These are a few journal entries in 1783 from Sept. 15 to Oct. 28. They are by Humphrey Marten.

Sept.15 1783
"Monday Wind N West cloudy raw weather with rain. At noon landed with Capt. William Christopher and mate of your Honours Servants. Found a large log tent erected by your Inland servants with a smaller one within its whering. we found several bundles of furrs the greater part of which will be sent home being your property, that belonging to absent Indians must be kept until their arrival. On the plantation were about thirty Indians home-guard great and small. They inform us that twenty-three English and a very few inlanders had been down and staid a considerable time but despairing of Your Honours ship arrival they had returned some time since. they could not or would not say how many daies since. I offered them great encouragement to go inland and inform your other servants of our arrival but in vain it being as they say too late in the season For them to attempt it however we got two of them to go with Letters and powder to Severn House. Received two geese and got some tents pitched. The Indians say that since the river broke up there hath been almost continuous rains and thick heavy weather. The rains have washed the Banks away in a surprizing manner and have rendered the plantation exceeding Slippery and uncomfortable. several of the men bad with Scurvy."

Tuesday Sept. 16 1783
"Wind in the same quarter as yesterday but doth not blow so hard. some snow last night now cold today. Sent several Indians a hunting, put some stores and One hundred and nine bundles of Furrs on board the Ship. sent five Indians with powder and shott for Severn as two could not carry what is wanted. received 10 geese today."

Sept.17 1783
"Wind and weather as yesterday. The sloop and longboat come up, unloaded them both, sent them away, put thirty-seven bundles, one Tho' of Furrs on board and sent them down. received 59 geese to day sent a few to the ship."

Sept.18 1783
"Thursday Easterly winds, the first part fine the latter cloudy and a strong gale. The Sloop come up unloaded her and stowed part of the Cargo. The Captain came up & returned in the Sloop. gave the Indians a treat as usual. Five men under the Surgeons care, indeed the hardships the men undergo is enough to lay them all up wet laying, wet cloaths and nothing to shift themselves. Cox getting the house in fowardness with as many hands as can be spared.

Sept.19 1783
"A strong Gale at East raw cold weather with rain. Parts of the men assisting Cox, part stowing away the Cargo and part gathering up old Iron spikes, nails, hasps, hinges & the sick as yesterday. Sent the Indians to hunt over to the North East marsh the geese being gone from this Marsh. the Sloop and Captain come up and took about half the Sloops cargo out."

Sept.20 1783
"Wind variable easterly dull heavy weather. Unloaded the Sloop and put stores on board her. Cox and five men at work on the House, the rest (except the sick five in number) stowing away the Cargo, the tides fell off so suddenly and so unusually could not get the Sloop off, took the stores out of her"

Sept.21 1783
"Sunday Wind W. a little sunshine today. All the forenoon the men variously employed in the afternoon writing their letters the Sloop still aground. took out her Cable and slung some Shot? under her set several netts for fish got 90 lbs of Tickameg sent a few to the Ship by the longboat which came up was unloaded and sent back with Stores. five men still under the Surgeons Care."

Sept.22 1783
"Monday. Cox and six men at work on the House. Bricklayer and two men on Chimbles. the rest stowing away cargo and breaking lime stones. Sloop still on ground tho no Effort wanting to get her off."

Sept.23 1783
" Tuesday. Wind variable westerly got the Sloop off, stored her and sent her to the Ship. The long boat came up unloaded her stored her and sent her off with a few geese for the Ship."

Sept.24 1783
"Wednesday. Wind S.W. mild pleasant weather unloaded the Sloop which came up this morning stored her and sent her away for the last time as she is now to proceed to Severn House as she is to sail with the Ship and proceed to Severn House. pray God send her a safe and speedy arrival. sent the long boat down with stores. At eleven A.M. made the Paquet up and delivered it with the Duplicate to Captain Christopher who soon after took leave and gave and received three cheers, sent ninety-nine geese on board. Six men went with the Captain in the Factory Boat. At 7 PM the long boat came up with a letter from the Captain requesting to have the longboat loaded immediately with stores and sent to the ship which was done. Rec'ed 15 geese. Cox, Guthrie, Magnus Flett, Jn Millem? with eight men at work on the house, the rest variously employed. Sent two Indians to seek the? North River Indians and inform them of our arrival."

