THE Indians having made several Incursions upon Pennsylvania, and the neighbouring Provinces, all who lived in the frontier Parts, were dismaid and mostly Assembled the adja­cent Familys unto some House, they apprehended most convenient, and raised a kind of Stockade about the House they Assembled unto: Such a sort of Strength was, by a few Neighbours, raised about William M'Card's House, in Rocky-Spring Settlement: And thither my Husband (John Lowry) had carried me and our Six Children, thinking it a place of greater Safty than our own Cottage: But alas! we were soon convinced of the Contrary.

For on the 1st of April 1756, about One o'clock in the Afternoon, the Savage Indians surrounded the House. My Husband being below and a good Marks-man, (as I've since been informed) killed one of the Indians, and was instantly killed himself. And there being no other Man at that Time present, the Barbarians rushed into the House, (the Women and Children were mostly up Stairs,) plundered the House of what they pleased, and seized two of my Children that were below. Then most rudely calling unto us that were above. the young Indians shooting Arrows in at the upper Windows, which wounded some: Then suddenly they set the House on fire, which was quickly all in a Blaze, while with my Three small Children, I was still in the upper Room in the utmost Confussion of Mind and Body. Oh! how my tortur'd Mind was hurry'd! Horrer of the Indi­ans Barbarities and Rudnesses made me think of pre [...]ring Death unto such a miserable Life: But here I had ma­ny Deaths to suffer in one: It's impossible for me to re­late [Page 4] the thousandth Part of my Agony for my trembling Children: But divine Providence determined me to de­liver myself and Children up into their cruel Hands, not knowing how the Lord might over-rule them and dispose of us, rather than instantly perish in the devouring flames: For now we were suffocated with the Smoke, burst­ing thro' every where upon us, and terrify'd with the Thundering noise of the ascending Flame. Another distressing thing to my overwhelmed Mind at this Time was, my being big with Child, and knowing that it was the usual Indian Manner, to kill every Woman they took in that Condition; yet I adventured to open a Window and called out to the Barbarians to receive my Children, while I put them [...]ut by it, which they did, and afterwards came out myself, expecting present Death, but glory to God, I got unlooked for Favours from them, or rather from glorious King Christ, according to Psal. cx. 2. they did indeed suspect me, and spoke somewhat concerning my Condition. But what reply I made, cannot now recollect; I'm only sure that I made conscience of Lying, but indeed its like enough there was an Endeavour to deceive them in the Answer I made, by concealing as much as I could my Pregnancy: Nei­ther can I blame my Conduct in my Circumstances at that Time, when I considered of the divine Direction unto the Prophet Sa [...]el, “When God appointed him to go to Bet [...]elbe [...] and Anoint one of Jesse's Son's to be King instead of Saul. ” 1 Sam. xvi. 2. &c. But leaving such disputes to such, as God has qualified for them, I proceed in my Narration. I was now in the Hands of the Savage Indians with my five Children, they immediately Commanded us Prisoners to March right over the Blew Mountain; so many of them going before us, and so many after us, as they thought pro­per. Oh what a distressing Journey was this, to an op­pares'd and overwhelmed Mind! my Husband was Slain, his Sealp, with others carried before me by an Indian; his [Page 5] Gun, which I well knew, they had and seemed to prize much, and my five dear Children; with much Difficulty I got to the Top of the Mountain, where we were al­lowed to rest for some Time, and then were hurry'd down the Backside of it, which was no less Difficult than ascending its opposite Side, considering its Steepness and the huge Rocks, low Brush and old Trees and no path: When we arrived at the Bottom, it was equally distressing to poor me, being one continued Mire; where we loged that Night, but was obliged again next Morning to a­scend a Mountain no less Difficult than the former, while my barbarous Masters suffered some young Indians to whip and push us along. Thus, near three Days was I hurried over Mountains and miry Vales.

But on the 5th of the Month, being the Lords Day, about 50 Men, many of them my former Neighbours, came upon us, about Sun rise or sooner, and fired upon the Indians: At the first Attack only one Indian was killed and another wounded, upon which they all fled, and were soon [...]id among the Laurel, (a great deal of it growing it the Place) our People then came up and untied me, and removed us to a rising Ground at a little dis­tance: No expressions can sufficiently shew my Joy, when instead of Savage Indians I found myself in the midst of Friends and Neighbours, who had Assembled so quickly and pursued so diligently for our Rescue: But alas! my Joy was very short; for while our People was busy in untying myself and Children, taking care of us, none of the Prisoners being bound besides me that Night, as I can remember, just then did our savage Enemy's return upon and surround our People; this gave them great Advantage, altho' our People did the best they then could for two Hours. A great many of our Peo­ple were killed and wounded: One poor Man they caught alive, and bound him to a small Tree, so soon as our People were fled; they brought me about 200 Perches back to the fire Place, that I might behold the [Page 6] poor Man tortured, here my trembling Soul was in ha­zard of quiting the Body: Yet this I was forced by the cruel Savages to endure; and glory to God in the high­est, he enabled beyond all Expectation. For being seated before the Tree unto which the poor Man was bound, I heard him say every thing he could think of, to excite them to pity and be [...]ava [...]rable unto him; at which they only Laughed, and immediately fell to their dreadful Barbarity, first they Scalp'd him alive, and thus made the miserable Mortal suffer many Deaths in one. But his mi [...]y was far form being over. They heated their Daggers in the fire and pushed them into the f [...]shy parts of his Body, causing the poor Creature to roar in the most pi [...]iful Manner, which with they seemed quite pleased. They repeated this last torture about two Hours. He looked most [...] at me, (when he saw his life was to be taken away) and beged me to pray unto God for him, that he might [...] his Soul in Mercy, and deliver him from this world's Misery. When I expected the poor creature had been dead; his Body appearing half R [...]usted and one dismal Gore with Blood; they loos­ed him from the Tree, and Cursed him, charging him to Run; which, to my great Surprize, he did, several Perches: But they pursued and threw their Tomma­hawk's in him, which ended his miserable Life. Its easier for any considering Person to imagine, than for me to tell what Horror I felt at this inhuman Barbarity, which I was obliged to behold, his Looks, his Groans, his Shrieks pierced my Heart, and I expected to be immediately to used: But God had mercifully ordered otherwise.

