Box 1, Folder 5: Diaries 1827-1828

26 The Filson Club History Quarterly [Vol. 45

& Acer rubrum (water maple) begin to expand, Pyrus malus in flower the leaves having appeared several days ago. Several other plants are beginning to unfold their flowers & Leaves but as I do not know their names I cannot record any of my observations on them. [p.153] The excursion which furnishes the occasion of these observations was made this morning in the rain to the upper end of the canal. In the afternoon I was employed for the most part of the time in the office.

Fry. 28. I was employed in the morning in the office have Drawn a plan of the Bridge for Mr. Berthoud. In the evening I was on the Lock.

We received a letter from Pazzi this evening in which he describes one of the remains of ancient works and a pond supposed to have been caused by the sinking of the earth by an Earthquake, which he visited.

Saturday March 29, 1828. Before noon I worked on the Lock: in the afternoon it rained & I stayed in my Room. [p. 154]

Sunday March 30. In the afternoon (having wrote a letter for Pazzi in the forenoon) I went into the woods to the southward of this place where I had the pleasure of finding several plants in flower which I collected for my herbarium. Among them are, viola cucullata, & v. ochroleuca, Trillium sessile, Sanguinaria canadensis, claytonia verginica, Thalictrum anemonoides.

When I brought them home I brought into my room the same stone to press them with that I used all last summer.

Monday March 31, 1828. I worked, in the forenoon, a little while on the lock and then went up the canal. The leaves begin to appear on the Platanus occidentalis, Populus angulata & Ulumus americana. [p. 155] In the afternoon I went out with "Darius", Mr. Henry having some other important business on hand, to set some slope stakes for the Contractors. In our return we observed in flower the Leontodon Taraxacum.

Tuesday April 1. I went to Louisville this morning for the Double purpose of Del[i]vering my Meteorological table for March,⁶² and of purchasing some Drawing paper.

On my return I kept to the south which brought me into the woods where I found several plants in flower and one of these I found to be the Stellaria pubera. The petals of this plant are so Deeply bifid that a person who like myself who has but little experience in practical botany would say that it hat [had] ten, and this is the error into which I fell today; not finding however any Genus in is proper class & order containing [p. 156] ten petals, I went into a more thorough examination of them and soon found that they were connected at the base. In the afternoon I was at work on the Locks.

Darius had a fit of the Ague & fever today. A frost last night. Yes

1971] The Journals of Increase Allen Lapham 27

terday morning when I was up the canal I found in the boat load of coal mentioned March 11, 1828, a small piece of sandstone containing small glimmering scales of mica.

Wednesday April 2, 1828. I worked on the lock all day this day. Father went {blank in MSS.}.

Thursday April 3. I went up the canal this morning to get the time lists for the week in the afternoon I helped stake out the Bason at the upper end of the Lock. [p. 157] {P. 157 half torn, remainder blank and p. 158 half torn}.

April 4, 1828. Snow fell last night about 1/2 of an inch deep, and As it was a cold day it did not get off until noon. Mr. Henry told me this morning to draw a plan of the locks, and I have employed most of my time in Doing this. [p. 159]

Father settled with Mr. Butler for our Schooling today; the amount was $31.1/2.

Sunday April 6th. A cold windy day; although there was not any snow in the night. I stayed in my room all day.

March [April] 7. I finished the plan of the locks, today, which I began Saturday & then drew a plan of the Bridges; a copy of the one adapted by the Board. Father went to New-Albany in Indiana to imploy a mechanic to assist him in making the patterns of the Iron gates. He saw Mr. Graham⁶³ Member of the Legislature of Indiana who informed him that they would not commence locating the Wabash and Maumee Canal this season. The commissioners appointed were {blank in MSS.} of [and] Burr of Brownstown & Johns of Brookville.⁶⁴ [p. 160]

He brought home with him two specimens of Ranuncules abortivus. R. abortivus also growes on the open fields (commons) between this place and Louisville and commenced flouring March 24th 1828.

Tuesday April 8. I done some work on the canal this morning and then went to Louisville to get the School books which were at Mr. Butlers and while I was there I bought Hutton's Mathematics⁶⁵ for Mr. Henry Engineer. I also go some Corrosive sublimate (chlorate of mercury) Dissolved in alcohol in order to wet the plants which I dry for my herbarium, to prevent the attack of insects &c. In the afternoon I was on the lock.

The Euphorbia Ipecacuanbac is said, to grow on the Knobs in Indianaia. {p. 161]

Wed. April 9. I had but little work to do on the canal today and I therefore commenced Drawing a plan of the Locks & Bridge for Mr. D. Carrol.⁶⁶

28 The Filson Club History Quarterly [Vol. 45

Father took a job yesterday of building a bridge over Beargrass Creek where the Market Street would cross it were it continued eastward. He took it in company with two others for $2000 to be completed in Nov. next.⁶⁷

April 10. In the morning I went up to the head of the Canal to get a list of men's time & I found Arona {blank in MSS.} in flower, growing on the bank of the River.

