The Journals of Nicholas Cresswell

Nicholas Cresswell

• Publisher: Jazzybee Verlag
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9783849650445
• Topic: Personal Development
• Subtopic: Travel

These are the journals of Nicholas Cresswell, who sailed to the American colonies after becoming acquainted with a native of Edale who was now resident in Alexandria, Virginia. He was 24 years old when he arrived and for the next three years he kept a journal of his experiences, along with comments on political issues. He became unpopular due to his opposition to the patriot cause in the American War of Independence.

V - OVER HILL AND STREAM—THE KENTUCKY RIVER

APPALACHIAN Mountain—Friday, April 7th, 1775.

Slept very little last night Mr. Rice tells me it is because I did not take off my clothes. Water frozen in Kettle about 10 foot from the fire. Crossed Little Cape Capon Creek and the south mountain, which is one entire rock. Dined at Runnel's Tavern. Travelled over barren hills to Ashby's Fort on Patterson's Creek. Camped about 2 miles to the West of it. About 30 miles to-day.

Saturday, April 8th, 1775.

Slept very well last night, considering the hardness of our bed. Crossed the Knobby Mountain. Called at Creig's Tavern for a supply of Rum, then over the Devil's Hunting Ground to Tittle's Tavern. This is the worst road I ever saw, large rocks and bogs. Crossed the Savage Mountain and through the Shades of Death. This is one of the most dismal places I ever saw. The lofty Pines obscure the Sun, and the thick Laurels are like a Hedge on each side, the Road is very narrow and full of large stones and bogs. I measured a Pine that was blown down, 130 ft. long. Camped about 2 miles west of the Shades. 28m.

Sunday, April 9th, 1775.

Crossed the Little Meadow Mountain, supposed to be the highest part of the Appalachian or Allegany Mountain. The waters begin to fall to the westward. Crossed the Negro Mountain and the winding ridge. Crossed the line between Maryland and Pennsylvania. It is cut through the woods in a west course from some part of Delaware Bay about 20 yards wide. It is on the top of the winding ridge. Crossed the Yaughaganey River at the Begg crossings. Camped 2 miles west of it. Shot some Pheasants, which have made a good supper.

Monday, April 10th, 1775.

Crossed the Fallen Timbers. Occasioned by a violent gust of wind from the east. The Trees are either torn up by the roots or broke off near the ground. Some Oaks 2 foot diameter are broke off and the tops carried to a considerable distance. Scarcely one tree left standing. I am told it continues 100 Miles in a west course and about a mile broad. Dined at the Great Meadows, a large marshy place clear of trees. Saw the vestiges of Fort Necessity. This was a small picketed Fort built by Colnl. Washington in the year 1754. About a mile to the westward of this Fort, General Braddock is buried at a small Run. They tell me he was buried in the middle of the road to prevent the Indians digging up his body. Crossed the Laurel Mountain. Saw the place where Colonel Dunbar was encamped when he received the news of General Braddock's defeat in 1755. Great quantities of broken Bombshells, cannon, bullets, and other military stores scattered in the woods. This is called the Laurel Mountain from the great quantities of Laurel that grow upon it. A most delightful prospect of the country to the westward of it. Called at Gist's Fort. Crossed the Yaughagany River at the Steward's Crossings. Got to Zachariah Connells, Brother-in-law to George Rice. Much fatigued this evening. Heavy rain most part of the day.

West Augusta County, Virginia,—Tuesday, April 11th, 1775.

The Appalachian or Allegany Mountain is not one entire Mountain, but a number piled one on the top of another, with some narrow Valleys between them. The mountains are barren and rocky, but the Valleys tho' very narrow are in general rich, very thinly inhabited. The road is but very indifferent, tho' loaded waggons frequently cross it in the Summer. Here is some excellent land about this place and all the way from the foot of the mountain. Every necessary of life is very dear here, provisions in particular, occasioned by the Indian War last Summer. Grain is not to be got for money. In the evening went to Mr. Valentine Crawford's with Captn. Douglas. With much difficulty have got half a bushel of Rye for my horse.

Wednesday, April 12th, 1775.

Went with Captn. Douglas to Captn. John Stephenson's. This Gentleman is a great Indian Warrior, but appears to be a good-natured man.

Thursday, April 13th, 1775.

Captn. Stephenson advises me to build our canoe here, provisions are cheaper than at Fort Pitt. Rice professes to be a Carpenter and understands the building of them, is acquainted here and will undertake to have one finished in a fortnight.

Friday, April 14th, 1775.

This morning, Rice and another man begun to cut down a tree to make a Canoe. Have left it entirely to his management. Captn. Douglas and Captn. Stephenson to the Steward's Crossings to Major Crawford's. Returned to V. Crawford's in the evening. Agreed to go with Captn. Douglas to Fort Pitt to-morrow.

Saturday, April 15th, 1775.

