Manuscript Location

New-York Historical Society, Patricia D. Klingenstein Library

Place of Origin

United States

Date of Composition

diary 1779, commonplace book possibly ca. 1820

Description

This book contains a diary dated from August 23, 1779 to September 3, 1779. It describes events of Major General John Sullivan's expedition against the Iroquois, including marches in the area of Tioga, Catherinetown, and Seneca Lake. There are references to the destruction of Indian villages and the scalping of Indian dead, as well as to humane treatment of an old Indian woman prisoner. The book also includes some of Sullivan's general orders, an appraisal of McNeill's horse, and a receipt for it being taken into army service.

The volume was later used by Elizabeth McNeill as a miscellaneous notebook, containing culinary recipes for molasses cupcakes and pickling for beef, as well as medical recipes, prayers and religious maxims, hymns and poems, and accounts for repairing and making dresses.