Johic4 Tvl-^:i^KA^Ir 
 
 WF 
 
A 
 
 NARRATIVE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 LIFE OF JOHN MARRANT, 
 
 or XEW YORK, IX XORTH AMERICA: 
 WITH 
 
 AN ACCOUXT or THE CONVERSION 
 
 OF 
 
 THE KING OF THE CHEEOKEES 
 
 AXD HIS DAUGHTER. 
 
 AUTHENTICATED BY SVSR. ALDRIOCE. 
 
 FIFTH F-riTIOX. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 J. CxADSBY, BOUVERIE STREET, FLEET STREET; 
 
 -AND E. GEOOMBRIDGE AND SOXS, o, PATERNOSTER ROW 
 
 PniCF TUBfiKPEXCE. 
 
 1^/ 
 
LONDON : 
 
 TRTNTED BT JOHN GADSBY BOITS'ERIE STREET, 
 ELEET STREET. 
 
Ass- 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Reader, — The following Narrative is as plaiu and artless as 
 it is surprising and extraordinaiy. Plausible reasonings may 
 amuse and delight, hut facts, and facts like these, strike, are felt, 
 and go home to the heart. Were the power, gi-ace, and provi- 
 dence of God ever more eminently displayed, than in the con- 
 version, success, and deliverance of John Marrant? He and his 
 companion enter the meeting at Chaiiestown together; but the 
 one is taken, and the other left. He is struck to the gi'ound, 
 shaken over the mouth of hell, snatched as a brand from the 
 bm-ning; he is pardoned and justified ; he is washed in the 
 atoning blood, and made happy in his God. 
 
 You soon have another view of him, drinking out of his 
 Master's cup; he is tried and perplexed, opposed and despised; 
 the neighboiu's hoot at him as he goes along; his mother, 
 sisters, and brother hate and persecute him; he is friendless, 
 and forsaken of all. These uneasy cii'cum stances call forth the 
 corruptions of his nature, and create a momentary debate, whe- 
 ther the pursuit of ease and pleasure was not to be joreferred to 
 the practice of religion, which he now found so sharp and severe. 
 The stripling is supported and strengthened. He is persuaded 
 to forsake liis family and kindred altogether. He crosses the 
 fence, which marked the boundary between the wilderness and 
 the cultivated coimtry ; and prefers the habitation of brutal 
 residence to the less hospitable dwellings of enmity to God and 
 godliness. He wanders, but Christ is his guide and protector. 
 Wlio can view hiui among the Indian tribes -without wonder? 
 He arrives among the Cherokees, where gross ignorance wore 
 — I its rudest forms, and savage despotism exercised its most terri- 
 ■^ fying emjjii'e. Here the child, just tinned fourteen, without 
 « sling or stone, engages ; and with the arrow of ])rayer, pointed 
 
with faith, wounds Goliah, and conquers the king. The untu- 
 tored monarch feels the truth, and worships the God of the 
 Christians. The seeds of the gospel are disseminated among 
 the Indians hy a youthful hand, and Jesus is received and 
 obeyed. 
 
 The subscqiaent incidents related in the Narrative are gi-eat 
 and affecting; hut I must not anticipate the reader's pleasure 
 and profit. 
 
 The novelty or magnitude of the facts contained in the fol- 
 lowing pages may dispose some readers to question the truth 
 of them. My answer to such is, — 1st, I believe it is clear to 
 gi-eat numbers, and to some com2ietent judges, that God is with 
 the subject of them. — 2nd, I have observed Mr. Man-ant to pay 
 a conscientious regai'd to his word. — 3rd, He appeared to me 
 to feel most sensibly, when he related those parts of his Nar- 
 rative which describe his happiest moments with God, or the 
 most remarkable inteiiiosition of Divine Providence for him; 
 and I have no reason to believe it was counterfeited. 
 
 I have always preserved Mr. Man-ant's ideas, though I could 
 not preserve his language. Noxnore alterations, however, have 
 been made than were thought necessai-y. 
 
 I now connnit the whole to God; and that he may make it 
 generally useful, is the prayer of tliy ready servant for Cln-ist's 
 sake. 
 
 W. ALDEIDGE. 
 London, July 19, 1780. 
 
 "The particulars were once related to us by Lady Ann Erskine, who 
 heard them from the lips of Mr Marrant himself, so that its authen- 
 ticity cannot be called into question."— Go«/;e/ Magazine, April, 1844. 
 
NARRATIVE. 
 
 I, John Marrant, bom June 15, 1755, in New York, in 
 North America, wish these gracious dealings of the Lord 
 with me to be published, in hopes they may be useful to 
 others; to encourage the fearful, to confirm the wavering, 
 and to refresh the hearts of true believers. 
 
