Jonathan Carpenter's Diary
From the
Carpenter Family News-Journal Volume 5, No. 3 December
1975
The following
material provided below was furnished by Mrs. Alene
Vogel, P. 0. Box 1151, Bozeman, Montana 59715. Mrs.
Vogel is a Jonathan Carpenter descendant. She and
husband Rudy C. Vogel have 3 children, Douglas Rudy,
SheryZ Ann and Linda Kay, wife of David Seiler.
The original
Jonathan Carpenter diary is in the possession of the
Vermont Historical Society at Montpelier. There is some
question as to its authenticity since a diary authored
by another American prisoner in England contains
identical entries. It also is apparent that Carpenter
wrote many of his entries much later than they were
dated. There is no doubt that this is his diary--the
question is whether he copied some of the material.
Discussion of the controversy and a transcript of diary
entries appear in Vol.XXXVI, No.2 of "Vermont History,"
publication of the Vermont Historical Society.
(Following is only a scant selection of entries from the Jonathan
Carpenter diary. These entries concern his capture by
the British and his years of imprisonment in "'England,
and his adventures when he first went to Vermont.)
1774 Sept. ye 27th--The
King's troops begin to fortify on Boston neck and use
the Inhabitents with Severity, which causes great
uneasyness in town & Country concerning the Governments
and Duties the British King and Parliment are about to
inflict upon the Colonies in America--and ye bad Success
that Detested article Tea has met with, by which they
thought (by making us pay a Duty upon it) to Binde on
the Chain they have a long time ben preparing to bring
America under everlasting Slavery to Great Briton--but
the duty was deny'd them and the Tea destroy'd in Boston
harbour--and the Inhabitents are resolute and ready to
De-o fend their owne rights and Libertyes even to Blood
if Cause Should require, which by Circemstances cannot
long be avoided as is Generaly thought the Despute must
end by force of Armes.
1775 January ye 9th--A
Town meeting and Election of oficers &c at
Rehoboth—about this time inlisted a Company called
Minute-men to Stand ready to march at a Minutes warning
to protect the Glorious Cause of Liberty.
1776 July ye 4th--This
Day is one of the most Memorable Aeras that ever took
Place in America. Then to the most universal joy of the
Inhabitents of this Country The Therteen United States
were Declared free and Independant.
(February)
ye 19 (1778)--Having got acrosst the gulf
Stream at Day light we saw a sail which our Capt.
imprudently chased for near tow [sic] hours but find-ing
his mistake put about but She came up with us atl2
o'clock which proved to be the Unicorn a 20 Gun Ship in
ye Service of the Tyrant King of Great Briton Commanded
by John Ford--but we are no longer our own men but have
a New Master...now we must go on bord of a new Ship
(i.e., the Unicorn) and be put in irons & crouded Down
betwizt Decks half Starv'd like Poor devils (or Rebels)
as they caul'd us--in this Languishing condition we were
obliged to Stay Suffering all that those Devils on earth
(or rather Hell a float) could inflict until the 7 of
March when we were brought into Rhode island harbour and
put on bord the Clibborn a Prison Ship riding at Anchor.
(March 7 - April 16, 1778)--Now
we enter another Scene which is not much better for our
alowance (on the prison ship) is very short (and) Poor
in Quality as 41 well as quantity. 150 men in a small
ship...But being loth to Die & by the help of kind
Providence we tuff'd it out until the 13th of April when
we were got to be very Sickly but all that were able
taken & distrabuted on board a fleet of 24 sail of
Marchent ships distined for England. I was not well but
nothing would do but I must go & finally went on bord
the Myrtle (commanded by) Capt. Goldenbottom. My friend
Cabel (Caleb?) Carpenter & one Thompstone of Virginia
were with me, 3 being the Complyment for each Ship.
April ye 16 (and
following)--We Sailed for Portsmouth in England where we
arived the 12 Day of May after a Prosperous Passage of
28 Day--but I was sick almost all our Passage but by the
blessing of him who rules by Sea & land I got my health
again not by any favour or Attendance from ye bold
britons...
May ye 13--We
haul'd into the harbour at Portsmouth in the County of
Hampshire in Great Briton.
