The
diary checks with other known genealogical data in possession of Norman B.
Hickox of Evanston, Illinois. The diary covers the occasion of his first trip
west from Connecticut over into Western New York state when he was locating
land on which to settle. The land is near where the city of Watertown, N.Y. is
now located.
David
Hickox is my 3rd G/Grandfather, Son
of John, born 21 April 1772, Died 2
April 1850 at Springfield,Illinois.
Married 13 November 1794 Illinois. Lived to age 78. Resided in Great Barrington, Middlebury, New Haven and then in 1803 to Rutland, Jefferson County N.Y. Buried in Springfield, IL.
He and his wife Adah (Baldwin) Hickox had eight children:
Horace,
Addison, Abiah, Betsey, Homer, Virgil, Manlius, and Franklin
1804
– May 22
Started for the Black River at ten o’clock – sold
several articles – it began to rain
about 4 aft-noon – arrived at Riley’s Tavern about dark, wet as drowned
rats
May
23d
Set out from Riley’s about seven in the morning –
traveled through Canaan and Sheffield , took the road to Albany, through
Spencertown, arrived at one pm in a
Place called Green River, where we put up for the
night; we met with no material accident today, only the gun caught in the
wagonwheel and bent the barrel almost in double.
(12)
May
24th
Set out from Green R. – about seven in the morning –
arrived at Albany Ferry about sundown, where we put up a Torchee??? This man is a Dutchman and remarkable for
nothing but a kind of stiffness in his manners – the lot where we turned our
horses was almost covered with carcases of other horses and cattle. I think
sombody told me that he had lost 8 horse and 6 hd of horn cattle.
May
25th
Set out from Storts about 6 o’clock, crossed the ferry,
took the old road to Schenectady 16 miles;the Turnpike not being completed, we
were not allowed to travel it. One circumstance took place which was somewhat
ludicrous. We fell in company with a wagon from Albany to Schenectady with two
young men in it. They proposed to us to turn off at a certain crossroad and
take the Turnpike. We had just turned the corner when a man from the house
called to us and told us we had better keep the old raod, that they were on
work on the Turnpike and had stopped it up.
As we were turning our horse, one of their forefeet happen to catch a
piece of tackling
that lay on the ground. A young Dutchman stepped up
to us in violent passion, swore and damned us for running foul of his takling.
I told him we did not wish to injure his tackling, that we thought, however ,
that if anybody was to blame it might be himself for leaving it on the ground
in the street.
Dam you said he, this is my yard, and you have no
business in it. I observed that if it
was his yard I wished he he would keep it fenced so that people might know it. He swore and cursed and called us a pack of damned rascals; with that those two youn men stepped out of their wagon and told him he had better drop the matter, that nobody meant to injure him. He stepped up to them, stripped off his old greasy frock and swore he would whip every devil of us. I observed that we had better go on, that I did not wish to fight any of the damned Dutchmen. He came up to me, Damn you, do you call me a Dutchman? Damn you, don’t call me a Dutchman. I did not, said I, but I said I would not fight a Dutchman. I am a Dutchman said he but you are not going to call me a Dutchman, you damned yankee bugger. We put up our horses and left him cursing and swearing till we were almost out of sight. We came on to Schenectady, crossed the ferry and arrived at one Vennass’s, a Dutchman: about ten miles from the ferry on the Mohawk River, he seemed very sociable.
May
26th
It began to rain very hard in the morning and
continued to rain the whole day – we traveled about 4 miles to one Degraffe
where we put up – this man keeps a tolerable house and is very familiar.
May
27th
Sunday morning we started from Degraff’s about
sunrise, traveled till about twelve o’clock where we stopped at on De Wandeleer’s,
bated and set off, arrived at one Inness where we put up. This man keeps a very
good house and is very sociable.
