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 littp://www.arcliive.org/details/journalofrevjolinOOtayl 
 
JOURNAL 
 
 OF 
 
 REV. JOHN TAYLOR'S MISSIONARY TOUR 
 
 THROUGH THE 
 
 iilol)ai»k ^ BlackHiucr €omttm0 
 
 IN 
 
 \B0% 
 
 VOL. III. 70 
 
The Rev. John Taylor, the author of the following journal, was a native 
 of Westnekl, Mass. He graduated at Yale College in 1784, and soon after, having 
 engaged in tlie INIinisterial profession, settled in Deerfield. By desire of the 
 Missionary Soc. of Hampshire Co. he made the following Journal in 1802. His 
 health failing him, in 1806, he took a dismission and engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits at Enfield, Conn. He was for several years a member of the legislature 
 of that state, and repeatedly elected speaker of the popular branch. In 1817, he 
 emigrated to Mendon, Monroe Co., N. Y., where he continued to reside until 
 1832, when he removeil to Blichigan. During his residence in Western New- 
 York and in Michigan, up to the time of his death, he labored unceasingly as a 
 Minister, and such was his tievotion to the interests of the church of which he 
 was a member, his general intelligence and the urbanity of his manners, that he 
 rarely failed to attach firmly to himself as friends those with whom he was 
 brought in contact. He died in Bruce, Macomb Co, Mich., in 1840, aged 78. 
 We are indebted to the politeness of Hon. H. W. Taylor, Judge of the Court 
 of Appeals, for his father's MS., which is now given to the public for the first 
 time. 
 
 
JOUENAL 
 
 OF THE REV. JOHN TAYLOR, ON A MISSION THROUGH THE MOHAWK 
 AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRY, IN THE YEAR 1802. 
 
 WiLLiAMSTowN, July 20th, 1802. — I this morning commenced 
 my journey to tlie northern counties in the state of New-York, 
 as a missionary, in compliance with the desire of the Missionary 
 Society in the county of Hampsliire. Rode from Deerfield to 
 this town 40 miles. Weather, extremely uncomfortable from 
 heat. Am not, however, greatly fatigued. 
 
 Albany, 21s^. — Travelled this day about 40 miles. Found a 
 letter at the Rev^ Elipli* Nott's, directed to me, from the Rev^ 
 Joseph Lyman, Hatfield. Mf Nott being on a journey to Balls- 
 ton Spring, the boxes of books which I expected to find with 
 him were still in the possession of the proprietors of the stage. 
 Was charged for tlie transportation of the books at the rate of a 
 passenger, which was $2.37. Paid, also, 2s. Penny Post, for 
 letters sent by the Post Master to M"" Nott's. The boxes appear 
 to be sound, having sustained uo damage. 
 
 July 23d. — Tripe's (alias Tribe's) Hill, in the town of Amster- 
 dam, county of Montgomery. After arranging the necessary 
 business respecting the transportation of the boxes of books from 
 Albany to Utica, and having agreed with the stage owners to 
 see them safely delivered at Utica for |4, 1 left the city at 11 
 o'clock — travelled in the course of the day 37, and now find 
 myself on Missionary Ground. Being considerably fatigued with 
 my joui-ney, and finding myself in a situation in whicli it may 
 be proper to spend the Sabbath, I have concluded to tarry until 
 Monday. 
 
 24^/i. — Conf ersed witli a number of intelligent people, and 
 obtained the following information. The extent of this town — 
 Amsterdam — is 11 by 8 miles. It contains one Presbyterian 
 Chh, — vacant. The Rev^ M' Teneyck sometimes officiates in 
 
1 1 08 MISSIONARY TODB THROUGH THE 
 
 tliis aud the neiglibouring towns. He is a geut. of a good char- 
 acter. There is one reformed Dutch Chh, — vacant. The people 
 are nearly |ths English. There are in this town a few Episco- 
 jiidians. Morals much as m New-England. A very considerable 
 l)roportion of the Dutch people can neither read nor write, but 
 are very fond of hearing preaching, and liave a great respect for 
 pious clergymen. 
 
 J\''cw broad Jlban, North of Amsterdam, and nearly of the 
 same extent. The greatest proportion of the people Scotch 
 presbyterians, — vacant, — a few seceders. One meeting-house. 
 Tlie character of the people much like tliat of those in Am- 
 sterdam. 
 
 Jo/mstawn, west of Amsterdam on the Mohawk — extent, 11 
 by 8 miles. It contains one Scotch Presbyterian congregation, 
 who liave an elegant meeting-house. Simon Hosack, Pastor of 
 the Chh, a gent, of learning and piety, educated at Edinburgh. 
 This is a very respectable congregation. The town contains an 
 Episcopal congregation, who have an elegant stone church with 
 organs. John Urquahart, cui-ate. Congregation not numerous. 
 There is also in this town one reformed Dutch Chh. M"^ Van- 
 horn, an excellent character, pastor. A respectable congrega- 
 tion. Further, tliere is one large presbyterian congregation, — 
 vacant, — the people principally from New-England. 
 
 Mayfield, north of Johnstown — extent 11 by 8, — vacant. M' 
 Teneyck preaches among them occasionally. 
 
 Amsterdam, Johnstown, New broad Alban, and Mayfield lie 
 in a scjuare, and were the ancient Cauglmawaga (i. e. cook the 
 kettle.) The ancient and eligant seat of Sir W'" Johnson, com- 
 monly called tlie Old Fort, is in tlie town of Amsterdam. Near 
 the center of this town Ouctanunda Creek empties into the 
 Moliawk — a very fertile and useful stream. On tliis stream and 
 in this town their stands l grist mills, 2 oil mills, one iron forge, 
 and 3 saw mills. 
 
 The soil in these 4 towns is, a little back from the river, a 
 rich silicious earth — very productive in wheat an(4 grass. Tim- 
 ber, — beach, maple, elm, and hemlock. Conversed with a 
 number of Dutch peojde upon religious suljects — found them 
 extremely ignorant, but thankful for instruction. 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1109 
 
 July 25tL — Tlie people who live in a circle of about 3 miles 
 convened at tlie liouse of M'' Tared Plumb, in number about 200. 
 Preached in tlie forenoon from the Acts of tlie Apostles, 2 cliap- 
 ter — 37th, 38th, & 39th verses. In the afternoon my text was 
 the 10th verse of the 9th chapter of Ecclesiastes. The appear- 
 ance of the people was agreable. They were very attentive, and 
 the minds of a number appeared to be very much impressed. 
 • When tlie meeting was ended, I made such remarks upon the 
 benevolent designs of the Missionary Society as I tliouglit were 
 proper. Before the people retired, I was urged by a number to 
 visit the north part of the town, in which there is a large body 
 of people; and as it is in the corner of three towns, concerning 
 which I wish to obtain information, I concluded to visit them, 
 and to preach a lecture to-morrow iu the afternoon, and from 
 thence to go on to Utica, I find that I am treated with great 
 respect and kindness. 
 
 Mly 26th. — ^Preached this afternoon to an audience of about 
 200 pei-sons, at the house of Esq"" Lawrence E. Van Aulen, in 
 the north part of the town of Amsterdam. The people gave 
 good attention, and I hope received some good impressions. My 
 text was in Gal. 4th ch. 19 th verse. 
 
 On enquiry, I found that North of Broad Alban there is a 
 town by the name of Northampton, — vacant. It contains 8 or 9 
 hundred people, who have no preaching except from Metliodists. 
 
 Wells^s Settlemmt lies N. of Northampton and Mayfield, — 
 Vacant. In this ^quarter there is a considerable number of 
 scattered inhabitants. The utmost extent of inhabitants, North 
 of the River in the county of Montgomery, is 30 or 35 miles. 
 Wells Settlement lies round Lake Pleasant, and near the foot of 
 ranges of low mountains, which extend towards the west. 
 
 Pa/a^me, west of Johnstown and Mayfield; extent 15 by 12 
 miles. — A place called Stone Arabia is in this town, and contains 
 one Lutheran Chh, and one Dutch reformed Chli. M' Lubauch 
 is minister of the latter, and M'^ Crotz of the former. 4 miles 
 west of Stone Arabia, iu the same town of Palatine, is a reformed 
 Lutheran chh, to whom M'" Crotz preaches part of the time. 4 
 miles west of this is a Dutch reformed chh, or presbyterian 
 congregation. The Rev<^ M'" Dozly, a German, pastor. 
 
1110 MISSIONAHY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 Manheim^ the last town in the County of Montgomery,— 
 extent, 6 by 6, — vacant ; not a large congregation.* 
 
 Su/sbiiryj nortli of Manlu-iui — extent, about G by 8 miles ; 
 contains not far from 17UU souls. One Presbyterian chh, — 
 vacant. The people, it is said are tolerably well united, and 
 wish to settle a minister. 
 
 Roue tliis day 3G miles. Weather extremely hot and dry. 
 The people in the towns tlii-o' which I have passed ai-e something 
 sickly with tlie dysentary and influenza. 
 
 Ilcikcmer, Little Falls. The Ali)any stage arrived at the pubUc 
 house wliich I now am at, 1 o'clock last night ; tliro' tlie unac- 
 countable carelessness of the driver, I soon found that the small 
 box ot l)ooks was missing, and to complete my misfortunes and 
 anxiety, I found that, contrary to my directions, tlie boxes had 
 been placed behind the stage from Palatine, and that the bottom 
 of the large box had I'allen out, and that all the books were 
 missing, 4 catechisms only excepted. I instantly informed the 
 stage driver what the property was, and the condition of my 
 agreement with the stage owner at Albany. The fellow appeared 
 to be shocked, and went directly back 3 miles, but found notliing. 
 He agreed with a man to go back at del} break, and he himself 
 this morning has returned down the river, to tind them if possible, 
 and has not yet returned — it is now ten o'clock. The shock has 
 been almost too much for my weak nerves, and I am fearful the 
 property will not all be recovered. 
 
 This parisli contains six or 7 hundred inhabitants. They have 
 a new meeting-house, but do not improve it. In this place may 
 be found men of various religious sects. At 2 o'clock the stage 
 driver returned, having, Ibrtunately, recovered all the books 
 wliich the large box contained. 
 
 I accideiitilly fell in company with the Rev"' M"" Sergeants of 
 New-Stockbridge — could have, however, but little time with him. 
 He thinks the l)est missionary ground is between Fort Stanwix 
 and the Oneida. Before I go to Utica I Iiave concluded to visit 
 Fairfield and Norway. About 3 o'clock I left the River, travelled 
 8 miles, and called on some of the i)riiuipal men in Fairfield, ' 
 and found things respecting religion very discouraging. I ofiered 
 
 •S«c Gantr&l Remark!. 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1111 
 
 to tarry and preach the next day — Imt it was thought y' ng 
 people would attend. I find that people are universally in the 
 midst of their harvest, and that it is extremely difficult for them 
 to attend lectures. At night I arrived at Norway, 6 miles Nortli 
 of Fairfield. 
 
 JVorway, bounded East on Salsbury, west on Canada creek, 
 south on Fairfield. A young gent, by the name of Jolmson, has 
 preached in this town for several Sabbaths ; and the people 
 have hired him for 3 or 4 Sabbaths to come. There is a con 
 siderable congregation of Presbyterians. But it is in this town, 
 as in all those parts. There is a mixture of Baptists — of 
 Methodists — Universalists — and Deists. In the various parts of 
 the town there is preaching by sectarians of almost all kinds, 
 every Sabbath. 
 
 There is one methodist chh, — numerous ; 2 Baptist chhs.,and 
 part of a 3*^, — no meeting houses. From the south line of the 
 town to the utmost extent of the settlements is about 16 miles. 
 The people almost universally inclined to hear preaching — of 
 their various sects. I have concluded to visit this place, and 
 several other towns in this quarter, near the close of my mission, 
 should I be able to make it convenient. 
 
 29*^ . — I this morning left Norway for Utica, and arrived at 
 Utica about 5 o'clock, having travelled 23 miles. I passed thro' 
 a corner of Schuyler, and found the people to be generally 
 baptists — from there I passed into Deerfield upon the Mohawk. 
 In Deerfield the people are baptists, and are vacant. Of the 
 extent and situation of those towns I cannot at present obtain 
 correct information. 
 
 Utica and Whites-Borrough, about 4 miles apart, form but one 
 Presbyterian congregation, of which M^ Dodd is the minister — 
 a pious and valuable man — ^lie preaches in the 2 parts of the 
 ■ town alternately . There is one baptist chh in Whitesborough — 
 who have a preacher by the name of Parsons. This congregation 
 have a meeting-house ; and the Presbyterians are building one 
 in Whitesborough. There is none in Utica. 
 
