December 1831

Landsgrove December 1, 1831 I had a good nights rest. The stage carried us again at six this morning. We now began to gradually ascend the mountains; it began gradually to snow likewise. I believe it always snows here. After gaining the top, which is covered with a good growth of hard timber, we ascended [descended] about four miles before we gained the level of the country again. Stopped at ***** and at Manchester where we breakfasted at nine o'clock. Stores in town are shut. Here they are building a fine seminary building of marble which is obtained in large quantities and of exellent quality in all the towns around. If there could be an easier conveyance to the Hudson than by teams it would afford a great source of profit to the country. At M[anchester] we took a carriage and began to be most unmercifully tossed and jostled about. The travelling from this place to Arlington and in fact to Pittstown is very bad. The scenery to Cambridge is most picturatic [pictural/ picturesque?] and grand. The road sometimes traces the banks of rivers, following their mean-dering courses among vast and cloud-capped mountains, now pushed to their very brink by the base of some lofty mountain and then dug out with immense labor on [its] precipitous side. The ladies were very much frightened by the imagined danger of tipping into the river or down some frightful precipice. These mountains when compared to the Alps or Andes are nothing, but to an inexperienced eye they are lofty. The land after passing the Green Mountains is an exellent soil, yielding abundantly. The farmers keep very many sheep of an exellent quality, the land being well adapted by nature for the animal. Nothing makes so fine a show, and is so much profit to the farmer now[a]days as a fine lot of sheep. Wool is high and large inducements are held out to our husbandmen to improve and enlarge the breed of sheep. I saw many houses plastered outside which caused much amusement among the passengers by saying they were turned inside out. Arlington is a fine little village situated in a valley through which the Black River passes. On two sides it is enclosed by lofty mountains and the soil is of an exellent quality. I have seldom seen a more desirable place. Here is a marble meeting house of noble architecture. This valuable stone abounds in the neighbourhood. I have seen walls and house[s] made of it here. The road was so very rough and the load so light that we were almost dead with the "battering" before we arrived at Cambridge about three o'clock. We had then eat no dinner, neither would the stage stop till we could get any, but with a lighter load off we started over the frozen ground. It was nearly nine o'clock before we arrived at Pittstown and according to the usual way they had then to go miles to Troy. But, refusing to go any further that night, the stage did not proceed. This has been a very fatiguing day's ride not only to Mother and M. A. but also to me. The farms in this part of the country are exellent and the farmers generally wealthy and independent. Chimneys are built outdoors, and the houses are boarded by lapping one board over the other like clapboards, with shutters instead of blinds, which make them have a very dull and forbid[d]ing appearance. Houses are apparently much cheaper made than in N. England. A circumstance happened tonight before we arrived at P[ittstown] which now makes me shudder while I write. The driver had dropped his hat and, jumping from his seat to get it, the horses started on a smart trot. We were almost dead with fear. A young man, a passenger, very softly opened the door, leaped from the coach, and by a hard run caught the dragging reins. For his admirable presence of mind and activity he needs to be handsomely rewarded, for I verily think he saved our lives from the most threatening danger, and perhaps from death. Many stagemen are too careless in leaving their horses alone. Such ought not to be employed. The country appears to be more level than in N. H. We put up this night at old Joe Reads, as he is called. A surly, morose old crab, he is no more fit for a tavern keeper than a hog in my view. He is not at all accomadating.

Schenectady Friday December 2, 1831 After breakfast we resumed our journey, through Lansingburgh to the fine little city of Troy, situated on the west bank [of] the Hudson seven miles from Albany. We passed the river in a Horse Boat. All the way to Albany the road is level and hard with gravel sidewalks and keeping close to the canal. Fine house sites and a more pleasant country are seldom seen. The stage ran afoul a light waggon and bent the hind axle tree. I should think they would keep at their proper distance. Took dinner at the Mansion House, Albany. I know nothing of A[lbany] except that it is a pretty and business place. Took three tickets from the railroad office, were carried to the head or starting place in a carriage. To give a correct and full acct. of the R. Road is out of my power. Suffice it to say that it is the stupendous work of an enterprizing public. Immense embankments are thrown up, hills are leveled, and the barren track of land between S[chenectady] and A[lbany] is now traversed in thirty-five m[inutes]. Seven cars are drawn by an engine. No competent calculation can be made of the extensive benefit and profit which it hereafter will afford. They are now preparing to make another track by the side of the one already made. Arrived at Davis' Hotel after dark and found Father at Forresters Tavern, corner of Union and Jay Sts. Very much fatigued.