In the afternoon I went over to "gravel island."⁶⁸ It lays immediately in front of the village and it is so called in consequence of the extencive beds [p. 162] of gravel which projects above and below it; and only appears when the water is low. The island itself is made up of sand and mud supporting in summer a great number of herbaceous plants which are now beginning to make their appearance above the sand. It was all overflowed this spring at the time when the water was the highest. The trees are very tall cotton wood & elm the sycamore, willow, and the Acer rubrum and A negundo are common the latter now in flower. Among the herbaceous plants only three are in flower viz the Viola cucullata which here grows larger than on the commons, Ranuncules abortivus and the blank in MSS.}. I went over with Father & "Darius." Our principal object was to buy some [p. 163] fish which are caught very plentifully on this island at this stage of the water ([. . .] low). Among the fish which was thrown away as useless was one specimen of the Polydon feuille (See Silliman’s Journal Vol 12 p 201) it was about 3 feet long. Another one is thrown away as useless called the "spade fish" having a triangular snout, the mouth being placed underneath and a somewhat angular Body. 3 or 4 species of fish are caught and sold. [P. 163 half blank, remainder of journal contains unrelated scientific notes.] To Be Continued

FOOTNOTES ¹In 1830 Lapham prepared a brief chronological sketch of his life to accompany a rewritten portion of his journals. This sketch, which is printed below, terminates with his coming to Louisville.

7th March [1811]. Thursday. Born in the town of Palmyra in Wayne county, state of New York. The grand Erie Canal afterwards was constructed through this town. At the first of my recollection we were living in the town of Galen, same county.

My fathers name is Seneca Lapham & my mother's is Rachel Lapham (formerly R. Allen) & my name when written at full length is Increase Allen Lapham.

1971] The Journals of Increase Allen Lapham 29

The following is a list of my brothers & sisters with the date of the birth of each. David, 6th mo. 8th 1804; Ruel, 8th mo. 29th 1805; Hiram, 12 mo. 14th 1806; Darius, 8th mo. 9th 1808; Increase A. 3d. mo. 7th 1811; Pazzi 10th mo. 25th 1812; William, 11th mo. 1st 1817; Mary E., 7th mo. 29th 1815; Margaret, 4th mo. 27th 1820; Tasa Ann, 8th mo. 18th 1821; Hannah, 2nd mo. 3d 1823; Scrana, 10th mo. 10th 1825; Amelia, 2d. mo. 17th 1828.

David & Ruel died in infancy. Hiram died in the 13th year of his age, & Margaret & Tasa Ann both died while very young. The rest are now living (1830).

In 1818 the family moved to near Pottsville or Mount Carbon on the Schuylkill river. Remained there about a year when they moved to the village of Orwigsburgh, 4 miles below. Father was employed on the Schuylkill canal.

1820. The family returned to Galen, N.Y. 5 miles from the Erie canal at Lyons which was then constructing.

1822. The family moved to Rochester N.Y. Darius & myself went on foot and drove a cow & calf. Father worked on the Aqueduct over Genesee river. I returned to Galen & lived a few months with one Elias Langdon a farmer.

1824. The family moved to Lockport N.Y. I remained at Rochester tending a petty grocery for one Timothy Miller but did not stay long. Went to Lockport & cut stone for the locks sometimes I earned $1. for day. Father built the gates & other wood work for the locks.

We here got acquainted with Mr. Alfred Barrit [Barrett] the Engineer of the canal & Darius got employment under him. Soon after I was also employed at $10 pr month & $.50 pr day for subsistence.

1826. In the early part of the year I went to Rochester to school. When I returned I found that Darius had got employment on the Welland Canal in upper Canada & that Father had gone to the Miami Canal in Ohio. In June I went to the Welland Canal with Darius by way of Niagara Falls. Assisted in runing a "test level" for that canal.

5th August. Having received a letter from Father stating that he had got a situation for me in the Engineer Department on the Miami Canal, & that I must come there immediately. I left the Welland Canal today for Lockport.

11th Aug. Having spent a few days at Lockport in preparation I left that place today on my journey to the Miami Canal. Went in a canal Packet boat to Buffalo & before night I was on board the steam boat Enterprise & on my passage up lake Erie.

12th. On the passage up the lake.

13th. Sunday. Arrived at Sandusky just at night.

14th. Started at 3 o' Clock this morning for Middletown in the Miami Canal. Rode 60 miles in the stage.

15th. Rode to Columbus, where we stayed for the night.

16th. Drove to Dayton where we stayed.

17th. Got to Middletown at breakfast time this morning, went down to Lick's Creek & saw Father. Found that I had come much sooner than he expected & that my place would not be ready for some time.

21st. Went down to Cincinnati, saw Pazzi who had been going to school at that place. Hicks.

29th. Returned to Dick's creek on foot.

30th. Commenced work on the Miami Canal as Rodman under B. [Byron] Killbourn Assistant & Samuel Forror [Forrer] Resident Engineers, at $12 pr mo. & 3 pr week for board.