 The boxes of Books have not come on ; and as I cannot with 
 consistency go upon missionary ground again until they arrive, 
 
1112 MISSIO^AKY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 I have concluded to visit M"" Dodd of Whitesborough, and M» 
 Norton of Clinton, 8 miles from the river, to obtain information. 
 
 I can as yet hear nothing of M"" Taggart. 
 
 30"» — This morning I rode to Wliitesborough, and spent some 
 time with the reverend M' D(xld, wlio is a very inteUigent gent. 
 1 agreed with M' Dodd to ride out a few miles, and supply New- 
 Hai'tford on the Sabbath Afternoon, rode from M' Dodd's to M' 
 Norton's, and spent some time with him. The information I 
 received from that gent, respecting tlie mission business, was 
 that I might probably be of much more use by spending my time 
 principally in 3 or 4 societies, when such might be found as 
 needed help. They think that the objects of the missionary 
 societies are not so well assisted by passing on rapidly — tliere 
 should be time to form an acquaintance with the people, and to 
 inspire their confidence. When societies shall have obtained 
 accurate information of the state of new settlements, it is con- 
 ceived by these gents to be the best and most prudent course to 
 send a man into 2 or 3 towns to spend the whole season, or at 
 least the missionary term. 
 
 31** — Returned l)ack from Clinton to Whitesborough, and spent 
 most of the afternoon with M' Dodd, who I find to be a very 
 sensible, judicious man, and a sound Calvinist. Most of the chhs. 
 in this part of the world are on the presbyterian plan. The 
 chh. at Clinton is, however, congregational. M' Norton has a chh. 
 containing 240 members ; and this people is considered to be 
 most harmonious, regular, and pious of any in tlie northern part 
 of the State of New- York. In this town, or rather parish, is an 
 academy, which is in a flourishing state. A M'' Porter, an 
 excellent character, and a preacher, is preceptor. They have 
 one usher, and about GO scliolars. TJiis institution promises fair 
 to be of great service to this part of the country. Piety is very 
 much encouraged in it — and some young gent, have become 
 preachers who have received educations in it. There is in y« 
 town a few Universalists, and one small baptist chh., but not a 
 sufTicient niuuber tohave any iiiflueiico. In the society of Paris, 
 of which Clinton is a pJirt, M'' Steel is pastor; he is said to lie a 
 good, and reputable man — he has a respectable congregation. In 
 Hanover, a society of Paris, M' Bogue is Pastor. 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1113 
 
 North or N. W. of Paris, is Westmoreland — ^vacant — congrega- 
 tion considerably divided. Sanger sjield lies south — congrega^ 
 tionalist. 
 
 Sunday Jlugust 1 . — Preached for M'' Dodd at Whitesborough, 
 about 250 persons present; communion day — about 40 members — 
 appearances good. In the afternoon preached at Utica, 4 miles 
 down the river — about 300 persons present. These, Whites- 
 borough and Utica, form but one society. M^ Dodd preaches to 
 them alternately. Most of the members are at the Borough. 
 There is also here a baptist chli — numerous. They have a 
 meeting-house, and a minister. The Presbyterians are now 
 erecting a meeting-house. Utica appears to be a mixed mass of 
 discordant materials. Here may be found people of ten, or 12 
 different nations, and of almost all religions and sects -, but the 
 greatest part are of no religion. The world is the great object 
 with the body of people. 
 
 Monday 2a., Utica. The books have not yet arrived from the 
 Little Falls — but will be on the next stage. I have agreed with 
 M"^ Sol. Goodrich to take the charge of them at Utica, — and to 
 deliver them according to my orders. I have not been able to 
 obtain any information of M"" Taggart. Where he is, I know 
 not : he cannot, however, I think, be on the north side of the 
 river. 
 
 Evening, at F%c^, 11 miles North of Utica. Extent of the 
 town, 6 by 7 — about 130 families — and 800 inhabitants. No 
 meeting-house. The people very much divided. But a small 
 number of Presbyterians. The people are principally baptists 
 and methodists ; but a very few presbyterians. One baptist chh, 
 and one of their members preaches. These baptists appear to 
 be very candid. Of methodists there are about 30 famihes. 
 There has been, and is supposed, an awakening among the meth- 
 odists. They have their quarterly meetings, sacraments, and 
 love-feasts. The last meeting was on the 4th July — had their 
 sacrament in the woods — began their meeting on Saturday morn- 
 ing, and continued until Sunday night. There were 6 preachers 
 present. In this meeting 6 persons feU down — in a manner sim- 
 ilar with the falling down in Kentucky — and after lying 20 or 
 30 minutes, rose, crying glory to God. Some of y" appeared to 
 
1114 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 be senseless — otliers in great agitation. These persons appear to 
 tlie present time to be very j)ious. 
 
 "NVlieii I came into this town, I caused the people to be notified 
 to meet at sundown. I then visited a School of about 30 chil- 
 dren — catechised them, gave them good advice, and praied with 
 them. On enquiry, I ibund, tliat they had but few scliool bookSj 
 and no catechisms. Some I found whose parents had no bibles. 
 Having 2 bibles witli me wliich I took out of tlie box at tlie 
 Little Falls, I gave one to Betsy Pike, and another I gave to Es- 
 ter Frizzle. I intend to return to this place, and distribute more 
 books, for I think they are exceedingly needed. Preached in the 
 evening to about 1 00 people, a mixture of Methodists, Baptists and 
 Presbyterians. Text— Acts, 2G"' 28th & 29th. My object was 
 to show the distinction between the almost, and the altogether 
 cliristian. The audience was attentive. At the close,! read the 
 address. They were affected with y« kindness and good wishes 
 of the society. No contribution. 
 
 Tuesday 3d. Conversed with two of the persons who had been 
 struck down, as mentioned above, the relation they give of their 
 conviction and of their feelings wlien down, and also when they 
 recovered, seems to indicate, something unaccountable. There 
 is a very strong resemblance between the conversion and those 
 which I supose to be genuine — ^j-et there is a great mixture of 
 passion and of sometliing unaccountable. By the account given 
 the people are raised to the highest pitch, and they sink under a 
 violent shock, occasioned by some sudden and imexpectcd and 
 new alarm of tlie preacher, &c. 
 
 Afternoon, at Trenton, G miles N. east of Floyd — put up wit)-' 
 the Rev'' M"" Fish, a gent, who was once settled in Connectitui 
 Farms in N. Jersey, and is now employed part of the time by 
 the people of this town; and the remainder of the time rides as a 
 missionary — a sensible, judicious man — and appears to be doing 
 great good — and has l)Ut a j>oor reward. 
 
 Trenton, Wednesday, 4th. — Trenton is 17 miles North of 
 Utica. In this place there is no Chh. formed. A majority of 
 the people are Presbyterians — tlie remainder are baptists, and 
 persons of no religion — a few methodists. It is a part of tlie 
 Holland Patent, and began to be settled in '93. Vroom settle- 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1115 
 
 ment is in this town. Visited a school of 50 cliildren, who have 
 a good instructor. Many of the children have no Catechism, 
 and their parents are in some instances unable to get them even 
 necessary school books. M"" Fish tells me that there are 4 fami- 
 nes near him who are destitute of bibles and are poor. Gave an 
 order for 4 bibles, 10 catechisms, 4 of Janeway's Tokens, and 10 
 of Dodridge's Addresses, and left it in the hands of M^" Tish, 
 who will see that they are disposed of according to the wishes 
 of the Society. I this day was overtaken by M'" Taggart. After 
 obtaining aU the information in our power, we concluded to part 
 for a fortnight, and to meet at Rome. 
 
 Stuben, Thursday^ 6th. — At Deacon Mitchell's. Visited a 
 number of famihes. In this town there is a chh. of about 
 30 members. The chh. was formed by M^" Alexander in 
 1801. They keep up regular meetings on the Sabbath, and are 
 a religious people. There is one Baptish chh — numerous — 
 vacant. | of the inhabitants of this town are Welsh, and they 
 have appointed one of their own number to preach among 
 themselves in their own language. 
 
 Friday, 6th. — Spent the day in visiting a number of families, 
 and a School of about 35 children. Appointed a communion 
 lecture. 
 
 Saturday 1th. — Visited various families. Afternoon, preached 
 to an attentive audience. Appearances agreeable. 
 
 Sunday, 8th. — Communion. Most of the baptists present. 
 Baptised 6 children — had a chh. meeting: S,fter services — and 
 apparently, and I hope effectually, settled an unhappy difficulty 
 which has subsisted in the chh. with one of its members for 
 nearly a year. Appointed a lecture on Monday among the 
 baptists. 
 
 Monday 9th. — Visited some of the Welsh people. They ap- 
 pear to be a rehgious and regular body, a few excepted. Spent 
 a few moments at the grave of the enterprising Stuben. He lies 
 in a thick Swamp, under a small Hemlock, without a monument. 
 Alas! where is the sensibility of his heirs — or of the Americans? 
 ■ Afternoon — Preached to a very attentive audience — visited a 
 school of 20 children — engaged some books. 
 
 Tuesday l^th. — Spent the day in visiting — called upon 9 differ- 
 
1116 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 ent families. The people appear to be poor, but very consideratej 
 and I have reason to believe tliere is more piety in Stuben, in 
 proportion to the N" of inhabitants, than in any town on Con- 
 necticut River. I find the schools very destitute of books of all 
 kinds. This people are progressing, however, very rapidly 
 towards good c>rder and good schooling. No meeting-house. 
 The chh. being in want of Books suitable to be read upon the 
 Sabbath, I gave them one volume of the Select Sermons. I tliink 
 it proper to return to this place again. 
 
 Western, (Eastern Sdllement,) 5 miles from Stubai Jlugustj 
 llth. — Preached in the evening to about 40 people, mostly 
 baptists. This people are in a poor situation as to religion and 
 order ; and I have found no people who need assistance more. 
 They are, a few excepted, extremely ignorant, and the ignorant 
 methodist preachers are leading them into errors and all kinds 
 of disorder. Appointed a lecture to-morrow at 5 o'clock, 2 
 miles west. Am treated with great kindness. 
 
 August 12^/ij — Preached to a congregation principally Metho 
 dists — 2 methodist preachers present. Put up with Gen. Floyd, 
 who informs me tliat the methodists are making great strides, 
 and appear to be doing some good as well as much hiu-t. Previous 
 to their meetings the Sabbath was almost wholly disregarded by y® 
 great body of the people, and they were but little removed from 
 a heathenish state ; but that now, whatever disorders tliere may 
 be in their meetings, they appeal- to have become moral in ;in 
 their conduct, and to be impressed in their minds with a sense of 
 Divine things. Gen. Floyd thinks that many of tlie best charactei-s 
 among them, when they have had time to reflect, and when their 
 passions are a little subsided, will fall oil' from this sect, and will 
 become prcsbyterians or congregationalists. At present he tliinks 
 that they ought to be treated with great tenderness. 
 
 August \^th. — Four miles west of Gen. Floyd's, at Esci*". 
 Wicks's. In the afternofm visited a school of al)out 15 cliildren. 
 They have a deistical instructor, to the great grief of some pious 
 persons. In the evening preached a lecture — hail about 60 
 hearers. The people conducted witli jn-opricty, and I tlu'nk 
 that if I have at any time made good impressions it was tliis 
 evening. 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1117 
 
 lith. — In the western part of the town, at Deacon Bartow's. 
 Something fatigued from mucli labor the present week. 
 
 15ik Sunday. — Preaclied to a large congregation for this part 
 of the world — between 3 and 400 people present. Had an unusual 
 freedom in preaching. The people were attentive. Here is a 
 congregational clih. of about 18 persons, who meet on the 
 Sabbath, and have 2 or 3 excellent characters — men whose gifts 
 are extraordinary, and who have great knowledge, for common 
 men, in religion, and who have a well-directed zeal for the 
 interests of rehgion. The extent of this town is about 7 by — . 
 
 IQth. Monday. — Rode 2 miles to the west, after having visited 
 several families, and visited a school of 28 children. This 
 school is under tollerable regulations, but no catachisms. Some 
 of the parents will not suffer their childi-en to be taught the 
 catachism, but in this quarter of y® town there are some excellent 
 families lately moved in, who will doubtless have great influence 
 In the afternoon rode 3 miles west, and visited 2 families. 
 
