Text
DIARY OF JOHN STRICKLAND
Transcribed by Jan Roberton, the great-great-great-granddaughter of John Strickland
On the 5 day of April 1830 I set out for america with John Simpson for my
comanion we went that day as far as Tadcaster and there Loged the first night
6th we set out on foot again and went about a mile and a half to the other side
of Hallifax
7th we set out on foot and when we had got to this side of Blackstone it rained
very heavy and I was begining to to be foot sore we still kept pasevering on till we
came to Rochdale and then we took our Fair to Manchester on the coach we
then took to foot again we did not walk far before we got into a cart and rode to
Warington we then went 3 or 4 miles and stoped at a Lodging house
8th we set of early and this morning we came to Liverpool our
Boxes did not this day so we both took over to Chefshire
9 this day Being good friday our Boxes did not come so we went to the Roman
Catolic Chapel were I was suprised to see what superstision reained in the
world
10 we went this day to all the cariers we could find and still could hear nothing
of them we were then tired of walking and as we were walking on the pear we
thought we would go to the light house in Chefshire to pafs the time so we did and
then came back and went to our old logings again
11 this day John Simpson set out to seek our Boxes I pafs the day as I could the
forenoon I walked on the shore the afternoon I went to the church and at night I
went to the Methodist meeting
12
I spent this day in walking about
13
I spent this much like the rest
14 wedensday this day John came back I had for got to mention that the
Boxes came on monday John had been as far as Leeds we then took our fare in
water street No. 22 for america
15
this day we got our beds in and loged at Night in the ship
16
this day we got in most of our store
17
we are doing on like the rest and the ship will go out sumtime
18 this day I wrote a letter and directed it to Emanuel at forenoon and at
the afternoon I went to the church
19
this day we past in the ship
20 we should have gone out to day but the Weather being so rainy they
cargo could not be got in
21 we are here yet
2
22
O how long the time looks that we were off
23
this day it rained all the day through
24 the canada should have gone out to day I met George Wood of
Nutholme
25
this day I was stalled with being in the town and did not go to church
26 the Captan came to take the hospitle money and to1,d us we should go of
to morrow
27 I this day wrote any last farewell to my Mother sisters and Brothers telling
them I was going at 3 oclock but we went at 2 there is a 156 of us in number we
this day went out into the river I was in the best hart that I had been in since I
left home
28 the Wind Blows fair it is a fine Morning all seems to be in good hart here is
both English Irish Welch Scotch Etalicks americans and Duch we are a very jovil
lot all together about
12 o'clock the anchor was heaved in and we set sail with a soath east wind I stoped on
deck till my head ached looking towards
my native shore I then went between decks and with a kind of joy mixed with hope
and fear I lay myself down on my bed with the thoughts of all my old acquaintances
in my mind and put down these few words I then went on deck again to see if I still
could see old England but it was then out of sight we were on the
coast of wales
29 I awoke this morning in a midling state of health I har,d some say we were pafsing
Holy heard so I got up to see it I then got the Brecfast fit but falling sick I was not
able to take any we has a good south east wind and this day we came in sight of the
coave of man and Ireland
30th this morning we were both of us very sick the wind was much the same
May the 1st this morning the wind was west and it came on a storm and the wind
being contrary we made but a little progrefs I this day saw what I oft har,d tell of here
the waves rowl,d so high that when a vefsill was pafsing us we were often out of sight
one of the other
2 sunday morning this was a very fine day the wind being south east we got on
at a good rate
3 this morning the wind was the same this day we saw a bird hovring over the
ship at last it lef in the riggin and still keep,t ventering nearer till at last it let on the
deck and was soon pick,d up it was land bird we all thought it was a corlew
4
the wind still keeps south east and we keep rowling on
3
5th we have been a week the first that ever I was on the sea before and we have
had a prospofs jorney so far this morning the wind had got North east and Blew a
good breeze they heaved the log and found we were going at the rate of 10 miles a
hour
6 this day the wind had got near North west and we if ought were rather stopt
in our progrefs
7th this morning the wind had got North and we sailed west south west and
went at a good speed it has been rough for a day or two we had seen neither
birds nor ships of 3 or 4 days and this day we have seen Both
8th this day the wind was north west and we sailed south west by west it blew a
good brees and we came within 100 miles of the western Isles
9th this morning the wind was west and we were obliged to sail north the wind
altred before night and we sailed north west I this day saw sume purpus pigs this
forenoon we were saying that the cuckoo would be singing it was so fine a
morning so I made the following lines
No cuckoo have we got to sing
No lark sweet marbles of the spring But all
that we can hear or see
Is gulls and mothercaries flee Then let us
hasten to the shore Then we will come to
sea no more Then we shall hear them sing
always And so with pleasure end our days
10th this morning the wind was south west but turned soon north west we sailed
slowly westward this day we saw several fishes
11th this morning the sea was as calm as a pond in the afternoon the wind Blew from
the soath west and we sailed north west
12th this day the wind was much the same and at night it came on a storm and
awoake us all I thought at irst that the ship was sinking
13 this morning the ship rouled till one could hardly it was a calm after a storm we
had no wind this day we say some purpuses to day
14th this morning the wind blew south west and we sailed north west is came on
roughish today
15th this morning the wind was much the same it was a real storm today
towards night the wind changed north west and we sailed west south west in
the morning the wind was so violent it tore away the fore sai1 and threw the man
down at the Whee1
16 it was a fine day today the wind was north west and we sailed west south west
this day we saw a pice of wood flote by us we see fishes every day
4
17th this morning the wind Blew south and we sailed west north west the sea
was very calm and we glided on with pleasure we saw toa kind of fishes today one
find from a foot and a half to 2 feet in lenth and the other ones were much larger
this day we had all cleaned out and the Captan burnt Vinegar and sugar in the
howl to prevent sicknefs
18th this day the wind was north west and we sailed south west by west
19th this day the wind was much the same we held the Asises to day.
towards night the wind got more west
20th this morning when I got up I went to the Compos to see what way we
were going when I found we headed almost south at 8 oclock they altered
the tack and with a west wind we sailed almost full north I was not very well
today.
21th the wind was nearly west all this day we sailed about. north west in the
forenoon and came to the banks of New Newfoundland fishery in the afternoon
we turned nearly south west there is one thing I had forgot to mention a few
nights ago I went upon deck after it was dark and was surprised to see all round
us like sparks of fire fly out of the sea and this night I went on deck as I often did
and to my great astonishment as far as I could see on both sides all seemed to be
on great fiers like burning Ling what the reason of this was I can not tell so I must
let it go to where all the rest of unfoundout misteries do I dream’t this night
Margaret was dead which made me wonder in my mind how you all were geting
on and put in my hart a secret wish to know if you were all well
22th we left the Banks this morning the wind was much the same we sailed
northward in the forenoon and south ward in the after noon. we saw 3 ships to day
we had not seen one of 6 days before the wind keeps very much a heard o[ us and
our pafsage seems as if it would be a long one
23rd this day we had a fair wind and a smouth sea we tuched on the torrent which
runs from Gulf Florida this forenoon the Captan gave a glafs of Brandy to all on Board
about 6 o'clock at night the wind got north and we sailed 1 point south
24 the wind this morning was nearly the same but before noon it got east and we
sailed on with pleasure this day the Captain gave a Hogshead of fresh warter to
wash with towards night the wind got south and we went at a good rate
25th this day the wind was south this morning between 12 & l o'clock I was a
woke out of my sléep With a voice saying 0 poor lad he is dead the voice at first
struck me with terror I being half asleep and half awake I thought it was my
Mother that was murming about me but when I awoke I found that a little boy
belonging to a poor taylor was dead he was about 9 months old in the afternoon he
was sowed up and put into a Cask they filled the Cask coles and water and all
being ready he was commited to
the deep a man of the name of Thomas Batty read the Buiral servis
we saw the Cask flote on the surface but was soon out of sight
26 this morning the wind was south but soon turned north and contuined to all the day
and was extreamly coold
27th this morning the wind was north it was a very fine day it came on a storm
last night and broke down many of the beds I think it was the roughest bit we
have had
28th this day the wind was north east and we sailed west it a very fine day we
saw 3 ships and had not seen one since last mentioned last night we saw fishes
by hundred's skiping about like shiip you may think when you read this that I
was in the
old way as I wrote this on the Bowspreet this day towards Night
we saw a shaul fishes I think I may safely say there were more in number than
ever I saw sheep at a fair in my life
29th this morning it rained very hard but faired up by 10 oclock and was a very
fine day we saw a ship a heard of us by six in the morning she was stearing the
same way that we were and we came up with her by 5 or 6 at night the wind was
fair and it was a fine chase we saw several fishes today there were sum very large
ones rowled by us
30th this morning the wind was south east and blew a good breeze this
forenoon we swarms of fishes sevral that were of an enormos sise they plom'd
today but found no bottom toward's night we saw a shark lying on the water
31st it rained very heavy all night and in the morning it was thick and foggy the
wind had got into the west but soon got north me and the second mate
sounded this morning and it was
33 fathoms and at noon they sounded again and it was 45 fathoms to the bottom
and found that it was a sandy bottom the plum fetched up in the morning
pieces of shells and at noon it was black and white sand
June 1st this morning the wind was fair this morning me and my companion went
to the foretop gallent yard to see for Land which we thought we saw at a great
distance the steward went about 1/2 an hour afterward and called out Land a
her,d the mate went up afterward,s but the fogg prevented him from seeing it. it
was a pleasing sound to us but the fogg came in so thick that we could not see
far at night they sounded again it was 25 fathoms and a sand bottom
2nd this morning is a morning ever to be remembered by us all at 12 the second
mate sound and it was 15 fathoms it then being the first mate Watch and not
being on his gard he fell asleep and but for one of the sailors we had run a shore as
soon as the danger was made known they got her put about they then sounded
and found that it was only six fathoms we then sailed eastward and after the
danger was over we turned on our corse again
It was the North end of Long Isle were we had like to have run ashore we saw
several brigs and sum fishing boat to day and had Land in view most of the day I
was not very well and it being Kirby fair we got a bottle of Brandy
6
3rd this morning all was calm till about noon it then blew a south wind and in
about an hour or so we came in sight of Land again we soon came in sight of
sandy hook and every eye glem,d with pleasure at the sight it was but a small
breese and we
could not go fast in the evening they hoisted the Coller (?) for a Pilote and after
it got dark we hung a light to the Bowspreet but still the Pilote did not come we
were then coming so near the shore and water running shallow they did not think
it proper to go any further so they the mate then fired of a report and a Vefsel
that we saw behind us soon made up to us it was the news Boat they then fired
for 10 or more times at last we saw a Boat coming toward us which proved to be
the Pilote they sailed on a little distance and then heaved the Anchor
it was a very fine moon light night and a uncommon sweet air as is of a clover
feild I went to bed about 12 at night
4th this morning about 4 o,clock the Anchor was heaved in and we proceeded
up the Hook the wind was contrary and we did not get far before the Anchor was
heaved again within sight of 6 or more dwelling houses and several feild,s and
woods which made our journey look pleasenter than ever it had done before it
was a calm all the rest of the day and rained very heavy the costom house officer
came on board about 12 o;clock
5th this day about 10 o,clock a breese came on and we set sail and about 12
o,clock we reached the Corenteen and the doctor came on board we were all in
good hearlth and so we went on till we came to New York after the Docter had
pafsed us me and my companion sent into the howl to Drefs and when come out
we had just got to New York as we went up the river it was very delightful to see
the Forts on both sides of the river as soon as the anchor was heave we both we
went on shor with sum other pafsengers and went to a Groecer shop and sum sider
and milk and bread we then went a crofs the east river to Brooklin to Thomas
Cook,s and after we had got our tea we took a walk through town and then came
back and Lodged at Thomas Cooks that night
6th this morning we went acrofs the river for somethings John went to the
Freind meeting we came back to Mr. Cooks and in the afternoon we took a walk
into the feild,s the corn and grafs
got up so high we wondred were we had spent the summer everything looked as
pleasent as in England and sumthink pleasenter in the evening we both went to the
Methodist Chapel and then retired to rest
7th this morning me and my companion left Brooklin for New York and when we had
got aboard the Ferry we meet with William Frankland we were very glad to see one
another again as we all in Liverpool together he wanted sum help to get his Thrashing
musheen out of
the Warehouse so we went with him we then got our Baggage of the
Envoy and put them on board a tow boat to go to Albany on Tusday
we had been throng and did not get over to Brooklin tonight so we stoped on the
tow boat
8th this day was a busy day with us we went over to Brooklin in the morning to
write a letter and in the afternoon we came
to New York to get the price of sum things and finished our letter I got sum soverings
changed for 4 Dollors and 70 sent a piece
7
we posted our letter in the old Liner Packet Office and then went on board the
towboat William Frankland came to bid farewell to us the boat did not got out till it
was dark
9th O what new world is this with Rocks and Crags on either hand and now and
then a wooden house if america be all like this well might poor Noble come home
again it is a fine day and still for all its barren and ruged apearence it is very pleasent
there was two tow boats and the stemer all together was 28 yard acrofs it was like
a little Isle all moving together it keeps growing pleasenter as we get further up I
think there would be between
2 and 300 of us but nearer 3 than 2 we had a band of Music among us and when we
went by Newburg they played a few tunes and the people on shore fired two or 5
time it is very mountainous but still it grows better when we came as far as Hudson
the Correct run very raped against us we have not seen much very large wood yet.
