Recollections of a Georgia loyalist

=^*

\.4

,4y "^

v^

• % 1^* ♦>

-^oV*

Recollections

OF A

Georgia Loyalist

■mi iW^nidBy

7

Elizabeth Lichtenstein Johnston
in early life

Recollections

OF A

Georgia Loyalist

ELIZABETH LICHTENSTEIN JOHNSTON

Written in 1836

EDITED BY

REV. ARTHUR WENTWORTH EATON, B.A.

Author of ^^ The Church of England in Nova Scotia and

the Tory Clergy of the Revolutions''^ " Acadian

Legends and Lyrics,^'' " The Olivestob

Hamiltonsy'' etc.^ etc.

THE BANKSIDE PRESS
M. F. MANSFIELD & COMPANY

New York and London
I 90 I

THE LIBRARY OF
CONGRESS,

Two Copies RecEiveo

APR. 6 1901

COPYWQHT ENTRY

CLASS Cb XXc No.
COPY A.

Copyright, 1901

by M. F. Mansfield & Co

New York

PREFACE

/^NE of the most interesting chapters of
^^ American history, the chapter that
fairly describes the Loyalists, or Royalists, of
the Revolution, and adequately tells their sub-
sequent fate, for the most part remains yet to
be written. It is commonly estimated that
when the North American colonies had finally
become the United States, the population of
the country was less by a hundred thousand
than before the war began. To England,
Upper Canada, the West India Islands, and
last, but by no means least, the fertile Prov-
ince of Nova Scotia, the proud, unflinching,
sorrowing Tories flocked. To the latter
Province, which then included the sister Prov-
ince of New Brunswick, certainly fully thirty
thousand went, many with Howe's fleet at
the evacuation of Boston, far more from New
York, when the proclamation of independence
was finally made. Of the many interesting
facts of Nova Scotia history, a few, such as

5

Preface

the tragical expulsion of the Acadians, are
comparatively well known, but the hardly less
tragical story of the migration of the Loyal-
ists to Nova Scotia, and the subsequent
changes in their eventful lives, is one that at
last is coming to have its proper interest for
the American mind.

When Howe's fleet reached Halifax in
1776, the little town founded by Cornwallis
and his English emigrants only in 1749, was
taxed beyond its utmost limits to provide food
and the most temporary shelter for so large a
crowd. When Shelburne and the adjacent
country in the more southerly part of the
Province was reached by the New York peo-
ple in 1784, for these cultivated men and
women, many of them from the most luxuri-
ous American homes, there were at first only
tents and rude cabins for shelter, and the
scantiest provision for the other needs of
life. If the actual hardships of even a few
of these Loyalist families were ever com-
pletely told, the narrative would lack few
points of interest of the saddest romance.

Of many of the Nova Scotia Loyalists the
names alone are sufficient to awaken deep in-
terest in the whole story of the migration.

Preface

We have, for example, the name of the second
Mather Byles, rector of Christ Church, Bos-
ton, who with his family fled to Halifax, and
was proscribed and banished in 1778. We
have Jacob Bailey, the " Frontier Mission-
ary," whose extraordinary sufferings from the
patriots in Maine, and whose final settlement
in the rectorship of St. Luke's Church, An-
napolis, Nova Scotia, are well-known facts.
We have Daniel, John Murray, and Jonathan
Bliss, of Massachusetts, who long occupied
distinguished positions in the judiciary of
New Brunswick. We have Gen. Timothy
Ruggles, of Hardwick, President of the Con-
gress of Nine Colonies at New York, in
1765 ; Dr. John Halliburton, of Rhode Island
(father of Sir Brenton Halliburton, eighth
Chief Justice of Nova Scotia) ; the Hon. Rev.
Jonathan Odell, of New Jersey, one of the
poets of the Revolution; the Hon. Thomas
Barclay of New York, who in 1 799 succeeded
Sir John Temple, Bart., as England's Consul-
General to the United States; and among
other prominent public men. Sir John Went-
worth, Governor of New Hampshire, who in
1792 became Governor of Nova Scotia and
in 1795 was created a baronet; and Dr.

7

Preface

Charles Inglis, of New York, who in 1787
became the first Colonial Bishop of the Brit-
ish Empire.

Among the many hundreds of names in
Sabine's " Loyalists," the catalogue of which
carries one completely through the alphabet,
are to be found the names of Lewis and
Andrew Johnston. Of Lewis Johnston,
"residence unknown," it is said that he was
banished and attainted, and his estate confis-
cated, and that in 1794 he represented to the
British Government, by his attorney, John
Irvine, that at the time of his banishment
several large debts were due him in America,
which he had not been able to recover. Of
Andrew Johnston, captain in the Florida
Rangers, it is merely said that he was killed
in the attack on Augusta, Ga., in 1780. In
the names of these men, who were father and
son, there is nothing to suggest unusual in-
terest, nor does Sabine apparently know
more about them than he has here told, but
we venture to believe that the following pages
of reminiscence by a member of the distin-
guished Georgia family to which they be-
longed, will not by any means be found want-
ing, at least in variety of incident and in
8

Preface

strong human feeling. The " Recollections "
were written in 1836, by Mrs. William Mar-
tin Johnston, then aged seventy-two, a woman
of strong character, clear intellect, and deep
religious feeling, and with a life behind her
unusually full of vicissitude and change. As
the reminiscences show, she was born and
married in Georgia, at the time of the war
was obliged to flee to Florida, thence went
to Scotland, next settled in the West Indies,
and at last, by a singular fate, became, as she
remained till her death, a resident of Nova
Scotia. In that Province and in other parts
of Canada her descendants have held, and
still hold, positions of the highest social and
political importance. That these " Recollec-
tions " are of very wide historical or even
biographical interest, no one could possibly
claim ; but the writer, who belonged to an
important colonial family, lived through an
exciting period of American history, bore her
share in the heavy personal misfortunes of
the political party to which she and her fam-
ily belonged, spent her subsequent life in two
separate British colonies, took many long
voyages in uncomfortable sailing vessels on
stormy seas, and left descendants who have

9

Preface

always stood high in the public esteem. Thus
her fortunes cannot fail to be interesting to
any who have followed sympathetically the
fate of the Loyalists of the Revolution.

One of the sons of the writer of these
reminiscences, Judge James William John-
ston, born in Jamaica in 1792, was succes-
sively Solicitor-General, Attorney-General,
Judge in Equity, and Governor-elect of Nova
Scotia. Her two sons-in-law were Judge
Thomas Ritchie of Annapolis, First Justice
in the Court of Common Pleas, and the Hon.
William Bruce Almon, M.D., M.L.C., a
Halifax physician of the highest professional
and social standing. Her grandsons, among
others, were the Hon. John William Ritchie,
Solicitor- General and Judge in Equity of
the Supreme Court; Sir William Johnston
Ritchie, Judge of the Supreme Court of Nova
Scotia, Chief Justice of New Brunswick,
Judge of the Supreme Court of Canada, and
Chief Justice of Canada; Hon. Joseph Nor-
man Ritchie, Judge of the Supreme Court of
Nova Scotia; Rev. James J. Ritchie, Rector
of St. Luke's Church, Annapolis; Hon.
William Johnston Almon, M.D., a distin-
guished physician of Halifax, and a member

Preface

of the Senate of Canada; Andrew Belcher
Almon, barrister (residing at Newport, R. I. ) ;
and the Rev. Foster H. Almon, a clergyman
of Halifax, the last three of whom are also
great-grandsons of the second, and great-
great-grandsons of the first. Dr. Mather Byles.
The history of the Johnstons of Georgia,
Jamaica, and Nova Scotia, is briefly this.
About 1750, Dr. Lewis Johnston, surgeon
in the Royal Navy, on Her Majesty's ship
Centiiriouy a young Scotchman of excellent
family, the son of Dr. James Johnston, R. N.,
and his wife, Jane Nesbitt, married in St.
Kitts, in the West Indies, and then settled
as a physician in Savannah, Ga. There,
until the war broke out, he was in the best
city practice, owning also, a little out of the
town, a plantation called " Annandale," after
the famous estate of the Johnstones in Scot-
land. For a number of years he occupied the
important position of Treasurer of the Prov-
ince and President of His Majesty's Council,
and so high did he stand in the public esti-
mation that for years after he was obliged to
leave - Savannah he was consulted in matters
of importance by his old patients and friends
in the Province where he had so long honor-

Preface

ably lived. In 1782, for his loyalty to the
Crown, he was compelled to leave Georgia for
Florida, and until East Florida was ceded to
the Spaniards in 1784, he lived at St. Augus-
tine. When it was necessary for him to
leave Florida, the British Government gave
him a transport to take him to any part of
His Majesty's dominions he wished, and he
naturally chose to return to Scotland, his
native land. The remainder of his life he
spent in Edinburgh, where he worshipped at
the Greyfriars' Church, and where he died,
October 9, 1 796, at the age of seventy-two,
his remains being interred in the old ceme-
tery at the foot of the Calton Hill.

Dr. Johnston's wife, I^aleah Peyton, who
before her marriage was the protegee of her
uncle, William Martin, a planter in St. Kitts,
bore her husband, it is said, some twenty
children, two sons of whom were William
Martin Johnston, M. D. , and the Andrew
Johnston of Sabine's " Loyalists," both cap-
tains on the Tory side in the war. In the
service of their King were also enlisted two
younger sons of the family, Alexander and
John. Of the sisters there were Elizabeth,
wife of Dr. Irwin of Savannah; Laleah,

Preface

Sarah, Nancy, and Rachel. The author of
these " Recollections," as we have seen, was
the wife of Captain William Martin Johnston,
and in 1848, when she was eighty-four years
old, she gave her grandson, the Hon. Wil-
liam Johnston Almon, M.D., in writing, the
following additional statement of the part
taken by her husband and his brothers in the
Revolution. Mrs. Johnston writes :

*' Dr. Lewis Johnston had two sons cap-
tains in the army : William Martin Johnston,
captain in the New York Volunteers, after-
ward numbered the Third American Regi-
ment, who saw much active service and proved
himself a brave officer, and Captain Andrew
Johnston, who belonged to the King's
Rangers, well known as Colonel Brown's
Corps. In 1 780, when his regiment was shut
up by the enemy in the city of Augusta, a
hundred and thirty miles from Savannah, and
the men were in want of provisions. Colonel
Brown asked who would venture on a sortie,
to bring in provisions. Andrew Johnston in-
stantly said he would go, provided he might
choose his men. He was so beloved that all
his men would have gone had he wished.
He took as many as he wanted, went off,

13

Preface

achieved most gallantly his object, but in re-
turning, sad to relate, received a shot in the
back and was killed. He was much la-
mented, for he was not only a brave officer
but was most amiable in his disposition and
exemplary in his character. "

" His excellent father was sitting in Coun-
cil with the Governor, Sir James Wright,
when a countryman was shown in, just ar-
rived from Augusta. On asking him the
news from there he said, 'Not much, only
there had been a scrimmage. ' Being asked
if any lives were lost, he answered, 'Only
Captain Johnston's.* We may draw a veil
over the father's feelings ; of course, he re-
tired instantly. I will relate one more cir-
cumstance to show the heroism of the mother,
who was living at the time of the siege of
Savannah, though dead at the time of her son
Andrew's death. The siege of Savannah in
1779 was made by the combined forces of
French and Americans with about 10,600
men, when the British force was not more
than 1,800 men. Colonel Maitland with 500
men had previously gone on an expedition
on the Carolina side, and it was feared he
would not be able to effect a junction with

Preface

the troops in Savannah. The two Captain
Johnstons were within the lines, at each ex-
tremity. They had two younger brothers,
Alexander and John — the latter aged nearly
fifteen and the former nearly sixteen — who
wished much to join their brothers, but Mrs.
Johnston would not hear of it, and told her
elder sons, who also wished it, not to say a
word more ; she had risked two sons already
and she would not have the others leave her
on any account. All her family but myself
had gone for safety from the balls and shells
thrown into the town, to an island opposite
the town, and in the barn in which our fam-
ily were, there were fifty-eight women and
children. All had dear friends in the lines.
I remained with Mrs. Johnston and her two
lads, as I was engaged to her oldest son and
wished to stay to see him as often as I could.
One morning Captain William M. Johnston
came up in haste to tell his mother to set out
immediately to the wharf and get a friend
there to get us a boat, to cross without loss
of time to the island, as the enemy were
going to open a heavy cannonade upon the
town. We set off without delay, and just as
we turned the first corner of the street their

15

Preface

batteries were opened, and the balls whizzed
about our ears at an awful rate ; never can I
forget it. The firing was kept up fiercely for
a good while, and at last Mrs. Johnston
stopped in the middle of the street, and said :
* My boys, I was about to disgrace you ; go
and join your brothers ' ; which they did.
Alex went to his brother William, who was
quick-tempered and had great veneration for
his mother. William thought the boy had
run away without her leave, and accordingly
received him, before he could explain, with
a slap on the face for his disobedience.
When the matter was explained, however,
William kept the boy through the siege, and
later he became a lieutenant in the New York
Volunteers. John (who was the father of
Judge Johnston of Trinidad) went to his
brother Andrew, who was very good-natured
and more patient in hearing his story, and
remained with him and afterward became a
merchant.

" During the siege Colonel Maitland made
his way to us, and raised the spirits of the peo-
ple very much, and on the 9th of October,
1779, at break of day, the enemy attacked the
city with small arms. Previously the shells
16

Preface

and cannon balls had done little damage, and
the shot going over our men's heads, gave us
far less fear than the appalling sound of the
small arms. We all had near and dear con-
nections in the line. Mrs. Johnston had her
good old husband, and she sat in silence
without uttering a word ; I had my father
and another very dear to me, who six weeks
later became my husband. At lo o'clock we
got word that the enemy were beaten off,
and that our friends were all safe, and O what
thanksgiving, what joy we felt at so unex-
pected a deliverance! The French fought
gallantly, too. We soon made war on the
poultry and animals, and had a good dinner
prepared for our friends. In all the Ameri-
can accounts they take little notice of our
memorable siege. With the American army
was the Polish Count Pulaski, and he was
killed that morning.

" Your grandfather, my husband, after the
war was over was on half pay, and in 1 784-5
prosecuted his medical studies in Edinburgh,
these having been interrupted by the war.
Finally he settled and was for many years an
eminent and successful Doctor of Medicine
in Kingston, in the Island of Jamaica. I

17

Preface

have given you, dear William, a rather
lengthy detail, from which you may extract
whatever you like for publication. As you
know, I was present through the siege and
myself saw very nearly everything I have
here described.

" Your affectionate grandmother,

" E. Johnston."
" Halifax, /«/)/ 12, 1848."

" It will be observed that the war which had opened in
Massachusetts was steadily drifting southward. Great
campaigns had been fought in what are known as the Mid-
dle States, which continued to be the theatre of operations
for several years. In the extreme South, matters were in
a deplorable condition. Tories were numerous, and in
many places civil war reigned. The patriots were so few
in numbers that the enemy prepared a careful campaign for
the capture of Savannah and the conquest of Georgia.
Five thousand additional troops were to be landed at
Charleston, and a strong force of Indians was to be brought
from Florida and Alabama to assail the frontier settlements,
while the commandant at Detroit was to send others to
join them from the Northwest.

' ' General Prevost, who was in command of a mingled
force of regulars, Tories, and Indians in East Florida,
sent two expeditions in the autumn of the year 1778 from
St. Augustine, Florida. They committed many outrages
and brought away an enormous amount of plunder. In
the latter part of November, Clinton despatched Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Canjpbell, with two thousand troops, to invade
Georgia. The troops went by the sea and landed at Sa-
18

Preface

vannah on the morning of December 29th. The patriot
general, Robert Howe, of North Carolina, with less than
a thousand dispirited men, hurried up from Sunbury, and
three miles below Savannah, at Brewton's Hill, fought a
battle with a much superior force, and was badly defeated.
In the flight through rice-fields and streams, a hundred
patriots were drowned and four hundred made prisoners.
The others who succeeded in escaping took refuge in South
Carolina, while the enemy occupied Savannah." — Ellis'
" History of the United States," vol. ii., pp. 524-5.

" A fleet sailed from New York via Sandy Hook on the
8th of November, 1778, for Savannah. The troops were
under the command of Colonel Campbell, of the 71st Regt. ,
and the New York Volunteers were of the expedition. On
the 27th of November the fleet, which had been detained
by storms, at length sailed. On the 24th of December we
sailed into Savannah River, and on the 29th the troops
disembarked, and were carried in flat boats and landed not
far from the city. The enemy, who numbered about 800
men, did not make a long stand. Our loss was 20 killed
and wounded. The rebel loss was 80 killed and wounded,
and 400 prisoners. On the 31st we started for the city
and took possession of Advocate Farley's house, in which
we found a fine library." — Extract from the letter of a
German officer, dated Savannah, January 16, 1779, kept in
Mrs. Johnston's possession.

" The next year an attempt was made by the Americans,
assisted by the French fleet, to capture Savannah, but it
failed. In this attack Pulaski lost his life. After a regu-
lar siege, a British fleet and army took Charleston in May,
J780. "— Eggleston's " History of the United States," p.
184.

" Early in 1782 the British Parliament, perceiving the
futility of attempts hitherto to subdue the Americans, now

19

Preface

began to listen to the voice of reason and humanity, and
steps were taken toward the establishment of peace be-
tween the United States and Great Britain, upon the basis
of the independence of the former. On the fourth of
March the House of Commons passed a resolution in favor
of peace, and active hostilities ceased. Preparations were
now made for the evacuation of Savannah, and on the
eleventh of July the British army evacuated it, after an oc-
cupation of three years and a half. Wayne, in considera-
tion of the services of Colonel James Jackson, appointed
him to ' receive the keys of Savannah from a committee of
British officers. ' He performed the service with dignity,
and on the same day the American army entered Savan-
nah, when royal power ceased in Georgia forever. . . .

• ' Governor Martin called a special meeting of the Leg-
islature in Savannah about three weeks after the evacua-
tion. They assembled in the house of General Mcintosh.
. . . The session was short, but marked by decision and
energy. On the first Monday in January following, the
constitutional session commenced at the same place.
Every branch of the new government was speedily organ-
ized, and the free and independent State of Georgia began
its career." — Lossing's " Field Book of the Revolution,"
vol. iix. , p. 741.

In a note Lossing says :

"Between the 12th and 25th of July (1782), seven
thousand persons, according to British accounts, left Sa-
vannah, consisting of 1,200 British regulars and Loyalists,
500 women and children. 300 Indians, and 5,000 ne-
groes. Governor Wright and some of the civil and mili-
tary officers went to Charleston, General Clarke, and part
of the British regulars to New York, Colonel Brown's
rangers and the Indians to St. Augustine, and the re-
mainder under convoy of the Zebra frigate, the Vulture
20

Preface

sloop-of-war, and other armed vessels, to the West Indies.
It is estimated that nearly seven-eighths of the slaves in
Georgia were carried off now and on previous occasions, by
the British. "

The last battle for independence in Georgia
was fought between Colonel Jackson and
some British troops on Skidaway Island,
below Savannah, on the 25th of July, 1782.

21

INTRODUCTION

BY

HON. WILLIAM JOHNSTON ALMON, M.D.
Senator of the Dominion of Canada

^~r^HE following " Recollections " were
-"- written by my grandmother, Mrs.
Johnston, from memory, for the information
of her grandchildren. She was, as she states,
the only daughter of John Lichtenstein
(anglicized Lightenstone), who was born in
Cronstadt, near St. Petersburg, Russia,
where his father had settled and where the
latter conducted an academy for the edu-
cation of youth.

Vitus Bering, a native of Denmark, and
an admiral in the Russian navy under Peter
the Great, from whom the Bering Straits re-
ceived their name (though in reality he never
visited them, as the cape he supposed to be
the northeast point of Asia is now proved to

23

Introduction

be a cape far south of the real northeast
cape) was a connection of the family. Cap-
tain John Lichtenstein, the father of the
author of this journal, had in his possession
a stone adze fastened to a wooden handle
with reindeer thongs, which Bering had ob-
tained in Kamschatka and had given to his
(Lichtenstein's) father. This, Captain Lich-
tenstein brought to Annapolis Royal after
the American War, and it is now in the
Provincial Museum at Halifax, incorrectly
labeled " Stone implement from the West
India Islands, presented by Judge Norman
Ritchie."

Captain Lichtenstein died at Annapolis
Royal and was interred in the graveyard,
where a stone to his memory exists. He
emigrated from Russia to Georgia, where he
obtained a portion of land in the Island of
Skidaway — grants of which, bearing the dates
of George II., are in my possession.

Mrs. Johnston, the daughter of Captain
Lichtenstein, was married in Savannah, No-
vember 21, 1779, ^t the early age of fifteen,
to Captain William Martin Johnston, M.D.,
born in Savannah, May 24, 1754, a captain
in the New York Volunteers or Third Loyal
24

Hon. William Johnston Almon, M.D.
Senator of the Dominion of Canada

Introduction

American Regiment. Captain Johnston, at
the commencement of the troubles between
the revolting colonies and the mother coun-
try, was studying medicine in Philadelphia as
a private pupil of Dr. Rush, one of the signers
of the Declaration of Independence.'

I have in my possession a series of letters
written by Captain Johnston's father to him,
which in my opinion in elegance of diction
equal those of Chesterfield to his son, while
in the morality of the 'advice they give they
are far superior. Among other things he
finds fault with him for a serious distur-
bance he had had with a night watchman.
Upon asking my grandmother (Mrs. John-
ston) what this trouble was, she said that gen-
tlemen in those days usually carried small
swords in full dress, and that having what
our American friends would call "a little
difficulty " with the custodian of the night,
he drew his sword on him. I, being a small
boy at the time, inquired, " Did he run him
through, grandmother.!* " She replied, " No,

' Dr. Johnston died at Kingston, Jamaica, December 9,
1807; his wife died at Halifax, Nova Scotia, "in full
assurance of salvation through Christ," September 24,
1848.

25

Introduction

dear, he only pricked him ; but they made a
great fuss about it. "

To those who remember the accounts of
the exploits of the " Mohawks " at night in
the streets of London, as related in the pages
of the Spectator^ it will be known that such
encounters were not uncommon in the reign
of Queen Anne.

It may not be out of place here to tran-
scribe a letter which Dr. Lewis Johnston
wrote his son in reference to this affair :

" Savannah, Nov. 19, 1774.
" Dear Billy : I rec'd yours of the 2 2d
ult. by Captain Bunner, and have a full reli-
ance on the promise you make me of making
'amends by your future conduct for your past
indiscretions, which will be the best, and in-
deed only method of atonement. I am glad
to find by Dr. Rush's letter that your be-
havior since that unhappy affair with the
watchman has been unexceptional. I wish
you had put it in his power to have added
that your application to your studies had been
diligent and constant, as that would have
made me easy and happy. You owe much
to that gentleman for the generous care he
has taken of you. By every letter I receive
from him I am more convinced of the friend-
ship he has for you, and it should be your
26

Introduction

care to cherish it by every means in your
power ; this you are bound to do from a proper
sense of gratitude, and from regard for your
own interest. He certainly can and will be
of much service to you in the prosecution of
your studies if you are not much wanting in
your own endeavor to profit by the opportu-
nities you now enjoy."

To this advice I may add that which he
gave his son on the threatened outbreak of
the rebellion, which was then looming in the
near future :

"Savannah, Ga., Aug: 20, 1774.

" Dear Billy :

"... There is one thing which I think it
my duty to caution you against, that is, the tak-
ing any part in the unhappy political disputes
which I doubt not run very high in Philadel-
phia ; these are matters you have no business
with, and of which you cannot be supposed
to be a competent judge. This consideration
alone should induce you to be silent on the
subject, but there is a prudential one which
ought to have the greatest weight with you
in your present situation, which is that at a
time when men's passions and prejudices are
so much inflamed, you cannot declare your
sentiments even in the most modest terms
without giving offence to one side or the

27

Introduction

other, which you ought carefully to avoid, as
it should be your study to gain the good-will
and friendship of every person your present
situation connects you with; this only re-
quires your keeping your thoughts on these
subjects to yourself. There is another thing
of the greatest consequence, which is, to
guard against receiving prejudices which may
operate so strongly as to affect your whole
future conduct and put it out of your power
to judge impartially upon the merits of these
disputes. In time it may perhaps become
your duty not to remain a silent specta-
tor while matters of such consequence are
agitating. To answer these valuable pur-
poses, keep your thoughts or doubts, whatever
they may be, to yourself, and your mind so
free and disengaged from prejudice that when
you are better able to judge and it may be
proper for you to take a part, you may then
be able, without bias, to follow the dictates
of reason, truth, and duty — that God may
direct you to honorable pursuits is the prayer
of Your affectionate father,

" Lewis Johnston."

Mr. Johnston's studies in Philadelphia were
put a stop to by the breaking out of the Rev-
olution, and he joined his father in Savan-
nah, from whence they were forced to retire
by the rebels having taken possession of the
28

Introduction

city. He and his father then came to Hali-
fax, and the former having obtained a com-
mission as ensign in the New York Volun-
teers, or Third Loyal American Regiment,
was present with his regiment at the battle
of Long Island, where Washington was de-
feated; at the subsequent taking of New
York; and at the storming of Fort Mont-
gomery, where his commander. Major Grant
(the grandfather on the mother's side of Judge
Haliburton, the well-known author of " Sam
Slick "), was mortally wounded and died in
his arms.

He was actively engaged in many other
battles during the war, the last one he fought
in being the battle of Eutaw Springs in
1 78 1, where he was second in command under
Major Sheridan, and where the New York
Volunteers took possession of a stone house,
and by well-directed fire from it repulsed the
assault of the enemy, and by shooting down
their gunners prevented the four six-pounders
of the rebels from having any effect, thus
enabling the British forces to rally and at-
tack the Americans and convert what had al-
most been a defeat into a victory. Colonel
Washington, a relation of General Washing-

29

Introduction

ton, who led the Americans in the attack
upon the house, was wounded and taken pris-
oner. Lord Edward Fitzgerald, afterward
concerned in the Irish rebellion of '98, fought
with his regiment in this battle, and like-
wise was severely wounded.

