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February 21, 2014 Image

“Iron Mountain City,” from the diary of Nathaniel Booth, February 2, 1847 – Booth travels west in 1847 in search of mining opportunities

Iron Mountain City
“is situated on the western bank of the Mississippi river 80 miles below St. Louis – 100 miles above the mouth of the Ohio River and 40 miles east of the Iron Mountain and Missouri City – the Iron Mountain and Mississippi Rail Road terminates at this place – this Rail Road will at no distant day be the eastern termination of the great Missouri Rail Roads – running many hundred miles in to the interior of the country and commanding a trade of a territory equal in extent to the Eastern and Middle States” – (there follows the same rules & regulations as in Missouri City, with an appropriate number of public buildings – parks &c. beautifully engraved and painted)
Signed J.L. Vandoran
Henry Pease Proprietors
This swindling affair – this wholesale robbery happily fell through from the fact that Vandoran aimed to swindle his associates as well as the public – the company offered him 100,000 dollars for his interest but he refused to withdraw for less than half a million – this swindling scoundrel was too good the hypocrite to admit a gaming office or a drawn shop within forty miles of the city in which he was to dwell – his refined nature could not endure the smell of soap or glue – his eyes would roll up with pious horror at the idea of a sin being committed in the presence of his paradise and yet he could cheat a poor man out of his last dollar – delude numbers with utter ruin by selling them a worthless piece of ground that he had never paid for – he could give to Asylums, Churches &c. land that belonged to other people – pocket the money of his unfortunate dupes and then go to Church – make damnable faces and thank God he was better than other people – the brothers of both Vandoran and Pease were Presbyterian preachers and the partners were models of Piety and Virtue – It occasioned a smile when I read the laws of the City already made – a city laid out for at least fifty thousand inhabitants – to see Vandoran Mayor Alderman and Common Council dictating rules and regulations like a Monarch – I have seen the site – the City of Missouri – fourteen or fifteen log huts – one furnace – are all in reality – the rest existed but in the imaginations of the projector and on their painted canvass – for 1500 hands I found 20 – no Colleges – no Asylums – no avenues – no nothing but the ruin those villains made – of the subsequent history of Vandoran I gleamed some particulars – my informant said that tired of building cities he now destroyed them – he was engaged in the oil business and had been burned out three times – once in New Orleans – in Cincinnati and in N York City – the last time occasioned the great fire in N York about two years since –
Ten or twelve years have passed since this affair started – even yet there is neither rail road – canal or even a turnpike road in the State – the present company have a charter equal in many respects to Vandorans – but they have commenced at the right end – by working first – by turning this great mass of Iron into use – and being of real benefit to the people and the Country –
The rain snow and sleet still play a tattoo upon our windows – after finishing the interesting document with help of a bass viol and three flutes I managed to drive away harmony and the blues till dark at which time our prospects are
1st A return without accomplishing the object of our journey
2nd Through snow a foot deep at least
3rd With a cutting North West wind in our teeth – driving the drift snow and sleet through us – freezing our blood
4th or staying another day in this abominable place
The least of these is sufficient to make any man feel vicious – and feeling at present particularly so – here goes at any they I can find fault with
1st the Weather – which is the essence of all that is disagreeable and unpleasant in the winter season
2nd the Roads – which are muddy, rough, crooked and running continually in the wrong direction
3rd Our Wood – sappy and worthless – fizzing – spitting and spluttering in the stove perfectly innocent of flame or heat
4th Our Tallow Candle – had we two we would be in total darkness
5th Our Fare – which I will attempt to analyze separately
Coffee! 20 parts water – 1 lb. of burned sawdust – 1 of maple sugar – 1 of sour cream which floated on the mixture like drops of tallow on a glass of water
Bread: Composed intirely from appearance, weight and taste; of Iron ore from the adjacent mountain and vinegar – the mixture to be perfect was but half baked
Smoked Beef – stewed in flour and water
Corned Beef – as Red as fire or the landladys face which is the same thing
Butter Strong enough to draw a hog through a stone fence – and certain mysterious compositions called by the family (in courtesy I presume) Cakes – The Lord only knows what they were – Opposite at the table sits the fiery face with an expression that plainly tells it would be unsafe to offend – next to her is her son’s wife – a “Sacker” newly wed – then came the daughters of the house five or six in number – hanging between good looks and the reverse like (illegible) between Heaven and Earth – four or five sons fill up the table – this family are from the East and the dupes of Vandoran – they are connected with “Pease” and say he was drawn into the business by Vandoran – last of all the bed to which I am about to enter a second time which is the best of the arrangements but rather sparing in cover – were it half as heavy as the landladys bread on our stomacks we could not complain of it – I hope for the sake of all that tomorrow will be a fine day