15th December. A few weeks ago father went to Louisville having been employed on the canal at that place & to day I left the above service & went there also. Went to School to Mr. M [Mann] Butler of the Jefferson Seminary. In January I was employed by Judge Bates as rodman on the Louisville & Portland Canal under John Bates his son. Went to school when not employed on the canal.

12 February [1827]. The family arrived from Lockport except Darius who remains on the Welland Canal. We are now living in the village of Shippingport two miles from Louisville.

23d Feb. Left school & commenced devoting my whole time to the canal.

30 The Filson Club History Quarterly [Vol. 45

6th Oct. Commenced Keeping this Diary regularly. Went to Louisville. In the afternoon I went to Indiana shooting. Saw a cave but it could not be entered.

²"A Pen Picture of Louisville And The Falls Cities in 1828-29," The Courier-Journal (Louisville), Vol. 91, No. 10,896, 30 October 1898, Sect. 3, p. [4], col. [2-7].

³For additional information regarding Lapham's life in Ohio, consult "Early Days in Ohio from Letters and Diaries of Dr. I. A. Lapham," Ohio Archaeological and Historical Publications, Vol. 18 (1909), pp. 43-53.

⁴For additional information on the Wisconsin phase of Lapham's career, see Milo M. Quaife, "Increase Allen Lapham, First Scholar of Wisconsin," The Wisconsin Magazine of History, Vol. 1, No. 1 (1917), pp. 3-15.

⁵Victor Gifford Audubon [1808-1860], son of John James Audubon, resided at Shippingport and was a clerk for Nicholas Berthoud while his father was in London and Edinburgh having his bird prints published.

⁶This cave was located about one mile east of Clarksville, near the old road from Jeffersonville to Clarksville.

⁷Lapham was probably referring to William Nicholson's A Dictionary of Practical and Theoretical Chemistry. . ., London, 1808 or a later edition prepared by Andrew Ure, M.D. [1778-1857] of Glasgow and published in 1821 as the Dictionary of Chemistry; and the American Gazetteer, London, 1789 or a second edition, Boston, 1797. The Gazetteer was published by Jedediah Morse, D.D. [1761-1826], a native of Woodstock, Connecticut, who graduated from Yale College and was a minister in Charlestown, Massachusetts. The Pocket Dictionary and Mechanical Magazine cannot be positively identified.

⁸Weekly reports on excavation progress and employee hours were usually prepared by Lapham and taken to the secretary of the board of directors of the Louisville and Portland Canal Company.

⁹David Stanhope Bates [1777-1839] abandoned preparation for the ministry in his native New Jersey to clerk, and study mathematics. He moved to Oneida County, New York to superintend an iron works continuing his education in surveying and law. The latter resulted in his appointment as judge of the Common Pleas Court, a title by which Lapham frequently referred to him. He became an assistant engineer in 1817 on the Erie Canal. At the direction of the governor of Ohio, who actively supported a canal at the Falls, Bates made a detailed study of the proposed Indiana and Kentucky canal beds. He estimated the construction cost along the Kentucky route at $306 thousand and along the Indiana route at $533 thousand. Selection of the Kentucky side was made based primarily upon this report of 12 January 1824 which was printed in the Journal of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Amos Kendall and Co., Frankfort, 1824, pp. 193-198. The route of the Louisville and Portland as established by Bates can be seen on J. Flint's map of 1824. Concurrently, he worked as chief engineer for the Ohio canal system and the Louisville and Portland Canal from 1825 until June 1828 when he resigned the latter post. He later returned to New York to work on various canal and railroad ventures.

¹⁰John R. Henry of Rochester, New York, was first the resident and later the chief engineer.

¹¹John Bates, son of David S. Bates, was a resident engineer before being employed by the state of Ohio.

¹²The confluence of Knob Creek and the Ohio River is in northeast Harrison County, Indiana, about 8 miles southwest of New Albany.

¹³I. A. Lapham to D. Lapham, 22 October 1827. Lapham MSS., State Historical Society of Wisconsin. The letter is quite detailed and probably was the result of research conducted in the New Albany steam engine factory.

¹⁴Lapham rented a room in Joseph L. Detiste's inn in Shippingport.

¹⁵John C. Brown was a clerk and bookkeeper for Daniel Carroll at his store near the Canal bridge. By 1833 he had moved to New Jersey.

¹⁶For an additional description see Lapham's diary of 13 April 1828. See also Henry McMurtrie, Sketches of Louisville (1819), reprint edition, G.R. Clark Press, Louisville, 1969, p. 167, and Reuben Gold Thwaites, ed., Early Western Travels, 1748-1846, Arthur H. Clark Company, Cleveland, 1905, Vol. 14, pp. 73-74.

¹⁷Asahel Clapp [1792-1862] was born in Massachusetts, served his medical apprenticeship under Benjamin Chandler, M.D. [1772-1818] of St. Albans, Vermont. In 1817, he moved to New Albany where he practiced and became and internationally known expert on the geological formations at the Falls. Several genera and species of corals and shell fish are name in his honor and he described numerous fossils and the contents of the various layer of limestone of the Falls. Dr. Clapp was president of the Indiana State Medical Society in 1820, 1823, and 1850.