Left Mr. Crawford's in company with Captn. Douglas. Crossed Jacob's Creek and Saweekly Creek. Got to Mr. John De Camp's. Land very rich and level.

Fort Pitt, Virginia-Sunday, April 16th, 1775.

Left Mr. De Camp's. Travelled over small hills, woods, and dirty roads to Bush Creek, called at a Mill where by acting the Irishman, got a feed of Corn for our horses. Crossed Turtle Creek. Dined at Myer's Ordinary. After dinner got a man to conduct us to the place where General Braddock was defeated by the French and Indians the 9th. July 1755. It is on the Banks of the Mon-in-ga-ha-ly River. Found great numbers of bones, both men and horses. The trees are injured, I suppose by the Artillery. It appears to me the front of our Army never extended more than 300 yards and the greatest slaughter seems to have been made within 400 yards of the River, where it is level and full of underwood. Farther from the River it is hilly and some rocks where the enemy would still have the advantage of the ground. We could not find one whole skull, all of them broke to pieces in the upper part, some of them had holes broken in them about an inch diameter, suppose it to be done with a Pipe Tomahawk. I am told the wounded were all massacred by the Indians. Got to Fort Pitt in the evening. Land very good, but thinly inhabited. Our landlord seems to be very uneasy to know where we come from.

Monday, April 17th, 1775.

After breakfast waited on Major John Connoly, Commandant at the Fort, to whom I had a letter of introduction. Find him a haughty, imperious man. In the afternoon, viewing the town and Fort. It is pleasantly situated at the conjunction of the Moningahaley and Allegany Rivers, the Moningahaley on the S.W. and the Allegany on the North side the town. These two rivers make the Ohio. The town is small, about 30 houses, the people chiefly in Indian trade. The Fort is some distance from the town close in the forks of the Rivers. It was built originally by the French, deserted by them, and the English took possession of it under the Command of General Forbes, November 24th, 1758. Besieged by the Indians but relieved by Colonel Bouquet in August, 1763. Deserted and demolished by own troops about three years ago, but repaired last summer by the Virginians and has now a small garrison in it. It is a pentagonal form. Three of the Bastions and two of the curtains faced with brick, the rest picketed. Barracks for a considerable number of men, and there is the remains of a genteel house for the Governor, but now in ruins, as well as the Gardens which are beautifully situated on the Banks of the Allegany well planted with Apple and Peach trees. It is a strong place for Musketry, but was cannon to be brought against it, very defenceless, several eminences within Cannon Shot. Spent the evening at Mr. Gambel's, an Indian Trader in town.

West Augusta County, Virginia—Tuesday, April 28th, 1775.

This morning Mr. Gambel informed me that Adam Grant lived about 12 Miles from town. Left Fort Pitt. Dined at Turtle Creek. Escaped drowning very narrowly in crossing Turtle Creek. Got to Adam Grant's late in the evening. Great scarcity of every necessary of life in this house, but the man is glad to see us and gives us the best he has got with a hearty welcome. He has got a small tub mill and land enough, but it is of little value in this part of the world. Very heavy rain all day.

Wednesday, April 19th, 1775.

Left Adam Grant's. Got to Saweekly Creek, but it is too high to Ford. Returned to Mr. De Camps. We have been lost several times to-day. The by-roads are only small narrow paths through the woods and in some places not the least appearance of a road.

Thursday, April 20th, 1775.

Left Mr. De Camp's. Crossed Jacob Creek and Saweekly Creek. George Rice has joined some other people that are going down the Ohio in assisting them to Build canoe. They go about 600 Miles down the River and will be ready to set out in eight or ten days.

Friday, April 21st, 1775.

This day made a full agreement with George Rice to go with me to the Illinois Country, on condition that I will wait for him at the Kentucky River Ten days. I have agreed to do this and give him 500 acres of Land for his trouble. This Contract was made before Captn. William Douglas, who wants to take one half of my purchase, paying half my expenses in going to the Illinois and coming back. Am to give him a positive answer in two days. Wrote to Mr. Kirk.

Saturday, April 22nd, 1775.

Employed in getting provisions for the voya...

Table of contents

• FOREWORD
• I - PREPARATIONS
• II - THE VOYAGE—FIRST GLIMPSES
• III - VIRGINIA—ILLNESS—BARBADOS
• IV - VIRGINIA AGAIN—PROJECTED TRIP TO ILLINOIS
• V - OVER HILL AND STREAM—THE KENTUCKY RIVER
• VI - THE OHIO RIVER—THE INDIAN COUNTRY
• VII - BACK IN VIRGINIA—NEWS OF THE REVOLUTION
• VIII - ATTEMPT TO LEAVE—SUSPECTED AS A SPY
• IX - A WINTER OF DISCONTENT
• X - HAMPTON—WILLIAMSBURG—VOYAGE TO NEW YORK
• XI - TWO MONTHS IN NEW YORK HARBOUR
• XII - GENERAL WASHINGTON
• XIII - RETURN VOYAGE—EDALE ONCE MORE