Vifalton, ¥j'illiam
Narrative of Benjamin Gilbert and Family.
Lancaster, Ta. , 1890.

C^4^

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

1941

A narrative:

OF THE

CAPTIVITY AND SUFFERINGS

BENJAMIN Gilbert

HIS FAMILY.
Who were Surprised by the Indians and Taken from
their Farm, on Mahoning Creek, in Penn Township,
Northampton County, not far from where Fort
Allen was built, on the Frontier of Penn
sylvania, in the Spring of 1780,

Only 150 Copies— Privately Printed.

I,ANCASTER, PA.,
1890.

A narrative:

OF THE

CAPTIVITY AND SUFFERINGS

BENJAMIN Gilbert

• AND ¦

HIS FAMILY.

^Vho were Surprised by the Indians and Taken from
their Farm, on Mahoning Creek, in Penn Township,
Northampton County, not far from where Fort
Allen was built, on the Frontier of Penn
sylvania, in the Spring of 1780.

Only 150 Copies — Privately Printed.

LANCASTER, PA.,
i8go.

A narrative:
OF THE CAPTITITY AJD StJPFERISeS OF
BENJAMIN GILBERT AND HIS FAMILY,
Who were surprised by the Indians and taken from their farms
on the Irontier of Pennsylvania in the spring of 1780.

Benjamin Gilbert had been for five years before his capture by the
Indians, the owner and occupier of a farm, situate on Mahoning
Creek, in Penn township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, not far
from where Fort Allen was built. The improvements he had made
during this period, were such as were of great value in a new settle
ment. They were, besides a convenient log house and log barn, a saw
mill and commodious stone grist mill. But from this scene of com
fort, the back-woods-man, with his family, was destined soon to be
torn away; and the improvements, erected at great cost, and with
much difficulty, upon the borders of the wilderness, were scarcely
completed, ere they were doomed to flames.
On the 2Sth day of April, 1780, about sunrise, the family were
alarmed by a party of Indians, who came upon them so suddenly,
that to have attempted to escape would have been useless. Their only
chance of saving their lives was to surrender. Without resistance
they therefore gave themselves up to their savage foes, hoping yet
scarcely expecting, to escape from death by being carried off to endure
the horrors of an Indian captivity.
The Indians who made this incursion were of different tribes, who
had abandoned their country upon the approach of General Sullivan's
army, and fled within command of the British forts in Canada, settling
promiscuously within their neighborhood, and, according to Indian
custom, carrying on war, frequently invading the frontier settlements,
and taking captive the surprised and defenceless inhabitants. The
present party consisted of two half breeds, descended from a Mohawk
and French woman, three Cayugas, one Delaiware, and five Senecas —
in all eleven. The two Mohawk half breeds, whose names were Row
land Monteur and John Monteur, seemed to have command of the
party. The prisoners taken at the house of Mr. Gilbert were, himself, his
wife, his sons Joseph, Jessie and Abner, his daughters Rebecca and
Elizabeth, his daughter-in-law, Sarah Gilbert, wife of his son Jessie,

2 GILBERT S NARRATIVE.
Thomas Peart, a son of Mrs. Gilbert by a former husband, Benjamin
Gilbert, jr., a grandson, Andrew Harrigar, a German laborer in the
employment of Mr. Gilbert, and Abigail Dodson, a girl about four
teen years of age, who had been sent that morning by one of the
neighbors with a grist to the mill.
With these captives the Indians proceeded about half a mile, to the
house of Benjamin Peart, (another son of Mrs. Gilbert,) whom, with
his wife and their child about nine months old, they also captured.
The prisoners were here bound with cords, and left under a guard
for half an hour, during which time the rest of the Indians employed
themselves in pillaging the house, and packing up such goods as they
chose to carry off, until they had got together a sufficient loading for
three horses, which they took. This completed, they began their re
treat, two of their number being detatched to fire the buildings.
From an eminence called Summer Hill, which they passed over, the
captives could observe the flames and the falling in of the roofs of
their houses. They cast back a mournful look towards their dwel
lings, but were not permitted to stop until they had reached the fur
ther side of the hill, where the party sat down to make a short repast ;
but grief prevented the prisoners from sharing it.
The Indians speedily put forwards again, not being so far removed
from the settlement as to be secure from pursuit. A little further on
was a hill called Machunk, where they halted nearly an hour, and pre
pared moccasins for some of the children.
Resuming their journey, they passed over another steep hill, and in
a short time they reached Broad Mountain, the prisoners wearied and
almost exhausted. Mrs. Gilbert, who was nearly sixty years of age,
believed herself unable to make the ascent of this mountain on foot,
sat down in weariness of body and in anguish of spirit, declaring she
could proceed no farther. But being threatened by the Indians with
instant death, if she delayed them in their journey, she 'was compelled
to make her toilsome way up the mountain, nearly fainting at every
step. Having reached the summit, the captives were permitted to rest
for about an hour. The Broad Mountain is said to be seven miles
across, and about ten railes from Gilbert's settlement. >
Leaving Broad Mountain, they struck into Neskapeck path, which
they followed the remainder of the day, crossing Quackac Creek, and
passing over Pismire Hill and through the Moravian Pine Swarap to
Mahonia Mountain, where they lodged that night. The prisoners
were allowed for beds, branches of hemlock strewed on the ground,
and blankets for covering — an indulgence scarcely to have been ex
pected from their savage captors. To prevent their escape, however,
a contrivance was resorted to that completely raarred the little com
fort they might otherwise have enjoyed. A sapling, about the thick
ness of a raan's thigh, was cut down, in which notches were made ; the
prisoners were then placed in the notches, and another sapling placed
over the first and made fast ; a cord was also put about their necks and
fastened to a tree : thus effectually confining them, in this stretched-
out position, all night upon their backs.
Early the next morning they continued their route near the waters

gilbert's NARRATIVE. 3
of Terapin Pond. The Indians that day deemed it best to separate
the prisoners in companies of two, each company under the command
of a particular Indian, spreading them to a considerable distance, in
order to render a pursuit as nearly impracticable as possible. During
the day, the Indian under whose direction Benjamin Gilbert and his
wife were placed, frequently threatened them with instant death,
whenever from fatigue they began to lag in their journey. Towards
evening the parties again met and encamped. Having killed a deer,
they kindled a fire and roasted the flesh, each man holding a piece of
it over the coals or in the flame, by means of pointed sticks. The
confinement of the captives was similar to that which they endured
the night before.
After breakfast the next morning, a council was held concerning the
division of the prisoners. An allotment being made, they were
delivered to their several masters, with instructions to obey the com
mands of the particular Indian whose property they became. In this
day's journey they passed near Fort Wyoming, on the Eastern branch
of Susquehanna, about forty miles from their late habitation. The
Indians were alarmed as they approached this garrison, and observed
great caution, suffering not the least unncessary noise, and stepping on
the stones that lay on the path, lest any footsteps should lead to a dis
covery. The night was spent on the banks of a stream emptying
itself into the Susquehanna, not far distant from the fort. On the
following morning the prisoners were all painted, according to Indian
custom, some of them with red and black, some all red, and others
with black only. Those whom they paint black, without the mixture
of any other color, are in most cases devoted to death ; and although
they are not usually killed immediately, they are seldom preserved to
reach the Indian hamlet alive. In the evening of this 'day, they came
to the Susquehanna, having had a painful and wearisome journey over
a very stony and hilly country. Here the Indians were more than
ordinarily careful in seeking a secluded lodging-place, that they might
be as secure as possible from any scouting parties of the white people.
In the night their horses strayed away from them, and it was late the
next morning before they found thera and were ready to proceed on
their journey. Their course lay along the river. In the afternoon
they carae to a place where the Indians had left four negroes, with a
supply of corn for their subsistence, waiting their return. These
negroes had escaped from their masters, and were on their way to
Niagara when first discovered by the Indians. Being challenged by
the latter, they said they "were for the king," upon which they were
received into protection.
It was not to the comfort of the prisoners that these negroes were
added to the company. They manifested an insolence and domineer
ing spirit which were almost intolerable, frequently insulting the cap
tives, whipping them in mere wantonness and sport, and in all respects
treating them with more severity than the Indians did themselves.
On the first of May, the whole company carae to a place where two
Indians lay dead at the side of the path. Two others had been killed
there but were removed. The captives were informed that a party of

4 , gilbert's NARRATIVE.
Indians had taken some white people whora they were carrying off as
prisoners ; the latter rose upon their captors in the night time, killed
four of them, and then effected their escape. When the present com
pany came to this place the women were sent forward, and the male
captives commanded to draw near and view the dead bodies. After
remaining to observe them for some time, they were ordered to a place
where a tree was blown down. They were then directed to dig a
grave ; to effect which they sharpened a piece of sapling with a toma
hawk, with which rude instrument one of them broke the ground, and
the others threw out the ground with their hands ; the negroes being
permitted to beat them severely all the time they were thus employed.
The bodies were deposited in the grave, and the prisoners marched a
short distance farther, where they found the Indians who had gone
forward with the women, preparing a lodging place for the night.
The captives were still secured every night in the manner already de
scribed. The next day, towards evening, they crossed the east branch of the
Susquehanna in canoes, at the same place where Gen. Sullivan's army
had crossed it in the expedition against the Indians. The horses swam
the river by the side of the canoe. Their encampment that night was
on the western bank of the stream ; but two Indians who did not
cross it, sent for Benjamin Gilbert, jun., and Jesse Gilbert's wife. Not
being able to assign any probable cause for this order, the remaining
captives spent the night in great anxiety and uneasiness of mind. The
next morning, however, their fears were dispelled by seeing their com
panions again, who had received no worse treatment than usual. This
day the Indians, in their raarch, found a scalp which they took along
with them, and also some corn of which they made a supper. They
frequently killed deer, which was the only provision the party had, as
the flour which they took with them from the settlement was expended.
On the 4th of May the party was divided into two companies : the
one taking a path to the westward, with whom were Thomas Peart,
Joseph Gilbert, Benjamin Gilbert, jun. and Jesse Gilbert's wife ; the
other company travelled more to the north.
In the evening, as the company that took the northern route was
about to encamp, the prisoners enquired of their captors what had be
come of their four companions who had been taken the western path.
The reply was, " They are killed and scalped, as you may expect the
same fate to-night. ' ' Andrew Harrigar was so terrified at the threat
that he resolved upon flight. As soon as it was dark he took a kettle,
with pretence of bringing some water, and made his escape under cover
of the night. Pursuit was made by several of the Indians as soon as he
was missing ; they reraained out all night in search of him. They
were not able, however, to overtake him, and in the morning they
returned. Harrigar endured hardships in the woods, and at length
reached the settlements, and gave the first authentic intelligence of the
captives to their friends and neighbors.
After this escape, the prisoners were treated with great severity on
account of it, and were often accused of being privy to the design of
Harrigar. Rowland Monteur carried his resentment so far that he

gilbert's NARRATIVE. 5
threw Jesse Gilbert down, and lifted his tomahawk to strike him which
Mrs. Gilbert prevented by placing her head on that of her son and
beseeching the enraged savage to spare him. Turning around, he
kicked her over, and then tied both mother and son by their necks to
a tree, where they remained until his fury abated ; he then loosed
them, and bid them pack up and go forwards. In the evening they
came to one of the deserted towns of the Shipquegas, and took their
lodging in one of the wigwams still standing. The Shipquegas towns
had been abandoned a short time before, upon the approach of Gen.
Sullivan's army. The party remained for three days among the de
serted villages of this tribe. Besides an abundance of game here,
there were plenty of potatoes and turnips remaining in the fields
attached to the villages, which had not been destroyed by the invading
army. Several horses were also taken here, which had been left by
the Shipquegas in their hasty flight. Upon resuming their march,
Mrs. Gilbert was placed upon one of these horses, which seemed wild
and dangerous to ride, but she was not thrown, she continued to ride
him for several days.
The day they renewed their journey, they first passed through a long
and dreary swamp, and then began the ascent of a rugged mountain,
where there was no path. The underwood made it difficult for the
women to ascend ; but they were corapelled to keep pace with their
masters, however great the fatigue. , When the mountain was crossed,
the party tarried awhile for the negroes, who lagged behind with the
horses that carried the baggage. The whole company being now
together, they agreed to encamp in a swamp not far distant. A long
reach of savannas and low grounds rendered their next day's journey
very fatiguing and painful, especially to the woftien ; and Elizabeth
Peart in particular was wearied almost to fainting, by being compelled
to carry her child, her husband not being permitted to carry it for her
or to lend her the least assistance ; and once when she was just ready
to drop from fatigue, the Indian who had charge of her, struck her a
violent blow, to impel her forward.
On the third day after their departure from the Shipquegas villages,
their provisions began to fail them ; and their was no garae in the
coutry through which they journeyed. At night, worn down with toil
and suffering from the want of food, Mrs. Gilbert was seized with a
chill. The Indians, however, gave her some flour and water boiled,
which afforded her some relief. But the next day she was so weak
that she could only get along with the assistance of two of her chil
dren — her horse having been taken from her.
On the 14th of May they carae to Canadosago, where they met
with Benjamin Gilbert, Jr., and Jesse Gilbert's wife Sarah, two of the
four captives that had been seperated from the rest for the last ten days,
and taken along the western path. On the same day, John Huston, jr.,
the younger of the Cayuga Indians, under whose care Benjamin Gil
bert, sen., was placed, designing to despatch him, painted him black;
this exceedingly terrified the family ; but no entreaties of theirs being
likely to prevail, they resigned their cause to Him whose power can
control all events. Wearied with traveling, and weak for the want of

