Rondout resident, Nathaniel Booth, continues his journey to Canada & Niagara, 1865.  Excerpted from his journal held at Syracuse University Libraries, Special Collections Unit.

(Drawing by Nathaniel Booth)

When our boat arrived in “Coburn” I instituted a search for the remains of our elder party, and found them extended in a state of helpless, and hopeless, misery on the floor of the lower cabin, mixed up with hats, coats, bonnets, hoops, skirts and other “wearing utensils,” masculine, feminine and neuter, belonging to other passengers in similar distress, but for awhile identity was nearly impossible.

We at last landed at “Port Hope” in safety, and only two to three hours beyond the regular time, after a terrible voyage, crossing all the way accross the line of the gale – Even the captain – crew, and chamber maids who make the trip daily were so ill as to be nearly helpless.

The sails were blown to ribbons – The sea broke over the lower decks every instant – barrels and boxes of freight got loose and dashed about, some going overboard, but the noble boat labored and her way despite the elements and finally brought safety to land her passengers and crew.

“God save the Queen”

For here we are in her dominions and under the protection of her majesty.

We were met at the landing by one of her representatives, a certain Mr. Lander to Custom House official of the port who in a very polite and most gentle manner asked for the keys of our trunks, which we immediately placed in his hands.

The trunks were opened according to law, but before a single article was touched Mr. Lander said in substance to us-Ladies and gentlemen duty obliges me to examine your effects-to open your trunks by force if necessary-all of which you know but do you pledge me your honor that they contain only ordinary clothing? nothing liable to duty?

Giving him this assurance the officer returned our keys without disturbing a single article of clothing, or any further investigation and with a bow, left us.

We were soon comfortable provided for at Hastings hotel, Port Hope, but had a sea sick night-the rolling motion of the Steamboat seemed to have been transferred to the house, the beds became berths, and in our half-awake dreams we were yet tossing upon Lake Ontario-and subjected to all its disagreeable consequences.

The morning fund us, or all that was left of us, not only well but ravenously hungry, so we ordered and dispatched a breakfast and a dinner at the same meal and at 10 o’clock left by RR for Peterborough where relatives of our friends reside.

This Rail Road is a single track, exceedingly rough, having steep grades, and very high and shakey tressle work-It has steep rocky embankments-frail bridges crossing deep ravines, with abrupt curves along suspicious sidings-The road is used principally in the lumber trade but is accommodating to all manner of business and particularly to passengers as the trains are stopped anywhere on signal, taking on or letting off travellers at their own pleasure which is of great advantage to sportsmen who can select the hunting grounds of the day and be landed at the spot chosen.

Port Hope is a half “Rule Brittania” and half “Hail Columbia” sort of a town, where John Bull and brother Jonathan fraternize in the items of trade, commerce, currency and domestic life, as is proper and neighborly in this great land of (not toleration) but absolute freedom, to “worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience.”

Still, this lovely 13th day of July 1865 we have seen at Coburn-see at Port Hope and expect to see at Peterborough all the colours-all the emblems of the Irish Orange party who celebrated their anniversary on yesterday.

The Engines-the cars-hotels-public buildings, even including the “post office”, and “telegraphic stations” are still decorated-or desecrated with “Orange” coloured emblems in the form of “flags,” “flowers”-“mottos,” “ribbons” and all the paraphernalia of that party.

A lady of the town who made up a buttonhole bouquet or two for us, felt obliged to make an apology for the want of variety, “because,” said she,”yesterday being our great celebration, we were obliged to gather every flower of orange colour for the arches, and the procession”-“Yesterday was the Twelfth of July you will please remember!!!”

Why should we remember that yesterday was the twelfth of July? Of what importance to us is the fact that William of Orange married Mary of England, and with their united forces obtained a victory over the Irish people, on this memorable day?

We have no interest in this event and have a right to object to the importation of these wretched party issues in this free Country.

