Voice of the People: Daily Life in Antebellum Rural Delaware County New York and Environs

Transportation/Travel

Transportation/Travel Homepage | 1823 travel journal of Laura Sherwood: Table of Contents

Warning: For serious researchers only: may be hard to read, as is the original

Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 | Page 7 | Page 8 | Page 9 | Page 10 | Page 11 | Page 12 | Page 13 | Page 14 | Page 15 | Page 16 | Page 17 | Page 18 | Page 19 | Page 20 | Page 21 | Page 22 | Page 23 | Page 24 | Page 25 | Page 26 | Page 27 | Page 28 | Page 29 | Page 30 | Page 31 | Page 32 | Page 33 | Page 34 | Page 35 | Page 36 | Page 37 | Page 38 |

Background: Laura Sherwood, husband Samuel, and two of her children, Ann Eliza and Samuel Augustus left their home in Delhi, NY in September 1823 for a lengthy tour of upstate New York. Although the method of transportation for the majority of the trip is not clear, at least one entry indicates they rode on horseback. The journal describes people, scenery, accommodations, villages, and the opening of a canal aqueduct in Rochester. The journal abruptly ends before they return home.

Excerpts from page 5:

"Went to Mr. Stee[] a long dull and old looking house that promised little but gave all [   ] comfort and some waffles besides."

"Sept 19 John came into our room early in the morning to tell Mr S Mr Stee[] was waiting for him. wondered he could get there so soon saw [] Quiscotic visage thro the window and liked it."

"Left Norwich a little past six. Thought Norwich an uncommonly fine village. In the morning. In passing thro the Chenango Valley observed the corn, torn up apple and forest trees, blown down fences, and on our arrival at Smyrna 12 miles learnt a hail storm has passed thro Sherburn..."

Original journal in the Delaware County Historical Association Archives, Delhi, NY. Further information on the Sherwood Family is available in the Letters and Journals of Samuel and Laura Sherwood (1813 - 1823), edited by John Crocker, Delhi, NY, 1967,  available in the Delaware County Historical Association Archives and Milne Library, State University of New York College at Oneonta.

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