About Twelve o'Clock this Day, the Indians re­moved from the distressing Place both to me and many of my former Neighbours and Countrymen, who fell gallantly Fighting there. I cannot help mentioning one Thing an Indian said unto me, at this Time, viz. the Night after we were taken, before the last menti­oned [Page 7] Skirmish, standing up among all the Twenty-one Captives and his Savage Brethren with a fierce Counte­nance, he said “Now God has delivered you all into our Hands, and not one of us hurt.”—But we knew one was Shot dead at the first Attack,—howb it was fact, that for our many Sins, no doubt a just God delivered us into thier cruel Hands—This I had oftentimes before this thought of.—I further Mind the cruel Savages, when calling me to behold the Tortur­ing of the poor Man, an Indian struck me with the Buttend of his Gun, which occasioned my being in a Swoon for some Time; but hearing them call me again, got up and when come to the Place where they were Torturing the Man, one Indian gave me some Bread, while another threw the Scalps in my Face, snarching away the Bread, bid me Eat these, if I was Hungary: One of the S [...]in they had beheaded, and at the same Time this bloody Head was thrown in my Face; while my Life was in great doubt, with the Fright and late barbarous Blow I had received.

About Twelve o'Clock, as before, was obliged to Tra­vel again, and to add to my affliction, I was command­ed to carry my own youngest Child, near two Years old; which I did: But with very great Difficulty in my Con­dition, and the Desarts we went thro'; Mountains and miry Vales as before; near Sun setting we came to a fierce running Creek, which the Indians who where be­fore me, and most of the other Prisoners passed over: Another party of the Indians being behind me; I was so faint and weary, the Creek so fierce and deep, that I durst not adventure to Wade it, and so sat down untill the other Party should come up to help me over. One of the Indians, called by the rest Captain, cryed to me instantly, to come over, which I did not comply with; he Shot at me, that I heard the Ball go over me, then thinking it as good to perish in the Water, as among their Hands, went into the Creek, still carrying my [Page 8] pleasent, but oppressing Burden upon my Back, viz. the Child. the Lord enabled me to think of the sweet Promise of preservation when passing thro' Fire and Wa­ter, which mightly encouraged at that Time, and glo­ry to God, I got safely over. Here two other Indians, that had been left to Hunt, got some fresh Venison, and struck up Fire and prepared Victuals, after their Man­ner, and rested here all Night.

Upon the 5th Traveled as before, untill Night, they lodged by a little Run. Nothing very remarkable oc­cured that Day; we were not allowed to halt for Drink, but behoved without stoping to lift a little in our Hands. One thing often and deeply affected me, was the young Child crying for Bread, and I had none to supply her.

The 6th repeated our oppresive Travelling, over Rocks, &c. This Day Snow'd from Morning to Night, yet was obliged to go on all that Day, save once they stopt, and cut a few Bushes to fit upon, and soon went along upon huge Stones, the whole Day. the Cold and hardness of steping still upon Stones this Day, caused the Nails to come off my great Toes, some Time after this.

The 7th we moved from a small Run, (nigh to a Creek, Spring or Run, these Pagans always, I found encamped) and traveled with great Difficulty till After­noon, altho' my Savage Masters had taken the Child from me the Day before, they seeing that I was not a­ble to carry her; and indeed I had load enough to bear my own weary Body and oppress'd Mind, with the Child in my Belly.

I now found that while we are at ease and strugling with the common affairs of Life, with the cares and con­cerns of a small Family, we are apt to think, we could bear no more burdens, endure no more toils; But Oh! what burdens cares and toils did I now undergoe, by divine Assistance? And yet a new course of them took place that Afternoon, for I think it was then, the Indians [Page 9] came unto one of their Hunting places, consisting of a few sorry Hutts, and I being weak and behind with an old Indian attending me, these in the Hutts being warn­ed, came out against me with the most hideous Shrieks, having each a Rod prepared (I suppose) on purpose, be­ing painted and their Hair dressed or rather disfigured with Feathers; they used me most cruelly, by laying upon me with these Rods, and I being so weak and spent with former fatigue, could not run into the Hutt; so they had leisure to exercise their Barbarous custom upon my feeble Body, this Barbarity left many wounds upon me. Yet Glory to God, I was supported under it, and had more Suf­ferings of that sort to undergo, Here. I stayed untill the 9th being Friday, I had suffered much, the two Nights and Day I stayed here, by lying and staying without, and eating Bears flesh, and my Body being sore Mangled as before. At this place my Son, about eight Years old was taken from me, which distress'd me more than all my former beating; with what piercing of heart did I part with my Child unto such Barbarians; Oh! how it S [...]'d me with confusion to think he should be brought up a Pagan, after being dedicated to the Lord? But a midst all my distressing thoughts, we behoved to part. Being now so wearied out, the Indians gave me a Horse to ride upon; ordered two Youths to guard me, who for diver­sion beat me unmercifully, with out any reason, that I could learn, and that with their Swords too. This sort of Travel I had untill the 12th, about Noon we came up to the Kittat [...]ining Town; we were informed, that an aw­ful beating would be given us here, viz. myself and oldest Daughter, the other Prisoners being adopted by the Indians, and so had a Turkey feather or two carrying in their Hand, and whoever had this token were not to be beaten: But Providence ordered otherwise, the War­riors were out and I got only one blow here. Here I stayed only one Night and suffered what may better be imagined than told; even the loss of my second Daugter [Page 10] about six Years old, next Morning they took from me my oldest Daughter about ten Years old. Then they carried me over the Alegenty River. In this my distressed condition, the Lord supported me wonderfully, like him of old, who said, and if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.

