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two incredible stories from the ‘gilligat’ family archives....

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Two incredible stories from the ‘Gilligat’ Family archives....

September 16th, 1696: "John Smead & John ‘Gilligat’ being in the woods...were besett by a Company of French Mohawks. John ‘Gilligat’ was taken prisoner and John Smead. escaped." Leaving some to guard the prisoner the rest of the Indians hurried to the village where they attacked the house of Daniel Belding. With three Belding captives they went up Green River, joining those left with John ‘Gilligat’; thence they "set away for Canada".

The Indians gave or sold him to the French and he "worked as a servant to the Nuns at their Farm." In the meantime, only one month after his capture, administration was granted on his estate, "he being killed or captured by the Indians, therefore as to his personal residence in Deerfield, is dead." But it was only legally that he was dead. He had further adventures as told in his petition of June, 1698:

"Whereas John ‘Gilligat’ who hath been a verry active and Willing Soulder within the County of Hampshire & Being on the 16th day of September 1696 out upon Service & togeather with some others was that day taken by the enemy & suffering hardship was carried to Cannada captive & there Ramaynd till Sep Last & then was sent from thence Prisonr into olf ffrance, & thence (by the late Articles of Peace) he...was carried into England: Since his Arrivall there hath Lived & obtained pay for his Passage by the Charitie of Some English Marcts there; & now being Arrived here destitute of Money or Cloaths...Humbly propose it to ye Honorable General Court to allow him Something." He was given six pounds.

Another amazing story…

Jonathan ‘Gilligat’ with seven others was captured on Long Island on the 27th of August, 1776, before they could take to their boats. He was at first confined in a prison ship, but a Masonic brother named John Archer procured him the liberty of the city on parole. His rank, we believe, was that of a lieutenant. During his confinement wrote a letter to his friends which has been preserved, and is as follows:

My Friends,

No doubt my misfortunes have reached your ears. Sad as it is, it is true as sad. I was made prisoner the 27th day of August past by a people called heshens, and by a party called Yagers the most Inhuman of all Mortals. I can't give Room to picture them here but thus much--I at first Resolved not to be taken, but by the Impertunity of the Seven taken with me, and being surrounded on all sides I unhapily surendered; would to God I never had--then I should never (have) known there unmerciful cruelties; they first disarmed me, then plundered me of all I had, watch, Buckles, money, and sum Clothing, after which they abused me by bruising my flesh with the butts of there (guns). They knocked me down; I got up and they (kept on) beating me almost all the way to there (camp) where I got shot of them--the next thing was I was allmost starved to death by them. I was keept here 8 days and then sent on board a ship, where I continued 39 days and by (them was treated) much worse than when on shore--after I was set on (shore) at New York (I was) confined (under) a strong guard till the 20th day of November, after which I have had my liberty to walk part over the City between sun and sun, notwithstanding there generous allowance of food I must inevitably have perished with hunger had not sum friends in this (city) Relieved my extreme necessity, but I cant expect they can always do it--what I shall do next I know not, being naked for clothes and void of money, and winter present, and provisions very skerce; fresh meat one shilling per pound, Butter three shillings per pound, Cheese two shillings, Turnips and potatoes at a shilling a half peck, milk 15 Coppers per quart, bread equally as dear; and the General says he cant find us fuel thro' the winter, tho' at present we receive sum cole. I was after put on board siezed violently with the disentarry--it followed me hard upwards of six weeks--after that a slow fever, but now am vastly better * * * my sincere love to you and my children. May God keep and preserve you at all times from sin, sickness, and death * * * I will Endeavor to faintly lead you into the poor cituation the soldiers are in, espechally those taken at Long Island where I was; in fact these cases are deplorable and they are Real objects of pitty--they are still confined and in houses where there is no fire--poor mortals, with little or no clothes--perishing with hunger, offering eight dollars in paper for one in silver to Relieve there distressing hunger; occasioned for want of food--there natures are broke and gone, some almost loose there voices and some there hearing--they are crouded into churches & there guarded night and day. I cant paint the horable appearance they make--it is shocking to human nature to behold them. Could I draw the curtain from before you; there expose to your view a lean Jawd mortal, hunger laid his skinny hand (upon him) and whet to keenest Edge his stomach cravings, sorounded with tattred garments, Rotten Rags, close beset with unwelcome vermin. Could I do this, I say, possable I might in some (small) manner fix your idea with what appearance sum hundreds of these poor creatures make in houses where once people attempted to Implore God's Blessings, &c, but I must say no more of there calamities. God be merciful to them--I cant afford them no Relief. If I had money I soon would do it, but I have none for myself.--I wrote to you by Mr. Wells to see if some one would help me to hard money under my present necessity I write no more, if I had the General would not allow it to go out, & if ever you write to me write very short or else I will never see it--what the heshens robbed me of that day amounted to the value of seventy two dollars at least. * * * I will give you as near an exact account of how many prisoners the enemy have taken as I can. They took on Long Island of the Huntingon Regiment 64, and of officers 40, of other Regiments about 60. On Moulogin Island 14, Stratton Island (Staten) 7, at Fort Washington 2200 officers and men. On the Jersey side about 28 officers and men. In all 3135 and how many killed I do not know. Many died of there wounds. Of those that went out with me of sickness occasioned by hunger eight and more lie at the point of death. Roger F. hath lost one of his legs and part of a Thigh, it was his left. John M. died here a prisoner. So now to conclude my little Ragged History * * * I as you know did ever impress on your mind to look to God, for so still I continue to do the same--think less of me but more of your Creator, * * * So in this I wish you well and bid you farewell and subscribe myself your nearest friend and well wisher for Ever

John'a ‘Gilligat’

New York, Dec. 2nd, 1776. To Eliza ‘Gilligat’ at West Harford


He was a prisoner two years, then was allowed to go home to die. He exhibited every symptom of poison as well as starvation. When he was dying he said to his son, Jonathan ‘Gilligat’, Jr., "Should you enlist and be taken prisoner as I was, inquire for Mr. John Archer, a man with whom I boarded. He will assist you."

In course of time his son enlisted, was taken prisoner, and confined in the Old Sugar House on Liberty Street. Here he was nearly starved to death. The prisoners ate mice, rats, and insects. He one day found in the prison yard the dry parings of a turnip which seemed to him a delicious banquet. It is recorded that Jonathan ‘Gilligat’, Jr., was finally freed from captivity through the efforts of the same gentleman, Mr. John Archer, who had aided his father.

In 1852 Jacob Barker offered to present survivors who had been confined in the Old Sugar House with canes made from the lumber used in its construction. Four of these survivors were found. Their names were William Clark, Samuel Moulton, Levi Hanford, and Jonathan ‘Gilligat’, Jr.