A Journey to America in 1834

Part 1

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A JOURNEY TO AMERICA IN 1834

A JOURNEY TO AMERICA IN 1834

ROBERT HEYWOOD OF THE PIKE, BOLTON

PRIVATELY PRINTED 1919

One hundred copies printed for the Editor by J. B. Peace, M.A. at the University Press Cambridge. October, 1919.

ROUTE

(The numbers indicate pages in the Journal)

Bolton (1).

Liverpool to New York, by packet "Britannia." May 1-June 8 (1-23).

New York (23-26).

New York, by steamer and stage via Princeton and Trenton to Philadelphia (26-30).

Philadelphia, by stage via Frankford and Schuylkill and steamer to Baltimore (30-34).

Baltimore to Washington (34-36).

Washington, by stage via Alexandria and Mount Vernon back to Washington (36-37)

Washington, by R. Potomac to Fredericksburg, then stage via Orange Court, Charlottesville, Brookville, over Blue Ridge Mountains to Staunton. Jenning's Gap, Charrodale, Warm Springs, Hot Springs, Sulphur Springs, Lewisburg, Kamley, Deak, Hawk's Nest, R. Kanawha, Charleston to Guyandotte, thence by steamer down R. Ohio to Maysville (38-44).

Maysville, via Hillsburgh, Paris to Lexington (44-45).

Lexington, by stage via Frankford to Louisville (45-47).

Louisville, by steamer up R. Ohio to Cincinnati (47-48).

Cincinnati, by stage via Reading, Lebanon, Wainville and Springfield to Columbus (48-49).

Columbus, by stage via Zanesville, Cambridge to Wheeling (49-50).

Wheeling, by steamer up R. Ohio to Steubenville, thence by stage via Paris and Florence to Pittsburg (51-52).

Pittsburg, by stage via Butler, Meadville and Waterford to Erie (52-53).

Erie, by steamer on lake, via Portland, Dunkirk and Silver Creek to Buffalo (53-54).

Buffalo to Falls of Niagara (54-56).

Niagara, by steamer on lake via York, Toronto, Port Hope, Cobourg, Kingston, Brockville, and Prescot to Montreal (56-59).

Montreal, by steamer on R. St. Lawrence via Cornwall, and Three Rivers to Quebec (60).

At Quebec, Beauport Lake and Montmorency Falls, and back to Montreal (60-62).

Part 2

Montreal, by steamer via La Prairie, St. John's, Plattsburg (on Lake Champlain) to Ticonderoga (62-64).

Ticonderoga, via Lake St. George to Caldwell (64).

Caldwell, by stage via Glen Falls, Saratoga, Ballston and Schenectady to Albany (64-66).

Albany, by stage via Stockbridge, Seddon, Beckett, Springfield and Worcester to Boston (66-68).

Boston, via Cambridge to Lowell and back to Boston (69-70).

Boston, by stage via Nahant, Pawtucket and Providence to Newport (70-75).

Newport, by steamer to New York (75-76).

New York, by stage to Rockaway and Jamaica and back to New York (76-78).

New York, by stage via Catskill Mountains, Cairo, Hobart, Morrisville, Bloomville to Delhi, Green, Bainbridge to Binghampton, Montrose, Pike, Orrell, Towanda, Berwick, Sugar Mountain, Cherrytown, Columbus, Northumberland, Pottsville, Tuscarora, Tamaqua, Mauch Chunk, Lehigh Gap, Easton to Philadelphia (78-92).

Philadelphia, by steamer to Trenton, thence to Laurenceville and New York (92-94).

New York, by steamer up R. Hudson via West Point on right bank, by Poughkeepsie on left bank and back to New York (95-99).

Sailed from New York to Liverpool in packet "Hibernia," Sept. 16 (99).

Reached Liverpool, October 9 (109) and Bolton (110).

NOTES

BY ROBERT HEYWOOD

The Britannia, 125 feet long. Number of persons on board: 27 engaged on the vessel, including the Captain, two mates, two cooks, two stewards and a carpenter, with nine passengers, making, with 152 steerage passengers, a total of 188.

The Captain, Wm. Sketchley, an experienced seaman having crossed the Atlantic 132 times--very attentive to the wants of the steerage.

List of passengers:

Mr. Bassnett from Preston, has been a good deal in Canada, also in the West Indies and Holy Land.

Mr. Hamilton, a clergyman of the Irish Epis., decrepit easy Christian.

Mr. Grindrod, a Methodist preacher going to Kingston as a president from England, possessing more activity and apparent piety.

Captain Kenney, an officer on half-pay, had seen a good deal of high life.

Mr. Cayley, a good-looking but rather coxcomical young man, he and his parents had resided at St. Petersburg.

Mr. Webster, a native of the West Indies and had resided there several years, his father more than 30 years, now resided at Cheltenham.

Mr. Seaton, an American, had crossed the Atlantic several times and also been in the West Indies.

