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The Diary   1788 - 1798

298, 5 Oct 1788.  This evening my nephews Maher and Samuel Wigton came here.

304, 26 Dec.  [Chatham]  This evening my brother Christopher came here and we went over to my Brother Joshua and stayed all night.  My brother Chris is going to Providence in the West Indies as foreman to an office there and he is in some difficulty.

309, 16 Apr. 1789.  Stayed about the store and Wigton is sick.  17^th, Stayed at the store all day.  23 Mar. I received a line from my brother Christopher (per post).  He is in Providence in the Bahamas.  His letter is dated 8^th of March past.  He informs me that Jonathan and David are well.  1^st  May.  Isaac Wigton came down and brought me a letter from my wife.  3^rd, Saml. Wigton is gone to E. Town to settle about the posts.

336, 27 Aug 1790.  [PA]  This morning early cousin Samuel ["Little Samuel", son of John] and I set up the branch in order for me to show him his land.  It began to rain and we turned back.  28^th, This afternoon we set off to see the fall tract upon Middle Creek, got there about 4 pm.  My brother Joshua likes his very well.  We lodged at the falls all night.  29h.  This morning I came across to Paupack, got to my brother's Mill about 10 in the afternoon.

343, 15 Oct 1790.  My spirits are very low and I felt amazing heavy in passing by where my Father in law used to live.  16^th.  I started at 8, got to Isaiah Genung’s at 10, fed and took breakfast and came on and stopped to see my old Aunt and found her well.  Came on and got to Mr. Wm. Smiths at 2, got my dinner and went over the river to see Bakers Mills but do not like them.  17^th, got to the 9 mile Creek and fed at 12.  I am now 9 miles from any human being as I suppose and my spirits are heavy.  Three men are now in sight, they came from Shahola and are going to the settlement I came from.  Went on and got to Shahola a little before sunset. The lands I have come through this day are very rough and worth but little and not one inhabitant for 18 miles.  23^rd.  This morning a boy brought down my Brother's horse for me and I gave him 1/ and started for the woods at 11 o’clock.  Our company consisted of Geo. Palmer surveyor, my Brother Samuel, my Cousin Samuel, & Isaac Seely, son of Uncle Samuel.

344, 24^th Oct. This morning we moved on and got to the falls…we started our line and run round all but one end of the fall tract.  The weather is good and the land is good.  25^th.  This morning we finished the fall tract and ran another adjoining for my wife.  28^th, Extended our line to the head of my brother Christropher's tract then turned and ran across the Creek about 150 poles above the falls, after which we fell in with Craig's line.

345, 1 Nov.  We finished our survey at 11 and then returned for home.  Stopped at Dyberry.  3 Nov.  Paid Mr. Palmer one guinea and one dollar, and cousins Samuel and Isaac each one dollar; brother Samuel to pay them each 3 more.  [Then started a long trip west on horseback.]  7 Nov.  Got to Larry's Creek which is ten miles from Lycoming.   I turned up the Creek about a mile and found my uncle [Jonas] and cousins all well.[1]  8^th.  I looked over my cousin's place and like it very well.  Maj. Huling came here this morning..  I find my cousin Isaac is appointed major of the militia.  9^th.  This morning I set off and Majors Seely and Huling came on with me as far as Pine Creek which is 5 miles and there took my leave of them.  It is impossible to express my feeling on the occasion and especially on leaving my uncle [Jonas] whom I never expect to see again.  What an amazing alteration is there in that family in 20 years at which time he lived in the greatest splendor and reduced to rags.

346.  9 Nov, 1790.  I came on from Pine Creek to one Jackson's who moved from Goshen and they were kind enough to thrash and clean for me some oats to take with me and would receive nothing for them.  [Sylvanus continued toward the SW.]

347, 13 Nov, 1790.  Crossed the [Juniata] river at the mouth of Aughwick [in Huntington Co], I came on up Aughwick and in a little time got to Brother Rutter’s which is 6 miles from where I crossed.  He is not at home having gone with his brother on his way to Canetuck [KY].  15^th.  My brother Rutter came home in the evening.  16^th.  Brother Rutter has five children, the oldest is named Rachel, the next Nancy, the 3^rd Betsy and the 4^th girl is Polly and the boy is John Williamson.  They all appear to be very clever and are brought up to work but have little learning.  My brother and sister are very devout and I verily believe sincere in their devotion, they live very well in their house although they have but little furniture.