On the 17th, continuing still at aforesaid place, I heard the Death hollow, and apprehending it was more poor Prisoners like myself coming to a beating or to Death, I retired into a Wigwam, and presently my Son came in to me, with his Head bloody; Altho' he had been just then beaten, he rejoiced to see me, caught me by the Hand, saying, “Dear Mother, I know it's for our Sins, that God has delivered us into the Hands of the Indians; but he is able to deliver us out of their Hands again. I will not do as they, altho they should kill me; when they bid me sing, I sing Hymns. Im­mediately he was called off, parting with the following words farewell Mammy, may be I'll be back here in four Days. But saw him no more since; he hung weep­ing about my Neck the Minute he stay'd. Thus my sorrow was renewed a fresh, my three oldest Children and fellow Captives were taken away.”

Sabbath day the 18th still in the same place by the River, they ordered me to make out a Shirt I had been at the Day before; this I refused to do, which occasioned contresting betwixt the Indian and me, he said I was no white Woman now, but an Indian, and that there was no Sabbath among Indians &c. he insisted I should do his Shirt for him or die, refusing he got a Rod and laid upon me most Inhumanly; then took his Tomme­hawk and the Shirt, threatening present Death unless I would presently work. But still refusing, he threw away both and drag'd me down into the River, and held me under the Water untill near choaked, three several Times; then he drag'd me almost lifeless ashore and so left me. So soon as able to stand, I crawled up to the Wigwam, and thought upon that Days sufferings, first beaten [Page 11] untill I fainted away, and had Water thrown on; than threatened with present Death, at last to be three Times held down under Water. And yet the Lord sus­tained me; Glory to his Name. On the 20th, I was taken away with my poor young Children, to go to ano­ther Indian Town, in this Journey suffered as before, only were more pinched for Provisions, howbeit got along, having my former little cruel guard of two young Indi­ans who busied themselves in beating me all the Journey. Where we arrived on the 23d, at Night, and here as I understood afterwards, some Men of that Town had been killed; and after their manner the Squaws or Wives as­sembled about me, and with their fists fell upon me in a most fearful sort, with hideous shouts; while I had to run about 30 Perches or more, and seem'd to endeavour to beat my Brains out, once I fell over a Log amidst this beating, and know not how I recovered my feet again, at last I got into a Wigwam, almost bereft of my senses.

On the Lords Day, 24th, they Commanded me to go and work, which I refused, as I had done at the side of the River Alegemey, the former Lords Day. I then took my two young Children, and went a little way into the Woods and sat down with them; when suddenly the In­dians came furiously up to me and beat me unmercifully, taking my poor Babes from me, telling me, I should have nothing to do with them any more, for they were theirs. What could be more distressing to a tender hearted Mo­ther? I had formerly three taken from me; and now the Remaining two were likewise to be wholly under the Care, or rather Cruelty of these Savages! the poor Children cryed most bitterly when taken.

On the 3d, of May, was a violent Rain which put us all in Confusion, being surrounded in an Island by the swelling of the River, the Indians then Commanded me to take up my Bed, viz a Dear skin, and my youngest Child but one, and go over the River (they had carried off my youngest Child, that Morning) this was another distres­sing [Page 12] thing; the River was high, and I weakened with hunger &c. But their was no reasoning with them; came therefore, not knowing how the Lord might dispose of me, to the Rivers brink, expecting that both my self and Child would perish: But my ever kind Lord, had other wise ordered in his adorable Providence; for just when I was about to step into the River, a great bodied Mingo Squaw came to me, and without speaking a Word took up the Child and carried her over, while I came over close after her; and thus got safe over. But when over, our condition was distressing still, had no Fire, no Wigwam, no Vituals of any sort.

On the Lords Day the 4th, the Indians sent me to gather wild Onions to eat: I went gladly off from them, and had an agreeable opportunity of essaying to Cry un­to God, and pour out my Complaints before him, and returned without gathering any. But Providence ordered other Food that Afternoon, viz. two young Fawns, & And then as at other occasions, I could perceive the Love and Sympathy of the Savages among themselves; for all was divided, and what was first boiled, was presently divided, to supply the present Necessity. In this place we stayed another Sabbath, and I retired as before; but was followed by my Indian Master, who threatned me much, as I apprehended by his signs and counte­nance, this was a great Affliction to me; likewise on Mon­day the 12th, as the Indians had often threatened to fell me to the French, and what cruel Usage I would meet with from them; that I really feared it might be so [...] But a Horse being provided for me to Travel, what they called 50 Miles to Fort Marsh, or Venango, upon the Alegeney River, we Traveled that Day; but on the fol­lowing Day, the Horse was taken from me, and an op­pressive burden given me to carry. This, in my Circum­stances, drawing near the Time of my Delivery of a Child, was most cruel; I refused to bear the Load, where­upon an Indian furiously Damned me, and struck me, like [Page 13] a Savage Monster as he was. And here I cannot but ob­serve, that there poor Pagans cannot Swear nor Curse in their own Language; all the Profanation of that sort, ever I heard among them, being in English which (I suppose) they learned of our Traders, and the like. I can­not help here also repeating, what I heard from a fellow Prisoner, that when we came to the aforesaid Indian Yo [...], one of their Chiefs came to us e'er we arrived at the Town, who spoke a long Time to those who brought me, &c. Captive, all which Time, I saw them set silent and Solemn, with many Tears flowing down; but under­stood not what he said: But he spoke afterwards to the other, who understood, and said she, “he told that the white People were good, for they dealt with God; but the Indians were not, for they dealt with the Devil, and he told them lies”. Saying none of them would be killed in that Expedition. the aforesaid burden, en­deavoured to carry as well as I could; but was intirely [...] to one in my Condition. But after some Time we were overtaken by another Indian, who took pity up­on me, and let me have a Horse all the way to the French Fort, called by them Marsh by our People called Ve­nango. This happened I think, upon the 15th of May, I have oftentimes thought of the poor Savage, who car­ried the Scalps upon a Pole before me into this Fort, whoping and hollowing. On Monday the 19th, this Wretch went into the Woods, and gathered of a most poisonful Herb, whereof he eat, and before next Morn­ing he swell'd in an awful Manner and died. At this Fort I was made a Present of unto the Commanding Officer called L [...]shm Vingrie, and with him, I had as good U­sage as the place and his Circumstances, could afford. But there was not a Woman there besides my self, not had they any Interpreter in the place; which was a great Affliction unto me. I was now separated from all my Children, which was an inexpressible trouble unto me, for the Indians detained them all among them, Oh! how [Page 14] distressing to think that the fruit of my Body, and the delight of my Mind, as my Children were, that they should be brought up in Paganism, who were dedicated unto God and to be brought up in his fear and Service. Here I remained in a very peaceful and undisturbed way as could be expected untill the 4th of July, that I was taken in Child labour; this was an awful affliction, as there was not another Woman in the Place, nor could I understand a word they said, at that Time; but at length they found a Woman and brought her to me, who indeed was of very little Service any way; yet God in his adorable Providence, after 24 Hours labour, delivered me of a Daugher, without the Ordinary assistance of Wo­men; for which I desire still to praise the Lord. But it pleased the Sovereign disposer of all things, to call a­way by Death this Child, on the 4th Day after her Birth. Notwithstanding the Kindness and Civility I met with here, whenever my Master the Officer, and the rest understood that the Child was like to die, they would have it Baptized, which I opposed, whereat the Officer storm­ed mightily: But neither he nor I could understand one another. At last they commanded the old Dutch Wo­man to take it from me by force, which she did, where­at I restified my dissatisfaction, but they did with the Child what they would, and then returned it to me in the Bed. After the Childs Death they made a Coffin, and buried in it the Fort, setting a Cross of Wood at the Head, &c.

