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Chicago Historical Society's Collection. — Vol. I.
HISTORY
English Settlement in Edwards County
ILLINOIS,
Founded in 1817 and 1818, by
MORRIS BIRKBECK AND GEORGE FLOWER.
BY
GEORGE FLOWER.
WITH PREFACE AND FOOT-NOTES
BY
E. B. WASHBURNE,
Member of the Chicago Historical Society; Honorary Member of the Massa-
chusetts AND Virginia Historical Societies ; Corresponding
Member of the Maine Historical Society;
author of the
"Sketch of Edward Coles, and the Slavery Struggle in Illinois in 1823-4."
etc., etc,
SECOND edition.
CHICAGO:
FERGUS PRINTING COMPANY. /
1909.
\
[TO FIRST EDITION.]
INTRODUCTORY.
Hon. Isaac N. Arnold, p^^^i^ent of the Chicago Historical Society.
Dear Sir: — Twenty-two years ago there was presented to our
Society a manuscript History of the EngUsh Settlement in
Edwards County in this State, from its commencement in iSty,
"by George Flower. From a cursory examination of it myself,
and what is said of it by those who have carefully read it, I am
satisfied it is a valuable contribution to the history of our State.
It is replete with incidents in the lives of Governor Edward
Coles, Morris Birkbeck, George Flower, and others of that noble
band who fought out the battle of freedom in our State in
1823-4. In the interest of the history of the State, and in
justice to the memory of Mr. Flower, who so generously pre-
sented it to the Society, I think it should be published. I will
cheerfully defray the expense. Yours, very truly,
Chicago, August 30, 1882. L. Z. Leiter.
L. Z. Leiter, Esq.
Dear Sir: — I have received your note of the 30th of August,
authorizing the publication at your expense of the History of the
English Setdement in Edwards County in 18 17-18, by George
Flower. For this act of liberality and appreciation of a valua-
ble and extremely interesting contribution to the history of our
State, you are entitled to the thanks, not only of our Society, but
of all lovers and students of history. Your generosity enables
us to publish a manuscript which would long ago have been given
to the public, had not the means and resources of this Society
been crippled by the Great Fire of 187 1.
I desire to add to the thanks of the Society my own, not only
for this liberal act, but for the example which I hope and believe
will be the beginning of a series of contributions through the
agency of our Society, to the history of our State and the North-
West. Very truly yours, Isaac N. Arnold,
Chicago, September 4, 1882. President of the Chicago Historical Society.
CONTENTS
Introductory,
Preface,
CHAPTER I.
Prefatory Remarks — The Founders of the English Colony in Illinois,
Morris Birkbeck and George Flower — Sketch of Morris Birkbeck
— His Father a Quaker — His Education and Early Life in Eng-
land— Travels of Birkbeck and Flower through France — Edward
Coles visits Mr. Birkbeck and Family at Wanborough, England
— Coles afterward becomes Governor of Illinois, and Birkbeck
his Secretary-of-State — Characteristics of Birkbeck - Embarks for
the United States in April, 1817 - Richard Flower, father of
George Flower — Reflections on the United States George Flower
in the United States a year before Birkbeck. - - 19
CHAPTER II.
Mr. Flower sails for America — Reflections on the Voyage Arrives
in New York and visits Philadelphia — Invited to Monticello by
Mr. Jefferson — Journey ^A^estward — Visits Dr. Priestly, on the
Susquehanna — Lost in the Journey to Pittsburgh — From thence
to Cincinnati — The Town as he found it, and the People —The
Neave Family — Crosses the Ohio River and visits Lexington,
and also Gov. Shelby, in Lincoln County — Fording of Dick's
River — Hears of the Illinois Prairies for the first time — Visits
Nashville, Tenn. — Meets Gen. Jackson at a Horse-Race — Return-
ing East, visits Mr. Jefferson at Poplar Forest, South-western
Virginia — Description of his House and his Personal Appearance,
Dress, etc. — Visits Col. John Coles, father of Edward Coles, in
Albemarle County — Passes the \A^inter with Mr. Jefferson at
Monticello — At the Inauguration of Mr. Monroe, and meets Ed-
ward Coles for the first time — Mr. Birkbeck and his Family
arrive at Richmond, from England. - - - 29
4 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER III.
Joins Mr. Birkbeck and Family in Richmond, Va. Miss Andrews,
afterward Mrs. Flower Decides to go \A/'estward from Richmond
— Incidents of the Trip Meets with Mr. Sloo, U. S. Land-Officer
at Shawneetown, who conducts the Party to Illinois — They stop
at Gen. Harrison's, at North Bend — At Vincennes "Painted
Warriors, Bedecked Squaws, and Bedizened Pappooses" Mr.
Birkbeck's Daughters and Miss Andrews -Difficuities of the
Journey bravely met Mr. Birkbeck proposes Marriage to Miss
Andrews Offer Declined Leads to Unpleasant Results The
Party first Establishes itself at Princeton, Indiana A Visit to
the Shaker Settlement at Busro Account of the French-Cana-
dian Settlement at Cattinet Birkbeck and Flower start out in
Search of the Prairies Pass through New Harmony, George
Rapp's Colony Description of the Place Cross the Wabash
and enter the Territory of Illinois, and reach the Big-Prairie
Settlement Boltenhouse Prairie, a Beautiful Sight Crossing
the Wabash into Illinois Territory Hard Ride to Birk's Prairie
The Prairie -Flies Captain Birk, a Specimen Pioneer His
Cabin and his Family Intense Prejudice against the British
Journey Continued Reflections on the Pioneers Long Prairie
reached, where the English Settlement was afterward made
Return to Princeton Timber-land around Boltenhouse Prairie
entered at Shawneetown Mr. Birkbeck to remain and Mr.
Flower to return to England to procure more Funds and beat
up for Recruits The Decision made. - - - 42
CHAPTER I \'.
Fear of Speculators Desire to get a Grant of Land from Congress —
Mr. Jefferson Written to on the Subject His Answer Letter of
Hon. Nathaniel Pope Reply of Mr. Birkbeck Mr. Flower sets
out for England Long Horseback-Trip to Chambersburgh, Pa.,
Accompanied by Mrs. Flower The Outfit Incidents of the Jour-
ney Mrs. Flower Remains in Chambersburgh Mr. Flower Sails
from New York to Liverpool Birkbeck's Notes of Travel The
Emigrants. .-.-.-. ^6
chapti:r v.
First Party of Emigrants Sail from Bristol, in March, 1818 Many
of Mr. Birkbeck's Neighbors and Acquaintances among them
Letter of Richard Birkbeck Farm Operatives in England Per-
sons composing the Party Land in Philadelphia, in June, 1818
CONTENTS. 5
— Reach Pittsburgh and descend the Ohio River to Shawnee-
town — Arrive at Mr. Birkbeck's Cabin on Boltenhouse Prairie —
The Barracks — Sufferings and Discomforts of the Party —
Wanborough laid off by Mr. Birkbeck — The next Ship -load of
Emigrants sail in the following Month, April, 1818 — Mr. Flower's
Family with this Party — Other Persons composing it — Mr. Flower
Journeys by Carriage from Philadelphia to Chambersburgh with
his Family — The last Ship-load of Emigrants proceeding to their
Destination — \A^ant of Harmony — A Black Sheep in the Fold —
Arrival at Pittsburgh — Preparations to Descend the Ohio River
— The Perils of the Voyage — Stop at Shawneetown — The Appear-
ance of that Village — Mr. Fordham comes from the Settlement
to meet Mr. Flower and Party at Shawneetown — His Account
of Mr. Birkbeck and condition of Things at the Settlement —
Preparations to receive the Emigrants — Log -Cabins and Hard
Food — The first Meal on their Arrival — The blessing of an Iron
Teakettle — No Greetings from the Settlement — Mr. Birkbeck and
Mr. Flower at Variance — A short Dialogue between them, and
they never Speak to each other afterward — The Cause of the
Estrangement — First Experiences — A Sickly Season — A Time of
Trial — Labor and Self-Sacrifices of Mrs. Flower — A Noble and
True Woman — The first building of Cabins — Close run for Pro-
visions — Settlement in Village Prairie — Emigrants coming in —
Determined to lay out a Town -The spot Selected The Name
Agreed upon. _____ .78
CHAPTER VI.
Albion Founded — Town Surveyed and Laid OfF^First Double Cabin
— Benjamin Grutt — Albion a fixed Fact — The Log -Cabin and
Blacksmith-Shop — Rowdyism — W^ an borough springs into Exis-
tence in 1818 Efforts to obtain \Vater — Visit to Lexington, Ky.
—Death of William Flower— Building in Albion— Old Park-House
— The Sunday Dinner— Brick-Kilns— Market-House— New Roads
—Brick-Tavern, built by Richard Flower— Kept by Mr. and Mrs.
Lewis— The Mill The first Store-keepers in Albion— Other early
Settlers — Albion made the County-Seat — Erection of a Court-
House and Jail — Pardon of Perry by Gov. Coles — Disappoint-
ment of the People in not seeing him Hung— Consoling them-
selves with W^hisky and a score of Fights— Thirty-nine Lashes
for a Poor Frenchman — Hon. William Wilson. - - 102
CHAPTER VII.
Settlers on the Prairies about Albion -Death of Mrs. W^ood— Other
6 C:ONTENTS.
Settlers — Billy Harris' Wagon — Visiting England —Changes in
the Country at large, but little in the respective Villages— An-
other Ship-load of Emigrants An Inappropriate Settler — John
Tribe William Clark and Family —William Hall, five Sons, and
four Daughters A Well Accident Emigration for 1820— Quar-
rels of Doctors Another Well Accident Lawrence and Trim-
mer Return to England Col. Carter Further Settlers Sketched
Francis Hanks, Judge Wattles, and Gen. Pickering —Mr. and
Mrs. Shepherd Cowling, Wood, Field, Ellis, and others Old
Neddy Coad Accident to the Sons of William Cave Small-
Traders and Farmers. - - - - - 114
C H AFTER VI 1 1.
Religion in the Settlement — Slanders and Efforts to divert Emi-
grants First Religious Services -Mr. Pell and Mr. Thomas
Brown The Hard-Shell Baptist Preacher Jesse B. Browne and
Judge Thomas C. Browne The Campbellites or Christian Church
First Episcopal Church Gen. Pickering an Active Promoter
Influence of the Chimes of Bells Bishop Chase Consecrates
the First Episcopal Church of Albion William Curtis and his
Congregation Backwoodsmen don't like Episcopacy The Meth-
odist Church Better Adapts Itself to all Classes Reflections
Thereon A Methodist Camp-Meeting Described Mr. Birkbeck
Unjustly Assailed Mr. Birkbeck's Letter on Religion Features
of the Country A Glowing Description The Calumnies against
the Settlement Rebutted by Mr. Birkbeck Toleration of all
Religious Opinions. . . . . . 132
ciiArTi':R I x.
Consultations as to how to Advance the Interests of the Settlement
The Backwoodsmen begin to Leave the Country The Michaels
Brothers Moses Michaels Elected to the Legislature, and a
"Weak Brother" Descriptions of Moving Emigrants Two
Early Settlers at Albion One of them become Governor Eng-
lish and Americans have Different Ways of Doing Things
Emigrants from Europe bound for Albion, Land at nearly every
Port from St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico A Welshman
Rides on Horseback from Charleston, S. C, to Albion British
Sketches Recognized by Britains at Albion Cobbett's Abusive
Letters about the English Colony Cobbett's Character Replies
by Richard I'lowcr and Morris Birkbeck Dr. Johnson's Charges
Mr. Fcaron's Book of Travels Adverse Influences The Evil
Genius of Slavery. - - - . . . i^^
CONTENTS. 7
CHAPTER X.
•"Conspiracy against Liberty — The Convention Question — The Salines
— Slaves to Work them — How Slavery got a Foothold in Illi-
nois— Provision of the First Constitution — Gen. Willis Hargrave
— System Adopted to Change the Constitution — The Project
Exposed -The Pro -Slavery Men holding all the Offtces— Judge
Samuel D. Lockwood an Exception Letters of "Jonathan Free-
man" and "John Rifle" — Handbill " ProBono Pu blico" — Letters
of Morris Birkbeck — The Election takes Place — Vote of Ed-
wards County — Slavery Men Active and Unscrupulous — Gov.
Coles and Mr. Birkbeck The latter appointed Secretary-of-State
by Gov. Coles — The Outrages on Gov. Coles by the Slavery
Party — Letter of Gov. Coles to Mr. Birkbeck — Honorable Excep-
tions among the Pro -Slavery Men, Judges W^ilson and Browne
— The Cloven-Foot Exposed by the " Shawneetown Gazette " —
The Death of Mr. Birkbeck — Buried at New Harmony, Ind. —
His Memory to be held in Respect and Gratitude. - 154
CHAPTER XI.
Interest in the Convention Question — Difference between Slaves and
Servants — Asperity and Bitterness of the Contest — The English
Spoke their Minds Freely — Estrangement of Friends —The Eng-
lish Settlement Persecuted — Outrages on Colored Men — Lawsuit
in Albion — Threatening Letters from Kidnapers — Negroes Kid-
naped in Illinois and Indiana — The White-River Desperadoes —
Their Arrest — Persecution of the Colored Men in the English
Settlement — Mr. Flower sends a Colony to Hayti — Account of
Difficulties Encountered — The Colony a Success in Hayti — The
Settlement the Object of Detraction and Misrepresentation — The
Pate attending Discoverers of New Countries and Founders of
Colonies — Illustrated in the Case of William Penn — Treatment
of Mr. Flower—The Cause of It. - - - - 198
CHAPTER XII.
Murder of Richard Flower, son of George Flower — Murderer Ac-
quitted— Large Outlays for Food — Relations between New Har-
mony and the English Settlement — Robert Owen Buys Out the
Harmonites — New Harmony under Robert Owen — Men Eminent
in Literature, Science, and Art Flocked Around him — His Doc-
trines Promulgated Spread far and wide— Mr. Owen's Ability as
a Conversationist and His Equanimity of Temper — His Address
to the People of Albion— Rapp's Society at New Harmony. 213
8 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIII.
The Emigration to the Settlement Recommences —The Character of
the New Emigrants — The Crackles Brothers — Mr. Joseph Apple-
gath — The Good Farms about Albion — The Courts at Albion —
Attended by Eminent Men — Judge Wilson, Edwin B. Webb,
Col. Wm. H. Davidson, Gen. John M. Robinson, John McLean,
and Henry Eddy — Their Visits to Mr. Flower — "A Good Supper
and a Bowl of Punch" — Dreary Travel to Vandalia — Bear-Meat
and Venison — An Enormous Elk, the Patriarch of the Prairies —
The \A^restling- Match between Indians and ^Vhite Men — The
Indians "Down" the Pale Faces -Perilous Ride from the Wabash
to Vandalia — ^Judges Wilson and Lockwood and Henry Eddy out
all Night in a Dreadful Storm — Horseback the only Mode of Con-
veyance— Its Fatigues and Dangers. . - . 220
CHAP T E R XIV.
Long Horseback Excursions The Cabin Found — Island Grove — The
Tempest — A Horrible Night — John Ganaway's Roadside-Cabin —
A Good Breakfast Hugh Ronalds' Adventure — Narrowly Es-
capes Death Long Journey by Wagon — The Delights of that
Mode of Travel Health and Spirits Renewed — Travel of that
Day and the Present Day Contrasted — Mr. Hulme's Journey —
Mr. Applegath, Bishop Whitehouse, and Mr. Kleinworth's — The
First Crops and Cabins -The Progress Year by Year The Peach-
Orchard — A Happy Life — Children Growing Up "Edward's Or-
chard " — The Herding of Sheep The Boys and Girls— A Charm-
ing Picture of Rural Life The Hospitable Home Lingering on
the Porch The Welcome Guests The Lost Child— The Finding
and the Rejoicings The Wild Animals, Wolves, Bears, and
Panthers The Panther The Wolf-Chase — Savage Fight be-
tween Man and Wolf. . - . . _ 227
C H A I'T l". R XV.
Marriage Certificates Average Cost of Marriage — Erecting Log-
Houses Farmers Trading down the Mississippi English Farm-
Laborers become Substantial Farmers and Merchants in the
English Settlement Death of Richard Flower -His Character-
istics—Frequent Festivities and Family Reunions at his House
- The Ancestors of the Flowers Mrs. Richard Flower The
Buckinghamshire Party of Emigrants Arrive German Families
Come in The Yorkshire Men Good Pork and Beef at Albion
The Last Ship's -Party Arrive — Travelers Visiting the Settle-
CONTENTS. 9
ment — Mr. Hulme — Mr. Welby writes an Abusive Book^Mr.
Fearon writes about the Settlement, but never saw It — The
Thompsons — Mr. Stewart an Edinboro' Man — Mr. D. Constable,
the Man with a Knapsack and a Cane — An Admirable Charac-
ter— Good accomplished by Mr. Constable — Sir Thomas Beevoir
and Lady Beevoir visit Albion — The Beevoir Family in England
— The Aristocracy of England not a Degenerate Race — Lord
Frederick's Sermon — The American Clock-Peddler — Defamatory-
Books Published in England — Constitution for a Library — Albion
in 1822 and i860 — Its Peculiar Characteristics — No Printing-Press,
no Bank, no Lawyer for Thirty Years — Log-Cabins give way to
Comfortable Dwellings — Town and County Affairs — The Steady
March of Improvement in the Settlement — A Bank Established in
Albion — Two Lawyers settle there — The Doctors — ^Joel Churchill,
the "Poor Man's Friend" — Cotton grown in the Settlement at
one Time — Limits of the English Settlement — Never any Quar-
rels between the English and Americans — Projected Railroads
— The Southern Cross Railroad bought by Gen. Pickering — Solid
Prosperity enjoyed by the Settlement — Annoyances by Insects —
The "Tires." ..._.. 238
CHAPTER XVI.
Difficulty in Establishing Schools — A certain Density of Population
Necessary — In Town or Village of Spontaneous Growth — Oswald
\A^arrington keeps School at Albion in its Earliest Days — Eng-
lishmen and New Englanders build a School-House near Albion
— A Colored Man Assists, but his Children are not Allowed to-
go to School — Another School-House — The Scene at a Country
School— The Little Urchin at School— The Older Scholars— The
Log School-House on the Frontier an Interesting Object — Con-
trasts with the Crowded City-School — Permanent Brick School-
House at Albion — Influences of the School on the Backwoods-
men—The Free-School System in Illinois — Statistics of Educa-
tion in Edwards County— Agricultural Fair at Albion in 1858 —
Splendid Display. ------ 257
CHAPTER XVII.
Success of the English Settlement— What Contributed to it— Absence
of Land-Speculation — Happy Adaptation of the Country to Set-
tlers—Prairie-Land a Source of National Wealth— Sterling Quali-
ties of the English Laborers and Farmers — Solid Prosperity of
the English Settlement in Illinois — The First Annoyances of
the Early Settlers— The Prairie-Fires- First-Founders of Settle-
10 CO XT i: NTS.
merits rarely attain Material Advantages -What they are Com-
pelled to Do — The Fate of William Penn— The Compensations
— Striking Incidents in the History of the State — First- Settlers
Accounted for — The Destiny which Befell the First-Founders —
The Remains of Morris Birkbeck Repose in the Graveyard at
New Harmony, Ind.— \A^hat became of his Children — The Pecun-
iary Difficulties and Disasters of George Flower — Leaves Illinois
with his Family in 1849, never to Return to Live — Cross the
Great Wabash — Begin the World Anew in New Harmony —
Removes to Mt. Vernon, Ind., in i86o^The Last Stage of Life's
Journey — Ready to Lie Down to Sleep. - - - 266
Appendix, -------- 275
Index of Subjects, ------ 287
Index of Persons, ------ ^03
PREFACE
AT a regular meeting of the Chicago Historical Society,
held on the i8th day of September, i860, there was
presented to the Society, through its Secretary, a manu-
script History of the English Colony, founded by Morris Birkbeck
and George Flower, in Edwards County, Illinois, in 181 7-18.
This valuable and interesting manuscript was a contribution to the
Society by the author, George Flower, who was then seventy-four
years of age, and residing at Mount Vernon, Posey County,
Indiana. In connection with this History was received a numer-
ous collection of autograph letters written to Mr. Hower by
Lafayette, Jefferson, Cobbett, the Abbe Gaultier, Count de Las-
teyrie, Madam O'Connor, D. Macdonald, then of New Harmony,
Indiana, since Eord of the Isles and Earl of Skye, and other
distinguished correspondents. Many of these letters are pub-
lished in the Appendix. Most fortunately, both the manuscript
and the letters had been borrowed from the Society a few days
before the Great Fire in October, 1871, and thus saved from
destruction.
Mr. Flower revised his History several times, but finally
completed it when spending some time with his son, the
Rev. Alfred Flower, at his residence on the prairie, about two
miles south of Albion. In the latter part of the month of
December, 1861, Mr. and Mrs. Flower made a visit to their
daughter, Mrs. Agniel, at Grayville, White County, 111. Early in
January, 1862, they were both taken sick on the same day. After
12 I'REFACE.
an illness of one week they both died on the same day, Jan. 15,
1 86 2. What is somewhat remarkable, they had often expressed
to each other, and to their family and iriends, the desire that they
might pass away together. Mrs. Flower died at dawn, and Mr.
Flower breathed his last at twilight in the evening. At ten
o'clock of the last day the attending-physician pronounced Mr.
Flower out of danger, and there seemed to be every appearance
of his speedy recovery. It was not till the afternoon that the
family ventured to announce to him the death of his wife.
Listening to the announcement with the utmost com|)osure, there
was soon noticed a sad change for the worse, and although his
bedside was surrounded by his family, he passed away so quietly
and peacefully that no on was aware of the e.xact moment he
expired. They were buried in the .same grave at Grayville. .Mr.
Flower was greatly exercised in regard to the condition of the
country at the breaking out of the rebellion, and was intensely
loyal to the (jovernment. His fourth son, Richard Flower, was
among the first to enlist in the First Indiana Cavalry, at Mount
Vernon, Indiana, and he fell in the battle of Fredericktown,
Missouri, in the fall of 1S61. *
The Fnglish Colony was located in Fdwards County. The
following letter from the Hon. Henry Dodge Dement, secretary-
of-state, gives information as to the organization of the County
in 18 1 4, and of the extent of country it then embraced.
Fdwards County was cut off from Ciallatiii, and then White
County in 181 8 was taken off from the south part of Fdwards.
In its original organization Fdwards County embraced an
immense area of territory — extending i)ractically from the ()hio>
river, (for its southern boundary, (iallatin County, was but rela-
tively a short tlistance from the river,) to Upper Canada, including
what is now a portion of the State of Wisconsin. The following
counties, or parts of counties, in Illinois, have been formed out
of the territory originally included in Fdwards County:
* The h.iltic of Krcclericktown w.ns fought on October iS, 1S61, by Col.
J. n. I'liniimer (afterw.ird Mriijadier-t lencial), of the nth .Missouri volunteer.s.
Ihe rclieis were comiuaixletl by JclV. Thompson, ciiied the "Swamp Fo.x, '*
and Col. I. owe. The latter was killed.
PREFACE.
Wabash,
Wayne,
Jefferson,
Marion,
Clay,
Richland,
Lawrence,
Crawford,
Jasper,
Effingham,
Fayette,
Shelby,
Coles,
Cumberland,
Edgar,
Clark,
Macon,
Piatt,
Champaign,
Vermillion,
DeWitt,
McLean,
Livingston,
Iroquois,
Kankakee,
Grundy,
LaSalle,
Will,
Kendall,
DuPage,
Cook,
Kane,
UeKalb,
Boone,
McHenry,
Lake.
13
In the presence of the stupendous changes in this State, it is
hard to imagine that sixty-eight years ago, when Edwards County
was organized, neither Cook County nor Chicago had any
existence, but that the present Cook County was in the jurisdic-
tion of Edwards County, and its county-seat at Palmyra, at the
Falls of the Big Wabash, a town which has long since ceased to
be.
"Springfield, August 12, 1882.
'■"Hon. E. B. Washuurnk, Chicago, 111.
'"Aly Dear Sir: — Replying to your favor of the 9th inst., it
affords me pleasure to furnish you the following information
concerning the formation of ELdwards County, which would seem
to answer your inquiries and put you in possession of the desired
information. I begin by giving you the original boundaries of
the County, as described in the act creating the County :
" 'Edwards County — organized Nov. 28th, 1814.
•■ 'AH that tract of country within the following boundaries, to
wit: Beginning at the mouth of Bon Pas creek, on the Big
Wabash, and running thence due west to the meridian line, {3d
P. M.) which runs north from the mouth of the Ohio river; thence
with said meridian line and due north till it strikes the line of
Up[)er Canada; thence with the line of Upper Canada to the
line that separates this territory from the Indiana Territory ; and
thence with the said dividing line to the beginning.'
"The south boundary line of the County was about the middle
of Township three (3) south. The territory out of which
Edwards was formed comprised the northern portion of Gallatin,
1 4 PREFACE.
and the eastern portion of Madison County. Vou will notice that
Edwards not only embraced all the counties in eastern Illinois, as
at present organized, north of Town three (3), south, but a large
portion of Wisconsin as well.
"If you will take a map of the State of Illinois and draw a line
east and west from the 3d P. M. to the Wabash river, on the
southern boundaries of the present counties of Edwards and
Wayne, a glance from this line to the northern line of the State,,
and east of the 3d meridian, will disclose the present counties,,
embraced in the original county of Edwards.
"The county seat was located at Palmyra. If you so desire. I
can send you a copy of the law forming the county.
"Very truly yours,
"Hknry Dodge Dement."
The History of the English Settlement of Edwards Countj-,
jfrosentcd in this volume, can not fail to be read with a\ idity by
all interested in the history of Illinois. The author, (ieorge
Elower, was no ordinary man. He has left the impress of his
character and his services upon the State, and his name will
always be honorably associated with the colony he helped to
found. Very few abler men than Morris Birkbeck and (ieorge
Flower have illustrated the history of our Commonwealth. ;Mr.
Birkbeck died before his work was accomplished, but not before
he had accjuired a name and a fiime for the great service he had
rendered in saving the State of his adoption from the curse of
slavery. The services of (ieorge Elower, and his father, Richard
I'lower, in the same connection, entitle them, as well as Mr.
I'.irkbeck, to the lasting, gratitude of the peojilo of Illinois. The
narrative of Mr. I'lower is simple and unpretending in its recitals,
and it bears the impress of sincerity and truth. The story of the
struggles, the labors, and the sufferings of the early colonists, the
picturescpie descriptions of .scenes and events, give to the work
all the interest of a romance.
The following notice by Dr. Barry, the then librarian of the
Chicago Historical Society, and which a|)peared in the C/iita(;o
nibutif of March 22, 1862, is appropriately inserted in thi.s
Preface, as a just tribute to the character of (Ieorge Elower:
PREFACE. 15
A great and good man has recently passed from us. English
by birth, American by choice, for near half a century he has
lived among us — so long that the tide of events and the rush of
adventurers had buried from general notice the silver-haired
veteran who once was known, esteemed, and loved in both
hemispheres — the honored founder of a prosperous colony, the
enterprising agriculturist, the philanthropist of large and noble
aims, the strong, true-hearted, and upright man.
Born in Hertfordshire, England, in affluent circumstances, after
gaining some distinction in his native land, by continental travel
for the benefit of British husbandry, he came to America in 181 7
(about thirty years of age) as the associate of Morris Birkbeck in
founding the English Colony at Albion, Edwards County, in
Illinois.
It was no mere sordid impulse that moved either of these
noble-hearted men in their scheme of colonization. Republicans
from deep-seated sentiment and conviction, the Great American
Republic drew them hither as to a congenial home; and here
they jointly established a thrifty and successful colony, transplant-
ing on our virgin prairies the arts and improvements of the old
mother-country. The large wealth possessed by Mr. Flower
gave him a commanding, a responsible, and, we may add, a
laborious position in the new Colony. His spacious mansion, of
rare extent and furnish in a new settlement, was the scene of
frank and elegant hospitality. Strangers of distinction sought it
from afar. Improved husbandry, with the importation of the
finest fleeces of England and Spain, followed the guiding hand of
the master-mind. When the history of the Albion Colony is
made known, it will form the truest and best eulogium of its
founders.
The calm and philosophic wisdom of Mr. Flower, united with
a rare benevolence, has left bright traces upon our Western
history. In the eventful strife which accompanied the daring
attempt in 1823 to legalize African slavery in Illinois, no one
enlisted with a truer heroism than he. We, of the present day,
and amidst the dire commotions of civil war, can but poorly
comprehend the ferocity, and the gloomy portents of that strug-
gle. So nearly balanced were the contending parties of the State,
that the vote of the English Colony, ever true to the instincts of
freedom, turned the scale — a handful of sturdy Britons being the
forlorn hope to stay the triumph of wrong and oppression, whose
success might have sealed forever the doom of republican and
constitutional liberty in America.
The failure of that nefarious plot against our young and noble
1 6 PREFACE.
State, led to an outburst of persecution and wrong against free
negroes, and their humane protectors, transcending even the
invidious hostiHty of our so-called Black Laws, and Constitutional
Conventions. 'I'his wanton and vindictive display of inhumanity.
it was, which gave birth to Mr. Flowers j^lan for the colonization
of free negroes in Hayti, in which he had the confidence and
cooperation of President Boyer, and which attracted an api)rov-
ing notice throughout the Free-states of the North. Although
but partially succe.ssful, its necessity being from the jiressure of
subsequent events less urgent, its conception and management
reflect the highest honor upon its author, whose name will merit
a place among the benefactors of mankind.
Mr. Flower was one of that class of men whose fine insight,
large views, and calm force raised him above all claimants to
poi)ular favor. In his early maturity, he numbered among his
friends and correspondents such personages as our American
Jefferson, Lafayette and the Comte de Lasteyrie of France.
Madame O'Connor (the daughter of Condorcet) of Ireland, and
Cobbett of Kngland. By these, and such as these, his superior
tone of mind and character was held in true esteem. In the
depths of our yet unfurrowed prairies, and amidst the struggle
and hardship of a new settlement, a mind and heart like his
might fail of a just apjjreciation by his cotemporaries. This sad
realization he doubtless felt. But now that he has passed from
the scenes of his voluntary exile, let it not be said that a true and
gifted manhood was here, and we knew it not. Tiiere are those,
now and to come, who will keep green his memory, and take
j)leasure in recovering the traces of a noble mind, (hat lived,
thought, and acted only for human good.
Mr. I'lower met with the reverses which are the prescribed lot
of the colonizers of the world. The wealth and ])osition which
lie commanded, amidst the financial changes and revolutions of a
new country, were finally succeeded by pinching ])enury, whicii
but served, however, to reveal his inward strength, and his unfal-
tering faith. For many years he has lived in retirement in
Indiana, or among his revering children in this .State; and for the
last few years has beguiled his age in prejjaring a history of the
English Colony he assisted to found, which he lived to complete,
at the recpiest o( the Historical Society of Chicago. We hope,
for the gratification of the public, and in justice to the autlu)r, its
publication may not be long delayed.
On the morning of 15th of January last, there lay. under the
loving and sad watch of dear friends at Cirayville. the sinking
form of the aged man, whose worth we have jioorly attempted to
PREFACE. 17
set forth, and the partner of his long and chequered hfe. But a
week before they had expressed the hope, often repeated, that,
happily united in life, they might not be divided in their death.
While the rays of the morning sun were gilding the room of the
fond wife, she expired; and soon after the going down of the
same day's sun, followed, to his last and welcome rest, the spirit
of George Flower.
A touching letter, communicating the particulars of Mr. Flow-
er's death, was read at the meeting of the Chicago Historical
Society, held on Tuesday last. The following appropriate and
■deserving tribute, passed by the Society, we have pleasure in
placing in our columns :
Whereas, This Society has received from the family of the late
George Flower, the painful tidings of his recent death, at an
advanced age, thus closing a career which for near half-a-century
lias been honorably devoted to the welfare of this, his adopted
State;
Resolved, That in the estimation of the members of this Society,
the late George Flower, as an enlightened and munificent founder
•of the successful colony of English settlers at Albion, in Edwards
County, in this State, founded in 181 7; as an early and distin-
guished advocate of African colonization; as an intelligent,
high-minded, and patriotic citizen, ever loyal to his adopted
■country and its institutions, seeking the highest good of the State,
and laboring for the best interests of mankind, to whose advance-
ment he freely dedicated his superior talents and ample fortune,
unambitious of office or preferment, and in loyal obedience to
the promptings of a nobly -gifted nature, merits a distinguished
place on the roll of the founders and benefactors of this State,
whose institutions he assisted to shape, and whose gigantic
growth and prosperity he was permitted by Divine Providence to
live to witness.
Resolved, That the members of this Society entertain a grateful
sense of the various and esteemed services rendered to its objects
by their honored friend and associate, and especially in his
finished and able memorials, recently prepared for this Society, of
the English Colony at Albion, in whose foundation and growth
he had so conspicuous a part.
Resolved, That this Society deem it due and fitting to express
their high and admiring esteem of the personal character of the
late Mr. Flower, ever marked by a high-toned integrity, and the
qualities of a true manhood; adorning prosperity by a munificent
bounty and hospitality, and irradiating adversity— the adversity
1 8 PREFACE.
which too often befalls the founders of colonies and the benefac-
tofrs of mankind — with the peace, constancy, and trust of an
exalted faith.
Resolved, That the Secretary communicate a copy of the above
proceedings to the family and friends of the late Mr. Flower,
•with the expression of the heartfelt condolence of this Society
with them in their most sad and painfuPbereavement.
As to the portraits illustrating the volume, that of Mr. Birkbeck
is from an engraving in the possession of E. (1. Mason, Esq., of
Chicago, and that of Mr. Flower from an oil painting belonging
to his family. This portrait, life-size, together with a life-size
portrait of Mrs. Flower, painted at the same time, and by the
same artist, have recently been presented to the Chicago Histori-
cal Society, by the family of (ieorge P'lower. That generous gift
is fully appreciated by the Society, and the donors will not only
receive tiie grateful thanks of its members, but of all persons inter-
ested in the early history of our State and of the P'nglish Settle-
ment in I'.dwards County. These interesting portraits will adorn
the rooms of the Society.
I'he Chicago HistoricaF Society and the public generally, are
indebted to Levi Z. Leiter, Esq., of Chicago, for the publication
of this volume. The Society, crippled by the disastrous fire of
1 87 1, found itself unable to publish the History, and it was only
after a recent examination of it by Mr. Leiter when that gentle-
man, with a liberality only eipiallcd by his interest in everything
connected with the history of our State, generously otiered to
defray the entire exi)ense of the publication.
E. B. W-
365 Dkarhokn Avknue,
CuiCA(;o, Oitdier iS, /SSj.
THE HISTORY
OF THE
English Settlement in Edwards County,
illinois.
CHAPTER I.
Prefatory Remarks — The Founders of the EngHsh Colony in Illinois,
Morris Birkbeck and George Flower — Sketch of Morris Birkbeck
— His Father a Quaker — His Education and Early Life in Eng-
land— Travels of Birkbeck and Flower through France —Edward
Coles visits Mr. Birkbeck and Family at Wanborough, England
— Coles afterward becomes Governor of Illinois, and Birkbeck
his Secretary-of-State — Characteristics of Birkbeck — Embarks for
the United States in April, 1817 — Richard Flower, father of
George Flower — Reflections on the United States — George Flower
in the United States a year before Birkbeck.
Narratives of voyages and travels, from the incidents
and accidents recorded, and new scenes developed at every
step, have been found acceptable reading, especially to
youth, at all times and in every age.
When given in plain style, and in simple language, by
one who has witnessed what he relates, an interest is
sometimes given, denied to fiction in its highest flights
and brightest polish.
The history of the settlement of a distant people, leav-
ing a land of high civilization for a wilderness in another
hemisphere, is an event of some interest at the time, both
to actors and spectators. In after-times it may assume a
deeper interest, perhaps as having given tone and charac-
ter to a populous and powerful nation.
2
20 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
In succeeding generations, when the wilderness becomes
peopled, and towns and cities are thickly strewn over its
surface, all inhabited by a people speaking the same lan-
guage, an observant traveler will find in different sections
people of various habits and opinions. In communities
sometimes proximate and sometimes remote from each
other, there will exist distinctiv^e features, mental and
physical. Their opinions and intellectual power will
differ, no less than their complexions, form, and feature.
How to account for these differences will be an interesting
problem to solve. Climate, soil, and position have their
influences; but these are all subordinate to the hereditary
bias. The opinions and habits, the ph\-sical. mental, and
moral powers, handed down from father to son, are to be
traced in distant generations. Thus we see that the
religion, industry, and thrift of New England are t(^ hv
traced to those qualities in the original band of its pilgrim
fathers.
The open-handed hospitality of Virginia, its displa}'.
dilapidation, and loose living, all may be traced to the
jovial and careless cavaliers of King Charles' time, who
settled on her shores.
Pennsylvania, although largely intermixed with the Irish
and (ierman elements, \'et preserves the characteristics
and aspects of its first-citizens, the Quakers.
The straight-streeted City of Philadelphia, with its sub-
stantial houses, and neat keeping, reflects the drab-colored
mantle of William Penn.
Taking this view, the character, habits, and opinions of
the first-founders and first-settlers of new colonies assume
ill after-years an interest they would not otherwise possess.
A ilistinctit)n should ever be made between the first-
founilers ami first-settlers. They are classes of men tlis-
linguished from each other in mental tone and general
haliit. h>xpl<M-ers and first-founders, sanguine, enterprising,
and imaginative, are generally men of theory and specula-
tion. The first-settlers are more commonh- endowed with
caution, prudence, anil closer business habits, l-.ach class
maintains for a consitlerable time its relatixe position, in
the planting and early progress of a new settlement.
The natmal introduction to the historx- of the first-
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 21
settlers will be a brief biographical sketch of its two first-
founders, Morris Birkbeck and George Flower.
The father of Morris Birkbeck, also named Morris, was
an eminent Quaker preacher, whose good name was well
known by Friends in America, as well as England. His
teachings were held in much reverence at home and
abroad, especially by the more orthodox members of the
Society. Old Morris Birkbeck, as he was familiarly called,
when his son arrived at manhood, although eminent as a
preacher, was by no means so for his wealth or worldly
possessions. But he gave to his son a much better educa-
tion than generally falls to the lot of the children of poor
Friends.
Morris Birkbeck, the younger, had a through knowl-
edge of Latin, and a slight knowledge of Greek. In after
life, he mastered the French language, so as to read it with
facility. Whilst a mere youth, he was appointed clerk to
the Friends' meeting. The duties of this office made him
a ready writer, and a systematic arranger of documents
and papers of every kind. Very early in life, he was
placed upon a farm. A farmer's boy occupies much the
same place upon a farm as a cabin-boy does on board a
ship. There it was that he learned by experience farming
and farm-work. When a young man, he hired a farm,
with no capital of his own, and with a very small borrowed
capital from a friend. He worked on the farm with great
assiduity, not only with his own hands, but with such
labor as his limited means allowed him to command. He
watched his own progress, or rather his position, with
great solicitude. He has often told me, that many times
when he took stock, after valuing everything he possessed,
even his books and clothes, he found himself worse than
nothing. But, by perseverance, he acquired a little. He
afterward took, on a long lease, a much larger farm called
Wanborough, containing about 1500 acres of land, near the
town of Guilford, in the county of Surrey. This farm he
worked with great perseverance and spirit, always adopt-
ing improvements in husbandry, implements, and live-
stock, that appeared of any practical value. Here he
acquired a competence, and brought up a family of four
sons and three daughters, to whom he gave a liberal edu-
22 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
cation, and to whom he was a most kind and indulgent
parent. The f;\rm of Wanborough was a hamlet. A
parish is a large organization. It has its church, parson,
vestrjmien, church-wardens, and overseers of the poor. A
hamlet is generally a small village or district, occupied,
and often owned, by one person, who is required to pro-
vide for the poor it may contain. The owner of a hamlet
is a potentate on a small scale, brought into immediate
contact with its poor inhabitants, who, by the laws of Eng-
land, he is bound to aid in sickness or want, by advice and
material assistance.
\\ hen I first became acquainted with Mr. Birkbeck he
was nearly fifty years of age, enjo}-ing excellent healtli.
Mental and bodily activity were combind with unim-
parcd habits. In person he was below middle stature
— rather small, spare, not fleshy, but muscular and wiry.
With a constitution not of the strongest, he was yet a
strong and active man. His bodily frame was strength-
ened and seasoned by earh- labor and horseback exercise
in the open air, which, from the nature of his business, was
necessary to its supervision. He was capable of under-
going great fatigue, and of enduring fatigue without in-
jury. His complexion was bronzed from exposure; face
marked with many lines; rather sharp features, lighted b}-
a (|uick twinkling e\'e; and rapid utterance. He was origi-
nall\' of an irascible temper, which was subdued by liis
Ouaker breeding, and kept under control by watchfulness
and care. But eye, voice, and action would occasionally
betra)' the spirit-work within. Mr. Birkbeck, when I first
became acquainted with him, was a widower. When no
friend was with him, he would sometimes sit for hours
in the afternoon, b)' his fire in the dining-room, his onl}-
companions a long-stemmed clay-pipe and a glass of water
on the table beside him.
The little artificial thirst, occasioned b\- smoking,
wluii habitually alla\ed b)' mi.xed-Iiciuors, or an\' thing
stronger than water, he thought had betra}-ed into habits
of intemiierancc, unsuspectingl\', more individuals than
any other single cause. A leisurely walk around the
j)reniiscs, an observation on any thing out of place, with
directions for the coming labor of the morrow, generally
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 23
closed the day's business with him. At tea, he again
joined the family circle, enjoyed the exhilarating refresh-
ment, and the abandonment of all business, cares.
The American supper does not exactly correspond to
the English tea; it is a more formal, substantial, and busi-
ness-like meal, not differing from the breakfast and dinner
that have gone before it. The men again return to their
business, and the women to their household cares. Not
so in England. The English tea, a light refection in itself,
is the reunion of the family party, after the various occu-
pations of the day. The drudgery of business and its
cares are then put aside for the day. A new set of ideas,
more light, buoyant, and refreshing, come to fill up the
evening, preparing mind and body for sound and refreshing
sleep — a book, music, conversation ; if the women do any
needle-work, it is then of the lightest kind, neither inter-
rupting conversation, nor disturbing any reader. This
enjoyment is common to all classes in England, in a
greater or less degree; and the loss of this habit is to an
Englishman one of his greatest privations in his change of
country.
If Mr. Kirkbeck was absent from the family party in the
drawing-room, — and sometimes he was so, even when his
house was full of visitors — he was sure to be found in a
small study, a little room peculiary his own, trying some
chemical experiment, or analyzing some earth or new
fossil, that he picked up in his morning ramble in his
chalk-quarries.
After the downfall of Napoleon the First, and the peace
succeeding to a twenty-years' war, Mr. Birkbeck invited
me to accompany him in a journey to France, to which I
readily acceded. We traveled together three months in
that country, avoiding the usual route of English travel.
Passing from north to south, to the shores of the Mediter-
ranean, skirting the Pyrenees, and returning through the
heart of the country by a more easterly route to Paris, we
saw more of the country and Frenchmen at home, than
we otherwise should, if confined to any one of the popular
routes of travel. In this journey we saw much of the
peasantry and small proprietors of the soil; and here and
there an institution, and a man of celebrity and fame.
24 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
The Botanical Garden at Avignon, then kept by the cele-
brated Candolle, was an object of great interest.* In the
hot-house was the tall aloe in its full size and beauty, in
its centennial bloom. A little circumstance occurred that
showed the extent to which art-culture existed in France,,
among classes where it would not be expected to exist.
An artist had just arrived with a portfolio of the flowers
of Spain — some hundreds of specimens, which he had
copied in life-like si/.c and color, with a beaut}- and fidelity
of execution seldom witnessed. Candolle, wishing to-
retain copies, and the time being short, distributed these
pictures in twos and threes to the young women of Avig-
non, many of them in humble life, as seamstresses and the
like. In three days the originals were returned without a
blemish, and the full number of copies depicted with an
accuracy truly astonishing. But I must leave P'rance and
Frenchmen, or I shall never get to the English Settlement
in Illinois. On our return, Mr. Birkbeck published his
"Notes of a Journey through France." It had a wide cir-
culation in England, and was well known in America. It
was the first book I met with at Monticello, the residence
of Thomas Jefferson.
About this time, Mr. luhvard Coles, on his return from
a diplomatic mission t(^ Russia, spent some time in Eng-
land. An introduction to Mr. Coles, in London was
succeeded by a visit to Mr. Birkbeck's house and family,
at Wanborough. Here an intimac\' and friendship was
formed, in consequence of which Mr. Coles, when governor
of Illinois, appointed Mr. Birkbeck his secretary-of-state.i*
Although neither at the time had any such thought,
• Aiiijustin Tyrame de Candolle was born in Geneva, Switzerland, in 177S,
•ind died in 1 84 1. He was a celebrated botanist anil naturalist, and the
author of nianv works, whitli aci|uircd for him a luiropcaii reputation. He
was cduiatcd in Pari-, and graduated as a doctor in medicine, Init afterward
ilevoted himself mostly to the .stmly of botany. In iSoO, he was charged by
the I'rench (iovi-rnment to study the state of aj^riculture in France; and, ia
iSoS, lie accepted the chair of botany in the medical school at Montpelier.
It must have been about this time that he kept the botanical ;^arden at Avig-
non, which Mr. l'"lower visiteil.
t I'Ulward Coles was elected governor of Illinois in Aujjust, 1S22. His-
election was followed by a contest which continued for eij;hteen months, and
which, for bitterness and desperation, is without a parallel in the history of
political struggles in the United States. It resulted from an attempt to
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 2$
events were hurrying on to such a consummation. In
less than two years from that time, they were both in
Illinois, a little later, Mr. Coles as governor, Mr. Birkbeck
as secretary- of- State. About this time, Mr. Birkbeck
entertained vague notions of leaving England. The long
lease of his farm was about expiring. He experienced, in
common with other farmers, losses from the low price of
farm produce, induced by the general peace after the long
war. I was traveling at the time in America, dropping
him an occasional letter; but not having a thought of his
coming to this country. In fact, it was a crisis in his fate„
which occurs in the life of every man at some period or
other.
Mr. Birkbeck was of quick preception and lively conver-
sation, often spiced with pungent remarks and amusing
anecdotes. He was a general and rapid reader, and, not-
withstanding his business occupations, showed a decided
taste for scientific investigation, for which he always found
time to indulge. For many years before leaving England,.
Mr. Birkbeck absented himself from Quaker meetings.
His oreneral and varied reading, and his more extended
personal intercourse served to loosen him in some degree
from the sect in which he was brought up. Neither did
he in dress conform to the peculiar garb of the Society.
These were matters of deep concern to the strict ones of
the sect. He did not consider himself as belonging to the
Society of Friends, although I am not aware that he was
ever formally disowned. These were the general antece-
change the free-state constitution of the State into a constitution tolerating
slavery. Though Gov. Coles was a Virginian, and had been a slave-holder,
he was the leader of the free-state men who fought out the great battle
of freedom in that terrific conflict. By this time, the English Colony in
Edwards County had become an important factor in the politics of the State.
Morris Birkbeck, Gilbert T. Pell, his son-in-law, (Jeorge Flower, and Richard
Flower, his father, played an important part in this contest in opposition to
the slavery propagandists. The vigorous and facile pen of Mr. Birkbeck was
called into requisition, and his writings were widely read, and exercised a;
great influence on public opinion. In 1824, David Blackwell, then secretary-
of-state, resigned his office, and Gov. Coles, recognizing the services of Mr.
Birkbeck and his exceptional fitness for the position, appointed him in his
place, in Septt-mber, 1S24. The nomination had to be confirmed by the
Senate, and that body, having a pro-slavery majority, rejected him on January
15, 1825, he having held the office only three months.
SAUK VALLEY COLLEGE 277
LIBRARY
26 THE KXGLISH SETTLEMENT
dents of Mr. Birkbeck before he left England. He em-
barked with his family from the port of London, on board
the ship America, Capt. Heth, in April, 1817, and arrived
at Norfolk, Virginia, in the month of June, of the same
year.
Richard Flower,* the father of George Flower, resided
for many years in Hertford, the county-town of Hertford-
shire, twenty miles northeast of London. There, for more
than twenty years, he carried on rather an extensive brew-
er)-. Having obtained a competence, he retired from busi-
ness, and lived upon a beautiful estate, called Marden.
which he purchased, situated three miles from Hertford.
About this time, there was much uneasiness felt by all
persons who had to do with agriculture in any way, whether
as landlord, tenant, or laborer. The expenses of carrying
on the long French war had introduced an artificial state
of things. Heavy taxes, and inflated paper-currency, high
price for farm produce, were circumstances with which the
])eople of England had been so long familiar, that they
felt as if this artificial s\'stem could never come to an end.
All this was changed at the peace. Tenants could not pay
their rents; landlords were straightened; farmers who had
taken leases, under high prices of grain, were losing money
b)' wholesale. Laborers' wages were diminished; some
were wholly unemployed, and many had to receive paro-
chial relief The poor-rates increased another tax on the
already-embarrassed f.irmer. This state of things, I have
before said, produced great uneasiness; and many farmers
and farm-laborers turned their eyes to other countries, to
escape the pressure in their native land.
The colonies of Great Britain — Australia, Canada, and
the Cape of Good Hope — had each their partisans, and
emigrant aid-societies. A regular line of emigration was
thus established to each of these colonies. France had
m.ui\' attractions — ^a fine climate, amiable and courteous
people, and the ilistance of removal short. Land was
cheap, and a market at hand; and just that deficiency in
agricultural improvement to tempt an Englishman to in-
• Richard Flower, like all the members of the English Colony, was a strong
.nnti-siavcry and anti-convention man, and the trusted friend and correspond-
ent of Gov. Coles.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 2/
troduce the rotation of green crops, which had so much
improved the agriculture of Great Britain. The old crop-
and-fallow system, which formerly existed in Great Britain,
at that time extended all over France, where wheat was
cultivated. Difference of language was one great objection ;
but, more than all, the number and influence of the mili-
tary and the clergy were, to persons of our republican ten-
dencies, decisive against a residence in France as civilians.
The arbitrary conduct of some of the governors rendered
a residence in distant colonies somewhat objectionable.
To persons of fastidious political tastes, the United
States of North America seemed to be the only country
left for emigration. What added much to the character of
the United States, in the eyes of the people of Europe,
was the judicious choice of her first ambassadors to the
courts of Europe. What must not that nation be, that
could send such men as Franklin and Jefferson to France,
Adams and King to Great Britain. These eminent men
were taken as samples of the talent and integrity of
Americans, giving to the mass of the Republic a higher
standard than it deserved. Men of reading read all that
was written about the country. The Declaration of Inde-
pendence, the Constitutions of the United States and of
each State, were among their reading. In these, the prin-
ciples of liberty and man's political equality are so dis-
tinctly recognized, that they really supposed them to exist.
They did not reflect that a perfect theory on paper might
be very imperfectly rendered in practice. This sometimes
happens in other things besides political constitutions, as
the following truthful anecdote will show:
A celebrated agriculturalist gave a description in one of
his published works of a new breed of pigs, which might
be kept to great profit, at the same time giving a detailed
account of their feeding and general treatment. A farmer
from a midland county, in England, hastened to London,
to acquire more precise information, and, if possible, some
of the breed. His knock at the door was answered by
the lady of the house, who inquired his business, "She
was sorry he had taken the trouble to come so far, her
husband kept no pigs; his were only pigs upon paper. He
28 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
wrote to show what might be done.'' The farmer was left
to reflect that theorists are not alwa}-s practitioners.
It must not be hinted that the Constitution of the
United States and the Declaration of Independence are
only pigs upon paper. But certain it is that the great
principles professed are marred and controvened by the
American people. But a real liberty is found in the coun-
try, apart from all its political theories. The practical
liberty of America is found in its great space and small
population. Good land dog-cheap ev'erywhere, and for
nothing, if you will go far enough for it, gives as much
elbow-room to every man as he chooses to take. Poor
laborers, from every country in Europe, hear of this cheap
land, are attracted toward it, perhaps without any political
opinions. They come, they toil, they prosper. This is
the real liberty of America. The people of America,
north and south, have never had the nerve to carry the
political princijiles on which their government was founded
into practice, and probably never will.
CHAPTER II.
At. Flower sails for America — Reflections on the Voyage — Arrives
in New York and visits Philadelphia — Invited to Monticello by
Mr. Jefferson — Journey Westward — Visits Dr. Priestly, on the
Susquehanna — Lost in the Journey to Pittsburgh — From thence
to Cincinnati — The Town as he found it, and the People —The
Neave Family — Crosses the Ohio River and visits Lexington,
and also Gov. Shelby, in Lincoln County — Fording of Dick's
River — Hears of the Illinois Prairies for the first time — Visits
Nashville, Tenn. — Meets Gen. Jackson at a Horse-Race — Return-
ing East, visits Mr. Jefferson at Poplar Forest, South-western
Virginia — Description of his House and his Personal Appearance,
Dress, etc. — Visits Col. John Coles, father of Edward Coles, in
Albemarle County — Passes the Winter with Mr. Jefferson at
Monticello — At the Inauguration of Mr. Monroe, and meets Ed-
ward Coles for the first time — Mr. Birkbeck and his Family
arrive at Richmond, from England.
Having determined to visit America, I sailed from
^iverpool in April, 1816, in the ship Robert Burns, Capt.
'arsons of New York. The experience of the captain
an not be doubted, for he had crossed the Atlantic seven-
y-five times without accident, saving the loss of a yard-
rm. We arrived in New York fifty days after leaving
^iverpool.
My emigration, or rather my journey — for it had not at
hat time taken the decided form of emigration — was
indertaken from mixed motives; among others the dis-
urbed condition of the farming interest, and my predelic-
ion in favor of America and its Government.
Whoever has been brought up in the bosom of an affec-
ionate family, enjoying a fair share of refinement and
ase, possessing rather an enthusiastic and sensitive tem-
lerament, will find that to leave his home and native land,
lerhaps never to return, is an impressive and sorrowful
vent. Standing alone on the stern of the vessel, or sur-
30 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMKM'
rounded by unsynipathizin<; strangers; carried on b\' an
irresistible power into the wide waste of waters, the land
of his birth receding and sinking out of sight ; desolation
and gloom oppress the soul, relieved only by sea-sickness,
substituting physical for mental suffering. How different
the feelings of a family party! Kind friends accompany
them to a loving farewell. The ship contains to them all
that is cherished and dear. A ray of light and hope illu-
minates their watery way. Landing on the far-distant
shore, they revel in all the allusions of anticipated bliss.
There were no steamers and clippers in those daj-s. In so
long a passage as fifty days, our little cabin-party — only
four of us, two Englishmen and two Frenchmen — at first
strangers, soon became as a little band of brotherhood.
At landing, this new bond was broken. luich individual
hastening to his family or friends (for the other three had
been in the United States before), the solitary stranger for
a moment stands alone. The ocean behind, and a vast
continent before him, a sense of solitude is then experi-
enced, that has never been before and never will again be
felt. "Baggage, sir!" and "what hotel!" restores him to
the world and all its busy doings.
From New \'ork, I wrote to the late I'resident Jetlerson,
to whom I had a letter of introduction from his old friend.
General Lal''a\'ette. A kiiul and courteous rcpl\- invited
me to Monticello, an invitation I could not at that time
accept. At Philadelphia, where I spent about six weeks,
I became intimately acquainted with that most kind-
hearted of men and active philanthropist, John Vaughan.
The business of his life was to relieve the distressed,
whether native or foreign born, and to give untiring assist-
ance to the stranger, to aid him in carrying out his plans.
To me he opened the institutions of the city, ami intro-
duced me to its best society.
It was with him, at one of Dr. W'istar's evening parties,
that I made the accjuaintance of Mr. LeSeur, the French
naturalist. We little thought then how soon we were
drstiiuil to become neighbors in tiie distant West. He
at ilarmon)', on the (irt'.it Wabash, a place then but a few
months oUl, and 1 at Albion, in Illinois, a spot neither dis-
covereil nor inhabited. To Mr. Krcnuah Warder and
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 3r
family I am much indebted for their cordial hospitality
and considerate kindness, which was extended to every
member of my father's family after their arrival two years
afterward.
In the first week of August, i8i6, I was mounted on
horseback, pursuing my journey westward. The first point
of interest was the settlement of Dr. Priestly, on the Sus-
quehanna, now known as Sunbury. A more romantically-
beautiful situation can scarcely be imagined. At the time
he made his settlement, that was the Far-West. From the
after-discovery of coal-mines, that whole district of coun-
try has undergone such a change as to be scarcely recog-
nizable. Far beyond, in the midst of wild forests, at a
settlement forming by Dr. Dewese and a Mr. Phillips, an
Englishman, I spent an agreeable week in exploring the
heavy-wooded district of hemlock and oak that bordered
on the Mushanon Creek. Dr. Dewese had built an elegant
mansion, appropiate as a suburban residence for a retired
citizen, but out of place in a small clearing in one of the
heaviest timbered and wildest districts of Pennsylvania.
But neither Dr. Dewese nor Mr. Phillips were country-bred
men. Their habits and tastes were formed in cities; and
both, I believe, soon afterward returned to the city. From
thence I made my w^ay to Pittsburgh, through the wildest
and roughest country that I have ever seen on the Ameri-
can Continent. I was lost all day in the wood, without
road or path of any kind, and a most exciting, though soli-
tary, day it was to me. I climbed the tallest pines only
to see an endless ocean of tree-tops, without sign of human
life. Toward night, I was relieved by a happy incident.
The distant tinkling of a small bell led me to the sight of
a solitary black mare. Dismounting, and exercising all
my horse-knowledge to give her confidence, I at length
induced her to come and smell of my hand. Seizing and
holding her firmly by the foretop with one hand, with the
other I shifted the saddle and bridle from my horse to her.
With a light halter (which I always carried round the
neck of my riding-horse) in one hand, I mounted my
estray, and gave her the rein; in half an hour she brought
me to a small cabin buried in the forest, no other cabin
being within ten miles, and no road leading to it. So ter-
32 THK ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
minatcd ni)' first day's experience in backwoods forest-life.
It was no small job to get out of this wild solitude.
It was noon the next day before I met a man. W'e
greeted each other, we shook hands, we fraternized. Ah!
poor man ; I should have passed you in a street, or on a
road, or, if to notice, only to shun. He was a poor Irish-
man, with a coat so darned, patched, and tattered as to be
quite a curiosity. He was one of a new settlement, a few
miles off. How I cherished him. No angel's visit could
have pleased me so well. He pointed me the course, and,
what was more, shewed mc into a path. I soon afterward
passed the settlement of his poor countrymen. A more
forlorn place could never be seen.
When at Pittsburgh, to Mr. Thomas Bakewell. and
others, I was indebted for many civilities. Leaving the
then town (now cit\') of Pittsburgh and its smoke, I
passed in a north-western direction, to the almost-de-
serted town of Harmony, built by Rapp and his associates.
The large brick-buildings to be found in no other young
American town, now almost uninhabited, looked very
desolate. Rapp and his Society had removed, to form
their new settlement of Harmony, on the Circat Wabash.
Further north, in the Barrens of Ohio, the settlement of
Thomas Rotch (now Kemlall) was just begun. Mr. and
Mrs. Rotch, well -known members of the Society of
Friends, were from Nantucket — the Rotchcs of Nantucket
forming a large family connection, all extensively engaged
in the whale-fishery. After spending two or three pleas-
ant days with Mr. Rotch, I crossed the State of Ohio
<liagonalK'. in a south-west direction, passing through
<Jr)ch()Cton and Chillicothc, to Cincinnati. 'Ihis route
led me through the then celebrated I'ickaway Plains^—
so named from tin- Pickaway Indians, whose town and
chief settlement was placed thereon. A level prairie,
about seven miles long and three broad, bounded by lofty
timber, and covered with verdure, must have presented a
grateful prospect in Indian times. Occujiied by the white
man, covered with a heavy crop of ripe corn, disfigured
by zigzag fences, it now gave no inviting appearance. A
narrow roai', in some places deep in mud. ran the length
of the plain. The little town of Jefferson (so called) was
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 33
nothing more than half-a-dozen log-cabins, interspersed
with corn-cribs. Not a garden, nor a decent house, nor a
sober man to be found in the place. Although I had
made my sixty miles that day, and the sun was setting,
I pushed on without dismounting six miles farther to
Chillicothe, situated on the opposite bank of the Scioto
River. In crossing the river that night, not being aware
of its size, and not knowing the ford, my journey had well-
nigh found a watery termination. Sometimes swimming
and sometimes wading, I was long in great jeopardy. At
length, arriving safely on the other shore, I was well pre-
pared by sixteen hours of almost continuous riding, for
supper and a sound night's rest.
Cincinnati, then a town of five or six thousand inhabi-
tants, rapidly increasing and incumbered with materials
for building, presented no very attractive appearance. In
a small cabin, on the bank of the Ohio, about two miles
above Cincinnati, were living two young men, brothers,
with an aged and attached female who had been their
nurse, and now kept their house. Mr. Donaldson, their
father, had retired from the English bar, to a farm in
Wales, his two sons and their faithful nurse had emigrated
to America. I was requested, before leaving England, to
see them if possible, and here I found them. With Dr.
Drake, then a young man, afterward a celebrated physi-
cian, I became acquainted ; I had boarded with his sisters
in Philadelphia. Mr. Jeremiah Neave, a friend of Mr.
Birkbeck, was at the time a well-known citizen of Cincin-
nati. We became acquainted. He gave me the hospi-
talities of his house. Mr. Neave, although a Quaker, was
most ultra in his politics. An English Democrat, born in
the political hot-bed of the French Revolution, he partook
of the violent partizanship of those times. Against kings
and priests he bore a sore grudge. The family of Mr.
Neave have long since grown up, and are prominent and
influential citizens of Cincinnati.
At this time I could learn nothing of the prairies; not
a person that I saw knew anything about them. I had
read of them in Imly's work, and his vivid description
had struck me forcibly. All the country that I had passed
through was heavily timbered. I shrank from the idea of
34 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
settling in the midst of heavy timber, to hack and hew my
way to a Httle farm, ever bounded by a wall of gloomy
forest.
Crossing the State of Kentucky to Lexington, I was
much attracted by the beauty of the blue-grass farms. In
my short stay at Lexington, I became acquainted with Dr.
Short, Mr. Trotter, and Mr. Saunders, — the latter an ear-
nest and enterprising speculator and spirited farmer and
introducer of improved stock. From Lexington I went
into Lincoln County, to see Governor Shelb}-. Before
reaching his residence I had to cross Dick's Ri\er. This
was a peculiar stream, unlike any other that I had crossed.
It ran over a bed of limestone boulders as rapidly as a
mill-race, and the ford was a curve, to be traced only by
the eye of the stranger, by the deeper boiling of the water
over its rough and rocky bottom. I met a man, three
miles from the ford, who gave me warning of its force, and
of its deep and drowing water on either hand if I missed
the ford. I hesitated, fearing for the steadiness of my
nerves. My head swims in rapid water; and I can not
tell whether I am going up stream or down. I cautiously
entered, keeping rather a tight rein on my little nag ; a
precaution unnecessary, perhaps; for to turn round was im-
possible when once in that rush of water. The water was
soon over my saddle-bow while the haunches of ni}' horse
were higher than his withers. Another step and the
pomel of my saddle was dr\-, but the water was running
over my crupper. In this way we slowl)' ami hazardously
went, the water beating hard against us the whole time.
We came out safely it is true; but I confess to have felt
more fear, and exhaustion from fear, than at any other
period in all my journeyings. But the fording of streams
great and small is among my most disagreeable experi-
ences in American horseback -travel. It did impress me
strongly no doubt ; for to this period of my life the dark
and rushing w.iter of Dick's River occasionally troubles
me in my dreams.
Governor Shelby settled in the place he then occupied
when it was a canebrake, and the buffalo all arountl him.
Old (.iovernor Shelby was a decidetl character — an honest,
hast\' man, somewhat hot-headeil. He commanded the
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 35
Kentucky horse-volunteers during the War of 18 1 2. Gen-
eral Harrison was explaining to his officers the tactics to
be observed at an approaching engagement. " I know
nothing about your tactics," said old Shelby, " but show
me the enemy, and my boys shall whip him." It was at
Governor Shelby's house that I met the first person who
confirmed me in the existence of the prairies. It was Gov.
Shelby's brother. He had just come from some point on
the Mississippi, across the prairies of Illinois to the Ohio
River, about Shawneetown.
This was enough ; I felt assured of where they were,
and that, when sought for, they could be found. It was
then too late in the season for me to go to explore them.
It was now the last week in October, and I could not
expect to see them other than as a mass of burnt ground,
or covered with snow. So I decided to proceed with my
journey southward and eastward, and endeavor to reach
Poplar Forest, a possession of Mr. Jefferson's, on the west-
ern frontier of Virginia, before Christmas. A few days
more and I was at Nashville, the capital of Tennessee.
Before going to Nashville, I swerved to the right to get a
peep at the Mammoth Cave, some of the wonders of which
were just beginning to be talked about. The country
about it was uninhabited and wild. Mr. Miller, the only
small-farmer near, went with me there with half-a-dozen
candles in his hand. We had not traveled more than a
hundred yards before I was satisfied with my explorations.
I saw enough of the nature of the rock to understand the
possibility of its extent. I had no wish to disturb the
millions of bats that were hanging over our heads, with
our slender provisions for exploration. The accounts of its
extent were not generally credited at that time in America;
and, upon my return to England, I was asked by well-
informed men whether Americans were not playing on
the credulity of Europeans.
Approaching the town of Nashville, my horse showed
unusual signs of sprightliness. With head and tail erect,
he went with a bounding step, and seemed to recog-
nize the spot. A negro boy rode up to my side, and
said: "Sir, where did you get that horse.'" "At Phila-
delphia, a place a long way off". Do you know the
36 THK ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
horse'" "Lors, yes," He belonged to Major some-
body, I forget the name, who rode him East, the year
before, and sold him. When at Nashville, some periodical
race came off. I rode out with the crowd to the course.
Generals Ripley and Jackson were pointed out to me; the
former of fair complexion and light hair, rather a young
man, carrying his head stiffly from a wound in the neckf*
the latter an older man, lean and lank, bronzed in com-
plexion, deep-marked countenance, grizzly-gray hair, and
a restless and fiery eye. Jackson had a horse on the
course which was beaten that day. General Jackson was
a whole man in any thing he undertook. He was a horse-
racer that day, and thorough!}' he played his part. The
recklessness of his bets, his violent gesticulations and im-
precations outdid all competition. If I had then been
told that he was to be a future jiresident of the United
States, I should have thought it a very strange thing.
Years afterward, when I knew him an older and, I pre-
sume, a wiser man, I often thought of the scenes in which
my first impressions of him were made.
1 was some days in doubt whether to accept the invita-
tion of General Ripley to accompany him in his flat-boat,
then prepared to take him and his staff to New Orleans.
He proposed that, after reaching New Orleans, I shouUl
visit the prairies of Oppelousas, and that, should I return
to Virginia. I should do so by the way of the Choctaw and
Chickasaw nations, in Mississippi and Alabama, over the
tract that the Abbe Raynal had former!)' traveled. The
offer was tempting, but 1 deciiicd to make nu' visit to Mr.
Jefferson. A cold wind and a sliglit fall of snow warned
me lliat tliere was no time to l^c lost in passing tlie Ten-
nessee Movintains. I fi-!l in witli a party of four X'irginia
planters and a Nortii-Carolina iloctor, returning homeward
from an excursion into Missouri. Wc traversed tlie State
of Tennessee at a rapid rate from west to east, and entered
tlie western part of N'irginia the latter part of November.
A part of tlie region we traveled was mountainous, and, in
a great di'gree, peopled by a verv poor and, a portion of
them, a \er\' bail ilescription of people. A few years
previous, it was the resort of notorious robbers and cut-
tliroals.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. ^-J
One fellow, I think named Harp, was the terror of the
country. The governor offered fifty dollars for his head.
After many ineffectual attempts at capture, in a death-
struggle with a man as desperate as himself, Harp's foot
slipped. He fell with his adversary upon him, who, taking
adyantage of his position, cut off his head with his butcher-
^nife, put it into his saddle-bags, rode off with it to the
governor, claimed and got his reward. Even at the time
of my journey, a traveler was occasionally missed.
After our second day's journey, we stopped for the night
at the foot of the mountains, at a place of very suspicious
appearance. The men of the house had not the right look
with them. There appeared to be no one ostensible land-
lord. We observed four different men, who came in during
the evening, eying us carefully and exchanging but few
words. The wretched negroes were in rags, and their
every movement indicated marked fear and dread. The
white woman, so-called, that poured out the coffee, in
appearance and demeanor, seemed to occupy no higher
position than the negroes. A stack of eight rifles, occupy-
ing a corner of the "room, were one by one withdrawn
during the evening. The long shed-like room we occupied
was kept for travelers; the family or company of discredit-
ables that occupied this establishment living apart in
cabins at a distance from the travelers' room. I laid down
in my clothes, doubling up my coat and putting it under
my pillow, as my custom was, resolved to keep watch
during the night. My companions (one or other of them)
were awake until morning.
One after the other, each of our hosts (if they might be
so called) dropped in on some pretence, and soon went out
again. We were watching and being watched, and I think
each party was conscious of the fact. But nature would
not entirely resign her dues. It is hard to keep awake a
whole night, after a day's fatigue on horseback. Before
morning I was in a sound sleep, from which I was aroused
by my companions for an early start, as they said aloud.
As our bill had been paid the night before, nothing hin-
dered us from going to the stable for our horses. Not one
of them had touched their oats or corn. They looked
38 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
badl\', and one came out rather lame in a hind leg. The
mountain road was steep. The morning's mist did not
permit us to see ten steps before us. Our progress at first
was necessarily slow, and made slower by the lameness of
one of the horses. When at a sufficient distance, we made
a general halt. After a whispered consultation by m}'
companions, the doctor, as he was called (as much a horse
as human doctor from his appearance), examined the lame
horse, and pronounced him " string cress'd." This opera-
tion is performed b)' taking a thread of silk or a long hair
from a horse's tail and tying it rather tight around the ten-
der part of the fetlock, just over the hoof, but under the
short hairs that drop over the crown of the hoof, and in
this way the thread is concealed. Inflammation, accom-
panied by lameness, speedily ensues. The doctor said the
horse had been "cress'd," but the string had been taken off
before leaving the stable. From this time onward, we were
on the lookout, and kept close order. When be}'ond the
distance of apprehended danger, our tongues were loosened
and many stories of robberies and murders were told.
The horses not eating was accounted for by their teeth
being greased, which, it is said, will effectually prevent a
horse from eating. I had traveled a thousand miles alone;
1 now felt satisfied with compan\'. The road was moun-
tainous and rock)-, the accommodations bad, and the i)eo-
l)!c uneducated, and fretiuenth* intcmjierate — in short of
the class called "poor whites," although many were not
without means. We entered the State of Virginia at
Abington. I found Mr. Jefferson at his Poplar- Forest
estate, in the western part of the State of Virginia. His
house was built after the fashion of a French chateau.
Octagon r(~)oms. floors of polished oak, loft)' ceilings, large
mirrors, betokened his French taste, acquired bj' his long
residence in l-'rance. Mr. Jefferson's figure was rather
m.ajestic: tall (over six feet), thin, and rather high-shoul-
dered; manners, simple, kind, and courteo\is. His dress,
in color and form, was quaint and old-fashioned, plain and
neat — a dark i)epper-anil-salt coat, cut in the old Quaker
f.ishion, with a single row of large metal buttons, knee-
breeches, gray-worsted stockings, shoes fastened b\' large
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 39
anetal buckles — such was the appearance of Jefferson when
I first made his acquaintance, in 18 16. His two grand-
daughters— Misses Randolph — well-educated and accom-
plished young ladies, were staying with him at the time.
After a brief stay at Poplar Forest, I proceeded to the
house of Col. John Coles, in Albemarle County. Messrs.
feaac and Walter Coles, brothers, lived with him. Mr.
Edward Coles, the youngest brother, was then in England,
forming an acquaintance with Mr. Birkbeck. The sister,
Miss Coles, had just been married. Her husband, Mr.
Stevenson, then a young lawyer, afterward minister to
•Great Britain, was then on a bridal visit.*
The greater part of the winter I passed at Monticello,
the permanent residence of Mr. Jefferson, in Albemarle
County. The chief charm of the visit was in the evening
conversations with Mr. Jefferson,-|- who gave me the inner
* Col. John Coles was an officer of the Revolution, and belonged to the
highest type of the old-school Virginians. At his plantation, called Ennis-
-corthy, he dispensed a liberal and generous hospitality, and he had, among
his guests, many of the most distinguished citizens of the Commonwealth in
that day. His oldest son, Isaac Coles, was the private-secretary of Mr. Jeffer-
son, during his two terms of the presidency, and his brother, Edward Coles,
subsequently governor of Illinois, was for six years the private-secretary of
Mr. Madison. Enniscorthy is on the Green Mountains, in Albemarle County,
about fifteen miles from Charlottesville, the county-seat. The whole surround-
ing country is beautiful, and, at the epoch of Mr. Flower's visit, the neighbor-
ing plantations were in the highest state of cultivation. The proprietors were
generally men of wealth, education, and refinement, who devoted themselves
■to agriculture, con amore. The large and elegant mansion on the Estouteville
plantation, adjoining Enniscorthy, was planned and built by Mr. Nelson, the
architect of the University of Virginia, brought out from England by Mr.
Jefferson. '\ he attention of the visitor to Enniscorthy is attracted by a small
•cemetery, in which were buried many members of the Coles family. Here
also repose the remains of Andrew Stevenson of Virginia, the speaker of the
House of Representatives for eight years, and afterward minister to Great
Britain.* His second wife was Sarah Coles, the daughter of Col. John Coles
;and sister of Gov. Edward Coles, a lady of remarkable beauty and accomplish-
rments. Hon. John White Stevenson, ex-governor of Kentucky, and ex-
United States senator from the same State, is the son of Andrew Stevenson,
t Nothing can be more interesting than the life-like sketch of Mr. Jefferson
■as Mr. Flower first saw him, in 1816, at Poplar Forest. Mr. Jefferson
was passionately fond of agriculture, and never so thoroughly happy as when
overlooking his plantations. His large possessions at Monticello did not seem
to satisfy him, and he purchased an estate in Bedford County, which he called
Poplar Forest, and which was but a short distance east of Lynchburg.
•* Personal observation.
40 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
liistory of events, before only known to me, as to the
world generally, in the published records or outside history,
which is all that* the public is generally allowed to see.
I was much attracted by the features of the country, and
by the climate of Western Virginia. l-Jut the brand of
slavery was upon the land. Dilapidated fences, decaying
homesteads, and worn-out land everywhere met the eye,
giving an uninviting aspect to a country perhaps more
favored by nature than any other portiqn of the Union.
Early in the spring, I was present at the inauguration of
James Monroe as president of the United States. At
the house of Mr. Madison, I saw, for the first time, Mr.
Edward Coles, who had just returned from Great Britain.
I again returned to Philadelphia, after a nine-months' ab-
sence, having accomplished a journey of two thousand
miles, without loss of health or accident, and without dis-
turbance or dispute with any human being. I was staying
with my friends at Philadelphia, in some doubt whether to
return to P2ngland or to remain a while longer and see
something more. I had almost decided to return, when I
unexpectedly received a letter informing me of the arri\al
of Mr. Hirkbeck and his famil\- at Riclimond. P>om my
numerous acquaintance, Philadelphia had become my
American home. It is one of the painful experiences of a
traveler to be torn, perhaps forever, from new friends, from
whom he has received many civilities and much kindness.
