their farms, and removed to places of greater
safety at the south. The lake and its forts being in possession of
the British, the whole country lying opposite was exposed to ma-
rauding and foraging parties of British, Indians and tories, who
plundered and carried off all such moveable property as was left
behind and desired by them. And in 1777, while the British
were in quiet possession of the forts, before the surrender of BuR-
GOYNE in October of that year, several of the men were taken
captive ; and such as remained in captivity until the occurrence of
that event were then released. The family of Col. Stone, living
on the lake shore, in Bridport, was, among others in that region,
frequently annoyed by bodies of Indians, who visited them for
plunder. But as they did not generally,molest the women and
children, except for plunder, he kept out of the way and remained
safe for some time. But in October 1777, having been falsely
charged by a tory, as being concerned in burning his house, a
British vessel in the lake sent a boat on shore, captured him and
carried him a prisoner to Ticonderoga, where he was confined about
three weeks, and until the fort was evacuated after the surrender
of BURQOYNE.
82 IIISTORY or ADLISON Cul'MY.
Samuel Blodgett, a son of As.v Bi.ODGfrrx. an early settler in
Cornwall, now Middleburv. had built him a log house, just over the
present line between Middieburj^ and Cornwall; where he resided
many years aftervrards. About the same time, in 1777, a scouting
party came upon him and took him prisoner, tied him to a tree, and
threatened to burn him.