 My father died when I was little more than four years of 
 age. and before I Avas five, my mother removed from New 
 York to St. Augustine, about seven hundred miles from 
 that city. Here I was sent to school, and taught to read 
 and spell. After we had resided here for about eighteen 
 months, it was found necessaiy to remove to Georgia, where 
 we remained; and! was kept to school until I had attained 
 my eleventh year. The Lord spoke to me in my early days, 
 by these removes, if I could have understood him, and said, 
 "Here we have no continuing city." We left Georgia, and 
 went to CharlestowD, where it was intended I should be put 
 apprentice to some trade. Some time after I had been in 
 Charlestown, as I walked one day, I passed by a school, 
 and heard music and dancing, which took my fancy very 
 much, and I felt a strong inclination to learn the music. 
 I 'vent home and informed mj' sister that I would rather 
 leaiTi to .play upon music than go to a trade. She told 
 me she could do nothing in it until she had acquainted 
 my mother with my desire. Accordingly, she wrote a 
 letter upon it to my mother, which, when she read, the 
 contents were disapproved of by her, and she came to 
 Charlestown to prevent it. She persuaded me much against 
 it, but her persuasions were fruitless. Disobedience either 
 to God or man, being one of the first fruits of sin, grew 
 out from me in early buds. Finding I was set upon it, 
 and resolved to learn nothing else, mv mother agreed to 
 
6 
 
 it, and went with me to speak to the man, and to settle 
 upon the best terms with him she could. He insisted upon 
 twenty pounds down, which were paid, and I was engaged 
 to stay with him eighteen months, and my mother to find 
 me with every thing during that tenn. The first day that 
 I went to him he put the violin into my hand, which pleased 
 me very much, and, applying closely, I learned very fast, 
 not only to play, but to dance also; so that in six months 
 I was able to play for the whole school. In the evenings, 
 after the scholars were dismissed, I used to resort to the 
 bottom of our garden, where it was customary for some 
 musicians to assemble to blow the French-horn. Here my 
 improvement was so rapid, that in twelve months time I 
 became master both of the violin and French-horn, and 
 was much respected by the gentlemen and ladies whose 
 children attended the school, as also by the master. This 
 opened to me a large door of vanity and vice, for I was 
 invited to all the balls and assemblies that were held in 
 the town, and met with the general applause of the inha- 
 bitants. I was a stranger to want, being supplied with as 
 much money as I had any occasion for, which my sister 
 observing, said, "You have no need of a trade." I was 
 now in my thirteenth year, devoted to pleasure, and drink-, 
 ing in iniquity like water ; a slave to every vice suited to 
 my nature and to my years. 
 
 The time I had engaged to serve my master being ex- 
 pired, he tried to persuade me to stay with him., and offered 
 me anything, or any money not to leave him ; but his 
 intreaties proving ineffectaal, I quitted his service, and 
 visited my mother in the country. With her I stayed two 
 months, living without God or hope in the world, fishing 
 and hunting on the Lord's Day. Unstable as water, I 
 returned to town, and wished to go to some trade. My 
 sister's husband being informed of my inclination, provided 
 me with a master, on condition that I should serve him 
 oue year and a half on trial, and afterwards be bound if 
 he approved of me. Accordingly I went, but every 
 evening I was sent for to play on music somewhere or 
 another, and I often continued out very late, S(jmetimes 
 all night, so as to render me incapable of attending my 
 master's the next day; yet in this manner I served him. 
 a year and four months, and was much approved of by 
 him. He wvote a letter to mj mother requesting her to 
 
come and have me bomid; and whilst my motlier was 
 weighing the matter in her own mind, the gracious pur- 
 poses of God, respecting a perishing sinner, were now to 
 be disclosed. One evening I was sent for in a particular 
 maimer, to go and -pl&j for some gentlemen, which I agi'eed 
 to do. and was on my way to fulfil my promise ; and pass- 
 ing by a large meeting house, I saw many lights in it, and 
 crowds of people going in. I inquired what it meant, 
 and was answered by my companion, that a crazy man 
 was hallooing there. This raised my curiosity to go in, 
 that I might hear what he was hallooing about. He 
 endeavoured to persuade me not to go in, but in vain. He 
 then said, " If you will do one thing, I will go in with 
 you." I asked him what it was. He replied, " Blow the 
 French-horn among them." I liked the proposal well 
 enough, but expressed my fears o£ being beaten for dis- 
 tm'bing them ; but upon his promisuig to stand by and 
 defend me, I agreed. So we went, and with much diffi- 
 culty got within the doors. I was pushing the people to 
 make room to get the horn off my shoulder to blow it, 
 just as Mr. Whitfield was naming his text, and looking 
 round, and, as I thought, dhectly upon me, and pointing 
 with his finger, he uttered these words, " Prepare to 
 jMEET THY GOD, Iseael!" The Lord accompanied 
 the word with such power that I was struck to the gromid, 
 and lay both speechless and senseless for twenty-foiu' 
 minutes, ^^^^en I came a little to myself, I found two men 
 attending me, and a woman thi'owing water in my face, 
 and holding a smelling bottle to my nose ; and when some- 
 thing more recovered, every word I heard from the minis- 
 ter was like a parcel of swords thrust into me ; and what 
 added to my distress, I thought I saw the devil on every 
 side of me. I was constrained by the bittenaess of my 
 spirit to, halloo out in the midst of the congregation, which 
 distm'bing them, they took me a^vay ; but finding I could 
 neither walk nor stand, they carried me as far as the ves- 
 try, and there I remained till the senice was over. When 
 the people were dismissed, Mr. Whitfield came into the 
 vestry, and being told of my condition, he came imme- 
 diately, and the first words he said were, "Jesus Christ 
 HAS GOT THEE AT LAST." He »sked me where I lived, 
 intending to come and see me the next day; but recol- 
 lectmg that he was to leave the town the next morning, 
 