(June 4, 1778?)--After
Shuffeling me about from one Ship to another till they
were weary they put me on board of the Princis Amelia a
20 Gun Ship lying as a guard Ship at Spithead where I
staid until next Day we were Sent on Shore at Hasler
hospital where there was upwards of 1700 men belonging
to ye Shiping & Staying there till ye 4th of June we
were Sent back to ye guard ship.
Ye 19 of June--We
were again Sent on Shoar where we were Examined tryed &
com-mitted to Prison (at Forton--which Carpenter always
misspelled "Fortin"— near Portsmouth) as Rebels &
Pirates taken on the high Seas--it being my birth Day
the very Day I Should have had my freedom, but to get
clear from cruel masters I rejoiced at an Opportunity to
go to Prison where I found 175 Prisoners. Some of them
had ben there a year and were in good heart but
ex-pected a long imprisonment &c.
June ye 25th 1778--Jeremiah
Thirber, one of our Privateer's crew from Rehoboth, 4
Died at Hasler Hospital with the Small Pox.
1778 July ye 6--There
was 64 more committed to Prison...also there is great
talk of our being exchanged by way of France very Soon
which we call good News if it be true--likewise we hear
that the British troops have evaquated Philadelphia &
retired to N. York--there are 27 Sail of ye Line lying
at Spithead waiting for a fair wind to put to Sea their
Distination unknown.
July ye 13--Admirel's
fleet returned in again having seen a fleet in the
Channel big enough to eat 'em. ha,ha. Now the Press is
very hot in the country so that a man is not Safe in his
bed for robbers and Press gangs. (This is a
reference to the British custom of forcing men to
join the Royal Navy.)
July 24--This Day
10 of our officers made there escape and got of
clear--both fleets are out we expect soon to hear of a
battle--Admiral Keepels fleet con-sists of the Victory
of 100 Guns & 5 of 90 guns 18 of 74 guns 7 of 64 guns
making 31 Sail of ye line & 6 Frigates--ye French have
32 Sail of the Line & 15 frigates.
July ye 30--About
12 o'clock at night we were Discovered in our work which
was diging a hole to make our escape which would have
ben done in 2 hours we had dug about 15 feet under
ground--it is reported in the Newspaper that the fleets
in the Cannel have had a Battle. Admiral Keeple Lost 350
men killed & di twice that Number wounded when both
fleets retired ye French into Brest & English disabled
Ships into Plymouth &c. &c.
Sept. ye 8--Last
night there was a breach made out of ye Prison into the
high way by undermining about 35 feet underground by
which about 50 officers got off, but 20 of them taken up
& Put into the black hole &c & the rest got 40 over to
France--we was kept locked up till noon & broke the dare
lock & the Devil to pay...
December ye 10--Last
night 5 of our men made their escape joy go with 'em.
They tell us we shall soon be exchanged but I sopose
they Lie as they used to do--our Money is Reduced to is
pr Week we have had 2 heretofore ever since I have bin
in this troublesome Scene in high Life below Stairs.
December 17--The
Men of War's officers came and took away the men they
had in-listed in the yard being 15 only. (The British
tried to talk American prisoners into joining the Royal
Navy.)
1779 Jan. 1st--This
morning there is ice as thick as window glass all the
frozen weather we have had was 1 week.
Jan: 12--We hear
to Day that 130 of our fellow Prisoners have made their
Jacks by giving Leg bail to Mill Prison at Plymouth
where there is upwards of 300 to whom Heaven send
Deliverance in Due time.
Feb: (18 or 19)--By
kind Providence we are very healthy we have lost but 9
men Died in this place since the first Prisoners were
committed which is almost 2 years but upwards of 100 has
broke Prison and got clear.
March ye lst--I
was inoculated with the Small Pox & 26 more being all
that never had it
Ye 12--I broke out
with the pack & went into ye Hospital &c.
March 25--Bartholomew
White a prisoner in the yard was Shot through the boddy
by a Corporal of ye Guard which consists of 60 of the
Westminster Militia--he died in 24 hours after. The
Corporal was tryed by a Jury and Cleared. Proved (but
very falsly) to be an accident.
March 27th--I came
out of ye Hospital clens'd of ye Small Pox--also have a
Letter from Mill Prison which says that 100 of them have
actually imbarked on board ye Carteel Ship for France
&c. and expect 100 to go from this place next which is
joyful news.
April ye 5--We
receiv'd a letter from Plymouth which tells us that the
Carteel Ship Saild from there 25 of March for Nantz.