May
28th
Started from Inness’ about sunrise, arrived at one
Orin Smith’s from Utica; this man appears to be a very likely young man – I exchanged
horses with him, gave him one dozen hoes, boot –
(13)
May
29th
Started from Smith’s in the morning, came to Utica
where we tarried till about noon while Osborn went to New Hartford to cary
Liddy Byington. This is a very delightful village, there appears to be
considerable business carried on here.
We took the road to Black River through Trenton, commonly called Boons
Settlement. Put up at a tavern about nine miles from Utica. It was between this
and Utica that I saw the first settlements which were entirely new.
May
30th
Set out from Carrets about six in the morning,
traveled about twenty miles to one Hall’s, a private house where we put up for
the night – the raods very muddy and bad traveling – rain.
Set out from Hall’s early in the morning, arrived at
a place called highfalls about eleven o’clock forenoon, took some refreshment
and set off down the river, arrived at Winchel’s, here we put up for the night,
rain today.
June
1st
Started from Winchel’s early in the morning, found
the roads very bad; came to one L. Heath’s, where we put up for the night –
this man keeps a public house in the town of Rutland No. 3 about eighty rods
from Esqr. Rhiel Bronson’s lodgings; we called at said Bronsons, but did not
find him at home.
June
2nd
Went over to Esqr Bronson’s in the morning , found
him at home. He treated us handsomely – went back to Heath’s where we tarried
through the day. I let Grant to Reuben Pain of Turer for one month. At the rate
of eight dollars on conditions. – Osborn let himself to Heath for three months
at the rate of ten dollars per month. We agreed with Mr. Coffin to pasture our
horses one week. Rain today.
June
3rd
Sunday morning I arose in good health and tolerable
spirits;went out and found it rained very hard – beautiful season for grass.
June
4th
Set out with Esqr Bronson to look at land. We
started about 8 o’clock in the morning, shaped our course toward the south part
of the town, fell in company with one Condy of Parie, formerly from Oxford,
with two of his sons-in law; they were also going to view land. We traveled out
into the woods to view several lotsthat are unsold in Lot No. 55. This land is
of generally good quality but it is cut to pieces pretty much with hideous
gulfs. Some of these gulfs are, I woul judge, more than a hundred feet deep,
the banks are almost perpendicular. At the bottom of the gulf there is a small
stream of water, the bottom and sides scarse of anything but a kind of soft
slate. We came out to one Kilie’s tavern about dusk where we tarried for a few
minutes and Esqr Bronson and I set out for home. We had a piece of woods to
cross for about a mile where there
(14)
was but a blind foot path. Our horses got out, it being very dark we were lost. We wandered
about for some time although Esqr Bronson proposed to me to hold the horses
whilst he went on foot to try and find the way to some clearing which he said
was not very far distant. He halloed to me repeatedly to know whether he kept
his course; I observed he took a proper circuit – at length our noise
fortunately awakened an old dog which kept up his barking. He shaped his course
toward him till he arrived at the house and found it to be the same we started
from – he got a light, came back and we arrived safe at our lodging about
twelve o’clock at night.
Made a chest for Esqr. Bronson at
his lodgings which is at Goldsmith Coffin’s.
June
6th
Did some work for Goldsmith Coffin in the morning,
then went to work at one Gates; at a cradle.
June
7th
Finished the cradle and began a breadtray.
June
8th
Finished the breadtray in the morning; afternoon
took my horse and rode out to view the lot of land formally taken by one King.
This man took up the lot by a kind of verbal contract with the former agent but
has never paid a cent toward it, wishes to sell his improvements. He has got
perhaps nearly 20 acres chopped, some of which is under improvement but no
house of any consequence. He offers to take thirty acres off for his
improvements from the southeast part of the lot, all new – I made no particular bargain but told him I would call
and view it again and if it did not injure the rest of the lot on account of
water I thought I should make a bargain. This lot joins No. 4, it is about four miles from the center of
town
June
9th
Undertook to cover a barn for Mr. Earls. Began in
the morning – covered one gable end.
June
10th
Sunday morning – in good health.
June
11th
Continued to work at the barn –
finished the other gable end.