In this Place I continued from the 15th of May 1756 untill the 27th of July, the next Year, being all this while a Servant, I had sometimes the pleasure of seeing and af­terwards of conversing with my three youngest Chil­dren; but had the additional affliction unto their slavery of seeing them poorly, both for Food and Cloathing, &c.

On the 27th of July 1757, my Master the Com­manding Officer, sent me to live in Servitude with his Wife, we went in a Battoe from this place, and in four [Page 15] Days arrived at Beef River, where was another Fort, a small Stockade with about 30 or 40 Men, here remained 10 Days; had very good usage.

On the 11th of August the commanding Officer of this Fort, ordered me a Horse to ride 13 or 14 Miles to Fort Briskill, upon the Side of the La [...]. Here also tarried 10 Days, and had very good Usage.

On the 21st of August, went into a Battoe in order to cross the Lake for Niagara. In our Passage were in great danger by a Storm, insomuch that our Lives were dispared of; but by divine Providence, got safe to Land at a little Fort of Stockades: Stayed here 4 Days and had good Usage. Here a Jesuit attacked me about Re­ligion, aledging the Church was founded on Peter, the Pope, &c. and that the Priests were an infalliable Rule, all which I opposed, &c. he concluded with telling me, I was in a damnable Condition.

On the 28th, I Rode in a Cart to the Carrying-place about 14 Miles: Stay'd all Night in a Storage, or Store-House. Next Day, went in a Cannot to the great Niagara Fort, built of Stone and Lime. Here I tar­ried 10 Days, and had good Usage.

The 9th of September, by the Commanders orders, went aboard a Sloop, had good Usage.

On the 14th Day, arrived at Fre [...], where we stay'd all Night. Next Day, we went into a Battoe to Fort Gallette which was a dangerous Passage on ac­count of the large Falls and dreadful whirles of Water fearful to behold, through which we were to pass.

At Gallette, we arrived the 20th Day, where we tar­ried all Night, and next Day we proceeded on our Jour­ney to Montreal where arrived on the 25th. Now I was almost overjoy'd with Expectations of speedy Deli­very; hearing that our Prisoners of War were embarking for Quebec and England: But my Joy was soon turned to Sorrow, for the Interpreter said I must continue a Servant untill Peace was obtained; because I was taken by [Page 16] the Indians Unto this I objected many things, but had no other reply from him, except, that this was their Custom. I then saw there was no way for me, but wait the Disposal of divine Providence. Here I remain­ed in quality of Servant to the aforesaid Lady for some Time. My anxiety after Liberty, at length, put me upon consulting with some others of my Sex, who were also in servitude, about Running-away from them; when about 10 Men and 4 Women of us, provided ourselves as well as we could, and set off on the 25th of October, But e'er we had gone a Mile were apprehended and I only was put in the Guard-House, where I was very well used; on the Morrow, sent for the Interpreter who ex­amined me, where I was going when apprehended? I readily told him, home; and i insisted much upon going to Prison, because I thought they would soon be weary of me and return me as a Prisoner to England, if they could get no more service of me Howbeit, by the good offers and per [...]ions of my former Mistress, I was prevailed upon to stay with her till the Spring; for she told me, that I should certainly have my Liberty in the Spring, if I would stay untill then. Accordingly I did, and served her faithfully untill the first of May, I then demanded my Liberty from her according to promise, which she obstinately refused, telling me she was my Mistress untill such Time as there should be Peace. I told her I was only demanding the performance of her Promise; I soon saw my reasoning with her availed no­thing. But I was fully resolved to obtain my Liberty by some means or other, if possible: Whereupon, took an opportunity and went to the General and laid my case before him by the Interpreter. Yet it seem'd to avail nothing, but rather he appeared displeased; and told me to go home to my Mistress again. But the Interpreter told the General, that he himself heard my Mistress pro­mise me my Liberty in the Spring, &c. And several other Gentlemen spoke much on my behalf. At last, he was [Page 17] pleased to grant me freedom from my former Mistress, which was very dissatisfying to her: But I was not at Li­berty to go from the Place. Here I continued till the 2d of September 1758. and had considerable Encouragement for working with my N [...]edle, and every Body appear­ed to use me with respect.