Sept 25 1783
"Thursday A fine breeze at SW mild looking weather. At 8AM Your Honors ship King George Captain William Christopher and the Sloop Severn Mr. William Falconer sailed out of five fathom hole and at ten o clock was out of sight. I pray God to send them a safe passage to their desired Ports. Amen. Part of the men employed with the Carpenter on the House, part setting the lime kiln, part picking up Iron work, the sick as before, the rest cooking, cutting firewood and other necessary Jobs. Two Indians brought 160 lbs vension."

Sept.26 1783
"Friday Wind variable from SW. Fine moderate weather. the Bricklayer, House Carpenter, Boat builder and eight men at work on the House Chimbles. Thomas Isbester, Thomas Flett, William Bewes, James Davey and James Wass under the Surgeons care. one making a net for fishing, sent four men to fish and set fishing nets. Got Forty pounds of Troute and Tittemeg. four men with Mr. Ballenden stowing goods away. 96 geese today. sent two men up the River to look for Deer."

Sept.27 1783
"A fresh breeze at SSW. Fine pleasant weather. All hands employed as yesterday. got the lead on the roof of the House. Rec'd 22 lbs of fish"

Sept 28 1783
" All hands as yesterday as is the wind and weather. Rec'd 86 lbs of fish and 65 geese. the Indians say the geese are gone which is very soon and very unlucky"

Sept.29 1783
" Wind South West Fine moderate weather. Thomas Isbester, Thomas Flett, Wm Bewes, James Davey under the surgeons care. The Bricklayer, Carpenter, boat builders, Armourer, Cooper and five men at work on the House. sent six men in a boat to the mile sand for part of the Launch, got it home and secured it, three men pitching a tent for the Chief and officers use. The Indians brought 100 lbs of venison and 50 lbs beavers flesh, 90 lbs fish from the nets."

"Sept.30 1783
"Wind South small rain all last night and today. Sent ten men with a boat to haul the seine up the river. got 300 lbs of fish. the Indians brought 170 lbs venison. these are the Indians I sent to look for Natives of the North River tribes. they found some families only part of whom will be here soon. the men as yesterday at the building."

Oct.1 1783
" Wind East a continuance of rain all last night and today. All the tradesmen and five men at work on the House, five men under the Surgeons care. Taylor at work for the men, one making a fishing net. The rest gathering old Iron, lead, and Cooking also ?ging the long boat."

Oct.2 1783
"Thursday. Wind variable Westerly rainy bad weather. The Bricklayer laid up with swelled legs. This is a great misfortune to us as it puts a stop to the Chimbley building and makes the number of the sick and lame six. sent ten men to haul the Seine got 60 lbs of fish, the rest of the men employed as yesterday. Three canoes of North River home Indians came in with 500 lbs of venison 30 lbs of Fatt some Furrs and deer skins. These Indians give a Melancholy account of the havock Death hath made amongst the Northern Tribes, most of whom are no more. These Indians further inform me that a heavy quarrel hapened between your Inland Servants when at this place and those Indians we found here at our arrival. The Indians having here taken all the goods left by the French to their own use whereby your Servants were greatly distressed. This I suppose prevented those Indians from going Inland after those poor men."

Oct.3 1783
"Friday. Wind variable N.Westly a smart frost last night and frequent flights of snow today. The three canoes of Indians I sent to look for Deer returned today with 500 lbs of venison and 30 lbs of beaver flesh. The Indians of yesterday traded 70 lbs of dryed venison, 89 made beaver in Furrs, 30 lbs of Fatt. The men well and sick as yesterday."

Oct.4 1783
"Saturday. Wind in the morning variable from South to West. Afternoon calm, the weather for the time of year mild, the Six men still under the Surgeons care. the Men employed at the House in gathering old Iron and other necessary jobs. the Indians traded 40 more made beaver several moose skins for shoe leather and a few deer skins which will enable us to provide mens shoes without which there is no leaving in the winter."

Oct.5 1783
"Sunday. Wind variable the weather inclined to rain, moderate as to cold. the North River Indians went away after having been trusted no fish to be got."

Oct.6 1783
"Monday All last night and this day much rain dull heavy weather with little or no wind. Four men under cover drawing the lime kiln, seven men brick nogging the house , Five men turning beer, six men sick, the rest variously employed. sent several Indians to procure snow shoe frames. myself far from well having a gouty head ach."