June
12th
Began the roof – laid one thousand
shingles.
June
13th
Took my horse and rode out with Esqr. Bronson in the
morning to view King’s farm again. Bronson made a bargain with King, he is to
take thirty acres off the south end for his improvements. The more I see this
log, the better I like it. Returned home about noon. Grant returned from
Pain’s, arrived about sunset.
(15)
June
14th
Continued to work on the roof.
Agreed with Esqr. Bronson to take
the King lot – finished the roof.
June
16th
Began the other roof – exchanged by
dog for a puppy about three months old.
June
17th
Sunday morning, in good health. Took my horse and rode out with Osborn and
Mr. Earl’s son to view the Black River. Near the river on each side is the most
beautiful grove of pine that ever I saw, some trees are said to measure eleven
rods in length or upwards – there is also at this place a beautiful quarry of
building stone; it is the most
singular one perhaps in the country. On the adjoining the river on the South side it is smooth flat rock
containing, I should judge six or eight acres. The rock lies in strata of
different thicknesses – generally cut to pieces with seams running diamonding.
On this rock we found the carcus of a very large buck – returned home in the
afternoon.
June
18th
Continued our work at the barn – went to a raising
of a barn in the afternoon – The barn belongs to kies and Stebbins.
June
19th
Tuesday continued our work on the
barn.
June
20
Finshed the roof – began the doors
and c.
June
21st
Finshed the door frames and began
the sides.
June
22nd
Did some work on the barn in the forenoon, in the
afternoon went to Gate and had my Mare shod.
June
23rd.
Did some work on the barn in the forenoon. Grant
went to work on the highway afternoon, I went to Esqr. Bronson to complete the
contract for my farm. Wrote a letter to my wife and one to Mr. Newton Hine
& C. Sold our wagon to Capt. White for thirty five dollars.
June
24th
Sunday morning, in good health, took my horses and
rode out to Abner Osborn to the south part of the town to view a lot of land
that is not taken up. We found it to be too much broken with gulfs, otherwise
good land.
June
25th
I went to work at Mr. Heath’s at a barn frame. Grant
wrought for Mr. Karl at the highway.
(16)
June
26th
Continued at Heath’s. Grant did some work for Mr.
Karl in the forenoon, afternoon he went to work at the barn floor.
June
27th
I continued at Heath’s, Grant
wrought at the barn floor.
June
28th
Left Mr. Heath’s in the morning, we cut a tree on
Mr. G. Coffin’s land in order to get out some stuff for barn door frames and
fork states & C.
June
29th
We wrought at getting out timber
fork states, chair round, & C.
June
30th
Wrough as usual at the timber, began
to build a lathe & C.
July
1st
Sunday morning, in good health, after breakfast went
out to bring in a fine doe which was killed by Gaines Karl, this doe has two
young fawns in her.
July
2nd
Went to work at G. Coffin’s at his
barn doors.
July
3rd
Finished the doors, made some cartrigging in the
forenoon, afternoon there was a company
met to begin the celibration of Independence; we was joined and very agreeably
entertained at playing ball.
July
4th
Kept up celebratiojn of Independence. It is
customary here for all to turn out on this occasion; they met generally at
taverns where they were entertained with good good victuals and drink, and at
some places, music and dancing. I returned home this evening pretty well
entertained with play.
Went to Gilm Coffin’s to work at his
barn.
July
6th
Continued to work at the barn.
July
7th
We put on some boards in the morning
and began a cupboard.
July
8th
Sunday morning in good health, afternoon went to
hear a sermon delivered by Elder Pool at Mr. Earl’s barn, he took his text from
2nd Corinthians, 5 Chapt 21st verse.
July
9th
Continued our work at the barn. Abot 9 o’clock I
went to a raising of a barn for Mr. Pierce. Afternoon went to a raising of Do.
For Mr. Levi Heath.
(17)
July
10th
Continued our work at the
barn and cupboard.
Finished our work at Mr.