he said he could not come himself, but he would send 
 another minister. He desired them to take me home, and 
 then taking leave of me, I saw him no more. When I 
 reached my sister's house, being carried in by two men, 
 she was very uneasy to see me in so distressed a condi- 
 tion. She got me to bed, and sent for a doctor, who came 
 immediately, and after looking at me, he went home, and 
 sent me a bottle of mixture, with instructions to give me a 
 spoonful every two hours; but I could not talie anything 
 the doctor sent, nor indeed keep in bed. This distressed 
 my sister very much, and she cried out, " The lad will 
 surely die." She sent for two other doctors, but no medi- 
 cine they prescribed could I take. No, no ; it may be 
 asked, a wounded spirit who can cure? as well as who can 
 bear? In this distress of soul I continued for three days 
 without any food, only a little water now and then. On 
 the fourth day, the mhiister Mr. Wliitfield had desired 
 to visit me, came to see me, and being directed up stairs, 
 when he entered the room, I thought he made my distress 
 Avoi'se. He wanted to take hold of my hand, but I durst 
 not give it him. He insisted upon taking hold of it, and 
 I then got away from him on the other side of the bed ; 
 but being veiy weak I fell down, and before I could re- 
 cover he came to me, and took me by the hand and lifted 
 me up, and after a few words, desired to go to prayer. So 
 he fell upon his knees, and pulled me down also. After he 
 had spent some time in prayer, he rose up, and asked me 
 howl did. I answered, "Much worse." He then said, 
 " Come, we will have the old thing over again;" and so 
 we kneeled down a second time; and after he had prayed 
 earnestly, we got up, and he said again, " How do you 
 do now?" I replied, " Worse and worse," and asked him 
 if he intended to kill me." "No, no," said he; "you are 
 worth a thousand dead men ; let us try the old thing over 
 again; and so falling upon our knees, he continued in 
 prayer a considerable time. Near the close of his prayer, 
 the Lord was pleased to set my soul at liberty, and, being 
 tilled with joy, I began to praise the Lord immediately. 
 My sorrows were turned into peace, and joy, and love. 
 The minister said, " How is it now?" I answered, "All 
 is well, all happy." H» then took his leave of me; but 
 called every day for several days afterwai'ds, and the last 
 time he said, "Hold fast that thou hast already obtained, 
 
9 
 
 till Jesus Christ come." I now read the Scriptures very 
 much. My master seat often to know how I did ; at last 
 came himself, and finding me well, asked me if I would 
 not come to work again? I answered " Xo." He asked 
 me the reason, but receiving no answer, he went away. 
 
 I continued Avith my sister about three weeks, during 
 which time she often asked me to play upon the violin for 
 her, which I refused. Then she said I was crazy and 
 mad, and so reported it ampng the neighbours, which 
 opened the mouths of all around me. I then resolved to 
 go to my mother, who was at a distance of eighty-four 
 miles from Charlestown. I was two days on my journey 
 home, and enjoyed much communion Avitli God on the 
 road, and had occasion to mark the gracious intei"position3 
 of his kind providence as I passed along. The third day 
 I arrived at my mother's house, and was well received. 
 At- supper, they sat down to eat without asking the Lord's 
 blessing, which caused me to burst into tears. My mother 
 asked what was the matter. I answered, I wept because 
 they sat down to supper without asking the Lord's bles- 
 sing. She bid me, with much sui'prise, to ask a blessing. 
 I remained with her fourteen days without interruption ; 
 the Lord pitied me, being a young soldier. Soon, how- 
 ever, Satan began to stir up my two sisters and brother, 
 who were then at home with my mother ; they called me 
 every name but that which was good. The more they 
 persecuted me, the stronger I grew in grace. At length 
 my mother turned against me also, and the neighboui's 
 joined her ; and there was not a friend to assist me, or 
 that I could speak to. This made me earnest with God. 
 In these circumstances, being the youngest but one of our 
 family, and young in Christian experience. I was tempted 
 so far as to thi'eaten my life; but reading my Bible oi:e 
 day, and -finding that if I did destroy myself I could not 
 come where God was, I betook myself to the fields, and 
 some days stayed out to avoid persecutions. I stayed one 
 time two days without any food, but seemed to have 
 clearer views into the spiritual things of God. Xot long 
 after this, I was shaqily tried, and reasoned the matter 
 within myself, whether I should turn to my old coui"ses of 
 sin and vice, or serve and cleave to the Lord. After 
 prayer to God, I was fully persuaded in my mind, tliat if 
 1 tm-ned to my old wavs I should perish eternallv. U[ion 
 
 A •:> 
 
10 
 
 this I went home, aud fiiicUng them all as hai'dened as, or 
 worse than, before, and every body sajdng I was crazy, 
 but a little sister, I had, about nine years of age, who used 
 to cry when she saw them persecute me ; and continuing so 
 about five ^veeks and three days, I thought it was better for 
 me to die than to live among such people. 
 