Likewise Mr. Hertly one of the Parliament was here &
tells us that the Carteel Shall come to this place for
the next Draught & c.
April ye 14th--We
had half of this Day's alowance of Provisions stopt by
the Agent to pay for Damages done the Prison in trying
to make our escape &c.
May 8--Today we
have a letter in the yard from Mill prison which Says
they are very Sickly in that Prison...
A May ye 10--This
Day we had a general washing & clensing ye Prison.
May ye 25th--The
Guard is releav'd today by the Lincolnshire Melitia of
100 men--Thomas Haly died with ye small pox--
Ye 29th--Our agent
tell us that he expects the carteel in every Day also he
has sent our Names to London for his Majestie's Pardon,
on which commenc'd a Dialogue:
Prisoners--Pardon; D--n his Majesty
& his pardon too who wants any of his pardons what
murder or treason have we done Prey.
Agent--Why you impudent Rogues
don't you know that you are Rebels and were committed to
Prison as pirates for Murdering & plundering his
Majestys Subjects. The Laws of ye Nation would Swing
every dog of ye...
Prisoner--Overpower & Subdue
America--ah thats the least of my concern. You have not
done it yet nor won't till the Devil's blind & his eyes
an't sore yet and if we wait here for that our heads
will be as grey as woodchucks & then twill be as great
Shame for you to hang us as it was for your Troops to
run through with their bayonets our inofenceve aged
Grand Fathers & grand Mothers who could not get out of
their beds and romes but lay at your mercy beging their
Lives--
Agent--When was that done.
Prisoner--When your Troops went out
to Concord in April 1775, Sir and likewise your officers
or Comander in Canada gave a bounty on Scalps to
incourage ye Indians & hessions &c. to kill our harmless
women and children...Turnkey, you lye D--n ye.
1779 Saturday June ye 19th--...this
day is the Annuation of my imprisonment & birth day &c.
but hope I Shall not Stay here much longer.
June ye 21st--It
is in the Newspaper to day that the Carteel. Ship
arrived at 0 Spit-head last night which we hope is
true--
1779 Wednesday June ye 30th--120
of our names were called and order'd to keep ourselves
in readyness to go on bord ye carteel which will be in a
short time.
Fryday July ye 2nd--This
morning we were called to be in readiness and in the
afternoon march'd off through Gosport, and went on bord
the Milford carteel Ship laying at Spit-head &c. The day
long wished for is come at last Huzza--I having ben in
Fortin Prison one year & 12 Days.
July ye 7--We
weigh'd anchor at Spit-head & set sail for ye river of
Nantz &c.
July 22--We are
Dismiss'd from the Carteel & set on Shore at Penbeef at
our Liberty which Seems very agreeable, but Strange to
walk the streets at Pleas-4k ure I having ben in
Captivety 17 months & 3 Days--And in ye afternoon enterd
on bo'rd the General Jiflen (called the General Miflin
in a later entry) an American Privateer of 20 Guns
George Wade Badcock Commander bound on a cruice towards
America for about 3 months &c--
(A few months after returning to America, Jonathan Carpenter Jr. set out
for Vermont.)
(May) ye 13 (1780)--Then
I & David Carpenter Bargain'd for & bought a lot of 100
acres of Land--for 12s pr acre--of John Winchester Dana
Esq. of Pomfret having travil'd about 416 miles in 21
days.
May ye 15--We
began to chop and made the first stump on our land.
Ye 20th--On our
wild land we've wok'd a week have built a house that's
strong & neat and it will serve tho' it is Low, for
kitchen, hall, & Palace too--
Planted Potatoes corn & beans which some may take
for foolish schemes
July ye 10th--It
begins to be warm weather. People are 1/2 hilling I
corn—have chop't about 8 acres of own land in 6 weeks,
Successively which has almost tired me of that fun no
wonder neigher ha. Also we had a training at Pomfret
inlisted 25 men which will start in one Days time in
case of an Invation which is some expected from ye
Indians.
August ye 10th--This
morning at 1 o'clock we were alarm'd with news that ye
Indians had come into Bernard & had taken 3 Men &
Plunder'd ye houses and went off were followd by 50 men
from Bernard but could not overtake them.
Aug't 15th--I
ingaged to go into ye Service for ye town of Pomfret 3
months.