10 we arived this morning between 12 and 1 oclock at Albeny it rained very heavy
all this morning and we took our fair to Utica for 90 sent we went into the market
before we went of and bought a Quarter of veal at 2 and a 1/2 sents per lb. Beef
was from 4 sent to 8 sents per lb. re then set out for Utica we were 21 in Number
and two of us were Children that went free we were all of the ship Envoy but a man
and his wife as we went on the land
we saw sum midling good Land we saw sum people clearing a feild they had hewn
down the trees about knee height and was harring among the stumps when we had
got a little further we saw a field of Wheat shot out we have now got among plenty of
wood about
6 o,clock we pased Troy it was a pleasent night and me and my Companion set
out on foot time they got through the Lock,s we walked up by the Canal side till
we came to the Mohoak we then left the side of the Canal and walked through
the wood till we came to the Bank,s of the river it was moon light and we coald not
see as much as we wished to do after we had walked éa little way up we came to
the Falls were we both were astonished to see what a tremendious crash it fell into
the Chasm below and caused a spray to raise that would soon have wet us through
our Clothes we then went till we meet the boat and I went to bed but had not been
there long before I was called up to see the aquaduct where the canal crofsed the
Mahoak I don,t now how many arches there was it being dark
11th this morning when I got up we had got up to the second aquaduct there was 17
arches we walked on the canal was cut out of the solid rock we came to Conectuct
about 9 oclock the Land here in general is good one of our pasengers had 95 Dollers
bidden for a year but did not axcept it about 11 oclock we came to a smal aquaduct
acrofs a smal stream in the afternoon we came to
2 or 3 lock,s so me and my Companion and another Pasenger took a ramble up in
the wood,s were there was Grape trees and sugar Mapels and we got sum
strawBerris which grew in abundance we then returned to the Boat again we
went along sevral small aquaducts in the evening we came to Squohary Creek
were is a Bridge of 3 Arches and each arch has 52 yard span or more the Land
all about here is very good.
12th this morning is a very fine one we came to the little falls
in the corse of the forenoon the town is bilt on a solid rock here being sum lock,s
me and simpson went to see a Saw Mill which struck uncomon quick we thought
there was a good deal of improvement in her we also saw a Corn Mill which was
different to those in England there one Curosity I had forgot a little before we
came to the falls we saw a spring of water which streamed for 6 or 8 feet stright
up this was a great Curosity to me as I allaways delighted in Romantic things
when we had got a little further we saw sum people rearing a house so me and
other 2 pasengers went and helped them up with the main Booms we got sum
whiskey and then went on till we came to Utica were we arived about 7 oclock I
had a letter to liver here to William Rooks we got a Glafs of wiskey with them and
then went
to the Boat again here we experinced another Parting the person,s we had been with
us all the way from Liverpool had to leave us which was like a second leaving home
we shook hands and parted they stoped and we went on most of the Land we saw
to day was very good
13th this is sunday I just write sunday to keep in memory there is one there is
little difference between sunday and working days here this day we pafsed New
London New Boston and sevral other little villages here the canal runs for above
60 miles without one lock the Land here was mostly woods and swamps toward
Night we came to very good Land again
14th this morning we arised at Syracuse here the Boat stopet awhile and we went
to see a tanners house they were both tanners and Curiers when we left Syracuse
we pased the salt vats and lake onondaga we also saw aplace called Liverpool and
another called Jordon and sevral other little villages by the side of the canal the
Land is good but rather mountainous the dwelling houses in general are are better
than in England
15th this day was the hotest we had experinced since we came about midnight
the driver and horses all went into the canal together this was the second time
we were in danger of being ship wereck,d although this time we are sum
hundreds of miles of the sea the horses were in the canal for nearly an hour about
7 oclock we came to Clyde and about 10 oclock to Lyons the Land
is all very good but we think it is both better and cheaper further west this afternoon
we arived at Palmira 131 miles distant from Utica our Boat was going no further so we
embarked on another ship which is the 4th
16th this morning we arived at Rochester here our Captain had to atend the
Grand Juery me and my Companion went to see the Genese Falls which is just
below the town it was both awful and grand it was here where poor sam that we
heard of to England jumped down and niver rose again the place he jumped of
was 20 feet higer than the Falls and they are said to be 100 feet
themselves the Canal crofses the Genese River in an Aquaduct made
of stone we went to see a Mill were was 9 pair of stones in one
floor we were struck with astonishment to see Mills in all directions and of all
discreptions and water to suply as many more about 9 oclock we left Rochester
it was avery fine day and every thing looked neat and delightfull
9
17th we arived between 11 &12 oclock at Night at Gaines Bason the Boat was
going no further so we had once more to go among fresh fases we wated till 5
oclock in the afternoon one came the land all about here is very good but dear it
is from 15 to 20 dollars per acre from Palmira to Gaines Bason it is 66 miles we
arived in Reynols Bason about 19 miles from Gaines Bason we left our Boxes in a
store and walked about 2 miles to Michaels Robinson where we were kindly
intreated we spent the forenoon Walking in the gardens and fei1d,s the afternoon
we helped to haw Indian corn and at night we took a walk on the Ridge Road
which I had so oft heard tell off to England it is a fine ridge with a reglar decent
Both ways and just wide enough on the top for a tonpike road it is aboutmiles in
length
19th. this morning we went to haw Indian corn again and in the after noon we
intended to go a Squarel shuting but it came on a rain and stoped us I think the
land about here is not so good as sum that we have seen but still it,s midling good
20th this morning it rained very heavy but it Cleared up about noon and we set
of to Richard Dales about 8 miles west James Robinson having to come that way
in the morning we left our bundels to come in the Wagon when we arived at
Richard and his wife was standing at the door of their old Log house they were
very glad to see us and hear from old England having got our tea we went for the
Cows to Millk & when that was done we sat down over a good Log fire and talked
about all the old sprees and old aquaintance that our memries could recall till
very near 2 o'clock we then went to bed not because we were out of talk but
because we thought it was bedtime and after we had got to bed we still kept
talking on till it struck 3 we then wished that both our relations and they's knew
what a pleasent night we had enjoyed and fell asleep
21th this morning we took a walk round the Farm which is in
genral very good Land we could get Land here from 11 Dollars to 20 Do per acre which
depended mostly on being cleared and building about noon James Robinson came and
when we had got our dinner,s we set out again acompanied with Richard Dale and James
Robinson to Locport a distance of 4 miles were we saw a very handsum Mill with 4
stones time we were walking about together the time went pleasently on but we soon
had to part we left Locport about 4 past 2 o'clock and walked on toward,s the falls of
Niagara it rained very heavy all the afternoon and our bundels being heavey and we being
wet we only went 11 miles we Loged at a tavren were we met with very good
accommodations
22 this morning it was raining still and had done all Night when we had got our
breakfast,s it did not look like clearing up so we set of as it was it rained very heavy
most of the forenoon and about noon it faired up a fine day the Land all on the
Bank of the Niagara is of strong nature when we came within a mile
or so of the Falls the ground almost trembled under us with the Falling of the
water we arived in the Village about 3 o'clock the american Falls is just below the
village we went and took a view of them and then went acrofs the river and went
down among the shrubs and briers till we came to the Canada or horse shoe
Falls here we were entertained with Maganeficent view of the
10
Fall all together they are quite as wonderful as I expected and are better
described than I can pretend to do we saw the place were sam Patch leapt
down. when we came to the plase were people pretend to go under the stream
we first one went and then the other we went with our umbre1la,s up and as fast
as we could and as far as we could we thought we were as far as most had
been we both of us got well wet with the spray after we had seen all we could at
the bottom we asended up sume old broken steps to the top we looked about
there a while and set out for Fort George a distance of 14 miles it was about 7
oclock when we left the Falls we walked about 7 miles and came to a village
called Queenston were we stoped that Night it was very dark and mudy and we
har,d the Wo1f,s runing in the woods in all directions
23 this morning we left Queenston for Fort George were we arrived about 8
oclock and about 1 oclock we left Fort George and went on board the steam Boat
for little York which is about 30 miles acrofs the Lake Ontrio we meet with William
Porter of Gillemoor and
Parker of Welburn crofsing the Lake at the same time
we arived at York about 6 oclock and then set out on foot up Young Street the
Land we saw this Night was mostly Pine Land and we thought not very good we
walked 7 miles and Lodged at an English man,s house
24 it was a fine morning and we set out in good time and when we had walked
about 6 miles further wecalled at a Tavren to get sum refreshment when we
went in they asked us if we were from England and on telling we where they
asked us from what part saying they where from Lastingham there is Millburn
and they left England 13 years ago they were very pleased that we had called
we stop,t and got our breakfast,s and dinner,s with them we then went about 2
miles further to one Jame,s Marsh,s who Married one of old John Atkinson,s
daughters the Land we saw to day was better than that yesterday but there is
more Pines in it than we liked to see we Lodged at Marshes at Night
25 this morning we went to see young John Atkinson he has got a Mill with 2 run
of stone,s and is semingly doing well we then went to see old John Atkinson we
got our dinner,s with him and then set out to see the Quaker settlement we went
for 6 mile over a ridge of Mountain called the Oak Ridges the Land on
these Ridges is in genral light and sandy we at last came to were the Land grew
better we went to a place called New Market about 30 miles from York the Land
after we got to the Quaker settlement was very good it is the best that we have
seen in Canada we stop,t all Night at New Market
26th this morning I was awoke with it Thundering I think I never
heard it Thunder nor saw it Lighten so in my life before when we got up we walked
about 2 miles and called at a house to see a Trashing Masheen which was made
nearby like these in England we arived at Mr. Marches about 2 oclock and after we
had got our dinner we went to see a Farm that was to sell we liked the situation
very well the Land was good and a Creek runs through it as we returned through
the Bush we shot a Partridge we also got a Pidgen as we went
27 this morning we set out for Robert Dawson,s they told us it
11
was about 18 miles it Thundred and rained most of the way and we rambled in
the wood sum times right and sumtimes Wrong from 7 in the morn to 9 at
Night were we found a kind of a Tavrin about 4 miles of still we were both
tired and wet and so we took our Lodgings no little pleased with our day
journey for when we got a fair calculation we found we had gone the
14 miles in 14 hour
28 our night,s rest was as good as our day,s journey for we were so bitten with
Buggs that we could not sleep we got up in good time and paid ls and 6d each for our
refreshment and then Paddled out the other 4 miles I sat in the house most of the
day Robert Dawson,s were all well and in good spirit,s
29 this day we ment to have had a Bee but our men disapointed
us so we walked round the farm to see the crops which looked very good in the
afternoon Francis Dawson and his wife came and we got a good talk about Old
England and the poor slaves that still remained theirin
30th this day we had our Bee this was the first Log house that ever I helped to
build at night I was at one of the name of Knagg,s that came out of Bransdale I
cannot speak much in the favour of this man for poor fellow he has got bit by a
venomos worn called the stilling worm and I think that it will prove fatle
July 1st we ment to have proceed on our journey to day but hearing that John
Petch from Bransdale lived not far we went to see him but when we got their we
saw nobody but his he being at York and would not be back before it was dark we
then went to one Francis Dawson and spent the afternoon the Land that we saw
to day was mostly very good and all that I wanted was my Mother and of the
Famely and then all that ever I saw in my life before should niver make me leave
america as we were returning home we meet a woman who asked if we were the
two new comers on telling her we were she asked if we knew William Webster at
Bellend we told her we did she then said he is my husband,s Brother so we went
into the house and got a sup Bitter,s with them as they call it George Webster,s wife
is sumthing related to Chapman,s of the Ewy Caat (?)