 Tuesday 17 th. — Rode to the north 5 miles, and preached a 
 lecture. A considerable collection — very attentive. Gave an 
 order to a Mr. Anderson for 10 catachisms, 10 Addresses, and 
 4 Tokens for children, to be distributed by him to the most 
 needy. I am now at y^ end of ye northern road in this town. 
 
 Wednesday 18th. Rode 12 miles. Found Mr. Taggart at Esq"". 
 Hathaway's. This tojvn contains about 1600 inhabitants, much 
 scattered, and of various sects. There is here a chh. of about 
 16 persons. They sometimes hire candidates for a few Sabbaths. 
 A M»' Night preaches here once in 4 Sabbaths. The chh. is very 
 desirous of having a communion. 
 
 Thursday 19th. — Preached a preparatory lecture. About 40 
 persons present. Visited a number of families. 
 
 Friday 20th. — Made aU necessary arrangements with Mr. Tag- 
 gart. Agreed to set out for the Black River next Monday. Gave 
 Mr. Taggart, who is going to Floyd an order for books which I had 
 promised when there, and directed him to leave it in the care of 
 Esqr. Dier — 3 bibles, 10 Dodridge's, 10 catechisms, 2 Janeway's. 
 
 Saturday 21st. — Rode out 2 miles to visit a dyhig person — 
 found her very ignorant, but thoughtful. Conversed with M' 
 Colt, and obtained some necessary information respecting my 
 
1118 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 route to the Black River, aiid a paper of introduction to a number 
 of persons in dilTerent places. 
 
 Siouhiy 22(1. — Preached to a large congregation — people were 
 convened from a considerable distance. Communed — chh very 
 small. It is thought that not more than -]- of the people who 
 live in the village attend pul)lic worship at any time. Tlie 
 people are too proud to be religious. Many of them ai-e people 
 who have become something from nothing. Gave one of Dod 
 Addresses and one of Lothrop's Fast Sermons to Esq"" Hathaway, 
 to be circulated in the neighborhood Gave an order to M*" 
 Taggart for ye people in Floyd — 4 bibles, 10 cat., 10 Addresses, 
 12 Janeways. 
 
 Monday 2'3d. — Rode to Camden, 22 miles N. W. of Rome. — 
 Esq'' Hathaway having borrowed one vol. of y® Select Sermons, 
 to peruse upon the Sabbath, I find y* it is left, but expect that 
 Mr Taggart will take it. 
 
 Camden, Tuesday 2Uh. — The people in this town are said to 
 be all Congregationahsts but 2 — but they have unhappily divided, 
 as there are 2 settlements, and they keep separate meetings upon 
 the Sabbath but 2 miles apart. This people will, however well 
 united at present, very soon, in my opinion, be divided by 
 methodists. The practice of the Methodists is, first to gain over 
 some person in a town to be willing to admit of preaching in his 
 house. Tiiey then appoint lectures once a fortnight regularly 
 for G months, and as there are no preachers in those towns, the 
 people attend during the G months they are as regular as the 
 Congregational or presbyterian clergy ; and they are unwearied 
 in their endeavours to gain the good will of the people. At the 
 end of G months they bring the matter to a close, by taking the 
 names of those who are become, or are now willing to become, 
 Methodists. If tliey have obtained to the No of 30 persons, they 
 appoint a class-leader from among them, who from this time 
 keeps up regular meetings, and is once in 3 or 4 weeks assisted 
 by some who ride the circuit. In tlie first part of their establish- 
 ment, tliey say but very little about sentiments, but they gain 
 the people first, and then iiKUild them to their own will. But 
 I have observed that when they have been of considerable stand- 
 ing, they become disorderly, and the steady good characters 
 
MOHAWK AxSID BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1119 
 
 leave them, and return back to Congregationalism. Gave an 
 order to Deacon Mathews for one vol. of Select Sermons, one of 
 Doddridge's Addresses, and 10 catecliisms. Visited one school 
 — gave 5 catechisms to the instructress for the use of the children 
 while she is their teacher, and when she leaves the school to give 
 one of them to the child y* shall have made the most progress, 
 and the others to the most needy. Gave an Address to a M"^ 
 Cory and another to a M'^ Curtis. 
 
 Preached at the house of M' Curtis — about 100 persons pre- 
 sent — very attentive — appearance agreeable. 
 
 Wednesday 25^A. — Three miles from Curtis's, in another 
 settlement. Visited several families. Afternoon preached to 
 about 150 persons. Gave to different individuals 3 of Dodridges 
 Addresses, 8 Catechisms, one o£ Janeways Tokens. 
 
 Thursday 26^A.— At No 4, 4 miles to the w^est of No 7. This 
 place is quite new — began to be settled about 2 years since — 
 contains about 40 families, and 140 inhabitants. I found no 
 chh. in this place. But 12 professing members belonging to the 
 chhs. in West Sinsbury, in Paris & in Union in Connecticut. 
 Appointed a lecture to-morrow at 10 o'clock. 
 
 August 21th.— As those scattering .nembers have for sometime 
 been desirous of forming into a chh. state, I found upon exami- 
 nation, that the way was prepared for it. I accordingly wrote 
 them a confession of Faith and a Covenant, and after examining 
 them as to their vieAvs and objects in forming, and after they had 
 made the confession of faith, and entered into covenant, I declar- 
 ed them to be a regular chh. of Christ, and then led them to a 
 choice of Deacon, and ordained him. This body of Christians 
 appear to be happily united in sentiment, and it promises fair ^ 
 be hereafter a flourishing chh. I gave them one volume " ' the 
 select Sermons, 6 of Dod. Addresses, 3 bibles and 2 / <idresses. 
 The people are extremely poor, but many of them very desirous 
 of having a settled gospel, which, however, they will not be able 
 to effect for some years. 
 
 28^A. — Visited a number of families, and found them almost 
 suffering for the necessaries of life. 
 
 Sunday 29th. — Had nearly all the people in this town, and 
 many from No 7 — a very attentive audience. I intended to 
 
1120 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 have had a communion, but they could not obtain wine altho 
 they sent 20 riiiles lor it. N^ 5, west of this town needs assistance. 
 
 3U///.— Left No 4, and to Redficld. Found M' Jolinson. The 
 Overseers of the town have given him a tract of land to preach 
 8 years. He receives nothing from the peopfe. He has formed 
 a chh. of 18 members — a regular people — all congregationalists. 
 
 31*' — Kode to Sandy Creek — 33 — 25 of wliich a perfect wild- 
 erness. Here I found M' Hackly — once a preacher, and indeed 
 he now prcaclies every Sabbath to his own family. He is alone 
 as to sentiments. The people are baptists from Rhode Island, 
 and are a most wretched people — the filth of tlie world. 
 
 Sept \st. — Went with M'* HackJey to some families, to see if a 
 lecture woidd be agreeable. Upon the wliole it was thought 
 best that a lecture should be preached, whether the people would 
 attend or not, and appointed it to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. 
 Spent y« day in visiting some wretclied famihes, wlio appeared 
 to have no sense of religion. Tlie people are in general nothing- 
 arians or fatahsts, — or Methodists and baptists, who are the 
 worst of all, 
 
 2(/. — Preached to about 40 people. The most I can say is, 
 tliat the people behaved with tollerable decency — 3 or 4 only left 
 the liouse in sermon time. Gave one bible, 2 Addresses, and 
 half a dozen catecliisms to such persons as I thought would 
 receive them. 
 
 Afternoon, at N° 7 — Preached a lecture — about 40 persons 
 present. This is a new settlement ; extent 6 by 10 miles on tlie 
 N. branch of Sandy creek, 8 miles from the lake. Began to be 
 settled in y*' year 1800 — contains now 75 families, and a number 
 of young men who are making openings. No clih. 2 or 3 fam- 
 ilies of liaptists, 3 or 4 Deists. The people stand in special need 
 of assistance, and most of them are very thankful for every thing 
 which is done for them in a religious way. Tlie people meet 
 ever}' Sabbath, and perf >rm regular exercises, by praying, read- 
 ing and preaching. I have seen no people who I tliink stand 
 in more need of the cultivating hand of the Societies than 
 this, unless it be CanuUn. They have no proper books to read 
 upon y« Sabbath, and indeed nothing but a few ordination 
 sermons. Gave an order f ^r one of the select sermons, 2 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1121 
 
 bibles, 6 Dodridge's Addresses, 10 catechisms, and one of the 
 Societies addresses. 
 
 Saturday the 4th. — ^A little unwell from bad diet. Took phys- 
 ic, and obtained considerable relief. Gave one of Janeways to a 
 family of poor children. 
 
 Sunday 6th. — Preached in a mill — a dreadful place to preach 
 in. 96 persons present — a small N^ evidently impressed with a 
 sense of their sins. After the congregation were dismissed, a 
 baptist very unexpectedlyarose, and proposed a contribution at 
 the lecture to-morrow, observing that they could not expect the 
 continuance of such priviledges unless they showed a disposition 
 to assist a little, that their poverty was such that they could do 
 but little. Received by contribution by the people in N^ 7, or 
 Adams on Sandy Creek, $2,03 cents after lecture on Monday 6th. 
 
 JV^ 3, Ith. — Rode from Sandy Creek 13 miles — appointed a 
 lecture to-morrow at 2 o'clock. 
 
 8ih. — Preached to a congregation of about 50 persons, mostly 
 women and children. This town is settled in 3 different parts, 
 and there are meetings on the Sabbath in 3 places. They are 
 generally baptists and congregationalists — a considerable number 
 of universalists. Gave 10 catachisms to the children, and one 
 of Janeway's Tokens. Two years since there were but 7 families 
 in the town — there are now 150. 
 
 9th. — Rode a mile to the north, to visit a poor sick distressed 
 family. Baptized 5 children, their mother being a member of 
 the chh. at Paris, N. Y. Afternoon, preached at another part of 
 the town — 8 or 10 men present, and about 20 women and 
 children. The people in this town appear to be very thoughtless. 
 Gave 10 catachisms to a M"^ Tuttle to distribute, and 4 catachisms. 
 
 After lecture rode to N° 4, or Champiori. Having preached 3 
 times since the Sabbath, I find myself unable to preach again the 
 present week. 
 
 In N" 1 there are about 30 families which need assistance. In 
 N° 2 there are 70 or 80 families — have meetings on the Sabbath 
 and need assistance, but I could not make it convenient to visit 
 them. 
 
 Friday 10th — Visited a scliool — the first I have found since I 
 left N° 7 in Camden. This school consists of 25 cliildi-en— liave 
 
 Vol. III. 71 
 
1123 MISSIONAB.Y TOUa THROUGH THE 
 
 an excellent instructress, and are in general forwai'd. Gave 5 
 catuchisms. 
 
 Tills town contains about 70 families considerably scattered. 
 Here is a chli. of 11 members formed by M'' Bascom. 
 
 Saturday. — Visited several lamilies. 
 
 Sunday \2t/i. — Preached to about 200 souls, and an attentive 
 audience. After meeting brought the chli. to a clioice of a Decou, 
 and ordained liira — a Mr. Carter. Received one member to 
 Communion — baptised 5 children. After meeting rode a mile, 
 and bai)tised 6 cljildren whose parents were so poor as not to be 
 able to clothe them decently to appear in tlie congregation. The 
 people are in general congregationalists. There are a few baptists 
 and methodists, who have a little influence. 
 
 Moiiday 1 Wi. — Rode to N° II , or Lowville — preached a lecture 
 in the evening to 30 persons, and appointed a lectui'e to-morrow 
 in another part of the town, 4 miles to the southeast. Gave to 
 the people 2 addi-esses. 
 
 Tuesday 14th. — Preached to an audience of GO persons of 
 almost all denominations, and appointed a lecture to tlie N. E. 
 3^ to-morrow. Tliis town is in a broken state — about lialfif are 
 congregationalists — the remainder are metiiodists and baptists. 
 There is one baptist chh., no congregational chh. Abuut 10 
 professors congrcgatiouahst, but uune wlio are willing to under- 
 take to perform on the Sabbath, and the people in general attend 
 on the baptists. 
 
 Wednesday 15"^. — Preached to about CO persons. In this 
 quarter of the town there is evidently an awakening. I con- 
 versed with the people, and instructed them about 2 houi's aftei 
 the service. 
 
 Thursday IG/A. — Rode to Turin 10 miles. Appointed a lecture 
 on Saturday. Visited several families. Friday, visited a sick 
 man — resttd tlie remainder of the day. 
 