It is like tearing up a plant that has just taken fresh root.
There were, sta\'ing in Philadelpha, two young men, one
from Norfolk, I'lngland, another from London, who in-
tended to go Westward with me, shoulil I so decide; but,
tluring the winter, their destinations were altered. One
The visit to Monticcllo of Mr. Klowcr, with his r.ire intclliijence, his literary
t.Tstcs, and his knowlolj^e of men and tilings in luiropc, must have been in-
tereslinj^ to both jiarties. It is melancholy to rctlect on the chanjjes which
have taken place at Monticello since Mr. l-'lo\ver's visit in 1816-7. That
home, of the "aiiihor of the Peclaration of !iide|K'n(lence, the statute of
Virijinia for rcli^jious freedom, and the father of the University of \'irginia,"'
known the world over almost as widely as .Mount \'crnon, has gone into the
hands of sirant^ers, and fallen into ruin and decay. Persons from distant
.Slates and countries, holdini; the memory of Mr. Jefferson in reverence anil
affection, in visiting Monticello, now find the hovise which he built, and irk
which he lived and died, closed to all comers.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 41
had received an army appointment in the East-Indies, the
other to fill some situation in Australia. We all three
walked together to the wharf. The bells of the steam-
boats, as they simultaneously struck their warning for
departure, were to us the knell-note of a life-long separa-
tion. We shook each other by the hand for the last time.
I stepped on board the Baltimore boat, they on board the
one bound for New York ; and we were lost to each other
forevermore in this world. My first solitary journey was
now ended, and a new experience in travel about to begin.
C H APTKR I I I.
Joins Mr. Birkbeck and Family in Richmond, Va. Miss Andrews,
afterward Mrs. Flower Decides to go \A^estward from Richmond
Incidents of the Trip Meets with Mr. Sloo, U. S. Land-Officer
at Shawneetown, who conducts the Party to Illinois — They stop
at Gen. Harrison's, at North Bend -At Vincennes "Painted
NA^arriors, Bedecked Squaws, and Bedizened Pappooses" Mr.
Birkbeck's Daughters and Miss Andrews Difficuities of the
Journey bravely met Mr. Birkbeck proposes Marriage to Miss
Andrews Offer Declined Leads to Unpleasant Results The
Party first Establishes itself at Princeton, Indiana A Visit to
the Shaker Settlement at Busro Account of the French-Cana-
dian Settlement at Cattinet Birkbeck and Flower start out in
Search of the Prairies Pass through New Harmony, George
Rapp's Colony Description of the Place Cross the Wabash
and enter the Territory of Illinois, and reach the Big-Prairie
Settlement Boltenhouse Prairie, a Beautiful Sight Crossing
the Wabash into Illinois Territory Hard Ride to Birk's Prairie
The Prairie -Flies Captain Birk, a Specimen Pioneer His
Cabin and his Family Intense Prejudice against the British
Journey Continued Reflections on the Pioneers Long Prairie
reached, where the English Settlement was afterward made
Return to Princeton Timber-land around Boltenhouse Prairie
entered at Shawneetown Mr. Birkbeck to remain and Mr.
Flower to return to England to procure more P'unds and beat
up for Recruits The Decision made.
Ar Riclinioiul, I jdiiicil Mr. Birkbeck aiul liis fainil\ ,
composed of nine indi\icluals. Himself aged about fifty-
four, his second .son, Bradford, a youth of sixteen; his third
son Charles, a lad of fourteen; a little servant-boy, Ciil-
lard, who had lived with Mr. Birkbeck all his life, about
thirteen years oUl ; and with the party, was a cousin of
mine, and of m\' aj^c -twent\'-nine — Mr. Elias I'ym Ford-
liam. Of the females. Miss I'.ii/.a Birkl)eck was nineteen;
Miss Prudence Birkbeck, si.xteen; and Miss ICliza Julia
Andrews, twenty-five.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 43
Miss Andrews (now Mrs. Flower) was the second daugh-
ter of Rev. Mordicah Andrews of Eigeshall, in the county
of Essex, England. There was great friendship between
the members of Mr. Birkbeek's family and Miss Andrews,
and, latterly, she stood almost in the relation of an elder
daughter. Being on a visit to Wanborough, at the time
Mr. Birkbeck decided on emigrating to America, she con-
sented to accompany them, and under his protection to
share the adventures that awaited them in the new world.
A little orphan girl, Elizabeth Garton, completes the list
of Mr. Birkbeek's family in America, and with me added
to them made up the party that made their way into
Illinois.
These were the original band of explorers. Of this party,
thus composed forty years ago, but one is now living in the
Settlement — the little poor boy (now old man with large
family and independent property) Gillard. Yet, consider-
ing the length of time, the many risks and dangers they
encountered, a large proportion of this little band are
living. Three are dead, seven are living and widely scat-
tered: one in England, two in Mexico, one in Australia,
two in Indiana, and one in Illinois. Turning our eyes
from the scattered remnant now standing on the four
quarters of the globe, we will proceed on our journey.
After consultation, we decided to go westward, exactly
where was uncertain. The journey to Pittsburgh by
stage was a rough affair, in those days. But rough as it
was the convenience of a stage-coach was to be found no
farther. From some accident to the stage, the whole
party were obliged to walk twelve miles into Pittsburgh.
By descending the river Ohio in an ark, we should see
nothing of the country, and we had no fixed point to go
to. It was from this point that our journey of exploration
may have said to have begun. Each individual of our
party of ten was to be furnished with a horse and its
equipments. An underblanket for the horse, a large
blanket on the seat of the saddle for the rider, a pair of
well-filled saddle-bags, all secured by a surcingle, a great-
coat or cloak, with umbrella strapped behind, completed
the appointments for each person. The purchase of the
horses devolved upon me. In three days I had them all
44 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
mounted. Imagine our cavalcade performing its journe\-
day by day across the then wilderness states of Ohio and
Indiana.
The omens of our first day's journey were not auspi-
cious. Crossing a bridge made of large logs, over a creek
emptying into the Ohio River, one of the logs was missing,
leaving a gap nearly two feet wide, showing the water
twenty feet below. My horse, young and inexperienced,
leaped high and fell, rolling over me, and falling into the
Ohio River, twenty feet below. She went down out of
sight. In a few seconds she rose again, and with some
difficulty, was saved from drowning and secured, with no
other loss than a broken umbrella and a soaking to the
contents of the saddle-bags. Farther on, Bradford Birk-
bcck's horse took fright and ran furiously with him
through the woods, endangering life and limb of the rider.
Luckily the girths broke and spilled everything, leaving
the rider, fortunately, with whole bones, but with some
bruises.
The regular days' journey, steadily pursued, soon broke
in both horse and rider. In fine weather and hard roads,
it was very pleasant, no remarkable fatigue felt, the party
kept well together, chatting agreeabl)' by the way. At
other times, from excessive heat or some atmospheric
change, a general languor prevailed, and some dropped
beiiind at a slower pace. The party would be sometimes
strung out, one behind the other, for three or four miles.
The horses, too, became spiritless and dull, so as to require
a touch of the whip or spur. On such occasions, nothing
brought us into ordc-r like a loud clap of thunder and a
drenching shower of rain. The privations on the journey
were many. The taverns, as they were called, but, in
reality, often mere shanties, were sometimes destitute of
either door or window, affording only a place on the floor
to spread cloak or blanket. The hot sun, the sudden
storms, accompanied bv torrents of rain, thunder, antl
lightning, dangers imminent from crossing swollen and
rapiil streams were incidents of travel, borne not onl\' with
equanimity, but cheerfulness by every member of the
party. So the journey wore along.
At Cincinnati, we were entertained in the hospitable
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 45
house of Mr. Jeremiah Neave. Before leaving, we became
acquainted with John Roe Sloo, register of the newly-
opened land-office at Shawneetown, in the Territory of Illi-
nois. He gave us a more distinct account of the prairies
in his land-district. He was going to Illinois on horseback,
and offered to accompany and conduct us there. By his
advice, we added a pack-horse to our already-numerous
train; for the journey through the wilderness of Indiana
would be attended by more discomforts than the track
through Ohio from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati. Our first
halt, after leaving the city, was at the house of a friend of
Mr. Sloo's, at North-Bend — General Harrison. I thought
it rather a cool proceeding to introduce such a strong
party of strangers to the house and family of an absent
friend. The pack-horse was long in arriving. Bradford
had his difficulties; the pack turned in the streets of Cin-
cinnati, dropping a blanket here and a coffee-pot there, the
horse walking on with the greatest indifference, with the
pack swinging under his belly, strewing its contents from
one end of the street to the other, to the mirth of the
spectators and amid the jeers and jibes of all the urchins
of the place. Perseverance conquers all things. Bradford
gathered up his traps and joined us late at North-Bend.
We were very kindly received by Mrs. Harrison, and took
our departure the next day. Cabins now became more
distant to each other, roads deep in black mud, the forest
more unbroken, dark, and gloomy. The additional blank-
ets and food on the pack-horse were often needed. About
two-thirds of the way across Indiana, the road forked.
Mr. Sloo took the southern road, pointing to the lower
ferry on the Wabash, leading to Shawneetown. We con-
tinued due west on the road to Vincennes.
One sultry evening, when in the deep forest, with our
line extended for two or three miles, black clouds sud-
denly gathered up, extinguishing what light there was.
Thunder, lightning, and rain descended and continued,
accompanied by violent wind. The storm came so sud-
denly that the stragglers in the rear were driven into the
woods, and there had to stay. Myself and three or four
at the head of the line pushed on and reached a cabin.
By noon, the next day, all were together again.
46 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
Just before leaving the timber to enter the prairie, on
which the town of Vincennes stands, we met an Indian on
horseback. A new blanket wrapped around him; leggins
and moccasins adorned with beads; a bandage round the
liead, sustaining a bunch of feathers; his face and breast
painted ochre-red; with tomahawk and rifle, a stalwart
savage was he. Others sat in groups among the bushes,
cooling their legs in the lagoons of water, or engaged in
conversation with each other. Others lay scattered on
the ground, some asleep and some dead drunk. As we
proceeded their numbers increased. Painted warriors,
bedecked squaws, bedizened pappooses, all were there.
They had come in to take their treat\--stipcnd and traffic
with the agents and traders that li\ed in Vincennes. The\'
were a part of the valiant band that surprised Harrison on
the battle-ground of Ti[)pecanoe, and had nearly over-
powered him. Though fighting hard and inflicting great
loss upon Harrison's army, they lost the battle, and with
it their prestige and their country ! They came in now not
as sui)plicants, but painted defiantly ! Their look aiul
manner plainly showed what was the feeling of their
hearts. They only wanted the opportunity to tomahawk
the inhabitants and burn the town. Unfortunate people I
their ct)urage broken, their country lost, their numbers
diminishing, starvation their present doom, and utter ex-
tinction a speedy certainty.
At the well-known tavern of Colonel LaSalle, we quar-
tered ourselves for some time, resting ourselves and horses,
and looking at farms in the en\irons of the town. The
(Ireat Wabash seemed to be the terminus of emigration.
I'he people from the Eastern States, that were pouring in.
chiefl}' found IcK^ations on the cast bank of the Wabash,
toward Terre Haute. ICven here, where the river Wabash
is the dividing line between Indiana and Illinois, nothing
seemed to be known of the prairies, except the trace, that
is, the road or traveled way that crossed Illinois from Vin-
cennes in Iniliana, to St. Louis in Missouri. To ride that
alone was then thought to be a perilous affair.
1 1 ere was a period to our progress. We hail heretofore
been traveling continuousK', and every one of us hail
exhibited an alacrit)' in prosecuting our journey with
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 4/
singular perseverance and assiduity. Good-breeding and
good tempers had ever prevailed. Each yielded his own
to the comfort of others. Youth, which accepts present
enjoyment and rejects fears for the future, had much to do
with the buoyancy of spirits which seldom failed us. Six
of our party were under twenty, three were under thirty,
and one, although advanced to fifty-four, was active, intel-
ligent, and strong. We were not an ordinary party of
country folks; the men looking only for a rich piece of
bottom-land, and the women for the best milk-cow. Mr.
Birkbeck's daughters, well-educated young ladies, of good
sense and refinement, were most agreeable companions.
Prudence, the youngest daughter, rather small and deli-
cate, a brunette, with face and head of intelligence and
character, her remarks were piquant, full of jest and mirth-
enlivening conversation. Her elder sister, Eliza, better
grown and plump, with that fair-and-red English com-
plexion so seldom seen here, was of graver mien, and per-
haps of deeper feeling, formed an agreeable contrast in
conversation to the more lively sallies of her younger sis-
ter. Miss Andrews, a little older, was in intellect and
character more matured and of greater experience in life.
As the head of her brother's house in London, her knowl-
edge in household affairs and domestic economy was more
perfect. Her intelligence and reading, and, above all, more
general and frequent intercourse with good society, gave
her a practical knowledge of life necessarily superior to
those of her youthful companions.
With these agreeable ladies our time never hung heavy.
Conversation never slacked, ennui was never known. If
any one of us was detained by accident or indisposition,
the hand of a kind female friend was ever extended for
our relief. I do n't think that any traveling party, consti-
tuted as ours was, ever accomplished so much or pursued
their journey and its objects, despite of its difficulties, with
more perseverance than ours. I am sure none ever pre-
served their tempers better, nor gave offices of kindness
with more good-will, none could have a more sincere
friendship and regard for each other, and none could
enjoy each other's company more than we did.
It is not surprising in a company so constituted and so-
48 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
situated, that feelings of attachment should have grown
up with a strength and fervor, perhaps unconscious to
themselves. Whilst traveling, the daily business of the
road occupied our attention. The care of the horses, the
repair of their equipments, recording our day's travel,
inquiries of the road, in order to avoid its difficulties and
dangers, gave full occupation to the men. To pack their
saddle-bags, arrange their own bed, and procure little com-
forts for the whole party, which men seldom think of, but
which our ladies never forgot, all to be done in our short
halts, or after a whole day's ride, kept the mind and body
in full occupation.
With bodily repose the mind becomes more active, and
perhaps perception of the feelings becomes more distinct.
We had felt the inconveniences of the sparcely- settled
country we had passed over. Perhaps, as we stood on the
vast uninhabited wilds we were soon to enter, an instinc-
tive sense of individuality encountering its solitude and
manifold labors, vaguely presented itself to each individ-
ual. A few words spoken from one person to another
dissolved the happy charm which had hitherto surrounded
us, and drew a veil from the eyes of many individuals of
the party.
Mr. Hirkbeck made an offer of marriage to Miss An-
drews, and the feeling not being reciprocal, was respect-
fully but decidedly declined, although urged by great
strength of feeling. This incident, purel\' personal and. un-
der other circumstances, unimportant, disturbed somewhat
our little party; and even carried its influence to a distant
period. Some constraint and reserve now took the place
of the free flow of expression and easy intercourse which
had accompanied us during all our journey. Little eratic
movements might be observed. The smoker would some-
times take a long session in silence, aiul again throw down
liis cigar after the first whiff One \oung lad\- wouUI take
two or three e.xtra cups of tea; another would not touch
a tlrop. Ominous s\-mptoms. Avowals and explanations
between individuals nia)' be imagined but not described.
For a short time, things were a little embarrassing.
I proposed for the hand of Miss Andrews, was accepted,
and was subsequently married to her, at X'inccnnes, in
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 49
1 8 1/, at the house of Colonel LaSalle. The venerable
Elihu Stout (who at a great age died last year), a jus-
tice-of-the-peace, and editor of the only newspaper pub-
lished at that time, was the officiating-magistrate. Present:
Mr. Birkbeck, as father to the bride, and Mr. Elias Pym
Fordham and Judge Blake as invited guests and witnesses.
We immediately made arrangements for prosecuting
the final portion of our journey into that part of Illinois
recommended by Mr. Sloo. We agreed to establish the
family at Princeton, the county-town of Gibson County,
thirty miles south of Vincennes. For this purpose, Mr.
Birkbeck and his family immediately went there, and my
wife and I were to join him in a few days.
After breakfast, Mrs. Flower and I mounted our nags
and rode to the village and settlement of the Shakers,
some twenty-five miles north. Few people then came to
Vincennes without making a visit to the Shaker Settle-
ment.
Besides a special interest pertaining to a sect or associa-
tion of peculiar tenets or opinions, there is a general inter-
est attached to all associations formed with a view of
avoiding some of the evils of life but too common in gen-
eral society.
Arriving at Busro, the Sisters took charge of Mrs.
Flower, the Brothers took care of me. When brought
to dinner the attending brother placed me on one side of
a long table (on which was spread a most excellent meal),
the attentive Sisters bringing in Mrs. Flower, placed her
exactly opposite to me. We kept a grave face in our
novel situation, as became us in so grave and orderly a
place. Busro had the good cultivation, neatness, and
thrift usually found in Shaker settlements. Any society
of bachelors and spinsters, without the expense, care, or
trouble of children, and discarding all personal love, may
well be orderly, neat, and rich, and generally are so. If
they are satisfied under that arrangement, let nobody
gainsay them. I was told that a few backwoods families
occasionally joined them. The parents seldom perma-
nently, the children frequently remained. This suited all
parties. The old people of confirmed old-world habits,
and not always the best of them, usually left. The chil-
50 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
dren finding good food, good clothes, and good treatment,
to all of which perhaps they had been strangers, more
willingly remained, and the Shakers found it easier to-
impress the minds of children with their peculiar views.
\\'hatever may be thought of the tenets of the Shakers,
they are peaceable, sober, and industrious; but they were
occasionally badly treated. During the War of 1812, the
Kentucky volunteers, on their way north, made Busro
their camping-ground. They burnt fences and fruit trees
for firewood, killed many cattle, insulted and reviled the
inhabitants, and by force drove one or two of the members
of the Society before them, and kept them as slaves doing
menial service during the campaign. When the}' returned
they encamped in the same place, doing more mischief,
indulging in their barbarous sport of roasting alive a fat
hog.
To a well-worded and temperate petition from the peo-
ple of Busro, asking some compensation for the destruc-
tion of property by troops in the pay of the United States,
Congress turned a deaf ear. There is but one species of
property — property in man, that the United States (lov-
ernmcnt will e.xert itself to preserve; in that it is vigilant
enough.
Passing on our way to Princeton, about two miles from
Vincennes, stands the village of Cattinet, differing in its
houses, fences, implements of husbandr\-, \ehicles, inhabi-
tants, and domestic animals from an\' other American
village. Its houses are built of thick slabs, or puncheons
set on end. The roofs covered with elm bark, in wide and
long pieces, reaching from ridge to eaves. The garden
fences are pickets or long posts, pointed at the top, and
firmly planted in the ground, close to each other, side by
side. Their one-horse carts, or those drawn by oxen,
were maile without a particle of iron; the harness without
leather or iron, excepting the bit that goes in the animal's
mouth. A shuck collai', two pieces of wooil for a cart-
saddle, rawhide for traces, and for strings and straps, hick-
ory bark. When ilrawn by oxen, the load is pulled by a
little yoke fastened to the head of the cattle, as in h'rance.
The inhabitants arc half-breeds between French and Ind-
ian. .Some of them catching the bad points of both par-
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 5 I
ents are disagreeable to behold. A few exhibit a style of
beauty peculiarly their own. The men lived chiefly by
hunting in Illinois, formerly the buffalo, elk, and beaver;
at the time I speak of, deer, turkey, raccoon, and opposum.
They cultivated corn enough to keep a horse or a pair of
oxen. They live chiefly upon an excellent Indian dish
called succotash, composed of corn and beans. They are
of the complexion of the "Bois-brule" of the Far-West.
The lank curs, half-dog half-wolf, lurk with thief-like look
about the door. Here the wild and the domestic cat live
together in harmony with pet 'possum, coon, and squirrel.
There is a vital spirit in Cattinet. As it was in the
beginning so it is now. It is as old as Philadelphia. An
American village would long ago run to ruin, or grown
into a town or city. Riding on the road in front of
the houses, I saw a matronly woman somewhat better
dressed, walking with a composed and dignified step.
Her complexion and features told me whence she came.
She had the peculiar saffron color which I have noticed in
the aged women in the south of France, who have been
exposed to the weather. Saluting with my hat, I asked,
in her own language, "Are you from France, madam.-'"
She replied in her native tongue, "And who are you, sir,
that are so inquisitive.^" "An Englishman, madam."
"Ah," said she, "then there are two of us;" meaning that
we were the only two of unmixed blood in the village.
At Princeton, we first boarded at a tavern kept by Basil
Brown. The party being large, ten persons and eleven
horses, we soon found, even at the moderate charge of two
dollars a week for each person, and the same for each
horse, that the amount could be reduced and more com-
fort obtained by keeping house, and by sending our spare
horses into the country, to rest and grow fat on green corn
and pumpkins.
Princeton, surrounded by heavy timber and rich land,
the delight of Americans and dread of Europeans, who
are incapable of clearing off timber to advantage, but ten
miles from the ferries on the Wabash, and twenty-five from
Harmony, suited us well for a temporary home. By the
time we arrived there, Mr. Birkbeck had already agreed to
rent a house of sufficient capacity, and my wife, as senior,
52 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
was soon installed as housekeeper to the large family,
which post she maintained whilst Mr. Birkbeck and myself
were on journeys of exploration in Illinois, and up to the
time when it became necessary for me to go to England.
Mr. Hirkbeck, myself, and his son Bradford mounted
again, determined to find these ever- receding prairies.
We went yet thirty miles south to Harmony, where three
hundred organized laborers from Harmony, Pa., were in
their third year of toil and improvement, clearing the
heavy timber off the low and rich lands of the Wabash
Valley. It was surprising to see the extent of clearing
accomplished, and the number of buildings erected by
this band of organized laborers; and equally surprising
and pleasing to see the neatness, order, plenty, and appar-
ent content that reigned. The long rows of neat cabins,
each with a small, well-fenced garden in front, perfect in
its vegetable culture and gay with flowers; the women in
their quaint costume, well made of plain and strong mate-
rials of their own manufacture, neat and clean, altogether
j^resented a striking contrast to the discomforts of man\'
of the individual first-settlers, detached and scattered far
apart, where nature seemed to overpower the first puny
efforts of her indi\idual in\aders. Contrasted with the
cabins of the people, stood the large brick- mansion of
(ieorge Rapp, completed, fenced, furnished, and occupied.*
Opposite to Harmon\-, on the Wabash bottom, on the
Illinois side of the ri\cr, a tract of about five miles wide
' Tlioiifjli simatcd in dilVcrciU ."^tale-. ami twenty-five miles apart, the Eni^-
lisi) Colony and Nuw Harmony Imd, in the earlier days, much in common.
The settlement at New Harmony, or. a^ it was first called. Harmoiiie, pre-
ceded some years the settlement of .\ll)ion. The colony that foundeil Har-
monic was made up of (lerman I.uther.ins. from the kinjjdom of Wurtemburg,
liavinj; at their lie.ad a schismatic preaclier. named (Ieorge Kapp. a man of
great will, determination, and eneri^y. accompanied hy a sort of religious
enthusiasm, and holdin;^ an ahsojute mastery over his followers. The colony
first settled in i'ennsyivania in 1S04, l>ut. in iSi^. Kapp purchased thirty
thousand acre.s of governnient land on the \Val>a^h, and on a part of which
New Harmony was huilt. Contrary to the i^eneral idea, Kapp's colony was a
great success, .so far as the accumulation of property was concerned, ami when
Kapp sold out, in 1S25, it was said that the wealth /Vr <<;/>//<; w.os ten limes
greater than the average wealth throughout the L'nited .States. The jieople
lived logclhcr like the shakeis. In 1S24. Kapp had become fatigued with liis
charge, and dcsircil to sell out. It was then he visited Albion, to consult
with Kichanl l-'lower, whon> he commissioned to go to Europe to offer the entire
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 53
was occupied by a full and heavy growth of cane. Across
this bottom and through this cane the Harmonites had cut
a road to the high lands of Illinois, to unite with roads and
settlements made and to be made. Passing along this
road, the traveler had on either hand a wall of impenetra-
ble verdure, in many places, and for a long distance, full
twenty feet in height. Cane, whatever may be its size or
height, makes its growth in one season. At its first com-
ing up it is almost as tender as asparagus, and in that state
is rapidly destroyed by domestic animals, especially hogs.
It bears its seed not annually but periodically, at long
intervals, a quarter or half a century apart, and then dies.
The seed resembles the wild oat, and is said to be nutri-
tious to man and beast. I saw it in its full size and vigor
of growth. I have seen it bear its profuse crop of seed
and die. In the same spot where I saw it in its full and
perfect growth, it is now scarcely so large as my little fin-
ger, and from knee to shoulder high. Thus dwarfed and
annually dwindling in size it may continue for many years.
but the day of its utter extinction is near at hand. The
Harmonites had entered a large tract of this cane, and
fenced in three or four hundred acres, on which their nu-
merous cattle and sheep subsisted during the winter season
in the first and second year of their settlement.
Even here we could not learn anything of the prai-
ries. Crossing a ferry, a few miles south of Harmony, we
entered the Territory of Illinois, and, in an hour's ride, we
New- Harmony property for sale. Mr. Flower effected a sale to Robert
Owen, a rich manufacturer of New Lanark, Scotland, a reformer and philan-
thropist, who had made himself well known in Great Britain, particularly in
respect of his views in regard to the labor question. He came to New Har-
mony in the autumn of 1824, and completed the purchase of the Rapp village
and twenty thousand acres of land, for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
The Rappites soon left, and Owen then formed the colony of New Harmony
on a new basis; a colony that has challenged more attention and criticism
than any like colony ever established in this Country. When Robert Owen
finally returned to Scotland, the colony fell under the direction of his three
sons, William, Robert Dale, and David Dale Owen. The two last named
have left their impress upon the country as reformers and thinkers, as scholars
and writers, and men of large accomplishments. This is not the occasion for
a disquisition on New Harmony, which, in competent hands, would be a sub-
ject of the greatest interest. This brief allusion to the colony is made here
because of the intimate relations which had sprung up between Mr. Hirkbeck,
Mr. Flower, and many persons of Edwards County, with Mr. Owen.
54 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
were in the Settlement of the Big-Prairie. This was the
first prairie in the south-eastern part of lUinois, and dis-
tant from the Ohio at Shawneetown about thirty miles
through woodland. It was being settled exclusively by
small corn-farmers from the Slave-States. This prairie, not
more than si.x miles long and two broad, was level, rather
pond)', and agueish. Its verdure and open space was
grateful to the eye, but it did not fulfil our expectations.'
Following the directions given to us by Mr. Sloo, we
inquired the way to the Boltenhouse Prairie, so-called from
the name of a man who had byilt a small cabin on its
edge, near the spot where his brother had been killed b\'
the Indians the year before. By side of the road we were
following, was a small log-house, our last chance for infor-
mation or direction. Our informant, stepping from his
hut, indicated with his arm the direction we were to take,
across the forest, without road or path of any kind.
"Keep a wagon-track in your eye if you can, and you
will find the prairie." A wagon-track, or two ruts on the
open ground made by wagon-wheels, can be followed with
some degree of certaint)'. But this was quite a differ-
ent affair. A light- loaded wagon had passed a fortnight
before, through the woods and high underbrush. lea\ing
ni) mark on the hartl ground, and only here and there a
bruised leaf or broken stem to indicate its passage. For
seven mort.il hours tlid we ride and toil in doubt and
difficult)'.
liruised b)' the brushwood ami cxhaustetl b)' the extreme
heat we almost despaired, when a small cabin and a low fence
greeted our eyes. A few steps more, and a beautiful prairie
suddenl)' opened to our view. At first, we only received
the impressions of its general beauty. With longer gaze,
all its distinctive features were revealed, lying in profound
repose under the warm light of an afternoon's summer sun.
Its indented and irregular outline of wood; its varied sur-
face interspersed with clumps of oaks of centuries' growth;
its tall grass, with seed stalks from six to ten feet high,
like tall and sleiuler reeds waving in a gentle breeze; the
whole presenting a magnificence of park-scener)', complete
from the hand of Nature, and unri\alled by the same sort
of scenery by luiropean art. h^or once, the reality came
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 55
up to the picture of imagination. Our station was in the
wood, on rising ground; from it, a descent of about a hun-
dred yards to the valley of the prairie, about a-quarter of
.a mile wide, extending to the base of a majestic slope,
rising upward for a full half-mile, crowned by groves of
noble oaks. A little to the left, the eye wandered up a
long stretch of prairie for three miles, into which pro-
jected hills and slopes, covered with rich grass and decora-
ted with compact clumps of full-grown trees, from four to
■eight in each clump. From beneath the broken shade of
the wood, with our arms raised above our brows, we gazed
long and steadily, drinking in the beauties of the scene
Avhich had been so long the object of our search.
We had left Harmony that morning soon after daylight,
went south a few miles to Williams' ferry, then, crossing
■over, came to the Big-Prairie as before stated, and drank a
cup of water from Mr. Williams' well. This was all the
refreshment we had taken during the day. We must have
traveled more than forty miles in that rough country in
one of the hottest days of summer. Our clothing had for
hours been wet through with profuse sweat, which trickled
■down our faces and dropped on our bodies. We felt well-
nigh exhausted when we came in sight of our goal. There
we stood. We felt no hunger, thirst, or fatigue. We
•determined to saddle up again, encounter the prairie and
its flies, and finish our day's work by pushing into Birk's
Prairie, which, by the route we took, must have been seven
miles farther. We passed the spot where Wanborough
stands, and laid us down for the night near where Henry
Hutson first made his camp; the strongest day's fatigue I
■ever went through, and without refreshment, from the
rising to the setting of the sun.
Immediately on entering the prairie, the quietude of our
ride was interrupted by the restless and refractory actions
■of our horses. They stamped with their feet, started to a
rough trot, and then broke into a gallop. It was from the
sting of the prairie-fly, a large insect, with brown body,
green head, and transparent wings. These prairie- flies
have a peculiar liking for light and sunshine. They attack
both horses and cattle in the open prairie and sting them
dreadfully, but will not follow them into the ordinary
56 THI-: ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
shade of a wood or forest. They rarely, if ever, attack-
men. This induces the grazing animals to feed in the
prairies by night and retire to the woods by day. This
annoyance induces travelers, crossing the large prairies, to
travel by night and rest by day.
Early as we were in the occupancy of these prairies,
after the Indians had left, there was a class in before us.
Not numerous, but of characteristics so peculiar as to
deserve a passing notice. They belong to neither savage
nor civilized life, but keep their station between the two;
following up the Indians as they retreat, and moving awaj-
from the farmers as they advance. There were about si.x
of these families scattered over a distance of fifty miles.
Our first experiences in prairie life were not very com-
fortable. Camping for the night near a pool of stagnant
water, we lay down to rest, turning our horses loose to
graze. In the morning our horses were missing. We
wandered all day in vain search. I had separated myself
from my companions in my rovings. The second night
found me in a small prairie, about three miles west of the
one we first entered. I lay down in the open prairie with-
out fire or supper, my umbrella, a walking-stick b}- day, at
night a house for my head. In the morning, somewhat
stiff and cold, I again began my search, and soon became
as wet as if I had walked through a river, from the dew
on the tall grass. For once, I felt glad of the hot sun, to
warm and tlry me. As a resource in an emergency, I car-
ried a small bag of ground parched-cornmeal, mi.xed with
some sugar and a little ground ginger. A tablespoon of
this, with water, in some shell or the hollow of your hand,
is very grateful, prevents extreme hunger, and gives rea-
sonable nutrition. On this 1 subsisted for a couple of
thlN'S.
In my wanderings, the thought struck me of finding out
a Cai)tain l^irk, mentioned to me by my old friend Sloo,
as living hereabout, the oldest settler in these parts; he
had been here almost ti ymr. (ioing in the direction in
which I thought he lived. 1 espied a trail, made by the
dragging of a log. I-'oUowing this, I came suddenly to a
worm-fence, inclosing a small field of fine corn, but could
see no dwelling. I wished to see Hirk, but felt a littli:
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 57
diffident in appearing before the captain in my dhhabille;^
as, after several days' travel and two nights' camping
out, my toilette was considerably compromised. Looking
closely, I observed, between two rows of corn, a narrow
path. This I followed until I came suddenly in sight of a
small cabin, within twenty steps of me, a little lower than
the surrounding corn. Looking in the direction of a voice,,
calling back a savage dog that had rushed out to attack
me, I saw a naked man, quietly fanning himself with a
branch of a tree.
My first surprise over, finding his name was Birk, I told
him who I was and my errand, at which he did not seem
at all pleased. These original backwoodsmen look upon,
all new-comers as intruders on their especial manorial
rights. The old hunter's rule is: when you hear the sound
of a neighbor's gun, it is time to move away.
What surprised me was the calm self-possession of the
man. No surprise, no flutter, no hasty movements. He
quietly said that he had just come from mill at Princeton,
thirty miles distant, and was cooling himself a bit. Well,
I thought he was cool. I afterward found all of this class
of men, who live in solitude and commune so much with
nature, relying on their own efforts to support themselves
and their families, to be calm, deliberate, and self-pos-
sessed whenever they are sober. The best breeding in
society could not impart to them more self-possession or
give them greater ease of manner or more dignified and
courteous bearing. Birk's cabin, fourteen feet long, twelve
broad, and seven high, with earth for a floor, contained a
four-post bedstead, said posts, driven into the ground by
an ax, were sprouting, with buds, branches, and leaves.
The rim of an old wire-sieve, furnished with a piece of
deerskin, punched with holes, for sifting cornmeal, a skil-
let, and a coffee-pot were all the culinary apparatus for a
family of seven. A small three-legged stool and a rickety
clapboard table the only furniture. An ax lay at the
door, a rifle stood against the wall. Himself and boys
were dressed in buckskin, his wife and three daughters in
flimsy calico from the store, sufficiently soiled and not
without rents. Mrs. Birk, a dame of some thirty years,
was square-built and squat, sallow, and smoke-dried, with
58 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
bare legs and feet. Her pride was in her hair, which, in
two long wcll-braidcd black and shining tails, hung far
down her back.
Hirk got his title as commander of a company of men
like himself, employed as outl)'ing scouts to the American
army on the Canada frontier. The cabin-door was made
of two strong puncheons, to withstand an Indian attack.
You might always find in the behavior of the females, of
this class of people, the degree of estimation or aversion
in which you were held. Mrs. Birk was sour and silent.
<^mnious indications. The British and Indians, having
fought together against the Americans, were held b)' these
])cople in the same category as natural enemies. To such
<in e.xtent was this feeling exhibited, that, at a future time,
quite a respectable farmer in the Big-Prairie, apologized to
Mrs. Flower for the non-appearance of his wife, b)' saying
she had lost a brother at the battle of the River Raisin,
and that she always went out of the house into the woods
whene\er an English person entered, and remained there
as long as he or she stayed. Besides, we came with the
intention of settling and bringing other settlers. All this
was distasteful to them. They came to enjo}- the solitude
of the forest and the prairie. They wished to be far from
that species of civilization whose temptations could not be
withstood by them, and which made the weaknesses of its
victims augment its own gains. No wonder we were met.
by no cordial greetings. Our success would be their
<lefeat, and the growth of our colony the signal for their
removal. A few dollars liberall\- gi\en for information
and pilotage, and a dram of whisky whenever we had it
to bestow, would modify the hostile feeling, and we soon
became on friendly terms.
Two or three slices from a half-smoked haunch, a few
])nmmes of coarse corn-breail, seasoned b}' hunger, the
best of sauce, gave us a relishing supper. H"ow sleeping
was to be managed, I felt at a lo.ss. As night advanced,
Birk reached his long arm up to a few clapl)oartls over the
joist, and pulled down a dried hog-skin for my especial
comfort and rejjose during the night.
Father, mother, sons, and* daughters all lay on the one
bed. I, as in duty bouml, la\- m\' hog-skin on the floor,
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 59
and myself upon it. But I soon found that
" Big fleas and little fleas.
And less fleas to bite 'em,
These again had lesser fleas,
And so on ad wji?utiim."
I removed my not over- luxurious couch outside the
house, to a spot of earth free from vegetation, and there
I lay until break-of-day; glad enough to run to the fire
for a little warmth as soon as it was kindled.
Cold is never more felt than at daybreak, after lying on
the ground without covering, even in the summer season.
Our horses which had strayed, were brought back to us by
John Anderson, one of those outlying hunters who for a
liberal reward acted with efficiency on the occasion. Under-
standing the instinct of the horse, Anderson took a straight
course toward Princeton, until he reached the Great Wa-
bash, at La Vallett's ferry. There he found the fugitives,
arrested by the broad stream, from immediately attempt-
ing a crossing.
Having again joined my companions, we once again
mounted, and proceeded to look at the prairies west of the
Little Wabash. We were advised by Birk to call on a man
named Harris, who lived about twelve miles west of the
Little Wabash. To find a little cabin through fifteen miles
of forest and prairie, without road or even path, is no small
job. But it is astonishing how necessity sharpens the wits,
and how soon signs, before unnoticed and unknown, be-
-come recognized. We found him in a small cabin, shel-
tered by a little grove, but no field or cultivation of any
kind about his humble dwelling. He lived in the same
style as Birk and in the same destitution. One article of
luxury only excepted. This was a fiddle with two strings.
We found the prairies desirable as to size, soil, and prox-
imity to timber, and of every form, each with its own
peculiar style of beauty. One small prairie charmed me
very much — not more than two hundred yards wide and
about half-a-mile long. A thin belt of tall and graceful
trees marked its boundary from other and larger prairies.
Its distinguishing feature was a large Indian mound in the
centre, covered with the same rank growth of grass as in
6o TIIK ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
other parts of the prairie. Its beauties lying in silent soH-
tude, with its ancient burial-place of a by-gone race, gave
to it an unusual and somewhat mysterious interest. These
tujiiuli are not the burying-place of the present race of
Indians; but of an anterior race, probably displaced by
the Indians as we are displacing them. These prairies were
only less desirable than those east of the Little Wabash
as being further from main navigation, the Little Wabash
not being navigable for steam-boats.
Harris returned with us to Birk's, carrying the super-
annuated fiddle carefully along. It was kept in scream
until a late hour, bringing to the inmates of the cabin
happy recollections of Tennessee, the State from which
they had emigrated. The people of which Birk and Harris
were specimens, were serviceable to us in our first settle-
ment. Dexterous with the ax, they built all our first log-
cabins, and supplied us with venison. In a year or two,
they moved into less- peopled regions, or to where there
were no people at all, and were entirely lost to this part of
the country. Tiie people in this part of Illinois are mostl\'
from the Slave-States, from the class of poor whites, so-
called. When they leave their homes and come into the
little towns, on some real or pretended business, they are
.sober and quiet. They soon get to the whisk)'-bottle, their
bane antl ruin. Getting into a state to desire more, they
drink all the\' can, becoming tlisagreeable, fractious, and
often tlangerous men. One glass kindles the e\'e, the second
loosens the tt)ngue, the third makes them madmen. They
own a horse, rifle, ax, and hoe. It is astonishing to see
with what dexterity they use a good ax, and how well they
shoot with even a bad rifle. They are not of industrious
habits, but occasionally work with great vigor.
Solitutle, watchfulness, and contemplation amidst the
scenes of nature, from day to tla\', from week to week, and
often from month to mcHith, give them that calm and dig-
nified behavior not to be found in the tleni/ens of civilized
life. Another portion of this class follow a different des-
tiny. Their little corn-patch increases to a field, their first
shanty to a small log-house, which, in turn, gives place to
a double-cabin, in which the loom antl spinning-wheel are
installed. A well and a few fruit-trees after a time com-
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 6 1
plete the improvement. Moderate in their aspirations,
they soon arrive at the summit of their desires. Does a
more complicated mode of hfe and a larger amount of
wealth add to human happiness.^ The only difference
between these stationary settlers and the roving hunters
appears to be in the sobriety of the one and the intemper-
ance of the other.
We returned to Princeton by a more direct route, cross-
ing the Wabash at LaVallette's ferry. Auguste LaVallette
was a Frenchman of Canadian birth, I suppose nearly
seven feet high; tall and thin as all the LaVallettes were.
His brother Frangois, recently killed by the Indians, lived
on a similar site on the Wabash, forty miles higher up the
river, on a freestone bluff, now called Coffee Island, and
similar points and residences of French-Canadian families,
forty and fifty miles apart, are to be found up the Wabash
wherever the banks are high and commanding, sometimes
on the Illinois and sometimes on the Indiana side of the
river.
Before leaving Illinois, night overtook us. We halted by
the side of a fallen log, at a point of timber that stretched
into the prairie. A fire being kindled, we sat down on the
grass, talked over and decided what was to be done. I
remember the spot well ; it was then called the Long-
Prairie that runs west and east, toward LaVallette's Ferry,
on the Great Wabash (now Rochester), not far from a farm
afterward made by Mr. John Kean, a native of Cornwall,
but somewhat nearer to the farm now owned and occupied
by Mr. John Cowling, and about a-half mile west of his
father-in-law's house and farm, Mr. Edward Coad, now
over eighty years old. enjoying a sound constitution and
good health.
This spot, so particularly fixed in my memory, I never
passed in after-years without a halt, to allow the panorama
of the past, with all its vivid pictures, to flit before me.
Here our future destinies were fixed, and to the decisions
made here the present English Settlement in Edwards
County, Illinois, owes its existence.
The result of our decision was this: — After clubbing
together all the money we could then command, Mr. Birk-
beck was to go to Shawneetown and enter all the wood-
62 THE ENGLISH SKTTLKMENT
land around the Boltenhousc Prairie. We had not money
cnoujjh with us to purchase tlie whole prairie. I was to
return to England to remit him money as soon as possible,
take with me and publish the manuscript of his book con-
taining the record of our journey from Richmond to the
prairies; bring out my father's family; and spread the in-
formation; point out the road to it; and facilitate emigra-
tion generally. He was on the home department to pur-
chase more land and make the necessar\' preparations in
building. I on the foreign mission, to bring in the people.
As will be seen hereafter, he did his duty and I did mine.
In a state of doubt, the wakeful mind allows of no com-
plete rest to the body. Decisions once made, doubts
banished, the way made clear, the mind looses its tension,
and for a while rests in unconsciousness. The body
relaxed in fibre, succumbs to fatigue. Both seek repose
and refreshment in sleep. It was so with us. Stretched
on our blankets, feet to the fire, saddle for a pillow, oblivi-
ous of doubt, insensible to danger, we slept soundK' until
morning. After a hasty cup of coffee by our camp-fire,
untethered our horses, mounted and rode to the Wabash,
about six miles distant, was ferried over that stream by
the tall Frenchman who owned that ferry, floundered
through the odious swamp which la}' on the Indiana side,
for a mile, knee-deep in mud and water, and, after another
ten-mile ride, rejoined the family at Princeton.
CHAPTER IV.
Fear of Speculators — Desire to get a Grant of Land from Congress —
Mr. Jefferson Written to on the Subject — His Answer — Letter of
Hon. Nathaniel Pope — Reply of Mr. Birkbeck — Mr. Flower sets
out for England — Long Horseback-Trip to Chambersburgh, Pa.,
Accompanied by Mrs. Flower — The Outfit — Incidents of the Jour-
ney— Mrs. Flower Remains in Chambersburgh — Mr. Flower Sails
from New York to Liverpool — Birkbeck's Notes of Travel — The
Emigrants.
Our safe return to Princeton was hailed by our families
with affectionate joy. Thankfully we enjoyed, for a few
days, a home made comfortable by cheerful hearts and
active hands. After needful rest from our harassing jour-
ney in the prairies, we thought of our own position. Our
first measure was to secure as much land as our present
means would allow in the Boltenhouse Prairie By a jour-
ney to Shawneetown, seventy miles distant, this was done,
and about three thousand acres secured by payment into
the land-office.
It was evident to Mr. Birkbeck and myself, at the time
we made our first entries of land in the Boltenhouse
Prairie, that we were exposed to the invasion of specula-
tors. Having expended all the money we could then
command, by securing but little more than half the land
we intended for own families, we felt fearful, as the point
of our Settlement was designated, that speculators might
buy the lands immediately around those we had purchased
and thus defeat our object in preserving lands at the gov-
ernment price for those we hoped to induce to come from
Great Britain the following year. Fortunately for us, at
this time, there was a great scarcity of money, and the
people in the counties of Indiana and Kentucky, adjacent
to Southern Illinois, were almost all of them more or less
in debt, and we were not then advertised, we had made no
64 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
publications. From these circumstances, probably we
were for the time secured from the species of obtrusion we
so much dreaded. I wrote to Mr. Jefferson, asking his
opinion as to whether Congress, on suitable application,
would be likely to make us a grant of a township of land
for our contemplated Settlement. His reply was prompt
and full; and as this letter, from that eminent statesman,
so ably covers the whole ground of the inquiry, and is so
characteristic of the man, no apology is needed for its
insertion, feeling persuaded that it will be an object of
interest to the reader long after the general narrative shall
have faded from view. I may add that the original letter
is now deposited in the archives of the Chicago Historical
Society. In long after-years, the curious reader of old
documents will not fail to admire the neatness and even-
ness of the handwriting, which is preserved with unvarying
accuracy from the first to the last word of this interesting
letter.-' Ikit further action in this matter had to be
dropped. I was soon on my way to Great Britain to pre-
pare our first emigrating parties.
"Poplar Forest, i2tli Sept., iSij.
"Dear Sir: — Your favor of August I2th was yesterday
received at this place, and I learn from it with pleasure
that you have found a tract of country which will suit you
for settlement. To us, your first choice would have been
gratifying, by adtling \"ourself and frientls to our society,
but the overruling consideration with us, as with you, is
your own advantage, and it would doubtless be a greater
comfort to you to have your ancient friends and neighbors
* Thi-i letter is .slill in possession of the Chic;ii,'o Historical Society, and
is now before me. It bears out all Mr. I'lower says of it. It is charac-
teristic of Mr. JelVcrson, wlui was one of tlie must conscientious ami painstak-
ing; of corresponilcnts. He made it a jioint to reply to all letters whose
writers had any claiiii to his consideration, and he never did it hurriedly nor
in a careless or slip-shod manner. The extreme neatness and rej;ularity of
his hanilwritini^ is the more remarkable when the fact of a broken wrist is
taken into consideration, wiiich si-nously di-abled him and was a ijreat trouble
and annoyance lor many yeais, and ol wliiih he often complained. It was a
most fortunate ihiinj that tin-, letter ami many other valuable autot^iajih letters,
wrilleii to .Mr. Mower, and presented by him to the Society, as well as the
manuscript History ol Edwards County, had been borrowed of the librarian a
few days before the j^reat lire in iSyi, and thus saved from destruction.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 65
settled around you. I sincerely wish that your proposition
to purchase a tract of land in Illinois on favorable terms,
for introducing a colony of English farmers, may encoun-
ter no difficulties from the established rules of our land-
-department.
"The general law prescribes an open sale, where all citi-
-zens may compete on an equal footing for any lot of land
which attracts their choice. To dispense with this in any
particular case requires a special law of Congress, and to
sjpecial legislation we are generally averse, lest a principle
of favoritism should creep in and prevent that of equal
rights. It has, however, been done on some occasions,
when special national advantages has been expected to
•outweigh that of adherence to the general rule. The
promised introduction of the culture of the vine procured a
special law in favor of the Swiss Settlement on the Ohio.
That of the culture of oil, wine, and other Southern pro-
<luctions did the same lately for the French Settlement on
the Tombigbee. It remains to be tried whether that of
an improved system of farming, interesting to so great a
proportion of our citizens, may not also be worth a dis-
pensation of the general rule. This, I suppose, is the
principal ground on which your proposition will be ques-
tioned, for although, as to other foreigners, it is thought
better to discourage their settling together in large masses,
wherein, as in our German settlements, they preserve for
a long time their own language, habits, and principles of
government, and that they should distribute themselves
■sparcely among the natives, for quicker amalgamation;
yet English emigrants are without this inconvenience, they
■differ from us but little in their principles of government,
and most of those (merchants excepted) who come here
are sufficiently disposed to adopt ours. What the issue,
therefore, of your proposition ma}' probably be I am less
able to advise you than many others, for, during the last
eight or ten years, I have no knowledge of the administra-
tion of the land-office, or the principles of its government,
even the persons on whom it will depend are all changed
within that interval, so as to leave me small means of
being useful to you. Whatever they may be, however,
they shall be fully exercised for your advantage; and that
66 THE ENOLISH SETTLEMENT
not on the selfish principle of increasing our population at
the expense of other nations, for the additions are but as
a drop in a bucket to those by natural procreation, but to
consecrate a sanctuary for those whom the misrule of
Europe may compel to seek happiness in other climes.
This refuge, once known, will produce reaction, even of
tliose there, by warning their task-masters that when the
evils of Egyptian oppression become heavier than those
of abandonment of country, another's Canaan is opened,
where their subjects will be received as brothers, and
secured from like oppression by a participation in the
rights of self-government.
"If additional motives could be wanting into the main-
tainencc of this right, they would be found in the animat-
ing consideration that a single good government becomes
thus a blessing ]to the whole earth; its welcome to the
oppressed restraining within certain limits the measure of
their oppressions, but should ever this be counteracted by
violence on the right of expatriation, the other branch of
our example then presents itself to their imitation, to use
on their rulers, and do as we have done.
"You have set x'our ccnmtry a good example, by show-
ing them a practical mode of reducing their rulers to the
necessit}' of becoming more wise, more moderate, and
more honest; and I sincerely pray that the example may
work for the benefit of those who can not follow it, as it
will f«ir your own.
"With Mr. Hirkbeck, the associate of your extraordi-
nary journeN'ings. I have not the happiness of personal
accjuaintance, but I know him through his narrative of
your journeyings together through Erance. The impres-
sions received from that, give me confidence that a partici-
pation with yourself in the assurances of the esteem anil
respect of a stranger will not be unacceptable to him, ami
the less when given through you and associated with those
'^ >';;"-^^-""- / ^^ "TH: JEFEERSON.
"To George I'lower, Esq."
During my absence in luigland, danger from the same
source was, no tloubt, entertained by Mr. l^irkbeck. A
correspondence between him and Hon. Nathaniel Pope.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 67
delegate for the Territory in Congress, on the same sub-
ject, shows in what Hght the delegate viewed the applica-
tion and the applicant.
It seems that Mr. Birkbeck's application was for an
extention of time of payment, as we should now say for a
preemption, on forty thousand acres of land. It is some-
what curious to see how the minds of different individuals,
entertaining the same general views, and actuated by simi-
lar principles arrive at the same conclusions. Thus in view
of danger from land speculation we acted individually, but
in a similar manner. Again, at the time of the conven-
tion question, without any communication with each other,
we gave all the strength of our respective abilities to
defeat that nefarious measure. We shall see more dis-
tinctly the nature of the petition forwarded to Congress,
through Nathaniel Pope, by the perusal of the following
letters. The first letter (Mr. Pope's) was in answer to one
accompanying the petition referred to. The reply by Mr.
Birkbeck fully explains his first letter.*
"Washington, Dec. ly, i8iy.
"Sir: — I duly received your letter and petition. It is so
indefinite as to leave me embarrassed in adopting a course.
It is much to be regretted that you have not entered into
more explanatory details. I read with great pleasure your
notes on your late tour to Illinois, in hopes of finding a
solution to my difficulties, but in vain; I mean in quantity
and terms of payment. I am so much flattered by your
* The original letter of Mr. Pope's is of the number of letters presented
to the Chicago Historical Society by Mr. Flower. The handwriting is
remarkably smooth, regular, and even elegant, denoting a man of education
and rare adaptation to business. All the (jlder members of the legal pro-
fession in Illinois will well remember Nathaniel Pope, so long and so honora-
bly identified with the history o( the Territory and State of ILinois. He was
the first secretary of the Territory of Illinois, holding the office from March
7, 1809, to December 17, 1816. In the latter year, he was elected delegate to
Congress from Illinois, and procured its admi-sion as a State in 1818. He
was the first judge of the United States District Court for the State of Illinois,
and held that position till his death, in 1S49, a period of thirty-one years.
His successor, Hon. Thomas Drummond, has held the position of District
and Circuit judge of the United States Courts for over thirty-three years.
Judge Pope was a man of intelligence and education, to which he united a
remarkably acute intellect. He was a good lawyer, an honest man, an incor-
Tuptible judge. Maj.-Gen. John Pope, of the United States Army, is his son.
68 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
selection of the Illinois Tcrritor\- as your permanent resi-
dence in the prospect of the permanent advantages it ma\'
derive from your experience in the arts of husbandry, that
I can not fail to indulge an ardent wish that you may suc-
ceed in your plan.
" I made some enquiries of Mr. Adams, late minister to
London, now secretary-of-state, who speaks of you in the
most flattering terms. I can not, however, conceal from
you the only cause that will defeat }-our application. Al-
though not personal to you, yet its operation is hostile to
your views; I mean the fear of speculation. This fear is
not awakened by any part of your conduct, but that of
others. The bounty and liberality of the Government
has been so often diverted from the intended objects, that
members of Congress are diffident of supporting applica-
tions of the nature of yours, as they have no personal
knowledge of you. I regret that \-our arrangements did
not comprehend a visit to this place, at this time, as per-
sonal explanations would have advanced }-oin" plan, which
seems to me replete with important advantages to the
Territory, and well calculated to advance the happiness of
the human familj- upon a more extended scale than ap-
pears from a limited consideration of its operation. I can
not, however, advise nou to come on after the reception of
this letter, as it would be too late to effectuate an\'thing.
I'A'cry thing that I can do under the stimulus of no ordin-
ary anxiety for your success, shall be attempted. I hope to
liave the pleasure of hearing from \ou at an early period.
*Tn the meanwhile, I beg you to accept assurances of
ni)- zeal in your cause, and with sentiments of respect
and esteem, 1 am, \(^ur olj'd't ser't.
•• N.\ 1111. IN.il'E.
"To Morris Birkbeck, l'-s{j."
To which Mr. Birkbeck replietl:
" Prince rf)N, Jii/z/mri lO. iS/S.
"Sir: — Owing to the interruption of the mails, \our
fav<ir of the 17th ultimo has onI\* just reached me. I
regret that 1 did not state more particularly m\' \iews in
regard to the object of the memorial I transmitted to \-ou.
As to terms, 1 sluuild not be so weak as to reject any
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 69
advantage which the hberaHty of the Government might
afford. It is not a reduction of the price I would sohcit,
but such an extension of time of payment as might pre-
clude embarrassment or disappointment. As to quantity,
my idea was that it might be left indefinite to a certain
extent. That is, that I might be allowed to engage as I
might require for the purpose specified, not exceeding
twenty, thirty, or forty thousand acres, leaving Govern-
ment to fix the limits. This plan is, I think, not liable to
be abused as a means of speculation, a design which, I
think, would not be imputed to m'e by those who are
acquainted with my habits; yet it is perfectly natural that
a jealousy of that kind should operate in the way you
mention. I dare say it is now too late for my explanation
to avail anything. But I am anxious to express my obli-
gation to you for your attention, whatever may be the
result. I believe my plan is calculated to produce import-
tant benefits without risk or concomitant evil, and I am
gratified to find that it has your approbation.
" I am, sir, most sincerely yours,
" Morris Birkbeck."
Our efforts in securing a preemption on a large quantity
of land, through the preliminary correspondence with
Jefferson and Pope, were unsuccessful. Our hands were
full of business, and we could not give to it the personal
attention that such business at Washington requires.
We had been two months at Princeton. The famil}'
always there; our two selves almost always away, had com-
pleted our work of exploration. The time now approached
for my return to England, to carry out the next step. To
make publication, bring people to the land, and place our-
selves in funds. Our first plan was that Mrs. Flower
should remain with Mr. Birkbeck's family and that I
should proceed on my journey eastward and my voyage
alone. To make a will and dispose of our effects in a
secure and desirable manner is always proper, yet how
often deferred.
I therefore, before leaving Princeton, made my will.
Mr. Birkbeck, Miss Birkbeck, and Bradford Birkbeck were
witnesses to that instrument. How little did we think
70 TIIK KXGLISH SETTLEMENT
that this was to bo our last united act. That we were
nc\er more to meet again or speak a friendly word to
each other. Before leaving Princeton, we agreed on the
division of our land and the building of our houses. On
the latter point, we differed a little in opinion. He pro-
posed that the north-and-south line, which divided our
land, should run through one house. I living in the
apartments on my land, and his family occupying the
apartments on his land, both families, in fact, living in one
house. Mrs. Flower and myself thought it better to live
in our own house, and that Mr. Birkbcck's family should
live in their house, however near those houses might be.
This was the first difference in our plan of operations that
had ever occurred between us, and, trivial as it may seem,
perhaps we may ascribe to it that divergence which carried
the lasting separation that followed; as the ridge-tile of a
house separates two raindrops, that fall within an inch of
each other, in the same shower, casting one eastwardly, to
mingle ultimately with the Atlantic Ocean, the other,
westward, destined to add its atom to the Pacific.
Although our residence at Princeton was one of united
effort and cordial fricndshii), our feelings did not exhibit
that even and warm glow which shone upon the party as
it journeyed to the West. They partook now more of the
character of an April day, when the clouds fly high and
rapidly cast shadows on the bright sunshine as they pass.
We were now in changed circumstances, our plans re-
tjuired the division and subdivision of our little party.
Some to turn back, encountering long journeys by lantl
and vo>'ages by sea. before they could be united again.
And the part that remained, often to be divided through
\\ inter and succeeding spring, some remaining in Indiana
and some wandering in Illinois. This naturally cast a
shade of thougiit upon us all.
The time arri\'ed for my return to ICnglaml. All cir-
cumstances being consiilered, Mrs. Flower and myself
thought it better to take the journe)- l'"ast together. Wc
should cnjo)' each other's company three weeks longer,
and, at my return in the following spring, we should again
meet months earlier than wc otherwise could. The last
day at Princeton was spent by Mr. Hirkbcck and myself
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 7 1
in talking over the business that each was to do separately.
He, in the further purchase of land as soon as funds could
be procured, and in the erection of cabins and other neces-
sary preparations for the Settlement in spring. He handed
to me his two manuscripts. One to be published in Phila-
delphia and one in England.
Let it be remembered, in these days of convenience and
fast travel, that then horseback was the only mode of
traveling, and the space contained in a pair of saddle-bags
all that was allowed for papers, wardrobe, and often pro-
visions for the traveler.
The little horse that had carried me on my solitary
journey of over two thousand miles, was a high - bred
animal of mettle and of perfect but of rather slight frame;
not of sufficient bone and substance to carry my weight
with the baggage with which I was encumbered, and
pressed, as I knew he must be, to a forty-mile daily travel.
I gave him to my little friend. Prudence Birkbeck. She
loved a gallop on a mettlesome nag. Her light weight he
would carry as a feather, and I was well pleased to place
my faithful little horse, to whom I was much attached,
with a friend that would take care of him.
Selecting two of the most suitable animals from our stud
•of ten, for myself and wife, behold them caparisoned and
■both of us mounted. On the back of each horse was
•evenly laid a soft and rather thin blanket, which received
the saddle, kept steady in its place by girths and crupper.
Over the saddle, folded double and sometimes triple, was
laid a large and soft Whitney blanket, kept in place by a
broad surcingle. The pad behind the saddle received the
-cloak and umbrella, tightly folded in one large roll, and
bound with two leathern thongs. The saddle-bags, stuffed
to their utmost capacity, were laid on the saddle, under
the blanket, kept in place by two loops through which the
•stirrup-leathers passed. On the top of all sat the rider.
It is rather a skilful job to pack saddle-bags well. As you
put in their contents, you must poise them frequently, to
see that each side is equally weighted. If you fail in this,
you are plagued the whole ride, by the bags slipping to
-one side or the other, to the danger of their striking
against the horse's legs, starting him off in a furious kick-
■J2 THK ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
in<^-gallop. A riding appendage, peculiar to horsemen iiu
America, is the legging. It is a piece of blue or drab
cloth, about a yard square, folded round the leg from knee
to ankle, pinned with three pins to keep the edges in
place, and tied by two bands of tape or galloon, one below
the knee, the other above the ankle. It catches all the
splash and mud, and when cast off the pantaloon is dry.
The women, instead of the full cloth riding-habit worn in
England, draw over their usual dress a long skirt, made of
bombazine or some dark-colored stuff, and over their heads,
they cast a large handkerchief, which they tie under their
chin. This keeps the bonnet and veil in place, and protects,
the face and ears from sun, wind, and rain. Our horses
and ourselves thus accoutred, we mounted, and this is done
by the horses being led to a block — in Western America.,
generally the stump of a tree — and even then it takes a
pretty wide stride and fling of the leg for a man to clear
saddle-bags, great- coat, and umbrella. But when once
mounted, with a high pommel in front, cloak and umbrella
behind, you are not easily dismounted. In these long
journe)'s, there is very little mounting and dismounting,^
rarely more than once or twice in a day. Accoutred and
mounted, our friends came around us with full hearts and
tearful ej'cs, with hopes and, perhaps, some regrets and.
forebodings. We turned our horses toward their long and
toilsome journc)-, antl thus we parted with friends we were
destinetl never more to meet. There is little to recount in.
this journey excepting its daily toil.
In the latter part of September, the weather is ofteit
very hot. Relaxed by the long -continued heat of sum-
mer, the body feels excessive languor under autumnal!
heat. To accomplish nearh- forty miles a-day, encumbered
as we were, was an effort subjecting us to great fatigue.
It would have been to a part\- of strong men. To my
wife, I felt conscious it was a severe trial. Thinking of
others always before herself, and gifted with a rare spirit
of perseverance and resolution, she would never submit to-
the least delay, whatever might be her fatigue or suffering.
It was getting late in the season, and she dreaded for me
a winter's passage across the Atlantic. We never lost a
day during the whole journey. We had but one brief
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 75
delay; my horse falling lame, I had to sell him and get
another. But this journey had its perils as well as its
fatigues.
Somewhere in the State of Ohio, the waters were out.
Rain had fallen for many days. From the edge of the
high ground, we saw a valley, nearly two miles wide, cov-
ered with water. The river, about two hundred yards-
before and below us, was undistinguishable from the sur-
rounding water, excepting by the guard or hand-rails of a.
bridge, and the planks on the top of the bridge, which,
were two or three feet above the water, but each sloping
end of the bridge was under water. Sitting on our horses^
and hesitating as to what to do, we saw, in the valleys
below, a man on horseback just entering the water.
We watched him wading about knee-deep, and saw hinii
ascend the sloping end of the bridge. Suddenly his horse
went down under water, and he, floundering off his back,,
reached the dry planks on the top of the bridge. The
horse was carried down stream a long distance before get-
ting out. Approaching the man within speaking distance,,
we learned that one of the broad planks from the sloping
end of the bridge was gone, but the space being concealecfL
by the water, the horse fell through. Had we not seen
this accident, one or both of us might have gone through
and been drowned. We soon ascertained that only one-
half of the plank was gone, and that the other half might
be rode over. In fear and trembling we rode over this-
half- plank, which was under water and out of sight, and
safely reached the top of the bridge. The prospect was-
not inviting. The valley was two miles wide, and one-
mile and a-half of it was covered with water. Our way
was along a corduroy-road, straight from the end of the
bridge, across the valley. Over low, miry valleys, the
roads were often made, by digging ditches on each side,,
thus raising the way a foot or two above the general level.
Across this slightly-raised road-bed, logs, that is, trunks of
trees, and some of them very large and ten feet long, were
laid side by side. A little earth was sometimes thrown
between them, but they were generally suffered to sink by
their own weight, leaving a rough but hard surface, that
nobody would either ride or drive over if there had been
74 THE ENGLISH SETTLExMENT
any other way of passing the swampy vale. Whenever
very high water came, as was the case now, the whole road
would be covered, hiding the deep dykes on each side.
The course of the road was only visible by the projecting
end of a log here and there, or a few logs that had risen,
and were unsteady, wabbling about on the surface of the
water. But what made it most dangerous, were the holes
in the road, concealed by the water. As the water would
not assuage for two or three days, we did not like to lose
that time, so we ventured in. A painfully perilous ride it
A\as; at every step, expecting that both horse and rider
would be down, floundering in the water; and we verified
its dangers, luckily neither fatal nor very injurious. M}-
horse had stepped over one of those unseen gaps under
water, made by the loss of a log. Mrs. Flower's horse
innocently stepped with his forefeet over also, but the
hindfeet dropped in, bringing the water over the crupper
and up to the seat of the saddle. For a few moments, the
poor animal was standing half in and half out the water, at
an angle almost as steep as the roof of a house. The pres-
ence of mind of the rider, who gave a loose rein and a
tight cling to the j^ommel, showing no fear by voice or
sudden motion, allowed the sagacious animal to extricate
itself, at the unavoidable risk by its violent struggle, of
throwing her over its head. A thorough wetting, and
everything wet in the saddle-bags, excepting a slight strain
to the horse, was the on!)- real injury.
In a few ilays we hail passed Pittsburgh, and were as-
cending the Allcghanies. The bracing atmosphere of the
mountains, in the latter days of October, made great-coat
and cloak acceptable. The contrast to the hot, damp, ami
.sweltering atmosphere wc had left, was great. It is aston-
ishing how soon we are restored from fatigue, contracted
l)\' exercise, in the open air. Debility is of much longer
duration, from labor in factories, stores, and in rooms
warmed by stoves. Hail, snow, thunder-storms, and
dii-nching rains are all restoratives to health and spirits.
1 Ik- mountains crossed, we halted at the town of Cham-
hcrsburgh, at the foot of the east slope of the Alleghanies.
ill the comfortable and c}uiet tavern kept by Mrs. Ilettick
anil her daughters, Mrs. F'lower found convenient apart-
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 75
merits. I was on my way to Philadelphia in twenty-four
hours. Here was another parting. Our original number
Avere now being widely separated. Mr. Birkbeck's family
hundreds of miles west on the frontier. My wife alone at
the foot of the Alleghanies, and myself going to another
quarter of the globe. How different now our situation to
what it was four months before. Then united, conscious of
strength from our union, and happy from our strength.
Now divided by distance and by time, each fragment ex-
posed to doubt and uncertainty, and worst of all, to false-
hood and misrepresentation of any designing foe. Each
xmit felt all its responsibilities. After brief delay at Phila-
delphia, to put Mr. Birkbeck's manuscript in the hands of
the publishers, I proceeded on my way. On arriving at
New York, I heard of a ship on the very eve of departure
for England. I straightway walked to the dock, with my
saddle-bags on my arm, and stepped on the Aiui Maria,
Isaac Waite, captain, James Flack, owner.
In five minutes we were in motion, and in half-an-hour
sailing on the ocean, with a fair wind and a calm sea. As
the wind freshened the sea became rough and angry. The
gale struck us aft with such fidelity that we neither veered
nor tacked until we sighted the west coast of Ireland,
which we did on the fourteenth day after leaving the har-
bor of New York. A hard blow as we entered the Chan-
nel drove us within fearful proximity of the Tuscar Light-
house, whose lights glared ominously on our decks. The
noble ship, under press of every sail, held hard to the
wind, beam down and keel out, admirably answered to her
helm. It was a fearful moment. We narrowly escaped
wreck and a watery grave on that most dangerous coast.
We were two days longer, buffeted by contrary winds in
the Channel, before we entered the port of Liverpool, which
we did on the seventeenth day from New York, then
thought to be a very rapid passage. If there is no purga-
tory for man between the upper and lower regions of an-
other world, there certainly is between the eastern shore
of America and the western shore of Europe. I suffered
much from sea-sickness during the rough and speedy voy-
age. If I chanced to take a slight meal during a tempo-
rary lull, I acted but as steward for the fish. The continued
■]6 TIIK ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
suffering of the voyage, after the fatigue of so long and
laborious a ride, reduced my strength much. During the
winter, I was preparing and assisting others to prepare for
a final emigration in the spring.
One copy of Birkbeck's notes'" had been left for the
Philadelphia press, another was being printed in England.
The publication of these notes, and, afterward, a series of
letters from the prairies, gave a wider range of information
as to our proceedings and intentions. During the winter,
I was constantly applied to in person and by letter for
information and advice on the subject of emigration, by
persons in every rank, but chiefly from those in moderate
circumstances.
In describing western America, and the mode of l.iving
there, I found some difficulty in giving a truthful picture
to the Englishman who had never been out of England.
In speaking of a field, the only field he had ever seen was
a plot of ground, from five to fifty acres in extent, sur-
rounded by a ditch, a bank, and a live hawthorn fence; it
has two or more well-made gates, that swing freely on
their hinges, and clasp firmly when shut. The word field
brings this picture to his e)'e. A zig-zag fence it is diffi-
cult for him to imderstand, but wh\' gates should swing
freely on their hinges in I-^ngland and drag on the ground
in America is incomprehensible.
You tell of a log-house. The only houses he has seen
are buildings witii plastered or papered walls, with ceilings
and floors, with halls, passages, cellars, and attics, and each
• " Notes of a Journey in America from the Coast of X'ir^inia to the I'l ;
ritory of Illinois, liy Morris lUrkhcck, author of 'Notes of a Tour in France,
were ]nil)iisheil in Philadelphia in I Si 7, ami in London in iSlS. The lio. ,.
was very widely read in Eni^laml and passed to a third edition. It did nuich
to siinuilate emigration to tiic En^jlish Colony in Edwards County. It w.is
translated into I'rcnch and published in I'aris in 1819, under the title of
" l.(ttres Siir Ifi Xon-faiix Etahlissfinens ifiii sf lomiful dtxns Us f^arties i',<;-
dfutiil i/c.f F.liiti-l'uis AiUi'riijuf.'^ '{'he I''rencl> pid)lisher of this volume ha^
an interestini^ preface. He says that the work he olVers to the public ha^
been publishe<l in I'hilndel|>hia in iSiS; that it is written without pretension,
and has no claim to literary merit, but tlial there will be found in it iiitpiaiit
details upon the western )>art of the United States. Those far-olT reijion^
have only a scattered population, and have been but little known up to li
present time, and that, without doubt, it will be interesting; to read a colli
lion «)f letters written from the Territory of Illinois by an actual inhabitant I't
that country.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 7/
room furnished with a good chimney and hearth. The
simple log-house he can scarcely realize. But few can
comprehend the difficulties arising from an absence of
population. To try and carry them from the conveniences
of civilized life, ever present to their minds, I have said:
Suppose you and your family placed under a clump of oak
trees, such as stand in an extensive and beautiful English
park, with the sky above, the earth below, no fence, no
house, and perhaps no person within twenty miles, and you
may have some conception of your situation in a new and
unpeopled country. The gloomily-disposed would shake
their heads in despondency. The sanguine would make
light of the difficulties, and be charmed with the picture.
So people would reflect the color of their own minds upon
the sketch you gave them.
The publication in England of our travels, my return,
and personal communication with a host of individuals,
had given a wide-spread knowledge of what we had done
and what we intended to do. Our call had received a
response from the farmers of England, the miners of Corn-
wall, the drovers of Wales, the mechanics of Scotland,
the West- India planter, the inhabitants of the Channel
Isles, and the "gentleman of no particular business" of
the Emerald Isle. All were moving or preparing to move
to join us in another hemisphere. The cockneys of I>on-
don had decided on the reversal of their city habits, to
breathe the fresh air of the prairies. Parties were moving,
or preparing to move, in all directions. At one time, the
movement appeared as if it would be national. Repre-
sentatives from each locality, and descendants from every
■class that I have mentioned, are now living in the English
Settlement of Edwards County. Illinois. The preparatory
movements were completed. The first act of our drama
here properly closes, and the history of the actual emigra-
tion, with the accidents and incidents of the journeyings
bv sea and land now begins.
CHAPTER V.
First Party of Emigrants Sail from Bristol, in March, 1818 — Many
of Mr. Birkbeck's Neighbors and Acquaintances among them —
Letter of Richard Birkbeck Farm Operatives in England Per-
sons composing the Party Land in Philadelphia, in June, 1818
Reach Pittsburgh and descend the Ohio River to Shawnee-
town Arrive at Mr. Birkbeck's Cabin on Boltenhouse Prairie—
The Barracks Sufferings and Discomforts of the Party —
Wan borough laid off by Mr. Birkbeck The next Ship -load of
Emigrants sail in the following Month, April, 1818 Mr. Flower's
Family with this Party Other Persons composing it Mr. Flower
Journeys by Carriage from Philadelphia to Chambersburgh with
his Family The last Ship-load of Emigrants proceeding to their
Destination Want of Harmony A Black Sheep in the Fold
Arrival at Pittsburgh Preparations to Descend the Ohio River
The Perils of the Voyage Stop at Shawneetown The Appear-
ance of that Village Mr. Fordham comes from the Settlement
to meet Mr. Flower and Party at Shawneetown His Account
of Mr. Birkbeck and condition of Things at the Settlement —
Preparations to receive the Emigrants Log -Cabins and Hard
Food The first Meal on their Arrival The blessing of an Iron
Teakettle No Greetings from the Settlement Mr. Birkbeck and
Mr. Flower at Variance A short Dialogue between them, and
they never Speak to each other afterward The Cause of the
Estrangement First Experiences A Sickly Season A Time of
Trial Labor and Self-Sacrifices of Mrs. Flower A Noble and
True Woman The first building of Cabins Close run for Pro-
visions Settlement in Village Prairie Emigrants coming in -
Determined to lay out a Town The spot Selected The Name
Agreed upon.
IvVKLV in March, iSiS, the ship Ac/ii/It's, sailed from
liristol, with the first party of ciniLiraiits destined for our
.Settlement in IMinois.
Mr. Charles Trimmer of ^^•atley, Surre\-, a )-oiini; farmer,
and a neighbor and accpiaintance of Mr. Birkbeck's, with
forty-four men anil «nie married woman, sailed in this ship.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 79
The men were chiefly farm-laborers and mechanics from
Surrey. Many of them had for years worked for Mr. Birk-
beck, others were from his neighborhood, and were either
personally acquainted or knew him by reputation. This
party was under the especial care and leadership of Mr.
Trimmer. Another party, of about equal number, com-
posed of London mechanics, and tradesmen from various
parts of England, formed another party that sailed in the
same ship. These were under the guidance and direction
of Mr. James Lawrence, merchant tailor, of Hatton Gar-
den, London. Neither Mr. Lawrence nor any one of this
party had any personal acquaintance with either Mr. Birk-
beck or myself, but received their impulse from our pub-
lished expositions. Mr. Lawrence being a man of prop-
erty, a resident of the city, and well acquainted with the
usages at the docks, custom-house, shipping, etc., became
actually the head of the whole party. To him were
addressed the various packages belonging to the emigrants,
which he saw safely through the custom-house, and placed
securely on board ship. His house became the resort of
inquirers, in quest of information. His counting-house
became a sort of office for emigration, where I met people
of all classes, to be catechised and pumped of all I knew,
and everything they thought I ought to know. To such a
pitch had this grown, Mr. Lawrence must, I am sure, have
felt a real relief to be on board ship and far away. He
now began to have a taste of what it was to become a
leader of a people, although in a fractional way, and on a
small scale.
I had previously dispatched to Mr. Birkbeck a special
messenger. A young man from London, who wished to
try his luck in the new world, was glad of the opportunity
of having his expenses paid to a point so far in the interior
of America, and then take what might turn up in the lot-
tery of life. By Mr. Robert VValford, I sent Mr. Birkbeck
funds, of which I knew he stood in need. Mr. Walford,
after staying for some time in the Settlement, finding no
suitable occupation, went to Louisville, and opened busi-
ness as an accountant, in which he succeeded, married,
raised a family, and is, I believe, now living.