That these rational-local-personal hatreds exist in Ireland is patent to every intelligent man, woman, or child upon the face of the earth wherever an Irishman “Orange” or “Green” can be found-That this feud is perpetuated-entailed-nourished and fed from generation to generation, and that they constantly lead to quarrels-bloodshed and ruin we have abundant evidence, and if the parties find pleasure and happiness in riot, confusion and broken heads, I for one see no just reason or cause for interference, or why this aggressive race of people should not thus enjoy themselves.

That is, in their own country-upon their own sod-But why bring their insane hatred, their bigotry, intolerance and national prejudices here-What care we in this country for the Orange or the Green? What interest have we in the 12th July or the 17th March that our peace should be disturbed by the religious discords, faction fights and bitter hatreds of this combative and most unhappy people?

My observations while in Canada stimulated by this “Orange” celebration and its effects on both classes of Irish exhibits this-That Canada being a British colony, under British rule, and up to within ten years owned by foreign landlords under the same barbarous feudal system as exists now in Ireland, it became the policy of government and the land owners to encourage immigration, and every inducement was held out to induce families to leave Ireland and settle in Canada.

TO BE CONTINUED…

The following is excerpted from a travel journal of Nathaniel Booth, 19th-century Rondout resident & diarist.  The drawing is by Nathaniel Booth.

“A Trip to Canada West and Niagara, In the Summer of Eighteen Hundred and Sixty Five”  by Nathaniel Booth

 Original journal held by the Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries

            A very old friend of mine – a merchant doing business in New York City – having near relatives residing in the western part of Canada whom he almost annually visits – extended an invitation to my wife and self to join him and his daughter in a pleasure excursion this summer, which we joyfully accepted –

According to arrangement we met our friends on a lovely July morning (the 11^th) on the Hudson River cars at Rhinebeck and as seats had been secured for us, our party was as compact, and comfortable as was possible –

A journey of a few hundred miles by rail admits of very little enjoyment in itself, beautiful scenery cannot be appreciated through clouds of dust and smoke while passing at a rate of forty miles an hour – its monotony was broken however by the gentlemen going occasionally to smoke a cigar – talk on politics or the like, which afforded the ladies an opportunity to gossip, criticize other ladies bonnets and dresses, and otherwise amuse themselves.

I had left home in an angry humour – our currency was reported to be in very bad order on the other side of the line (viz 54′, 40″) – Gold was worth about 160, and I had made arrangements (50 I supposed) for the exchange of a sufficient quantity of “green backs” to meet our expenses, when at the last moment – in fact just as our ferry boat was ringing her last bell the president of the _______ bank disapointed me most uncourteously, so we had to leave home depending on our National bank bills, and “shinplasters” only –

This ill natured act had the effect of closing our account with the bank, which had been of over ten years duration.

But my anger and disapointment proved to be unnecessary, as we found no difficulty whatever in using them along the route, or any where, by paying the customary discount.

We reached Rochester about 10 pm; too late to obtain more than a moonlight walk through this handsome, enterprising city; and early on Thursday July 12 we all left our rooms to visit Genesee Falls, celebrated for their beauty, their perpendicular descent of about two hundred feet, and also for being the scene of “Sam Patch’s Last Leap.”

Sam Patch was a noted swimmer and diver, he had won celebrity by jumping from the yard arms of vessels in New York and other harbors, three from Passaic Falls, Paterson N.J. and finaly has obtained, and conferred immortality here by jumping from the central projecting rock – into eternity.

After an early breakfast, and a very hearty one (much to our regret afterwards) we left the city proper for the coast and prepared for our sail accross Lake Ontario.  The morning was cool, somewhat cloudy, but pleasant, except the wind which forewarned us of a rough passage across its course; Many of our party expressed a wish to wait until the next day, and pass the time in the pleasant city of Rochester – but our imperative leader would admit of no delay, so in complyance with his wishes we embarked about 8.30 am on board the steamer, the wind now blowing “great guns” directly down the lake.