 Saturday llih. — Preaclied a lecture, — about thirty persons 
 present. Some appeai-ed to be mucli affected. Found after 
 lecture tliat there are a nimiber of professing Christians in this 
 town, and tliat tliey wisli t«j form into a chli. state — presented 
 them with a Confession and Covenant — expect to form them to- 
 morrow and have a Communion, if no ditiiculties arise — con- 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1123 
 
 versed with three persons v;hich are not professors, but wish to 
 become such. There are in this town many Methodists and 
 baptists, who are doing great miscliief in dividing ye people. A 
 number of people have been under serious impressions, and stood 
 in great need of assistance. Received from Utica by post a 
 number of books — postage 2s. York money. The Society's 
 comittee I think have made a mistake in sending so many bibles. It 
 is very seldom that a femily is found without one, and if there is, 
 it is generally some deist wiio will not have one in his house. 
 Dodridge's Addresses are greatly needed. Drew an order in 
 behalf of the new chh. in Turin for one volume of Select 
 Sermons, 2 of Janeways Tokens, 5 of Dodridges Addresses, ten 
 catechisms, one fast sermon, and one of Societies Addresses and 
 Instructions. 
 
 Sunday \Wi. — A large congregation — perhaps 160 — appear- 
 ances agreeable. After service in the forenoon seperated the 
 professors from the congregation — found but 4 males and 2 
 females — 23 others in town, but are unwell, and could not 
 attend. After reading the confession and covenant, and find 
 them agreeable to all the members — and upon their making the 
 confession of faith and entering into covenant, I declared them 
 to be a regularly organized chh. of Jesus Christ. After meeting 
 in the afternoon, admitted 2 persons into the chh. and baptised 
 2 children — could have no communion as no wine was to be 
 obtained. Had a chh. meeting and brought them to the choice 
 of a Deacon — Judah Barns was chosen, and upon his acceptance 
 I proceeded to ordain him. A day of great fatigue. This chh. 
 I tlunk will increase and flourish. Deacon is a most excellent 
 ' character and has great influence — ^for 2 or 3 years he has pre- 
 served regular meetings on the Sabbath. The methodist and 
 baptists appear to be a little vexed at y^ above proceedings. It 
 is probable that the formation of a chh. will be the means of 
 cliecking their progress. There are a goodly number of valuable 
 men in this town, the' not professors. Gave 1 bible, 4 Dod., 
 and 8 catechisms to individuals. 
 
 Monday Wth. — Rode to Leyden — to Boon's Black River Settle- 
 ment 12 miles, and appointed a lecture to be attended this eve- 
 ning. In this settlement there are about 50 ftimilies — much 
 
1124 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 di^•idecl, M"^ Ely preaches to them every 3^1 Sabbath. M"^ Ely 
 is liiivd by tliis and another settlement 5 miles back, where are 
 abuiit 50 raniilies. M'' Ely has Ibrmed a chh. In the evening 
 preached to 40 persons who appeared to be attentive. Gave one 
 Address and 1 catachisni to a poor family. 
 
 Tuesday. — Rode to Re/nsai 1 i miles. This is a broken society 
 The people are very ignorant and very wicked — about 3 months 
 since a stranger came into tlie town, who appeared to be a pert 
 coxcomb, about 28 years of age, who calls his name Alexander. 
 He soon obtained a school, and in about a fortniglit set up 
 preaching, and he pretends to preach every Sabbath. Who and 
 what lie is they know not — but that he is some notorious villain 
 I believe there is no doubt. Many of the people — especially the 
 wickedest part — are very much attached to him. There is no 
 clih. in town, and but one professor, who belongs to the chh. in 
 Stuben. 
 
 Wednesday 22d. — Preached a lecture — not more than 25 people 
 present, and a number of those were far from being decent in 
 their behaviour, and it was not in my power to make them feel 
 reproof nor the force of truth. 
 
 Thursday 23d. — Appointed a lecture to-morrow on Canada 
 Creek, on a corner of tlie Royal grant. Feel considerably ex- 
 hausted from mucli labour. I intended to have visited Stuben 
 once more, but have been too long detained below. When at 
 Stuben I promised some books, and have now drawn an order 
 and sent it to Deacon Milotsed, who will receive and dispose of 
 the books according to my directions — viz. one bible 2 of Jane- 
 way's Tokens, 10 of Dodridge, 20 catachisms, one of y« Society's 
 Addresses, and one fast Sermon. Drew also an order for the 
 same No of books for the people in Remsen, and such of them as 
 I have not disposed of myself I have left to the disposition of a 
 M^ lloit, ye only professing p" in town and an excellent 
 character. 
 
 'HUh. — Rode to the Royal Grant, 6 miles — found that in this 
 part of the Town of Norway — tlie jKople are all baptists, and that 
 they had not appointed a lecture. I accordingly passed on 10 
 miles to another part of the town called Potter's bush. Here I 
 found a clili. of 30 persons, and was received with gladness 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1125 
 
 ^5^/^. — Too mudi futigaed to preach. 
 
 2<jf./i. — Sunday. — Preaclied to about 200 persons — very atten- 
 tive. Administered the Lord's Supper. After meeting en- 
 deavored to settle a difficulty in the chh., but could not effect it. 
 Rode 1^ miles to visit a dying person, and to baptize a child. 
 This town is almost ruined by metliodists and baptists, and the 
 difficulty in the congregational chh. has had a very bad influence. 
 The chh. is proceeding upon y^ advice of M^" Alexander, which 
 I think was very wrong. 2 of the best members of this chh. 
 are become baptists in sentiment — and they came forward and 
 stated their difficulty between their consciences and tlieir 
 covenant — and no one in y« chh. supposes that they are not con- 
 scientious in yc matter — and yet M"" Alexander advised the chh. 
 not to dismiss y", but to proceed to excommunion, and brought 
 tlie chh. to a vote that there was no possible way by which any 
 member could be seperated from the covenant only by excom- 
 munication. This is what is stated to me by ye most judicious 
 members of the chh., and I think that this will be y^ ruin of yc 
 congregational interest in this town. 
 
 27i/i. — Rode ten miles to Salshury (county of Montgomery) 
 having previously appointed a lecture this day. Preached to 
 about 150 persons — appearances good. Had a conference in tlie 
 evening — as many present as in the afternoon. This people like 
 most others in these parts, is very much divided, and the 
 metliodists are prevailing. 
 
 28/A. — Rode to Johnstown^ 39 miles. In the towns between 
 Salisbury and Johnstown missionaries are not needed. The 
 people are in general Dutch and have regular preaching. At 
 Palatine the Gentleman preaches part of y^ day in English and 
 part in German. 
 
 29^A. — Rode to Mayfield 10 — put up with M^ Teneyck — of 
 him I have obtained the following information respecting mis- 
 sionaries in Canada — who has conversed with M^ M'"Dole who 
 has been a missionary in Canada 3 years since — is now settled 
 ti-iere — who thinks that missionaries are greatly wanted. Tlie 
 people are perishing for a lack of knowledge. They are from 
 United States principally and have been almost entirely neglected. 
 They receive missionaries with gladness. The field of labour 
 
1126 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 in that part of y^ world is very extensive, and the methodists are 
 now making great strides. M' M*^Dole has formed many chhs., 
 l)Ut is altogether aluue in a great country between Kingstown 
 and Montreal. This account confirms what I heard at tlie 
 Black River, but did not then receive it from such characters as 
 I could confide in. In Elizahethtown in y* above tract, they are 
 very anxious to obtain a minister. Their oflers as to pecuniary 
 affairs are great — 300-York money a year. The people in that 
 })art of the world wish for candidates for settlement. 
 
 30//*. — Rode to Galoway, a part of New broad Alban, 8 miles. 
 This town, like all others in this quarter, is very much divided. 
 The Presbyterians are, however, taking measures for settling the 
 Gospel by uniting with a part of Amsterdam. 
 
 Oct. \st. — Preached to 35 persons, at Deacon "Otis's — j° 
 people attentive. Visited several families. This town does not 
 stand in great need of missionary labours ; and yet as much 
 so as any part of y^ country that I have yet seen 
 
 2d. — Spent the day in study. 
 
 3d. — Sunday. Preached to a large audience, in a meeting 
 house — the first house I have preached in since I left Deerfield. 
 I find the people in this part of tlie world much more attentive 
 apparently in y^ time of service than in New-England. It is 
 the practice of this people always to have a contribution when 
 they are supplied. Received $2. 16c. 5 mills. This chh. contains 
 50 members. Gave one of Lothrop's Challenges, and of Dodridge's 
 Address to Deacon Otis, to be circulated in the neighborhood. 
 
 4(/i_ — Rode to the Northwest to Northampton, 18 miles. This 
 lies a little Nortli of Sacondaga river, upon a branch of the 
 Hudson, 50 miles Northwest of Albany. In tlie evening 
 preached a lecture to 10 persons — and ajipointed another on 
 Wednesday 2 miles to y^ North. This is a large town ; but y« 
 people are divided into 8 or 10 difll-rent sects ; and no one keeps 
 up meetings upon y« Sal)bath. It is probably as corrupt a place 
 as Sandy Creek ; yet I find here ami there a good character. 
 
 5//i. — Visited several families. 
 
 6^^. — Visited school, and preached a lecture ; about 40 persons 
 present. Here are but 6 professors Of religion, and that by 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1127 
 
 account very corrupt. Appointed a lecture to-morrow, 8 miles 
 to y<' Southeast, in the same town. 
 
 East of this in the county of Saratoga, lies a town by y^ name 
 of JYorthfield, qnite new; and perhaps in much need of assistance — 
 but cannot visit them. But very little attention paid to religion 
 here, as may be seen by y«^ small number wlio attend lectures. 
 There are about 150 families in the town, considerably scattered. 
 No missionary has visited this town before except M"^ Fish, about 
 6 years since. 
 
 Oct. 7^'' — Visited several families — find them very corrupt, 
 and apparently without any sense of religion. Afternoon, preach- 
 ed a lecture ; about 40 people present. Some appeared to be 
 affected, and the preaching appeared to have some effect. As 
 there is no other tow^n in this county which needs assistance, I 
 have concluded to leave missionary ground to-morrow. Before 
 I came into this county I felt worried that I had reserved but 2 
 Sabbaths to be spent in it ; but now I find that I should have 
 done well to have tarried one Sabbath more in the county of 
 Oneida. Unless I tarry in this place, I know not where to go to 
 spend the Sabbath ; all the towns I can hear of are supplied. 
 
 And as I can preach no more this week, having had 3 lectures 
 and as both myself and horse are worn down with hard service, 
 and can travel not more than 25 or 30 miles a day, I conclude to 
 set out for home. 10 o'clock — have just heard that my family 
 are sick. 
 
 Oct. 8*^ — Rode to Ballstown, 28 miles : Almost exhausted from 
 having spoken so much, and from travelling. 
 
 Oct. 9^^ — Rode to Bennington, 50 miles. 
 
 Oct. 10**— Preached, &c. 
 
 Oct. 11«'»— Rode to Halifax, 36 miles. 
 
 Oct. 12«'»— At home. 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS. 
 
 July 21«* 1802. — I this day passed thro' the affecting scene of 
 parting with my family, for the term of three months, to journey 
 into the Northern counties of New-York, and to perform the 
 duties of a missionary. IMay I and my family enjoy divine 
 
1128 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 protection ; and may the pleasure of meeting my family and 
 people again, be greater than the sorrow of parting with them. 
 
 I expected to have obtained some information respecting the 
 northern country from tlie Rev^i Mr Field of Cherlamont, but 
 was disappointed, as lie was not at liome. Proceeded Irom 
 Cherlamont, on the turnpike, over Ilousic mountain. The land 
 on the mountain appeared to be good. I am not a little surprised 
 that it has not been settled. When I came to y* west side of y* 
 mountain, I found before I began to descend the most sublime 
 prospect I had ever seen. The liigh mountains, which present 
 on all sides, apparently locking in with each other, — tlie scattered 
 fields upon tliose mountains — the blooming aj)pearance of 
 vegetation — and the valleys below filled with houses — appearing 
 to be sunk so low, as to be almost lost, was a prospect that led 
 me into a train of agreeable and elevated reflections. Having 
 passed down tlie mountain I came into the town of Adams, wliich 
 is remarkable for limestone. 5 miles from Adams is Williams- 
 town — The College consists of about 90 scholars — a president 
 and 4 tutors. Tliere are 2 eligaut buildings — standing on elevated 
 grouiid about 40 rods from each other. I put up with Dr Fitch — 
 a valuable man — and has an agreeable family. 
 