 I rose one morning very early. To get a little quiet- 
 ness and retirement, I went into the woods, and stayed 
 till eight o'clock in the morning. Upon my return, I 
 found them all at breakfast. I passed by them, and went 
 up stairs without any interruption; I went upon my knees 
 to the Lord, and returned him thanl^s ; then I took up a 
 small pocket Bible and one of Dr. Watts' hymn books, 
 and passing by them, went out without one word being 
 spoken by any of us. After spending some time in the 
 fields, I was persuaded to go from home altogether. Ac- 
 cordingly, I went over the fence, about half a mile from 
 our house, which divided the inhabited and cultivated 
 parts of the country from the wilderness. I continued 
 travelling in the desert all day without the least inclina- 
 tion of returning back. About evening, I began to be 
 surrounded by wolves. I took refuge from them on a tree, 
 and remained there all night. About eight o'clock next' 
 morning, I descended from the tree, and returned God 
 thanks for the mercies of the night. I went on all this 
 day without anything to eat or drink. The third day, 
 taking my Bible out of my pocket, I read and walked for 
 some time, and then, being wearied and almost spent, I 
 sat down; and after resting awhile, I rose to go forward, 
 but had not gone above a hundred yards when something 
 tripped me up, and I fell down. I prayed to the Lord 
 upon the ground, that he would command the beasts 
 to devour me, that I might be with him in glory. I made 
 this request to God the third and part of the fourth day. 
 The fourth day, in the morning, descending from my 
 usual lodging, a tree, and having nothing all this time to 
 eat, and but a little water to drink, I was so feeble that I 
 tumbled half way down the tree, and not being able to 
 support myself, I lay upon my back upon the gi'ound an 
 hour and a half, praying and crying; after which, getting 
 a little strength, and trying to stand upright to walk, I 
 found myself unable to do so ; then I went upon my hands 
 and knees, and so crawled till I reached a tree that was 
 
11 
 
 tumbled down, in order to get across it, and there prayed 
 with my body leaned upon it above an boiu", that the Lord 
 would take me to himself. Such ueaniess to God I then 
 enjoyed, that I willuigly resigned myself into his hands. 
 iVfter some time, I thought I was strengthened : so I got 
 across the tree without niy legs or feet touching the 
 ground ; but struggling, I fell over on the other side, and 
 then thought the Lord would answer my prayer, and take 
 me home ; but the time was not come. After lying there 
 a little, I rose, and looking about, saw at some distance 
 bunches of grass, called deergrass. I felt a strong desire 
 to get at it ; though I rose, yet it was only on my hands 
 and knees, being so feeble; and in this manner I reached 
 the grass. I was three quarters of an hour gomg in this 
 fonn twenty yai'ds. When I reached it I was unable to 
 pull it up, so I bit it off like a horse, and prayed the Lord 
 to bless it to me, and I thought it the best meal I ever 
 had in my life; and I think so still, it was so sweet. I 
 returned my God hearty thanks for it, and then lay down 
 about an horn*. Feelmg myself very thirsty, I prayed to 
 the Lord that he would provide me with some water. 
 Fmding I was sometliing strengthened, I got on my feet, 
 and staggered from one tree to another, if they were near 
 each other, otherwise the journey was too long for me. I 
 continued moving so for some time, and at length, passing 
 between two trees, I happened to fall upon some bushes, 
 among Avhicli were a few hollow leaves, which had caught 
 and contained the dew of the night, and lying low among 
 the bushes, were not exhaled by the solar rays. Tliis 
 water iu the leaves fell upon me as I tumbled down, and 
 was lost. I was now tenipted to think the Lord had given 
 me water from heaven, and I had wasted it. I then prayed 
 the Lord to forgive me. AVliat poor unbelieving creatures 
 we ai'e ^ though we are assured the Lord will sujiply om' 
 needs. I was presently directed to a puddle of water, 
 veiy muddy, which some mkl pigs had just left ; I kneeled 
 down and asked the Lord to bless it to me ; so I drank 
 both mud and water mixed together, and being satisfied, 
 I retm-ned the Lord thanks, and went on my way rejoic- 
 ing. This day was much chequered -with wants and sup- 
 plies, with dangers and deliverances. I continued tra- 
 velling on foot nine days, feeding upon grass, and not 
 knowim? whither I was i'ouio; ; but the Li)rd Jesus Chiist 
 
12 
 
 was veiy present, aud that comforted me through all. The 
 next mornhig, having quitted my customary lodging, and 
 returned thanks to the Lord for my preservation through 
 the night ; reading and travelling on, I passed between two 
 bears, about twenty yards distance from each other, both 
 sat and looked at me, but I felt no fear ; and after I had 
 passed them, they both went the same way from me, Anth- 
 out growling, or the least apparent uneasiness. I went 
 and returned God thanks for my escape, who had tamed 
 the wild beasts of the forest, and made them friendly to 
 me. I rose from my knees and walked on, singing hymns 
 of praise to God, about fifty-five miles from home, right 
 through the wilderness. As I Avas going on, and musing 
 upon the goodness of the Lord, an Indian hunter, who 
 stood at some distance, saw me, and hid himself behind a 
 tree; but as I passed along, he sprang forward, and put his 
 hands upon my breast, which suiTjiised me for a few mo- 
 ments. He then asked me where I was going. I answered, 
 I did not know, but where the Lord was pleased to guide 
 me. Having heard me praising God before I came up to 
 him, he inquired -whom I was talking to. I told him I 
 Avas talking to my Lord Jesus. He seemed sm-prised, and 
 asked me where he was, for he did not see him there. I 
 told him he could not be seen with bodily eyes. After a 
 little more talk, he insisted upon taking me home ; but I 
 refused, and added, that I would rather die than return 
 home. He then asked me if I knew how far I was from 
 home. I answered, I did not know. "You are fifty-five 
 miles and a half," said he, " from home." He farther 
 asked me how I did to live. I said I was supported by 
 the Lord. He asked me how I slept. I answered, the 
 Lord provided me with a bed every night. He further 
 inquired, what preserved me from being devoured by the 
 Avild beasts ? I replied, the Lord Jesus Christ kept me from 
 them. He stood astonished, and said, " You say the Lord 
 Jesus Christ does this, and does that, and does eventhing 
 for you ; he must be a fine man ; where is he ?" I rejilied, 
 " He is here present." To this he made no answer, onh'- 
 said, "I know you and your mother and sister;" and 
 upon a little further conversation, I found he did know 
 tliem. This alarmed me, and I wept for fear he should 
 take rae home by force ; but when he saw me so affected, 
 he said he would not take mo home if I would go with 
 