Our steamer, a good staunch iron built boat, rejoiced in the clasical name, “Corinthian” an order of architecture however, more to be admired on land than water, more particularly on the waters of Lake Ontario, where Tuscan-Doric-Ionic, as well as Corinthian, are very apt to become “Composite” during a gale lengthwise of this wonderful inland sea.

This sea was rough when we started from the southern shores – yet not unpleasantly so for awhile – but on obtaining a distance of some ten miles from land – the departed shore no long visable except the rapidly receding promontory we had left – when the one hundred and twenty miles long, and sixty miles wide of this beautiful lake gave northerly east, by west, by east, gales their full play – when its blue waters began to jump, and climb, to play “leap frog” and then to sink, fall, as if the bottom of the pond had fallen out, then again for us to see, and hear, and feel them foaming upwards as if to invade the heavens, dashing their spray over the hurricane decks of our boat – then the sensation was not so pleasant.

We were laboring in the “trough of the sea” – that is, we were crossing the line of the storm when the waves struck us sideways, rocking our boat as an exasperated nurse would rock the cradle of a wide-awake baby, while knowing the her favourite cousin was waiting not her pleasure – but her leasure –

“Rock’d in the Cradle of the Deep” is a very pretty sentiment – in print – or from the pretty lips of a sweet singer – but is altogether different on Lake Ontario in a gale you know, or you would know if you happened to be a passenger on board this Corinthian on this day –

“Our party” had taken possession of the after hurricane deck, and were in fact the sole occupants – We laughed at the tall rolling waves; watching their coming, and their going – the foam flying over our heads as we dashed among them without fear, and even cheered, when some more ambitious swells than usual, tried their strength against that of our gallant craft and triumphantly placed his “white cap” upon the pinacle of our pilot house.

And we enjoyed all this, considering it got up for our especial amusement – for awhile, although we were obliged to cling to the stancions of the decks for support – we dared the dashing billows to dance with us – and they accepted the invitation – but oh! what a “change came o’er the spirit of our dream” – It was when the laugh was loudest – when the merryment greatest that we observed a direful change pass over the countenance of our friend from New York – the broad smile vanished – a look of ineffable disgust, horror and dismay succeeded and he left us – he “stood not upon the order of his going, but went at once” and we saw him no more that day.

Scarsely had the senior of our happy party disappeared when his daughter, the youngest of our circle began to look sad, a spasm passed over her fair face and she began to gasp a desire to go home – “Oh! Oh! Please to take me ashore – sho – shor – Oh!!” she entreated and then resigned herself to her fate –

The madam however was self relient  and contented, she appeared to rise superior to the ills of ordinary life, and defy them – Physiologists have declared that the phenomena of fainting, hysteria, sea-sickness, and the like are in a great measure subservient to the will and determination of the person afflicted.

Perhaps they are right, but this rule does not apply to a cross-cut sea on the lake Ontario – the effect upon ordinary mortals is not alone a sea – but a sea-saw – sickness just as irresistible as the winds and waves which produce it,

So the madam thought she would go to the saloon just to see how our young friend was getting along – that’s all – she did not return to the after deck during that trip, but with my assistance the two ladies tumbled into the lower berths of adjoining state rooms, where leaving them to comfort each other I returned to the deck to enjoy myself –

How I succeeded is not for me to tell; I was for a few hours, in that peculiar state of mind when at first death in all its terrors presented itself, and afterwards would have been welcomed as a relief from the dreadful prostration experienced in sea sickness,

But in a short time the reaction took place, the miserable nausia had passed, and I was not only able to give aid to my companions in misfortune, but to amuse and appreciate the sublime grandeur of a storm at sea.

TO BE CONTINUED…

“There was no regular ferry established across the river at Kingston until the year 1752, and at that time the nearest established ferry north across the Hudson was at Albany, and toward the south at Newburgh.  Jacob Kipp, who settled at Rhinebeck about 1680, owned a large tract of land there extending for a considerable distance along the river.  He, after his settlement there, and until his death, was accustomed to carry passengers across the river without any permit or license.  After his death, his son Abraham did likewise.