Ye 25th--I went
out on a Scout for 4 Days in company with 14 men of
Bernard in Serch of some tories that have ben Sculking
about & have taken 2 men from Weathersfield. We went up
ye south Branch of White R. & over heighths of Land to
Pitsford fort on Ottercrick about 30 Miles Course West,
some good land on ye crick and in Chittendon east of
Pittsford, & came home ye 28. Ye Prisoners are retaken
with 2 tories at Weathersfield.
Sept. ye 21--Two
men were taken from their work at Bethel, by ye Enemy...
Oct. ye 3--A light snow fell about 3 inches deep, but
soon gone--frost about this time which soon Strips the
trees &c.
1780. Oct.16--This
morning we were alarm'd by inteligence that the enemy
were burning & Plundering at Royalton and it was
Supposed that ye woods were full of them. I went out in
a Scout round ye north part of Bernard about 10 Miles &
in again but Discovered nothing by this time some of ye
Inhabitents had come into the Garrison & a Party went to
meet the enemy--or at least look for them--at about 12
O'clock at Night I went out in a party of 11 men, with
Lieut Green, with 4 Days provisions we march'd by night
to bethel fort from whence upwards of 100 men had just
gone under Capt. Safford to Royalton.
The attack occurred on Oct. 16. For a lengthier
recounting, see Benjamin Hall, History of Eastern
Vermont (2 vols., Albany, 1865) and Zadock Steele's
Narra-tive of the Captivity & Sufferings of Eadock
Steele (Montpelier, 1818).
Ye 17th (Oct., 1780)--From
thence we march'd to Colonel Woodwards at Middlesex (now
Randolph) about 15 miles from Bernard fort & 8 from
Bethel fort. It snowed almost all Day. There we were
join'd by 10 more & sot off towards ye height of Land in
hopes of coming across our main boddy, & coming to a
house in Middlesex, burning which we judged to have ben
fired by the Enemy about 4 hours--we took their trail &
follow'd into Brookfield & finding our men didnot
follow, we incamped that night but ye Middlesex men
returned, back but ye next morning
ye 18th we
follow'd on about 4 miles further onto ye heighth of
Land & finding we should not be join'd by more men, &
our party but 14 which we thought to small a number to
ingage whom we judged to be 300 by ye parth they made
which was very easy to follow in ye night--we left ye
chace & returned that Day to colonel Woodwards--having
march'd over as fine level a tract of Land as I have
seen in this Country. We went thro Brookfield Dearfield
& into Northfield--light timber'd withmaple Beach Birch
&c.--at Colonel Woodwards we heard that the Enemy had
burnt and Destroy'd Royalton, & some houses in Sharon &
Middlesex &c and have taken off upwards of 20 prisoners
and killed 7, Notwithstanding they were fired upon by ye
advance guard of upward of 400 men, which indeed put
them to great Confusion but they killed 2 prisoners &
fled while the Cowardly Colo' House was forming his men,
hooting with a mock pretence of having a field fight
with Indiens in the Bush, which gave them time to get
off--they were commanded by one Colonel Peters a Tory.
1780. Oct. ye 19--We
returned home in peace, some moving off over Connet
River, and our savage Enemy gone with flying Coulers
into Canida which is a poor story for a Whig to tell.
Ye 20th--We hear
that the aforesaid enemy were atached (detached?) for
Cowasafter Major Whitcome, &c but find their Mistake,
took it in their heads to Plague us--also that there are
1500 Indiens landed from the Lake on the other side of
ye Mountain and have taken fort ann &c.
Ye 20--Part of ye
Companies from Windsor & Woodstock Melitia join'd us for
10 Days.
Ye 27--Cool ye Sun
Eclips'd &--
Ye 29--Melitia
Dismis'd &c--
Nov. ye 1--Snow
fell about 4 inches D.
Ye 2nd--The fort
at Barnard was Christned by ye Name of Defiance. We had
a false alarm how the Enemy were at Grape brook, &c Ye
Melitia of Rockingham Dismiss'd.
Nov. 5th--I went
out on a Scout up S. branch of white R. for 2 Days. Ye
11--Cold frozen weather. Moon Eclips'd &.
Nov. 15--I was
Dismis'd from fort Difiance at Barnard, & sot off for
Pomfret.