush, who informed that John Aldrich was in the Hospital at Mount-Real: They informed us also concerning some other Pri­soners who were taken from New-England, and were with the Indians.

Wednesday 24. There came into Prison forty three new Prisoners, who were taken at Sea, by a couple of French Men of War; among whom, was Mr Wm. Lam­bert, Master of the Billinder, one of the Men of War's Tenders, who was taken near Jebucta, as she was going from Louisbourg to Boston; & Zephaniah Pinkham Master of a Whaling-Sloop from Nantucket; & John Phillips Master of a fishing Schooner from Marblehead.

Thursday & Friday 25.26. There came in about 74 Prisoners, all taken at Sea by the aforesaid Men of War, among whom were several Masters of Vessels: This Day there also came in Jacob Shepherd, who was taken with me, and had been with the Indians; and one Widow Briant, taken the Spring before near Casco-Bay. There was nothing further Remarkable in this Month; so that we were by this Time in­creased to the Number of two Hundred twenty six.

Lord's-Day October 5. There came in 17 Priso­ners, viz. Three of our Men, Nath, Hitchcock, Stephen Scot, and John Aldrich; two taken by Indians at the Eastward, viz Richard Stubs, & Pike Gordon; and twelve from the Bay Verde.

Lord's Day 12 There came in 24 Men taken at Sea by the Lazora and Le Castore Men of War.

[Page 30] Wednesday 22. I sent a Petition to his Lordship the General of Canada or New-France, to permit me to go home to New-England, upon a Parole of Ho­nour, setting me a suitable Time, and I would re­turn again to him; but I could not prevail.

Thursday 23. Edward Cloutman and Robert Dun­bar, two Prisoners, broke Prison, and made their Escape; but it was found out the next Morning, and we were upon it threatned to be confined to our Rooms, but this Threatning was never executed, the only Consequent in Respect to us was to have a stricter Guard kept about us; but they sent out a Number of Men in pursuit after them.

Friday 31. Mr. Phillips and Mr. Pinkham, with about a Dozen of their Men went out from us in or­der to return Home; but they went by the Way of the West-Indies.

Here I shall speak of the Sickness that prevail'd among the Prisoners: It had generally been very healthy in the Prison before this Fall; for tho' there had been some Prisoners there sixteen Months, and about 50, nine Months, yet there had but two died; the first—

Lawrence Platter, he was taken at Sarratago, Nov. 17. 1745, and died the Winter following.

— Johnes, taken at Contoocook in the Summer 1746, and died in August following.

But our People who were taken at Sea by the two French Men of War, viz. the Larora, & Le Castore, found a very mortal epidemical Fever raged among the French on board their Ships, of which many of them died: The Prisoners took the Infection, and the greatest Part of them were sick, while they lay [Page 31] in Jebucta Harbour; yet but one or two of them died of it; and when they set out from thence for Menis, some of them were sick, and some they left sick at Menis when they set out for Canada; some of them were taken with the Distemper upon their Passage to Canada, and so brought the Infection into the Prison; and the Fever being epidemical, soon spread it self in the Prison, to our great Distress: Those who bro't it into the Prison mostly recovered, and so there were many others, that had it & recover­ed; but the Recovery of some was but for a Time, many of them relapsed, and died: It put me in Mind of that Text, Jude ver. 5. I will therefore put you in Remembrance, tho' ye once knew this, how that the Lord having saved the People out of the Land of Egypt after­wards destroyed them that believed not. [...] that I have any Reason to think ill of those upon whom the Sickness fell, and who died with it: Man of them, I hope, were truly pious and godly Persons. I tho't we might very properly take up the Lamen­tation of Jeremiah, Lam. 1.18. The Lord [...] righ­teous, for I have rebelled against his Commandment: Hear, I pray you, all People, and behold my Sorrow: My Virgins and my young Men are gone into Captivity. Ver. 20. Abroad the Sword devoureth, at Home there is as Death.

Monday 20. Jacob Reed died; he was taken at Gorham-Town near Casco-Bay April 19. 1746.