December 3, 2013 Image

From the diary of Nathaniel Booth, April 22, 1848

From the diary of Nathaniel Booth, April 22, 1848

April 22 – 48
Our village is all life and commotion – the Canal opens on Monday and the whole country is like a nest of hornets stirred up with a crooked stick – Canal horses such as have unfortunately for themselves survived the winter – rejoicing with the first feed of oats for the season an making desperate attempts at a prance or run and striving to show off their anatomy to the best advantage – Ropes – canvases pitch – paint &c. are flying about: some in red flannel shirts and boys dressed in every varity of costume remarkable principally for its ingenius adaptation to forms it was never intended for – one article a Fathers pantaloons turned up at the bottom and down at the top with a button sewed on the back to fasten them after going once and a half on twice round – an old straw hat – an older brothers perhaps – fitted to the head with a rope yarn drawn tight near the (illegible) – large (illegible) to allow for growth of the fur – a ragged woolen tie for the neck and a discarded stump of a sigar in the mouths of the most precocious completes the figure of the most important feature of the business the “canal boy” This boy is known at a glance first by the characteristics I have enumerated – by his swagger, his ready tongue, his independent, “I cares – for nobody and nobody cares for me” sort of an air and by a black eye or swelled nose the result of the many conflicts he is necessarily engaged in – The rudiments of a Canal boys education are first to swear well then to fight – and to stand privation in every form – wet or dry hot or cold – day or night must have no effect on them – they must learn to endure without (illegible) the weight of the Captain fist occasionaly or a knock down from a bigger boy – The “Boy” must also be a connoisseur in horse flesh and a judge of oats – steering the boat is the poetry of the profession the tiller the Canal boys paradise – and his dreams (if he dreams at all in the short broken sleep allowed him) are of a “fast horse” with two eyes – and harness of bright leather – a rope without knots – a boat with a yellow or red streak around it and a tiller painted green with himself at it – dignified with the title of Captain
Abijah Smith has laid out a new village opposite Wilbur named “New Salem” – and Lithographic plans are plastered up everywhere – weather very fine and springlike

November 21, 2013 Image

Diary of Nathaniel Booth – November 17 & 18, 1845

Diary of Nathaniel Booth - November 17 & 18, 1845

17
My twenty sixth birthday – Oh my! How old I am getting – twenty six – only think! for the sake of novelty consented to go on a “coon hunt” so soon after dark – having filled a basket with eatables and not forgetting a little bottle of “Oh Be Joyful” I started in company with Mr. King, Bland and others under the Captainry of Nase – an old darky well skilled in these adventures – Mr. King backed out and went home but the rest mounting a waggon drawn by two mules and driven by the immortal “Bill Turley” drove on in high spirits – after riding over a rough road for five miles we took to the woods and loosed the dogs – it was midnight and still no raccoon had been started so we kindled a fire and prepared a supper – cold beef – ham – bread &c. was portioned to each not forgetting the “Cretur” – and the way the victuals disappeared was a caution – in five minutes not a vestige remained – at length the dogs struck a trail and now the sport began in earnest – yow! yow! here they come; now they double; now (illegible) almost beyond hearing; again so near that we expect to see them – again they are off until a change in the cry of the dogs causes everyone to yell, he’s treed! he’s treed! hurrah! and such scampering never was seen – guided by the noise of the dogs, we gained the tree, a tall spreadly oak and disposed ourselves in battle array – a young darky ascended the tree and climbing within three feet of him began to shake the “coon” – hung like wax but Ben was too many for him and down he came crashing to the earth – turning himself on his back – his sharp claws and long teeth made him a match for dogs and it was not til after a desperate fight in which blood flowed freely from the dogs as well as himself that he gave up – he was the largest I ever saw and we returned well pleased with the sport – in the night George Lipscomb returned without procuring a situation

