PETER STEVENS. 75 



there is no use in disputing about it now; the mistake, whosever it 

 is, can't be remedied. I can't get to Medfield or you get back in 

 season to conduct services there. You are here, and we shall be 

 very glad to hear you preach." Mr. William Lawrence invited us all 

 home to dinner. Mrs. Lawrence, a kind hearted, excellent, hospit- 

 able woman, presently said to Mr. Robinson, whom she had known 

 at Groton, " I hope Mrs. Robinson is well, sir. I should have been 

 very glad to have seen her with you." The answer came short, crisp, 

 sharp, " My wife is dead, madam." There was an awful silence, the 

 tone of the answer being such that no one knew what to say. Mrs. 

 Lawrence was the first to recover herself. She said, " I am very 

 sorry, sir ; I had not heard of Mrs. Robinson's death. The children 

 I hope are well; I wish you had brought one of them with you." 

 Again the answer came m a worse tone than before, " We never had 

 a child, madam! " (pp. 71, 72). 



PETER STEVENS. 



Salem, May lo'*" 1782 



This may Certify that I Peter Stevens of Groton was taken on 

 Board the Ship venus, from Boston Commanded by Cap*- Babcock. 

 was Carried into Hallifax put on Board the prison ship, from which 

 I made my escape ; was taken up and put on board the Attalanta 

 sloop of war I made my escape from her travelling towards Caper- 

 sue. About six or seven miles from Hallifax met a man by the name 

 of Albro who carried me aside gave me two Dollars and Directed me 

 on my Rhode, told me that if I got to Capersue to enquire for one 

 Cap' Foot who he knew would assist me. I got safe to Capersue by 

 the help of many Friends that I met with on the Rhode, I went to 

 Cap.' Foots and staid at his House some time with several other pris- 

 oners. He came on purpose with his Boat to fetch us home, and 

 refused pay for it, saying that he never made a practice of taking any- 

 thing from prisoners in Distress this is the usage I met with and 

 have reason to Believe hundred others have receiv'd the same from 

 Capt Foot. — I can but Greatfully Acknowledge his favours and sin- 

 cerely wish that he may meet with Due incouragement and protection 

 from this State — 



Massachusetts Archives, 237 (Revolution Resolves, etc., 1782, p. 19). 