13 
 
 him. I objectetl to that, for fear he would rob me of my 
 comfort and commmiion -with God. But at last, being 
 much pressed, I consented to go. Our emplo3^ment for 
 ten weeks and three daj's, was killing deer and taking otf 
 their skins bj' day; the means of defence and security 
 against our nocturnal enemies, always took up the even- 
 ings. We collected a number of large bushes, and placed 
 them nearl}^ in a circular form, which, united at the ex- 
 tremity, afi'orded us both a verdant covering, and a sutti- 
 cient shelter from the night dews. What moss we could 
 gather was strewed upon the gi'ound, and this composed 
 our bed. A. fire was kindled in front of our temporary 
 lodging room, and fed with fuel all night, as we slept and 
 watched by turns ; and this was om- defence from the 
 dreadful animals, whose shining eyes and tremendous roar 
 we often saw and heard during the night. 
 
 By constant conversation with the hunter, I acquired a 
 fuller knowledge of the Indian language. This, together 
 with the sweet communion I enjoyed with God, I have 
 considered as a preparation for the great trial I was soon 
 to pass through. 
 
 The hunting season being now at an end, we left the 
 woods, and directed our com-se towards a large Indian 
 town, belonging to the Cherokee nation; and having 
 reached it, I said to the hunter, " They will not suffer 
 me to enter in." He replied, as I was with him nobody 
 would niterrupt me. 
 
 There was an Indian forlilication all round the town, 
 and a guard placed at each entrance. The hunter passed 
 one of these without molestation, but I was stojiped by 
 the guard and examined. They asked me where I came 
 from, and what was my business there. JMy companion 
 of the woods attempted to speak for me, but was not per- 
 mitted. • He was taken away, and I saw him no more. I 
 was smTounded by about fifty men, and carried to one of 
 their chiefs to be examined by him. When I came before 
 him, he asked me what was my business there. I told 
 him I came with a hunter whom I met with in the woods. 
 He asked, " Do you not know, that whosoever comes 
 here without giving a better account of themselves tha)i 
 you do, are to be put to death?" I said I did not know 
 it. Observing that I answered him so readily in his 
 own language, he asked me where I learnt it. To this 
 
u 
 
 I returned no answer, but biu'st into a flood of tears, and 
 calling upon my Lord Jesus. At this lie stood astonished, 
 and expressed a concern for me, and said I was young. 
 He asked me who my Lord Jesus was. To this I gave 
 him no answer, but continued praying and weeping. Ad- 
 dressing himself to the officer who stood by him, he said 
 he was sorry, but it was the law, and it must not be broken. 
 I was then ordered to be taken away and put into a place 
 of confinement. They led me from their court into a low, 
 dark place, and thrust me into it, veiy dreaiy and dismal ; 
 they made fast the door, and set a watch. The judge sent 
 for the executioner, and gave him his warrant for my exe- 
 cution in the afternoon of the next day. The execu- 
 tioner came and gave me notice of it, which made me very 
 hapj)y, as the near prospect of death made me hope for a 
 speedy deliverance from the body. And tmly this dun- 
 geon became my chapel, for the Lord Jesus did not leave 
 me in this great trouble, but was very present ; so that I 
 continued blessing liim, and singing his praises all night 
 Avithout ceasmg. The watch heaiing the noise, informed 
 the executioner that somebody had been in the dmigeon 
 Anth me all night; upon which he came in to see and to 
 examine, A^ith a great torch lighted in his hand, who it 
 was I had with me; but finding nobody, he turned round 
 and asked me who it was. I told him it was the Lord 
 Jesus Christ. He made no answer, but tm'ned away, 
 went out, and locked the door. At the hour appointed 
 for my execution, I was taken out and led to the destined 
 spot, amidst a vast number of people. I praised the Lord 
 all the way we went, and when we ai'rived at the place, I 
 understood the kind of death I was to suff'er, yet, blessed 
 be God, none of those things moved me. The executioner 
 showed me a basket of tuqjentine wood stuck full of small 
 pieces like skewers. He told me I was to be stripped 
 naked and laid down in the basket, and these shasp pegs 
 were to be stuck into me, and then set on fii-e, and when 
 they had burnt to my body, I was to be turned on the 
 other side, and served in the same manner, and then to be 
 taken by fom' men and thrown into the flame, which was 
 to finish the execution. I burst into tears, and asked him 
 what I had done to deserve so cruel a death. To this he 
 gave no answer. I cried out, " Lord, if it be thy will 
 that it should be so, thy will be done." I then asked the 
 