18
Skinned and stuffed the “coon” as a memorial of our frolic – spent the evening at Millers where we met a large company – a Mr. Hardy amused the company by this banjo performances – we danced, had music – and all left well pleased with our entertainers

November 16, 2013 Image

Letter to John Vanderlyn from Aaron Burr, Aug. 28, 1811

Letter to John Vanderlyn from Aaron Burr, Aug. 28, 1811

This letter from Burr to the artist mentions the portrait of Burr’s daughter, Theodosia, that Vanderlyn was working on. Portrait shown is referred to as the “Nags Head” portrait of Theodosia Burr Alston (not the portrait spoken of in the letter). Theodosia was lost at sea in 1813.

Letter from Aaron Burr to John Vanderlyn
Aug 28th 1811
Amsterdam

Your letters begin to arrive with more punctuality – that of the 24th, which you are pleased to call a duplicate is received this morning – again therefore I acknowledge the receipt of the enaml. picture of T. & of the parcel containing, as is written & said, brochures & gravures – The defect in the coloring of the neck & face is that which most displeases me – the green drapery I would forgive – The drawing really pretty well.
You cannot be better employed than in making a picture of the belle C—-J’espere que en seroit enfin et pas trop charge de draperie. Si la seroit unifie et elle consenteroit j’assiste aux Seances, je me rendrai a paris par le premier Courier – which you will be pleased not to say to any but D. Ca –

Adieux
AB.

Please to hand personally the enclosed – The name has been cut off from the note which accompanied the piece but has not been destroyed

Addressed:
a Monsieur
Monsieur Van Der Lyn
Rue Vaugirard No. 100

November 15, 2013 Image

From the diary of Nathaniel Booth – Aug. 20, 1849

From the diary of Nathaniel Booth - Aug. 20, 1849

Twaalfskill Aug 20 1849
I like old names so instead of Wilbur I shall call our little place by its ancient name Twaalfskill – the name of a little “spring stream” that boils from the earth in a dozen fountains at the head of “Jacob’s Valley” a particularly wild and romantic vale between this place and Kingston – The name signifies “Bass Creek” from the fact of many of the fine fish of the name being taken near its junction with the Rondout in old times – before the tannery, lines and flour mills poisoned the water and drove them far away – Twaalf is Dutch for twelve and applied to the stripes, six on each side, of Bass on our creek – so Twaalfskill shall be the name hereafter.
The day beautiful – arose early and was at my business before breakfast – Brown returned with a brother in law of his – He has not yet decided about the store – Baldwin is anxious for me to have it and has promised in the event of Brown not taking it to offer me a good opportunity to take it – next week is to decide and I am to await that time.
Mary came down – took tea with Hubert, then will so be another of the ______ If “coming events” do “cast their shadows before.” – Heard that Hubert’s sister is to be married to her cousin Rush – Hubert enraged at the match.

October 21, 2013 Image

Nathaniel Booth Diary – Aug. 24, 1844 (painting by George Innes)

Nathaniel Booth Diary - Aug. 24, 1844 (painting by George Innes)

24.
Recollections
The style of the following was suggested by heaving Cookmans (I think) celebrated song called “analization” – I have endeavored to imitate it as much as possible in style as in idea – It was written years since.