6 GILBERT S NARRATIVE.
food, they made a stop to recover themselves ; when the elder of the
Cayugas, who had been sent forward with Abner Gilbert two days be
fore to procure a supply of provision, returned, assuring them that a
supply was at hand.
The negroes were reduced so low with hunger, that their behaviour
was different from what it had been, conducting themselves with' more
moderation. At their quarters, in the evening, two white raen carae
to thera, one of whom was a-volunteer amongst the British, the other
had been taken prisoner some time before ; these two men brought some
hominy, and sugar made from the sweet maple ; of this provision,
and a hedge-hog which they found, they raade a more comfortable
supper than they had enjoyed for many days.
In the morning the volunteer, having received information of the
rough treatment the prisoners met with from the negroes, relieved them,
by taking the four blacks under his care. It was not without much
difficulty they crossed a large creek which was in their way, being
obliged to swim the horses over it. Benjamin Gilbert began to fail ;
the Indian, whose property he was, highly irritated at his want of
strength, put a rope about his neck, leading him along with it ; fatigue
at last so overcome' him, that he fell on the ground, when the Indian
pulled the rope so hard, that he alraost choked him : his wife seeing
this resolutely interceded for him, although the Indians bid her go for
ward, as the others had gone on before then ; this she refused to comply
with, unless her husband might be permitted to accompany her ; they
replied " that they had determined to kill the old man," having before
this set him apart as a victim ; but at length her entreaties prevailed,
and their hearts were turned from their cruel purpose. When their
anger was a little moderated, they sat forward to overtake the rest of
the company : their relations, who had been witnesses of the forraer
part of this scene of cruelty, and expected they would both have been
murdered, rejoiced greatly at their return, considering their safety as
a Providential deliverance.
Necessity induced two of the Indians the next day to set off on
horse back, into the Seneca country, in search of provisions. The
prisoners, in the mean time, were ordered to dig up a root, something
resenibling a potaloe, which the Indians call whappanies. They tarried
at this place, until towards the evening of the succeeding day, and
made a soup of wild onions and turnip tops ; this they ate without
bread or salt, it could not therefore afford sufficient sustenance, either
for young or old ; their food being so very light their strength daily
wasted. Having left this place, they crossed the Genesee river on a raft of
logs, bound together by hickory withes; this appeared to be a dangerous
raethod of ferrying them over such a river, to those who had been un
accustomed to such conveyances. They fixed their station near the
Genesee banks, and procured raore of the wild potato roots before
mentioned, for their supper.
On the following day one of the Indians left the company, taking
with him the finest horse they had, and in some hours after returned
with a large piece of meat, ordering the captives to boil it ; this com-

GILBERT S NARRATIVE. 7
mand they cheerfully performed, anxiously watching the kettle, fresh
meat being a rarity which they had not for a long time enjoyed. The
Indians, when it was sufficiently boiled, distributed to each one a piece,
eating sparingly themselves. The prisoners made their repast without
bread or salt, and ate with a good deal of relish what they supposed to
be fresh beef, but afterwards understood it was horse flesh.
A shrill halloo which they heard, gave the prisoners some uneasiness ;
one of the Indians immediately rode to examine the cause, and found
it was Captain Rowland Monteur, and his brother John's wife, with
some other Indians, who were seeking them with provisions. The re
mainder of the company soon reached them, and they divided some
bread, which they had brought, into small pieces, according to the
number of the company.
The Captain and his company had brought with them cakes of hom-
mony and Indian corn ; of this they made a good meal. He appeared
pleased to see the prisoners, having been absent from them several days,
and ordered them all round to shake hands with him. From him they
received information respecting Joseph Gilbert and Thomas Peart,
who were seperated from the others on the 4th 'of the month, and
learned that they had arrived at the Indian settlements, some time be
fore, in safety.
The corapany staid the night at this place. One of the Indians
refused to suffer any of them to come near his fire, or converse with the
prisoner who, in the distribution, had fallen to him.
Pounding hommony was the tiext day's employment; the weather
being warm, made it a hard task ; they boiled and prepared it for
supper, the Indians sitting down to eat first, and when they had con
cluded their meal, they wiped the spoon on the sole of their raoccasins,
and then gave it to the captives.
Having resuraed their journey, Elizabeth Gilbert, being obliged to
ride alone, missed the path, for which the Indians repeatedly struck
her. Their route still continued through rich meadows. After wander
ing for a time out of the direct path, they came to an Indian town, and
obtained the necessary information to pursue their journey ; the Indians
ran out of their huts to see the prisoners, and to partake of the plunder,
but no part of it suited them. Being directed to travel the path back
again, for a short distance, they did so, and then struck into another,
and went on until night, by which time they were very hungry, not
having eaten since morning ; the kettle was again set on the fire for
hommony, this being their only food.
On the 2 ist of May the report of a morning-gun from Niagara,
which they heard, contributed to raise their hopes — they rejoiced at
being so near. An Indian was despatched, on horse back, to procure
provisions from the fort.
Elizabeth Gilbert could not walk as fast as the rest, she was therefore
sent forward on foot, but was soon overtaken and left behind, the rest
being obliged by the Indians to go on without regarding her. She
would have been greatly perplexed, when she came to a division path,
had not her husband lain a branch across the path which would have

O GILBERT S NARRATIVE.
led her wrong — an affecting instance of both ingenuity and tenderness.
She met several Indians, who passed by without speaking to her.
An Indian belonging to the company, who was on the horse Elizabeth
Gilbert had ridden, overtook her, and, as he went on slowly conversing
with her, endeavored to alarm her, by saying that she would be left
behind, and perish in the woods ; yet, notwithstanding this, his heart
was so softened before he had gone any great distance from her, that
he alighted from the horse and left him, that she might be able to
reach the rest of the company. The more seriously she considered this
the more it appeared to her to be a convincing instance of the overrul
ing protection of Him, who can " turn the heart of man as the
husbandman turneth the water-course in his field."
As the Indians approached nearer their habitations, they frequently
repeated their halloos, and after some time they received an answer in
the same manner, which alarmed the company much ; but they soon
discovered it to proceed from a party of whites and Indians, who were
on some expedition, though their pretence was that they were for New
York. Not long after parting with these, Rowland Monteur's wife
came to them; she was daughter to Siangorochti, king of the Senecas,
but her mother being a Cayuga, she was ranked among that nation, the
children generally reckoning their descent from the mother's side.
This princess was attended by the Captain's brother John, one other
Indian, and a white prisoner who had been taken at Wyoming, by
Rowland Monteur ; she was dressed altogether in the Indian manner,
shining with gold lace and silver baubles. They brought with them
from the fort a supply of provisions. The Captain being at a distance
behind, when his wife came the company waited for him. After the
custoraary salutations, he addressed hiraself to his wife, telling her that
Rebecca was her daughter, and that she must not be induced, by any
consideration, to part with her; whereupon she took a silver ring off
her finger, and put it upon Rebecca's, by which she was adopted as her
daughter They feasted upon the provisions that were brought, for they had
been for several days before pinched with hunger, what sustenance they
could procure not being sufficient to support nature.
The next day the Indians proceeded on their journey, and continued
whooping in the most frightful manner. In this day's route, they met
another company of Indians, who compelled Benjamin Gilbert, the
elder, to sit on the ground, when they put several questions to him,
to which he gave thera the best answer he could ; they then took his
hat frora him and went off.
Going through a small town near Niagara, an Indian woraan came
out of one of the huts, and struck each of the captives a blow. Not
long after their departure from this place, Jesse, Rebecca, and their
mother, were detained until the others had got out of their sight, when
the mother was ordered to push on ; and as she had to go by herself.
she was much perplexed what course to take, as there was no path by
which she could be directed. In thi^ dilemma, she concluded to keep
as straight forward as possible, and after some space of time, she liad
the satisfaction of overtaking the others. The pilot then made a short

gilbert's NARRATIVE. 9
stay, that those who were behind might come up, and the Captain
handed some rum round, giving each a dram, except the two old folks,
whom they did not consider worthy of this notice. Here the Captain,
who had the chief direction, painted Abner, Jesse, Rebecca and
Ehzabeth Gilbert, jun., and presented each with a belt of wampura, as
a token of their being received into favor, although they took from
them all their hats and bonnets, except Rebecca's.
The prisoners were released from the loads they had heretofore been
compelled to carry, and had it not been for the treatment they expect
ed on their approaching the Indian towns, and the hardship of a sepa
ration, their situation would have been tolerable ; but the horror of
their minds, arising from the dreadful yells of the Indians, as they
approached the hamlets, is easier conceived than described, for they
were no strangers to the custoraary cruelty exercised upon captives en
tering their towns. The Indians, men, women and children, collect
together, bringing clubs and stones in order to beat them, which they
usually do with great severity, by way of revenge for their relations
who have been slain ; this is performed immediately upon their enter
ing the village where the warriors reside. This treatment connot be
avoided, and the blows, however cruel, must be borne without com
plaint, and the prisoners are sorely beaten, until their enemies are
wearied with the cruel sport. Their sufferings were in this case very
great ; they received several wounds, and two of the wornen who were
on horseback were much bruised by falling from their horses, which
were frightened by the Indians. Elizabeth, the mother, took shelter by
the side of one of them, but observing that she met with some favor
on his account, he sent her away ; she then received several violent
blows, so that she was alraost entirely disabled. The blood trickled
from their heads in a stream, their hair being cropt close, and the
clothes they had on in rags, made their situation truly piteous.
Whilst they were inflicting this revenge upon the captives, the king
came and put a stop to any further cruelty, by telhng them " It was
sufficient," which they immediately attended to.
Benjamin Gilbert, and Elizabeth his wife, Jesse Gilbert, and his
wife, were ordered to Captain Rowland Monteur's house ; the women
belonging to it were kind to them, and gave them something to eat ;
Sarah Gilbert, Jesse's wife, was taken from them by three women, in
order to be placed in the family she was to be adopted by.
Two officers from Niagara Fort, Captains Dace and Powel, came to
see the prisoners, and prevent (as they were informed) any abuse that
might be given them, Benjamin Gilbert informed these officers, that
he was apprehensive they were in great danger of being murdered,
upon which they proraised him they would send a boat, the next day,
to bring them to Niagara.
Notwithstanding the kind intention of the officers, they did not
derive the expected advantage from it, the next day, for the Indians
insisted on their going to the Fort on foot, although the bruises they
had received the day before, from the many severe blows given them,
rendered their journey on foot very distressing ; but Capt. Monteur,
obstinately persisting, they dared not long remonstrate or refuse.