Coffins
July
12th
We
went to work at Mr. Levi Heath’s
July
13th
Continued to work at Mr. Heath’s.
July
14th
Continued at Heath’s
July
15th
Sunday morning in good health. I set out to go to a
Methodist meeting but arrived too late, the meeting being over before I
arrived.
July
16th
Continued at Heath’s
July 17th
We went to Mr. Nath Pierce to cover his barn; I understood to cover this barn by the job for fifteen dollars. I am to receive the pay next spring of Holebert & Lee in Co.
July 18th
Continued at Pierce’s at work at the barn
July 19th
Continued work at the barn.
July 20th
Continued at Pierce’s
July 21st
Still at Pierce’s
July 22nd
Sunday morning in good health.
July 23rd
Did some work at Pierce’s in the fornoon; afternoon went with Mr. Elijah Beach to
(18)
help him frame a barn for Dr. Darrow. We arrived at Dr. Darrow’s about dark
We continued at Darrow’s Tuesday Tuesday the 24th, Wednesday the 25th, Thursday the 26th, Friday the 27th, Saturday the 28th, Sunday the 29th, Monday the 30th, and Tuesday the 31st.
August the 1st
Wednesday morning Beach and Grant started for No. 3. I took my mare and rode down to the hotel which is building about three miles south of Darrow’s near Winchel’s Tavern. My object was to see Mr. Woolworth who undertook the hotel by the job in Co. with Mr. Lane. I found Missrs Woolworth and Lane and agreed with them to work one month with my apprentice for twenty-eight dollars. I started from Woolworth’s after dinner and arrived at Mr. Earl’s, in Rutland, about dark.
August
2nd
Went over to Mr. Pierce’s, found Grant and went to
work at his barn floor and returned to Mr. Earl’s.
August
3rd. We went to work
at Mr. Earl’s barn at siding and laying the floor.
Continued at Mr. Earl’s
August
5th
Sunday morning in good health
August
6th
Did some work at Mr. Earl’s in the forenoon,
afternoon we set out for No. 1 in Lowville, we arrived at the hotel about dark.
August
7th
We commenced our month’s labor for
Mr. Woolworth. I wrought at a bedsted.
August
8th
Wrought at another Do.
August
9th
Wrought at covering the outside
August
12th
Sunday morning in good health. Mr. W. invited me to
accompany him over the River in one Capt. Puffers, accordingly went; this man
has taken a farm over the River opposite to Lowville, lying in a considerable
bend of the river containing about a hundred acres being chiefly entervale.
There are a number of very good entervale farms on each side of the River I am
told, is not so good, being of a sandy quality chiefly with hemlocks intermixed
with pine and spruce.
(19)
August
13th, 14th, 15th & 16th
Continued on the outside to work at
clapboarding.
August
17th
I began laying floors in the
Chambers.
August
18th
Undertook the job of fitting three rooms for plastering
estimated at nine days work of me and my apprentice.
August
19th
Sunday morning in good health – Walked out with Mr.
Gould to see his other farm lying on the East Road. He has got a very beautiful
farm which he offers for sale.
Continued at our job.
August
21st.
The stuff not being prepared
I agreed to work for Mr. Gould today for $1-1/2 me and my apprentice.
August
22nd
We went to work for Mr. Gould on Mr.
W’s account.
August
23rd
Went to work at the job again.
August
24th
Do.
(?ditto)
August
25th
Do.
August
26th
Sunday in good health, took a walk to the River with
Mr. Lane and a number of others, here there is an excellent brick yard and
plenty of good clay, but I think they fail in not tempering the mortar.
August
27th
Continued at our job.
August
28th, 29th, 30th
Do.
August
31st
Did some work in the forenoon to finish my job –
afternoon I went to finish some floors in the barroom.
(20)
September
1st.
Continued at the floor, Grant
wrought at the hotel lathing.
September
2nd
Sunday morning in good health.
September
3rd.
We went to work at Mr. Gould’s cowhouse which I
undertook by the job at five dollars.
