Peter Williamson, French and Indian Cruelty

Presents an eighteenth-century Scotsman's autobiographical account of his odyssey through North America as an indentured servant, Indian captive, and soldier Provides an introduction that explains Williamson's origins, separates the fact from fiction in his North American adventures Places Williamson's narrative within its wider cultural and social context Includes the complete appendices that appeared in Williamson's narrative Describes Aberdeen's servant trade from eyewitness accounts Includes suggestions for Further Readings to assist readers interested in learning more about Williamson and the topics covered in his narrative This book is the first scholarly edition of the most popular Native American captivity narrative published in eighteenth-century Britain. In this fully annotated modern version, Timothy J. Shannon re-acquaints modern readers with this popular North American captivity narrative, featuring a Scottish protagonist. He tells the story of Peter Williamson, a native of Aberdeen, who claimed he was kidnapped into indentured servitude in North America, lived as a captive among Indians there, and then fought as a soldier in the Seven Years' War until he was taken prisoner by the French. After returning to Britain, Williamson peddled his tale while dressed in Indian costume, and he eventually settled in Edinburgh, where he became known as 'Indian Peter'.