 22<^ — Left Williamstown about 8 o'clock — took the road to 
 Albany across the mountains, on the ground of the proposed 
 tiu-npike. After passing a higli mountain, came into a valley, 
 and into the town of Petersburgh, in y® state of N. York. This 
 town contains aljout 2900 inhabitants. There are 2 chhs. of Pedo- 
 baptists, and one of Saturday baptists. After passing in this 
 valley about 3 miles, I rose another mountain, and for 10 miles 
 found a most intolerable road. Passing oft" tins stony and hard 
 ground, I came down intoGreenbush, a level country — forai)out 
 4 miles from the mountains the soil appears to be good — from 
 thence to the river it is too sandy. 
 
 Albany, A/y 23, a/ Trohridgis.— At 11 o'clock left Albany. 
 From Albany to Schenectada is a bju-ren santly plain — tlie road 
 very bad in consequence of sand — but 3 or 4 houses in the whole 
 17 miles. Schenectada makes a singular appearance, being built 
 in the old Diitch form — houses in general but one story, or a 
 Btory and half, and standing endwise to the street. Its local 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1129 
 
 situation is excellent, standing upon the south bank of tho 
 Mohawk — and there appears in every [tliingj a simplicity, and 
 neatness that is very pleasing. 
 
 Passed tlie Mohawk at Schenectada-found an excellent turnpike 
 for about ten miles. Some very good meadow on the left. The 
 country in general level. Soil, except in tlie meadows, a hard 
 gravel, not very productive. Fields of grain, however, appear 
 good. People in the midst of harvest. After about 10 miles 
 from Schenectada, the country becomes more hilly. As we pass 
 up the river into Montgomery county, we find for several miles 
 but little intervale ; what there is, appears to be good. On 
 Tripe's, or Tribe's hill, about 20 miles above Schenectady, we 
 have the prospect of a few hundred acres of excellent meadow, 
 wiiicli was formerly tlie seat of the famous Hendrick, tlie sachem 
 of the Mohawks. The ancient and elegant seat of Sir William 
 Johnson I passed about 4 miles back. This is commonly called 
 the Old fort. On Tribe's hill, I had great satisfaction and pleasure 
 of meeting a M^" Plum, an old acquaintance from Westfield, and 
 was treated with great kindness in his family — tarried with him 
 until Monday the 2^^^; received correct and considerable intelli- 
 gence from him respecting the country —especially in Montgomery 
 county. 
 
 There is an apple tree on this hill, which I am credibly in- 
 formed produces apples without a core or seeds. There is also 
 in this town, what is called by the people the Jerusalem thorn. 
 Tnere is also a singular production called mandrakes — of which 
 I have taken a rough drawing. 
 
 This place appears to be a perfect Babel, as to language: But 
 very few of the people, I believe, would be able to pronounce 
 Shibboleth. The articulation even of New-England people, is 
 injured by their being intermingled with the Dutch, Irish, and 
 Scotch. The character of the Dutch people, even on first 
 acquaintance, appears to be that of kindness and justice. As to 
 religion, they know but little about it — and are extremely super- 
 stitious. They are influenced very much by dreams, and appa- 
 ritions. The most intelligent of them seem to be under the 
 inliuence of fear from that cause. The Hioii Dutch have some 
 singular customs with regard to their dead. When a person 
 
1130 MISSIOKAHT TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 dies, nothing will influence y^ connections, nor any other person, 
 unless essentially necessary, to toucli the body. When the 
 funeral is appointed, none attend but such as are invited. When 
 the corpse is placed in the street, a tune is sung by a choir of 
 singers appointed for the purpose — and continue singing until 
 they arrive at the grave; and after the body is deposited, they 
 have some remarks made — return to ye house, and in general 
 get drunk. 12 men are bearers — or carriers — and they have no 
 relief. No will is opened, nor debt paid, under 6 weeks fromy® 
 time of death. 
 
 July 26th. — Left the river about noon,, and turned to tho 
 North. Preached tlie afternoon to a body of people in the north- 
 west part of the town of Amsterdam — people kind and friendly; 
 soil good — very productive in wheat; — a silicious earth. 
 
 27th. — Left Amsterdam, and travelled 5 miles to Johnstown, 
 a very pleasant village — containing one Dutch presbyterian chh. 
 and an Episcopalian. The village is tolerably well built. It is 
 a county town — ^lies about 4 miles from the River, and contains 
 about 600 inhabitants. In this town there is a jail, court-house 
 and an academy. About 1"'^ of a mile from tlie centre of the 
 town, we find the buildings erected by Sir William Johnson. 
 After leaving this town, I passed about 10 miles in a heavy tim- 
 bered country, with l)ut few inhabitants. The soil, however, 
 appears to be in general excellent — the country is a little more 
 uneven than it is back in Amsterdam. After travelling about 
 10 miles in a tolerable road, I came to Stonearabe (or Robby as 
 the Dutcli pronounce it.) This is a parish of Palatine, and is 
 composed principally of High Dutch, or Germans. Passing on 
 4 miles, came upon the river in another parish of Palatine — a 
 snug little village, witli a handsome stone chh. Having travelled 
 a number ot miles back of the river, I find that there is a great 
 similarity in the soil, but some difference in the timber. From 
 Jolmstown to Stonearabia, tlie timber is beech and maple, with 
 some lieudock. In Stonearabia the timber is walnut, and but- 
 ternut. Tlie fields of wlieat are numerous, and the crop in 
 general is excellent. In every tiling but wheat, the husbandry 
 ai)peais to be bad. Tlie land for Indian corn, it is evident from 
 appearance, is not properly plowed — they plow very sliallow. 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1131 
 
 Neither is the corn tended — it is in general full of weeds and 
 grass, and looks miserably. Rie is large. Flax does not appear 
 to be good — whether this is owing to the season or the soil, I 
 know not. Pease appear to flourish — so do oats; but the soil, I 
 believe, is too hard, and clayey for Potatoes — they look very 
 sickly. 
 
 I perceive, as yet, but one great defect in the morals of the 
 people — they are too much addicted to drink. 
 
 The back part of the County of Montgomery consists of some 
 pine plains ; but in general the lumber is beach and maple. A 
 ' good grass and wheat country. Sacondaga creek heads in May 
 field — runs N. E. and empties into a branch of North river, 
 about 20 or 30 miles above Halfmoon. 
 
 Manheim^ 8 miles from the Stone chh. in Palatine. This town 
 is about 7 miles square. One Dutch Reformed chh. Vacant. 
 M^" Dysling supphes about half the time in this town and half in 
 Palatine : a Swiss, and a good character, and a man of learning. 
 Passing on from Manheim, we find the mountains drawing to a 
 point, upon the 2 sides of the river. When we come to the 
 river, there is only a narrow pass for about fths of a mile between 
 the river and the foot of the rocks. When we come to the Falls 
 the scene which presents is sublime. We now enter Herkimer 
 county — and a small village of the town of Herkimer, called 
 Little Falls, by which the canals pass, which were ' constructed 
 in '95. The length of the canal is f^^s of a mile. There are 6 
 locks. The appearance of the falls is sublime. The village is 
 built upon a ledge of rock. It promises fair to be a place of 
 business as to trade, as all produce of the Royal grants will 
 naturally be brought here to be shipped. They have a new and 
 beautiful meeting-house, standing about 40 rods hack on the hill, 
 built in the form of an octagon. I am now, July 27'^, about 30 
 rods from fall mountain on the south. Between this and the 
 mountain is the Mohawk, and a bridge over it, in length about 
 16 rods. Between tliis and the bridge is the canal. On the 
 right, about 40 rods are the falls, or one bar of the falls in full 
 view. The falls extend about -?ths of a mile. Upon the whole, 
 this place is the most romantic of any I ever saw ; and the 
 objects are such as to excite sublime ideas in a reflecting mind. 
 
1132 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 From the appearance of the rocks, and fragments of rocks where 
 tlie town is built, it is, I think, demonstrably evident, that the 
 waters of the Mohawk, in passing over that lidl, were SO or 90 
 feet higher in some early period than they are now. 1*^ Kocks 
 even an hundred feet perpendicular above y^ present high water 
 mark, are worn in tlie same manner as those over which y^ river 
 pjisses. The rocks are not only worn by the descent of the 
 water, but in the flat rocks are many round lioles worn by the 
 whirling of stones — some even 5 feet deep and 20 inches over. 
 If these effects were produced by the water, as I have no doubt 
 they were, then it follows as a necessary consequence, that the 
 flats above, and all the low lands for considerable extent of 
 country, were co\ercd with water, and that here was a lake — 
 but the water having lowered its bed, laid the lands above 
 dry. 
 
 2Sf'»— About the middle of the afternoon I left the Little Falls, 
 and turned 8 miles North in the town of Fairlield. Fairfield is, 
 in general, on high land ; a little part of it, thro' which I passed 
 is broken ground. It is, however, taken together, an excellent 
 township. It is worthy of remark, that these highlands, in this 
 part of the world, which at a distance appear to be mountains, 
 when you approach them, dwindle into mere gradual and gentle 
 ascents ; and there is but a mere trifle of unprofitable land to be 
 found in the country. There is a great similarity in the nature 
 of the soil — it is a loam with a little sand — mingled with a con- 
 siderable quantity of white clay. In passing to the North from 
 Fairfield to Norway — 6 miles — I find that the hills increase in 
 magnitude, but none so steep but that they may be tilled. Nor- 
 way is an excellent township. But of this town and the tow^ns 
 in tliis vicinity, I shall give a furtiier descrii>tion when I return 
 to them. 
 
 July 29'* — Left Norway for Utica, about 22 miles to the south- 
 west. In passing out of this town. I saw a daughter of M' 
 Joshua Sweet — appears to be comfortal)ly situated. About 3 
 miles from the center of Norway, we go down from the uplands, 
 and come upon White Creek, a very useful stream. Here the 
 hills are rugged. We rise from the creek again into uplands — 
 pass on a few miles, and go down upon Canada creek. This is 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1133 
 
 a river a little larger than that of Deerfield. After crossing y« 
 river. We begin to rise a mountain which is patent land. 
 We go on 10 miles thro' this mountain, which is the high- 
 est in those parts — but all good passable land. At the foot of 
 this mountain, we enter into a corner of the town of Skyler. 
 From thence we go about 6 miles to the river road — ^pass a few 
 miles in Deerfield, and pass the Mohawk in Utica. This is a 
 very pleasant and beautiful vilage ; but it is filled with a great 
 quantity of people of all nations and religions. I put up at M' 
 Baggs' — saw the lady of the Hon. C. Phelps Esqi" on her way 
 from Canadaigua to Suffield, in a common Dutch waggon, cov- 
 ered with tow cloth. My health is good — something wearied 
 with travelling. Determined to visit Norway, on my return home. 
 
 ^Qth — From Utica to Whitesborough, is 4 miles — pleasant 
 riding. Whitesborough is not so large and flourishing a place 
 as I expected to find. It is, however, a pleasant village. Dined 
 at D"" Mosley's. In the afternoon rode out 9 miles to Chnton. 
 This is a flourishing place. The land is the best I have seen 
 since I left home, and is the best tilled. The people are princi- 
 pally from Connecticut. On my way to this town, saw Capt. 
 Mitchel, and his daughter who married a Rice. Meeting with 
 Mitchel and his family was a pleasing scene. In all this part of 
 the country there is no waste land ; and indeed the original 
 Whitestown — appears to be the garden of the world. Was 
 treated with the greatest kindness and attention in Capt. Mitch- 
 el's family — ^^vhich, as far as I am able to judge, is in a good 
 situation. His farm is now in the bloom, and its appearance is 
 pleasing. 
 
 3 pi — Parted with my good friend Mitchel and his family — 
 returned back to Whitesborough — spent the afternoon very 
 agreeably and profitably with M^' Dodd, the minister. Tlie sit- 
 uation and buildings of Whitesborough may be seen in my rough 
 draught. 
 
 August l®*^, Sunday. — Preached for M^'Dodd, in a schoolhouse. 
 Audience devout, and attentive — a great mixture of people, as 
 respects nations, and religions. 
 
 Afternoon at Utica — put up with Lawyer Clark from LelDanon. 
 There is but a handful of people in this [place] who have much 
 
1134 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 regard for preaching, or for any thing but the world. 8 years 
 last spring there were but 2 houses in the present town plot. 
 There is now above 90 — Lodge at Baggs'. 
 
