A Fatal Accident

First, however, and because the accident happened at about the same time George Evelin came from Kent Island with ill tidings, I must set it down that one of our company, John Bryant, a serving man, who had brought with him sufficient of money to establish himself as a planter, was killed by the falling of a tree which crushed him beneath it.

He had taken up land on the Mattapany road, two miles or more from our town of St. Mary's, and was already accounted a most worthy citizen, being industrious, peaceful, and striving to improve the acres which had been allotted him.

It was while clearing yet more land for the planting of tobacco, that a heavy tree, thrown down by the wind while he was hewing it, deprived him of life, thus casting a gloom over our town of St. Mary's.

As if there were many dark days in store for us, and this was but a forerunner of trouble, George Evelin arrived from Kent Island, having been brought in a canoe by two friendly Indians, with word that several of the men in his settlement were conspiring with the Susquehanoughs and with other quarrelsome Indians, to bring about an uprising against us of St. Mary's.

It seems, according to what I could hear on the streets, and that which John picked up by way of gossip, that these people, regardless of the fair words spoken when Captain Cornwallis visited them to introduce George Evelin as the new governor, were much opposed to coming under the laws of our Province of Maryland; and foolishly believed that, by continuing the course which had been begun by William Claiborne, they might succeed in making of the island an independent province.

Startling and threatening as the word was that Master Evelin had brought, our people first gave heed to caring for the earthly remains of John Bryant, before attempting in council to decide what should be done regarding the mutineers.

It was the second violent death among us, and although not attended with the horrors surrounding the taking off of William Smith, caused a deeper gloom among us than would have been known had he died upon a bed of sickness.

Father White, in the presence of all our people, said over the lifeless body the prayers for the dead, and then we followed in mournful procession to where a second grave had been opened in the chapel yard, amid the litter of timbers and brick which were lying around as the builders had left them.