349, 22 Nov.  [Sylvanus started back, going east via the Tuscarora Valley, Sherman's Valley (Sherman's Dale), and Blue Mountain.]  24^th.  This morning I came to Major Huling's, found them in excellent health except his wife she has the ague in her breast--they have 11 children. 25^th.  I started before sunrise and got to Harris' ferry at 9 which is 7 miles [I suppose this was a ferry across the Susquehanna at Harrisburg.]  Continued to near Lebanon, next to Reading.

363, 27 Aug 1791.   [Chatham]  Sister Bethya [Tabitha] went home and Nelley got from the Constable Taylor Execution; 16/3 in past left with Joshua. Ward 7/ & the Widow Miller 3/ of it.  12^th. I am much troubled about my son John not knowing how to conduct in regard to Sally Camp [no doubt related to Tabitha Camp, wife of Brother Joshua] as it is now beyond a doubt that she is with child and lays it to him.  I pray God to give me wisdom how to act.

364, 17 Sep.  My wife came home this morning and has come from brother Rutter's last Monday morning and left them well and they propose to move for Kentucky in about two weeks. 21^st. This morning I got Bud's sulky and went to Newark Court to help my brother Joshua at his trial but it did not come on.  26^th. Paid Capt. Enos Ward on acct. of his Father's estate 42/ and brother Samuel acct. 12/.  29^th.  This morning I parted with my Brother Joshua who is going to Hackensack and expects to go to jail which grieves me much.  [This was probably for indebtedness.]  8 Oct.  My son is now getting ready to leave me and my heart aches at the thought of his going away.  Our family are all in distress and I may say this is one of the heaviest days that ever I saw and my heart sinks to think that so young a person as he is [19] should be turned out into the world without any guide…My last words to him were to act justly and let that be his guide and if he never sees me again to be kind to his painful Mother and his brothers and sisters.

371, 18 Dec.  Last Friday evening Joseph and Wm. Camp were here and Joseph. asked me if I would maintain the child that his sister is like to have and pay her expense of lying in and told me she had sworn the child to be my son John's before Esq. Little.  I told him I understood that they expected to make me liable but that I was not nor did not intend to be.

372, 29 Dec.  Pleasant weather. My wife to Mr. Camps.  My aged father and mother are both here. 1 Jan 1792.  My father tells me he was born in July 1716 so that he is now in his 76^th  year.  19^th.  This afternoon we have the melancholy news that Sally Camp is dead.  She delivered a daughter last evening about sunset and departed about 2 this morning.  20^th.  This forenoon my wife went over to Wm. Commets Jr. and agreed with his wife to keep the unfortunate infant of Sally Camp at 5/ per week. 21^st. My wife tells me that when she told Mrs. Camp that I had requested her to give the child a name and send it to me she seemed to be something lightened and named it Sally Camp.

382, 24 May 1792.  We drew an instrument of writing for our Mother that the heirs [of her husband Christopher] are to sign and Mama, myself, brother Josh and our sister Mary signed it.  I then came home and brother Christopher signed it here and Mr. Horton evidenced it.  The purpose of this writing is to let Mama have the use of all the Estate during her life and then the whole to be equally divided amongst the children except six cows which Mama is to have to herself over the income of the estate.

383, 9 Jun.  This morning we sent Jos. Seely to York to his Daddy and my Mama went home and after dinner my brother Christopher Went for E. Town and I fear he will never see Chatham again.

389-90, 17 Sep. I gave Paul Bonnel an English Dictionary to carry to my son John.  18^th. I went over to Capt. Bonnel's and gave Paul Bonnel's wife 8 oz. Canadian Bacon, some corks, and some --- to carry to John and a little after noon they came along on their way to Redstone.  I bid them farewell and I can say with a heart of grief and towards sunset I parted with Calvin Morrell with a heavy heart who was going for Miamies [Cincinnati area in Ohio] by whom I sent letters to my son John and also to Brother Rutter and Samuel Bonnel.  My daughter Sophia came home and tells me my brother Christopher is very bad. 