I may mention an incident connected with
the defence of this stone house, exemplifying
the effect of a panic upon a brave man, which
was related by Captain Johnston to his
daughter, my mother. Captain Johnston, in
allotting posts of defence to the men of his
company, placed in one of the most exposed
positions one of his most reliable men, whose
courage and intrepidity had been tested in
many engagements, placing him at a window
to keep up a fire upon the enemy. Shortly
afterward, while visiting this post, he found
the post deserted and the gun lying near the
window. He was at a loss to account for the
man's absence, but upon seeing a closet in
the room he opened the door, and found the
soldier hiding there. He commanded his
man to come out instantly, accompanying his
order with a prick from his sword. The man
did so, and said : " Forgive me. Captain, this
has never happened before; you have seen
30 •*

Introduction

me in danger behave like a man. A feeling
of panic came over me which I cannot ac-
count for. I knew if I was taken prisoner
no quarter would be shown me, as I am a
marked man ; but I have known that for a
long time. Give me my gun again and I
will behave in a manner worthy of our corps."
Captain Johnston did so, and the man's sub-
sequent conduct gave him no reason to re-
gret it.

Captain Johnston had two brothers, An-
drew and John, killed during the war. An-
drew was killed while successfully leading a
company who were taking provisions to Fort
Johnston, which was besieged by the rebels.

John was taken prisoner by the enemy and
put to death in cold blood. Upon one oc-
casion when I asked my grandmother how
my great-uncle Jack was killed, she reluct-
antly told me that he had been captured by
the rebels and put to death in an ignomini-
ous manner. I was a child at the time and
asked if they had hanged him, not regarding
her when I was told that little children should
not ask questions. She acknowledged I was
correct. I said to her : " Grandmother, when
I become a big man you must give me grand-

31

Introduction

father's sword and I will put the rebels to
death who killed him." The old lady replied
that that was very wicked ; that we should
love our enemies and those who despitefully
use us. " Besides," she added, " the debt has
already been paid, for your grandfather, who
was then not so good a Christian as he after-
ward became, took it very much to heart, for
Jack was his favorite brother. For some
days he was absent during the day on horse-
back, and returning one afternoon he said to
me, 'I expect some friends here to-night, and
would like supper for them at 1 1 o'clock ;
tell the negroes to have food also for their
horses. I expect about twenty men. ' I
accordingly had supper provided, and at about
eleven the company rode up to the house,
dismounted, and came in. Some of them
were gentlemen I knew, friends of your
grandfather, but others, William, were bad-
looking men, not gentlemen. After supper
they remounted their horses, and your grand-
father stopped a moment to put on his sword
and make ready his pistols, and to bid me
good-bye. I asked him when he would be
back. He answered, ^ Bet, if I return at all
I will be back in twenty-four hours.' I slept
32

Introduction

little that night, and spent the next day in
anxious prayer for his safe return.

" Twelve o'clock arrived, but no tidings of
him. At last, about two o'clock, I heard the
sound of horses riding past the house, and
saw your grandfather dismount and come in.
He embraced me and threw his sword and
pistol on the table, both of which I could see
had been used. I said to him, 'William,
where have you been } ' He replied, * Bet,
never ask me where I have been or what I
have done, but we don't owe the rebels any-
thing for Jack.' "

Captain Johnston and his wife must have
been in New York about the time of Major
Andre's capture, for Mrs. Johnston men-
tions having met him at a ball in New
York about a fortnight before that event
took place.

The Americans, with the assistance of
France, Spain, and Holland, having obtained
their independence and the rebellion having
become a revolution. Captain Johnston went
to Edinburgh, where he completed his medi-
cal education, which had been interrupted
during the war. He then settled in King-
ston, Jamaica, where he practised medicine

33

Introduction

until his death, which occurred December 9,
1807.

Mrs. Johnston had ten children, three of
whom died in infancy. These were :

1. Andrew Lichtenstein, bora in Savannah, Georgia,
March 22, 1781, studied medicine in Edinburgh, and died
at Kingston, Jamaica, December 2, 1805.

2. Catharine, born in Charleston, South Carolina, August
23, 1782, died in Boston, June 2, 1819.

3. Lewis, born in St. Augustine, Florida, March 10,
1784, studied medicine at Edinburgh, practised in Jamaica,
and died in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

4. John William, born in Edinburgh, May 20, 1785.
died in July of the same year.

5. Elizabeth Wildman, born in Liguana, Jamaica,
December 15, 1787, died at Annapolis, Nova Scotia, June
19, 1 81 9. July 27, 1807, she was married to Thomas
Ritchie, Esq. , barrister, and member of the House of As-
sembly, afterward first Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas, to whom she bore five sons and two daughters. The
eldest son, John, was Solicitor-General of Nova Scotia,
Senator of the Dominion of Canada, aud afterward Judge
in Equity of Nova Scotia, which position he resigned
shortly before his death in 1891. Her third son, Sir Wil-
liam Ritchie, practised law in St. John, for which county
he was elected member, and was at one time Attorney-
General of the Province of New Brunswick. He was after-
ward appointed Judge of the Supreme Court, and then
became Chief Justice of the Province. This position he
held until he was appointed to the Chief Justiceship of the
Supreme Court of Canada, and knighted. Of the daugh-
ters, Laleah, the eldest, married Charles McColla. The
second daughter, Elizabeth Lichtenstein, married in 1840

34

Introduction

Dr. William Johnston Almon, who was afterward member
for Halifax and subsequently appointed a Senator of the
Dominion. Of her three other sons, James and George
studied for the Bar, and Thomas was a merchant in Cuba.

6. Laleah Peyton, born in Kingston, Jamaica. Feb-
ruary 15, 1789, in 1 8 14 was married to the Hon. Wil-
liam Bruce Almon, M.D. , to whom she bore ten children.
She had five sons, Hon. William J. Almon, M.D. , Andrew
B. Almon, barrister, James Almon, merchant, Rev. Fos-
ter H. Almon, and Lewis J. Almon, barrister. Her five
daughters were: Laleah, married to Thomas Ritchie;
Amelia, married to John W. Ritchie ; Eliza, married to
Rev. James Ritchie ; Ella, and Mary Ann, who both died
unmarried.

7. John, born in Liguana, Jamaica, January 31, 1790,
studied at the High School, Edinburgh, was admitted to
the Bar, and practised for some time in Jamaica. After-
ward he came to Annapolis, Nova Scotia, where he was
elected a member of the House of Assembly. He died at
Falmouth, England, where he had gone for his health.

8. Jane Farley, born in Liguana, Jamaica, May 29,
1 791, died June 4, 1793.

9. James William, born in Liguana, Jamaica, August
29, 1792, studied at the High School, Edinburgh. After
he completed his studies at the High School, his mother
wished to obtain a tutor for him. Lord Brougham was
then a penniless young barrister in Edinburgh, and would
have had the position, but Mrs. Johnston, hearing that his
religious opinions were not orthodox, resolved not to
engage him. After a time Mr. Johnston came out to
Nova Scotia and studied law with Thomas Ritchie, of
Annapolis (afterward Judge) , who had married his sister
Eliza. He subsequently practised in Halifax, became a
partner with the Hon. S. B. Robie, and soon became the
leading barrister of the Nova Scotia bar. He was ap-

35

Introduction

pointed a member of the Legislative Council in 1838.
In 1S43 he was made Attorney-General of the Province,
and resigning his position in the Legislative Council,
ran for Annapolis County for the Legislative Assembly.
His election was obtained, and he soon became the leader
of the Conservative Party in Nova Scotia, a distinction
he held during the remainder of his political life, both
while his party held the reins of government and when it
was in opposition. His political opponent during these
days was the well-known Honorable Joseph Howe, His
political career terminated by his appointment, in the
year 1869, ^^ the Bench, as Judge of Equity and Judge
of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. Owing to his
declining health, in 1872 he went to the south of
France, and on the death of the Hon. Mr. Howe he was
appointed Governor of Nova Scotia. He soon started
for home with somewhat improved health, but when he
reached England he became so ill that he could proceed no
further and on the 2d of November, 1873, in the eighty-
first year of his age, he died at Cheltenham, where he
was buried. Judge Johnston was married twice; first,
to Amelia Almon, daughter of Dr. William James Almon,
by whom he had six children; secondly, to Louise, widow
of Captain Wentworth, R.A. , by whom he had four chil-
dren.

10. Jane Farley, born April 3, 1794, died in July, 1794.

36

RECOLLECTIONS

of a

GEORGIA LOYALIST

CHAPTER I

T WAS born May 28, 1764, in the reign of
-"- George III., at a place called Little Ogee-
chee, about ten miles from Savannah, the cap-
ital of the then Province of Georgia. My
father, John Lightenstone, was born at Cron-
stadt in Russia. His father, Gustavus Philip
Lightenstone, was born in England, but de-
scended from a family in Germany, who write
their name *' Lichtenstein." I am uncertain
whether his mother was English or Irish;
her maiden name was Beatrice Elizabeth
(if I mistake not) Lloyd^ and my grandfather
was a Protestant minister at Cronstadt and
had an academy for young gentlemen. He
was a truly pious man, poor in this world's
goods, but rich in the inheritance of the world
to come. A letter to me from him, in answer

37

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

to one I wrote him and my grandmother when
I was not eight years of age, I delight to re-
tain as a blessed relic of the good man's pray-
ers and blessings for his little Betsey/

^ This letter is as follows :

' ' Sweet Tenderly Beloved Granddaughter :

' ' We embrace thee, we kiss thee, we give a thousand
thanks, sweet creature, for thy charming, agreeable Letter,
nothing can be more pleasing, nor make us so glad as thy
Letter does.

' ' We see that thou art taking to thy Learning, and
that thou art a promising dear, and we recommend to thee
for a pretty companion and a true friend thy blessed Sav-
iour ; Him who cloaketh thee in apparel of the best purple,
who loves thee, and all little children, and says. Suffer lit-
tle children to come unto me, who when himself a little
Child increased in Wisdom and Stature and in favor with
God and Man. Do thou the same, and be sure to trace
every step of his. May his blessings be the living waters
where he thy Shepherd leads thee. We pray for this, and
so do also thy Uncles and Aunts.
" Thy loving Grandfather,

G. Philip )

and loving Grandmother, V

Beatrice Elizabeth )

Lightenstone."

Mrs. Johnston also preserved the following letter from
her grandfather to her mother :

" Peterhoff, June, 1769.

" My Dearest Sweet Daughter :

' ' Opportunities of sending a letter are so scarce as to
force one to delay what one was inclined to do the next
38

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

I have often thought that in all my back-
slidings that dear saint's prayers have been
heard and have been the means of my Al-
mighty Father's mercy and forbearance with
me, the vilest of sinners, who have been led
by His grace and chastening to a knowledge
of the truth of His Holy Word. My mother
was Catherine Delegal. Her father, Philip
Delegal, was of French descent, his ancestors
having left France on account of being Protes-
tants. His father was a major and died Com-

moment, and it was and is still a great grief to me to
put off the answer to your charming Letter. Joy and
inexpressible contentment did flow in our hearts at re-
ceiving it. This was increased as your kind and noble
expressions opened to us your Christian-like sentiments, full
of tenderness and affection for us. This obliges us in the
highest manner, and we shall never fail to send our ardent
prayers to the heavenly Throne for your everlasting hap-
piness, and for all prosperity and health for you on this side
Heaven. May God shed showers of blessings upon little
Betsey, to make her grow in Wisdom and in favor with
God and men ; may she be bred up in the fear and love of
God and her Saviour, who orders that little children shall be
brought to him. Your continuing, faithful remembrance of,
and tender affection towards us, will be accepted as a thing
of the greatest value, and we all with the tenderest embraces
do give our love to you.

"lam, dearest daughter, your truly affectionate and
loving Father,

" GusTAvus Philip Lightenstone."

39

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

mandant of the Island of Jersey. His son, my
grandfather, went out with General Ogil-
thorpe, a lieutenant in his army, to Georgia
upon its first settlement, took up large quanti-
ties of land there, left the army, and became
one of the first settlers in that Province,
where he was ultimately a man of large prop-
erty. He married a Miss Daley from South
Carolina. He was a man of great informa-
tion, and extremely fond of reading.

When I was very young my father removed
from Ogeechee to a place called Yamacraw,
in the suburbs of Savannah. My father had
an appointment under Government, which he
held until the Revolutionary War obliged
him to quit it; this was the command of a
scout boat, with arms, well manned, having
a large awning, and accommodation for tak-
ing the Governor or other public officers to
Charleston or other adjacent places. His
first duty, however, was to go to the relief of
remote families who were in danger of attack
from Indians, from which fact, I suppose, the
boat took its name. He used also to be sent
to lay quarantine at the Island of Cockspur,
fifteen miles below Savannah. There was a
gentleman residing on this little island with
40 ^

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

whom my father was a welcome visitor. While
on duty there my father himself purchased a
plantation on the Island of Skidaway, a very
pleasant place upon the water, abounding in
fruits of various kinds, figs, peaches, pome-
granates, quinces, plums, mulberries, nectar-
ines, and oranges ; though for provisions for
his family and people, he chiefly cultivated
indigo and raised Indian corn and sweet pota-
toes. Fish, also, was easily procured in
plenty, and of the finest varieties, also oysters,
crabs, prawn, and shrimps.

We had a house in Savannah, where I was
early put to school, and from being an only
child my intellect was probably developed
more quickly, I being thrown very much upon
my own resources. When in the country I
found in the trees, the river, the animals,
much to amuse and occupy my leisure hours,
and my parents conversed with me and stim-
ulated my taste for reading, by making me
read good authors to them. Having a good
memory and uncommon love for reading, I
found pleasure in books that would perhaps
in this present age be too dry for a child of
seven or eight years of age. For instance,
I once read a book the title of which in after

41

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

life I had no recollection of, except from its
mentioning that part of the twentieth chapter
of St. John where that most touching and in-
teresting passage was of Mary Magdalene's
going to the tomb to discover her Lord. Not
seeing the body she turned with a heavy and
disappointed heart to make inquiry of her
blessed Lord Himself, whom she took to be
the gardener. His '* Mary ! " her answer, and
no doubt Mary's look, soon made Him known
to His faithful, sorrowing disciple. Such
was the effect of this book on my infant
mind that forty years after, when I had the
book with some others sent me to read, as
soon as I looked into it I remembered the
passage that had struck me and exclaimed
to my children, "This is the book!" The
title was " Gilbert West on the Resurrec-
tion," and I have now the copy, which the
lady politely requested my acceptance of, she
having another copy besides.

My mother, not being in good health, was
once recommended to pass a summer in Phil-
adelphia, and to relieve her of all care I was
to remain with my father. The vessel in
which the passengers were to embark lay fif-
teen miles below Savannah, and the evening
42

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

before she sailed I went down with some ladies
who were going, expecting to return with my
father next day when he took my mother down.
When they arrived I showed so much grief at
parting from her, that my poor mother was
much distressed, and my father would have re-
turned for my clothes. The wind, however,
being fair, put this out of the question, and he
consented to my going with only one suit, the
ladies offering to assist in cutting over some
of my mother's clothes for me. In this way
little Betsey, then about seven years of age,
made her debut on the wide ocean, which it
has since so often been her lot to traverse.

On our return from Philadelphia we resided
between town and country, and when at the
former I attended school. My mother died
when I was turned ten years of age, and I
felt her loss keenly. Shortly after, my father
at the request of an aunt of my mother's,
Mrs. Richard, sent me to reside with her in
Savannah, where I attended the best schools
in the place. My aunt did me every justice
in bringing me up, and endeavored to make
me a notable needlewoman, in which art she
herself excelled, but my love for reading was
so much greater than for sewing that I often

43

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

had a book under my work to look into as op-
portunity offered. The good old lady not
being able to make me perfect in sewing, de-
clared at last that I should never be anything
but a botcher at it, yet I did not think I
really deserved the charge.

In 1774 the Revolutionary War commenced
at Boston and began to spread to the south-
ward. In '^6 the people in Georgia were
inflamed against the Government of Great
Britain, and were raising a ragged corps of all
sorts. Some had guns with firelocks and
some without, and all, gentle and simple, were
made to declare whether they were on the
side of the King or for the people whom we
Loyalists, then termed Tories, called rebels.
If a Tory refused to join the people, he was
imprisoned, and tarred and feathered. This
was a terrible indignity, the poor creature
being stripped naked, tarred all over, and
then rolled in feathers. I might once, if I
would have gone to the window, have seen a
poor man carried all over the town with the
mob around him, in such a plight, but the
idea was too dreadful. He was an inoffensive
man, a British pilot.

Our teachers became officers in the rebel
44

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

army, and everywhere the scum rose to the
top. All the public officers under Govern-
ment remained loyal and quit the country,
their estates being confiscated and afterward
sold. My father, at the barking of a dog
while he was shaving and preparing to dress
that he might escape in his boat, looked up
and saw an armed party near the house. He
had just time to go through a door that
opened into the garden, leap the fence, and
lay himself down at a little distance in some
tall grass which concealed him. He could
hear the soldiers talking loudly to his servants
and saying that he could not be far off, for
his clothes and watch were in the room. If
he was above ground, they said, they would
surely have him. My father had a sensible,
plausible black man, who had been brought
up as a pet in my grandfather's house, and
who was greatly attached to the family. He
contrived to amuse the soldiers in different
ways, while he got down his sails and oars to
take them to a back landing-place, where the
boat lay. The leader of the party was a fine
young man, a Mr. John Milledge, whom my
father had known from his infancy, and who
some years afterward was at Augusta with

45

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

the rank of colonel. He was an amiable man,
and his turning against my father served to
show the spirit of the times and the vio-
lence with which civil wars are entered
upon.

After their unsuccessful pursuit, the party
returned, and my father got to his boat with-
out delay and arrived at Tybee, where the
British man-of-war, the ScarboroiigJiy lay.
Then he embarked, as did my future husband,
who had also been fortunate enough to effect
his escape to Tybee, and they sailed for
Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1776. At that time
I was twelve years of age, and being with my
aunt on the mainland, at her plantation, did
not take leave of my father or know what was
going on at Skidaway until some time after I
heard he was gone. Commissioners were ap-
pointed to confiscate the Loyalists' property
and dispose of it as being forfeited because of
their not joining the rebels, and my grand-
father had a petition drawn up which he made
me take, accompanied by a lady (sorely against
my will, for I felt so indignant at their treat-
ment of my father), to the Board of Commis-
sioners, which set forth the orphan condi-
tion I was left in, and petitioned that my
46

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

father's property might be given to me. This
request I have every reason to think was ac-
ceded to, as our property was not sold as was
that of many other Loyalists. One or two
cases besides mine show that they did give
the property to wives and children whose hus-
bands and fathers had been forced away as
mine had been.

My father and Mr. Johnston left Halifax
for New York, the former there entering the
Quartermaster- General's department, the lat-
ter joining a Provincial Corps (the New York
Volunteers) composed of Loyalists, which was
actively engaged during the war, never being
kept in garrison duty. This regiment was
twice new officered, its first officers, with a
few exceptions, falling on the field of battle.
Major Grant, who had taken Mr. Johnston
under his care and was like a father to him,
was killed in storming Fort Montgomery, and
my husband felt his loss severely. At the
close of 1778, Colonel Campbell, who was
afterward knighted and made governor of
Madras, in India, was sent with three thou-
sand men to take Georgia. The New York
Volunteers was one of the regiments, and
Col. C, knowing that my father had resided

47

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

a great part of his life in that Province,
took him into his service as an adviser and
guide where best to effect a landing. The
town was taken without loss, though the
Americans as they retreated wantonly fired
on the 71st Regiment of Highlanders, with-
out attempting a regular stand. This ex-
posed the inhabitants to the fury of the Brit-
ish soldiers, who then felt as though they
were taking the place by storm. In conse-
quence, before the officers could have time to
stop them they committed much outrage,
ripped open feather beds, destroyed the public
papers and records, and scattered everything
about the streets. Numbers of the enemy
were taken in a swamp a few miles from Savan-
nah. While Mr. Johnston was with his com-
pany in the pursuit he saw his father at his
own door, and had only time to go up to Col-
onel Maitland and request that he would put
a guard at his father's house to secure his
safety from the enraged troops, who knew
not friend from foe. Colonel Maitland had
been the early friend and college companion
of my father-in-law, Dr. Johnston, in Edin-
burgh, and meeting with his son at New
York was like a father to him and did all he
48

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

could to serve him. He, of course, placed a
guard there.

My father in a few days sent a passport for
myself and my aunt to come to town. I was
then in my fifteenth year, and new to scenes
of the kind, and having to stop within a mile
of Savannah that the Hessian officer on duty
there should examine our pass, I was dread-
fully frightened. He soon allowed us to go
on ; and what a sight did the streets present
of feathers and papers !

The meeting with my father I scarce need
add was joyful. I was there made acquainted
with my father's bosom friend, Mr. McCul-
loch. He was a widower, a very handsome
man for his time of life, and had two daugh-
ters in England, one of whom is now Mrs.
Roupell. He was very fond of me, and I
suppose looked on me as a child, but I felt
an affection for him for a short time that I
can hardly define. He was very amiable; if
I wanted any money he would, if my father
gave me a guinea, always say, " Give her
another," or if my foolish young head fan-
cied, as it did at times, some article of dress,
he was always ready to second my wish.
Yet my father idolized me too much to need

49

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

that any should ask for me. I loved him,
yet I always from a child had an awe of him.
My dear, indulgent mother was perhaps too
yielding to her only child, and but for his
strictness to me, for which I am now grate-
ful, she might have spoilt me. She was too
good a woman to have overlooked faults of
the heart and mind, yet this I am sensible of,
that I could take advantage of her, when a
word from my father was enough. On one
occasion when the cat ate my bird I was so
angry that I went to beat her. My mother
tried to prevent me, and finding me obstinate
and persistent, was going to correct me as I
deserved, but I ran away and got up into a
big tree out of reach, and perhaps she had no
great wish to use violence in getting- me
down. In a short time I saw my father com-
ing along the road, when I was soon out of
the tree and seated in the parlor.

We may see in almost every event that
befalls us the hand of our merciful Heavenly
Father directing the various events of our
lives for our good. Perhaps had my beloved
and tender mother lived she might not have
kept as strict a hand over me as my volatile
nature required. My aunt was kind, but was
50

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

at the same time decided in her conduct toward
me, and I was made industrious at my needle.
Other parts of education I required no stim-
ulus in, as I liked them better ; indeed I was
always ambitious to be at the head of my
class at school.

51

CHAPTER II

A FTER Savannah was taken I remained
-^^ with my aunt the greater part of the
time, but at last my father was requested
by Mrs. Johnston to bring me to town
to pass a few weeks with her daughter.
This he did, and I appeared, a young un-
sophisticated girl, quite new to the world,
its customs and usages. On my arrival
Mrs. Johnston's son came hastily into the
room, which he had left a little before to
seek for his watch. When he entered he
merely glanced round the room and retreated.
I, a little rustic, in my simple dress, which
my fond aunt and I had made at her place
called "Mount Piety" (a name she took from
the " Pilgrim's Progress " when she purchased
her plantation), must have looked strange to
the gay Captain Johnston, who had lately
been among the dashing fashionables of New
York, then remarkable (during Sir H. Clin-
ton's rule) for its elegance and dissipation.
No wonder, I sometimes think, that I should
52

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

at once have caught his eye. At the steps he
met my father coming in, and asked him what
girl that was in the parlor. My father said,
" Your sister, and Miss Stewart, our former
teacher." "No," was the reply, "there
was another." My father said, " No one
but my Betsey," and my husband has often
spoken since of the meeting, and said that
the thought at once came to him that I would
be his Betsey, although an hour before had
any one talked to him of marrying he would
have assured him it was a thing out of the
question. He had resisted all the beauty and
fashion he had left, and found something in a
simple child of nature to make him not many
weeks after change his sentiments. Such
was the romance of the olden times !

I remained with Mrs. Johnston some
weeks, and it was some time before I could
get over my bashful timidity. Every day
there were several officers dining at Dr.
Johnston's ; having two sons in the army and
being loyal he thought they could not show
too much attention to those who had rescued
us from rebel power. I was glad to get into
the drawing-room before they arrived; and
to take wine at dinner with one of these gay

53

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

soldiers called a deep blush into my cheeks,
it was all so unlike the ways at Mount Piety.
My father perceived rather more attention
to me than he wished from Captain Johnston,
for being intimately acquainted with him and
knowing his sentiments on that head, he did
not suspect him of any thoughts of marriage.
Accordingly, unwilling that I should be tri-
fled with, he told me one evening, on my re-
turning from a drive to see a lady, that I
must be prepared to go back in the morning to
my aunt's. This was rather a damper to my
youthful heart, and no less so to the compan-
ion of my drive, and he contrived to find op-
portunity that evening to say what has been
said so often to other silly girls, I suppose.
By silence only I told him what I felt, then
I got upstairs into my own room in the dark,
and wept most abundantly, not at the thought
of parting from him, but to think I should
have listened to such a thing without my
father's knowledge. I was obliged to dry
my tears and go down to supper, but I went
with a heavy heart. Next morning I left
Savannah and did not enjoy my home as
formerly.

A few days after, a circumstance occurred

54

William Martin Johnston, M.D.

