On March 26th and 27th 1844, we (Mr. and Mrs. Mungo Patterson and son John) together with Mrs. Patterson's family, the Robert Clows left Sodus, New York and came to Lyons.
April 6, took the Ague. (fever with Malarial characteristics) On Friday, April 19th we came on board the zinc boat, "Chavels Demmon". Sat. 20th, left Lyons about noon with over 20 passengers aboard, and tonight are lying at Lockveil, detained for want of water. It was advertised in the paper that the canal would be open on the 18th, but no boat could pass till the 26th, and even then there were some of the levels without water. Consequently we were detained two or three days longer on the Canal on this account. Eighty boats were lying below Lockveil. Ague and fever today.
On the 22nd between noon and one o'clock we passed 86 boats from the west, all aground, and 20 more in the afternoon. Wed. April 24. Arrived at Buffalo at half past 3 in the after- noon. We soon learned that the Steamship Chesapeake, with Capt. Kelsey was to sail for Chicago in a few hours. Mr. Clow went on board and saw the Capt. There is just one little room left with 9 berths in it, which will suit us exactly. Passage $7 each, agreed to take it. The Canal boat is brought along side and our luggage put on board the Chesapeake.
Buffalo is already a large and important city with over 30,000 inhabitants.
At 7 o'clock at night the Chesapeake set out for Chicago, with I should think between three and four hundred passengers. The decks are crowded with passengers, luggage, furniture of all kinds, wagons, plows, etc. and about 20 horses. The hands be- longing to the boat are stowing away luggage in the hold, to make room on the deck. Fever and ague.
Thurs. 25. At 9 o'clock in the morning put in at Ashtabula, Ohio, to take on wood. At noon put in at Fairport, Ohio, for wood. Arrived at Cleveland, Ohio, at 4 o'clock in the after- noon. Cleveland has about 20,000 inhabitants, and for shipping is not far behind Buffalo. We had a great deal of loading and unloading here. Among other things we took on a few tons of coal to burn with the wood.
Friday 26. Left Cleveland last night at 7, and entered Detroit River about daybreak, and at 8 o'clock this morning we are lying at Detroit, Michigan. We left a good many passengers here and all but 7 of the horses. Left Detroit at half-past ten, and within an hour entered Lake St. Clair. We had not gone far when our boat ran aground in 5 feet of water, 7 schooners were aground here before us. However after some guessing and calculating and running to and fro on deck, we got off again in about an hour. This is a very shallow lake and the channel almost in- variably alters every season; the stakes had not been altered as yet. Entered the St. Clair River, it is narrow and deep, good to sail in. Plenty of ducks near the mouth of the river. Droves of cattle feeding on the swamps. From Detroit to Fort Gratiot at the outlet of Lake Huron is 59 miles, we put in to the Canadian shore 3 miles above the fort at 9 at night, and took on 60 cords of wood.
Sat. 27th. Left the wood station about 5 in the morning and are now ploughing the clear blue water of Lake Huron.
Sabbath 28th. Clear, sharp morning. Reached Mackinaw at 10 min. to 10 o'clock. The inhabitants are of 3 kinds--descendants of early French settlers, Indians and a few families from the eastern states. There are 3 Indian wigwams on the beach just below the village, some of their bark boats are lying around and some are sailing on the lake. These are the first Indians we have seen. With the exception of some very ugly dogs we saw no living animal. No vegetation of any kind as yet, though they say they can grow potatoes, and they have an abundance of the best fish in the world. We saw no settlement along the shore of Michigan except 2 or 3 fisherman's huts near Mackinaw, nothing but wood, wood, wood. After taking in a little we left. Fine, clear day, lake very smooth. At 7 in the evening called at the northern Manitou Island, a bleak looking spot, and set two women ashore, what their prospects were we did not inquire into. Put into South Manitou Island at 9 o'clock at night, and took on 25 cord of wood; about 20 men have been chopping here all winter for 50c a cord; the wood sells to the steamboat for $2.00 per cord.
Mon. 29. At half-past 4 in the morning reached Milwaukee. Many of the passengers and most of the horses stopped here. Left at 7 a.m. and soon after noon came to Southport, Wisconsin, some passengers and the remainder of the horses stopped here. I did not see the last two places mentioned having my ague to attend to.