Oct.7 1783
"Tuesday Wind variable from E to NNE very much rain all last night and today uncomfortable weather. Thomas Flett, Thomas Isbester, Nichol Allen and James Wass all very bad. Millem? and Bewes a lttle better. Six men drawing the lime kiln two cooking two writing all the rest Brick nogging the House. the wetness of the weather retards the work greatly and is terrible to the sick. Sent all the Indians women and children to gather cranberries for the Scorbutic? which is the case with most of us"

Oct.8 1783
"Wednesday Wind NE All the last twenty-four hours a continance of rain, dark cold weather and very uncomfortable. all the Iron work is very rusty all our cloathes wet up to the knees at every step no deer to be got, the wild fowls all gone as the spring tides are coming on I hope we shall get some fish. Bewes and Millem? able to do a little. The other four very bad. the rest with the Carpenter and Bricklayer at Brick nogging the House Cooking and writing. The Indian men making snow shoe frames. The Women knitting ditto, have 59 Indians small included to feed."

Oct.9 1783
"Thursday Wind and weather as yesterday. set several netts for fish and sent ten men to haul the Sein got 900 lbs of Tittemeg, the rest of the men employed as yesterday. the excifsive dampness of our lodgings renders it necessary to mix spirits with almost all we drink which tho' very expensive to your Honors is necessary to keep your Servants in health, particularly as the Allowance of Strong beer is but ten? Tho? and some of these not full by a third and the Malt far from good."

Oct.10 1783
"Friday Wind NNW dark wet cold weather John Mckinnic?[I've been calling him Millem but it isn't, I don't think], Thomas Flett, Thomas Isbester, James Wass and Nichol Allen all under the Surgeons care. Sent six english and several Indians to haul the Sein. got one hundred and sixty pounds of fish, the rest with Cox at work on the House which by the Coldness of the weather goes on but Slowly however the roof is on and leaded one Chimbley nearly built the brick nogging almost finished and a small part of the flooring laid. the Indians that did not assist in hauling the Sein making snow shoes gave them fish, flour and pease. my self with the men after they came home with the fish set? the lime kiln."

Oct.11 1783
"Wind NNW wet cold dark weather.The men employed as yesterday. got 190 lbs of fish"

Oct.12 1783
"Sunday Wind NNW a fine cheerful day. Cox and several of the ? refused to work today. nothing was done but whinching a grindstone and grinding a new hatchet preperatory to the men going to the woods. Sent ten Indians with the Sein. they got 140 lbs of fish."

Oct.13 1783
"Monday Wind variable from SW around to NNW moderate weather. sent ten men to gather firewood Cox, Guthrie, Mckinic?, Mag. Flett and five men at work on the house, three men piling burnt wood and gathering Spikes, nails molded lead & Taylor at work for the men. Wass, Flett and Isbester under the surgeons care, two writing, the rest of the men variously employed. several north river Indians came in, most of them had been here lately. They brought a few harrs and deer skins, 70 lbs of dryed venison and 90 lbs of Fatt."

Oct.14 1783
"Tuesday All last night and today much rain. The wind variable from South to NW. Mr Ballenden, myself and one man drying Furrs. The rest as yesterday."

Oct. 15 1783
"Wednesday A fresh gale at NW. The house wet drizzeling weather a strong? Faish? in the river, indeed the Ebb is so strong that no flood appears. At six AM one man came in from the woods with 4 Floats of firewood. They have worked extremely hard to get so much. the others at home employed as on Monday last."

Oct.16 1783
"Thursday Wind SW blows hard with snow and breezes hard. Cox, Mckimic?, Bewes and Mag. Flett at work on the house all the rest getting the wood up the bank which was severe job the weather being so bad and so many young hands."

Oct.17 1783
"Friday Wind and weather much the same as yesterday. Six men getting ready to go out to the hunting tent. All the tradesmen and six others at work on and for the house. The Taylor at work for the men. The rest variously employed. Traded 90 lbs of dryed venison and six pairs of snow shoes."