390, 19 Sep 1792.  My Mother informs me of the death of my brother Christopher who departed this morning in the 25^th year of his age and my youngest brother.  21^st.  The people attended at my brother's funeral and Mr. Hyland preached and a strange Methodist gave an exhortation after which we proceeded and he was laid in the same grave with my Father.  After dinner my Mother took me aside and told me that old Morrell and Maher thought I was concerned in getting Daddy's will and she seemed much dissatisfied about it which vexed me very much and I told her and Brother Josh both that I would do nothing farther about the Estate and requested him to have it proved and then I should be clear and that I would give up my share to all of them, but he said he would not and they went for town.[2]

3 Oct 1792.  I am getting ready to start for Lackawack.  My sister Polly[3] and I started about 9. 

392, 6 Oct.  Got to our Brothers at Paupack falls at 11 and found them well but he is at the mouth of Lackawack and is going to the elections before he comes home.  10^th.  Sam Wigton came home towards evening.  12^th.  After breakfast we walked out and my brother showed me a copy of our Father's will, the purport of which is that Mama was to have the use of all his estate during her life and that the movables were to be at her disposal and at her death whatever she left undisposed was to be equally divided amongst her children and children's children so that the children of one family…were to have an equal share with one of his own children.  I showed this copy to my Sister and told her that our Brother Samuel was free to have it proved and so was I and bid her choice and she choose to have the article signed.  My heart was so full that I was ready to sink under it.  When I think that I am so neglected by my Father I wish I had never known what it was.

401, 1 Feb 1793.  I settled with Wm Commet Jr. and pd. him 1/2 in full for 54 weeks rearing John's child and we are sending to bring the child home to wean. 

402, 3 Feb.  My wife and some of the children went in the sled to the burying of Mrs. Whitehead, mother of Capt. and John Bonnel's, which is a very old woman, had she lived until March should have been 91 years old.[4]  4t^h.  This forenoon I received a line from B. Samuel that informs me he has sold at Paupack for £4,000 and also that he has sold mine and requests that I meet him at East Town [Easton, PA] tomorrow.  7^th.  I waited patiently [at Easton] until about 2 when my brother arrived and Capt. Craig also.  My Brother informs me he has sold all his land at Lackawack for £4000 and Brother Joshua's piece that lies over the River but that he intends to give him £40.0.0.  He also informs me that he has agreed away my big tract at £50 per hundred.

407, 1 Apr.  [In Philadelphia] After breakfast my Brother [Samuel] and I went to Mr. Wilson’s and he agreed to take my 1260-acre tract at 10/ per acre according to my Brother's agreement with him and I went and got my writings from the office.  In the afternoon we went again to Judge Wilson’s and I agreed with him for my fall Tract and he is to give me £537 for it, £100 down and a hundred per year with interest. Etc.[5]

413, 15  May 1793.  [home]  Maj. Alling, Doctor Leddell [Littel?] and several others dined here on their way to Trenton to the Assembly.  Doctor Leddell agreed with Doctor Smith as administrator to pay him on account of David Little's estate £38. 16^th, I started this morning for Pennsylvania. 17^th. I came on to Easton, paid 6d. ferriages.  Put up at Mr. Shook’s at half past nine, I waited on Capt. Craig and he tells me he is to meet Palmer tomorrow over the mountain and I concluded to wait here and go with him.  Here I understand my son [John] met with his uncle Samuel and took dinner with him and then went on his Journey. 

414, 18 May.  Talked with George Palmer[6] about my lands and he advised me to go to Reading and search Scull's office.  He promised to return Brother Joshua's survey.  19^th. To Bethlehem.  Found my Brother Joshua there.  20^th.  To Allentown, on to Cootus town [Kutztown].  21^st.  Started at1/2 past 5, got to Reading at 8.  I went to Mrs. Sculls and she readily let me look and search the office and I took out several drafts and had them copied.  I went to Mr. Dundoss' and he was not at home but she used me very politely.  In the evening I took leave of them all. I slipped a dollar into Aunt Rachel's hand.[7]

415, 24 May 1793.  [Went to Allentown, Bethlehem, Nazareth]  Started and stopped at Nicholas (De   s), took breakfast and came on to Wm. Smith’s, then to Esq. Schoonovers and met Capt. Craig here, ate dinner at Cousin Sam Seely's.[8]  [Later Sylvanus was involved in surveying land he had bought at Dyberry.]