 Augud 2^. — Started for Floid — rode 11 miles toa Capt. Rice's. 
 Preached in tlie evening. I know not what remarks to make 
 upon the inhabitants of this town — ahalf a dozen excepted, they 
 seem to be the fag-end of man in disorder, and confusion of all 
 kinds. The baptists have some regularity ; but the methodists 
 are producing tlie scenes which are transpiring in Kentucky. 
 Women here methodists, pray in their families instead of y« men — 
 and with such strength of lungs as to be distinctly heard by their 
 neighbors. I had almost as many nations, sects, and religions 
 present to hear me preach, as Peter had on the day of Pentacost. 
 In this town there is an excellent character. Esq"" Dior — he tells 
 me that Clinton has given commissions to 5 men for Justices, in 
 this place — one of whom is a renegade Irisliman, without 
 character and without prayer ; and the other has no bible in his 
 house. In fact, this is a most miserable place, — as to inhabitants. 
 The land is good — too good for sucli inhabitants. 
 
 3'^ and !"• . — At Trenton This town is a part of the Holland 
 Patent. Boon's settlement is within the circle of this town. 
 The land is toleral)le — some of it very good — well watered — 
 about 130 voters. — Found on some of as high land as any in the 
 town, rocks and stones containing sea shells petrified into stone, 
 and forming parts of stones. This is another evidence that the 
 Moliawk at the Little Falls was once obstructed by the rocks — 
 and y' the lands in this town were a part of a large lake. 
 Timber — beech, in;i]>le, asli, birch, and bass. 
 
 5«>, G", 7"», 8'S 9"», ^- lU'A—SrKtDEN. This patent is on the 
 height of land between y** Mohawk and tlie Black river — some 
 of the headwaters of both are in this town. Standing on a liill, 
 near tlu) centre of the town, we liave an extensive prospect on 
 3 sides ; — to the N. W.,about35 milts, wc seethe Oneida Lake — 
 south we see y« settlements of New Hartford and Clinton — 
 Clinton Academy is in full view. Wc can here see the tops of 
 the Catskill mountains —S. E. &S. W. tlie tops. Itissaidtliatupon 
 y« tops of y'^ trees Ontario is in sight. Upon this height of land, I 
 fjuud in a number of places sea shells which form constituent 
 

 .•V 
 
 
 
 — ilL ! 
 
 lUiLI [ilLUI ' JUUULl UULU 
 
baanrUkMsi 
 
 1®®2. 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1135 
 
 parts of rocks and stories. This land is so high that this singular 
 fact cannot be accounted for by supposing tliat the rocks at y^ 
 Little Falls, were once united ; for this land is evidently mucli 
 higher than the mountain at that place. The face of the country 
 is here rougli and uncouth ; something stony — yet no hills so 
 steep as to render any land useless. Between this and Clinton is 
 about 4 miles of low flat land — very rich, and heavy timbered. 
 Unsettled ; and, indeed, but a very little part of this county is 
 settled. A considerable part of y^ lands which are settled, are 
 to hire on lease — the inhabitants have not y^ right of soil. 10$ 
 is the common price for 100 acres annual rent ; but most of these 
 leases are for perpetuity. About 1-3^ of the people in Steuben 
 are Welsh — who are industrious and prudent beyond all example. 
 I am now at y^ house of the first settler who came into the town, 
 Esq"" Siser's. 
 
 Here I find the grave of the once active and enterprising 
 Steuben. He lies in a swamp, under a Hemlock, with a bier 
 standing over the grave, and a few rough boards nailed to some 
 trees to keep ye cattle off. Alas! what is man! that the great 
 Steuben should be suffered to lie in such a place — and without 
 a decfut mcoiument. 
 
 A few rods from this swamp, we find the place of his former 
 residence — of which I have taken a rough drawing. This is a 
 very healthful situation. The house faces the south — and there 
 is a gradual descent for about 80 rods, and an opening about 50 
 rods wide. The seat of this great man was not indeed a palace, 
 nor wliat we should suppose would afford contentment to the 
 mind of an enterprising nobleman: It consists of 2 log houses — 
 one at the end of the other — containing in the whole 3 rooms — 
 unsealed. It is, how^ever, a decent loghouse. The Earou died 
 in a fit of numb palsy. 
 
 Crops in this tow^n much injured by rust. Winter wheat is 
 open to winter kill — the lands, though high, are very wet. 
 There is, however, some low, rich land, of y^ nature of marsh. 
 The prospect on the height of land in this town is extensive. 
 
 Western, Wednesday, llth. — In passing from Steuben west, 
 we descend for about 2 miles — and come to a brancli of the 
 Mohawk — and pass a tract of excellent land — heavy timbered. 
 
1136 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 and well watered. In about 2 miles from this Eastern settle- 
 ment in this town, we come to another settlement, in whicli we 
 find Gen. Floyd, one of the signers of Independence, and one of 
 }•* members of Congress during the whole of tlie American war 
 with great britain. He is about 70 years of age — retains in full 
 his powers of mind. He spends the summers in this place, and 
 the winters on his seat on Long Island. He is a gent of immense 
 property: and is now building an elegant seat upon the banks 
 of the Mohawk. 
 
 It is incredible how tliick this part of the world is settled— 
 and wliat progress is making in opening tlie wilderness and 
 turning it into a fruitful plain. Tlie land in this town is most 
 excellent — crops are rich. The same evil operates here, how- 
 ever, as in many parts of this country — tlie lands are most of 
 them leased. This must necessarily operate to debase the minds 
 and destroy the enterprise of the settlers — altho' the rent is 
 small — only |9 an acre; yet if men do not possess the riglit of 
 soil, they never will nor can feel independent. And what is as 
 great an evil, tliey will always be under the influence of their 
 landlords. Lodged at Gen. Floyd's — on the night of the 12th — 
 Thursday. 
 
 Friday^ 1 3//i. — Passed on 4 miles to the west to a settlement 
 on the bend of y^ Mohawk — a flat and rich country — land here 
 a black loam; — it is a meadow, and much of it is made ground. 
 Crossed tlie Moliawk, and put up with Esq'' Wicks — treated witli 
 the greatest respect. A woman by the name of Anderson called 
 to see me — she was a bush of Enfield — a M' Wills, originally 
 from Shelburn, called on me. In tliis part of the county may 
 be found all y*^ shades of character, from the most ignorant and 
 abandoned, to the most virtuous and excellent. Society is in a 
 miserable state — it is, however, progressing on towards order. 
 There is a mixture of all sects, which will undoubtedly for a 
 long time retard religious order. In consequence of the impru- 
 dence of yc methodists, and their erroneous sentiments, party 
 spirit in matters of religion, it is to be feared, will soon arise. In 
 this town there is one congregational chh. — small. 
 
 Saturday, 14'*. — Rode 3 miles to the west. The face of the 
 country level, and excellent — heavy timbered. Inhabitants very 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1137 
 
 thick — log-houses may be found in every direction. The people 
 appear to be cheerful, and are aU under the influence of a hope 
 of better times — the happiest situation, I believe that men can 
 be in. Over all the face of this country, may be found in great 
 plenty the petrified sea shells — some in rocks, and some in 
 stones. Timber — is beech and maple, generally ; some ash, and 
 a little bass. 
 
 Monday, IQ^'K — ^At M"" Lord's — who has 2 sisters with him — 
 all of whom are children of Benjamin Lord of Norwich — and are 
 my cousins. They are comfortably situated — have a good farm, 
 and a good framed house. The west part of Western is in a 
 fine tract of land, and many of the inhabitants are good 
 characters, and persons of some property. 
 
 Tuesday, Wk — ^At Eli Bush's — in ye Northwest corner of 
 the town. AU his children but one are with him ; and he is in 
 a flourishing situation, and appears to enjoy himself well. A 
 mile and a lialf west is Fish creek, which supplies all this part 
 of tlie world with the best of salmon. The people are not 
 allowed to take them with seins, but stabs. This river is 
 peculiar. Y^ banks, for miles, are almost perpendicular — and 
 are from 50 to 1 50 feet above the water. It is very rapid, and 
 rocky. It arises from a pond in which ye salmon spawn. This 
 part of the town is on high lands; yet ye ascent is so gradual as 
 hardly to be perceivable. We are now in sight of the Oneida 
 lake. 
 
 The sea shells, petrified into stones, are very th^k on this 
 land. Face of ye country very pleasant. Crops of corn, oats, 
 and grass, equal if not superior to any I have seen. Water 
 pure. It is, in fact, a noble country, and needs nothing but 
 clearing to make it a fruitful garden. However strange it may 
 appear, yet it is a fact, goods of all kinds are cheaper here than 
 in ye county of Hampshire. Salt is 7|6 — or by y® barrel 6|. 
 
 Rome, Wednesday, 18*'', at Esq"" Hatliaway's. Tliis is a plea- 
 sant village, upon the banks of the Moliawk. The old Fort 
 Stanwix stands about 30 rods from y^ river. It is regularly 
 built : the intreuchment is very deep. In the centre of the fort 
 stands the old block house. This can- better be described by my 
 drawing. 
 
 Vol. III. 72 
 
1138 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH TUE 
 
 It is u very great singularity, that tlie waters of the Mohawk 
 and those of Wood Creek, which run iu opposite directions, 
 should here come within a mile of each otiitr — and should admit 
 of a communication Ity water tlmjugh canals. This communica- 
 tion is of incalculable benefit to this part of the world. Produce 
 may be sent both ways. Sunday, after meeting, took tea at 
 Pease's. — He aj)pears to be a man of business, and is gaining 
 property. He has a family, and a sister with liim, who appears 
 to be a very likely person. 
 
 Camden, Jlugust 23^. — 22 miles N. W. of Rome. This town 
 began to settle about five years since ; contains about 80 families. 
 Some of the land very excellent. Here is pine timber. Soil is 
 a black loam in general. Tl^ere is in this toAvn, which includes 
 six original towJis, some sandy hills, and some oak timber. 
 Tliere is a variety of lands in this town. There are 2 settlements, 
 wliicli have unfortunately separated as to public worship. Good 
 mills on a brancli of Fish creek. I have now got into the wilder- 
 ness indeed ; — tlie openings are small — the people rub hard—p 
 gome of tliera feel a want of the necessaries of life. 
 
 JV*' 4 — 26''*. — 10 miles .Korthwest of Utica. — For a few miles 
 back the road is intolerable. Here we find Init small openings. 
 There are but 40 families in the town. The first opening made 
 here was in 1800. The land is tolerable, but not tlie best: 
 excellent farms niay, however, be obtained at 3 dols. per acre. 
 The settlers here appear to be an orderly, well disposed people, 
 principally from Connecticut. The first settlers have an exceed- 
 ingly hard time of it for several }ears, unless they have some 
 property beside their land. Water in general good — very well 
 watered. Corn looks good. The ground is a little too moist for 
 wheat at present ; but will be suHiciently dry when the lands 
 become more opened. It is called high land ; it is, however, 
 but a little higher than the general level of tlie country. 
 
 9 miles Kortk of Xo. 1. — Kedfield — 9 miles without a house, 
 and nothing but a foot path — land tolerably good, heavy 
 
 One bushel and \ of Indian corn, it is said, will make a barrel 
 of soap. Put the corn into strong lye, and boil a couple of hours, 
 and it will become soap. 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1139 
 
 timbered — beecli, maple, hemlock, bass, and ash — level country. 
 We now come upon Salmon River, abounding in fish of tliis 
 kind, and trout. Redfield began "to be settled a year ago — 
 contains 80 families— lies on Salmon River — a good townslilp — 
 have a minister — it will be a central town. The people all of 
 one sentiment — a good plan for new settlers. Land 3 dolls. 
 Settling very rapidly. Put up with M^. Jolmson, who married 
 a Pomroy. 
 