10 gilbert's narrative.
When they left the Indian town, several issued from their huts after
thera, with sticks in their hands, yelling and screeching in a raost
dismal raanner ; but through the interposition of four Indian women,
who had come with the captives, to prevent any further abuse they
might receive, they were preserved. One of them walking between
Benjamin Gilbert and his wife, led thera, and desired Jesse to keep as
near them as he could, the other three walked behind, and prevailed
with the young Indians to desist. They had not pursued their route
long before they saw Capt. John Powel, who carae from his boat, and
persuaded (though with some difficulty) the Indians to get into it,
with the captives, which relieved them from their apprehensions of
further danger. After reaching the Fort, Capt. Powel introduced
them to Col. Guy Johnson and Col. Butler, who asked the prisoners
many questions, in the presence of the Indians. They presented the
Captain with a belt of wampum, which is a constant practice among
them, when they intend a ratification of the peace. Before their con
nexion with Europeans, these belts were made of shells, found on the
coasts of New England and Virginia, which were sawed out into beads
of an oblong shape, about a quarter of an inch long, which when
strung together on leather strings, and these strings fastened with fine
thread, made of sinews, compose what is called a belt of wampum.
But since the whites have gained footing among them, they make use
of the common glass beads for this purpose.
On the 2Sth of May Benjamin Gilbert, his wife Elizabeth, and their
Jesse were surrendered to Col. Johnson, in whose family they received
much kindness. The Colonel's housekeeper was particularly attentive
to them, not only inviting them to her house, where she gave the old
folks the best room, but administering to their necessities and endeav
oring to sooth their sorrows.
A few days after they came to the Fort they had information that
Benjamin Peart was by the river side, with the Indians. Upon hear
ing this report, his mother went to see hira, but every atterapt to ob
tain his release was in vain ; the Indians would by no means give him
up. From this place they intended to march with their prisoners to
the Genesee river, about an hundred miles distant. As the affectionate
raother's solicitations proved fruitless, her son not only felt the afflict
ing loss of his wife and child, from whom he had been torn some time
before, but a renewal of his grief on the short sight of his parent.
She procured him a hat, and also some salt, which was an acceptable
burden for the journey.
Benjamin Gilbert, conversing with the Indian captain who made
them captives, observed that he might say what none of the other In
dians could, " That he had brought in the oldest man and the young
est child." His reply to this was expressive : "It was not I, but the
great God who brought you through, for we were determined to kill
you, but were prevented."
The British officers being informed that Jesse Gilbert's wife was
among the Indians, with great tenderness agreed to seek her out, and
after a diligent inquiry, found that she was among the Delawares ; they
went to them and endeavored to agree upon terms for her releasement.

gilbert's NARRATIVE. 11
The Indians brought her to the Fort the next day, but would not give
her up to her relations.
Early next morning Capt. Robeson generously undertook to procure
her liberty, which, after much attention and sohcitude, he, together
with Lieutenant Hillyard, kappily accomplished. They made the Indi
ans several small presents and gave them thirty pounds as a ransom.
When Sarah Gilbert had obtained her liberty she altered her dress
more in character for her sex than she had been able to do whilst
amongst the Indians, and went to her husband and parents at Col.
Johnson's, where she was joyfully received.
Col. Johnson's housekeeper continued her kind attentions to them
during their stay here, and procured clothing for them from the king's
stores. About the first of June, the Senecas, among whom Elizabeth Peart
was captive, brought her with them to the Fort ; as soon as the mother
heard of it, she went to her, and had some conversation with her, but .
could not learn where she was to be sent to ; she then enquired of the
Interpreter, and pressed on his friendship to learn what was to become
of her daughter; this request he complied with, and informed her
that she was to be given away to another family of the Senecas, and
adopted among them, in the place of a deceased relation. Capt.
Powel interested himself in her case likewise, and offered to purchase
her of thera, but the Indians refused to give her up ; and as the
mother and daughter expected they should see each other no more,
their parting was very affecting.
The Indian woman who had adopted Rebecca as her daughter,
came also to the Fort, and Elizabeth Gilbert made use of this oppor
tunity to enquire concerning her daughter ; the Interpreter informed
her, there was no probability of obtaining the enlargement of her
child, as the Indians would not part with her: All she could do, was,
to recomraend her to their notice, as very weakly, and of consequence
not able to endure much fatigue.
Not many days after their arrival at Niagara, a vessel came up Lake
Ontario to the Fort, with orders for the prisoners to go to Montreal.
In this vessel came one Capt. Brant, an Indian chief, high in rank
amongst them. Elizabeth Gilbert immediately applied herself to so
licit and interest him in behalf of her children who yet remained in
captivity ; he readily promised her to use his endeavours to procure
their liberty. A short time before they sailed for Montreal, they re
ceived accounts of Abner and Elizabeth Gilbert the younger, but it
was also understood that their possessors were not disposed to give
them up. As the prospect of obtaining the release of their children
was so very discouraging, it was no alleviation to their distress to be
removed to Montreal, where, in all probability, they would seldom be
able to gain any information respecting them ; on which account, they
were very solicitious to stay at Niagara, but the Colonel said they
could not remain there, unless the son would enter into the King's
service : this could not be consented to, therefore they chose to submit
to every calamity which might be permitted to befall them, and confide
in the great controller of events.

12 gilbert's NARRATIVE.
After continuing ten days at Col. Johnson's, they took boat and
crossed the river Niagara, in order to go on board the vessel (which
lay in Lake Ontario) for Montreal.
The vessel sailed down the lake on the sixth day of the week, and
on the first day following, being the fourth day of June, 1780, came
to Carlton Island, where there were such a number of small boats,
which brought provisions, that it had the appearance of a fleet. Ben
jarain Gilbert and Jesse went on shore to obtain leave from the com
manding officer to go to Montreal in the small boats, as the vessel
they came in could proceed no further. They met with a kind recep
tion and their request was granted.
The second day following, they left Carlton Island, which lies at
the mouth of Lake Ontario, and took their passage in open boats
down the river St. Lawrence, and passed a number of small Islands.
There is a rapid descent in the waters of this river, which appears
.dangerous to thbse unacquainted with these kind of falls. The
Frenchmen who rowed the boats, kept them near the shore, and
passed without much difficulty between the rocks.
Benjamin Gilbert had been much indisposed before they left the
Fort, and his disorder was increased by a rain which fell on their
passage, as they were without any covering. They passed Oswa-
gotchy, an English garrison, by the side of the river, but they were not
permitted to stop here; they proceeded down the St, Lawrence, and
the rain continuing, went on shore on an island in order to secure
themselves frora the weather. Here they raade a shelter for Benjamin
Gilbert, and when the rain ceased, a place was prepared for him in the
boat, that he might lie down with more ease. His bodily weakness
made much rapid progress, that it rendered all the care and attention
of his wife necessary, and likewise called forth all her fortitude ; she
supported him in her arms, affording every possible relief to mitigate
his extreme pains. And although in this distressed condition, he,
notwithstanding, gave a satisfactory evidence of the virtue and power
of a patient and holy resignation, which can disarm the king of ter
rors, and receive hira as a welcome messenger. Thus prepared, he
passed from this state of probation the eighth day of June, 1780, in.
the evening, leaving his wife and two children, who were with him, in
all the anxiety of deep distress, although they had no doubt but that
their loss was his everlasting gain. Being without a light in the boat,
the darkness of the night added no'i a little to their melancholy situa
tion. As there was not any others with Elizabeth Gilbert but her
children and the four Frenchmen who managed the boat, and her
apprehensions alarming her, lest they should throw the corpse overboard,
as they appeared to be an unfeeling company, she therefore applied to
some British officers who were in a boat behind them, who dispelled
her fears, and received her under their protection.
In the morning they passed the garrison .of Coeur de Lac, and
waited for some considerable time, a small distance below it. Squire
Campbell, who had charge of the prisoners, when he heard of Ben
jamin Gilbert's decease, sent Jesse to the commandant, of this gar
rison to get a coffin, in which they put the corpse, and very hastily

gilbert's NARRATIVE. 13
interred him under an oak not far from the Fort. The boatmen
would not allow his widow to pay the last tribute to his memory, but
regardless of her affliction, refused to wait.
The next day they arrived at Montreal, where they remained for
more than a year, receiving much kindness, both from the British offi
cers and soldiers and a number of the inhabitants. Being placed
upon the list of the King's prisoners, daily rations were allowed them.
During the time they remained here, they applied to Col. Campbell
for such assistance as he could render them in procuring the release of
the other captives from the Indians. He took down a short account
of their sufferings, and forwarded the narrative to General Huldimund
at Quebec, desiring his attention to the sufferers. The General imme
diately issued orders that of all the officers under his command should
endeavor to procure the release of the prisoners, and that every garri
son should furnish them with necessaries as they came down. Some
time after this order, Mrs. Gilbert was one day at the house of a Mr.
Scott, in Montreal, when she was informed that some persons in an
adjoining room were desirous of seeing her. Her joy may be im
agined when upon entering the apartment, she beheld six of her long
lost children.
A messenger was sent to inform Jesse and his wife, that Joseph Gil
bert, Benjamin Peart, Elizabeth his wife, and young child, Abner
and Elizabeth Gilbert, the younger, were with their mother. It must
afford very pleasing reflection to any affectionate disposition, to dwell
awhile on this scene, that after a captivity of upwards of fourteen
months, so happy a meeting should take place.
Thomas Peart, who had obtained his liberty, and tarried at Niagara,
that he might be of service to the two yet remaining in captivity, viz :
Benjarain Gilbert, jun., and Rebecca Gilbert.
Abigail Dodson, the daughter of a neighboring farmer, who was
taken with them, having inadvertently informed the Indians she was
not of the Gilbert family, all attempts for her liberty were fruitless.
We shall now proceed to relate how Joseph Gilbert, the eldest son
of the deceased, fared amongst the Indians : He, with Thomas Peart,
Benjamin Gilbert, jun., and Jesse Gilbert's wife Sarah, were taken
along the westward path, as before related ; after some short continu
ance in this path, Thomas Peart and Joseph Gilbert were taken from
the other two, and by a different route through many difficulties, they
were brought to Caracadera, where they received the insults of the
women and children, whose husbands or parents had fallen in their
hostile excursions.
Joseph Gilbert was separated from his r .panion, and reraoved to
an Indian villa, called Nundow, about seven miles frora Caracadera;
his residence was, for several weeks, in the king's family, whose ham
let was superior to the other sihalll huts. The king himself brought
him some hommony, and treated him with great civility, intending his
adoption into the family, in place of one of his sons, who was slain
when General Sullivan drove them from their habitations. As Nun
dow was not to be the place of his abode, his quarters were soon
changed, and he was taken back to Caracadera ; but his weakness of the
body was so great, that he was two days accomplishing this journey,

14 gilbert's l^ARRATIYE.
which was only seven miles, and not able to procure any other food
than roots and herbs, the Indian economy leaving them without any
provisions to subsist on. Here they adopted him into the family of
one of the king's sons, informing him, that if he would marry amongst
them, he should enjoy the privileges which they enjoyed ; but this pro
posal he was not disposed to comply with, and as he was not over anxious
to conceal his dislike to them, the sufferings he underwent were not alle
viated. The manner of his life differing so much from what he had
before been accustomed to, having to eat the wild roots and herbs
before mentioned, and as he had been lame from a child, and subject
to frequent indispositions, it was requisite for him to pay more atten
tion to his weak habit of body, than his captors are willing he should.
When the master of the faraily was at home, the respect he shewed
to Joseph, and his kindness to him, rendered his situation more toler
able than in his absence. Frequently suffering with hunger, the privi
lege of a plenteous table appeared to him as an inestimable blessing,
which claimed the warmest devotion of gratitude. In such a distressed
situation, the hours rolled over with a tediousness almost insupportable,
as he had no agreeable employ to relieve his raind frora the reflections
of his sorrowful captivity. This manner of life continued about three
months, and when they could no longer procure a supply by their
hunting, necessity compelled them to go to Niagara Fort for provisions
The greater number of the Indians belonging to Caracadera attended
on this journey, in order to obtain a supply of provisions, their want
of economy being so great, as to have consuraed so early as the eighth
month, all they had raised in the last year, and the present crops were
yet unfit to gather ; their profuse raanner in using their scant pittance
of provision, generally introducing a famine, after a short time of
feasting. They compute the distance from Caracadera to Niagara Fort
to be one hundred and thirty miles ; on this journey they were up
wards of 5 days, taking some venison on their route, and feasting with
great greediness, as they had been a long time without meat. ,
When they reached the fort they procured clothing from the king's
stores for Joseph Gilbert, such as the Indians usually wear themselves,
a match coat, leggings, &c. His indisposition confined him at Colo
nel Johnson's for several days, during which time the British officers
endeavoured to agree with the Indians for his release, but they would
not consent. The afflicting account of the death of his father, which
was here communicated to him, spread an additional gloom on his
mind. After continuing at the Fort about four weeks, the Indians or
dered him back with them ; this was a sore stroke, to leave a degree of
ease and plenty, and resume the hardships of an Indian life. With
this uncomfortable prospect before him, added to his lameness, the
journey was toilsome and painful. They were five days in their return
and when they arrived their corn was ripe for use ; this, with the ad
vantage of hunting, as the game was in its greatest perfection, fur
nished at present a comfortable subsistence.
Joseph had permission to visit his fellow captive, Thomas Peart who
was at a small town of the Indians, about seven miles distant, called

