Box 1, Folder 6: Diaries 1828-1830

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December 1st 1829 Wrote a letter to Prof B Silliman requesting him to have the future Nos of the Journal directed to Chillicothe. Also a letter to Dr. A Clapp of New Albany Pa. describing some of the more remarkable geological appearances observable in this part of Ohio. Also a letter to Mr. Thomas H Taylor a Merchant of Shippingport Ky on various subjects. Dec 2d Wrote a letter to Dr. S.P. Hildreth acknowledging the arrival of his box of minerals &c. &c. Dec 3 Wrote to Darius Lapham concerning my late tour to his line via Lancaster, Hocklocking Falls &c...

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Received a letter from Mr. John R. Henry of Louisville, Engineer on the Louisville & Portland Canal. I went down the line of the canal as far as Sec. 108 for the purpose of laying out some work, but found on it too many weeds & bushes. Saw Dr. Wm Jones for my brother-in-law. He was going down to yellow bud to attend to some units which come on tormorrow. He informed me that my sister Mary Jones will come down here on a visit within about two weeks.

[signature for Harriet Hedges?]

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Dec 1829 Dec 5th Bought a copper blowpipe price 50 cents. Yesterday was rainy and we stayed in the office. Today I went in the Rain to yellow bud. Dec 7th Went up the canal this morning from Yellowbud and met Mr. Williamson & Mr. Roberson near Circleville the latter is to take charge of the line from Circleville to [illegible] creek. Came down with them to Yellow bud - The river commenced rising Saturday morning and rose very rapidly until last night when it again began to fall. It was within 11 feet of the height of the late flood.

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Dec. 8th The fore part of the day was rainy. After dinner I went down to Kline's to meet the rest of the party but found that they had gone to Circleville. I stayed at home and next morning I rode up as far as Plumb Run and then walked up to Sec 108 where I overtook the party. Came on to Circleville where we arrived at 2 o'clock P.M. Set some bottom pegs on sec. 100 in the after noon. The river has been nearly on a stand since Monday but is rising very rapidly this morning. Wrote a letter to Esq. McKever of Shippingport Ky to collect a note of $20.37 against H Vance.

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Dec 10 1829 Recd a letter from Mr. L G Bates of Portsmouth Ohio requesting that (if I intend to joint his party) I should come down there as soon as possible. He states that his line contains every variety of canal; including 8 locks, 1 large aqueduct & numerous culverts, and a dam across the Scioto River. At evening Mr. Long arrived and brought a letter from Darius accompanied by a specimen of anthracited coal from the Lehigh Penn. Stayed in the office. Dec 11 Mr. Roberson & party (including self) went down the canal as far as Long's & I continued on to Yellow Bud - The river which has remained high since last notice of it is now falling rapidly.

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Dec 1829 Dec 12th It was raining in the morning after it had ceased I went up to Horsey's to meet the party but fund they had gone to Circleville: accordingly I returned to Yellow Bud. Mr. Williams passed by this place and gave checks on the estimates made some weeks ago. Remained at home until the 17th when I joined the party and went to Circleville. While at home I wrote letters to Darius Lapham & L.G. Bates - To the latter I wrote that it was my intention to come to his home as soon as Mr. Williams returns. Went home Saturday Dec 19 and returned on Monday morning found Mr. Williams - The object of this late town was to get information respecting wooden aqueducts. Went on the line before dinner after,...

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Jan 1830

...dinner I drew a plan of the Bridge over Wills Creek at Cambridge Ohio on the Cumberland Road. Dec 22d Went down the canal and stayed at Horseys. Next day went down the bluffs & stayed at home. Father started for [Bucyrus?] yesterday at noon. Dec 23 Went up the canal as far as the bluffs & then returned home to eat a Christmas Dinner. Stayed at home until Sunday the 27th - Wrote a letter to Mr. Henry at Louisville. Went to Circleville on Sunday Mr. Williams. Went up to Columbus Monday. Went down the canal Tuesday and returned Thursday the 31st. Mr. Williams returned from Columbus on Fryday Jan 1 1830. He says that I am not to go to Portsmouth as was...

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...supposed but to Chillicothe and that my time is to be between Deer Creek & Paint Creek. Saturday Went down the canal & continued on home. Father returned on Sunday Jan 3d Remained at home until Tuesday moring when Mr. E. Chapman from Louisville (one of the original contractors on the canal at that place) came in before I was out of my bed, requesting that I should go there immediately as a witness. Accordingly Pazzi was started off post haste for Circleville to get my coat. Mr. Chapman brought me 4 letters, one from B. Sayre, 1 from N Allen, and two from Judge Bates all dated at Louisville & 3 of them requesting me to come there as soon as possible. The other which was from Judge Bates says that 4 or 5 years...

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...ago he made a donative subscription of $100 to the Geneva College N.Y. for which he has the privilege of educating students in that Seminary which privilege he will give me if Mr. White does not assist me to a collegiate education. But as I have not the means of paying my other expenses while at the college, I am compelled to decline this very generous offer. My evidence is required in the care of the L&P Canal Co. vs. the original contractors which case is to be decided by arbitration Pazzi did not return until 3 o'clock after which I went down to Chillicothe where I did not arrive until 8 o'clock in the evening. After supper I went with Father to several of the stores and got a hat & new pair of shoes. Jan 6 1830 Got up early this morning...