2nd this morning we prepaired for our journey again and before we got of John
Petch came to see us we stop,t an hour or so talking the old over again and then
set out Robertt Dawson went with us a few miles when we came to Dundas street
we Called to see one Boyes that went out of Bilsdale we then proceeded on our
way we thought as we had been at York we would go by Land round the Lake head
we walked this day up Dundas street about 30 miles above York the Land by the
road is sandy in sum places and swampy in other,s
3rd this morning we arived in Hambleton about 40 miles from York here we were
both of us foot sore so that we could not walk any further so we determined to
take the stage and either go to the Black Rock and then take the Lake or else go
through by Land acordingly we took our fair by Land from Hambleton to sandwich
about 200 miles for 5 Do each the Land about here is of a light
12
sandy nature we spent the rest of the day on the shore of the Lake
4th this forenoon I went to the Methodist chapel the Coach did not go of till 2
after we had got two or or three miles of the Land grew better and kept mending
all the way we went to a place called Bradford which is situated by the side of the
Grand river about 25 miles from Hambleton we stoped to night
5 this morning we got up about 2 oclock to go on journey but to our sad
misfurturn our Coach had turned into a Waggon but however it was very well she
turned into nothing wors as there was nothing better we went about 22 miles
before they changed the Land here mostly belonged to the Government sum of
it was sandy loomy nature and the rest was hard wood Land and very good it
might be bought of the Goverment for 2 Do per acre and is with in 20 miles of
Bradford were there both a good Market and water convance our next stage
was 18 miles through the Township of Oxford this is an old setteled Country and
here is good Land but at a Dearer rate there is a market in Oxford and wheat is
almost as dear there as at York but they make nothing of there Butter our next
stage was about 20 miles the first 9 miles I neither know what Township nor
wether it was Goverment Land or on but it was all Pine and good for nothing the
rest of the way it was mostly take up and much better we came into the
Township of Westminster before we stopt at night
6th we set of again at ½past 2 in the morning we got a fresh Waggon the road
was very rough the Land this stage which was
18 miles was of a sandy nature our next stage was 13 miles this Crowned all the
traveling I ever saw in my life our Waggon had no cover and we Winded about
first by one tree and then another and every now and then a piece of Cordoy
Roy fit to Clash the very Breath out the Land was sumthink better it was most of
it goverment Land and very thingly settled our next stage was 25 miles on the
Bank,s of the River Thames the Land was midling good in sume places and light
and sandy in others sume of this belonged to the Goverment and sume to the
Indian,s we crofsed over a plain were was onse an Indian village but was burnt
down in the war by the Yankes there is now a Village belonging to the Indian,s on
the south side of the road called the Moravian Village after this we came to some
fine feilds of Wheat almost Ripe at last we came to the inn where we had to stop
7th we set off about 8 past 1 in the morning and about 7 we got our breakfast,s
with an Old Preist out of England I dont know how long this stage nor neither of the
other 2 when we had done our breaktast,s we set of again like Christian and Pliable
we traveled on the Land was good and the midows and Corn feild,s with the River
on the right hand made it pleasent to behold we traveled on for a few miles and
came to the edge of a swamp that is over flow,d with Lake st. Clair now like Christian
and Pliable when they came to the slough of dispond there way lay through it and
10 miles did our,s through this it was about 4 miles through and we were for the
most to the Wagon body in water when we had got to the midle our hind axle tree
broke but happely we spied it before we were thrown into the mud we had to
stop where we were till the driver went and brought with him another
Carrage
13
we then got of in safety and the rest of our jurney we had better road we arived
at a Tavren Opsit Detroit after it was dark it was 3 miles further to Sandwich but as
it was there we wanted to be we did not go any further we then took the Boat
and went acrofs the River to Detroit we paid 1s each for going over the River we
got Lodgings just were we landed
8th this morning we went to the Land office to get directions for one George
Boyes that went from Kirbymooreside after we had got Directions we set of and
when we had got just out of the town we over took a dutch woman driving a cart
we asked her if she could direct us to Shipman mill she did not rightly understand our Language and we did not under stand her but we thought we had to go
the way she was going so we went but to our sad
misfurton we were led wrong we went first from one house and then to another
but they were all either French or Duch and we could get no information we at
Last got into the right road and
went on till we came to a Methodist Meeting that was left disolate the man that built it
hath proved a hirling and it being in the wood the Wolf soon devoured the sheep
the sight of this put me
in mind of What I once was I was grived to see it so but I Was as bad I went into it
an Wrote on the forsaken Pulpet Remember for all this thou shalt be brought into
Judgement I took the hint and I hope that if ever he look,s in again he may too
we then traveled on enquring the way of all we met till called at a tavren and
enquired the way the we had got 3 miles past the road end allready we then like
Christian were obliged to retrase our steps backward we went back a little way
and took a crofs 4 or 5 miles we just got through before it was dark as the road
was bad to hit we to our Lodgings at a Farmers house by the road side
9th this morning we went to Geroges Boyse it was about 2 miles of were we stopt
we got our breakfast with them and then set of again as we were tredging along I
gave John my umbrela and an Old stick in my hand and went into a yard and
asked the master if I could get a few day work he asked me what I could do I told
him I could do any kind of Farmers busnefs he told me he would give me 12 Do a
Month for too or 3 months I told him it was too little he then said that he should
want a man and if could do he would give me that the year round however we did
not agree so I went on and over took John we then went on a few miles and as
there was no tavren near we went into a thicket and lay down and fell asleep till
morning
10th this morning we awoke in good spirits as if we had been in as house we went
on about 8 miles further and came to Ypsalanti the so far is midling good but after
got past here it was all openings and the timber that was on it was oak and Ickerly
and of a light and sandy nature in the afternoon we called to see a English man out
of the County of Kent but he was not at home we then went to the next tavren and
stopt all the night
11th the joiner this morning went to work as on another day and so did we on our
journey after we left the taveren we past sum poor folone looking huts in the
forenoon but in the afternoon there was no houses but tavern,s and they were very
thinly set the Land this day that we saw was good for nothin it was all
hills and Lakes we came at last to place called a tavren and stopt that night
there was as many Lodgers as could stand in the house
12th this morning we set of again and traveled over plain,s
and through wood,s there was was niver ahouse nearer one another than 5, 8 and 10
miles it was very lonesum and the Land not so good as we expected to find it
13 this morning we found a Rattle snake lying in the road John watched it till I got
a stick and killed it soon after this we came to cold water river here hapned to
be a cano which we paddled over in we came at 2 or more rivers without Bridges
14 this day we arived at the white Pidgen about noon we went through
Sturgeses Prary which is a very good Prary when we got to the Pidgen we
thought we would try for sume work Simpson qot work at well sinking and I went
to a farmers house and got promise of work the next day
14 and 15 I was hawing corn
16 1this forenoon we had death among us in our little famely and took away a
child I was at my old work in forenoon but in the afternoon I dug the grave I was
the first but on Saxton in that part
17 this day we had a Sermon in the forenoon and then the Preacher took the coffin
and we all followed to the grave which was just in the wood edge under an oak tree
there was two sticks put acrofs the grave and the coffin set there on the parents
looked on the it for a short time then the Father said put it in it was then let down
and the grave fild in a minute the Preacher then thanked the compay for there
atendance every one then returned home and the funeral was ended
18 and 19 I was at corn hawing and got done there had more for me to do but
they said they wanted a well sinking
20
I undertook to sink the well
21
I got done again by noon the afternoon I spent in looking about me
22 this day I saw above 100 Indians of the scoces Tribe & it was the best show I
ever saw in my life in the afternoon I set of to see scenery round a distance of 18
miles it got dark of me and I lost the road just before I got to the Prary it had been
sume rain and I was afraid to lay down and I did not know what to do the wolves
were runing on all sides in search of there prey and I was left alone I walked as fast
as I could I knew where and
keep groping with my hand for road at last I got to were I could see no trees I
thought suerly on the Prary I walked till I was tired out and could nither find tree
nor house so I lay down to rest I had not lay long before I heard the ringing of a cow
bell I went by the sound till I found a little hut they were gone to bed but they
readly turned out to see what was
at the
door, I told them I was lost they then got sum of the children
15
out of bed and lay them on a blanket on the floor I then got my super and went to
bed
23rd I got up this morning in good spirits and gave them 1s and 6d for my
refreshment I had a letter to carry to the justis of Peace they an Esquire and when
I got to the house if the Esquire was in the house they said no did I want to see him I
did not want to him but as he was the first Esquire I had heard of I thought I should
like to see what Esquires were like in Michigan so I said yes I wanted to speak to him
they told me that was him in yon feild when I got to him he was pulling flax without
either shoes or stockings or hankerchief with his shirt neck sliping over his
shoulders I livered my letter and then I had done I saw a little Difference between a
squire in the Terrytory of Michagan and a squire in Yorkshire, the West side of the
Prairy is most of it taken up I think it the best prairy that I've seen paticlar on the
west side it is 8 miles 1ong and in sum places 6 miles broad about the middle
stand a large Plump of trees and about 1 mile to the west there is another smaller
it is about 48 miles round on the west side it is sorounded with hard wood such as
white wood elm Beach Maple and Bafswood the rest that I saw Mostly Oak and
Ickery having seen all I could I set of back again and came about 10 miles
24 this morning I got up as soon as I could see I was almost woired with Mifs
Keetys I got to the white Pidgen in good time I got my dinner to day at Mr.
