Travel diary: D. Stabler, 1823

5th

rode 7 miles without seeing a Spot on which a House and Garden could be placed, at length about 1 oclock we arrived in Lewis Town* near the Junction of Juniatta River, and Tissiacoquillis Creek, where our Horses are feeding, we resting and talking. _ Cousin Hannah told me to say "lof off," when I undertook to discribe the wonderful scenes we have just witness'd, we have travail'd 18 miles this day which took nearly 7 hours. _ we now leave the Juniata, which turns one way, and we another. _ I forget to put in its proper place an occurrence of some moment, Viz, within sight of Lewis Town going slowly over the rough Turnpike one of the fore Wheels came off and let us down, without much Shock to our minds or bodies, Cousin Hannah would like it to be stated here that we did not scream._ The Linch Pin and band were both lost, and a Wooden Pin serv'd us, untill we reach'd the Village, this is the only accident of any consequence we have met with, which with kind friends to cheer us on our way and pretty good health, with encreasing appeties, I hope we feel sincerely thankful for _ At a 1/4 past 2 left Lewis Town, and

*This Town is the seat of Justice, and County Town of Mifflin County, a very

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handsome and flourishing Village.

with diligent travailing we made 10 miles by 20 minutes after 6, 28 miles this day. _ during our afternoons travail we crossed several handsome streams, pass'd between mountains very similar to those in the morning then enter'd a large rich Valley call'd Tissiacoquillis Valley, where the large white Pines abound, also pass'd an Iron Works, and a beautiful Stone Presbyterian Meeting House enclosed by an excellent Stone Wall we have not seen any other burying ground enclosed in our Journey except those of our own society. _ We have put up our Horses and are enjoying ourselves in a large establisment for the accomodation of travailers, at the foot of what is call'd the 7 mountains, which we expect to cross in the morning and are glad to have the morning to do it; as the weather has now become very warm, we have had no rains since leaving Manallen. _ our company have been out to look at a chain'd Bear, in the yard, and now that I have finish'd writing for this day, am going to see it too. _ 5^th of 5^th M^o. Had excellent accomodations, I awoke with the first appearance of day light and for the first time heard the Birds Sing, the sound was as ever it

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was cheering and continued during most of the time we were crossing the 7 mountains, they were mountains indeed sometimes the road led between them, where they nearly met, and in going round them, the road was entierely cut in the sides of them, & when ascending our circuitous rout _ The vast distance we were from where they nearly met, sometimes it would be one side and sometimes on the other was awful indeed, one of our company could not bear to ride, but alighted and walk'd on the other side from the Gulf. The road being generally from 16 to 18, or 20 feet wide supported by a stone wall on the lower side of a height we judged to be in places, 10 or 12 feet. I bore this pretty well, and so did Cousin Hannah, but after passing thro Penns Valley a very rich and well cultivated tract of Country, many miles in width, we were glad to alight, and walk for our heads became giddy with the sight G W also, chose to walk with the lines in his hand and look at his Horses rather

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than into the Valley. We saw one Rattle Snake in the road it was dead, and altho' a yard in length it had but two rattles and we aclind soiling our hands with it so left it untouch'd _ We have within the last few days had Spikenard root, Sweet Birch, & sweet Fern to Chew and smell of, also ground Ivy, Wild Lupins, and the handsomest Honeysuckles we ever saw to look at, in abundance.

I have felt glad we have not James with us as Cousin Caleb proposed, for I think, there would have been danger and that often, of loosing him amidst the wilds; for his curiosity would often have led him in to danger, we have frequently been necessarily cautious when walking to look sharply for fear of Rattle Snakes, I may here note that Thomas Stablers gourd has been a valuable appendage to our travailing accomadations, many a sweet cool drink from the Springs which issued from the Rocks, in the mountain sides, and ran down the gutters on the road sides, and if had been one of his nice strait ones, it would been still more admir'd, for it is the only thing of the kind we have seen on our Journey. _ during this days ride we pass'd thro' Bellfont, a considerable Village the seat of Justice for Centre

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County, also Milesburg at the Gap of Bald Eagle mountain, on this side the Village we cross'd Bald Eagle Creek, on the Margin of this Creek we saw for the 2^d time a raft preparing to go down the Creek for Susquehanna, we now enter'd the B. Eagle Valley a rich and well cultivated Land, but not wide here. We found for the first time mile Stones, and about the 4th we arriv'd at William Fisher, an elderly friend, living in the midst of Plenty. They appear to know how to use, without abusing the bounties of Providence. They entertaind us with easy kindness. They belong to the little meeting in the Valley and finding it best, to fill up 6 & 7 days in the pursance of our course to the farthest meeting, we left our baggage, got fresh provision in clean napkins and set out, about 7 oclok have cross'd the Allegany mountain, on the continuation of the Turnpike, the greater part of 24 miles, indeed nearly all the distance is equal to our Washington Turnpike, or even Pratt Street road, the road for several miles was cut out of the side of a stupendous mountain which overlook'd