Moses Cantine, who owned Columbus Point on the Kingston side of the river from about 1740 onward, had also built a dock and furnished boats to transport travelers across the river.

On the 5th day of August in the year 1752, Governor Clinton, in accordance with the prayer of their joint petition, issued a patent to the said Abraham Kipp and Moses Cantine, granting to them, the heirs, and assigns forever, “the full free sole and whole power and liberty and authority, privilege and right of setting up, establishing, using, keeping and enjoying a public ferry to be duly kept and attended for the convenience of passing and repassing with travelers and their horses, cattle and goods whatsoever, to and from the said landings of the said Abraham Kipp and Moses Cantine, exclusive of all others to keep and ferry within two miles above and below the said landings,” with the right to charge fees as therein particularly specified, except that they were not obliged to transport any person, cattle or goods from the first day of November to the first day of March, after sunset or from the first day of March to the first day of November after 8 o’clock at night, without double fees, and then only during that part of the year when boats could pass over the river without apparent danger from the ice.

The ferry then established has ever since been conducted and maintained under the old charter with changes in the character of the boats and their propelling power in accordance with the improvements of the times, and changes of location of termini as demanded for the public convenience.

The first ferry boat seen by the writer upon that ferry was a per auger, then the horse-boat was substituted, using horse-power to turn the wheels, and the next change was to the steamboat.”

Excerpted from the “History of Kingston,” by Marius Schoonmaker (1888)

(Left image: Ringling Bros. circus parade, 1905, Baltimore.  Right image: Ringling Bros. clowns, 1905)

During the Golden Age of the American circus (1872-1907), the Ringling Brothers traveling circus entertained cities and towns across the country.  In Kingston, the buzz of the circus coming to town brought throngs of people to see the circus parade and side shows.  The Daily Freeman reports on May 26, 1905 that “On Wall Street from 9 o’clock until after the parade had passed, the only place where one could walk was in the street, for the sidewalks were filled like a sardine box.”

In 1905, from April through November, the Ringling Brothers circus traveled from Baraboo, Wisconsin across country, stopping at 178 towns  from April through November. On May 26th, the residents of Kingston witnessed first-hand  what would soon become known as “The Greatest Show on Earth.”

According to the Kingston Daily Freeman (May 26, 1905), “Around the circus grounds since long before daybreak, there have been big crowds.  The circus arrived in town at 4 o’clock and hundreds of men and boys were on hand to see just how a big circus – a city in itself – manages to unpack all its possessions and get entirely settled within the few hours that are allotted to the men before the performance begins.  From 4 o’clock on til late this afternoon the crowd was everywhere, but in the midst of it all the employees worked with perfect unison and harmony, and with an ease that would do credit to a regiment of soldiery.  There was never an accident and rapidly and surely the circus raised itself from the ground into a complete city, sheltering hundreds of human beings, besides an immense menagerie – a city that lasts less than a day and will tomorrow will be raised elsewhere, leaving in the place where it has been a crowd of delighted and thoroughly satisfied sight-seers. ”

By 1956, the circus parade and sideshow was losing its charm.  LIFE magazine wrote that “a magical era had passed forever.”  Before long, though, the magic would continue.  That year, by switching from tents to arenas, Ringling Brothers ushered in a new era of entertainment.  “The Greatest Show in Earth” grew larger and, to this day, continues to thrill audiences world-wide.

From Harry Rigby, Jr.’s “What’s the Answer” – April 20, 1960

The Reverend Albert H. Shultis, through the intermediary of one of his more promising art students, Miss Posy Tomshaw, has requested an explanation of the several old stones around Kingston – he mentions one preserved in front of Dr. Krom’s office – inscribed “Jail Limits.”