On the 2d of September the General Vanderay sent me along with Colonel Schenyher &c. to Qu [...]bec, who was singularly kind unto and careful of me and many others, for which I can never be sufficiently thankful. He pro­vided me a Room in Qu [...]bec, and every thing needful for me, and often sent me Victuals from his own Table, this I think still quite singular for a Gentleman of his dis­tilction. Here I remained from the 5th of September to the 1st of October, then by the Interposition of the fore­mentioned Gentleman, got on board the Cartel, where I was made very welcome, especially by a French Lady, who went over Passenger. Colonel Schenyler ordered the Interpreter, who went to the Lord Attendant, who or­dered me to be in the Cabin. the 6th of Nov. we came ashore at D [...]tmoath in old England; where the formentioned Lady, peyed for my boarding the Time she remained there, being 25 Days, Miss. Sparks, the Mayors Sister, was very kind unto me, entertained me at her House gratis, during my stay there, as also the Rev. Mr. Adams with Mr. Penny, Overseer and A­gent for Squier Holiswoth were exceeding kind and did me singular favours: the last mentioned Gentleman be­ing particularly Instrumental in obtaining me a Pastage in the Packer-Boat to York Messirs. Sparks, New-comen and Wilcot, were likewise singularly kind unto and sympathizing with me in my distress'd condition, as were also Mrs. Hughs and Daughters, Miss. Adam, and o­thers discovered surprising regard unto a poor disconso­late Stranger. May the Lord, who hears the cries of the Poor &c. reward them according to his Gracious promise.

[Page 18] On the 15th of January 1759. went from Dart­ [...]h to Falmouth, where Messirs Grubbs and Waters, were singularly kind, got me a Passage in the General-Wall Packet, which we went aboard on the 25th Day. the Capt. Lu [...]wytche and Lady were singularly kind and bountiful unto me all the Time! was on board, viz untill the 16th of March, when we mercifully arrived at York City. Arrived at Philadelphia, on the 7th of April, in order that I might wait, to see if God in his adorable Providence, would favour me with any agreeable ac­counts from my five poor Faterless Captives among the Savage Indians and was with like kindness entertain'd by Messirs. Griff [...]tes and Alen &c.

AFTER my being with them some Time, they in­sisted upon my attendance at their Worship; but always I refused, they then campell'd me to dwell in the House where they kept their Worship, I not being con­fin'd in the House, went out in the Time of Worship (which was once on a Day) continuing after this man­ner for almost a Year; they then got an Interpreter, who enquired what was the Reason that I fled still from their Worship. the Officer to whom I belong'd says you are like the Devil, for if the Devil wou'd appear, and we should Cross ourselves and say our Prayers he [Page 19] would fly: and so do you, Sir says I, I know not whe­ther your Prayers are good or bad for I cannot under­stand them; and to bow my Knees in an inpleasive faith is what I will never do, for said I if one of my own Na­tion should Pray in an unknown Tongue, I would not bow with him, why says he, other Prisoners that cannot understand more than you does, said I they may use their Pleasure, and in such a case I will use mine, said he what sort of a Creature are you who deny Baptism. Sir says I, I don't deny Baptism; said he you would not have your Child Baptiz'd Sir says I, I had all the rest of my Children Baptized when I had a faithful Minister to Administer the Ordinance, and I esteem them worse than a Savage who will neglect that Duty in despite to the Ordinance, but when God in his all wise Providnece, deprives me of an Opportunity, it will neither be im­puted to me, nor the Child; for I do not esteem Baptism so absolutely necessary to Salvation, that a Child connot be sav'd without it. the Interpreter told the Officer that I denied Original Sin; Sir said I you misconstrue my Words, for I maintain that all the fallen Race is guilty of Orginal sin: Replies he, what washes it away, seeing Baptism does not. Sir answer'd I, the Blood of Christ, But Sir says I do you maintain that a Child dying with­out Baptism is enternally Damn'd, a Woman that was pre­sent replies, it should not dye without it, if I should do it myself, Oh! Friend says I there are some extraordinary Cases, such as Children dying in the Womb, to whom it is impossible to Administer the Ordinance of Baptism, do you maintain that these Children are eternally misera­ble, at this he paused, I insisted for his answer. Replies he they will never see Light, Sir says I this is more than you know, for by this your discourse you would make their eternal Salvation or Damnation to depend upon the Administration or non Administration of this Ordi­nance.

The told me my Praying or Reading availed [Page 20] no­thing, seeing I neither Read nor Prayed to the Virgin Mary, why says I the Virgin Mary has no Power to forgive Sin, say they you speak Blasphemy, said I none has Power to forgive Sins but God only, they then told me I was too scrupulous by not allowing myself to do servile Work on the Sabbath Day, for said they our Priests allow thereof, said I the Priests is no Example for me, I follow the Example of Jesus Chirst, for Christ claims that Day as his Property and whosoever doth La­bour (viz. servile Labour) thereon, is guilty of sacrali­giously Robbing God of his Property, they told me I was a good Women, but had a bad Religion; for if I was a Roman Catholick and wou'd live so strict, I wou'd go streight to Heaven as soon as I dy'd.

A Remark also of what pass'd at the River of Biff.

On the Sabbath the commanding Officer of the said Fort order'd me to Work, I told him No, not on the Lords Day, he told me as we must Eat on the Sabbath so we must Work. I told him such unnecessary super­fluity in Cooking (which was the Work then required) was not a Work of necessity, and therefore was to be re­frained, he told me that upon my non Compliance there­with, he wou'd imprison me, I told him if he would, I would not comply, for I had not done it for the Indians neither wou'd I for him; then he made a pause and look­ing me stedfastly in the Face, said, poor Women, put the in Goal for not Working on the Sabbath Day? No no, and so instantly enquired who I was, and whence I came, and so went out. Then a little while after came an Officer and enquired who and what I was as to my Religion. I readily told him. Oh! says he you are not acquaint with my Religion or then you would soon embrace it and forsake your own. Oh! Sir says I, I am not ignorant of your Principles, altho' I am unacqnain­ted with your Nation. Says he there is but one true Religion. Sir says I, I own it there is but one God, one Faith, and one Baptism. Aha says he, and is your Re­ligion [Page 21] that only true one, yes Sir said I it is, Ah then says he and what is ours, Sir says I you may judge of that as you please but as for mine it is agreeable to the Word of God which is to be the Rule and Standard that we are to be governed by, and adhere to, Oh! says he, if you were in Montreal you would soon change your Mind and alter your Religion, for said he I will bring it to a Re­ference, suppose there was both white and black Bread served up at Table; wou'd you not rather chuse the White than the Black, yes Sir says I, for I chused the White when at home and I intend to use the same Free­dom at Montreal,

