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WADSWORTH’S JOURNAL, 1694
INTERNET 2010
OTIS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
(Draft notes – November, 2012)
In August of 1694, Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth of Boston attended the commissioners of
Massachusetts who met with others at Albany to treat with the “Five Nations”. Of the
Iroquois, Mr. Wadsworth kept a journal in his pocket book of which the following is a literal
copy. Singed – Lucius R. Paige, Cambridge, April, 1851.
“Captain Sewal and Major Townsend, being commissioned to treat with ye Mohawks, set out
from Boston about half an hour past noonday, August 6th, 1694. Several Gentlemen did
accompany them to Watertown and then returned. At Watertown we met with Lt. Hammond
and thirty troopers who were appointed to guard Springfield. We came to our first stage at
Marlborough about half past eight in the evening. We lodged at Abraham Hows and then set
forward the next morning at seven thirty. Nothing was remarkable that day, but only Mr.
Dwite of Hartford did accidentally fall into our company and he and his horse fell into a brook
– but without damage.
This day we dined in the woods. This day some of our company saw a bear, but being near a
thick swamp he escaped our pursuit. Our whole company came this day to Quaboag about
sundown and we lodged for the night. The next day, August 8th, we set out from Quaboag
about six and came to Springfield about three in the afternoon. This night we went over to
Westfield and the next morning set out toward Albany. Through the woods we were
accompanied with Col. Pinchon, Captain Sewal, Major Townsend, Col. Allen, Captain Stanley,
Commissioners for the Connecticut Colony. For a guard we had with us Captain Wadsworth of
Hartford and 60 Dragoons. This day we traveled through woods about 25 miles, but Col. Allen
was very much indisposed by reason of a great pain in his back. He had to dismount
frequently and rest. The road which we traveled was very woody, rocky, mountainous, and
swampy. It was extremely bad riding. (Rt. 23?) I never saw such bad traveling. We took up
our night quarters by the side of a river at 5:30. We had a little hut built for us with pine and
we lodged comfortably. Next morning it was queried whether the house should be pulled
down or sold. On this morning we set out from our green lodgings towards Albany, about
sunrise. Col. Allen being very ill hindered our journey. However we traveled about 25 miles
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and took up our lodgings at a place called Ousetonuck (Housatonic) formerly inhabited by
Indians. Through this place runs a very curious river which runs through Stradford.
(Housatonic) In the morning, two of our soldiers could not find their horses. This day, Captain
Wadsworth had his leg very much hurt by his horse falling upon it. The greatest part of our
road this day was a hideous howling wilderness. Some part of the road was not so bad. This
day we met a Negro coming from Albany, but being very suspicious we took him back with us.
Before morning he was gone and we saw him no more. He stole a sword and gun and
escaped.
The next morning we set forward about sunrise and came to Kinderhook about three o’clock.
Here we took up our quarters at ye house of John Tison and kept the Sabbath there. We used
his meeting house. This place, the land is very rich. A curious river runs through the town.
There are not many inhabitants – about 20 families. There are three parcels with houses, two
forts. Provisions were very scarce, eggs 12 pence; lambs 12 shillings. On Monday, we set out
for Albany. After 20 miles we came to Greenbush. Our two soldiers lost their horses, August
9th. When we came to Kinderhook, on Saturday, Mr. Camble and Mr. Roberts, gentlemen who
came with us from Boston, were willing to get to Albany. Mr. Roberts missed the way –his
horse was getting away from him. He lay in the woods at night which was very stormy and
rainy. The next morning, he got easily to Greenbush and sent men who found Mr. Roberts’
horse. Our whole company came to Greenbush on August 13th (named for the pine woods).
This is but a small place consisting of only a few farm houses. It lies on the east side of
Hudson’s River opposite the city of Albany – half a mile below it.
Here we left our horses, crossed the river and entered into the town or city of Albany, which is
a small place about 150 miles from New York. The town, though small itself, is yet very
compact. It is almost quadrangular though the fortifications, which surround it, are rather
triangular. The water touches the foundation. The fortification consists of pine logs that are
hewed on two sides and set close together, standing about 8 or 10 feet above ground. They
are sharpened at the top. There are six gates and five block houses. In this fort are 15 or 16
great guns mounted. This fort can command the whole town and all the part of the river
which is near it. In my opinion, the town seems to be well situated for defense. The houses
are built generally low, covered with tile and many of ‘Ye’ houses are built with brick. Some
are deserted for fear of ‘Ye’ enemy. About half a mile below ye town lies an island called
Renseler’s Island containing about 160 acres of good, level, fertile land. A very curious farm it
is. The day appointed for the treaty with the five nations – Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas,
Cayuga’s, and Seneca’s was August 15th, 1694. His Excellency, Governor of York, with five of
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his council – Col. Stephen Van Cortland, Child Ley Brook ESQ., Col. Andrew Hamilton Gov. of
New Jersey and Col. John Pynchon, Capt. Samuel Sewel and Major Pen Townsend,
Commissioners for their Majesty’s Province of ‘Ye’ Massachusetts. Also, Col. John Allen, Capt.
Caleb Stanley, Commissioners for their Majesty’s colony of Connecticut. These being all
present at Albany began their treaty with 25 Sachems (Chiefs) from the five nations. The
Sachems were attended with many other Indians. They sang two or three songs before they
began the treaty. Nothing was said in this treaty for the first three days (August 15th – 17th)
but what was said by the Indians. The treaty was finished August 22nd.
Provisions here are very scarce and dear. A quarter of mutton is 6 shillings; a tankard of beer
is 9 pence; a bottle of wine is 2 shillings. We kept the Sabbath, August 19th, 1694. There was
but one meeting house in town. Four sermons were preached in it (in Dutch). His Excellency’s
Chaplain, Mr. Miller, read a common prayer before each of the English sermons. We left
Albany August 22nd, accompanied with a troop of dragoons. We went to Schenectady, taken
to Greenbush and finally Kinderhook. When we lodged at Kinderhook we designed to reach
Clauverick. There is one fort there. It is about 20 miles from Clauverick to Turconnick. The
way is generally good, being all of it wagon way. There are some bad swamps in the way, and
lots of white oak.
At Turconnick, Mr. Levistone had a very stately farm. We refreshed horse and man and rode
about 12 or 14 miles at night. We had a hideous mountain all the way. It had but little wood,
only continuous rock. The next day, about noon, we came to a ten mile river which was not
deep but had a very stony bottom. We met a boggy meadow where several horses were
mired. After we were over the river, we went over a very high, long, tedious hill. We rode
through good lands this day. This river passes through Ousetonnuck. It is the Stratford River
also. We then went to Woodberry, then to Waterbury where we lodged at night. The town is
small. Waterbury consists of 25 families. Mr. Peck is their Minister and they are finishing a
new meeting house. Then we set out late in the day towards Farmington (18 miles). At
Farmington, Mr. Hooker preached in Ye forenoon. Then we set out to Hartford. Col, Allen
joined us in Hartford. The next day, we came to Woodstock, called New Roxbury. We had 6
guards from Hartford. The road for 2-14 miles was very rocky. After about 50 miles counted,
we went as far as Medfield. On August 3st we got to Boston. We rode part of 16 days and had
but one small shower all the while. We went out on the 6th of August, 1694 and returned the
same month.