I here insert a part of a letter from Richard Birkbeck
<50 Tlir. KN(;i.lSH SETTLEMENT
<Mr. liirkbeck's eldest son), who was left in England to
Avind up his father's affairs at Wanborough. This letter is
■chiefly interesting to the American reader, as showing the
scale on which some I'^nglish tenants carry on their farms:
"Wanborough, January i8, 1818. j
"J/)' diur Fatlicr: — George Flower is now here, and has
been here for nearly a week. With this you will have a
letter of credit to the amount of ^^"3000, that is $15,000,
and hope, according to the following statement, to send
out another sum of nearl)' the same amount, by George
Flower, in April. Vou will know that I have, by this time,
given up possession of Wanborough on the first instant,
excepting the barn-}'ard, and from that I shall clear every-
thing off b)- the first of April. I liave received the
amounts:
Of the \-aluation of plowing. - £:^ATh
Of the underwoods, - - lOOI 7s. 6d.
i,'2474 7s. 6d.
"The above sum is the foundation of the letter of credit
you now receive. The money previously received is in
two sums, one of a ii"iOOO. the other of ^700. By the
following account, \'ou may judge in some measure of the.
j)r()baljle value of \-our property:
Sheep, - - ^I200
Horses. -_-._. ^OO
Wheat. ------- 400
Wool, ------ 700
Harley. ( )ats, Teas, ami l^eans, - - lOOO
(iood-will for ni)' ciuitting the r.irm. - 2000
Dung to be paid for by James ( >nslow. - lOOO
/8700
"This is tlu- rough isiim.ile; you may consider it nearly
M'hat the sum will i)e I hope the sum does not fall shot
■fjf your expectations. I think it exceeds our estimate."
From this we ma_\- form some idea of the manner in
which an l-'.nglish farm is conducteil. Although Mr. Jiirk-
beck left the farm legall>' on the first of Januar)-, the occu-
pation and tillage was carried on up to the \ery day th<
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 8 1
incoming tenant took possession. The item ^^1473, or
$7000, is for plowing and tilling, in preparation for the
next crop. ;^5000 more, the value of the underbrush of
the wood, just ready to be cut and made into faggots and
hoop-poles. All the operations of the farm went on from
hand to hand, uninterrupted by any change. The land-
lord paid $5000 for dung left in the farm-yard, being so
much more than the tenant received when he took posses-
sion of the farm, some fifteen years before. The farm
may change hands, but the farmer never dies. The .sys-
tem of cultivation is not disturbed by the removal or death
of either landlord or tenant. The £ii,i'/4 ys. 6d., or, in
round numbers, $55,000, may be considered as his sub-
scription toward laying the foundation of the English
Settlement.
In the Bristol ship, besides Messrs. Lawrence and Trim-
mer, was Mr. Hugh Ronalds, gentleman from Hammer-
smith, near London. Mr. Hugh Ronalds became my
brother-in-law, by marrying my second sister, Miss Mary
Catherine Flower, and was for many years my near neigh-
bor in Illinois, at his pleasant residence of Hazle Hill,
about half- a- mile from Park House, and one mile from
Albion. Mr. Ronalds, for many years, carried on a tan-
nery near Albion. Several years a widower, his family
grown and settled, he now resides comfortably on his
income at Grayville, ten miles from his former residence
near Albion, enjoying his two favorite pursuits, horticul-
ture and literature.
The Lawrence-and-Trimmer party landed safely at
Philadelphia early in June. They made their way, some
in wagons, some on horseback, over the mountains to
Pittsburgh, then descending the Ohio in flat-boats to
Shawneetown, in August, proceeded without delay on foot,
in wagons and on horseback, to Mr. Birkbeck's cabin on
the Boltenhouse Prairie. Of this first party Mr. Birkbeck
had long notice, and he had made for them the best prep-
aration he could. He had erected a square of rough log-
cabins, with two doors in each, and a small sash-window
in every door. This rendezvous, afterward called the bar-
racks, was for all comers. Into this the first ship's com-
pany— eighty-eight in number — went, all men, excepting
I
S3 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
three women. I must leave to imagination tiie various
fcelini^s of its motley inmates, some used to the refine-
ments of civilized life; all to the comfort of a home, how-
ever humble; some without money; all for a time without
occupation; without vegetables; corn-bread and salt pork
their only diet; whisky their sole luxury and consolation,
and some not able to get that. It was for a time a
fermenting mass. Strange and conflicting emotions exhib-
ited themselves in ludicrous succession. Some laughed
and joked; some moped and sulked; some cursed and
swore. Things worked right in time. The activity and
energy of the national character were soon displayed.
The village of Wanborough was laid otT by Mr. Birk-
beck in five-acre lots. On these were built cabins, rented
by some, bought by others. A good ox-mill and black-
smith-shop were soon after added to the village. At this
time, almost all the five-acre lots are purchased and
thrown together, or are attached to adjacent farms.
The ne.\t ship with emigrants for the prairies, which
sailed from Liverpool in the following month of April, was
chartered by myself for the party that came with me.
My own immediate family and friends occupied the cabin;
my domestic servants, and other emigrants going out tcv
join us, filled the steerage; and my live-stock of cows,
hogs, and sheep, of the choicest breeds of Mngland. took
up all the spare room on deck. M}- father and mother, in
easy circumstances, and aged sixty-three, accompanied
me; with my two sisters, young women, grown; one
brother. William, a young man; the other, Mdward, a lail;
Miss I'ordham, my cousin, going to join her brother in
Illinois; three attached female and one man-ser\ant — the
famil)- of these most respectable people h:id lived with our
famils" for three generations, ami a distant removal could
not now separate us — these, with m\self antl m\- two son-;,
young boys, were my immediate famil\--part\-. But. going
to our settlement in this ship, were also Mr. Francis RoUli
ami brother, friends of Mr. liirkbeck; and Mr. I'Mder. .1
gentleman rather advanced in years, a man of considerahK
])roperty; Dr. C. I'ugsley and wife ami small family, from
London; and Mr. Adam Corrie, I think, from the county
of Nottingham. Besides these there was Mr John WOocl.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 83,
then a young man, now with gray locks, the father of a
large family, a respectable and prosperous farmer, near
Albion, living in a good brick-house, on a fine farm, and
surrounded by all the rural comfort that a man need
desire; also, Mr. John Ingle and his family, from Cam-
bridgeshire, who is now living near Evansville, and his
son, John Ingle, junior, is a prominent professional man,
engaged in the public business of that city. Mr. David
Bennett and family, Mr. White and family, carpenter and
builder, from London, Captain (baptismal name) Stone,
wife, and family, were also of the company. Mr. Stone
was steward on my farm in England. He now had the
care of my cattle, sheep, and swine. These, and some
other names not recollected, made a party of three score
and more, bound to our Settlement. It was the same
ship, the Ann Maria, and the same captain, that brought
me over so safely and rapidly in the previous fall. We
arrived without accident at New York, after a passage of
fifty days, and but one week after the Bristol ship, that
sailed a month before us. To remove all these people and
their luggage, and the animals that I had brought, to our
Settlement, nearly a thousand miles inland, was no small
undertaking, at a time when there was neither turnpike
nor railroad, and few steamboats, and in the infancy of
their management. Patience, toil, time, and money were
all required and all were freely bestowed.
On reaching land, the ship's party was broken up, and
smaller parties were formed of people of similar habits
and tastes, clubbing together for mutual assistance on the
way. Those of small means, proceeded on without loss of
time. Those of more means, lingered a little in the cities
and with their new friends, before taking their departure
for what was then the Far-West.
Mr. John Wood, Mr. Ingle, Mr. White, and Mr. Bennett
formed a party for travel, and on their arrival at Pitts-
burgh, purchased a covered flat-boat, and descended the
Ohio River together. Mr. Filder, I think, bought a horse,
and rode the whole distance to Vincennes, on the Wabash.
The Rotch brothers, came, I think, with my father's party
as far as Cincinnati, from thence on horseback. My
father's family spent the first winter in Lexington, Ky.,
84 THK KNHILISH SKTTLKMKNT '
while I was preparing their residence in Illinois. In this
manner, the various individuals and parties made the best
way the}' could. Some of them were joined b\- individu-
als and families ^f English that were lingering on the
sea-board, without any specific reference to our Settle-
ment; but seeing the emigration, and having read the
publications, joined and went on. I think every accession
from the luist was English. Not an American joined us,
excepting one, a Captain Kenyon, of a merchant-vessel
formerly trading to India. He came in my boat down the
Ohio. He was not a man suited to the Settlement by
j)revious habits. An unavailable member, he did not stay
long in the Settlement. I had traveled much before this
trip. Eirst, my journey alone, two thousand miles; then
with Mr. Birkbeck's party westward ; and the return with
m\- wife, another one thousand miles; but alwaj's on
horseback. Now I was to enter on a new experience of
travel. With a covered traveling-carriage, strongU- built
but light, and a capital pair of horses. I drove from Phila-
delphia to Chambersburgh. I had often driven on Eng-
lish roads, but never before on American. The roads
were then for the most part in their natural state, pretty
good when dry, almost impassable for mud if the weather
was wet, and, in both cases, pleiitifull)- set with stumps.
In m<in\' parts of the Alleghan\' mountains, the road was
merel)' a track maile by the wagons from Philadelphia,
gf)ing up the easiest watercourse on the mountain side,
with all the large boulders unbroken, giving us severe
humi)s, and sudden and dangerous descents. The charge
for carriage from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh was reduced
then to $7 per hundred pounds. With me, in my carriage, '
I took my two sons and Miss Maria Eordhain. M\- father
.mil mother and sisters, resting longer at Philailelphia, \
traveling more delihcratelx-. and projmsing to pass the
winter at Lexington, Kentuck}-, Miss I'dniham took a seat
in my carriage, to accompan\' my wife and I to Illinois.!
The roads were good to Chambersburgh, and we rapidly
rode along.
M)- w ife and I were once more together, and with us a
little tiaughter, but a few weeks old. We staid awhile at
Chambersburgh. to make acknowledgment to our newlx -
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 85
found friends there who had been so kind to Mrs. Flower
during her long and anxious solitude. Conspicuous among
these were Mr. and Mrs. Calhoon. Mr. Calhoon was cash-
ier of the bank, and all our little mone^ matters passed
through his hands. To others, unnecessary to name,
equally solicitous and watchful in taking every opportunity
of doing a kindness, we shall ever bear gratitude in our
hearts.
My carriage was soon filled, my horses were strong, and
we were proceeding onward to a given point, in the pleas-
ing hope of meeting again, in the prairies, the friends we
had left at Princeton, and of carrying out together the
scheme of emigration and settlement that we had begun
and thus far carried on to a successful point. The various
objects we had in view, for which I was sent to England,
were all accomplished with singular success. My voyage
across the Atlantic was of unusual speed. The funds for
Mr. Birkbeck were safely sent, exceeding somewhat in
amount his own expectations. The publications made by
book, pamphlet, and newspaper had excited general atten-
tion. By a singular coincidence, my father had sold, a few
days before my arrival in England, his dwelling and lands
in Marden for ^^"23,000, thus giving to himself, my mother,
brothers, and sisters, an opportunity of returning with me
in the spring, which they willingly embraced, to take up
their abode in the prairies.
Both ships arrived in America without accident, most of
the people had crossed the mountains in health, and many
of these, by the time I got to Pittsburgh, were proceeding
down the Ohio River to their ultimate destination. Every-
thing worked smoothly; success was attained; but har-
mony there was not.
Who can calculate the extent of mischief spread by an
envious temper, a false heart, and a loose tongue. There
came over in my ship, as I have before stated, a doctor
from London, a man of some skill in his profession, with a
pretty wife. They assumed to be fashionable people, and
were so, but of that part of fashion which assumes some-
thing of its external appearance, without possessing any of
its sterling qualities. I had no particular knowledge of
him, but wishing to come to our Settlement, and reputed
86 Tin: English settlement
of some skill, I g;a.vc him every information and all facili-
ties. Having made his neighborhood in England too hot
to hold him, he for some time disturbed our Settlement,
until he went elsewhere to follow his unhappy instincts.
He made a point of coming out in my ship, and. unfortu-
nately for the peace of our neighborhood, bought a town-
share, and so became a town-pro[irietor. I note the un-
happy j)ropensities of this man as a prominent cause of
the troubles which for a time disturbed our Settlement.
Many of us bound for Illinois met at Pittsburgh. Some
were ruffled in temper. All seemed to be more or less
disturbed by the roughness of the journey passed, and in
anticipation of the new experiences on the river to come.
A week was often lost at Pittsburgh in fitting up boats or
chatTering for horses. Some were bu\'ing flat-boats, some
purchased skiffs, fitted with an awning, for one or two per-
sons; some determined to take it on horseback; but most
of them went down the river. Here my brother William
joined me, and gave me great assistance on the voyage
and the first two months in Illinois. I purchased a keel-
boat and a flat-boat, and lashed them together, the former
for my family, the latter for mv horses; carriage fastened
on the t(^p of the flat; four English farm-laborers for oars-
men. With difficultv I procured a pilot, who engaged to
go a hundred anil fift)' miles with me down the river. Hut
he left me just before coming to a difficult part of the
river, called Dead Man's Shoal. There was no other
resource, I hail to take the steering-oar, and was soon
aground. With much labor and difficult)- we got off,
poling and shoving up to our knees in the river, trjing to
get the boat off. With a "Pittsburgh Navigator" (a book
with a map of the river, in which all the islands, shoals,
and dangerous places are laid down,) in one hand, and
the steering-oar in the other, I took my station at the
helm. Willi my total inexperience, I found my new posi-
tion both anxitnis and laborious. The labor and exposure
I did not minil. but the c<^nstant watching anil state of
doubt wen* trying. I got on pretl\' well, going along by
d.i)' and t\ing up al night. Hut it w.is not all smooth sail-
ing. I got into one dangerous scrape, and out of it, too,
as luck would have it. It was this: The "Navigator" had
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 8/
described a certain island of great length close to the
north shore with a narrow and dangerous channel of rapid
water, as especially dangerous and to be avoided by every
craft descending the river. I had been looking for this
island, and presently it came in sight. I was approaching
it in the middle of the river, a very considerable distance
off. I was not sufficiently aware of the distance a sand-
bar extended from a point of an island. When about to
steer for the Kentucky shore, my boats grounded. In
pushing off, we were swung round into the current leading
into the very channel we were warned to avoid. I felt, as
w^e approached the danger, as a man may be supposed to
feel when he finds himself and craft drawing into the
waters of Niagara. I was, for a short time, uncertain,
weak, and helpless, through sheer fright. Our two boats,
lashed together, enjtered the dark channel, overhung by
trees. The water was running at a rapid rate, and the
channel was full of black and dangerous snags. I called
to the oarsmen to give way with all their might. Seizing
the steering-oar myself, which felt in my hands as light as
a feather, giving it sudden twists and turns to port and lee,
going through the crooked channel with scarce room to
pass between the snags, we eventually came out safe.
Passing a flat-boat tied up in the stream beyond, I was
accosted by the old man, as he sat smoking his pipe on
the roof of his boat, "I say, stranger, you must be a
mighty favorite summers to get through with your two
boats from that devil's race-course!"
I have found at other times, as then, if surprised by
sudden danger alone, after the first moments of appalling
fear, strength as suddenly comes, and you overcome. I
suppose the god that lies dormant in every human breast
suddenly awakes and carries him through. At Cincinnati,
my crew deserted me, and it was some days before I
could muster another. As we were floating along, one
warm summer day, my eldest son, Richard, walking on a
narrow pathway between the body of the boat and the
edge, missed his foothold, and fell into the river. Mr.
Hayward, a young gentleman from Oxfordshire, whom we
had taken into our boat, heard the splash, and plunged in;
both child and man disappeared. They came to the sur-
88 THI-: ENGLISH SETTLKMENT
face, Haywood holding the child by the coat-collar. They
were on the lower side of the boat. Haywood, who was a
tjood swimmer, findini^ the boat press against them, with
great presence of mind, dived, with the child in his arms,,
under the boat, and came up on the other side, where I
first lifted my son from the water, and then assisted Hay-
ward on board. Very fortunately, no other injuries were
experienced than a fright and a drenching. They were
soon made comfortable by a change of clothing.
A few little incidents and we arrived at Shawneetown^
a fortnight after Trimmer and Lawrence's party arrived
at the same place; and a poor little village it was, of log-
cabins and a few light frame-houses. It was occasionally
subject to deep inundations from the floods of the Ohio^
River. The situation of Shawneetown is handsome, com-
manding long reaches of the Ohio River, up and down
stream. At that time, it was the only town in Southern
Illinois, if we except Carmi, thirty miles north, on the
Wabash, the county-scat of White Count}', then a very
small pl.ice.
Leaving my boats, I again proceeded b\- land in my
rhiladeli^iiia vehicle, with two famous grays. Myself, my
wife, my two sons, and Miss Fordham rode in the carriage,
which \\as filled with articles of the first necessity. My
brother William rode on horseback. Mr. Fordham, who
had come to meet me, was also on horseback. He had
remainetl with Mr. Hirkbeck"s famil)' during the winter;
making freciucnt excursions into the prairies, to assist in
the preparatory arrangements, as well as more distant
journej's to Cincinnati and Louisville, for a variety of arti-
cles, with which he loaded a flat-boat and descended the
Ohio. From him we learned all the news of the Settle-
ment; The arrival of Lawrence and Trimmer's party, and
various horsemen who hatl come overland from Cincinnati.
All these were for the time occup.mts of the hollow-scjuare
of log-cabins, afterward facetiously calleil the barracks
from its limited space, offering unavoidabl\- but limited
accommodations to any, and this was becoming more and
more crowded every day. Mr. Hirkbeck's family occupied
two cabins at some little distance from the general ren-
dezvous.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 89
Enquiring of the health and condition of everybody, he
said they were generally well, but Mr. Birkbeck he thought
had somewhat changed. He looked older, was rather
testy, and occasionally gave short answers, and said some
other things that rather surprised me. Mr. Fordham also
told me that he had built two cabins on my land. Near
to one he had dug a well. In this cabin he had placed a
French-Canadian family, from Cattinet, that there might
be some human beings on the place. The other he had
built a quarter of a mile off on a more beautiful site, a
situation which he thought I should like as my permanent
residence. After hearing all this, I decided to drive to
the last-described cabin. After a drive of sixty miles in
two days, we were at the prairies. I entered the prairie
at the same spot from which we had first seen it ; now
with quite different feelings and other cares. On entering
the prairie, my large horses were covered with the tall
prairie-grass, and laboriously dragged the heavy-laden
vehicle. The cabin built for me was well sheltered by
wood from the north and east, with an arm of the prairie
lying south in a gently-descending slope for a-quarter of a
mile, it was as pretty a situation as could be desired. The
cabin could not boast of many comforts. With a clap-
board roof, held on by weight-poles, and a rough puncheon
floor, it had neither door nor window. Two doorways
were cut out, and the rough logs were scutched down
inside. All the chips and ends of logs left by the back-
woods-builders lay strewed upon the floor. We were now
face-to-face with the privations and difficulties of a first-
settlement in the wilderness. But greater than all other
inconveniences was the want of water. There was no
water nearer than the cabin in which the French family
lived, a-quarter of a mile off
It is impossible for any one living in old countries,
where the common conveniences of life have been accumu-
lating for centuries and ages, to understand the situation
of an individual or small family when first alighting in the
prairies, without even that indirect aid from art and culti-
vaMon common to all in a civilized community.
The poorest man in an old country thinks nothing of a
road or a path, or a drink of water from a well. He is the
90 Tin-: ENGMSH SETTLEMENT
owner or occupier of some sort of a house, may be a small
cottage, but even he can shut his door against a storm,
and crouch in safety before a small fire, made in a Jire-
placi\ perhaps enjoying the luxuries of a three-legged stool
and a small deal-table, some shed outside to tie up a horse
or cow. Not so here. A rough roof and a rough floor we
had, and that was all. In three days the Frenchman.
Jean Mummonie, brought us a turkey, for which we paid
him a quarter-dollar, but there were two days to live
before the turkey came. The floor was cleared, and a fire
kindled in a hole where a hearth was to be. One of us
had a half-mile trip for the water. Then for the first time
we knew the blessing of an iron teakettle. Our first meal
on the floor from such provisions as the carriage aft'orded.
crackers, cheese, and tea without milk, drank alternately
from one or two tin cups. Some sitting, some kneeling,
some stretched at length, resting on an elbow, ancient
fashion. This may be called beginning at the beginning.
Romantic certainly. Picturesque to be sure. The gypsies
in l^ngland. in their snug tents, sheltered by pleasant
hawthorn hedges, camp-kettles teeming with savory hare,
partridge, and trout, raised at other folks' expense; we
were far before or behind them, as the case may be
viewed. Hut then I was in my own house, on my own
land, in a free and independent Republic, might cast my
vote into any hollow tree for coon or 'possum to be presi-
<lent of the United States. All this is very sustaining to
a patriotic heart just from ICurope, from the terribly-
oppressive kings, dukes, priests that we hear so much
about. Hut for this, how could we have stood it.' The
second ila\' w.is only a little more embarrassing than the
first. Our horses, untied from the carriage-wheels, had tt)
be led to grass, or grass cut for them by our pocket-knives.
The second night came; what, nobody from the Settle-
imnt, only two miles off; what did this mean.'*
On the thinl day after my arrival, I took m\' horse and
rode over to Mr. liirkbeck's cabin. When almost in tlu-
act of dismounting. 1 saw him rise from his seat, from
uiuier the sliaile of an oak that stood opjiosite to his cabin
door. He passed before my horse's head into the cabin,
pale, haggard, and agitated. With eyes cast down, and
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 9I
shaking his head, he said: "No, we can not meet, I can
not see you." Sitting on my horse, and looking at him in
wonder, I said: "We must meet, our property is undivided,
business is urgent, heavy payments are to be provided for
freight and charges." But what! "Stop, stop," said he,
"let a third person arrange all." "So be it," said I, and
rode on. These were the last words that ever passed
between us. When we take a cold we are troubled to
know how it happened, and think if we had taken an
umbrella, or put on a great-coat, or changed our shoes, or
done something we had not done, we should not have got
it. So it is in our moral diseases. We can not help look-
ing back to see how they came. Was it both of us leaving
him at Princeton alone with his family on the frontier.?
We did not consider, perhaps, sufficiently at the time that
the absence of both myself and wife would leave a dreary,
void, and lonely winter for our aged friend. We, in the
vigor of our years and affection for each other, perhaps,
overlooked this, and, possibly, he might feel somewhat
aggrieved on that account in the solitary winter he had to
pass, for a father with his children only is in some sort a
solitary being. He might feel that he was deserted, and a
thought may have crossed his mind that we might never
return. I think he felt something of this sort from an
expression in a letter to an intimate friend in England,
where he said: "You will see Mr. George Flower, who
intends to return in the spring, but we all know when time
and distance intervene, they are great barriers to the exe-
cution of our intentions." I was struck with the sentence
when I saw it, but the friend had no such doubt, for he
put into my hands a considerable sum of money, to be
especially invested. Then again, instead of riding on with
some feeling of injury at my reception, had I dismounted
and insisted on an explanation, things might have been
different. But all this is only saying if things were differ-
ent from what they are, they would not be as they are.
From that eternal chain ever lengthening, but never
ending, the effect of today, the cause of tomorrow, what
mortal power can change the smallest link.-* This is no
place for metaphysical disquisitions, but a relation of events
as they occurred.
92 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
Here let me pause in the narrative, to do justice to our-
selves in our after unfortunate and unpleasant situation.
We never quarrelled or descended to altercation, never
spoke ill of each other, and never, as I believe, attempted
to do each other any injury. We were silent ever after, as
if we ignored each other's existence. The line of demar-
cation between our lands was about three miles long.
Ever after, I worked on one side, he on the other. When
strangers visited the Settlement, they called on each of us.
I say this in contradiction to the extraordinary falsehoods
promulgated at the time. Regret and sorrow were, no
doubt, the prevailing feelings in each breast.*
But we were now parted forever, and in that situation
were, with all our caution, very much at the mercy of go-
betweens and tale-bearers, ever to be found on an errand
of mischief. There had arrived before me in Wanborough,
a man of parts and education. He had made calculations,
before leaving the old countr}', to settle at the prairies, and
there form his domestic relations. In this he was disap-
pointed, and in consequence bore no friendly feeling tow-
ard mc.
The void which our silence left was more than filled up
by our intcrmedtiliiig neighbors, and Mr. Hirkbeck's annoy-
ance, from indiscreet partizanship, was much greater than
mine. Ihe wildest reports, mosth' ridiculous and some
scandalous, were carried from one to the other, and were
so often repeated, as to obtain some credence with those
that invented and circulated them; and some individuals
were so indiscreet as to write to their distant friends these
fabulous accounts. This brought to Mr. liirkbeck letters,
' It wduiri be useless nt thi< remote period to inquire into the causes th.it
Icil ti) the M'vcrancc of the friendly rel.ntions between these founders of the
En^jlish Sellleineiit in JMlw.irds County. It w.ts undoubtedly a tjrc.it nli^for-
tune to the I'nlony .it that lime, bec.iuse both of the men h.id slroii)^ friends,
who formed themselves into Mirkbcck .nud Flower parties, .ind which, no
doubt, in>i>e<led the growth and prosperity of the folony. Whde the friends
of both of these men were much eNcileil, .ind nItho\i^h they were otr.injjcii
from eaih other, ihey never enteied into .my unseemly person.il wr.inf^le.
anil e.ieh pursued llie even tenor of his way. Had it not been for (he sad
acciilent by whiih Mr. Kirklu-ek lost his life, there wmild (irobably have been
a reconciliation between them. It was tinderstoinl that Mr. Hirkbeck's visit
to New Harmony, at that time, was for the purjHJse of seeking; the intervention
of his friend, Kol>cit C»wen, to brinj; about a renewal of their frienilly inter-
course.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 93
asking explanations of the strange things they had heard.
From this annoyance he could scarcely free himself, by
silence or reply. It has been said that none but fools
intermeddle with other people's dissentions. If judged by
that rule, we had many non compos in our Settlement at
that time.
There was that sense of justice in Mr. Birkbeck that
prompted him to repair an injury inflicted from erroneous
impressions or heat of temper. Seven years after our
short meeting or parting, Mr. Birkbeck went to Harmony,
and solicited Mr. Robert Owen to use his influence for a
reconciliation between us; but from that journey he never
returned.*
I must anticipate a period of eight years to close the
history of Mr. Birkbeck's family with myself and with the
Settlement. Some time after the death of Mr. Birkbeck,
a circumstance occurred which brought me once more into
personal intercourse with the members of his family, then
living in Wanborough,-|- his two daughters, Mrs. Pell and
Mrs. Hanks, neither of whom I had seen since our parting
at Princeton, eight years before. Mr. Francis Hanks, eld-
est son of an Irish gentleman, and the only member of
that family now remaining in Wanborough, married Miss
Prudence, the second daughter of Mr. Birkbeck, by whom
he had three daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Hanks had for
some time lived apart. Mrs. Hanks and her children
lived with her sister, Mrs. Pell, to whom she was ardently
attached, and by whom she was much beloved. Mr.
Hanks and myself had always been on friendly terms.
From the peculiar position of my own and his father-in-
law's family, we had never conversed on his family affairs.
* On hi-i return to Wanborough from New Harmony, Ind., June 4, 1825,
Morris Birkbeck was drowned while crossing Fox River. His body, taken
two days afterward to New Harmony, was buried with every mark of respect
and affection. Thus perished Morris Birkbeck, one of '.he ablest and most
cultivated men of his time in Illinois, whose influence, wielded in the cause of
freedom and humanity, should always be gratefully remembered.
t Wanborough was laid out as a town by Mr. Birkbeck in five-acre lots, a
mile or two west of where Albion is located, and there he had his own residence.
A few other families settled there, but the town had no future. Everything
went to Albion, and, at the present day, Wanborough has no existence, even
in name.
94 TIIK ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
Mr. Hanks now thought it his duty to take his children
under his own care. He called on me to ask the loan of
my carriage to bring his children and their little effects
from Mr. Pell's to his own house. This led to further
conversation then, and to more the next day. I ques-
tioned the wisdom of his intention in taking his daughters
from the custody of their mother, and bringing them to a
house without a housekeeper or female domestic, and in a
country where a governess was scarcely to be procured.
He listened to my suggestions, and, at his request, I
went to see Mrs. Hanks on the subject. Mr. Pell met me
at the hall-door with some surprise, for I had never been
there before. I briefly explained the object of my visit.
He invited me in, and opened the door of the parlor, which
I entered. There stood my two former friends, Eliza and
Prudence, jiale and motionless. Prudence soon became
tremulous, her nervous temperament scarcely allowed her
to stand, but she could not move. Her sister, with slight
motion, invited me to a seat, which I for a few moments
could not take. All the past was passing through our
minds, we were scarceh* conscious of existence. I asked
Mrs. Hanks if she would like to retain her children, and
received her almost inaudible assent and thanks. Mr. Pell
came in, to our relief; we all made an effort, and spoke
aloud, as if to dissipate the impression of some unhappy
dream that had long oppressed us.
Mr. Pell sat down at the table and drew up an agree-
ment, all of us sitting, particii)ating in what was being
written. I soon returned with yiv. Hanks' signature.
Dinner was now ready. I was pressed to stay. I sat at
the right-hand of Mrs. Pell. Mrs. Hanks opposite, Mr.
Pell at the bottom, and three or four chiklren near him.
Mrs. Hanks never completely recovered her self-posses-
sion. Mrs. Pell, calm, conversable, and cheerful. The
conversation became general. Vet it was evident that
there were different p.ulies at the table, feeling a different
existence, and living in tlifVerent workls. Three of us saw
all the liapp)' ilaj's of the p.ist, anil the darker hours of
separation and regret to which the husbaiul could get but
faint glimpses. The children knew no other world than
they were enjoying, and the plaj- to which they soon
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 95
returned. At leaving, Mr. Pell requested a moment's stay
at the hall-door: "Mr. Flower, there has been an estrange-
ment between our families, may we hope that it is now at
an end, and that all may be forgoten." As in the evening
of a dark and dreary day, the clouds lighted up with a
bright streak of sunlight in the western horizon, showing
that the storms are past, giving promise of a fair and tran-
quil morrow. So one gleam of sincere, but melancholy,
friendship closed our dark day, but for us there was no
morrow. Mrs. Hanks soon after went to Mexico, with her
daughters, to join her brothers, who had gone to that
country after their father's death. Not long after her
arrival in Mexico, on an evening promenade, she was
attacked with the cholera and died. Her children, adopted
by her brother, Bradford, have been kindly cared for. A
little later, I met Mrs. Pell, for the last time, at a friend's
house in Albion. She was going, the next day, to New
York with her children. At parting, she came forward,
extending her hand with frankness, and with her own
sweet smile, gave me a cordial farewell. This estimable
lady was, I believe, the sole instructor, as well as care-
taker, of her children, and this she was from the circum-
stances of her situation. Mr. Pell was a public man, twice
in the legislature, and was often for long periods abroad.*
A wife of ability and industry, everywhere valuable, is in
western America a treasure of priceless worth. In the
performance of her maternal duties, and in every sacrifice
for the welfare of her children, Mrs. Pell found refresh-
ment and strength. She now took them the journey to
New York and the voyage to England. For their sake,
she went to the antipodes of the globe, encountering the
world of water that lies between PIngland and Australia,
where she now is watching the peaceful progress of her
children to wealth and station, as rewards for the virtues
impressed upon them by her care and love.
I should willingly have avoided these personal incidents,
* Gilbert T. Pell, who married the daughter of Mr. Birkbeck, was a mem-
ber of the "Convention Legislature," as it was called, from Edwards County,
in 1822-4. He was a strong anti-slavery man, and voted a^ain>t the resolu-
tion to call a convention to change the Constitution of the State so as to toler-
ate slavery. He was also a member from the same county for 1828-30.
96 THK kn(;lish settlement
but our histories are so interwoven with the history of the
Settlement that I could not entirely omit them.
On ni)' return from the short interview with Mr. Birk-
beck, I saw that I could receive no benefit or aid from any
previous preparation, and had only myself to rely upon.
No water near, a well was of the first necessity. Two
laborerers, one English and one American, were set at
work, and struck a solid sandstone rock three feet from
the surface. The nearest forge was where the town of
Carmi now stands, thirty miles distant. About every
other day, I sent to Carmi to have tools sharpened. Two
sawyers set to work with a pit-saw, broke the iron handle
of the saw. I sent a man on horseback to Harmony.
twent\'-five miles, to get it mended. He left the saw, then
rode off with horse, saddle, and bridle, and I never saw
him more.
My old friend liirk gave me a call to say "/ioii.> d'vi','
bringing a haunch of venison, for which I paid him thirty-
seven and a-half cents, about eighteen pence sterling.
Think of that, ye aldermen of London! Our money was
not decimall)' divided then. It was the Spanish coin:
dollar, half, quarter, twelve-and-a-half and six-and-a-
fourth cents, all in separate silver coins, no copper passing.
"Hirk, I want a smoke-house, well roofed, skutched
insiile. and well chinked. How much.'" "Ten tlollars,"
said he. "Find yourself (that is, feed yi>urself), haul your
own logs. When.^" "Tomorrow." The house was built ;
money paid; whisky given; man rode home; drunk and
hapi)y ; all in a (juiet friendl}- wa\-. So the Settlement
was planted in two parts, side by sitle, about two miles
tlistant from each other.
h'or a moment let us glance at the situation of these
settlers, a thousanii miles inlaiul, at the heels of the
retreating Imlians. A fon-st from the Atlantic shore be-
hind them, but thinly settled with small villages, far apart
from each other. To the west, one vast uninhabited
wiklerness of prairie, intersperseil with timber, extending
two thousand miles to the Pacific Ocean. l*!xcepting St.
Louis, on the Mississipjii, then a small place, and Kaskas-
kia, yet smaller, there were no inhabit. mts west of us.
About the same time, one or two small American settle-
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 97
ments were forming a few miles east of the Mississippi,
as we were planting ourselves a few miles west of the
Wabash. The tirst member of Congress had to ride an
intervening space of a hundred and fifty miles of wilder-
ness between the little settlements of his constituents,
lying in the west and east of the State. There were no
roads on land, no steam-boats on the waters. The road,
so-called, leading to Vandalia (then composed of about a
dozen log-houses), was made by one man on horse-back
following in the track of another, every rider making the
way a little easier to find, until you came to some slush,
or swampy place, where all trace was lost, and you got
through as others had done, by guessing at the direction,
often riding at hazard for miles until you stumbled on the
track again. And of these blind traces there were but
three of four in the southern half of the State. No roads
were worked, no watercourses bridged. Before getting to
Vandalia, there was a low piece of timbered bottom-land,
wet and swampy, and often covered with water, through
which every traveler had to make his way as he best
could, often at the risk of his life. Such was the state of
the country. No man could feel sure that he was within
the limits of the State, but from knowing that he was
west of the Wabash and east of the Mississippi. We had
some difficulties, peculiar to ourselves, as a foreign people.
The Americans, by pushing onward and onward for almost
two generations, had a training in handling the ax and
opening farms, and, from experience, bestowing their labor
in the most appropriate manner, which we, from our inex-
perience, often did not. Fresh from an old country, teem-
ing with the conveniences of civilized life, at once in a
wilderness with all our inexperience, our losses were large
from misplaced labor. Many were discouraged, and some
returned, but the mass of the settlers stayed, and, by
gradual experience, corrected their first errors, thus over-
coming difficulties which had wellnigh overcome them.
The future success of the Settlement was obtained by
individual toil and industry. Of the first inconveniences
and sufterings, my family had its full share.
The summer had been very hot and latterly wet. Thun-
der showers of daily occurrence sent mosquitoes in swarms.
98 TIIK ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
My cabin, rccciitlv built, of course, of green logs, unfur-
nished, with rank vegetation growing all around it and up
to its very sides, was in its situation and in itself a suffi-
cient cause of disease. My shepherd and his family came,
bringing a few choice sheep and an English high-bred
cow. His whole family, in a few days, all fell sick, l\ing
in a small cabin, just built, about a hundred )-ards from
my own. Mr. White, carpenter, from London, wife, and
two children, occupied a two-horse wagon and a soldier's
tent. There was no house for them; they all fell sick.
My two sons were speedily taken with fever and ague, to
us then a new disease. Miss Fordham, who shared our
cabin, was attacked with the same disease. My constitu-
tion, strong and good, yielding from exposure to heat and
rain, took another form of disease. Hoils and irritable
sores broke out on both my legs, from knee to ankle,
incapacitating me, for a time, from walking. Thus we
were situatecl for two or three weeks, without the slighte>t
assistance from any source, or supplies other than from m\-
own wagons, as they slowly arrived from Shawneetown.
giving us sufficient bedding with flour and bacon. All the
other merchandise and furniture did but add to our pres-
ent embarrassment, in attempts to protect them from the
weather, and in endeavoring to ilr\- what was wet.
We were carried through this period of trial by tlu-
unremitting labor and self-sacrifice of my wife.* She
alone prep.ired all our food and betiding, and attended to
the wants of the sick and the suffering by night and da\-.
* Mr-.. I'lowcr w.i^ a woman of rare intclliL;ciK-c ami excellent education, ti>
which she uiiilcil an eiier^jelic character and a ciiurai;ei>iis spirit. An atTcc-
tinnate wife, a ilcvuted mother, a kind frienil, ami a ijocmI neighbor, she iiroved
herself in all the relations of life a true and nohlc woman. When misfortune
and poverty came to her family in the later years, she met the changed circuni
stances with a cheerful >|iiril and unsulxlued courage. .'>ije was *)f the l)e--l
lypc of an {■injjiish counliywoman, and preserved, to the end of her days, the
characteristics of tier nationality. Tiie sad ilav arrivini; when, in jnirsuit ■■!
occupation to su|>|H(rl liis f.imilv. Mr. l-'lower was ohli^eti to leave the C'olon
he hail h«-lp«-<l lo found, an<l with which he hail been so conspicuously idem
fictl for so many years, he rcmovinl to Mt. Vernon, Ind., on the Ohio Kiver.
to lake charge of nn hotel. Advanceil ye.trs and imi>aire<i health m.iile it im-
tiossilde for Mr. !• lower to j^ivc much attenti m to the husincs-. and the hruni
fell «ij>«)n hi* wife. With her hii^h .sliell-coml> and her tasteful turli.in. no
weary ^;uest will ever forj^jct her cheery welcome, or the satisfactory and kindly
manner in which lie was entertained.
I
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 99'
To all this was added a fatigue that a strong man might
have shrunk from, in bringing water from that distant '
well. Sustained in her unremitting labors by unbounded
devotion to her family, and a high sense of duty to all
within her reach, her spirit and her power seemed to rise
above the manifold trials by which she was surrounded.
And thus we were saved from probable death or certain
dispersion. The incessant labor of the mother told on the
infant at the breast; it sickened and died. With returning
health we worked our way unaided through our difficulties.
To our former friends and those that sustained them in
withholding the slightest assistance in our hour of trial, is
it strange that we should accept the separation, and feel in
our hearts that it must be forever.^
The buildings necessary to secure our horses and our
goods, now daily arriving, were built by the backwoods-
men of whom I have before spoken, among them was my
old friend Birk. These men worked well in the morning,
slackened toward noon, as the drams of whisky (which
they would not work without) told upon them, and, toward
evening, indulged in imprecations, brawls, and rough-and-
tumble fights.
Emigrants were continually flowing in. They first vis-
ited Mr. Birkbeck, who had but small accommodations;
they came to me, who, at that time, had still less. At
this stage, we were experiencing many of the inconveni-
ences of a population in the wilderness, in advance of
necessary food and shelter. Do as you will, if you are
the very first in the wilderness, there are many inconveni-
ences, privations, hardships, and sufferings that can not be
avoided. My own family, one day, were so close run for
provisions, that a dish of the tenderest buds and shoots of
the hazle was our only resort.
Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Trimmer, who led the first ship-
load, made their settlement in the Village Prairie, a beau-
tiful and extensive prairie, so-called from the Piankeshaw
Indians, there formerly located. It was situated about
three miles due north of my cabin in the Boltenhouse
Prairie, the intervening space covered by timber and un-
derbrush, untouched by the hand of man. Emigrants
kept coming in, some on foot, some on horseback, and
I
lOO THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
some in wagons. Some sought employment, and took up
with such labor as they could find. Others struck out and
made small beginnings for themselves. Some, with feel-
ings of petulence, went farther and fared worse; others
dropped back into the towns and settlements in Indiana.
At first, I had as much as I could do to build a few cabins
for the workmen I then cmploj'ed, and in erecting a large
farmyard, a hundred feet square, enclosed by log-buildings,
two stories high; also in building for m\- father's family a
house of considerable size, and appointed with somewhat
more of comforts than is generally found in new settle-
ments, to be ready for their reception on the following
summer. 1 had as yet done nothing in erecting buildings
for the public in general, as there had been no time. One
evening. Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Ronalds, and, I think. Mr.
Fordham, calletl at m\' cabin, and, after their horses were
cared for and supper over, we discussed the measures that
should be taken tn form some village or town, as a centre
for those useful arts necessary to agriculture. Every per-
son wanted the services of a carpenter and blacksmith.
Hut every farmer could not build workshops at his own
door. Daj'light ceased, darkness followed. We had no
candles, nor an\' means of making artificial light. On a
])allet, mattress, or blanket, each one took to his couch,
and carried on the discussion. After much talk, we decided
that what we diil tlo shouKl be done in order, and with a
\'iew to the future settlement, as well as our own present
convenience. The tract of forest l\ing between Mr. Law-
rence's settlement in the Village Prairie, on its southern
l)order, and mine at the north of the Boltenhouse Prairie,
was about three-and-a-half miles through. Somewhere in
the centre of this tract of woodland secmeil to be the
place. To the right of this spot, eastward, lay. about a
mile (list. lilt, several prairies running north and south for
man)- miles, and others east and west to the Honpas
Creek, from three to five miles distant. North-eastward
from Mr. Lawrence's cabin, prairies of every form and size
continued on indefinitely. About two miles west, and
beyond Wanborough. were numerous small and fertile
prairies, extending to the Little Wabash, from six to ten
miles distant < )ii the south w.is my own beautiful prairie.
I
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 01
Thus the spot for our town in a central situation was
decided upon. Now for a name. We were long at fault.
At last we did what almost all emigrants do, pitched on a
name that had its association with the land of our birth.
Albion was then and there located, built, and peopled in
imagination. We dropped off, one by one, to sleep, to
confirm in dreams the wanderings of our waking fancies.
CHAPTER VI.
Albion Founded- Town Surveyed and Laid Off First Double Cabin
— Benjamin Grutt Albion a fixed Fact The Log-Cabin and
Blacksmith-Shop Rowdyism Wanborough springs into Exis-
tence in 1818 Efforts to obtain Water Visit to Lexington. Ky.
Death of William Flower Building in Albion Old Park-House
— The Sunday Dinner Brick-Kilns Market-House New Roads
— Brick-Tavern, built by Richard Flower Kept by Mr. and Mrs.
Lewis The Mill The first Store-keepers in Albion Other early
Settlers Albion made the County-Seat Erection of a Court-
House and Jail Pardon of Perry by Gov. Coles Disappoint-
ment of the People in not seeing him Hung Consoling them-
selves with Whisky and a score of Fights Thirty-nine Lashes
for a Poor Frenchman Hon. William Wilson.
0\K day was only .suffered to elapse between our deci-
sion and the execution of our purpose. Before dispersing
the next morning, it was agreed that IMr. F"ordhani and
myself shoulil start north from ni)' dwelling. Mr. Law-
rence and Mr. Ronalds were to go south from the X'illage
I'rairie at a given hour on the following morning. We met
the next day in the W(iods, according to appointment.
The spot seemed suitable. The woods were rather open,
and the ground level. "Here shall be the centre of our
town," wc said. The spot of our meeting is now the pub-
lic-square in the centre of Albion, on which the school-
house, the court-house, and the jail now stand. The
sur\'eying and laying of the town was entrusted to Mr.
I''orilhajii, who forthwith went to work, .md completed the
surve)' anil the plat. One of our number went to Shaw-
neetown. and entered tlie section of six huntlreil and forty
acres, which was all l.iid off in town lots. The public-
stjuarc was in the middle. The bhicks immediately around
.md on the main street, were ilividctl into (juarter-acre lots.
I'he blocks outsiiU- were divideil into half-acres. As the
distance increaseil from the centre, the lots increased in
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 103
size, until the outer belt of allotments were five and seven
acres.
The first double-cabin built was designated for a tavern,
and a single one for its stable. This was occupied by Mr.
John Pitcher, who, with his family, came out with Mr.
Lawrence. He was an excellent mechanic, and a man of
more than ordinary intelligence. Unsuccessful in Eng-
land, he came to the Settlement almost without a dollar.
About two years afterward he went to Vincennes (leaving
his family at Albion), and undertook contracting for build-
ing on a large scale. He was pursuing his business
successfully, when he was suddenly cut off by a virulent
•epidemic, much resembling the yellow-fever. He was
visited in his last moments by Mr. Benjamin Grutt, who
was then at Vincennes, and accidentally heard of his ill-
ness. Too weak to articulate, with a significant pressure
of the hand and a kindly smile, he took leave of his visitor,
indicating that the little differences which had arisen
between them had all passed away, and were then forgiven.
This reminiscence Mr. Grutt always spoke of as one of the
most pleasing incidents of his life. His son Henry, then
a boy, is now, I am happy to record, a gentleman of large
property, now residing at St. Louis, acquired, I believe, in
the city by his own industry and intelligence. Such
o iportunities does this country afford for those who have
the ability or good fortune to lay hold of them.
Another and second double and single cabin were occu-
pied as dwelling and shop by a blacksmith. I had brought
bellows, anvils, tools, and appliances for three or four
blacksmith-shops, from the City of Birmingham, England.
There were three brothers that came with Mr. Charles
Trimmer, all excellent mechanics, Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob Penfold. Jacob, the blacksmith, was immediately
installed, and went to work. There stood Albion, no
longer a myth, but a reality, a fixed fact. A log-tavern
and a blacksmith-shop.
Two germs of civilization were now planted — one of the
useful arts, the other a necessary institution of present
civilization. Any man could now have his horse shod and
get drunk in Albion, privileges which were soon enjoyed,
the latter especially.
104 THE EiNGLISH SETTLLMKXT
The town-proprietors, at first four, afterward increased
to ei^ht (cacii share five hundred dollars), went to work
vigorously. They put up cabin after cabin, which were
occupied as soon as put up. by emigrants coming in. The
builders of these were the backwoodsmen, some from
twenty to thirty miles distant. Attracted by our good
money and good whisky, these men gathered in. The
work was generally done by contract or piece-work — the
price twenty-five to thirty dollars for single cabins, i6 by
iiS; from forty to fifty for double cabins. The builders
general!}' worked hard b)' da}'. In the evening they gath-
ered around the whisk}- -barrel, as bees around a favorite
flower. As the evening advanced, in succession were
heard the sounds of mirth and jollity, threats, loud oaths,
and imprecations. Rough-and-tumble fights succeeded,
and silence was only restored by the exhaustion of the
mutilated combatants. The birth of our infant town was
heralded by all the .scenes of riot and debauch incident to
such occasions.
In August, 1818. the village of Wanborough sprang into
existence for the accommoilation of the first-ship's party,
on Mr. Hirkbcck's property, and under his immediate direc-
tion. In October, of the same year, Albion was founded
under my more immediate superintendence. It has main-
tained a slow, progressive, solid growth from that time to
this, now more than forty }'ears.
The first efforts of the town-proprietors to obtain water
were signall}- unsuccessful. The first well dug was in the
pul)Iic-s(juare, and more than a huiulred feet deep, and na
water. The next, a considerable depth, anil but a limited
supply. We knew not exactly where to dig to find water.
The elevation of the town (being on the dividing ridge,
betwocn the (ireat and little Wabash), giving greater salu-
brity, utis accompanied b}' the inconvenience of deep-dig-
ging f^ir water. When ignorance is complete, we are aj)t
to take up with an\- superstition. I h.ive «iften smileil at
our resignation in following an old well-digger, who claimed
to be a water-witch, with a forkeil ha/.el-rod in hantl. here
anil there, up and down, through the bushes, with solemn
tread and mysterious air. Tlie rod was to bend down of
its own accord over the sjiot where water was to be found.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. I05
After following the witch for a proper time, the rod bent
down. We told him to go to work. The result was water
at a depth of forty-five feet, not so deep and -copious, but
affording a moderate supply. This difficulty about water
was all obviated afterward, when the property was divided.
Tanks and wells then became common as houses. But
the want of water in the first instance was no light diffi-
culty. Population streaming in before adequate prepara-
tions, add, to all the other inconveniences, the want of
water, and it is almost fatal. When there were only two
wells, I have known people to stand for two hours in the
night to take their turn to dip their bucket full. Hence
the efforts of the town-proprietors to get an early supply.
During the winter I rode on horseback to Lexington,
Ky., to visit my father's family. On the road, I was
shocked to hear of the sudden death of my brother Wil-
liam. He came with me and assisted me in the roughest
part of our time. Feeling unwell he decided to go to
Lexington, and spent the winter with his father, mother,
sisters, and younger brother. He was accompanied and
kindly attended on the journey by Mr. John Ingle. He
sometimes seemed to recover, and at others to get worse.
Suddenly one morning, as he sat up in bed, his mother in
the room arranging the clothes for him to put on, he sunk
back on the pillow and instantly expired. I don't think
the physicians knew precisely his case. They thought it
heart-disease. This was a melancholy affair for us all, and
a severe affliction to my aged parents.
I was busily engaged, during the winter and spring, in
building a comfortable dwelling for my father, not far
from my own cabins. The body of the house, 50 by 40
feet, covered by a hipped-roof, consisted of four rooms in
the lower and the upper story, divided by a hall-passage
from north to south. The south front was protected by a
broad, well-floored porch, that extended the length of the
house. Every room was plastered or papered, and fur-
nished with a good brick-chimney and stone-hearth. The
north front was stuccoed, to resemble stone; the south,
weather-boarded and painted white. The house was well
furnished. Its good proportion, large windows, and Vene-
tian blinds gave it an appearance of the old country rather
I06 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
than the new. It had two wings, one of hewn stone, the
other of brick, used as kitchen and offices. A well, a cel-
lar, stables, cow-house, and every other convenience of that
sort was appended. A handsome garden to the south was
fenced in by an English hawthorn hedge. Thirty acres of
the northern woodland were preserved, the underbrush
cleared and sowed with blue grass, it had the appearance
of a park. Hence its name — Park House.
Old Park-House, near Albion, will long be remembered
by old settlers and distant visitors for its social reunions
and open-handed hospitalities. Here the family party of
children and grandchildren met at dinner on a Sunday.
An ICnglish plum-pudding was a standing dish, that had
graced m)' father's dinner-table from time immemorial..
Here all friends and neighbors that had any musical tastes
or talent, whether vocal or instrumental, met once a fort-
night for practice and social enjoyment. Strangers and
visitors to the Settlement received a hearty welcome, saw
all that was to be seen, and received all the information
they wished for, with necessary refreshment and repose.
It ma\' be truly said that, for thirt\- )-ears, old Park House
was never without its visitors, from every country in
Kuropc, and ever\- State in the Union. They were wel-
come, unless the family was absent, if their stay was for a
week, a month, or a year.
One of the first things the town -proprietors did after
digging the wells, was to contract for a large kiln of brick,
for chimneys and hearths, to supply the various cabins
now built and being built. Nothing gives more real and
apparent comfort than a good cliimnc)- and a tid}' hearth.
Thi-y ne.xt built a market-house, about seventy-five feet
long, standing on a stone foundation, and covered by a
shingle-roof. One division was fitted up for the reccptit^n
of books, that were given by individuals in ICngland, as a
nucleus for a public-library, and was used for public-meet-
ings and public -worship. When Albion became the
county-tt>wn. the first courts were held therein. They cut
ro.ids east. west, north, and south, and built a bridge over
lU)npas Creek that cost them five humlred ilollars. Their
last act of any notoriety was the building of the new
court-liouse-and-jail, which was done chiefly from their
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. lO/
own subscription, with a portion from the County. The
proprietors, if they had done no more, would have done
uniformly well, which is a little too much to be expected
of human nature. They had some violent disputes and
law proceedings, which retarded business, and was, for a
time, injurious to the growth of the town. They dissolved
partnership, and divided the unsold property, and of course
all disputes arising out of the association were ended. My
father took a lively interest in the growth of the town, and
erected several buildings in which to carry on trades neces-
sary to the existence of the town and the wants of the
Settlement.
The year after his arrival he built a good two-story
brick-tavern. It was a remarkably dry fall; and the wells
of the town were not more than sufficient to supply the
inhabitants. But my father was not a man easily turned
from his intentions. He ordered a barrel put on a sled,
drawn by a pair of oxen or one horse, and all the water
necessary for the building of that tavern, was hauled nearly
two miles in that tedious way. On the interruption of the
usual teams, rather than hinder the workmen, he had a
fine blooded-mare hitched to the sleigh; from the careless-
ness of the driver, she ran away and had her thigh broken
by the rebound of the sleigh.
Mr. John Pitcher was the builder of the tavern. The
first occupants were Mr. and Mrs. Lewis. The second,
Mr. Woods — -not of the family of Wood before mentioned,
but another family from Surrey, with another letter to their
name. Mr. John Woods, the son, has a store in Albion,
and has long held the office of county-treasurer. The
next building for the benefit of the public was a mill. It
was built as a tread-mill, worked by four oxen, relieved by
other four, and so kept constantly going. It soon became
crowded with grists of the backwoodsmen and farmers.
Besides this, wheat was bought and flour made for sale. I
recollect purchasing the first wheat ground in this mill. I
had to go for it nearly seventy miles, to the prairies adjoin-
ing the Wabash, above Vincennes. It was delivered at
Mount Carmel at fifty cents a bushel, from thence brought
in our own wagons over execrable roads to Albion, nine-
teen miles. It was an excellent sample of white wheat.
I08 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
The Iiistory of its growth was singular. The farmer, three
years before, had sown his first crop of wheat. At har-
vest, being short-handed, much of the over-ripe wheat had
shattered on the ground. When he brought his plow to
turn over the soil, the volunteer wheat looked so vigorous
that he let it stand. He again harvested, and again he let
the volunteer wheat stand; and this, the third harvest,
grown in the same way, I bought; and a better sample I
never saw — two of the crops ripened without an\' prepara-
tion of the soil.
Two other houses of hewn-stone my father built, and
he accomplished many other improvements in and about
town.
Of th(^ trades, first in order come the stores. Mr. Klias
Pym l^'ordham, who had taken my little store, sold out to
Mr. Olver, a merchant from Plymouth, ICngland. In after
years, Mr. Olver removed to the neighborhood of Pitts-
burgh, and opened the Kdgeworth Institute, a seminary
for young ladies, but he left behind him a capacious stone-
house of his own building.
Mr. Joel Churchill, an intelligent and educated gentle-
man, from London, after trying farming in its roughest
form in the woods, some five miles south of Albion (first
in a log-house), soon built .i store of brick, and a stone
dwelling-house behind it. His business, by his good
management aiul application, in a few years was much
enlarged. To this he adiletl the manufacture of castor-
oil. These businesses, on a larger scale, are now carried
on by Mr. Churchill and his two sons, Mr. Charles and
Mr. James Churchill, both married men. Mr. (jibson
Harris, at first the conductor of a small store for Mr.
Francis Dickson of V'incennes, soon became its proprietor.
After years t)f close attention to business, he built himself
a good brick-store and dwelling-house. The house is now
occupied by his widow, and the store carried on by one of
his sons.
Nearly forty years ago, a young Scotchman in his teens
rode up to my house and wishetl me to purchase his hor.se,
saiklle, and bridle, which 1 ilid for sixt>' tlollars — a good
price in those da)s. I built him a forge, which he rented
at first and afterward purchased. With the proceeds of
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. IO9
the horse he purchased iron and went to work. This was
the beginning of Mr. Alexander Stewart, who, after some
y^ears of labor and industry, added to his blacksmith-shop
a store; business and capital increasing, he soon went
largely into the produce of the country, of which pork,
corn, and wheat are the staples. He is also a principal
proprietor of a large flouring-mill at Grayvdlle.
Mr. Moses Smith, from a very small beginning, first
purchasing a few articles from the Harmonites and retail-
ing them in Albion, soon increased his store; then added
the produce business. On his son, Mr. John Smith, the
business devolved after the death of his father, which
occurred about three years ago. These may be called the
original stores, two of them from very small beginnings, in
the earliest years of the town. Mr. Harris and Mr. Smith
being dead, and Mr. Churchill partially retired from the
toils of business, it may be said of all three, that their
sons reign in their stead.
A store, owned by an association of farmers, was carried
on successfully by Mr. Henry Harwick for several years.
Mr. George Ferryman, from the Island of Jamaica, came
to us at the period of emancipation, thinking the island
would be ruined; but he has since told me that the trade
he left has largely increased. What is a little singular,
Mr. Ferryman has twice removed from Albion with all his
family. There must be some strong national sympathy at
work to bring our migrating settlers back. Captain Car-
ter, one of our earliest settlers, and more recently Mr.
Henshaw, both went back to London, and both returned
to Albion. Englishmen returning to their native country,
after many years' residence abroad, think the old country
has changed since they left it; but fail to see the change
in themselves, worked by time, climate, and national asso-
ciations of an entirely different character.
One of our most respectable, an early though not of the
earliest, settlers, is Mr. Elias Weaver, one of Rapp's peo-
ple, a German, who left the Harmonites when quite a
young man, at time of their removal, and came to Albion.
Understanding the pottery business, my father built him a
kiln, at which he worked some time; but he afterward
changed to a business more to his liking, of which he also
no THE ExN'dLISH SETTLEMENT
had some knowledge — a builder. He married, built him-
self a good house, and has assisted in the building of many
others. He is now living, carrying on his business, a pros-
perous man.
In 1822, the county-seat of Edwards County was re-
moved from Palm\-ra, a very insignificant place on the
Gre.it Wabash, at the head of the grand rapids. As usual
on such occasions, every place of any pretentions was a
rival for the honor. lietween Mt. Carmel and Albion
(both )'oung towns, Mt. Carmel two or three years our
senior) was the competition. Albion was more central, had
a better reputation for health, and the proprietors made
liberal offers toward erecting the county buildings. Be
this as it ma)*, the commissioners fixed the county-seat at
Albion. This did not quite suit our neighbors in the east-
ern part of the county; and the county of Wabash wa.s
made from the east part of Edwards — Mt. Carmel the
county-seat. In after years, the court-house, erected on
the public square at Albion, was followed b\' the erection
of a good brick-building. f(^r a public school, sustained by
private contributions. The large jail, recently built, is the
third conspicuous building standing on the j)ublic-square.
.About this time, one of those accidents, as they are
termed, occurred in Albion, not unconmion in young
towns then, and much more common in old towns now. A
man named Clark, in a grog-shoj), stabbed a man named
llobson. A fellow named Perr\', as accessory after the
fact, was found guilty and condemned, and, by Gov. Coles,
almost immediately after, jiardoned. Two murderers let
loose on societ)'. with the tacit consent of the chief-exec-
utive officer of the State, calleil down deep censure upon
(iov. Coles for his misplaceil leniencs'. It is due. however,
to the governor that the extenuating circumstances which
leil to this clemency should be statecl.
During I'erry's im|)ris(»nmcnt, whilst under sentence of
di-aih, there lived near to Albion a \oung fellow of vagrant
h.ibits, who spent most of his time about grog-shops, and
gettMig into fights. His youth and strength made him
the bully of the place. The coiulemned I'err)- was the
owner of a good rifle. All the backwoodsmen knew the
qualities of their neighbors' rifles. I'Vom the frequent
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. Ill
shooting-matches with each other, the range, power, and
accuracy of all the rifles roundabout were known. Perry's
rifle had a good reputation, and was coveted by the young
vagabond, Jack Ellis. Jack, conferring with the prisoner,
agreed to get up a petition, take it to Vandalia, and
endeavor to procure a pardon from the governor. If he
succeeded, Perry was to give him his rifle. Jack set about
the business with considerable tact. He took a sheet of
paper, with a proper heading, and secretly and silently
sped away to Vandalia, a dreary ride of seventy-five miles
the weather bad and waters out. When at Vandalia, he
was in no hurry to present himself to the governor, but, as
usual with men of his stamp, first went to the grog-shop.
He soon told his story to the loafers hanging about the
place, and, in exchange for his drams, they gave plenty of
signatures to his petition. The governor signed, little
thinking that the majority of the signatures were procured
at some doggery, within fifty steps of his own lodgings.
Jack, returning with the pardon, had fairly earned his rifle.
In his interview with Perry, after his return, a curious
scene took place. Perry, brought from a neighboring jail,
was chained to a beam in a house, where Jack announced
the success of the mission, and demanded his rifle. This,
Perry flatly refused. He expostulated on the unreason-
ableness of the demand. What was he to do without his
rifle.'' Might as well take his life as his rifle! How was
he to live.'' It was unreasonable, inhuman, and much
more to that effect. "Very well," says Jack, "no rifle, no
pardon, here goes the pardon into the fire;" it went, but
not into the flames, but onto the ashes close by. Perry, in
his terror, gave up the rifle, adding to it all his other
earthly possessions, an ax and a cow, and his old woman
too, a faithful paramour, who had stood by him in his life
of crime and trouble. Jack was not exacting, merely tak-
ing cow, ax, and rifle, generously leaving the old woman.
But there was another party to be appeased ; the pub-
lic. Disappointed of the exhibition, for which they had
especially come, they became furious. Men and women
had come in from forty miles around, on horseback, on
foot, and in numerous sledges (many wagons were not then
in the country); a great crowd. On learning that Perry
112 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
was out of their reach, they raged and cursed at everybody
and everything generally, and Governor Coles in particu-
lar. If the governor had been there, he would have been
in danger that da\'. Consoling themselves with whisk)-
and a score of fights, they gradually dispersed. The
murder of Hobson terminated in the transfer of a cow, an
ax, and a rifle, from an old ruffian to a young blackguard,
and in giving to Perry a new piece of furniture. Perry
claimed the coffin and the rope that was to hang him,
which the county had procured for his especial use. They
were given up to him; the former became a fixture in his
cabin as a corner-cupboard, the latter a happy memento
in his rural hours. Jack did not live long to use his rifle.
An insolent assault on a ver\' quiet Englishman, procured
for him a blow which gave him his quietus. He did not
die for months, but he never recovered from that blow.
The first court in a new county excites great interest,
and the country population are in, almost to a man. At
our first court, a poor Frenchman was convicted of steal-
ing a quart of whisky from a neighboring distillery, and
sentenced to thirt>--nine lashes. He was stripped to the
waist, tied to a post, and the lashes laid on without mercy
b)- the sheriff. Tiie sound of the whip, and the screams
of the poor wretch, sent a nervous thrill through the not
over-scrupulous country- people, who came in to see the
opening of the court. If an honest vote could have then
been taken, I am inclined to think that such institutions,
as courts of justice, woukl 1ki\c been banished as danger-
ous and barbarous, by a great majority; and I don't know
that the instincts of the untutored backwoodsmen were
far from being right. A kiilnapper, who would steal a
free man and plunge him and his posterity into everlast-
ing slavery could not be brought to trial. A murderer
was sure to escape. But the poor creature who had not
stolen to the \alue of a dime, was thus unmercifully dealt
with.
lion. William Wilson, a native of Martinsburgh. \'a.,
then a joung man, resiiling near Carmi, was the judge of
our circuit, lie was .i good lawyer, and a most agreeable
companion. He was well and widely known, respected
and beloved wherever known.* At that time, a court or
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. II3
an election would draw the people into the small towns
from their most secluded haunts for miles around. Their
habits, on those occasions, indicating^ the existing degree
of civilization. The grog-shops (pioneer institutions in all
young towns) were in full blast. You could scarcely cross
the street (even when the court was sitting, perhaps to try
some offender for a breach of the laws), without seeing
two or three crowds swaying and cheering at some rough-
and-tumble fight going on in their midst. Such were the
scenes in Albion, from 18 19 to 182 1. Here, for the pres-
ent, I will leave the town, and give the rise and progress
of some of the English settlers in the country.
* William Wilson was on the bench of the Supreme Court of the State
of lUinois for the long period of thirty years, lacking a tew months. He was
first appointed July 7, 1819, nine months after the State was admitted into the
Union. January 19, 1825, he was made chief-justice, and occupied that posi-
tion until December 4th, 1848, when he was thrown out by the adoption of
the constitution of that year. I knew him well, and argued many cases
before the Supreme Court when he presided as chief-justice. He has left
behind him an excellent record, and his memory will always be gratefully
cherished by the profession of his day. He was a good lawyer, and a pains-
taking, conscientious judge. Of fine personal appearance and courteous man-
ners, he presided over the court with great dignity. On leaving the bench,
he retired to his farm near Carmi, WMiite County, where he died, several years
ago. P'or thirty or forty years after the organization of White Count)', Carmi
was an important political centre. There resided Gen. Willis Hargrave, Leon-
ard White, Daniel Hay, Lt.-Gov. Wm. H. Davidson, Chief-Justice Wilson,
Gen. John M. Robinson, U. S. Senator from 1830 to 1841, Edwin B. Webb,
and S. S. Hayes; men who made their mark in their time, and were well
known all over the State.
CHAPTER VII.
Settlers on the Prairies about Albion Death of Mrs. Wood Other
Settlers Billy Harris' Wagon Visiting England Changes in
the Country at large, but little in the respective Villages An-
other Ship-load of Emigrants An Inappropriate Settler -John
Tribe William Clark and Family William Hall, five Sons, and
four Daughters A Well Accident Emigration for 1820 Quar-
rels of Doctors Another ^A^ell Accident Lawrence and Trim-
mer Return to England Col. Carter Further Settlers Sketched
Francis Hanks, Judge Wattles, and Gen. Pickering Mr. and
Mrs. Shepherd Cowling, Wood, Field, Ellis, and others Old
Neddy Coad Accident to the Sons of William Cave Small-
Traders and Farmers.
H.WINC. given the origin of the town, I will proceed to
give an account of some of the individuals who first set-
tled on the prairies around Albion.
Mr. Brian Walker, with iiis friend, William Nichols, from
V'orkshire. came to Philadelphia in 1817, and to our Settle-
ment in 18 iS. Mr. Walker had, when he lamlcd at Phila- j
deli)hia, one guinea in his pocket. How much was left of j
that guinea wlien he got to the prairies, there is no record.
He and his frieiui Nichols got on land, settled side b}' side
on the skirts of a prairie, one mile east of Albion. They
worked hartl, opened land, built their houses, married,
raiscil large f.imilies, and became possessed of abundance.
This is putting in few words the results of the labor of
many years. Mr. Nichols died a few \ears ago. Mr.
W.dker is yet living on his farm.
Mr. William Wood of Wormswold, near Lcnighborough,
Leicestershire, a small-farmer, with his wife and a \oung
son, Joseph, about twelve \ears old. left I'jigland, for the
prairies, in the spring of 1819. Accompanying him were
two young men, John lirissenden from \Voodchurch, Kent,
antl Wni. Tewks frotn Seargrave, Leicestershire, and Miss
Mea, afterward Mrs. Ikissenden; and with them came an
I
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. II5
acquaintance, with his wife and family, Mr. Joseph Butler,
also from Woodchurch, Kent. Mr. John Wood, who sailed
in my ship, was the eldest son of Mr. Wood. This party
kept together, and came the usual route, from Philadelphia
to Pittsburgh, and descended the Ohio in an ark. When
near their journey's end, Mrs. Wood was taken with the
flux, and, on reaching the mouth of the Wabash, died.
On a point of land at the junction of the Ohio and the
Wabash, on the Illinois side, near no settlement or habita-
tion of any kind, her grave was made between two trees,
on which her name and age were carved.
We can scarcely imagine a more melancholy fate for an
aged man, than to lose his life-long partner, after their life
of toil, and just at the end of the weary voyage they had
undertaken for the benefit of their family — now to begin
life again in a new country, with his one little son. Mr.
Wood was a man of great vigor and good sense, and a
sturdy laborer and good farmer. With gray hairs on his
head, he opened his farm, planted his orchard, and, for
many years, lived to eat of its fruit.
Mr. Joseph Wood, then a little boy, now a man of ma-
ture years, married Miss Betsy Shepherd. Mr. Wood is
now owner of a large farm and good house, and said to
be the best farmer in the country. He is father of ten
children, and how many grandchildren, I do n't know.
Mr. John Brissenden, after acquiring a little money by
working for others, settled on a piece of land alongside of
his old friend, Mr. Wood. He went the usual way, opened
his farm, married, reared a large family, built himself a
capital house, and, besides his possessions in Edwards
County, had a mercantile business at Maysville, Clay
County. Mr. and Mrs. Bressenden are both living, in the
enjoyment of good health.
William Tewks, ditto, ditto. Mr. Tewks added to his
farm two teams, four stout horses each; was a carrier,
going between Albion and Evansville, Ind. He acted as
itinerant commission- man between both places, making
the purchases, which his wagon brought home. He drove
one of the wagons himself, and met with an accident, about
three years ago, that proved fatal.
John Scavington, from Nottinghamshire, came in the
Il6 THK ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
same year, took to a piece of open prairie beside Mr. Bris-
scnden. Mr. Scavington now lives, a well-preserved man.
He has done, as his neighbors before mentioned, as to
house, farm, family, and lands. He has kept to his farm
almost e.\clusivcl}', and is a hale and prosperous man.
William Harris made most of his money wagoning with
an o.x-team. He has, for a few years, retired from that
laborious occupation, and lived on a farm near to Albion.
William Harris' team was a sort of institution in the coun-
tr}' for many years. I would charter Hilly Harris' wagon
for a long journey across the prairies. It was strong,
large, well covered, and, when well fitted up with bedding
and provender, was comfortable enough. Mrs. Flower,
children, and myself, have taken man\' long and pleasant
journeys in it. The best conveyance fi>r our rough country
at that tlay — no hill too steep, no bog too deep, for sturdy
William Harris and his strong ox-team. Not railroad-like
exactly, but something more independent and, in many
respects, more comfortable.
Mr. George Woodham. who came in Trimmer's party, is
now a man well-to-do in the world. William Harris, John
Scavington, and (jeorge Woodham went to ICngland last
year, after an absence of about forty \'ears. to see their t)ld
places and old friends, if any were living. When the\-
came to this country they were poor men; now in circum-
stances sufiiciently easy to take this journey of pleasure,
to visit again the scenes of their boyhood and youth.
ICngland had seen man)' changes since thej' were there;
lailroads, penny-jiostage, an extended franchise, free-trade
— all since they left Ivngland. Hut when the)' reached
their respective villages, which were in widel)'-differenl
parts of ICngland, they found nothing changeil. Tiie
church of centuries was )'et standing, ami likel)- to stand
for centuries more. The manor-house, the farm-liouscs, the
cottages on the green, were all standing as the)' left them,
in number and conditit)n.
To record the history of all the men in our Settlement,
l)ossessed of the power of labor, with ordinar)' intelligence
anil industry, would be but to record a monoton)- of suc-
cess. As a sample, without any exaggeration of their past
i>r present condition, of all such men which form the
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. II7
majority of the farmers of our Settlement, I give the fol-
lowing:
Early in the spring, 18 19, the ship Columbia sailed from
Bristol to New Orleans. In her came Mr. Samuel Prichard
of Bamsted, near Epsom, England, with a wife, four sons
and four daughters. Mr. Prichard was of the Society of
Friends, possessed of property, an agreeable, liberal, and
well-educated man ; an acquaintance of Mr. Birkbeck's.
He selected a spot on a gentle eminence, about half-a-mile
from Wanborough, on the road between Wanborough and
Albion. Mr. Prichard unfortunately fell sick with fever,
and soon died. His son, Mr. Thomas Prichard, and his
brother Edward, reside in the house their father built.
Mr. Prichard's house and place strikes the eye of every
stranger, for the good taste of its arrangement, its neat
and simple appointments. It is a neat two-story frame-
house, porch on the upper and lower stories in front. The
principal feature is the ridge or knoll on which it stands,
so smooth and verdant. I recollect the preparation of the
ground. It was grubbed well, plowed evenly, harrowed
thoroughly, and then carefully raked by hand. This even
surface was sown with blue-grass, bush-harrowed, and
rolled smooth. It was done thoroughly, and has a beau-
tiful lawn-like appearance to this day. The gate in front
swings as easily, after forty years' hanging, as it did on the
day it was put down. So much for doing things well.
Mr. Jackson, wife, and son came in the same ship. He
was an inappropriate settler — a city man, with confirmed
city habits and tastes; a copyist, a scribe, a small lawyer;
but even he, I believe, got his living here as long as he
stayed, by writing for the clerk of the court.
Mr. John Tribe from Ewell, Surrey, came also in this
ship. He was without capital, and has supported himself
by the labor of his hands, and is now living, a worthy citi-
zen of Albion, and whose excellent memory has supplied
me with many of the particulars I am now recording. Mr.
Tribe will excuse me for dwelling a little on the general
tenor of his life, as I think his example rather good. He
has not made that accumulation of property that many a
man has, that came with as little as he did; and this, prob-
ably, because he has not given himself up to the one idea
Il8 TIIK KNGMSH SETTLEMENT
of acquisition and accumulation. As he has labored along
moderately through life, he has always reserved a little
time for observation, reflection, and reading. He carries
on the business of carding wool for the country, far and
wide, one of the most useful trades. But the most neces-
sary and useful trades are not alwax'S those that are best
rewarded. His house is small, his living plain and simple.
He reserves a small room for himself, where he receives
any friend who may call. On the table are writing mate-
rials, books, periodicals, newspapers; an excellent orchard
hard by; cows for his family use; milk, butter, and cream;
his vegetable garden, so well cultivated as to supply him
with every vegetable in season ; and a few flowers, of the
choicest kind, that would grace the garden of Queen Vic-
toria. Is not a Xew-Vork millionaire poor, compared to
Mr. Tribe.'
Mr. William Clark, wife, and six children, from Mow-
bary, Surrey, also of the Society of Friends, with two
laborers, one married and one single, arrived about this
time. Mr. Clark's famil\- came down the Ohio Ri\ er in an
ark, and met with a sad accident. One of his daughters,
a girl of twelve years, fell overboard, and was never seen
more. He settled on one of the pretty little prairies be-
tween Albion and the Little Wabash. We were indebted
to his capital and enterprise for the first wind-mill. The
architect was Mr. David Kearsum. He and his brother,
George Kearsum, and a Mr. Simpson came from Norfolk.
Simpson went back to New York, when, in a warehouse,
fise stories high, thdughtlessly stepping backward, fell on
the pavement, and was instantly killetl.
It was early in iSji, that Mr. William Hall from Kwell,
Surrey, with Mrs. Hall, five sons, and four daughters, also
settled on one of the prairies west of Albion and W'an-
borough. Mr. Hall owned a large water-mill in England.
His family had possessed this mill ever since doomsilay;
when the lands in I'.ngland were all divided by William
the C'()n(|uerer. amongst his H^llowers. and recorded in
doomsda\--book. Think of this. \'e ever-moving Ameri-
cans, who scarcely sta\' long enough to gather the ripened
ear from the corn \-ou drop in the ground! Mr. Hall was
an I'-piscopalian ; a \er\- well-informed and educated man,
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 19
of close observation, and noted facts as he went along.