These interesting old markers date back to a sunnier day when there was a great deal less vicious crime but when a jail sentence for lesser offenses was more common. Indeed, if you owed a legitimate debt but through misfortune you were unable to make payment upon demand or upon due date, your creditor could secure a ‘body attachment’ and have you confined to jail until the debt was paid. Of course, in jail the debtor could not work to earn the means of paying off his indebtedness and therefore it was a self-defeating procedure insofar as securing payment was concerned. I suspect, however, that a body attachment was many times taken to pay off a grudge or in a spirit of vindictiveness.
Confinement under those circumstances was cruel and inhuman, so our more charitable ancestors evolved a method of adhering to the letter of the law but combining justice with human mercy.

These stone monuments therefore were set up on most of the main thoroughfares at a point of one mile from the jail. Most of them were marked “Jail Limits – One Mile.” Prisoners in those days, and this was by no means too long ago, were sentenced to a jail which occupied the basement of the present courthouse on Wall Street in Kingston.
If sentenced for a crime which did not involve violence against the person – such as murder, rape, mayhem, aggravated assault and other similar crimes – and he could find a person to sign a bond for him, the prisoner was allowed to leave the jail after breakfast and return for supper and incarceration throughout the night, doing pretty much as he pleased around town, provided he did not walk beyond the jail limit stones at any time during the day. If the prisoner did violate the limit stones or escape permanently or fail to return to jail at suppertime, his bond was forfeited and the man who had signed that bond was forced to pay the sum of money he had agreed to.

For serious crime where a death penalty was inflicted, the execution took place right at the Ulster County Courthouse. The old gallows are still stored in the cupola and were exhibited last year during the Year of History celebration. A very ingenious gallows it is, built like a see-saw but off-center so that one end of the see-saw board is long than the other. To the short end is affixed a very heavy weight and to the other a short length of rope ending in a hangman’s noose. The shorted weighted end was lifted high off the ground so that the noose could be affixed around the prisoner’s neck. When the weighted end was dropped, the prisoner – who was standing on the ground – was jerked into the air, his neck was broken by the knot under his ear, and he was left dangling several feet off the ground. Old newspaper accounts tell of public hangings, attended by most of the public, who brought their picnic lunches and made a festive occasion of it.

Old drawings of the Courthouse show a stocks in front of it, in which minor offenders were locked for a day or two. Seated on the hard bench with both hands and feet locked in the sturdy yoke, and on full public view outside, the poor offender could do nothing but endure the embarrassment, the jibes, and an occasional overripe egg. The public whipping post was also located in the courtyard where prisoners were lashed.

Nathaniel Booth talks of visiting the Senate House, 40 years before it was open to the public and known as the “Senate House!” Also in this excerpt, a problem at the Newark Lime & Cement Company on the Rondout.  The “Vlight Berg” referenced is an area in what is today known as Hasbrouck Park in Kingston

Sunday 15 July

            Cool and pleasant – took a long walk to Rondout and the cement quarry of the Newark Co – This ‘deep cut’ in the “Vlight Berg” has caved in – this deep cut is 200 yards long and 100 feet deep – one third of the wall called “Roof Wall” has fallen in filling the shaft and the cave with masses of worthless rock – the drift or tunnel progresses fast – cholera not so bad – called on Baldwin he lives in the old stone house where the delegates of the State first met – I saw the rooms they occupied as well as that in which the Constitution of the State was drawn up and adopted – It is venerable (for this country) old building and the many associations clinging to it make it a place of frequent visitors – In the graveyard of the Dutch Reformed Church is a cedar post over 120 years old – It is supported in its place by a stone tablet – the upper portion is perfectly sound and retains the flavor peculiar to that wood –

During the 1830’s and ’40’s on the Rondout waterfront in Kingston, the sloop “Martin Wynkoop,” along with sloop “Albert Gallatin” formed the freight and passenger line to and from New York City.  Stories of ghosts haunting the “Martin Wynkoop” have been passed down for generations.  Excerpted below, Nathaniel Booth, Rondout resident, tells the story of The Haunting of the “Martin Wynkoop,”  Haunted or not? You decide!