November 1. This Day died John Reed, Son to Jacob Read, deceased: He had been a Soldier at Annapolis; and was taken near the Fort by some Indians. May 9. 1745.

Nov. 10. Died one— Davis, a Soldier belonging [Page 32] to the King's Forces at Louisbourg; he was taken on the Island of St. John's July 10. 1746.

Nov. 13 Died John Bingham, he belonged to Phi­ladelphia, and was taken at Sea May 22. 1745.

Nov. 17. Died Nathan Eams, he belong'd to Marlborough in the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, was taken with me at Fort Massachusets, Aug. 20. 1746.

Nov. 18. Died at Night Andrew Sco [...]ce, he was taken near Albany Aug. 17. 1746.

Nov. 20. Died John Grote of Shenactada, he was taken April 27. 1746.

About this Time there came into Prison two Men who were taken at Sheepscot in the Eastward, their Names Robert Adah and John McNeer, they [...] taken October 20; they informed that one of their neighbours named Anderson was then kill'd.

The sickness increasing and spreading it self so greatly, we sent a very humble Petition to his Lord­ship the Governor-General, intreating that the Sick might be removed out to the Hospital, least the whole Prison should be infected; but he refused to lead our People to the Hospital, for they told us, that their Hospital was full of their own Sick; yet he did not wholly neglect our Petition, but ordered that one of the most convenient Rooms in the Prison should be assigned for the Sick, where they should be all carried, and have their Attendance, and this was directly done, and the Sick were all brought in.

Nov. 24. Died John Bradshaw; he belong'd to Capt. Donahew; he was taken when Capt. Donahew was kill'd at Canso June 29 1745: He was wound­ed when taken, but recovered of his Wounds; soon fell into a consumptive Way and died of it.

[Page 33] Nov. 28. Died Jonathan Dunham; he was taken with Capt Pote near Annapolis, May 17. 1745: he died after eight or ten Days Sickness.

Nov. 29. Died William Bagley; he was Master of a Vessel taken at Sea. May 29. 1746.

December 1. Died Gratis Vanderveriske, after a te­dious Sickness of six or seven Weeks; he belonged to Sarratago, was taken by the Enemy. Nov 17. 1745.

Dec. 6. Died Pike Gordon, he was taken from Bid­deford, Sept. 5. 1746: was sick eleven Days, and all the Time deprived of his Reason.

Dec. 7. Died Martha Quaquinbush, a Girl taken at Sarratago, Nov. 17 1745. She had a long & tedious Sickness, what it was is uncertain.

Dec. 11. Died Miriam the Wife of Moses Scott; she was taken with me at Fort Massachusetts; she got a Cold in her Journey, which proved fatal, her Cir­cumstances being peculiar: She was never well after our Arrival at Canada, but wasted away to a meer Skeleton, and lost the Use of her Limbs.

Dec. 15. Died John Boon; he was taken at Sea May 1. 1746: he died of a Consumption, belong'd to Devonshire in England.

Dec 18. Died Mary Woodwell, Wife to David Woodwell of New Hopkington on Merrimack-River: She lay in a burning Fever about a Fortnight. She was taken Captive, April 27. 1746.

Dec. 23. Died Rebecca the Wife of John Perry; she was taken with me at Fort-Massachusetts August 20. 1746, her Illness was different from all the rest, she had little or no Fever; had a Cold, and was ex­ercised with wrecking Pains until she died.

Dec. 24 I was taken with the Distemper: was seiz'd with a very grievous Pain in the Head & Back, [Page 34] and a Fever; but I let Blood in the Morning, and took a good Potion of Physick, and in a few Days another; so that I soon recovered again.

Dec. 26. Died Wm. Daily of New-York; he be­longed to Capt. Rouse's Ship, and was taken upon St. John's Island, July 10. 1746. He had a very long and tedious Sickness, several Times he seem'd to be in a Way to recover; but took Relapses, 'till he was worn out: He swelled in his Neck and Side of his Face, and mortified.