From his journal and collection of papers, which have been
kindly shown to me by his eldest daughter, Mrs. Mayo of
Albion, I am indebted for many points of information,
which I have been permitted to cop}'. Mr. Hall had a
decided taste for the natural sciences, particularly ornithol-
ogy and botany. He noted the arrival and departure of
the birds of passage, and their peculiarities in note and
plumage; the seasons, the weather, and some of the inci-
dents of the Settlement as they occurred, forming quite an
interesting collection of memoranda, running over several
years. One short note in his journal is significant of the
occasional privations to which first-settlers are liable.
"This day a loaf of corn-bread without butter, but a little
lard as substitute, and red-root tea, without sugar or milk,
was our only fare." His reasons for leaving England, set
forth at the beginning of his journal, show that the pres-
sure then existing in England, and felt in different propor-
tions by all classes of society, was seen and felt sensibly
by him. His first and chief reason, to use his own words,
was "the difficulty of providing for a numerous family,
with which God has blessed me, and the prospect of
removing that load of care and anxiety which fills the
breasts of parents on that account." The other reasons of
Mr. Hall (objective), relating to governmental abuses,
though interesting, not being quite pertinent to this narra-
tive, I omit, with the remark that the administration of
the British Government, since the reign of Victoria, has
adopted a more liberal policy than existed when he and I
left England; and a larger experience, would have shown .
Mr. Hall that the evils of which he and many others com-
plained, are incident to government in all its forms, and
are made conspicuous and fearful when it is administered
by bad men. Mr. Hall embarked in the ship Electra, from
the port of London, with his wife, nine children, and a
young man, Thomas Ayres, February 25th, 1821; arrived,
by way of Philadelphia, at Pittsburgh, May 21st, 182 1.
His flat-boat, besides his own family, contained twelve
others: Mr. and Mrs. Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Hibert, Mr. and
Mrs. Kidd, Captain Hawkins, and Mr. Gilbert. "We
formed ourselves into two watches, and took our respective
•I20 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
turns of six hours each, from 8 to 2, and the remainder
was into two watches."
The party arrived at their destination without accident.
His settlement was hopeful, and he seemed satisfied with
his present mode of life and its future prospects. In less
than one year, he gives tiie following acct)unt of a sudden
and severe affliction that befell him. In the succeeding
spring, April 21 to 28, we find in his journal this record:
"This week has been marked to us by one of the severest
afflictions that can befall a parent — the death of a beloved
child." After describing his house, garden of five acres,
orchard, and opening farm, his present satisfaction and
bright prospects of the future, in a long letter to his friend.
Mr. John ^larter, on the other side of the sheet we find:
"Preserve this letter, dear John, as a memento of the insta-
bility of all human felicity. The very day after I wrote it.
on the fatal morning of the 24th of April, 1822, I heard
the sound of my two sons passing through the porch, into
which my bed-room opens. One of them I knew, by his
light step and cheerful voice, to be my beloved Xed, the
other was unfortunate Robert. About half-an-hour after.
1 heard the rei)ort of a rifle in the woods. I lay about a
([uarter-of-an-hour longer, until it was light enough to
clress. When I went out of the door it was just five
o'clock. Upon going to the back of the house, where I
heartl a most unearthly bellowing, I saw poor Robert roll-
ing on the ground and writhing in the utmost agon\'. I
immediately concluded he was dreailfull}- wounded, and it
was some time before he coukUspeak. lie e.xc'laimed, 'Oh,
father, I ha\ e killed Ned, and I wish I was ilead myself."
I uttered an involuntar\- exclamation, anil sank down my-
self ujjon him. The noise brought out his mother, ami
the scene which followed can not be described. Two of
the neighbors, arouseil by Robert's cries, assisted me in
conve)-ing him and his mother and laying them on the
bed. I went with them in search of the body, which was
not found for some time. At length it was brtnight in.
and bmied in a spot which m\- poor b(\\' hail selected for
liisown garden. It seems they had found a turkey. Rob-
ert dispatched his brother one way, and lay down himself
behind a log, to endeavor to call up the bird to him with
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 121
his turkey-call. After a little while, he heard a rustling-
within shot, and soon after saw what he concluded to be
the turkey, took aim, fired, and leaped up, shouting for
Ned, and ran in triumph to pick up his game. Think of
his feelings when he found it to be the corpse of his
brother." So close does sorrow stand to joy in all situa-
tions in life.
Lingering in the Eastern cities, were English families
who had not permanently taken root there. When our
publications about the prairies came out, attracted by the
picture, and pleased with the thought of being a part of
the first among a colony of their own countrymen, several
of these came on; and many of them without sufficiently
estimating their own powers as first-settlers.
Of this class was Mr. John Brenchly and wife, and Mr.
John Lewis and wife, one son and two daughters. They
left Philadelphia in 1818, and were the first English settlers
in the south part of the Village Prairie, a little before the
Lawrence-and-Trimmer party arrived. Mr. John Brenchly
had been a distiller; not a man of country habits, or pos-
sessed of much capital. Mr. Lewis was a man of excellent
education, and possessed a good deal of philosophical
knowledge, but with small pecuniary means; a most
charming companion and desirable acquaintance. These
were both difficult cases for a new settlement. In a few
months they both left their quarter-sections in the Village
Prairie. Mr. Brenchly, for a year or two, lived chiefly by
his labors as accountant, etc., but finally went back to
Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis stayed longer, and for
a time, rented the first brick-tavern that my father built in
Albion. They went ultimately to Cincinnati, and found
more congenial occupations. It was a great loss to our
musical parties when they left. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis
understood music, and had fine voices. Speaking of the
Lewis', reminds me of an accident that had nearly proved
fatal to one of the family. I had dismounted from my
horse, and hitched him by the bridle to the handle of the
well, that stood near the kitchen-door, at Park House, and
had run over to my cabins, about seventy yards distant.
Soon after, a maid-servant came running in haste, and said
that Mary Lewis had fallen into the well. The child.
122 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
about twelve years old. was standing on the well-top; the
hoisc, being suddenly frightened, pulled the windlass and
well-top all off together, and the child dropped in. The
well, about forty feet in depth, was ten feet in water.
Calling to Mr. Matthew Coombs, a Cornish-man, then liv-
ing with me, and, fortunately, soon finding a coil of rope,
we both ran over. By the aid of Mrs. Flower and the
maid-servant, I lowered the man into the well. With the
same aid, and with great difficulty, we hauled up the man
with the apparently lifeless body of the child in his arms.
P'or nearly half-an-hour, every means of restoration was
tried before signs of life appeared. She was saved; and is
now a respectable married woman, and mother of a large
family. This well, at its digging, gave us all a very pecu-
liar fright. The well, fortunately us it turned out, was of
somewhat larger diameter than common. It was sunk-
through a solid rock for fort\'-five feet. The sides and
floor of the well were of smooth sandstone. The digger,
William Truscott, had nearly finished his work, and was
sweeping at the bottom of the well, just preparatory to
coming up. The family were all in the house. Suddenly
a dreadful hubbub — the mingled voices of a man and a
beast in agony and distress — called every one within hear-
ing to the spot. The cause was at once apparent. One
of my large, fat I'jiglish hogs had slipped his hindfcet
over the well, and could not recover himself The iiog
struggling to hold on by his forefeet, but slipping lower
antl lower, squealed in agony. The man below, looking
up in terror, roared aloud for help, whilst he flattened him-
self against the wall of the well, from which there was no
escape. Down went the hog to his own instant death; for
a moment all w.is silent. "Are you alive. William.'" A
f.iint voice said, "Oh, yes, pray bring me up." The man
w IS brought up. almost dead with fright. The iiog was
eventually brought up, but split down the back from head
to tail, as if it had been cut with a sharp knife; just as
liorscs are found on a battle-field, split open b\' a cannon-
ball.
In iSjo. Mr. Thomas Spring, his wife and four sons, left
Derbyshire, Mngland, for the prairies. The second son,
Archibald, was left .it a medical college, at Baltimore, to
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 23
finish his studies. The family were proceeding to Wheel-
ing by land, when the father, Mr. Thomas Spring, was
taken with a fever, and died at Washington, Pennsylvarya.
Henry, Sydney, and John (the youngest) Spring came on
with their widowed mother, in a wagon, to the prairies.
They settled on Birk's Prairie. There Mr. Sydney Spring
farmed for many years with good success; married Miss
Prichard, and brought up a large family. He is now living
on a commanding and beautiful spot, in the outskirts of
Grayville, enjoying good health and all the comforts of
life. Mr. Henry Spring is a merchant at Olney. Young
Archibald Spring joined the family, and became a practis-
ing-physician in Albion. The first Dr. Pugsley was, for a
time, his bitter opponent. The enmity between doctors
has always struck me as singular, and their enmity is more
general, and bitterer than is found between members of
other professions. He was, for a long time, the only doc-
tor, and enjoyed almost exclusively an extensive practice
for nearly thirty years. He was carried off by the erysip-
elas; and. a few days after his death, of the same disease,
died Dr. Welshman, a skilful and experienced man, who
had not been two years in the place.
The hands engaged in digging a well for Mr. Lawrence,
in the V^illage Prairie, met with a fatal accident. The well
had proceeded to a considerable depth. As usual, in the
morning, a man was let down; he was seen to stagger and
fall. Another was let down to assist him ; he fell also.
With difficulty, others were saved, who went down to bring
these up. Richard Knififer and Thomas Clem, two active
and able-bodied laborers, full of life and health, a quarter-
of-an-hour before, were now brought up corpses. They
were carried to their graves, and interred with the solemn
rites of burial by their sorrowing companions. They had
incautiously descended, and fell victims to the noxious
vapor at the bottom of the well.
Mr. Lawrence, I think, within one year, Mr. Trimmer in
two or three, returned to England; and their improve-
ments fell into other hands before any advantage accrued
to themselves. They had spent as much money as they
thought prudent, and more than they expected. Besides,
Mr. Lawrence was a city-bred man, and both were bache-
124 TlIK EN(;i.ISH SETTLEMENT
lors. To spend their time witliout wife, housekeeper, or
female assistant of any kind in the house, soon gave them
a distaste for prairie Hfe; so they departed. But all the
farm-laborers that came with them were in immediate
possession of all the advantages of their change of coun-
try. Those of them that are living, and the families of
those that are dead, possess all the independence >Melded
by an industrious farmer's life.
About this time, Mr. James Carter, wife and famil\', from
London; Mr. Kenton, market-gardener, from the neigh-
borhood of London; Mr. Coles, wife, and mother, with four
or five children, all from Liverpool; Mr. Peters, a butcher,
all came in one party, from Pittsburgh. Mr. Carter was,
for many years, a well-known resident of Albion, holding
several county- offices, and colonel of tjie county-militia.
What is rather remarkable, twice Mr. Carter returned to
l",ngland, and twice returned to Albion, and. whilst I am
writing, here he is again, not quite fourscore, hale and
heart)', drilling the companies in Albion for the Secession
War of i86i. Mr. Coles' family settled on land between
Albion and (irayville. The family all grown up and set-
tled on farms. The old folks have been dead some years.
Mr. Thomas Simkins and family, a highly-respectable
farmer from Baldock, in Hertfordshire, arrived in Albion
in US19. lie kept, for a short time, the log-tawrn after
Mr. Pitcher, and was, I think, the host when Mr. Welbw
from I'.nglaiul, visited the Settlement, went home, and
wrote a book about us. Mr. and Mrs. Simkins have long
departed this life; their sons and daughters all grown up
and married, some in Albion and some in other places,
respected members of societ}', now grandfathers and grand-
mothers.
Mr. llem\- Bowman, then a )-oimg man. who came out
with Mr. Pitcher from London, for man\' \ears kept a
brick-tavern of his own building. Mr. Bowman, married
one of the Misses Simkins, is still living. ]
Mr. Oswald Warrington, with a wife and large family,
for some time kept a grocery, and was .school-master t"i
some time. He wrote a most beautiful hand, and was
fond of music and sociality, and played on one or two
instruments. After some years he went to Cincinnati, and
is now carrying on business, although an old man.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. I25
In the first year of our settlement, Mr. and Mrs. Orange
from London, by way of New Orleans, came in and bought
land on the south side of the Boltenhouse Prairie, built
temporary cabins, planted a capital orchard, and laid out
a handsome garden. He went afterward to Cincinnati,
where he entered into business for a few years; returned,
built an excellent house, in which he and Mrs. Orange now
live. Three sons and two daughters married, with families,
all settled within sight.
Mr. Francis Hanks from Ireland, with several sons
grown and growing up, bought a five-acre lot at Wanbo-
rough, and built him a house; after a time he returned;
his eldest son, Francis, remained, and, on September ist,
1 82 1, married Miss Prudence Birkbeck, as before men-
tioned. Mr. Hanks is engaged in raising stock, and is now
living on his farm at Wanborough, a prosperous man.
Mr. William Hallum from Derbyshire, England, and
several other English families, all farmers, live in the ex-
treme south of Edwards County, and several over the line,
in the north of White County.
Mr. Isaac Smith, James and Robert Thread, Mr. Stan-
hope, and a number of others live in the north of Edwards,
and over the line. Isaac Smith and the two Threads were
excellent farm-laborers; and lived with me and my father
for many years. They are now wealthy men. James
Thread is recently dead. Isaac Smith is the largest land-
owner in the County.
Mr. Henry Birkett, a planter from Jamaica, came in
about 1820. He built a good house, in which he lived and
died; and he was buried in his garden. He also owned a
share of the town.
Judge Wattles* and Mr. J. B. Johnson settled in Albion.
The former as a lawyer, the latter as a blacksmith, and
afterward as a justice-of-the-peace. Mr. Johnson is now
living at Harmony, in the latter capacity. Judge Wattles
was an albino, white hair and white skin, with the peculiar
red eyes of that race, dreadfully near-sighted, had to turn
the paper upside down, and put it close to his spectacles,
* James O. Wattles was elected judge of the 5th Judicial District of Illi-
nois, by the General Assembly, and commissioned January 19, 1825. He
was legislated out of office, January 12, 1827.
126 THK KNc;i.isn sktti.kment
to enable him to read it. Notwithstanding he was a rapid
reader and writer, an excellent lawyer, and a good pres.d-
ing-judge. He went to Harmony, when Mr. Owen began
^ My father's family came from Lexington, and took pos-
session of the Park House. The family consisted of m>
father mother, two sisters, and my brother l-.dward. twent>
years my junior, and then a stripling youth now an exten
sive brewer, and a man of large property, living in btrat.
ford-upon-Avon. Warwickshire, hngland.
In iS-'i Mr. \Vm. Pickering.* gentleman, from Apple
ton Roebuck, in the parish of Holton Percy Vorkshire. si:
miles from the City of York, accompanied by his friem
and cousin. Mr. Thomas Swale, made their hrst settlemcn
in the Village Prairie. On the 9th of March 1^24. h
became my brother-in-law, by marrying my eldest sistei
Miss Martha Flower. Mr. Pickering, like myself leturne.
to ICngland. On his coming a second time to this coun
try he was accompanied by his venerable father. Mi
Mathew Pickering. He also brought valuable hve-stock-
a fine bull of the purest Durham blood; a thorcugh-brc
Shetland pony; two rams and four ewes of the l.mcoli
shire sheep, famous for producing, in its highest perfectu.i
the long-combing wool of Kngland; and four rams an
eight ewes of the thorough-bred Hakewell-Leicestcrshii
sheep (ien. Pickering, a widower for many years, is no
a resident of Albi-.n. ' Mr. Pickering has ever taken a hv
ly interest in every thing cf a public nature. He h;
served in the legislature, is extensively known in our ov
State, and also known abroad.
With my fathers family, came Mr. Thomas Shepher
his wife, two sons, and daughter. Thomas .shepherd h;
lived with my parents from his youth: his father with n
•Crn. Willi.-xm I'lcki-injj was a xvcll-known ni.in amon^; the ol<l \V1
,H,l.l.ci..ns of Illinois ot his .lay. He was a voprcscntalivc man n. il c \N
ua V n l»u- eastern or south-cnslcrn part ol the .^tatc. I often «kI l.nn
'c . v*^ ."..! s. an.l kncsv hi.n wdi when in tlu- I .c„sla.ur.v 1 Ic Invl a contMu,.
^ ..com tic I louse. -f U-rrcscntativos. as the mcn.l.cr fmm Mw.ar.ls C.n .
Z»,,Li to iSsi. a s.rvi.c of cxcc.Uu.nal icn.-.h. Me w.is a man of Rr
: I ,..t,;-o an.|-,;.l.li. s,.mt. He ha.l a l.ne presence, an.i -s by-i;
Vnir^ish in l.M.k an.l m..nner. He was an intimate frien.l of N'r. l.-'nc
wh... on h.H accession to the prcsi.lcncy, appointe.l him governor of \N ashi
tun Tciritoiy.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 12/
grandfather (on my mother's side); and his great-grand-
father with my great-grandfather. Such instances are not
uncommon in England. In these cases, the confidence
between the employer and the employed is mutual, and
the separation like the separation of blood relations. Mr.
Shepard had the care and management of my father's
garden, and of his riding-horses, and some other arrange-
ments about the house. Mrs. Sliepherd had the exclusive
care of the children of the family. Conscientiousness and
integrity were the prominent traits in her character. The
habit of reading, from her childhood, almost amounted to
a passion with her. In a book she indulged at every
opportunity. The habit of reading, aside from the infor-
mation it imparts, and the tone of quietude and reflection
it induces, is eminently suited to those who have the care
of children. Thus the children of our family had always
the advantage of association with a conscientious, kind,
and well-informed friend.
Some of the previous earnings of Mr. Shepherd were
invested in a quarter-section of land immediately after our
arrival, within two miles of Albion. After staying with
my father a short time, he went on his own property, which
soon began to improve under his energetic industry. He
did not live long to enjoy his dawning prosperity. The
active labor, which can be carried on continuously in cooler
climates, too often proves fatal under our hot sun and sud-
den changes. The son, also named Thomas, was soon old
enough to work the farm for his mother. A few years
afterward, we see him a married man, and father of a
family. Mr. Thomas Shepherd is an excellent specimen
of a practical farmer; strong, industrious, and intelligent.
The monotony of labor is, in his case, mitigated by the
perusal of useful books, and the varied information con-
tained in the newspaper-press. This description of men,
in which our Settlement is rich, are the true conservative
elements of the country. The purely intellectual man, the
exclusively hard-working or purely physical man, are each
of them but half a man. It is knowledge and industry
combined that makes the well-balanced character.
Mrs. Shepherd, the mother, now lives with her son, enjoy-
ing every filial attention. Now in the eighty-fourth year
128 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
of her ago, she enjoys a book as well as ever: exemphfy-
ing Montesquieu's maxim, that there is no "pleasure so
cheap as reading, and none that Lists so long."
Two sisters of Thomas Shejiherd also came out with us.
Mrs. Carter, the elder, liad been a widow for many years;
she lived with my mother as housekeeper; and a few years
after, married Mr. Wood, whose wife died at the mouth of
the Wabash, as before related. Mrs. Ellis' husband died
at Pittsburgh. Her daughter and only child married Mr.
John Wood, he who came out with me. Mrs. Ellis was
m.irried in my house to Richard Field, one of Wellington's
old life-guardsmen, who turning his sword into a pruning-
hook. engaged in the better occupation of cutting up corn
and pumpkins, instead of cutting down Frenchmen and
their allies, as he was wont to do in former da\"s; and all
these friends had farms contiguous, or in sight of each
other; and finding themselves ever\- year better off in this
world, until the moment they quit it. In the year 1818,
Mr. Henry Cowling, and his brother, Mr. John Cowling,
who were afterwards joined b\' their youngest brother,
(jeorge Cowling, all Lincolnshire-men, came in. Mr. Henr}-
Cowling, not finding the Illinois mode of working for a
living quite to his taste, went South into those states where
the practice of making others work for you, whether they
like it or not, antl giving them no wages for their labor, is
considered the right thing. Liking the country well, there
he lived, married, and dieil. Mr. John Cowling, the second
brother, is living on his farm, about four miles south-east
of Albion; hale and heart)-, an energetic ami intlustrious
farmer.
It was in iSiS or 1819^ that Mr. Hornbrook of Devizes.
Devonshire, calleil on me, as he came to see the Settle-
ment ; but having made previous decision to remain at
I'igeon Creek, Indiana, where Evansville now stands. He
had brought with him two men, Richard Husband and
Mathirw Coombs, and one young woman. The)- were in-
debted to Mr. Hornbrook between two or three hundred
dollars; as they all three wisheil to staj- with me, I paid to
Mr. Hornbiook the amount, t. iking their notes, to be
repaitl in work. The \'oung woman lived with me as maid-
servant, and the men kept with im- al their work, until
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 120
they had faithfully paid me all. Much of the complaint of
servants, leaving their employers in America, on contracts
made in Europe, arises from the contract being made at
the low European price of labor, which begets feelings of
discontent, when they see double the price given for the
same work in America. I always gave to the persons I
employed the full American wages.
It was in the year 1817, that a party of Cornish -men,
Edward Coad and family, William Truscott, Sen., and
Jun., Samuel Arthur and others, under the leadership of
a Mr. Slade, went farther, by nearly a hundred miles, into
the interior of the State than we were; and settled at a
point on the Kaskaskia River, where Carlyle now stands.
This little colony, going much farther into the interior at
that early period, suffered more inconveniences than we did.
Mr. Slade in some sort abandoned his colony by getting
elected to Congress, and the people came into our Settle-
ment. Old Mr. Coad, as we then thought him and called
him, lived on my land for several years, and afterward
bought a piece for himself, where he has lived ever since.
He is between eighty and ninety years old, and it is only
within these three years that he has left off working as
vigorously as ever. Old Neddy Coad possesses one of
those simple-hearted and direct natures, that seems to
know no guile, a truthfulness and simplicity of purpose,
seldom found united with brighter intellect and higher
attainment. His wife died a few years back. It is said
that she visits them now and then, and is seen by the hus-
band, son, and daughter, who live in the same house. And
why not.'' We learn from high authority, that spirits visit
their former domicile for slight occasion, even to the pay-
ing of small but just debts. On questioning one of the
family as to her appearance, "she looks," said he, "as she
used to do, only about fifteen years younger." If there be
a place where faded beauty can renew its charms, the road
to it will surely be found, and when found, a popular road
it will be. So let us be hopeful, that if fifteen years of
Time's defacements can be obliterated, perhaps the time
may be extended, and our fair friends return to us, fairer
than the lily and brighter than the rose. All I can say
about the matter is, if such things are to be believed from
9
130 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
the testimony of others, I had rather take old Nedd}'
Goad's word than that of many wiser and more learned
men. So it will be seen that we are not behind the times,
even to a spiritual manifestation.
Richard Husband, before mentioned, was a remarkably
hard-working man. He soon acquired a farm of his own,
and traded to New Orleans for several years in his flat-
boats, which he built himself and loaded with pork and
other produce. On his return from one of these trips he
died at Shawneetown, of fever contracted on the river.
Mr. Samuel Arthur, one of the Cornwall band, a very
}-oung man then and not very old now, has for many years
been a citizen of Harmon)-, and a respectable man of good
property.
Mr. William Cave, a Devonshire-man, after brief stay in
Ohio, joined our Settlement with his wife and famih- of
sons and daughters; and lived for some time on my farm,
about a-ijuarter of a mile from Park House. Mr. Cave
had been a soldier for many years in I^ngland, a fine, tall,
strong man, and an excellent swortlsman. He was fond of
music, and played excellenti}' on the violin; and generally
made one of our musical party that met every fortnight at
Park House. One day, as he was chopping down a large
tree near his house, it fell suddenly, knocking down his
two sons, who were caught and crushed under its heavy
branches. One hail his skull fractured and ilied immedi-
atel)'. and was burieil in our small, family burj-ing-ground
near I'.irk House. The other hul had his thigh fractured,
which was set by Dr. Spring. He recovered complete!)-,
and only two years ago went to California, where he diid
at the age of thirty-two. His sisters, then small children,
are now married and settled in California.
liut from time to time little parties came in year afttr
year, chiefl}' sm.ill-tr.idesmen and farm-laborers. The lat-
ter, a most valuable cl.iss. came from all parts of Kngland.
Tile farmers brought with them their various experiences
anti tools, necessar\- to work the ililTerent soils. In this
wa)' a greater variety of workmen and tools arc to be found
in tlie iCnglish Settlement than perhaps in any one neigh-
borhood in i"",ngl.uul.
Three brothers, Joseph, Thomas, ami Kelse)- Crackles,,
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. I31
able-bodied farm-laborers, from Lincolnshire, came with a
full experience in the cultivation of flat, wet land; and
brought with them the light fly-tool for digging ditches
and drains, by which a practised hand can do double the
work that can be done by a heavy steel spade. They lived
with me three years before going on farms of their own.
Their experience has shown us that the flat, wet prairies,
generally shunned, are the most valuable wheat lands we
possess.
I omitted to mention, in connection with Mr. Olver, the
name of John May, a laborer from Devonshire, who accom-
panied Mr. Olver's family to this country. John May was
a remarkably sturdy, hard-working, industrious, and honest
man. He married a young English woman who also came
out with Mr. Olver. They were both of them saving and
industrious people. He worked on Park-House farm for
many years. He became possessed of a good farm, which
he cultivated well, and built upon it a comfortable house.
What is rather uncommon at his advanced time of life, he
learned himself to read, and enjoyed reading as much as
any man in the latter part of his life. His two sons, living
on their own farms, are men of property and respectability.
These I have mentioned are a part of those who came in
18 18, 18 19, and 1820. They are a sample of the men of
which the English Settlement was made. They are those
who encountered and overcame the first difficulties, who
made the way smooth for those that came afterward. For
the present, I must take leave of the settlers and their
little town, not more than three years old, and proceed
to topics of more general- interest connected with their
history.
c H apti:r VIII.
Religion in the Settlement Slanders and Efforts to divert Emi-
grants-First Religious Services Mr. Pell and Mr. Thomas
Brown The Hard-Shell Baptist Preacher Jesse B. Browne and
Judge Thomas C. Browne The Campbellites or Christian Church
First Episcopal Church Gen. Pickering an Active Promoter
Influence of the Chimes of Bells Bishop Chase Consecrates
the First Episcopal Church of Albion William Curtis and his
Congregation Backwoodsmen don't like Episcopacy The Meth-
odist Church Better Adapts Itself to all Classes Reflections
Thereon A Methodist Camp-Meeting Described Mr. Birkbeck
Unjustly Assailed Mr. Birkbeck's Letter on Religion Features
of the Country A Glowing Description The Calumnies against
the Settlement Rebutted by Mr. Birkbeck Toleration of all
Religious Opinions.
Tin: exhibition of rclii^ion in the luighsh Settlement
must not be overlooked. As we have been especial!}'
assailed on that point, it is our duty to show the record as
it is. Our assailants, that accused us of infitlelit}- and all
manner of wickedness, raised tiieir clamor from no pure
motive, but desired to pander to popular prejudices in any
way to render the Settlement unpopular, in order to stop
cmi;4ration to it, as I shall present!)- show.
In a Settli'iiu-nt like ours, of a mi.Ned population, various
ill nationalities, and indi\'iduall\' diffcrini; in circumstances
as to wealth and povert\-. deijrees of intellect aiul educa-
tion, fr»)m ever)- count)- in Knij[land, and various districts of
Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, from (lermany and France,
and from almost ever\- State in tlie Union, there doubtless
existed almost every shade of religious opinion. In a new
scttlcmiMit there may not be found enouj^h of an)- one sect
to support a minister ami build a church; and there is not
often liberalit)- enou;^h amoiv^st rclii^ious sects to aid ami
support e.ich other. Thus there may be a vast deal of
relij^ion laiil awa\- ami concealed, as it were; no public
exhibition bein;: maile of it.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 33
A trivial but singular circumstance occurred, that acted
as a spark to combustibles already laid in train. I think it
was Mr. Pell, the son-in-law of Mr. Birkbeck, who happened
to be in Shawneetown, when a man landed from a boat.
The first thing he asked of the landlord was, if there was
any religion in the English Settlement.^ What the answer
was, I don't precisely know; but it could not be very en-
couraging, for the man muttered something, and said, then
he would not go there; turned round, and went on board
the boat again, to find some place that had a better char-
acter.
Why had this man asked such a question.' Was it usual
to ask, when one got within a hundred miles of a place, if
there was any religion there .-^ This was a puzzle. What
could it mean.-" It meant this: That a parcel of land-
speculators in New York and Philadelphia, seeing that our
Settlement was attracting emigrants, whom they wanted
to settle on their land, east of the mountains, set on foot
every disparaging report, as to health, success, provisions,
morals, and religion ; plying each individual on the point
at which he was most sensitive. And this began almost as
early as our first-settlers arrived. Of all this, we were for a
time unconscious. It was not until after their attacks ap-
peared in print, that we were at all aware of the extent of
these calumnies. And it took a long time for a book or a
pamphlet, from the Eastern cities, to reach us in those days.
Mr. Pell, whom we called a smart Yankee, although he
came from New York, saw at a glance that it would never
do to have it said abroad that we had no religion ; and that
another Sunday had better not pass without public worship.
As far as my recollection serves me, Wanborough took,
for a short time, the precedence of Albion in organizing
public religious meetings.
Mr. Thomas Brown,* a Nevv-Englander by birth, a shoe-
* Thomas Brown and his wife were natives of Litchfield, Kennebec Co.,
Maine. They emigrated to Edwards County at a very early day, and settled
at Wanborough, soon after the town was laid off by Mr. Birkbeck, and occu-
pied a cabin adjoining his. Mr. Brown was a most devoted friend and
admirer of Mr. Birkbeck. On the death of the latter, he removed to New
Harmony, Ind., in 1825, and was appointed postmaster of the town by Gen.
Harrison in 1841, on the recommendation of Hon. George H. Proffitt of
Petersburg, Pike County, then a Whig member of Congress from Indiana.
134 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
maker by trade, then a resident of W'anboroui^h, now a
niafjistrate and a venerable resident of Harmony, procured
a volume of lioucher's sermons from Mr. Hirkbeck's librarj',
and read one of them to a small congregation, assembled
in a little cabin.
A native of the Island of Guernsey, Mr. Benjamin Grutt,
read the Episcopal service in a room, in Albion, set apart
for the public library. In religious sects, there is scarcely
toleration enough to allow of a united movement. Kach
sect, therefore, is left to struggle on as it can. An itiner-
ant minister would occasionally ride in, and give a seriiKMi
in the court-house, and pass along.* Mr. Jesse H. Browne
was clerk of the court at that time. He was brother of
•Jesse 15. Hrowne, after leavin<T Al!)ion, became a captain in the First l\ei;i-
ment United .Stales Dragoons, then commanded by Col. Kearney, leaving
the army, 1 i)elieve, he settled at Eort .Madison, Iowa Territory, and, during
territorial times, was a somewhat prominent Whiij politician.
Thomas C Hrowne was appointed a iudt;e of the Supreme Court of the
."^tate. October 9, iSi<S, and served continually for more liian thirty years.
When the judicial system of the .Slate was changed, in 1.S41 ^, the number
of judges increased and assigned to Circuit duties. Judge Hrowne was sent to
the ncMth-western Circuit, including Joe Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, Lee,
Rock Island, Mercer, \Vinneba;4<), Ogle, Hoone, and Whilesides Counties.
He settled at Shawneetown, Ciallatin County, soon after (he Territory of Illi-
nois was organized and was a member of the Territorial lloase of Rejiresen-
tativcs, from (iailatin County, in 1S14 and 1S15. lie was a member of the
Territorial Le;;is!ativc Council for iSid, '17, and 'iS, when the 'l"erriloiy of
Illinois was ailmilteil into the Union as a .State. He was then a])iH)inted one
of the first four jud;^es of the .Stipreme tlourt by Ciov. Shadrach I5ond, better
known, even after he was elected governt)r, as"Ca|itain Hond". Jud.;e T. C.
Hrowne <lied, several years ago. at ,San Prancisco, (."al., at the residence of
liis son-in-law, Hon. Joseph I'. Hogc, formerly of Calena, and member of
Congress from the ( Jalena District, from 1S42 to 184(1.
There was an incident in Judge Hrowne's career wljich led to stupendous
results. In the gubernatorial contest in 1S22, Chief-Justice Josepli Phillips
ran as the pro-slavery candidate, with what was thought a certainty of an
election. Edward Coles, representing the anti-slavery sentiment, was bmught
out as a candidate, and it was thought he would have i^rt-at strength in the
"Wabash Country", where the inlluence of the English Colony was beginning
to be fell, 'i ho other side feareil his strength in that part of the .State, and.
to take votes froni him. Judge Hrowne, then a very ]><>|>ular man in the
Wal'ash N'alley, was induced to present himself as a candiclate for govcrnui
Thcjudi;e obtnineil aii unexpecletlly lar^je vote, falling; but a little short of lli
Vote i^ivcn Id I'liillips. As the residt proved, he did not take votes from Cole-,
but from I'liillips. Ilacl nut Hrowne been in the held, rhilli)is woidd havi
obtained nearly all the votes given to Hrowne, rendering his election absolutely
certain. Hut for this state of things, C"olcs could not jiossibly have been
electe<l, and thus enabled tu play the n>/r- he did in preventing Illinois Incom-
ing a slave-state.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 35
judge Browne of Shawneetown. A fine man was Mr. Jesse
B. Browne, six feet seven inches high, a kind and jovial
man, too. On one occasion, an itinerant preacher, called
a hard-shelled Baptist, applied to Mr. Browne for the use
of the court-house, which was readily granted. The good
preacher was invited by Mr. Browne to meet two or three
friends and take a little refreshment, in a private room,
after the sermon. Corn-whisky, the only refreshment, was
duly honored, each taking his fair share without flinching.
At the end of the sitting, our hard-shell, true to his name,
could sit straight in his chair and walk more steady out of
the door, it is said, than any of his lay-companions. These
were not the days of temperance societies. Cold water
was not then inaugurated.
Soon after my father arrived, in 1819, he preached regu-
larly, in Albion, every Sunday morning. The service was
conducted after the manner of dissenting worship in Eng-
land— singing, sermon, prayer. Earnest, energetic preach-
ing generally attracts attendance. It was so in this case.
The service was gratuitously performed, from a sense of
duty in holding public worship. No creed, no catechism,
no membership; it was a free church, even if it could be
allowed to be a church at all, by more strictly-organized
bodies.
Then came the church, built and brought together chiefly
through the instrumentality of Mr. Daniel Orange, of a
branch of the Baptists called Campbellites or Christian
Church. A Rev. Mr. Baldwin, an Episcopalian missionary,
preached several sermons, gathered the Episcopalians to-
gether, and organized a church; designated as St. John's
Church. Mr. Pickering was an active promoter, and gave
very efficient aid to this organization. But it was not
until some years afterward, when the Rev. Benjamin
Hutchins from Philadelphia, came first as missionary, after-
ward as a permanent resident, that an Episcopal church
was built. There was a handsome subscription raised, a
large share borne by Mr. Hutchins himself; and a church
was accordingly built, and furnished with its pulpit, seats,
altar, choir, and bell. But the chime of the English parish-
church was wanting! And without that charm, Episcopacy
can never here attain to the same power over the feelings
136 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
of the people, as it does in England. The touching, but
cheerful peals, simultaneously, from every parish spire in
the realm, as the shades of evening close in, are felt b\- all
hearts in everj' station and condition of life. Their charm-
ing melody warms the hearts of its friends, and does more
to allay the bitterness of its foes than all the preaching of
its clergy, and the exaltation of its ceremonies.
Yet so little valued are these sweet tones in the United
States, that one of the finest chimes of large-sized Spanish
bells, the finest in the world, charged with their full alloy of
silver, which gives such melod)' to the tone, were knocked
down at auction as old iron, and afterward broken and
melted into water pipes or railroad iron.
The Episcopal church of Albion is sustained not alone
b>' Episcopalians, but by those who, if they belong to an\-
church, prefer the old established church to any other.
The building, when completed, was duly consecrated, by
Bishop Chase, with a crowded congregation.
Mr. William Curtis, a plain, working farmer from York-
shire, a man of small pecuniar}' means and limited educa-
tion, preaches to a small congregation about two miles east
of Albion. Mr. Curtis is a specimen of a numerous class
of religious men that took root and sprang up under long
and \iolent persecution. These heads of small voluntary
communities are fouml ver\- generall\- in Scotland and the
northern counties of England, hating e{)iscopac\' especially,
from which thc\' recei\cd their chief persecution. They
claim the right to preach and teach for every man, whether
learned or unlearned, who feels so disposed. Our religious
forms in Wanborough and Albion, whether of episcopac)'
or dissent, altlKnigh the)- might suit the religiously English,
were not accepted or in any way atteniled to by the back-
woodsmen around. By the backwoodsmen I mean the
little-farmers from Tennessee. Kentuck)', antl indeed from
all the Southern States before menticMied, and some fami-
lies from the l-.astern States, also, but more particular!)-
the former. The silence and solitude, the absence from all
emotion in which the)- lived, seemed to demand .some
excitement. Whenever they came into town, at an election,
or a court, anil fre(|uentl\* on an)' ordinary occasion, the
warmth of feeling in which they stood in need, first raised
IN EDWARDS COUNT V. 1 37
by a little whisky, would show itself in free fights generally,
an erratic movement in that way. An elegant sermon
read from a book, a calm, logical disquisition, carrying a
chain of reasoning, tracing effect from cause, a hymn sung
in moderate tone and without any gesticulation, a short
prayer in a subdued voice, was all nothing to them. Their
religious feeling could only be excited by more powerful
influences, embodied in a Methodist camp-meeting. This
was the exhibition of feeling in which they delighted. In
the camp-meeting their feelings could be displayed in all
their force, without restraint, in forms far less objectionable
than in grocery-brawls or street- fights. Well organized
and under good discipline, the Methodist church wisely
adapts itself to all classes; and in this it is only exceeded
by the Roman- Catholic church, and not by that in its
influence over the backwoodsmen of the North-Western
States. Fortunate in appointing preachers suited to the
audience, in the camp-meeting it avails itself of the influ-
ences of nature to aid the words of the preacher. United,
the effect is powerful upon all; and to a class in a certain
stage of civilization quite irresistible. There is no temple
constructed by art like the great temple of nature, in
beauty, grandeur, and space. It is in the silence of the
grove, canopied by the blue heavens or the starry dome,
that the feeble voice of man most easily influences the
feelings of his fellows. Nature in her highest moods
exerts a spiritualizing power by the silent appeals of her
many beauties; the temper and feelings become calm and
kindly.
Surrounded by these happy influences, the preacher can
more easily raise the feelings to the highest pitch of fervor
or melt the spirit to a more humble resignation. A
preacher of moderate abilities, with a good voice, in the
open air, with a health-inspiring breeze and the influences
of nature, can act more decidedly than eloquence, reason,
and logic all combined, on the feelings of his hearers,
squeezed between four walls, inhaling the pestilential
atmosphere of their own breath.
On a warm summer afternoon, as 1 was riding from Mt.
Carmel, turning a point of wood, came suddenly on a
scene that arrested my attention; and, as a stream of
138 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
people were going in one direction, I joined them and
went on. We were soon in front of the Methodist camp.
It was in form of a hollow square, on the two sides
opposite and on a portion of the third were the log-huts,
with roof sloping outward, occupied by families from a
distance, furnished with bedding and a few simple cook-
ing-utensils; these were all, or nearly all, occupied. In
the centre of the third side was an elevated platform for
the preacher, in the shade of three tall, handsome oak-
trees, which stood immediately at its back, in front and
below was what was called "the an.\ious-pew". a space
about fifteen feet square, enclosed by a light post-and-rail
fence. The body of the square was covered with ranges
of light and even-sized logs, smoothed on one side by the
ax, affording sitting room for about three hundred people.
There was an interlude in the service, and the seats were
nearly vacant; people stood about in little groups, con-
versing, or welc(Miiing some newh'-arrived acquaintance.
Inside the camp presented to me a singular scene. In
one apartment was a family cooking, and the meal all
going on, in company with acquaintances from without.
In the next, a little prayer-meeting; and all were kneeling
at their devotions. In the front of the next division, a
lively party of young and old chatting together in high
glee. In the next, stood a solitar)' man erect and with
rigid mien, and e\'es intentlj' ll.xed on an open bible
held in bc^th his hands. Outside, strangers were continu-
all\' arri\ing, some in buggies and some on horseback,
fastening their animals to the branches of the trees, that
in a semicircle stood round the camp. I withdrew to a
little ilistance to take a general view. Nothing could be
prettier. The camp itself, standing as it did in the little
l)rairie, surrounded by l)eautiful limber, was an interesting
object. The various jjarties of youths and gay maitlens,
with their many-colored scarfs aiul ribbons, streaming in
the wind, gave to the whole an air of cheerfulness not to
be exceeded. At a given signal, all assembled inside the
camp and took their .seats. The preacher ascended the
stand, and began his discourse in a voice scarcely audible.
As he raised it to a higher pitch, a sort of groan -like
response could be heard from a few in the audience, and
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 39
now and then an emphatic "amen"! As the preacher
raised his voice from bass to tenor, so the responses, in
groans, amens, and shouts of glory increased in number
and intensity. The scenes in the anxious -pew were
getting exciting, and people crowded around. My curi-
osity induced me to press forward to a closer view. I
confess I was startled; but a moment's reflection checked
any censure that is apt to arise in the breast of every man
who sees doings different from his own. All real feeling
is spontaneous; the mode of its display is conventional, a
mere matter of taste. There were about fifteen persons
then under the highest excitement, chiefly females. One
man, a Yankee, a near neighbor of mine, was there rolling
and groaning as if in extreme pain, and uttering loud cries
for pardon. Among the many shouters and exclaimers,
one respectable, middle-aged female, of pleasing personal
appearance attracted my attention among the many extra-
ordinary attitudes, erratic motions, and various voices and
sounds, in that extraordinary place. With eyes raised
upward, arms raised straight above her head, incessantly
clapping her hands and shouting glory, leaping continually
upward, as high as her strength would carry her; with all
her fine black hair streaming down her back, and perspira-
tion trickling down her face, she presented rather a fine
picture of the frenzy. Two young women, recently from
Scotland were there, affected quite as strongly, but rather
differently. Short hysterical laughter, sobs, sighs, and
weeping exhibited the depth and sincerity of their feelings.
The preacher lowered his voice; exclamations became
fainter; he ceased; and silence was restored. It reminded
me of those extraordinary scenes recorded in history, of
children, women, and men, who went about for weeks and
months, singing and shouting, the epidemic spreading
wherever they went. But the scene in the "anxious-pew"
was more pandemonian than paradisical. Fear and flat-
tery, mingled with fevered hope, formed the basis of their
violent ejaculations and their many mournful sounds; all
seemed to be fearing that the God they worshiped would
bestow an eternity of torment for an error or a crime. I
was impressed, and somewhat depressed, by what I had
seen; for I felt no' sympathy and could yield but par-
140 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
tial approval. The social meeting of distant friends and
acquaintance was the best feature of it all. I could not
den)', that the whole affair was well suited to the times and
to the people.
From early documents, I see Mr. Birkbeck acted as
chairman at two meetings, to promote a subscription for a
church, and several notices occur of the Kpiscopal service
being read by Mr. Woods. It seems, the religious element
was at work as soon as the Settlement existed. As the
infidelity of Mr. Birkbeck was urged b}' the enemies of
the Settlement, as a reason for its avoidance, let us hear
what he himself says, on that head. In a printed pam-
phlet, entitled "Extracts from a Supplementary Letter
from Illinois, dated January ist, 1819. addressed to British
Emigrants, arriving in Eastern ports, reply to V\'m. Cob-
bett, Esq., July 31st, 1819," I find the following: "In the
solicitude for the well-being of our Colon)-, I have depre-
cated the formalities practised in lieu of religion. I have,
therefore, been deemed a foe to religion ; that bond which
connects the soul of man with the supreme intelligence in
whom we live and move and have our being. It is the
love of God increasing our good-will to each other. It is
a principle of action aiding the moral sense; a divine
sentiment, impelling us to j^ursuits reason appro\'es, and
restraining us from evil. If I have written in disparage-
ment of this principle, I plead guilt)-." These were his
sentiments, as publisheil b)- himself, and should be accepted
as standing on better authorit)- than the imputations cast
upon him by his theological foes and the enemies of the
Settlement. Nothing more need be said on this subject.
These were the as|)ects of religion in and about our Settle-
ment during the first three or four years of its existence.
It should be remembered, that neither Mr. Birkbeck nor
niNself came here as preachers or teachers of religion.
We had found a countr)- especially adapteil to the Euro-
pean emigrant, relieving him ami his immediate succes.sors
irom the heart-breaking toil of felling the forest before he
couUl put in the plow. And what a country.^ Eor those
who will come after us, and can never see it in its original
beaut)-. I will give a brief record of its features as we first
saw tliem.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. I41
In the month of April, the surface of the prairie be-
comes covered with a delicious green. It resembles,
when viewed at a little distance, a smooth carpet or well-
shorn lawn. About the first of May, the surrounding
woods appear clothed in a verdure of a darker hue. As
the season advances, the verdure increases in intensity,
intermingled with flowers of brilliant hues, from the
smallest to the largest. Herds of cattle and horses are
seen quietly grazing, or reposing in the shade of the
clumps of noble oak-trees that stand dotted about the
prairie, enjoying the cool breeze. It is a fairy-like scene
on which the eye delights to dwell, a perfect picture of
rural felicity and peace. As summer advances, both
herbage and foliage attain to greater amplitude and
richness of color. The great heat of the summer's sun,
from which all animals seek a shelter, seems to make
perfect every variety of vegetable life. Autumn finds the
tall grass of the prairie in full size, but of a less brilliant
green. Later in autumn, the trees, as if to defy the god
of day, exchange their sober livery of green for robes of
greater brilliancy and more gorgeous beauty. Standing
side by side are trees of various but perfect colors. The
pale yellow contrasts with the violet or the copper-color.
Whole clumps, of bright scarlet or rich crimson, inter-
mingle often on the same tree with bunches of yellow or
carnation. In spring and autumn, the temperature for
many days together is delicious — about 75° Fahrenheit.
Sitting at ease, enjoying the beauties of the scene, fanned
by the soft zephyrs that come rolling up from the south,
laden with the perfume of sweet flowers; the lungs inhal-
ing the delicious balm, redolent of health; every sense
is gratified and simple existence is a joy. As winter
approaches, the grass becomes dry and brown. A brand
from some camp-fire ignites it. Preceded by dense volumes
of smoke, the flames spread wider and wider. Fanned by
an ever-increasing wind from the vacuum made by its own
heat, the progress of the fire becomes terrific. Animals all
fly before it. Those that are paralized perish in the flames.
The trees are burnt. Their leaves, small branches, and old
trunks are consumed. For want of material the fire goes
out; but the smothering smoke for a time rolls on, then
142 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
lifts, displaying a scene of desolation almost dreadful to
behold. The landscape, a few minutes before arrayed in
the brilliancy of autumn coloring, is now a monotonous,
dreary, black waste. And so it remains until winter
advances and the cold sets in. A heavy fall of snow trans-
forms the whole scene from black to white. The dazzling
whiteness is painful to the eyes. In its extent, its uniform
surface of purest white, its dazzling glare, there is a gran-
deur in its very dreariness. With the temperature ten or
twenty degrees below zero, which sometimes is the case,
the traveler may obtain experiences of the steppes of
Tartary or the plains of Siberia on the prairies of Illinois.
After a short period of rain, mud, and swollen streams, the
annual changes on the face of nature again appear to go
their per[)etual round. This was the country we had found,
made known, and recommended to others The almost
uniform success of those who came has justified our choice
and vindicated our judgment. Our after- mission was to
point out its situation and the way to it; to defend it from
the misrepresentations and barefaced lies, unscrupulously
uttered by its enemies; to spread before the European
public from time to time our progress and success; to aid
many who had expended all their means; to assist, both
by pecuniar)- means and long periods of time and labor,
any great object of public ail\ant.ige, whether of roads,
schools, buildings, or laws. And this we did from the first
to the last. In the infancy of the Settlement, Mr. Hirk-
beck's pen was active to rebut the calumnies so assiduously
propagated, and in defence of freedom from tlie evils of
slaver)-. In the middle of our course my "I*!rrors of Emi-
grants." two thousand copies of which were sold by the
publisher in London in two weeks, gave a fresh impulse to
emigration. Still later, b)- special recjucst, I j^ublished a
letter in the LowiU Courier, (.Icscriptive of the prairies, and
giving other general information. This was translated by
a Mr. Anderson, a native of Norway, into the Norse lan-
guage, and circulated widely in Norwa\' and Sweden, giving
some impulse to the emigration of Swedes and Norwegians,
who formed settlements in the northern part of our State.
In after years, I recei\-ed letters from Norwegians, incjuir-
ing after tiieir countr)-men settleil in Illinois. They, not
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 43
realizing the extent of our Western States, little thought
that their friends whom they supposed to be my neighbors,
were at least four hundred miles from where I lived. This
we did gratuitously; and if any charges were incurred, at
our own cost. Thus were we engaged. Religion we left
to the people. If we differed from others in their specu-
lation of things, unseen and unknown, we tolerated all
opinions, and as far as was proper, promoted the wishes of
our neighbors. Doubtless we should have given a site for
any building of a public purpose. If for religious purposes,
we should never have put any hinderance to the building
of a temple, a synagogue, a mosque, a pagoda, a church,
or Friend's meeting-house; and this we should do without
feeling ourselves committed to a single dogma contained
in any one of their creeds.
CHAPTER IX.
Consultations as to how to Advance the Interests of the Settlement
The Backwoodsmen begin to Leave the Country The Michaels
Brothers Moses Michaels Elected to the Legislature, and a
"Weak Brother" -Descriptions of Moving Emigrants — Two
Early Settlers at Albion One of them become Governor Eng-
lish and Americans have Different Ways of Doing Things —
Emigrants from Europe bound for Albion, Land at nearly every
Port from St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico A Welshman
Rides on Horseback from Charleston, S. C, to Albion British
Sketches Recognized by Britains at Albion Cobbett's Abusive
Letters about the English Colony Cobbett's Character Replies
by Richard Flower and Morris Birkbeck Dr. Johnson's Charges
Mr. Fearon's Book of Travels Adverse Influences The Evil
Genius of Slavery.
Till', iiicnibcr.s of our fainil\- often mot at my house, but
more frcciucntl\' at m\' fathcr'.s, to canvass some measure of
interest to the town or settlement. M\self, m>' father, my
brothers-in-law, Mr. Ronalds and Mr. rickerin<;, and some-
times an additional friend or two, composed the party.
Measures for the advancement of the town or country
were then discussed — the erection of some public building,
school, librar}-, a new road, a petition to the Legislature—
and action in each case was often decided upon. If opin-
ions were liivided, we would take an appeal to the public
sentiment, .md a town-meeting was called. These meet-
ings and discussions were often disconlant and sometimes
stormy. However they kept things alive.
In 1819. the hunter-class of backwoodsmen began to
move off. to keep their true position between the receding
Intlian and the advancing white man. With all their
faults, the)' were an interesting class. We were getting
too populous and civilizeil for them.
Three brothers, Moses, John, ami (ieoigc Michaels, from
one of thi- I'..istern States Connecticut. I think — were
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. I45
among our earliest settlers on the prairie on which Scav-
ington and Brissenden had settled, three miles east of
Albion. With them came two families of Browns, from
the same section. Moses Michaels,* for several years a
magistrate, was our first representative in the Legislature,
that met first at Kaskaskia, and afterward at Vandalia. A
most striking example of a man being placed in the front
rank, without possessing a single qualification to lead or to
command. Without one positive, his character was made
up of all negative qualities. It may be observed in higher
offices than those filled by our humble representative, men
are often chosen for their moderate, rather than their supe-
rior, ability.
Other settlers, from the class of poor whites from slave-
states, came in and settled among us; and, now and then,
a more substantial farmer from New York and Pennsyl-
vania. It was curious to see the different appointments of
these various American settlers. The eye could detect
from whence they came as far as it could discern them.
When a large wagon came in sight, strong and complete,
generally painted blue, drawn by four strong horses in
high condition, its feed-trough behind, tar- buckets and
water swinging beneath, laden with a full supply of bed-
ding and household gear, on which sat sturdy boys and
buxom girls, all dressed in stout homespun clothes, a stal-
wart man in his deep-seated saddle driving; that wagon
came from the Keystone State.
Another traveling establishment, of a far different char-
acter, was more frequently to be seen coming along — a
little rickety wagon, sometimes a cart or light carryall,
pulled by a horse as lean as a greyhound, scarcely able to
drag the vehicle, which contains only a skillet, a small bag
of meal, and a little piece of bacon; a gaunt, emaciated
man and a large family, chiefly daughters, walking bare-
foot, and without a change of raiment. "Where from,
good folks. ^" The answer is sure: from Alabaw^ or Car-
oUnc; a more perfect picture of destitution can not be
* Michaels was not a member of the legislature when it sat at Kaskaskia,
but only once a member of the House, after the seat of Government had been
removed to Vandalia, and that was in 1820-22. According to Mr. Flower's
account of him, that was quite enough.
10
146 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
seen. Give them time, and with good soil, witli freedom
to work it, they will soon get on, if sober, which many of
them are. Their only tools are an axe and a hoe, with,
occasionally, a one-horse plow. They have no team to
break up the prairie, and, necessarily, settle in the woods,
girdle a few trees, and make a few rails, and get in a corn-
patch. After all, these are the best settlers we get from
the South. Their little corn-patch increases to a Held ;
their first shanty to a small log-house, which, in turn, gives
place to a double cabin, in which a loom and spinning-
wheel are installed. A well with a sweep, a grape-vine for
a rope. A few fruit trees, and their improvement is com-
plete. Moderate in their aspirations, they soon arrive at
the summit of their wishes. The only difference between
the roving hunters and tliese stationary settlers, appears to
be in the greater sobriety of the stationary class.
Quite a respectable man. a neighbor, told me that all he
possessed was put into a bee-gum, and carried by himself
and wife, when they came into the State on foot. We havo
some from the South with greater pretentions. Hut tlu\'
neither i)l()w, nor sow, nor build houses, nor make garments
The best of them get into the professions — a doctor or .1
law)-er — -but their great ambition is to get to the legisla-
ture, and then to congress.
Another class, from another quarter, and with other
abilities, also come to us. Young men fresh from college,
from the New-lCngland States. I have two examples now
in my e)'e. These two young men came to Albion, their
wits their only fortune. I mean their legitimate wits; thai
is, the power of turning their acijuirements to the best
account, losing no opportunity. T!ie\' too decline manual
labor. One went to Carmi. He was a magistrate while
there; afterward cashier of a branch of the State Hank, at
Mt. Carmel; and now conducts a large moneyed institu-
tion at ICvansville. The other, at first, took small children
to teach, at two dollars a-cjuartcr, ami taught them their
a. b, c. Whenever he coukl get a little writing in the
clerk's office, he employeil himself there. He was soon
seen on a horse, riding the circuit with the law)-ers, and
becoming one himself T.icking his political sails to suit
the bree/.e, he got elected to ihe legislature, anil afterward
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. I47
became governor of the State of Illinois.* This is a class
representing the active intellect of the country, possessing
a great deal of tact and intelligence.
It is very curious to see how differently the Eastern
American, the Southerner, and the Englishman proceed in
their way of farming, where they all begin with little or
nothing. The Southerner, as I have before stated, goes
into the woods, girdles a few trees, and raises some corn
and pumpkins. It is hard to say how he employs himself
the rest of the year. Industry, that is, systematic and
continuous labor, beseems utterly to avoid; but he gets
along after his own fashion, and, occasionally, by fits and
starts, he will accomplish more than either of the others.
But his periods of hard work are, for the most part, sepa-
rated by long periods of inaction. The Eastern man, or
Yankee, as we call him, shows great dexterity and good
management in all he does. He has a certain sleight that
seems to make his work go off rapidly and easily; and this
quality is observable in the women as well as the men, in
the housework as well as in the farmwork, and is very
noticeable when contrasted with the mode of labor of most
of the Europeans. If he meet with a difficulty he evades
it, or lets it stand by, until he is better able to contend
with it. Industrious, economical, and with a thrifty expe-
rience, he seems to get along easily, and surpasses the
* This must have been Augustus C. French of Palestine, Crawford County,
elected governor of Illinois in 1846. His nomination, by the Democratic
party, was the result of an accident. The convention could not agree on
any of the prominent candidates, and in the present parlance, French became
the dark horse. He was a very quiet, unobtrusive, honest man, but not in any
way distinguished; living on the Wabash, had never mixed much with society,
and had but little knowledge of etiquette when he first went to Springfield.
It was the custom then, as now, for the governor to give occasional receptions
to the members of the Legislature, judges, lawyers, strangers from abroad, etc.
The story goes, that Hon. Thompson Campbell of Galena, who had been
secretary-of-state under Governor Ford, and who was not only a great wit,
but remarkably quick at repartee, attended one of these receptions. Entering
the house, not finding the governor receiving his guests in the front parlor, he
straggled into a back room, where he found him sitting alone on a sofa.
Approaching him, the governor extended his hand and asked Mr. C. to excuse
him for not rising. Quick as a flash, Campbell replied, "Ok! certainly, cer-
tainly. Goziernor; we nrjer expect anythin° like politeness on these little occasions."
Mr. Campbell represented the Galena District in Congress for two years, from
1850 to 1852, and was then made a judge of the United States L.and-Court in
California. He has been dead some years.
148 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
Englishman at a great rate. The Engh'shman, unpractised
in the \va)'s of the country, does not take hold of things
by the smooth handle. He plants himself squarely before
his difficulties, he evades nothing, but works hard and
steadily to remove them; not always with dexterity, on the
contrary, he often seems to take hold of things the wrong
way. But the Englishman has a higher standard in his
mind. He has seen well-cultivated farms, and substantial
and convenient farm-houses; mansions surrounded by
verdant lawns, kept as closely shorn as the pile on a Tur-
key carpet, and the gravel-walks kept as clean as the floor
of the drawing-room. These high standards he may not
reach, but he approaches somewhat toward them. His
improvements are more substantial, and he stays upon
them. After some years, comparing the two, the English-
man has surpassed the American. In a few more, the
American is gone; but the I'^nglishman remains.
Ihc three brother Michaels, who seemed to have less of
the roaming propensit)' than most Americans that settletl
in the same prairie, with Wood, l^rissenden, and Scaving-
ton, are gone; but the latter remain there stronger and
more flourishing than ever.
It is a noticeable fact that emigrants bound for the Eng-
lish Settlement in Illinois, landed at every port from the
St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico. This arises from
the fact that the laborers and small-farmers of England
are ver)' imperfectly accjuainted with the geography of
America. Indeed, among all classes in luigland there is a
very inadequate idea of the extent of the United States,
and scarcely any of the nationality of each state. The
child at school, looking at the map of I'^ngland, sees all the
counties, and London as the metropolis of the kingdom.
On the map of America, he sees the States, and Washing-
ton as the metropolis of the Republic. Ho feels that the
States of America and the counties of England are rela-
tively the same. I (juestion if half-a-dozen maps arc to be
found in all ICngland, of the different states marked with
county boundaries. It is a point not explained to him by
his teachers. Thus the error grows up with him. As
various as their ports of debarkation, were the routes they
took, and the tnoiles of conve\'ance they adopted.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 49
Some came in wagons and light carriages, overland;
some on horseback; some in arks; some in skiffs; and
some by steam -boat, via New Orleans. One Welshman
landed at Charleston, S. C. "How did you get here?" I
asked. "Oh," he innocently replied, "I just bought me a
horse, sir, and inquired the way." It seems our Settlement
was then known at the plantations in Carolina and in the
mountains of Tennessee. The great variety found among
our people, coming as they did from almost every county
in the kingdom, in complexion, statue, and dialect, was, in
the early days of our Settlement, very remarkable. Of the
variety of places from which they came, I had some singu-
lar indirect testimony.
When a youth, I accompanied my drawing- master on
his annual sketching tour into the southern counties of
Wales, and adjoining counties of England. From some
three hundred pencil-sketches, we selected six for pictures
in body color, an art I was then learning. Like many first
productions of children, my parents put these, my first
efforts, into frames, and hung them up. By some means
they came in our baggage, and were hung up in my cabins
on the prairies. One day, the Welshman, Williams, look-
ing earnestly at one of them, asked me where that place
was. I told him it was "Pont ne Vaughan," Glamorgan-
shire, South Wales. "I thought it was, sir, or I should
not have asked; and there stands the Widow Griffith's
house. I have been there, sir, a hundred times." And
there he stood, exclaiming sometimes in Welsh, sometimes
in English, pleased at the representation that recalled to
him the happy scenes of his youth.
On another occasion, my shepherd challenged another
picture. "Is not that the River Severn, near Bristol, sir.'"
"Yes." "And there are the two islands, called the 'flat'
and the 'steep holmes', on which I have gathered bushels
of birds' eggs," said he. In this way were my early pic-
tures nearly all recognized. That representations of places,
taken nearly a half-century before in secluded places in
England, far apart from each other, should be sent into a
wilderness of another hemisphere, there to be recognized
by persons, some of whom were not born at the time the
sketches were taken, seems a very strange thing.
150 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
It will be seen that our position is not on any of the
great highways of travel. We caught none of the floating
population as they passed. Most of those who came set
out expressly to come to us. This circumstance indicates
some leading sentiment that, in a greater or less degree, is
common amongst us all.^ We are, generally speaking,
republican in politics, with a strong bias for equal freedom
to all men. A portion amongst us arc of more liberal sen-
timents than strict sectionalism will allow. All, more or
less, of a reflective and reading class, with a certain vein of
enterprise, or we should not have been here.
Thus far we had been successful, contending and over-
coming material objects. We were now to have our share
of trouble, annoyances, and bitter contentions. I'Lnemies
were rising up, seeking to arrest the current of emigration.
New towns and settlements forming deeper in the inte-
rior, and with a fresher popularity, have to encounter env}'
and disparaging remarks from many of the inhabitants of
older towns and settlements, themselves young and want-
ing population. To pass them and their town is felt as a
sort of insult. There are persons in almost all places read)'
to exaggerate the difficulty of travel, and , dilate on the
disadvantages of the place, to which the traveler is bound.
Others, less scrupulous, give utterance to ever\' plausible
falsehood to arrest the stranger. This we had to endure,
and we sufiercd from its influence, perhaps in a greater
degree, from the circumstance of our Settlement being
more widely advertised ami known. We lost man\' fami-
lii's, that came out to join us. from this cause. Scores and
hundreds were, by these fibulous stories, arrested, and
many of them ultimatel)- detained from thirt\- to a hun-
dred miles cast of us.
The most remarkable instance of this kind of influence
occurred in the person of Mr. Filder. who came over in m\
ship. lie was over fifty years of age, of apparent firmne^-^
and resolution, worth forty thousand pounds, and came out
expressly to make a member of our Settlement in Illinois.
lie was one of those who made the journe)' from Pitts-
burgh on horseback. He traversed the states of Ohio and
Indiana, and arriveil at the oUl town of Vincennes. II
had doubtless passed over much rough country, and cxpt
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 151
rienced many annoyances — bad roads, swollen streams, bad
cooking, buggy beds — altogether enough to put an elderly
gentleman a little out of sorts.
Finding that he was a man of property, and hoping to
detain him at Vincennes, they plied him with awful accounts
of the English Settlement, and the way to it. When he
got there, he would find no water to drink; all the people
there were shaking with the fever and ague. To get there,
he must sell his horse and buy a canoe, to get through the
swamps and waters; and much more of the like kind.
Although within one day's ride, forty miles, and on the
verge of the prairie country, for which he had taken a
voyage of three thousand miles, and a journey of one
thousand inland, for the purpose of seeing them, these
unfavorable reports made such an impression on him, that
he rode back the journey, and recrossed the Atlantic,
without seeing what he came to see.
It was as early as the year 18 19, that William Cobbett
wrote his two letters to Morris Birkbeck, which appear in
the third part of his "Year's Residence in the United States
of America." These had a wide circulation in England
and in America. Written with his usual force and talent,
these letters, with his after-efforts, had a decided effect in
checking the current of emigration to our Settlement, and
in diverting it to other channels. The more so as there
was truth mingled with his special pleading, mistaken
premises, and erroneous deductions. He accused Mr.
Birkbeck of propagating misstatements, in the form of
letters, addressed to fictitious persons in order to give
them the semblance of truth. He quotes from a particu-
lar letter as containing evidence of its own falsity. Now
this particular letter I took to England, and delivered to
the person to whom it was addressed, Mr. John Graves, a
gentleman of great worth and respectability, of the Society
of Friends, living near St. Albans, Hertfordshire.
In replying, Mr. Birkbeck made use of an expression to
this effect (for I have not the words to quote from), "there
is something in your character that throws a doubt on the
motive of your statement." The expression, I think, is
correct. With all the strong points of Cobbett's character,
and in them there was much to admire, there was still that
152 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
doubt existing in the minds of his most ardent admirers.
His sobriety, amazing industry, persistent perseverance,
self- instruction, the bringing of himself from obscurity to
name and honorable notice, are admirable powers and
traits of character. The cloud of mistrust, which hung
over his motives, even among his many admirers, I pre-
sume was from his peculiar position as a political writer.
No man could, for so many years as he did, and writing
with his force and ability, maintaining one set of political
opinions, praising all who agreed with him, and pouring
out vituperation and abuse on all who ditTered from him,
change suddenly, argue for all he had formerly denounced,
praising those he had blamed, and vilif\'ing those who he
had formerly eulogized, either maintain his character for
consistency, or dispel all doubts of his honest)'. I have
known many of Cobbett's admirers, and I rank myself
among them ; but I have never known a half-dozen persons
who yielded to him their implicit confidence. Be this as it
may. He was in a position, bj' issuing his disparaging
statements through his widely-read Rtj^islcr, to do us much
harm, and winild have done us much more, had he been
implicitly believed.
Some of these statements were replied to, in luigland.
by the pen of my father, and in letters to individuals by
myself, and by Mr. Hirkbeck, in a printed address in jiani-
phlet form, "To Immigrants arri\iiig in the I'^astern .Stalc>:
published by C. Wiley & Co.. 3 Wall Street. New York.'"
Ihe rejiorts, spread m the ICastern States, at first fnmi
.sources to us unknown, were anonj'mous. They wen
most dismal — "That all our bright prospects had vanished,
and that we had been visited by every calamitj', physical
iMil moral; by famine, disease, and strife; that the soinnl
have been too few to nurse the sick, and the living scarce!)
able to bur)- the dead," etc. Cobbett's active pen. it was
said (with what truth. I know not), was employed by cer-
tain land- speculators, in New York anil Tennsylvania.
A Dr. Johnson, personif)ing. as he professetl. a societ)-
for the benefit of I'.uropean emigrants arriving in the port
of New York, makes charges, without any scruple, against
our situation and ourselves. It turned out that he was .1
large land-owner in New York and Penns)-lvania. These
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. I 55
calumnies were forcibly and well answered. But the venom
had spread before the antidote could be applied. Hun-
dreds who saw the denunciatory accusations, never saw the
replies. When these statements were all tripped up, the
last charge was made, and the cry of infidelity was raised.
But we were out of reach. Their abuse was, in some sort,
an advertisement. We had powerful interests to oppose
us. The British Government did not like to see its people
strengthening the United States, and neglecting its own
colonies. A number of books and newspaper statements
appeared suddenly in England, some anonymous, some
under assumed names, and one or two with real names,
full of disparagement, falsehood, and abuse.
Mr. Fearon's book of travels, although appearing under
his own name, it is said, was edited and published by the
poet-laureate, and so worded by him as to give an unfavor-
able turn to everything American in the eyes of the Eng-
lish emigrant. To sum up, the British Government lent
the weight of its influence against us. The most popular
writer of the times was actively engaged against us. The
Eastern land-speculator. Tories everywhere. The bigoted
religious (and they were legion) were all against us. They
disparaged where they could not deny, and scrupled not
to substitute falsehood for truth, whenever the occasion
suited. They influenced the wavering, intimidated the
weak, and forcibly restrained those over whom they had
control.
Thus stood the war without, when we were suddenly
called upon to turn our weapons to an enemy at home — an
enemy more to be dreaded than all the political writers
and land-speculators put together. It was the evil genius
of Slavery that stood within our borders, plotting and
contriving how to make the whole State its prey.
C H A P T 1^ R X.
Conspiracy against Liberty The Convention Question The Salines
Slaves to Work them How Slavery got a Foothold in Illi-
nois Provision of the First Constitution Gen. Willis Hargrave
System Adopted to Change the Constitution The Project
Exposed The Pro -Slavery Men holding all the Offices Judge
Samuel D. Lockwood an Exception Letters of "Jonathan Free-
man" and "John Rifle" - Handbill "Pro Bono Publico" Letters
of Morris Birkbeck — The Election takes Place — Vote of Ed-
wards County -Slavery Men Active and Unscrupulous -Gov.
Coles and Mr. Birkbeck The latter appointed Secretary-of- State
by Gov. Coles — The Outrages on Gov. Coles by the Slavery
Party — Letter of Gov. Coles to Mr. Birkbeck -Honorable Excep-
tions among the Pro -Slavery Men, Judges Wilson and Browne
^The Cloven-Foot Exposed by the " Shawneetown Gazette " —
The Death of Mr. Birkbeck —Buried at New Harmony, Ind. —
His Memory to be held in Respect and Gratitude.
TllKRK arc questions asked at the present day. Scarcely
any one person can j^ivc all the answers. It is some-
thing like asking a soldier to give a description of a battle
in which he fought. He necessarily gives the history of
that part of the field that came under his own obscr\-a-
tion. This effort to obtain a convention undoubtedly had
a local origin. Hut the ramifications i>f this conspirac)'
against liberty, soon after its inception, extended over all
the State, even to the extreme north. There are those,
doubtless, now living, who can tell what part the centre
and north of the State took in this transaction, as I am
about to describe the action of the south. My impression
is that the treachery came from the south, and the traitors*
• Mr. riower is at f.i\ilt when he descrilios the " traitors" as comiiii; from
the "iinrth. " Tlic northtTii inuntics of the State, as they exisliil in 1S22,
were tireene, I'ikc, I'ullon, l-MwanK, Hoiitl, l'"ayettc, Mont);»)mcry, Wayne,
Lawrence, (rawfonl, C'l.irk, Madison, and .'^an^;amon. In the .Senate, in
the " Convention I,cj;islature," these ctmnties were represented l>y fi:r anti-
convention nicn and t:i',> convention men. In the House, in the same I.ejjis-
lalure, tlicsc same counties were reprcscntetl by ninf anli-convcnliun men
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 155
from the north; at least, so many of them as were neces-
sary to give an effective aid to the southern faction, that
desired to introduce slavery and establish it over the State.
The better to understand the coming controversy, the
circumstances of the territory must be referred to, as they
existed previous to the year 1817, and the different tone of
feeling that existed in the two parties living in the south-
ern part of Illinois; one strongly opposing, the other as
determinedly sustaining, the introduction of slavery into
the new State.
A saline, or water strong enough to make salt, was
found in a district of country about ten or twelve miles
north-west of Shawneetown, on the Ohio River. The
salines were reserved from sale by the United States. The
General Government leased these salines to individuals,
and afterward to the State of Illinois, allowing slaves to
be brought into the Territory for the purpose of working
them. Under the Territorial law, hundreds and thousands
of slaves were introduced into the southern part of the Ter-
ritory, chiefly from the states of Kentucky and Tennessee.
For all practical purposes, this part of the Territory was
as much a slave-state as any of the states south of the
Ohio River. To roll a barrel of salt once a year, or put
salt into a salt-cellar, was sufficient excuse for any man to
hire a slave, and raise a field of corn. Slaves were not
only worked at the saline, they were waiters in taverns,
draymen, and used in all manner of work on the north
side of the Ohio River. As villages and settlements
extended further, the disease was carried with them. A
black man or a black woman was found in many families,
in defiance of law, up to the confines of our Settlement,
sixty miles north, and in one instance in it. In some, but
not many, cases, they were held defiantly; in others, eva-
sively, under some quibble or construction of law; in most
cases, under a denial of slavery. "Oh, no! not slaves; old
(including Hansen) and four convention men (excluding Shaw). It will be
seen, therefore, that the great body of the anti-convention men in the Legis-
lature were from the northern counties of the State having an organization in
1822. The only anti-convention senator from the middle or southern portion
of the State, as settled at that day, was Andrew Bankson of Washington
County, and the only anti-convention representatives were Thomas Mather
and Raphael Wieden of Randolph County.
156 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
servants attached to the family; don't like to part with
them," etc. And in many cases it was so. In some of
those "attached" cases, however, there was found no bar to
trading off the poor darkey for a few loads of salt, or, what
was better, a little ready cash. This was the planting of
slavery on our soil, within the bounds of the saline, legally
and without virtuality. The evil plant took such strong
root, that, in a few years, it was found difficult to pluck it
up and cast it from us.
In article IV, section 2, of our first constitution, will be
found the limitations to the term of ser\ice and the period
fi.xed for the termination of slavery, before legally per-
mitted in this section of the State. It reads thus: "No
person, bound to labor in any other State, shall be hired to
labor in this State, excepting within the tract reserved for
the salt-works, near Shawneetown, nor even at that place
for a longer term than one year, at any one time. Nor
shall it be allowed there after the year 1825. Any viola-
tion of this article shall effect the emancipation of such
perscjn from his obligation to service."
I lerc the whole thing was supposed to be settled. Every-
bod)' thought freedom established, and slavery excluded;
and, under that belief, emigrants from free-states and from
Kurope came in, and began to make jicrmanent settlements
for themselves antl families.
As the time for e.vcluding slavery ilrew near, the lessees
of the saline — (ir.inger, (iuard. \Vhite, ^nd others, and
conspicuous among these, for the zealous advocacy of the
convention cause, was Major Willis llargrave.* afterward
Icgisl.itor anil general, with other characters in the neigh-
borhootl. made a bold stroke to perpetuate their system of
servile labor, not by asking for an extension of time for
hiring hands to work the saline, but the\' sought so to
change the constitution as to make the whole of Illinois a
slave-state.
* (Icn. Willi'; II.Trjjravc w.is tin- oflkial inspector of the (i-illatin S.iiine.
Mis residence was .It I .irnii. White Ciuinly. ilc nprc-cnteil tli.it county in
the Territori.il Le^jislatiirc. in the sessions of 1S17 iS, ami was a member of
the first Senate of tlic Stale from iSi.S (o iSjj He was a man of inlluence
in his (lay. and was one of the boldest and most outspoken advocates of a
chanf;e in the constitution, so as to make Illinois a slave-state. While others
tcmpori/cd and hesitated, lie openly advocated making Illinois a slave-state.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. I57
Their mode of proceeding was in private caucus. In
these meetings, they adopted resokitions, embodying a
system of action. After the system of action was more
matured, they appointed a committee of five from each
county, empowered to appoint a subcommittee of three in
each precinct, well-wishers to slavery, to act in such a way
as they thought best, to induce the citizens to vote for a
convention to amend the constitution. At first it was
endeavored to keep the main object out of view. It was
for a time stoutly denied that the amendments proposed
to be made in the constitution were intended to introduce
slavery. But it was impossible to keep the secret, and
very soon the true object was no longer denied.