Continued at the cowhouse
September
5th
Do.
September
6th
I went to work for Mr. W. in the forenoon; afternoon
Grant and I cleared Mr. G’s well, which he gave me a dollar for.
September
7th
Wrought for Mr. W.
September
8th
I set out for No. 3 this morning in order to get
some cloths and to arrange other matters arrived at Mr. Earl’s sun two hours
high; lodged at Heath’s.
September
9th
Sunday morning set out to return to No. 11 about ten
o’clock. I stopped at a Dutchman’s house in Champion to obtain a drink of
water, the man invited me to dine with him, which I thankfully accepted.
Arrived at Mr. Gould’s in time for tea.
September
10th
Wrought for Mr. Woolworth.
September
11th
Do.
September
12th
Do.
September
13th
Agreed with Mr. Woolworth to do a job of work at
Harrisburg enclosing a house 25 feet by 36. Do. For one Mr. Parsons, I am to
have $38 paid by the first of April next by Mr. W. and wrote a letter to my
wife. I expected to have went to Parson’s this afternoon, but on application of
Mr. Gould I agreed to work for him till Saturday night.
(21)
September
14th
Wrought for Mr. G.
Do.
September
16th
Sunday morning in good health. We set out for
Parson’s about three o’clock. Arrived at Mr. P’s about dark.
September
17th
Began Mr. Parson’s house.
September
18th
Continued at Parson’s.
September
19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd.
Do.
September
23rd
Sunday in health. Took my horse and rode down to Mr.
3 in order to get some tools. I arrived at Mr. Heath’s afternoon. Saw Mr. Amos
Mallory and his son Curtis. They informed me that people were generally well in
Middlebury – received a letter from my wife dated 3rd instance
brought by Esqr. Bronson. Walked over to Mr. Beech’s – Returned to Mr. Earl’s
about dark – walked over to see Esqr
B., spent the evening with himand the two Misrs Ms. And returned to Mr.
Earl’s where I slept sound until morning.
September
24th
Rode down to Mr. Gates’ to get my mare shod where I
tarried till about noon. Took dinner at Mr. Earl’s and set off for No.
five. Arrived at Mr. P’s a little
before sunset.
September
25th
At Mr. P’s wrote letter to my wife.
September
26th
Continued at Mr. P’s
September
27th, 28th, and 29th
Do.
September
30th
Sunday in good health; flurries of
snow today.
October
1st.
At Mr. P’s
October
2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th,
7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th,
12th, 13th
Do.
(22)
October
14th
Sunday in good health. Mr. S. Abbott called to see
me at Mr. P’s on his way to Connecticut. I embraced the opportunity to write by
him to my wife. I continued at Mr. P’s till Sunday the 4th of
November.
November
4th
This morning I started for No. 3. Last night I was
awaked about midnight by a gang of wolves which set up a most hidious cry not
far distant from the house. About break of day I was again awaked by the same
cry which appeared to me to be from the same place Mr. P’s sheep lay, I immediately
started up and called Mr. P. and told him that the wolves were among his sheep,
he got up, but observed that they had killed what they would for they never
howled in the set of killing, he however went directly out and in the event
found five of his sheep dead and another mortally wounded. We came to Mr.
Earl’s where we tarried through the night.
November
5th
This morning I walked over to Mr. Chase’s to get a
pair of boots. Grant wrought at Mr. Earl’s;
afternoon I rode over to my King farm. I slept at Mr. T. Lee’s this
night.
November
6th
I returned home to Mr. E’s this morning. Grant went
to work for Mr. Heath; afternoon I stocked a gun for Mr. Calvin Heath.
November
7th
I wrought for Mr. Heath at making
some doors and casing the same.
November
8th
Finished the doors and made an evetrough this
fornoon; afternoon went up to Mr. William Coffins
November
9th
I did some work at Mr. Chase’s shop
for Mr. Heath.
November
10th
This morning I set out with a number of others to
hunt a bear, the track of which had been discovered by L. Butterfield. We
followed it some time. At length we discovered
there had been two men before us on the track. I and Esqr. B. returned.