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

that might have had serious consequences to
the honour of my husband, had not my aunt's
stiff notions of female decorum prevented.
He had ridden out a few miles to visit a lady
with whom we were acquainted, and had pre-
vailed on her to drive to my aunt's plantation
and request her to allow me to accompany
her back to remain a day or two. My aunt
was inexorable and declined my going, and
after their departure she very properly pointed
out her reasons for refusing, saying that it
would look as if I wished to go because of
Captain Johnston's being there. In her opin-
ion such a thing would not be delicate.
Whether she convinced me then I will not
say, but this I now know, she was right and
had proper ideas of female reserve. Captain
Johnston being disappointed of my company
rose early the next morning and left his kind
friends sooner than he would have done had
I been there, and returned to Savannah. But
what was his mortification and dismay when
he got there, to find that by a sudden order
his regiment with some other troops had em-
barked at daylight for Carolina on an expedi-
tion. He never stopped at his father's, but
rode down to a wharf to try to get a boat to

55

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

follow and if possible join them before their
landing. A ship's boat was there with two
seamen who were to return without delay to
their captain, but the earnestness with which
he and our friend Mr. McCulloch urged
them, and the Captain's offer of the only two
guineas he had about him, and his watch,
softened Jack's heart. One said to the other,
" We won't take the gentleman's watch, only
the money," and went at all risks with him.
He felt his honour at stake from being ab-
sent at the time, and especially as he knew his
major was not on good terms with him and
would gladly avail himself of such an opportu-
nity to put him under arrest, a disgrace which
his proud spirit could not have borne. Fortu-
nately, he caught up with his regiment before
they landed and went to Colonel Maitland
and told his case, fearing greatly that the
major would put him under arrest. Colonel
Maitland did away with his apprehensions by
giving him the forlorn hope, a post of danger
and honour, and he was the first man to land.
Had I gone to Mrs. Houston's he would have
remained longer, and what misery it would
have given him ! He was away three months
in the interior of South Carolina, and the
56

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

troops returned to us, as was too much the
case in that ill-fated war, without doing any-
thing. Colonel Prevost, I think, commanded ;
a different man from his brother, the General,
In September, 1779, the French fleet,
under the command of Count D'Estaing ar-
rived at Tybee, and shortly after landed some
miles from Savannah at a place called Buhlah.
There they spent some time in gradual ap-
proaches and in throwing up battlements be-
fore the town, forming a regular siege, which
gave Colonel Moncrief, our brave engineer,
time also to throw up works. Though the
lines were very extensive, and the British
force very small, not above 1,800 men (Col-
onel Maitlandwas in Carolina with 500 men),
such was Moncrief's ardor, skill, and indus-
try that he made the town able to stand a
siege of six weeks. The French and Ameri-
cans were 10,000 strong, and they were open-
ing their batteries, and constantly cannona-
ding and throwing bomb shells. Fortunately,
however, our men were encamped near the
trenches, and these deadly shells went a dis-
tance over their heads. The streets being
sandy and not paved, the shells fell and made
great holes in the sand, which often put out

57

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

the fuse and prevented explosion. Indeed,
the colored children got so used to the shells
that they would run and cover them with sand,
and as we were rather scarce of ammunition
they would often pick up the spent balls and
get for them seven-pence apiece.

Soon almost every family was removed
from the town to an island opposite, where
they made use of barns, and taking their bed-
ding and some furniture divided it by por-
tions. In the barn where I was there were
fifty-eight women and children, all intimate
friends, and who had each one or more near
relatives in the lines. My mother-in-law had
two sons, I had my father and one very dear
to me, my future husband. Only one male
friend was with us. Dr. Johnston, too old to
fight, though his whole heart was in the cause.
Every other house and barn besides the one
we occupied was full of females. The Gen-
eral sent a flag to Count D'Estaing to request
that he would allow Mrs. Prevost and her chil-
dren to go on board one of our ships to be in a
safe place. The request was refused, and she
remained in a cellar in Savannah, which was
made bomb proof with feather beds. Fortu-
nately, though their hope was by the inces-

58

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

sant fire to burn the town and force a sur-
render, a merciful God protected us and
defeated their intention. Only one house
took fire, and that was opposite the one Mrs.
Prevost and her children were in; I cannot
now remember whether the flames were sub-
dued or the house consumed. Wet blankets
and other means were taken to guard the op-
posite house from taking fire; the streets
were broad.

Our men, having few to relieve them, suf-
fered from fatigue and want of rest, but in
the height of our despondence Colonel Mait-
land effected a junction in a wonderful man-
ner, crossed from the Carolina side, and with
his 500 soldiers entered Savannah, thus giv-
ing new life and joy to the worn-out troops.
Previous to the commencement of the siege,
Dr. Johnston with all the females of his
family went to the island. Mrs. Johnston,
however, remained longer. She had two sons
then in the lines, one a captain in the New
York Volunteers the other a captain in
Brown's Rangers, who were stationed at dif-
ferent parts of the lines. She had also two
younger sons, one in his fifteenth the other
in his tenth year, whom their brothers had

59

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

wished to be allowed to take with them.
This Mrs. Johnston would not hear of. She
had two sons in posts of danger, and she
could not bear to risk more. I chose to re-
main with her, for an obvious reason, I had
thus an opportunity of often seeing her son
William when he visited her.

One day he came in haste to say we must
move from the town as quickly as possible,
for the enemy were about to open their bat-
teries on it. This we did immediately, but
before we had got far they commenced a
heavy cannonade, which was kept up for two
hours. The shot was whistling about our
ears and I was sadly frightened, ducking my
head as if that could save me. My heroic
mother-in-law stopped suddenly and addressed
her boys : *' My sons, I was about to disgrace
you; go join your brothers." Alex went to
William, and John to Andrew, the older
brothers being scarcely able to believe that
their mother had sent them. Soon we got
safely to the wharf, and then over to the
island, the name of which was Hutchinson
Island. It was all cultivated and settled;
rice was the grain raised, and as the crop
had to be for a certain time, during the proc-
60

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

ess of culture, kept under water, the town
was most unhealthy, every one in autumn
suffering from that dreadful disease fever
and ague. Of late years, I am told, they
have drained the island, given up the culture
of rice, and planted cotton, corn, etc., instead,
a change which has greatly improved the
health of the people.

After a siege of some weeks the concen-
trated forces of French and Americans, lo,-
ooo men against our handful, fearful of a
British fleet coming and blocking up or tak-
ing their ships, and dreading the risk of
storms at that season, made, on the 9th of
October, 1779, a grand attack with small
arms on our works at the dawn of day.
Alas, every heart in our barn was aching,
every eye in tears! When they sent their
flag to offer terms, though our General was
told that no quarter would be given if he re-
fused, that they would take the garrison by
storm, and that he would have the lives of
his men to answer for, he refused to capitu-
late. Captain William Johnston met the
officer, the Count de Noailles, and conducted
him to headquarters, and was present when
he gave the above message in an elegant

61

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

style, contrasting strongly with our plain,
blunt Swiss or German. The answer the
Count received was laconic, " The King, my
Master, pays these men to fight, and they
must fight, and we decline your terms."
Therefore, we had reason to be afflicted, not
daring to anticipate a victory with such fear-
ful odds. The Almighty and Gracious God
did, however, assist us, and we conquered,
though no men could have behaved more gal-
lantly than the French. One poor fellow
planted his colors three times on one of our
redoubts, but the third time he fell.

Our anxiety to hear about our friends may
well be imagined, but we soon had great rea-
son for gratitude and praise. None of our
relatives and friends were killed or wounded,
though all were much fatigued from many
weeks* want of rest, and from that day's
action. We had stock of all descriptions, and
many a harmless animal and turkey was killed
and prepared, to send over to our friends.
The Polish rebel. Count Pulaski, who joined
the Americans, was killed that morning.
One battery was manned with seamen, who
behaved most gallantly. Had the enemy not
apprehended danger to their fleet by remain-
62

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

ing, in all probability they would have re-
newed their attack, and it was not thought
possible we could have had strength to defeat
them again.

When we got into the town it offered a des-
olate view. The streets were cut into deep
holes by the shells, and the houses were rid-
dled with the rain of cannon balls. Winter
was now approaching and many houses were
not habitable, so Dr. Johnston with his fam-
ily took a house out of town until his was
repaired.

63

CHAPTER III

T WAS married in Savannah, November 21,
•^ 1779, then fifteen and a half years old;
my husband, William Martin Johnston, being
twenty-five and a half. Some months after,
he was attacked with a nervous complaint,
brought on by great fatigue in the special
service of taking information orally to some
of our troops in garrison at Augusta, a hun-
dred and thirty miles from Savannah. He
rode night and day through an enemy's coun-
try, accomplished his mission, and returned
immediately, never but once alighting from
his horse. Though then young, strong, and
active, his constitution long suffered from
the effects of the journey. He went for a
few weeks to St. Augustine, East Florida,
to try the change, but not getting well, he
was recommended to New York, and it was
thought advisable that I should remain in
Savannah.

When the day came for him to go, the ship
lay at Tybee, where he and his sister, Mrs.
64

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

Farley, with her husband and child, were to
embark. Mr. Farley was then in a deep de-
cline. The next morning I was sitting very
disconsolate in my own room, in tears, no
doubt thinking that our separation was for
me the climax of misery, for we were both
strongly tinctured with the romance of the
old school, when who should enter but my hus-
band. The wind not being favorable, he had
risked its changing and his losing his pas-
sage, to come up for me. One half-hour was
all I had in which to pack up, and notwith-
standing I had to get my husband's linen
ready (part of my own was lying wet) and
arrange other matters, we were off before Mr.
Johnston's good father returned from sitting
in the Council, of which he was then Presi-
dent. My father-in-law was as angry, I fancy,
as his mild nature would admit, at his son's
romantic folly.

It was the month of June, 1780, and we
had a fine ship. At Charleston we put our-
selves under the convoy of Sir Henry Clin-
ton's fleet and army, Sir Henry being about
to return, after the reduction of Charleston,
to New York. The voyage from thence to
New York took us only eight days. We had

65

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

pleasant weather, bands of music were play-
ing on board the different ships, and the
whole trip was very delightful.

At New York we landed, and we spent the
hot months on Long Island. In October we
left with a fleet and force under command of
General Leslie, who was going up the Ches-
apeake. We took our passage in a private
vessel, as the captain assured us there were
a number of private armed vessels going on
to Charleston that would protect us, and that
he would not go in with the fleet. All this,
we found afterward, was untrue ; the captain
took us up the Chesapeake, and we lay five
weeks near Portsmouth, opposite Norfolk,
which then had only the walls of the houses
standing, having been burnt by the Gover-
nor, Lord Dunmore, on his being obliged to
quit. Mr. and Mrs. Farley remained on
board the same vessel to go on, but we were
to remain through the winter, I having the
prospect of becoming a mother in March.
In the same extraordinary manner as our
public affairs were ever conducted, however,
just as the poor people came forward to show
their loyalty, in the hope that the British
troops would remain permanently there, sud-

66

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

denly in the month of November the Gen-
eral's aid-de-camp, Major Skelly, came to tell
Mr. Johnston that the troops would embark
next morning. This took us unprepared in
every way. The major said he would get us
a good passage in a transport, and as there
was little time to get provisions, he kindly
said he would send us a good supply of dead
and some live poultry and stock. Our poor
landlady, a Mrs. Elliot, sat with her head back
and her mouth extended, scarce in her senses
from the shock, till at last she found speech
to articulate : " Well, this is the third time
we have been so served by the British. We
have shown our loyalty, and they have left us
to the rage and persecution of the Americans
for doing them service."

Our passage was rough and tedious. The
vessel Mrs. Farley was in separated from the
fleet, and within a day's sail of Charleston
was captured by a privateer, who took all
the provisions, and indeed everything its
crew could see, even to the compass. I sup-
pose they thought the vessel too insignifi-
cant to man, so they allowed her in that
state to proceed. Fortunately, she arrived
the next day, and Mr. Farley died a day or

67

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

two after the party landed. We arrived a
week later, and he was then buried. Had
they remained with the fleet the poor wife
would have been doubly distressed from her
husband's dying at sea. Fortunately, she
had also the consolation of finding her second
brother Lewis there, who attended to every-
thing. Here my husband and I had to part,
as he was obliged to join his regiment, and I
returned to Savannah. My brother Lewis,
with Mrs. Farley and family and myself, went
in a large boat with an awning, under which
there was good accommodation for sleeping.
The voyage to Savannah was inland, and every
night we stopped in some river or creek, pro-
ceeding at daylight. We were sadly annoyed
by mosquitoes in these places. At last we got
in safety to Savannah, where my sister had an
affecting meeting with her father and family.
There she was told of the death of her brother.
Captain Andrew Johnston. He had fallen at
Augusta after gallantly succeeding in a sortie
the troops were forced to make to procure
provisions they much needed, and which he
had bravely offered to undertake. In return-
ing he had received a shot in his back, which
was fatal. His good father was sitting v;ith
68

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

the Governor in Council, when a countryman
came down, told of a skirmish our people had
had with the rebels, and was asked if any
were killed. The reply, " None but Captain
Johnston," was a shock too great for the
father's tender feelings, and he of course im-
mediately returned home.

I remained for some time in much anxiety
for my husband's safety, as his regiment was
in active service. Before my confinement he
obtained leave, his regiment being then in
quarters, to come for a short time to Savannah.
My son, who was named Andrew after his
brave uncle, was born March 22, 1781. His
father returned to Charleston soon after, and
a few months later, from the enemy's troops
coming near the town and rendering it unsafe
to go many miles from it, the Governor, Sir
James Wright, with the advice of his Council,
thought it expedient to raise some three
troops of horse at the expense of the Prov-
ince. Upon his father's application my
husband was appointed to one of these and
to command the whole. Of the three, my
father had one and Captain Campbell Wylly
another. Mr. Johnston would not accept
the command unless he got leave to keep his

69

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

rank and situation and pay in his regiment,
which he obtained. As captain of a troop
of horse he had fifteen shillings per day with
passage money, and how happy did I think I
should be when I had him so near me. But
like all human enjoyments, mine was not full
and satisfactory. My husband was now more
exposed to danger than before; upon any
alarm the dragoons were sent out and the
gates locked, and every third night he in turn
was out on horseback with his party, the
gates being locked and chevaiix de frise put
up to them, and remained on the lookout
until three or four in the morning. I have
often of a very cold winter's night known his
hair quite stiff with icicles. The troops were
afterward sent to Great Ogeechee, about
thirty or forty miles from Savannah.

Reports daily came in that the enemy
meant to surprise them, and the Commander-
in-Chief, General Clarke (afterward Sir Alured
Clarke), sent messages every day to that effect
so that the men were worn out for want of
rest. At last they began to think they had
no intention of attacking them, and one day
when they were off their guard and most of
the men were in the yard, there suddenly ap-
70

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

peared at the edge of the wood about 300 of
the enemy drawn up. Our men then got in
as fast as possible and made what prepara-
tion time would allow. As many as had
arms were placed on a boarded piazza, ready
when the order was given to fire. Their
captain making them reserve their first fire,
the enemy fired, happily, however, without
effect. Then Captain Johnston ordered his
men to fire, which they did, and with such
effect as to bring down three officers and some
men, I believe. After a while the enemy
drew off, and an express was sent on a fleet
horse to let Colonel Campbell know the cap-
tain's perilous state and request his coming to
his assistance. The man, deceiving the rebels
by making a feint as if he were a deserter, went
slowly, but as soon as he came near them
clapped spurs to his horse and soon got out
of their reach. Colonel Campbell did not
come as quickly as he ought, or he might have
saved the lives of many of our gallant little
troop. He did come many hours after, how-
ever, and got the troop under arms and went
out to meet the foe. He left our men in the
most dangerous position, and being bad horse-
men they suffered greatly. My husband,

71

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

however, escaped unhurt, and the enemy
retired.

When the news came to Savannah, though
I knew he was safe, the thought of the
danger he had been in overpowered my mind,
and I sought relief on my knees by offer-
ing prayers and thanksgivings with lively
gratitude to my Heavenly Father for His
great mercy in sparing the husband and the
father. Not many months after, Georgia was
given up, and in July, 1782, Savannah was
evacuated and the troops went to Charleston.
Some of Mr. Johnston's early friends whom
he knew at Philadelphia, one a Major Fish-
baune in the American army, who had an
interview with him during a cessation of
arms, requested him to leave me, and said I
should have every kindness and protection
and be secure in our house until I was fitter
for moving. I knew my husband would not
like the separation, and I positively refused
to remain, but I have no doubt that had I
stayed my father's property would have been
given up to me through the interest of those
friends.

72

CHAPTER IV

T X ^E went to Charleston early in July, and
^^ the 23d of August, 1782, my second
child, a daughter called Catherine after my
mother, was born. I first became acquainted
there with the Roupell family. The present
Mr. G. Roupell's father was then Postmaster-
General, and lived very handsomely. I resided
with my father's old friend Mr. McCulloch
and his good wife (who was a Miss Roupell)
about three weeks. We were very hand-
somely billeted in a fine house belonging to
one of the rebel gentlemen who had left
town. In December the war was drawing to
a close, Charleston was evacuated, and my
husband was obliged to go with his regiment
to New York. His father and family had
gone from Georgia to St. Augustine, and Mr.
Johnston thought it better for me to go there
to his father until his regiment was dis-
banded and he could come to me. With my
two little ones I embarked with a nurse on
board a small schooner for St. Augustine.

73

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

We arrived there safely with many more Loy-
alists, though we saw many vessels lying
stranded along the shore that had been
wrecked on the sand bar. Fortunately, how-
ever, no lives were lost, though much of the
poor Loyalists' property was destroyed. We
got over with only once thumping on the
bar.

The town of St. Augustine lies low ; it is
pleasantly situated upon the sea, the air is
very salubrious, and it has long been the resort
of invalids in search of health. The citadel
is a fine, strong one, and affords a delightful
promenade upon the ramparts, which are wide
and elevated. The chief inhabitants at the
time I was there were Greeks from Smyrna
and Minorca, brought there by a Dr. Turn-
bull to cultivate his lands at the Metanges,
some miles from St. Augustine. He mar-
ried a lady of Smyrna, who always retained
the costume of her country, a majestic, noble-
looking woman. These people, not agreeing
with Dr. Turnbull, settled about the town
and were the only persons who cultivated
gardens or reared poultry. Fish, which was
in great abundance, was our chief dependence
and our ration, but I never was in better

74

■' F

Lewis Johnston, Jr., M.D.

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

health and indeed never was so fleshy as
during my sixteen months' residence there.
My husband paid us a visit in 1783, but as
the war was then closing and the peace of
1783 was about taking place, he could not be
long from his regiment. His father, judging
that with a growing family his half-pay
would not go far, advised him to go to Edin-
burgh and prosecute his medical studies,
which he had early commenced at Philadel-
phia under his father's friend Dr. Rush, and
which had been interrupted by the breaking
out of the rebellion.

In the spring of 1784 we had notice that
Florida was ceded to the Spaniards and that
St. Augustine would soon be evacuated. My
third child Lewis was born, March 10, 1784,
and the end of May, my father-in-law, having
a transport appointed for his sole use, to go
wherever he wished in the British Dominions,
chose his native land, and we embarked on
the 25 th of May for Greenock. My husband
had gone before in the Diomede frigate, with
some invalids under his command, for Ports-
mouth, England, intending soon after to pro-
ceed to Edinburgh. We had not a long but
we had a dangerous passage ; the vessel was

75

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

worm-eaten from lying long in the river, the
tar and turpentine, that Dr. Johnston's slaves
had made on a plantation he had, leaked out
in the storms we encountered and choked
the pumps, and at one time we had four feet
of water in the hold. From having little
other ballast than the tar and turpentine we
were in danger of upsetting, and accordingly
we put into the Cove of Cork for ballast and
to repair the cable, and remained a week in
that beautiful harbor.

When we arrived at Greenock we found
the principal inn very full, and I with Rachel,
a younger sister of Mr. Johnston, and my
nurse and three children, were put into the
attic story. As we had never before been in
a place of such bustle and stir, we were
rather alarmed and could not sleep. To add
to our fears suddenly about midnight a
female servant with a candle abruptly opened
the door and asked if Captain Johnston's lady
was there. " Why, what do you want ? I am
Mrs. Johnston," I answered, hardly knowing
what I said. With perfect composure she
replied, " Then you can make room for the
Captain." And, sure enough, it was my hus-
band, who had unexpectedly arrived. He
76

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

knew we were to sail for Scotland, and he
was going to Edinburgh to await our arrival.
Dr. Johnston had written to a gentleman in
Edinburgh, mentioning our arrival, and Mr
Johnston, who had letters of introduction to
the same person, happened to be with him
when the doctor's letter was received. My
husband then immediately took a post-chaise
and drove rapidly to Greenock, a distance of
seventy miles, but not setting out early from
Edinburgh, did not reach Greenock until
twelve at night. ^Stopping at the inn where
we were, he was told he could not be accommo-
dated for it was very full and they had not a
single bed. He was turning away to find
another inn, when the woman happened to
say there was a very large family from
America there. It struck him, as he often
humorously said in relating the adventure,
that he might get Jialf 2i bed. The woman
found out where I was, and he was close be-
hind her when she spoke to me. We were
all crowded into a miserable little room,
and the children were not very quiet after
their voyage, so that only the pleasure of
meeting his family could counterbalance Mr.
Johnston's want of comfort. Next day he

77

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

took me and our little family on, his father
with his family remaining a few days at
Greenock to recruit.

We stopped at Glasgow part of a day, and
next morning set out for Edinburgh, where
we settled at Rosebank, a sweet place my
husband had taken for his father, about a
mile from the city to the south. It was well
entitled to the name it bore, as roses clam-
bered all over the front of the house and
completely covered it. They were then in
bloom, and there were also two pretty flower
gardens, one on each side of the house. The
place answered very delightfully during the
summer and autumn, but when the roads got
heavy and miry, and winter was commenc-
ing, we found it would not do to walk so
great a distance. The Episcopal Chapel was
in the old town, and Dr. Johnston, a poor
Loyalist who had lost so much by the war,
could not afford a carriage. He therefore
let Rosebank, and took until May a house in
George's Square. When that time expired
we removed to the new town, in James Street,
the road that looks down upon Leith Walk,
then quite a fashionable place.

As I expected to be confined in May, when
78

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

the family would be removing, I took a lodg-
ing in Bristol Street for a month, and May
20, 1785, gave birth to a fine boy, whom we
called John William. Mrs. Farley stayed with
me until I could remove. My husband at-
tended college all the winter, and in the spring
went to London to attend the hospitals there
and to form some plan as to where he should
finally practice. He had handsome offers
made him by Sir Archibald Campbell, who
was the Colonel Campbell who commanded
in Georgia, and for whom, when he was
an officer under him, he volunteered that
journey on horseback which I have already
mentioned, which for a time so greatly injured
his health. Colonel Campbell was going to
India as Governor of Madras, and would have
taken my husband and probably put him in
the way of making his fortune. About
that time, however, Sir Alured Clarke was
made Governor of Jamaica, and thither that
and other circumstances led him to fix on
going.

When my babe was three months old it
pleased our Heavenly Father to take him from
a world of sin and sorrow. He had the
thrush, or spine, as the Scots term it, most

79

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

virulently. Dr. Wardrope was our surgeon,
Dr. Johnston attended, and they called in
Dr. Gregory, but all without avail. Mr.
Johnston went that autumn to Kingston, and
I left Edinburgh in October, 1786. I had
met with much kindness and affection in that
city, and one friend especially I felt grieved
to part from. In our youthful days, I only
twenty and Mrs. Davidson a little more, we
met as strangers at a dinner party, and took
a great fancy to each other's faces. She
called on us next day, and from that time to
her death we were as attached as the fondest
of sisters ever were. During my two years
in Edinburgh we were much together.

I left my own father, who accompanied me
to Greenock, as did Mrs. Farley, dear, good
woman, and took my Kitty and Lewis, both
then very young. Dr. Johnston keeping An-
drew to be with him and to be educated in
Edinburgh. I arrived in Kingston, Decem-
ber 15, 1786, and found my husband well,
though he had been ill with the common
fevers of the place. December 15, 1787, my
beloved Eliza was born, and February 15,
1789, my dear Laleah Peyton was added to
my family. The 31st of January, 1790, my
80

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

son John was born. Jane Farley, a sweet
blossom, was born in 1791, and died June 4,
1793, of malignant sore throat and scarlet
fever. My son James William was born
August 29, 1792.

81

CHAPTER V

QOON after, the yellow fever was brought
^ to Jamaica from Philadelphia and made
great havoc among all new-comers and sailors.
Strange to tell, however, it never attacked
those who had resided there for any length
of time, nor of course the natives, but all
strangers and the poor seamen were carried
off in great numbers. Sometimes there were
seventeen or more funerals a day. My hus-
band, having an extensive practice, had a
great deal to do with the sickness, for in
Kingston whatever merchants the doctors at-
tend they have the attendance of all on the
ships consigned to them. The disease quite
baffled human skill ; still some medical men
were more successful than others. Soon a
war of words and angry disputations broke
out in the newspapers between two of our
proud physicians, Drs. Grant and Hanis.
The former held bleeding as the best treat-
ment, the latter calomel, and Hanis got a list
of all the cases of the different practitioners
82

Hon. Judge James William Johnston
In 1873 Governor-elect of Nova Scotia

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

with an account of the treatment they had
received. Few doctors were for the lancet;
my husband's treatment was to a great ex-
tent calomel, and his recoveries were more
than could have been looked for. Happily,
neither Dr. Johnston nor myself nor any of
my family took the disease.

I should have mentioned that on my hus-
band's arrival, previous to my going out, he
was most kindly received by Sir Alured
Clarke, and was told that if he thought of
settling in Spanish Town he should be
happy to have him an inmate at the King's
House until his family came out. The Gov-
ernor attached him nominally to some regi-
ment, merely to give him a commission to
receive island pay, 20s. per week for himself,
io.f. for me, and 5^. for each of the children,
which he retained as long as he chose. If
one regiment left he got appointed to another,
and I never knew him called on but once
(when the surgeon was absent) to attend a
punishment in Kingston Barracks. The
Governor also introduced him to two gentle-
men in particular, who were ever his warm
friends. One was Dr. Weir, Physician-Gen-
eral to the forces, a man of high character,

83

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

and the other, Mr. James Wildman, a man
of large fortune and one of the Council, who,
besides his income as attorney to all the es-
tates of Mr. Beckford of Fonthill, England,
made ii" 10,000 a year. Mr. Wildman made
Mr. Johnston an offer of the attendance of
his estates near Kingston, in St. Andrew's
parish, Li guana. As there were several es-
tablished medical men in Spanish Town, my
husband accepted Mr. Wildman's offer and
settled in Liguana near Halfwaytree.