Monday 25 February 1850

            Morning fine and spring like – the sloop Captains begin to look at their vessels as if they long to be aboard and talk of bending their sails – boatmen are beginning to congregate and may be seen in companies of three or four on the sunny sides of the houses on the wharf – Lazily watching the chips and straws floating down and smiling when a cake of ice detached from shore goes slowly on its way to destruction – wasting rapidly – the sun shine – the only topic of conversation in their respective vessels – how this one was the best on such a wind – how well such a one worked up the creek – what narrow escapes they had experienced – “I hear the old ‘Martin Wynkoop’ is for sale” remarked one – “no doubt and she will be ‘for sale’ as long as she floats – there ain’t many men would risk buying her” –That’s a fact; they say she is an unlucky craft and that queer sights have been seen on board of her – anyhowI would not have a berth on her for 20.00 a month! 

“I don’t believe in spooks,” said a youngster in the crowd – “I never seed a bigger spook than myself yet!”  “Neither do I,” said another – “I guess all the spooks, ” – “Boys,” said an old salt with emphatic solemnity she is  haunted and there is no use talking about it – I have known her for thirty years and she has had ill luck all the time – she has never paid expenses – she had broke more legs and arms – ruined more freight and done more damage generally than any craft between Troy and New York – “You don’t believe this and you don’t believe that” is all fudge – facts are stubborn things and what a man sees with his own eyes he is apt to believe in, and what he knows can’t be argued  out of him; and I know she is both unlucky and haunted –

I knowd her I may say afore she was built – she was built for a fast sloop and a man was looking through the woods for a long time for a tree large enough to make her keel without splicing – but before the tree was cut the sloop was cussed by an old woman for some spite against the builder – yes she put her cuss on it first and she never was lucky afterwards –

The first accident was to the man looking for the tree; when he found it and was cutting it down it fell all of a sudden and killed him dead on the spot – then the old woman cussed it again but they went on and built her, but when she was finished they could not get her off the stocks – the ways were greased – every stancion taken away – nothing remained to support her and yet she would not launch!  What caused that I should like to know?  Well they tried for a week to get her off but no use, there she was – at length they sent for Dr. Brink –“What the witch doctor?  Time has cured folks by moving his hands and talking gibberish?  and killed witches with silver bullets – and never used no psychic but signs and fresh butter” – “Yes the same man; well he came and made his signs and talked a long time to himself and by and bye she went with a rush – she shot like an arrow and almost went to the bottom of the river; now if that aint a sign I don’t know anything about witchcraft that’s all –

Well she had made but one trip when the owners son (Hasbrouck) a fine young man broke his neck by falling down the hold while she lay along side the dock – and then when Captain George run her she upset, lost her deck load and drowned the cook – besides that every season someone gets his leg or his arm broken – ever since she was built in 1820 for Hasbrouck she has been in scrapes – she ran foul of the sloop Convention and nearly destroyed both – she ran afoul the wharf and smashed herself to pieces – she dumped a load of hydes at one time worth 9000 dollars – she sunk several times once with a load of flagging stones – she went out in the big freshet of ’36 and lodged high and dry on the flats – they had to dig her out – and the same spring she sunk; she has carried away more rigging than she is worth – has thrown overboard more frieght than she ever made for her owners – but this is nothing to the sights and sounds on board –

I never sailed her nor wouldn’t have her – but you see Capt. Young or those who have gone aboard, they will tell you – there goes Bill – he went aboard two seasons – “Hello Bill – come here – how long did you go aboard the Martin?”  “Nigh on to three seasons and then quit her cause it wasn’t safe fer fellow to be aboard – I stood it as long as I could, but spooks and ghosts every night is too much of a good thing” – “I believe you – how did they act – what did they look like?”  – “Well sometimes one way sometimes another – I remember one dark night we were anchored near shore and all of us went ashore to get a drink and when we went back the sloop was lighted up from stern to stern and we heard fiddles playing and folks dancing and laughing aboard as if a regular ball was there – first we held back afear’d to go aboard, but the Captain said he wasn’t afear’d of the devil, so on we went but nothing was there, all was as dark and still as a cellar –

another time we were becalmed so we dropped anchor and I went into the cabin – it was a hot day so I laid down on the bench and pretty soon I see through the cabin window an Injin!  the window was open and he crawled in and after him another and another till the cabin was nearly full – then I heard a yell outside and they all left – I jumped up and looked out of the window and saw three or four canoes full paddling about the stern as if they were playing – and these same Ingins have often been seen since by more than one – “Wolf” has seen them and will tell you the same story –

