Diary of Captain William Yarrington
1738-1811
French and Indian War
Coram
Transcribed by
Elizabeth Yarrington Russell
Clara Hoyt Russell
New Transcript by
Carol Russell Law, 1976
The following excerpts are from
a diary kept by William Yarrington during the French and
Indian War. The unedited copy can be found in the local
history room at the Longwood Public Library.
The Coll's staff went up the water on a raft of Batoes
to the fort.
Fryday Sept. ye 21st 1759
Fed cattel. Went to Crown Point today. Ye timber for the
grait Hospital ye party began it today.
Sunday. Sept. ye 23rd
I went on ye quarter guard. Moses Snow of Coll Fitch's
company died ye 23 instant.
Monday. Sept. ye 24th
A boat of mohaks from Sir. William Johnson came to our
party this knight.
Tuesday Sept. 25th
This morning ye mohak boat Went to Crown Point to see
Gen'l_____ . I hant heard what their Bisniss is. Today
Connecticut, Boston and Rhod Island forces moved over to
the point and the day allowed to fix tents and treats
etc.
Fryday Sept. ye 28.
Nothing remar'l. Camp nues Continues. Some talk that
Connecticut Forces Ware to goe the way of number four.
Saturday Sept. ye 29.
Workt gathering of timber for the fort.
Sunday Sept. ye 30th.
It was smelting blustering and cold but not extraordinary
for ye season.
Tuesday October ye 2nd.
Today draught first day of provisions. Three of salt and
two of Fresh.
Wensday October ye 3.
The ledere from the other point joined the party today.
Thursday October ye 4.
Ye Colonel and the rest of ye party came over today. A
searjent and twelve men from the Fort joynde us today.
Fryday October ye 5th.
Today orders to send the sick home. Today a quntity of
Government stores sent to camp.
Saturday October ye 6th
The Brig of Ticontirogue Being finnisht fired off her
peeses at knight.
Sunday ye 7th.
Today all the sick in the camp set out for home.
Ninety-five out of our rgmt. Eight out of our company.
Our party rec'd eight days provishams.
Thursday October ye 11.
This morning ye sloop from Ticontirogue went down the
Lake to Crown Point.The Gen'l having all things Redy the
artilery and the artilery store on bord. the army
embarcked for St. Johns leaving none But the workmen that
Carried on the Works at the Fort under the Command of
Brigadier Ruggles.
Sunday October ye 14th
Sirkee the Post set out for home. Nuse today that our
fleet had a brush with some of the French Vessels and
drove them onto a rock and Beat up a Challenger.
Thursday Octo ye 18th
The nuse Today is satisfyed that Gen'l Woulf was killed
and the Leut Genl and a grait number of soldiers and both
the genls of the French army viz: genl MontCalm &
Lieut genl.
Sunday, Octer ye 21st
Today his Excellency Genl Amherst returned from his seige
to crown point.
Monday October ye 22nd
Today I went to Crown Point.
Thursday ye 25th.
Orders for a detachment of men to make bridges and mend
the Rhod to number four.
Fryday ye 26th
Today a Party of all ye Provenshals Forces drue twelve
days of provisions and marcht for number four to mend the
Rhode and make Bridges for the army.
Sunday ye 28th
The StokBridge Indians marcht of today to their Qurters.
November. Thursday ye 1st.
This morning Massechussett & nue Jersey mans Ris with
a resolution to leave the army and disobad their
officers' orders. The party at this place when on ye
Porraid Dropt their arms at the same time Connecticut and
Rhode Island forces was ordered to their arms and maid a
grate Turnout. Some of those men was confined and sent to
Camp and at Knight the Genl cleard them and they returnd
to their duty again.
Fryday ye 2nd.
Nothing Remarb today. This eving about fifty of Coll
Willard's men got their packs slung and got aboard of
some battoes and rowed across the lake. The Reglers fird
on them and dangerously wounded one of their men and they
retrnd to shore.
Saturday Novbr ye 3rd
Today it rained all day. Today a flag of Truse came to
Crown Point.
Tuesday November 6th
Today John Richardson of Coll Fitch's Company for theft
was whipt fifty lashes woll laid on.
Wensday November ye 7th.
This even a party of officers and soldiers of the Seventh
Regt from Lake George Fort Edward and Fort Miller came to
this post.
Saturday November ye 10.
It being King George's Bearthday the Inglish collours
were histed. Was celebrated with an expression of joy.
About two of the clock on the afternoon ye cannon was
discharged three time and was followed with the
discharging three rounds of the small arms and attended
with finish of all sorts of musick that camp could afford
and Eand the day with grait Burn Fires among almost Every
Regt.
Sunday November ye 11th.
Today I save Farnum of Coll Fitch's Company
Monday Novembr ye 12th.
This morning ye Rhode Island Regnt Marched. Today about
twelve of the clock one of Genl Gage's Light Infantry for
theft was executed.
Thursday November ye 15th.
Things goe on with great expedission. Nothing as yet
remarcibul. Camp nues carrys the day. Today our prisoners
by a French Flag of Truse was brought to camp for an
exchange one for the other.
Fryday November ye 23rd.
Today came out in general orders for Coll Fitch's Regnt
to march.
October ye 4th, 1763
Today this fourth day I set out my journey with my wife
to Long Island. The chief of that week I was detand at
New England in New London. The wind being contirery I
went from pillar to poast, from one plase to another till
Saturday morning Providence favoured me. The wind being
north I went aboard Mr. Griffins boat and was favoured
with a remarkable pleasant day, and landed about two o
Clock. On Saboth Day Eving I came to my Cousin Corrings
and tarried til morning & after breakfast I set out
for Coram. We came to Mr. Barkers, the ministers, stopt a
ful minits. I was once more Detand by Stopping at Mr.
Warren and we had some Rest. Then set out a fresh, it
rained some; we quicened our pace, got to Coram about
three of the clock and had some joy and gladness in
meeting. The remainder of the weak I Spent my time in
visting my friends & Conversing about things that was
transacted while Each other was absant.
Corum, April ye 8, 1775
Credit By Chash from Mr. Rose
Credit for flax from Thomas Rose
Credit for 5lb flax from Jesse Rose
Credit for one Bushel of oats from Hennery Hulse and noe
Shilling
Crdit for eleven sheets of paper from Nathan Rose
Credit for soling my shoes by Fransies Barton
Credit for a pare of Soles for my Shoes from Hennery
Sammrick
Joseph Terry Dr. to me for schooling his children 00
10 00
Jeremiah Wheeler Dr. to me for schoolong his childe 00 05
00
Mordicai Hamm Dr. to me for schooling his children 00 10
00
Ebenezer Hamm Dr. to me for schooling his childe 00 05 00
Stephen Swasey Dr. to me for schooling his child 00 05 00
Hennery Summrick Dr. to me for schooling his children 00
10
Reuben Perkins Pirkins Dr. to me for schooling his child
00 03
James Brewster Dr. to me for schooling him 00 2 6
Francis Barton Dr. to me for his schooling 00 2 4
Stephen Barton Dr. to me for his schooling 00 2 4
____Conkling Dr. to me for schooling your son 00 5 0