 Sept. Isf, 1SU2.— I this morning started from M^. Johnson's — 
 rode 2 miles, and entered into a wilderness of 24 miles without 
 a house. The road was cut out tliis summer — and is a tedious, 
 hilly, rooty, muddy, stumpy, solitary road. Travelled, as I 
 supposed, 12 mils — called at a large hemlock — bent down some 
 friendly maples that my horse might gather the leaves. Enquired 
 of my saddle bags for some dinner — made a comfortable meal. 
 Divided my dinner with my horse ; as he was not accustomed to 
 eating meat, gave him a double portion of bread. After refreshing 
 in this manner, travelled on the other 13 miles, and came upon 
 the south branch of Sandy Creek, about three miles from the 
 Lake. Crossed the river — turned to the east ; in about half a 
 mile came to the old fort ; examined it, and found myself lost in 
 conjectures. Rode 4 miles to M^. Hockley's on the North branch. 
 This is about 4 miles above the junction of the 2 branches — 
 about 4^ miles from Ontario. This is as fine a tract of country 
 as I think I ever saw. It is heavy timbered ; but the land is 
 as rich as land can be. This is a rich country from here to the 
 Black river. Tliis town, and undoubtedly all this country, has 
 been, in some ancient period, thickly inhabited. In many places 
 there are evident marks of houses having stood as tliick as to 
 join each other. The remains of old fire-places built of stones — 
 wells evidently dug and stoned, to a considerable depth ; and 
 the remains of old forts and entrenchments, — are all evidences 
 of this fact. The fort on the south branch is ploughed, and the 
 old fire-places appear to have been about two rods apart, thro'out 
 the whole. The earthenware of a peculiar structure, and of 
 singular materials, is scattered over the ground. The point of a 
 steel sword — 2 edges — about 1 foot ^ long, was found last spring 
 in plougliing in the fort. The fortification is regularly built with 
 
1140 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 5 sides, and 5 gateways — is about 20 rods from tlie river — upon 
 the N. bank ; 1400 or 1500. rods to the North-East. Near the 
 North branch, is anotlier Fort ; West of wliicli 150 or 20U rods 
 tliere is an intrencliment lately found, half a mile in length, in 
 a straiglit line — :ind also a breastwork. 2^ north of this, is 
 another fort, regularly built, containing about 10 acres. Upon 
 all tliose works the trees are of equal dimensions with tliose 
 around. I measured one and found it 4 feet diameter — and saw 
 some which had iallcn and were almost consumed, wliicli appeared 
 to be of equal dimensions, and which grew upon the higliest 
 parts of the fort. The people frequently find pipes, something 
 in tlie form of German i)ipes. The bottom of the N. branch of 
 the river is a level rock — standing at a little distance it hxjks 
 like ice ; when within a rod and half or 2 rods it is crooked. This 
 rock maybe found all over the country, from 15 to 20 or 30 feet 
 under ground — it is all a limestone, and is tilled witli sea sliells, 
 petrified or cemented, into the solid rock. At the end of the lake 
 there are large marslies,on wliich vegetation is very rapid. Some 
 of this is planted with corn, and produces abundantly : but in 
 consequence of tlieir being so muc]i grass and otlier productions 
 which cannot be gatliered, the people are in the fall of y<^ year 
 liable to a distressing fever — niucli more malignant and dangerous 
 than the common fever and ague. It is tiiis season hitherto 
 healthy — n( lie have the fever, excepting a few who have collected 
 hay ujion the marshes, near tlie mouth of Sandy Creek. In tlic 
 Lake there are large winrows of sand, 5 miles in length, on which 
 there stands, here and there, a pine, and some other small trees, 
 which makes the appearance from the land ver}' picturesque. 
 This town began to settle in '93 is called Mexico, or Ellisburgli; 
 in the town of Mexico — 9 miles square — about 30 families — is 
 rapidly settling — inhabitants very rough in general. An evidence 
 of this c/)untry having been fornarly settled, beyond what lias 
 been mentioiu-d, is tliis— European jirodnclions — and sucli as 
 would be left by an improved j)eople, are found liere — as currants 
 black and red, angelica, plantain, English pursely, iiigh balms, 
 peppermint, and indeed aluK-st everything which is found on 
 Connecticut river. 
 
 There are in the marsh, hewn and square timbers which hava 
 
♦ MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1141 
 
 been dug up many feet from y« suiface, and where this people 
 mow 1 A batteau has also been dug up from a considerable 
 deptli under the surface, lialf a mile from the lake in the marsh. 
 
 M"" Hackley tells me, that between the Black river and the St. 
 Lawrence, tliere are y® same marks of former settlements as 
 lere. There are forts built in the same form ; and all y^ marks 
 of a society dilferent from that of Indians. Last summer a man 
 in digging a cellar, found a foot under the surface, that he had 
 fallen upon an old colepit. I am told by the people here, that 
 pieces of broken bricks are found in all the lands they plough. 
 
 Sept. 1*^ — I have this day rode a mile and a half into the 
 woods to examine the remains of another fort ; and I am truly 
 thrown into a wilderness of conjecture. The fort lies upon 2 
 sides of a small creek, which is about the centre between the N. 
 and S. branches of Sandy creek. It is an irregular fort, but was 
 built with a good deal of art. The ditch is at present in many 
 places, 4 feet below the surface. Standing in the ditch I find 
 that I can just oversee the land in the fort. In one direction it 
 is an hundred rods across ; and on an average, it is about 50 
 wide. There are a number of gateways. On both sides of y« 
 creek there are most singular walls. Upon the East side there 
 is one redoubt, about 8 rods from one of the gateways. Some 
 parts oi the wall are doubled — or, rather, there is an inner and 
 an outer wall. The ground appears to be very much broken up 
 on the No E. corner — and looks as tho' there had been works 
 within works. Within the walls upon each side of the creek 
 there are wells, or peculiar springs w^hich answered for wells. 
 I am in doubt whether those appearances are such as give suf- 
 ficient evidence that they are the eifects of art. 
 
 Upon the west side of the creek tlie well is at the corner of y® 
 fort — and upon the top is about 9 rods round. It descends, and 
 is very steep until it comes to a point at the bottom. In the 
 corner of this basin there is a living spring — the water rises and 
 passes again into the ground. A pole may be run down into the 
 spring about 15 feet. 
 
 Sept. ^^ — At the house of a Rhode Island baptist. Here is a 
 mixture of all the physical and moral evils that can well be 
 conceived of. Here may be found filth of all kinds, stioli as d-js*^, 
 
1142 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE * 
 
 mud, fleas, bedbugs, guats, rotten meat, aud sour bread; and, as 
 to moral evils, yuu may here find ignorance, self-will, sell-suf- 
 ficiency, ill manners, i»iide, boasting, fanaticism, and witchcraft; 
 and this description, I believe, will apply to all the families in the 
 town, M"" Hackley's excepted. 
 
 Sept. 3^ — 4 miles ^ to tiie N. East at N^ 7 — A decent, respec- 
 table, industrious people in general — anxious for privileges. 
 Most of the people from Connecticut. Visited a fort 1 ^ miles 
 from the river, N° — This fort was bUilt in y*' same manner 
 with the others. It stands upon y« east side of a marsli, wliicli 
 was evidently once a pond. The wall begins upon the top of the 
 bank, aud is 300 paces round to tlie bank, where it ends. Tlie 
 base of the angle is 120 paces— probably the bank was picketed. 
 It has several gateways. In this trench there is one dead tree, 
 that is almost ready to fall to pieces, which measures 4 A in 
 diameter ; and many trees stand upon y* banks of tliis ditch 4 
 feet diameter. Tiie land here is the first rate — and in tins town 
 there has been no sickness since they began to settle — except in 
 one or two instances of persons who had been down to the lake 
 in the unliealthy season. The fact is, that all this country is a rich 
 meadow it is made ground for many feet from the surlace. Tliere 
 is now before me a field of corn equal to any I ever saw in Deer- 
 field meadow, tho' dunged — no plougli,or Iiarrow, has ever been 
 on tlie land — nor has it been hoed but twice, and then slightly. 
 Every thing which is put into the ground grows as rank as pos- 
 sible ; but the peoi)le are yet very poor — liaving been on but 2 
 years. Deer, salmon and trout very plenty. This is 8 miles in 
 a direct line from the lake. Salmon run u]> every freshet, and 
 ye people can easily take tliem with spears. But 3 families in 
 this town the winter before the last. I find by intelligent people 
 in whom I may confide, and who have seen them, that there are 
 2 other forts in this (juarter. One lies on the forks of the north 
 branch of Sanily creek, 3.^ miles S. East from the fort wliich I 
 examined in this town — about 90 ro<ls in diameter ; and that 
 there is another 3 miles to the N. W. of the one I examined. 
 This is an octagon, containing about 2 acres, with 2 entrench- 
 ments, extending in dilfrrent directions from the fort 20 rods 
 The whole of these works are made in the solid rock — are alx)Ut 
 
/. , / iK IK o y T , If //; // /fj. 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1143 
 
 4 feet deep and 4 feet wide. This is a most stupendous work 
 and could not liave been effected without ii-on tools. 
 
 In this country may be found growing wild, and in great plen- 
 ty, liops, grapes, cranberries, plums, strawberries, gooseberries, 
 blackberries, raspberries, currants, plantain, dock, yarrow, 
 spikenard, safsaparilla, mullen, burdock, dock, English par- 
 sley, French sorrel, peppermint, common mint, catnip, thorn 
 apples, of which pies are made, Indian corn, potatoes, oats and 
 flax — peas, beans, and all kinds of productions grow very rank. 
 Wheat this year was hurt with the rust, but grew amazing rank. 
 Face of the country beautiful — no stones of any consequence. 
 From 3 pints of barley 3 bushels were produced this year. There 
 appears by the best accounts to be forts built in the manner of 
 those on Sandy creek; all over the country from the St. Lawrence 
 to the Black River, and South and Southwest, all round the lake 
 particularly, and upon tlie military grounds — and these by 
 account correspond with those on the Oliio, in their conformation. 
 They are a ditch, and the earth is banked up on the inside. The 
 ditclies of those which I have seen, I think must have been at 
 first about 8, 10 & 13 feet wide -, how deep cannot be even judged 
 with any degree of certainty, until some person who has time 
 shall dig down and throw out the made earth. By w^hom were 
 those works wrought 1 Not by the natives, surely ; because in 
 various parts of tliis county iron implements are dug and plough- 
 ed up. And if the natives ever had the art of working iron, it 
 is not probable they w^ould lose an art so useful. Further, noth- 
 ing ever appeared in the natives which indicated so much im- 
 provement in the art of self defence, as to build forts so regular 
 as those are found to be. Again, the fort near Sandy creek, 
 which is cut in the rock, must have been a work too stupendous 
 tor untaught savages to eifect; and it is doubtful whether it 
 could have been done witliout the use of powder. And tliere is 
 a difficulty attending this fort — on condition, or suppose it to 
 have been done by any European nation, they would not have 
 undertaken a work so arduous, when so little ])cnefit could have 
 been derived from it, in proportion to the work. Wlio then 
 wrought those works ? That they were done by tlie hand of 
 man there is no doubt; but by whom, and when, and for what 
 
1144 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 piirj>ose, must remain at jtrescut inexplicable enigmas. What 
 has become of tliis people I and why have we no histories of 
 such a nation as must have inhabited this part of the world! 
 Were tliese the works of the ante-diluvians — or is this the land 
 of Nazareth, to which Esdras says the ten tribes travelled, and 
 were an liundred and twenty da}s o'n their journey ? Or is it 
 the Vineland of th6 emigrant Sweeds, who returned to their na- 
 tive country but once 1 or are tliey ye works of Spaniards in 
 searching for gold 1 or was this land inhaliited by the emigrant 
 Mexican, after the Spanisli conquest? That these works were 
 not done by Frencli or English is beyond a doubt, from various 
 reasons too numerous to mention. I am informed that in the 
 Military tract several pieces of stamped coin are found, wliich 
 cannot be read by the ignoront peasants, and which I am fearful 
 will be lost. Probably if a knowledge of those ancient people is 
 ever obtained, it will be derived liom inscriptions on stones 
 or metals, which may ha\ e withstood the rust of time. 
 
 In passing from N" 7 to N^ 3, we follow a l>rauch of the creek for 
 several miles — or ride in a valley. The liills on each side of the 
 creek are high for tliis part of the world. From the creek, about 
 20 or 30 rods, tliere is a considerable of an ascent ; when you get 
 to the heighth, tlie land is level, and rich. 
 
 Sept. 7"» — A"^ 4. — Near a M' Tattle's, where I now am, which 
 is on the heiglit of land. There is a spring, or rather a brook, 
 which empties from a crevice in the rock. The water is jnire, 
 and in quantity is fully sufficient to turn an overshot gristmill. 
 
 g/A, — This morning I travelled |"»* of a mile to the North in 
 the woods to see the remains of another old fortification. This, 
 appears to be no more than a breastwork : it is, liowever, dug in 
 the same manner witli the forts, and the earth thrown on the 
 inside. The intrenclunent, or Ibrt, crosses to opposite hills, and 
 leaves a point ol land about 3 acres. The fortification is about 
 90 paces across. The form may be seen by tlie drawing. 
 
