Young Lion of the Woods | Page 4

Earl of Chatham; and tradition states that one of the boats of the
ship drifted from the wreck and went ashore at a point of land near

where the town of Chatham now stands, the ship's name being painted
on the boat; and from this circumstance Chatham, on the Miramichi
River, received its name.
CHAPTER I.
FIRST EXPERIENCE OF COLONIAL LIFE, 1769-70.
Captain Godfrey's health gradually improved after his return to his
native country. When he thought himself sufficiently recovered he felt
anxious to embark in some branch of business, and not feeling inclined
to do so in England, he purchased a grant of land from Lynge
Tottenham, Esq., this land was situated on the bank of the River St.
John, Nova Scotia.
In the early part of the year 1769, after three years of rest, Captain
Godfrey purchased various kinds of merchandize, which he was
advised were best adapted to the colonial trade. He freighted a vessel in
London, and embarked with his wife and family for Halifax, in the
month of June, 1769.
On the passage out the weather was usually fine, but the progress was
slow, and nothing remarkable occurred on board during the sixty-two
days they were in crossing the Atlantic.
Soon after landing at Halifax, Captain Godfrey heard that the Governor
of Nova Scotia, (Lord William Campbell,) required some person of
experience to enter into possession of Fort Frederick, situated at the
mouth of the River St. John, and take charge of the arms, ammunition,
and all other of His Majesty King George the Third's stores. He had an
interview with the Governor and was appointed to take charge of the
fort.
After having secured the appointment at Fort Frederick, he concluded
to commence trading operations at that post, and gave bonds to the
governor in the sum of one thousand pounds for the privilege of
carrying on a legitimate business with the settlers and Indians.[2]

[Footnote 2:
PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA.
Know all men by these presents, that we, Charles * * * Godfrey * * *
and Charles Morris, Esqs., both of Halifax, do acknowledge ourselves
justly indebted unto our Sovereign Lord King George the Third, his
heirs and successors, in the just and full sum of one thousand pounds
currency of the Province of Nova Scotia, to which payment well and
truly to be made and done, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and
administrators jointly by these presents. Witness our hand and seals,
this thirtieth day of April, one thousand seven hundred and seventy, in
the tenth year of His Majesty's reign.
CHARLES * * * GODFREY * * * CHARLES MORRIS, JR.
Signed and sealed in the presence of NATHL. SHIPTON
_Secretary's Office, Halifax, April 30th, 1770._
Captain * * * Godfrey * * * has the Governor's permission to occupy
the Fort and barracks of Frederick on the St. John River, &c., &c.
RICHARD BULKELY.]
After spending the winter at Halifax, he chartered a brig in the month
of May, 1770, and then putting on board his goods and stores sailed for
Fort Frederick with his wife and family. On his arrival at the fort he
carefully surveyed the situation and concluded that he would abandon
the idea of trading there.
He found no one at the fort to assist him in protecting it, and a few days
after his arrival the Indians became so troublesome and threatening that
he found it would be impossible to remain there, protect the fort
single-handed, and carry on trading operations successfully.
One afternoon the Indians appeared before the fort in numbers,
threatening that if the place was not vacated at once they would murder

the occupants. They then made a rush and got within the enclosure, and
soon after retired.
Captain Godfrey had fortunately purchased from the master of the
vessel in which he brought his merchandize to the fort, a small boat.
The boat had been securely moored at the island below the fort.
The day following the assembling at the fort the savages again
appeared and attempted to steal the boat, and would have done so had
not Mrs. Godfrey succeeded in reaching the shore in time to discharge a
musket at the thieves. The Redskins pulled the boat to the spot where
she stood, but Mrs. Godfrey never moved from the position she had
taken. When the Indians were in the act of jumping on shore she
ordered them to take the boat back to the place from whence they had
loosed it. One of the Redskins, a tall, muscular fellow, who could speak
some English, asked her if she would get into the boat and go with
them. If so, the boat would be taken back and made fast. She replied, "I
have no doubt you are an honest man and