Excerpt from the Escape Account of Judith Gitton

An excerpt from the escape account of Judith Gitton (Baird):

“ For eight months we had suffered from the contributions and the quartering of the soldiers, on accounts of religion, enduring many inconveniences. We therefore resolved on quitting France at night, leaving the soldiers in their beds, and abandoning the house with its furniture. We went to Romans, in Dauphiny, and there contrived to hide ourselves for ten days, whilst a search was made for us;  but our hostess, being faithful, did not betray us when questioned if she had seen us. Thence we passed on to Lyons, and thence to Dijon, from which place, as well as Langret, my eldest brother wrote to you; but I know not if either of the letters reached you. He informed you that we were quitting France. We went to Madame de Choiseule’s, but accomplished nothing, for she was dead, and her son-in-law had the control of everything. Moreover, he gave us to understand that he perceived our intention to escape from France, and that if we asked any favors from him he would inform against us. We pursued our way towards Metz, in Lorraine, where we embarked on the river Moselle, in order to go to Treves. Thence we proceeded to Cochem and to Coblentz, and thence to Cologne, where we left the Rhine and took wagons to Wesel. There we met with an host who spoke a little French, and who told us that we were only thirty leagues from Luneburg. We knew that you were there, in winter quarters, for we had received a letter of yours, fifteen days before our departure from France, telling us that you would winter there. Our deceased mother and I entreated my eldest brother to consent that we should go that way; or else, leaving us with her, to go himself to see you. It was in the depth of winter. But he would not hear of it, having nothing in his mind but ‘Carolina,’ and dreading to miss any chance of coming hither. THe thought that we thus lost so good an opportunity to see you at least once more, has been a constant source of grief to me, ever since. After this, we passed into Holland, in order to go to England. We were detained in London for three months, waiting for a vessel ready to sail for Carolina.”