The Freeman's Journal, Or, New Hampshire Gazette

By a gentleman from Falmouth, we have collected a more particular account of what happened at the Elizabeth Islands; on or about the 6th day of December the enemy made their appearance with two ships in the mouth of the Sound between Gay-Head and the westernmost islands; after cruising 2 days some of the crew went ashore on the outermost island, where was a little hut; after buying a few turkeys, asking the price of Deep, and what force was at Tarpaulin Cove, on Nantucket-Island they went on board ship again, came to sail, and run into Robinson's hole, near which place lived Mr. Jeremiah Robinson, a quaker, who made not the least opposition to their landing, but his family thro' fear, which consisted of his wife, an aged mother of 80 years, with nine or ten children, fled to the woods for safety. The enemy landed about 150 men, plundered and burnt the house in which was all the poor man's beef, pork, roots, butter, cheese, &c. together, with all his furniture, not content with all this, they burnt his corn, barn, in which was all his grain, killed and carried off two or three cattle and hogs; likewise killed and left dead on the ground some of his milch cows, and wounded and mangled others in the most cruel manner. Thus was a peaceable and good liver in a few hours reduced to the greatest distress, by worse than brutal enemies.

Capt. Nye, who was stationed at the Cove, with the help of the militia from the neighbouring towns very soon made a strong party, went up to the west end of the island, but they had gone on board the ships, and the next day stood out of the sound. We have not been able to learn who commanded the ships.