A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary JemisonSeaver, James E. (James Everett)
History
A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison
Seaver, James E. (James Everett)
Jemison, Mary, 1743-1833; Seneca Indians
In a year or two after this, according to my best recollection of the
time, the King of England offered a bounty to those who would bring
in the prisoners that had been taken in the war, to some military post
where they might be redeemed and set at liberty.
John Van Sice, a Dutchman, who had frequently been at our place, and was
well acquainted with every prisoner at Genishau, resolved to take me
to Niagara, that I might there receive my liberty and he the offered
bounty. I was notified of his intention; but as I was fully determined
not to be redeemed at that time, especially with his assistance, I
carefully watched his movements in order to avoid falling into his
hands. It so happened, however, that he saw me alone at work in a
corn-field, and thinking probably that he could secure me easily, ran
towards me in great haste. I espied him at some distance, and well
knowing the amount of his errand, run from him with all the speed I was
mistress of, and never once stopped till I reached Gardow. [Footnote:
I have given this orthography, because it corresponds with the popular
pronunciation.] He gave up the chase, and returned: but I, fearing that
he might be lying in wait for me, stayed three days and three nights in
an old cabin at Gardow, and then went back trembling at every step
for fear of being apprehended. I got home without difficulty; and soon
after, the chiefs in council having learned the cause of my elopement,
gave orders that I should not be taken to any military post without my
consent; and that as it was my choice to stay, I should live amongst
them quietly and undisturbed. But, notwithstanding the will of the
chiefs, it was but a few days before the old king of our tribe told one
of my Indian brothers that I should be redeemed, and he would take me to
Niagara himself. In reply to the old king, my brother said that I should
not be given up; but that, as it was my wish, I should stay with the
tribe as long as I was pleased to. Upon this a serious quarrel ensued
between them, in which my brother frankly told him that sooner than I
should be taken by force, he would kill me with his own hands!--Highly
enraged at the old king; my brother came to my sister's house, where
I resided, and informed her of all that had passed respecting me; and
that, if the old king should attempt to take me, as he firmly
believed he would, he would immediately take my life, and hazard the
consequences. He returned to the old king. As soon as I came in, my
sister told me what she had just heard, and what she expected without
doubt would befal me. Full of pity, and anxious for my preservation,
she then directed me to take my child and go into some high weeds at no
great distance from the house, and there hide myself and lay still till
all was silent in the house, for my brother, she said, would return at
evening and let her know the final conclusion of the matter, of which
she promised to inform me in the following manner: If I was to be
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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