GILBERT S NARRATIVE. 15
Nundow, to whom he communicated the sorrowful intelligence of their
mother's widowed situation.
At the first approach of spring, Joseph Gilbert and his adopted
brother employed themselves in procuring rails, and repairing the fence
about the lot of ground they intended to plant with corn ; as this part
of preserving the grain was allotted to them, the planting and culture
was assigned to the women, their husbandry being altogether per
formed with tjajWioe.
The Ind^MlBnner of life was by no means agreeable to Joseph
Gilbert ; tj^^irregularity in their meals was hard for him to bear ;
when they had provisions in plenty, they observed no plan of domestic
economy, but indulged their voracious appetites, which soon consumed
their stock, and a famine succeeded.
In the early part of June, 1781, their corn was spent, and they were
obliged to have recourse again to the wild herbage and roots, and were
so reduced for want of provision, that the Indians, having found
the carcass of a dead horse, took the meat and roasted it.
An officer from the Fort came down to enquire into the situation of
the Indians, and upon observing the low condition of Joseph was in,
not being likely to continue long without some relief, which the officer
privately afforded, being permitted to frequent his house. He advised
hira to endeavor to escape from the Indians by flight, informing him
that he had no other means of obtaining his release ; this confirmed
him in a resolution he had previously formed, but which his lameness
and weak habit rendered it impracticable to execute at that time.
Some time afterwards, however, embracing a favorable opportunity,
when the raen were generally from home, some in their war expedi
tions, and some out hunting, he left them one night whilst the family
slept, and made the best of his way towards Niagara Fort, following
the path, as he had once before gone along it. Having a small piece
of bread which he took from the hut, he made a hasty repast, travel
ling day and night, in order to escape from the further distresses of
captivity. As he neither took any sleep, nor other food by the way
than the piece of bread mentioned, for the two days and nights he
pursued his journey, he was much fatigued when he reached the Fort.
Upon his applying to Colonel Johnson, he was hospitably entertained,
and the next day he saw three of the Indians whom he had left at the
town when he had set off.
After a few days stay here, as most of the family were discharged
from captivity, and waiting for a passage to Montreal, a vessel was fitted
to take them on board, in order to proceed down the lake.
We come next to Benjamin Peart, who remained the first night after
his arriving at the Indian huts, with his wife and child, but was sepa
rated from them the next day, and taken about a mile and a half, and
presented to one of the families of the Seneca nation, and afterward
introduced to one of their chiefs, who made a long harangue which
Benjamin did not understand. The Indians then gave him to a
Squaw, in order to be received as her adopted child, who ordered him
to a private hut, where the women wept over him in remembrance of
the relation in whose stead he was received. After this, he went with

16 gilbert's narrative.
his mother (by adoption) to Niagara river, about two miles below the
Great Falls, and staid here several days, then went to the Fort on their
way to the Genesee river, where he had the pleasure of conversing
with his mother, and receiving information concerning his wife and
child ; but even this satisfaction was short lived, for he neither could
obtain permission to visit his wife nor was he allowed to converse freely
with his mother, as the Indians hurried him on board their bark ca
noes, where having placed their provisions, they proceed with expedi
tion down the lake to the mouth of the Genesee river.
When the party arrived at the place of their designed settlement,
they soon erected a small hut or wigwam, and the ground being rich
and level, they began with their plantations of Indian corn. Two
white men who had been taken prisoners, the one from Susquehanna,
the other from Minisink, both in Pennsylvania, lived near this settle
ment, and were allowed by the Indians to use the horses and plant for
themselves. These men lightened the toil of Benjamin Peart's servi
tude, as he was frequently in their company, and he had the liberty of
doing soraething for hiraself, though without much success.
His new habitation, as it was not very healthy, introduced fresh
difficulties, for he had not continued here long before he was afflicted
with sickness, which preyed upon him near three months, the Indians
repeatedly endeavoring to relieve him by their knowedge in simples,
but their endeavours proved ineffectual ; the approach of the winter
season afforded the relief sought for. Their provision was not very
terapting to a weakly constitution, having nothing else than horamony,
and but short allowence even of that, insomuch that when his appetite
increased he could not procure food sufficient to recruit his strength.
The company of his brother, Thomas Peart, who visited him, was a
great comfort, and as the town he lived at was but the distance of
eighteen miles, they had frequent opportunities of condoling with each
other in their distress.
The Indian men being absent on one of their war excursions, and
the women employed in gathering the corn, left Benjamin Peart much
leisure to reflect in solitude.
Towards the beginning' of the winter season the men returned and
built themselves a log house for a granary, and then removed about
twenty miles from their settleraent into the hunting country, and pro
cured a great variety of game, which they usually ate without bread or
salt. As he had been with the Indians for several months their lan
guage became more familiar to him.
Hunting and feasting after their manner being their only employ,
they soon cleared the place where they settled of the game, which
made a second removal necessary, and they are so accustomed to this
wandering life that it becomes their choice.
They fixed up a long hut in this second hunting place, and contin
ued until February, when they returned to their first settlement, though
their stay was but a few days, and then back again to their log hut
The whole family concluded upon a journev to Niagara Fort by
land, which was completed in seven days. At the fort he had the sat
isfaction of conversing with his brother, Thomas Peart, and the same

gilbert's narrative. 17
day his wife also came from Buffaloe Creek, with the Senecas, to the
Fort. This happy meeting, after an absence of ten months, drew
tears of joy from them. He made an inquiry after his child, as he
had neither heard from it nor the mother since their separation. The
Indians not approving of their conversing much together, as they im
agined they would remember their former situation and become less
contented with their present mode of life, they separated them again
the same day, and took Benjamin's wife about four miles distant ; but
the party with whom he came permitted him to stay here several nights,
and when the Indians had completed their traffic they returned, taking
him some miles back with them to one of their towns ; but his telling
them he was desirous of returning to the Fort to procure something he
had before forgot, in order for his journey, he was permitted. As he
stayed the night, his adopted brother the Indian came for him, but
upon his complaining that he was so lame as to prevent his traveling
with them, they suffered him to reraain behind.
He continued at the Fort about two months before the Indians came
back again, and as he laboured for the white people, he had an oppor
tunity of procuring salt provisions from the king's stores, which had
been for a long time a dainty to him.
When one of the Indians (a second adopted brother) came for him,
Benjamin went with him to Capt. Powel, who with earnest solicitations
and some presents prevailed upon the Indian to suffer him to stay un
til he returned from his war expedition ; but this was the last he ever
made, as he lost his life on the frontiers of New York.
After this another captain (a third adopted brother) came to the
Fort, and when Benjamin Peart saw him he applied to Adjutant Gen
eral Wilkinson to intercede for his release, who accordingly waited
upon Col. Johnson and other officers to prevail with them to exert
themselves on his behalf; they concluded to hold a council with the
Indians for the purpose, who after some deliberation surrendered him
up to Col. Johnson, for which he gave them a valuable compensation.
Benjamin Peart, after his release, was employed in Col. Johnson's
service, and continued with him for several months. His child had
been released for some time, and his wife, by earnest entreaty and plea
of sickness, had prevailed with the Indians to perrait her to stay at
the fort, which proved a great consolation and comfort after so long a
separation. About the middle of August there was preparation made for their
proceeding to Montreal, as by this tirae there were six of the prisoners
ready to go in a ship which lay in Lake Ontario, whose names were
Joseph Gilbert, Benjarain Peart, his wife and child, Abner Gilbert,
and Elizabeth Gilbert, the younger. These went on board the vessel
and in eight days reached Montreal. As soon as possible after their
arrival they waited on their mother at Adam Scott's, as has been
already related.
The situation of Elizabeth Peart, wife of Benjamin, and her child,
is next to be related.
After she and the child were parted from her husband, Abigail Dod
son and the child were taken several miles in the night to a little hut.

18 gilbert's narrative.
where they staid till morning, and the day following were taken within
eight miles of Niagara, where she was adopted into one of the families
of the Senecas ; the ceremony of adoption to her was tedious and
distressing; they obliged her to sit down with a young man, an
Indian, and the eldest chieftain of the family repeated a jargon of
words, to her unintelligible, but which she considered as some form
among them of marriage, and this apprehension introduced the most
violent agitations, as she was determined, at all events, to oppose any
step of this nature ; but after the old Indian concluded his speech, she
was relieved from the dreadful embarrassment she had been under, as
she was led away by another Indian.
Abigail Dodson was given the same day to one of the families of
the Cayuga nation, so that Elizabeth Peart saw her no more.
The man who led Elizabeth from the corapany took her into the
family for whom they adopted her and introduced her to her parents,
brothers and sisters, in the Indian style, who received her very kindly
and made a grievous lamentation over her, according to custom. Af
ter she had been with them two days the whole family left their habi
tation and went about two miles to Fort Slusher, where they staid sev
eral days. This fort is about one mile above Niagara Falls.
As she was much indisposed the Indians were detained several days
for her ; but as they cared little for her, she was obliged to lie on the
damp ground, which prevented her speedy recovery. As soon as her
disorder abated of its violence they set off in a bark canoe for Buffaloe
Creek ; and as they went slowly they had an opportunity of taking
some fish.
When they arrived at the place of their intended settlement they
went on shore and built a house.
A few days after they came to this new settlement they returned with
Elizabeth to Fort Slusher, when she was told her child must be taken
away from her. This was truly afflicting, but all remonstrances were
in vain.
From Fort Slusher she traveled on foot, carrying her child to Niag
ara, it being eighteen miles and in sultry weather, which rendered it a
painful addition to the thoughts of parting with her tender offspring.
The intent of their journey was to obtain provisions, and their stay at
the Fort was of several days continuance. Capt. Powel afforded her
an asylum in his house.
Tbe Indians took the child from her and went with it across the
river to adopt it into the family they had assigned for it, notwithstand
ing Capt. Powel, at his wife's request, interceded that it might not be
removed from its mother ; but as it was so young they returned it to
its mother after its adoption, until it should be convenient to send it
to the faraily under whose protection it was to be placed.
Obtaining the provisions and other necessaries they carae to Niagara
to trade for, they returned to Fort Slusher on foot, from whence they
embarked in their canoes. It being near the time of planting, they
used much expedition on this journey.
The labor and drudgery in a family falling to the share of the wo-

gilbert's narrative. 19
men, Elizabeth had to assist the squaw in preparing the ground and
planting corn.
Their provision being scant they suffered much, and as their depen
dence for a sufficient supply until gathering their crop was on what
they should receive from the Fort, they were under the necessity of
making a second journey thither.
They were two days on the road at this time. A small distance be
fore they came to the Fort they took her child from her and sent to its
destined family, and it was several months before she had an opportu
nity of seeing it again. After being taken from her husband, to lose
her darling infant, was a severe stroke ; she lamented her condition
and wept sorely, for which one of the Indians inhumanly struck her.
Her Indian father seemed a little moved to behold her so distressed ;
and in order to console her assured her that they would bring it back
again, but she saw it not until the spring following.
After they had disposed of their peltries they returned to their hab
itation by the same route which they had come. 4
With a heart oppressed with sorrow, Elizabeth trod back her steps,
mourning for her lost infant, for this idea presented itself continually
to her mind ; but as she experienced how fruitless, nay, how danger
ous solicitations in behalf of her child were, she dried up her tears
and pined in secret.
Soon after they reached their own habitation Elizabeth Peart was
again afflicted with sickness. At the first they showed sorae attention
to her complaints, but as she did not speedily recover so as to be able
to work, they discontinued every attention, and built a small hut by
the side of the corn field, placing her in it to mind the corn. In this
lonely condition she saw a white man, who had been made prisoner
among the Indians. He informed her that her child was released and
with the white people. This information revived her drooping spirits,
and a short time after she recovered of her indisposition, but her em
ployment still continued to be that of attending the com until it was
ripe for gathering, which she assisted in. When the harvest was over,
they permitted her to return and live with them.
A time of plenty now comraenced, and they lived as if they had
sufficient to last the year through, faring plenteously every day.
A drunken Indian came to the cabin one day, and the old Indian
woman complaining to him of Elizabeth, his behaviour exceedingly
terrified her ; he stormed like fury, and at length struck her a violent
blow, whkh laid her on the ground ; he then began to pull her about
and abuse her much, when another of the women interposed, and
rescued her from further suffering. Such is the shocking effect of
spirituous liquor on these people, it totally deprives them both of sense
and humanity.
A tedious winter prevented them from leaving their habitation, and
deprived her of the pleasure of hearing often from her friends, who
were much scattered ; but a prisioner, who had lately seen her husband,
informed her of his being much indisposed at the Genesee river, which
was upwards of one hundred miles distant. On receiving this intelH-