15 
 
 executioner to let me go to prayer. He asked me to 
 whom. I answered. "To the Lord my God." He seemed 
 sm'prised, and asked me where he was. I tokl him he was 
 present : upon which he gave me leave. I desired them 
 all to do as I did ; so I fell down upon my knees, and 
 mentioned to the Lord his delivering of the three chil- 
 dren in the fiery furnace, and of Daniel in the lion's den, 
 and had close communion \\ith God. I prayed in English 
 a considerable time, and about the middle of my prayer, 
 the Lord impressed a strong desire upon my mind to turn 
 into their language, and pray in then* tongue. I did so, 
 and with remarkable liberty, which wonderfully affected 
 the people. One cu'cumstance was very singidar, and 
 strikingly displayed the power and gi-ace of God. I be- 
 lieve the executioner was savingly converted to God. He 
 rose from his laiees and embraced me round the middle, 
 and was unable to speak for about tive minutes. The first 
 words he expi-essed, when he had utterance, were, " No 
 man shall hurt thee till thou hast been to the king." 
 
 I was taken away immediately, and as we passed along 
 I reflected upon the deliverance which the Lord had 
 wrought out for me, and hearing the praises which the 
 executioner was singing to the Lord, I must own I was 
 utterly at a loss to find words to pi'aise him. I broke out 
 in these words: " WTiat can't the Lord Jesus do? and 
 what power is like unto his '? I will thank thee for what 
 is passed, and trust thee for what is to come. I will sing 
 thy praise with my feeble tongue whilst life and breath 
 shall last, and when I fail to sound thy praises here, I 
 hope to sing them round thy throne above ; " and thus, 
 with unspeakable joy, I sang two verses of one of Dr.. 
 Watts' hymns : 
 
 J "jMy God, the spring of all mj- joj's, 
 The life of my delights; 
 The glory of my l)rightest days, 
 And comfort of my niglits. 
 
 "In darkest shades, if thou appear, 
 
 ~Sly dawning is l)egun ; 
 Thou art ray soul's bright morning star, 
 
 And thou my rising sun." 
 
 Passing by the judge's door, he stopped us, and asked 
 the executioner why lie brought me back. The man fell 
 upon his knees, and begged ho would permit me to be 
 
16 
 
 carried before the king. I went on guarded by two hun- 
 dred soldiers with bows and arrows. After many wind- 
 ings, I entered the king's outward chamber, and after 
 waiting some time he came to the door, and his first 
 question was, how came I there ? I answered, I came 
 with a hunter whom I met in the woods, and who per- 
 suaded me to come there. He then asked me how old I 
 was. I tokl him not fifteen. He asked me how I was 
 supported before I met with this man. I answered, by 
 the Lord Jesus Christ, which seemed to confound him. 
 He turned round, and asked me if he lived where I came 
 from. I answered, "Yes, and here also." He looked 
 about the room, and said he did not see him : but I told 
 him I felt him. The executioner fell upon his knees, and 
 entreated the king, and told him what he had felt of the 
 same Lord. At this instant the king's eldest daughter 
 came into the chamber, a person about nineteen years of 
 age, and stood at my right hand, I had a Bible in ray 
 hand, which she took out of it, and having opened it, she 
 kissed it, and seemed much delighted with it. When she 
 put it into my hand again, the king asked me what it was ; 
 and I told him the name of my God was recorded there ; 
 and after several questions, he bid me read it, which I did, 
 particularly the 5rh-d chapter of Isaiah, in the most solemn 
 manner I was able ; and also the 26th chapter of St. Mat- 
 thew's Gospel ; and when I pronounced the name of Jesus, 
 the particular effect it had upon me was observed by the 
 king. When I had finished reading, he asked me why I 
 read those names with so much reverence ? I told him, 
 because the Being to whom those names belonged made 
 heaven and eai'th, and me and him. This he denied. I 
 then pointed to the sun, and asked him who made the sun, 
 and moon, and stars, and preserved them in their regular 
 order. He said that there was a man in their town that 
 did it. I laboured as much as I could to convince him to 
 the contraiy. His daughter took the book out of my 
 hand a second time ; she opened it and kissed it again : 
 her father bid her give it to me, which she did, but said 
 Avith much sorrow the book would not speak to her. The 
 executioner then fell upon his knees, and begged the king 
 to let me go to prayer, which being granted, we all went 
 upon our knees, and now the Lord displayed his glorious 
 power. In the midst of the prayer, some of them cried 
 
