A Narrative of the Captivity of Mrs. Johnson: Containing an Account of Her Sufferings, During Four Years with the Indians and French ...

by Susannah Willard Johnson

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Genres: History, Nonfiction, Classics, Memoir

146 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1796

About the author

Susannah Willard Johnson was an Anglo-American woman who was captured with her family during an Abenaki Indian raid on Charlestown, New Hampshire in August 1754, just after the outbreak of the French and Indian War.

Reviews

[Sarah Brazytis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an excellent autobiography/memoir! If you want a real glimpse of the French and Indian War through the eyes of a civilian, this is it.

Besides the priceless historical information, Mrs. Johnson (Susannah) is an unusually witty writer for her time. She begins Chapter 4 in this amusing fashion:
I will only detain the reader a few moments longer in this place, while I eat the leg of a woodchuck, and then request him to take a night's sailing in the canoe with me across the Lake.

Susannah and her husband James, along with their children, Susannah's younger sister Miriam, a neighbor and his hired hand are captured by Indians in New Hampshire and forced to march to Canada to be sold to the French as slaves. The courage, faith and determination of these early settlers is truly amazing.

Calico Captive is based on this book, with many inconsistencies and incorrect portrayals - if you want the real story, don't rely on Calico Captive (see my review of that book here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)!

There is some very fascinating information in this book, from the relations between English/French/Indians/Americans; to the amazing fact that James Johnson, her husband, came to America as a young boy after his uncle died at sea and the dishonest ship's crew sold him to a passing slave ship engaged in the Irish slave trade. He was purchased at Boston harbor out of a lot of Irish boys by Susannah's uncle because this lad spoke English. Eventually James purchased his own freedom, married Susannah, and received a lieutenant's commission. Yes, Virginia, there were white slaves! (Just sayin'.)

I have but one warning: this story is sad. Very sad. Best read on a very sunny day, or in a very factual manner. Because it is very sad.

[Jamie Dacyczyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2017 Reading Challenge: A book involving travel

I can't believe the reading challenge doesn't have a category for something like "a book written more than 200 years ago" or something like that. This would qualify!

Anyway, the book "Calico Captive" is one of my childhood favorites, and this is the real life account of that tale. Despite being written in the late 1700s, I found it quite readable, and even had a surprised laugh at one point because of something witty/snarky that she wrote. Interesting to see which stuff from Calico Captive was true, and what was embellished. I did skim over some stuff, especially near the end, that was mostly family history with lots of names. The narrative itself was a quick read.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading, if for no other reason than to highlight the contrast between the mettle of 18th century Americans and the fragility of those in the 21st. This was a fascinating look into the perils of Mrs. Johnson during the French and Indian war and the deep reserves of grit she and her family consistently commanded.

[Searching in the Forest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t slam her because of the writing style, because that’s how they wrote. Great details of a little known time.

[Erin Johnnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is fascinating, but this format is repetitive, has irregular timelines and the font is too small to read in many parts . Worthwhile and also frustrating.

[Melinda Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

How do you review a memoir that was published 200 years ago. I found it interesting. I picked it up because I had recently reread a novel (the Calico Captive) that is based on this narrative.

[Jane Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

History. Captivity narrative 1700s. Of special interest to me, Mrs. Johnson of Charleston, Fort #4, was kidnapped and lived with Abenaki ancestors of mine, or rather the uncle of ancestors. Illuminating, complicated interactions, a window into Abenaki at St. Francis mid 1700s and New England before and after that time. Racism and learning of each other.

[WhatShouldIRead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting account of a family abducted by Indians during the French & Indian war-time. It was easy to understand and see how devastating this event was for the woman who wrote it, especially since she had just given birth and saw her family split up amongst numerous people, wondering if they would ever be reunited again.

I think reading this memoir was a good way to really see what happened during that period in history and all the dangers associated with living out in the 'wild' in New Hampshire.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the true story behind Calico Captive, one of my favorite books from childhood.

http://myadventuresintucson.blogspot....

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very different focus than Calico Captive. Would make a queer but interesting movie (trilogy... miniseries? By the BBC? Yes, please) if one could manage to get across the unique attitude towards certain things that are simply unknown today.

[Steve Courson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible story of hardship after a family is captured by Indians during the French and Indian War.