Coatses and at Night I was at my old Lodging
25 this day I took sum wheat to cut
26 it came on rain to day I could not get to work
27 and 28 I finished my job and went to Sturges Prairy
30 and 31 you may think it rather odd I have not had the 29 day in my account but
it is owing to me having 2 l4th days I had let it run a few day and had begun with the
same I had left with those 2 days I got work with Simpson and Frankland to turn the
windles friday night was the awfullest for lightning that I ever saw the air seemed to
be one continual blase
Agust 1st this day I wrote to my mother
2nd 3rd 4 5 I was working with Simpson and Frankland at a well
6 and 7 I was helping and English man of the name of Cade to dig a seller and
took his well to dig for 50 sents per foot it is very hot weather
8th this was a very pleasent day but there is neither Church nor
meeting to go to
9th this day we ment to begin our well but I was taken with the Ague
10,11,12,13,14 I was at the English man's house and got no better
16
15th this day Simpson went to the white Pidgen I still got wors it was rainy early
in the morning
16th this day I sent for the doctor he gave me some physic and a puke for which
he charged 2 Dollers
17,18,19,20 and 21 this week has got over and I,me no better yet Simpson is
digging Cade well
22 this day I think I have been rather better I had not my
Chills
23,24,25 and 26 I kept in a mending way till this day I had to get to the Grand
Travis to get a well rope which brought it worse than ever
27 and 28 I am quiet of all again Simpson finished the well today
29 if we are not mistaken this is sunday but it is hard to tell sunday from any
other day for here they draugh corn or hay or works at almost any other thing
3D this day Cade had his raiseing and I did myself a little hurt by trying to work
31 this day I thought I would try to work for my vitals but was to weak and made
myself worse,
September 1,2,3,4 all this time I was very weak and could hardly go about
5 this day I got to see Simpson who was digging a well about
2 miles of I had no chill today
6,7,8 I have kept in a mending way those 3 days I left Sturges Prairy this night and
went to oxbow and slept with Simpson
9 this morning I set of for Jones Prairy about 8 miles walk
I got there by little after noon but was very tired with my walk the place that I went
to was fine Prairy called Jones Prairy or Uper Prairy Garten was the second man
that setteled there he came from the same Place that Mr. Coats came from he was
sick of the Ague at the same time
10 I this morning begun to try to work Garten had begun a well and not know how
to finish it
11 this day me and Garten and Bengeman Burnel another young
English man that had the Ague went to make Hay
12 this was a very cold day we all sat in the house
13,14,15 and 16 the 2 first days me and Garten tryed to finish the well but I was to
weak so we got Simpson and did it the other 2
17 and 18 I was working for Simpson at a well on the same Prairy
19 it was a very fine day and I left that place for Sturges
17
Prairy again Jones Prairy is in Indiana I went to Cades that
night
20,21,22,23,24 and 25 this week I was cutting corn when I was able
26 this was affine day me and Phillip Buck went to seek grapes and plumbs
27,28,29,30 Oct 1 and 2 this week I was working at the same place I was diging
potatoes the 4 last days and cuting corn the other
2 x
3rd this day me and another Englishman took a pleasure walk if I may call it so but
he was queit home sick and I was just the other way so we could not agree
4th I was sowing wheat this forenoon and in the afternoon I went a Bee hunting
but found none
5 and 6 I was thrashing beans
7 I went one Jasen Thersting to dig a well I got it down 8 feet
8 I was at the same plase trashing Buck Wheat with George
Thirsting we Both together Trashed above 100 Bushels
9 I was at the well the forenoon and in the afternoon I went to see Simpson
10 I spent this day in rambling about with an Englishman to seek a section stake
12 and 13 I got done my well and took another on Mangoquinon Prairy in the
state of Indiana for a man of the name of Fobs from the state of Ohio
14,15 and 16 I was at my work the 14 and 16 and 15 I was at a
raising it is rather inclined to wet
17 this day me and the servant man went to Sturges Prairy
18,19,20 and 21 I got the well down to water but could not finish
it owing to not having brick
22 and 25 the 22 me and George Thirsting was trashing Wheat with
3 yoke of oxen we trashed more than 32 bushels and on the 23 we
clean,d it up
24 this day I went to see Simpson and hear,d of a well that wanted
bottoming on the east end of mangoquinon
25
I went and took the well
26 and 27 I got it down to water
28
I went and finished Fobs well
18
29
I came and finished out the other and took another on the same Prairy
30
I got it down 8 feet
31 this day I went to the Post Office to get the newspaper hoping to find some
new,s from old England but there was nothing but a few pieces about the new King
there was a little about a revelution in France
November 1,2,3 and 4 I have got through my work again but I know of plenty
more well yet
5 this day I took another well to dig on the same Prairy it was Gun Pouder Plot and
in stead of a
fine I got a hat ful of wall
nuts
6 I was at my work as other day
7 I was at the Methodist Meeting on Sturges Prairy
8 and 9 I finished my well and none of my other being ready to begin I went to see
how Simpson coming on he was digging a well for the Post Office master and was
coming near an end so we set down we would leave that countery on the next
sunday
10,11 and 12 I was working for Mr. Stuard the Post master the 2 first days I was at
house rasing and the other day I was draughing corn
13 this day I was gathering in my money I had to lose about 2
Dollors
14 this morning we set out again for further west and went through the White
Pigen once more which I never intended to do we still kept going we past the Grand
Travis and the St. Joseph,s river and went about 1 mile and 8 and then took our
Lodgings
15 we set out again and walked about other 12 miles to a Prairy called Youngs Prairy
here we went to a house to get some dinner and told them we were well digers I had
a large rope and Simpson had our bundel the dinner was not read so we he1ped to
put some shingles on a shade they told us that they were going to have a husking
Bee at night and if we would stop we perhaps might get some work so we did but
did not get work they most of them had work but none had money
16 this morning we set out again and found work to dig 1 well
and mend another
17 and 18 we got through at that place and took another
19 and 20 we got our well down better than 20 feet
21 it was a rainy day and we sat in the house most of the day and we wrote up
our memorandum
22,23.and 24 we finished out our well and got 20 Dollers each
19
for 5 days work
25 we left Youngs Prairy which is the best Land of any of the Prairys I have seen it
is all heavy Timber round it we then went west about 4 miles to a Prairy called
Townson,s Prairy which is a midling good Prairy but not Well timber,d we did not
seek work much here we went to a house at the south west side and asked the
road west but they did not know the road so we looked one on
the other and said com,d so far to see an old Log house and first look,d east and then
west and then said to each other thus far shalt thou go and no further we then
turned our heads and went south about 12 miles to a Prairy called Bardsley Prairy
and stop,t all night at the tavren
26 this morning we,went about the Prairy seeking wells but found none this Prairy
is midling good Land but very bad timber,d with bur(?) Oak black read and white
Oak barens we now made a resolution to return to Michael Robsons we arived that
night at Sturges Prairy about 12 at night
27 this day we to strghtin up with some of our old costomers and fix for our journey
I shal now give a short account about the weather the first and second week after
we arived at the White Pidgen was very hot without rain the third week we had som
Thunder and rain about monday and Tusday Friday was the Thunder storm and the
rest clear and hot it in general clear hot weather with some Thunder till about the 20
of september when we had a good deal
of rain but nothing to what I've seen in England the Thunder and Lightnings is very
aufu1 from the 20 of septber till about the 5 of November is what they call the Indian
summer which is quit thick and smokey owing to the great fire that the Indians
make most of this time fine steady weather there was a few pieces of rainy days
not worth mentioning the rest of the time was more unsteady rainy days and fine
day like England but finer for the time of year than in England the first flag of snow
that I saw was on the 24 of Novber and the sun took it of in the morning
28 this morning we set with either of us a Bundel it was a fine morning but came on
rain about noon and rained all the rest of the day
29 this morning it is very dirty walking but it kept from raining
30 this was a fine day and we kept trudging on this night we arived at Dicumcy
and got some Apels the first I,ve got to year
December 1 we traveled 18 mile through a wood were there was niver a house as
we were walking along we heard sombody shouting in the wood so we went by the
sound till we came to them it was some Indians that had made a fire and boiled
some dear we eat some with them and then walked on till we came within 8 miles
of Monuro and stopt all night
2 this day we arived in Monuro in the morning we did not stay there long we walk
about 18 mile stay,d all night at a French man,s house next day arrive,d at Monro
from we went to the City of Detroit on our way between Monro and Detroit we saw
1200 Pigs
20
in 2 Droves all fitt for killing left Detroit for Bufflo by the schooner Neapolian we
had very rough pafsage of 4 days down Lake Erie from Bufflo to Lockport from
Lockport we went the Richard Dales that came from Danby from their to Michael
Robsons where we left our Boxes as we went out in the spring left Mr. Robsons for
New York when we got to Lions the Canal was Frose up so we took the road to
Geneva where we met with John Cook Brother to Thomas Cook of Brooklin and a
Mr. White that just come from England there was a young woman come with them
that J. Cook was going to marry after staying a day or too we took our fare in the
Coach for Newburg and from there to New York in the Steam Boat from Geneva to
Ithica about 30 miles it is a very fine Country after that I cannot say about the
countery some parts was very poor Land we crofs,t a Part of the Catskill
Mountains and in about 4 days & Nights arrived at New York we found Thomas
Cooks all well the was not going of near 2 weeks so we took a tour of Philadelpha
we soon came back and stay,d at T. Cook
till the lst of January 1831 the Captan came on board by 10 O,clock and we set sail
with a west wind we were out of sight of land by 4 O,clock
Jan 2 the wind b1ow,s fair it is afine day a we are hurring home ward,s
3rd the Wind still keeps fair about 8 o,clock we Pafsed a ship with her keel
upwards
4th it is a fine Morning and a fair wind
5th this day we had a fair wind and Glided on at a good rate from this last dat I
have kept no more Account we had a very good Pafsage of 27 days and I arrived at
my Mothers house on the 2nd day of February 1831 where I found them all much as I
left them
Transcribed by Jan Roberton, the great-great-great-granddaughter of John Strickland
On the 5 day of April 1830 I set out for america with John Simpson for my
comanion we went that day as far as Tadcaster and there Loged the first night
6th we set out on foot again and went about a mile and a half to the other side
of Hallifax
7th we set out on foot and when we had got to this side of Blackstone it rained
very heavy and I was begining to to be foot sore we still kept pasevering on till we
came to Rochdale and then we took our Fair to Manchester on the coach we
then took to foot again we did not walk far before we got into a cart and rode to
Warington we then went 3 or 4 miles and stoped at a Lodging house
8th we set of early and this morning we came to Liverpool our
Boxes did not this day so we both took over to Chefshire
9 this day Being good friday our Boxes did not come so we went to the Roman
Catolic Chapel were I was suprised to see what superstision reained in the
world
10 we went this day to all the cariers we could find and still could hear nothing
of them we were then tired of walking and as we were walking on the pear we
thought we would go to the light house in Chefshire to pafs the time so we did and
then came back and went to our old logings again
11 this day John Simpson set out to seek our Boxes I pafs the day as I could the
forenoon I walked on the shore the afternoon I went to the church and at night I
went to the Methodist meeting
12
I spent this day in walking about
13
I spent this much like the rest
14 wedensday this day John came back I had for got to mention that the
Boxes came on monday John had been as far as Leeds we then took our fare in
water street No. 22 for america
15
this day we got our beds in and loged at Night in the ship
16
this day we got in most of our store
17
we are doing on like the rest and the ship will go out sumtime
18 this day I wrote a letter and directed it to Emanuel at forenoon and at
the afternoon I went to the church
19
this day we past in the ship
20 we should have gone out to day but the Weather being so rainy they
cargo could not be got in
21 we are here yet
2
22
O how long the time looks that we were off
23
this day it rained all the day through
24 the canada should have gone out to day I met George Wood of
Nutholme
25
this day I was stalled with being in the town and did not go to church
26 the Captan came to take the hospitle money and to1,d us we should go of
to morrow
27 I this day wrote any last farewell to my Mother sisters and Brothers telling