He enquired whether I was a Lutheran, a Calvinist or a Roman-Catholick, I answered, Sir, I am a Calvinist, said he, you Lutherans and Calvinists who seperate from the true Church on Pretence of Reformation, have fallen into gross Errors, said I, I know the Roman Church was once a pure and true one, but then I would enquire if it might not have fallen into Error and Defection so as to require Reformation; he answer'd no it could not, and further asked me if I denied the Scripture. I answered no, I do acknowledge the Scriptures an infallible Rule of Faith. Then he repeated the Scripture from which they alledge their Church to be founded on Peter, and therefore was infallible &c. I told him that Scripture did not nor could imply that the Church was builded on Pe­ter, and on this Rock, viz. the Faith of Peter will I build my Chuch &c. thou art Peter, that is thou art that Peter who professeth thy Faith in me as the Saviour and Redeemer of the World, and upon that Rock namely upon him whom thou believest will build my Church, and the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against it, Then said he, you will not take the Minister for your Rule, I said, I had [...] sure Word to trust to; he asked if there was not many dark Passages in the Scrip­ture I did not understand, said I, the Ministers Place is [Page 22] to explain them, said he, then you take the Priests Opi­nion for your Rule, I told him, if the Priests Explanation of these mistical Scriptures was agreeable with the other Parts more plain, I was bound to beleive him, otherways not, then said he, you are a Judge of the Ministers; I told him no, the Word of God was their Judge, then I aded and asked him if he thought the Priest was per­fect, he answered no, well said I, you shall not be my Rule for I have a perfect one, which is the Law and the Testimony; said he you must know, that as we speak in the Ministerial Office we are perfect, but as we are Men we many be Damned for our Sins notwithstanding. I aked him by what Rule I should jugde who was in the Right but by the Word of God; said he, you must look back to the old Standard which never erred from the Truth, said I we have no commad for that, and relying on them would be very uncertain because Christ has told us, false Prophets shall arise in the latter Days to deceive if possible even the very Elect, said he, that was in Christ's Time not in this Period, and added that Christ has pro­mised to be with his Ministers even to the End of the World; said I, he undoubtedly will be with his own Church wheresoever they may be scattered, but not with any one set of Men in particular, said I, you know the Jews are a damned People and forsaken of God, altho they were once his peculiar People, said he, as to the Jews it is true they have a conditional Promise, but we have an absolute one, said I, the Jews only had the Promise that as long as they were for God he would be for them, and certainly we have not other promise. So you will not take the Priest for your Rule you say, but you both con­tradict yourself in that as well as the Word of God. I begged him to tell me wherein that did appear, he said in the Begining of the Bible, I desired him to repeat the Words; the Translation says he, informs you that this is a new Translation, you accept what they did as right, and yet now deny the Authority of the Priest to [Page 23] judge for you, Sir said I, only except of the Translati­on as my Rule, not their Word. Suppose said I, there was a piece of Latin of divine Inspiration which few understand, and you give a Translation of it into my Tongue, pray would that make any alteration as to the Matter thereof or could my Faith be said to be more Im­plicit for adhering to that as a Rule; besides is it not expedient to Translate seeing many People are only pos­sessed of common and not a liberal Education; said he ignorat People ought not to read the Word, and added that Christ's Commission to his Disciples, go teach all Nations, imply'd that all Nations were only to be taught, not admitted to read. I told him I could not see how that could be imply'd, since we are commanded to starch the Scriptures, and besides the Apostles as inspired from on high, were commanded to Teach and Preach the Word of God, and were not only admitted but oblig'd by their Authority and command to read and believe the same, which Authority no other Mortal has unless they confirm it by miraculous Works as they did; said he, the People are commanded to have the Word at the Priests mouth, said I, that does not forbid the Reading of it, also what need the Priest be afraid that the People should read the Word if the Priest acted according to that Word, and besides we are commanded not only to be hearers of the Word but doers also, now what an Ad­vantage is it to me to be admitted to read that Word a­greeable to which Precepts I am to form my Conversati­on. I further asked him whether he did not think that some part of his true Church as he called it, might at some Time be left destitute of a Teacher; he answered no, for where there was People they would always have a Teacher, true said I, the Lord always has and always will have a Church upon Earth, but the true Church may be brought very low as it was when none appeared Pub­lic for it but Elisha, yet added I, supposing it to be the Case that some part of your Land or People were left des­titute [Page 24] of a Priest by Death or some other Means that un­der such Circumstances your Church must be dead also, but here is the Blessed Excellency of ours, that Christ our glorious Head lives for evermore, and of his Kingdom there shall be no end: At this he paused for some Time and then said that yet it was some part of the Church, yes said I where two or three are gethered togther in the Name of the Lord there is their Church. He after told me that he could not talk English well, and desir'd that I might help him, I told him we ought not then to talk together, said he, I only want to instruct you as it is my Office, and should gladly go to your Country for that purpose, could I be admitted as I am now going to convert the Indians and am willing to convert all Nations, I an­swered to his going to my Country I knew of no hindrance as yet, then he got up off the Chair and said I was in a damnable Condition. Sir said I, I hope in God's Mer­cy, Mercy said he, who think you have a right to Mer­cy, many talk of the Mercy of God, but who think you have a right to it? I answered, all they that believe in God and turst in Jesus Christ and accept of him alone for Salvation as he is offered in the Gospel, they, and they only have a special right to the Mercy of God. Then he asked me of what Country I was by right, I told him, what said he, you an Irishwoman and a Calvinist, had I Time I would talk with you further, and he again sat down and we had a Repitition of the former nearly.