January 2. 1746, 7. Died Tho. Atkinson of Lancashire in England; was taken at Sea May 1745; his Sickness very tedious about 8 or 9 Days before his Death.

Jan. 3. Died Jonath. Hogadorn; he belong'd to the County of Albany, and was taken on a Scout near Fort-Ann, Nov. 16. 1745; had a long & tedious Sick­ness of more than two Months Continuance.

The Sickness thus increasing, there were many taken sick which I don't pretend to mention; the Sickness also got into the Prison-Keeper's Family; he lost a Daughter by it the 4th Instant. Upon this the Governour ordered a House to be provided for the Sick, where they were all carried the 12th Instant, about 20 in Number, with three Men to tend them; and after this, when any were taken sick, they were carried out to this House.

Jan. 12. Died at Night Francis Andrews of Cape-Ann; he was taken at Sea, June 24. 1746; and dy'd of the bloody Flux, after a tedious Spell of it.

Jan. 15. Died at Night Jacob Bagley of Newbury, after about two Days Sickness; he was taken at Sea May 26 1746.

Jan. 17. Died Guyar [...] Brabbon of Maryland, after ten Weeks Sickness, taken at Sea May 22 1745.

[Page 35] Jan. 23. Died Samuel Lovet after near a Month's Sickness; he was taken with me.

Feb. 11. Died in the Morning Moses Scot, Son to Moses Scot; he was a Child of about two Years old, and died with the Consumption. In the Afternoon died Wm Galbaoth a Scots-man; he was taken at Sea April 4. 1746; was sick about a Month before he died.

About this Time I had another Turn of Illness. I had a grievous Pain in my Head & Back, the Doctor blooded me, and advised me to go to the Hospital, for he said I was going to have the Distemper, but by care­ful Living, I soon recovered, & escap'd the Distemper.

Feb. 23. Died Richard Bennet, the belong'd to Capt. Rouse's Ship, and was taken at the Island of St. John's July 10. 1746. He belong'd to the Jerseys, and had a long and tedious Sickness.

Feb. 24. Died Michael D [...]gan an Irishman, he list­ed at Philadelphia, a Soldier for Louisbourg, and was taken in his Passage by a French Man of War; he had been sick and recovered, but took a Relapse the 20th Instant.

March 1747. The fore-part of this Month our People were generally better in Health than they had been, and we were in Hopes the Distemper would abate, yet there was a Number sick.

March 5. We had News from Nova-Scotia, that the French under the Command of Mons. Ramsey had fallen upon an English Army at Menis, had kill'd 133, and had taken four Hundred Prisoners, but the Truth I suppose was, that they had kill'd about 70, and taken about as many more.

March 18. Died Thomas Magra an Irishman, he was taken in the Billinder; his Sickness was very short.

[Page 36] March 21. Died John Fort Servant, a Dutchman, he was taken on a Scout near Fort-Ann Nov. 16 1745: he died of a Consumption The same Day died Samuel Goodman of South Hadley; he was taken with me at Fort Massachusetts; and died of the Scurvy.

March 29. Died Mary the Wife of John Smeed, after a tedious Sickness of about 8 Weeks; was taken with me.

April 7. Died John Smeed, Jun. he was taken with me at Fort-Massachusetts: He was seized with the Distemper in October last, and was bad for a Time, and then recovered in some good Measure; and after a little Time relapsed, and so he did several Times, still at last he fell into a Consumption, of which he died.

April 8 Died Philip Scaffield; he belong'd to Penn­silvania Soldiers, was taken near Albany, Octo. 1746. His Sickness was short, but his Fever very violent.

April 10. Died John Jordan, Master of a Vessel taken at Sea, June 1 1746. He came sick into Pri­son, but seem'd to recover; and so had frequent Re­lapses 'till he died; he belong'd to the Bay Governm.

The same Day died Antonio, a Portugee; he was taken in the English Service, and so always kept confined, his Sickness was short.

April 12. Died Amos Pratt; he was taken with me: He had a hard turn of the Fever in November and December, but recovered; was taken again the latter End of March, & so continued 'till he died.