them I was going at 3 oclock but we went at 2 there is a 156 of us in number we
this day went out into the river I was in the best hart that I had been in since I
left home
28 the Wind Blows fair it is a fine Morning all seems to be in good hart here is
both English Irish Welch Scotch Etalicks americans and Duch we are a very jovil
lot all together about
12 o'clock the anchor was heaved in and we set sail with a soath east wind I stoped on
deck till my head ached looking towards
my native shore I then went between decks and with a kind of joy mixed with hope
and fear I lay myself down on my bed with the thoughts of all my old acquaintances
in my mind and put down these few words I then went on deck again to see if I still
could see old England but it was then out of sight we were on the
coast of wales
29 I awoke this morning in a midling state of health I har,d some say we were pafsing
Holy heard so I got up to see it I then got the Brecfast fit but falling sick I was not
able to take any we has a good south east wind and this day we came in sight of the
coave of man and Ireland
30th this morning we were both of us very sick the wind was much the same
May the 1st this morning the wind was west and it came on a storm and the wind
being contrary we made but a little progrefs I this day saw what I oft har,d tell of here
the waves rowl,d so high that when a vefsill was pafsing us we were often out of sight
one of the other
2 sunday morning this was a very fine day the wind being south east we got on
at a good rate
3 this morning the wind was the same this day we saw a bird hovring over the
ship at last it lef in the riggin and still keep,t ventering nearer till at last it let on the
deck and was soon pick,d up it was land bird we all thought it was a corlew
4
the wind still keeps south east and we keep rowling on
3
5th we have been a week the first that ever I was on the sea before and we have
had a prospofs jorney so far this morning the wind had got North east and Blew a
good breeze they heaved the log and found we were going at the rate of 10 miles a
hour
6 this day the wind had got near North west and we if ought were rather stopt
in our progrefs
7th this morning the wind had got North and we sailed west south west and
went at a good speed it has been rough for a day or two we had seen neither
birds nor ships of 3 or 4 days and this day we have seen Both
8th this day the wind was north west and we sailed south west by west it blew a
good brees and we came within 100 miles of the western Isles
9th this morning the wind was west and we were obliged to sail north the wind
altred before night and we sailed north west I this day saw sume purpus pigs this
forenoon we were saying that the cuckoo would be singing it was so fine a
morning so I made the following lines
No cuckoo have we got to sing
No lark sweet marbles of the spring But all
that we can hear or see
Is gulls and mothercaries flee Then let us
hasten to the shore Then we will come to
sea no more Then we shall hear them sing
always And so with pleasure end our days
10th this morning the wind was south west but turned soon north west we sailed
slowly westward this day we saw several fishes
11th this morning the sea was as calm as a pond in the afternoon the wind Blew from
the soath west and we sailed north west
12th this day the wind was much the same and at night it came on a storm and
awoake us all I thought at irst that the ship was sinking
13 this morning the ship rouled till one could hardly it was a calm after a storm we
had no wind this day we say some purpuses to day
14th this morning the wind blew south west and we sailed north west is came on
roughish today
15th this morning the wind was much the same it was a real storm today
towards night the wind changed north west and we sailed west south west in
the morning the wind was so violent it tore away the fore sai1 and threw the man
down at the Whee1
16 it was a fine day today the wind was north west and we sailed west south west
this day we saw a pice of wood flote by us we see fishes every day
4
17th this morning the wind Blew south and we sailed west north west the sea
was very calm and we glided on with pleasure we saw toa kind of fishes today one
find from a foot and a half to 2 feet in lenth and the other ones were much larger
this day we had all cleaned out and the Captan burnt Vinegar and sugar in the
howl to prevent sicknefs
18th this day the wind was north west and we sailed south west by west
19th this day the wind was much the same we held the Asises to day.
towards night the wind got more west
20th this morning when I got up I went to the Compos to see what way we
were going when I found we headed almost south at 8 oclock they altered
the tack and with a west wind we sailed almost full north I was not very well
today.
21th the wind was nearly west all this day we sailed about. north west in the
forenoon and came to the banks of New Newfoundland fishery in the afternoon
we turned nearly south west there is one thing I had forgot to mention a few
nights ago I went upon deck after it was dark and was surprised to see all round
us like sparks of fire fly out of the sea and this night I went on deck as I often did
and to my great astonishment as far as I could see on both sides all seemed to be
on great fiers like burning Ling what the reason of this was I can not tell so I must
let it go to where all the rest of unfoundout misteries do I dream’t this night
Margaret was dead which made me wonder in my mind how you all were geting
on and put in my hart a secret wish to know if you were all well
22th we left the Banks this morning the wind was much the same we sailed
northward in the forenoon and south ward in the after noon. we saw 3 ships to day
we had not seen one of 6 days before the wind keeps very much a heard o[ us and
our pafsage seems as if it would be a long one
23rd this day we had a fair wind and a smouth sea we tuched on the torrent which
runs from Gulf Florida this forenoon the Captan gave a glafs of Brandy to all on Board
about 6 o'clock at night the wind got north and we sailed 1 point south
24 the wind this morning was nearly the same but before noon it got east and we
sailed on with pleasure this day the Captain gave a Hogshead of fresh warter to
wash with towards night the wind got south and we went at a good rate
25th this day the wind was south this morning between 12 & l o'clock I was a
woke out of my sléep With a voice saying 0 poor lad he is dead the voice at first
struck me with terror I being half asleep and half awake I thought it was my
Mother that was murming about me but when I awoke I found that a little boy
belonging to a poor taylor was dead he was about 9 months old in the afternoon he
was sowed up and put into a Cask they filled the Cask coles and water and all
being ready he was commited to
the deep a man of the name of Thomas Batty read the Buiral servis
we saw the Cask flote on the surface but was soon out of sight
26 this morning the wind was south but soon turned north and contuined to all the day
and was extreamly coold
27th this morning the wind was north it was a very fine day it came on a storm
last night and broke down many of the beds I think it was the roughest bit we
have had
28th this day the wind was north east and we sailed west it a very fine day we
saw 3 ships and had not seen one since last mentioned last night we saw fishes
by hundred's skiping about like shiip you may think when you read this that I
was in the
old way as I wrote this on the Bowspreet this day towards Night
we saw a shaul fishes I think I may safely say there were more in number than
ever I saw sheep at a fair in my life
29th this morning it rained very hard but faired up by 10 oclock and was a very
fine day we saw a ship a heard of us by six in the morning she was stearing the
same way that we were and we came up with her by 5 or 6 at night the wind was
fair and it was a fine chase we saw several fishes today there were sum very large
ones rowled by us
30th this morning the wind was south east and blew a good breeze this
forenoon we swarms of fishes sevral that were of an enormos sise they plom'd
today but found no bottom toward's night we saw a shark lying on the water
31st it rained very heavy all night and in the morning it was thick and foggy the
wind had got into the west but soon got north me and the second mate
sounded this morning and it was
33 fathoms and at noon they sounded again and it was 45 fathoms to the bottom
and found that it was a sandy bottom the plum fetched up in the morning
pieces of shells and at noon it was black and white sand
June 1st this morning the wind was fair this morning me and my companion went
to the foretop gallent yard to see for Land which we thought we saw at a great
distance the steward went about 1/2 an hour afterward and called out Land a
her,d the mate went up afterward,s but the fogg prevented him from seeing it. it
was a pleasing sound to us but the fogg came in so thick that we could not see
far at night they sounded again it was 25 fathoms and a sand bottom
2nd this morning is a morning ever to be remembered by us all at 12 the second
mate sound and it was 15 fathoms it then being the first mate Watch and not
being on his gard he fell asleep and but for one of the sailors we had run a shore as
soon as the danger was made known they got her put about they then sounded
and found that it was only six fathoms we then sailed eastward and after the
danger was over we turned on our corse again
It was the North end of Long Isle were we had like to have run ashore we saw
several brigs and sum fishing boat to day and had Land in view most of the day I
was not very well and it being Kirby fair we got a bottle of Brandy
6
3rd this morning all was calm till about noon it then blew a south wind and in
about an hour or so we came in sight of Land again we soon came in sight of
sandy hook and every eye glem,d with pleasure at the sight it was but a small
breese and we
could not go fast in the evening they hoisted the Coller (?) for a Pilote and after
it got dark we hung a light to the Bowspreet but still the Pilote did not come we
were then coming so near the shore and water running shallow they did not think
it proper to go any further so they the mate then fired of a report and a Vefsel
that we saw behind us soon made up to us it was the news Boat they then fired
for 10 or more times at last we saw a Boat coming toward us which proved to be
the Pilote they sailed on a little distance and then heaved the Anchor
it was a very fine moon light night and a uncommon sweet air as is of a clover
feild I went to bed about 12 at night
4th this morning about 4 o,clock the Anchor was heaved in and we proceeded
up the Hook the wind was contrary and we did not get far before the Anchor was
heaved again within sight of 6 or more dwelling houses and several feild,s and
woods which made our journey look pleasenter than ever it had done before it
was a calm all the rest of the day and rained very heavy the costom house officer
came on board about 12 o;clock
5th this day about 10 o,clock a breese came on and we set sail and about 12
o,clock we reached the Corenteen and the doctor came on board we were all in
good hearlth and so we went on till we came to New York after the Docter had
pafsed us me and my companion sent into the howl to Drefs and when come out
we had just got to New York as we went up the river it was very delightful to see
the Forts on both sides of the river as soon as the anchor was heave we both we
went on shor with sum other pafsengers and went to a Groecer shop and sum sider
and milk and bread we then went a crofs the east river to Brooklin to Thomas
Cook,s and after we had got our tea we took a walk through town and then came
back and Lodged at Thomas Cooks that night
6th this morning we went acrofs the river for somethings John went to the
Freind meeting we came back to Mr. Cooks and in the afternoon we took a walk
into the feild,s the corn and grafs
got up so high we wondred were we had spent the summer everything looked as
pleasent as in England and sumthink pleasenter in the evening we both went to the
Methodist Chapel and then retired to rest
7th this morning me and my companion left Brooklin for New York and when we had
got aboard the Ferry we meet with William Frankland we were very glad to see one
another again as we all in Liverpool together he wanted sum help to get his Thrashing
musheen out of
the Warehouse so we went with him we then got our Baggage of the
Envoy and put them on board a tow boat to go to Albany on Tusday
we had been throng and did not get over to Brooklin tonight so we stoped on the
tow boat
8th this day was a busy day with us we went over to Brooklin in the morning to
write a letter and in the afternoon we came
to New York to get the price of sum things and finished our letter I got sum soverings
changed for 4 Dollors and 70 sent a piece
7
we posted our letter in the old Liner Packet Office and then went on board the
towboat William Frankland came to bid farewell to us the boat did not got out till it
was dark
9th O what new world is this with Rocks and Crags on either hand and now and
then a wooden house if america be all like this well might poor Noble come home
again it is a fine day and still for all its barren and ruged apearence it is very pleasent
there was two tow boats and the stemer all together was 28 yard acrofs it was like
a little Isle all moving together it keeps growing pleasenter as we get further up I
think there would be between
2 and 300 of us but nearer 3 than 2 we had a band of Music among us and when we
went by Newburg they played a few tunes and the people on shore fired two or 5
time it is very mountainous but still it grows better when we came as far as Hudson
the Correct run very raped against us we have not seen much very large wood yet.