20 gilbert's narrative.
gence, she stood in need of much consolation, but had no source of
corafort except in her own bosom.
Near the return of spring, the provisions failing, they were compelled
to go off to the fort for a fresh supply, having but a small portion of
corn, which they apportioned out once each day.
Through snow and severe frost they set out for Niagara, suffering
rauch frora the excessive cold. And when they came within a few
miles of the fort, which they were four days in accomplishing, they
struck up a small wigwam for some of the family, with the prisoners,
to live in, until the return of the warriors from the fort.
As soon as Capt. Powel's wife heard that the young child's mother
had come with the Indians, she desired to see her, claiming some
relationship in the Indian way, as she had also been a prisoner amongst
them. They granted her request, and Elizabeth was accordingly intro
duced, and informed that her husband was returned to the fort, and
there was some expectation of his release. The sarae day Benjamin
Peart came to see his wife, but he was not permitted to continue with
her, as the Indians insisted on her going back with thera to the cabin,
which, as has been related, was sorae miles distant.
Elizabeth Peart was not allowed for some days to go from the cabin,
but a white family who had bought her child from the Indians to
whora it had been presented, offered the party with whora Elizabeth
was confined, a bottle of rura if they would bring her across'the river
to her child, which they did, and delighted the fond raother with this
happy meeting, as she had not seen it for the space of eight months.
She was permitted to stay with the faraily where her child was for
two days, when she returned with the Indians to their cabin. After
some time she obtained a further permission to go to the fort, where
she had some needle work from the white people, which afforded her
a plea for often visiting it. At length, Capt. Powel's wife prevailed
with them to suffer her to continue a few days at her house and work
for her family, which was granted. At the expiration of the time,
upon the coming of the Indians for her to return with them, she
pleaded indisposition, and by this means they were repeatedly dis
suaded from taking her with them.
As the time of planting drew nigh, she made use of a little address
to retard her departure ; having a small sweUing on her neck, she
applied a poultice, which led the Indians into a belief that it was im
proper to remove her, and they consented to come again for her in
two weeks.
Her child was given up to her soon after her arrival at the fort,
where she lodged at Capt. Powel's, and her husband came frequently
to visit her, which was a great satisfaction, as her trials in their separa
tion had been many.
At the time appointed, sorae of the Indians came again, but she
still pleaded indisposition, and had confined herself to her bed. One
of the woraen interrogated her very closely, but did not insist upon
her going back. Thus several raonths elapsed, she contriving delays
as often as they came.
When the vessel, which was to take the other five, among whom

gilbert s narrative. 21
were her husband and child, was ready to sail, the officers at Niagara
concluded she might also go with them, as they saw no reasonable ob
jection, and they doubted not but that it was in their power to satisfy
those Indians who considered her as their property.
Abner Gilbert, another of the captives, when the company had
reached the Indian town within three miles of Niagara Fort, was, with
Elizabeth Gilbert the younger, separated from the rest about the latter
part of May, 1780, and were both adopted into John Huston's family,
who was of the Cayuga nation. After a stay of three days at or near
the settlement of these Indians, they removed to a place near the
Great Falls, which is about eighteen miles distant from the fort, and
loitered there three days more ; they then crossed the river and settled
near its banks, cleaning a piece of land and preparing it with the hoe
for planting. Until they could gather their corn, their dependence
was entirely upon the fort.
After the space of three weeks, they packed upon their moveables,
which they generally carry with them in their rambles, and went down
the river to get provisions a Butlersbury, a small village built by Col.
Butler, and is on the opposite side of the river to Niagara Fort. They
said one night at the village, observing great caution that none of the
white people should converse with the prisoners. Next day, after
transacting their business, they returned to their settlement, and con
tinued there but about one week, when it was concluded they must go
again for Butlersbury ; after they had left their habitation a small dis
tance, the head of the family met with his brother, and as they are
very ceremonious in such interviews, the place of meeting was their
rendezvous for that day and night. In the morning the family, with
the brother before mentioned, proceeded for Butlersbury, and reached
it before night. They went to the house of an Englishman, one John
Secord, who was styled brother to the chief of the family, having
lived with him some time before.
After some deliberation, it was agreed that Elizabeth Gilbert should
continue in this family till sent for ; this was an agreeable change
to her.
Abner returned with them to the settlement ; his employ being to
fence and secure the corn patch ; sometimes he had plenty of pro
vision but was often in want.
The mistress of the family, one day, intending to go to Butlersbury,
ordered Abner to prepare to go with her; but she had not gone far
before she sent him back. Notwithstanding he had long been inured
to frequent disappointments, he was much mortified at returning, as
he expected to have seen his sister. When the woman came home,
she gave him no information about her, and all inquiries on his part
would have been fruitless.
The place they had settled at served for a dwelling until fall, and as
it was not very far distant from the fort, by often applying for pro
vision, they were not so much distressed between the falling of their
old crop and the gathering of the new one, as those who lived at a
greater distance.
In the fall, John Huston, the head of the family, went out hunting,

22 gilbert's narrative.
and in his return, caught cold from his careless manner of lying in the
wet, and thereby lost the use of his limbs for a long time. On being
informed of his situation, the farnily raoved to the place where he was;
they fixed a shelter over him (as he was unable to move himself) and
continued here about a month ; but as it was remote from any settle
ment, and they had to go often to the fort for the necessaries of life,
they concluded to return to their own habitation. Abner, one Indian
raan, and some of the women, carried the cripple in a blanket about
two miles ; this was so hard a task that they agreed to put up a small
house and wait for his recovery : but not long after they had an oppor
tunity on conveying him on horseback to the landing, about nine
miles above the fort. As this was their plantation, and the time of
gathering their crops, they took in their corn, which, as has been
before observed, is the business of the women. They then changed
their quarters, carrying the lame Indian as before, in a blanket, down
to the river side, when they went on board canoes, and crossed the
river in order to get to their hunting-ground, where they usually spend
the winter.
Abner Gilbert lived a dronish, Indian life, idle and poor, having no
other employment than gathering hickory-nuts ; and although young,
his situation was very irksome.
As soon as the family came to the hunting-ground, they patched up
a slight hut for their residence, and employed themselves in hunting.
They took Abner along with them in one of their tours, but they were
then unsuccessful, taking nothing but racoons and porcupines.
The crops of Indian corn proving too scant a pittance for the
winter, Abner, on this account, had some agreeable employ, which
was to visit the fort, and procure a supply of provisions, which con -
tinued to, be his employment for the remainder of the season.
In the spring, John Huston, the Indian who had been lame all
winter, recovered, and unhappily had it in his power to obtain a
supply of rum, which he frequently drank to excess ; and always when
thus debauched was extravagantly morose, quarrelling with the women
who were in the family, and at length left them. Soon after his
departure, the family moved about forty miles, near Buffalo Creek,
which empties its waters into Lake Erie. At this place Abner heard
of his sister Rebecca Gilbert, who still remained in captivity not far
frora his new habitation. This was their summer residence, they there
fore undertook to clear a piece of land, in which they put corn, pump
kins and squashes.
Abner, having no useful employment, amused himself with catching
fish in the lake, and furnished the family with frequent messes of
various kinds, which they ate without bread or salt ; for the distance
of this settlement from the fort prevented thera from obtaining pro
visions so frequently as necessary. Capt. John Powel and Thomas
Peart, (the latter had by this time obtained his release from the Indians,)
and several others, came among the Indian settlements with provision
and hoes for them. The account of their coming soon spread amongst
the Indians. The chiefs of every tribe came, bringing with them as
many little sticks as there were persons in their tribe, to express the

gilbert's narrative. 23
number, in order to obtain a just proportion of the provisions to be
distributed. They are said to be unacquainted with any other method
of explaining numbers than by this simple mode.
It was upwards of a year since Abner had been parted from his
relations, and as he had not seen his brother Thomas Peart in that space
of time, this unexpected meeting gave him great joy, but it was of
short duration, as they were forced to leave him behind. During the
corn season he was employed in tending it, and not being of an im
patient disposition, he bore his captivity without repining.
In the month of July, 1781, the family went to Butlersbury, when
Col. Butler treated with the woman who was the head of this family for
the release of Abner, which at length she consented to, on. receiving
sorae presents, but said he must first return with her, and she would
deliver him up in twenty days. Upon their return, she gave Abner
the agreeable information that he was to be given up. This added a
spur to his industry and made his labor light.
Some days before the time agreed upon, they proceeded for Butlers
bury, and went to John Secord's, where his sister Elizabeth Gilbert had
been from the time mentioned in the former part of this narrative.
Abner was discharged by the Indians soon after his arrival at , the
English village, and John Secord permitted him to live in his family
with his sister. With this family they continued two weeks, and as they
were under the care of the English officers, they were permitted to
draw clothing and provisions from the king's stores.
Afterwards, Benjamin Peart and his brother Thomas, who were both
released, carae over for the brother and sister at John Secord's and
went with thera to Capt. Powel's, in order to be nearer to the vessel
they were to go in to Montreal.
The next of the family who comes within notice, is Ehzabeth Gil
bert, the sister. From the time of her being first introduced by the
Indian into the family of John Secord, who was one in whom he
placed great confidence, she was under the necessity of having new
clothes, as those she had brought from home were much worn. Her
situation in the family where she was placed was comfortable. After
a few days residence with them, she discovered where the young child
was, that had some time before been taken from its mother, Elizabeth
Peart, as before mentioned ; and herself, together with John Secord's
wife, with whom she lived, and Capt. Fry's wife, went to see it, in
order to purchase it from the Indian woman who had it under her
care ; but they could not prevail with her, though some time after
Capj. Fry's wife ourchased it for thirteen dollars. Whilst among the
Indians it had been for a long time indisposed, and in a lingering,
distressing situation; but under its present kind protectress, who
treated the child as her own, it soon recruited.
Elizabeth Gilbert, Jun., lived very agreeably in John Secord's fam
ily rather more than a year, and became so fondly attached to her
benefactors that she usually styled the mistress of the house her mamma.
During her residence here, her brother Abner and Thomas Peart came
several times to visit her.
The afflicting loss of her father, to whom she was affectionately en-