November
11th
Sunday in health except for a pretty bad swelling
upon one of my fingers. I set out from Mr. Heath’s about noon on my return to
Connecticut; soon after I set out it
began a very severe snow squall which continued the whole afternoon. I found
the road very muddy and with difficulty reached Mr. Parson’s about about 12 M.
from No. 3. I arrived there about seven o’clock in the evening.
November
12th
Set out from Mr. Parson’s about two o’clock PM,
arrived at Mr. Gould’s in Lowville about dark, put my mare out at Winchel’s.
(23)
November
13th
It being stormy, I tarried at Mr. Gould’s. Cut some glass & C.
November
14th
Set out from Mr. Gould’s about ten o’clock AM;
arrived at one Talcot’s tavern in Leyden about dark – 18 M. (miles)
November
15th
Started from Talcot’s about ten o’clock; arrived at
Sheldon’s tavern about 7 o’clock at night. I rode in company with two men; we found the snow two feet & ˝ deep
Through which we had to beat a path the whole of the way. – 16M.
November
16th
Started at Sheldon’s in the morning; took the road
to Albany through the Royal Grant; arrived
at S. Kinyon’s about 8 o’clock at night – 18 M.
November
17th
Started from Kinyon’s about 10 AM,
arrived at Dygent’s about 8 o’clock – 29 M.
November
18th
Started from Dygent’s at 8 o’clock; arrived at Inn
between Schenectady and Albany. Rode 43 M.
November
19th
Started at 8 o’clock AM; arrived at Moory’s in Spencertown about 7 o’clock at night
Started from Moory’s at 8 o’clock; arrived at Beul’s
in Goshen about dark – 42 M.
November
21st.
Started from Beul’s at 8 o’clock;
arrived home about 2 o’clock PM
End
David Hickox Diary number two
______________________________________________________
Started from home for St. Louis via Canada. Arrived at Watertown about noon. Stayed at Mr. John Fays till the next morning.
Rainy.
Started from Watertown about ten o’clock in the morning for French Creek. Roads
very bad. Saw numbers of the Mitilia on the way to keep the fence on the lines.
Arrived about 5 o’clock, put up at Mr. Hunts. Found them all well except sister
Osborn.
Started from French Creek at 4 pm for Kingston in the steamer Queenston. Arrived at 8, put up at Weekes Chickquird Hotel - expecting to start for Coburg tomorrow.
In
consequence of news that there had been a riot and robbery 15 or 20 miles above
Kingston, the boat that I expected to go in was pressed by Her Majesty to carry
troops out. So I must remain where I am until further orders. Governor landed
here this evening.
No
boats going up the lake. Started at 9 in the morning in the Steamer Hamilton up
the bay. Saw the Cobourg and Comidore Barry at Bath; they had been cruising all
night. Arrived at Trent at 12 at night. The Government very much alarmed;guards
out all night.
Went
up to Richards and found them well. Stayed at Gary’s till morning.
Started
with Gary and Julius for Cobourg. Arrived at Homer’s about noon. Found them
well except Charley who had fractured his skull by a fall a few days before. It
is thought he is doing well.
At 8 in the morning in the Comedore Barry for Toronto. Lay to several hours in a fog near Hope. Arrived at T. about sunset. The Governor was leaving for Kingston. Great Glee. Kingston seems to be filled with troops, so does Toronto but not so many regulars. The Canadas are in great bustle; everything looks like war.
At 7 in the morning took the Transit for Lewiston; arrived at noon. Took the railcars for Niagara Falls. Visited the Falls and started for Buffalo in the steamcars. Found ourselves at the wharf at sundown. Went on board the General Porter, expect to put out for Cleveland this evening.
On some account we did not start till morning, but had a very pleasant day.
About
9 in the evening had a squall, put into Fairport till daylight.