10 we arived this morning between 12 and 1 oclock at Albeny it rained very heavy
all this morning and we took our fair to Utica for 90 sent we went into the market
before we went of and bought a Quarter of veal at 2 and a 1/2 sents per lb. Beef
was from 4 sent to 8 sents per lb. re then set out for Utica we were 21 in Number
and two of us were Children that went free we were all of the ship Envoy but a man
and his wife as we went on the land
we saw sum midling good Land we saw sum people clearing a feild they had hewn
down the trees about knee height and was harring among the stumps when we had
got a little further we saw a field of Wheat shot out we have now got among plenty of
wood about
6 o,clock we pased Troy it was a pleasent night and me and my Companion set
out on foot time they got through the Lock,s we walked up by the Canal side till
we came to the Mohoak we then left the side of the Canal and walked through
the wood till we came to the Bank,s of the river it was moon light and we coald not
see as much as we wished to do after we had walked éa little way up we came to
the Falls were we both were astonished to see what a tremendious crash it fell into
the Chasm below and caused a spray to raise that would soon have wet us through
our Clothes we then went till we meet the boat and I went to bed but had not been
there long before I was called up to see the aquaduct where the canal crofsed the
Mahoak I don,t now how many arches there was it being dark
11th this morning when I got up we had got up to the second aquaduct there was 17
arches we walked on the canal was cut out of the solid rock we came to Conectuct
about 9 oclock the Land here in general is good one of our pasengers had 95 Dollers
bidden for a year but did not axcept it about 11 oclock we came to a smal aquaduct
acrofs a smal stream in the afternoon we came to
2 or 3 lock,s so me and my Companion and another Pasenger took a ramble up in
the wood,s were there was Grape trees and sugar Mapels and we got sum
strawBerris which grew in abundance we then returned to the Boat again we
went along sevral small aquaducts in the evening we came to Squohary Creek
were is a Bridge of 3 Arches and each arch has 52 yard span or more the Land
all about here is very good.
12th this morning is a very fine one we came to the little falls
in the corse of the forenoon the town is bilt on a solid rock here being sum lock,s
me and simpson went to see a Saw Mill which struck uncomon quick we thought
there was a good deal of improvement in her we also saw a Corn Mill which was
different to those in England there one Curosity I had forgot a little before we
came to the falls we saw a spring of water which streamed for 6 or 8 feet stright
up this was a great Curosity to me as I allaways delighted in Romantic things
when we had got a little further we saw sum people rearing a house so me and
other 2 pasengers went and helped them up with the main Booms we got sum
whiskey and then went on till we came to Utica were we arived about 7 oclock I
had a letter to liver here to William Rooks we got a Glafs of wiskey with them and
then went
to the Boat again here we experinced another Parting the person,s we had been with
us all the way from Liverpool had to leave us which was like a second leaving home
we shook hands and parted they stoped and we went on most of the Land we saw
to day was very good
13th this is sunday I just write sunday to keep in memory there is one there is
little difference between sunday and working days here this day we pafsed New
London New Boston and sevral other little villages here the canal runs for above
60 miles without one lock the Land here was mostly woods and swamps toward
Night we came to very good Land again
14th this morning we arised at Syracuse here the Boat stopet awhile and we went
to see a tanners house they were both tanners and Curiers when we left Syracuse
we pased the salt vats and lake onondaga we also saw aplace called Liverpool and
another called Jordon and sevral other little villages by the side of the canal the
Land is good but rather mountainous the dwelling houses in general are are better
than in England
15th this day was the hotest we had experinced since we came about midnight
the driver and horses all went into the canal together this was the second time
we were in danger of being ship wereck,d although this time we are sum
hundreds of miles of the sea the horses were in the canal for nearly an hour about
7 oclock we came to Clyde and about 10 oclock to Lyons the Land
is all very good but we think it is both better and cheaper further west this afternoon
we arived at Palmira 131 miles distant from Utica our Boat was going no further so we
embarked on another ship which is the 4th
16th this morning we arived at Rochester here our Captain had to atend the
Grand Juery me and my Companion went to see the Genese Falls which is just
below the town it was both awful and grand it was here where poor sam that we
heard of to England jumped down and niver rose again the place he jumped of
was 20 feet higer than the Falls and they are said to be 100 feet
themselves the Canal crofses the Genese River in an Aquaduct made
of stone we went to see a Mill were was 9 pair of stones in one
floor we were struck with astonishment to see Mills in all directions and of all
discreptions and water to suply as many more about 9 oclock we left Rochester
it was avery fine day and every thing looked neat and delightfull
9
17th we arived between 11 &12 oclock at Night at Gaines Bason the Boat was
going no further so we had once more to go among fresh fases we wated till 5
oclock in the afternoon one came the land all about here is very good but dear it
is from 15 to 20 dollars per acre from Palmira to Gaines Bason it is 66 miles we
arived in Reynols Bason about 19 miles from Gaines Bason we left our Boxes in a
store and walked about 2 miles to Michaels Robinson where we were kindly
intreated we spent the forenoon Walking in the gardens and fei1d,s the afternoon
we helped to haw Indian corn and at night we took a walk on the Ridge Road
which I had so oft heard tell off to England it is a fine ridge with a reglar decent
Both ways and just wide enough on the top for a tonpike road it is aboutmiles in
length
19th. this morning we went to haw Indian corn again and in the after noon we
intended to go a Squarel shuting but it came on a rain and stoped us I think the
land about here is not so good as sum that we have seen but still it,s midling good
20th this morning it rained very heavy but it Cleared up about noon and we set
of to Richard Dales about 8 miles west James Robinson having to come that way
in the morning we left our bundels to come in the Wagon when we arived at
Richard and his wife was standing at the door of their old Log house they were
very glad to see us and hear from old England having got our tea we went for the
Cows to Millk & when that was done we sat down over a good Log fire and talked
about all the old sprees and old aquaintance that our memries could recall till
very near 2 o'clock we then went to bed not because we were out of talk but
because we thought it was bedtime and after we had got to bed we still kept
talking on till it struck 3 we then wished that both our relations and they's knew
what a pleasent night we had enjoyed and fell asleep
21th this morning we took a walk round the Farm which is in
genral very good Land we could get Land here from 11 Dollars to 20 Do per acre which
depended mostly on being cleared and building about noon James Robinson came and
when we had got our dinner,s we set out again acompanied with Richard Dale and James
Robinson to Locport a distance of 4 miles were we saw a very handsum Mill with 4
stones time we were walking about together the time went pleasently on but we soon
had to part we left Locport about 4 past 2 o'clock and walked on toward,s the falls of
Niagara it rained very heavy all the afternoon and our bundels being heavey and we being
wet we only went 11 miles we Loged at a tavren were we met with very good
accommodations
22 this morning it was raining still and had done all Night when we had got our
breakfast,s it did not look like clearing up so we set of as it was it rained very heavy
most of the forenoon and about noon it faired up a fine day the Land all on the
Bank of the Niagara is of strong nature when we came within a mile
or so of the Falls the ground almost trembled under us with the Falling of the
water we arived in the Village about 3 o'clock the american Falls is just below the
village we went and took a view of them and then went acrofs the river and went
down among the shrubs and briers till we came to the Canada or horse shoe
Falls here we were entertained with Maganeficent view of the
10
Fall all together they are quite as wonderful as I expected and are better
described than I can pretend to do we saw the place were sam Patch leapt
down. when we came to the plase were people pretend to go under the stream
we first one went and then the other we went with our umbre1la,s up and as fast
as we could and as far as we could we thought we were as far as most had
been we both of us got well wet with the spray after we had seen all we could at
the bottom we asended up sume old broken steps to the top we looked about
there a while and set out for Fort George a distance of 14 miles it was about 7
oclock when we left the Falls we walked about 7 miles and came to a village
called Queenston were we stoped that Night it was very dark and mudy and we
har,d the Wo1f,s runing in the woods in all directions
23 this morning we left Queenston for Fort George were we arrived about 8
oclock and about 1 oclock we left Fort George and went on board the steam Boat
for little York which is about 30 miles acrofs the Lake Ontrio we meet with William
Porter of Gillemoor and
Parker of Welburn crofsing the Lake at the same time
we arived at York about 6 oclock and then set out on foot up Young Street the
Land we saw this Night was mostly Pine Land and we thought not very good we
walked 7 miles and Lodged at an English man,s house
24 it was a fine morning and we set out in good time and when we had walked
about 6 miles further wecalled at a Tavren to get sum refreshment when we
went in they asked us if we were from England and on telling we where they
asked us from what part saying they where from Lastingham there is Millburn
and they left England 13 years ago they were very pleased that we had called
we stop,t and got our breakfast,s and dinner,s with them we then went about 2
miles further to one Jame,s Marsh,s who Married one of old John Atkinson,s
daughters the Land we saw to day was better than that yesterday but there is
more Pines in it than we liked to see we Lodged at Marshes at Night
25 this morning we went to see young John Atkinson he has got a Mill with 2 run
of stone,s and is semingly doing well we then went to see old John Atkinson we
got our dinner,s with him and then set out to see the Quaker settlement we went
for 6 mile over a ridge of Mountain called the Oak Ridges the Land on
these Ridges is in genral light and sandy we at last came to were the Land grew
better we went to a place called New Market about 30 miles from York the Land
after we got to the Quaker settlement was very good it is the best that we have
seen in Canada we stop,t all Night at New Market
26th this morning I was awoke with it Thundering I think I never
heard it Thunder nor saw it Lighten so in my life before when we got up we walked
about 2 miles and called at a house to see a Trashing Masheen which was made
nearby like these in England we arived at Mr. Marches about 2 oclock and after we
had got our dinner we went to see a Farm that was to sell we liked the situation
very well the Land was good and a Creek runs through it as we returned through
the Bush we shot a Partridge we also got a Pidgen as we went
27 this morning we set out for Robert Dawson,s they told us it
11
was about 18 miles it Thundred and rained most of the way and we rambled in
the wood sum times right and sumtimes Wrong from 7 in the morn to 9 at
Night were we found a kind of a Tavrin about 4 miles of still we were both
tired and wet and so we took our Lodgings no little pleased with our day
journey for when we got a fair calculation we found we had gone the
14 miles in 14 hour
28 our night,s rest was as good as our day,s journey for we were so bitten with
Buggs that we could not sleep we got up in good time and paid ls and 6d each for our
refreshment and then Paddled out the other 4 miles I sat in the house most of the
day Robert Dawson,s were all well and in good spirit,s
29 this day we ment to have had a Bee but our men disapointed
us so we walked round the farm to see the crops which looked very good in the
afternoon Francis Dawson and his wife came and we got a good talk about Old
England and the poor slaves that still remained theirin
30th this day we had our Bee this was the first Log house that ever I helped to
build at night I was at one of the name of Knagg,s that came out of Bransdale I
cannot speak much in the favour of this man for poor fellow he has got bit by a
venomos worn called the stilling worm and I think that it will prove fatle
July 1st we ment to have proceed on our journey to day but hearing that John
Petch from Bransdale lived not far we went to see him but when we got their we
saw nobody but his he being at York and would not be back before it was dark we
then went to one Francis Dawson and spent the afternoon the Land that we saw
to day was mostly very good and all that I wanted was my Mother and of the
Famely and then all that ever I saw in my life before should niver make me leave
america as we were returning home we meet a woman who asked if we were the
two new comers on telling her we were she asked if we knew William Webster at
Bellend we told her we did she then said he is my husband,s Brother so we went
into the house and got a sup Bitter,s with them as they call it George Webster,s wife
is sumthing related to Chapman,s of the Ewy Caat (?)