“What is Saugerties made of?
Of the beautiful Hudson Esopus Creek too
Of Highlands and valleys a beautiful view
Of large manufactories – of streamers and clocks
Of a picturesque bridge and canal through the rocks
Of the cloud reaching “Catkills” so bold in the west
And out beautiful girls though last not the least
And of such is Saugerties made of.

What is Esopus Creek made of?
Of a beautiful lake and of streams from the hills
Of rapids and falls of mill seats and mills
Stony Point when in time of the cholera was put
A well waded cannon to keep vessels out
Of a hospital built so far out on a flat
Neither doctor or anyone else could get at
Of steamboats and sloops that are warranted sound
And a light house to keep them from running aground
And of such is Esopus Creek made of.

What is Red Hook made of?
Of a landing for steamboats a ferry too
On which you may cross for a shilling ’tis true
Of fisherman, fisheries and fish beyond number
Of negroes and grogshops and plenty of lumber
The Natives ashamed of the place by the ___________
Have transformed Red Hook into “Tivoli”
And such is Red Hook made of.

What is Hunter made of?
Of mountains and rivers – moschitoes and swamps
Of sawmills and tanneries – Bad colds and cramps
Of streamlets where trout can be caught with a fly
Of a “clove” where there’s plenty of ice in July
If you walk in the woods you will surely get lame
And make game of yourself if you seek there for game
And such is Hunter made of.

What is Elmira made of?
Of sweet Clinton Island – the river Cheneng
Which means “Big Horn” in the Indian tongue
Tis a place where the Indians did meet with great hopes
And where Sullivan cut all the throats of his “Hosses”
It has churches and houses the usual variety
And boasts of its “Young Mens Debating Society”
And of such if Elmira made of.”

I will analize Georgetown when I leave it till which “Requicseat in pace”

October 13, 2013 Image

Nathaniel Booth Diary: Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1845

Nathaniel Booth Diary: Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1845

This is a fascinating, first-hand account of the Anti-Rent War (aka The Helderberg War”) that occurred in upstate New York during the late 1830’s through the mid-1840’s.

“Wednesday 15.
The Anti-Rent trials in N. York have come to a close and the lawbreakers will now pay the penalty of their folly – Although I cannot but sympathize with the tenants and feel theirs to be a hard case – still might does not constitute right – and the tenants are not alone wrong – Old Van Rensselaer was much to blame to omitting to credit the tenants when he returned their money which in the kindness of his heart he frequently did – by omission a long score had accumulated against many of the tenants and their refusal to pay the back rents was as much from inability as a sense of right – the Heirs would not acknowledge the old man’s donations as no evidence existed on his books and this was the first cause of the outbreak – At first the Patriots confined themselves to making false bids at the Sheriff’s sales but soon made bold to resist him in the execution of this duty & even offered him personal violence – on one occasion his clothes were torn – his papers taken from him & burned – his horse sheared on one side & decked with ribbons – he was then made to mount on one side like a woman & thus led out of the village followed by a rabble of boys who pelted them with mud &c. – The Military in Albany were called out but this only made matters worse – at this time with three others fired by a desire for adventure – I started to join the resisting party – but the snow two feet deep & a violent storm cooled our ardour so that prudence had time to put in a word – the consequence was that we held a consultation & “to go or not to go” was the question – “not to go” had the majority & we instantly put our resolution in practice & the same night saw us in our own beds – I have ever since deemed this a fortunate move as we might all have been “Big Thundered” by this time – Had the tenants pursued a correct course I do not doubt that they would have eventually gained their point – but the inhuman murder of Sheriff Steele called forth the vengeance of the laws & the following persons are condemned to pay the penalty:
J. Van Steenburgh To be hung 29 Nov
O’Connor To be hung 29 ”
Squires ”
Earl ”
Preston ”
Northrup ”
in addition, 8 persons are sentenced to 7 years – 3 are sentenced for 2 years – The leader “Big Thunder” alias “Dr. Broagham” is also put to hard labor in the state prison for the term of his natural life – and thus ended “The Heilderberg War”