Arrived at Cleveland at 6 in the morning;could not proceed up the canal on account of sandbars formed by the shower. Tarried all day and visited with Mr. F. Tylor’s people.
Went
up the canal, found it not likely to be clear today. More excursions round the
place; found it very pleasant, especially that part lying on the hill-the main part lying 75 ft above
the lake. Went on Capt. Allen’s canalboat Pilot in the evening.
Canal not open till 9 o’clock in the evening when we set out from Cleveland, the canal being blocked up so long there had accumulated 40 or 50 boats above laden with pork,flour, and various kinds of produce and we had to jam our way through for more than two miles.
Passing up the canal, we had a great rise to encounter toward the headwaters of the Cuyahoga. It seems like rising a great mountain.
Morning found us passing through a beautiful lake on the Sumet level from which we are decending toward the Ohio, but still have another rise to make up the Licking River.
Passed several small villages but as we were running in the valley of the river, could not see much of the country.
Arrived at Newark about 9 in the morning. This town is beautifully situated on the Licking River. It’s streets are neat and clean. The soil since we came
to
Cleveland seems to be composed of a sandy gravel that I find all along the
rivers of this country.
Found ourselves on the way to Portsmouth in a boat called the Rocky Mountains. Took the side out for Columbus at 4, arrived at Columbus at 10 in the evening. This is 11 miles out of our route to Portsmouth.
Sunday, 24th
At 5 in the morning I took a stroll up into the city as far as the Statehouse of the Metropolis of Ohio; it is an opulant city about a mile square, the streets are clean being founded on the same sandy gravel that I find all along the rivers of the country.
Monday, 25
Started at 9 in the morning; passed through circleville about noon and Cholecothe about midnight.
Tuesday, 26th
Still on our way, arrived at Portsmouth at 9 in the morning. Started at 3 in the evening in the Transit.
Wednesday 27th
Arrived at Cincinnati at sunrise. Started at noon in the Philadelphia down the river. Passed the house of General Harrison as it was said. It is a small house handsomely situated within a few rods of the bank of the river. There stand several ordinary houses near. Arrived at Louisvill at the break of day on Thursday the 28th; went out in the Vermont at 1 in the afternoon. Saw a man named Porter, 7 ft, 7 inches in height. The wheat is beginning to ripen.
Fryday, 29th
Passed a Shawnee town Illinois. It is very difficult to get water fit to drink. I went up to town to find a well but could not find one that would go.
Saturday, 30th
Passed the junction at 1 pm.
Sunday, July 1st
Winding our way up the Mississippi 180 miles. Arrived at St. Louis.
Monday, 2nd
At 9 o’clock took stage within 7 miles of Florissant. Arrived at Robbins about sundown.
Tuesday, 3rd
Walked out with Robbins to view the Florissant Commons. It is the most beautiful land I have ever say. The soil appears to be so rich that it will bear tilling for a hundreds of years without manure. It is rolling land with beautiful springs of water and sprinkled with shrubs of various kinds. We saw quail, partridges, rabbits, and birds of various kinds - the weather continues to be very hot.
Wednesday, 4th
Very warm. Saw nobody engaged in celebrating our national birthday. The people are very busy hoeing their corn.
5th, 6th 7th
Still at Florissant. The weather continues to be extremely warm. I have never experienced so hot a sun; it is almost intolerable.
Sunday, 8th
I this day for the first time, visited a Roman Catholic meeting. They have a small though somewhat splendid church here, with a great many pictures. The service was performed in French and so was the preaching. The people seemed very devout, but as to their ceremonies, they seem to me like efforts to call spirits from the vastly deep.
Monday, 9th
Very hot. The thermometor at 104 Farenheight.
Tuesday, 10th
Left Florissant about noon. Arrived at S.H. Robbins at 5 o’clock. I almost suffocated with dust. This is the dustyest road I have ever traveled. Tarried with Mr. Robbins.
Wednesday, 11th
Took the stage at 11 for Springfield. It had rained the night before so the roads were muddy. Weather cool. Passed the American Bottom which is eight miles wide and appended the bluff and found a high level country.