2nd this morning we prepaired for our journey again and before we got of John
Petch came to see us we stop,t an hour or so talking the old over again and then
set out Robertt Dawson went with us a few miles when we came to Dundas street
we Called to see one Boyes that went out of Bilsdale we then proceeded on our
way we thought as we had been at York we would go by Land round the Lake head
we walked this day up Dundas street about 30 miles above York the Land by the
road is sandy in sum places and swampy in other,s
3rd this morning we arived in Hambleton about 40 miles from York here we were
both of us foot sore so that we could not walk any further so we determined to
take the stage and either go to the Black Rock and then take the Lake or else go
through by Land acordingly we took our fair by Land from Hambleton to sandwich
about 200 miles for 5 Do each the Land about here is of a light
12
sandy nature we spent the rest of the day on the shore of the Lake
4th this forenoon I went to the Methodist chapel the Coach did not go of till 2
after we had got two or or three miles of the Land grew better and kept mending
all the way we went to a place called Bradford which is situated by the side of the
Grand river about 25 miles from Hambleton we stoped to night
5 this morning we got up about 2 oclock to go on journey but to our sad
misfurturn our Coach had turned into a Waggon but however it was very well she
turned into nothing wors as there was nothing better we went about 22 miles
before they changed the Land here mostly belonged to the Government sum of
it was sandy loomy nature and the rest was hard wood Land and very good it
might be bought of the Goverment for 2 Do per acre and is with in 20 miles of
Bradford were there both a good Market and water convance our next stage
was 18 miles through the Township of Oxford this is an old setteled Country and
here is good Land but at a Dearer rate there is a market in Oxford and wheat is
almost as dear there as at York but they make nothing of there Butter our next
stage was about 20 miles the first 9 miles I neither know what Township nor
wether it was Goverment Land or on but it was all Pine and good for nothing the
rest of the way it was mostly take up and much better we came into the
Township of Westminster before we stopt at night
6th we set of again at ½past 2 in the morning we got a fresh Waggon the road
was very rough the Land this stage which was
18 miles was of a sandy nature our next stage was 13 miles this Crowned all the
traveling I ever saw in my life our Waggon had no cover and we Winded about
first by one tree and then another and every now and then a piece of Cordoy
Roy fit to Clash the very Breath out the Land was sumthink better it was most of
it goverment Land and very thingly settled our next stage was 25 miles on the
Bank,s of the River Thames the Land was midling good in sume places and light
and sandy in others sume of this belonged to the Goverment and sume to the
Indian,s we crofsed over a plain were was onse an Indian village but was burnt
down in the war by the Yankes there is now a Village belonging to the Indian,s on
the south side of the road called the Moravian Village after this we came to some
fine feilds of Wheat almost Ripe at last we came to the inn where we had to stop
7th we set off about 8 past 1 in the morning and about 7 we got our breakfast,s
with an Old Preist out of England I dont know how long this stage nor neither of the
other 2 when we had done our breaktast,s we set of again like Christian and Pliable
we traveled on the Land was good and the midows and Corn feild,s with the River
on the right hand made it pleasent to behold we traveled on for a few miles and
came to the edge of a swamp that is over flow,d with Lake st. Clair now like Christian
and Pliable when they came to the slough of dispond there way lay through it and
10 miles did our,s through this it was about 4 miles through and we were for the
most to the Wagon body in water when we had got to the midle our hind axle tree
broke but happely we spied it before we were thrown into the mud we had to
stop where we were till the driver went and brought with him another
Carrage
13
we then got of in safety and the rest of our jurney we had better road we arived
at a Tavren Opsit Detroit after it was dark it was 3 miles further to Sandwich but as
it was there we wanted to be we did not go any further we then took the Boat
and went acrofs the River to Detroit we paid 1s each for going over the River we
got Lodgings just were we landed
8th this morning we went to the Land office to get directions for one George
Boyes that went from Kirbymooreside after we had got Directions we set of and
when we had got just out of the town we over took a dutch woman driving a cart
we asked her if she could direct us to Shipman mill she did not rightly understand our Language and we did not under stand her but we thought we had to go
the way she was going so we went but to our sad
misfurton we were led wrong we went first from one house and then to another
but they were all either French or Duch and we could get no information we at
Last got into the right road and
went on till we came to a Methodist Meeting that was left disolate the man that built it
hath proved a hirling and it being in the wood the Wolf soon devoured the sheep
the sight of this put me
in mind of What I once was I was grived to see it so but I Was as bad I went into it
an Wrote on the forsaken Pulpet Remember for all this thou shalt be brought into
Judgement I took the hint and I hope that if ever he look,s in again he may too
we then traveled on enquring the way of all we met till called at a tavren and
enquired the way the we had got 3 miles past the road end allready we then like
Christian were obliged to retrase our steps backward we went back a little way
and took a crofs 4 or 5 miles we just got through before it was dark as the road
was bad to hit we to our Lodgings at a Farmers house by the road side
9th this morning we went to Geroges Boyse it was about 2 miles of were we stopt
we got our breakfast with them and then set of again as we were tredging along I
gave John my umbrela and an Old stick in my hand and went into a yard and
asked the master if I could get a few day work he asked me what I could do I told
him I could do any kind of Farmers busnefs he told me he would give me 12 Do a
Month for too or 3 months I told him it was too little he then said that he should
want a man and if could do he would give me that the year round however we did
not agree so I went on and over took John we then went on a few miles and as
there was no tavren near we went into a thicket and lay down and fell asleep till
morning
10th this morning we awoke in good spirits as if we had been in as house we went
on about 8 miles further and came to Ypsalanti the so far is midling good but after
got past here it was all openings and the timber that was on it was oak and Ickerly
and of a light and sandy nature in the afternoon we called to see a English man out
of the County of Kent but he was not at home we then went to the next tavren and
stopt all the night
11th the joiner this morning went to work as on another day and so did we on our
journey after we left the taveren we past sum poor folone looking huts in the
forenoon but in the afternoon there was no houses but tavern,s and they were very
thinly set the Land this day that we saw was good for nothin it was all
hills and Lakes we came at last to place called a tavren and stopt that night
there was as many Lodgers as could stand in the house
12th this morning we set of again and traveled over plain,s
and through wood,s there was was niver ahouse nearer one another than 5, 8 and 10
miles it was very lonesum and the Land not so good as we expected to find it
13 this morning we found a Rattle snake lying in the road John watched it till I got
a stick and killed it soon after this we came to cold water river here hapned to
be a cano which we paddled over in we came at 2 or more rivers without Bridges
14 this day we arived at the white Pidgen about noon we went through
Sturgeses Prary which is a very good Prary when we got to the Pidgen we
thought we would try for sume work Simpson qot work at well sinking and I went
to a farmers house and got promise of work the next day
14 and 15 I was hawing corn
16 1this forenoon we had death among us in our little famely and took away a
child I was at my old work in forenoon but in the afternoon I dug the grave I was
the first but on Saxton in that part
17 this day we had a Sermon in the forenoon and then the Preacher took the coffin
and we all followed to the grave which was just in the wood edge under an oak tree
there was two sticks put acrofs the grave and the coffin set there on the parents
looked on the it for a short time then the Father said put it in it was then let down
and the grave fild in a minute the Preacher then thanked the compay for there
atendance every one then returned home and the funeral was ended
18 and 19 I was at corn hawing and got done there had more for me to do but
they said they wanted a well sinking
20
I undertook to sink the well
21
I got done again by noon the afternoon I spent in looking about me
22 this day I saw above 100 Indians of the scoces Tribe & it was the best show I
ever saw in my life in the afternoon I set of to see scenery round a distance of 18
miles it got dark of me and I lost the road just before I got to the Prary it had been
sume rain and I was afraid to lay down and I did not know what to do the wolves
were runing on all sides in search of there prey and I was left alone I walked as fast
as I could I knew where and
keep groping with my hand for road at last I got to were I could see no trees I
thought suerly on the Prary I walked till I was tired out and could nither find tree
nor house so I lay down to rest I had not lay long before I heard the ringing of a cow
bell I went by the sound till I found a little hut they were gone to bed but they
readly turned out to see what was
at the
door, I told them I was lost they then got sum of the children
15
out of bed and lay them on a blanket on the floor I then got my super and went to
bed
23rd I got up this morning in good spirits and gave them 1s and 6d for my
refreshment I had a letter to carry to the justis of Peace they an Esquire and when
I got to the house if the Esquire was in the house they said no did I want to see him I
did not want to him but as he was the first Esquire I had heard of I thought I should
like to see what Esquires were like in Michigan so I said yes I wanted to speak to him
they told me that was him in yon feild when I got to him he was pulling flax without
either shoes or stockings or hankerchief with his shirt neck sliping over his
shoulders I livered my letter and then I had done I saw a little Difference between a
squire in the Terrytory of Michagan and a squire in Yorkshire, the West side of the
Prairy is most of it taken up I think it the best prairy that I've seen paticlar on the
west side it is 8 miles 1ong and in sum places 6 miles broad about the middle
stand a large Plump of trees and about 1 mile to the west there is another smaller
it is about 48 miles round on the west side it is sorounded with hard wood such as
white wood elm Beach Maple and Bafswood the rest that I saw Mostly Oak and
Ickery having seen all I could I set of back again and came about 10 miles
24 this morning I got up as soon as I could see I was almost woired with Mifs
Keetys I got to the white Pidgen in good time I got my dinner to day at Mr.