After my arrivalat Montreal they enquired if I was a Catholick, I answered yes, no further equiry was made for some Time, untill the Interpreter came; saith a French Woman to the Interpreter this Woman is a Ca­tholick, Ah says he but not a Roman Catholick, Sir says I, I have not a Genealogy, to tell whether I am come of Paul or of Appolas and says I Paul was a Ro­man and for ought I know Appolas was a Gentile, and whether I proceeded from Paul or from Appolas I can't tell, but I maintain the same Doctrine Paul did; Sir [Page 25] said I what was Paul and what was Appolas they were both the Servants of God says he, Sir says I why do you make exception where God makes none, for God to not a Respecter of Persons, true said he, Sir said I what do you mean by that word, Roman Catholick, Oh says he I can readily resolve you that Question, for I myself was taught to be a Priest, but wou'd not the take Oath of Continuance, and therefore was not admitted to the Charge, said he such as are Roman Catholicks own the Pope to be the Head of the Church, Sir says I, I absolutely deny it, for there is none that is head of the Church but Christ, Sir says I, whether is it from the old or the new Testament that you prove the bringing of Priests under the Oath of Continuance, as for my part I know no precept either form old or new for it, Sir, you can only instance that one case of Paul; and he declares his Liberty saying, know ye not that I have Liberty to lead a Wife or a Sis­ter as well as any other Apostle; Oh says he, they have their Liberty to chuse when they are come to maturity, Sir said I, as Man is changeable and as God has left Man his free choice, it is a sin for him to enter into a Yoke of Bondage! He then gave me two of their Books. which was a Declaration of their Principles, one tituled a Vindication of the Roman Catholick Religion, against the Presbyterian proved out of Scripture, thus take and read. This was filled with proofs, mentioning Book, Chapter and Verse, but not expressing the Words, but after I perused it a little, and found the proofs to be quite contrary to the thing to be proved I desired the Interpre­ter to spend a part of a Day to look over it and observe the Cunningness of the Priests, in telling the Chapter and Verse, but not rehearsing the Words nor allowing them the use of the Bible. the next was an explanation of the Catechism giving only the Priests belief for such and such things without any proofs.

In one particular place of which that I observed he saith, I believe that Christ went down to the torments of [Page 26] Hell and suffred there three Days, Sir says I, that is a dowright falshood, what saith he, will you deny the Scriptures; Sir said I, you can give me no Scripture for that, but says he do you deny the Creed; Sir said I, look at the Explanation of our Creed, that, that only meant the Grave, for as Hell is only a place of punishment so in various parts of Scripture, punishment is made men­tion of as an Hell, do you be believe said I, that Jonah was in Hell when in the Whales Belly; he expostulates and says, out of the Belly of Hell have I cried unto thee. And that is a memorable comparison, where it is said as Jonah was three Days and thee Nights in the Whales Belly, so shall the Son of Man be three Days and three Nights in the Heart of the Earth.

And according to that your Doctrine, the damned in Hell had three Days Heaven, for where Christ is, there is a Heaven, and the Gospel preach'd; which is horrid absurdity and contradictory to Scripture, for we have it plain in the Evangilists, whosoever goes to Hell, cannot return back to Heaven, neither he that goes to Heaven, can't return to Hell, he added no more. Being assaulted by another after much the same, only added how contra­dictory it is to Chirsts own Words to the Thief on the Cross, who said to Day thou shall be with me in Paradise.

They insisted hard that I should attend Mass Christ­mas Evening, as that is an Evening in which they per­form much of their superstious Worship, I refused to go, they told me if I would attend I would see strange things such as I never yet had seen; I told them I was not fond of seeing that which would be an aggravation of my grief; why said they an aggravation to your grief, how can that be, said I what is dishonouring [...]o God is a grief to me, and such surperstitious Idolatry cannot be but offensive to God; Oh! said another if Mr. Picket could speak English, he would soon convert you to be a Catho­lick, Oh said I, I am a Catholick already, but Oh said they, the English doth not confess unto the Priest, said I [Page 27] the Priest he has no power to forgive and endeavoured to convince them of their wresting, that Text Math. 16. said by our Lord to Peter, and I will give thee the Keys of Heaven, and whatsoever thou bindest on Earth, shall be bound in Heaven, and whatsover thou loosed on Earth, shall be looss'd in Heaven, Sir says I, this is the Church Militant, not Tr [...]umphant, and the meaning of that Text is Church discipline which our Ministers observe; for if any of our members are guilty of any publick scandal the Satisfaction must be as publick as the Crime, and upon their obstinancy in not complying with the Discipline us­ed according to the Apostle Paul, they are cast out of the Church by excommunication untill such Times as they repent of their Crimes, and make publick Satisfaction, and then not claiming Gods prerogative to forgive their Sins, but telling them if their Repentance be real God will forgive them. Oh says the Interpreter your Religi­on is harder than ours: For we maintain that feigned Re­pentance will do, but they, that nothing but unfeigned.

