Capivity of the Gilbert Family in 1780-The hegira of the inhabitant following the Gnadenhutten massacre and other Indian atrocities left the transmontane region a desolitue solitude, but as years passed on in compartive tranquillity the few who had been settled in what is now Carbon County returned, and were reinforced by others, who opened farmes in the fertile valleys. Among the latter class was Benjamin Gilbert, who in 1775, located on Mahoning Creek, and built a mill a few miles from Fort Allen was erected. He was an old man, married to his 2nd wife, who was the widow of Bryan Peart, and had been like himself, a resident of Byberry, 15 miles from Phila. Their united families of children made a large household. In this same neighborhood lived the Dodsons and other families. On the 25 of April, 1780, the Gilberts were surprised by a party of 11 Indians, whose appearance struck them with terror; to attempt an escape was death ( says thewriter of an elaborate narrative of this incident of pioneer times)6 (The account here given of the capitivty of the Gilbert family taken from Hazard's Register, of May 1829, in which the narritive, written a few years after the occurrance, was republised) "and a portion of distress not easy to be supported the certain attendant on the most patent and submissive conduct. The Indians who made this incursion were of differnt tribes or nations,who had abandoned their country on the approach of Gen. Sullivan's aramy and fled within the command of the Brithis forts in Canand, promiscuously settling within their neighborhood, and according to Indian customs of carrying on war, frequently invading the frontier settlement, taking captive the weak and defenseless. "The names of these Indian, with their respective tribes, are as follows. "Rowland Monteur,first captian;John Monteur, second in command, who was also styled captain, these two were Mohawks, decended of a French woman; Samuel Harras, a Cayuga Indian, John Houston, and his son, John Jr., Cayugas, John Fox, Delware nations. The other five were Sencas. At this place they made captive of the following persons; Benjamin Gilbert, aged 69; Elizabeth, his wife, 53, Joseph Gilbert,, his son 41, Jesse another son aged 19, Sarah. wife to Jesse, aged 19, Rebecca a daughter, aged 16, Abner, son, age 14, Elizabeth, age 12, Thomas Peart, son to Benjamins Gilbert's wife, age 23, Benjamin Gilbert, son of John Gilbert, of Phila, aged 11, Andrew Harrigar, of German descent, hired by Benjamin Gilbert, aged 26, Abigail Dodson (daughter of Samuel Dodson) aged 14. They then proceeded to Benjamin Peart's dwelling, about a half mile father, and brought himself and family, viz; Benjamin Peart, son of Benjamin Gilbert's wife, aged 27, Elizabeth Peart, his wife aged 20 years; their child, about 9 months old. No mention of Price. Best Wishes, Geri