17 
 
 out, particularly the king's daughter, and the man who 
 ordered me to be executed, and several others seemed 
 under deep conviction of sin. This made the king very 
 angiy: he called me a witch, and commanded me to be 
 thrust into the prison, and to be executed the next morn- 
 ing. This was enough to make me think as old Jacob 
 once did, "All these things are against me;" for I was 
 dragged away, and thrust mto the dungeon with much 
 indignation: but God, who never forsakes his people, was 
 with me. Though I was weak in body, yet was I strong 
 in the spirit. The Lord works, and who shall let it? 
 The executioner went to the king, and assured him that 
 if he put me to death, his daughter would never be well. 
 They used the skill of all their doctors that afternoon and 
 night; but physical prescriptions were useless. In the 
 morning, the executioner came to me, and without open- 
 ing the prison door, called to me, and hearing me answer, 
 said, "Fear not; thy God who delivered thee yesterday, 
 will deliver thee to-day." This comforted me very much, 
 especially to find he could trust the Lord. Soon after, I 
 was fetched out ; I thought it was to be executed ; but 
 they led me to the king's chamber, with much bodily 
 wealuiess, having been without food two days. AVhen I 
 came into the king's presence, he said to me, with much 
 anger, if I did not make his daughter and that man well, 
 I should be laid down and chopped into pieces before him. 
 I was not afraid, but the Lord tried my faith sharply. 
 The king's daughter, and the other person, were brought 
 out into the outer chamber, and we went to prayer, but 
 the heavens were locked up to my petitions. I besought 
 the Lord again, but received no answer: I cried again, 
 and he was entreated. He said, "Be it as thou wilt;" 
 the Lord appeared most lovely aiid glorious ; the king 
 himself -was awakened, and the others set at liberty. A 
 great change took place among the people; the king's 
 house became God's house; the soldiers were ordered 
 away; and the poor condemned prisoner had perfect li- 
 berty, and was treated like a prince. Now the Lord 
 made all my enemies become my great friends. I re- 
 mained nine weeks in the king's palace, praising God day 
 and night; I was never out but three days all the time. 
 I had assumed the habit of the country, and was dressed 
 much like the king, and nothing wa-s too good for me. 
 
18 
 
 The king would take off his golden ornaments, his chain 
 and bracelets, like a child, if I objected to them, and lay 
 them aside. Here I learnt to speak their tongue in the 
 highest style. 
 
 I began now to feel an inclination growing upon mfe to 
 go further on, but none to return home. The king being 
 acquainted with this, expressed his fears of my being used 
 ill by the next Indian nation, and, to prevent it, sent fifty 
 men, and a recommendation to the king, with me. The 
 next nation was called the Greek Indians, at sixty miles 
 distance. Here I was received with kindness, owing to 
 the king's influence, from whom I had parted; here I 
 stayed five weeks. I next visited the Catawar Indians, 
 at about fiftj^-five miles distance from the others. Lastly, 
 I went among the Hovisaw Indians, eighty miles distaiit 
 from the last-mentioned ; here I stayed seven weeks. 
 These nations were then at peace with each other, and I 
 passed among them without danger, being recommended 
 from one to the other. When they recollect that the 
 white people drove them from the American shores, the 
 first three nations have often united, and murdered all the 
 wliite people in the back settlements which the}'' could lay 
 hold of, man, woman, and child. I had not much reason' 
 to believe any of these three nations were savingly wrought 
 upon, and therefore I returned to the Cherokee nation, 
 which took me up eight weeks. I continued with my old 
 friends seven weeks and two days. 
 
 I now and then found that my affections to my family 
 and country were not dead ; they were sometimes very 
 sensibly felt, and at last strengthened into an in\incible 
 desire of returning home. The king was much against it ; 
 but feelmg the same strong bias towards raj country, after 
 we had asked the Divine direction, the king consented, 
 and accompanied me sLxty miles, with one hvuidred and 
 forty men. I went to prayer three times before we could 
 jDart, and then he sent forty men with me a hundred miles 
 farther; I went to prayer, and then took my leave of them, 
 and passed on my way. I had seventy miles now to go 
 to the back settlements of the white people. I was sur- 
 rounded very soon with wolves again, wliich made my old 
 lodgings both necessaiy and welcome. However it was 
 not long, for in two days I reached the settlements, and 
 on the third I found a house. It was about dinner-time, 
 
10 
 
 and as I came up to the door, the family saw me, were 
 frightened, and ran away. I sat down to dinner alone, and 
 ate very heartily, and after returning God thanks, I went 
 to see what was become of the family. I found means to 
 lay hold of a girl that stood peeping at me from behind a 
 barn. She fainted, and it was upwards of an hour before 
 she recovered; it was nine o'clock before I could get them 
 all to venture in, they were so terrified. 
 
 ]\Iy dress was partly in the Indian style; the skins of 
 wild beasts composed my garments ; my head was set out 
 in the savage manner, with a long pendant down my back, 
 a sash round my middle, without bracelets, and a tomakaw 
 by my side. In about two days, they became sociable. 
 Having visited three or four other families, at the distance 
 of sixteen or twenty miles, I got them together to pray on 
 the Sabbath Daj-s, to the number of seventeen persons. I 
 stayed with them six weeks, and they expressed much sor- 
 row when I left them. I was now one hundred and twelve 
 miles from home. On the road I sometimes met with a 
 house; then I was hospitably entertained; and when I met 
 with none, a tree lent me the use of its friendly shelter and 
 protection, from the prowling beasts of the woods, dm'ing 
 the night. The God of mercy and grace supported me 
 thus for eight days, and on the nuith I reached my uncle s 
 house. 
 
