It was Sarah Wells, this slender, dark-eyed little girl of sixteen,
whom Denn chose to go forth alone with the men to conquer the
wilderness. When he told her, she was sick with terror at the
thought that in the latter part of her journey her only companions
would be the carpenters and half-naked savages, who might attack her
at any moment.
The carpenters sent to build the log house, of whom there were two,
knew nothing of the country, and had treachery been intended the
whites must have been defenseless.
Denn, being in straitened circumstances at the time, the other
patentees came to his assistance and supplied the sloop and crew and
cows and horses to assist in the settlement which, according to
Eager, was to hold the Wawayanda Patent.
The present family believe him to have been correct in regard to
their history, for he was a descendant on his mother's side. He gives
a full and romantic account of this journey, from which we can only
give extracts.
He says: "As this portion of our narrative was derived from Sarah in
after life, we purpose to place an inventory of the various articles
of outfit before the reader, that he may judge of its nature, extent
and value, which are as follows: Two pack horses with bells on, two
milk cows with bells, two dogs, two Irish Brahmas, one spade, two
pails, two beds and bedding, one small and one large kettle, wood
trenchers and bowls, candlesticks and candles, a pair of trammels, a
frying pan, small tin plates for saucers, coffee pot with coffee,
teapot, chocolate, tin canister with tea, silver teaspoons and sugar
tongs, small china teacups and saucers, bundle of cloths, saddlebags,
pillow saddles, knives and forks, some potatoes, wallets, medical
cordials in vials, refined sugar in small pieces, brown sugar in
rolls, flour, biscuit, ham in small sacks, some trinkets, ribbons and
small knives for the Indians."
There may have been other articles not enumerated. As Denn bade Sarah
good-bye in a subdued voice and tones of affectionate regard, he
said: "Sarah, you have been kind and dutiful to us thus far, and your
present conduct confirms us in your kindness. The duty you have to
perform is new and may be fatiguing, but must if possible be
accomplished now or the season may be lost. The workmen will take
care of you while on the boat and afterwards, while the Indians, of
whose friendship I have no doubt, will guide you through the woods
to the place selected for our dwelling. This work is very important
and what you do for Madam Denn and me is also done for the benefit of
the company." He ended thus: "God save and bless you, Sarah."
[Illustration: William Bull.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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