Page:Surprising life and sufferings of Peter Williamson.pdf/5

 seventeen years old my worthy master died; and, as a reward for my service, left me 200l. currency, which was then about 120l. sterling, his best horse, saddle, and all his wearing apparel.

Being now my own master, I employed myself in jobbing about the country, with any that would employ me, for near seven years: when thinking I had money sufficient to follow some better way of life. I resolved to settle; but thinking, one step necessary thereto, was to be married; I applied to the daughter of a substantial planter, and matters being soon concluded upon we were married. My father-in-law, in order to establish us in the world made me a deed of gift, of a track of land, that lay (unhappily for me) on the frontiers of the province of Pensylvania near the forks of Delaware in berks county, containing about 200 acres 30 of which were well cleared, and fit for immediate use, whereon was a good house and barn. The place pleasing me, I settled on it; and though it cost me the major part of my money, in buying stock, household furniture, and implements for out-door work; and happy as I was in a good wife, yet did my felicity last me not long;. For about the year 1754, the Indians in the French interest, who had for a long time ravaged and destroyed other parts unmolested, began to be very troublesome on the frontiers of our province, where they generally appeared in small skulking parties, with yellings, shoutings, and antic postures, instead of trumpets and drums, committing great devastations and cruelties, as these polished, but inhuman barbarians, the French