When I arrived I was shown great kind-
ness by Mr. and Mrs. Wildman, and at
their request they became sponsors to my
beloved Eliza Wildman, as they wished the
child to bear their name. In 1794, April
3d, my last child was born. Her father's
partiality to his sister Mrs. Farley led him
to call her Jane Farley. When three months
old she was inoculated for the smallpox, as
her father being so much where it was,
though she was young thought this the only
chance to prevent her taking it. What she
had proved the confluent, and after lying on
my lap for some time on a pillow, a very sad
spectacle, one sore being quite black, she
died in my arms, She, as well as the other
84

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

Jane, was a beautiful child, with angelic blue
eyes and a countenance which showed that
she was not meant to sojourn upon this earth.
After her death I was much exhausted in
mind and body, having no female relation to
be with me, only black servants, and having
to think about and direct everything for so
many little ones. As soon as her father took
the dear angel out of my lap I got into an-
other room, and there on my knees poured
out my supplications for aid and support, that
I might bear the stroke with a resigned will.
Yet I had not the same light of truth that I
have received since my bodily blindness,
though still I am fain to hope divine grace
led me then to the footstool of mercy, where
I have been accustomed to seek aid through
all my life. Yet, oh, what a backslider I
have been ! How often and how much have
1 failed in my duty !

When I went to Jamaica I felt greatly the
want of religious example, and I found that
even the preaching was cold morality. Morals
there were at the lowest ebb, cards were
played on Sunday, and dinner parties were
given on that sacred day. It is very different
now, and much of the improved state of re-

85

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

ligion and morality is owing to the Scotch
churches and the preaching of the Dissenters,
which has been the means of awaking many
a poor soul, and has led the blacks to more
moral habits of life. Perhaps, with the bless-
ing of God these dreadful examples led me to
greater strictness than I might have used in
a country less decided. I used to be diligent
in teaching my children and reading to them
every morning from the old " Whole Duty of
Man " and conducting family prayers while
they knelt around me. I taught all to read
and the girls to sew. They were not at a
school until I went for my health, after ten
years' residence there, again to Edinburgh.
My time was greatly devoted to my family,
and though but twenty-two when I went to
Jamaica I was at only one Assembly and two
private dances during my life there. Very
soon I got my husband to promise not to
have company on Sunday, which he did read-
ily, as he highly respected my religious prin-
ciples and had the utmost confidence in my
mode of bringing up my children, nor did he
ever interfere with my discipline. I taught
the children to love the truth, and to obey,
and I can with pleasure say that their hearts
86

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

were mine, and that they did not find my
commands grievous. When the father's busi-
ness leads him much away, if a mother does
not act with firmness and judgment, but waits
until her husband comes home to complain,
what will be the consequences to the poor
children ! It was his comfort to come home
and have his little flock of well-ordered chil-
dren running about his knees. When we
were in town, the nice trays of cakes and
buns, covered with clean cloths, used to be
carried about the streets every afternoon, for
sale. Although this would be shortly after
our children's hearty dinner, they would get
round their father and beg him to buy them
some cakes. This he often did, and seldom
less than half a dollar's worth would go
round. I thought it a needless expense after
they had dined, and remonstrated without
much effect, but I sat down and calculated
what the amount would be in a year for that
not only unnecessary but hurtful luxury,
leading the children to be gluttons and epi-
cures, and one day, when they were about to
call a cake woman, I said to Mr. Johnston,
" Do you know what that amounts to in a
year.? " " No, Bess," was his reply. " Only

87

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

£26,'' I replied, which sum he never con-
templated. He laughed and told the chil-
dren that mother said cake cost too much
money. I mention this to show the defer-
ence my husband paid to my opinions. These
are by-gone days. Many bitter sorrows have
I experienced in later years, but all for my
good, I trust, as well as in punishment for
my sins.

88

CHAPTER VI

\ X 7HEN my Eliza was seven years of age,
^ ^ Mr. and Mrs. Wildman were about to
leave the island and settle in England, and
earnestly requested us to allow them to take
her as their own child, to educate. We could
not for some weeks make up our minds to
part with her, but after much reflection we
considered it best for the child, as she was
then of an age liable to the fevers of the
island and as most persons sent their chil-
dren from Jamaica to school who had not
such good friends to entrust their children
to as we. So she went with them. Ann
Mackglashan also went under their care until
they arrived, when her grandfather and aunt
received her. My health now became worse,
my constitution much debilitated as the
result of ten years' residence in a warm cli-
mate, and the next year it was thought nec-
essary that I should change climate. This I
was very averse to doing, as my husband
could not possibly leave his practice, and he

89

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

would not allow the children to be sent unless
I went with them. It appeared a duty both
to their health and their morals that they
should not remain longer in the island, and
after many days of painful anxiety, neither
being able to give the sad fiat that separate
we must, I did resolve with an aching heart,
and embarked with my dear little family, for
whom the sacrifice was made. Now, after
forty years have elapsed, I can say with sol-
emn truth that my own health alone would
never have allowed me to leave my beloved
husband and I should have risked the conse-
quences of remaining. The ship Roselle
for Leith was at Old Harbor, thirty miles
from Kingston, where we were to embark,
and on the morning of that sad day when I
heard that the boat was come to take us on
board (even now, when I remember my feel-
ings I cannot refrain from grief) I hardly
think I was in my senses. I uttered screams
that distressed my poor husband to such a
degree that he would then, I am convinced,
have been glad if I had given up going. He
begged me, if I felt so reluctant, to let him
go on board and bring our things back, but
all I could say was, '' It is too late ! " In the
90

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

midst of my distress I thought how incon-
sistent it would appear for me to stay, after
so much expense and trouble had been taken
in preparation, for though I may often have
been thought a vacillating creature, yet where
principle or character were concerned, I trust
I have been and can be firm. So the idea of
the good to my children prevailed, and I bore
the separation. My husband also felt it
keenly, for he loved his children and adored
his wife, but our separation was only to be
for one year or a little more.

The war still continued, and my son An-
drew, then fifteen years of age, was dissuaded
by his Grandfather Johnston from going into
the navy, as he wished. The boy had even
already gone to Leith with some of his juve-
nile friends who had chosen that profession,
and had actually shipped on board a tender
which lay there ; and it was with much diffi-
culty that the Rev. Mr. Clive, a friend to
whose chapel Dr. Johnston and family went,
who had interest with the then regulating
captain at Leith, got him off. This was a
few weeks previous to my arrival in Edin-
burgh. Dr. Johnston had an idea that my
husband intended his son for the same pro-

91

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

fession as his own, and knew that he had
it in his power to bring him forward in his
practice. This being the case, and as he
had no interest to bring him on in the navy,
he induced Mr. Clive on my arrival to beg
me to use my influence with my dear son to
choose the medical profession. To our wishes
his easiness of disposition and amiable, yield-
ing temper led him to accede, but how much
happier, in all human probability, would it
have been for himself and his friends had he
firmly adhered to his first choice. That want
of firmness had been a marked feature of the
child's character from very early infancy, and
it proved ruinous to him in his subsequent
life. In his early education many traits of
character and little faults were kept by his
too fond widowed aunt and her maiden sis-
ters from his worthy old Grandfather John-
ston's knowledge, which had he known he
might have nipped in the bud. One day,
when a little fellow, Andrew was with some
companions near a stall in the High Street,
filled with sugar candy, or " cut throat, " as
it is termed, and ginger cakes. The woman
said to him, " Come, buy, laddie." He had
no money, was his answer. *' Give me your
92

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

buttons," said the woman, and the poor fool-
ish child allowed them to be cut off his coat.
His aunts, so far as I could learn, neither
punished him nor told his grandfather, and
before long he went on to greater faults,
which their ill-directed affection led them to
pass over as well. With more watchful firm-
ness over him he might have been made a
sterling character, for his abilities were of
a high order and his disposition was truly
affectionate and amiable. In features he
was remarkably handsome, and he stood six
feet high and was well proportioned.

At last his father wrote to desire that he
should be sent out to him that he might
judge what he was best fitted for, and a few
months after I arrived in Edinburgh he sailed
from Leith for Kingston, Jamaica. His do-
cility and quickness pleased his father, and
he thought he would do credit to the medi-
cal profession, so eighteen months later he
was sent back to commence a college course.
Thus he was fixed in a profession which he
did not fully like, and under the influence
of several companions in Edinburgh, young
men of fortune whom he had long known and
to whom he was much attached, he was led

93

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

often to neglect his classes and join in idle
pleasures. Often of an evening he would
order a fire in a separate room, with the fixed
purpose of studying, when soon after he was
quietly seated a rap would come at the door
and he would be desired to be spoken with.
Then the door would close and I would be
told that Mr. Andrew and a gentleman had
gone out. Thus my hopes of his reading for
that night were frustrated, and I perhaps
would not see him again until the next day.
He was an excellent skater, and that robbed
the lectures of many an hour's attendance.
Yet so quick were his abilities that I have
heard my valued friend, Dr. Thomas Duncan,
who was most studious and who truly sympa-
thized in my grief, say that he was astonished
how much my son knew, though devoting so
little time to his classes, or to study at home.
Once Dr. Duncan wrote him a letter telling
him how much I was afflicted, and saying that
if he did not alter his conduct I would be
forced to write his father, though dreading
the effects of his displeasure and the grief
and disappointment he would feel to have his
fond hopes so dashed. Dr. Duncan so earn-
estly entreated him and begged for an inter-

94

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

view, that for the time it melted his heart,
and Andrew, having seen our friend, for a
short time was all we wished. I had at last
to write my husband, finding how dissipated
a life Andrew was leading, and he, as soon as
an answer could be received, desired him to
be sent out to him. The poor fellow con-
sented to go, though feeling the disgrace and
misuse of talents that prevented his going
with a diploma (a thing that was also bitterly
felt by his father). Still, he was ever amia-
ble, and in a letter I received from him on
his way to Greenock, he feelingly wrote of
the remorse he had at the pain he had given
me, and said that he was often ready to throw
himself on his knees before me and entreat
me to forgive and forget his bad conduct, but
that pride prevented. When he reached
Jamaica he was received by, and for a while
assisted, his father, yet I fear he never found
that place in his father's heart he had once
had. On his first residence in Jamaica he
had the yellow fever, so fatal to new-comers.
With unremitting care and with the blessing
of Providence he got through it, however, and
the second time he was there was very healthy.
For four years and eight months before

95

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

his death he was in practice with a medical
man of high character, a Dr. Johnston (no
relation of ours), a very liberal-minded man,
who took my son into partnership with him
in the mountains of Clarendon, and loved
and valued him highly, and saw that his medi-
cal knowledge was good.

On Saturday, December i, 1805, Andrew
came with our friend and his very warm one,
Mr. Hutchinson, to Kingston, with the in-
tention of coming out to The Penn, our resi-
dence, three miles from Kingston, to see me
and his sisters and his brother Lewis. We
heard he was in Kingston, and expected to
see him that evening, but he did not come,
for he had a slight headache. His sisters,
who dearly loved this affectionate brother,
were eagerly looking for him, whose atten-
tions to them were more like a lover's than a
brother's. His father thought he should not
have left his practice, and as there were races,
thought that they had brought him; but I
know differently. When his friend offered
him a seat he could not resist the wish to
see us and his father, who was on bad terms
with him, which was a great grief to the poor
boy, who was then doing well. The next
96

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

day we were sure of seeing him. Alas, the
servant who was sent in for marketing
brought word he was not well. Still I had
no idea of danger. His father had remained
with him in town, and I had no means of
getting to him, the only carriage we had, a
chaise, the doctor having in town. To de-
scribe my anguish is impossible. What
would I not have given to have seen him !
Dr. Mackglashan called. I entreated him to
take me to him, or to ask my husband to send
for me. At three o'clock Mr. Johnston came.
He said that Andrew had been taken with the
black vomit, fatal symptom ! in the night, and
that his countenance indicated danger. He
gradually sank, though tonics and brandy
were given him largely, and he, dear child,
did not, could not, bear to see our grief, and
begged that we would not come.

At six o'clock in the evening Dr. Mack-
glashan came again. My three daughters were
in the parlor. Poor Kitty had been a little
better of her dreadful malady for some days,
but was not told of her brother's danger. I
again urged the doctor to take me, saying that
anything was better than the state of suspense
I was in. "Could you," he replied, "my

97

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

dear Mrs. Johnston, submit if you knew the
worst ? " " Oh, yes ! " I cried. '' Your son
died half an hour ago," was his heart-rending
intelligence. As we stood together at the
end of the balcony, I scarcely recollect how
I felt, but this I know I uttered : " Shall we
receive good at the hand of God and shall we
not receive evil ! " I then said, " I shall see
his remains taken by this house." Even that
was denied me. "No," he said, "you must
be removed to my house, with the girls, in
the morning, on Kitty's account, who might
relapse, and you must not let either of the
girls know of it to-night." Oh, what a hard
trial for me ! Yet I struggled until bedtime
with my feelings, and was thankful to get to
bed, so that I might give vent to my agoniz-
ing grief.

He sank calmly. Often have I thought
what a comfort it would have been to me had
he had a pious Christian minister or friend,
even at the last, to have told him of his
merciful Saviour. His father could not help
saying (mentioning the calmness and quiet
with which he left the world, and the smile
that rested on his beautiful countenance) that
he was sure there was no vice there. Would
98

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

he had thought so long before ! Less hard-
ness would have had a better effect on his
gentle nature. May that God that seeth not
as man seeth, but who judgeth in mercy, have
pardoned the errors of my ill-fated child, and
have received him into glory, for He knoweth
what man is, how frail and prone to sin !
Our Heavenly Father sees and knows our
hearts and will pardon where an earthly one
will not.

Let this sad history of one cut off in the
prime of life, at twenty-five years of age, with
vigorous health, manly beauty (he was, as I
have said, tall, well-proportioned, and with
a face such as is seldom seen), be a warning
to all my grandchildren to avoid idleness and
dissolute companions, and to study in youth,
that seed-time of knowledge, that they may
reap the fruits of honest industry in after life
and be an honor and credit to their parents.
This dear child possessed every advantage
of mind and person. He had abilities of
the highest order, which he laid at the shrine
of vice and folly, rendering his parents and
friends miserable, his mother sorrowing the
more that his father could not cordially over-
look his past offences. My beloved offspring,

99

LofC.

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

to be sure of acting right, take the Bible
for your guide, remember your Creator in the
days of your youth, and pray that you may
not be led into temptation. My poor son
had false indulgence shown him in early life ;
even while at college his weak aunts rather
took part against me, judging me too severe
in wishing him to devote more of his time to
study. I have had severe trials in this life,
yet I am conscious that I deserved many, and
none, I believe, have been more than was good
for me. This is a long, sad history of my
lamented first-born; let it be a warning to
youth, and to parents to allow their sons to
choose that profession their hearts most in-
cline them to.

100

CHAPTER VII

TN the last chapter I digressed to give a full
-■- account of the termination of poor An-
drew's earthly career. My son Lewis had
been at an academy at Queen's Ferry and was
well-principled and sedate, and his father
wished him also to study medicine; accord-
ingly, he wrote to Edinburgh to desire that he
might attend some classes, and then go out to
Jamaica previous to his ultimate study at col-
lege. After he got to Jamaica his mind turned
to mercantile business, and his father got him
into the office of a friend of his, a merchant of
the first consequence, a Mr. Lake, where he re-
mained four or five years, until 1806, with a
salary of ;^200 per annum. Then he suddenly
took a desire to study medicine, and was al-
lowed by his father to go to Edinburgh. I
remained in Edinburgh with my three daugh-
ters and two younger sons, my father residing
with me, when the accounts from Jamaica of
my husband's bad health led me to disregard
what I most dreaded, a winter's passage in

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

those Northern seas, and embark in the mid-
dle of November in the ship Roselle, at Leith,
with my girls. I was at Dumfries with
Laleah and Eliza on a visit to a friend when
I got the letter, and I arranged with my
friend Henry Duncan to take charge of my
two dear boys, whom I was to leave behind.
They were then to be boarded with a Mr.
White at Dumfries, but were to be under his
care, and I left my house furniture for my
father to arrange, and parted from him and
my two good little boys with a heavy heart.
We had a long, rough passage of ten weeks,
and encountered in the North Seas, some
degrees beyond the Orkneys, where adverse
winds had driven us, most tremendous
gales.

While in this awful state my dear girls
were calm and composed. My youngest,
Laleah, then in her thirteenth year, who was
on the same sofa with me, told me with some
diffidence she had made some verses. As
she had never before been visited by the
Muses, it appeared strange at such a time to
be inspired, the seas literally running moun-
tains high. With much persuasion I got her
to consent to allow a gentleman to write the

102

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

verses down, for we could not raise our heads.
I must transcribe them, as they show that
her mind had early been led to things that
are important, and that she was an affection-
ate and dutiful child :

The warring elements obey

The Lord's Almighty power,
The northern blast's by him controU'd

Even at this very hour.

O why am I so much afraid,

"Why does each wave alarm,
Does not the Lord protect me still

And guard me by his arm ?

Then let me think I'm here as safe

As when in wScotia's Isle ;
A Mother's cheerful countenance

Makes all her children smile.

I observed, upon hearing the last verse, that
she might make some lines on her mother, and
to my wonder, an hour after she whispered
she had done so. These verses also were
taken down, and my heart feels too grateful
to my affectionate child, even after so many
years have rolled on, not to put them also in
these recollections of by-gone days, the retro-
spect of many of which, alas, is too, too
sad.

103

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

TO MY MOTHER.

How can I e'er repay the care

That thou hast ta'en of me,
Or how restore the nights of rest

I oft have stolen from thee ?

'Twas thou that taught my infant heart

To raise itself in prayer,
The goodness of Almighty God

Thou didst to me declare.

May every blessing light on thee

To enrich thy mortal store,
And may the choicest gifts of Heaven

Be thine for evermore !

We arrived safe and well the ist of Janu-
ary, 1802, and I found my husband in bad
health, but happy to meet us and much
pleased with his three dear girls. Catharine,
then nineteen, an agreeable, fine-looking
woman, with a great flow of spirits and highly
accomplished, had great quickness of intellect
and ready wit, but a temper unequal, and
subject to violent changes. Though she was
five or six years older than her sisters, her
judgment could not be relied on as much as
that of either of them. From being consid-
ered a woman so long before they grew up
she assumed toward them a haughty superi-
104

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

ority, which she could not be brought wholly
to lay aside when they went into company,
and in this way she caused me much distress
of mind. She selfishly desired many expen-
sive articles, which the others quickly relin-
quished, knowing their father could not well
afford them, and if she was opposed poor
Catharine sometimes exhibited a temper that
we had to take pains to prevent being made
public.

These considerations caused me, weakly
perhaps, it may be thought, to yield to her
in many things. Had her Grandfather John-
ston never taken her from me, thinking to
benefit her by the advantages she would gain
in Edinburgh, I should have controlled her
temper, as I had hitherto done, and given her
soberer views, and she would, like my other
children, have been obedient to my will. She
was only ten years of age when she left me,
and four years passed before I joined her in
Scotland, and a very different method of train-
ing from mine had been pursued with her by
her aunts. They taught her the catechism,
made her go to church, boxed her ears when
she was wild and giddy, and allowed her free
access to a circulating library, where non-
105

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

subscribers could for a penny get a novel for
twenty-four hours. She was fond of reading,
and with her quick intellect, had I been with
her at first, before the poison took deep hold,
could have become interested in studies of a
higher kind. When she heard I was coming to
Edinburgh, she imagined me like a heroine in
a romance, and thought that I would be such a
mother as was pictured in the highly wrought
novels she was accustomed to read ; while on
the other hand, as soon as I arrived, her aunts
loaded me with complaints of how foolish and
giddy she was. Perhaps I was too anxious
to counteract the faults that had been fos-
tered so long, and may have tried to check
them too suddenly. Though she saw the
docility of her young sister Laleah, yet upon
every attempt I made to alter her disposition
she imputed to me a preference for her sis-
ter, which she thought caused my reproofs
to her, and so a fatal jealousy sprang up in
her mind. Little by little she brought her-
self into a highly nervous state, and as her
health was beginning to decline from her ir-
ritability, we tried several changes for her.
When we reached Jamaica she was in excel-
lent health, and very much admired, for she
1 06

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

was handsome and well made and was a
proper height, and she played, sang, and
danced admirably; yet her passions were
strong and her judgment weak.

Soon after we arrived in Jamaica my dear
Eliza took the yellow fever. A friend of
Mr. Johnston, a Mr. Hutchinson, had kindly
invited us to his residence, the Papine estate,
six miles from Kingston, for the country air
and to prevent infection in the hot town, and
though we went, Eliza soon sickened. I
sent an express off for her father imme-
diately, who lost no time in coming. She
had a little headache and languor, and only
complained in the middle of the day, yet her
father told me that evening that if she was
not better in a few hours she could not re-
cover. It did please God to restore her, and
the others continuing in good health, six
weeks after we removed to our own house
near Halfwaytree. Mr. Johnston's health
had been declining for some time, and it
was now thought necessary that he should
have change of climate, though it seemed
hard for me after our long separation to
be again tried in the same way. But so it
was, and he was away two years, though

107

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

unhappily he did not find much benefit
from the change.

During his absence Laleah was attacked
with yellow fever and was very ill. After
his return Catharine was afflicted with a
nervous illness, combined also with symptoms
of yellow fever, and was seized with a violent
bleeding at the nose, which nearly exhausted
her. She got no rest, and was very irritable,
and her father was persuaded by Dr. Mack-
glashan to give her an opiate, which he
did, at the same time being aware that if it
failed in its effects it would produce dreadful
consequences. He gave her eighty drops of
laudanum, and his worst fears were verified.
It produced the most violent delirium, and
she was in a dreadful state, thinking that
there was an insurrection of the slaves, that
they had set fire to the house, and that the
bed she lay on was in flames and we were
holding her in it. It took six persons to
hold her in bed, and her poor father said to
me that night that if she did recover from
the violence and dreadful derangement she
showed, he feared something fatal had takisn
place that would render her an idiot for life.
After some days of delirium she sank into a

io8

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

state of insensibility, in which she remained
three weeks without motion. Only by hold-
ing a glass to her lips could you tell she
breathed, and indeed she was with great diffi-
culty kept alive at all. The first sign of re-
turning animation she showed was her shed-
ding a few tears as a gentleman and lady who
were fond of her, as she was of them, came
into the room dressed in deep black. She was
reduced to a skeleton, and for three months
said no more than " Yes " or " No " when
spoken to, but would scream if her father
left her either night or day. Her dear sis-
ters had not their clothes off for three months,
and for eighteen did not go out into com-
pany. They were young in years, but well
schooled in patience and self-denial. Doubt-
less the trial was of service ultimately in
forming their characters and producing in
them much sterling worth, though it was
a fiery trial in the furnace of affliction.
After a time Catharine was so much better
that she could converse rationally. Then
she told her sisters what she had suffered,
how she had thought she was in flames and
was being dragged over broken bottles.
While she lay apparently insensible, she

109

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

said, she imagined she was in a charnel
house, where she was not permitted to move
or speak. Such were the sufferings of my
unhappy child. Slowly she continued to im-
prove, and she sometimes appeared to take
pleasure in the piano, which she had always
been fond of and on which she formerly
played and sang so well. Some months
after, however, she relapsed into such a state
of violence and irritation that a sea voyage
was recommended, and worn down as I was
with sorrow of various and trying kinds I
told her father that as he could not leave
his practice to go with her, hard as another
separation from him and my beloved boys
was, I myself would go. At once a vessel
for New York was looked for, and my father,
who was then on a visit to us, agreed to ac-
company me and my three daughters.

Not meeting a vessel quite suitable, a
friend chancing to meet my husband said to
him : " Why, Doctor, I wonder you who are
a loyal subject do not prefer sending your
family to a British Province ; there is an ex-
cellent vessel going to Halifax, Nova Scotia."
Little did I then think that I and all my chil-
dren would ultimately settle in Nova Scotia.

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

When I heard this advice and knew that my
father was looking at the accommodations
of the Halifax vessel for us, so little inter-
course had we with Halifax that I exclaimed,
" Send us to Nova Scotia ! What, to be
frozen to death? Why, better send us to
Nova Zembla or Greenland." So it was,
however, and early in the summer of 1806
my father and three daughters with myself
embarked in a brig of Prescott & Lawson's,
for Halifax, perfect strangers to every one
in that place except Mr. Thomson's family,
who I had reason to think were not living
in town, but at a place called Hamitfield,
some distance away. Mrs. Thomson and I
were both born and brought up in Savannah,
and were schoolfellows there. I had a letter
from a merchant in Kingston to Prescott &
Lawson, and another to James and William
Cochran, merchants. From the gentlemen
and their wives to whom the first letter was
addressed we met with much more than
civility, they were as kind as near relations
could have been. Mrs. William Lawson took
us four females and my woman to her house,
where we remained until I got a house and
furnished it. Mr. Prescott took my father to

III

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

his house, and with great kindness laid in our
coal and potatoes and even marketed for us.
Old Mr. and Mrs. Lawson were everything
that was affectionate and kind, as were all the
branches of their family. I found the Thom-
sons in Halifax, and I was very happy to meet
my old friend after so long a separation.