 From N° 1, or Brownsville, there is a constant tradi? by boats 
 carried on with Montreal, Kingston, and Quebec, principally in 
 flour, i)ot and pearl aslies. The voyage is performed as far as 
 Kingston in a day — and from Montreal in about a week. Business 
 16 opening very fust. 
 
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MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1145 
 
 Examined a beaver dam, which contained about 30 acres. 
 The dam is between 20 and 30 rods long — in some places 3 feet 
 higli, and has the appearance of a dike. It is grown over with 
 grass — and is tight where tlie Indians have not opened it. 
 Among many smaller ones, I found one tree fallen by tlie beavers 
 across tlieir dam, measuring 4 feet in circumference ; but in 
 general the trees they cut are from an incli and half to 5 and 6 
 inches over. 
 
 • The town of Watertown, or Rutland, has increased rapidly 
 from y® first settlement ; 2 years since there were but 7 families — 
 there are now 150 families — 160 in the train band — are scattered 
 over almost the whole town, of 6 by 9 miles. There are 3 
 worshiping assemblies on the Sabbath, 
 
 Qth — Rode 1 mile to the Nortli to visit a poor and distressed 
 family — and baptised 5 clilklren, — the mother being a member 
 of the chh. at Paris, — viz : Joseph, Thomas, Mathus, Hendon, 
 Chancy, Eunice, Loisa, — children of M^ Sol. Tuttle and Sarah 
 his wife. T!iis town is on rather elevated land — the headwaters 
 of several small brandies of Sandy Creek, are found here. Crops 
 look well. Soil, a blask loam. 
 
 C'inmpio7ij or JYo. 4, 8 miles to the N. East — at Henry 
 Mosley's. Here I am liappy to find old acquaintances, and old 
 fashioned cookery — and tilings comfortable and convenient 
 This town is some part of it on elevated ground. It lies in the 
 great bend of th.e Elack river — 4 miles from the river — good 
 miles; 80 families. Saw Lucy Mosley, from Westfield (and Ben 
 Buck). The people appear to be happy — visited a M*" Peirce, 
 who married a Vanduzen — and also a Capt" Hubbard, all from 
 Middletown, 
 
 Monday morning. — Capt. Mosley and 5 otliers rode out with 
 me to see a great curiosity, 6 miles from Cliampion, in y*' corner 
 of N" 5. It is a gulf in Deer River. We walked |tiis of a mile 
 from the road, on tlie rocks on the bed of the river. The rocks 
 are limestones, and smooth, with here and there a large crack. 
 The river has worn the rock on an average about 20 feet deep — 
 and bed of the river is about 9 or 10 rods wide. At present 
 tJiere is on each side of the stream about 3 rods of fine walking 
 — when we come to the falls, the most sublime prospect presents 
 
114(J MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 which is conceivable. The ground abo\e has the same appear 
 ance with tlie general furm of the country, and is level. The 
 water passes down into a gulf 155 feet. The top of the gulf 
 from rock to rock is, as near as I could judge, 12 rods; at the 
 bottom, it is on an average 8 or 9. For the first hundred feet 
 the rocks are perpendicular — and then there lies fragments of 
 rocks and stones — so that where the water passes, when it haa 
 come to tlie bottom of tlie fall, it is about 4 rods wide. Upon y« 
 side of y«= place wliere tlie water passes over, M Mosley went to* 
 the edge, and let down a cord, with a stone, when I was at the 
 bottom. The cord hung perpendicular, and I was then 24 feet 
 from the base of the rock. The cord measured 155 by a s<|uare. 
 15 rods below the falls, the perpendicular rock is about 40 feet 
 higher than where we measured. At the bottom where the 
 water strikes, it is 120 feet wide. Al)Out 25 rods below this, 
 there is a place where it is possible for people to get down; but 
 extremely steep, and something dangerous; but we passed down 
 without injury. At }« bottom of y« river there is y* same rock 
 — which rock extends all over this county; ho^ deep, no one 
 can tell. The rock is a great curiosity; it is all a limestone, and 
 is filled with every kind of sea-shells, petrified. I knocked out 
 of y«= solid rock, 155 I'eet below the surface of the earth, various 
 shells, which may now be seen. This gulf is without any doubt 
 all made from l^^^ of a mile below by the wearing of the water, 
 which makes the curiosity of the shells vastly greater. And, 
 indeed, this whole rock, which is certainly 155 feet deep, and 
 which extends to Sandy Creek — and perhaps 50 or 100 miles 
 round in all dii-ections, made up of sea-shells of every kind, — as 
 cockles, clams, oysters, and a thousand otliers. At Zadock 
 Bush's. 
 
 I4tfi, — Rode about 2 miles to another gulf upon a small creek 
 in Lowville. The liill is about 70 feet, nmong clay rocks. These 
 rocks are singular. They appear to be laid up in the most exact 
 and curious manner. The stones in some places in courses of 4 
 feet wide, are an inch, and half inch square at the ends, and 
 may be taken out about 8 inches long, in y* shape of hones — 
 and they are said indeed to be most Pxcellent hones; others are 
 t, 3, and 4 feet wide, and from 6 to 12 inches thick. At the 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVEU COUNTRIES. 1147 
 
 bottom of this rock may also be found intermingled with it, sea- 
 shells, 60 feet below the top of y** rock. 
 
 16W_At Capt. Clap's. Eode to see y^ high falls of y« Black 
 river. The full is about GO feet, not perpendicular. From the 
 top to the bottom it is an inclined plane of 45 degrees. It is from 
 below a most sublime prospect. These falls may be seen in the 
 drawing. [^Too much defaced to he reproduced.^ 
 
 17"* — Rode a mile to see a gulf upon a very small stream. 
 When we come to the highlands, we enter into a valley, or gulf, 
 about on an average 4 rods wdde : the hills from 50 to 140 feet 
 high. We travel about 2 miles and ^ with these appearances ; 
 and then come perpendicular rocks, wliich appear to be laid up 
 like y- most exact hewn stone of different widths, and lengths — 
 and perfectly square. Tliese works become nigher together 
 until they are within 9 feet of each other, both at top and bottom. 
 The gulf, or walls, are here 100 feet perpendicular. We are now 
 30 rods from the fall, which i§ about 50 feet ; but y« bottom of 
 y® gulf being filled with w^ater, I could proceed no farther. I 
 could look up into this awful place about 10 rods before there 
 was any bend in the gulf— and then it appeared to be a right 
 angle. Those rocks for about tliirteen rods, appear to be laid up 
 with hewn stones, entirely perpendicular, and more perfect than 
 is in the powder of man. Such a place as this bajSles all descrip- 
 tion. The stones are in general from one to 4 feet wide in front, 
 and from 3 to 10 inches thick. From the bottom layers of these 
 perpendicular walls, I knocked off pieces of the stones contain- 
 ing sea-shells of various kinds — and there is every appearance 
 that the whole of those rocks are composed of shells. These 
 are not lime-stones in general ; but of a consistency between 
 clay and flint, and are exceeding hard and thick, I think that 
 the philosopher and the historian will be puzzled to account for 
 those facts. Surely they open a wide field for contemplation, 
 and conjecture. In examining the above gulf, I was happy in 
 having the company and assistance of Major Bush and Capt. 
 Clap. Capt. Clap has been in town 2 or 3 years ; Major Bush is 
 now making preparations to remove his family next winter. 
 Before I saw the country, I wondered that men so happily 
 situated as they were, should remove in this wilderness j but my 
 
1148 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE ' 
 
 wonder has ceased. The situation is pleasant and the land most 
 excellent. It is a garden ; and raust,wlien opened, and properly 
 tilled, be productive far beyond any of y*" meadows on Connecticut 
 river, except those in Deerfield, which are annually flown. 
 
 From Turin, we came into Leyden, where Boon made a 
 settlement. Tliis place does not appear to be very flourishing. 
 The people are poor, and too much of ye land is leased. The 
 Americans never can flourish when on leased lands — they have 
 too mucli enterprise to work for others, or to remain tenants — 
 and where tliey are under the necessity of living on sucli lands 
 I find that tliey are greatly depressed in mind, and are losing 
 their animation. 
 
 From Boon's settlement, 13 miles to Remsen,is a most tedious 
 road. Lands here are not so good as further down the river ; 
 yet tliey are very productive. This is a poor society. 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS UPON THE BLACK RIVER 
 COUNTRY. 
 
 The river lies in general very low, compared with the lands. On 
 the S. \V. side tlie road on an average may be 2 or 3 miles from y* 
 river, and most of y« way the land is descending towards it; and in 
 many places too marshy to admit of settlements. The country 
 is liejivy timbered. In some parts you will find townships quite 
 level, and in otliers hilly ; but there is no waste land from hills — 
 wliich are gentle ascents in most places, on a rich, productive 
 soil. It appears to be a white clay, bordering upon a marl 
 mingled with a black loam. In some places you find rotten 
 slate, or rather clay stones. Over all this country sea-shells are 
 found of almost all kinds. The country is well watered ; and 
 the water appears to be good — as good as can be from limestones. 
 
 People frequently raise tlieir provisions the summer of their 
 settling; if they go on in season, tliey chop down the trees, and 
 get them off as soon as possible; and they sow spring wheat and 
 plant corn. The wheat is sown and dragged; and if there is no 
 blast, they reap from 25 to 35 bushels the acre. Corn is only 
 planted upon the ground without plowing, and is seldom hoed 
 more than once — and then no more is done than to cut up the 
 fire weed: and corn planted and tended in this manner, I havt 
 
MOHAWK AND BLACK RIVER COUNTRIES. 1149 
 
 measured, which was lli^ in lieight. It, however, does not 
 appear to be so stocky as corn in Deerfield meadows. They tell 
 me it produces from 40 to 70 bushels the acre. It would not 
 answer here, however, to tend corn in tliis manner after y« first 
 year of its being cleared — it would become weedy. Crops of all 
 kinds appear to flourish, though the ground is not half tilled. 
 
 Poor people have, in general, been the first settlers. They 
 have bouglit farms of al^out 100 acres — have cleared 10 or 20 — 
 built a log-house — and then sold to others, for a sum as much 
 greater than they gave, as to purchase them another 100 acres — 
 and by this means have placed themselves in a short time in a 
 good situation. It is considered liere but a small affair for a man 
 to sell, take his family and some provisions, and go into the 
 woods upon a new farm, erect him a house, and begin anew. 
 
 Society is here made up of all characters. It is a mixture of 
 everything that can be well conceived of, both as to nations and 
 religions. The great body of tlie inhabitants are, however, from 
 Massachusetts and Connecticut. 
 
 One thing is peculiar in this wilderness, — every countenance 
 indicates pleasure and satisfaction. The equality of circum- 
 stances cuts oif a great proportion of the evils which render men 
 unhappy in improved societies, and the influence of hope is very 
 apparent. I do not know that I have seen an unhappy person 
 for 90 miles on this river. There is no complaining of hard 
 timesj but every one is cheerful and contented — for they all 
 foresee, that in a few years they will have a great plenty of 
 worldly goods, in a common course of events. 
 
 JYorway, Sept. 21. — The R»yal grant (or Sir William Johnson's 
 land,) is a tolerably good tract. It lies between the 
 upper and lower Canada creek. It is high land, and is a grazing 
 country. Tlie people in general appear to be destitute of enter- 
 prise; and they still live in their log huts. This remark wiU 
 not apply, however, to the people in Salsbury. From this to 
 Johnstown I met with nothing worthy of remark. From Jolms- 
 town to Fonda's Bush, tlie country has a New-England appear- 
 ance as respects land. The ground is sandy, and is covered 
 with white and pitch pine. From Fonda's Bush to Galway, 10 
 miles, the country is good, and has as many inliabitants as there 
 
1 1 50 MISSIONARY TOUR THROUGH THE 
 
 ought to be. From Galway to Nurtluunpton, 18 miles many 
 good iiiims; but there is no hiiul liere like that on Black river 
 and Sandy Creek. Put up with a Dutch deacon — had a dinner 
 of boiled squash, swimming in butter, sweetened a little; and 
 witli tliis mess the family mixed vinegar in great plenty. This 
 is a pour country — too sandy, and dry: and the inliabitants may 
 in general be considered as the fag end of man. Houses misera- 
 ble — fields lie open, without cultivation, and everything appears 
 to be going to ruin. 
 
 These remarks will [not] apply, however, to all the inhabit- 
 ants. Some aj)pear to .be very inchistriuus men ; and it is 
 surprising what a difference there is between the appearance of 
 (arms that are tilled and such as are neolected. 
 

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