Then came articles in the newspapers, advocating the
introduction of slavery for a limited time, quite plausible
and mild at first. They were trying to tickle the fish, and
did not want him to flounder before their fingers were in
his gills, and they could then throw him out of his element.
After the action of the conventionists at Vandalia. the
advocacy of slavery, in full, appeared in all the papers in
the southern part of the State, and in those of Louisville
and St. Louis. For a long time, the people were asleep on
the subject, and the slave-holders were enabled, under
cover of this apathy, to mature all their plans. Neither is
this surprising, when we consider the state of the country.
Settlements were far apart; but few took newspapers, and
fewer read them ; personal communication was infrequent.
The country people were all engaged in their daily labor,
not dreaming of any impending change in our system of
laws and government. As to the tone of feeling among
the people residing in that large portion of the State south
of our Settlement, it was actively or negatively in favor of
slavery. Our influential men, and all who held office, from
the governor to the constable, were from slave -states.
Every sheriff" and every clerk of the county were pro-
slavery men. Every laywer and all our judges were from
slave-states, and pro-slavery. I know of but one* excep-
* Samuel D. Lockwood was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of
Illinois, January 19, 1825, and held the ofifice continuously till December 4,
1S48. As a lawyer he held a good rank, and was distinguished by the probity
of his character and the purity of his life. Illinois never had a magistrate
more respected and beloved than Judge Lockwood.
158 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
tion in the wliole bar that attended our courts, and that
was Samuel D. Lockwood, for many years a lawyer and
jud^e, now livin<^, I believe, at Batavia.
The people were almost all of the class of poor whites,
from the Southern States. Many of them had been negro-
overseers. Such was the population south of our Settle-
ment in Edwards County. The feeling in I'xlwards County
was widely different ; the English Settlement in the west
and the Methodist Settlement in the east were strongly
against slavery. When the action of the conventionists
become known to our people, it aroused the indignation
that had slumbered too long.
The mode of proceeding to influence the vote of the
legislature, I will give, in the words of an eye-witness, to
all the proceedings. The history of the business appears
to be shortly this: "Certain members of that bod)- (speak-
ing of the assembly), anxious to introduce a forbidden sys-
tem among us, formed themselves into a junto or caucus,
soon after the commencement of the session, and offered
to other members their votes in favor of any proposition
which those members had any interest in carrying, in con-
sideration of their pledging themselves to support the
measure of a convention. 1^\- the accession of these, their
first victims, the caucus, in fact, became the legislature, as
by comprising a majorit}' of both houses, it was capable of
carrying every question, that one cxciptcii. Other represen-
tatives, who had not as \'et bartered away their independ-
ence, soon discovered that they were completely at the
mercy of the junto; and, in order to recover the means of
serving their constituents on those points of local interest
which, when combinetl, form tiie general weal, suffered
tliemselves, one by one, to be bought over, until the faction
h.ul accjuired nearly two-thirds of the whole number of
votes the strength recjuisite to carr)' their favorite meas-
ure, without the accomplishment of which. the\' declared,
they would not quit V'amlalia.
"They repeatedly tried their strength by preparatory
resolutions, and at length, on the 5th of h'ebruary, brought
forwanl the main (luestion; but it was decideil against
them by a majority of two. They were not, however, to
be so baflled. They carrieil a vote of reconsideration, aiul
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 59
the resolution was laid upon the table. On the iith of
February, having gained over the deficient votes by means
which it would seem invidious to mention, the resolution
was again brought forward, and again lost, through the
defection of a member who, on a former occasion, had
voted for it. Notwithstanding this second decision, they
persevered in their purpose.
"One of the party, although in the constitutional minority
on the last division, again moved a reconsideration of the
question. The speaker declared the motion to be out of
order, because the mover was in the minorit}^ They
attempted to overrule the decision of the speaker, by an
appeal to the House ; but the chair was supported by a
majority of three. Here, it might be supposed, the ques-
tion was finally decided, and would have been allowed to
rest ; but it proved otherwise. On the succeeding day, the
vote confirming the speaker's decision was reversed and
the motion for reconsideration, made by one of the minor-
ity, carried; and to extinguish the vote of the defaulter,
and create a favorable one in the room of it, as no such
vote could be found in the House, they had recourse to a
proceeding, the most injust and impudently tyrannical
that ever, as I believe, disgraced the legislature of a free
country."
" By an arbitrary resolution, in direct violation of law,
they expelled one of the representatives who had been
established in his seat, by the decision of the House, and
introduced in his room a man favorable to their views, who
had been declared, by the same decision, not to be a repre-
sentative. Thus was Mr. Hansen illegally expelled from
his seat in the legislature, and Mr. Shaw illegally placed
in. Having accomplished this, they brought forward the
main question the third time, and carried it by the vote of
this man, whom they created a member for the express
purpose, at the close of the session."
Ford, in his "History of Illinois," confirms this statement,
but makes the tergiversation of the assembly more appar-
ent. He says, at page 52 : "When the legislature assem-
bled, it was found that the Senate contained the requisite
two-thirds' majority; but in the House of Representatives,
by deciding a contested election in favor of one of the can-
l6o THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
didates, the slave -party would have one more than two-
thirds; but by deciding in favor of the other, they would
lack one vote of havint^ that majority. These two candi-
dates were John Shaw and Nicholas Hansen, who claimed
to represent the county of Pike, which then included all
the Military Tract and all the countr\' north of the Illinois
River, to the northern limits of the State. The leaders of
the slave-party were anxious to elect Jesse B. Thomas to
the United States Senate. Hansen would vote for him,
but Shaw would not. Shaw would vote for the convention,
but Hansen would not. The part\- had use for both of
them, and the\- determined to use them both, one after the
other. For this purpose, the}' first decided in favor of
Hansen, admitted him to a seat, and with his vote elected
their United States senator; and then, toward the close of
the session, with mere brute force, and in the most bare-
faced manner, they reconsidered their former vote, turncil
Hansen out of his seat, and decided in favor of Shaw, and
with his vote carried their resolution for a convention."*
We had now no other recourse than to vote at:^ainst a
convention or become the accomplices of this base faction.
W'c thought, at that time, that such a scene of base
intrigue was never before exhibited under a representatiw
government, as prevailed at X'andalia during that session.
Some of the doings of other legislatures, and of Con-
gress, have enlightened us since that time, and shown us
that men arc tt) be found as unscrupulous now as they
* In tlie aicount Nfr. l-"l()\ver has <;ivcn of tlio ccloliratovl cunte.sl l)elvvci-ii
>haw and Hansen, he has sinijily followed the accfj)le<l liisiorical version.
<iov. Kcynolils an<l (lov. Koril are both mistaken when they state that Han-
sen was aiiniiucii to a scat in the lower branch of the 1 .eL;islature, in order ti'
vote for 'l'ht)nias, for I . ."s. senator, and wa^ then put out in order to admit
Shaw, for the ]iur|>ose of having his vote for tite convention re>i)lution. Han-
sen was llie sittinj;-niember whose seat was contested by Shaw. The contest
was settled in the early part of the session, and without any reference what-
ever cither to the senatorial or convention ijuesiion. 'I'lic l!ou'>e decide»l th.it
Hansen was entitled to his seal. It was only at the end of the session, and
after Hansen had hehl his seat unchallcn;.;ed for eleven weeks, that he was
turned out, to |>ut Shaw in so by his vote to carry the convention resolu
tion. 'I'hc procectlini; was lawless, revoluti<inary, and utterly dis(;raceful,
and contributeil larjjely to the defeat of the convention scheme i)efore tli'
|>eo|ile. |Sec "Sketch of l.dward lolc^ anil the Slavery Struggle in Illinoi .
in 182.; 4, by E. It. Washburnc. Honorary Member of the (Iticajjo Histoi.
c.il Society. "I
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. l6l
were then. Small rewards were dealt out to small men.
Larger douceurs were offered to larger interests. One
thing, very well known, is, that the southerners offered to
the northerners their support and votes in these terms:
"If you will vote for our convention, we will vote for your
canal." Whether the northmen were invulnerable, the
legislative record will best show. So the measure was
carried in the legislature."'
Taking Edwards County, on the Wabash, which threw a
decisive majority for no convention, following the same
line of latitude westward, to where the Rev. Mr. Peck of
Rock Spring, I think in St. Clair County, headed the no-
convention ticket; then to Edwardsville, where Gov. Ninian
Edwards did good battle for freedom, and on to Alton;
here was presented the first line of batteries against the
slavery - shock from the south. After the vote of the
legislature, up to the time of election, the war waxed
warm. From our Settlement many communications were
constantly issuing, generally in reply to the advocates of
slavery from the south. The discussion took every form.
The religious, the benevolent, the political, the expedient
arguments were all used by our opponents, and as con-
stantly replied to by us, principally by Mr. Birkbeck.
The native question showed itself then as now. It will
be in place to give a sample of the controversy in an
address from our Settlement which appeared in the Illi-
nois Gazette:
*'An Address to the Citizens of Illinois for the day of Elec-
tion, and zuorthy of their serious attention preparatory
thereto :
"Blessed beyond all the nations of the earth in the
enjoyment of civil and political freedom, under a con-
stitution which is the admiration of the wise in every
nation to which the knowledge of it has extended, the
* Mr. Flower is perhaps not entirely accurate in this statement. At this
time the canal question could not have cut much of a figure. The first grant
of land, for the construction of the lUinois-and-Michigan Canal, was not ob-
tained until 1827. There was then no ti07-tliern part of the State, as we now
understand it. Sangamon and Pike were then the most northerly counties,
though there were a few settlers in Fulton. All the counties, afterward par-
ticularly interested in the canal, were established subsequent to 1822-3.
i I
l62 THE EXCLISH SETTLEMKNT
citizens of this Great Republic have yet to deplore that
there exists within it a system of oppression, greatly
exceeding in its cruelty and injustice all other calamities
inflicted by tyrann}- upon its victims, an inheritance of
wretchedness, extending from generation to generation.
"In those sections of the Republic where this system
prevails, a large proportion of the people distinguished
from the rest by color, but alike susceptible of pain and
pleasure, with minds capable of improvement, though
disgraced by their condition, are deprived of all rights,
personal and civil, and groaning in hopeless servitude.
The effect of this evil upon the states, laboring under
this curse, (in addition to the every-day misery of the
slaves), is to obstruct their improvement to an astonishing
degree, especially by repressing population. According
to a census made by congress in 1774, Virginia, at that
period, contained 650,000 inhabitants. New York, includ-
ing \'ermont. and Pcnns)-l\ania, including Delaware, con-
tained together only 600,000 — that is to say 50,000 less
than Virginia alone. In 1820, by the last census. New
York, Penns)-l\'ania, anrl Delaware contained, omitting
fractions, two millions six hundred thousand free persons;
having increased above fourfold in forty-six years, eight
of which were under the pressure of a consuming war.
But these states had, during this period, delivered them-
selves from slavery, that still more consuming plague with
which we are now threatenetl. X'irginia luihappil)- remained
in bondage; and by the census of 1S20, instead of a popu-
lation of two millions anil a-half, which she probabl}- would
have attained, if free, had little more than one million, of
which four hundred and forty-five thousand were slaves;
exposing a deficiency arising from this source in that single
state, of two millions of free i)ersons. In the value of land
and the amoimt of manufacturing and commercial capital
vi-stcd in public institutions, canals, hospitals, seminaries
of learning, etc., the contrast is still more remarkable; a
Irnfolil proportion in favor of the h'ree-states is probably
below the truth. To this add the number and vast superi-
ority of their towns and cities and cultivated farms, with
the industry, tranciuillit)', and security of the inhabitants.
Pursue the conip.irison throughout the I'nion, and such
IN EDWARDS COUNTY, 1 63
is the lamentable result; misery and vice, restraining-
population where slavery prevails, and drying up all the
sources of prosperity.
" We are assembled this day to make our election be-
tween freedom with its blessings, and slavery and its
curses unutterable; between good and evil. Indiana, our
sister state, has given us an example of wisdom by an
overwhelming majority against a slave-making conven-
tion. Ohio, another sister rejoicing in her own freedom,
is exerting herself in the generous hope of laying a
foundation of universal emancipation; as appears by an
earnest appeal to the Union lately issued by her legis-
lature. United as we are with these states in a solemn
compact against the admission of slavery, let Illinois
prove herself worthy of their affinity, and coming for-
ward with one consent on the side of wisdom and virtue,
let us disappoint the hopes of a short - sighted party
among us, who would sacrifice our permanent interests
to their mistaken views of temporary advantage. The
individual who presumes thus to address you is no poli-
tician; has no objects at variance with the general wel-
fare; no ambition but to be a friend of mankind, and
especially his brethern and fellow-citizens of this State."
This address was also published in handbill form,
and freely distributed previous to the election. It was
the last address from our side previous to the vote; and
as it has been said to have been attended with effect,
I have given it the first place here.
In June, a series of letters signed "Jonathan Freeman",
on the free side, replied to by "John Rifle", appeared in
the SJiaivneetotvn Gazette. The following are specimens
of the style and talent of each writer:
JONATHAN freeman's LETTER, NO. I.
" To the Editor of the Illinois Gazette:
"Sir — I am a poor man; that is to say I have no money.
But I have a house to cover me, and the rest of us, a stable
for my horses, and a little barn, on a quarter of good land
paid up at the land-office, with a middling fine clearing
upon it and a good fence. I have about thirty head of
cattle, some of them prime, and a good chance of hogs;
164 TIIK KNdl.ISH SKTTI.KMEXT
and b}' the labors of my boys, we make a shift to get along.
We help our neighbors, who are generally as poor as our-
selves;— some that are new-comers are not so well fixed.
They help us in turn; and as it is the fashion to be indus-
trious, I discover that we are all by degrees growing
wealthy, not in money to be sure, but in truck.
"There is a great stir among the land-jobbers and poli-
ticians, to get slaves into the country; because, as they
say, we are in great distress; and I have been thinking
how it would act with me and my neighbors. I read \-our
paper as it comes out, but don't find anything to clear it
up. First of all you gave us an address from a meeting at
\'andalia in praise of a convention; next you published the
protest of the minority against the tricks of the slave-
party; and then you said we had the whole matter before
us. Though you seem to hang that waj', \'ou have not
said /loii' slavery is to do good to me, and the like of me —
that is four citizens out of five in the State. I have already
seen people from Kentuck)-, and some of the neighbors
have been traveling in that country. They all agree in
one story, that the Kentuckians are as bad off for money
as we, some say worse. People that have been to New
Orleans say it is the same all down the river; no money,
but a jjower of plantations to sell, if there were an)' buyers.
As money seems to be all we want, antl the\' want it just
as much as we do, I don't see how those slave-gentry are
to make it plcnt\', unless sending more produce to New
Orleans would raise the price; as to neighbors, give me
plain farmers, working with tlieir own free hands, or the
hands of free workmen. Not great planters and tiieir
negroes; for negroes are miildling light -lingeretl. and I
suspect we should have to lock up our cabins when we left
liome, and if we were to leave our linen out all night, wi-
might chance to miss it in the morning. The planters are
great men, and will ride about might)- grand, with umbrel-
las over their heads, when I and my boys arc working
perhaps bareheaded in the hot sun. Neighbors indeed I
they would have it all their own wa\-, and rule over us like
little kings; we should have to patrol round the countr)' Id
keep their negroes untler, insteail of minding our (n\ n busi-
ness; but if we lackeil to raise a building, or a dollar, thr
devil a bit would the)* help us.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 65
"This is what I have been thinking, and so I suspect we
all think, but they who want to sell out; and they that
want to sell, will find themselves mistaken if they expect
the Kentuckians to buy their improvements, when they
can get Congress-land at a dollar and a-quarter an acre.
It is men who come from free-states with money in their
pockets, and no workhands about them, that buy improve-
ments. Yours, Jonathan Freeman."
"JOHN rifle's" letter IN REPLY TO JONATHAN
freeman's first LETTER.
" Sir: — I have seen in your paper of Saturday last, a
letter signed Jonathan Freeman, about which I wish to
make a few remarks. This Freeman lives near the Wa-
bash, and is a neighbor of mine, and from what I know of
him, I am certain there is something not right about this
letter. I know that he could not have wrote it himself, for
two reasons; first, the man has not been sober for three
months; and, second, he can't write. Freeman used to be
an honest, industrious man, until about a year ago, when
he got into the habit of going to Albion, keeping com-
pany with the English, and drinking beer. He has got so
haunted to the place, that there is no breaking him off;
and it will be the ruin of him; for beer, you know, has the
effect of stupefying and clouding the mind, as we may see
by all the English that come over. Some chance ones are
peart enough, but in a general way they have what I call
a beer-fog over them. If it had not been for this. Free-
man would never have allowed any man to put his name
to such an instrument of writing as the one in your paper.
There is no doubt that the English have been cologing
with him on the subject of the convention, taking advan-
tage of him when he was not rightly at himself, and may
be some of them wrote that piece for him; however, I
do n't think he ever knew anything about it.
" Now as to the letter itself, let us see whether it is true.
He says in one place, T discover that we are all by degrees
growing rich, not in money to be sure, but in truck.' This,
I do say, is not true. I appeal to the farmers throughout
the State, whether any of them are getting rich, in money
or truck, or anything else. They will answer — No. He
l66 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
says there is a great stir among 'land-jobbers and politi-
cians to get slaves into the country;' let me ask who does
he mean by land-jobbers and politicians? Does he mean
the Legislature? If so, the people will not thank him for
libelling two-thirds of their representatives as land-jobbers,
nor will truth justify him; for, in fact, a large majority of
the Legislature were plain farmers like ourselves. Perhaps
he means the people, and there he is equally wrong. The
farmers of this country have no right to be called land-
jobbers; whether they are politicians or not, will be found
out at next election, when, I think, they will show that
they will not be fuddled b\' British beer, nor cajoled out
of their rights by British influence.
"He says, 'the planters are great men, and will ride
about, mighty grand, with umbrellas over their heads,
when I and my boj's are working, perhaps, bareheaded in
the hot sun.' I now ask all the Kentuckians in this State
to give evidence on this point. Do the people of Ken-
tuck)' ride about, mighty grand, with umbrellas over their
heads? We have a great many Kentuckians, Tennosseeans,
and North Carolinians in this State, and we don't find that
they are more grand and proud than other folks. As for
working bareheaded in the sun, I did not know that it was
usual to do that in this countr\-. They say the poor devils
in the old country have to do it; but there is nothing to
l)revent their covering their heads here; and if they an
too lazy to do so, I say let them go bareheaded. The
fact is. that the man who wrote that letter for Freeman,
has been used tn have poor white folks for slaves; and
tlu:y want to keep up the same rule here, whicii (iod for-
bid. If they expect to introduce nobilitx', taxes, and white
slaver)' among us, the)- will be mistaken. They tried that
b^'fore the Revolution, and much the)* got by it.
"Again, the writer of this letter says the 'negroes an-
micUlling light-fingered', and he gives this as an objection
against their admission. This is as much as to sa)' tlu
blacks are thieves, anil therefore we will not admit them
among us as slaves, and keej) tiiem luuler ctmtrol; but w
will let them in as free pe<iple, ami allow them the chaiu
of stealing like gentlemen. I am a little surprised thai
the objection to light -fmgered people should come from
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 6/
that quarter, for I am told that the people of a certain
island over the water are so highly gifted in this way, that
they can scarcely keep their hands out of each other's
pockets; and that they are hung for it by dozens; but
perhaps they wish to keep the business in their own hands
in this country.
"Mr. Editor, I have now done with my neighbor Free-
man. I would advise him to mind his farm, and not be
writing letters to the printer. Or, if he is so very anxious
to be high up in the papers, to get some of his own coun-
trymen to write his documents. I don't think that any
good will be done by writing, no how; for the people of
this country will have their way, and the majority will
govern, in spite of nabobs, who would make white slaves
of us. John Rifle.
" Jime I J, iSzjT
freeman's second letter.
"Sir: — As you have printed my homely letter, showing
the sort of neighbors the slave-gentlemen and their negroes
would be to us plain Illinois farmers, I send you my sim-
ple thoughts, on what is brought up by way of excuse, by
people who, I believe, know better, though they think that
such as I do not. They say that if slaves from Kentucky
come into Illinois, there will be as many less in Ken-
tucky as there will be more here; so that the number of
the whole will not be greater than if they had stayed there.
I see the matter differently. When a man moves, it is
because he is uneasy, and can't thrive; so he goes where
he can do better; the better people are off, the faster they
will increase. Many people in Kentucky are deep in debt,
and have nothing left to call their own but slaves. In that
case, they can't carry on to any good purpose. It goes
hard with such men's negroes, with bellies pinched and
short of clothing, they roam about by night, and pick up
any thing they can find, to cover their backs or satisfy
hunger. This is a great plague to a neighborhood, and
very hurtful to the slaves. When a gang of these hungry,
naked creatures, that hardly keep up in numbers, owing to
their misery, move into a country where their master gets
good land almost for nothing, they make plenty of corn
1 68 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
and pork, and breed two for one. The neighborhood they
left goes on better without them, and soon fills up their
room; so that the slaves now in Kentucky are just as
many more. If Ohio had been a slave-state, there would
have been, at this time, about two hundred thousand more
slaves in the world, and two hundred thousand fewer free
persons. Vv'hich do you think best, Mr. Editor, to raise
freemen or slaves.' Some say we ought to let them into
this country from humanity, because they would be better
off. This sounds mighty well; but it is a h}'pocritical ar-
gument; because kindness to the negroes is not the object.
If they want room, why should they come to Illinois.'
There is plenty of wild land in Kentucky. All Missouri
is open to them, besides the Southern States. We should
consider, too, that when we open a country to slaves, we
close it against freemen, who also want to better their
situation. Jonathan Freeman."
" To the Editor of the Illinois Gazette:
"Sir: — There are some persons, who, after all the pains
that have been taken to open their eyes, are still hanker-
ing for slaver}-. Men, under the dominion of passion,
can not hearken to reason. Passion is both deaf and blind,
and Avarice is an overbearing passion, the}' acknowledge
to be wrong; they arc convinced that in the end, it would
be impolitic; but urged b}* this demon, on they rush. I
can compare them to nothing but the herd of swine we
read of in the Testament, which, 'being jiossessed by a
devil, ran furiously down a steep place into the sea;' and
a sea of trouble it would be, a sea of troubles from which
they woukl never be e.xtricated. Suppose twent}' thousand
negroes to be in the State (no great number, only about
two to a family) then begins a war to which there will be
neither truce nor treaty; a war of oi)|)ression on the one
hand, and of revenge on the other, remlering both parties
wretched during its continuance, and to be endeil, sooner
or later, b}* the destructi(,)n of one or other of them. Look
at oil! X'irginia, which in 1774, was b}- far the most power-
ful State in the I'nion, containing si.x humlred and fifty
thousand inhabitants, more by fift}- thousand than New
^'o^k and Pennsylvania together, including Vermont, and
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 69
I believe Delaware. Look at her condition during the last
war with Great Britain. She could not contribute her
quota of militia to the general defence, through fear of her
slave population. Look at the Carolinas and Georgia.
Consider their constant alarms; the system of nightly
patrols, which, horrible as it truly is, is but the beginning
of sorrows, something by way of prevention. As yet the
power and the show of fighting has been all on one side.;
and so seems to be the suffering. The white man holds
the rifle and brandishes the cow-skin, while the wretched
victims, like the souls under the altar, are crying, 'How
long, oh, Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and
avenge our blood.''' But is the suffering all on one side.'^
How fares it with the trembling females when their hus-
bands and fathers are out on this hateful but necessary
duty.-* Do you think they sleep, and if they do what are
their dreams.^ When they have gathered up every tool
which might be converted into a \veapon of destruction,
and barricaded their houses, and laid themselves in their
beds with their little ones around them. How fare they ?
The midnight torch and the club, and the spirit of ven-
geance are abroad and awake, and do you think they
repose in tranquility.-'
"Such, my fellow-citizens, advocates of this accursed
system, is the inheritance you would provide for your
posterity! I pray you to count the cost before you make
the purchase. VVhat I faintly describe to you is a very
small part of the misery you would bring on yourselves
and your children; these are pains of precaution, merely;
all this and more must be endured, to put off" the evil day
which, sooner or later, will surely arrive. Besides this, on
which would depend your very existence, there would be
on every plantation a perpetual conflict between the eager-
ness of the master and the apathy of the slave ; the simplest
work must be carried on by violence and terror.
"The white man, even the white woman (odious to con-
template), must be ready to apply the lash; and there
would be an incessant war of plunder, in which the whites
would have to act on the defensive. Every thing that can
be secured, must be under lock. Your clothing and provi-
sions and choice fruit and poultry; you might watch them.
I/O THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
but it would be in v^ain. One thief in a neighborhood is a
sufficient nuisance, but then there would be a hundred. If
mischief to your pro[iert\', by theft, would be increased a
hundred fold, so would danger from fire; not through negli-
gence only, but through design. What precautions are
found necessary in slave-states against this devouring
calamity! Yet fires are continually occurring; if you ask
how they happened, the invariable answer is: 'from the
carelessness or the malice of the negroes.' Then, too,
would arise an overwhelming flood of gross immorality,
carrying all decency before it. But I restrain m\' pen; the
catalogue of calamities would be endless; and could all
the advantages, which the conventionists most absurdly
expect, be realized and weighed against any one of the
evils which I have enumerated, they would be as a feather
to a millstone. JONATHAN FREEMAN."
A reverend divine enters the list, with Bible-arguments
for slaver}'; his letter, over the signatiue W. K., appeared
in the Rcpithliia)i Advocate: I never learned his name or
residence. He was the Parson Brownlow of that day. We
will give him a hearing, and see how he is handled by
Jonathan Freeman:
" To the Editor of the Spectator:
"Sir: — The following article, with the signature W. K.,
has appeared in the Republicati Advocate and the Illinois
Repuhliean. As it is an extraordinary production, to give
it a still more general circulation, I request the favor of
your inserting it in your paper, with a reply to it from your
obd't -serv't, Jonathan Freeman."
"'Several gentlemen, who are raising a great hue and
cry against the introduction of slavery into this State,
appear to be influenced strongl\- by religious considerations
and .scruples of conscience. One would conclude, from
what they say and write on this subject (if we can believe
them sincere), that they really suppose it contrary to the
spirit and precepts of our holy religion to reduce the black,
curled-headed Africans to a state of bondage to white men,
and bring them into the Western Hemisphere, and ctmipcl
.some of them to serve the good Christians of Illinois.
"'That it woulil better the condition of all Africa to
bring her unhappy sable children to the American Conti-
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 171
nent, no one, it is presumed, can be found so stupid and
destitute of common sense as to deny or, indeed, for one
moment, to hesitate to believe. Therefore, I say nothing
on this head; and shall content myself by referring the
religiously-scrupulous part of the community, and espe-
cially the preaching and exhorting part thereof, to such
passages of holy writ as I would think ought to close
their lips, and which are conceived to be unanswerable, in
favor of reducing the negroes to a state of bondage to the
whites, and of introducing and treating them as slaves
among us.
"'The passages of scripture to which I would refer, and
which may be deemed conclusive by reasonable and can-
did men, are to be found in many different parts of the
Bible; but it is considered sufficient for our purpose to
quote from the 25th chapter of Leviticus, the 44th, 45th,
and 46th verses: J' Both thy bondmen and thy bondmaids
which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are
round about you, and of them* shall ye buy bondmen and
bondmaids. Moreover, the children of the strangers that
do sojourn among you, of them shall you buy, and of their
families, which are with you, which they beget in your
land, and they shall be your possession ; they shall be your
bondmen forever." From these passages, we see very
plainly that the Israelites were permitted to make slaves
of the heathen that were around them. It is very evident
that the African negroes are to be considered as "strangers"
and "heathen" to us Christians, who stand in the place and
footsteps of the ancient Jews, God's chosen people; and
whatever was lawful for them to do, is lawful for us also.
" ' I call upon the teachers of the Christian religion, and
the expounders of the sacred book, which contains its pre-
cepts; likewise the cunning and crafty opposers of a con-
vention, for the purpose of so amending our constitution,
that we may legally enjoy the blessings of slavery, to
explain away, if they can, the plain and obvious meaning
of those passages which I have transcribed. W. K.' "
To our reverend brother, if we yield to him nothing else,
we must thank him for his candor. He at least wishes,
through the medium of a convention, so to amend the
constitution, that we may legally enjoy the blessings of
1/2 THE ENGLISH SETTLEME^'T
slavery. He goes the whole ho^; and for that I rather
like him, in comparison with that h)-pocritical, fast-and-
loose crew, who, while working and pleading for a con-
vention, denied that the object was to introduce slavery.
But I leave him to Jonathan Freeman:
" To \V. K., Reverend Sir: — I am one of those who are
strongly influenced b)' religious considerations and scruples
of conscience in opposition to slavery; being quite certain
that it is contrary to the spirit of our holy religion to
reduce any human being to a state of bondage, excepting
as a punishment for crimes. I have attentively considered
the passages j'ou have quoted, and I learn from them that
the laws of JMoses permitted the Hebrews, according to
the custom of those barbarous ages, to bu\' bondmen and
bondmaids, of the heathen round about them; but I do
not discover that they were permitted to make them
slaves. On the contrary, it is evident from all collateral
passages, that the persons who might become bondmen
and bondmaids to the Israelites were such as had forfeited
their freedom, and were, b\' law, subjected to the penalty
of slavery. Nothing is said respecting their 'curled hair'
or sable complexions, or any title we have to stand in the
place of the ancient Jews in this particular, or an}- other.
"The Legislature of the United States has taken a
different view from yours of the practice of bringing the
'unhappy sable children of Africa to the American Conti-
nent, that they ma\' cnjo\- the blessings of slavery'; having
declareil it to be a crime of the first magnituile, and punish-
able as such. In regard to making sla\es of the heathen
roundabout us, which you conceive to be our right as Cioil's
chosen people, that also is i:)rohibited. I shall, therefore,
confine my observations to the ensla\ing of the 'strangers'
who sojourn among us; and, in illustration of your extracts
from the law of Moses, on this subject, I invite your atten-
tion to the following collateral authorities taken from the
said code:
"ICxodus, chap. xxii. 2\, 'Thou shalt neither vex a stran-
ger nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of
Kgypt.'
"Kxodus, chap. x.\iii. 9, 'Thou shalt not oppress a stran-
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 173
ger; for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were
strangers in the land of Egypt.'
"Leviticus, chap. xix. t,;^, 34, 'And if a stranger sojourn
with ye in your land, ye shall not vex him ; but the stran-
ger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born
among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye
were strangers in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord thy
God.'
"Leviticus, chap. xxiv. 22, 'Ye shall have one manner of
law, as well for the stranger as for one of your own coun-
try; for I am the Lord your God.'
"Exodus, chap. xxi. 16, 'He that stealeth a man, and
selleth him, or if he is found in his hand, he shall surely be
put to death.'
"Now, as the law of Moses, respecting strangers, is in
perfect conformity with the principles of our free institu-
tions, and as you, sir, consider the peculiar object of those
laws applied in our case, I shall call upon you to exert
your influence, as a good citizen and as a teacher of relig- '
ion, that our practice may be brought to correspond with
the true principles of Christianity and Republicanism.
This would be better employment and better suited to the
character of a minister of the Gospel, than advocating slav-
ery. Jesus Christ is the interpreter of the Mosaic law to
Christians; and the following is his interpretation:
"Mathew, chap. vii. 12, 'All things whatsoever ye would
that men should do unto you, do you even so to them ; for
this is the law and the prophets.' Allow me to remind you
that the 'black, curled-headed Africans' are men; having
the same relation to the Universal Father with yourself, or
it may be a nearer, for it is written, 'he giveth grace to the
humble; but he beholdeth the proud afar off.'
"Jonathan Freeman."
The insidious manner in which the convention question
was broached by its friends and supporters, was one of the
marked features in the early proceedings of the conven-
tionists. They denied at first that it was the object of the
convention to introduce slavery. The annexed extract
from the pen of the editor of the Illinois Gazette, which
precedes the two letters that immediately follow it, will
show the tone held by the conventionists at that time :
174 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
" The writers of the following communications take two
things for granted, which we deem very questionable, if
not positive, mistakes : First, that the main object of the
convention was to introduce slavery; and, secondly, that
the saline can be worked with more profit to the State by
free laborers than hired slaves.
"We do not believe that the introduction of absolute
slavery is the object of the friends of a convention, speak-
ing of them as a body ; though there are individuals,
doubtless, who would desire it. We answer for ourselves,
that it is not ours, nor ever was ; and we believe we may
say as much for all the most influential and intelligent
persons of that party throughout the State. As to work-
ing the saline, we are clear that it can not be done cither
to private or public advantage by free laborers. Indeed it
is a primary object of the friends of a convention in this
quarter, to procure a prolongation of the privilege of hiring
slaves at those works. Such is the conviction of the
greater advantages to be derived from that species of
labor in the present paucity of our population."
" ' To the Editor of the Illinois httdligcnccr:
" 'Sir: — In the Illitiois lutclligcnccr o{ December 6, is an
account of a meeting of certain individuals styling them-
selves 'Friends of a Convention,' held at Wandalia, of which
Gen. Willis Hargrave was the chairman.
" 'As it is thoroughly understood by every citizen who is
capable of distinguishing his right hand from his left, that
the main object of the convention of which these gentle-
men profess to be the friends, is the introiiuction of slaver\-.
I can not refrain from expressing my extreme regret that
the Cieneral should have allowed himself to be placed in
such a situation. I should have thought that the lament-
able condition of the (iallatin Saline (of which I under-
stand he is the official inspector) might have induced him
to raise a warning voice so loud and so earnest as to be
heard through every count)- and ever)- plantation in tlie
Slate, proclaiming to his fellow-citi/ens that their hard-
earneil ilollars expeiuled in salt have passed awa)- into
Kentucky and Tennessee for the hire of negrt^es; not leav-
ing a sufficiency to pay even the rent in our depreciated
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1/5
currency, at the rate of twenty-five cents to the dollar!
He should have laid before us this distressing fact; and
have reminded us, that if free laborers have been employed
instead of slaves, the amount of their wages, at least, would
have remained in circulation among us, and would have
prevented this valuable national estate from being an enor-
mous drain upon our specie, instead of being a source of
profit to the public. One OF THE People.' "
" ' 7"<9 tJie Editor of the Illinois Gazette:
" 'Sir: — At a time when avarice and folly are combining
on the one hand, for the introduction of slavery into our
State, and virtue, with good sense, her never-failing coad-
jutor, on the other, are combining to oppose it, it is amus-
ing to observe the artifices of the slave-party, by which
they endeavor to impose on the public, by mustering and
manoeuvring under the colors of the friends of freedom.
In the Illinois Intelligencer of November i, and in several
other papers, is an account of an affair of this kind. Cer-
tain citizens of Fox-River Township, in White County, to
the number of about sixty persons, being assembled for the
purpose of electing county-commissioners, formed them-
selves into a society in support of a convention, which
everybody knows is designed to bring about the toleration
of slavery; but, instead of proceeding like men, who have
no cause to conceal their intentions, they drew up the fol-
lowing resolutions:
"(These resolutions were published in this paper of the
Sth ; lack of room compels us to refer to them in this way.)
" 'Here the first resolution, unexceptionable in principle,
is held up as a standard. Governments are instituted to
secure the rights and insure the happiness of the governed,
etc.; under these colors they march to the second resolu-
tion, by which they bind themselves to use every honest
exertion to induce their neighbors and fellow-citizens to
act with them in bringing about a change of government;
and by which projected change a portion of the governed,
instead of having their rights secured to them according to
the tenor of the first resolution, are to be held, with their
children after them, in perpetual bondage. They then pro-
ceed to appoint a committee to carry into effect, not the
176 THE EXGLISH SETTLEMENT
resolutions including the first, but the resolution meaning
the second ; thus, laying down the colors of freedom, they
take up the black banner and cut the figure which all peo-
ple do when they are ashamed of their own transactions.
"'The majority of my fellow-citizens of White County
will, I trust, put a just value on their rights and their inde-
pendence, and faithfully adhere to the first resolution.
"'People talk of the right of slave-owners to hold their
fellow-man in bondage; but there is a great difference be-
tween power and right. There may be a power but not a
right to do wrong. The State of New York had the power
to practise slavery, but never the right to do it. The peo-
l)le of that and other free-states, to their honor and incalcu-
lable advantage, have relinquished that noxious power, and
they can not resume it. The states which have abolished
slavery have abolished it forever. Nothing short of a disso-
lution of all government can introduce slavery among a
free people. The end of government is the intellectual
and moral, as well as the corporal good of the whole.
Shoukl slavery be among their customs, the legitimate
object of government would then be to mitigate the evil
during its e.xistence, and abolish it as soon as practicable.
Such has been the course of the States alluded to. The\-
have e.xtirpated the accursed thing. We have bound our-
selves, by a solemn compact, not to plant it; and on this
c.\]")ress condition, we have been admitted to all the rights
and privileges of the original States. The criminal power,
which the advocates of slavery are coveting, and would
sanctif)' under the name of a right, was not one of those
rights and privileges. Slavery was a calamity under
which they were affiicted, ami from which we are happil)-
exempted by our constitution; and this exemption is one
of the most precious of its gift^♦.
" 'JoNAlll.W FkKKM.XN.' "
" To the Editor of the Shdu'tieetoioi (idaette:
"Sir: — -I beg leave to submit to \ou anil the other gen-
tlemen of the legal profession at Shawnectown the follow-
ing <|ueries, arising from facts, which I shall premise:
"The propert)' of the soil of this State, being vested in
the General Government, offices were opened for the sale
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1^7
of land, and certain rights and immunities granted to
purchasers.
'^'^ Query i. — May not such purchasers require of the
United States protection and support in the enjoyment of
those rights and immunities? When they attained the
number of sixty thousand, or at an earher period with the
consent of Congress, they had a right to form a govern-
ment under certain definitions and provisions, viz.: that it
should be a republic; that it should have no hereditary
nobility, no church establishment; and no slavery, except
as a punishment for crimes.
"^. 2. — If the majority had preferred a monarchy, would
not the United States have upheld the minority in its right
to form a republic?
"^. J". — If the majority had attempted to create heredi-
tary rank, or an established church, would not the United
States have supported the minority in their rejection of
those usurpations?
'' Q. ^.- — If the majority had attempted to introduce
slavery, would not the United States have been bound to
enable the minority effectually to resist it? There was,
however, no need of the interposition of Congress in regard
to these matters! The constitution of Illinois was framed
in consistency with these stipulations; and under those
express conditions and limitations the people of the terri-
tory were admitted into the Union as a State.
"(?. 5. — Did that contract cease to be binding the mo-
ment after it was executed?
"If your honorable fraternit)^ shall see good to enlighten
your unlearned fellow-citizens on these points, I may be
encouraged to propose a few after-queries for your solution.
"Jonathan Freeman."
In reply to some sneering remarks, as to the absurdity
of comparing the capacity of a curly-headed black fellow
with white men, the following pertinent piece of history
was given :
" To the Editor of the SJiaivnectoivn Gazette:
''Sir: — Before the admission of slaves into this State, I
would counsel the Solomons in our legislature to devise
some plan to prevent any from being bought or stolen, or
12
178 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
in any manner procured or brought among us, who are able
to read or write; as it is to be feared they might soon be
an overmatch for us in those exercises. A negro fellow,
called Du Vast}', in St. Domingo, took it in his head to
write a book in answer to Mr. Ma7,ere, a white gentleman,
who had written in defence of the slave-trade. In this
answer the black breaks out in the following language:
"'I have discovered,' says he, 'such absurdities, false-
hoods, and equivocations in this work,' meaning the book
of the white gentleman, 'that I have been twenty times on
the point of throwing down my pen, and abandoning him
and his brethren to the profound contempt they have
inspired. I am a man! I feel it in all m\- being: I pos-
sess thought, reason, .strength. I have every feeling of
my sublime existence. I am humbled at being obliged to
reply to such childish sophisms, and to prove to men like
myself that I am their fellow. My soul, indignant at this
excess of falsehood and folly, leads me in my turn to doubt
if they are men who dare to discuss a question no less
impi(His and immoral than absurd.'
"Vou may perceive from this specimen, Mr. I'klitor, that
the Carolinians and Georgians have some reason for prohi-
biting the instruction of their sla\cs. \'ours.
"JOX.VTHAN I''Rr,i:M.\N"."
"Sir: — As the following six queries ma\- be answcretl in
seven words, and require but little legal knowledge, through
your indulgence, I propose them to our fellow-citizens in
general; I would request them to answer ingenuously, to
the satisfaction of their own conscience, each qucr)' sever-
all)' and in succession as they reail it; and then to make
up their minds about voting for or against a coinention
designed to bring in sla\ery:
"Query i. — What was the original title of the white man
to tile negro.'*
"(?. 2. — The power of enforcing it excepteil, has not the
negro as good a title to the wliite man.^
"(J.J. — Can the transfer of a bail title improve or con-
fnm it.'
"(J. ./. — Is not the receiver of stolen gooils, knowing
them to be such, as b.ul as the thief; and slunild the\' p i^-s
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 79
from one such receiver to another, and so on, is not the last
receiver as bad as the first?
"Q. 5. — Which is the greatest villain, a horse-thief or a
man-thief; a receiver of stolen horses or a receiver of stolen
men?
"Q. 6. — If the majority of the legislature should happen
to be of the latter class, and they were to pass a law,
authorizing their constituents to steal men, women, and
children, or to receive them, knowing them to be stolen,
would such a law justify the villainy?
"Jonathan Freeman."
" To the Editor of the Illinois Gazette:
"Sir: — The complaining tone which has become so com-
mon among us, is no doubt occasioned by inconveniences,
which we pretty generally feel as wants, which we are at
present unable to satisfy.
"People who suffer are apt to complain, and I suppose
there is relief in it; but sometimes we indulge this propen-
sity unreasonably, and spend time and strength in grum-
bling, which well applied might set all to rights. This, I
am inclined to believe, is our present case. Here we are,
about sixty thousand persons, old and young, possessing
the portions of our choice in a rich and beautiful country,
lately a wilderness, but under well-directed industry fast
becoming a fertile field. We labor for ourselves and our
children, and have nothing to pay but for our benefit.
"Our operations commence in the creation of real wealth.
We build houses, and they are our own; make enclosures,
which produce more than enough for our subsistence. We
have planted orchards, and are beginning to gather their
fruit. We have store of cattle of all descriptions (sheep
excepted) beyond our wants. We have also made ourselves
clothing; but in this particular, our industry may have been
somewhat deficient. Things have arrived at this point
without much money; for the little we brought with us has
been mostly expended in paying for our land, and in pur-
chasing articles of the first necessity, which are not to be
found in a new country. There are, however, other articles
necessary for our comfort, if not for our subsistence, which
can not be procured without money; and here lies our
iSo THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
difficult)'. The times arc somewhat 'out of joint.' The
old world does not, as heretofore, take off the surplus prod-
uce of the new. The plain articles of food yield at New
Orleans, which is our emporium, little more than the cost
of freight, and afford us a very scanty supply of foreign
productions of lu.xury and comfort.
"What is our reasonable course under these circum-
stances.' To direct a portion of our industry to the supply
of our oivti ivants, instead of raising unmarketable produce.
Let us examine into the resources of our country, and avail
ourselves of them. Have we no iron-ore in our State, no
clay suitable for pottery.' At all events, we should grow
the materials of our clothing, jis we have certainly skill to
manufacture them ; and the skill li'hieli is not exerted, is
dormant capital, lost to the public.
"No countr}- ever acquired lasting wealth and prosperity
by exporting raw produce. It will be a fortunate event,
which we arc now deploring as a calamity, should it put us
in the way of working up, and consuming our own produce.
We shall then be as independent as any people ought to
be. Foreign commerce is not to be viewed as the source
of wealth, but of convenience. We must give an eijuivalent
for all we receive. The balance of trade is hekl b\- the
even hand of mutual interest; both parties are served by
it. The merchants in each country ma}' grow rich, but it
is at the expense of their home customers.
"The real wealth of a country is of its own creation;
consisting in its arts and industry, its productive lands, its
buildings, its roads, canals, antl jiublic institutions; and in
the Mieans of enjoyment possesseil by the peo[)le. Illinois
might be both rich and happy, though w.dleil in from the
rest of the world; certaiiil\- neither so speeilil)', nor to an
e(|ual degree, as through a liber.d communication with other
nations. Let us have patience and perseverance, and all
will be well. Wc generally left our ancient abodes under
llie pressure or apprehension of distress; some from want
or fear of it; some from the galling of political oppression.
Now let us be thankful. Want is far from us, and we arc
free. Just escapeil from the gripe of povert)% or the more
horrible gripe of tjrann)', it becomes us not to murmur
because we have nothing better than libcrt)- and plenty.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. l8l
Shall we complain because our corn-cribs are overflowing
and our harvests too abundant? If any of us choose to
exchange four or even eight bushels of corn for a pound of
tea, we have good right so to do ; or if we choose to give a
hundred and twenty bushels of corn for a coat of British
broadcloth, so be it, but no grumbling; the better way
might be to do at present without the tea, and forever
without a coat of foreign fabric, 'to wear our old coats', as
Dr. Franklin said on another occasion, 'until we can make
new ones'; but this will never take place if we tolerate
slavery; for that would encourage extravagance, cripple
industry, keep us poor, and blight all our prospects.
"Jonathan Freeman."
" To the Editor of the Shaivneetozvn Gazette:
"Sir: — I would freely commit the question, which now
agitates and disgraces this State, to a congress of wise and
conscientious men, taken from a slave-holding state, and
consent to abide by their decision, confined to this simple
question: 'Is slavery considered as affecting the enslaving
party, a blessing or a curse .-''
"There is not at this moment a civilized nation on the
face of the earth which has tasted the bitterness of slavery
(and it is impossible to drink of that cup without tasting-
its bitterness) that does not loathe it as a nauseous and
poisonous draught. The old slave-states of this Republic
are writhing under it as an evil for which they can find no
remedy. The entire Republic, of which we form an incon-
siderable section, as a body, detests it. Europe, though
enveloped by political thraldom, declares even in the con-
gress of Verona her abhorrence of the system ; and Great
Britain in parliament, urged by petitions from the people,
has determined on measures leading to the emancipation
of the slaves in her colonies. Whence then is the infatua-
tion of the citizens of this State, who would beckon into
their land of freedom this outcast abomination of the whole
earth.-' Are there men among us who can exult in the
hope that a majority of their fellow-citizens will be so base
as to hold up their hands for slavery? Such men, sir, are
unworthy the blessings of this free constitution ; they are
unworthy of the age they live in. Unworthy, as I trust it
1 82 THE ENGLISH SPITTLEMENT
will appear, of that comnivinity to whom they presume to
look for support in their iniquitous attempt to enslave their
country.
"Liberators of mankind are embalmed in history; we
dwell upon their names with filial fondness. But those
who in this a<je of intelligence can employ their talents
and their influence to rivet the fetters which avarice in
times of ignorance has fi.xed upon their fellows, what shall
we say of them.^ Language is unequal to the expression
of our indignation and our pit}' !
" I believe, sir, and in that belief I do exult, that the
number of those unfortunate persons is very limited, and
diminishes continually; and that the day of trial will find
the citi/cns of Illinois worth)- of their station. Other na-
tions are struggling manfulh' against inveterate institutions
of political bondage from which we are free; one and all
we pray for their success; and blessed as we are in the
cnjoN'ment of those equal rights (with which our Creator
has endowed all mankind) and with equal laws founded on
those rights, we are not going to introduce into the ver\'
bosom of our families the most cruel and detestable op-
pression.
"Our forefathers of man\' generations would have sacri-
ficed themselves to secure these privileges for their ofi-
spring. Let us then, with grateful hearts and hands of
industry, imi)r(n'e the blessmgs we enjo)*, and in due
season we shall abound in wealth and comforts honestly
acquired. JoXATH.VN FREEMAN."
" To the Editor of the Illinois Gazette:
"Sir: — I'2arl)- in last year, about the time that the con-
vention question was forced through our legislature, the
following resolutions j^assed the liritish House of Com-
mons without a dissenting voice:
"'That it is expedient to adopt eflectual and decisive
measures for ameliorating the comlition of the slave-popu-
lation in his majesty's colonies.
"'That through a iletermined and j)ersevcring, but at
the same time a judicious ami temperate enforcement of
such measures, this I louse looks forwanl to a progressive
improvement in the character of the slave-population, such
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 83
as may prepare them for a participation in those civil rights
and privileges which are enjoyed by other classes of his
majesty's subjects.
" 'That this House is anxious for the accomplishment of
this purpose at the earliest period that shall be compatible
with the well-being of the slaves themselves, with the safety
of the colonies, and with a fair and equitable consideration
of the interests of private property.'
"On the 15th of March of the present year, Mr. Can-
ning, the prime-minister of that Government, stated to the
House the measures which had been adopted in pursuance
of the above resolutions ; from which statement I have
extracted some particulars for the entertainment and in-
struction of our fellow-citizens.
"It is proper in the first place to observe that the British
colonies in the West Indies are of two classes; the one
class is governed by authorities formed after the model of
the mother- country; in those every proposition for the
amelioration of the condition of the slaves is uniformly
and violently rejected. In the other class of colonies, the
Government of Great Britain rules without the intervention
of legislative assemblies, and in these it was determined to
establish by law such regulations as seemed best adapted
to their present condition ; and. accordingly, in the island
of Trinidad, the following provisions are made compulsory
on the Government :
"'i. The chastisement of females by the whip, to be
entirely abolished.
"'2. The whip as a stimulus to labor to be abolished,
even for males ; and only retained as an instrument of
punishment for crimes, and then under strict regulations.
"'3. Institutions of religious worship are provided for
the slaves, and the encouragement of marriage strictly
enjoined.
" '4. It is strictly provided that in all future sales (for,
as Mr. Canning observed, the sale of slaves could not yet
be prevented) the husband and wife, the reputed husband
and the reputed wife, and the parent and the child, shall
not in any case be separated from one another.
" '5. To secure to the slaves by law whatever property
has been secured as theirs by custom ; and this law in-
cludes the right of bequest.
1 84 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
"'6. Those who shall take charge of the religious in-
struction of the negroes shall have the power, and it will
be their duty, to certify the fitness of the slave to give
testimony in a court of justice; not in any individual case,
nor at the moment the testimony may be required ; but
generally, that such a slave has made such advances under
instruction as to be conversant with the nature of evidence;
and of these a register shall be kept, and they shall be con-
sidered in that respect as a privileged class.
"'7. It is also prescribed, in addition toother provi-
sions favorable to manumission, that every negro shall be
allowed to purchase his own freedom or the freedom of his
child.'
"Thus has a process begun, under the authority of
government, by which it is hoped that such an improve-
ment in the moral condition of the slaves may be effected,
as will, besides the abatement of their present miseries, fit
them for the cnjoj'mcnt of their freedom.
" In addition to the above regulations, that Government
has, during the last year, formed a treaty with our own, on
the subject of the slave-trade, which is declared by both
Ciovernments to be piracy, and punishable by death. By
this treaty, the mutual right of search is admitted ; and
thus the natives of the United States and Great Britain
will in future coojK'rate for the purpose of extinguishing
this infamous tralTic.
" In melancholy contrast to the enlightened spirit of the
present age. the retrograde movement attempted by the
advocates of shivery in this State will be viewed b\- future
generations, even of our own posterity, with astonishment
and disgust, as it is viewed at this time by other nations.
'What!' they will exclaim (when they reatl the history of
our present contest), 'would these diffusers of miser\- and
crime ha\'e C(>nve\ed the pestilence into the bosom of everx*
famil}'.' Was no spot within our extentled and still extend-
ing limits of the American Republic, to be exempt from
this defilement.' Already has three-fifths of the million of
scjuare miles, wliich had there been appropriated, become
a field of oppression, by the toleration of slavery; and were
the)' not yet sateil .' Over ever}- district and over ever\'
plantation must resound the lasli of the slave -driver, and
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 85
the yells of its victims, to satisfy their unnatural, their in-
fernal appetite? Yet they called themselves Republicans;
with liberty on their tongues and tyranny in their hearts;
one hand displaying the declaration of equal rights, the
other clenching the code of slavery with a monstrous avid-
ity! In evidence of the demoralizing influence of slavery
on the society which tolerates it, (this they could do with
unblushing effrontery, whilst other and minor abominations
skulked in corners and hid themselves from the public eye,)
thus the master-vice of depraved humanity could stalk
abroad in open day; could raise its head in the Senate;
seat itself on the bench; and dared even to approach the
altars of benevolence and peace.' Such will be the impres-
sions of impartial posterity. But it is with heartfelt satis-
faction I perceive this scene of gloom and discouragement
receding from our horizon; with confidence I can declare
to my fellow- citizens that the good cause, the cause of
humanity and of our true interests, is prevailing in almost
every part of the State. The first Monday in August will,
I trust, shine brightly upon us, and find us a wiser and a
better people than our enemies have hoped, and that some-
of our friends have been ready to fear. We must not, how-
ever, allow our zeal to relax under these favorable expec-
tations, but continue to exert ourselves in promoting right
feelings and sound principles, so as to meet the question on
that day, not only safely but triumphantly, and not with the
advantage of a few votes only, but with an overwhelming
majority. Many estimable citizens of other states are
waiting with anxiety for a happy issue of this controversy.
Upward of a hundred families, substantial farmers of one
neighborhood in Pennsylvania, whose names could be
given, if necessary, are intending to move into this State
when the question of slavery shall be set at rest by a right-
eous decision. If we vote faithfully against a convention,
that question, as regards the State of Illinois, will be settled
forever ; and then, I firmly believe, true prosperity will
begin to beam upon us, and the blessings of heaven will
reward our honest industry. We shall receive a great
accession of population and of capital ; manufactures of
various kinds will spring up among us; and a home-market
for produce will gradually infuse new life into all our
undertakings. JONATHAN FREEMAN."
1 86 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
" To tlic Editor of the Spectator:
"Sir: — In addition to the strictures on the letter signed
W. K., I would impress on the minds of my fellow-citizens,
that many people read the history of the Hebrew nation
in the Old Testament to great disadvantage ; because
they read it without reflecting that their institutions were
adapted to the 'hardness of their hearts,' and to the state
of society in those early times of ignorance and barbarism.
" Hut the beneficent Creator has implanted in man a
principle of improx'ement, as is expressed b\' the figurative
declaration: 'I will take away their hearts of stone, and
give them hearts of flesh.' The object of the teachings of
Jesus Christ was to promote this happy revolution, not
only in the Jews but in all nations. He, the great and
good interpreter, has by one simple passage applied the
law to every man's understanding and conscience: 'What-
soever ye would that men should do unto you do ye even
so unto them, for this is the law and the prophets.' — Math,
vii. 12. Consequentl)', whatever we find in the institutions
imputed to Moses, or in the customs of the Israelites,
which may appear inconsistent with this fundamental prin-
ciple of morality and justice, we may be assured is not the
law to us, or proper for our imitation. Those who cling to
the harsh and the barbarous in the Jewish history, neglect-
ing justice, merc\', and truth, are not Christians, whatc\er
may be their pretentions. Nor are the\-, as the reverend W.
K. presumes, 'God's chosen people.' The chosen of God
are those 'of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people,
who work righteousness,' who observe the law written in
the lieart in these simple characters: The love of Ciod and
the love of our neighbor. This is the Universal church
in which eastern Seba bends with the native of the far-
thest West, and ICthiopa bows her heatl and worships.
Kilurning to the letter of W. K., let us admit (what no
one, excepting this reverend person, pretends to believe)
tiiat the progenators of our American negroes were the
lawful prey of the lujropeans, who tore them from their
country. Now, as the present race is known by tradition
only, of their African origin, I ask what was the kind and
degree of guilt in their forefathers, which could transmit
IN EDWARDS COUNT V. 1 8/
I this dreadful doom of servitude through succeeding gen-
erations? The slave-holder thinks nothing of this matter,
I but retains the infant in bondage under no pretense of
right, but by force merely, reduced into a form of law by the
slave-holders themselves. If there be a crime to be visited
j by punishment, like that which the negroes are now suffer-
j ing, tJiis is that crime ; and should power, in the course of
events, change hands, and be transferred from the white
man to the negro, I pray God that the negro may be a
Christian, with a creed directly the reverse of that pro-
fessed by W. K. Jonathan Freeman."
" By Authority.
" Whereas certain evil - disposed persons did, in the
month of December last, assemble at Vandalia, and enter
into a combination to control the freedom of election, en-
joyed of right by the good people of this State, in order to
exclude from public service, all citizens who are not of the
convention-party, however suitable and well qualified they
may be to promote the public interest; and for that pur-
pose did presume to appoint certain secret committees of
five of the said party in every county, who were to appoint
subcommittees of three for every precinct, for the carrying
into effect of the scheme as above mentioned. And where-
as, the first Monday in August next is the day appointed
for the trial of the authors and abettors of said conspiracy
against the sovereignty of the people. All good citizens
are hereby required, for the furtherance of political justice,
to find out and detect, as far as in them lies, these county
and tozvnsliip coviviittee-mcn, and to publish their proceed-
ings, in such manner as shall most effectually bring to light
their underhand transactions. All newspapers, which are
friendly to freedom and independence, are desired to give
this notice a conspicuous place.
J "Pro bono Publico."
' Toward the close of the wordy warfare, the feelings of
each party became somewhat embittered. The letters of
"Americanus", to which the two following replies, signed
by M. Birkbeck, were given, are not at hand; but the
nature of their contents may be judged of by their replies:
1 88 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
"Wanboro', January 6, 1S22.
" To the Editor of the Illinois Gazette:
"The writer in your paper of Jan. 3d, signed 'Ameri-
canus', is not to be depended on for the truth of his state-
ments. His arguments will speak for themselves, as will
his candor and politeness.
" In publishing my sentiments on the important ques-
tion of a convention, I perform a duty, as I conceive, to
myself, my family, and my adopted country. In subscrib-
ing my name to those sentiments, I give my fellow-citizens
the means of judging of their sincerity; by the stake 1
liold in the general welfare, which is equal to that of
' Americanus', ivhoever lie may be. Having been an inhabi-
tant of the Territor\' before it became a State. I am as old
a citizen as any in it ; therefore, no man has a right to
stigmatize me as a foreigner; and no vian of honor, under
a fictitious signature, would call his neighbor a 'foreign in-
cendiary'.
" Hp represents me as a Quaker, whether b\- way of
compliment or reproach is immaterial ; because it is not
the fact; nor do I appear in the garb and character of that
sect. But what bearing has tliis on the question t I
object to slaver}', not as a Quaker, but as a man, and an
American citizen.
" His account of the proceedings at Vandalia is of the
same stamp with his personal civilities — a tissue of absurd
deductions from erroneous statements. The 'man\- jocular
proposals' he alludes to, such as '// yoti 7c'ili suf^f>ort the
reso/iition for eal/inj^ a cotivention, I will support the law
for euttiiiij^ the eaual,' and the jocular proceeding of burn-
ing in effig}- the opponents of a convention, and the jocu-
lar yell of 'Slavery or death', were unseemly methods of
conducting the busine.ss of letjislation, on behalf of a free
l)eople. who ma)' say, like the frogs in the fable, ' It may
l)e sport to you but it is death to us.' Poor frogs as they
deem us! I trust we shall not allow them to finish the
game. M. ]ilRKi;i;cK."
*' J'or the Intelligeueer:
"To 'Americanus', Sir: — Under a fictitious signature,
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 89
you have presumed to stigmatize me, your fellow-citizen,
with equal standing as yourself as regards this State; with
the odious appellation of ' foreign incendiary and exile.'
This you have done to inflame the public mind against my
personal character, and to divert it from the arguments I
have adduced against the ruinous schemes of your party.
It would have been more manly to have attempted, at
least, to refute those arguments. You call yourself 'Ameri-
canus'. An American, a true American, declares, in the
face of the world, ' that all men are created equal, and
endowed with unalienable rights of liberty;' and will
' pledge his life, his fortune, and his sacred honor,' in sup-
port of this ' self-evident truth.' This, sir, is my principle,
and these are my pledges ; and shall you, who are an
advocate for slavery, call me a foreigner ?
" An ' exile,' too, you are pleased to style me. Unless
you chance to be of the few among us who were born in
Illinois, you are also an exile from the land of your nativity.
Whether this be to either of us a matter of disgrace or
otherwise, will depend on the causes of our expatriation.
Come forward, sir, in your own name, and state those
causes ; let us know your standing, with the occasion and
circumstances of your removal. I will then do the like ;
and the public may decide how far you are entitled to
reproach ///r, as an exile.
" You represent me as deficient in due returns for polite-
ness received. In what, sir, have I been wanting on that
score, in regard to yourself or any other, to justify the
imputation that I am void of gratitude and every virtue .''
In making a solemn appeal to my fellow-citizens against
measures and principles pregnant with calamity, I have
performed a duty to my adopted country; and I subscribe
my name, that they might judge of my sincerity from the
stake I hold, in common with themselves, in the prosperity
of the State. You have availed yourself of this, to direct
your attacks against my character ; thus betraying the
weakness of your cause. The falsehood of your state-
ment respecting the proceedings of the conventionists, has
been exposed by others, which relieves me from that task,
and yourself from farther notice. M. BlRKBECK.
"Wanborough, Fed. i8, 182^."
IQO THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
These are specimens of the many communications on
this subject from our Settlement; and I beheve there is no
record of any pro-slavery document from our Settlement
or County.
The day of election came; and thus stood our vote for
congressman and convention:
Election, August 2, 1824.
Albion. liall-Hill rrairie. Total.
r- ^ ( Cook, - 207 280 487
^orCo,^^nss:.^^^^^^_ - 89 14 103=384
No Convention, ----153 237 390
Convention, ----- I35 54 189=201
It will be seen that the vote of our Settlement was more
nearly divided than might have been supposed. This may
be accounted for, in part, from the larger number of poor
Southern-settlers in the western precinct, who were acted
upon by the clerk of the court, Jesse B. lirowne, and the
sheriff, Henry J. Mills, both pro-slavery men.
The slavery committees were active and unscrupulous in
their endeavors to obtain a majority in our precinct. Tlu\-
were in the streets and in the grog-shops electioneeriiiL;
with the greatest blackguards in the county. We wen
not sufficiently alive to the weight of this species of influ-
ence. Our mode of operation was dift'erent; we spoke oui
sentiments freeh' and gave them publicit\' through the
press. And there we let the matter rest. Whatever influ-
ence our opinions might have was felt more at a distance
than at iiome. Cook, the congressman, received 3S4 votes
majority; and the no-convention ticket 201. The elec-
tion was conducted without violence, although each part\-
went into it with feelings fully charged with political and
personal hostility. The backwoodsmen were told to \-otr
against the damnetl British, who fought with the Imlians
against them iluring the war, ami were no better than they.
We — that is a few of us — that took a deep interest and an
active part in the contest, looketl on our (opponents as
Tories, traitors to the liberties of their own country, and
enemies to mankind. The political contest over, tlu
bitterness lon<: remained.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 19I
The acquaintance and friendship in England between
Mr. Coles and Mr. Birkbeck induced Mr. Coles to appoint
Mr. Birkbeck his secretary -of- state. A better appoint-
ment could not have been made. The office, before his
appointment, was in a state of great disorder and confu-
sion ; during his brief career in office it was reduced to
perfect order and arrangement. Governor Duncan said to
a friend of mine: "I came to Vandalia with every prejudice
against Mr. Birkbeck as secretary- of-state. But when I
entered the office and saw the order and arrangement,
especially when contrasted with the previous confusion, my
opinion was completely changed." From what has been
seen of the legislature, and the one object that the slave-
party had in view, it is quite apparent that on no condition
would they endure Mr. Birkbeck as secretary-of-state.
Mr. Coles has been censured for abandoning Mr. Birk-
beck too hastily; but the two after- nominations that he
made, rejected also by the senate as soon as made, shows
clearly that they had selected their man, and would have
no other. Their after-conduct showed them to be perfectly
unscrupulous in attaining their end. Considering the cir-
cumstances of menace and intimidation by which he was
surrounded — an infuriated mob led on by two Democratic
judges, yelling and vociferating under his windows — "Con-
vention or death" — his position was embarrassing. At
Edwardsville, whilst he was there a short time before the
assembling of the legislature, the same means were re-
sorted to, with the additional insult of burning and hanging
him in effigy. Governor Coles, I think, should receive due
credit for maintaining as well as he did the side of freedom
when surrounded by insult, opposition, and threatened
assassination, rather than censure for partially yielding, in
a doubtful point of constitutional power, under his difficult
and dangerous position.
To show that I have in no way exaggerated the nature
or degree of opposition exhibited against Governor Coles,
the following letter from Governor Coles to Mr. Birkbeck
will show:
" Vandalia, January gt/i, 1824..
''Dear Sir:-— I had the pleasure to receive, in due course
of mail, your letter of the sixth 7///., together with six of
192 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
3'our pamphlets, which you were so good as to send mc,
for which I return you my thanks. I had previously seen
republished in a newspaper your pamphlet, and had read
it with great pleasure. I could not but wish that ever\-
convcntionist in the State had it, and was compelled to
read it with attention. Our society at Edwardsville in-
tends having another large edition of it printed, for the
purpose of having it extensively circulated. I took the
liberty of sending one or two of your pamphlets to some
distant and particular friends, who take a deep interest in
the slave-question in this State. By the b)'e, should not
the review of your pamphlet, which appeared first in the
Illinois Gazette, and since republished in all of the con\-en-
tion papers of the State, be noticed t It is ver}- ingenious-
1\' written; but what more particularly requires correction
are the fabrications and misrepresentation of facts. One
or two of these were hastily' noticed and sent to be inserteti
last week in the paper published here ; but no paper has
since issued from the press.
" During the sitting of the courts, and the sale of the
lands of non-residents for ta.xes, we had a considerable
number of persons assembled from all parts of the State,
and a pretty good opportunit)' was afforded of collecting
the public sentiment in relation to the great question that
is now convulsing the State. The friends of a convention
pretend to be pleased ; but it was very apparent the\' were
not ; and the more honest and liberal among them ac-
knowledged that the\- thought their prospect bat). Our
friends, on the other hand, were much pleased, and ren-
dered much more sanguine of success from the information
they received. The friends of slavery were caucusing
nearly every night, and made many arrangements for their
electioneering campaign. Among others, it is said, the\-
have appointed five persons in each count)*, with a request
that these '(w^^ appoint three deputies in each electoral
precinct, for the purpose of diffusing their doctrines, em-
bodj'ing their forces, ami acting witii the greatest concert
anil effect. This is well calculatetl to bring their strength
to bear in the best possible manner, and should, as far as
possible be counteracted. When bad men conspire, good
men should be watchful. The friends (>{ a convention
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 93
appear to be more and more bitter and virulent in their
enmity to me, and seem determined not only to injure my
standing with the people, but to break down my pecuniary
resources.
"A suit has been lately instituted at Edwardsville,
against me for the recovery of the sum of two hundred
dollars for each negro emancipated by me and brought to
this State. The suit has been brought under a law passed
on the 30th March, 18 19, which was not printed or promul-
gated until the October following. In the meantime, that
is about the first week in May, my negroes emigrated to
and settled in this State. What is truly farcical in this suit
is, that a poor worthless fellow, who has no property and of
course pays no taxes, has been selected to institute it, from
the fear he has of being taxed to support the negroes I
emancipated ; when they, who are all young and healthy,
are so prosperous as to possess comfortable livings, and
some of them pay as much as four dollars a year tax on
their property. I should, indeed, may friend, be unfortu-
nate, were I now compelled to pay two hundred dollars for
each of my negroes, big and little, dead and living, (for the
suit goes to thisj, after the sacrifices I have made and the
efforts to befriend and enable them to live comfortably.
For I not only emancipated all my negroes, which amount-
ed to one -third of the property bequeathed me by my
father, but I removed them out here at an expense of be-
tween five and six hundred dollars, and then gave each
head of a family and all those who had passed the age of
twenty-four, one hundred and sixty acres of land each, and
exerted myself to prevail on them to hold to an honest
and industrious and correct course. This they have done
in a remarkable degree; so much so, with all the preju-
dices against free negroes, there never has been the least
ground for a charge or censure against any one of them.
And now, for the first time in my life, to be sued for what
I thought to be generous and praiseworthy conduct, creates
strange feelings ; which, however, cease to give me personal
mortification, when I reflect on the character and motives
of those who have instituted the suit.
"Just about the time this suit was instituted I had the
misfortune to lose by fire two-thirds of all the buildings
13
194 Till-: ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
and enclosures on my farm, together with about two hund-
red apple-trees and many peach-trees, many of each kind
large enough to bear fruit. And, soon after, the State-
house having been consumed by fire, a project was set on
foot to rebuild it by subscription. Luckily, to the plan and
arrangements, I declined subscribing, and proposed others
which I thought would be more for the interest of the
State, of the country, and the town, and which it is now,
by the way, generally admitted to have been the best.
"This, however, was immediately laid hold of by some of
the factious conventionists, who, being aware that the loss
of the State-house would operate to the injur\' of their
favorite measure, and being anxious to displa\- great solici-
tude for the interests of the people here, and that too as
much as possible at the expense of the anti-conventionists,
busied themselves in misrepresenting my measures and
motives for not subscribing my name to their paper, and,
with the aid of large portions of whisky, contrived to
get up a real Vandalia mob, who vented their spleen
against me in the most noisy and riotous manner nearly all
night for my opposition to a convention, and for my refusal,
as they termed it, to rebuild the State-house.
"All these, and other instances of defamation and perse-
cution, create in my bosom opposite feelings, one of pain
and the other of pleasure. Pain, to see my fellow-man so
ill-natured and vindictive, merely because I am the friend
of my species, and am opposed to one portion oppressing
another; pleasure, that 1 should be in a situation that
enables me to render service to the just and good cause in
which we arc engaged; and so far from repining at their
intlignities and persecutions, I am thankful to Providence
for placing me in the van of this eventful contest, and
giving me a temper, zeal, and resolution which I trust will
enable me to bear with a proper fortitude the peltings
which are inseparable from it. In conclusion, I jiray \'ou
to do me the justice to believe that no dread o( personal
consecjuences will ever abate my efforts to promote the
good of the public, much less to abandon the great funda-
mental principles of civil and personal libert\-; and to be
assured of my sincere friendship.
ICdward Coles."
IN EDWARDS COUNTY, 195
Having made mention of the unscrupulous conduct of
many southern Ilhnoians, in their intrigues with the legis-
lature at Vandalia, candor obliges me to acknowledge a
class of honorable exceptions in the ranks of the conven-
tionists. Although in favor of the convention, and no
doubt at that time in favor of the introduction of slavery
into the State, they acted with their party in a legitimate
way, casting their votes in favor, but participating in no
way with the disgraceful mobs, and more disgraceful acts
with the legislature, led on by the party of whom Willis
Hargrave, Esq., was the representative. Among these
exceptions I record with pleasure the names of our two
Judges, Hon. Wm. Wilson, and his associate, Judge Thomas
C. Browne — the former of Carmi, White County, the latter
of Shawneetown, Gallatin County. Their quiet and dig-
nified conduct at Vandalia was appreciated and remarked
on to me by Governor Coles as strikingly contrasting with
the disgraceful position the other two judges had assumed
as leaders of a drunken mob, yelling "convention or
death," under the windows of the chief-executive officer of
the State, to endeavor by intimidation to gain his compli-
ance with their infamous conspiracy against the liberties of
the people. I lamented to differ with many worthy friends,
men of influence and standing, in our part of the country;
many of whom have since with manly frankness acknow-
ledged their error.
If any doubts remain as to the intention of the conven-
tion, the following editorial remarks from the Shazvncetozvn
Gazette, June 14, 1823, must dispel them:
"The Convention.
"The vote of the last Legislature, recommending the
call of a new convention, seems to have produced a good
deal of excitement in the western part of the State, and
to have called forth already some pretty warm discussion.
In this quarter, as yet, we have heard but little said on
the subject, owing probably to the great degree of una-
nimity which prevails in favor of the measure. The
people in this part of the State (in this and the adjoining
counties particularly) have too great an interest at stake
in keeping up the manufacture of salt at the saline, to be
196 THE KXGLISH SKTTLEMENT
easil)' diverted from the course the\- intend to pursue, b\'
makint^ the questiou turn upon the propriety- or impropri-
ety of introducing^ negro shiver}'. They are persuaded
that, unless the time can be enhirged, durintj^ wliich the
slaves of the neit^hborin*^ states can be hired to labor at
the furnaces, the works, after the year 1824, must be
abandoned, and this main source of revenue to the State
be lost; besides all the advantai^es which they individu-
ally derive from the market, which, when in operation,
those works create. The people in this part, also, in
common with others in all parts of the State, desire an
amendment of the constitution in other particulars where-
in it has been found defective, and man\- (we are far from
concealing it) are in favor of the introduction of slavery,
either absolute, as it exists at present in the slave-holding
states, or in a limited degree — that is to say, to exist un-
til the children born after its admission shall arrive at a
certain age, to be fixed by the constitution."
This, I think, tells the whole stor\-. It will be seen
during the slaver\- contro\ers\' that Mr. Hirkbeck was
assailed as a Ouaker; as b\' the land-speculators and the
enemies of the Settlement in the ICast he had been charged
as an infidel. By these gentrj-, any epithet that was un-
popular it was considered fair to thr(n\' at an opponent.
in one short year from this time Mr. Hirkbeck was no
more. I lis sudden death altered the intentions and
changed the tlestin\- of his famil\-. To Mr. William
McClure of New Harmon)', Mr. Hirkbeck's librar\', con-
sisting of many hundred volumes of choice books, was
sokl. And, I believe, through the influence and introduc-
tion of Mr. McClure, the two brothers Hradft)rd and
Charles Hirkbeck went to Mexico to tr\' their fortunes.
Tlu)' have succeeded — Hratlford as a miner at Zacatecas;
Charles, four hundred miles distant from his brother, as an
agriculturalist. Although the general manner of Mr. Hirk-
beck's death is w ell know n to me, the minute circumstances
alteiuling that sad event being recordeil in the journal of
Mr. Hall, I make from it the following extract: "June 4th,
1S25, Mr. Hirkbeck went to Harmony, and took a packet
of letters for us to Mr. Owen, who, being on the cvc of his
cUp.irture to ICngland, had kindl\- promised me to deliver
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 97
them. On his return, on Friday, happened the melancholy
catastrophe of Mr. Birkbeck's death, who was drowned in
Fox River on his return from Harmony. On his crossing
at Fox River with his third son, Bradford, they found the
flat on which they expected to be carried over had been
taken away. They entered the water with their horses
with the intention of swimming over. Bradford's horse
plunged and threw him in the water. Being a good swim-
mer, he, although encumbered with a great-coat, and very
Aveak from recent illness, had nearly reached the opposite
shore, when he heard his father's voice calling for assist-
ance; and turning himself round he saw him struggling
in the middle of the stream, and returned to his assistance.
Upon reaching him his father caught hold of him and they
both sunk together. Upon rising he desired his father to
take hold of his coat in another place, which he did, and
both sunk again. But this time Bradford alone arose.
Throwing himself upon his back, he floated, and, quite
exhausted, reached the bank; when, after some time, his
cries brought a person to his assistance, who endeavored
to recover the body of his father. But in vain. It was
not found until the day following, when it was brought up
with an umbrella firmly grasped in his right hand. Mr.
Birkbeck's horse was also drowned, but Bradford's got over
safely. The body of Mr. Birkbeck was taken to Harmony
and there interred with every mark of affection and re-
spect. So perished Morris Birkbeck, in the sixty-second
year of his age."