On a certain Night a Company of them being toge­ther, the Subject of their Discourse was concerning the Prisoners, Ah says my Landlady all the Rest of the Pri­soners has been at Mass, except my Jennet (for so she used to stile me) and I will have her along, indeed Ma­dam says I you shall, shall I go there to please you and mock God? Oh, no says she not to mock God but to serve him, said I if it were a Place where I could serve God I would go, out of obedience to his Command, and I am sorry that so many complies to go to your Mass. But as for my part I shall endeavour to be stedfast, and what I profess'd as home to adhere to, or stick by here, A­nother of the Company began to mock at the Manner of our receiving the Lords Supper, you says she Eat a little Bread and Drink a little Wine, but says she if I was dry I wou'd Drink hearty. Madam says I, do you Eat the real Body of Christ! Yes said she, you are a mon­strous Person said I to Eat human Flesh, Oh says she, I [Page 28] do not touch it with my Teeth, for I lay it upon my Tongue and it melts away. Then said I, your Body contains the Body of Christ and by your Opinion you will make Christ a monster, for how many think you may pertake at one Time, some Times there may be perhaps a Thousand some Times more and some Times less, and by your Discourse Christ must have a distinct Body for each of these, which is horrid Blasphemy. Do ye imagine say I, that his Deciples eat his real Body and drunk his real Blood when he sat with them at the Ta­ble, and saith this is my Body which was broken for you and my Blood which was shed for you the Night be­fore his Crucifiction, this was only done in remem­brance as he saith as oft as you do eat this Bread and drink this Cup, you do it in Remembrance of me, and so our Ministers according to the example of Chirst (whose Em­bassadors they are) after blessing the Bread, they Break it and give it unto the People, and the Wine after the same Manner; and that only as a Representation of Christs Body being broken and his Blood shed for the Remission of our Sins; but if we Eat by Faith we receive him Ex­perimentally; and whosoever do not receive him after this Manner, they Eat and Drink Judgment to themselves. They were silent for some Time, said one I never tho' [...] there had been such People among the English, for I thought they had been meer Bruits, but there will cer­tainly be some of them saved as well as us. They never any more insisted upon my Attendance.

After the Defeat of our Forces at Ticonderega. the Interpreter came on purpose to upbraid me as their usual was when such like happen'd, said he I am come on pur­pose to converse with you, said he don't you now see that our Religion is good and yours is not; we look up­on it said he as a miracle that such a small Party as was of ours, shou'd Defeat such an Army, Sir says I, think nothing the less of my Principles for that, for it is Gods usual way, to correct his People for their Sins, and I [Page 29] confess it is for Sin in Practice not walking agreeable to our Principles that God is afflicting us now. But says he it is said in Scripture one shall chase a Thousand, and ten shall put ten Thousand to flight; true Sir, says I, when his People walks in Principle and Fractice agreeable to his Rule, but he hath said, whomsoever he loveth he Chas­tiseth and those whom he correcteth not, they are Bas­tards and not Sons and so the Lord is correcting us for our irregular walking. Sir says I, if you had a Son, and he shou'd do a sault, and you shou'd take a Rod and correct him, is it for Love that you have to him, or to the Rod; and so the Lord altho' he may take the French and Savages to correct us, yet he may cast them, us'd as the Rod into the Fire. Oh says he, we hear in Scripture that always the People of God overcame their Enemies, Sir says I, it is not always the Case, or then Daniel and many other of the People of God would not have been Captivated, Sir said I, if you had been in the Day [...] of Elab when his Sons fell, and the Ark of the Lord was taken, wou'd you not said that it was for the good Religi­on of the Philistines; but Sir said I, it was for the Sins of the House of E [...]ah, for the Children of Israel was then the only convenant People of God in those Days, and yet the Lord permitted these Idolatrous Heathens to afflict his People, and not only so but to take his Ark, Oh said he if they did take it, they had not much to boast of for their taking it, for they did not keep it long, Oh! said I, you need not brag for the Quarrel is not yet over with you, for altho' (as I own) you have had the Victory mostly as yet, I am not afraid but the Lord will return and Fight for his People, I am not taking it upon me to Pro­phecy, but I verily beleive that the Lords vengence will pursue your Nation. That the Cry of the Widow and the Fatherless will ascend up before the Lord, altho' I do not pray for Vengence upon you, but I rather desire that the Lord my Discover unto you, your Sin in employing ing a cruel Heathen to seperate the Husband from the [Page 30] Wife, and the Child from the Mother and to embrue their Hands in their Blood; for War it is not, but mur­der of the most henious Degree, and yet you plead yourselves Guiltless, because, say you we are not actual­ly at this murder, but in verity ye are more guilty than they, for they are poor ignorant People, deprived of the means of Grace which you have, and you employ them and pays them: And are you not then, as you are the Masters and Employers more guilty than they.

Then said he I should be glad if your People would come and take the Country. Ah say I, and take your Liberties from you, as to your Religon, and that is a Priviledge that I would not give for the World. Sir said I, I think more pity of you than all the French in Mon­treal. For why said he, because said I you know better and yet Practice as they do, for you have had the Pri­viledge of the Scriptures, and has seeming been con­vinc'd of their Idolatry in some measure, said he what would you have me to do, for I have not confess'd to the Priest, nor received their Sacrament for several Months, says I, do agreeable to the Commandment of God come out from among them, my People: Touch not, taste not, hand not. Said he there can be no harm in hear­ing them Preach, said I, it is a countenancing of them and so you are a stumbling Block to others that are igno­rant, you ought to seperate from them, testify against them. Oh said he if it were Peace, I would go to your Country, and I never had another opportunity of conver­sing with him untill I left the Country.

I further remark whilst I was in Quebec, where a young Lady desired to discourse with me, said she, I will bring it to a reference that will convince you of ne­cessity of praying to the Virgin Mary: For said she if there was a great Prince, and you desired a great favour from him, and you a Person of mean Qualities, and not fit to supplicate this Prince, and he having a Mother of such a condescending disposition that she would hear the [Page 31] meanest Person that made address to her, and the Son condescending to whatsoever favour the Mother demand­ed of him, would it not then be more likely that you should have your request by making your case known unto the Mother, and so she unto the Son, seeing that he will not deny her of whatsoever she asks. Madam said I, allow me to speak a little from your Reference for this great Prince, he gives out a Proclamation that who­ever desires a request to ask it of him and none other, and the meanest, poorest and most despised of the Human Race, shall have their Request if they ask it: I out of Rebellion against the Kings Command, will go and ask of another, when he has Commanded that we shall ask of none else, will this not incur his Wrath and not his Fa­vour, so to disobey his Command. This is the case with the Blessed King Jesus, who has Commanded to ask of him, who giveth liberally, and upbraideth none, and there is no other Mediator or Daysman: Another who was present answered, she has you now, so they added no more.