 The following particulars, relating to the manner in 
 Avliich I was made known to my family, are less interest- 
 ing; and yet, perhaps, some readers would not forgive 
 their omission ; I shall, however, be as brief as I can. I 
 asked my uncle for a lodging, winch he refused. I in- 
 (juired how far the town was off. " Three quartei's of a 
 mile," said he. " Do you know Mrs. Marrant asid family, 
 and how the children do ?" was my next question. He 
 said he did, they were all well, but one was lately lost. 
 At this I turned my head and wept. He did not know 
 me, and upon refusing again to lodge me, I departed. 
 When I reached the town it w.is dark, and passing by 
 the door where one of my old school-fellows lived, I 
 knocked at the door; he came out and asked what I 
 wanted. I desired a lodging, which was granted. I 
 went in, but was not known. I asked him if he knew 
 Mrs. Marrant, and how the family were. He said he 
 had just left them; they were all well, but a young lad 
 
20 
 
 with wliotn he went to school, who, after he had quitted 
 school, went to Charlestowu to leani some trade, but 
 came home crazy, and rambled in the woods, and was 
 torn to pieces by the wild beasts. " How do you know," 
 said I, " that he was killed by wild beasts? " I and his 
 brother, and uncle, and others," said he, " went three 
 days in the woods in search of him, and found his car- 
 case torn, and brought it home and buried it, and are 
 now in mourning for him." This affected me very much, 
 and I wept. Observing it, he said, " What is the matter?" 
 I made no answei*. At supper they sat down A\ithout 
 craving a blessing, for which I reproved them. This so 
 affected the man, that I believe it ended in a sound con- 
 version. "Here is a wild man," said he, "come put of 
 the woods, to be a witness for God, and to reprove our 
 ingratitude and stupefaction." After supper I went to 
 prayer, and then to bed. Rising a little before daylight, 
 and praising the Lord, as my custom was, the family 
 were surprised, and got up. I staid with them till nine 
 o'clock, and then went to my mother's house in the next 
 street. The singularity of mv dress drew everybody's 
 eyes upon me, yet none knew me. I knocked at my mo- 
 ther's door, my sister opened it, and was startled at my 
 appearance. Having expressed a desire to see Mrs. Mar- 
 rant, I was answered she was not very well, and that my 
 business could be done by the person at the door, who 
 also attempted to shut me out, which I prevented. My 
 mother being called, I went in and sat down, a mob of 
 people being round the door. My mother asked, " What 
 is your business ? " " Only to see you," said I. She was 
 much obliged to me, but did not know me. I asked, 
 ' ' How are your children ? How are your two sons ? " 
 She replied, her daughters were in good health; of her 
 two sons, one was well, and with her, but the other, — 
 unable to contain she bmst into a flood of tears, and re- 
 tired. I was overcome, and wept much ; but nobody 
 knew me. This was an affecting scene ! Presently my 
 brother came in; he inquired who I was, and what I was, 
 and being uneasy at my presence, they began contriving 
 to get me out of the house, which being overheard by me, 
 I resolved not to stir. My youngest sister, eleven yeai's 
 of age, came in from school, and knew me the moment 
 she saw me. She goes into the kitchen and tells the wo- 
 
2J 
 
 •man her brother was come ; but her news finding no credit 
 there, she retm-ns, passes through the room where I sat, 
 makes a running curtsey, and says to my eldest sister in 
 the next room, " It is my brother I " She was then called 
 a foolish girl, and threatened ; the child cried, and insisted 
 upon it. She went crying to my mother, and told her ; 
 but neither would my mother believe her. At last they 
 said to her, " If it be your brother, go and kiss him, and 
 ask him how he does." She ran and clasped me round 
 the neck, and looking into my face, said, " Are not you 
 my brother John?" 1 answered, " Yes," and wept. I was 
 then made known to all the family, to my friends, and my 
 acquaintances, who received me, and were glad, and re- 
 joiced. Thus the dead was brought to life again ; thus the 
 lost was found. 
 
 I shall now close the Narrative, with only remarking a 
 few incidents in my life, until my connexion with my Right 
 Honourable Patroness, the Countess of Huntington. 
 
 I remained with my relations till the commencement of 
 the American troubles. I used to go and hear the word 
 of God if any gospel ministers came into the country, 
 though at a considerable distance ; and j-et, reader, my soul 
 got into a declining state. Don't forget our Lord's ex- 
 hortation, " AYhat I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch." 
 In those ti'oublesome times I was pressed on board the 
 Si:orpion sloop of war, as a musician, as they were told I 
 could play on anusic. I continued in his majesty's service 
 six years and eleven months ; and with shame confess that 
 a lamentable stupor crept over all my spiritual vivacity, 
 life, and vigour ; I got cold and dead. My gracious God, 
 my dear Father, and his deai' Son, roused me every now 
 and then by dangers and deliverances. I was at the 
 siege of Charlestown, and passed through many dangers. 
 \Yhen the town was taken, my old royal benefactor and 
 convert, the king of the Cherokee Indians, riding into 
 the town with General Clinton, saw me, and knew me : he 
 alighted off his horse and came to me, said he was glad to 
 see me, that his daughter was very happy, and sometimes 
 longed to get out of the body. 
 
 Some time after this, I was cruising about in the Ame- 
 rican seas, and cannot help mentioning a singular deliver- 
 ance I had from the most imminent danger, and the use 
 the Lord made of it to me. \\'e were overtaken by a