One evening I came aboard (she was then anchored off shore) and saw something sitting on the “Sampson Poot” – first I thought it was one of the hands but when I went nearer it was a large Wild-Cat!  her eyes were rolling savage and I was scared considerable – I ran below and called the Captain but when we got on deck the wild cat was gone – then every night almost for a spell we would hear strange sounds in the hold and aloft – sometimes in a good breeze she would lie still and other vessels run past like steamboats – other times she would sail along fast when there was no wind at all – she carried away her mast while I was on board – and I heard two men have been killed at different times – one thing I noticed while I sailed her as very queer – She would hold her course – you might have her helm and take a nap and she would keep the same direction – I believe she would steer herself as well as a man could do it, if let alone – If she aint a haunted vessel then there never was one and never will be, and I’ll be darned if I’d sail her for a hundred dollars a month”

            “I hear Capt. Young kept a “Log” while he sailed her – run aboard the Kamanha and borrow it from him – tell him I will see it safe back – Capt. Young don’t much believe in ghosts but he has seen strange things aboard the old Martin Wynkoop – but her comes Jim with the “Log” – here Pete you read it for us”

            Log book of Sloop Martin Wynkoop (1842)

(Abridged N.B.)

June 21           “I shipt on board of Martin Wynkoop at $29 pr month with Capt. _______  things passed along very well – one month tho some one stolde her boat –

July 29            In winding round in Catskill Creek a man caut holde of the Davy – tackle – fall in order to get on board – Just as she was swinging around Clear of the Dock thus susspended with Boath hands hold of the tackle – He let go with one hand to reach the taffrail – He let go with the other but in so doing the fall reversed and let him drop about three feet – this unresspectted occurrance yanked the fall from his hand – but he still retained his holde with 2 fingers – this being in front of Johnsons shop who employed some 20 girls who all ran to the Doors on the first Alarm & seeing out a man overboard & that before the man had let go his hold of the fall – but the man seeing no other alternative let himself go down in the water with a tremendous splash witch fritented the Captain – he being on the Dock at the time ran and got a hemlock board as I suppose to reskew the man – that was his intention no doubt – but in his hury & exsitement he ran to the edge of the dock  and threw the board vialantly at the man and nothing but the mans diving prevented his head and the hemlock from coming in conduct – the man came up soon and was taken on board”

            “After this and for a while things past off very well for a short time – In Oct. 6 while in New York she had 11 firkens of Butter stolde; the Buckland and Catskill boath lay there at the same time – none of their Butter molested”

            “About this time Rumour said that she was haunted – I, to test the matter, smoked her out but found nothing that resembled spooks more than rats which was 73 in No.

12th     On the passage up had 2 Lady passengers on board, off Blue Pint – she got a cut down the water came within 2 strekes of her laches – one of the Ladies hollard murder – the other sang out set me ashore – Ile not go another milde in the sloop if it costs 10 dollars to pay my fare in the steamboat and I have to work nights to earn it – now imagine all the sloops cracking broken to pieces and scattered with the stow and Ladies all over the cabin flore and you will have an ide of the scene that met my vue

Nov. 1st          The Captain got drunk – sold his coal and wud not deliver it –

Novem 3         Left a man on deck who was well acquainted – he ran aground the first stretch – layd 2 dais

            “In the (illegible) got cary’d away Gib haliards – went home without Eny more Axcident wich was sumthing un_____ for her

Dec 3   Capt tipsy fel Between sloop & Dock hawl’d him in and gave a niggar 25 cents to cart him home