■Whatever may be thought of Mr. Birkbeck, by those
who would square every man's opinion by their own; the
inhabitants of the State of Illinois, if for nothing else,
should hold his memory in respect and gratitude for the
decided part he took against the introduction of slavery, in
his letters of "Jonathan Freeman."
CHAPTER XI.
Interest in the Convention Question — Difference between Slaves and
Servants — Asperity and Bitterness of the Contest — The English
Spoke their Minds Freely -Estrangement of Friends —The Eng-
lish Settlement Persecuted Outrages on Colored Men— Lawsuit
in Albion — Threatening Letters from Kidnapers — Negroes Kid-
naped in Illinois and Indiana— The \A^hite-River Desperadoes —
Their Arrest —Persecution of the Colored Men in the English
Settlement — Mr. Flower sends a Colony to Hayti Account of
Difficulties Encountered— The Colony a Success in Hayti — The
Settlement the Object of Detraction and Misrepresentation — The
Fate attending Discoverers of New Countries and Founders of
Colonies Illustrated in the Case of William Penn - Treatment
of Mr. Flower— The Cause of It.
It was no wonder that wc felt deep interest ami mani-
fested much excitement on the convention question. We
had chosen, as we thought, one of the freest <;overnments
in the world, and one of the freest states in the Union,
because it was iirw atui free, for our future residence. We
had broui^ht to it our propert)' and our families, and to be
there betrayed into the jaws of Slavery, e.xcited our indi^j-
nation and determined opposition. But, say^s the slave-
holder, you bring your servants, why may not wc bring
ours.' Because you have no servants to bring; }<ni have
only slaves. The term servant designates one of the parties
to a free contract. The master has no more legal power
over the servant, in ICngland or America, tiian the servant
has over the master. But \'ou have stolen our term and
applied it to your slaves. Servants in the South there can
be none, as long as the poor, degraded negro sla\'e stands
in the way. Keep to the proper designation, and call them
not your servants, but \our slaves. A slave, although in
human form, is a being despoiled of all the rights of
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 1 99
humanity; purposely kept in ignorance, driven by the lash,
or the fear of it, to his work, for which his master gives him
no pay. An unfortunate wretch, from whom all the good
to which his nature aspires is withheld; steeped in all that
is vicious and depraved. This is a slave; the man-made
brute. To this poor, degraded being is the slave-holder
obliged to entrust his property, his domestic animals, and
his children. We desire not that compound of society
found in a slave-state, a degenerate European aristocracy,
and a full-blooded African barbarism! Besides, we ac-
knowledge no property in man; with principles and prac-
tices so opposite, there can be no peace; let us therefore
keep apart.
Under every form of government, even the most despotic,
where property in man is disavowed, there may and do
exist a variety of ties, both political and social; not sev-
ered by any line of distinct demarkation. They may have
family connections, and many other interests in common.
The rich are frequently brought to poverty, and the poor
often become rich. These classes are not naturally hostile
to each other; for they have a common interest; friends in
peace and companions in war. But in a nation composed
of free and slave, there is no society. One portion of the
people is separated from the other by an impassible gulf
The laws made by one class are known to the other only
by their severity. Whatever this may be, it is no republic.
Give to this tyrannical confederacy some proper name.
The contest through which we had passed was carried on
by that degree of asperity and bitterness which must ever
be felt, where principles and practices are so opposite as
freedom and slavery. We spoke our minds freely, perhaps
rashly, as Englishmen are apt to do, and this, doubtless,
gave to many persons offence, which our silent vote might
not have done. Many families and friends were separated
and estranged from each other; and individuals who had
hitherto met in easy social acquaintance, found avoidance
less disagreeable than meeting. I look back to the part
we took in that contest with some pleasure, and with some
pride. It may be too much to say that our Settlement
decided the fate of the State in favor of freedom ; when
other settlements and small communities were exertincr
200 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
themselves as heroically, and as well. But when we con-
sider the small majority by which this Free-state held to its
integrity, it may perhaps be inferred that, if our influence,
as well as our votes, had been cast the other way, Illinois
would probably have been at this day a slave-state. This
important election over, the people, once more in quietude,
pursued their accustomed vocations.
The negro question, having been settled by the State-vote
govcrnmcntall}', came upon us individually in no pleasant
way. In these bickerings and disturbances, whether polit-
ical or personal, we should alwaj-s bear in mind the differ-
ence of feeling that exists between Englishmen and Amer-
icans, toward the African race. Englishmen, never having
witnessed in their own country suffering, destitution, and
degradation connected exclusively with any peculiarity of
complexion, have no feeling of superiority or inferiority as
connected with a cuticle of any color. Americans, on the
contrary, North as well as South, retain the old colonial
feeling of liatred to color. In our own neighborhood, the
recent contest left the feelings sore. A grudge was owed
to us; we had pitilessly exposed and zealoush' fought the
pro-slavery part}'.
Three black men and their families — Gilbert Burris,
Neptune Calvin, and Matthew Luther — came from the
neighborhood of Carmi, for employment. They appeared
to be very decent men, had been brought up in the habits
of industr}- and sobriety b)' the Shakers, b)- wlumi they
w ere emancipated and brought to this State. Their papei^s
were examined, found to be regular, and were recordetl.
Luther was a miller, and attended the mill in Albion,
that was built by my father, and after his death owned b\'
me. The other two were farmers, and right good corn-
farmers, too. To these I rented land on the usual terms
of ten bushels of corn to the acre. To us it made no
difference, i)lack ov white; if they did our wt)rk we paiil
them their w ages. Whenever they or their little propertx'
receivetl injur)' from w ilful theft or violence, I gave them
protection. 1 soon found this in some sort to be an offence;
and to my surprise, by some I^astern men as well as South-
ern. We were verdant in those days, and did not kntnv
that "black men had no riLrhts that white men nt^ed
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 201
respect." A black man named Arthur, who had been in
my service for more than a year, was suddenly arrested
and taken before a magistrate, a New Englander, and
claimed as a slave. As he came from Indiana, where he
had resided many years, I pleaded that he could not be a
slave — the laws of the Territory and the State alike forbid-
ding slavery. They claimed to hold him by an indenture-
law for ninety-nine years. I pleaded the nullity of the
law. Our poor magistrate, Moses Michaels, who never
dared say " boo to a goose," after spending half a day and
going over to another magistrate three miles off to consult,
did not give the black man up, but put me in unreasonably
heavy bonds of two thousand dollars for his appearance at
the next county-court, to be held at Palmyra, the then
county-seat, on the great Wabash, nineteen miles and five
months of time distant.
Long before the assembling of the court, parties were
sent over from Indiana to steal the man away, that I might
be mulcted in the penalty of the bond ; whilst they might
run him off and pocket his price when sold as a slave.
The interval between the decision of the magistrate and
the meeting of the county-court was spent in constant
watchfulness, mental disturbance, and frequent skirmishes,
often imperiling life. The man, Arthur, appeared duly at
court. John McLean of Shawneetown, was counsel for
plaintiff; Judge McDonald of Vincennes, forme, as defend-
ant. The counsel conferred together. McDonald exhibited
a decision of the supreme court of Indiana in a similar
case. John McLean was too good a lawyer, and too
shrewd a man, to alloAv any case to come into court where
the law was dead against him. So the case was never
called, and the man returned to my service as a free man.
So this case was terminated in Illinois, that is to say, after
I had paid my counsel his fifty-dollar fee.
When at Vincennes some months afterward, I was served
with a writ and arrested by the sheriff, at the instance of
the claimant of Arthur. I had to choose between going
to jail and giving bond. The latter was easily effected.
Before the meeting of the Indiana court, I received several
threatening letters to deter me from appearing at court.
When the time arrived three friends accompanied me there,
202 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
all armed. The law was again in ni}- favor. But an enemy
more mighty than the kidnapper fell upon us. A terrible
epidemic, resembling the yellow-fever, prevailed at this
time at Vincennes. We were all four of us taken down
with it, and la}' long in a precarious situation between life
and death.
Another case of this kind from Indiana produced another
set of tactics on the part of our opponents. A man of
color was working for me. His pretended claimant, with
suitable associates, suddenly surrounded the cabin of the
black, and had him bound before the alarm at my house, a
short distance away, was given. In this case the kidnap-
pers gained their point, taking him before a magistrate of
pro-slavery tendencies. He gave the man up to the
claimant, who took- him into Indiana, and the man was
never heard of afterward. I presented the claimant, a man
of note and in official station, to the grand -jury. Whilst
stating the case, one of the jurymen called out with some
excitement, that the man was quite right in taking the
negro. The foreman of the jury said, "Sir, you only came
to present the facts, and in so doing are quite right." In
turning to leave the room, I saw at once the case was de-
cided, and so it was. The bill was refused. The majority
of the jury were decidedly pro-slavery.
My presentation to the grand-jury gave great umbrage
to all in Indiana who held black men properly entitled to
their freedom, under their fraudulent indenture-law, which
had alread)' been decided b>' their supreme court to be
null, vdid, and of no effect.
Kidnapping of whole families of free blacks in the south
of Indiana was no uncommon thing. The moral sense of
the community received no shock at such outrages. A
horse-thief was held to stricter accountabilit}' than a man-
thief. The south of Indiana, like the south of Illinois, is
chiefly peopled by Southerners, who hold propert)' in higher
esteem than libert\'.
In the timbered regions of Indiana, on the White Kiver.
li\ed a set of desperadoes who had the appellation of
"White-River Imlians." Among these were a tamih* sunk
low in barbarism, antl all the grosser vices. The sons of
this family, three in number, associated with one or two
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 203
others more respectable, but who would not at that period
decline a foray on the pro-slavery side, were sent over to
molest us, especially me and my family, even to the taking
of life. Yet these wretches found harbor and encourage-
ment among the Southern settlers around us.
Suddenly alarmed by the sound of human voices, the
barking of dogs, and the report of fire-arms, I ran over to
my father's house a little before midnight. An Englishman,
Thomas Harding, who lived at my father's as farm-servant,
having occasion to step out of the house, was knocked down
by the blow of a club on the back of his head, by some
man who stood concealed in the shadow, close to the wall
of the house. My father, alarmed by the noise, went out,
saw one man retreating from the court-yard into the
woods, and another lying bleeding on the ground, appar-
ently lifeless. He dragged the wounded man into the
house and closed the door. At first we thought it an
attempt at house-breaking. But finding who the parties
were, and their object, we assembled our forces. Many
shots were exchanged, and the marauders for a time driven
off. The annoyance from these fellows became so great,
that we determined to rid ourselves of them at all hazards.
Myself, Mr. Hugh Ronalds, Mr. Henry Birkett, together
with a constable, mounted and went in pursuit. We over-
took them after a hard gallop on a hot summer's day, in
the open woods, ten miles distant. We were equal in
number, man for man. They with rifles, we with pistols.
W^hilst the constable was reading his warrant, we rode up,
got wnthin the rifle-guard, and presented our pistols,
each to his man. At this juncture, a very ill-looking fel-
low, one of the gang, suddenly rode up at full speed. This
gave them the advantage of one in number, of which the
last comer instantly availed himself, by jumping from his
horse and leveling his rifle at Mr. Ronalds, whom he doubt-
less would have shot had not the man I was guarding as
suddenly leaped from his horse and knocked up the rifle,
when in the act of being discharged.
Many other things of the same character occurred. It
was a state of warfare of the most disagreeable kind. They
were taken back to Albion and bound over.
A circumstance inexpressibly ludicrous occurred in the
204 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
midst of the strife. Amid oaths, boastings, refusals to sur-
render or return, when every one was meditating murder
on the other, our Yankee constable brought forward a
quart bottle of whisky, with a deprecatory smile and good-
humored voice — "Now, boys, come and take a drink; now
come along with us quiet, and we'll treat you like gentle-
men." The effect was sudden; the transition of feeling
complete. We all laughed, and did as our worthy
constable bade us — at least, all our prisoners did. We
returned to Albion riding in pairs, with our arms in our
hands. There never was a slave taken in our neighbor-
hood, and I believe that there never was more than one
that came to it.
These, and similar outrages on ourselves, and assaults on
the peaceable blacks settled among us, were of frequent
occurrence. Seeing no hope of just treatment to the free
colored people that lived on my lands, or of relieving my-
self from the trouble of defending them, I proposed that
they should go to Hayti. When the\' acceded to ni}' pro-
])()sal, I thought it due to them and nusclf to acquire more
specific information of the island, and of the terms on
which they would be received. For this purpose, I em-
ployed Mr. Robert Cirayham (formerly an I'Jiglish mer-
chant), a gentleman who spoke the French language with
fluenc)'. He was at the time living with his brother-in-
law, Mr. Sorgcnfre\", in a prairie west of the Little Wabash.
I'hcir former habits not suiting them to jirairie life, Mr. Sor-
genfrey went to Carmi, and Mr. (jra)'ham took this mission
as a first step to a future change. I gave him five hundred
dollars to bear his expenses, with a letter to Gen. Ho}'er,
then president of Hayti, representing the case, and asking
an asylum for my party of blacks, big and little, about
thirt)' in number; also for other free people of color of the
United States, if they those to go tiiere. Mr. Grayham
returned in good time. He gave me a very jileasing
account of his visit to the island, his interview with Ingi-
nac, the secretarj', and with Ho\-er. the presiilent.
\\ hen lio\-er he.uil from Mr. ('ira\ham that I hail gi\en
i'wc hundred dollars to get this information for the poor
blacks, he, in the handsomest manner, handed him the
amount, requesting him to give it to me, which he did on
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 205
his return. The document he sent me in reply to my long
letter, and many inquiries, was an official one, from the
office of the secretary-of-state, stamped with the insignia
of the republic, with national mottoes and devices. For
propriety and perspicuity of diction, and for the neatness
and beauty of its mechanical execution, it will favorably
compare with similar documents from any government,
whether European or American.
The following spring, the colored emigrants prepared to
take their departure. Among them were three brothers,
men of extraordinary stature, standing six feet four, and
over. This family of Joneses, able-bodied men and good
farmers, with two or three other colored families, formerly
lived higher up the Wabash, and were mustered into the
service of the United States by Gen. Harrison, who formed
a colored company to aid in defending the frontier during
the war in 18 12. Provided with a good flat-boat, stocked
with sufficient provisions for their inland navigation and
sea voyage, well furnished with axes, hoes, and plows, this
party of colored people left the mouth of Bonpas Creek,
where Grayville now stands, in March, 1823, under the
guidance and care of Mr. Robert Grayham, the only white
man on board.
The testimonials of their freedom were complete; signed
by the clerk of the county, the secretary-of-state, and by
Governor Coles himself They floated down the Wabash,
and entered the Ohio in safety. As they were floating
quietly and peaceably down the stream, when opposite
to Shawneetown they were hailed, and invited to land,
which Mr. Grayham acceded to, having many acquaint-
ances, and being well known in the town. When about to
depart, he was compelled to remain, with threats of sinking
his boat if he made the attempt to go. He and the peo-
ple were forcibly detained for four and twenty hours.
They were at length sufl"ered to depart, amid much confu-
sion and violent denunciations. Of the peaceable demeanor
and lawful objects of the emigrants, there was no question^
By a strange inconsistency, the very people who profess
to dislike the existence of free blacks among us, were the
most bitter opponents to their removal.
At the expense of slight repetition, I will insert a letter
206 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
addressed by me to the editor of the Shaivticcton'u Gazctti\
dated Jan. 22, 1824:
''Mr. Editor: — It will be gratifying to the friends of
humanity to learn, that the party of colored people that
left the Wabash last March, arrived safely in the island of
Hayti on the 8th of June. To those good people of Shaw-
ncetown, and others who have expressed apprehensions
that Mr. Flower and Mr. Grayham had sold these poor
blacks, it will doubtless be a high source of satisfaction to
hear that upon their arrival at Hayti, they were welcomed
by the people and kindly received by the president, who
put them on a good plantation, about twenty miles from
the capital. To remove erroneous impressions arising
from false reports concerning this party of blacks, I will
give a brief history of their emigration. A few families of
colored people, living on my land as tenants, wished to go
to some country where their liberty and property would be
better secured to them than in this. Some of them made
application to the African Colonization Society; but, re-
ceiving no encouragement or assistance, gave up the plan.
I recommended St. Domingo as a country better suited to
them, and one to which they could transport themselves
with ease. Particular information being wanted, I sent
Mr. Robert Graj-ham to Haj-ti, to learn the expense and
difficulties of the voyage, the state of the country, and
what encouragement would be given to black emigrants
from the United States. He returned in October, 1822,
with the recjuisite information. The answer of the gov-
ernment of Hayti to mj' iiujuiries was published in )'our
paper. In March, 1823, a party of colored people, about
thirty in number, left the Wabash in a boat of their own,
with some freight put on board by myself and others,
under the care of Mr. Robert Grayham, who was to conduct
the boat to New Orleans, and see the people on board a
vessel for Port au Prince. The boat stopped at Shawnee-
town for a few hours. Mr. Grayham, having dispatchcil his
business there, was in the act of departing, when a mob
assembled on the shore and ordered him to come-to again,
accompanied b)' a threat of sinking the boat, in case of
noncompliance. The boat was again brought to shore. On
Mr. Graham's inquiring what they wanted, these officious
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 20/
people were somewhat at a loss. They wanted him to
sleep on shore! To this unreasonable request he complied,
on condition that a friend should sleep on board for the
protection of property. The next day he departed. Upon
his arrival at New Orleans, Mr. Grayliam, as a matter of
courtesy, waited upon the mayor, and informed him that
his boat was manned by free colored people from Illinois
and Indiana, who were going, with their families to Hayti.
This official immediately replied that he would send them
all to jail; and, if they were not sent out of the city in
eight days, he would sell them all for slaves. The remon-*
strances of Mr. Grayham against such violent aggression
upon the persons of free inhabitants of the United States,
passing to a foreign country, was to no effect. The men
were thrown into prison. But at the intercession of a
humane friend, Mr. Gilbert, the women and children were
permitted to remain on board their own boat; also two
men, for whose appearance and good behavior this friend
gave a bond. Mr. Grayham, placed in this unpleasant situ-
ation, hastily took a passage in a vessel about to sail in
three days for St. Domingo. The poor men, deprived of
the means of earning anything on the wharves, and more
than all they had demanded of them for jail-fees, etc., were
unable to pay their passage money, and would actually
have been sold as slaves by the mayor of New Orleans,
had not Mr. Grayham promptly drawn on me for the neces-
sary funds — three hundred and sixty dollars — to carry them
out of the country. Thus were the free inhabitants of the
United States, while peaceably pursuing their way to a
neighboring country, without fault or crime imputed or
alleged against them, threatened with the doom of slavery,
if they did not submit to the extortion of their money
under the title of jail-fees, by the chief- magistrate of a
city of this Republic, boasting the inalienable and inherent
rights of man, and vaunting itself as the most enlightened
nation of the earth.
"With what indignation will all those good people view
the conduct of the mayor of New Orleans, who could not
help expressing their apprehensions lest Mr. Flower and
Mr. Grayham should have sold these blacks.
"Albion, Jan. 22, 1824. George Flower."
208 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
The maj'or of New Orleans was a refugee from Hayti,
wliich accounts, in some degree, for the unusual violence
he displayed on the occasion. But anxieties were not yet
at an end. The brig, often becalmed, was long on its
passage.
In the meantime, many sinister reports began to be
spread about, and afterward more openly circulated, that
Mr. Grayham and m\'self had cnveigled the black men,
and, under pretence of sending them to a land of liberty,
had sold them all for slaves in the South. The return of
Mr. Grayham, some months afterward, with a stock of
goods to open a store, in the eyes of many confirmed the
report. It was several months (and I confess to some
anxiety during the time) before I could confute these slan-
ders b}' the publication of any letters, either from Mr.
Grayham or the colored emigrants. They came, at last,
from both sources— from the poor pco])le, rejoicing in their
change of countrj', and thanking me for my assistance in
getting them there.
A lie once widely spread is seldom entirely eradicated.
There are probably now living, those who believe that
(ieorge Flower sold the free colored people, and pocketed
the money; but only, I am happy to say, among that
class who would have no scruple in doing it themselves.
The emigration of this small colon}' of blacks from Illi-
nois produced movements of greater importance than were
in\olvcd in their own personal destinies. So well pleased
were the rulers of Hayti with the efficient farming, sober
habits, and general industry of the Illinois emigrants, that
they conceived the idea of encouraging the free blacks of
the Unites States to emigrate on a much larger scale.
For this i)urposc. the lla\-tiaii Government sent their citi-
zen Granville, a well-informed ami well-eilucated man. on
a mission to encourage the emigration of free people-of-
color, and offered fourteen dollars a heail as passage mone)'
to llayti.
His mission was successful so far as numbers wore con-
cerned. Five thousand or more went, chiefl}- from the
cities of New \'ork ami Baltimore. The inlhiential citi-
zens of IMiihulelphia took a different view of the emigration
of their free-colored population to lla\li, and decidedly
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 209
gave it discouragement. As the question may again arise
in this State, the reasons that influenced the Philadelphians
should be duly appreciated. I therefore give the following
letter which I received at the time :
''Dear Sir: — You will have learned by the public prints
that Citizen Granville arrived some weeks since from
Hayti, for the purpose of encouraging emigration of free
people-of-color to that country. He was accompanied
from New York by Professor Griscom, who was very san-
guine that a society for promoting this object would be
desirable here, as we'll as at New York. A meeting was
held a few days since with ten or a dozen of our influential
characters, and a full development of the subject was
discussed; the result of which was unanimously against
promoting the views of Granville. Among other objec-
tions, he admitted, that the government was a military
despotism; that the land proposed to be allotted to emi-
grants was to each one fifteen acres ; that these lands are
still claimed by the Spanish authorities, and may still be a
source of much contention; that the prevalent religion is
the Roman Catholic; and that Avith industry a laborer
would not earn more than two dollars a week. The citi-
zens of Philadelphia are by no means likely to promote
the emigration to Hayti while those of New^ York are
engaged in the object, and now about dispatching a vessel
with passengers. Very respectfully,
„ . ^ o^i Q " "Jeremiah Warden.
''August 1 8th, 1824.. •'
But these city-bred Africans were not farmers, like the
Illinois men. Barbers, waiters, and a large portion of
them found in the lower strata of city life, afibrded poor
materials for any beneficial purpose, and the removal of
most of them was a disappointment to themselves and to
the Haytian Government.
This event, well known at the time, occurred in 1824 or
1825, and is doubtless recollected by many persons now
living. As the convention question, and the contests about
the rights of the free blacks, formed two prominent points
in our early history, I have dwelt more fully upon these
details. Thus ends the black chapter of our history. But
ill-feelings engendered during the contest manifested them-
14
2IO
THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
selves in other forms, and for some time continued to
disturb and distract us.
There are certain classes of men who appear destined to
receive sometime in their life, and oftentimes during their'
whole career, a large share of opposition, detraction, and
misrepresentation. The inventors of new machines, whose
labor-saving power benefits the whole familj- of man,
receive cruel opposition in their first attempts to perfect
their in\'entions and bring them to the notice of the pub-
lic. Scorn, contempt, and ridicule are poured upon them
during their lives, and after dying in their fruitless strug-
gles, some one steps in and reaps the reward of their labor,
and disingenuously claims the honor of the invention.
Fitch and Fulton, of the steam-boat, and Whitnc}', inven-
tor of the cotton-gin, are familiar instances of this class in
America. Discoverers of new countries, whose penetra-
tion and perseverance have carried their attempts to a
successful issue, and whose toils have changed and im-
proved the condition of the world, are subject to the same
fate. Witness Columbus pursuing his great idea, with
slender and apparently inadequate means, through scorn,
neglect, and opposition, to a successful issue, after short
eclat, in a dungeon and in chains. The first-founders of
settlements in new or uninhabited cmmtries, seldom fail of
receiving a large share of opposition, detraction, and pecu-
niary loss. The most remarkable instance of this kind is
to be witnessed in the life and fortunes of the founder of I
the great State of Pennsylvania, William Penn. Under
ill-luck and miscarriage the world seldom fails to visit on
the leaders of an)- great enterprise, reproach and condem-
nation. Hut in the settlement of Pennsxlvania a combina-
tion of happy circumstances led to complete success. The
munificence of the grant! The whole province of Penn-
sylvania given in fee-simple to its founder; its advantageous
situation on the sea-board ; the peculiar state of the mother-
countr}', sending forth emigrants in number, and many of |
worth ami character; the talent and integrit}- of its fountler;
his ample fcjrtune and life-long devotion to the interests of
the province; a combination of fortunate circumstances
rarely, if ever, witnessed in an)' other similar enterprise,
(lid not save the illustrious founder from the fate of men
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 211
in his position. Pursued during his whole Hfe by falsehood
and defamation, we find him at its close in debt, compelled
to mortgage the whole province for five thousand pounds,
himself confined to the limits of the Fleet prison, and in
that humiliating situation would have died, without one
friendly voice or helping-hand from the great province he
had successfully established, but for the assistance of some
individuals of his own religious persuasion in England.
For facts so conspicuous the reasons seem rather obscure.
Is it some great law of compensation that runs through all
things, balancing advantage with disadvantage.'' pleasure
with pain ? As the old poet has it,
"Every 7vhite must have its black
And every sweet its sour."
Or is it to be found in the universal but unextinguishable
propensity in every human breast; the love of giving
pain; ethics, morals, and religion notwithstanding.''
There is a mysterious antagonism in the order of nature,
running through all life, vegetable and animal. Every
plant as well as animal has its own peculiar enemy, perse-
cutor, and destroyer. But man is the chief enemy of man.
Let no man think to pass through this life without his
share of annoyances, and as in duty bound I had mine.
If he belongs to either of the classes I have mentioned, he
is an imperfect calculator, who does not sum up a con-
siderable share to his own account. It was about this
time that hostile feelings seemed to culminate against me.
I was assailed by legal proceedings, as well as other annoy-
ances, in every way that malice and ingenuity could invent.
But the whole of this hostility was local, confined to our
Settlement, and from a portion of my own country peo-
ple. With American gentlemen and their families, far and
near, from my first entrance into the State up to the
present day, my intercourse has been one of unbroken
kindness and courtesy. It is true, I neglected somewhat
that shield ,of popularity which men of any standing in
our new western country might not at that day with impu-
nity neglect. I rode into our little town most days to
attend to any business, or speak with those to whom I had
anything to say. I did not linger much, or enter grog-
2 12 Till-: KNGLISH SKTTI.KMENT
shops, for I used neither whisk)' nor tobacco, their chief
articles of sale. I did not sympathise in these matters
with the population around me, and this position an enenn*
could turn to my disadvantage at any time. A man to be
popular in our new western towns and with the countr\-
people around, should be acquainted with everybody, shake
hands with everybody, and wear an old coat, with at least
one good hole in it. A little whisk}' and a few squirts of
tobacco-juice are indispensable. From much of the former
you ma\' be excused if you treat liberally to others. If
there is one fool bigger than another, defer to him, make
much of him. If there is one fellow a little more greasy
and dirty than another, be sure to Jing liivi. Do all this
and you have done much toward being a popular man.
At least you could scarcely have a jury-case carried against
you. I did not do all this and was therefore at a disad-
vantage against acti\'e enemies who did, and who were
leagued against me to drive me and my family from the
Settlement. This period was the only exception to an
unusual happ)' life of thirty years' duration. And thirty
x'ears is a large slice of a man's life.
CHAPTER XII.
Murder of Richard Flower, son of George Flower — Murderer Ac-
quitted— Large Outlays for Food — Relations between New Har-
mony and the English Settlement — Robert Owen Buys Out the
Harmonites — New Harmony under Robert Owen — Men Eminent
in Literature, Science, and Art Flocked Around him — His Doc-
trines Promulgated Spread far and wide — Mr. Owen's Ability as
a Conversationist and His Equanimity of Temper — His Address
to the People of Albion — Rapp's Society at New Harmony.
About this time, a melancholy event occurred in my
family. Myself and father were at Pittsburgh, returning
from the Eastern cities, when the news of the death of
my eldest son was communicated to us by Frederick
Rapp. It was occasioned by violence, and occurred in the
following manner: My eldest son, Richard, then a prom-
ising lad. was living at Park House with his grandmother,
during my own and his grandfather's journey to the East.
Late in the evening, some backwoodsmen of the lowest
description, as they came from Albion, probably full of
whisky, rode by the house, uttered several whoops and
yells, as if in defiance, as they sometimes would do. The
noise they made, induced the dogs to rush out barking.
My son Richard ran out to call off the dogs, which he did.
As he turned round, to walk into the house, one of the
fellows dismounted, and, picking up a large bone, threw it
at the poor lad. It struck him Avith violence on the back
of his head. He was assisted to bed, from which he
never arose. The scull was crushed and the brain injured.
Notwithstanding all medical assistance and care that was
given him, he died in a few hours. A court was called;
the man tried, and, of course, acquitted.
Large outlays were required for food during the first
three years; and these expenditures fell almost exclusively
upon the heads of the Settlement. These were drawn,
some from Shawneetown and some from Harmony, the
former sixty, the latter twenty-five miles distant. Between
Albion and Shawneetown, for several years, John Morgan's
214 THE ENGLISH SKTTLEMKNT
horse-tcam and William Harris' ox-team constantly trav-
eled; these brought us groceries and other commodities
from those quarters. But the chief supply of flour, meal,
whisky, woollen and cotton cloths, all the manufacture of
the Harmonites came from Harmony. My first bill with
the Harmonites amounted to eleven thousand dollars, and
I afterward paid them many large sums. It is said that,
between the years 1818 and 1824, the Harmonites received
from our Settlement, one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars, in hard cash.
The first herd of thirty head of large cattle were pur-
chased by^ me for sixteen dollars a-head. The following
spring, my father sent, from Lexington, K\-., sixty fine
steers and a noble bull, of English breed, a large and
hardy animal, that imparted the first improvement to the
neat stock of the country. In this way, the Settlement
was at first supported, until it raised enough to live upon,
and a surplus to spare. The low price of all produce, for
some years, although advantageous to incomers from the
old country, was discouraging to the farmers. With corn
at ten and twelve cents a bushel; pork, two cents; beef,
one and a-half cents a pound; hiring labor would not pay;
and the farmer who worked for himself, could not feel any
adequate mone\--remuneratit)n.
In 1824, ni}' father was requested, b\- Mr. h'rederick and
Mr. George Kapp, to act as agent and endeavor to sell, in
England, all the possessions of the Harmonites, on the
Great Wabash, on which between four and five hundred
(lermans, of both sexes, had labored and built for the last
nine j'ears, with all the perseverance and method of that
singular and interesting comnuiiiit}-.
M\' father undertook the business, ami almost immedi-
ately ])roceeded to ICngland, accompanied by his youngest
son, I'2dvvard Fordham 1' lower, m\' junior by twenty years,
then a slender stripling youth. My father left him in
l''ngland; and there he is now, a wealthy proprietor of
one of the largest breweries in the kingilom. at Stratfonl-
on-Avon, Warwickshire.
The description aiul the acKertising of the Ilarm<Mi\-
])ri)pcrty in England, attracted the attention of Mr. Robert
Owen of Lanark, Scotland, who came over, viewed the
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 215
property, and became the owner, by purchase, of all the
possessions of the Harmonites, on the Wabash. The
quantity of land sold by Rapp to Owen was thirty-two
thousand acres, and a large portion of it of the best
quality, between two and three thousand acres under
fence and good cultivation. The town of Harmony was
included in the purchase; and this was no ordinary little
western town. It consisted of several brick and frame
two-story houses, for the use of small families, all built
after one model, and with ample gardens, well fenced in,
and neatly cultivated ; and a vast number of log-cabins,
then inhabited and neatly kept. There were also five or
six very large brick-buildings, three stories high, which
•contained the community families, of sixty to eighty indi-
viduals each; Rapp's large brick-mansion; a very large
building called -the granary, built of the most solid
masonry; and a very large brick- church, itself a curi-
osity, the plan, it was said, being given to Father George
Rapp in a dream. There were four entrances to the
church, each entrance closed by lofty folding-doors; the
doors are opposite, and one hundred and twenty feet
from each other. The upper story is supported by
twenty - eight pillars of walnut, cherry, and sassafras.
The walnut were six feet in circumference and twenty-
five feet high; the others were twenty-one feet high, with
proportionate circumference; a surprisingly large building
for this new country. There was a very large water-mill
at the cut-off, about a mile from town, complete and in
full operation; an oil-mill; the shops of the various trades
— as blacksmiths', wheelwrights', coopers', carpenters', tan-
nery, shoemakers', etc. — all included; with two magnifi-
cent orchards of grafted fruit in full bearing, and two
extensive vineyards. The whole land and town for one
hundred and thirty-two thousand dollars. There was an
after purchase — such as the stocks and tools of various
trades, and a considerable amount of live-stock, altogether
amounting to fifty thousand dollars. Thus did the whole
possessions of the German Harmonites change hands; and
what was the property of Rapp and his associates, became
the property of Robert Owen.
This singular community of Germans had little or no
2l6 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
communication with the people of the surrounding coun-
try, excepting through the miller, store-keeper, tavern-
keeper, and their secular head, Frederick Rapp, the
adopted son of old George Rapp, their spiritual leader,
and founder of the society. All who went to Harmony,
with surprise, observed with what facility the necessaries
and the comforts of life were acquired and enjoyed by
every member of Rapp's community. When compared
with the privations and discomforts to which individual
settlers were exposed in their backwoods experiences,
the contrast was very striking. The poor hunter that
brought a bushel of corn to be ground, perhaps from a
distance of ten miles, saw, with wonder, the people, as
poor as himself, inhabiting good houses, surrounded by
pleasant gardens, completely clothed in garments of the
best quality, supplied regularly with meal, meat, and fuel,
without any apparent individual exertion. He could not
fail to contrast the comforts and conveniences surround-
ing the dwellings of the Harmonites with the dirt, deso-
lation, and discomforts of his own log-hut. It opened to
liis mind a new train of thought. One of them said to
me, in his own simple language, "I studies and I studies
on it" — an expression that depicts the feelings of every
l)crson that obtained a sight of Rapp's German commu-
nit\' at Harmony. Rapp — his people and their language
— departed; Mr. Owen, now the sole proprietor of all the
possessions of its former owners, spoke to the people in
a language they could understand.
Nothing could be more opposite than the systems pur-
sued by the two distinguished leaders, on the same field
of operation. Whatever might be the merits of Rapp's
communit}-, an avoiiiaiice of intercourse between the mass
of its members and all outside barbarians was strictly
maintained; and dissimilarity of language presented a
complete bar to prying curiosity from without.
Mr. Owen proposed his plans and gave his lectures and
iliscourses, not only to those of his own opinions, but to
all that chose to come and hear him. Mr. Owen, who was
\('ry jxnverful in colloquy, seldom lost an opportunity of
explaining, what was then calletl. his new SN'stem of socie-
t}'. Discussion woidd arise; his system, doctrines, and
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 21J
their probable consequences were all discussed, fully criti-
cised, and often warmly opposed. Mr. Owen possessed so
steady a temper, that no attack, however violent and per-
sonal, could disturb it. The equanimity of his deportment,
the quiet flow of argument, the steady and unaltered tone
of his voice, I never knew to be ruffled by the most violent
language and the sometimes hasty imputations of his
opponent. Mr. Owen made a short visit to me and to my
father, and took a brief view of our Settlement. During
the evenings large numbers of settlers would call in to see
and converse with him. It was about Christmas time, and
the season was unusually warm and fine. On Christmas
day, 1824, Mr. Owen delivered an extended and extempo-
raneous address to the citizens of Albion, assembled in the
open air on the public-square of the town. For the accom-
modation of the people, chairs and benches were arranged
in a semicircle. These discussions produced some effect,
and some of our citizens went to Harmony, in the hope of
realizing some portion of the happier future predicted by
Mr. Owen. Some came back, and are prosperous citizens
in the vicinity of Albion; some remained, and are prosper-
ous citizens of Harmony.
We need not be surprised at the care with which Rapp
tried to keep his community from general intercourse.
Notwithstanding their strong religious bond, it is very
doubtful if Rapp's society could have been kept together
if they had spoken English. During this visit, Mr. Fred-
erick Rapp came to see Mr. Owen, and in my house the
bargain which transferred the property was consummated.
On this occasion, Frederick Rapp was accompanied by
his niece, Gertrude Rapp, then a young lady of some
seventeen years, in the full bloom of health and youthful
beauty, now I believe Miss Rapp is the only representative
of the family of Rapp living at Economy.
Among the endless variety of people that flocked around
Mr. Owen were some eminent in art, literature, and sci-
ence. This gave to Harmony a pre-eminence in character
and attractions to many neighboring towns.
That the material wants of man can be procured in
profusion without anxiety or injurious labor, has been
satisfactorily proved by Rapp's community, by the Shak-
2l8 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
ers, Moravians, and other well -organized communities.
Followinc: this idea, Mr. Owen argued, that if the mental
powers of man, well trained and developed from his earliest
infancy, were also organized for the public weal, all the
evils existing in our present form of society would X'anish.
as completely as destitution and want have vanished from
the communities abo\'e named. Whether this happ\' con-
summation is ever to be attained is }x-t doubtful.
Although Mr. Owen failed to make his communit}-, the
doctrines he taught and the opinions he promulgated
spread far and wide. Accepted by some with fervor,
opposed and denounced by more, they ne\ertheless were
in a fragmentary way accepted by a vast many. This we
saw in after years, when indiscriminate opposition to all
that Mr. Owen said had ceased. The halls of legislation,
the courts of law, and the family government ha\e been
modified and influenced b}- the opinions promulgated b}-
Mr. Robert Owen in the early days of his Harmony com-
munit\', followed up by the after- efforts of his son, Mr.
Robert Dale Owen, in the State legislature.
A father of a famil\-, a religious man, opposed to most
of IMr. Owen's opinions, said to me: "Well, in one thing I
think he is right — in the treatment of children — and 1
shall leave off whipping."
Mr. Owen wished to carry on this first successful step of
Rapp's a step or two farther. He argued, that when peo-
])le were relieved from anxiety and toils, now often endured
1)\' parents in the support of a famil\', ever\- child might
receive the best education and training. If all the evils
now inflicted on society from want, sufiering. neglected
education, and bad training were removed, there could not
be much left to complain of; and there would be no longer
an\' necessity for enduring that formidable power called
(iovernnient — under all its forms a combination of re-
straint, tyrann)', and corruption, now found necessary to
suppress, b)' its superior force of combination, the numer-
ous individual crimes engendered in our present organiza-
tion of society ; that if the C(Mnmunity would onl)- go on
ami appl\' its powerful combination to supply man's
intellectual wants, as it had already supplied most of his
])h\sic.d wants, all the great evils of which we complain
wtnild cease.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 219
Rapp appeared to be content in supplying physical
necessities, so far as house, clothing, food, and fuel, and in
checking those moral evils which arise from their want, or
an indiscriminate scramble to obtain them. Other evils he
thought must be endured, and compensation looked for in
another world. There were some in Rapp's society, it was
said, who had higher aspirations. But Rapp was content
with what they had already gained, and discouraged inno-
vation ; probably from a fear of losing what they had
already obtained. "In effect," he said, "the plan can not
be improved; be content with what you have got, go on as
you are going on — do yoii do all the working and / will do
all the praying." As to children, he told them they had
better not have any. Rapp was probably right, to a soci-
ety of such moderate aspirations, and who were so well
schooled in resignation to a certain class of evils. The
plan could not be improved; it was perfect as far as it went.
Owen said — "Go on. You have banished many incon-
veniences and evils already, and this should encourage you
to proceed; apply the same power of combination and do
more. Have children, as many as you can bring up, edu-
cate, and properly train. Attend to their health, and make
them strong men; to their intellect, and make them wise
men; to the supplying all their wants, and make them
happy men. You will find that temperance in all gratifi- '
cation attains the maximum of enjoyment. Be as happy
as you can here, and the better qualified will you be for
happiness hereafter." So, in effect, said Owen; but his
views were not carried out in the way he desired them to
be. The materials that gathered around him were proba-
bly too dissimilar and heterogeneous to be formed into a
community of any kind.
From Mr. Owens' addresses and publications we learned
his opinions and intentions. We knew the Harmonites
from our dealings at their store, and what we saw in our
frequent visits to the town. In business they were punc-
tual and honest. Industry and order were apparent every-
where.
CHAPTER XIII.
The Emigration to the Settlement Recommences— The Character of
the New Emigrants — The Crackles Brothers — Mr. Joseph Apple-
gath —The Good Farms about Albion — The Courts at Albion —
Attended by Eminent Men — Judge Wilson, Edwin B. 'Webb,
Col. Wm. H. Davidson, Gen. John M. Robinson, John McLean,
and Henry Eddy -Their Visits to Mr. Flower — "A Good Supper
and a Bowl of Punch" — Dreary Travel to Vandalia — Bear-Meat
and Venison — An Enormous Elk, the Patriarch of the Prairies —
The \A^restling- Match between Indians and \A^hite Men — The
Indians "Down" the Pale Faces — Perilous Ride from the W^abash
to Vandalia — Judges Wilson and Lockwood and Henry Eddy out
all Night in a Dreadful Storm — Horseback the only Mode of Con-
veyance— Its Fatigues and Dangers.
Aftkr the check given to emigration, from cau.scs
before mentioned, the tide began to flow again. Individu-
al.s and families were frequently arriving, and occasionally
a part)' of thirty and forty. A fresh cause induced this
tide of emigration. It arose from the private correspond-
ence of the first poor men who came. Having done well
themselves, and by a few years of hard labor acquirctl
more wealth than they ever expected to obtain, they wrote
home to friend or relative an account of their success
These letters handed round in the remote \illages of Eng-
land, in which nian\' of them lived, reached individuals in
a class to whom information in a book form was wholl\-
inaccessible. ICach letter had its scores of readers, and.
passing from hand to hand, traversed its scores of miles.
The writer, known at home as a poor man, earning perhaps
a scanty subsistence b)' his dail}- labor, telling of the wages
he received, his bountiful living, of iiis own farm and the
number of iiis live-stock, produced a greater impression in
tin- limited circle of its readers than a jirintetl publication
had the power of doing. His fellow-laborer who heard
these accounts, ami feeling that he was no better off than
when his fellow-laborer left him for .America, now exerteii
every nerve to come and do likewise. Among the many
that came, induced b\' this .sort of information, were three
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 22 1
brothers, Thomas, Kelsey, and Joseph Crackles, three
Lincolnshire men — a fine specimen of English farm-labor-
ers, well skilled in every description of farm -labor, and
particularly in the draining of land. They lived with me
for three years after their arrival. They soon got good
farms of their own; or, I should rather say, made good
farms for themselv^es. I heard an American neighbor
remark, on the first farm they bought, that nobody could
ever raise a crop or get a living from it. It had not been
in their possession two years, before it became noted for its
excellent cultivation and abundant crops. In this way we
have given to Illinois a valuable population, men that are
a great acquisition to the Country. It was observed that
these emigrants who came in the second emigration, from
five to ten years after the first settlement, complained more
of the hardships of the country than those who came first.
These would complain of a leaky roof, or a broken fence,
and all such inconveniences. The first- comers had no
cabins or fences to complain of; with them it was conquer
or die. And thus emigrants came dropping in from year
to year.
We received a valuable settler in the person of Mr.
Joseph Applegath. Mr. Applegath was a bookseller in
London, a man of good education and general informa-
tion. He came out with the intention of joining Mr.
Owen's community at Harmony. That failing, he took
his apprenticeship in country life in our Settlement. He
was a striking instance with what comparative ease a well-
informed and cultivated man can change his occupation
and even his habits of life. From knowing nothing of
farming or country life of any kind, for several years he
followed it energetically and successfully, acquiring the
habit of labor, which in general seems to go so hard with
those unaccustomed to toil. One secret of this was, he
had nothing to unlearn, and no prejudices on that subject
to eradicate. He looked over the fence of his neighbor to
see how he did a piece of work, and copied after him.
In a few years he retired from habitual labor, but not from
active employment; he frequently gave familiar lectures
to young people in Albion, on useful or scientific subjects,
made easy to their comprehension by his simple language
and arrangement.
222 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
But it was the class of farm-laborers and small-farmers,
of whom I have before spoken, that furnished the bone
and sinew of the Settlement. Well instructed in all agri-
cultural labor, as plowmen, seedsmen, and drainers of land,
habituated to follow these occupations with continuous
industry, the result was certain success. Their course was
a uniform progress and advance. Many of them without
mone}', and some in debt for their passage, they at first
hired out at the then usual price of fifty cents a-day with-
out board, and seventy-five cents for hay-time and harvest.
In two or three years they became tenants, or bought a
piece of unimproved Congress-land at a dollar and a-quar-
ter an acre, and gradually made their own farms. Several
of them, now the wealthiest farmers of the county, earned
their first money on my farm at Park House. It is chiefly
the labor of these men, extending over twenty, thirty, and
even forty years, that has given to the Settlement the
many fine farms to be seen around Albion.
Among the advantages of the meetings of the courts of
law in Albion, not the least were the periodical visits of
intelligent and educated men of the legal profession.
Mon. William Wilson, a native of Martinsburgh, Va., was,
when appointed to his office of circuit-judge, a very young
man. He possessed great amiability and good sense, and
was extensixei)' known through the State; a good lawyer
respected and beloved wherever known. Between him
and myself a lasting friendship existed until his death,
which occurred in 1857. He settled near Carmi, in White
Co., thirty miles south of Albion. Carmi was the home
of Edwin B. Webb. Esq.,* so many years the represen-
• I'.ihvin U. Webl) of (.anui, White County, was one of the best-known
and most inlluciUial Wliig jjoliticians of his day, in south-ea>lern Uhnois. He
was first elected to the lower branch of the lei^isiaturc from White County in
1834, and reelected in 1836, 1S3S, 1S40. In I.S44, he was elected to the
senate, from White County, and reelectetl in 1S46. and finally closing his
ie^jislative service in 1S4S, which was conlinuous fnun 1S34 to 1S4S, with the
exception of two years, from 184^ to 1S44. I knew Mr. Webb well. He
was a well-known figure in .S|iriiiL;field for many )ears. He was a little under
the middling height, always dressing genteelly, and of jileasant and agree-
able manners. A native of Kentucky, lie was a devoted friend of Henry Clay,
and was the Whig candidate for Coveinor of Illinois in 1852. At the break-
ing up of the old Whig party, Mr. Webb declined entering into the Republi-
can parly, ami joiiietl the Democrats. He was always called "Hat" Webb,
from his miiidle name, />'<;////// (/. He tlied at his home in Carmi, in the fall
of 185S, universally beloved and regretted.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 223
tative of White County in the legislature. Mr. Webb wa.s
one of our best lawyers, and was always relied on as such.
He had a greater hold on the affections of his many
friends and neighbors, by exerting the influence of his
position in healing all breaches, and allaying those irrita-
tions which so frequently accompany legal disputation.
Col. William H. Davidson, for many years in the State
senate, and often its presiding-officer, was much beloved
for the amenity of his manners in public and in private
life. Gen. John M. Robinson, then a young lawyer riding
the circuit, and afterward, for many years, our senator in
Congress — -these two were Carmi men.
John McLean, a good lawyer, a loud speaker, of sterling
good sense, and blunt and somewhat boisterous manners,
was the most popular lawyer in the earliest days of the
State. A native of Kentucky, he was afterward sent to
Congress.* Henry Eddy, long the editor of the Shazviicc-
tozvn Gazette, was a good lawyer, and a most kind-hearted
and benevolent man, universally respected and beloved.-f*
Judge Hall (afterward known as the editor of the Illinois
Monthly Magazine) was also a practising lawyer, with a
* John McLean was, undoubtedly, the ablest and most influential man in
Illinois at the time of his death. He was elected United States senator in
1825, to succeed Ninian Edwards, who had resigned to accept the position of
minister to Mexico. Having served out the term of Gov. Edwards, of only
a few months, Elias Kent Kane was elected his successor for the long term.
In 1829, Mr. McLean was elected for six years, to succeed Jesse B. Thomas.
He died, however, shortly after the commencement of his term of service, in
1830. Had he lived, he would have left an indelible impress upon the history
of the State.
Mr. McLean was a member of the House of Representatives from Gallatin
County from 1820 to 1822, and of which he was made speaker. He was also
a member from 1826 to 1828, and from 1828 to 1830. He was speaker of
the House both sessions, and elected senator while holding the office in 1829.
+ Henry Eddy of Shawneetown, was one of the ablest and most prominent
lawyers of his time in the State. I can not recall that he was ever in politi-
cal life, except being a member of the House of Representatives from Galla-
tin County from 1820 to 1822, when he was the colleague of John McLean.
He was an anti-convention man in the great struggle in 1823-4, and the editor
of the ^/lawneeto'wn Spectator. Like Mr. Webb of Carmi, he was one of the
prominent Whig politicians in the south-eastern part of the State. A man of
education and intelligence, he was distinguished by his courteous manners and
gentlemanly bearing. He was elected judge of the third circuit in January,
1835, but resigned the next month. No county in this State ever had two
abler men in the Legislature, at the same time, than when Henry Eddy and
John McLean represented Gallatin in 1820 and 1822.
224 Till-: ?:nglish settlement
reputation for literary talent. Judge Thomas C. Browne
was associated with Judge Wilson, on the bench of the
supreme court. These were all residents of Shawneetown,
and usuall)' made the tour of our circuit.
The law business, being small in those days, allowed of
an early adjournment of court, givdng time for friendly
intercourse. They generally favored our family with a
visit. Those of them that were farmers, as well as law-
yers, would generally spend a day with me, in looking at
li\e-stock and crops, discussing farming matters generally.
In the evening, several other friends would join the party;
the conversation, unrestrained, was generally free and good-
humored. The hilarity was by no means checked by a
good supper and a bowl of punch. After tales of adven-
ture in their wild and widely-extended circuit, varied con-
\crsation, anecdote, and song, the party would retire, at a
late hour generally, to meet again six months afterward.
The opening of the legislature at Wmdalia, and the ses-
sion of the supreme court, about the 8th of December,
occasioned long and drearj- journeys to those obliged to
.attend from the southern part of the State. The lawyers
from Shawneetown, joining those at Carmi, would proceed
to some point west of the Little Wabash, generally at
Ramsc)-'s station, and wait a little for any that might join
them from Albion. I occasionall)' made one of the part}-.
The distance from cabin to cabin was often from twenty
to thirt}' miles. The host, on these occasions, was usually
one of the earliest pioneers, who had pushed in among the
red men and brown bears of the wilderness. After a
supper of bear-meat and venison, the large log in the ten-
foot chimney was set blazing afresh with brushwood. A
large circle was formed in front, and we heard from our
host some of his exciting or amusing adventures with wild
men and wild beasts.
,\t the house of one of these men, a noted character of
that day — John Lewis of the trace — said that he had seen,
in his hunts, the tracks of an enormous elk. For months
of search, he had failed to get sight of the gigantic animal
that had made these tracks of such unusual size. The
fortunate da\* came at last. Himself concealed b\- a point
of wood, the huge animal appeared in full view, grazing in
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 22$
the open prairie. Mustering all his wood-craft for con-
cealment and approach, he succeeded in bringing down
the animal at the first shot. He produced the horns; when
set on their prongs, a tall man could walk under them
without touching. This patriarch of the prairies met his
death in 1818 or 18 19.
Upon another occasion, at the same house, a party of
Indians, accompanied by their agent, arrived. They were
from some tribe far distant in the interior, on their way to
Washington. They were regarded with some curiosity,
and much admired as a fine specimen of their race — tall,
thin, muscular men, of delicate features, with small hands
and feet. There happened to be present, a party of back-
woods-hunters, men of strong-set frames, used to fights of
every description, and noted good wrestlers. Their num-
ber being equal to that of the Indians, some one expressed
the wish to see a friendly combat or trial of strength in a
wrestling-match, to see who could throw the other. With
the consent of the agent, who explained to the Indians
the nature of the proposal, the arrangement was soon
made. Weapons being carefully removed from both par-
ties, they met man to man. To the astonishment of the
spectators, the Indians threw all their antagonists, again
and again, and with such dexterity and apparent ease, that
the white men could never get an opportunity to close
with them.
In journeying alone or in company, great risks were run
from floods, loss of way, and sudden change of tempera-
ture, especially in the winter season. Judge Wilson, Mr.
S. D. Lockwood, and Mr. Henry Eddy of Shawneetown,
undertook to reach Vandalia from one of the counties on
the Wabash, a little north of us. The distance by section
lines was about sixty miles, across the country, through
prairie and timber, without road or track of any kind— no
kind of habitation, not even the humblest cabin in the
way.
Wilson took the lead, as the best woodsman. They
contiriued to ride the whole of a fine winter's day without
seeing man or his abode. Toward evening, the weather
changed; it became very cold, with the wind blowing in
their faces a heavy fall of snow. In this predicament,
15
226 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
without food or fire, there was but one alternative when
night came on. Each man seated himself on his saddle,
placed on the ground, with the saddle-blanket over his
head and shoulders, holding by the bridles their naked
and shivering horses. It continued to snow for hours.
For a long time they sat in this condition, thinking they
should all freeze to death before morning. They afterward
tied their horses, and spread a blanket on the ground near
a fallen tree, and then squatted down close together —
Lockwood in the middle — and thus they spent the long
and dismal night.
In the morning, they proceeded as they best could;
before noon, reached the east bank of the Kaskaskia
Riv^er, then booming full, at flood water. They all had
to swim their horses across, Wilson again taking the lead.
Dripping wet, all three rode into \'andalia, in the midst of
the frost and snow of mid-winter. Lockwood, a confirmed
invalid of some chronic disease-, resigned himself to cer-
tain death. Extraordinary to relate, the disease from that
time left him, and he lived to be, and is, I believe, yet
living, a sound and healthy man.
When I look back at the inconveniences and perils of
our journc)-s in the early da)S of our residence in Illinois,
I wonder that an)' of us are alive to relate them.
Apart from accidents, a journey then required the ex-
penditure of all our strength. Horseback was the only
mode. To bear the excessive heat of a summer's sun, over
the exposed prairies, from early dawn till night, or, to
reverse the order of our habits, to escape the torments of
the prairie-fly, by traveling all night and h'ing b\- during
tiic day; or to be overtaken by night in the mitlst of win-
ter, crouching on the frozen grouiul, without fire or shelter,
are incidents that try the constitution. liut of all the
dangers of backwoods-traveling, those of crossing swollen
streams and river-bottoms deej)ly flooded, with the surface
of the water covered with floating or with solid ice, arc
the greatest. To be floundering in water of uncertain
deptli, the horse sometimes wading anil S(Miictimes swim-
ming, obstructctl, too, by floating logs and ice, proiluces
sensations not at all agreeable.
CHAPTER XIV.
Long Horseback Excursions — The Cabin Found — Island Grove — The
Tempest — A Horrible Night — ^John Ganaway's Roadside-Cabin — •
A Good Breakfast — Hugh Ronalds' Adventure — Narrowly Es-
capes Death — Long Journey by Wagon — The Delights of that
Mode of Travel — Health and Spirits Renewed — Travel of that
Day and the Present Day Contrasted — Mr. Hulme's Journey —
Mr. Applegath, Bishop Whitehouse, and Mr. Kleinworth's — The
First Crops and Cabins — The Progress Year by Year — The Peach-
Orchard — A Happy Life — Children Growing Up — "Edward's Or-
chard " — The Herding of Sheep — The Boys and Girls — A Charm-
ing Picture of Rural Life — The Hospitable Home — Lingering on
the Porch— The Welcome Guests— The Lost Child— The Finding
and the Rejoicings — The Wild Animals, Wolves, Bears, and
Panthers — The Panther— The W^olf -Chase — Savage Fight be-
tween Man and Wolf.
Sometimes, when not accompanied by gentlemen, my
wife gave me her company in these horseback excursions
into the interior of the State; and those journeys are, to
this day, among the happiest recollections of my prairie
life. One of these journeys is so characteristic of the time
and country, as it then was, that I will give it :
Each of us well mounted, and equipped with well-filled
saddle-bags, we started northward, on a fine July morning.
For the first twenty miles, the country was settled thinly
— six or eight miles between cabins. North of the trace,
leading from Vincennes to St. Louis, the country was yet
more thinly settled — from ten to twenty miles between
house and house. We had difficulty in finding the little
cabin we were in search of, for our first night's lodging,
and but for a small column of blue smoke, betraying its
locality in a small clump of brushwood, we should have
passed it by. When found, it was of the smallest class of
cabins. After a supper of corn-bread, milk, and venison,
we rested for the night on one of the two beds, the whole
family taking to the other.
228 TIIK ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
licfore mounting, the next morning, we were struck with
the occupation of our host. He was greasing his wagon
witli good fresh butter. He might as well do so, he said,
for when he took it to Lawrenceville, ten miles distant, he
could only get five cents a pound for it, and that in trade.
After riding across a prairie for about twelve miles, our
horses being much tormented by the prairie-flies, we rested
for some hours at a house in a point of timber, the last
timber we should meet in a day's journey. About five in
the afternoon, we mounted again. The direction wc trav-
eled, with scared}' the indication of a track, was due north,
keeping the timber about two miles to the right. A few
miles ahead, and a little to our left, stood a grove of tim-
ber, covering one section of land in the open prairie. It
was appropriately called Island Grove.
Clouds, black and portentous, had been long threaten-
ing. The rain came down in torrents. The north wind
blew in our faces with such violence, that, for a time, the
horses could not face the storm. We had to allow them
to turn round. Pursuing our way northward, night over-
took us. The feeble rays of a young moon added but
dreariness to the scene. The wind, growing more and
more cold, pierced through our wet' garments. It was
about nine at night when we came to the track of the
National Road, just being laid out and worked. This
greatly relieved our anxious watchings; for we feared
that we had passed o\'cr it, ami were wandering north-
ward in the interminable prairie. Following its course
westward, we were suddenly arrested by a broad sheet of
water, which we dared not enter and could not go round.
The moon set. Wc were in darkness. Wet through,
exposed to a keen north-wind, without the slightest shel-
ter, we stood b)' the side of our horses and waitctl the
termination of this drcar\- night. 1, at length, yielded to
sleep, on the wet antl sodden ground. My wife, with
greater resolution, kept watch on foot, iiolding the horses*
bridles in lier hand, sometimes putting her fingers under
the saildlcs t(^ catch a little warmth, ami sometimes wak-
ing me from what she fearetl might be a fatal slumber.
One sound only was heard during these hours of dreary
darkness, the ilismal howl of a solitar\- wolf. At break-of-
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 229
day, so stiff and cold were we, that we could with difficulty
mount our horses. Both ourselves and horses shook and
trembled as with an ague.
We had to proceed about six miles, through mud and
water, before reaching a small roadside- cabin, kept by
John Ganaway. A good breakfast, and two hours sleep,
set all to rights, and we proceeded on our way, none the
worse for our late exposure. Such incidents were of com-
mon occurrence to travelers on the prairies in those days.
These encounters with the elements were not always so
happily got through, especially in the winter season. Mr.
Hugh Ronalds and his young son were traveling on the
prairies, about thirty miles north-west of Albion, with a
covered carriage and a pair of horses, in the winter season.
On coming to a cre^k frozen over, in attempting to cross
on the ice, the horses broke in; but the ice was too strong
and the creek to deep to allow the horses to get through.
It was necessary to detach the horses from the carriage,
and to break the ice, to allow the horses to struggle out
on the opposite bank ; in doing which, Mr. Ronalds
• became wet to his middle. Before he could arrange the
harness on the horses, his clothes became quite stiff, his legs
seemed to be incased in boards. A house near the creek,
the view of which was an additional inducement to risk the
crossing, was found to be entirely deserted. No fire or
the means of making any. Under these circumstances,
it became a struggle for life. Mr. Ronalds, becoming weak
from cold and suffering, desired his son (a lad of nine
years) to make for a house, about three miles across the
prairie, and send back aid if he should arrive there. He,
with aid of men and women, returned and met his father.
Mr. Ronalds proceeded at a slow pace with the horses.
He soon became insensible. When met by the party
from the house, he was standing between the horses, hold-
ing on by the harness, but nearly insensible and very
numb. Covering him with blankets, and carrying him
when he could no longer walk, they arrived at the cabin
and put him to bed, stiff and unconscious. It was long
before friction and warmth induced circulation or sign of
life. The process of freezing, or dying, was attended by
no remembered pain; but, in returning to life, he suffered
much agony.
230 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
If a family party desired to make a journey of some
distance — say two or three hundred miles — a wagon was
found to be the most safe and comfortable conveyance.
Wishing to visit a friend who had settled a few miles north
of Peoria, on the Illinois River, more than two hundred
miles distant from Park House, an old friend and neigh-
bor, Capt. James Carter, wishing to see the country north,
accompanied us, brought with him a wagon and a pair of
oxen, to which I added another )-oke. This was furnished
with provisions and cooking-utensils, and some bedding.
My own covered wagon, drawn by two stout and active
horses, with a driver sitting on the near saddle-horse, con-
veyed my family, two sons and one daughter, with Mrs.
Flower, and an infant at her breast. Two saddle-horses,
one furnished with a side-saddle, for any of us to ride by
way of change, completed our cavalcade. Proceeding thus
leisurely along, we passed over some of the most beautiful
prairies in the centre of the State. Pulling up at evening
near some pleasant grove, we lighted our camp-fire and
cooked our evening meal. As the evening advanced, we
spread our blankets on the ground, and with feet to the
fire took our night's rest. Breakfast over next morning,
we proceeded onward through the day. A fresh venison
ham, milk from some farm-house, or a prairie fowl, occa-
sionally shot by one of the part}', gave us the most whole-
some and invigorating food. Including our short visit, we
were six weeks going and returning, living day and night
during our journey in the open air. The fine autumn
Avcather continued with us until the last day of our return.
On the afternoon of that day we were ushered into m\-
own park gate b)' a gust of sleet and rain. We all returned
with renewed health and spirits. Nothing can be imagined
more enjoyable or was better enjoyed. The freedom from
care, the gentle exercise in the open air, the ever-changing
scene, the varied beauties of the landscape, gave renewed
health, appetite, and happiness. On entering my park and
l)leasant tlwelliiig, I confess to a feeling of approaching
care. All hail gone well during t)ur absence. But letters
wiMc to answer, business to attend to; my wife had her
household cares. We were again in harness, performing
the ilrudger)- of civili/ed life. These three journeys give
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 23 1
a fair specimen of the primitive mode of traveling in the
early years of our settlement in Illinois.
The difference in speed and convenience of travel then
and now is very striking. The mean time of travel for
family parties from the Eastern cities to the prairies, in the
year 1 8 18, I find to be nine weeks — that is for the whole
family or parties, composed sometimes of two or three
families, with all their plunder. One of the most expedi-
tious and economical family-trips on record was made by
Mr. Hall and his family, consisting of himself, wife, and
seven children. The items are therefore interesting:
Hire of wagon from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, for
wife and seven children, _ _ _ _ ^yc^
Expenses for twelve persons, Thomas and myself
walking all the way, for thirteen days, - - 4~
Carriage of eleven hundred of heavy goods, at $3
per 100 lbs., -------33
Tavern expenses at Pittsburgh, i week, - - - 20
Share of ark, - - - - - - - 15
Three days in the ark and expenses to Shawneetown, 18
Three days in ark at Shawneetown, _ _ _ g
Wagon-hire for the family and baggage to the
prairies, --------28
Expenses four days and ferriages, - - - - 14
For heavy goods up the Wabash and land-carriage
from thence, - - - - - - -15
$269
Time from May 7th to June 25th.
Mr. Hulme, who visited our Settlement, and going by
the quickest mode of travel, in his journal writes thus:
"Pittsburgh, June 3. — Arrived here with a friend as travel-
ing-companion, by the mail-stage from Philadelphia, after
a journey of six days, having set out on the 28th of
May."
Mr. Applegath, in 1823, arrived at Vincennes from the
city of Baltimore in ten days, then thought to be very expe-
ditious traveling. In 1859, Bishop Whitehouse reached
Olney, Illinois, from New York, in two days and a-half, by
railroad. Olney is thirty miles north of Albion, connected
232 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
by a daily mail-stage. In August, i860, Mr. Kleinworth
arrived at his residence in Albion in thirteen days and a-
half, from the city of London. Mr. Kleinworth lost one
day and a-half by detention on the road, so that the time
of his actual travel was but twelve days. I recollect what
a visionary I was thought thirty years ago for saying that
we were, at a moderate rate of traveling, but three days
distant from New York. Now that prediction is more
than verified, for when no impediment occurs the distance
has been made in less than two days.
The first two years of settlement in a new prairie coun-
try does not present the abundance in the field crops that
new-comers expect to see from the accounts they have
heard of the fertility of the soil. The first year's planting
on a prairie sod yields not a-third of a crop. The second
year is much better, but it is not until the third year that
cultivation and seasons have sufficiently acted on the soil
to allow it to yield its full abundance. The houses and
cabins present too often a naked and somewhat comfort-
less appearance, unless a little industry and taste is dis-
played in training flowers and creeping-plants around
them. The rich and venerable mellowness of ivy and
moss will not be attained for centuries. But the virgin
soil and hot sun, with the least aid from an industrious
hand, will soon give floral ornament and cosy comfort that
can not be attained about a house in cooler climates for
many years.
We had long left behind us the inconveniences and
annoyances incident to first-settlers, and were enjoying the
teeming abundance of a virgin soil under its first cultiva-
tion, stimulatetl bj- a glowing climate. Nothing could
gratify the farmer more than to witness the progress of his
crops, for the first fifteen years on the same fields without
aid of manure. The deep green of the maize, in its gigan-
tic and rapid growth, almost outstretching the capacit}' of
its own fibres in its vigorous shoots and rapid growth, suc-
ceeded, in time of harvest, by large heavy ears, sometimes
more than a hundred bushels to the acre, and wagon-loads
of yellow pumpkins growing among the rows. Cattle
increasing and thriving in condition in the range more
rapidly than in the finest clover pasture, was surprising to
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 233
farmers from the cool and gradual climate of England.
On my farm, the profuse bearing of a large peach-
orchard, the third year from planting the stones, surprised
and gratified me. Among these seedling-trees, many pro-
duced fruit of large size and exquisite flavor. I turned a
few of my favorite English pigs into this orchard. It was
amusing to see the gluttons as they slowly walked along,
giving to an ordinary peach a contemptuous turn with
their little snouts, not deigning to taste one unripe or
deficient in flavor. They, like ourselves, were sated with
the fruit, scores of bushels lying rotting on the ground.
The two following years were equally bountiful. One
hard winter killed many and diseased the remainder of
the trees, until at length I could not gather a peck of
peaches from the farm.
I have said that I lived in a world of my own, and not
a bad world either. My life seemed particularly felicitous.
Based on domestic happiness, and surrounded by abund-
ance. My children, as they grew up, taking their part of
the care of the animals. At first, the two eldest boys,
after an early breakfast, provided by their mother, took
with them dinner, books, and slate, and led the fine merino
flock, varying in number from four hundred to a thousand,
into the prairie, where they stayed the whole day. As the
family grew larger, a sister often went with the brothers.
A small log-house, with overhanging porch and accommo-
dations for their horses and dogs, was built for them on a
pleasant hill overlooking the prairie, close by an apple-
orchard, just coming into bearing, planted by my young-
est brother Edward before he went to England. Although
passed into other hands, the spot is called Edward's
Orchard unto this day.
During the heat of the day, whilst the flocks were repos-
ing in the shade of the clumps of oaks, the children were
resting in the cabin, or, unconscious of fatigue and defying
heat, were chasing, with their horses and their dogs, some
rabbit on the prairie or wildcat in a neighboring thicket.
Thus, with their little house-keeping establishment, useful
employment in the open air, cheerful amusement with
their horses and their dogs, and freedom from restraint,
they had a good time generally. Now no longer children,
234 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
but fathers and mothers of famiUes, with the cares and
anxieties incident to their stations, they look back to this
period as the happiest of their hves. At evening, one of
their number came to the house to announce the arri\-al of
the flock at the park gate. Myself or shepherd, if he was
in the way, went to count them in. The children, relieved
of their charge, came joyously in, bringing rabbit or squir-
rel or some trophy of the chase. After refreshment and
rest, as day closed in, the young ones all sunk to sound
and happy slumber.
In a fine summer's night, the house and its surroundings
presented a picture of quietude and peace, enjoyed b\' my-
self and wife, walking together, as we sometimes did, in
the early hours of the night, when all nature, in shadow,
was reposing in silence. The beautiful cattle, as they
quietly chewed the cud, allowed us to pass through them
undisturbed. The flock of sheep, lying close together in
one large clump, would begin to rise as we approached
them, in accordance with their more timid nature. The
refreshing coolness, the profound silence, the repose and
security of the animals, with the shadow of night cast over
all, was by every feeling acknowledged as a grateful relief,
from the glare, the heat, and turmoil of day.
Returning to the house, and once more gazing on the
children in their deej). unconscious sleep, we would often,
while conversing in subdued tones, linger long in the wide
porch, enjoying together the sweetest hours of the twent\-
four. More frequently we had some company at the
house; this being the rule, privacy the exception, was the
more enjoyed. Occasionalh', a party of neighbors would
spend the evening with us. but my home was frequentK'
graced and enlivened bj' one or more intelligent strangers,
either native or foreign born, and this adds to a home in
the country a fresh light of intelligence and cheerfulness,
and breaks the bond of prejudice, which grows too stiff in
a confined locality. To diversif)- and vary life, a few
adventures, incidents, and accidents occurred to us, onl\-
to be met with by settlers in a new country.
Mr. Dransfield, living about eight miles from Albion, on
the road to the Wabash, missed one of his children, about
three years of age. . Search was made b)- the parents.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 235
through all the out-premises and in the woods round about
the house, to no effect. The next day, we heard of it at
Albion, and the news spread to the farmers and settle-
ments for miles around. On the following morning, neigh-
bors, as they were called, assembled for ten miles round.
After searching the surrounding woods in vain, fifty horse-
men determined to search French- Creek Prairie, a long
narrow prairie, about four miles long and scarcely a-half-
mile broad. The horsemen formed a line at short intervals
from each other, examining every inch of the ground as
they slowly passed along. In a blackberry patch, one of
the horsemen saw a little white rag flutter; he rode up,
and there was the child standing, but looking rather scared.
A long, loud whoop, along the whole line of horsemen,
announced the discovery of the child. The little one was
soon in the arms of its parents, and suffered no inconveni-
ence from its long exposure.
From wild animals, although destructive to our flocks
and herds, we had no personal encounters or attacks.
Chastised by the arrows of the Indians and the bullets
of the backwoodsmen, they fly instinctively from the pres-
ence of man. Wolves, bears, and panthers, the two latter
in small numbers, are but rarely seen. But the large grey
and black wolf were felt as a severe scourge for many
years. They devoured great numbers of pigs, sheep, and
calves. First and last, I have lost more than three hun-
dred valuable sheep from those fellows, besides the care,
trouble, and expense they put me to in watching the flocks.
It is rather a singular fact, that the last wolf known to
have come into the Settlement, killed my last sheep. For
thirty years, these vermin made incessant war upon me.
My successors in sheep-keeping have one enemy the less
to encounter than I had.
I once had six large black wolves keeping me closer
company than I liked, in a lonely prairie, whilst driving in
a buggy. We had reciprocal fear of each other^ and no
collision took place. As late as 1830, a panther showed
himself within a few yards of my house, under the follow-
ing circumstances. I was from home. A favorite pig, of
a choice breed, was missed. A young hired lad and two
or three of the children went in search. A rustling in a
236 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
bramble-patch attracted attention. Mrs. Flower, who had
joined the children, I think, in parting the brambles to
look in, was startled by some animal rushing out. It
sprung upon the fence, rested for a second or two, and
then bounded away. "Look at the tail," said the lad;
and, in his astonishment, fortunately, forgot to fire, or
fatal consequences might have followed. A wounded
panther always turns upon its assailants.
One adventure with a large black wolf, from its singu-
larit)'. may bear to be related. A friend of mine, with a
companion, were riding together in a large open prairie,
one hot summer's day. On one side of them the wood
was four miles distant, on the other three. As they rode
up a steep and grassy mound, a wolf was coming up on
the other side, lioth wolf and horsemen met on the top
with equal surprise, no doubt; for both parties came to a
sudden halt, gazing at each other. In a moment, the wolf
was making otf for the nearest woods, with the horsemen
after him at full speed. They soon overtook him, and
attempted to ride him down. But the horses, perhaps
from an instinctive fear of his fangs, would never step
upon him. In this way they continued the chase for a
long time. At length, the wolf, exhausted and faint, lay
down. My friend dismounted to dispatch him by a blow
on the head from his heavily-loaded whip. The horse,
free from restraint and made frantic by the flies, galloped
.iwa}-; my friend's companion riding after, endeavoring to
catcii him and bring him back. My friend was now alone
with the wolf. As he raised his arm, to give the fatal
blow, the wolf sprang to his feet, with his bristles erect,
showing all his terrible fangs. Not liking the encounter,
Ml)- friend, stepping backward, endeavored to retreat. Wolf
uouKl allow of no retreat, but springing at the throat of
the man, was knocked down by a blow from the hea\il)'-
loailed whip. Three times were these attacks given and
received, b)' wolf and man. At the last blow given, the
load in the handle of the whip fell out. My friend was
now without weapon. With great presence of mind, he
threw himself upon the wolf, seizing him by the nape of
the neck with one hand; and throwing upon him the
whole weight of his bod}', both came to the ground, man
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 237
on top, still grasping him fast by the skin of his neck.
Such was the strength of the wolf, that he rose up with
the weight of the man upon him, walking and staggering
along, until the disengaged hand of the man pulled up
one of his legs, and threw him again. This struggle
between wolf and man, with alternate advantage, con-
tinued some time, until the companion returned with both
horses. For a time they were at a loss, being destitute of
all weapons. At last a small penknife was found, with
which the wolf was bled to death, by severing his neck-
vein — my friend holding on like grim -death to the last
moment, his face, in the struggle, often coming in dis-
agreeable proximity to the jaws of the wolf
CHAPTER XV.
Marriage Certificates — Average Cost of Marriage — Erecting Log-
Houses — Farmers Trading down the Mississippi — English Farm-
Laborers become Substantial Farmers and Merchants in the
English Settlement — Death of Richard Flower — His Character-
istics— Frequent Festivities and Family Reunions at his House
— The Ancestors of the Flowers — Mrs. Richard Flower The
Buckinghamshire Party of Emigrants Arrive — German Families
Come in — The Yorkshire Men — Good Pork and Beef at Albion
— The Last Ship's -Party Arrive — Travelers Visiting the Settle-
ment— Mr. Hulme — Mr. Welby writes an Abusive Book — Mr.
Fearon writes about the Settlement, but never saw It — The
Thompsons — Mr. Stewart an Edinboro' Man — Mr. D. Constable,
the Man with a Knapsack and a Cane — An Admirable Charac-
ter— Good accomplished by Mr. Constable —Sir Thomas Beevoir
and Lady Beevoir visit Albion — The Beevoir Family in England
— The Aristocracy of England not a Degenerate Race — Lord
Frederick's Sermon The American Clock-Peddler- Defamatory
Books Published in England Constitution for a Library — Albion
in 1822 and i860 Its Peculiar Characteristics — No Printing-Press,
no Bank, no Lawyer for Thirty Years — Log-Cabins give way to
Comfortable Dwellings Town and County Affairs The Steady
March of Improvement in the Settlement A Bank Established in
Albion — Two Lawyers settle there —The Doctors— Joel Churchill,
the "Poor Man's Friend" — Cotton grown in the Settlement at
one Time — Limits of the English Settlement — Never any Quar-
rels between the English and Americans — Projected Railroads
The Southern Cross Railroad bought by Gen. Pickering Solid
Prosperity enjoyed by the Settlement Annoyances by Insects —
The "Tires."