24 gilbert's narrative.
deared, and the separation from her mother, whom she had no expecta
tion of seeing again, was a severe trial, although moderated by the
kind attentions shown her by the family in which she lived.
John Secord having some business at Niagara, took Betsy with him,
where she had the satisfaction of seeing six of her relations who had
been captives, but were most of them released. This happy meeting
made the trip to the fort a very agreeable one. She staid with them
all night, and then returned.
Not long after this visit, Col. Butler and John Secord sent for the
Indian who claimed Elizabeth as his property, and when he arrived
they made overtures to purchase her, but he declared he would not sell
his own flesh and blood ; for thus they style those whom they have
adopted. They then had recourse to presents, which, overcoming his
scrubles, they obtained her discharge ; after which she remained two
weeks at Butlersbury, and then went to her mother at Montreal.
Having given a brief relation of the release and meeting of such of
the captives as had returned from araong the Indians, excepting
Thomas Peart, whose narrative is deferred, as he was exerting his en
deavors for the benefit of his sister and cousin who still remained be
hind, it may not be improper to return to the raother, who, with
several of her children, were at Montreal.
Elizabeth Gilbert suffered no opportunity to pass her, of inquiring
about her friends and relations in Pennsylvania, and had the satisfac
tion of being informed by one who came from the southward, that
friends of Philadelphia had been very assiduous in their endeavors to
gain information where their family was, and had sent to the different
meeting, desiring them to inform themselves of the situation of the
captured family, and, if in their power, afford them such relief as
they raight need.
A person who came from Crown-Point, informed her that Benjamin
Gilbert, a son of the deceased by his first wife, had come thither in
order to be of what service he could to the family, and had desired
him to make inquiry where they were, and in what situation, and send
him in the earliest information possible.
The next agreeable intelligence she received from Niagara, by a
young woman who carae from thence, who informed her that her
daughter Rebecca was given up to the English by the Indians. This
information must have been very pleasing, as their expectations of her
release were but faint ; the Indian with whom she lived considering
her as her own child.
It was not long after this, that Thomas Peart, Rebecca Gilbert, and
their cousin Benjamin Gilbert, came to Montreal to the rest of the
family. This meeting, after such scenes of sorrow as they had ex
perienced, was raore completely happy than can be expressed.
Rebecca Gilbert and Benjamin Gilbert, Jr., were separated from
their friends and connexions at a place called the Five Mile Meadows,
which was said to be that distance from Niagara. The Seneca king's
daughter, to whom they were allotted in the distribution of the cap
tives, took them to a small hut where her father, Siangorochti, his
queen, and the rest of the family were, eleven in number. Upon the

gilbert's narrative. 25
reception of the prisoners into the family, there was much sorrow and
weeping, as is customary on such occasions, and the higher in favor
the adoptod prisoners are to be placed, the greater lamentation is
made over them.
After three days, the family removed to a place called the Landing,
on the banks of Niagara river. Here they continued two days more,
and then two of the women went with the captives to Niagara, to pro
cure clothing from the king's stores for them, and permitted them to
ride on horseback to Fort Slusher, which is about eighteen miles dis
tant from Niagara Fort. On this journey they had a sight of the
great Falls of Niagara.
During a stay of six days at Fort Slusher, the British officers and
others used their utmost endeavors to purchase them of the Indians ;
but the Indian king said that he would not part with them for one
thousand dollars.
The Indians who claimed Elizabeth Peart, came to the fort with her
at this time,^and although she was very weakly and indisposed, it was
an agreeable opportunity to them both, of conversing with each other,
but they were not allowed to be frequently together, lest they should
increase each other's discontent.
Rebecca being dressed in the Indian manner, appeared very dif
ferent from what she had been accustomed to : short clothes, leggings,
and a gold laced hat.
From Niagara Fort they went about eighteen miles above the Falls
to Fort Erie, a garrison of the English, and then continued their
journey about four miles further, up Buffalo Creek, and pitched their
tents. At this place they met with Rebecca's father and mother by
adoption, who had gone before on horsebuck. They caught some
fish and made soup of them, but Rebecca could eat none of it, as it
was dressed without salt, and with all the carelessness of Indians.
This spot was intended for their plantation, they therefore began to
clear the land for the crop of Indian corn. While the women
were thus employed, the raen built a log house for their residence, and
then went out a hunting.
Notwithstanding the family they lived with was of the first rank
among the Indians, and the head of it styled king, they were under
the necessity of laboring as well as those of lower rank, although they
often had advantages of procuring more provisions than the rest.
This family raised this summer about seventy-five bushels of Indian
corn. As Rebecca was not able to pursue a course of equal labor with the
other women, she was favored by them by often being sent into their
hut to prepare something to eat ; and as she dressed their provisions
after the English method, and had erected an oven by the assistance of
the other women, in which they baked their bread, their family fared
more agreeably than the others.
Benjamin Gilbert, jr., who was only eleven years of age when he was
captured, was considered as the king's successor, and entirely freed
from restraint, so that he even began to be delighted with his manner

26 gilbert's narrative.
of life ; and had it not been for the frequent counsel of his fellow cap
tive, he would not have been anxious for a change.
In the waters of the Lakes there are various kinds of fish, which the
Indians take sometimes with, spears ; but whenever they can obtain
hooks and lines they prefer them.
A fish called Ozoondah, resembling a shad in shape, but rather
thicker and less bony, with which Lake Erie abounded, were often
dressed for their table, and were of an agreeable taste, weighing from
three to four pounds.
They drew provisions this summer from the forts, which frequently
induced the Indians to repair thither. The king, his daughter, grand
daughter, and Rebecca, went together upon one of these visits to Fort
Erie, where the British officers entertained them with a rich feast, and
so great a profusion of wine, that the Indian king got very drunk ; and
as he had to manage the canoe on their return, they were repeatedly in
danger of being overset amongst the rocks in the Lake.
Rebecca and Benjamin met with much better fare than the pther
captives, as the faraily they lived with were but seldom in great want
of necessaries, which was the only advantage they enjoyed beyond the
rest of their tribe.
Benjamin Gilbert, as a badge of his dignity, wore a silver medal
pendant from his neck
The king, queen, and another of the faraily, together with Rebecca
and her cousin Benjarain, set off for Niagara, going as far as Fort
Slusher by water, from whence they proceeded on foot, carrying their
loads on their backs. Their business at the fort was to obtain pro
visions, which occasioned them frequently to visit it, as before related.
Rebecca indulged herself with the pleasing expectation of obtaining
her release, or at least perraission to remain behind among the whites ;
but in both these expectations she was disagreeably disapointed, having
to return again with her captors ; all efforts for her release being in vain.
Col. Johnson's housekeeper, whose repeated acts of kindness to this
captured family have been noticed, made her sorae acceptable presents.
As they had procured some rum to carry home with them, the chief
was frequently intoxicated, and always in such unhappy fits behaved
reraarkably foolish.
On their return, Thomas Peart, who was at Fort Niagara, procured
for Rebecca an horse to carry her as far as Fort Slusher, where they took
a boat and got horae after a stay of nine days.
Soon after their return, Rebecca and her cousin were seized with the
chill and fever, which held them for near three months. During their
indisposition the Indians were very kind to them ; and as their strength
of constitution alone, could not check the progress of the disorder,
the Indians procured sorae herbs, with which the patients were un
acquainted, and made a plentiful decoction ; with this they washed
them, and it seemed to afford them some relief. The Indians accounted
il a sovereign remedy.
The decease of her father, of which Rebecca received an account,
continued her in a drooping way a' considerable time longer than she
would otherwise have been.

gilbert's narrative. 27
As soon as she recovered her health, some of the family again went
to Niagara, and Rebecca was permitted to be of the company. They
staid at the fort about two weeks, and Col. Johnson exerted himself in
order to obtain her release, holding a treaty with the Indians for this
purpose ; but his mediation proved fruitless : she had therefore to return
with many a heavy step. When they came to Lake Erie, where their
canoe was, they proceeded by water.
While in their boat, a number of Indians, in another, came towards
them, and informed them of the death of her Indian father, who had
made an expedition to the frontiers of Pennsylvania, and was there
wounded by the militia, and afterwards died of his wounds; on which
occasion she was under the necessity of making a feint of sorrow, and
weeping aloud with the rest.
When they arrived at their settlement, it was the time of gathering
their crop of corn, potatoes, and pumpkins, and preserving their store
of hickory-nuts.
About the beginning of the winter some British officers came amongst
them, and staid with them until spring, using every endeavor to obtain
the discharge of the two captives, but without success.
Some time after this, another British officer, attended by Thomas
Peart, came with provision and hoes for the Indians. It afforded them
great happiness to enjoy the satisfaction of each other's conversation,
after so long an absence.
Rebecca and her cousin had the additional pleasure of seeing her
brother Abner, who came with the family amongst whom he lived, to
settle near this place ; and as they had not seen each other for almost
twelve months, it proved very agreeable,
Thomas Peart endeavored to animate his sister, by encouraging her
with the hopes of speedily obtaining her liberty: but her hopes were
often disappointed.
An officer amongst the British, one Captain Latteridge, came and
staid some tirae with them, and interested himself on behalf of the
prisoners, and appeared in a fair way of obtaining their enlargement ;
but being ordered to attend his regiment, he was prevented from
further attention until his return from duty ; and afterwards was com
manded by Col. Johnson to go with him to Montreal on business of
importance, which effectually barred his undertaking any thing further
that winter.
It afforded her many pleasing reflections when she heard that six of
her relatives were freed from their difficulties, and Thomas Peart visiting
her again, contributed, in some measure, to reanimate her with fresh
hopes of obtaining her own freedom. iThey fixed-upon a scheme of
carrying her off privately ; but when they gave time for a full reflec
tion, it was evidently attended with too great danger, as it would
undoubtedly have much enraged the Indians, and perhaps the life of
every one concerned would have been forfeited by such indiscretion.
During the course of this winter she suffered many hardships and
severe disappointments, and being without a friend to unbosom her
sorrows to, they appeared to increase by concealment ; but making a

28 gilbert's narrative.
virtue of necessity, she summoned up a firmness of resolution, and
was supported under her discouragement beyond her own expectations.
The youth and inexperience of her cousin did not allow a sufficient
confidence in him, but she had oftenjto interest herself in an attention
to, and oversight of his conduct ; and it was in some measure owing
to, this care, that he retained his desire to return amongst his people.
Col. Butler sent a string of warapum to the Indian chief, who imme
diately called a number of the other Indians together upon this occa
sion, when they concluded to go down to Niagara, where they under
stood the design of the treaty was for the freedom of the remainder of
the prisoners; for special orders were issued by Gen. Haldimand, at
Quebec, that their liberty should be obtained. At this council fire it
was agreed they would surrender up the prisoners.
When they returned, they informed Rebecca that Col. Butler had a
desire to see her, which was the only information she could gain ; this
being a frequent custora amongst them to offer a very slight surmise of
their intentions.
After this the whole family moved about six miles up Lake Erie,
where they staid about two months to gather their annual store of
maple sugar, of which they made a considerable quantity.
As soon as the season for this business was over, they returned to
their old settlement, where they had not continued long, before an
Indian came with an account that an astonishing number of young
pigeons might be procured at a certain place, by falling trees that were
filled with nests of young, and the distance was computed to be about
fifty miles: this information delighted the several tribes; they
speedily joined together, young and old, from different parts, and
with great assiduity pursued their expedition, and took abundance of
the young ones, which they dried in the sun and with smoke, and
filled several bags which they had taken with them for this purpose.
Benjamin Gilbert was permitted to accompany them in this excursion,
which must have been a curious one for whole tribes to be engaged in.
On this rarity they lived with extravagance for some time, faring
sumptuously every day.
As the time approached when, according to appointment, they were
to return to Niagara and deliver up the prisoners, they gave Rebecca
the agreeable information, in order to allow her some time to make
preparation. She made them bread for their journey with great
cheerfulness. The Indians, to the number of thirty, attended on this occasion,
with the two captives. They went as far as Fort Slusher in a bark
canoe. It was several days before they reached Niagara Fort, as they
went slowly on foot. After attending at Col. Butler's, and conferring
upon this occasion, in consideration of some valuable presents made
them, they released the two last of the captives, Rebecca Gilbert and
Benjamin Gilbert, Jr.
As speedily as they were enabled, their Indian dress was exchanged
for the more customary and agreeable one of the Europeans ; and on
the third of June, 1782, two days after their happy release, sailed for
Montreal.