My daughter Catharine for a time appeared
to benefit from the change, and went a good
deal into private company, and from her play-
ing on the piano, which she did well, and her
singing and conversation, she was the de-
light of all who heard her. But in a few
weeks, when the novelty wore off and the
effects of the sea air subsided, she relapsed
into her former irritable state. I have great
reason to think, however, that there was in
her case more of temper and nervousness than
real mental disease, though the latter did
exist. Her condition was a source of much
pain and many privations to myself and her
dear sisters. Soon after our arrival in Hali-
fax we met a friend of Mr. Grassie and the
Messrs. Lawson, a Mr. Ritchie, a lawyer at
Annapolis. He soon became attentive to my
beloved daughter Eliza, and some time after
made proposals to her. His character stand-

1X2

Sir William Johnstone Ritchie, K.C.B.
Late Chief Justice of Canada

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

ing high in the estimation of his friends and
my daughter not objecting, her father was
written to at Kingston, Jamaica, for his con-
sent, which from the recommendations he
received from several persons in Halifax was
readily given. They were married at Hali-
fax, June 30, 1807, and a few days after Mr.
Ritchie took Eliza home, accompanied by her
beloved sister Laleah, for they were tenderly
attached to each other, being only fourteen
months apart in age. Laleah remained at
Annapolis until bad accounts of my dear
husband's health, which called for my imme-
diate departure, made me write for her.
Then Mr. Ritchie kindly brought my dear
Eliza also with her to stay with me until we
sailed.

My good old father had been on a visit to
Annapolis but had returned to Halifax, and
he could not bring his mind to encounter a
second time the climate of Jamaica, which
did not agree with his health or habits of
life, he being always accustomed to take
much exercise on foot in cooler climates.
Accordingly he decided to fix himself at An-
napolis near his beloved granddaughter, to
which decision I readily agreed for her sake

113

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

as well as his, since then Eliza would not
be left without one dear relative. As it
was, the parting on both sides was severely
felt. She was a dear, good child, and her
heart was so affectionate, so free from self,
that none ever knew her without loving her.
At this moment, though more than seventeen
years have passed since she was consigned
to an early grave, I feel all the tenderness of
grief as though it were very recent. My
daughter Catharine had been much worse
about the time of her sister's marriage, and
afterward my troubles with her were great
and sore, yet not more than my Heavenly
Father thought was needful for me. I hum-
bly pray that every chastisement may bring
me more and more from loving the things of
this world, and render me daily more patient
under trials and disappointments of every
kind.

114

CHAPTER VIII

'TT^HE 4th of December, 1 807, we embarked
-*- on board the ship Rosina for Kingston,
Jamaica, and had a good passage, except for
a melancholy accident which happened to a
passenger. A few hours after embarking
a Miss Nancy Aikmann fell down the com-
panion stairs against a trunk in the entry
and broke her leg. Fortunately, however,
we were near the Muros, our convoy, who
sent her surgeon on board. The leg being
much fractured, it was thought expedient to
take it off, and that night by nine o'clock
it was done. The sufferer bore the strain
with unexampled fortitude. The assistant
surgeon remained on board the whole pas-
sage, and the surgeon, Mr. Emwright, came
frequently to help him. The latter was so
charmed with Miss Aikmann's sweetness and
cheerful patience, that after our arrival in
Kingston he made her offers of marriage.
No doubt her father's being a very rich man
may have added one more charm in the eyes

115

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

of the lover. The couple were married some
months later in England.

The I St of January we arrived, and there
soon after anchoring at Port Royal I had to
meet the sad intelligence of my dear hus-
band's death, he having passed away the 9th
of December, 1807, three weeks before our
arrival. It was a bitter disappointment to
me, as I had earnestly trusted we should meet
again in life. Dropsy, after a complica-
tion of diseases, was the final cause of his
death. We went up with our kind Captain
Potter in his boat to Kingston, where a car-
riage met us to convey us to Mr. John Camp-
bell's house. He was a friend, and one of
the trustees of my husband's estate. Every
soothing attention was shown us by Mr. and
Mrs. Campbell, and soon after we got there
my two dear sons, John and James, came to
us, mingling their tears with ours — it was a
sad meeting. In the afternoon our good
friend Dr. Mackglashan (also another trus-
tee) came in and took us to The Penn, where
I remained about a week, when I went to our
own house at Halfwaytree. The doctor was
a true friend and did all the practice of
the workhouse in Kingston for the widow
116

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

and orphan daughters, so that the position
could be kept until my son Lewis came out
from Edinburgh. The physician of the
workhouse was elected annually, yet my hus-
band had held the post from the first, and he
was now succeeded in it by my son. It was a
lucrative position, though some months more
so than others. Several months it paid be-
tween ;£8o and ^90, none less than ^40 or
£S^' E)r. Mackglashan attended the estates
for the same object, to keep them for Lewis,
and while he was absent he gave the emolu-
ments of both the workhouse and the estates
to me. The Mackglashans were the sincer-
est of friends, from Mrs. Mackglashan's first
coming to Jamaica to the period when I finally
quitted the island. They were with the doc-
tor and myself as brother and sister; but
they are now no more. I have outlived many
of my contemporaries, and feel the departure
of each one a loud call upon me, " Be ye also
ready." The Rev. John Campbell, rector of
St. Andrew's parish, was another trustee for
my husband's estate. He and his family
were much attached to me and my family,
and were kind and benevolent in their dis-
positions. The Mackglashans are gone, and

117

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have long since paid
the debt of nature.

I remained in Jamaica three years before
our affairs could be so settled as to admit of
our leaving the island. The spring after my
going there my son James went to Annapo-
lis, Nova Scotia, to his brother-in-law and
sister, who resided there. He lived with
them until I went there, and it was a great
comfort to his sister Eliza to have him with
her. At the end of the year my son Lewis
came from Edinburgh and commenced the
practice of medicine in Kingston, and the
January after he was duly elected to the at-
tendance of the workhouse there. My other
son John was with Mr. Munro in the office,
and had a salary of ;£200 per annum, Jamaica
currency. His character from early life was
good and dutiful, and he was strict in his
principles. When he came out from Scot-
land from under the care of his excellent
friend and tutor, Duncan, at the age of fifteen,
he evinced a strength of character seldom
observed in one so young. A friend of mine
who was at the head of one of the largest law
offices in Kingston, a Mr. Munro, offered as
a favor to take him into his office. At that

ii8

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

time it was the shocking custom in the law
offices to have clerks at the office on Sunday
mornings until twelve o'clock. It was then
too late to attend divine service, which as in
other places began at eleven o'clock. When
I told my beloved John of Mr. Munro's offer
and asked if he had any objection to the pro-
fession, he said he had none, but at the same
time he requested that I would ask that his
Sundays should be passed as he had been
used from childhood to pass them; that he
should not be compelled to be at the office on
Sundays at all. When I told Mr. Munro his
request, he asked me if John would attend
church. "Certainly; it has ever been his
custom to do so," was my reply. He then
promised me he would grant his request, but
no other except the head clerk, Mr. Marshall,
had the same privilege. Mr. Marshall was
a pious young man, very useful in the office,
and as might be expected from one of his
good principles, very faithful. His salary
was £s^o per annum. My dear boy was
also most conscientious, and went almost
an hour earlier than the other clerks and
left the latest, so he well made up the time
of the few hours on the Sabbath, which he

119

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

could not answer to his Divine Master to
break.

Some years after, an elderly friend, who
was about putting his son into the same
office, told me that Mr. Munro had said to him
that no one except the head clerk should be
exempt from Sunday attendance. I told my
friend the promise had been given my boy
and I could not think it would be broken.
Should it be so, I hoped my child would be
able to earn his living some other way, with-
out breaking the divine law, and added that I
had never prayed for riches for my children,
but rather that they should be good, religious

members of society. " After all, Dr. M ,"

I added, "they can only starve, and though
that would be a lingering death it would be
better than sinning against their consciences."
When my dear John came home I told him
what had passed, and asked if Mr. Munro had
said anything to him on the subject. He
answered he had not, but should he do so his
mind was made up. When anything agitated
his calm mind he became very animated,
and on that occasion he took many rapid
strides across the room, at the same time say-
ing he was resolved not to remain; but he

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

was never spoken to on the subject. My
friend was balanced between the feelings of
a man of the world and the breaking of a com-
mandment, and he no doubt hoped to have
my son keep his poor son in countenance. To
the office his son went, and from mercenary
motives became an habitual Sabbath- breaker.
The poor lad had been religiously brought up
in England under the eye of a pious aunt,
whose heart ached at the sad alternative.
Alas, what sacrifices are daily made at the
shrine of Mammon, and' how little pains are
taken to secure that inheritance that fadeth
not away!

121

CHAPTER IX

A S I have already said, it was nearly three
-^ ^ years from my return to Jamaica before
I could get the affairs of the estate so arranged
by the trustees as to allow of my return and
that of my two daughters, Catharine and
Laleah, to Nova Scotia. In the summer of
1810 we embarked for Halifax, accompanied
by my son John, whose health required a few
months' change of climate, and who had ob-
tained leave from Mr. Munro to remain as
long as he felt it necessary. On my arrival
at Halifax we were kindly received by all our
friends there, and not long after Mr. Ritchie
came to town with his horse and gig to take
us to Annapolis. Catharine and myself went
with him in his carriage, and another horse
and gig were hired for dear John and Laleah.
We arrived safely at Annapolis, where we
had the happiness of meeting my father, my
beloved Eliza, and my son James, who had
left me the year before. My Eliza had two
dear boys. John was two and a half years

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

old, Thomas, a stout boy, ten months old.
Their mother was looking thin, but well in
spirits, the fatigue of nursing and having the
charge and attendance of two such children,
without a regular servant, was more than a
delicate female brought up as she had been
was equal to. As soon as I went to house-
keeping I relieved her of part of her care by
having John stay with us. We helped Eliza,
especially on wash day, a grand event which
occurred once a fortnight in every family, at
which all the servants assisted, and when it
was thought a great indulgence if the mis-
tress had no more labor than to have the fag
of all the children. These customs were new
to my beloved child, brought up as she had
been in the habits and comforts of a lady,
who had had that and other work done by
servants, all with their regular employments.
On those stirring days I had Tom also
brought to my house, who if he was not quite
as great a favorite with his grandfather as
his first great-grandson John, who bore his
name, was with his Aunt Laleah and myself
a great pet. Mr. Ritchie's mother had the
charge of his house and took the head of his
table ; she was old, but well and active, and

123

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

would have felt the want of her usual em-
ployments had dear Eliza as mistress of the
house taken the sole management upon her-
self. She, however, had enough to occupy
her, with a rapidly increasing family and the
care of nursing and attending upon them.
She was an affectionate wife, and a tender
and judicious mother, and she was a great
economist. In her lively manner she used
to say, when we laughed at her for putting
together as many as ten pieces from a pair
of her husband's trousers to make a suit of
clothes for little Johnny : *' While Ritchie
has to work so closely in his office, I think
it my duty to save all I can." That spirit of
pride, or ambition shall I term it, that led
her to try how much butter she could herself
make in a season, was more than her delicate
frame could long endure. Besides, her rest
was always liable to be broken by an infant
at night. Until John was past three years
of age, however, he lived with me, and from
an old-fashioned prayer-book with large print
I taught him his letters and to spell little
words. I think he will now be glad to
find that I wish him to accept the sacred
book, and leave it for him to remember his
124

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

old grandmother and dear aged great-grand-
father by, who so greatly doted on him.
The book may be valued, too, for its anti-
quity, it having been printed in Queen
Anne's reign. If he has children he may
say, "This was your great-grandmother's."

My dear Eliza had dear Laleah added to
her family January i6, 1812. Her next was
William Johnston, born October 29, 18 13.
My beloved father died the 4th of November
after — making just one week between the
birth of the infant and the demise of the aged
great-grandparent. He had a rapid dropsy,
which was tapped with apparent success, but
in a few days the water increased greatly and
he went off very suddenly. At his request,
I had left him for a few moments sitting up
in the arm-chair, for he had been better that
day and had conversed a little with me. I
could not stay long away, however, fearing
he might feel weak if he rose from the chair,
and I called at the door, " Allow me to come
in now.'^ " There was no answer, and I went
in just in time to save him from falling off
the side of the bed where he was, against
the edge of the hard bedstead. He was then
very faint, and just as I approached fell back

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

on the bed. I was alone. He was a heavy
man, his legs were hanging over the bed
and he was in danger of falling, but I got on
the bed, raised him in my arms, and strength
was given me to support him from slipping
down. His dear, venerable head lay on my
shoulder, he breathing quick, but gently as
an infant. There was no creature in the
house at the time but my poor daughter
Catharine, and I screamed for her. She
came to me, and I begged her to fly to Mrs.
Fraser, and bring her, Dr. Hinckle, or any-
body. She went, and Mrs. Fraser and Dr.
Hinckle both came in, and took my beloved
parent from my arms and laid him on the
pillow, when with two gentle breathings he
was gone. Mr. Ritchie and Dr. Robertson,
who were at the Court House, soon came and
helped me to my chamber, where I lay com-
pletely exhausted after my exertion of mind
and body.

My dear Laleah, who had been the tender-
est of nurses for weeks, and was ever, as were
all my children, the most dutiful and affec-
tionate of grandchildren, seeing him so much
better that morning, told me that if I sat
with my father she would go and see her
126

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

sister and get a little fresh air, and also, chief
of her errand, get some eggs to clear jelly
for her grandfather, little thinking how soon
he was to be called away. He was a fond
parent, and thought only too much of his
child and her offspring. I hoped I had done
my duty but, alas ! what child can say, when
deprived of a beloved parent, that she has
not been wanting in numberless instances
whereby she could have shown her love and
gratitude.

My beloved Eliza before her confinement
was daily with us, helping to take care of her
dear grandfather, and feeling that every day
would be the last she could expect to keep
up. The last day, October 28th, she said:
" I will stay as long as I can, for I know I
shall not in all likelihood see him again,"
and she remained until ten o'clock that night.
The next morning we heard that her little
son William was born. My son James ar-
rived that morning from Halifax, and as soon
as my dear father saw him, he said, " You
have come, my child, to see one just come
into the world and another about quitting it."
All who knew the dear old gentleman revered
and loved him. He was in his seventy-ninth

127

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

year, and I, his only child, now recording
these events, am past since May last my
seventy-second year. But what avails the
longest life ? It is but as a vapor, so soon
passeth it away. " So teach me to number
my days that I may apply my heart unto wis-
dom."

My dear Laleah was married, January 29,
1 8 14, after these events, to Dr. William
Almon, and I trust the union has been a
happy one. Religion, I mean vital religion,
was then at a low ebb, but he was brought
up by parents who were regular in their
duties and attentive to the morals and relig-
ious observances of their children. Great
changes have taken place in Halifax since
that period, and low as is still the standard
of Christianity among the bulk of the com-
munity, yet many souls have lately been
awakened to see their need of a Saviour's
atoning blood, and to rejoice that His free
grace can wash them from all their sins if
they only have faith in Him. We must all
who are concerned in these momentous ques-
tions pray that Christ's kingdom may daily be
extended over our land, and that our children
may be rescued from the dominion of Satan.
128

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

On November 20, 18 14, their first child
was born, a daughter, who was called Laleah.
January 27, 18 16, their son William John-
ston was born. February 9, 1 8 1 6, my daugh-
ter Eliza's son, James Johnston, was born.
He was called after his Uncle James, who
was also his godfather, which at that time
met his wishes. Elizabeth Lightenstone
Ritchie was born October i, 1817, and my
daughter Laleah's dear Amelia was born July
20, 1 8 1 7. Our beloved and ever-to-be-lament-
ed Eliza soon after got a typhus fever, which
injured her constitution, and she was in deli-
cate health for some time. I left Annapolis
when her child was three weeks old, and
passed the winter in Halifax with my daugh-
ter Laleah, but returned to Annapolis in the
spring. Myself and all her family were very
anxious that our dear Eliza should be taken
to another climate, but our entreaties did
not prevail and that summer passed away
and she was still ailing and weak.

The winter of 18 19 found her growing
worse ; a short cough, hectic flush, and fever-
ish symptoms gave us real cause for dread,
and all that winter she was confined between
her bedroom and the drawing-room on the

129

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

same floor. Dear James and Bessy were her
constant companions. I also saw her almost
daily, no weather keeping me from her. My
son James drove his sister Laleah up in May
to see their beloved Eliza, and she brought
her youngest babe, whom she was nursing,
with her. She was called Elizabeth, after
me. Our dear invalid rallied a little and
was downstairs a few times to dinner, but
soon after kept chiefly upstairs. She ex-
pected to be confined early in June. James
and Laleah could not remain so long, and
they parted for ever (at least in this world)
from their dear and most beloved sister. She,
too, must have had a presentiment that her
continuance would be short, by her wishing
and proposing that her sister should take her
daughter Laleah with her, that at her death
she might be brought up by that darling sis-
ter whom from infancy she had loved as her
own soul. This we conjectured could be
her only motive for parting from her child
at such a time. After they were gone she
often begged me to request her sister to get
her Laleah improved in writing, that she
might write her often, and she frequently
spoke of it. Whether her Laleah made out a
130

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

line to her mother I do not remember. She
seemed to feel the parting from her, as she
was seven years and a half old, and a very
companionable child.

On the 14th of June of this, to me, event-
ful year Mr. Ritchie came in the morning
to break the news to me of the death of my
dear daughter Catharine, which took place
on the 2d of June. It was a shock to me,
as I had formed the plan, if dear Eliza recov-
ered from her confinement, to go to Boston
to see her. If I found her well enough in
mind I intended to bring her home. My
son John was to visit us that summer, and
what hopes, what happiness were anticipated
in such a meeting of dear friends. Alas,
my Heavenly Father in His wisdom saw
fit to order it far otherwise, and to frustrate
our earthly schemes. On the day that I
heard of poor Catharine's death I could not
venture to see Eliza, lest I should by look or
feeling discover the sad news to her. Dear
creature, ever mindful of her mother's com-
fort, and suspecting that I would not eat any
fruit or other nice thing I got but keep it
until hers were done, that day got some
oranges from her brother James, who wrote

131

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

her he had sent her a larger supply by a ves-
sel. She gave Mr. Ritchie's niece Harriet
Ritchie some oranges to take to me, with
strict charges to be sure to cut some of
them and see that I ate a part, so thoughtful
was she ever for the comfort of others, espe-
cially of her mother. If I were called upon
to bear testimony whose individual character
I had ever known most free from selfishness,
I could with truth and boldness say it was
my beloved Eliza's. In early childhood she
evinced the disposition to impart to others
whatever she had, and the disposition grew
with her growth.

That night she was seized with violent
fever, and it was thought had taken cold from
imprudently cutting out a piece of Russia
sheeting, which might have had a cold damp-
ness about it. Be that as it may, she con-
tinued ill all night, and next day labor came
on, and in the evening (June 1 5) dear George
was born. She was put to bed that night
extremely weak, but she thought herself bet-
ter and slept a few hours very comfortably.
When she awoke she observed that she had
not enjoyed so much good sleep for a long
time. After that, however, she was not so
132

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

well. Dr. Randolph had been called away
to another female patient and did not see
her, but early next day, when he did, he was
much alarmed at her situation. She had
great pain in her chest and oppression of
breathing, and he advised bleeding, and
wished to call in Dr. Simpson. I was in
agonies to have Mr. Ritchie send express to
Kentville for Dr. Bayard, and he had the
horse and his faithful man Quin ready to
start, when the doctor said to Mr. Ritchie
he thought he had better defer sending until
they saw the effects of the bleeding. He
yielded, poor man, and I was sadly distressed,
for though that was Wednesday night, the
doctor could not possibly have got there,
using all the haste he might, before Friday
night.

It was the will of God. When He is
about to call us hence there are many ways
of ordering events, which our poor, blind,
ignorant minds cannot discern. Submission
is our part, yet how hard a lesson it is for
most of us to learn.

On Wednesday evening she was bled, but
though sensible the first two days after her
delivery, she never got any better, and it ap-

133

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

peared that she apprehended danger, for upon
their bringing her a night-cap to change, she
observed that it was one of her best and that
the vinegar used about her head might spoil
it and she wanted another. When Miss
Cross was trying to make the infant take the
breast, which he was long doing, Miss Cross
said: " Take it, you little fooly." My sweet
Eliza smiled, and in her playful way said,
"That's not a family failing, Margaret."
From Thursday she grew worse, wandered a
good deal, and often repeated, " What does it
avail, what does it avail ! " Once when I
was standing by her bedside she repeated
these words, " My children, my poor chil-
dren ! " I asked what she wished for them,
but she seemed to have gone off from the
subject. The post was going, and I wrote
my dear James and also Dr. Bayard, to hasten
their coming. But it was too late for any
human skill to avail. She soon sank into a
stupor, and on Saturday afternoon, the 19th
of June, 18 19, departed this life, after a short
mortal struggle, leaving all who had ever
known her to deplore deeply her loss. She
was only in her thirty-second year, and so
was cut off in her prime. Our Heavenly
134

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

Father, in thus early removing my beloved
child, no doubt saw in His infinite wisdom
that it was best for her, yet we cannot see
things as we ought, and it seems to us that
it might have been better for her motherless
children had she been spared. May the
prayer that has been so often and fervently
offered for these children at the throne of
grace have been heard, and may they be
blessed with all needful temporal good, and
above all with the grace that may lead each
one to supplicate at the throne of grace for a
renovation of heart !

Dr. Bayard and my dear James rode day
and night, and arrived on Tuesday night at
ten o'clock, and no words can describe the
grief of my son, who had not realized her
danger, to find his sister a corpse. We had
kept her remains with difficulty, in the hope
that he would be in time to attend the last
solemn offices, and this he was enabled to
do. On Wednesday morning her dear re-
mains were interred in the Annapolis church-
yard, where my dear father lies, and where
dear Laura was laid some years since and an
infant child who was still-born. It is a place
hallowed to me, and I could wish my remains

135

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

might rest in the same spot; but there is
little chance of that happening, as I am now
in Halifax, and from my age it is not likely
I shall ever pay Annapolis another visit.

After these heavy losses, the anticipated
pleasures of that expected summer were over-
thrown to us survivors. My dearest son
John went to New York, intending to visit
Boston on his way, that he might see his
sister Catharine. When he arrived there he
found that she had departed this life a week
before. It was no doubt a shock and disap-
pointment to him, yet not one to cause such
poignant grief as he was soon after to feel,
for Catharine's had been for years a life of
suffering and mental disease, with no chance
of recovery, and she was now released from
its continuance. John soon left Boston for
Annapolis, where he arrived a few days after
the funeral of our dear Eliza, and where he
remained a few months with us.

I soon broke up housekeeping to live with
Mr. Ritchie and watch over his children's
health and morals. I stood to them now in
the place of their dear mother, for I knew well
her wishes, plans, and hopes for her children.
Her great principle was to exact from them
136

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

implicit obedience, and those who were old
enough at her death evinced by their con-
duct the benefit they derived from her disci-
pline. After awhile my dear John went to
Halifax to see his sister Mrs. William Almon
and her family, and his brother James, who re-
sided there and practised as a barrister. Some
time after he returned to Annapolis to see
us, and then, about January 7, 1820, he went
back to Jamaica.

137

CHAPTER X

/^NE evening I received a letter from my
^^ dear James, announcing as carefully as
he could his intention of going to Madeira for
his health. He was going, he said, merely
to please his friends, and I must not suppose
there was any cause for alarm, for he was not
very unwell. It was thought, he said, that
escaping the winter would establish his health
perfectly. He wrote everything that such an
affectionate child would be sure to write, to
reconcile me to the dread of what might hap-
pen, but after so recently losing my beloved
Eliza, his determination fell upon my spirits
that night most heavily. At length I betook
myself to my only source of consolation, and
on my knees prayed at the throne of grace
for my child's safety, and then opened the
Word of Life. Let it not be called enthu-
siasm when I say that my eyes lighted on
some most consoling texts of Scripture,
which did then and after strengthen and com-
fort me. I felt assured my child would be
138

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

preserved, and I rose with a firm trust that
my prayer was heard. From that time I was
peaceful, and although the day after he sailed,
the 1st of February, there was a heavy snow
storm and gale, still I knew in whom I trust-
ed and was not cast down. My dear John,
the morning after James' letter came, set
out on horseback to see his brother. He
also was going back to Jamaica, and this
event hurried him off sooner than he would
otherwise have gone; then he, too, parted
from me. Mr. Edward Cutler accompanied
him to Halifax, and his presence made the
journey less dreary to him. It was hard to
part with dear John, though he was then in
good health. James arrived safely at Madeira,
remained there a month, and returned after
three months' absence, in good health, which
filled my heart with gratitude to Almighty
God, who had been so merciful to me. The
cataract on my left eye now became gradu-
ally worse, until at length it obscured the
sight, and not long after the other eye in-
flamed, and a cataract was just discernible in
an incipient state. Through the use of medi-
cines, however, it was suspended for a time,
but at last my sight was almost obscured.

139

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

In the year 1821 my son James married
Miss Amelia Almon, an amiable and well-
principled girl, who, by her tender affection
and religious, well-directed mind, has ren-
dered him very happy. They have had a
large family, of whom six are now alive,
a seventh being expected shortly. My son
Lewis removed to this country from Jamaica
with his family about May, 1822, and settled
in Halifax. He and his wife had then three
daughters, but now their children number
fourteen. By the mercy of our Heavenly
Father they will, I trust, very soon be the
happy parents of their fifteenth child. One
they lost in Jamaica, a girl, Mary Ann, and
another seven years and a half past, called
William, a fine boy about three years of age.
May a blessing be upon all my dear grand-
children, that they may be led to love religion
and remember their Creator in the days of
their youth ! How happy was the good Phil-
ip Henry (Matthew Henry's father), whose
children took religious, pious partners. Of
the religious state of his twenty-four grand-
children he thought so well as to venture to
say he thought "God had set His seal upon
them. " May we not humbly suppose that
140

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

as his children married pious helpmates, the
parents united in care and vigilance to infuse
into their children's minds from early age
the spirit of love to God and duty to men,
and with earnest prayer sought a blessing on
their endeavors. How much do I now see
the necessity of forming religious connec-
tions, to insure comfort and joy to people's
offspring. Yet, alas ! how little is religion
attended to even by religious parents, and
still less by the young persons themselves.