October 9, 2013 Image

From the diary of Nathaniel Booth, Oct. 6 & 7, 1845

From the diary of Nathaniel Booth, Oct. 6 & 7, 1845

Image shown is a pencil sketch from the diary of N. Booth

Monday 6
George Lipscomb has left his situation for another in a dry goods store at an advanced salary – in my opinion he had better have remained where he was – he expressed dissatisfaction at his old situation – I hope he has not exchanged for a worse

Tuesday Oct 7
Cool weather thermometer 50 – the Potatoe crop has entirely failed in Europe and in some parts of this country particularly in the state of Maine on which the southern states mainly depend – this it is feared will cause great distress and has already materially effected the price of flour – provisions generally are on the rise a price – the rain on Sunday owns no praise save the attempt – the crops or streams scarsely felt it – many predict a hard winter and truly many things indicate it – the bees refuse to swarm and in many instances are laying up store on the outside of their hives which is considered a sure sign – the quantity of nuts &c. is said to be immense which is another sign – but signs are as often false as true

October 7, 2013 Image

Revolutionary War letter: June 29, 1777

Revolutionary War letter: June 29, 1777

Letter to Peter Van Gaasbeek in Kingston from Col. Jacobus Bruyn at Fort Montgomery, June 29, 1777. Bruyn was also a Kingston native, but was defending Ft. Montgomery in the Hudson Highlands in June of 1777. Just 4 months after this letter was written, on October 6, 1777, Bruyn was captured at the Battle of Fort Montgomery and held prisoner on board a British prison ship almost until the end of the War.

Dear Sir
As I was enumerating the many Circumstances, that seem to conspire against my Peace in this Life, it struck my mind that in some of my Observations for this While past I had Reason to suspect an Indifference in your Behaviour to me, which I must confess (tho’ I scorn an Intimacy without mutual Attraction) gave me no little concern when I considered that the same might have arose either from a wrong Construction of Appearances or some Artifice of treacherous and deluding Persons; but having carefully perused your favour of the 29th Ul.t wherein you have fully testifyed the Sincerity of your Regard, I think I should be unworthy a place in your Esteem, did I not in some manner retaliate the good Offices you have lately done me and which I cannot avoid assuring you have in a great Measure contributed to any comfortable Satisfaction ~ I should enlarge a good deal upon this Subject with an Addition of my own Sentiments respecting some matters Matters in which you have been lately entrusted as a Confident and which tell then I could not be justifiable in communicating, but here I must beg your Pardon and break of 10th it, as I am just now furnished with a Letter directed to me by Capt. Jansen, upon Perusal of which I am much surprized to find that that Gentlemen disregarding all his Protestations of sincere Friendship (not to mention his blackguard Language) has so far forgot himself as to deviate from those Principles of Truth Honor and Equity which I ever expected would have marked his conduct as a gentleman if not that of a Friend But to say no more till I have further Satisfaction respecting the Matter I shall conclude with my Respects to Miss Blandma if that will not be too much of a trouble and accept of the same yourself
From your Friend
and humble Sv’t
Ja’s Bruyn

October 5, 2013 Image

From the diary of Nathaniel Booth, Oct. 4 & 5, 1849

From the diary of Nathaniel Booth, Oct. 4 & 5, 1849

“Saturday 4 – The weather is cloudy and bids for rain which is much needed – the springs and small streams are completely dry, compelling many families in the country to go miles for water – and as the mills cannot work, they find great difficulty in getting their corn ground – meal, flour &c. are consequently very dear

Sunday 5 – Rain at last – remained home all day – Little Elly improves daily and is the best child living – I almost doubt her ability to cry or be cross”
NB: Little Elly is Nathaniel’s & Ellen’s daughter