gilbert S NARRATIVE. 29
The narrative of the treatment of Thomas Peart, another of the
family, still remains to be given.
He was taken along the westward path with the prisoners before
mentioned, viz : Joseph, Sarah, and Benjamin Gibert, Jr.
Thomas was compelled to carry a heavy load of the plunder which
the Indians had seized at their farm. When separated from the rest,
they were assured they should meet together again in four days.
The first day's travel was in an exceedingly disagreeable path, across
several deep brooks, through which Thomas had to carry Sarah and
Benjamin Gilbert, Jun. This task was a very hard one, as he had
been much reduced for the want of sufficient nourishment.
The first night they lodged by the banks of Cayuga Creek, the cap
tives being tied as usual. The next morning they took a venison, and
this, with some decayed corn which they gathered from the deserted
fields, served them for sustenance. This day's journey was by the side
of the Cayuga Creek, until they came to a steep hill, which they as
cended with difficulty.
When night came on, they sought a wigwam which had been de
serted precipitately on General Sullivan's march against the in
habitants of these parts.
The land in this neighborhood is excellent for cultivation, affording
very good pasture.
"Thomas Peart assured the Indians, that he, with the other captives,
would not leave them, and therefore requested the favour to be freed
from their confinement at night but one of them checked his request,
by saying that he could not sleep if the captives were suffered to be
untied. Their meat being all exhausted, Thomas and three Indians went
near three miles to gather more decayed corn ; and this, mouldly as it
was, they were obliged to eat, it being their only food, excepting a
few winter turnips which they met with. They went forward a con
siderable distance by the side of Cayuga C: eek, and then with much
difficulty, crossed it ; immediately afterwards they ascended an uncom
monly miry hill, covered with springs. Going over this mountain
they missed the path, and were obliged to wade veiy heavily through
the water and mire.
In the close of the day they came to a fine meadow, where they
agreed to continue that night, having no other provisions than mouldly
Indian corn they accidently met with in the Indian plantations, which
had been cut down and left on the ground by Gereral Sullivan's Army.
Next morning they set forward, making leisurely on, so that the
company who went by the other path might overtake them and fre
quently stopped for them.
When night approached, they came to a large creek where some In
dians were, who had begun to prepare the grounds for planting corn.
At this place they staid two nights, and being too indolent to procure
game by hunting, their diet was still very poor, and their strength
much exhausted, so that they beer me impatient of waiting for the
others, which was their intention when theyfirst stopped.
After travelling till near noon, they made a short stay, stripping the

30 gilbert's narrative.
bark off a tree, and then painted, in their Indian manner, themselves
and the prisoners on the body of the tree ; this done, they sel up a
stick with a split at the top, if which they placed a small bush of
leaves, and leaned the stick so that the shadow of the leaves should
fall to the point of the stick where it was fixed in the ground ; by
which means the others would be directed in the time of day when
they left the place.
Here they separated the prisoners again, those to whom Thomas
Peart and Joseph Gilbert were allotted went westward out of the
path, but Sarah Gilbert and Benjamin Gilbert, jr., with one Indian,
continued in the path. This was very distressing to Sarah, to be torn
from her relations and deprived of all the coraforts and even neces
saries of life. These two, with the Indian who had the care of them,
after they had parted with the other two and travelled forward a few
miles, came to some Indians by the side of a creek, who gave them
something to eat. The next day the Indian who was their pilot
exerted himself to obtain some provisions, but his endavours proved
fruitless, they therefore suffered greatly. At night the Indian asked
Sarah if she had ever eaten horse-flesh, or dogs ; she replied, she had
not ; he then further surprised her by asking whether she had ever eaten
any man's flesh ; upon her expressing her abhorrence, he replied that
he should be under the necessity of killing the boy, for he could not
procure any deer. This threat, although perhaps not intended to be
executed, terrified her exceedingly. ' He hunted with great diligence,
leaving the captives by themselves, and appeared to shudder himself
at what he had threatened, willing to try every resource ; but not
withstanding his exertions, her fears prevailed in a very great degree.
They went forward slowly, being very weak, and in addition to their
distress there fell a very heavy rain, and they were obliged to continue
in it as they were without shelter. In this reduced situation they at
length came to one of the huts at Canodosago, where they dressed the
reraains of their raouldy corn, and the day after were joined by the
part of the corapany whom they had left ten days before.
As the few days solitary sufferings of Sarah Gilbert had been before
unrelated, the foregoing digression, from the narrative of Thomas
Peart's may not be thought improper.
We return to the two who were separated from the path, and had to
go forward across mountains and valleys, swamps and creeks.
In the morning they ate the remainder of their corn. The Indians
then cut off their hair, excepting a small round tuft on the crown of
the head ; and, after painting them in the Indian manner, in order to
make thera appear raore terrible, they took from them their hats.
Being thus obliged to travel bare-headed in the sun, they were seized
with violent head-aches ; and this added to a want of provisions, was
truly distressing.
When they approached the Indian settlements, the Indians began
their custoraary whooping, to announce their arrival with prisoners,
issuing their dismal yells according to the number brought in.
After some short time an Indian came to them ; with him they held
a discourse concerning the prisoners, and painted them afresh, part

gilbert's narrative. 31
black and part red, as a distinguishing mark. When this ceremony
was concluded, the Indian who had met them returned, and the oth
ers continued their route.
As they were not far from the Indian towns, they soon saw great
numbers of the Indians collecting together, though the prisoners were
ignorant of their motives.
When they came up to this disagreeable company, the Indian who
first met them, took the string that was about Thomas Peart's neck
with which he had been tied at night, and held him whilst a squaw
stripped off his vest.
Joseph Gilbert was ordered to run first, but being lame and indis
posed, could only walk. The clubs and tomahawks flew so thick that
he was sorely bruised, and one of the tomahawks struck him on the
head and brought him to the ground, when a lad of about fifteen years
old run after him, and, as he lay, would undoubtedly have ended him,
as he lifted the tomahawk for that purpose, but the king's son sent
orders not to kill him.
After him, Thomas Peart was set off; he seeing the horrid situation
of his brother, was so terrified that he did not recollect the Indian
still kept hold of the string which was round his neck ; but, springing
forward with great force and swiftness, he pulled the Indian over, who,
in return, when he recovered his feet, beat him severely with a club.
The lad who was standing with a tomahawk near Joseph Gilbert, as he
passed by him, threw his tomahawk with great dexterity, and would
certainly have struck him, if he had not sprung forward and avoided
the weapon. When he had got opposite to one of their huts, they
pointed for him to take shelter there, were Joseph Gilbert came to
him as soon as he recovered. In the room were a number of women
who appeared very sorrowful, and wept aloud ; this, though customary
amongst them, still added to the terror of the captives, as they imag
ined it to be no other than a prelude to inevitable destruction.
Their hair cropt close, their bodies bruised, and the blood gushing
from Joseph Gilbert's wound, rendered them a horrible spectacle to
each other.
After the lamentations ceased, one of them asked Thomas Peart if
he was hungry; be replied he was; they told him, " you eat by and
by." They iramediately procured some victuals, and set it before
them, but Joseph Gilbert's wounds had taken away his appetite.
An officer, who was of the French families of Canada, came to
them, and brought a negro with him to interpret. After questioning
them, he concluded to write to Col. Johnson, at Niagara, relative to
the prisoners.
The Indians advised them to be contented with their present situa
tion, and marry amongst them, giving every assurance that they should
be treated with the utmost respect ; but these conditions were inad-
missable. After this, Joseph Gilbert was taken from his brother, as related in
the narrative of his sufferings.
Thomas Peart continued at the village that night, and the next day
was given to the care of a young Indian, who went with him about

32 gilbert's narrative.
two miles, where several Indians were collected, dressed in horrid
masks, in order, as he supposed, to make sport of his fears, if he dis
covered any ; he therefore guarded against being surprised, and when
they observed him' not to be intimidated, they permitted him to
return again. Not long after his arrival at the village, Capt. Rowland
Monteur came in, who gave Thomas Peart some account how the
others of the family had suffered, and told him that he had almost
killed his mother and Jesse, on account of Andrew Harrigar's making
his escape. He had come in before the others, in order to procure
some provisions for the company, who were in great need of them.
When the Captain returned, Thomas Peart accompanied him part
of the way, and the Captain advised him to be cheerful and contented,
and work faithful for the friend, for so he styled the Indian under
whose care Thomas Peart was placed, promising him that if he com
plied, he should shortly go to Niagara.
They employed him in chopping for several days, having previous
to this taken the string from his neck, which they had carefully
secured him with every night.
The plantation on which they intended to fix for a sumraer resi
dence, and to plant their crop of corn, was several miles down the
Genesee or Little river. Prior to their removing with the family,
some of the men went thither and built a bark hut, which was expedi
tiously performed, as they executed it in about two days, when they
returned to their old habitation.
Thomas Peart was the next day given to the chief Indian, who en
deavoured to quiet his apprehensions, assuring him he should meet
with kind treatment.
The Indian manner of life is remarkably dirty and lousy; and
although they themselves disregard the filth, yet it was extremely mor
tifying to the prisoners to be deprived of the advantages of cleanli
ness ; and this was by no raeans among the number of smaller diffi
culties. As Thomas Peart had been accustomed to industry, and when first
among the Indians was constantly exerting himself, either in their
active diversions or useful labours, they were much delighted with him.
When they had concluded upon sending him to the family he was to
reside with, they daubed him afresh with their red paint. He was
then taken about seven miles, where he was adopted into the family
and styled "Ochnusa," or Uncle. When the ceremony of adoption
was performed, a ruimber of the relatives were summoned together,
and the head of them took Thomas Peart into the midst of the assem
bly, and made a long harangue in the Indian language. After this he
was taken iiito the house, where the women wept aloud for joy, that
the place of a deceased relation was again supplied.
The old man, whose place Thomas Peart was to fill, had never been
considered by his family as possessed' of any merit ; and strange as it
may appear, the person adopted, always holds in their estimation the
merits or demerits of the deceased, and the most careful conduct can
never overcome this prejudice.
As soon as the ceremony of adoption at this place was finished, he

GILBERT S narrative. 33
was taken by the family to Nundow, a town on the Genesee river.
The head of this family was chief or king of the Senecas. But before
Thomas was fully received into the family, there was a second lamen
tation. Their provision, notwithstanding it was a season of great plenty,
was often deer's entrails dried with their contents and all boiled
together, which they consider strong and wholesome food. They
never throw away any part of the game they take.
Thomas Peart's dress was entirely in the Indian style, painted and
ornamented Hke one of themselves, though in a meaner manner, as
they did not hold him high in estimation after his adoption.
Greatly discontented, he often retired into the woods, and reflected
upon his unhappy situation, without hopes of returning to his rela
tions, or ever being rescued from captivity.
He continued in this solitary seclusion about five weeks, when their
corn was mostly consuraed ; and as their dependence for a fresh supply
was on Niagara Fort, they concluded to go thither, but at first they
would no consent that Thomas should accorapany them ; but he was so
urgent, they at length consented, and the next day they had an Indian
dance preparatory to their expedition.
In the route Thomas Peart caught a deer, which was an acceptable
acquisition, as they had been for some days without any meat, and
their corn was likewise expended.
When they came within two miles of the Fort they halted, and staid
there until morning.
A white prisoner, who came from the Fort, gave Thomas Peart a
particular relation of his fellow captives; this was the first account he
had of them since their separation at the Indian towns. As soon as he
came to the Fort, he applied to some of the officers, requesting their
exertions to procure Thomas's liberty, if possible ; but he was disap
pointed, as nothing could be then done to serve him.
He ate some salt provisions, which as he had tasted but little salt
since his captivity, (although pleasing to his palate) affected his
stomach, it being difficult for him to digest.
As he was to return with the Indians in about a week, it was very
distressing, being much disgusted with the fare he met among them.
They returned by way of Fort Slusher, and then along Lake Erie,
up Buffalo Creek, taking some fish as they went. They passed by the
place where Elizabeth Peart and Rebecca Gilbert were, buc he had not
an opportunity of seeing them.
The stores they took home with them, consisted of rura, salt, and
ammunition. When they had consumed their last year's stock of corn, they lived
very low, and were reduced to great necessity, digging what wild
esculent roots they could find ; this was so different from what he had
been accustomed to, that he could not bear it with that cheerfulness
with which the Indians met such difficulties. His painful reflections,
and the want of necessaries, reduced him exceedingly low.
Whilst in this distress, he happily obtained the use of a testament
from a white woman, who had been taken captive, and afterwards