April 13. Died Timothy Cummings; he was taken near George's Fort, where he belonged, April 22 1746. His Sickness was short, but very tedious.

April 16. Died John Dill, he belong'd to Nan­taskett, was Mate of a Sloop, and taken at Sea near Jebucta, May 29. 1746. His Sickness was upon him about ten Days before his Death.

[Page 37] Apr. 17. Died Sam. Evans of Newbury; he was taken at Sea with Capt. Wm Bag [...]ey; he had a Fortnight's Sickness.

Apr. 18. Died Sam Vaughn one of Capt. Rouse's Men, taken at St. John's, July 10. 1746. he belong'd to Plymouth in New-England; he was sick about 8 Days before his Death.

April 27. Died Joseph Denning of Cape-Ann, Master of a fishing Schooner, taken at Sea June 24. 1746. He was exercised with the Purging the greatest Part of the Winter, and was worn out with it, and died.

Apr. 30. Died Susanna Mc' Cartees, Infant Child.

The 28th of this Instant, when the Prisoners were all confined in their Rooms, but one or two in the lower Room cooking the Pot, the Prison House took Fire; it began on the Ridge; we suppose that it catch'd by Sparks lighting upon it, it being very dry and something windy; it soon spread upon the House, and we could not come at it hav­ing no Ladder, to quench it. There were no Lives lost, but many lost their Bedding and Cloathing.

We were conducted by a strong Guard to the Governor's Yard, where we were kept 'till near Night, when we were conducted to the Back of the Town to the old Wall in a Bow of which they had set up some Plank Tents something like Sheeps-Pens; we had Boards flung down to lay our Beds up­on, but the Tents generally leaked so much in wet Weather, that none of us could lie dry; and had much wet Weather this Month.

The Gentlemen of our Room sent in a Petition the Be­ginning of May, that they might be removed to some more convenient Place; upon which we had a House built for us in the Prisoners Yard, about 20 Feet Square, into which we were removed the 23d Instant. This was something more comfortable than the Tents: In this Yard we were con­fined, having the Wall behind it and at each End, and the Fore-side picketed in, and a Guard of about 20 Men to keep us in both by Day and Night.

N. B. I should have observed that several Prisoners were brought into Prison before this, as Feb 15. there came in 7 Men from Mount-Real, taken the Summer before; in Mar. [Page 38] there came into Prison a Dutchman from Sechanectada, and a Woman from Saratago. April 26. there came into Prison 3 Persons taken sometime before at Saratago, & Jona. Willi­amson, taken at Wiscasset at the Eastward, April 13. 1747.

May 9. Died Sarah the Relict of Wm. Briant; she was taken at Gorham Town near Casco-Bay, April 19. 1746. Her Husband and four of her Children were then kill'd, one only escaping; she was taken sick the first of May.

May 13. Died Daniel Smeed, a young Man, he was taken with me, and was Son to John Smeed; he was first taken sick in November, and by frequent Relapses was worn out, and fell into a Purging, by which he wasted away and died.

May 14. Came into Prison John La [...]mon taken at Damas­cota in the Eastward by eleven Indians April 27. 1747, and inform'd that his Wife and Daughter were kill'd by them.

May 15. Died in the Morning Christian Tedder of Secha­nectada, taken May 7. 1746. He was taken sick about the Beginning of this Month.

The same Day died Mr. Hez. Huntington, Son to Col. Huntington of Norwich in Connecticut; he was taken at Sea June 28. 1746 He was well belov'd and much lamented by all sober religious Persons.

This Day also died Joseph Gray of Maryland; he was taken by Sea May 22. 1745; a likely young Man. Thus we had three likely young Men taken from us in one Day.

May 17. Died Captivity Smeed, an Infant about 9 Months old, Daughter to John Smeed.

May 18. Died Samuel Martin of Lebanon in Connecticut; a likely young Man taken at Sea; his Sickness short.

This Day there came into Quebec a Schooner and Sloop from Martineco, in their Passage they took a Sloop bound from Philadelphia to Antigua, and bro't in four of her Men. This Day came up three Prisoners from Bay Verde, viz. George Schavolani, Zechariah Hubbard, and a Negro, and three from the Frontiers of New-England.