WlIl'.N wealth aiul its accessories shall have chaiiijecl
our simple customs, it may be curious to sec liow brict
.ire the records of our marriage ceremonies, and how small
their cost. In iookinj^ over the marriage certificates, from
I Si 5 to 1820, the following specimens arc Utcral copies,
iind they certainly have the merit of brevit}', if they have
no other :
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 239
"The within-named persons were joined together on the
30th September, i8i6. G. M. Smith."
"Was joined as husband and wife, Samuel Plough and
Sare Plough by me, March 5, 181 3. William Smith."
"January ist, 1819. Then solemnized by matrimony,
between David Payne and Margaret Stewart.
"W. Spence, J. P."
"August 2, 181 5. There appeared before me, Jeremiah
Ballard and Eliza Barney, and was joined in marriage.
"Seth Gard, J. P., 111. Ter."
"111. Territory, June 18, 18 16. By authority from you,
I solemnize rights of matrimony between Samuel Bum-
bery and Mary Jones. David McGahee."
"Was married on the 8th February, 1820, Philip Scud-
more to Ann Stone. MosES Michaels."
But our magistrates were not always so exact as to
make any returns. These were the certificates. We will
now give the fee bills :
"Marrying License, - $1.00 License, - $1.00
Recording Certificates, 12^ Certificate, - 12^
Bill Cost, - - 25 Swearing Witness, 12^
%^-l7% $1.25"
The average cost of marriage was one dollar, thirty-one
and a -fourth cents. As many happy marriages were
doubtless consummated under our brief and illiterate
forms, as under the more formal and costly ceremonies
that will succeed our primitive times.
The first years of our settlement, from .1818 to 1825,
were spent by our settlers in putting up small houses
(chiefly of logs), and shelter of the same sort for the
work-horses and other domestic animals used in breaking
up and fencing in the prairie for the first fields. In about
three years, a surplus of com, pork, and beef was obtained,
but no market. Before they could derive any benefit from
the sale of their surplus produce, the farmers themselves
had to quit their farms and open the channels of com-
merce, and convey their produce along until they found
a market. At first there were no produce-buyers, and the
240 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
first attempts at mercantile adventures were almost fail-
ures. In the rising towns, a few buyers began to appear,
but with too small a capital to pay money, even at the low
price produce then was. They generally bought on credit,
to pay on their return from New Orleans. In this way,
the farmers were at disadvantage; if the markets were
good, the merchant made a handsome profit. If bad,
they often had not enough to pay the farmer. Then the
farmers began to build their own flat-boats, load them
with the produce of their own growth, and navigate them
by their own hands. They traded down the Mississippi to
New Orleans, and often on the coast beyond. Thus were
the channels of trade opened, and in this way was the
chief trade of the country carried on for many years.
Afterward, partly from capital made in the place and
foreign capital coming in, trade was established in a more
regular way. The farmer is no longer called from his
farm, but sells at home to the storekeepers and merchants,
now found in all the small but growing towns, from ten to
fifteen miles distant from each other, all over the country.
They have now sufficient capital to pay for the produce on
its delivery. In this way the trade established has con-
tinued, excepting in its increasing magnitude.
These farm-laborers of England, now substantial farmers
and merchants in our land, maj- be considered the bone
and sinew of our countr)'. When considered, their en-
larged sphere of action and change of destiny is truly
wonderful. Once poor laborers, their experience com-
prised within their parish bounds, or the limits of the
farm on which they daily toiled for a bare subsistence;
now farmers themselves in another hemisphere, boat-
builders, annuall)- taking adventurous trading- vo}-ages
of over a thousand miles, and many of them becoming
tradesmen and merchants <iii a l.irge scale, and command-
ing an amount of wealth they once never dreamed of
possessing. And well they deserve their success. They
have earned it by jicrseverance and hard labor, flinching
at nothing.
My father, Richard Flower, died September 8, 1S29,
aged si\t\--eight \-ears. He was a striking and decided
ciiaractcr, of marked features and imposing mien; hasty
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 24I
in temper, decided in speech, and prompt in action. He
never sought to conceal his thoughts, but gave utterance
to what he conceived to be the truthful convictions of
his mind in the strongest language. Such a man could
never be (what, it is true, he never sought to be) a popu-
lar man in America. Englishmen, used to free speech at
home, here uttering their unpremeditated thoughts, are
apt to give offence. Americans, more guarded and non-
committal, escape that difficulty. Once convinced of the
truth of his impressions, no earthly power could turn my
father from his course. It was his belief in the obliga-
tion of public worship that induced him to officiate every
Sunday before other organized societies opened their
places of worship. Affectionate in his family, and hos-
pitable to strangers, his mansion was the resort of many
strangers who visited the Settlement, and the scene of
frequent festivities and family reunions. He sustained
every institution, and subscribed liberally to every public
work that was likely to benefit the Settlement.
Our ancestors were men of strong and impulsive feel-
ing. One of them, William Flower, is recorded in print
and picture in "Foxe's Book of Martyrs," folio edition. He
is there represented tied to the stake; the faggots piled
around him; refusing to recant; but offering his hand,
which the executioner has lopped off; and is holding on
a pike, as an atonement for an act which he acknowl-
edged to be wrong; striking a priest with his wood-knife
whilst officiating at the altar. My mother lived some
years after my father, at Park House. She was the
daughter of Edward Fordham of Kelshall, a village on
the borders of Hertfordshire, near the town of Royston.
Clustering around the bleak hills of that district, in the
villages of Sandon, Kelshall, and Therfield, the family of
Fordhams have long resided. In the wars of the Pro-
tectorate, they were as numerous as they are now. With
a company of some seventy or eighty men, all blood-rela-
tions, and of one name, they joined Cromwell's army.
Ordered to a ford of a river, there stationed to check the
advance of the royal troops, they were all killed but one
man, and he left on the field badly wounded. From this
one man, the seventy-three uncles and cousins — all Ford-
16
242 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
hams — that made me a farewell visit at m\- house at Mar-
den before I sailed for America, all sprang.
Myself, the eldest son, and my brother, Edward Ford-
ham Flower, the }'oungest son — one in the United States,
the other in England — -are the only representatives of our
family of that generation now living.
In 1830, a large party arrived from Buckinghamshire,
England, at our Settlement. They came by way of New
Orleans, and landed at Shawneetown. Mr. James Bun-
tin, a prominent man of the party, is now living with his
numerous family on, or near, his place, north of Albion
which he first chose immediately after his arrival. The
whole party are scattered about the Settlement, all doing
well.
Soon after this, several German families came in, and
have continued to drop in ever since — one or two in
Albion, but most of them on farms in the countr\-.
They make very good settlers, and are very good neigh-
bors. Quiet, industrious, sober, economical, the\- seldom
fail of success. Germans, we call them, although from
Denmark, Prussia, and Bavaria; just as we, from England,
Ireland, and Scotland, are called English. By the Ameri-
cans they are called Dutch, as all persons from the con-
tinent of Europe are called, who don't come from France,
or speak pure French.
A considerable number of emigrants, in addition to
those already mentioned, came from Yorkshire, ICngland.
Two brothers, Charles and William Schofield, mechanics
in Albion, with the families of Nailers and Stanhope, are
all from Yorkshire. They are men generally of fair com-
plexion, light, sandy, or red hair; evidently of that colony
of Danes who were com})elled by King Alfred, in the
earl)' period of luiglish history, to remain in their colony
in \'orkshire. However it might be in those days, York-
shircmen scatter far and wide now. Strong and efficient
settlers the}' make; antl 1 have sometimes thought that
but for the intermixture of blood by intermarriage, they
and their tlesceniiants would eat out gradually the South-
erners, matle of somewhat softer materials.
The pork raised in the neighborhood of Albion, for
several years, maintained a high character, and was sought
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 243
for by buyers. This was chiefly due to an excellent breed
of hogs that I brought from England. From the fecun-
dity of the animal, and the circumstance of every man
breeding more or less hogs, the improvement and exten-
sion in this breed of animals was more general and rapid
than of the sheep and cattle I brought. Of the sheep
imported, the merinos did the best. The breed has spread
about the country, considerably improving the w^ool all
around. Two flocks of pure blood and high quality are
now in the same prairie, in possession of my two sons,
Alfred and Camillus Flower.
Drovers have told me that for several years they gave
three dollars a head more for the steers in the neighbor-
hood of Albion than in the settlements around. This was
entirely owing to the first bull that I brought, and the
second that Mr. Pickering brought, and gave to the
Settlement. Dr. Samuel Thompson of Albion, imported
a noble draught-horse, known in England as the Suffolk
Punch. This gave great improvement to this class of
animals. In a settlement of foreign origin, peopled from
various localities, many novel and useful animals, plants,
and implements are found. One brings some favorite
breed of quadrupeds or poultry; another, a culinary plant
or flower. Again, one brings a new and efficient tool,
only known, perhaps, in his locality in England.
About fifteen years ago, the last ship's -party arrived.
Most of them were assisted by, and some were at the
sole charge of, my brother, Edward F. Flower, and I am
afraid, like many another man that does a kind thing, he
has been allowed to do it at his own cost. The party
all came safe, and were immediately absorbed, and have
all done well for themselves.
From its very infancy, the Settlement has been visited
by travelers and tourists. Mr. Hulme of Philadelphia, is,
I think, the first traveler that gave a printed account of
what he saw. Mr. Welby* was, perhaps, the next. As I
* "A Visit to North America and the English Settlement in Illinois, etc.,
by Adlard Welby, Esq., South Rauceby, Lincolnshire."
Mr. Welby traveled in this country in 1 820-1, and on his return to Eng-
land, in 1 82 1, published the account of his travels, and what he had seen.
The author pretends that he came " solely to this country to ascertain the
244 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
rode into Albion (when it was about six log-houses old),
I saw a handsome phaeton and pair, attended by a groom
in top-boots and on horseback. An invitation to my house
was cordially accepted, to the relief of the landlord, whose
accommodations then were too limited to allow of him to
give a satisfactory reception to such a turnout. Mr. Welby
spent a day or two with me. There was not much then
to see. A few log-cabins near to Mr. Birkbeck, a few
more, the very beginning of Albion, was all to show of
architectural display. I have no distinct recollection of
what he said. But I think there was something in his
book that called forth some strictures from Mr. Birkbeck's
pen.
Mr. Fearon,* has, I think, made mention of the Settle-
actual prospects of the emigrating agriculturalist, mechanic, and commercial
speculator." On the other hand, the book would seem to disclose that his
real object was to descry the country and discourage the emigration of the
English to it. It is written in a spirit of mean prejudice and is full of mis-
representation an<l abuse. lie gives a chapter to an account of his visit to
the "English Settlement in the Illinois." He reached the village after dark,
and found poor accommodations for his entertainment, which must have put
liim in a bad humor. It was a time when there was an extreme scarcity
■of water in the .Settlement. The ne.xt morning, he says, he sent to Mr.
Birkbeck's well for water for his horses, which was refused to him; undoubt-
edly for the reason that Mr. 15. had barely sulVicient for his own family.
He then sent to Mr. Flower, and had better luck. He therefore abuses
Birkbeck and praises I-'lower, who extended to him a degree of politeness
to which he jiroved himself not entitletl, as is shown by his misrepresenta-
tions of the Settlement. Falling in with some shiftless and ilissatistied mem-
bers of the Colony, he voiced their complaints against Mr. Hirkbeck, who
he arraigns in bitter terms for having held out false inducements to emigrants.
While s])eaking of the .Settlement as a " bail concern," and saying that it
was no small jdeasure for him to know "that he was in a situation to get
away," he alludes in warm terms of the "polite and hospitable attention"
extended to him by Mr. Flower.
* Mr. Henry Hradshaw l-'caron published, at London, in iSiS, " .\ Narra-
tive of a Journey through the llastern ami Western parts of .\merica;
together with Remarks on Birkbeck's .Notes and Letters." The author was
never at tiie F.nglish Settlement, but he contents himself by devoting about
sixty I'ages of his book to an adverse criticism on .Mr. Birklieck's "Letters"
and "Notes." The book, as a whole, is a reailable one, showing the im-
pressions which an I'jiglishman formed of the country sixty years ago.
There will be found in this volume many interesting descrijitions of men
ami things, furiously enough, Mr. Feanm speaks of meeting at Gwallnvay's
Hotel, in Louisville, Ky. , Lord .Selkirk, who was on his "return from his
unsuccessful expedition in the North- Western Territory." He says he
obtained for his lordship some IJosion papers which were only two months
old, which afforded him great satisfaction, as he liad not heard any intelli-
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 245
ment; he never saw it. A Londoner, with city habits, is
not very well qualified as an explorer in any new country.
He traveled to Pittsburgh by public conveyance, down the
Ohio and Mississippi in some river-craft. He knew noth-
ing practically of the immense regions lying to his right
hand or to his left. Mr. Fearon was sent out by a few
families in London, who then thought of coming to Amer-
ica. He accordingly traveled and made his report, which
is recorded in his book of travels. With Mr. Samuel
Thompson, the father-in-law of Mr. Fearon, of London, I
became acquainted, when last in London, in 1817. Mr,
Thompson was the head of a religious sect, then called the
Free-thinking Christians. The opinions of himself and
gence from Europe for nine months. This is an interesting fact, for it shows
that Lord Selkirk, on leaving the settlement he had founded on the Red River
of the North, did not return home by sea from York Factory, but made
his way by land to Fort St. Anthony — afterward Fort Snelling — and thence
down the Mississippi River to St. Louis. Lord Selkirk formed his first
colony in 181 1, which was reinforced by an emigration in 1816. This colony
was under the protection of the Hudson- Bay Company. Then came the
gigantic struggle between the Hudson- Bay and the North -Western Com-
panies. The latter company undertook to expel Selkirk's colonists. When
Lord Selkirk, who was then in England, heard of this, he procured permis-
sion from the British Government to take a military force from Canada to
Red River, to protect his settlers. With a company of regular soldiers of
the British army, and a certain' number of volunteers, he returned with them
to Red River, and drove out the representatives of the North- Western Com-
pany. After this had been accomplished, finding his colony weakened by
the troubles it had gone through, he determined to return to Europe to beat
up recruits for another colony. The original colonists had been mostly
Scotch, but now he turned his attention to procuring protestant Swiss, mostly
from the Jura. This last colony, having been organized, sailed for Yorlc
Factory in 1821. But in the meantime, and without the knowledge of the
colonists, before they had taken their departure, Lord Selkirk had died at
Pau, in France. This was a fatal blow to the success of the colony.
Deprived of the fostering care of the founder, and with unlocked for and
terrible hardships, and in the presence of frightful sufferings, the colonists
were obliged to totally abandon their enterprise. There was no ship to take
them back by the way of the sea from York 'Factory; the only possible
escape was to the nearest settlement in the United States. Their attention
was undoubtedly directed to this means of deliverance by the fact that Lord
Selkirk had taken that route when he left the country in 181 8. Many of these
colonists afterward settled in the Galena lead mines and became excellent
citizens, distinguished by probity and honor, industry and thrift. A son of
one of the prominent colonists has written a very interesting account of the
colony of 1 82 1.*
* See article "The Red-River Colony," by Brevet-Maj.-Gen. Augustus L. Chetlain of
Chicago, published in " Harper's Magazine," for December, 1878.
246 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
followers are to be found in his many published works.
Radical in politics, heretical in religion (according to the
orthodox standard), Mr. Thompson and some members of
his family and church then thought to leave England, j
America generally, and our Settlement in particular, at !
that time engaged their attention. So nearly were the
minds of himself and friends made up for a removal, that
the}' sent money by me to buy land. The land was
bought. Fortunately for them, I think, they changed their
minds, and never came.
In after years, Mr. Thompson's two sons, F. B. Thomp-
son, the younger, and Sam'l Thompson, the elder brother,
both came out as permanent settlers, and inherited their
father's land and property in Albion. Mr. Stewart, an
ILdinboro' man, and a well-educated gentleman, after a
wide circuit by Springfield, Jacksonville, St. Louis, and
X'andalia came upon us from the west. Mr. Stewart did
me the favor of a short visit. He took a more compre-
hensive view than most travelers. He published a large
\'olume of travels, much appreciated in England as a store-
house of facts and statistics. He gave us, I think, a
favorable review.
Among the many tourists, that, from time to time,
visited our Settlement, one of a class, common in Europe,
but rarely, if ever, seen in America, appeared among us in
1824. As a pedestrian tourist, performing all his journe\'s
on foot, he could see more of persons and places than if
con\e)'cd by stage or carried on horseback.
On a summer afternoon, a gentleman of middle age, and
niidille stature, with a small knapsack on his back, and a
light walking-stick in hand, came to Park House, and intro-
duced himself as Mr. D. Constable from iMigland. I had
a slight knowledge of the name, and gained a complete
knowletlge of the family from his brother, who \isited me
some years afterward. \Vc all spent a pleasant evening
together. The next ilay he passed on, as unostentatiously
as he came, to sec other people and other places. He
spent several days in the Settlement, staying a little time
with those of congenial minds and similar tastes; and, no
doubt, during those few days he obtained more informa-
tion and correct impressions, than more pretentious and
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 247
less observant travelers. The most remarkable thing about
Mr. Constable was his unremarkableness. His dress and
address were as plain and simple as they could be, not to
be singular — nothing absolutely wanting; but nothing
superfluous could be detected about his dress or personal
appointments. A superficial observer would pass Mr. Con-
stable by, as an ordinary man, almost unnoticed. In
conversation he did not press inquiry, or argue strongly;
and never followed argument into controversy. He did
not much care for what you thought, but liked to hear
what you knew; and would freely give you any informa-
tion that he thought would be of service to you? But with
all this simplicity, he possessed a talent of discovering
what his companions knew and thought, quicker than
most men. This he could generally do from passing
remarks, or replies to casual questions. If not successful,
he had recourse to a little expedient, that never failed to
give the tone of mind of all his companions, if there were
a dozen of them. In his little knapsack, besides his two
shirts, one handkerchief, one pair of socks, razor, and soap,
he carried a numerous pack of cards. Each card had on
one side a portrait, and on the other a short biography of
the person represented. Both men and women, eminent in
any way, were here pictured; and, according to the opinion
he wished to elicit, he made his selection of the cards — say
a dozen or more; and, taking some favorable opportunity
of showing, perhaps to some member of the party, a por-
trait in which he or she would feel an interest, it would
naturally pass from hand to hand, and the others would be
asked for, and would receive some comment; some remark
in approbation or censure of the life or opinions of the
person represented, would escape the spectators. If he
wished more distinctly to learn the religious or political
opinions of any one of the party, he would show portraits
of some eminent divines, and of Voltaire, Rousseau, Pitt,
Fox, Mirabeau, Paine, Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton, and so
on, with others famous in science, or notorious for crime.
Thus, in five minutes from some run of argument or casual
remark, he would be in possession of the opinions, predi-
lections, and prejudices of all his associates; and this was
no small acquisition to one who wished to pass on his way
248 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
smoothly, without conflict with his fellows. He would
enter the humblest cabin and chat with its inmates. Trav-
eling in this unostentatious way, he saw more of the whole
people. It was not his fault if his entertainers did not
gain something, however short his stay. If he saw a sick
child, he would name some remedy or palliative within its
parents' reach. If the woman was cooking, he was likely
to tell her of some simple preparation for a palatable dish,
or point out some plant that she had never thought of
cooking before. For he was a vegetarian, or ate little or
no animal food. If a man was at work with a clumsy tool,
he would ^ow him how it might be improved, and often
sit down and whittle it into right shape. Constable was
of the utilitarian school, and thought more of individual
than political reform. He thought that extravagance in
one part of the community made want in the other; if all
the misspent labor in the fooleries of fashion and useless
ornamentation was directed to the creation of something
useful or necessary, this change would of itself go far to
remove the suffering from want. He lived up to his opin-
ions. As a bachelor, he occupied but two rooms, one for
a parlor, the other for a bed-room. In England, it is not
the habit to use by day the same room that you sleep in
by night. The l^nglish bed -room is strictly a pri\atc
room, never entered, excepting by special invitation; per-
haps to see some friend in sickness, incapable of lea\ing
his bed. I do not recollect in all England that I ever saw
a bed in a sitting-room. In his parlor were a few chairs, a
table, and a shelf of books. On the sill of the window,
near to which he usually sat, was a small pulley, over which
ran a cord, with a hook at one end. About noon, at the
sound of a well-known voice of a bo}- from a neighboring
tavern, he lowered his hook into the street, and pulleil up
a small basket, containing a loaf of bread, a pint of beer,
a slice of butter or cheese, a lettuce, or some vegetable or
fruit in Sca.son. His simple repast over, as the boy returned,
he lowered his basket and empty pewter-pot, both to be
filled and drawn up for his next day's dinner. His break-
fast and evening meal — a cup of tea and piece of dry
toast — he jireparetl himself at his own fire. Whatever
was left of his income at the entl of the }'ear, he gave
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 249
away, either to relieve individual wants, or to strengthen
some benevolent institution. He belonged to no political
party, nor to any religious sect; yet was alive to every
proposed reform, political or social ; this led him to view
with interest Harmony, at which he spent some time, at
Rapp's exit and Owen's advent.
A few years afterward, Sir Thomas Beevoir and Lady
Beevoir of Beevoir Castle, England, made us a visit.
Their mode of traveling was by a light phaeton, drawn by
a well-matched pair of black ponies. These Sir Thomas
drove from Washington City to Albion, and afterward
across the state of Illinois to St. Louis, and from thence
descended to New Orleans. He was unattended by any
servant. He walked to Park House immediately after his
arrival at Albion, and introduced himself. At his depart-
ure, on his arriving at a very tall white gate, that stood
between the lawn and the park, to the surprise of every
body, he lightly laid his hands on the top bar, and with
the greatest ease sprang over the gate without opening it.
On relating the circumstance to a neighbor, a Norfolk
man, who formerly lived in the vicinage of the Beevoir
family — "Ah!" said he, "it is just like them. The Beevoir
family are all muscular and long-limbed." He then related
that at the parish church he attended, the living had been
given to one of the Beevoir family, who officiated every
Sunday. "He was a remarkable man," said he; "his arms
were so long that when he stood upright he could with
ease button up his own knee-breeches, which are just at
the join of the knee and a little below. He delighted in
all country sports, but his particular fancy was the ring. A
strong man himself, a well-trained pugilist, his great length
of arm gave him such an advantage, that but few adver-
saries dare encounter him; but withal, a well-educated
man and a good preacher." This discrepancy of avoca-
tions, not unfrequently found in the preachers of the
English Episcopal church, may be accounted for by the
law of primogeniture, giving to the eldest son the estates,
and often the presentation of one or more parochial liv-
ings. In these aristocratic families, the younger sons are
provided for by appointments in the church, army, and
navy.
250 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
Those who suppose the aristocracy of England to be a
degenerate race arc greatly mistaken. They are almost
always men of education, and in most of them their phy-
sical powers are well developed. The fancy and the cleri-
cal characters, united in the same person, is by no means
uncommon in England. I was once much struck by the
variety of characters assumed and well -performed by a
scion of a noble house in a few hours. We had attended
in the morning the races in the Park. Lord Frederick
rode his own horse in jocky costume. His light weight
and rather diminutive stature fitted him for the office.
Being his own jockey, secured him from those tricks to
which gentlemen of the turf are always exposed. He was
a horse-dealer as well as a racer; and by his good judg-
ment in both added to his slender fortune. His friend and
patron, at whose house we were, had presented him with
the living. So, between the profits of his stable and his
clerical salary, he had pocket-money enough to appear in
genteel societ)-. The party was large at dinner. Lord
Frederick carved the game and did the honors of the table,
taking his share, but not immoderately, of wine; and bear-
ing his part in convivial after-dinner conversation. It was
about eleven o'clock. Lord Frederick's chair was vacant.
"Where is Lord Fred..'" asked one. Our host, pointing
to a distant corner, said, "It's Saturday night; he is writ-
ing his sermon for tomorrow." Some of the party had the
curiosity to go to church to hear the sermon. The usual
country congregation assembled, with a few of literar)-
acquirements and good critics. The sermon was faultless,
as was its delivery, suited to the plain people, the bulk of
the congregation, as well as those of higher culture, from
the purity of its diction, with a spirit of fervent piety run-
ning through the whole that touched the most devout.
Tlie clock-jicddlers of America perhaps have ecjual abil-
ity, and the merit of more mother-wit. Tiiey can out-traile
the shrewdest, shufHe a pack of cards with any man, and.
whenever the occasion requires, can preach a better ser-
mon, and offer a more fervent prayer, than many regular
preachers. I think there must have been something origi-
nal in our Settlement, to attract so man>' tourists of
original and eccentric character, both men and women, as
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 25 I
it did. To portray them all faithfully would take a
volume of itself.
Many books were published in England by real and pre-
tended travelers, some of them very defamatory; others of
so low and scurrilous a character, that they had but a
limited circulation and did us but little harm. No two
men have been more freely criticised than Mr. Birkbeck
and myself. Of this we did not complain. Neither our
actions nor our words were hid under a bushel. If notori-
ety had been our object, we certainly attained it. Some
friends in England, with ourselves, were anxious, for the
good of the Settlement, that a public library should exist.
Mr. Edward King Fordham of Royston, my uncle, gave
several volumes; Mr. Samuel Thompson contributed his
works. But the most valuable contribution was from Mr.
Liddard — many volumes of the arts and sciences, full of
valuable plates. To other gentlemen we were indebted
for a variety of volumes, which each donor considered of
some peculiar value. One of our first cares was to follow
the intentions of the donors and place them in a public
library. But to establish an available library in a new
settlement, in a wild country, is no easy matter. The chief
difficulty lies in the care of the books, no fund being pro-
vided for the salary of a librarian. If placed in a public
room, they are maltreated, and often borrowed never to
be returned. If joined to a reading-room, their fate is no
better. The scattered settlers around are too distant for
them to be available. The first inhabitants of a young
town are too much pressed by active and laborious employ-
ments for time or wish to read. Sedentary employments
are not the order of the day. All that seems to be wanted,
for years, is a ready-reckoner, a pocket-companion, or an
interest table; or more than all, a few volumes of law, for
reference. Our library soon got dispersed. After a time
individuals boldly assumed their ownership. This brought
on contentions; legal decision restored them.
The town of Albion, in its early days, was rather
belligerent. In 1822, we find it quiet, and only between
one hundred, and one hundred and seventy or eighty
inhabitants, — rather small to be dignified as a town, and a
county-town, too; and it is not a large town now, in i860,
being; somewhat under a thousand inhabitants. But
252 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
Albion has had, from the first, some peculiar character-
istics. In its early days, it had a larger proportion of
brick and stone houses than is usual in young American
towns. There have been but few, if any, copartnerships
in trade. You never see in Albion "Mr. & Co." It is
Joel Churchill, George Harris, Matthew Smith, and so on.
Every tub stands on its own bottom. Americans, so self-
reliant in all other things, seem to want the support of
numbers in trade. Mr. Hook would hardly venture his
name alone as storekeeper in a new American town. His
card would certainly be — Hook, Fish & Co. Mr. Foot
would feel diffident of asking an extension of time and
amount of the wholesale house; but who would think of
refusing any request from that well-known house of "Foot,
Fryingpan & Fiddle." One thing may be said in the favor
of Albion: No mercantile house ever lost a dollar b\' an
Albion store.
No other county-town. I presume, in the State, has had
the singularity to exist for more than thirty }-ears, without
a printing-press, a bank, or an attorney's office, if we
except about two years' residence of Judge Wattles.
The numerous log-cabins, to be found in all western
towns, are now cleared away, and comfortable dwellings
stand in their stead. Ten well-stocked stores distribute
supplies to the neighboring farmers, in place of two or
three small stocks of goods, that could only be disposed
of by giving extended credit. The mechanical trades,
once feebly practised, are much strengthened and ex-
tended. The wagon and plow business, carried on b)-
Charles and William Schofield, and by John Johns, Alex-
ander Stewart, Elijah Chisholm, supply the country, far
and wide, with wagons, carts, and plows. The clothing
business is carried on with great spirit by Mr. Dalb\- anci
Mr. l''rench. The diminutive needle and slender thread,
industriously plied for some years, have built one or two
gootl houses, and supplied their owners with sufficient
incomes to enjoy them. Mr. French has, I believe, fol-
lowed the universal instinct of man, by abandoning his
sedentary trade, and recreates himself b)' cultivating a
small i)iecc of land, by his own hand, in the ncighbtir-
liood of town. IVith Mr. Dalby antl Mr. P'rench have,
during their busiest time of life, cultivated their own good
IN EDWARDS COUNT V. 253
gardens, abounding with fine vegetables, and fruits, and
many choice flowers.
The pubHc as well as the private business of the town
and county is kept in a satisfactory state. In the first
years of the Settlement, the public business of the county
was rather loosely conducted, and the county deep in debt.
But for the last twenty years, public business has been
punctuall}" and promptly performed, and the records of
the county kept in order for ready reference. This is due
to the good administration of the county affairs by Walter
L. Mayo, Esq., who is said to be one of the best, if not
the very best, county- clerks to be found in the State.
The gatherings of the people from the country are now
marked by decorum, quietude, and respectability. There
is no display of luxury in town or county, and no desti-
tution. Of the Settlement, as it was once called, there
is now no definite bounds; it is intermixed with other
settlements. The farmers jn the country, and the trades-
men of the town, have exhibited one steady march of
progress, slow, continuous, and sure. Absence of specu-
lation, and the solid effect from long-continued industry,
is the great feature of the English Settlement. The
progress at first was slow, and the swell of improvements
kept such even pace with each other, that advance was
scarce4y perceptible. Comparing the state of things every
five years, the advance is very marked. But so gradual
has been the process, we can scarcely tell how those
who were once the poorest are now the richest. Men,
once without a dollar, and many of them owing for their
passage across the sea, are now the largest land -owners
and property-holders in the county.
But a change is working, and the little peculiarities of
the town will soon be obliterated. Under the banking-
law of the State, Albion has now a bank — a sort of spirit-
ual affair, but reversing the order of spiritual manifesta-
tions— its invisible spirit residing in Albion, its body must
be in some other sphere. Its notes may circulate in the
moon, but never show their face in Albion ; for every such
offence would be punished by transmutation into metal.
Two gentlemen of the legal profession have, at length,
had the temerity to settle in Albion. The professors of
medicine have increased. Of doctors, where there was
254 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
once one, there are now four. Mr. Archibald Spring was,
for many years, the only medical man, enjoying an exten-
sive practice. Dr. Welshman from Warwickshire, England,
a man of experience and skill as physician and surgeon,
member of the Royal College of Surgeons of London,
also settled in Albion. His residence was short; for the
same disorder, the erysipelas, carried off Dr. Spring and
Dr. Welshman within a few days of each other. Dr.
Samuel and Dr. F. B. Thompson then succeeded to the
practice of the county, and continue at this time as resi-
dents of Albion, and practising physicians. To them is
added Dr. Francis Dickson. Dr. Lowe, representing the
herbal branch of medicine, is also in full practice, a resi-
dent of Albion.
Mr. Joel Churchill is the only one of the three original
merchants of Albion now living. . He may be said to be
the father of the trade. By his liberal dealing, and indul-
gence to many of the poorest settlers in early days, their
path to competence and comfort was rendered easy and
smooth. His kindness in this way was at the time appre-
ciated ; I recollect hearing poor settlers frequently speak
of him as the "poor man's friend." Mr. Churchill held
the office of postmaster for many years, to the satisfac-
tion of the whole country. Many a poor farmer, who
could not muster his quarter-dollar to pay his foreign
letter, was patiently waited on for years, until he was
able to discharge his postage-bill. The whole country
was accommodated; the postal-department always settled
with, no complaint could be made either of incompetencs',
neglect, or defile. ition. Yet, at the commencement of Mr.
Tierce's Democratic career, he was displaced, for political
considerations alone.
During the first ten years of the Settlement, there was
a great deal of cotton grown. I had a cotton-gin, for
the accommodation of the country, which was kept in
full operation for several seasons. The soil and climate
seemed to be pretty gootl for it, and many fair crops
were raised. It was chietl)' grown by Southern settlers
for their own use. As Southerners grew more scarce, and
Northerners more |)lent\', the cultivation declined, and has
ceased now altogether.
In the western [)art of Wabash Count)-, then a part of
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 255
Edwards County, a large tract of land was bought by-
Mr. Adam Corey, which has since been settled by fami-
lies from England and Scotland.
The heart of the Settlement, taking Albion for its cen-
tre, may be said to extend ten miles north and seven
miles south; between the Little Wabash on the west and
the Bonpas Creek on the east, a breadth of about twelve
miles; within these limits, the great majority are English
settlers, but more than as many Europeans beyond these
bounds make up for the number of Americans within.
The general peace of the Settlement has never been dis-
turbed by quarrels between Englishmen and natives, as
such. We were never a close settlement, as the Harmon-
ites or Shakers. We never sought or in any way monopo-
lized the county -offices or the magistracy. But for the
period, when Mr. Pickering was in the Legislature, our
senators and representatives have all been natives. Peace-
able and cordial intercourse has been maintained between
the English and American settlers, excepting at the con-
vention times, and for a short time after, when political
excitement added virulence to private feud.
In the year 1836, a charter for a railroad, granted by
the legislature, from Alton to Mt. Carmel, was accepted
by the people, and a company organized. In Indiana, a
company was formed to continue the road to New Albany,
at the falls of the Ohio. The road was afterward relin-
quished to the State, and known as the Southern Cross
Railroad. The State of Illinois, after expending between
three and four hundred thousand dollars, sold out all its
interest in this, as well as every other State work. That
State interest was bought by Gen. William Pickering,
through whose exertions a new company was formed,
uniting the two companies into one under the title of
the Alton, Mt. Carmel, and New-Albany Railroad. I was
president of the Illinois company for its first three years.
When the work was commenced by the State, a heavy
expenditure was made near Albion, on a deep-cut.
The number of laborers employed, the money expended,
and the hope of a speedy termination of the work, made,
for a time, everything very lively, and landed property
advanced; but not so much so as in more speculative
places. The working of the road brought in many set-
256 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
tiers. Irish laborers, proverbially turbulent, surrounded
as they were by a sober population, were themselves quiet
and well behaved. During the year they were at work,
I don't recollect a disturbance of any kind. This road,
for three years, gave me a considerable expenditure of
time and monc}'. An appropriation of land for this road
was twice passed in the senate, but lost in the house b\'
si.x votes; and subsequently in the senate by one vote.
There are few settlements that have enjoyed such solid
prosperity; but we had to endure, during the first three
years, many serious annoyances from minor causes, then
seriously felt, but now unknown. Insects, and particu-
larh' mosquitoes, were very numerous and dreadfully
anno>Mng. The bite in its effect resembled more the
sting of a bee. Our s}-stem was inflammator)-. The
strong English constitution, built up in a cool climate,
had not then been reduced from the exhausting effects
of the great heat experienced in the American summers.
For the first two months after my arrival in the prairies,
the mosquito - bites on my legs inflamed and became
irritable sores, preventing me from walking, at a time
when my utmost activity was needed. Now, the change
of constitution is so complete that a mosquito-bite leaves
no inflammation. The English constitution seems to last
about two years. During that time, the I^^nglishman bears
the heat of summer and the cold of winter better than
the natives. After that time, a change takes place; wc
feel heat less, but are much more sensible to cold. The
acclimation, or changing of the constitution under change
of climate, sometimes culminates in fe\er. sometimes b)-
the breaking out of many painful boils. This change also
assumes another form, in which no decided disease can
be traced. It is a long period of listlessness, an indis-
])()sition to all action; and this longer probation of weari-
ness aiul weakness, without any decided pain, accom-
plisheil the change as completely as a violent fever or a
painful eruption. The Americans have a most expressive
wonl f<n' this indescribable feeling — it is the "tires".
"How is such a one.'" "Oh! he lias got the tires."
After these inflictions arc over, with moderate and rcgu-
l.ir living, the human constitution and climate act har-
moniously together.
CHAPTER XVI.
Difficulty in Establishing Schools — A certain Density of Population
Necessary — In Town or Village of Spontaneous Growth — Oswald
\A/'arrington keeps School at Albion in its Earliest Days — Eng-
lishmen and New Englanders build a School-House near Albion
— A Colored Man Assists, but his Children are not Allowed to
go to School — Another School-House — The Scene at a Country
School— The Little Urchin at School— The Older Scholars— The
Log School-House on the Frontier an Interesting Object — Con-
trasts with the Crowded City-School — Permanent Brick School-
House at Albion — Influences of the School on the Backwoods-
men— The Free-School System in Illinois— Statistics of Educa-
tion in Edwards County — Agricultural Fair at Albion in 1858 —
Splendid Display.
In all new countries there is a difficulty in establish-
ing schools. The first inhabitants, the backwoods hunters,
whose cabins are five, ten, and twenty miles apart, can
have none. Their mode of life requires no education in
the scholastic meaning of the term. Their habits are
independent of literary acquirements, and their children
grow up without knowing how to cast up the most sim-
ple sum by the rules of arithmetic, or write a word, or
read a sentence. Yet some of these untaught men, by
some complex mental process of reason and arithmetic,
are capable of arriving at correct results sometimes more
speedily than a scholar in figures. Some of the station-
ary or farming class, generally poor, and settled individ-
ually, live long enough to bring up a family without any
education. In such cases, it is when the country has not
filled up rapidly, and they have been left standing in
their solitary situations for a number of years. In settle-
ments of more rapid growth, the school has to bide its
time. In a country which, to the eye, is pretty well set-
tled, oftentimes no school-house appears.
Standing in the centre of a moderate-sized prairie, the
eye may trace a number of fine farms on the edge of
17
25S THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
the timber, with houses perhaps a mile apart, and this hne
of farms may extend for many miles, and yet the inhabi-
tants not be near enough to reach the benefit of a school.
There are many elegible situations in the open prairie, a
mile or two from the timber. When these are occupied,
then school-houses immediately appear. There must be
a certain density of population before schools can exist.
No matter what laws may exist on the subject, or what
school-fund may lie in the treasury of the State, if there
are not children sufficient within a mile of a school-house,
there can be no school.
As I have heard, a man of some eminence and ability,
from the East, came into the State, to propose to the
legislature an efficient system of State education. By
the time he had proceeded to the large prairies that lie
in the middle of the State, he saw that unless there was
some way devised for inducing farmers to live contigu-
ous to each other, there could be no schools. So he at
once postponed his plan, and either went or sent to
Texas, and procured a considerable quantity of osage-
orange seed, and opened a large nursery of osage-orange
plants, for hedges. By this means, he thought that he
was doing more for the cause of education than by pro-
posing the best educational scheme where it could not
be applied.
In a town or village, however humble, a school is soon
got up, and is often of spontaneous growth. If there are
only a half- score families, a school is easily assembled,
and a suitable teacher is often found on the spot. It
was so in Albion, in its earliest daj's. An inhabitant
from a populous town in England, with a large family
and limited means, opened school. He was one of those
persons often found in new settlements, a man of town
habits, and unsuitcd to country life. With him, the boys
got a common-school education. In writing he excelled,
and there are many men who owe their good and legi-
ble writing to their earl)' instruction at the school of Mr.
Oswald Warrington, who, I am happy to say, is now liv-
ing, his head white with age, a respectable tradesman of
Cincinnati, (^hio.
The next school was in the country, some three miles
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 259
from Albion, built after the manner that schools were
then, and are still built in country places. Four or five
English farmers and two or three New Englanders, liv-
ing in what was then close neighborhood, none being
more than a mile from the common centre, assembled
at an appointed time. Several driving their ox-teams,
and more with axes, went to a neighboring wood (con-
gress land, of course), prepared the timber, and laid it in
its place. The raising was performed in the usual man-
ner by the voluntary and united labor of neighboring
farmers who had families to send to the school. A mas-
ter was speedily found and installed; a young man of
slender frame and town habits, a good penman and good
at figures. The school went into immediate operation,
was long carried on under different masters, and, I believe,
is in existence at this day. This school has been carried
on under the simple rules of its original builders, one of
which was that those who labored in its first erection,
should have a preference in sending their children in case
of competition. One little circumstance, connected with
this affair should not be omitted, as characteristic of the
times we live in. Among those invited to assist in build-
ing the school-house, was a neighboring farmer, a colored
man, powerful and dexterous in the use of the axe. He
cheerfully acceded, and gave his full share of the labor.
When the school was built, and the master about to enter
on his duties, the colored farmer was politely informed
that he must not think of sending any one of his chil-
dren to school, for they were not of the right complexion.
A century hence, perhaps both our prejudice and sense
of justice may be open to criticism.
The third school-house built, I think, was a few miles
north of Albion, and deeper in the country. In passings
along the road, I observed, to my right hand in the woods,
a solitary school-house, but no dwellings in sight. I have
seen many such and wondered where the scholars came
from. On closer observation, I have found these school-
houses situated centrally and in the right place. Of the
one I had passed, I found there were three farms within
a-quarter of a mile, five within a-half-mile, and eight
within the radius of a mile. Before the teacher arrives,
26o THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
children of all ages are found assembled about the house
in high exchange. Some are chasing each other round
the house; others at hide-and-seek among the trees; an-
other group watching a dog barking at a squirrel up a
tree; some sit on the doorstep, cracking nuts. The girls
in little groups, chatting confidentially to each other, and
one or two, more careful than the rest, conning their les-
sons in the silent and nearly vacant school -house. On
the arrival of the teacher, the}' rush in, make a slight
obeisance to the teacher, and take their places in silence.
They are evidently emulous of each other. The favorite
exercises seem to be short recitations or spelling. And
this they do, the boys especially, in a full, strong voice,
not alwaj's harmonious. The countenances of all arc
bright with excitement. Their clean -washed faces and
hands, their coarse garments, tid}' and neat, give to each
individual a self-confidence sufficientl)' apparent.
A little urchin on the floor seems out of place, and
looks different from the others; traces of tears are on his
dirty little face, he looks lost and wonderinglj' around.
"What do you do here.'*" says the teacher, not unkind!}-.
"Oh, sir," sa}'s his sister, "he cried so to come; mother
said he might this once." l^efore the morning is out, he
is seen tr}'ing to make marks on the dust of the floor,
with his tin}' finger, in imitation of his sister on the slate,
and b}'-and-by laid away in a corner, fast asleep.
A little after school has begun, two tall, stout chaps
enter, men grown, take their seats, and begin conning
their lessons from their school-books, as the children arc
doing. Who are they.' They are two of that class
brought up in the solitutle of the wilderness without a
chance of learning a letter. They are now endeavoring to
regain their lost time at the first school-house within their
reach, with ecjual diligence, but more painful effort, than is
given by their young compeers. Masters in our first coun-
try-schools have often told me that they have had some
scholars older than themselves. The school over, a gen-
eral gambol ensues, and the children, dividing into two
or three groups, take their separate wa}'S. Subdiviiling
again, the}' follow the scarce-perceptible tracks made b}'
their little naketl feet, and iiuli\iduall}- arrive at their dis-
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 26 1
tant homes. In this way it is that the first school-houses
spring up ; and as Httle neighborhoods are formed, so
they arise all over the country.
The erecting of a little log-school-house in a frontier
settlement is to me a far more interesting object than a
Girard College, with all its costly and elaborate domes
and columns. They are the seed-beds of knowledge,
giving permanence to the growth of our organized and
complex system of society. The young children are
redeemed from the dulness that must in some degree
exist in isolated families, and are brought into social life.
With many of their own age, they mingle with children
older and younger, of various moods and tempers. An
epitome of the world they are destined to live in. Their
sympathies are awakened, their manners improved, and a
thirst for knowledge is often engendered by the key to its
treasures being placed in their hand. The amount of
learning may not be much, but the avenues to knowledge
are opened, never more to be closed to any, and by some
to be followed to the highest sources of light and intelli-
gence. Small as the amount of learning may be, in the
fertile soil on which it is sown it is all retained. For these
little country children, full of health and strength, accept
the little intellectual training in their airy school, as an
agreeable occupation, and to some as a positive recreation.
What a pleasing contrast this with the children of a
crowded city school. There, many of them in feeble
health, confined in a fetid atmosphere, with their attention
far too severely taxed, their labors too long continued,
return to their tasks with reluctance, and feel them as a
hated toil.
It was in 1837 or 1838 that the first permanent school-
house was erected in Albion. A good two -story brick -
building. It has been carried on under various masters,
and is now used as a free-school.
When the new country-school has been in operation a
single week, its influence is felt, both on parents and
children. Occasionally will be seen a boy ten or twelve
years old leaning against a door-post, intently gazing in
upon the scholars at their lessons; after a time he slowly
and moodily goes away. He does not look like the other
262 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
children; his dress is less tidy, his hair uncombed, and
perhaps his face and hands unwashed. Neither has he the
bright and self-confident look of the scholars. He
belongs, perhaps, to some farmer's family residing outside
the radius of the one- mile school -circle, or what is more
likely to some, backwoods hunter within the circle. The
solitary boy feels his exclusion from some benefit enjoyed
by all the other children, giving to them a bond of fellow-
ship. This feeling soon ripens into an intense desire to go
to school, or to quit the neighborhood and go deeper into
the wilderness, far away from an odious comparison. A
crisis has now arrived in the fate of this backwoods
family. All other influences of encroaching civilization it
has withstood, but the influence of the school can no
longer be resisted. To see all the children of his neigh-
bors advancing in their own self-respect, and in the respect
of others, whilst his own family are left on the dead-level
of ignorance, on which only a few da\'s before they all
rested together, creates a feeling he can not stand. He
can no longer say, I am as good as you. He feels that he
is a notch below them; and, if he decides to remain, he
must send his children to school and join the ranks of
civilization. The only other alternative, and the one most
usuall)' taken, is to dive deeper into the forest, and in its
solitude regain his equanimity.
Thus it was for years that education struggled on. In a
few more years the people demanded the distribution of
the school-fund. This temporary expedient was soon
fdund insufficient for any permanent good. Within these
five years the whole s}-stem has been changed, and educa-
tion is supported by State-and -county tax on property:
and this system of free-schools for all seems to ha\-e gi\'en
a new impulse to education all over the State. Imperfect
as this law confessedK" is, under i)r(^per modifications,
wouUl reduce b\' one-half the thirt\'-five thousand officers
now recjuired for its ailministration ; but the peojile having
taken to it with such heart}- good-will, the superintendent
forbears to ask a hasty repeal of tlie law. "Scarcely two
years have elapsed" says the report, "since the free-school
s)'stem went into operation in this State, and in tiiat brief
period it has nearl\- swept the entire field of the thousands
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 263
of private -schools that then existed. Truly, those who
still cling so tenaciously to the old feudal and anti-Ameri-
can system of educating the rich alone, will soon have to
abandon their ground for the only just principle, of
making the property of the State educate the children of
the State, has nearly taken entire possession of the public
mind."
1 now make an extract from the "Biennial Report of
the Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of
Illinois for 1858," which gives the statistics of education
in Edwards County, the smallest county in the State:
"Whole number of schools in the County, - - 47
The average number of months taught, - - 6
The number of male teachers, - - - - 36
The number of female teachers, - - - - 23
Average salaries of male teachers, - per month, $25
Average salaries of female teachers, per month, $15
Number of male scholars, _ _ . _ 1166
Number of female scholars, _ _ - _ 896
Number of new school-houses built during the year, 1 1
Number of school-houses, - - - - - 25
Number of white persons under twenty-one, - 31 lO
Number of white persons between five and
twenty-one, ------ 1762
Amount paid to teachers, - - . _ $3447
For building, repairing, and renting school-houses, $1454
Whole amount received for school purposes, - $4529
Whole amount expended for school purposes, $5116
Whole number of colored persons in the County
under twenty-one years of age, - - 34
Whole number of colored persons in the County
between the ages of five and twenty-one, 21"
There is nothing more than the common-school educa-
tion existing in the little county of Edwards. The num-
ber of children attending school is large in proportion to
the population.
There appears to be no mention of any colored scholars.
The very different deportment of the people at their
assemblages now, when compared with their behavior at
the gatherings on public occasions, mentioned in the early
264 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
part of this history, chiefly induces me to mention the
annual fair held at Albion, October, i860, at which I was
present. Edwards County was among the first, if not the
very first county in the State, to institute a fair for the
exhibition of live-stock and farm -produce. I think the
first exhibition took place at Albion in the fall of 1838.
The show of cattle, sheep, and hogs was then respecta-
ble, including several animals of especial merit. A year
or two afterward, specimens of the vegetables of the farm
and flowers from the garden were added. For several
}'ears, it did not increase, and seemed to excite but little
interest. It faded away and was discontinued.
In 1858, new life was infused, and a more regular organ-
ization effected. A neat little fair-ground, enclosing a
pleasant grove of six acres, was well prepared and en-
closed, furnished with all the appliances necessary for the
exhibition of live-stock, farm and garden products, and
specimens in various branches of industry and art. The
arrangements for the comfort and refreshment of the
spectators were also complete. The list of premiums was
varied and numerous. It was immediately sustained by
an excellent exhibition in every department, and met by
the public with cheerful good-will, and a liberal patron-
age.
This year, happening to be near, I went to the fair,
and was much pleased with the neatness of all the
arrangements, and with the spirit in which the whole
thing was conducted. To my surprise, I found as good
and commodious an amphitheatre, and as well filled with
well-dressed ladies as is to be found in any fair in the
country. A full band discoursed its music on a stand in
front, during the interludes of exhibition. The vegeta-
bles, fruits, and farm-productions were of a superior order.
The bouquets were numerous, tasteful, and gay, and some
living specimens of handsome flowers in pots. Cakes,
bread, confectionery, pickles, preserves, and specimens of
ever}' househokl art were abundant, neat, and good.
Needle -work, useful and ornamental embroider}', and a
great variety of fancy work, equal to an}-thing of the
kind. Of penmanship and drawing, much better speci-
mens than I expected the little count}' could produce.
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 265
The supply and arrangements for refreshments were good ;
coffee, tea, cider, and lemonade in abundance. Dinners,
hot and cold, served with an adjunct not always found
in like places of more pretension, a clean table-cloth.
There were some thousands of people, well mannered,
well dressed, and good tempered, rationally enjoying
themselves, by encouraging and promoting a common
good.
My memory was carried back to the time when whisky
was the only cheer, and a rough-and-tumble fight the
only excitement. The managers tell me, so well assured
are they of countenance and support, that they shall
double the area of the enclosed ground, and all other
appliances for the fair in time for next year's exhibition.
CHAPTER XVII.
Success of the English Settlement — What Contributed to it — Absence
of Land-Speculation — Happy Adaptation of the Country to Set-
tlers— Prairie-Land a Source of National Wealth — Sterling Quali-
ties of the English Laborers and Farmers — Solid Prosperity of
the English Settlement in Illinois — The First Annoyances of
the Early Settlers — The Prairie-Fires — First-Founders of Settle-
ments rarely attain Material Advantages — What they are Com-
pelled to Do — The Fate of William Penn — The Compensations
— Striking Incidents in the History of the State — First -Settlers
Accounted for — The Destiny which Befell the First-Founders —
The Remains of Morris Birkbeck Repose in the Graveyard at
New Harmony, Ind. — What became of his Children — The Pecun-
iary Difficulties and Disasters of George Flower — Leaves Illinois
with his Family in 1849, never to Return to Live — Cross the
Great Wabash -Begin the World Anew in New Harmony —
Removes to Mt. Vernon, Ind., in i860— The Last Stage of Life's
Journey — Ready to Lie Down to Sleep.
The success of the English Settlement is not to be
attributed to any single cause. The absence of land-
speculation in the first-founders of the Settlement and the
discouragement they gave to non-resident speculators,
were the chief circumstances that preserved its healthy
and progressive growth, and secured for many \-ears the
\acant lands around us to the class for which thc\' were
intentled, the farm-laborers and farmers with small capital,
who were to occup)- the (luarter-sections as soon as the}'
purchased them.
As early as 1817, I was solicited to purchase land for
j^ersons living in the ICastern cities, and well-wishers to the
.Settlement. This I was reluctant to do, though regretting
to dis.ippoint some valued friends, to' whom 1 owed much
obligation. Then an in(iuir\' w.is made as to whether
laiul was secured (such was the phraseolog)') for those that
might be expected the following year; accompanied b)-
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. ' 26/
an ofifer of any amount of capital, and of giving personal
service in recommending our Settlement, and in forward-
ing newly-arrived emigrants from Europe, with money and
without. I have reason to think that similar offers were
made to Mr. Birkbeck, for I recollect a short letter of his
published, declining to invest any money in land for non-
residents. Thus protected, the little- farmer with his
slender means, found the quarter-section preserved for his
immediate possession, without being compelled to pay an
enhanced price to a previous purchaser. A valuable
experience was gained in the gradual taking up of land.
Of course, the most inviting situations were first secured.
The last land, left as refuse, was flat, wet prairie, that had
not much thickness of hazle mould, so much sought after
by the farmer. The surface wet, but aridly dry in summer,
with a subsoil of whitish clay. The Americans said they
could not get a living off such land. The English labor-
ers, by a little judicious ditching, which made part of their
fencing, found it to be the best soil for small grain and
meadow in the country. Some of our best farms are to
be found on such land. The character of the Settlement
would have been changed if based upon land-speculation,
and our characters too. No doubt, with influential
partners in the East, who would see every emigrant with
capital, and every ship-load of poor emigrants, accredited
with our name and the growing fame of our Settlement, a
large and promiscuous emigration would have set toward
us, and money might have been made by the speculation.
But the gains so made would have been mingled with the
tears of distress and the sighs of disappointment. The
laborer must have remained a laborer for others many
more years, before he could have saved enough to have
paid the advance that would have satisfied us and our
Eastern partners.
The little-farmer, with just money enough to buy land
at the Government price and build a small cabin, must
have either labored for hire on the Settlement or gone
outside into the wilderness, and suffered the privations of
a solitary settler. By declining this, as some thought,
tempting offer, we may have been blamed by others, but
never by ourselves. A considerable land-speculation was
268 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
made just before we came into the country, by a Virgin-
ian; but when there are no inhabitants it is difficult for a
speculator to know where best to make a purchase, and
this speculation was so widely scattered, extending into
many counties, that it did but little harm. To this early
policy, little appreciated, perhaps, because but little
known, more than any other act of its founders, the
Settlement owes its steady and progressive growth. It
was the invisible /Egis, protecting labor and industry, in
reaping their sure rewards.
Another favorable circumstance was the happy adapta-
tion of the country to the settlers. Had our European
settlers been placed in a heavy- timbered country, they
would have desponded, despaired, and died. The cost of
denuding a heavy-wooded district of its timber and pre-
paring it for cultivation, is not less than twelve dollars an
acre. What a source of national wealth this item is to a
state like Illinois with its thirty-six million acres of prairie
land. Every individual, thus fortunately placed, is saved
a generation of hard and unprofitable labor. This
circumstance is not sufficiently appreciated by a pioneer
settler.
One element of success may be traced to a happy
proportion among the settlers of men of money, men of
intelligence, and men of toil. A settlement all of needy
laborers would have suffered much, and would probabl}-
have dispersed, — as Mr. Slade's settlement did. and as
many others have done. It was the men of property that
sustained the weight of the Settlement for the first five
years, not only by its first supply of food and the building
of its first houses, but in hiring the laborers as the)' came
from the old country. This gave to the poor, but hard-
working man, some knowledge of the ways of the country,
while he was laying up a little store of money for his own
independent beginning. The sterling qualities found in
the great bulk of the English laborers and little- farmers
is another element of success. Their general sobriety,
persevering imiustry, and habitual hard work, carried them
through periods of long di.scouragements to final success.
The first -founders gave what they had of ability and
money to the very last. All these circumstances working
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 269
together have given that soHd prosperity, which is charac-
teristic of the EngHsh Settlement in Illinois.
There are certain annoyances and losses to the first-
settler not set down in the bill, and never thought of. In
the first years of a settlement in a new country, the forces
of nature are strong and the defences of man are weak.
Soon after my first arrival in the Settlement in the month
of August, the season proved very rainy — daily thunder-
storms, with strong gusts of wind. The storms of wind
and rain would drive through and through the unchinked
and doorless cabin, drenching every thing within. The
first prairie- fires come with terrific force, devouring all
before them. I had made some progress in enclosing a
thirty-acre field, and had cut a considerable stack of
prairie-hay, which stood at the bottom of the field. A
prairie-fire approached us from the south; it soon con-
sumed the hay- stack, what there was completed of the
fence, and all the timber prepared for it. It crossed the
prairie, driven by a furious wind, when stopped by a ditch,
which fortunately had been dug, running in front of my
cabins, and about twenty- five feet from them, but the
flames lashed over into the house, and suddenly went out
in dense smoke, almost suffocating us. Although checked
in front of the house, the fire continued its course, sweep-
ing by on each flank, in two long columns of flame,
consuming prairie and woodland all over the country.
This description of losses and annoyances, once overcome,
are gone forever; but at a time when he is unprepared,
they often inflict suffering and great loss of property.
It is an historical fact, that the discoverers of new coun-
tries and the first-founders of settlements in new countries,
rarely attain any material advantages. It is those who
follow in the track they have beaten, who shelter under
the defences they have made, that reap the more solid
adv^antages. There are a run of expenses that the first-
founders of settlements must incur. The expenses of their
first voyages and journeys, their publications, their return
for their own families and other settlers, are among the
first of their expenses. Others follow, that for a long
series of years can scarcely be avoided. One is called
upon to stand first in subscription and personal exertion
2/0 THE ENGLISH SETTLEMENT
to promote measures of public benefit, although of doubt-
ful attainment after long-continued exertion. If a school,
or a library, or any other local institution is needed, he is
expected to give his .time for their advancement and his
money for their support. Often at some distant hall of
legislation he is induced to remain for weeks and months
watching or aiding in the passage of some law that might
benefit his place and people, or to ward off .some enact-
ment of an injurious character. From habit, as well as
inclination, he yields to solicitations, although often abused
and maligned for the part he has taken. The article of
postage alone is a heavy charge, or rather was so, when
letters were from twelve to twenty-five cents each. I have
paid many hundred dollars in this way replying to inquir-
ies, and giving information in which I was in no way to be
personally benefited. The entertainment of travelers and
visitors is an incidental but often a heavy charge, and in
many instances absorbs a considerable share of income,
however large it may be. His attention otherwise direct-
ed, his private business of course suffers. His settlement
may be prosperous, but as an individual he must meet
pecuniary ruin. The business of a first-founder's life is
more of a public than a private character, but not of that
description that gives him any pecuniary reward. The
assistance he may have given to poor families is seldom, if
ever, returned in money. From the unfortunate and
dishonest he gets no repayment. From the honest, but
poor, he has to take what they have alone to give, their
labor, and that perhaps obliged to be taken at periods
when not applicable to any beneficial purpose.
"Imprudent," say some; "served him right," say others;
"why did not he take care of himself" Wherever
prutlcnce greatly prevails as an element of character no
explorers or first-foimders of settlements will be found. "
\Villiam Penn, one the most disinterested of men, could
not escape the calumnies propagated against him, nor the
pecuniary loss entailed on men of his stamp. If an}' man
could have been shielded from the losses and embarass-
ments of all those who found colonics, Penn's favorable
position should have saved him. He was possessed of an
income of four thousand pounds sterling per annum. His
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 2/1
large territory came to him by grant from the crown, not
by purchase. His colony was on the sea-shore. Himself
and all who followed him escaped the labor, risk, and
expense of a thousand miles of interior travel, yet we see
in his letter to his wife a recommendation to be careful of
her expenses, by reason of his many debts. In reply to
some who accused him of selfish motives, he says: "I am
day and night spending my life, my time, my money, and
am not sixpence enriched by this greatness. I am to the
people of this place in travails, watchings, spendings, and
to my servants, every way freely, not like a selfish man."
He even found it necessary to return to England to rebut
the charges of selfishness and peculation that were raised
against him, which for a time checked emigration to
Pennsylvania, and prevented personal well-wishers and
friends from following him, with his damaged reputation.
His enemies, fearing his influence, reported him dead, and
that he died a Jesuit — a term of great opprobrium at that
day — only to be confuted by his personal appearance in
England.
But there are fortunately some compensations in store
for those whom the world regards as visionary characters.
Their actions have been unselfish. An unselfish life leaves
few regrets and no repinings. The first explorer or
founder of a settlement in a new and distant country,
follows the instincts of his nature and the promptings of
his early being. In early manhood the dreamy imagin-
ings of his youth prompt to action. He takes journeys
and voyages. He has intercourse with a variety of mem-
bers of the great human family, living under institutions,
language, climate, and a host of other circumstances, all
different from his own. From a local and stationary being
he becomes a cosmopolite. He has intercourse with all
classes, from the gifted, the intellectual, the educated, of
every grade of mind and morals, to the lowest specimens
of humanity, the dregs of civilization. His local habits
become changed, many of his prejudices are swept away,
opinions altered or modified, and his mental vision ex-
tended. He pierces through civilization, and stands in
uninhabited regions. There he sees what none who come
after him and fall into the routine of civilized life can ever
272 THE EXC.LISII SETTLEMENT
see; nature in the plenitude of its perfection; its varied
beauties, undisturbed and undistorted by art; the forest in
its native j^randeur, unscathed by the axe; the prairie,
with its verdure and acres of brilHant flowers; the
beauties of the prospect varying at every step, and limited
in extent onl)' by his power of vision. All these scenes,
with their accompanying influences, exhibited under the
varying aspects of light and shade, day and night,
calm and storm, have surrounded him. His being has
received the impress of them all in solitude and silence.
Refreshed, strengthened, and purified, he feels, for a time
at least, superior to the irritations and annoyances of an
imperfect civilization; for there is in the changeful heart
of man a deep response to the ever-changing aspects of
nature.
Some striking incidents in the history of the State
marked the period of our arrival and settlement. These
were the exodus of the Indians, the extinction of the
buffalo, the elk, and the beaver. Near to where Albion
now stands, three years before its commencement, stood
the populous village of the Piankeshaw Indians. The
year before we arrived, the last buffalo was killed. The
year after our arrival, the last elk was killed, as before
related. Two or three solitary beavers remained but a
few years longer.
Many of those mentioned as first-settlers are now liv-
ing in independent circumstances, hearty, hale, old men.
enj(jying themselves in their own way. Their children
liave grown up and taken their stations in life, mostl\' as
farmers, and many of them rejoice in the sight of the
third generation of their offspring — their great-grandchil-
dren. Having accounted for the bulk of the first-settlers
in their past and present state, let us see where the two
first-founders are, and if their destinies differ from men of
their class and kintl.
Morris Hirkbeck lies neither in his native land nor in
the State of his adoption, but dead ami buried in the
graveyard of New Harmony, Ind. His second daughter,
Mrs. Hanks, lies buried in the City of Mexico. Two sons
are living far apart from each other in the same republic.
The eldest daughter, Mrs. Pell, with her family, are in the
IN EDWARDS COUNTY. 273
distant land of Australia. One of his sons lives in Eng-
land. His house at Wanborough (in the English Settle-
ment of Illinois) has long since been pulled down; and,
I believe, no property in the Settlement- remains to any
member of his family. One only of his descendants sur-
vives him in the United States — the daughter of his eldest
son, Mrs. Prudence Birkbeck Ford of New Harmony, Ind.
The last three years of George Flower's life in Illinois
were marked by pecuniary difificulties and disasters. His
house, flock, and farm, sold at a low price, passed to the
hands of a stranger. In the year 1849, himself and wife,
his two youngest sons and youngest daughter, left Illinois,
never more to return as residents. They crossed the Great
Wabash with household furniture and some family plate,
with two dollars and fifty cents in cash, to begin the world
anew in the pleasant town of New Harmony, Ind. In
i860, he is residing in the town of Mount Vernon, on the
banks of the Ohio, seventy-four years of age, possessed
of a sound constitution, and in the enjoyment of good
health. From deafness, much increased within the last
ten years, deprived thereby of the solace of conversation,
he has to draw more largely from the resources offered
by book, pen, and pencil. In poverty, but not in desti-
tution, happy in his children, and blest in the companion-
ship of the dear partner of his life,"" who has shared with
him the toils, anxieties, and happy days of the past, they
both enliven the last stage of life's journey by cheerful
reminiscences of the past and enjoyment of the present;
accepting the prerogative accorded to age, of extracting
happiness from a multitude of minor sources, unheeded
* As applied to a happy domestic life, such as that of Mr. and Mrs. George
Flower, how true are the following beautiful observations of Chateaubriand,
as found in his " Genius of Christianity " :
" Habit and long life together are more necessary to happiness, and even
love, than is generally imagined. No one is happy with the object of his
attachment until he has passed many days, and above all, many days of mis-
fortune with her. The married pair must know each other to the bottom
of their souls; the mysterious veil, which covered the two spouses in the
primitive church, must be raised in its inmost folds, how closely soever it
may be kept drawn to the rest of the world. "
18
274 THE ENGLISH SKTTI.EMKNT
by youth and overlooked by middle- age, they probabl}" j
gather more flowers in the evening of life than they did ^
in the noon-day of existence. Resting on the shady side
of the road, spectators of scenes in which they once took
a part, they watch the pilgrims toiling in the path they
once so zealously trod, sometimes a little wear\' of their i
journey, ready to lie down to sleep. '
APPENDIX.
LETTER OF WILLIAM COBBETT TO GEORGE
FLOWER.
BoTLEY, 12 May, 1812.
Jfy Dear Sir: — I have just sent off to New York, and have,
therefore, nothing to send thither just now, but am as much
obliged to you as if I had. You have my best wishes with you.
Prepared, as you are, for a tine country and happy people, the
reality will surpass your expectations. Mr. Oldfield and my
nephew will, I am sure, be happy to see you at New York. Dr.
Benjamin Waterhouse at Cambridge, Massachusetts, will look
upon this as a letter of introduction, and so will Messrs. William
Duane, and Mr. Mathew Carey of Philadelphia, and also Mr.
Niles of Baltimore. I am acquainted with none but literary
men, but though there are in America, as here, many who think
me a very bad fellow, there are, I believe, very many really good
friends of freedom, who would not shake you by the hand the
sooner for your having honored with your acquaintance, your
sincere friend and most obedient servant,
WiM. COBBETT.
To George Flower, Esq., of Marden, Herts.
P. S. Pray remember me very kindly to your father and all
our excellent friends in Hertfordshire. You may again see as
good people, but never will see better.
LETTER OF COUNT DE LASTEYRIE TO GEORGE
FLOWER.
[translation.]
Paris, August 24th, 18 14.
I take the opportunity of Mr. Loudon's return to England to
let you hear from me and to thank you for the tokens of
souvenir you have given me. I have also received with pleasure
the information you have sent me concerning the lithographic
stones, which Mr. Loudon will forward to me in Paris.
I have seen Mr. Swain e; I have spoken to several owners of
flocks about the wool he intends to purchase; I believe he has
not yet closed many trades.
2/6 ArPENDIX.
Our establishment of schools irt France is considerably ham-
pered by circumstances, and if our zeal is not abated, it is, at
least, greatly obstructed. You can not form an idea of what is
passing in France. The lessons of lionaparte are niarvelously
put to profit. They do better still; they surjiass him. We are
in a complete disorganization ; vexations are every day on the
increase. In the south, a violent and fearful reaction takes place.
You will have heard about the massacre of Protestants. The
system which is being set up is far from the liberal ideas with
which Europe has been lulled for more than a year. The
measures which are being adopted ])repare new convulsions in
Europe. It is a great mistake to think that order and peace can
be secured by such means. Hut time will unravel all those
mysteries, for the annihilation of the press imposes silence.
Reasoning is not permitted against the argument of bayonets.
It is an excellent system, which Bonaparte has taught us long
ago. I would have great many other things to tell you. which
are not known in your country !II A thou.sand compliments to
Mr. Hirkbeck. 1 am sincerely devoted to you both.
C. P. DK l,.\STf.VRir.
PEITER Ol" COUNT I)E LASTEVKIK TO C.EOROE
FLOWER.
[iR.ANSI.ATlON.]
P.VRis, Octok-r St/i, 1S14.
Sir: — 1 take the occasion of Monsieur I'Abbe Gaultiers trij) to
London to remember myself to your souvenir and to recommend
to you an estimable author, who has published a great many
works upon the education of children, and who has devoted his
life to an art which is not. as yet, enough known nor appreciated.
Mr. (laultier, who has resided in Englantl before, returns to that
country with the intention of studying the progress which the
system of education may have made during his absence. He is
curious to know the British ami Foreign .S{|u)ol Society, and no
one is better (|ualified than yourself to help him to carry out the
object of his researches. This is the reason why I take the
libertv to direct him to you. I desire very much to see the
method em|»loye<l in England for poor classes established in
France also; I shall do all I can to that end, and 1 hope 1 shall
find men with sufficient zeal to cooperate with me toward so
noble a task. Hut the present time is not very favorable: I hope
it may be easier in a few months. 1 also regret to have but a
few moments to devote to it. Other work which 1 have under-
J APPENDIX. 277
taken, and which I look upon as of great importance for the
cause of humanity, prevents me from giving more time to it.
If anything of the kind is done in France I will let you know;
it is right for well-meaning men of all countries to be in complete
accord. Let us leave to the miserable and shameful policy of
governments their rivalries, the wars, and so many other crimes
of which they are guilty, under the cover of order, religion, and
the interest of the people.
I regret very much, sir, that your stay in this country has been
so short, and that I have been deprived of the sweet satisfaction
of seeing you longer, and of manifesting to you the interest
which your person and your way of thinking have inspired me,
and also the sentiments of affection, with which I have the honor
to be, C. P. DE Lasteyrie.
Please remember me to your estimable friend Mr. Birkbeck.
Mr. George Flower.
LETTER OF LAFAYETTE TO GEORGE FLOWER.
LaGrange, November ^d^ 18 14.
Dear Sir: — I have been much obliged to your kind inquiries
on a subject most interesting to me. The pleasure of a meeting
with Mr. Whitbread would be one of the highest I can enjoy. I
hope that it is only postponed.
Your departure for England has prevented my returning our
thanks to you and Mr. Birkbeck for the honor of your visit to
LaGrange, where it shall ever be affectionately remembered.
Be pleased to receive and present to them the best compliments
and wishes of the whole family. Our Irish friend has been lately
in a dangerous state of health, but is now recovered. This letter
goes by Mr. Crawford, who has shared with us the pleasure to
receive you at LaGrange. He is bound for Scotland, but means
to visit London, and hopes he may be able to wait upon you.
The long expected rain has been with us in time to sow our
wheat. My pork is now out of the claveari, and more fit to be
seen than when it was presented for your inspection.
Accept, my dear sir, the sincere attachment with which I have
the honor to be, yours, Lafayette.
G. Flower, Marsde/i, Hertford, Herts, England.
-7'
APPENDIX.
I.K'ITKR OK THK AHHK GAULTIKR I'O (IKORCxK
FLOWER.
[translation.]
London, Noreniber jot/i, 1814.
Sir : — At the mument 1 received the letter you have done me
the honor to write to me, I was al^out writing to you to inform
you of the hap'py success of all your recommendations, and to
express my deepest thanks to you, as well as to your friend Mr.
Birkbeck. Nothing has given me greater satisfiiction than to
make the accjuaintance of two men noted for their virtues and
their intelligent zeal — Mr. William Allen and Mr. Fo.\. We
understand each otiier perfectly well; the latter, particularly, has
electrified my soul with his luminous observations, and has
encouraged me to undertake in France a work which may,
perhaps, be found useful in English establishments. I propose
to return to tliis country in the spring, but for the present I give
way to my inclination to go home. I shall leave for Paris
Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, and I shall be infinitely
flattered to deliver all the messages with which you may desire
to entrust me. How I rejoice beforehand to be able to inform
my friend Mr. Lasteyrie, how well I have achieved, through you,
the i)rinci])al object of my voyage. If I carry away any regrets,
it is not to have been able to go and oft'er you personally, as well
as your father, the assurance of the distinguished sentiments,
with which I have the honor to be, sir, your very humble servant,
L'Abbe Oaui.tikr.*
Mr. (ir.()R(;i. 1'iowkk, Mardcit, Hertford^ Herts.
Li:'! TKR OK OOlN'r DE LASTEVRIK TO OK.OROK
FLOWER.
[rKANSl.ATlON.]
Paris, 'yamiary igth, 181^.
Dear Sir: I take the op])ortunity offered me by Mrs. O'Con-
nor, in order to let you hear from me. 1 heard from you and
from Mr. liirkbeck with much interest, and 1 rejoice to know
* 'Ilio .\l>l)i- Al olsii s i;i)W \K1) (AMII 1 I ( ; Ml 11 IK, a ci-Icl)r.Tte(l French
iustnictor, who lait}^ht in .i lu-w method, w.is liorn in I'icdniont, of Kifnch
paronts, in 1745, und died in iSiS, foui- yens after this letter was written.
He settled in Vaw-. and devoted liiniself to his methiMl of instruction,
applying; it in many instances j^r.itiiitoiisiy. He went from Paris to London,
where he opened a school for the f;''''^tM''o"^ instruction of the children of
emigrants. He pid)lished many school-books, and was a man resjiectcd and
l)eh)ved of all classes.
APPENDIX. 279
that you are in good health. Mr. I'Abbe' Gaultier, to whom I
ihad given a note of introduction to you, is very thankful for the
kindness he received at the hands of your father. I had spe-
cially requested him to examine carefully the Lancaster Schools ;
he was extremely well pleased with them. Before his departure,
I had studied the best means to adopt in order to introduce in
Paris that method of popular education. I am, at present, pre-
paring a report on that subject to the Societe Philantropique,
which will, I hope, recognize the importance of it, and will give
it a trial in some of the asylums where there are children; and
then we will look for the means to propagate that method. I will
keep you informed of what we shall do. L'Abbe Gaultier will
:serve us with zeal in this enterprise.
There has just arrived here, from London, a gentleman named
J. H. O. Moran, who has traveled for seventeen years in order to
examine the different methods of instruction in use in Europe.
He says he has worked with Lancaster. The Frencli ambassador
at London has given him a letter of introduction for our Minister
of the Interior in Paris. He intends to present to the Govern-
ment a plan of schools for the people. I believe he proposes
to follow the Lancaster method, with some modifications. He
appears to me to have devoted himself entirely to that useful
occupation, and I think he will be very useful to us. But, as he
is not known here, it would be well, in order to be able to act in
concert with him, to know all about his morality, his acquire-
ments, his means; whether his views on education are sound; in
a word, what he has done in that direction in England. I will
beg of you to take some information about Mr. Moran, in case
you are not acquainted with him personally, and to give me an
answer to my questions, so that I may help him or find employ-
ment for him in the projects of popular education, which I may
form with other parties.
Mr. Gregoire has handed me a few pamphlets, which he wants
me to transmit to you. I have added a few more, amongst them
a report on the extraction of the gelatine of bones, by Mr. Dar-
cet. It is one of the happiest applications for the nourishment
of man. They have commenced, in Paris, to make soups and
troths with the gelatine of those bones, in several hospitals.
They make prepared broths for the navy. Mr. Darcet has made
an arrangement with some Englishmen who have taken out a
patent for importation in England.
