Taken from the history of the Presbyterian Church of New Scotland, Albany County,
New York:  

"John Furbeck impressed in Germany and as a Hessian came to America under Burgoyne. A short time before Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga, NY, he was taken prisoner and sent to Albany. He was there forwarded to New Hartford to be exchanged. As no exchanges were made he was put out along the farmers. In June 1778 he enlisted in the American army as a teamster in the New England Line, afterwards being transferred to the New York line where he served two years. His wages were from $15. to $25. a month in Continental currency at a time when $5. were needed to buy a razor ordinarily purchased for 40 cents."

"His most memorable experience was when with four others he was captured by the Indians. A white man by the name of Brown, meeting the five prisoners took pity upon them and paid the Indians a $100. for their release, $20. for each one. Then he gave to each of them a loaf of bread in the center of which he had place a lump of butter and sent them away free. Disguising themselves as best they could by coloring their faces black from the burned tree stumps, they succeeded in reaching a place of safety."

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