When my sight failed I was very desirous
to have something done to restore it if possi-
ble, and at one time I was advised to give an
oculist from Boston a sum of money to come
to Halifax, and pay all his expenses until his
return. Indeed, my son Lewis came to An-
napolis in June, 1823, to take me to Halifax
for that purpose, but I ever felt reluctant to
the plan, and Dr. Almon, with an eminent
army surgeon, examined my eyes and I think
put belladonna on them. The doctors found
that the nerve was perfect, and that they
were in good condition for an operation, but
Dr. Almon, not seeming to think that the
doctor from the States could do it better than
our own medical men, entered into what had

141

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

been ever my own strongest wish, to go to
Scotland or England to the fountain head.
There was some difficulty for a time as to
who would go with me, but my mind was
made up to go, and I arranged with my
friends the Davidsons that I should go to
Edinburgh to them, and that Miss Davidson
would attend me to London and remain with
me until I was ready to go back with her to
Scotland, where I had a pressing invitation
to stay with her family a twelvemonth or
more. These were the husband and children
of my departed friend. However, my son
Lewis made up his mind to go himself with
me, and we embarked in the Lady Wellington
packet, the 20th of April, 1824, for Fal-
mouth. We had a short but severe passage
and were nearly lost, the vessel being thrown
on her beam ends in the effort to lay her to.
We remained lying to for forty-eight hours,
the waves breaking over us all the time, but
it pleased the Lord to spare us. I was very
weak and worn out with the roughness of
the passage when I landed at Falmouth, but
I went on soon after to London, and was rec-
ommended to Mr. Lawrence, a celebrated
surgeon and oculist, who was also at the head

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

of the Eye Infirmary and gave lectures there
to students. After much inquiry as to who
was best, and after some weeks of preparation
to bring my system to a more healthful state,
he was fixed on, and on the i6th of June I
was operated on in my left eye, and but for a
faintness coming on after it, should then have
had the other eye done also. Twelve days
after, the right eye was operated on, but not
with the same success ; inflammation ensued
and I suffered much from it for weeks, and
became reduced and feeble. After all my
suffering I have now no sight in it, but I do
not regret that, since my sight is so merci-
fully restored in the other eye, which has
since been free from weakness or inflamma-
tion. It is now thirteen years, or will be in
June, since I received my sight, and for the
blessing I can never be grateful enough
to my Heavenly Father, who though He
chastens yet in mercy gives comfort to His
afflicted children.

Before I left England I was kindly invited
by Mr. and Mrs. Brimmer Belcher to pass
a week at their residence at Roehampton, a
pleasant spot quite like the country, with
lawn and gardens and greenhouse plants.

143

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

Lord Ellenboro, who was their landlord, lived
within three-quarters of a mile of Clarence
Lodge, where Mr. and Mrs. Belcher, Sr.,
resided; there I was also hospitably in-
vited. After spending a week with the
younger Belchers, I left, having experienced
from Brimmer and his truly excellent wife
the kindness and attention of children. I
felt the more grateful as in my then weak
state I was too ill to converse or afford them
any pleasure from my company. At Clar-
ence Lodge I stayed a month or more, and
under Providence I think I owe to Mrs.
Belcher and her kind-hearted family much of
my recovery. I had together with good
nursing every luxury that their then ample
means afforded; it was the season when
fruits of the greatest variety were in profu-
sion, and they gave me these and indeed
every other luxury that could be had, and all
with the most affectionate kindness. I got
my strength there, and returned to my lodg-
ings quite recovered.

A few days before we were finally to leave

London for Falmouth Mrs. Belcher took me

in her carriage on a Saturday to Clarence

Lodge, where I remained until Monday, when

144

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

she returned to town with me. She gave me
to take to sea a large basket of the nicest
gingerbread, six bottles of very old Madeira,
with a present of a handsome lace pelerine,
and all appeared to take an interest in me.
My gratitude to them will ever remain warm
and sincere. I had a kind invitation from
the Roupells to pass a few weeks with them
at their country seat, twenty-eight miles from
London on the way to Brighton, but Lewis
was anxious to return to his family in Nova
Scotia and he could not accept their kind in-
vitation nor comply with the wish of Mrs.
Johnston (wife of Judge Johnston of Trinidad)
to take lodgings with or near her at a water-
ing or sea-bathing place in Kent, where she
was going for some weeks. No doubt these
changes might have been of service to my
health and have strengthened me more for
my voyage a month after, but the reasons for
sailing for home were strong with my son,
and though my last treated eye was still
weak and inflamed and I was not strong in
body, yet it was so ordered that we left Lon-
don on the 1st of September, 1824, for Fal-
mouth, in a post-chaise. I had with me Sally
Bower, my woman, and we slept that night at

145

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

Salisbury, the next night at Exeter (weather
very hot indeed), and the next at Bodmin,
and got to Silly's Green Bank Hotel next
day, where we remained a few days. Lady
Mitchell and her daughter, with Miss Uniacke
and her brother Mr. James Uniacke, came
down the day after us and were at the same
hotel. They called on me at my apartments,
and were very polite and civil. We were to
be fellow-passengers in the same packet, and
on the 9th we embarked, I going on board
with Lady Mitchell in Captain King's barge,
which he sent to take her and her family on
board the Cygnet. The lieutenant and com-
mander, Mr. Goodwin, was very attentive and
obliging, and the accommodations were very
comfortable and the fare excellent.

There was a Mr. Fraser on board, a civil
engineer, going to Upper Canada with his
newly-married wife. She was a very pretty
looking, lady-like woman. Both were Scotch.
She had been well-educated, and this was her
first separation from indulgent parents and
kind friends. She and her husband had been
only three months married, and the poor lady
was dreadfully homesick besides being very
seasick; she was so ill the whole passage as
146

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

never to be able to sit at a single meal, and
she seldom even came on deck. She was un-
used to the sea and did not seem to know in
any way how to remedy the evils she labored
under, so with my usual wish to aid those who
require it (Mr. Ritchie would call it Quixot-
ism) I lectured the steward's mate, made him
more attentive to her stateroom comforts,
made her take good chicken broth and arrow-
root at night with cheese and porter at times,
got her into my cabin, which was more airy
than hers, and was soon repaid by seeing her
grow much better in health and spirits. She
was very interesting. I had one letter from
her from Upper Canada, and she appeared to
estimate my trifling services much beyond
their worth.

We arrived at Halifax the 13th of Octo-
ber, 1824, and found all well. I forgot to
mention that while at sea my eye inflamed
very much, and when I landed my children
were disappointed and feared all my expense
and exertion would prove useless. It pleased
my Heavenly Father, who orders all things
wisely, however, though I lost the sight of
my right eye from inflammation, to preserve
the other, and it has continued ever since

147

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

healthy and strong. For this blessing I can
never be sufficiently thankful. I recovered
my health and strength in a few weeks, and
remained at Dr. Almon's until May, 1825,
when I heard of the death of Mrs. Ritchie.
This induced me to go up immediately to
Mr. Ritchie and his children and offer my ser-
vices and consolation, and once more assume
the care of my sweet Bess, who before her
father's marriage had been long under my
care, the child of my old days. My son
John, who married in Jamaica, also came
with his wife and settled in Annapolis, and
while their house was repairing they visited
Mr. Ritchie. My new daughter, dear Laura,
was a charming young woman, the meekest
and purest-minded being I have ever met
with, from her spiritual-mindedness in relig-
ion appearing fitter for heaven than earth.
Her first child, a fine girl, was still-born,
for her sufferings were so long and pro-
tracted that the poor babe died just as it
entered this world. The mother bore her
sufferings with the patience of a saint. My
beloved son had been persuaded to pass the
night at Judge Ritchie's, and coming home
early, finding his wife still suffering and dan-
148

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

ger apprehended, he fell down in the parlor
in a swoon, which greatly alarmed me. Dear
Laura had a better recovery than we could
have hoped for, and about a year after she
had a sweet little girl born, whom they called
Mary.

Before her birth I removed to Halifax.
Soon John and Laura came on a visit, with
Mary, who was then eight months old and
had a beautiful, angelic countenance, and
sweet, winning ways. Alas, I fear she was
too much an idol with both parents. When
John was about to leave Annapolis to at-
tend the House of Assembly at Halifax in
the winter, he wished to bring his wife, and
she also wished to accompany him, but the
fear of risking their child's health in a win-
ter journey (though she might have been
guarded in a close-covered sleigh) made my
son feel it best that dear Laura should re-
main at home with Mary, which she as usual
meekly assented to. She was alone with
two servant women and a boy, but as there
were only a few that had minds congenial
with her own, and as they could not for a time
be with her, she preferred remaining as she
was. The session was nearly over, a week

149

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

more and her husband would again be with
her. The first of April, in excellent health
and spirits she wrote her husband a letter,
her child being within a week of one year
old. The stage was to leave next morning.
Oh, shall I proceed ! for even now after the
lapse of eight years my heart sickens at the
recollection. That night after reading and
praying with her household, she retired to
her own room, where she was wont to offer
up her private devotions and read the Word
of God to herself. The person who attended
the child had laid her in bed, had seen that
everything was right and that her mistress
had no further commands for her, and had
gone to the kitchen, which was next her room.
Scarcely had she seated herself in the kitch-
en when she heard two knocks on the wall.
She quickly hastened to the room, where she
found Laura in a flame of fire. Another ser-
vant ran into the kitchen, where two buck-
ets of water stood, and dashed water over her.
But alas ! everything on her was burned.
Her body was fearfully burned, and she was
an agonizing spectacle. A servant was sent
for the doctor and for Mrs. Davies, a kind
friend, and blankets were put over her for
150

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

she was then shivering. The words she ut-
tered were: "This is a judgment of God's
to bring me nearer to Him," and at another
time: "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!"
Everything was done by the doctor and
her friends to mitigate her pain, and what
medicine was best for her was given her.
She was wonderfully patient and calm, and
gave what account she could of the acci-
dent. She went to snuff her candle, and she
thinks the snuff fell on her clothes. My poor
child had that day for the first time laid off
her merino dress and put on a muslin one
with a deep flounce. It is thought that
in attempting to light her candle she may
have turned hastily round and her flounce
caught in the flame, for when she discovered
it the lower part of her dress was all on fire.
Her clothes were all loosened except the top
button of her frock, which she thought of un-
buttoning and letting drop off her with the
rest of her clothes, but her too nice modesty
shrank from this. Her next idea was to wrap
herself in the merino curtains of her bed-
stead, but she feared that she would set fire
to the curtains and risk the baby's life. Her
third was to take a pitcher of water and throw

151

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

over herself. I do not recollect whether all
these thoughts passed through her mind be-
fore she knocked or not, but she had never
been called upon to act for herself and had
always had a governess, a parent, or a hus-
band to look to for everything. Had it
been otherwise, had she been trained to think
and act for herself, she would have resorted
to one of these means at the first appear-
ance of the fire. Hers was a strong mind
in matters that concerned her spiritual wel-
fare, but in temporal things her diffidence led
her to lean on others. It was the will of God.
He saw that her pure and gentle spirit was fit-
ter for mansions of bliss than to encounter the
storms of adversity here, and the next morn-
ing she gradually sank into a stupor, and at
9 o'clock Friday night, April 2d, breathed
her last. Thus was my meek, angelic child
translated by a painful and sudden death into
the presence of her Saviour and her God,
where all is praise and adoration.

The sad news of the accident was carried
to Halifax by William Ritchie, early on Fri-
day morning. By his exertions he prevailed
on the passengers to allow the stage to go off
at 2 o'clock in the morning. When he got
152

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

to Kentville, where the stage was to stop,
the dear fellow hired a wagon and travelled
all night. The roads at that season were
deep and heavy, and he got to town only
about lO o'clock Saturday morning, bring-
ing a letter from Dr. Bayard telling my
son what had happened. He saw his poor
uncle in the street on his way to the House
of Assembly and had not the heart to tell
him, but when he asked how all were, con-
trived to evade the question by saying
he had a letter and would call with it.
My dear son was in a hurry to get to the
House of Assembly and William came im-
mediately to his Uncle James', where I then
resided, and told him the dreadful news. He
went for my son Dr. Lewis Johnston, to ac-
company his poor brother to Annapolis and
take whatever was needful for the suffering
patient ; then he went to the stage office and
engaged a wagon to go off directly. Next,
he called his uncle from the House and gave
him Dr. Bayard's letter, and he and Lewis
set out on their journey on Saturday forenoon,
the 3d of April. The roads were so bad that
with their utmost exertion they did not reach
Bridgetown until early Monday morning, and

153

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

there they heard of Laura's death. The
shock to his nervous system, added to the fa-
tigue of his journey and the exhaustion of his
winter's work, threw my son into an alarming
state, and he went at once into a kind of
fit. Fortunately, however, his brother was
with him to use means for his recovery, and
they got to Annapolis the day before the
funeral.

Laura's face had escaped disfigurement,
which was a comfort to all her friends,
but from dear Lewis' account of the rest of
her body it was dreadful to behold. O how
mysterious and past the conception of finite
creatures are the ways of God ; they are past
finding out, yet all is done in wisdom and
mercy. We can only wonder, adore, submit,
and kiss the rod, praying for that divine aid
which may, indeed, enable us to say, " Thy
will, not mine, be done."

154

CHAPTER XI

T WENT to Annapolis as soon as the roads
-*- were passable, and remained with my son
and took care of sweet little Mary, who was
more than ever an idol with her only parent.
She was certainly a lovely child, with a most
amiable disposition, which has always contin-
ued with her. Some years after, my age and
his anxiety about his dear child induced my
son again to think of marriage. What was at
first suggested to him by motives of friend-
ship and prudence was by and by urged upon
him by stronger feelings. Meeting unex-
pectedly with a pleasing, amiable young lady,
a Miss Kelly, whose character he had heard
highly extolled, his heart was soon wholly
hers, and he was not long in declaring him-
self. She also had heard by their mutual
friends the Bayards of St. John his character
highly praised ; and indeed they knew so much
of each other from different people that when
they first met they were far from being really
strangers. They were married the 17th of

155

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

September, 1832, and lived happily together
for the few years it pleased God to spare my
son. They had a daughter, a fine child, whom
they called Laura after his former wife, and
sixteen months after her birth they had a son,
called James Kelly, after his maternal grand-
father.

My beloved son always enjoyed good
health, and he came up to Annapolis (where
I was then on a visit) to attend the Septem-
ber Court. After the Court was over he
hurried down to Clare to visit his constit-
uents in that part of the county, and when he
returned was in Wilmot also for the same pur-
pose. On Saturday he left Annapolis for
Kentville by the stage, a conveyance which
often makes travelling very rough and severe.
He must have felt it so, from his writing
me from Kentville by no means to come in
that coach for it would be too much for me.
My beloved child was ever mindful of his
mother's comfort. He went on Monday in
the other stage that travels from Kentville
to Halifax, but stopped at Mrs. Fultz's,
where his wife and family were, for change of
air, and a day or two later they all returned
to town together. A few days after they
156

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

reached Halifax he ruptured a blood vessel,
but it was not then thought certain whether
the blood he discharged was from his lungs
or from some of the vessels in the back of
the throat. I returned from Annapolis soon
after, and was greatly shocked to find how ill
he had been and how weak and pale he still
was. After that he never wholly recovered
his health and strength, and he often had
colds and coughs.

At last he was advised to go immediately
to the West Indies. It was then, however,
November, and the winter setting in severe he
did not go. When the House of Assembly
met in January his medical and other friends
urged upon him the necessity of not attend-
ing the session. My dear child would attend,
however, and though promising he would not
stay many hours at a time in the House,
when he Avas once there he got too much en-
gaged in what was doing to adhere to his reso-
lution. Indeed, I never knew him enter so
much into the spirit of what was doing in the
legislature as that winter. For a time he
used to write late every night on the currency
question, a labour which was fatiguing to both
mind and body. On the 19th of March, about

157

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

3 o'clock in the morning, he was seized with
a vomiting of blood. Though it soon stopped
he grew noticeably weaker, showed every
symptom of consumption, and constantly lost
flesh and strength.

A few weeks later he was able to bear a
drive in a closed carriage, and accompanied
by his wife he removed to his brother James'
house, it being large and in an airy part
of town. I remained at his house, where I
had been for some months on a visit, and
took care of his children. He was still much
bent on trying the effects of a sea voy-
age, and though his medical friends saw
little to hope for, they did not wish to pre-
vent the only chance he had of recovery.
On the 4th of May, 1836, he embarked on
board the Camden packet. Captain Tilly, for
Falmouth, England, but everything was
against him. The passage was much longer
than usual with packets, the fare was miser-
able, and when my beloved child got to
Falmouth he was quite exhausted, the fatigues
and privations of the voyage having tended
greatly to aggravate his disease.

After a short time, finding no hope of re-
covery, he anxiously wished to return by the
158

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

next packet to Halifax, but the medical gen-
tlemen gave it as their opinion that he could
not survive the voyage, and he then gave up
the idea, and calmly and patiently and full of
the humble Christian's hope in Christ his Re-
deemer, and in His all-atoning blood, yield-
ed with meekness to the will of his heavenly
Father. He found much comfort from the
kindness and Christian conversation of some
truly pious persons, the Rev. Mr. Burchell
of the Baptist Church at Falmouth, and a
Mr. Bond of his church. They, their wives,
and the doctor who attended him, soon forgot
they had lately been strangers to him and felt
and acted toward him as if he had been their
brother. His deportment was sweet and ami-
able, calm and resigned, and all his mind was
given to reading or hearing read the divine
word of God. His wife and little Mary were
with him, his two younger children having
been sent to their grandmother Kelly's care
at St. John, New Brunswick, previous to their
parents leaving Halifax.

For a few days he rallied and his appe-
tite was good, but his lungs were gone and
he daily wasted away. He was sensible to
the moment of his departure to his rest. He

159

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

asked Mrs. Burchell what her brother the
doctor said of the probabilities of his case.
She answered with tenderness that he did
not think he would live over two days. He
appeared solemn and thoughtful, and after a
little pause said he was resigned to the will
of God. In his conversation he evinced a true
faith in his Redeemer's blood and in the divine
promises. The day before his death Mrs.
Burchell said to him : " Mr. Johnston, do
you know you will soon be entering the
dark valley of the shadow of death ; are you
able to realize it? " He calmly and sweetly
took up the verse and answered : *' I will fear
no evil, for thou art with me ; thy rod and thy
staff they comfort me." Such was the trust
he had, and shall I doubt his happiness now }
O no ! may I be as well prepared as he was.
He spoke a few minutes before his death, and
took a teaspoonful or two of wine and water.
When asked if it should be cold or warm, he
said, "Warm." As soon as he was raised
up and supported to swallow it, he shut his
eyes and appeared to fall asleep. The doctor
was on one side and his wife on the other,
and as they laid him on his pillow, with one
or two gentle breathings, he passed away.
1 60

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

" One gentle sigh, his fetters break,
We scarce can say he is gone."

My departed child was a truly religious
man, pious and holy in his walk in life and
deeply reverencing the sacred word of God.
He died on the nth of July, 1836, at Fal-
mouth, England, and was interred in the Bap-
tist burying ground there, far from all his
beloved friends. His wife had a stone put
over his grave, containing his name and age,
with the simple inscription, " Blessed are the
pure in heart, for they shall see God."

Mrs. Johnston, with little Mary, returned
in the August packet to Halifax, and the
meeting was a trying one to us all. As
soon as she had recruited in some measure,
with her child she set out for Annapolis on
her way to St. John, where her two other
children were with her mother and sisters.
It was a great trial for her, meeting her father-
less babes. She remained there through the
winter, her little boy being ill, and in the
spring came with her children to Annapolis,
some weeks after going with them to Wilmot,
where she remained all summer and autumn.
The country air restored James to health
and greatly benefited them all. She now re-

161

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

sides in Halifax, and it is a great comfort to
us to have her here.

In March last, this year 1837, we were
called to sustain another heavy affliction by
the sudden death of our dear Amelia, the be-
loved wife of my son James and the tender
and exemplary mother of his children. It
was her delight to clothe the naked, feed
the hungry, and educate poor little children
who were growing up in poverty and vice.
Not only was she concerned about people's
secular needs, but she strove to impart re-
ligious knowledge to the minds of all she
had the opportunity of conversing with. Her
activity of mind and body in doing good
was truly wonderful, and though she per-
formed her outside charities so well, she
did not forget her domestic duties nor
ever neglect the minds and bodies of her
own dear children, who numbered six. By
her now bereaved and sorrowing husband
(who sorrows, however, not without hope) is
her loss deeply felt, for with her Christian
conversation and her affectionate sympathy
in his every care, sickness, or pain, she was
the great solace of his life. Her death was
a public loss; the poor of all descriptions
162

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

mourned for her as their mother; even the
Catholic priest, who knew her charities had
been equally extended to his poor, lamenting
her death, said to a friend of hers, " She was
truly a good woman ! " Thus mysterious are
the ways of our heavenly Father. She was
only thirty-five, and we looked for years of
usefulness to be hers, but not so was her
Lord's will; her work in His vineyard was
done, and He perhaps foresaw evil to come and
so in love and mercy called her early to Him-
self. May that blessed Saviour who took our
nature upon Him, and who knows that we
are weak and frail, be the support and com-
fort of her dear afflicted husband. The care
of their six children devolves wholly upon
him, and deeply does he feel the responsi-
bility. Never was there a tenderer parent,
nor one more deeply interested in his chil-
dren's temporal and eternal welfare. Dear
little Agnes, who had been delicate from
her birth and about whom dear Amelia was
very anxious, is his especial care. She
was unwell for a time, but is now robust
and hearty. Her sister Amelia, turned five
years of age, is a fine, healthy child; his
other daughter, in her sixteenth year, is a

163

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

very promising girl and has an excellent
disposition, and I hope by her docile and
dutiful conduct will prove a great comfort to
her beloved parent. I pray also that his
three dear boys may be all he wishes. My
prayers are daily offered at the throne of
grace that they may be led to love and serve
God and seek an abiding interest in Christ.
My fixed home is with Lewis, and in my
quiet apartment at his house I have the great-
est possible freedom to read, write, and med-
itate.

At my time of life it is needful to cause
the mind to dwell deeply upon the awful and
momentous change which must soon take
place in my frail body, and on the great trans-
ition of the soul. If prepared, what a de-
lightful change from earth to heaven ! If the
prize is so great, what manner of persons
ought we to be; how little ought we care for
the perishing body so soon to be food for
worms, and how exclusively ought we take
thought for the soul that never dies.

164

LETTERS

FROM

DR. LEWIS JOHNSTON TO HIS SON WILLIAM
MARTIN JOHNSTON

Savannah, July 17, 1773.
Dear Billy:

We were all made very happy by receiving
your letter of the 25th ult., together with the
letters of Mr. Roberdeau and Dr. Rush. The
very kind reception you met with from these
gentlemen demands on our parts the warmest
return of thanks, and on yours the most grate-
ful acknowledgements, which will be best ex-
pressed by a constant care to please them,
and to preserve that place in their regard and
esteem which you have been so lucky thus
early to obtain.

I cannot express the satisfaction it gave
your mother and me when we read the hand-
some and friendly things they both said of
you in their letters, and the great hopes
they gave us of your success in your future
studies. Your outset is fair and promising
and let me beg of you earnestly for our sakes,

165

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

but more especially for your own, that such
agreeable prospects may not be blasted by any
want of application on your part, for however
good your opportunities of acquiring useful
knowledge may be, yet be assured that unless
you cooperate by unwearied diligence with
your teachers, all their pains will be but to
little purpose. It is my wish and intention
to give you such an education as may qualify
you for discharging the important duties of
the business you have made choice of, with
honour and reputation. A skilful physician
is one of the most respectable and useful per-
sons in society ; an ignorant pretender to it,
the most despicable and mischievous. I con-
fess it is an arduous task to acquire that ex-
tensive knowledge which is necessary to qual-
ify a man to make a figure in this profession,
but this so far from discouraging a young man
of spirit, ought rather to stimulate him in the
pursuit of it, as there is no branch of knowl-
edge necessary for a physician which is not
agreeable and useful in itself, and what every
gentleman of liberal education ought at least
to have a general knowledge of. I intended
to have been more particular on this head,
and to have given you such advice as might

i66

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

have been useful to you in regulating your
conduct in other matters so as to avoid the
errors that people at your time of life are in
danger of falling into, but the situation of my
mind renders me incapable of it, and 'tis with
difficulty I have been able to throw together
these general and unconnected observations.
You may remember when you left us, your
sister Nancy was sickly and had been so for
some time. She continued in this way but
daily losing flesh and strength, till the 14th
instant, when it pleased God to deprive us of
our sweet child. I need not tell you how
great our affliction has been and still is, for
you know how much we doated on her. May
God make up to us this severe loss by doub-
ling our comfort in those that are left. Your
mother intended writing, but is not in a con-
dition to do it now. She joins me, however,
in praying for your happiness.

Your affectionate father,

Lewis Johnston.

Savannah, September d, 1773.