422, 23 Jul.  I this day received a line from my B. Jonathan dated 2^nd June at Georgetown, South Carolina and he informs me that David is married.  26^th.  I got one Woodruff and Mr. Tunis to appraise the goods belonging to my Father’s Estate and they appraised the household goods at about £28.13.5.  My brother differed a little and I tried to settle matters between them but could not.  We agreed with Mama to give her £40 per annum Prock [proclamation money] for the interest of the whole estate and we are to do as we please about selling the lands.  Major Sayre was present.  After dinner B. Samuel, Pamelia [Wigton] and I went to Spank town in his carriage and took Capt. Lenard in and went to [Perth] Amboy and as Elijah Morrell is in town we concluded to stay all night.

423, 27 July.  This morning my B. Samuel agreed with Morrell for his Birthright of his grandfather's estate and is to give him half of what he recovers and signed writings accordingly.[9]  29^th.  I went to Darling's and he signed a conveyance to my B. Samuel for an application taken out in his Father's name for lands at Lackawack on the waters of Middle Creek.[10]

424,   6 Aug. [Philadelphia]  This morning we went to Judge Wilson's and from there to Maj. Nichols' and my wife signed the deed and we went and acknowledged it and I got my bond and mortgage and came back to lodgings.  We saw Seely Huling and I wrote by him to my son John.  Maj. Sayre came in.  8^th.  This morning I got my mortgage acknowledged and gave it to Capt. Wm. Craig to get it recorded at Easton.  In the afternoon Major Sayre came in and he and I and brother Joshua went to a house of pleasure and I spent one dollar.  9^th.  Major Sayre and B. Josh went for home and B Josh is to see if our brothers David and Jonathan will sign deed Polls and I am to write his answer. 12^th. This morning I took out two warrants for land on Lackawack, one in my name for 200 acres and one in Bro. Josh’s for 400.  Major Sayre is to have half.  I received a line from B. Josh and the Boys will not sign the Deed Polls.[11]  13t^h. I talked with B. Samuel and told him the boys will not sign and he thinks it best to let it lie.  Called on the Surveyor General's office got my warrents and left a caveat with Capt. John Barron to enter against David and Jonathan if I send him word so to do.

426, 11 Sep 1793.  This morning I sent George down to see how my B. Samuel's daughter is.  My Sister writes that there is no hope of the child's life.  I received a line from Calvin Morrell, dated 2 August and one from S. Bonnel.  13^th. Towards evening we herd the melancholy news that Brother Samuel's daughter [Elvira] died this morning.

433, 18 Dec. I sent 30/ by Capt. Howell to pay my tax and David Mascoe's.  My mind is very uneasy on my daughter Nelley's account, fearing she will not live happy with Capt. Howell.  [Eleanor m Capt John Howell in 1793; they later separated.]  29^th.  This day I am 50 years old.

460, 1794.  I am getting ready to start for Redstone and feel very heavy for leaving my family.  My Journal to the Western Territory comes in here.  [not included].  4 Feb 1795.  I returned last evening from Kentucky.

476, 16^th July 1795.  [Returning from Philadelphia] Dined at Brunswick then got to my Brother's [Joshua] in Woodbridge.  17^th.  This morning after breakfast my brother put his horse in his chair and brought me along and we stopped at Hezakiah Thompson's and talked with him about Sister Little's children and he gave some encouragement to do something for them.

478. 16 Aug.  This morning I went to Esq. Day and got a letter that he brought from the Post Office at Morris Town for me from Samuel Broadwell[12] in Kentucky dated 11^th June past.  This day I received a line from my son John, dated 27^th July, also a note from Mama.

481, 3 Sep.  My wife and I went to Capt. Howell's and took Nelley with us and we all went to the vendue of Mr. Darling and the people that are going to Kentucky.  I dined with Esq. Broadwell, we came back and drank tea with Maj. Brown.

482, 9 Sep. Took breakfast at my daughter's then went to Morris Town saw Capt. Silas Howell start for Miamis with his family and I took leave of them and one John Kitchel.  I met Abner Brown from Redstone who gave me a line from my son.  14^th.  Received a line from Uncle Jonas dated 16^th Aug.