Oct.18 1783
"Saturday A fesh gale at SW sharp weather. Sent Henry Garrioch Nichol Spence, Wm Flett to hunt and fish at the French Creek, and Robert Tennant, Robert Davey and John Flett to ten Shilling creek, sent four men to bring the boat back, gave the landers forty two days food. Thomas Isbester Thomas Flett and James Wass very bad indeed. the rest employed as yesterday. Trusted several Indians in order to their going to winter quarters. I fear we shall be great sufferers in the grains as the Mice are exceeding numerous nor can we contain? any method to destroy them."

Oct. 19 1783
"Sunday Wind WNW warm fine weather. Cox having refused to work on a Sunday nothing was done today however I sent the Indians to haul the Sein they got 900 lbs of Tittemeg for which I gave them a gallon of brandy."

Oct.20 1783
"Monday Wind variable Southerly cloudy wet mild weather. Seven men drawing the lime kiln and shaving? lime. Taylor at work for the men. All the other tradesmen and four labourers at work for and on the house. Thomas Flett veneral, Thomas Isbester consumptive and both very bad. James Wass a little better, two writing, the rest variously employed. Sent 14 Indians to the six mile Island to haul the Sein. they brought five hundred pounds of fish for which I gave them two one half gallons of brandy"

Oct.21 1783
"Tuesday Wind easterly with rain snow and sleet all night and part of this day. Robert Tennantand Robert Davey came from ten shilling creek with eighty pounds of fine trout. The men employed as yesterday."

Oct.22 1783
"Wednesday All last night and this day a strong gale at North with rain snow and sleet most uncomfortable weather, the Bricklayer, Bewes and two men building a Chimble. Cox, Guthrie, Magnus Flett and two men making cabbins for the Men. The Armourer and Cooper overhauling musquets, two writing, the rest gathering old stores and other necessary jobs. Twenty-five Indians went off for their quarters. The relations of those Indians that went with the Paquet to Severn House the 16th Ult. are? very uneasy at their not returning fearing they may be drowned by the great Inland fresher?"

Oct.23 1783
"Thursday Winds variable a hard frost last night, more moderate today. The men employed as yesterday"

Oct.24 1783
"Friday A fine gale at W. moderate weather. set out Rabbit Snares. All hands employed as on Wednesday last. Three of the home Indians that went with the packet to Severn House returned. they say on their arrival they found the house deserted, not an Indian on the plantation on which they loaded the Cannon with the Powder sent for the use of the House in hopes of alarming the Natives. this had a good effect as it brought back several of the natives who had waited for the Sloops arrival but had gone off, its growing so late in the season. They say they were very near drowning several times by the rapidity of this Inland fresher?. This journey hath been a cry expensive but I hope the necessity of it from our late arrival will be apparent to your Honors for the ???? humbly a for you to W. Falconers letter"

Oct.25 1783
"Saturday Wind NNW a fresh gale drifting weather, all hands in the morning employed at their several collings. in the afternoon cutting firewood and aquiring provisions."

Oct.26 1783
"Sunday wind variable S Westly. the weather somewhat moderate. Two of the Indians that came back with the Severn packet went off to joyn their friends. The other stays to assist in hunting for us. For having much to do and so many young hands cannot hunt for ourselves. One Rabbit today."

Oct.27 1783
"Monday About midnight a strong gale sprung up at SW which lasted till noon with thick drift breezes very hard. I am exceedingly surprized that not a board is sent out for the back of the Surgeons or Seconds Cabbins or to divide the trading room or the store room ???? the Entrance ?? my own Cabbin and dining room as from? as a pidgeon house and to tell your Honors as plain truth Cox is ashamed to see how shamefully the materials for the house come out to us. as to Self and officers we also? fale? at? Suter? a skin sent to the house though we most greatfully and thankfully acknowledge your goodness in ordering a building for us that would have been comfortable had the materials contracted for have been delivered to us. Who is to blame we pretend not to say but we know and ??? the want of many articles, much Ice in the River and along shoar. Cox and eight men digging and framing a sawpit the rest variously employed."

Oct.28 1783
"Tuesday Clear sharp weather, wind NWestly. Thomas Flett and Thomas Isbester under the Surgeons care. myself bad with the Goute in the hand. Cox, Magnus Flett and six men at work on the sawpits. Guthrie making boxes for the pitsaw."

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HBCA microfilm numbers:
Reel 1M160 B.239/a/82