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Lot 159
French and Indian War Journal. The diary of Lemuel Boydon, a soldier in the French and Indian War. Inside cover of the dark-green, leather-bound book says, "Lemuel Boydon, His Book anno Domini 1755. God Save the King"; the front and back covers of the original diary have been laid to a newer diary with gilt lettering on the spine, "Diary of Lemuel Boydon - 1755"; however, the daily entries beginning May 15-December 2 are from 1756. Octavo, housed in a custom-made, matching case. Approximately 85 written pages, with military content on some 50 pages. Boydon describes his march from Medfield through Sherborn, Framingham, Marlboro, Springfield, etc. to Fort William Henry, located on Lake George, south of the French fort (Fort Frederick) at Crown Point, on Lake Champlain, and many of the events that transpired during his service.
The diary contains numerous reference to Robert Rogers, the acclaimed leader of Rogers' Rangers (formed in 1756), a highly-mobile force that could live off the land for long periods of time and whose frontier-style practices of warfare served as a model for later ranger activities. His "Plan of Discipline" lists 28 rules and regulations to which his men were subject and which systemitized their style of fighting. In 1756, Rogers and his men were stationed at Fort William Henry and made repeated trips to Crown Point and Ticonderoga to ascertain the strength of the enemy and to annoy him as opportunity presented.
Following are some excerpts from the journal: (May 25) "This morning we Began the Forte…" (May 27 "this morning about 2 hundred men was ordered for to go Begin upon another fort…." (May 31) "Captn Roggers came from Forte Edward and about two hundred men…He brought one Frenchman and a Scalp." (June 9) "Captn Roggers went Back to the Lake with 4 or 5 Whail Boats…" (June 28) "Collonel Ruggels caim in with all his Riggement…and a company of Stokbrig indians came up today…they have 20 pounds a scalp…" (July 1) "…General Liman came up here to day & about a thousand men & three hundred waggens & two 68 pounders" (July 18) "Capt. Roggers came from the Lake with 8 frenchmen & 4 scapls. They took them about 25 miles from Crownpoint…" (July 22) "we marcht from fort Hardy…to fort Edward…" (Aug 3) "Last night there was about 100 & 30 men went out a schout with Roggers. They went with two sloops from here…they intended to go by watter…& then by Land…" (Aug 4) "…the schouts that went out with Roggers came in & told about an encounter with the French & Indians…" (Aug 5) "..Roggers & about 20 of his men…intended to go to Crownpoint…" (Aug 10) "Capt. Roggers caim in today…they killed 40 waggen Horses within a mile…of Crownpoint…the french & indians followed them. roggers had thoughts of takeing a Brush with them But they had so large a Number…it was not Prudent & so took to his heels" (Aug 11) " about 20 mohawks caim up today & Dutchmen with them" (Aug 12) "14 mohawks & 20 highlanders caim up today…" (Aug 13) "14 StockBrig Indians came in who had been to Toconderoga. They said the French had 2 advance guards this side of Ticonderoga…" (Aug 23) "We had a general muster today threw the Camp and War was proclaimed to us…" (Sept 3) "Capt Roggers came in with 3 prisoners who told of about 400 French soldiers stationed at Crownpoint, & about 10,000 at Ticonderoga…" (Sept 20) "…men dead & Scalped & Some with their heads Cut off…" (Sept 27) "Great talk of an army a coming upon us…" (Sept 28) "…the french army is hard by…" (Oct 1) "..the mohawks went off…& caim back in a great fright for their was a large army a coming…" (Oct 5) "…five of our men caim in that had been take Prisenor one of them Belonged to Roggers…the other was taken at Oswago…" (Oct 16) " my Lord Lowden [Londown] went back with all his men…& about 300 more of our men with him…" (Oct 22) "Major Roggers went of for Ticondorage…" (Nov 1) "Waggons came up to take the sick to Albany" (Nov 5) "5 Regiments went off to Day Colo. Plaisteds, Colo. Thatchers, Colo. Baglys, Colo. Wolters & Colo. Whiteings" (Nov 12) "General Winslow left Lake George to Day." On November 6, the regiments of Colonels Ruggles, Gridley, Liman, Wolters, Whitings, and Dwights set off for home; Boydon was in one of these. He recounts the march home to Medfield, where he arrives on December 2.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 20,000.
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