Tues. 30. At half-past 8 this morning arrived at Chicago and stopped along-side Norton's Pier. Put most of the luggage in his store, are to pay for wharfage storage l0c per barrel bulk. Went to the Temperance House where we are to pay $1 each per day for bed and board, stayed there all night.
Wed. May 1. Cloudy, strong west wind. Sand drifts in the street. At 10 o'clock it rained heavy. We find we can board one-half cheaper in the Farmers Exchange, accordingly we pass over the street. Mr. Clow, Robert and Adam left for the Fox River in a wagon at five o'clock. Fine evening.
Thurs. May 2. Went and saw the Prairie on the west side of the city.
Fri. May 3. Ague today.
Sat. May 4. Robert came in the stage at 10 last night. They have taken a house at Naperville, 3o miles west from here, where in the meantime we are going to bide. It is very good comfortable house, pay 10 (probably 10 shillings, or about $2.50) a week for it.
Before leaving Chicago I may just mention that the city has grown up almost entirely within the last 10 years. In 1834 it contained only a few houses with a population of about 100, chiefly soldiers and traders with the Indians. Now there are over 8,000 inhabitants. Some of the streets are nearly a mile in length. There are 150 houses going up now, and 300 this summer. Sometimes 200 teams may be seen in the street in one day, loaded with wheat from the country. One daily and two weekly papers are published here.
Sat. May 4 1844. At half-past six in the morning Sarah, Agonies, Jock and myself started in the stage coach from Chicago for Naperville, where we arrived at 1 o'clock. Judge Smith of Chicago, a very intelligent fine man was the only other passenger. The only stock we saw on the prairies was a very few cattle here and there. Some places we could see as far as the eye could reach, without timber. We saw plenty of wild game, cranes, prairie hens, and other smaller birds. James, Robert, William and Thomas (Clow) came at 7 p.m. with two hired wagons and part of the boxes. We went into our hired house the same evening.
Sabbath May 5,1844 Wed day-Ague.
Mon. May 6. Robert, Adam and James gone to look at some wild land to the Southwest.
Tues. May 7. Wet afternoon. Fever but did not shake today.
Wed. May 8. Robert and Adam gone to Chicago to land office to see where wild land may be had. perhaps may buy a team.
Sat. May 11. Uncommon rain and thunder. Fever today. Robert and Adam came home about 7 at night. Bought a team for $135. They brought one of the wagons with about 1100lb of luggage. Got into Brushville stable just when the storm came on.
Sabbath May 12. Went to hear the Presbyterian Minister, felt very unwell all the time, came home and had a fit of ague and fever.
Mon. May 13. Very wet forenoon, chills and fever all day. I am very lean now and so weak I cannot sit up long at one time.
Tues. May 14. Fine day with sunshine. Fever.
Wed. May 15. Mr. Clow, Robert, and Adam gone to Plainfield. Very wet afternoon.
Fri. May 17. Have been Southeast at an old Scotchman's by the name of Mercy.
Sat. May 18. Damp forenoon. Adam, Robert, William and Thomas went south to see some prairie land on the Du Page River. There is one 80 A. lot and one whole section; they are all pleased with it, they think of going to Chicago on Monday to deed it. Ague.
Sabbath May 19. Had the Dr. today, got some quinine and brandy to stop the ague. Some senna and salts for physic.
| Distance from Lyons, New York to Chicago 1206 miles | |
| Weight of Luggage 6410 lbs > |
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| Paid for passage and board from Lyons N.Y. to Chicago | $85.00 |
| Freight | $40.00 |
| Cost of provisions on our passage about | $8.00 |
| OTHER ITEMS | |
| Board in the temprance house $1.00 a day each | $9.00 |
| Board at farmers exchange for 3 days 50c each | $13.50 |
| For whafage and storage, 1 barrel bulk, 38 bbls. bulk, to Naperville in coach, 8 passangers, 10 each or $2.50 |
$20.00 |
| 2 wagons and teams for drawing luggage to Naperville, $3.00 per day each |
$6.00 |
| 1 team of horses | $135.00 |
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