In June 1778, near Stroudsburg, during the Revolutionary War, John was captured by Indians, and marched to Canada with a group of other prisoners. During the forced march, when they reached Chemung, according to Indian custom, all the prisoners must run the gauntlet, that is, all the Indians, young and old. stood in two rows with switches, and the prisoner must run between them — the Indians paying on according to their discretion. When John's turn came to rnn, he had suffered so much by assisting the others on the journey, his feet were so sore (he had no shoes) he could not run. A friendly Mohawk, told him to sit down, and he would run for him. The Indians paid it on him more severely than on any of the others, but he proudly bore it without flinching. After the gauntlet, the Indians treated all the prisoners, as to provisions, as well as they lived themselves, and their business was to hoe corn.
On their arrival in Canada John was sold by the Indians to a Colonel, an Aide to General Wolfe. John was eventually put in charge of managing the Colonel's grist mill (he had learned the profession while growing up on his Grandfather Stephen Twining's farm). John was later allowed to buy his freedom from wages he hard earned and, with much difficulty, made his way home, arriving 2 years and a few days after his captured. He was so emaciated that his family did not recognize him.
Six years later, John married Martha Dillon and after William, their first child, was born in 1790 they traveled to Susquehanna Co., PA, by horseback.
In June 1778, near Stroudsburg, during the Revolutionary War, John was captured by Indians, and marched to Canada with a group of other prisoners. During the forced march, when they reached Chemung, according to Indian custom, all the prisoners must run the gauntlet, that is, all the Indians, young and old. stood in two rows with switches, and the prisoner must run between them — the Indians paying on according to their discretion. When John's turn came to rnn, he had suffered so much by assisting the others on the journey, his feet were so sore (he had no shoes) he could not run. A friendly Mohawk, told him to sit down, and he would run for him. The Indians paid it on him more severely than on any of the others, but he proudly bore it without flinching. After the gauntlet, the Indians treated all the prisoners, as to provisions, as well as they lived themselves, and their business was to hoe corn.
On their arrival in Canada John was sold by the Indians to a Colonel, an Aide to General Wolfe. John was eventually put in charge of managing the Colonel's grist mill (he had learned the profession while growing up on his Grandfather Stephen Twining's farm). John was later allowed to buy his freedom from wages he hard earned and, with much difficulty, made his way home, arriving 2 years and a few days after his captured. He was so emaciated that his family did not recognize him.
Six years later, John married Martha Dillon and after William, their first child, was born in 1790 they traveled to Susquehanna Co., PA, by horseback.
Inscription
John Hilborn who departed this life on the 15th of the month, 1826 aged 81 yrs.
Family Members
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement