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Collection Reference Number GLC02437.10410
From Archive Folder The Henry Knox Papers [0002] 1744-1748 
Title William Burns' declaration regarding the Muscongus settlement
Date 26 February 1747
Author Burns, William (fl. 1747)  
Additional authors Wendell, Jacob (fl. 1746-1747)
Document Type Land transaction document
Content Description Burns discusses his settlement on Samuel Waldo's Muscongus Patent (also known as the Waldo or Lincolnshire Patent, land in present-day Maine). Discusses improvements Burns made to a stone house, and mentions his black cattle. Burns was given command of a company of soldiers by Governor [William] Shirley, after which he and his family moved to a settlement of 40 or 50 "Protestant Familys from Germany" on the Madomock [Medomak] River. Notes that several German settlers, at Colonel Samuel Waldo's urging, joined the expedition against Cape Breton in [1745]. Asserts "That about the Middle of July 1745 The Indians who might easily Perceive the Settlement greatly weakened, began Hostilitys at St Georges, and about the first of Augt following they killed & scalped one of the Germans at Madomack River which and the frequent appearance of numbers of the Indians occasioned all the Inhabitants of that River... to betake themselves to Garrisons..." Subsequently, all neighboring settlements in the area were abandoned due to Native American attacks. Discusses effects of the of the war between Britain and France on colonists, as well as the Siege of Louisbourg, Canada. Signed 26 February 1746/7 by Jacob Wendell, Justice of the Peace. Wendell attests to the veracity of Burns' declaration.
Subjects Muscongus Patent  Waldo Patent  Immigration and Migration  Building Construction  Agriculture and Animal Husbandry  Military History  Militia  Religion  Canada  French and Indian War  Global History and Civics  Foreign Affairs  France  American Indian History  Death  Atrocity  Fortification  Refugees  Wartime Pillaging and Destruction  Religion  
People Burns, William (fl. 1747)  Wendell, Jacob (fl. 1746-1747)  Shirley, William (1694-1771)  
Place written Boston, Massachusetts
Theme Merchants & Commerce; Agriculture; Native Americans; French & Indian Wars; Religion
Sub-collection The Henry Knox Papers
Additional Information Dated 1746/7, 1747 reflecting the present-day calendar. All dates are listed as noted within this document, except for those in brackets, which reflect the present-day calendar.
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859