A newspaper of Denmark says, that Mr. Banks has started,
jointly with Mr. Barker, at Bath, a lithographic establishment,
and that the stone they use for printing is found in great quanti-
28o Ari'KNDIX.
ties in the neighborhood of Bath. Having, for several years^
devoted myself to the starting of a similar establishment, I am
expecting to begin work for the jniblic in two months at the
latest. 1 wish you would be kind enough to send me a sample
of the Bath stone used in England for lithographing. I have
been obliged, until now, to draw my stones from Germany, as I
have not yet been able to find any in France. A sample of the
Bath ones would enable me to find out whether we have the
same kind in I'Vance, and, in case it were impossible to find them
in France, 1 think it would come cheaper for me to get them
from Bath, I'ia Ikistol and Havre, and have them come to Paris
by way of the Seine. 1 am obliged to get those from (iermany
by land, over a distance of 240 leagues. I beg of you to send
me, by the first occasion you have, a small sample of the Bath
stone, al)Out four inches square will be large enough. Mr. Banks
will certainly let you have some, if you ask it for me. I attach
great importance to the lithographic art, which will aftbrd a new
medium to facilitate and to propagate useful knowledge: it is in
its infancy yet and wants to be improved; I devote a part of my
time to that object. Mad. de Lasteyrie, who is in good health,
.sends you her compliments. 1 reiterate the expression of my
most comiilctc devotion to you.
C P. DE L.\STKVRIK,*
To (;i.(>K(;k I'l.owi k. Rue de la Chaise, No. 20.
P. S. — A thousand compliments to the interesting and estimable
Mr. Birkbeck. Please tell him that I thank him very much for hi.s
little work on I'Vance, which I have read with much pleasure. I
have distributed, to the proper parties, the copies which he sent
me. I have hcaril that Mr. Sinclair was about to come to Paris.
I shall be delighted to see hini. Please remember nie to \\m\
and also to Mr. lianks.
I.K'nKR OF MADAM OCONXOR TO (IKO. FLOWKR.
Afy Dear Sir: — ^I have just received your letter of the 27th
of March, antl thank you for your kind inipiiry of me. I have
* (.'ounl lie I-istcyiie, the corropomlent of Mr. I*"lo\vei", .1 publicist and
lihilanthropist, was born in I'rance in I75<), and <lie<l in 1S49. In politics, he
was an anient defender of lil>era! principles, a supporter of the liberty of the
press and relif^iou> freedom. In these resjiects, he was naturally in sympathy
with < Jeorj^e I'lower. lie had traveled nuich in luirope and had much stud-
ied the art of lithoj^raphy. He founded the first litlio);raphic cslablislimcnt
in Paris. lie was tlie cousin of Count Adrian Jules l.astcyrie, the jjrandsoi>
of Lafayette, who was well known to nie; a republican member of the Cham-
ber of I )eputies under the Republic, a ^reat friend of .Mr. Thiers, and belong-
ing to the .Ljroup of the "Centre Left."
APPENDIX. 281
had a very severe fit of illness since I came in this country, but
I am quite recovered. I have, as yet, done very little in the
accomplishment of the business I came upon, so that it is im-
possible for me to say what time I shall stop here.
I am sure Mr. Lasteyrie will be very happy to hear what }'ou
mention respecting the stones, and peculiarly of the way of making
use of all stones in France, for the accomplishment of his art.
As I above tell you that the period of my return to France is-
quite uncertain, it would be better for you to write to Mr. Lastey-
rie about these stones, as it might save him a journey and many-
laborious researches, both of which I know he has either under-
taken or is about to undertake. If you do not find any good
opportunity of sending him the apparatus, before I go through
England, I shall be very happy to take charge of it for Mr. Las-
teyrie. From the habit of reading English books on scientific
subjects, I am confident he will understand very well what you
may write to him on the subject.
I dare say you will be glad to hear that I have heard from my
family so late as the 27th of March, and that all were well.
Everything was quite quiet, though on the emperor's road.
When you see or write Mr. Birkbeck, pray remember me to
him, and to Morris. With best wishes for your and family's happi-
ness, I remain, my dear sir, yours sincerely,
C. O'Connor.* •
April 6, 181 j.
Mr. George Flower,
Marsden, Hertford, Herts., England.
* Madam O'Connor was the only daughtei" and child of the Marquis de
Condorcet, the illustrious philosopher, mathematician, author, politician,,
member of the French Academy, etc. Her mother, the Marchioness de Con-
dorcet, was the sister of General Grouchy, afterward a marshall of France,
and so well known in connection with the battle of Waterloo. The daughter
was born nine months after the taking of the Bastile, July 14, 1789. Though
a nobleman of rank and distinction, Ire embraced republican ideas at au
early period in the Revolution. He was the friend and associate of Dr.
Franklin, when he represented the American Colonies in Paris; and during-
the French Revolution, Thomas Paine was a frequent visitor to the salons
of Madam de Condorcet. A member of the National Convention from the
Department of the Aisne, he allied himself to the Girondins. Denounced
to the Convention by the infamous Chabot, July 8, 1793, he was put in
accusation before the Convention, but escaped before he was arrested. Con-
cealed by Madam Vernet, who gave him an asylum for eight months, and
where he was a prey to frightful moral torments. The terrible punishments
denounced by the Convention against all persons harboring or concealing the
proscribed deputies determined him no longer to expose the brave and noble
woman, who had so long sheltered him, to further peril. The poor womark
282 APPENDIX.
LETTER OF M. TESSIER TO GEORGE FLOWER.
[translation.]
Paris, August 2j, fS/j).
Sir: — I had the pleasure of receiving a letter from you, through
a countryman of yours (Mr. Swaine), who has come to make pur-
chases of fine merino wool. My flock is always very beautiful,
but less numerous : because the armies of your nation, who have
camped near the place where it is, have eaten one hundred of
them, without my getting paid for them. I must stand that loss
with courage; unfortunately, it is not the only one. I am much
obliged to you for your kind sou?'/-////; and beg you to accept the
assurance of my distinguished consideration.
Tl-.SSIKR,*
Member of the French Institute, and Inspector-General of the
Royal Sheepfolds.
I have traded with your countryman: I have sold him my
protested, and said she would run every risk to slill further protect him; and
so persistent was she, that he was obliged to secretly leave her house. In the
disijuisc of a laborer, he wandered about several days in tiie suburbs of I'aris,
and at last, lame and footsore, and dying of hunger, he entered a cabaret and
■ordered an omelet. This led to his arrest. lie was taken to Bourg La
Reine and put in prison, where he committed suici<le. His daughter. Madam
O'Connor, became tlie correspondent of (Jeorge Flower in 1815. In 1807,
slie hail m.arried Arthur O'Connor, wlio was an Irish revolutionist, and,
although a prote>tant, he always espoused the cause of the oppressed catho-
Jics in Ireland. Accused of treason, he was imprisoned for five years in
Ireland and Scotland. (.)n being released, he went over to France, in 1803,
and, in iScK), was appointed a general of division by Napoleon, and given
an important command. I lis service, however, was not of long duration;
and, after his retiremenl, he settled on his domain at Hignon, where he occu-
pied liim^elf with agricultural jnirsuils. He was naturalized as a French
■citi/en in iSiS. Ili-.lorv relates a curious incident tt)uching I'ondorcet and
Lafayette, which ilhwtrales the Revolutionary ei)och. "I am surprisetl," said
Condorcet to Lafayette, upon seeing him enter the room in the uniform of tlie
National (iuard of Paris, of which he iiad so recently been the commander,
"in seeing you, Ceneral, in that dress." "Not at all," replied Lafayette, "/
■7CUJS tired of olit-yiiii^, oiid vished to command, and tlierefore laid down my gcn-
■eral's commission and to(jk a musket on my slioulder."
• Alexander Henri Tessier was born at .Augerville in l-rance, in 1741, and
<lied in Paris, in 1857. .Studying llie natural sciences and metlicine at the
college of Montaiga, at Paris, he became a member of the medical st)ciety in
I77(). Pecoming a member of the .Academy of .Sciences, in 1783, lie w.as
named sometime afterward direct(n' of the " I'lstablishment Rural," at Ram-
bouillet, and lie was then placed in charge of a lloek of nierinos, wliich h.ad
<)een sent to Louis .W'l, from Spain. It was this, probably, which led him
<o become a producer of wool. Pcforc his death, he reacheil the Inghest
Jionor to be obtained by a i'renchman in juMvate life — a member of the
i'rench Institute.
APPENDIX. 283
wool. If he likes it, I will sell him more another year, provided
he is reasonable as to the price.
To Mr. George Flower.
LETTER OF LAFAYETTE TO GEORGE FLOWER.
Paris, August 2S, i8ij.
What will you have thought of me, my dear sir. when Mr.
Swain has returned home without my having paid the attention
due to him, and to your much valued recommendation. The
enclosed apology will, 1 hope, clear my conduct in your and his
estimation. I long to hear you both have received it, and after
having waited a few days for a private opportunity, I forwarded it
to the care of a French banker, who will send it by you.
The unexpected loss of your illustrious countryman, Mr.
Whitbread, has deeply affected me— besides the general fraternity
between men engaged in the cause of freedom, and my particular
obligations to this great patriot, I had for him an admiration, I
did put in him hopes which make me feel on the melancholy
event every sentiment that respect and affection can produce.
You have, I dare say, taken an interest in the political catastro-
phe of France which attended the proceedings of our short-lived
House of Representatives, that had in a fortnight's time to
defend its existence from two dynasties, the latest of which was
supported by the armed forces of Europe. A new and very
different assembly is now convened, of which I am a member.
I beg you to present my best compliments to Monsieur Birkbeck.
Believe me, my dear sir, your very sincere friend,
Lafayette.
Monsieur George Flower, Marsdeu, near Hertford, England.
LETTER OF LAFAYETTE TO GEORGE FLOWER.
LaGrange, April i6th, 18 16.
My Dear Sir: — Your letter, directed Rue d'Anjou, has not yet
reached me. The one to LaGrange is just received. I hasten
to answer it. Sure as I am that you shall be highly pleased with
the United States, and that the approbation will be reciprocal, I
can not but approve your intended plan. Yet I much lament
not to have the pleasure once more to welcome you at LaGrange
before your leaving Europe. You would find me in a state of
retirement still more rigid than when I was gratified Avith your
and Mr. Birkbeck's visit, but hitherto determined to remain upon
this ground. Should I depart from it, America would, of course,
284 APPENDIX.
be the direction for" me. Happy, indeed, I would be to meet
you on that blessed land.
Inclosed is my letter to Mr. Jefferson. I would have added a
few more to my friends at Washington and other parts of the
United States, had 1 not reflected that I must first insure the safe
arrival of the one you are now e.xpecting.
The post communication not being so regular as might be
washed, I shall only send these lines, but if your departure was
deferred, will be at your disposition for any thing you may desire.
I can not be more agreeably gratified by my friends than in the
attention they will pay, the advice and civilities they may ofter to
you, my dear sir. You will find a great number of French
citizens have arrived in the United States; some by proscription,
many more from choice. Upon those subjects I refrain from
expatiating, as my first object is to convey the introductory lines
to Monticello, and to ofter the most aftectionate wishes for your
hai)i)y voyage.
iMy family are mucli obliged to }'Our kind remembrance, and
beg their best regards be jiresented to you. lie pleased to
remember us to our friend Monsieur Hirkbeck. Let me know
when this answer has reached you, and believe me, with the most
sincere attachment, yours, L.^rAVKiTE.
Our friends in Vignon are well. I shall let them know your
kind inquiries about them, and forward your compliments.
Monsieur (jKorok Flower, Marsdcn, near Hertford^ Angldcrre.
LKITKR OF ROHKRl" ()\\ KN TO RFW MR. RAl'P.
Nkw Lanark, 4 August. iSjo.
Ihe Rev. Mr. Rai>i>.
Most li'or thy Sir: — Having heard much of your Society, and
feeling a peculiar interest respecting it, I am induced to open a ■
correspondence with you, in the expectation of procuring a |
correct account of your establishment.
My first attention was called to it by some travels ])ublished in
America by a Mr. Mellish, who in 181 1 visited the original
settlement near to Pittsburgh, and who gave many details which, '
to ine, appeared to promise many fiiture advantages. \'ou have
since had an opportunity of creating a second settlement, under
the full benefit of the experience derived from the first, and the
particulars of the result of these two exi)eriments would be of
real value to me, in order to ascertain the positive inconvenient c-^
which arise from changes to society from a state of private to
APPENDIX. 285
public property, under the peculiar circumstances by which your
colonies have been surrounded.
If you can furnish me with any authentic, printed or manu-
script, statement of the rise, progress, and present state of
Harmony, you would confer upon me a very particular obligation.
The gentleman who conveys this letter will perhaps have the
goodness to take charge of them and bring them to England.
Should this be inconvenient to him, any parcel addressed for me
to New Lanark, North Britain, and forwarded to Mr. Quincy
Adams, the secretary of state for the American home depart-
ment, would, I have no doubt, come safe.
There is a colony here of about 2400 persons, whom I have
already placed under new circumstances, preparatory to a still
more improved arrangement, from which incalculable advantages
to all classes may be expected. I am now in the midst of
preparing a further development of the system I have in view,
and it will give me pleasure to send you a copy of it, the earhest
opportunity after it shall be ready. In the mean time I send you
copies of such works as I have already published, which J
request you to accept. I am, sir, your most o]:)edient
Robert Owen.
TETTER OF WILLIAM OWEN TO GEORGE FLOWER.
My Dear Sir: — I am happy to say that my father arrived here
safe and well this morning from Mount Vernon, where he arrived
late last night per steamer Win. Fen?i, which has gone on with a
load to Nashville. My father being anxious to lose as little time
as possible, has determined, as you will perceive by the enclosed
notice, to hold a meeting this day week. Will you give it all the
publicity you conveniently can. Three gentlemen, who are, I
believe, forming an establishment at Cincinnati, arrived with him,
and we expect several here with whom he settled while on his
tour. I have given the bearer a note for Mr. Birkbeck, enclosing
a notice of the proposed meeting: as I understand he has never
been at Wanborough, I will trouble you to forward the note
thither, if convenient, with the least possible delay.
I hope Mrs. G. F. is quite well; also your father, and our
other friends. My father begs to be remembered to you all.
In haste, truly yours,
Wm. Owen.
Harmony, Wednesday.
286 APPENDIX.
LETTER OF D. MACDONALD.
New Harmony, r2th May, 1824.
My Dear Sir: — Several of your neighbors came here to join
the Society during Mr. Owen's absence, but the committee
determined not to receive any more persons for a few days, that
they might have time to arrange such as had already joined.
We, however, promised to let them know after Mr. ( )\ven's
return, whether they were accepted. Mr. Owen returned last
evening, and now takes the opportunity of I )r. Spring, to request
you will, if convenient, and if you think the following persons, or
any of them, would be good and useful members, to inform them
that they may join:
Mrs. Omve Johnson.
Mr. and Mrs. Crauock.
Capt. Huston.
Mr. Philip B. Milks (is his lameness not objectionable).
Mr. liONHI.KA.
Mr. and Mrs. Warrington (after four months of sober life).
Mr. W HI. I AM Wilkinson, bricklayer.
.\s we have a number of families offering their services, and
many not very effective, it is not advisable to take any of the
foregoing, unless you consider them likely to be immediately
useful and valuable members. Of course, you will consider this
letter i)rivate, and such as you can not recommend 1 trust you
will inform, that at present we have so many ai)plicants that we
are obliged to postpone their reception till a future opportunity.
I hope Mrs. (iregory, your children, Mr. and Mrs. Flower, and
the rest of your family are well. I'ray give my best respects to
them, and believe me, sincerely yours, D. Macdonald.*
• The captivating theories of Mr. Robert ( )wen attracted many distin-
guished people, not only from Kurope, but all parts of the I'nited .States,
to New Harmony. Among these was the Scotchman, D. Macdonald, who,
on his return to his own country, became Lord of tlie Isles and Karl of Skye.
INDEX OF SUBJECTS.
Rev. henry CLAY KINNEY.
5, 29, 43. 58, 95. 129,
A.
Abington, Virginia, .....
Academy of Sciences, French,
Acclimation, . . .
Achilles, ship, .....
African Colonization, ....
Africans, .....
Alabama, ......
Albemarle County, Virginia,
Albion, II, 15, 17, 30, 81, 83, 93, 95, 102, 103, 104,
109, no, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 121,
127, 128, 133, 134, 135, 136, 145, 146, 165, 190,
221, 222. 224, 231, 232, 235, 242, 243, 244, 249,
255, 258, 259, 261, 264, 272.
Court-house at, .
Peculiarities of,
in 1812 and i860,
Vote on Convention,
Alleghanies, .
Alton,
America,
America, sh'p,
Atlantic Ocean,
Augerville,
Australia,
Ave ISIaria, ship,
Avignon, ....
B.
Backwoodsmen leave the country,
Ball- Hill Prairie,
Baltimore,
Bamstead,
Baptist services, .
Barrens of Ohio,
Bastile, .
Batavia, Illinois,
Bath, England,
Bears,
Beaver,
Bignon,
Birk's Prairie,
Birmingham, England,
Birkbeck, Morris, Jr. (see Personal Index), agrees to enter land,
• 3^
282
. 256
7S
17, 204
I
70-2, 200, 209
• 145
39-
105,
106, 107, 108,
123,
124, 125, 126,
203,
207, 213, 217,
251,
252, 253, 254,
106, 138^
252
251
190
74,- 75, 84
161
148,
151, 198, 275
26
70, 72, 85, 96
282
26, 43, 95, 273
• 75, 83
24
144
190
122
208, 231, 275
117
i3r
J-
281
. 158
. 279, 280
• 235
• 51, 272
282
• 55, 123.
61-2
288 IXDKX OF SUBJECTS.
r\(;K
Anti-Slavery services (see Letters on Slavery), . . . 167
appointed Secretary-of-State of Illinois, but is not confirmed, 25, 191
burial-place of, . . . . . . 272
death of, . . -93. '97-8
descendants of, . . . 272-3
early life of, ...... 21-6
education and mental taste, . .21-5
embarks for America, ..... 26
<;rects tem]iorary buildings for settlers, . . .82
family, ....... 42
farm at Wanborough, ICngland, . . . .22
II .1 given up. ... So
M M II profits of. . .80
father, ....... 21
at fifty, ........ 22
founds Wanborough, Illinois, .... 93, 104
Illinois' indebtedness to, .14
letter to Mr. I'ojie concerning extension of time of payment on lands, 68^
letters on .Slavery, 163 90
lives in I'rinccton, Indiana, ..... 49, 61, 70
man of great ability, .14
meets Mr. Flower at Richmontl, .... 42
mentioned in letters addressed to (ieorge I'lower, 276, 277, 278, 280, 281,
2S2, 2S4.
non-residents, unwilling to invest for, .... 366-7
1 'opes, (lov., reply to a letter from. . . 67 8
portrait of . . . iS
}iroposes to Miss Andrews, ..... 4S-9
receives funds from I'.ngland, ..... 79-81
receives visit fri)m I'.dvvard Coles, .... 24
publishes " Notes of a Journey in America, " . 75 6
II " Notes of a Journey lInoui.;h l-'rance," 24
It with Ceorge l'"lower, pamphlet to emigrants. .152
II ". Supplemental y letter to Hritish emigrants, " 140
religious sentiments, ..... 25, 2(1, 140
religious training, . . 21
Dirkbeck, Morris, Jr., remains in America, . . .02
searches for Illinois prairies with Mr. Flower, . 52
subscri]ition toward founding the I'.nglish Settlement, . Si
temperate habits, ...... 22
variance with .Mr. Mower, .... 89, 90 I
visits France willi Mr. I'lower, 23 4
wiilowcr, a . .22
IJlacks, free, outrages upon in Illinois, 11)3 4, 2005
II no educational advantages for in Illinois, 259
I. outrages upon in New Orleans. 207
r.lack laws of Illinois, .15
IJIack soldiers in War of 1S12, ..... 205
l!loode<l stock, .... S2, 126, 2 14, 2^^^, 242 3
liois-brulc, 51
Holtenhousc I'rairie, ... 54, 62, 63, Si, 99, 1<X), 125
Uond County, ..... 154
Honpas ( reek, ..... 13, lOO, 106, 205, 255
lioone County, . . . . • Iji '34
INDEX OF SUBJECTS.
!S9
Boston, ....
Eotanical Gardens at Avignon,
Botley, England,
Bourg La Reine,
Brick-kiln, ....
Bristol, England,
British and Foreign School Society, .
Government discourages emigration,
prejudices against the.
Buckinghamshire,
Buffalo, the, . .
Busro, Ind., Shaker Settlement at,
Butter, five cents a pound.
7S, Si, S3, 117, 149,
51. -
49,
244
24
^75
282
1 06
280
276
153
5S
242
72
50
28
California,
Cambridge, Massachusetts,
Cambridgeshire, England,
Campbellite's services,
Camp-meeting,
Canada,
Canadian French,
Cane in its natural state,
Cape of Good Hope,
Carlyle, town of,
Carmi, . . 88, 96, 112, 113, 146, 195, 200,
Carolina,
Carroll County,
Castor-oil, manufacture of,
Cattinet, the French Settlement,
Chambersburgh,
Champaign County, .
Channel, the
Isles,
Charleston, S. C,
Chicago,
fire.
Historical Society, . . . 7-9!
Chickasavv- nation,
Chillicothe, .
Choctaw nation, ....
Cincinnati, . . 32, ^i, 45, 83, 87, 88.
Clark County, ....
Clay County, .....
Clergymen of English Church,
Clock-peddler, .....
Cochocton, .....
Coffee Island, .....
Coles County, .....
Coles, Edward (see Personal Inde.x), appoints Mr. Birkbec
of-state, .....
emancipates his slaves, its consequences,
father and brothers, ....
governor of Illinois, ....
19
130, 134, 147
• -75
S3
12, 13, 26, 245
61
53
26
129
204, 222, 223, 224
145, 149, 17S
134
loS
=io I, 89
. " 74, 84
13
75
77
149
13
7, 9, 16, 77
16. 17, 1 8, 64, 67
36
124, 125, 258, 2S5
13, 154
13
249-56
250
3-
61
191
193
39
191
290
INDEX OF SUHJKCTS.
Coles, Edward, letter to Mr. Birkheck,
minister to Russia, .
pardons a murderer,
signs free papers for black emigrants,
"sketch of Edward Coles,"
Columbia^ ship.
Communities retain characteristics
Congress,
land, price of,
Cook County,
Connecticut,
Cornwall, I'jigland,
Cotton growing,
Court, first, at Albion,
Court-house and jail.
Courts and circuit-court riding,
Crawford County,
Crops, Illinois,
Cumberland County,
Cutthroats and robbers, .
of founders,
50, 64, 65, 67. 6S
'-')• 134,
I o I
24
1 10- 1 2
205
160
117
20
146, 223
2Z2
61, 77, 122.
13. 14
'44
120, I JO
254
1 12
116
224
'54
14;
Dead Man's Shoal,
Deer,
DeKalb County,
Delaware,
Denmark,
Derbyshire, England,
Devonshire, luudand,
DeWitt County,
Dick's River,
Discovers and founders of settlements, fate nf.
Ditching, advantages of
Dul'agc C"ounty,
E.
i'",astern cities, .....
settlers, ......
States, .....
trip, 1818, time and expense of .
I'xigar County, .....
I'ldgeworth Institute, .....
Edwards County, 11, 12, 14, ()2, no, I2(i, i;;. 154, 1 5S,
agricultural fairs, .....
counties formed out of, .
county-seat moved to Albion,
educational statistics, 1858,
representative, ....
state of county affairs, ...
I'ld ward svi lie, . ni
EfTingh.am County, ....
Egy|)lian bondage, ....
Eleclra, ship, . .
Elk, .....
86
5
, 9"
1 ^
02,
I on
1 28,
22,
30.
279
125
'3'
1 ■»
210
"1
31.
34
2f>9
267
I ^
'4'
33.
2 '3
200
46.
45.
25S
231
• 3
loS
'. 253. 2
2
t'3 =;
64 ;
1 J
1 10
2(>3
191, |t)2. i<i;
;'. 224 5,
INDEX OF SUBJECTS.
291
Emerald Isle, . .
.
77
Emigrants, first parties, .
78-9, 81-3
Emigration, blessings of,
66
England, 25, 43, 66, 69, 70, 75, 76, 77
83
, 91
95,
117,
lib.
123, 124, 126,
127, 130, 149, 153, 198, 211, 214,
242
24.
, 246
248,
249, 250, 251,
254, 255, 258, 271, 273, 275, 2
76,
277,
279
280,
281,
283, 284.
English, ....
I
5, 58,
148, 165, 204
English Channel,
75
farmers.
• 65
farm-laborers, success of
222, 240
Settlement in Edwards County, attacks
upon
133, 150-3
Mr. Birk beck's subscription to
81
blooded stock in
. 82
126,
214, 233, 243
books referring to
243-4, 251
cotton raised in
• 254
county-fairs in .
264-5
court and court- house in
110-112
discomforts of settlers in
82
, 89-
90, 97, 99-100
distance between cabins in
224
emigration recommences to
220-I
extent of .
• 255
farming profits in
• 232, 240
founding
15, 93, 104
off highways of travel, .
150
land in, gradually taken up,
. 267
lawyers who visited
222-3
manuscript history of
3
marriage certificates, early
239
mechanics, early
103
murders in
1 10-3, 213
outrages upon blacks in
■ 200-3
peach raising in
233
peculiarities of
. 252
physicians in, early
253-4
pork raised in
• 242-3
public library in
251
religious teachers in, early .
132-40
schools and school-houses in
337-61
settlers, characteristics of
1 14-3 1
M classes of
. 220-2, 240
II earliest
78, 88, 103, no
1' early
I
3-31
144-9. 242-3
II places of nativity, .
78,
84,
96, i:
-1-2,
148 50, 242-3
II ports at which they an
ived.
148
site determined upon.
. 61-2
temperate habits of settlers in
256
tradesmen, early
. 108.9
visited by tourists,
243-51
vote in, upon convention quest
on,
190
wolves and panthers in .
231-2
social life.
23
unable to picture to themselves Illinois
life.
trul
y
76-7
Enniscorthy,
39
" Establishment, Rural " .
282
29-
iNni:\ oi-' srr.ir.cTs.
Episcopal .services,
I'lssex, ICngland,
Kurope,
Kvansville, Indiana.
•^.>.
rA»;K.
134-6
43
90, 129, 276
1 15, 128, 146
J'alls of the r.ig \\ alj.isl), .....
Par ^\'est, ......
l-'armins^ in America, profits of ... .
in England, profits of ... .
I'ayette County, ......
Fleet prison, ......
I'lower, Cleorge (see Index of I'erson.s), African cokmi/ation scheme
age in 1817, .....
ancestors, .....
and Miss Kli/a Amhows, afterward Mrs. i'lowcr,
at seventy-four, .....
attends inauguration of President .Monroe,
builds cabins for settler>,
burial place of .... .
Cyiiciii^o 7'ril'iin,', extract from
correspondents of (see letters)
crosses the Wabash, ....
death of ..... .
death of his brother William,
descends Ohio River in an "Ark,"
<letermines with Mr. Hirklieck upon place for settleu\cn
describes camp- meetings, ....
drives from l'hiladelc>hia to I'ittsburgh in carriage.
embarks for .\merica, ....
i< 1. l^ngland, ...
established at Princeton, Indiana,
evening of his life, ....
father of (see Klower. Richard!
finds (_a|U. liirk's at last,
finds Mrs. I'lower a noble woman,
first experiences in ne«' home,
foray with ]iro-slavery mob. . .
gets to liig- Prairie,
goes half-a-mile for water,
iiears from Mr. Hirkbeck,
horseback rides into interior of Illiiu)i>,
.. trip eastward, ...
hospitality of .... .
hospitality of .Mrs. ( Jen. Harrison to
luisban<lry upon improved scale, ....
Illinois, indebtedness of, to services in slavery struggle of lS.;jj,
joined by Mr. lordh.Tu., . . . . .
joins Mr. Mirkbeck at Richmond, \a.,
journeying westward, tiist lime, with parly.
invited to visit Monticollo, ....
lays out the town of Albion,
leaves Mrs. Mower at C'hambersburgh.
leaves Settlement in iS4<),
16,
•3
5«
239 40
So I
21 1
!04 8
42
241
42
-73
40
o<)
•4
3. i(^
53
12, 16 7
'05
86 7
61 2
>37 40
84
75
16,
4')
.> 4
26
• 55 6
98
S<) ()o, 98
-03
55
8<>
8.;
227 250
7» 5
15
45
15
i. 14. "5
88
42
4;, 00
3<i
100 4
74
ys. 273
INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 293
I'AGF.
Flower, George, legal difficulties witli neighbors, __ .. ..211
letter from William Cobbett to .. .. '_- .- 275
II Count de Lasteyrie, -- .. 273, 276, 278-Q
11 Abbe Gaultier to .. .. .. __ 27S
II Gen. Lafayette to .. -- -- 277, 283-4
,1 D. Macdonald to .. .. .- _- 2S6
II Madam O'Connor to .. _. -- 2 So I
II William Owen to .. .. .. .- 285
11 A. H. Tessier to -. -- -- 2S2-3
life imperilled, .. -. -. 33, 34, 37-S, 75, 202
log-cabin and first meals of .. .. -- -- 89-90
lost in the rain, .. -. -- -- .- 227
lost on his way to Pittsburgh, .. -- _- -.31
makes a comfortable house for father, .. _- .- 105-6
makes a will, _- .- -- -- -- ..69
man of great ability, a .. _- .- .. -- 14
marries Miss Andrews, -- .- -- -- -- 48-9
mediates lietween Mr. and Mrs. Hanks, -- -- -_ 93-4
meets, for the first time, Edward Coles, . . . . . . 40
11 Mrs. Flower with babe at Chambersburgh, .. .. 84-5
II Gen. Jackson, .. .. -- -- -.36
II Gen. Ripley, -- -- .- -- -- 36
II President Madison, .. ... .- -- ..40
mother of -- -- -- -- -- -- 241
motives for immigration, .. -. -_ -- -- 15
moves to Mount Vernon, Indiana. -. .. -.93, 273
murder of his son Richard, .. .. .. -_ -. 213
non-residents, unwilling to invest for .. .. -. 266
outrages upon, on account of friendship toward blacks, . _ 200-4
passes through Cattinet, .- -- -- -- 5°-'
pays just wages, .. -- -- -- -- -- 129
pecuniary difficulties of - - -- -- -- -- 16, 273
portrait of -- -- -- -- -- ..18
president of railway, -. -- -- -- -- 255
provisions with difficulty obtained by -. .. _- -.98
published, with Mr. Birkbeck, a pamphlet "To Emigrants," 152
publishes "Errors of Emigrants, " .. .. -. -. 142
II ]etter in Loroe// Courier, .. -- -. 142
puts Mr. Birkbeck's "Notes upon a Journey to America" in hands
of publishers, -- -- -- -- -- 75~^
reaches Long-Prairie, .- -- -- -- ..61
resides at Princeton, Indiana, .. -- -- -- 5Ij70
returns, for a time, to England, . . - . - - . . 62
returns to Princeton, -. .- -- -- -- 61
rides to Lexington, -- -- -- -- -- 105
searches for the prairies, with Mr. Birkbeck, -. .- 52
sees Indians, .- -- -- -- -- --46
sends colony to Hayti, -- -- -- -- -- 204-S
sickness of .- -- -- -- -- 9^, 202
and Mr. Sloo, -. .. -- -- -- 45
social life in Illinois of -- -- -- -- 233-4
I, II Philadelphia of .. -. -- -- 3°
spends a day at Busro, .- -- -- -- --49
stops at Shawneetown, -- -- -- -- 8S
294 INDEX OF SUBJECTS.
lAOl'.
Flower, George, Stops at Mncennes, .. .. .. ..46
suffers from sea-sickness, .. .. .. .. 75
takes Mrs. Flower Ea>t with him, .. .. .. ..70
temperate habits of .. .. .. .. .. 212
thou_i;ht a visionary, .. .. .. .. .. 232
tribute to memory of, by Kev. William I5arry, .. .. '5-7
I. M liy Chicago Historical Society, .. .. 17. S
variance with Mr. HirkbecU, at, cause, .. .. .. So, 90.3
visits Cincinnati, .. .. .. .. .. --3j
M Coles family, .. .. .. .. .. 39
11 Thomas Jefferson at Monlicello, .. .. .. 38.9
.1 II at Poplar Forest, .. .. .. 38
11 France with Mr. Hirkbeck, .. .. .. .. 23.4
II Neave family, .. .- .. .. .. 33
II iNew Harmony, .. .. .. .. .. 52.3
II Dr. I'riestly, .. .. .. .. .. 31
II Gov. .Shelby, .. .. .. .. .. 34-5
11 mammoth cave, .. .. .. .. ■.. 35
visited by distinguished travelers, .. .. .. 243.9
writes history of the English Settlement in Edwards County, II, U)
writes to Jeffeison concerning land-grant, gets reply, .. 64.6
I'lower, .Mrs. George (see Personal Index) adventure with jianther, 235.6
accompanies Mr. Flower on journeys in Illinois, .. 227.9, 230
aids in rescuing chilli from well, .. .. .. .. 122
babe born to, at Chambersburgh, .. .. .. ..84
burial-place of .. .. .. .. .. i2
characteristics of .. .. .. .. .. 98-9
death of .. .. .. .. .. .. II.12
decides at first to remain at Princeton, .. .. .. 69
disliked by a woman because Engli,sh born, .. .. 5^
evening of life of .. .. .. .. .. 273.4
jjoes East with husband, .. .. .. .. 70.4
life im]Hrilk(l, .. .. .. .. .. .. 74
maiden name of - . . . . . - . - - 42
mentioned in letters addres>ed to husband. .. .. 2S5.6
nurses sick, .. .. .. .. .. .. 98-9
portrait of .. .. .. .. -. .. 18
resides at Chambersburgh during husband's visit to i'.n^laiid. 74
refuses Morris Hirkbeck, .. .. .. .. ..48
visits I'.usro, .- .. .. -. .. .- 49
I'lower, Richard (see Personal Index), .. .. .. .. 26
an anti-slavery man, .. .. .. .. .. 25
builds tavern and other buildings at .Albion. .. 107. 8
characteristics of -. .. -. .. .. 240. 1
death of .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 240
hospitality at Park House of .. .. .. .. 106
house attacked by pro-slavery mob, .. .. .. .. 203
Illinois indebletbu'Ss to .. .. .. .. 14
interest in Albion, .. .. .. .. .. .. I44
liv«s at Lexington, Kentucky, .. .. ..S3, 105
Marden his English estate, .. .. ..26
sold, .. .. .. .. 85
moves lo Albion, .. .. .. .. io(>, I2(>
negotiates the sale of New Harmony, .. 52-3. 214
INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 295
PAGE.
Flower, Richard, Park House, the Illinois residence of .. 105.6
preaches at Albion, __ .. .." ._ .. 135
wife of .. .. .. .. .. .. 241.2
P"ort Madison, Iowa, _. .. ._ .. .. 134
Snelling, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 245
St. Anthony, .. -. .. .. .. .. 245
Founders of colonies, losses and gains of .. .. .. 269.72
Fox River, _. __ .. .. .. .. 93
Fox- River Township. __ __ .. .. .. _. 175
Foxe's "Book of Manx rs," _ . .. _. .. ._ 241
France, .. -3-4, 26, 27, 50.1, 66, 275, 276.7, 27S, 2S0, 281, 282
Frederickstown, Mo., .. .. .. .. .. 12
Free-school system, advantages of __ .. .. 262.3
Free-states, .- .. .. ._ ,.. .. 162
Free-thinking christian.--, .. .. .. .. .. 245
French, .. .. ._ .. 50. 1, 65, 112, 128, 282, 283
Canadians, .. .. _. .. .. 61, 89
Creek Prairie, .. ._ .. .. .. 235
Institute, .. _. .. .. ._ .. 282
Settlement on Tonilii^hee, ._ .. .. _. 65
l''riends, the .. .. __ .. 20, 21, 25, 33, 117, 118
Fulton County, .. ._ _. .. .. .. 161
G.
IJalena, .. __ .. .. .. ._ 134, 147
Congressional l)i.-.uict, .. .. _. _. .. 147
lead mines, .. .. .. .. .. .. 245
dallatin County, .. .. .. ._ 12, 13, 134, 195, 223
saline, .. .. .. .. .. .. 155.6, 174
Georgia, .. .. ._ .. .. .. .. 169, 178
Germans, .. __ _. .. 53, 65, 109,214, 215, 242
Germany, __ .. .. .. .. .. 132
Gibson County, Indiana, .. .. _. .. ..49
Girondins, .. .- .. .. .. .. 281
Glamorganshire, ^Vales, .. .. __ .. _. 149
Grayville, .. .. .. 11, 12, 81, 109, 123, 124, 205
Great Britain, .. .. 26, 27, 53, 63, 64, 1S2, 183, 184, 190
uneasiness felt by the a^jriculturalists of .. .. .. 26.7
Great Wabash, .. .. .. 13, 32, 46, 61, 104, no, 214
Greene County, .. .. .. .. ._ .. 154
Grundy County, .. .. _. _. .. .. 13
Guernsey, island of .. .. ., .. .. 134
Gulf of Mexico, .. ._ .. .. .. .. 148
Gwathway's Hotel, Louisville, .. .. .. .. 244
H.
Hammersmith, England, _. .. .. .. ..81
Harmonie (see New Harmony). .. .. .. .. 52
Harmony, Pa., .. .. ._ .. .. 32, 52
Hatton Garden, London, ._ .. .. .. .. 79
Havre, France, .. .. .- _. .. .. 280
Hayti, Island of ._ .. .. .. 16, 204, 206, 208, 209
colonization scheme, .. .. .. .. 16, 204.9
n n discouraged, .. .. .. 209
•AGE.
Si
277.
278.
2Sl,
172
283
124,
71
15'.
.2, 2:
241,
25-6,
275
230
182
--
,
245
144
35-7
296 IXDKX OF SUr, I KCTS.
Hazle Hill. ..
Hebrews,
Hertford, England,
Hertfordshire, England, .. .. .. 15
11 orseback traveling,
House of Commons, England,
iludson-liay Company,
I lunter-class, disappearance of
I hinting (see also elk, bufTalo. deer, etc.),
I.
Illinois, 3, II, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 35, 43, 45. 4b. 49, 51, 52. 53, 54,
60, 61, 65, 67, 70, 76, 77, 78, 81, 82, 84, 86, 88, 93, 113, 125, 1 28,
134, 140, 142, 147, 14S, 150, 153, 155, 15(1. 159, 160, 161, 163, 164,
165, 166, 167, 168, 170, 182, 1S5, 189, 197, 201, 202. 207, 221, 222,
223. 226, 231, 255, 263, 268, 269, 273.
admitted as free state, .. '. . .. .. .. '7^'- 7
congressman's district, .. ..' .. .. ..97
efforts to introduce slavery into .. .. .. 15-6, 154-97
Gazelle, .. .- .. 101. 11)3. mS. 173, 175, 182, 1S8
(Jovernors, .. .. .. .. .. 147, 159.60, 191
in 1812, -. .. .. .. -- -- 96-7
Inlelligeucer, .. .. .. ., .. 174, 175, 1 88
judges of U. S. court in .. .. .. .. ..67
legislative council in i8i(>.i8, .. .. .. .. 134
legislature in 1820.22, .. .. .. .. 145, 158.60-
and Michigan Canal, .. .. .. .. .. 161
" Monthly -Magazine, " .. .. .. .. .. 223
northern, .. .. .. .. -. .. '54-5
northwestern circuit in 1S41.42, .. .. .. .. 134
southern, .. .. .. .. .. .. 63
prairies, .. .. .. .. .. -- .- 142
M ignorance of, . . . . . . . . 33, 35, 53
Repuhlican, .. .. . . . . . . . . 1 70
slavery in .. .. .. .. .. '53-97, '95-f>
supreme court, .. .. .. .. .. .. 157
territorial delegate, .. .. .. .. 67
U. S. senator, .. .. .. .. .. .. 160
Tndi.i, . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Indiana, 13. 16, 43, 44, 45, 4(). (13, 100, 133. 150, i()3, 201, 202. 207
ln<lian mound, .. .. .. .. .. .. 59
Indians, .. .. .. 32, 4(), 51.2, 54. 55, 58, 61, 202, 272
as wrestlers, .. .. .. .. .. .. 225.
Intemperance among pioneers (see also temperate habits of English settlers)
<K3, III, 113. i«)4, 195, 204, 212, 265
Iowa, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Ireland, .. .. .. .. .. .. 75.77. '25,282
Iroquois County, -. .. .. .. .. -.13
Israelites and slavery, .. .. .. 171. 2
J-
Jamaica, island of .. .. .. 109, 125
Jasper County, .. .. .. .. .. 13
J elTcrson County, .. .. .. .- ..13
town of . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Joe Havicss County, .. .. .. .. .. 134
INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 297
PAGE.
K.
Kane County, .. .. ._ .. _. .. 13
Kankakee County, .- _- -. -- _- -.13,
Kaskaskia, .. .. ._ .. .- _. 96, 145
River, .. .. _. _. .. ._ .. 129
Kelshall, England, .. _. .. _. .. 241
Kendall County, .. _- -. .- __ ..13
Ohio, .. -- -- .. -- __ 32
Kennebec County, Maine, -- -- -- -_ _. 133
Kent, England, .. -. .. .. .. ,.114, 115.
Kentucky, .. 34, 35, 50, 63, 136, 155, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 223
L.
LaG range, France, .- .. .. .. .. 277
Lake County, .. __ .. .. .. _. 13
Lanark, Scotland, .. _. .. .. _1 214
Land, government, price of -. .. .. .- .. 165
n unable to get extension of time of payment for, 63, 67
office, Shawneetown, recently opened, 1S18, .. _. .. 45
advantages in gradual taking up of .. .. _, 267
LaSalle County, ._ .. .. .. __ ..13
LaVillette's Ferry, .^ .. .. __ 59, 61, 62
Lawrence County, .. _. ._ __ __ 13, 154
Lavvrenceville, .. .. .- -- __ _. 228-
Lee County, ._ .. _- _. __ .. -.134
Leicestershire, England, _. ._ _'. .. .. 114
Lexington, Ky. , __ _. ._ 34, 83, 84, 105, 126, 214
Lincoln County, Ky., _. .. .. .. __ 34
Lincolnshire, England, .. .. .. ._ 128, 131, 221
Litchfield, Maine, .. .. .. __ .. 133
Little Wabash River, .. .. . . 59, 60, 100, 104, 118, 204, 255
Lithographic establishment, .. .. .. .. 279.8a
Liverpool, England, .. _. .. __ 29, 75, 82, 124
Livingston County, .. .. .. .. .. 13
Log-cabins, description and price of __ _. .. .. 104
disappearance of __ __ ._ .. .. 252
Loiidon, England, 24, 47, 68, 76, 77, 79, Si, 82, 85, 98, 108, 109, 119, 124,
125, 148, 221, 232, 245, 276, 278, 279.
Long- Prairie, -- _. .. .. .. .. ..61
Lost child, __ .. .. .. .. .. -34-5
Louisville, Ky., .. .. .. .. 79, 88, 157, 244
L(nvell Courier, -_ _. .. _. _. .. 142
M.
Macon County, .. .. .. .. .. ..13
Madison County, .. .. .. .. .. .. 13, 154
Mail, interruption of .. .. .. .. .- ..68
Mammoth Cave, .. .. .. .. .. ._ 35
Harden, England, .. .. .. .. 26, 85, 277, 281, 284
Marion County, .. .. .. .. ._ .- 13
Market for farmers' produce, .. .. .. -. 239.40
house, .. .. -- .. -_ -- 106
Marriage licenses and fees, early _. .. .. 238.9
Martinsburgh, Va., .. .. .. .- -. 112,232
295
INDKX OK SUHIKCTS.
Maysville,
--
--
--
"5
Mc Henry County,
..
•3
McLean County,
--
--
'3
Mercer County,
..
•34
Methodist camp-meeting,
•37
church.
. .
•37
settlement,
..
..
158
Mexico, ..
43. 9.V '9t'.
223,
272
city of -.
..
272
Mill,
. .
107
Mississippi River, .. .- -.
35. 96. 97,
240,
245
State of
. .
3(>
Missouri, State of
-- 36
.46.
1 68
Montgomery County,
..
•.S4
Monticello, Va. ,
24
, 30,
2S4
1816 and 1882,
. .
40
Mosquitoes,
..
..
256
Mount Carmel,
-. 107, no,
'37.
146
Mount Vernon, Ind.,
1 1, 12
, 9S,
2S5
Murders,
. .
1 10,
213
Mushanon Creek,
--
--
--
3^
N.
Xashville, Tenn., ..
- .
3;
Xanlucket,
..
..
3 J
National Road,
. .
22S
Negroes, American iiatred ol
200
New ICngland,
20,
146,
2>0
New Harmony, Ind., 30, 52, 53, 55, 92, 93, 96,
109,
126, 127, 130,
106.
'97-
213, 214, 215, 216, 217. 21S, 219. 221,
249,
272, 273, 2S5,
286
New Lanark, Scotland,
53.
2S.1
New Orleans, 3^), 117, 125, 130, 149, 164, iSo,
206,
207, 208. 240,
242,
24"
New- York City, 2<), 30, 75, S4, i),, ii>^, 133,
145.
152, 208, 209,
232,
275
State of . .
152, 102,
16S,
176
Niagara, I-alls of ..
. .
S7
North- Hend, Ohio,
45
North- iirilain.
. .
285
North Carolina,
166,
169
North-western Company,
. .
245
' Stales,
'37
Territory,
. .
244
Norfolk, l".ngland,
..
118
Virginia, . . . . ...
..
2(1
Notlingliamshire. l.nglaiid.
..
82,
'•5
Norway, ..
142
Ogle County, .. .. .. .. .. -- -- '34
Ohio River, 13, 35, 43, 44, (r^, 83, 84, S5. So, 87, 88, 98, 115, llS. 155, 245
dangerous crossing, .. .. .. .. ..34
navigating the .. .. .. -- 86.7
State of .. .. --44. '30. 150, 163, 168
OIney, Illinois, .. .. -. -- -- 123,231
INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 299
'AGE.
Oppelousas, .. -. .. .. .. .. ..36
Oposium, .. .. .. .. .. .. 51
O.xfordshire, England, .. ._ .. .. .. ..87
P.
Pacific Ocean, . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 96
Palestine, Illinois, .. .. .. .. .. .. 147
Palmyra, Illinois, .. .. .. .. .. 13, no, 201
Panthers, .. .. .. .. _. 230. i
Paris, -- .- -- 275, 276, 278, 279, 2S0, 2S1, 282,^283
Park House, .. .. Si, 106, 121, 126, 130, 131, 213, 230, 241, 249
Pau, P"rance, ._ _. .. .. .. .. 241;
Peasants of France, artistic taste of .. __ _. ..24
Pennsylvania, .. .. 20, 31, 14',, 152, 162, 168, 185, 210
Peoria, .. .. .. ._ __ .. ._ 230
Petersburg, Ind., .. ._ _. .. .. .. 133
Philadelphia, 20, 30, 33, 40, 51, 71, 75, 76, Si, 84, 114, 115, 119, 121, 133,
135, 208, 209,"' 231, 275.
Piankeshaw Indians, .. .. .. .. .. 99, 272
Piatt County, .. _. .. _. .- .. 13
Pickaway Indians, .. .. .. .. .. ..32
plains, .. .. -. .. .- .. 33
Pigeon Creek, Intl.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 128
Pike County, -_ __ .. .- .. -.154, 161
Pioneer life, .. _- .. .- .- .. 57-6i
II unlike English, .. .. _. _. .. 76.7
specimen of .. .. .. .. .. 55-6
reflections on .. _. .. .. .. 59-6o
Pittsburgh, 31, 32, 44, 45, 74, Si, 83, 84, 85, 86, 108, 115, iig, 124, 128,
i5o> 213, 231, 245, 284.
" Pittsburgh Navigator, " _. .. .. .. ..86
Plymouth, England, _- _. _- .- .. loS
Poplar Forest, .. .. -. __ _- 35, 38, 39, 64
Pork of Albion, high price received for __ __ .. 242.3
Port-au-Prince, __ __ -. _- _- .. 206
Posey County, Indiana. .. .. __ __ __ 11
Postage rates, .. .. .. _. __ _. 254
Prairie ignorance, .. .. .. _- .. 53-4
changing appearance of .. .. .. _ _- 141. 2
fire, __ .. -. .. .. 141 -2, 269
flies, ._ __ .- .- .. .. 55-6
Princeton, Ind., .. __ 49, 50, 51, 56, 61, 68, 69, 70, 85, 91, 93
Produce, price of _. .. .. -. _- ..214
Quakers (see Friends), .. .. .. 20, 21, 25, ^j„ 188, 196
Racoon, .. .. .. .. .. .. -.51
Railroad building, .. .. .. .- -- -- 255.6
Ramsey's .Station, .. .. _. .- .. -- 224
Randolph County, -. -- -- -- -- 155
Red-River Colony, _. ._ -. -- -- -- 245
of the North, .. .. ._ .- -- -- 245
^oo
IXDKX OF SllilKCTS.
Kcligious sentiment in the Settlement,
Ripudlican Aihociilt,
kichiaiul County.
Kicliniuml, \a.,
Kiver Raisin, . .
Rivers, dangerous CIu^^i^;; of
I\oad making,
from Chanihersburgli to i'ittsl)urgh,
Roads, American and linglish
Roads, early (see Trace)
A'i>/>e>/ /iiiriis, s,\i\^,
Rochester, Illinois,
Rock- I.^land County,
Rock Sjiring, Illinois,
Roman Catholics,
church,
Russia,
1 70
-- 13
40, 42
-- 5S
34, 44, 73-4, 226, 229
.. 53, 106, 239
84
.. 84
53» 54
.. 29
61
..134
161
-- >37
209
-. 24
Saline District,
Sandon, luigland,
San Francisco, Cal.,
Sangamon County,
Schools in France,
difliculties in sustaining ill Illinois,
Lancastrian, ..
price of tuition in Illinois, ..
and school-liouscs, early
Scioto River,
Scotland, .. .. .. .. 77, 13(1,
Sea voyages, dangerous and tedious
Seine River, France,
Settlers (see I'jiglish Settlement), losses of
from different localities, characteristics of ..
Severn, River .
Shakers, ..
Shawneetown, 35, 45, 63, 81, 88, 98, I02, 130, 133. 135.
201, 206.7, 213, 223, 224, 225, 242.
S/iaii>iiee(<r;c>ii Guzctlf. .. .. .. 103
S/>tr/(Ut>r,
Shelby County,
Ship voyage, dismal nature of
Siberia
Skye, Isle of
Slave-stales, settlers from (see also Soutlierncrs),
Slave-trade declared piracy,
Slavery (see Mirkbeck's letters), 163, 167, 16S, 170, 17s,
180, 182, i8(), 188, 189.
a curse to Western X'irginia,
ciTorts to introduce into Illinois,
M 11 M incident in struggle^,
luiglish efforts to mmlify,
extension in U. S. of ..
Snow storm, lost in
154
241
'34
161
M. -77
1:6
270, 279
-- 258
279
146
257-63
33
2S2. 286
75. S3
2S0
-. 269
144.7
.. 149
49, 200
i5(j, 176, 195,
181, 195, 206
223
>3
75-b
.. 142
II, 286
.. 60
184
177. I7S 179,
24-5-
40
•54-97
«34
182.5
184
. . 229
INDEX OF SUBJECTS.
.^01
Societe Philantropique,
Southerners as settlers, . .
Southern States, ..
Spain,
Speculators,
attacks of
discouraged,
fear of
'Springfield, Illinois,
St. Clair County,
St. Domingo, Hayti,
St. Lawrence, Gulf of ..
St. Louis, Mo.,
Stephenson County,
Succotash,
Sunbury, England,
.Surrey, England, . .
Susquehanna River,
Supplies, from whence drawn,
Sweden,
Swiss Settlement on Ohio, . .
I'AGK.
279
147-S, 15S, 168, 190, 200
-. 128,245.6,158
24, 136
152-3
266.7
(^'3-4, 67
147, 222
.- 161
178, 206
.- 148
245 > 249
- 134
51
46, 96, 103, 157
!I, 78, 100, 117, I iS
-- 31
213.4
..142
65
lartary,
Temperate habits in Settlement,
Tennessee,
mountains,
Terre Haute, Ind.,
Texas, State of . .
Therfield, England,
Timber-land avoided by English,
Time and expense of average trip from East, in 1S18.23
Tippecanoe, Battle of
Trace across Illinois,
blind,
from Vincennes to -St. Louis,
Traveling in 1 818 and i860.
by stage, boat, and on horseback,
Trinidad, Island of . . . - ■ - -
Tombigbee River,
Town-meetings,
Turkey, wild . .
Tuscar Lighthouse,
36, 00, 149,
.. 142
256
155, 166
36
.. 46
258
-- 241.
268
-- 231
46
.. 46
97
43.62
183
- 65
144
51, 90
75
L^nited States.
ignorance in England of the
Land Court, California,
reflection on the
U.
27, 90, 136, 149, 184, 242, 245, 2Sj
, 284
I4S
147
26-8
Vandalia, 97, ill, 145. 157. 160, 164, 174, 187. 188, 191, 194, 195. 224,
225, 226.
Venison, price of . . . - - . - - - - - - 96
?02
IXDKX OF SUIUKCTS.
N'ermillion County,
Vermont, State ot
Verona, Italy,
\ itjnon, France,
\'illa;4e-chinie, cliann of the
I'rairie,
Vincennes, Ind.,
Virginia, State of
99.
107,
36,
•47.
.ittle
'.U,
45. 46, 49. S3, I
..20, 35,
W.
Wabash County,
River, 46, 51, 52, 61, S;^, 88, 97, 115, 128,
ferries,
fording of (see also (Ireat Wabash and I
valley,
Wales, ..
Vv'anborough, Knglaiul, ..
Illinois, 55, 82, 93, 100, 104, 117, 118, 125,
Washington City, . .
County, . .
Pennsylvania,
Warwickshire, England,
War of 1812,
of the Rebellion, . .
Water, difficulty of obtaining
Waterloo,
Wayne County, Ind.,
Wealth, |iroduction of . .
Well, child in
iligging, dangcis of
Western States,
We^t Indies, ..
Wheeling, Va. ,
Wlii|)))ing-|)ost,
\\ liitc County, .. Ii, 88,
Wiiilc River, . .
Indians,
Whitesides County.
Wild animals.
Will County, . .
Williams' I'"erry,
Winnebago County,
Wisconsin,
Willi nil /'fiiii, steamer,
Wolve.. ..
102,
100, 102, 121, 123,
108, 150, 201, 202,
38, 39, 40, 76, 162,
I6S
180
2S4
15-6
126
231
168
161. 165, 205, 206, 273.
45. 5«. 53, 55. 6i
W.il)ash), .. 63
52, 53. '34
2,:^, 11, 149
.. 21, 24, 43, So
136, 188, 189, 273, 285
07, 69, 22 s, 249, 284
" .. 155
123
126, 214
. . 50, 205
12
96, 104.5, >o7
..281
13. '4. >54
180. 1
131
122, 123
143
77. 183
123
112
1 13, rso, 175, 195, 222
202
202
134
236.7
13
55
'34
'4
.285
236.7
\'ankecs, . .
N'eatley, .Surrey, I'.iigland,
\ ork, Cily of
I'DCtory, . .
^ tirkshire, England,
I 14. 126, 2.\.
/acaiecas, Mexico,
INDEX OF PERSONS.
HENRY CLAY KINNEY.
Adams, John, 27.
Adams, John Quincy, 6S, 247, 285.
Agniel, Mrs., 1 1.
Alfred the Great, 242.
Allen, William, 278.
"Americanus, " 187, 18S.
Anderson, John, 59.
Anderson, Mr., 142.
Andrews, Eliza Julia, 42, 47, 48.
(See Flower, Mrs. George, j
Andrews, Mordicah, 43.
Applegath, Joseph, 221, 231.
Arnold, Isaac Newton, 3.
Arthur, Mr., 201.
Arthur, Samuel, 129, 130.
Ayres, Thomas, 1 19.
Bakewell, Thomas, 32.
Balwin, Rev. Mr., 135.
Ballard, Jeremiah, 239.
Banks, Mr., 279, 2S0.
Bankson, Andrew, 155.
Barker, Mr., 279.
Barney, Eliza, 239.
Barry, William, 15.
Beevoir, Lady, 249.
Beevoir, Thomas, 249.
Bennett, David, S3.
Birk, Capt., 55, 56, 60, 96, 99.
Birk, Mrs., 57, 58.
Birkbeck, Bradford, 42, 44, 45, 52,
69, 95, 196, 197-
Birkbeck, Charles, 42, 196.
Birkbeck, Eliza, 42, 46, 69. (See
Pell, Mrs. Eliza J
Birkbeck, Morris, Sr., 21.
Birkbeck, Morris, Jr. (see Subject In-
dex), 3, II, 13, 15, 21, 22, 23, 24,
25, 26, 40, 42, 43, 48, 49, 51, 52,
53, 61, 63, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 75,
76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, 88, 89,
90-1, 92, 93, 95, 96, 99, 104, 133,
140, 142, 151, 152, 161, 187, 188,
189, 191, 196, 197, 244, 267, 272,
276, 277, 278, 280, 281, 282, 284
Birkbeck, Prudence, 47, 72, 93, 125..
(See Hanks, Mrs.)
Birkett, Henry, 125, 203.
Blackwell, David, 25.
Blake, Judge, 49.
Bonaparte, Napoleon, 23, 276.
Bond, Shadrach, 134, 190.
Bonhley, Mr., 286.
Boucher, Rrv. Mr., 134.
Bowman, Henry, 124.
Bowman, Mrs. Henry (Simkins), 124..
Boyer, President, 16, 204.
Brenchly, John, 121.
Brenchly, Mrs. John, 121.
Brissenden, John, 114, 115, 14S.
Brissenden, ^/rj.John(Mea), 114, 115..
Brown, Basil, 51.
Brown, Thomas, 133.
Brown, Mrs. Thomas, 133.
Browne, Jesse B., 134, 135, 190.
Browne, Thomas C., 134, 195, 224.
Bumbery, Samuel, 239.
Buntin, James, 242.
Burris, Gilbert, 200.
Butler, Joseph, 115.
Calhoon, Mr., 85.
Calhoon, Mrs., 85.
Calvin, Neptune, 200.
Campbell, Thompson, 147.
Candolle, Augustin Pyrame de, 24..
Canning, George, 183.
Carey, Matthew, 275.
Carter, James, 109, 124, 230.
Carter, Mrs. James, 124, 125.
Cave, William, 130.
Cave, Mrs. William, 130.
Chabot, J/., 281.
Charles H., 20.
Chase, Philander, 136.
Chateaubriand, Viconite de, 273.
Chetlain, Augustus L., 245.
Chisholm, Elijah, 252.
Churchill, Charles, 109.
304
INDEX OK 1'1:RS()NS.
Churchill, James, ick).
Churchill, Joel, loS, 109. 25:!. 254.
Clark, the murderer, I lO.
Clark, William, liS.
Clay, Henry, 222.
Clem, 'I'homas, 123.
Coad, Kdward, 61, 129, 130.
Coad, Mrs. luhvard, 129.
Cobbett, William, il, 16, 140, 151,
152, 275.
Coles, l',d\\ard (see Siibjecl Index), 3,
24, 25, 39, 40, no, III, 112, 134,
160, 191, 194, 195, 205.
Coles, Isaac, 39.
Coles, John, 39.
Coles, Miss, 39.
Coles, Mr., 124.
Coles, Mrs. 124.
Coles, Walter, 39.
Columbus, Christopher, 2 10.
Condorcet, Marchioness At, 2S1.
Condorcet, M,ir(/nis Ae, i6, 2S1 2.
Constable, D., 246-9.
Coombs, Matthew, 122, 12S.
Cook, Daniel 1'., 190.
Corey, Adam, 255.
Corrie, Adam, S2.
Cowling;, Ceorge, 12S.
Co\vlin<;, Henry, 12S.
Cowling, John, 61, 12S.
Crackles, Joseph, 130, 221.
Cr.ickles, Kclsey, 130, 221.
Crackles, 'l"homas, 130, 221.
Cradock, Mr., 286.
< radock, Mrs., 2S('>.
Crawford. Afr., 27S.
Cromwell, ( )liver, 241.
Curtis, William. I ;().
Dill by. Mr., 253.
I >arcet, Mr., 271).
I )avidM>n, William 1 1., I 13,
Dement, 1 lenry Dodge. 12,
Dewese, /V., 31.
Dickson, l-'ranci.s, loS, 254
Donaldson, Mr. 33.
Drake, />;-.. },},.
I )ran^liel^l, .)/;•.. 234.
Drummond. Thomas, W].
I )uane, William, 275.
I >uncan. Joseph, |()I.
I >u\ a4y. .1/.. 17S.
E.
Kddy, Henry, 223, 225.
Edwards, Ninian, 161, 22 j.
lillis. Tack, 1 1 1 2.
Ellis, 'Mrs., 129.
Eearon, Henry IJradshaw, 133, 244.
Ferryman, Cieorge, 109.
Field, Richard, 12S.
Field, Mrs. Richard (Elli>), I2i).
Filder, Mr., S2, 84, 150- 1.
Fitch, John, 21c.
Flack. James, 75.
Flower, Alfred, 11, 243.
Flower, C'amillus. 243.
Flower, Kdwaril I'ordham, S2, 126,
214, 234, 242, 243.
Flower, CJeo. (see Indt.x of Suhjeets ) 3,
11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 24, 25, 26,
29. 30. 3". 32, II, 34. 36, 37. 3^. 3'i.
40-1. 42, 43, 44, 45 62, 63-5, 66 8,
^^9 75. 7b 7. 80-1, 82 loi, 102 3,
104 5, 106 9, 112 3, 114 7, 119,
122-3, '24, 126 31, 135, 137 40,
142 3, 144, 146 50. "52 3. '54.
157, 160, 161, H)o I, 195, 199 212.
213 4, 217, 221 2, 224 6, 227 37.
2408, 250, 252, 254 6, 258 65,
266, 273 4, 275 86.
Flower, Mrs. Ceorge (Andrews), 11,
12, 17, 43, 48, 49, 58, 69 70, 84
5, 88, 98 9, 116, 122, 227 <), 230,
231, 273 4, 2S5, 2S6.
l'"I()wer, Martha, I2().
(.See I'ickering, Mrs. William. ^
Fk>wer, Marv Catherine. 81.
f'.SW- Ronalds. Mrs. Hugh.;
Flower, Richard (.<ei /nd,:\ o/'Sn/;/W/s)
14, 25, 2(), 52, 83, 84. 105. lo(),
107, loS, I2(>, 135. 144, 214, 240.
Flower, Mrs. Richard ( Fordham),24l.
Flower. Richard, 7'-, ^7. 213.
Fk)wer, Richard, 'Jr. (.//// si>n), 12.
Flower, William. }^2, 80, 88, 105. 241.
Flower, </ /'.//r, 84, <)().
i-'ord, .^/rs. I'rudciue ( liirklieck), 273.
]"ord, Thonias. 147. 15'J. 100.
Fordham, l-'.dward King. 251.
Fordliam, Elia^ I'.. 42, 49, 8S, 80, 100,
I02, loS.
Fordh.am, Maria. 82, 84. 88, 9S.
Fox, Charles |nnie>, 24S.
Fox, Mr., 27S.
INDEX OF PERSONS.
305
Franklin, Benjamin, 27, 281.
Frederick, Lord, 250-1.
French, Augustus C, 147.
French, Mr., 252.
Fulton, Robert, 210.
Gahee, David, 239.
Ganaway, John, 229.
Gard, Seth, 239.
Garton, Elizabeth, 43.
Gaultier, Aloisius Edouard Camille,
II, 276, 278, 279.
Gilbert, Mr., 119, 207.
Gillard, Mr., 42, 43.
Granville, Citizen, 209.
Graves, John, 151.
Grayham, Robert, 204, 205, 206, 207,
208.
Gregoire, Henri, 279.
Gregory, Mrs., 2S6.
Griscom, John, 209.
Grouchy, Emmanuel, 281.
Grutt, Benjamin, 103.
H.
Hall, Edward, 120-1.
Hall, Robert, 120-1.
Hall, James, 223.
Hall, "William, 118-9, 120-1.
Hall, Mrs. William, 118.
Hall, Mr., 196, 231.
Hallum, William, 125.
Hamilton, Alexander, 247.
Hanks, Francis, 93-5, 125.
Hanks, Mrs. Francis ( Birkbeck),93-5,
272. (See Birkbeck, Prudence.^
Hansen, Nicholas, 155, 159, 160.
Harding, Thomas, 203.
Hargrave, Willis, 113, 156, 174, 195.
Harp, Mr., 37.
Harris, George, 252.
Harris, Gibson, 108, 109.
Harris, Mr., 59-60, 71.
Harris, William, 116, 224.
Harrison, William Henry, 5, 45, 46,
133, 205.
Harrison, Mrs. William H., 45.
Harw^ick, Henry, 109.
Hawkins, Capt., 119.
Hay, Daniel, 113.
Hayes, Samuel Snovvdon, 113.
Hayward, Mr., 87, 88.
Henshaw, Mr., 109.
Heth, Capt., 26.
20
Hettick, Mrs., 74.
Hibert, Mr., 119.
Hibert, Mrs. ,119.
Hobson, Mr., no.
Hoge, Joseph P., 134.
Hornbrook, Mr., 1 28.
Hulme, Mr., 231, 243.
Husband, Richard, 12S-30.
Huston, Henry, 55, 286.
Hutchins, Benjamin, 135.
I.
Imlay, (jeorge, 33.
Ingle, John, Sr., S3, 105.
Ingle, John, Jr., 83.
Jackson, Andrew, 36.
Jackson, Mr., 117.
fackson, Mrs., 117.
Jefferson, Thomas, 11, 16, 24, 28, 30,
35, 38, 39. 40, 64-7, 69, 248, 284.
"John Rifle," 163, 165, 167.
Johns, John, 252.
Tohnson, Dr., 152.
Johnson, J. B. , 125.
Johnson, Olive, 286.
"Jonathan Freeman," 163, 165, 166,
"167, 168-70, 172-3, 175-6, 177-
88, 197.
Jones, Mary, 239.
']ones/af/iify (colored), 205.
K.
Kane, Elias Kent, 223.
Kean, John, 61.
Kearney, Stephen Watts, 134.
Kearsum, David, 1 18.
Kearsum, George, 118.
Kenton, Mr., 124.
Kenyon, Capt., 84.
Kidd, Mr., 119.
Kidd, Mrs., 119.
King, Rufus, 27.
Klein worth, Mr., 232.
Kniffer, Richard, 123.
Lafayette, Gen., 11, 30, 277, 280, 282,
283, 284.
LaSalle, Col., 46, 49.
Lasteyrie, Adrian Jules, 280.
Lasteyrie, Count de, 11, 16, 275, 276,
277, 27S, 2S0, 281.
Lasteyrie, Mada?n de, 280.
3o6
INDKX OF PF.RSONS.
l.aWallclt, Auguste, 59, 61, 02.
l.aXallett, Francois, 61.
Lawrence, James, 79, 81, 88, 99, lOO,
102, 103, 123.
Leiter, Levi Z., 3, 18.
I.eSeur, Mr., 30.
Lewis, Mary, 121.
Lewis, John, 107, 121, 223.
I^ewis, Mrs. John, 107, 121.
Liddard, Mr.. 251.
Lincoln, Abraham, 126.
Lockwood, Samuel !»., 158, 220.
Loudon, Mr., 275.
Louis XVl, 282.
Lowe, (','/., 12.
Lowe, /v., 254.
Luther, .Mathew, 200.
M.
Mc( lure, William, 296.
McDonald, yii<(^e, 201.
Mc(>ahee, David, 239.
McLean. John, 201, 223.
NLaolonald, D., 1 1, 286.
Madison, James. 39, 40.
Marler, John, 120.
Mason, Ldward CJay, 18.
Mather, 'I'homas, 155.
i\Lay. John, 131.
Mayo. Waltei 1... 253.
Mayo, Mrs., 1 19.
Mazere, M., 178.
Mea, ML^s, 114.
Mellish, Mr., 284.
Michaels, CJeorge, 144 5, 14S.
Michaels, John, 144, 148.
Michaels, Moses, 144, 148, 201, ly).
Miller, Mr., 35.
Mills, Henry J., n>o.
MiraWeau, Ciniitt- tie, 247.
Monroe. James, 40.
Moniesiiuieu, />iiron lic, 12S.
Moran. J. II. (>., 279.
Moses. 172, 173, 186.
Mor^'an, John, 213.
Mummonic, Jean, 90.
N.
Nailor. Mr., 242.
Ncave, Jeremiah, t,^, 45.
Niles. Hczekiah, 275.
< >'ionnor, Arthur, 282.
< >'t'onnor, Mm/iirn, 1 1, 16, 2S0, 281 2,
Oldfield, Mr., 275.
Oliver, Mr., 13 1.
Orange, Daniel, 125, 135.
Orange, Mrs., 125.
Owen, David Dale, 53.
Owen, Robert, 53, 92, 93, 126, 196,
214-9, 221, 249, 284-5, 286.
Owen, Robert Dale, 53, 218.
P.
I'aine, Thomas, 247, 281.
Larsons, di/'i., 29.
Paul, Mr., 119.
Paul, Mrs., 119.
Payne, David, 239.
Peck, John Mason, lOi.
Pell, t;ilbert T., 2=;, 94, 95, 133.
Pell, Mrs. Kliza (liirkbeck), 93, 94.
95. 272.
Penfold, Abraham, 103.
Penfold, Isaac, 103.
I'enfold, J-icob, 103.
IVnn. William. 20, 211, 270 i.
Perry, Mr., no 2.
Peters, Mr., 124.
Phillips, Mr., 31.
Phillips, Joseph, 134.
I'ickering, Mathew, 126.
Pickering, William. 126, 135. 144.
24',, 2"s5. [Died April 22. 1S73. |
Pickering, Mrs. W. (Flower), 120.
i'iicher, llenry, 103.
I'ilchcr, John, 103, 107, 124.
Pitt, William. 247.
Pl.)Ugh, Sanjuel, 239.
Plough. .Sarc, 239.
Plummer. J. 1!.. 12.
Pope, John, 07.
Pope, Nathaniel, 07, 6S.
Priestly, Joseph, 31.
Priichard. Fdwani. 117.
Pritchard, .I//.0. 123.
Pritcharil, Samuel, 117.
Pritchard, Mrs. Samuel, 1 17.
Priichard, Thomas, 117.
I'roniU, George H., 134
Pugslcy, C, 83, 123.
Pugsley, Mrs. C, 83.
Randolph, .Misses, 39
Rapp, Frederick, 213, 214, 215, 210.
217^.
Rapp, llcorge, 32. 52 3, 214 9, 249.
284 5-
INDEX OF PERSONS.
307
Rapp, Gertrude, 217.
Raynal, Abbe, 36.
Reynolds, John, 160.
Ripley, Gen., 36.
Robinson, John M., 113, 223.
Ronalds, Hugh, 81, 100, 102, 144,
203, 229.
Ronalds, Airs. Hugh (Flower), Si.
(See Flower, Mary.^
Rotch, Francis, 82, 83.
Rotch, Thomas, 32, 82, 83.
Rotch, Mrs. Thomas, 32.
Rousseau, Jean Jaques, 247.
Saunders, Air. 34.
Scavington, John, 115-6, 189.
Schofield, Charles, 243, 252.
Schofield, William, 243, 252.
Scudmore, Philip, 239.
Selkirk, Lord, 244-5.
Shaw, John, 155, 159-60.
-Shelby, Isaac, 34-6.
Shelby, Mr., 36.
-Shepherd, Betsy, 115.
Shepherd, Thomas, 126 8.
Shepherd, Mrs. Thomas, 126-8.
Shepherd, Thomas, yr., 127.
Short, Dr., 34.
Simkins, Misst-s, 124.
Simkins, Thomas, 124.
Simkins, Mrs. Thomas, 124.
Simpson, Mr., 118.
-Sinclair, Mr., 280.
.Skye, Lord of, 11, 2S6.
Slade, Charles, 129, 268.
Sloo, John Roe, 45, 49, 54, 56.
Smith, G. M., 239.
Smith, Isaac, 125.
Smith, John, 109.
Smith, Matthew, 252.
-Smith, Moses, 109.
Smith, William, 239.
-Sorgenfrey, ALr., 204.
Spence, W., 237.
Spring, Archibald, 122-3, 130,254,286.
Spring, Menry, 123.
Spring, John, 123.
Spring, -Sydney, 123.
Spring, Mrs. Sydney (Pritchard), 123.
Spring, Thomas, 1 22-3.
Spring, ALrs. Thomas, 122.
Stanhope, Air., 125, 242.
Stevenson, Andrew, 39.
Stevenson, John White, 39.
Stevenson, -Sarah (Coles), 39.
Stewart, Alexander, 109, 246, 252.
Stewart, Margaret, 239.
Stone, Ann, 239.
Stone, Captain, 83.
Stout, Elihu, 49.
Swaine, Mr., 275, 282, 283.
Swale, Thomas, 126.
T.
Tessier, Alexander Henri, 282.
Tewks, William, 114, 115.
Thiers, Louis Adolphe, 280.
Thomas, Jesse Barton, 160, 223.
Thompson, F. B., 246, 254.
Thompson, Jeff, 12.
Thompson, Samuel, 243, 245, 246,
251, 254.
Thompson, Samuel, fr,, 246.
Thread, James, 125.
Thread, Robert, 125.
Tribe, John, 117.
Trimmer, Charles, 78, 79, 81, 88, 99,
103, 116, 123.
Trotter, Afr., 34.
Truscott, William, Sr., 122, 129.
Truscbtt, William, jfr., 129.
Vaughan, John, 30.
Vernet, Madam, 281.
Victoria, Queen, 118.
Voltaire, Fran9ois Marie Arouet de,
247.
W.
Waite, Isaac, 75.
Walford, Robert, 79.
Walker, Brian, 1 14.
Warder, Jeremiah, 30, 209.
Washburne, Elihu B., 13, 160.
Warrington, Oswald, 124, 25S, 286.
Wai-rington, Mrs. Oswald, 124, 286.
Waterhouse, Benjamin, 275.
Wattles, James O., 125-6, 252.
Weaver, Elias, 109.
Webb, Edwin B., 113, 222-3.
Welby, Adlard, 124, 243.
Wellington, Duke of , 128.
Welshman, Dr., 123, 254.
Whitbread. ALr., 277, 283.
White, Leonard, 113.
White. ALr., 83, 98.
Whitehouse, Henry J., 231.
Whitney, Eli, 210.
\o8
INDKX OK PKKSONS.
Wiedeii, Raphael, 155.
Wiley, C, cS: Co. (/rr/ij, 152.
Wilkinson, William, 286.
William I., 118.
Williams, J/r., 55. 149.
Wilson, William, 1 12-3, 195,
225-6.
Wister, Dr., 30.
NVoocl, A/rs. Betsy (Shepherd),
Wood, .Urs. (Carter), 128.
Wood, John, S2-3, 107, 115, 148.
Wood, J/rs. John (Ellis), 115, 128.
Wood, Joseph, 1 14-5.
Wood, William, 1 145.
Woodham, (leorye, IIO.
Wood.«, John, 107.
Woods, John, Jr., 107.
"W. K.,"" 170, 171, 172, 186, 1 87.
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