Coatses and at Night I was at my old Lodging
25 this day I took sum wheat to cut
26 it came on rain to day I could not get to work
27 and 28 I finished my job and went to Sturges Prairy
30 and 31 you may think it rather odd I have not had the 29 day in my account but
it is owing to me having 2 l4th days I had let it run a few day and had begun with the
same I had left with those 2 days I got work with Simpson and Frankland to turn the
windles friday night was the awfullest for lightning that I ever saw the air seemed to
be one continual blase
Agust 1st this day I wrote to my mother
2nd 3rd 4 5 I was working with Simpson and Frankland at a well
6 and 7 I was helping and English man of the name of Cade to dig a seller and
took his well to dig for 50 sents per foot it is very hot weather
8th this was a very pleasent day but there is neither Church nor
meeting to go to
9th this day we ment to begin our well but I was taken with the Ague
10,11,12,13,14 I was at the English man's house and got no better
16
15th this day Simpson went to the white Pidgen I still got wors it was rainy early
in the morning
16th this day I sent for the doctor he gave me some physic and a puke for which
he charged 2 Dollers
17,18,19,20 and 21 this week has got over and I,me no better yet Simpson is
digging Cade well
22 this day I think I have been rather better I had not my
Chills
23,24,25 and 26 I kept in a mending way till this day I had to get to the Grand
Travis to get a well rope which brought it worse than ever
27 and 28 I am quiet of all again Simpson finished the well today
29 if we are not mistaken this is sunday but it is hard to tell sunday from any
other day for here they draugh corn or hay or works at almost any other thing
3D this day Cade had his raiseing and I did myself a little hurt by trying to work
31 this day I thought I would try to work for my vitals but was to weak and made
myself worse,
September 1,2,3,4 all this time I was very weak and could hardly go about
5 this day I got to see Simpson who was digging a well about
2 miles of I had no chill today
6,7,8 I have kept in a mending way those 3 days I left Sturges Prairy this night and
went to oxbow and slept with Simpson
9 this morning I set of for Jones Prairy about 8 miles walk
I got there by little after noon but was very tired with my walk the place that I went
to was fine Prairy called Jones Prairy or Uper Prairy Garten was the second man
that setteled there he came from the same Place that Mr. Coats came from he was
sick of the Ague at the same time
10 I this morning begun to try to work Garten had begun a well and not know how
to finish it
11 this day me and Garten and Bengeman Burnel another young
English man that had the Ague went to make Hay
12 this was a very cold day we all sat in the house
13,14,15 and 16 the 2 first days me and Garten tryed to finish the well but I was to
weak so we got Simpson and did it the other 2
17 and 18 I was working for Simpson at a well on the same Prairy
19 it was a very fine day and I left that place for Sturges
17
Prairy again Jones Prairy is in Indiana I went to Cades that
night
20,21,22,23,24 and 25 this week I was cutting corn when I was able
26 this was affine day me and Phillip Buck went to seek grapes and plumbs
27,28,29,30 Oct 1 and 2 this week I was working at the same place I was diging
potatoes the 4 last days and cuting corn the other
2 x
3rd this day me and another Englishman took a pleasure walk if I may call it so but
he was queit home sick and I was just the other way so we could not agree
4th I was sowing wheat this forenoon and in the afternoon I went a Bee hunting
but found none
5 and 6 I was thrashing beans
7 I went one Jasen Thersting to dig a well I got it down 8 feet
8 I was at the same plase trashing Buck Wheat with George
Thirsting we Both together Trashed above 100 Bushels
9 I was at the well the forenoon and in the afternoon I went to see Simpson
10 I spent this day in rambling about with an Englishman to seek a section stake
12 and 13 I got done my well and took another on Mangoquinon Prairy in the
state of Indiana for a man of the name of Fobs from the state of Ohio
14,15 and 16 I was at my work the 14 and 16 and 15 I was at a
raising it is rather inclined to wet
17 this day me and the servant man went to Sturges Prairy
18,19,20 and 21 I got the well down to water but could not finish
it owing to not having brick
22 and 25 the 22 me and George Thirsting was trashing Wheat with
3 yoke of oxen we trashed more than 32 bushels and on the 23 we
clean,d it up
24 this day I went to see Simpson and hear,d of a well that wanted
bottoming on the east end of mangoquinon
25
I went and took the well
26 and 27 I got it down to water
28
I went and finished Fobs well
18
29
I came and finished out the other and took another on the same Prairy
30
I got it down 8 feet
31 this day I went to the Post Office to get the newspaper hoping to find some
new,s from old England but there was nothing but a few pieces about the new King
there was a little about a revelution in France
November 1,2,3 and 4 I have got through my work again but I know of plenty
more well yet
5 this day I took another well to dig on the same Prairy it was Gun Pouder Plot and
in stead of a
fine I got a hat ful of wall
nuts
6 I was at my work as other day
7 I was at the Methodist Meeting on Sturges Prairy
8 and 9 I finished my well and none of my other being ready to begin I went to see
how Simpson coming on he was digging a well for the Post Office master and was
coming near an end so we set down we would leave that countery on the next
sunday
10,11 and 12 I was working for Mr. Stuard the Post master the 2 first days I was at
house rasing and the other day I was draughing corn
13 this day I was gathering in my money I had to lose about 2
Dollors
14 this morning we set out again for further west and went through the White
Pigen once more which I never intended to do we still kept going we past the Grand
Travis and the St. Joseph,s river and went about 1 mile and 8 and then took our
Lodgings
15 we set out again and walked about other 12 miles to a Prairy called Youngs Prairy
here we went to a house to get some dinner and told them we were well digers I had
a large rope and Simpson had our bundel the dinner was not read so we he1ped to
put some shingles on a shade they told us that they were going to have a husking
Bee at night and if we would stop we perhaps might get some work so we did but
did not get work they most of them had work but none had money
16 this morning we set out again and found work to dig 1 well
and mend another
17 and 18 we got through at that place and took another
19 and 20 we got our well down better than 20 feet
21 it was a rainy day and we sat in the house most of the day and we wrote up
our memorandum
22,23.and 24 we finished out our well and got 20 Dollers each
19
for 5 days work
25 we left Youngs Prairy which is the best Land of any of the Prairys I have seen it
is all heavy Timber round it we then went west about 4 miles to a Prairy called
Townson,s Prairy which is a midling good Prairy but not Well timber,d we did not
seek work much here we went to a house at the south west side and asked the
road west but they did not know the road so we looked one on
the other and said com,d so far to see an old Log house and first look,d east and then
west and then said to each other thus far shalt thou go and no further we then
turned our heads and went south about 12 miles to a Prairy called Bardsley Prairy
and stop,t all night at the tavren
26 this morning we,went about the Prairy seeking wells but found none this Prairy
is midling good Land but very bad timber,d with bur(?) Oak black read and white
Oak barens we now made a resolution to return to Michael Robsons we arived that
night at Sturges Prairy about 12 at night
27 this day we to strghtin up with some of our old costomers and fix for our journey
I shal now give a short account about the weather the first and second week after
we arived at the White Pidgen was very hot without rain the third week we had som
Thunder and rain about monday and Tusday Friday was the Thunder storm and the
rest clear and hot it in general clear hot weather with some Thunder till about the 20
of september when we had a good deal
of rain but nothing to what I've seen in England the Thunder and Lightnings is very
aufu1 from the 20 of septber till about the 5 of November is what they call the Indian
summer which is quit thick and smokey owing to the great fire that the Indians
make most of this time fine steady weather there was a few pieces of rainy days
not worth mentioning the rest of the time was more unsteady rainy days and fine
day like England but finer for the time of year than in England the first flag of snow
that I saw was on the 24 of Novber and the sun took it of in the morning
28 this morning we set with either of us a Bundel it was a fine morning but came on
rain about noon and rained all the rest of the day
29 this morning it is very dirty walking but it kept from raining
30 this was a fine day and we kept trudging on this night we arived at Dicumcy
and got some Apels the first I,ve got to year
December 1 we traveled 18 mile through a wood were there was niver a house as
we were walking along we heard sombody shouting in the wood so we went by the
sound till we came to them it was some Indians that had made a fire and boiled
some dear we eat some with them and then walked on till we came within 8 miles
of Monuro and stopt all night
2 this day we arived in Monuro in the morning we did not stay there long we walk
about 18 mile stay,d all night at a French man,s house next day arrive,d at Monro
from we went to the City of Detroit on our way between Monro and Detroit we saw
1200 Pigs
20
in 2 Droves all fitt for killing left Detroit for Bufflo by the schooner Neapolian we
had very rough pafsage of 4 days down Lake Erie from Bufflo to Lockport from
Lockport we went the Richard Dales that came from Danby from their to Michael
Robsons where we left our Boxes as we went out in the spring left Mr. Robsons for
New York when we got to Lions the Canal was Frose up so we took the road to
Geneva where we met with John Cook Brother to Thomas Cook of Brooklin and a
Mr. White that just come from England there was a young woman come with them
that J. Cook was going to marry after staying a day or too we took our fare in the
Coach for Newburg and from there to New York in the Steam Boat from Geneva to
Ithica about 30 miles it is a very fine Country after that I cannot say about the
countery some parts was very poor Land we crofs,t a Part of the Catskill
Mountains and in about 4 days & Nights arrived at New York we found Thomas
Cooks all well the was not going of near 2 weeks so we took a tour of Philadelpha
we soon came back and stay,d at T. Cook
till the lst of January 1831 the Captan came on board by 10 O,clock and we set sail
with a west wind we were out of sight of land by 4 O,clock
Jan 2 the wind b1ow,s fair it is afine day a we are hurring home ward,s
3rd the Wind still keeps fair about 8 o,clock we Pafsed a ship with her keel
upwards
4th it is a fine Morning and a fair wind
5th this day we had a fair wind and Glided on at a good rate from this last dat I
have kept no more Account we had a very good Pafsage of 27 days and I arrived at
my Mothers house on the 2nd day of February 1831 where I found them all much as I
left them