34 gilbert's narrative.
raarried amongst them. With this solacing companion, he frequently
retired into the woods, and employed himself in reading and meditat
ing upon the instruction contained in it.
The Indians directed a white girl to inform him, that they intended
a hunt of twenty days, and were desirous he should attend them ; to
this he agreed, and the whole family accompanied the hunters. They
passed by the town where Joseph Gilbert was, who informed his brother
that he was going to Niagara ; Thomas Peart replied he had already
been there, and then informed him how the others of their relations
were dispersed.
On their way up the Genesee river, where they intended to hunt,
they took a deer.
The fourth day, as Thomas Peart was beating for game, he lost his
company; but at length came to some Indians who directed him.
When he came to the family, much fatigued, and told them he had
been lost, they were very much delighted at the perplexing situation
he had been in.
The next day they moved further, hunting as they went, and in the
evening fixed their quarters, where they staid two nights.
Thomas Peart, not endeavoring to please them, they took umbrage
at his neglect. "This, added to a fit of the ague, induced them to leave
him in the woods, he being so weak he could not keep up with them,
and was obliged to follow by their tracks in the leaves.
Their provision soon began to waste, and it was not long before it
was entirely consumed ; and as they took no game they were under the
necessity of eating wild cherries.
The prospect appeared very gloomy to our captive, to be thus dis
tressed with hunger, and to be from home near one hundred miles with
the whole family. But this situation, though so alarming to him, did
not appear to reach their Stoic insensibility. In this extremity one of
the Indians killed a fine elk, which was a long wished for and delightful
supply ; but as the weather was very warm, and they had no salt, it
soon become putrid and filled with maggats, which they, notwithstand
ing, eat without reserve.
After they had been out upwards of thirty days, the Indians changed
their course, towards their own habitation, making but little progress
forward, as they kept hunting as they went. And as Thomas had long
been uneasy, and desirous to return, not expecting to be absent more
than twenty days, they gave him some directions and a small share of
provision ; he then left them after an unsuccessful hunt of forty days.
And although weak and unfit for the journey, he set off in the morning,
and kept as near a north west course as he could, going as fast as his
strength would permit over large creeks, swamps and rugged hills ; and
when night came on, made up a small fire, and being exceedingly fa
tigued, laid himself down on the ground, and slept very soundly. In
the morning he continued his journey.
When he considered the great distance through the woods to the
Indian towns, and the difficulty of procuring game to subsist on, it
dejected him greatly. His spirits were so depressed, that when his fire
was extinguished in the night, he even heard the wild beasts walking

GILBERT S narrative. 35
and howling around him, without regarding them, as with all his exer
tions and assiduity, he had but sraall hope of ever reaching the towns,
but providentially he succeeded.
On the journey he ate a land tortoise, some roots and wild cherries.
When he reached the town, the Indians were pleased with his return,
and inquired the reason of his coming alone, and where he had left the
family he went with ; which he fully informed them of.
This being the time for feasting on their new crop of corn, and they
having plenty of pumpkins and squashes, gave an agreeable prospect of
a short season of health, and frequent, though simple, feasts.
About ten days after this the family returned ; they soon inquired if
Thomas Peart had reached home, and upon being informed that he
had, replied that it was not expected he ever could.
The Indians, concluding to make a war excursion, asked Thomas to
go with them ; but he determinately refused them, and was therefore
left at home with the family ; and not long after had permission to
visit his brother Benjarain Peart, who was then about fifteen or eigh
teen miles distant, down the Genesee river.
Benjamin Peart was at that tirae very much indisposed. Thomas,
therefore, staid with him several days, and when he recovered a little
strength, left him and returned to his old habitation.
He was thoroughly acquainted with the customs, raanners and dis
positions of the Indians, and observing that they treated him just as
they had done the old worthless Indian in whose place he was adopted,
he having been considered a perquisite of the squaws ; he therefore cnn-
cluded he would fill only his predecessor's station, and used no endea
vours to please them, as his business was to cut wood for the family ;
not'withstanding he might easily have procured a sufficient store, yet
he was not so disposed, but often refused, and even left it for the
squaws sometimes to do themselves, not doubting if he was diligent
and careful, they would be less willing to give his liberty.
Joseph Gilbert came to see him, as has been raentioned, and
informed him of the decease of their father.
Some time in the fall, the king (whose brother Thomas was called)
died, and he was directed to hew boards and make a coffin ior him ;
when it was completed, they smeared it with red paint. The women,
whose attention to this is always insisted on araongst the Indians, kept
the corpse for several days, when they prepared a grave and interred
him, it being considered amongst this tribe disgraceful for a
man to take any notice of this solemn and interesting scene. A num
ber of the squaws collected upon this occasion, and there was a great
mourning, which they continued for several days at stated tinnes. As
the place of interment, as well as that appointed for weeping, was
near the hut Thomas Peart resided at, he had an opportunity of indulg
ing his curiosity, through the openings of the logs without giving
offence. ' Soon after this, one of the women who was called Thomas's sister,
desired him to accompany her about fifty miles towards Niagara.
Some others of the family went with them, and in their way they took
a deer and other game.

36 gilbert's narrative.
They were from home on this journey about six days ; during this
time, there fell a heavy snow, which made their journey toilsome.
The women were sent homeward before the rest, to "prepare some
thing against they came.
When they had loitered at home a few days, they set about gather
ing their winter store of hickory nuts. From some of them they ex
tracted an oil, which they ate with bread or meat, at their pleasure.
Frequently before they set off on their hunting parties, they make
an Indian frolick; when, commonly, all the corapany became extra
vagantly intoxicated. And when they intended to go off this winter
they first gave the preparatory entertainment.
After they were gone, Thomas Peart and the mistress of the family
disagreeing, she insisted upon his joining the hunters, and living on
the game, that she might save more corn. He plead the coldness of
the season, and his want of clothing, but it would not avail ; he was
therefore turned out, and upon finding the hunters, he built them a
hut, where they staid for some weeks, taking the game, and eating
wild raeat without corn, as the supply they had raised was short.
When they were weary of their employ, they moved to their old
hut, and lived in their idle manner for a long tirae. They then again
returned to their hut, staid about ten days, and took several deer.
A few days after their return frora hunting, they informed Thomas
that they should set off for Niagara ; which was truly grateful to him.
There were fifteen of them on this visit. The old woman gave Thomas
Peart a strict charge to return.
Although the prospect of seeing or hearing from his relations was
delightful, yet the journey was excessively painful; the snow covering
the ground to a considerable depth, the cold increased, and they had
to wade through several deep creeks, the water often freezing to their
legs ; and Thomas Peart, as well as the jest, were unclothed, excepting
a blanket and pair of leggings.
In five days they came to Fort Slusher, and by the treats they there
received, were most of them drunk for the day.
Next morning they went to Niagara, where he iramediately made
application to the British officers to solicit his release. Capt. Powel
informed Colonel Johnson, who requested it of the Indians ; they
required some time to deliberate upon the subject ; not willing to
disoblige the Coloiiel, they at length concluded to comply with his
request ; telling him, that however hard it might be to part with their
own flesh, yet, to please hira they consented to it, hoping he would
make them some present.
Col. Johnson then directed him to his own house, and desired him
to clean himself, and sent clothes for hira to dress with. Here he had
plenty of salt provisions, and every necessary of life. This, with the
happy regaining of his liberty, gave a new spring to his spirits, and for
a few days he scarcely knew how to enjoy sufficiently this almost un
locked for change.
When recruited, he went to work for Col. Johnson, and a few weeks
after had the satisfaction of his brother Benjamin Peart's company ;
who, though not released, yet was permitted to stay at the fort, and

gilbert's narrative. 37
worked with his brother until spring ; when Capt. Powel, lieutenant
Johnson, and Thomas Peart went up Buffalo Creek, with two boats
loaded with provisions, and a proportion of planting corn, together
with hoes, to be distributed among the Indians.
In the expedition, Thomas had the satisfaction of seeing and con
versing with his sister Rebecca, which was the first of their meeting
together, after a separation of a year.
At the distribution of the corn and hoes, the Indians met and made
a general feast ; after which they dispersed ; and the officers, when
they had completed their business, returned to Niagara, after an ab
sence of eight or nine days.
Thomas Peart was settled at Col. Johnson's, to work for him at two
shillings and six pence per day, till August, when six of the captives
were sent to Montreal, and Thomas also had permission to go, but he
chose rather to stay, to afford his assistance to his sister Rebecca Gil
bert, and his cousin Benjamin Gilbert, jun., who yet remained in cap
tivity ; exerting himself as strenuously as possible on their behalf.
In the fall, he went up again to Buffalo Creek, where he saw his sis
ter and cousin a second tirae, and assured his sister that the Col. in
tended to insist on her being released. This encouraged her to hope.
In the winter, Thomas Peart undertook to chop wood for the British
Officers, and built himself ajiut about two miles from the fort, in
which he lodged at night. A drunken Indian came to his cabin one
evening with his knife in his hand, with an intention of mischief; but
being debilitated with liquor, Thomas Peart easily wrested his knife
from him.
A wolf came one night up to the door of his cabin, which he dis
covered next morning, by the tracks in the snow ; and a few nights
after, paid a second visit, when he fired at him, and, by the blood on
the snow, supposed he had mortally wounded him.
Next spring, Thomas went with the officers again up Buffalo Creek,
when he afresh animated his sister, by informing her that General Hal
dimand had given orders to the officers to procure their liberty.
About two weeks thereafter they returned, Thomas Peart went back
again with some officers, who were going to the Indians.
After a tour of fifteen days, he came again to the fort, where he staid
for several weeks, and received several letters from his relations, at
Montreal, by some officers who were on their way to Cataraguors, on
Lake Erie, about eighty miles from Niagara; who, in their way, saw
Rebecca and Benjamin Gilbert, jun., with a number of Indians, going
to Niagara. Thoraas Peart made as quick dispatch as possible to meet
them, delighted with the prospect of their obtaining their liberty.
A few days after he returned from this expedition, the captives were
delivered up. These two had been with the Indians upwards of two
years. In a short time after their release, Thomas Peart obtained permis
sion for them and himself to proceed to Montreal, and was furnished
with a pass, containing an order to obtain what provisions they might
be in want of in their passage.
The second day of June, 1782, they went on board the shipLunner,

38 gilbert's narrative.
and after being seven days on the water, they reached Fort Lasheen,
where they staid that night, and the next day went to Montreal to
their relations ; Soon after which a letter was received from the before
mentioned Benjamin Gilbert, then at Castleton, acquainting them of
his being so far on his way to Montreal, in order to give them assis
tance in getting home, and requesting that permission might be obtained
for his coming in ; which Elizabeth immediately applied to the officers
for ; who, with great cheerfulness, wrote in her behalf to General Hal
dimand, at Quebec, who readily granted her request, together with
other favors to Elizabeth, worthy of her grateful remembrance; by
which means, Benjamin's arrival at Montreal was soon effected, where
he had the pleasure once more of seeing and conversing with his rela
tions and nearest connexions, to their great joy and satisfaction, after
an absence of three years ; during which time they had but little if
any certain account of each other.
After some time spent in inquiring after their relatives and friends,
and conversing on the once unthought of and strange scenes of life
they had passed through since their separation, it becarae necessary to
prepare for their journey horaewards, which was accordingly done,
and in about five weeks frora the time of Benjamin's arrival, they took
leave of the friends and acquaintances they had ifnade during their
residence there ; and on the twenty-eighth day of August, 1782 attended
by a great number of the inhabitants, they embarked in boats prepared
for them, and took their departure.
On the twenty-eighth day of the month following, they arrived at
Byberry, the place of their nativity, and the residence of their nearest
connexions and friends, where Elizabeth and her children were once
more favoured with the agreeable opportunity of seeing and conversing
with her ancient raother, together with -their other nearest relatives and "
friends, to their mutual joy and satisfaction ; under which happy
circumstance we now leave them.

YALE UNIVERSITY I