May 19. Died Samuel Burbank of New-Hopkington, an old Man taken April 22. 1746.

The same Day died Abraham Fort, Son to John Fort, de­ceased, taken near Fort-Ann, Nov. 16, 1745.

[Page 39] May 20. I was taken Ill with a grievous Pain in my Head, and a sore Eye, that I was almost blind with it: the 21st I yielded to be sick; Capt. Roberts and Capt. Williams were also both of them very sick, being taken a few Days before me: This Day I was blooded, having something of the Fe­ver; the 23d I was blooded again, the Doctor also gave me a Bottle of Eye-Water, and advised me not to be concerned about the Fever: I was sensible, they did not apprehend how Ill I was; I intreated of him to give me a Potion of Physick, which he did the 25th, and it worked very well; in the Night I fell into a Sweat, and was in Hopes that it would go off, but I was sadly disappointed, for I grew worse the next Day; my Reason departed from me, and returned not until the 14th of June; Part of this Time I was given over by ever one that saw me; I had the nervous Fever, and was very much convulsed: I was exceeding low and weak when I first came to myself, but I recovered Strength as soon as could be expected, for by the 24th of June I got out, and went into the Chamber.

May 21. Died Robert Williams; he belong'd to England, and was taken at Sea.

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

May 25. Died Mr. Nehemiah How of No. 2. aged about 56, taken at Great Meadow, October 11. 1745.

May 26. Died Jacob Quaquinbush and Isaac his Son, both taken at Sarrathtoga, November 17. 1745.

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

June 3. Died Robert David Roberts of Dartmouth in England, Master of a Snow taken at Sea, May 1. 1746.

June 10. Died John Pitman of Marblehead of the Scur­vey, taken at Sea May 27. 1747.

June 12. Died Abraham De Grave of Sechanectada, taken October 1746.

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

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

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

[Page 40]This Month there came into Prison several Prisoners; first there were three Prisoners brought from Mount-Real, two of which were taken at Sarratoga, Feb. 22. 1746. and one from Canterhook, April 10. 1747. one Man killed, at the same Time a Woman and Child captivated with him.

June 5. Came in two Men taken at Pemaquid; there were twelve Men killed when they were taken.

June [...]1. We had an Account from the French that they had taken a Number of Indians and Dutch, who had first done some Mischief in Canada; there was about 50 in the whole Scout, and they had taken about 10 or 12 of them in this Month; there came also thirty-six Prisoners from Nova Scotia, most of which were taken at Menis, Feb. 1746, 7.

July 2. Died Archbald Gartrage, a Child and Son to Charles Gartrage, Aged 9 Months.

July 4. Died William Prindle, a Louishourg Soldier, a New-England Man originally, taken at St. John's, July 10. 1746.

July 11. Died Corporal William Norwood, he belonged to his Majesty's Troops which came from Gibraltar to Louis­bourg, taken at St. John's, July 10. 1746.

July 16. Died James Doyl, he was taken at Sea May 29. 1746.

The same Day died Phinehas Forbush of Westboro', taken at Fort-Massachusetts with me; he was a very likely Man.

July 21. Died Jonathan Brigman of Sunderland; he was taken with me at Fort-Massachusetts.

July 25. We came on board the Ship Verd Le Grace, which the Gov. of Canada sent with a Flag of Truce to Boston; the 27th we set sail for New-England at ten in the Morn­ing; August 1. we came in Sight of Cape-Breton-Island.

August 11. Died on Board our Flagg of Truce Nicholas Burt, he belonged to the West of England, and was taken at Sea May 1. 1746. Died in Captivity, in all, 73.

August 16. We arrived at Boston, the Sick and Infirm were taken to the Hospital; Col. Winslow sent to me and desired me to come and tarry with him while I continued in Boston; I thankfully accepted it, and was courteously entertained. This was a Day of great Joy and Gladness to me; may I never forget the many great and repe [...]te Mercies of GOD towards me.