Dear Billy:

At the time I parted with you, though I
thought it absolutely necessary for your own

167

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

sake, yet I must confess I did it under very-
uneasy apprehensions, grounded on your
want of application to your education, and
to the violence of your temper, which though
borne with by us would not fail when you
went among strangers to create you enemies
and be to you the source of much discomfort.
Judge then, my son, how agreeably disap-
pointed both your mother and I were when
we receiv'd the first letters from your Guar-
dians, full of your praises and of the great
expectation they had of your turning out in
a way that would do honour to you and us.
I can truly say that this letter concerning you
gave us more pleasure than you ever had
given us from the hour of your birth. All
your past errors were obliterated from our
memories and you occupied the first place in
our favour and affections. To dash all those
pleasing hopes in the course of a few weeks,
and fill our minds with the most pungent
grief by your repeated acts of folly and in-
discretion, was a cruelty to us that must
cover you with shame and confusion, if you
have any sense of humanity, not to say duty,
remaining. My heart is so full on this occa-
sion that I know not how to express my feel-
i68

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

ings. It is my duty so to represent your
conduct that you may both see and feel the
faults you have been guilty of, so as to be
able to guard against committing the like in
future. You solemnly declare you will not
again give us cause of uneasiness ; I am wil-
ling to believe it, but my dear son, do not for
your own sake, for ours, trifle with me in this
serious matter, for should you continue the
like imprudences, the affections of your par-
ents may be lost to you for ever, than which
I cannot conceive a greater misfortune to a
mind that is not totally deprav'd and divested
of ev'ry feeling of humanity. God has pro-
nounced a blessing upon the dutiful child
and uttered a curse against the disobedient,
which last never fails as far as my observa-
tion and experience reach (and I have known
but too many fatal examples) to fall heavy
upon the undutiful sooner or later. It is a
matter of great consolation to me that I can
with truth say I never gave one hour's uneas-
iness on account of my conduct to my father,
to the hour of his death, though I was older
when I had the heavy misfortune to lose him
than you are now. I always had and still
have the highest notions of the love and duty

169

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

a child owes its parents, and I only wish my
children to act on the same principles which
I flatter myself guided me in my endeavours
to discharge the duties I owed my parents.

Courage and spirit (as 'tis called) are no
farther commendable qualities than while
under the guidance of reason and religion,
therefore avoid every occasion of disputes and
quarrels, as they may, from the warmth of
your temper, hurry you into some rash action
that will make you miserable all the days of
your life. I know of no cause that can jus-
tify a man either in risking his own life or
in attempting to take another man's, except
self-defence, the protection of an innocent
person, or the safety of one's country. Such,
I believe, are the real sentiments of every
man of sense when he listens to the voice of
reason and humanity, however differently he
may act when he is influenced by false cus-
tom or the principles of a romantic honour.
False custom, I say, for nothing can be truly
honourable that is not strictly virtuous.
Avoid carefully as your greatest bane, idle,
disorderly, and vicious company. Many a
young man of the best disposition and the
greatest promise has been ruined by falling
170

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

into that snare. Of this I hope you need no
proof after what has happened to yourself ; if
you want more, look round and you will see
but too many fatal examples. Did I think
your errors arose from a want of knowledge
of your duty I should enlarge much more on
this subject, but as I know this is not the
case, hinting at these things to you I hope
will be sufficient, and it remains with yourself
to profit by them or not. May God enable
you to profit by them.

What now remains is to extricate you from
the difficulties you have plunged yourself
into; I have written fully to Mr. Rober-
deau on the subject, and have directed him to
use every method in his power to have the
affair made up, but if that cannot be done, to
send you immediately to New York to my
friend. Dr. Peter Middleton, who is a profes-
sor in the medical college there and who
will I doubt not receive you kindly. To con-
clude, let me once more earnestly intreat you
to give close application to your studies,
and make the best use of your time and op-
portunities, for if it should please God to
call me out of this world soon (and you know
my constitution does not promise long life)

171

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

you must then return home where it will be
impossible for you to get the education that
is necessary. You do not want natural abil-
ities, which if you take care to improve by
a few years' study, will put it in your power
to be happy all the remainder of your life.
In full hopes of your endeavouring to make
me happy, I am still, dear Billy,

Your affectionate father,

Lewis Johnston.

Savannah, Feby. 5, 1774.

Dear Billy:

I rec'd your letters by the packet & was
glad to hear you attended the classes closely.
I wish I had also heard you gave application
to your private studies, but I have already
press'd these matters upon you with every
argument and motion I thought would operate
on one not totally void of reflection and gen-
erous sentiment. Should they fail of rous-
ing you to a proper degree of attention, any
thing else I might add would prove useless,
and you may live to repent your conduct
when it will be too late to remedy it. In
such case the only consolation that will re-
main for me, as a recompense for the vast ex-
172

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

pense and care I have been at, is that I have
done my duty. I am sorry to find Mr. Rober-
deau & you continue on bad terms ; he may
be & I believe is too strict, but I cannot
doubt of his good intentions. It gave me
great concern to find you had left off attend-
ing Mr. Lind ; you are deficient in the lan-
guages and your neglecting this opportunity
can admit of no excuse. Dr. Rush recom-
mends your attending Prince Town College
in the spring. I hope you will make a bet-
ter use of your time than you did last Sum-
mer. This step it seems is become necessary
to break off some irregular connections, I am
heartily sorry for it & hope it may have the
desir'd effect, but remember that a change of
place without a change of disposition will
prove no remedy for the evil. I have writ-
ten plainly to you on these matters ; this my
duty and a tender regard for your interest
requires. 'Tis a disagreeable subject to me,
pray let it be the last time I shall have occa-
sion to enter on it. I intend sending your
brother Andrew in April to Prince Town Col
lege, which I dare say will be very agreeable
to you. He is a good and dutiful boy, & be-
haves so as to gain the esteem of all that know

173

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

him. Give me grounds for indulging the
pleasing hope of seeing you both return
qualified to make a figure in your several sta-
tions ; you both have good natural abilities.

Your mother has been dangerously ill. I
need not tell you how tenderly anxious she is
for your welfare.

I am yours,

Lewis Johnston.

Savannah, March 13, 1774.

Dear Billy:

I wrote you a long letter by Capt. Bunner
about the middle of last month which I hope
you have receiv'd before now. The contents
of it I earnestly recommend to your most
serious consideration. This will be delivered
to you by your friend Mr. John Habersham,
to whom I refer you for the news of this
place. I hope you will receive my next
letter by your brother Andrew, whom I in-
tend to send in Capt. Bunner's vessel the
next voyage he makes from this. At the
same time you may expect to see Mr. Read's
son ; I have recommended to his Father the
sending him to Prince Town during the
summer months. He is a sober young man,
174

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

very diligent in his application to his busi-
ness & therefore a very proper companion
for you. I hope to be able to send with An-
drew a sufficient sum to keep you & him for
one year in the prosecution of your studies ;
but whether I shall be able to do more for
you I very much doubt as I dayly expect to
be strip'd of every thing I am possessed of
by my creditors, who are now determin'd to
give me no longer indulgence. I mention
this to you to show you the absolute necessi-
ty for your making the best use of your pres-
ent opportunities, that you may not only be
able to provide decently for yourself, but also
be able to assist your brothers & sisters
when it shall please God to render me incapa-
ble of doing it, or to take me from them.
As I am convinced you do not want a proper
degree of natural affection I hope this con-
sideration will stimulate you to a diligent ap-
plication to your business, as the only means
by which you can have it in your power of
being serviceable either to yourself or to
them. At the time my father died he left a
numerous family of small & helpless chil-
dren. Tho* I was then younger than you are
now I consider'd them as a charge which I

175

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

was bound by every tie to protect & provide
for to the utmost of my abilities, & I bless
God for having given me hearty inclinations
for the discharge of that duty, & for having
put it in my power in some measure to sup-
ply the place of a husband to my worthy
mother, & a father to my brothers & sisters.
The consideration of my having conscien-
tiously discharged that important duty fills
my mind with such satisfaction & compla-
cency as it is not in the power of fortune to
deprive me of, & it will continue a source of
rational pleasure to the last moments of my
life.

I mention this, not out of ostentation, nor
do I claim any merit for having done my
duty in a case where if I had neglected it I
must have been without natural affection &
dead to every feeling of humanity. All I
mean by this is to point out to my son the
path I wish him to walk in should he ever be
in like circumstances.

I have nothing further to add but my
hearty prayers, in which your mother joins me,
for your health & happiness. I am, dear Billy,
Your affectionate father,

Lewis Johnston.
176

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

My respectful compliments to Dr. Rush.
I wrote to him by Capt. Bunner. You will
if you have an opportunity, introduce Mr.
Habersham to Dr. Rush as the son of a
friend of mine.

Savannah, Deer. 4, 1774.
Dear Billy:

I rec'd your letter of 13th ult. by the
Georgia Packet, and one from my worthy
friend Dr. Rush; the favourable account
that gentleman gives us of your conduct
affords the highest satisfaction to all your
friends, and as they have the firmest reliance
on your making it your study to merit the
continuance of his approbation & friend-
ship, all doubts & uneasiness on that head
are utterly remov'd. I see by the Doctor's
letter that you are attending the classes,
which with the hospital will fully engage
your whole time and not leave you a moment
to spare for any other avocation. The very
close application your studies will require
may at first be a little irksome, but persever-
ance will soon render it easy and agreeable to
you. It was my intention when you went to
Philadelphia that you should spend two win-

177

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

ters there and then go to Edinburgh, but on
reflection I think it will be better for you to
remain another winter in Philadelphia, and
am happy to find Dr. Rush and I agree on
this head. With respect to any objections
you may have to Philadelphia, I think they
cannot be of any great weight. You ought
to consider that pleasure and amusement were
not the things in view in sending you there;
wherever you have the best chance of im-
provement is the place you should choose,
independently of every other consideration.
There is one point respecting your future
conduct while you are absent from me which
I have not yet touched on, but which I think
it my duty now to mention, because you are
come to that time of life when caution be-
comes necessary on this head, and because
the want of this necessary caution and pru-
dence had like to have prov'd fatal to me at
the same period, being then unhappily de-
priv'd by death of the advice and admoni-
tions of a tender father to guide me through
the snares which surround unthinking youth.
What I mean to warn you against are love
entanglements, which are the more danger-
ous as they often wear the semblance of vir-
178

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

tue. As for the gross and animal gratifica-
tion of that passion which has assum'd the
name of love, I trust the delicacy of your own
sentiments will preserve you from it. Don't
mistake me, I am far from condemning a vir-
tuous & well plac'd affection, I should be un-
grateful if I did, as it has prov'd a never
failing source of happiness to me and has
sweeten'd many a bitter portion in my life.
All I mean to warn you against is too early
connections of this kind, which as they are
generally more directed by passion than rea-
son & prudence, are likely to become the
fatal sources of misery & affliction. A step
which in its consequences will infallibly
greatly affect the happiness or misery of a
man's whole life ought never to be taken
without the greatest caution. I hope I have
no reason to doubt your prudence on this
head; however, what I have said cannot be
improper. I have seen Mr. Le Conte & his
wife; she is an agreeable woman, and
speaks handsomely of you.

The Resolutions of the Congress I have
seen; they have much disappointed my ex-
pectations, for instead of endeavouring to draw
a line which ought to apportion the politi-

179

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

cal boundary between Great Britain and the
Colonies, or of proposing a reasonable plan of
accommodation, their general tendency to me
seems to be to exasperate & inflame. I will
not accuse them of any such intention, & I
heartily pray I may be mistaken in the opin-
ion I have form'd. There is to be another
attempt made to bring this Province to accept
the Resolutions ; had they been framed with
that prudence & moderation many expected,
I believe they would have met with little op-
position, but on the footing these matters
now have I believe the best and wisest men
will discountenance them.

I am yours affectionately,

Lewis Johnston.

FROM CAPT. WILLIAM MARTIN JOHNSTON
TO HIS WIFE, AND FROM MRS. JOHN-
STON TO HER HUSBAND.

Savannah, March 3, 1780.

My DEAREST Husband :

I embrace this opportunity of writing by
Capt. Murray, who goes for Ogeechee this
day, and I hope may meet you there. I am

180

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

very sorry you did not stay and go with him,
as the passage round will be attended with
many inconveniences, & be so tedious that a
man of your impatient disposition must find
it truly disagreeable.

You cannot conceive how much I regret
the loss of your company ; the state of mind
that I was in when you left me, together
with the thought of its being no longer a de-
lusion but real, almost distracted me. Oh my
dearest husband may you never experience
the feelings of your Bess ; the parting is but
for a month, yet it appears a tedious, painful
while to be separated from those we tenderly
love. How shall I pass the lonely evenings,
which when blessed with your presence I al-
ways considered so short. Last night when
I went into my room and missed you, I
thought my poor heart would have burst. I
now find 'tis too tender, especially when I
consider how subject it is to fresh troubles
every day; but I will endeavour to bear
things patiently. If you can only re-estab-
lish your health once more the hope of a
speedy return will give pleasure to a heart
weighed down with grief by your absence.
May kind providence grant you a safe pas-

i8i

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

sage and every blessing this life can afford,
is the fervent prayer of

Your affectionate wife,

Eliza Johnston.

Savannah, March lo, 1780.
My dearest Husband:

I am this moment informed of an opportu-
nity of writing by way of St. Augustine,
which I eagerly embrace, well knowing by
my own feelings the satisfaction you must re-
ceive at frequently hearing from me. I wish
you had it in your power to write me con-
stantly, but I hope after your arrival to hear
very often, as communication is pretty fre-
quent between the two provinces. Was I to
write daily, the chief purport of my letters
would be but to say I love you dearly and
how happy hearing often from my dear, good
husband would make his Bess.

I very often think that tho' fate has or-
dered it that we should be frequently sepa-
rated she has yet left us a very great conso-
lation in knowing that our hearts are united
by the lasting bonds of love and friendship,
which time nor absence can never in the least
diminish. Oh, if we could never part, the
182

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

meanest hovel in the world would satisfy my
unambitious temper, but even that is a happi-
ness we are denyed, and all the pleasure I at
present enjoy is to think how joyfully I shall
meet you at your return. I hope that happy
day is not far distant when I shall again be-
hold my life, my husband, and be once more
restored to his dear, fond arms. But the
thought is so pleasing that I must plead an
excuse for the strain in which it has led me,
as you may think such rapturous expressions
not so becoming in my sex. If you do, pray
let the anxiety your absence creates serve as
an excuse, together with the joy, the unspeak-
able joy, the thoughts of your return must
occasion. The girls desire to be kindly re-
membered to you, I shall write papa by Mr.
Schoide, and will request him to get our dear
little Will for us.

Adieu my dearest husband, and may every
blessing attend you, prays your affectionate
wife, Eliza Johnston.

Savannah, March 15, 1780.

My dearest Husband:

I wrote you a few days ago by the Com-
missary's Brig, but am not certain whether

183

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

she has sailed yet, and fearing the contrary-
take this opportunity by Mr. Haven, who sets
out for Ogeechee in the morning, as he expects
the vessel has got round in which he goes
from that place, I hope they may have a
quick passage so that you may have the pleas-
ure of hearing from me soon after your arri-
val. I give you no occasion to complain of
my negligence, as I have written by every
opportunity that has offered.

It made me very happy to hear of your
having sailed, as I began to despair of your
ever leaving Ogeechee ; I hope ere this you
are safely landed in St. Augustine.

If you can but return in good health once
more to your Betsy I shall envy no creature
breathing. Your presence always makes me
happy beyond expression, and I have no wish
but to please you in everything ; if I but ac-
complish that, I shall be sufficiently happy.
People here seem to be fond of following our
example in the matrimonial way. Miss Tan-
natt was married the evening before last to
Mr. Thomson, & our Sister has fixed the first
Tuesday in April for her wedding day.
Mrs. Muller will be married this week, so
you see what a spirit of matrimony has got
184

ELIZABE'IH LlCHTENSTElN JoHNSTON

in later life

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

among them, but I dare venture to affirm
none of them will be happier than ourselves.
I even doubt their being as happy ; the former
is impossible. I must beg of you to get some
sweetmeats done for me.

Adieu my dearest and best of husbands,
may you be as happy as your absence from
your Bess will admit of.

Your Eliza Johnston.

St. Augustine, March 23, 1780.
My dearest Betsey:

I have just heard of a conveyance for Sa-
vannah, and the opportunity of writing
affords me a pleasure which I have been a
perfect stranger to since I left my lovely
Betsey. I need not tell you how great my
disappointment was in not having it in my
power to write by a vessel that sailed the
day after our arrival here. I was deprived
of that great satisfaction by being unwell &
not able to land till the day after. Our pas-
sage was tedious & disagreeable beyond ex-
pression.

I will say but little of St. Augustine as I
am not in a mood to do it justice. 'Tis situ-
ated pleasantly and healthily, being quite

185

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

open to the sea. I am very kindly received
in all the families of any note here. They
seem desirous to amuse and please me, yet I
am neither well nor happy, in short a para-
dise would lose its beauties without my lovely
Betsey.

Dear Eliza, in some humble cell
Could I but thee securely hold,
In everlasting peace I'd dwell
Nor think of power, nor covet gold
The world no more I'd wish to see
Content to dwell with love and thee.

Yours truly,

W. M. Johnston.

St. Augustine. March 27, 1780.

My dear Betsey:

A vessel has just arrived in two days from
Savannah, and not one line for me. To
what shall I impute this .? My darling Bet-
sey is not unwell I hope, and yet above all
things I cannot impute it to neglect. My
Betsey knows too well from her own feelings
how great my disappointment must be.

I wrote a letter two days ago, which I ex-
pected to have sent by Mr. Findlayson, but
was disappointed by his trip being put off.
Nor do I know when I shall have an opportu-
186

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

nity of sending this. However, I shall be
ready for the first, and indeed I receive a
secret pleasure from writing, which next to
being with my Bess is the greatest of my
life.

29.

I was just about closing my letter, very
much dissatisfied indeed, when Mr. Haven
surprised me with my dearest Betsey's two
letters. The happiness they afford me is not
to be expressed, and is to be felt but by few
and I believe very few indeed. To taste this
exquisite pleasure 'tis necessary to love as I
do. And now my Betsey that I am pleased
(and it is the first time I have been so since
my arrival) let me think a little of my
friends. I wish Miss Tannatt & Mrs. Muller
much joy, but for my Sister Laleah, may she
be happy as her own wishes can make her, or
more ; may she be bless'd as I am. I am
sent for to dinner, and the vessel sails this
afternoon.

May God bless my dearest girl, prays your

W. M. J.

187

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

Savannah, Dec. 27, 1780.

My dear Husband :

After a tedious passage of four days we
arrived here late last night and found the
family all in perfect health. Mrs. Farley is
very unwell owing to the severe cold we had
for a night and a day on board the boat.

An express going off this afternoon affords
me this opportunity of writing my dearest
husband, the only satisfaction I can have in
the absence of the best of men, for I have no
happiness but in your presence. The pleas-
ure of meeting with friends I so dearly love
was but momentary, for I cannot be cheerful
when deprived of all I hold dear, and I fear
my distress will be much augmented by the
next account I receive from Charlestown,
which I greatly apprehend will be of your
having left that place in order to join your
Regt. Let me beg you, my life, my hus-
band, as you value the peace and happiness
of your poor girl, not to think of doing so
until you are perfectly restored to health.
Try in the interim to get leave to come with
papa, perhaps they will not refuse your re-
quest. Fortune has been favourable to me
in one instance, in giving me a husband in-
188

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

dulgent even to my foibles, whilst she has
been cruel in obliging us to be separated.
Would to heaven we were never to be parted
and then my happiness would be complete
and I should have no wish ungratified.

I shall take care to put your brother Lewis
in mind of speaking to your father about
getting you some employment in the civil
line, may God hear my prayers and grant me
success. I cannot express the feelings of my
full heart to my best of men. I would tell
you I love you more than my own life, but
you are well convinced of that already, and I
must beg and entreat that you will come by
the first opportunity, if you possibly can con-
sistently with duty.

May the All Wise Being protect & guard
my dearest husband, is the ardent prayer
of your faithful Eliza Johnston.

Charles Tow^, /any. 2, 1781.
My dearest Bess :

I have been looking for your letters with
all the anxious expectation of one who fondly
loves, till this morning the return of the boat
that carried you to Savannah put an end to
my hopes. I cannot account for this omis-

189

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

sion and am too much interested not to be
hurt at it, indeed my whole happiness con-
sists in hearing from you often, 'tis this alone
which "heals each anxious care that love
like mine in absence frames." I shall be
under the necessity of joining the Reg't.
soon, though I find the buying of horses will
^be very expensive and very difficult. Let
me know as soon as possible whether I can
get the horse I sent for. I do not believe
our Reg't. will march with Lord Cornwallis;
if it does not we shall be about Camden, and
I look for the unspeakable happiness of see-
ing you in Savannah about the beginning of
May. How heavy and unsupportable will
the minutes be till then.

Adieu my darling Betsy,

W. M. J.

Charles Town, Jan. 3, 1781.
My dear Bess:

I this day had the unspeakable satisfaction
of receiving your letter. To know that you
were well and with your friends has afforded
me a pleasure to which I have been a stran-
ger ever since our cruel separation. Yet I
am not satisfied ; in my Betsy's presence alone
190

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

am I to expect happiness. I am surprised I
did not get a letter from my father. It
must be owing to his not knowing of the op-
portunity. I hope I may hear from him be-
fore I join the army. I have sent for horses
and shall go for Camden as soon as the
money for the Reg't. is drawn, which will be
as soon as the Quartermaster- General comes
to town. I wish it was possible for me to go
to Savannah with propriety; it is not, how-
ever, and my Betsey I am convinced would
not subject me to censure for any considera-
tion whatever. Rest assured that as soon as
possible I shall fly on the wings of love to
all my happiness, my darling wife.
Adieu.

Your W. M. J.

Charles Tovfii, January ^, 1781.

My dear Betsey:

I wrote you two letters last week, one by
Capt. Cozens, who carried a bandbox which
I hope you have received. One or two boats
have arrived from Savannah without my hear-
ing from you, which has been a great disap-
pointment to me, for tho' 'tis but a few days
since I received your letters I am anxious to

191

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

hear from you again. To know that my Bet-
sey is well is what only can afford me pleas-
ure in her absence. Write very often, and
particularly how you spend your time, who is
most friendly and attentive to you, and I'll
love them for their attention. Write that
you are well but not very happy. Don't
think me ungenerous, my Bess, when I tell
you I would not be pleased to think you were
perfectly happy in my absence, yet I am sure
your happiness is dearer to me than my own
life. This sentiment may appear strange to
some, yet 'tis the language of love and my
Betsey perfectly understands it. Remember
me to my father and the girls. My father
owes me two letters, and the girls a great
many; they have not thanked me for the
buckles yet, tho' I suppose you have taken
the merit of that present to yourself. Your
father will be in Savannah soon. Adieu.
Your W. M. J.

Savannah, /an. lo, 1781.

My dearest Husband:

I rec'd yours of the 3d inst, which gave
me a pleasure I have long been a stranger to.
I have written you several letters since my
192

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

arrival here & wish you may have rec'd
them safe, tis the only satisfaction left us
now, & that's but trifling when compared to
the unspeakable anxiety our cruel separation
occasions.

Oh my dear husband you cannot imagine
the uneasiness your last letter gave me, where
you mention intending soon to join the
army. Why not give me one kind look be-
fore you go still farther; there certainly can
be no impropriety in your being here for a
few days. Indeed when I parted with you,
you promised to accompany my father up,
but I fear you then intended to deceive me.
I do not wish you to act improperly, but my
husband I'm no stoic. I cannot think of
your joining the army without shuddering.
The danger you will be constantly expos'd to
is more than I can support, & I have not
courage even to hope. I see no prospect just
now of any thing worth your acceptance offer-
ing in the civil line, but I would be satis-
fied with a very little rather than live under
such dreadful apprehensions for your safety.
Your constitution will not bear the fatigue
of a soldier's life, where you must always be
exposed to the inclemency of the weather.

193

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

In short, while you continue in the army,
wretchedness must be my portion. You
promised me your picture in miniature, pray
don't forget it, as you know not half the
pleasure I shall receive, especially when de-
prived of the dear original. Were I to write
volumes it would only be a repetition of how
much I suffer by your absence, & how ar-
dently I wish to see you. I entreat & beg
you will be careful of your precious health,
which is dearer to me than my own.

And now I must bid you farewell, & may
every guardian angel attend & shield you
from all dangers is the constant prayer of
your distressed wife,

Eliza Johnston.

Savannah, /«w. i6, 1781.
My dearest Husband :

An opportunity offers in the morning
which I cannot fail of embracing, tho it is
now very late & exceedingly cold. The
pleasure I receive from writing my dearest
husband is not to be expressed, and is only
to be equalled by hearing often from you, a
happiness I have but once experienced since
I left Charlestown. This seems a little unac-
194

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

countable when there have been four or five
opportunities lately from thence. I would
not for the world attribute your not writing
to negligence, but would rather believe that
you did not know of the chances. To sup-
pose the former would make me wretched in-
deed, but the confidence I do and ever shall
place in my dear, good man, removes every
doubt on that head. I have a distant hope
of seeing you soon, and expect to be agree-
ably surprised with a sight of you when I
least expect it. I need not desire you to
come as soon as possible, well knowing how
equally anxious you are to see your fond,
affectionate wife, whose whole happiness
consists in your being with her. I wrote you
the day before yesterday a long letter, indeed
I never omit writing when opportunities
offer. This goes by land in charge of Mr.
Stork. I enclose you a watch paper, & beg
you'll keep it for my sake. Do remember my
advice to you in a former letter about gam-
ing, tho I should hope you will not act con-
trary to my wishes in a matter so easily to be
complyed with. Adieu.

Your E. Johnston.

195

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

Savannah, Jan. j6, 1781.
My dearest Husband:

I wrote you twice this morning, I cannot
say by whom as your brother forwarded them.
You will receive this by Quan who goes to-
morrow. I find so much pleasure & satisfac-
tion in often writing my dearest husband
that were it possible for opportunities to offer
hourly I should not fail embracing them all.
My father's stay with us is short, as he in-
tends leaving this next Friday. The gentle-
man whom he came in quest of had left here
a few nights before his arrival. Certainly he
is a base wretch, & has given my father an
immensity of trouble.

I have enclosed a memo, for a few articles
which are not to be purchased here. You
will pardon my troubling you with my trifling
commissions ; be assured nothing but neces-
sity could induce me to ask a thing of you
which really your sex have no business with.
You'll probably think it encroaching beyond
the privileges of a wife.