4          The ice drug our anchors ashore – A man started to go ashore on the ice that had lay’d there stationary 2 days – but when about half way acrost the flats that are very wide there the ice came up in the channel struck this that the man was on & away man and ice went up the river about 4 milds when the ice being solid that the man was on began to crust and break under his feet – After jumping about from one cake to another for 3 hours the steamboat R.L. Stevens came down which cut a canal between him and shore – he ran to windward as fast as he could but the wels reached him and he threw himself flat on his face to cover as much surfis as possible – and if his hat did not rais on his head it was because his hair was too limber for certainly there was fear enough as the ice gave every sine of breaking – he afterwards got off in a fish boat – gave $60 to be towed cleared of the ice which was at Kingston – hoisted sail got in the hilands

Captain fell between a bail of hay and the wrench head which lay’d him up for that trip – Dec 12            – At mans folly stranded Gib halliards – at Crows Nest got a cut down – the owner cant hole of the Pump handle with one hand & put the other over his eyes to hide the tears he shed out of fear – At mudhole Two Reeft her – spliced her haliards – Bob’s her Gib – and go to Po’Keepsie – wind N.W. – commenced taking her bonnet out – a very tegeous job it being froze – did not expect to meat enny ice but ahead I saw a cake 3 times her length in width and running the whole width of the river – As we struck the ice a flaw of wind struck us & cut her down so that she skipt about – 4 tons of ice inside of her waist – saw no more that night so we lay’d up at Elmores that season

 In 1843 I went agin on “Martin” – got up to Yonkers late in the day – ran aground – at low water she roled down so that her boom lay in the mud – It being calm, all hands were lying about deck partly assleep – all of a sudden there came a flaw that started her boom on board like a streeke of litening – I sprung to the halliards just in time to let it go before it got  for had it gone over she would have roled over & Broke all her flores in on the other side – After that there was not a breese of wind the day – We got off that night and as far as “Sopus Island” anchoring in the deepest water of the River – I told the Bois to lay down and I would keep watch – there was no wind so we let her jib stand and went below – I had not been there more than twenty minutes when I heard the jib run, thinking some of the Bois had got up and let it run – I went on deck and to my surprise the jib was up!  and all the bois asleep so I went below thinking I had been dreaming – in about 15 minutes I heard someone heaving the anchor so I went on deck to help but on reaching the deck all was still the bois still asleep – I then went down in the fore castle and in twenty minutes or so I heard the crew hoisting the jib which I had left standing; supposing the bois were getting under weigh I went above but as before all was still!  everything as I had left it except it being very foggy

            After this we left Sopus Island and stood a N. West course 2 hours under a stiff breeze I being below – when I went on deck I looked over the strn and saw land which I thought looked like Sopus Island so we got her compass and sure enough it was Sopus Island provided the compass was correct – so we anchored and next morning we lay as near the place we started from as you could draw a line!

            When turning the lite house down came her jib & all hands could not haul the block down!

            Ran afoul of a vessel anchor’d and after we got afoul they could not understand us nor we them – we caut over her flying jib boom and a man started  with a hatchet in his hand to cut the lift – I got my gun witch was not loaded at the time and told him if he cut the lift I would pick him off the boom as I would a squirrel off a limb – At night she sprung a leak lying at the dock the water 1 foot on her kilson in the morning – went to Rutker’s ship who old Fitch and Jim Donelson had a quarrel and so ended that trip”

            And so ends this wonderful story which is firmly believed by the boatmen of Wilbur almost without exception – all the reason in the world will not change the belief in supernatural agency being connected to this vessel – consequently her price is proportionably depreciated – As for Dr. Brink mentioned I have seen him and also seen him operate on his patients – He cures by charms – his hands are kept in motion over the affected part as if throwing off the disease and no application used but fresh butter – He also professed to suppress witchcraft and cure the bewitched and let the world blush to hear the greater part of his revenue came from this – he is dead now but his mantle has fallen on his son who yet practices business fair.