A Narrative of the Adventures and Sufferings of John R. Jewitt; Only Survivor of the Crew of the Ship Boston, During a Captivity of Nearly Three Years Among the Savages of Nootka Sound: With an Account of the Manners, Mode of Living, and Religious Opinions of the Natives.

Second edition, engraved frontispiece, slight offsetting to title, notes on the front free endpaper from the Missionary Library, contemporary tree calf, handsomely rebacked, red morocco label, 8vo, Middletown, Seth Richards, 1815

A scarce account of John R. Jewitt’s years as a slave to the Nootka people, based on Jewitt’s journal and material gathered from Alsop’s interviews. Jewitt provides a detailed narrative that covers all areas of life in a Nootka village, including physical appearance, clothing, buildings, food, music, ceremonies and religion.

John R. Jewitt grew up in England. In 1802 he was invited to join the ship Boston, as an armourer. The voyage’s objective was to trade furs with natives in the Pacific Northwest of North America, sell them in China and sail to Boston. The day after Boston reached Nootka Sound, the Nootka people came on board to trade with the Europeans. The Nootka Maquinna (King) was insulted by the captain and frustrated by the Europeans actions over the years. They took their revenge on the 22nd March 1803. Many Nootka people came to the ship and shared a meal with the crew, when a signal came they killed all but two white men. Jewitt received a head injury but his life was spared as he agreed to enslavement over death. He became immersed in the Nootka culture, learning the language and befriending the Maquinna.

On July 19, 1805, the brig Lydia arrived in Nootka Sound, after Captain Hill received one of Jewitts many letters. Maquinna asks Jewit if he believes it safe to board Hills ship. Jewitt offers to write a letter asking for hospitality, but he wrote a letter with very different meaning. Hill locks Maquinna in chains, and Jewitt successfully convinces the other chiefs to exchange himself and the other Englishman for Maquinna.

Jewitt spent the later part of his life in New England, and died in Hartford, Connecticut on 7 January 1821 at the age of 37.