And I must intreat that you'll write me

often, likewise your father, who is always

happy to hear from you, tho' I am sorry to say

he does not often enjoy that pleasure. He is

196

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

exceedingly fond of your greyhound, as well
as myself. She sleeps in the room with me
every night, and when I awake I generally
find her in bed with me. Send your picture
by the first opportunity that offers, for I shall
be very anxious until it arrives and much dis-
appointed if 'tis not a strong resemblance.
If it was the dear original I expected, with
what pleasure would I anticipate our meeting.
Can you not contrive, my dearest Love, to
see your anxious Bess soon, as I have been
some time from you .'* Surely there can be no
impropriety in your paying me a short visit.
Consider 'tis to see a wife who fondly doats
on her husband, & whose constant and ardent
prayers shall be daily offered up for his pres-
ervation and speedy return to the arms of her
whose happiness alone consists in his dear
presence.

Adieu, my Love.

Your Eliza Johnston.

Charles Town, Jany. i8, 1781.

My dear Bess:

I have written two Letters by your father,
but his being detained a half hour longer
affords me an opportunity of writing a few

197

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

more lines to my dearest girl. I have sent
you an Italian hound which is a great favourite
of mine and therefore no trifling present.
She has been witness to many a solitary hour
I have spent since your absence, and by her
fawning has seemed to sympathize in my anx-
iety. Save for me one of her handsomest
pups.

Once more adieu, my beloved wife.

W. J.

January 24, 1781.

My dearest Love:

Mr. Townshend this instant called to let
me know he was going off immediately, an
opportunity I could not fail of embracing, tho'
I hardly have time for more than a few lines.
A long letter, however, will be needless as I
have already written you twice within these
three days. I have only to request that you
will be equally diligent in writing frequently,
as 'tis the only pleasure I enjoy in your ab-
sence. You can have no conception how very
insipidly time passes in your absence. The
town is pretty gay just now but I have no rel-
ish for any amusement without my best of
husbands. You know I am of a domestic
198

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

disposition, and so have always preferred your
society to all the amusements art could sug-
gest. Happy should I esteem myself were I
banished from the world and allowed no com-
pany but yours; the meanest hovel would
satisfy my unambitious mind, and I cannot
forbear accusing fortune of cruelty in having
dealt her favours with a niggard hand.

Adieu, my ever dearest and best of men,
may God for ever bless and protect you fer-
vently prays your

Eliza Johnston.

Poor Mr. Wyley died yesterday after a
painful illness.

Savannah, April 22,, 1781.
My dear William:

It is with pleasure I inform you that Mr.
Wylly called this morning to acquaint your
Father that the troop of horse so long spoken
of is now actually to be raised for the de-
fence of this Province, but the latter does not
think it worth your acceptance as the pay is
only ten shillings per day. Mr. Wylly in-
tends writing you on the subject, and I think
you may get it if you choose to apply.

I am convinced your feelings in the matter

199

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

are similar to mine, and doubt not of your
accepting a thing that may enable us to live
together, as my present life is wretched in-
deed. Not even my infant's smiles can com-
pensate to me for your absence. I have long
been expecting my father, and I wonder at
his stay. I hope for a large pacquet by him.
And, my dear, let me remind you of the
promise you have made me not to enter again
into that dreadful vice, gaming. Consider the
difficulties it had nearly involved you in and
shudder. Oh think of my happiness, think
of your child who claims your support, and
for his sake do not persist in what may end
in your total ruin. Your father will also
write you. Adieu my love.

Your affectionate wife,

Eliza Johnston.

Charles Town, April i^,, 1781.
My Bess:

Your dear letter (which I this minute re-
ceived) gives me a pleasure which I have
been for some time unacquainted with, and I
almost forget the cruel feelings which our
separation must ever create. Yes, my dear
girl, I would with pleasure accept of what

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

you wish and mention, for a bare sufficiency
with you would to me be more luxurious than
the splendor of a crown without you. I have
written Mr. Wylly particularly. Your father
has been detained by business, but sets out
in about a week for Savannah. I am afraid I
shall lose this opportunity.
Adieu my love.

W. M. J.

Charles Town, April 2^, 1781.
My dear Bess:

I arrived here after a pleasant passage of
three days. I am tolerably well, but how
shall I express the anxiety that has disturbed
my heart ever since I left all that's most
dear to me. A thousand feelings which till
now I have been a stranger to fill me with
fears hardly to be borne. What would I at
this moment not give to behold my darling
wife and lovely babe, but this is a pleasure I
must long be unacquainted with, and the pain
which this cruel separation must always cre-
ate can only be alleviated by often hearing
from my dearest Betsey. I shall send as
many of the things you want as I can recol-
lect, by your father, who goes in a few days,

201

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

but I have lost the memorandum. The pic-
ture which you will receive is thought to be a
very good likeness. You will also receive a
locket, on one side your mother's hair & on
the other side mine. If you do not want the
locket you now have, enclose it to me in your
next with a lock of your hair & some of my
dear boy's. I do not think I shall leave town
before Qua returns. Send the two bedsteads
& Juno by him. Adieu, my dearest Bess,
give my sweet little fellow a thousand kisses
for me. Your W. M. J.

Charles Town, April 2^, 1781.
My dear Bess :

I but this minute heard of Mr. Tattnal's
going for Savannah, and with pleasure em-
brace the opportunity of writing you a few
lines. I cannot tell you how anxious I am to
hear that you & my dear little boy are well.
Mr. T. will deliver your three fans, which
you will dispose of as you please ; they were
all I could get just now, but by your father
I will send one of a different fashion for
yourself, and one of the same kind as these,
which I suppose will fall to Laleah's lot.
You'll also receive a handsome coral for my

202

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

sweet little fellow, though I am sure it can-
not add to his loveliness. I wrote you a
letter by Qua, which I am in doubts of your
receiving, as 'tis said he is taken. It is uncer-
tain when I shall be able to join the Regt. as
Camden is close besieged by Greene's army.
Lord Cornwallis has marched from Wilming-
ton, I suppose for the relief of Camden, tho'
we are not in the least apprehensive but Lord
Rawdon can of himself defend the place.
Greene made two attacks on a mill adjacent to
Camden and on which our troops chiefly de-
pend for provisions, in both of which he was
repulsed. The latter part of this letter is in-
tended for my father. I would have written
him, but Mr. T. waits for this.

Adieu, my darling Bess. I am well but
cannot be happy while absent from you.

W. M. J.

Charles Town, May ii, 1781.
My dear Bess :

Your two letters by Mr. Charlton this mo-
ment came to hand. I need not say how
happy they made me. I have counted every
tedious moment as it pass'd since I last heard
from you. I should have left town yesterday

203

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

but my anxiety to hear from you and some
little business induced me to ask leave for a
few days indulgence in town. I am in treaty
about the sale of my company with an officer
of the 6oth Regt, tho' I fear he will not be
able to make it worth my while, unless I were
sure of something in Savannah. I will be
more particular in my next.
May God ever bless my Betsy.

W. Johnston.

May 25, 1781.

My dearest Husband:

I embrace this opportunity by Qua of writ-
ing a few lines to my dearest and best of
men, whose greatest satisfaction I am sensible
of is hearing from his Bess. And it shall be
my endeavour to increase as much as possible
the happiness of a husband who is dearer to
me than life. I am anxiously expecting my
father, and hope for an immense pacquet.
Write frequently, let me only hear that you
are well and I will be satisfied, for you know
not to what an excess I doat on my generous,
kind William. You are the idol of my fond
& constant heart, and in you I can repose
every anxious thought. Perhaps we may yet
204

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

enjoy the sweets of domestic life & be freed
from the cares & disquietudes which a sol-
dier's life creates ; would that happy day were
arrived. One thing I take the liberty of
hinting, as 'tis to our mutual advantage.
You must know, my dear husband, your pro-
pensity to play; 'tis a great misfortune, espe-
cially as your family are increasing; but as I
flatter myself you upon reflection detest it
as much as myself, 'tis my earnest prayer and
entreaty that you will guard against a vice so
destructive and ruinous in its nature. In
your last, you regret not being deserving of
me ; I fear that sentence took its rise from
your having broke through the solemn prom-
ise you made me of never risking your inter-
est and my happiness at the gaming table
again.

Your son is better. He is a handsome,
sweet fellow, only he has receiv'd a rather
large proportion of your passionate temper.
I have at last got your picture, 'tis thought a
good likeness, but for my part I cannot think
you have had justice done you. The painter
has given it a sour look, and made the com-
plexion much darker than yours ; in short I
want the dear original. My father has re-

205

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

fused the troop, the service being too fa-
tiguing. The rebels encroach fast upon us,
and have been within five miles of the town.
I am very drowsy and must wish you a good
night.

Adieu, my dearest Love.
Yours truly,

Eliza Johnston.

Savannah, September 20, 1781.

My dearest W. :

I eagerly embrace the opportunity by Mr.
McPherson of entreating you to come to
town before you march ; if you can with pro-
priety, pray oblige me. My dearest of men
you know not how very anxious I am to see
you. Pray don't think of moving whilst a su-
perior force of the enemy are so nigh. Pru-
dence is as necessary a requisite as true cour-
age, and as you have ever given proof of the
latter no one will doubt your having it. My-
self and child are well, come and see the
sweet boy, and don't miss such frequent op-
portunities of writing as you have hitherto
done. Your affectionate

E. Johnston.

206

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

Savannah, November 3, 1781.

My dear Husband:

I received your dear and welcome letter
this afternoon by Mr. McPherson. I cannot
express to you my feelings when I heard of
your being safe. I could only give it vent by
pouring forth my thanks to my Maker for
preserving the husband and father. I think
we can never be sufficiently thankful; had it
not been for the interposition of Providence
what a wretch should I this night have been,
alas, an afflicted widow with a helpless or-
phan. I cannot be easy until I see you, my
beloved husband. I must be anxious, but I
hope that happiness will not long be denyed
me. My Andrew is well, and a fine lovely
boy he is. Give my love and duty to my
father, let him know the vessel has not yet
arrived with his things. And may the Al-
mighty continue to protect & bless you both
is the fervent prayer of your

E. Johnston.

Charlestown, August is, 1782.
My dear Husband:

I rec'd yours, and am happy to inform you
that Andrew is no worse, tho' I see no mate-

207

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

rial alteration for the better. I rode out yes-
terday with him, and mean to do so while I
can. I still keep well, and have no reason to
expect being otherwise for this week to come.
Let me beg to see you to-morrow or the day
after. 'Tis cruel not to visit me often, espe-
cially when 'tis through your means the Regi-
ment are kept on the Island in preference to
Charlestown. I must compare you to the old
Romans in ancient times, who were so disin-
terested as to sacrifice wives & children and
every other consideration for the welfare of
their country. Do, my Regulus, be less
rigid, and come before the anxiously expected
yet dreaded hour arrives. I am told of a
vessel being sighted, and it is reported, a
fleet of thirteen sail, which I believe is un-
certain. Send some butter and melons.
Remember I look for you to-morrow.
Adieu.

E. Johnston.

St. AvGVSTiiiE, January 3, 1783.

My dear Husband :

I arrived here a few days ago after a te-
dious passage of three weeks. We were de-
tained a week off St. John's, waiting for a
208

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

convoy round, and were obliged to come
without at last, as the anchoring off that bar
was by no means safe.

I found all your family well but much dis-
satisfied with their situation. It is a dread-
ful winter country, constantly wet or cloudy.
I have not seen a fair day since my arrival.
I repent sincerely of not going with you to
New York, as I doubt not of your doing by
this time. I wish it may answer for the
best, tbo' it will cost me many months un-
easiness until we meet. I expect to join you
in the spring, if you do not arrive here in
the interim.

I cannot advise with regard to your future
prospects in life; at present they appear in a
most unfavourable light. At the same time
I am very anxious for your settling soon, to
enable us living together, for what is life
when separated from my kind William } In-
deed, my love, my heart overflows with grati-
tude when I reflect how happily my lot has
fallen to get so good and kind a husband.
My Andrew has been unwell since our
arrival, but is much recovered. As for
Kate, she is a sweet, healthy girl and very
pretty.

209

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

Out of the last fleet from Charlestown
there have been sixteen sail of small vessels
lost on and about the Bar. There are six or
eight high on the beach. One of these had
the greatest part of Dr. Baron's property on
board, and I much fear he will be a great
sufferer. 'Tis amazing how such a place
was ever settled. Will you send me your pic-
ture in miniature ? If it is a good likeness, I
shall prize it highly. Embrace every oppor-
tunity of writing, and take care of your pre-
cious health ; don't think of entering into the
cavalry. Remember me to Mrs. Thomas,
and Miss Hatch and her sister.

Adieu, may heaven bless my dearest Love
fervently prays Your

E. Johnston.

St. Augustine, April 20, 1783.
My dearest Love:

I have already written you a few lines by
this opportunity. I flatter myself I shall
now see you very soon, and I hope to have
my expectations confirmed by the return of
Dr. Eraser's schooner, which is expected im-
mediately. I was determined to sail, the
first good chance that offered, for New York,
21Q

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

had not a packet arrived from London with
the accounts of a peace being made, with
terms most shameful to Britain. The war
never occasioned half the distress which this
peace has done, to the unfortunate Loyalists.
No other provision has been made than just
recommending them to the clemency of Con-
gress, which is in fact casting them off alto-
gether. We have had no accounts from
Georgia since they received word of the
peace, but we fear their prosperity will not
tend to moderate them.

Should your Regiment be ordered to Can-
ada or Nova Scotia I beg you will send for
me, unless you should get leave of absence.
I wish you here chiefly on your father's ac-
count, who is unwell both in body and mind
as he lets this news of a peace prey too much
on his spirits. But how can it be avoided
with such a family and such prospects — 'tis
enough to distract him. My children are
well — Andrew is a great prattler and Kate
thrives finely. She is a sprightly, good-na-
tured slut, with a pair of lovely blue eyes.
You have my measure for shoes, which article
I am much in need of. Be careful of your
cash & buy nothing else for me, I must give

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

up finery altogether now, but that will be no
sacrifice to me.

Adieu my Love.

Yours truly,

Eliza Johnston.

St. Augustine, October ii, 1783.

My dearest William:

I wrote you a few days ago by Mr. Peter-
son, who goes to Halifax and has promised to
forward my letter immediately from thence.
The Almighty send you safe and speedily to
Edinburgh, where you will embrace (I hope)
every opportunity of improving and making
yourself useful in your profession. Oh my
husband, was it not for the pleasing hope that
a short time will render us independent of
your good father (whom I have long been a
burthen on) I could not at all support your
absence.

Sometimes my extreme tenderness and
anxiety for you make me anticipate the
greatest evils ; you know I ever had a strong
bent that way. The thought of the coast of
England in the winter season terrifies me.
You that are my only refuge and hope, can I
be too anxious for your safety, my best, my

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

only friend ? Would but my father be gen-
erous and kind, and send for me, your half pay
(which I must at any rate draw in America)
would support myself and children very well
in England with him, and I should have a
happiness to which I am now a stranger.
My whole time is spent in my own room, and
I find my love of solitude hourly increases.
'Tis pleasing to indulge melancholy when it
is occasioned by the absence of those we
fondly love. A thousand tender scenes arise
in my memory, which please and pain by
turns my afflicted heart, but never can I for-
get the agonies which rent my heart that
morning which deprived me of my dearest
of men. When I wish my tears to flow in
torrents, then I paint our cruel separation in
its most horrid colours. To increase my
wretchedness, my darling girl does not re-
cover her strength or flesh, tho' she has cut
most of her teeth, which was the cause of her
illness. My boy is quite well and so engag-
ing, he moves my heart with his fond endear-
ments, which he was always so lavish in be-
stowing on his happy father. The evening
before you left us how fondly did he cling
about you, as if he had a presentiment of the

213

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

loss he was to sustain for a long time ; but I
pain your parental breast too severely by re-
calling scenes which are not to be recalled to
memory without the most poignant grief.

If I could only hear of your safe arrival
my mind would be much easier, I must there-
fore wait patiently for that event.

We have accounts in town that the Flori-
das are to be held, but 'tis not generally
credited. The troops embarked yesterday for
Halifax, and those that chose to remain were
disbanded a week ago. All is very quiet as
yet ; the militia turn out with great alacrity
and I hope nothing disagreeable will happen.

We had a dreadful gale of wind a few days
ago, which caused a general alarm, as the tide
rose above Payne's corner. I wish I were
safe from the country. I hope soon to hear
from my loved William, who I must beg
will write long and tender letters. Be cir-
cumstantial in all the little incidents that
occur to you, it will amuse me. You will, I
am sure, be a great economist, and you need
send me nothing but a few magazines. Mrs.
Catherwood is very polite and friendly. I
have had several books from her which I was
at a loss to procure and I find reading an
214

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

excellent amusement when I am inclined
to be melancholy.

I know not how to quit my pen and very
frequently forget and suppose myself in con-
versation with you, tho' I should not forget
the hint once given me that my letters were
lengthened beyond my good sense in general.
Capt. Randall will take charge of this. And
now I bid adieu to my ever dearest of men ;
may every blessing attend you for your kind-
est care and attention to your once truly
happy, tho' now afflicted wife,

Eliza Johnston.

St. AvGVSTlliE, January 2, 1784.

My dear William :

I am happy that an opportunity offers of
writing my best beloved, whose arrival I am
now extremely anxious to hear of, especially
as you sailed in a boisterous season of the
year; but God I hope has through His infinite
mercy preserved a life far dearer than my
own. Your father has rec'd many applica-
tions from Charleston for the purchase of his
negroes, & the best security in that country
is offered, but he wishes the interest to be
secured in England, which I fear will not be

215

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

in their power. He has written the terms,
and is now in expectation of a final answer.
I have a presentiment that the answers will
agree with my wishes. Seven transports
have arrived at St. Mary's from New York, for
the use of the Loyalists. It will be a great
expense saved, your father having his family
transported passage free. Every person
seems anxious for the packet's arrival, which
has been long expected. I wish she may
have been detained, as I may thus hope to hear
of your arrival, news which will amply com-
pensate me for the uneasiness her stay in
general occasions.

I meant to write you by Col. Deveaux, who
promised to call for my letter, but his carry-
ing off a Miss Warner obliged him to make a
precipitate retreat. This place is extremely
dull for want of arrivals from England, I al-
most wish for the Spaniards, to cause a little
bustle. My children (thanks to that All
Merciful Being who preserved them) are both
well. We can never be sufficiently thankful
for the miraculous recovery of our beloved
girl, who is now quite well and just begins to
step alone. Andrew is grown remarkably fat
and often speaks of you.
216

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

Mr. Baillie leaves town this evening, who
is to have charge of this. Another opportu-
nity will offer in about a month, when I hope
to write more fully and of a certainty what
our route will be. I hope you have seen my
dear parent, how happy should I feel myself
in meeting him once more. A ship has just
appeared, I hope 'tis the long expected pack-
et. Could I but have a few lines from my
dear William what a happiness would it be
to your Bess. My children kiss you through
me. Adieu my best of men. May every
angel guard and protect your precious life,
and oh may we shortly meet, never more to
part in this life. Once more adieu, my dar-
ling husband.

Your Eliza Johnston.

N. B. We have just heard from the ship,
which to our disappointment is not the pack-
et but a transport from New York. She is
one of eight that sailed for St. Mary's.

St. AvGUSTiN-E, January 15, 1784.

My dearest Husband :

Yesterday I had the unspeakable pleasure
of receiving yours by the brig Caroline. It
was doubly satisfactory as I was anxious to

217

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

hear of your safe arrival, you having sailed in
a bad season of the year. Let me pour forth
my gratitude and thanks to my Creator for
the preservation of my husband and the hap-
py recovery of my darling daughter. An-
drew is quite well. I am somewhat sur-
prised at your expecting such an infant
should know his letters, who is not three
years old yet, and think it full time a twelve-
month hence to begin him. Many sensible
people will tell you 'tis not right to stuff a
child with learning before his mind has had
time to expand.

I suppose your short arrival in the city
prevented your writing more fully. I wished
much to hear whether you were better of that
cruel disorder which distressed you so much
when here. I am not just now in any par-
ticular want of money, and as your father is
still in suspense what his next move will be
I shall not draw for any until we are better
settled. Probably if your father disposes of
his negroes he may go to Scotland, tho' I
have my fears on that head, as from the flat-
tering accounts the Loyalists there give of
their large crops of indigo he seems to have
an idea of Jamaica. I should be distressed
218

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

to take my children to so very unhealthy a
place.

Your father is greatly surprised at your re-
maining in London, as your studies might be
prosecuted with more success in Edinburgh,
and I fear he thinks your reasons not the best
for determining as you have done. I cannot
write my father at present, but an opportu-
nity will offer shortly by which I shall write
him. I am surprised he did not send the
children toys as he promised them ; as for
myself I want nothing. In your absence
dress has no charms for me. I have neither
spirits nor inclination to take part in any
amusements.

I have rec'd all the attention from your
family that I could possibly wish for, Mrs.
Wood not excepted, who has paid me more
attention than I had reason to expect after
the cruel manner in which you behaved to
her. I am yours truly,

Eliza Johnston.

St. Augustine, Feby. 3, 1784.
My dear Husband:

I have just rec'd yours of the 17th Novem-
ber. Words cannot express my feelings

219

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

upon hearing of your illness. To think my
William should have been in danger and
not one tender friend to administer comfort
and pay that attention which is both pleasing
and necessary to a sick person. You wrote
a letter to your father during your illness,
which I was kept ignorant of. I have this
instant rec'd another letter of 6th Decem-
ber, which says not a word of your precious,
health.

I wish you had been more particular on that
head, as the good health of you and my chil-
dren is the greatest satisfaction I can have.
How much am I obliged to you, my dearest
Love, for granting me leave to accompany
your father if I please, which, be assured, I
do most readily. If he determines on going
to England you may depend on seeing me. I
have written you repeatedly since you left
me and cannot suppose you think your Bess
inattentive, whose gratitude as well as ten-
derest love would induce her to write you by
every opportunity. Therefore dispel every
melancholy idea, and hope in the spring to
be blest with your wife and dear infants.
Your brother Lewis has written you of the
sad accident which Andrew met with by a

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

fall from a balcony. His thigh bone was
snapped in the middle, but it happily was not
splintered and he is now perfectly recovered.
'Tis amazing with what patience he bore the
pain and confinement attending it. My Kate
is perfectly well & runs alone but is the
greatest vixen in Florida. I am uneasy at
not hearing from my father, but as you did
not mention him think still there must be a
, letter somewhere for me.

This has been a day of sad confusion and
has occasioned many long faces, as the people
here were quite sanguine in the expectation
of the two Floridas being held. The arrival
of a packet, however, has dashed their hopes
and made their disappointment unspeakable.
Your father remains still at a loss what to de-
termine with regard to his next movement, he
not having rec'd answers from Charleston
with respect to the sale of his negroes. I
must bid you adieu, with my earnest prayers
for your future health and safety, which God
Almighty preserve. Yours,

Eliza Johnston.

221

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

St. Augustine, February 12, 1784.

My dearest Husband :

I have written you repeatedly lately, but
must not omit a few lines more to congratu-
late you on the happy prospect we have of
meeting early in the summer. I cannot de-
scribe my feelings but I am all impatience to
be gone, and I hope by the middle of April
we shall sail from St. Mary's. The trans-
ports that we expect from England are not
arrived, but I hope for a large pacquet by
them. You have disappointed me greatly in
the letter way, yours being shorter and less
particular than I could have wished. Every
trifle that concerns my William would give
me pleasure. Your father has disposed of
your negroes for four hundred & fifty pounds,
Colonel Brown was the purchaser. I kept
Hagar as a nurse for the expected stranger,
who I hope will shortly make its appearance.
I anticipate your feelings when kissing the
lovely infants, for I hope my little expected
will live to bless his anxious mother with a
smile. Your sister Laleah accompanies your
father to Scotland, being in a bad state of
health, but I hope the change of climate will

222

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

be productive of every good she can wish, for
she is a most amiable woman. It will much
embitter the happiness I look for in meeting
with my husband should you not receive her
with that tender affection which she is deserv-
ing of. Mrs. W. declares herself ignorant of
the cause of your displeasure, nor indeed can
I give a reason strong enough to induce you
so to lay aside all brotherly affection as never
once to mention her in your letters ; it hurts
me severely. I did not suspect you of so un-
feeling a heart as you have shown on this oc-
casion. For my sake then, meet all your
friends as if nothing disagreeable had ever
passed, and be assured should you refuse this
request I never will forgive your cruelty. If
you had seen your sister Mrs. W.'s distress
when your son met with that accident, and
her attention to him, I am confident you
would blush to think how ill you have treated
her. I hope I need say no more on this sub-
ject in future. Adieu.

Your tenderly affectionate

Eliza Johnston.

223

Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist

Greenoch, July i8, 1784.

My dearest Husband :

'Tis impossible, wholly impossible, to con-
vey an idea of the joy I feel at being safely
anchored in this port, but I feel a damp on my
spirits in anticipating your sufferings and
your anxiety on our account, occasioned by
our arriving later than you had reason to ex-
pect from the letters you no doubt received.
We did not leave St. Mary's until the 30th
of May, and we were in the Cove of Cork a
week. We shall remain here some days un-
til Doctor Johnston goes to Glasgow and
procures us lodgings there for a short time. I
shall experience many anxious moments until
I hear from my dear husband. Oh may an
All Gracious Providence have preserved my
tenderest and best of men for a happy meet-
ing once more with his anxious wife.

Mrs. Wood has accompanyed us and is
ready to lie in. Remember my request in a
former letter, and let her not, I beseech you,
be shocked in her present situation by any
unkind behaviour of yours, but meet her, my
Love, as if nothing had passed. The children
are well. Adieu my Love.

Your Eliza Johnston.

"* C 8 84^^

>> ^. o

'^C,-

v-^;^

.^^r

,0' t

^ *> A <^

' -"-^^.^

•Ao^

^.^'