Deposition of Daniel Austin, 30 July 1777

Transcription

Daniel Austin being sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God deposeth and saith that on Monday Morning last William Brimage and a Person who ^afterwards^ called himself Campbell and said he was a Lieutenant of a Man of War came to the House of this deponant Fathers, when the Lieutenant asked this deponant to go out and look for one John Smith, which he did and could not find him. Mr William Brimage then asked this deponant if he would be hired to carry him to Roanoke Island, which ~~I told~~ he told him he would, he then asked his Father how much it was worth to go to Roanoke Island who answered Ten Dollars. William Brimage ^said^ that sum ^was^ too much, and asked this deponant what he would take who answered Eight dollars. John Smith at this time was come from Francis Rawlinson's and said he had hired a Boat there but if this deponants Boat was ready he should have a chance, and agreed to give him Eight Dollars which was the sum he was to give for the one he had engaged this deponant then went to his Brother to get tohim to go with him and brought the Boat to his Father's Landing. After Breakfast they set off with the said Boat and William Brimage John Smith & the Lieutenant in her, on their Passage Campbell asked them if they would go down to New Inlet he wanted to see it. This deponant and his Brother was much against going down the Lieutenant then called up Mr William Brimage, who whispered with him, but what they said this deponant does not know. The said William Brimage & the Lieutenant then told this deponant and his Brother that if they would carry them to New Inlet they would pay them to their asking. John Smith wanted to keep ~~to on keep~~ on to Roanoke Island the place agreed for, the Lieutenant and William Brimage insisted to go to New Inlet, they then put the Boat about and went down to New Inlet and Landed on the Beach, they hauled the Boat up out of the way of the Tide, Mr Brimage asked if any House was near. This deponant told there was none nigher than Bodys Island, he then asked the Lieutenant if he would take a Walk and look at the Bar, he then turned ^about^ and took a out a Handkerchief with two Pistols in it, and walked after this deponant who turned and met him and asked him if he intended to hurt him. He untied his Handkerchief and took out his Pistols, and told this deponant he must have his Boat for he must make his Escape. This deponant then told his Brother they were Prisoners, and begged they might not be hurt William Brimage & John Smith replied they should not be hurt Mr Brimage declaring he would Perish on the Beach before they should be hurt, John Smith begged that in case the Boat was taken, if this deponant would let him go home with him which ^he^ agreed to, the Lieutenant then said they must go to an Island to Ballast the Boat. They went to an Island, and this deponant then asked the Lieutenant if he would put him & his Brother a cross on the Beach as they might be able to get home, which he refused and said he must keep them that night. William Brimage John Smith and the Lieutenant persuaded this deponant and his Brother to carry them to Currituck & told them they should have the Boat again to carry them back and they would give them all the Money they had. They agreed to go and set off. Mr William Brimage and John Smith told this deponant that they had done no harm but being Suspected Tories had come w away as they would not take the Oath, a Squall rising in the West this deponant asked them if they would go on shore, accordingly they went on shore on Dolbeys point, hauled up the Boat and took a Walk on the beach. Mr Brimage was afraid to Walk the beach being apprehensive they might be seen and found out, they then went back to the boat pushed off and set Sail and went a small distance. The Wheather looked very Dismal and they went on shore again. They went a small distance from the Boat and sat down, sitting there some time this deponant whispered his Brother to take the Boat and make his Escape and that this deponant would run away which accordingly they did—