Thursday, 12th
Passed the first prairie of any great extent, the largest that we crossed was 14 miles and as level as water. Arrived at Springfield at 5. Virgil had rode out with the ladies so I did not see him till dark.
Friday, 13th
Rode out with Virgil to H. & A.s, found them well. Their place seems very pleasant after seeing so much flat country.
Satturday, 14th
Went town with H. A. & M. Took a view of various parts of town and returned about 4 o’clock.
Sunday, 15th
Wrote a letter to my wife being still at H.
Satturday, 21st
Went to town and tarried with Virgil over.
Sunday, 22nd
Attended the Episcopal church. Wrote a letter to Franklin at Louisville in the evening.
Monday, 23rd
Went up to H’s in the morning and tarried through the day.
Tuesday, 24th
Started with Virgil to Salt Creek to see the country and visit Parke. Found him well; he is building a house.
Wednesday, 25th
Started for Springfield and had a view of the country, it being 30 miles through the most beautiful prairies.
Thursday, 26th
Went out to H. & A.s and tarried till Sunday, 29th. Went to Springfield in the evening.
Monday, 30th
Started in the stage for Peoria. 70 miles. Arrived at 6 pm. The prairies are very extensive. On the road we were often out of sight of timber.
Tuesday, 31st
Took the steamer Fronteer up the Illinois river to Peru, 80 miles; arrived at 6 in the evening. Took stage immediately for Chicago. Came along the line of the canal and arrived at Chicago at 5 o’clock.
Wednesday evening , August 1st
Thursday, August 2nd
No boat going out until tomorrow. The city lies very low, almost level with the lake, the water being 18 inches higher than ever known.
Fryday, August 3rd
Went on board the Thomas Jefferson at 9 in the evening for Buffalo; arrived at Milwaukee.
Satturday, 4th
In the morning proceeded up the lake. Weather fine.
Sunday, 5th
Arrived at Makinaw about noon and proceeded down Lake Huron. Landed on Huron river Monday, 6th in the evening. Tarried till morning.
Tuesday, 7th
Passed through Lake St. Clair and arrived in Detroit at 7 o’clock in the morning. Tarried an hour and a half. Set off down the river. The river Huron and St. Clair affords the most beautiful scenery perhaps in the world. Farms and villages on both sides. Ten miles below Detroit found Malden – arrived at Cleveland at 12 o’clock at night which completes a circle of 2500 miles. Round three states or to that amount.
Wednesday, 8th
Going down Lake Erie; touched at Fairport, Erie and Dunkirk and arrived at Buffalo at 11 at night.
Thursday , 9th
Started at 5 in the morning in a canal boat for Rochester. Passed through several villages and through Lockport.
Friday, 10th
Found ourselves still on our way to Rochester; passed a place called Brockport, a very handsome village, and arrived at Rochester at 4 pm. Found a wagon going to Penfield and arrived at A.P. Osborn’s about sundown. Found sister O. there in good health.
Satturday, 11th
Tarried through O’s through the day. Saw people very busy haying and harvesting. Crops good, apples in abundance.
Sunday, 12th
Rode over to Mr. Graves in the afternoon with Sister O., and A. P. O. Found them well, tarried through Monday , 13th and rode with Mr. Graves to the falls and also to Fairport on the canal.
Tuesday, 14th
Rode out with Mr. Graves and Daniel Barnes to Rochester and returned to A. P. Osborn’s.
Wednesday, 15th
Started for Rochester with A. P. O. at 5 am. Arrived at half past 6 and took car for the steamboat at the landing. Went on board of the Oneida for Sackets Harbor at 9. Arrived at 10 at night. Left for Watertown at 11 and arrived at 1 o’clock, Thursday 16th. Left at 3 and arrived at Rutland at E. Andru’s at daylight. From thence arrived home about noon, thus making a tour of more than 3000 miles chiefly by water, and circumscribing territory equal to 3 of the largest western states.
End