483, 22 Sep.  This morning I took George in the chair and after giving Abner Brown of Redstone a line for my son John and another for Uncle Jonas Seely we went to Maj. Brown's and I gave Maj. Brown a line for B. Rutter and another for Calvin Morrell.  25^th.  I went to Jacob Broadwell's and left some things to be carried to Brother Rutter’s.

488, 13 Jan. 1796.  I sold my place where I now live to Capt. Wm Day for sixteen hundred dollars, one half to be paid on the 15^th of April next and the other half in one year from that with interest and I am to give him possession between the 15^th and 20^th of April.  I reserved the dung and manure and also the peach nursery.  We drew an article and signed it for one hundred forfeit.  14^th.  I have not slept well last night as I was troubled in mind that my girls Sophia and Betsy took on sadly about my selling and also thinking that maybe I am doing wrong but I hope God will direct me as I am a poor short sighted creature and know not when I act right or wrong.

501, 13 May 1796 [in Philadelphia] Got S. Wigton to go with me and I called on the lawyer's clerk but can get no information how my suit goes against Judge Wilson in favor of my Father's estate which is my principal business.  I went to the Land office and searched for Otter’s name but can find nothing.  We then went to the House of Congress and I spoke to Col. Hartley[13] & he gave me directions to call at No. 39 N. Sixth Street tomorrow at 10.  I then went and inquired for Major Huling's sons, heard nothing of them.  Wigton tells me he is in his 59^th year.  I am much disappointed and fear I shall get nothing of my Father's estate and what my poor Mother will do I know not.

502, 14 May, 1796.  I called upon Mr. Brown this morning and he thinks Capt. Howell's lands are sufficiently registered but recommended me to call on Col. Logan, the Treasurer of Kentucky who is now in town.  Called on Col. Hartley and stayed with him some time and he informed me that Major Huling has moved up the west branch of the Susquehanna and uncle with him.

504, 23 May.  I wrote a note for B. Samuel to give me and filed a deed poll to him for a tract of land in my name joining on Dyberry within the forks of Lackawaxen or between the N.E. and the West branch of Lackawack.

508, 6 Jun.  This morning my wife was sent for to our daughter Nelley and about 9 Capt. Howell came down and told us that Nelley had got to bed with a fine son.

521, 11 Aug.  Capt. Day, John Dayton, a boy of Aa. Carters and myself went to E. Town point a crabbing and on our way down I left my saddle bags at General. Dayton's with 80 dollars of Capt. Howell's money and 80 of my own.[14]  13^th.  Went to E. Town, found my brother Josh waiting to see me, we went to Mama's.  After dinner I settled with Jonathan Wade for my Mother's rent and I assigned him a note against Major Sayre for 40 dollars.  16^th.  This morning I received two letters from B. Samuel dated yesterday at Sussex Courthouse enclosing several writings concerning land of John Nicholson Esq. In Kentucky and I wrote him by the same messenger to inform me what day to meet him.  I received a line from my brother David dated the 20^th June past and he was well and all his family at that time.  My daughter Sophia went down to her work with Mr. Morrison and my wife gave her 2 dollars to pay her board with.

522, 20 Aug.  I rode over to Turkey and talked with Serrin Parson about taking my family to Redstone but have but small encouragement.  I am exceeding uneasy in mind and know not what to do.  I have been so disappointed in getting away to Kentucky that I sometimes think I had better get ready and move without going down.  This afternoon Capt. Howell was arrested by Adm Campfield as assign to Henry Howell and he hath agreed, as he tells on, to leave it to Reference next Tuesday and I entered into a bail bond with the Sheriff promising to give me up the bond again if I deliver the body to Morris Town on Tuesday next.  My daughter Sophia came home and said she was turned off.  22^nd.  I wrote to Capt. Dayton and informed him I shall start for Kentucky on Thursday next.

533, 23 Mar 1797.  I received a line from my son John dated 1 March and they are well and he writes me that he is appointed Treasurer of the County of Greene. [PA--between Redstone and Morgantown, WV.]

554, 17 Nov.  I began to run over my store to see if I have made any thing of [what] I have kept 6 months.

557, 17 Dec.  My wife went to E. Town to see General More who lives near her sister in Carolina.  27^th.  David Bonnel was killed by the limb of a tree falling on him.  29^th.  David Bonnel was buried and all our people went.  Afterwards George went and brought me 105 gals of spirit from Johnson and Colwells.

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