Mr. Jackson, of Barnsley, rather deaf, but seemed to have more money than wit; he and his two brothers carry on an extensive manufactory of linen and woollen business.

* * * * *

The Hibernia, 108 feet long.

Part 3

The Captain, James L. Wilson, of New York, a jolly sort of fellow with more navigation than religion.

List of passengers:

Mr. Street, formerly of Boston, now New York, dealer in dry goods, chiefly Manchester where he had resided three years; a pleasant sensible man, rather touchy.

Mr. Williams, of New York, a rattling talking fellow, not much excepting having got some dollars, now setting off to make a tour through Europe for the benefit of his health; talks of soon learning French and singing; another John Jones.

Mr. D. Holzknecht, of Trieste, a good-natured sort of person; his father bound for his return to Italy.

Mr. Frankland, of Liverpool, a lively intelligent Quaker; been two or three times to Italy, partly pleasure and partly business; left in November and had been to New Orleans and Quebec.

Mr. Hopkins, of Hartford, Mass., a Professor going to London to purchase philosophical instruments, and purposed attending lectures in Paris, but not knowing French I recommended him to Edinburgh which he seemed to approve.

DIARY OF A JOURNEY TO AMERICA IN 1834

THURSDAY, MAY 1ST, 1834.

Left home quarter past 10 accompanied by my three friends, Mr. Baker, Mr. John Dean, and Cousin Peter Heywood. Took a walk to the Prince's Dock; found my berth situated near the foot of the staircase. Thence we proceeded to Mr. Thornley's office and met with the kindest attention. Received several letters of introduction and valuable information; recommended me to take dollars; sent a clerk with me to the money exchangers and also lent me £150. Just then I saw James Turner pass by; he got me the money in five minutes. After dinner we drove down with 784 dollars in a bag sealed up, which I deposited in my portmanteau. Embarked at 4 o'clock, got into the river and 1/4 before 6 were towed out by a steamer going to Dundalk. The steamer left us at half-past nine P.M. near the floating lights. Charged £18. 18. 0.; went to tea 1/4 past 8, found nine passengers. Had a good deal of conversation with one of them, an American, who seemed to be acquainted with all the packets. Said he supposed the Britannia cost 40,000 dollars. Called a vessel old after ten years. Another passenger had been in Egypt and seemed familiar with most parts of America; thought I should have ample time in two months to see the most interesting parts of America, including Canada. Recommended a covering during the night to guard against the mosquitoes. Went to bed about eleven. Slept in drawers and stockings with a night-shirt in addition, there being rather scanty narrow bed clothes. The sea placid so as to allow getting comfortably to bed.

FRIDAY, MAY 2ND.

Had a good night, wakened by the crowing of cocks, etc. Our live stock very considerable, consisting of a cow for milk, sheep, turkeys, geese, ducks, hens, etc. Got up at 6-1/2, a fine morning. Breakfast at 8, of fish, beef, mutton, omelettes, tea and coffee. A file of New York papers had been left in the night by an American packet. Found the steerage passengers had a place like the Black Hole of Calcutta, the foolish people not consenting to have their trunks, etc., removed below.

Began reading "A Tour through Canada." Found one of the passengers going out to assist at a Methodistic Conference in Canada. This forenoon the Captain told the helmsman to go north about. The wind became favourable. We left the Welsh coast and came along side of the Isle of Man or rather the Calf. Did not attend lunch and had not much relish for dinner. Munched one of mother's cakes and took tea which I liked very much. Had a pleasant chat in the evening; was informed about the watches which are reckoned from twelve at noon ringing every half hour till four, making what is called eight bells; then begins again. Retired to rest about half past ten. Soon after being in my berth found considerable heaves 6 or 8 times, then still whilst I counted 20 or 25, then again heaving as before. This is occasioned by what are called the Swells.

SATURDAY, MAY 3RD.

Had another good night; rose soon after seven, found ourselves within 3 miles of the coast of Ireland with Cantyre on our right. Heard the Captain speak to a vessel going to Liverpool telling them to report us all well. Breakfasted very well but soon returned upon deck as we expected soon to lose sight of land. A pretty stiff gale about ten which threw the vessel a good deal on one side. Continued in sight of Ireland till past five when the land and we parted for some weeks. About this time I became qualmish and went to the stern to see if I could hasten the catastrophe by putting down my fingers; this did not avail, therefore I descended to open my store of camomile and black currants; no sooner was this accomplished than I became sick three or four times. I then undressed and rolled into my berth and slept 3 or 4 hours. The ship rolled very much and the water I heard splashing by; it seemed sometimes as if actually going over. Two interesting circumstances occurred last night. I dreamed that my father was actually alive and in his better way. A poor redbreast made his appearance on the vessel--how he had come there we did not know. What must be the situation of the poor steerage passengers, about 100 adults and a numerous set of children? A very happy circumstance for us rather than the proprietors is that we have only nine passengers, so each can have a double berth to himself, a very great comfort indeed, especially when it becomes warm weather.

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