Post 4: The Journey of a Loyalist

July 3, 1782

I have recently befriended a loyalist by the name of Jeffery Roberts, who was forced out of his home with his family consisting of himself, his wife and his daughter. He recently told me the story of his journey, and I have recorded it here. When I asked him why he wouldn't tell me about it earlier, he told me that he was trying to forget such times.

                                                      ***************************

(As told by Jeffery Roberts)

It was horrible! They came to our house at night, even my good friends and our neighbours had come as well! I awoke in the middle of the night due to a nasty headache that I had from all of the insults that people had been screaming in my ears. Those voices still rung in my head even in the dark twilight hours. I had gotten up to get a drink of water when I smelled the smoke. The Patriots had set our house on fire! I quickly ran to get my wife and daughter out of the house, then grabbed as much as I could carry to help us on our journey. We loaded our wagon and left our home forever. I remember my daughter looking up at me with wide eyes and asking "Daddy, where are we going?" I hesitated for a moment then replied, "To a better place. That's all that matters."

Soon we had been on the road for quite some time. Maybe 7 months? The time we spent those months weren’t very interesting, we were all still shocked that we were leaving our home. Eventually we reached Lachine, which is near Montreal. We had to wait for boats to take us up the river to the Johnstown settlement. The whole time we were on that boat my daughter’s eyes were wide with fear. All I could do was hold her close to me. Imagine how confused and frightened she must have been!She was young, only 8, and we were fleeing from our home! I hope she realized that this was for the better.

The camp that we have been staying in for now is quite the mess. The food that we have is bland, but I guess I should be happy that we have any food at all. My daughter has made friends with other Loyalist girls that have been through things much like her, and I am glad to see her smile. Natives have been coming to trade for flour, but we hardly have enough for our selves. Sometimes they leave food for us anyways, and everyone appreciates that greatly. We and some others will be leaving for Johnstown tomorrow.

We arrived at last! I have decided to continue up the river, despite my wife’s pleas. I believe that we should find a place better than here to live, and eventually my wife agreed. We leave next week. For now, we are staying here to re-stock on supplies and prepare.

**********************************

John told me that his journey to where I live was very un-eventful, so he didn't bother to record it. I was completely disturbed by the fact that their house was burned to the ground. Those stupid rebels! I must go. I hope that my next entry will be sooner than later.