Schenectady Saturday December 3, 1831 Although the snow is hardly sufficient for sleighing, it is very much used. Very cold winter weather. Father and I went out to [buy] some stove crockery and other necessaries. Schenectady (what I have seen) is very regularly laid out, the streets running parralel with the Mohawk and others crossing at right angles. State St. is the principal business st[reet] being a continuation of the Schndy and Albany turnpike. Union St., the continuation of Troy turnpike, is also a very pleasant street. The College is situated on this st[reet] of which I shall hereafter speak. The Grand Erie Canal passes through the center of the place, cutting State, Liberty and Union Sts in an oblique direction. The canal is now frozen up although at a very early season.

Sunday December 4, 1831 This day I spent in Forrester's Bar Room, not being well enough aquainted to find a church and seat. Heathen-ish way to spend the Sabbath. Like the fare of our boarding house very well, but think 'tis not very respectable. We are now in a new city where all the prevailing customs and manners are Dutch. Go into a store and you'll hear half hour of little short [thick?] Dutchmen jabbering Dutch like geese. Small pox is in the city. From time to time I shall speak of things worthy and remarkable. The Mohawk Bank is situa[ted] on Union St., a spacious 2-story building. A Dutch Reformed church, an Episcopal, a Presbyterian, a Method't, Baptist and Cameroonian.

Monday December 5, 1831 Amazing cold day. I find already that the Schndy Merchants are in many instances sharpers, taking as much for a thing as they can. Wood is worth six or seven dollars a cord. Houses are amazingly cheap made here. A house lot worth two hundred dollars and a good brick two-story house may be obtained for a thousand dollars and even less. Father has hired a convenient house at the corner of Union and Barrett Sts., owned by Mr. Vrooman, a Dutchman. The Dutch names are enough to crack the jaws of a man to pronounce.

Tuesday December 6, 1831 This day wrote a letter to Dr. Chaplin of Waterville College for a dismission and recommendation to Union College. Cold. Archibald Craig is Mayor of this city. Expect Cram here soon.

Wednesday December 7, 1831 Cram arrived last night and unloaded this morning. He bought another horse on the way. Took supper in our new abode. Like quite well. Father has been to work at Mr. Vedder's mill putting in a crank.

Thursday December 8, 1831 I have began studying, anticipating an examination at College. Cold and severe.

Friday December 9, 1831 Father has made a Jumper for Cram to go home with tomorrow. His journey here with our goods was a very to us, costing more than forty doll[ar]s. A man journeying expense is seldom economical. So I think in this instance. Twenty doll[ars] only paid his expense to this place.

Saturday December 10, 1831
"Two children, they went out to sled all on one summer's day. It so fell out, they all fell irt, the rest they run away."
Cold. Very severe.

Sunday December 11, 1831 Went to the Baptist Church in Maiden Lane., a small brick edifice combining neatness and simplicity. Mr. Gillet, a very young man, preached. In his manner, he is pleasing, having a greater share of spirit than is ordinary for a young minister. He preaches without notes, very properly too. He draws great collections to his meetings. Ten were baptised last Sunday and added to this church. A host of females sing but bass was wanting. This evening the house was very much crowded so that some went away. A religious revival seems to have been some time in this church adding members to it.

Monday December 12, 1831 A Dutchman is a short man very much attatched to the customs of his fathers and [withal] a little "thick skulled," objections excepted. By talking a language which is only the mangled remains of pure Dutch ("the Devils language"), he has acquired the graveful practice of grunting out English, when he attempts to speak it, like a hog through his nose. In fact he is the butt of ridicule by Yankees and those of English origin.I do not say all Dutchmen are of this class, because N.Y. has many and honourable exceptions but I say as a people they have acquired a notoriety for those things of which I speak in the same degree as the Yankees for tricks [in] selling wood clocks, nutmegs, cucumber seeds and sheep-skin Rennit bags. But take my word for it, if the Yankees can cheat more than the Yorkers in way of trade they could deceive the very Devil himself. The Dutch are known by their talking as well as any way, often making the most egregious blunders and bulls, even if it were possible, more laughable than the Irish themselves. The other day a respectable Dutch merchant came into Forrester's and wanted his boy to ride his wife to a funeral. So a Dutchman says, instead of drawing stone, riding stone. They use a present participle with "after" before it instead of the present tense, as for "Feed my horse," "Be after feeding my horse." They are very "broken," as we say, in their speech like an outbun [outborn?] Irishman.

Tuesday December 13, 1831 Cold, amazing cold, yet without any snow. It has attempted a few times but ended in a squall. The canal closed nearly three weeks earlier than usual this season, thereby catching many boats where they least expected or wanted to be. Fifteen or twenty boats are fast in this city where they will be obliged to stay till spring with their loads. Winter "setting in" so unexpectedly early has caused the price of wood and coal in almost every place to be very dear.

Wednesday December 14, 1831 Little business is now done on the Railroad carrying passengers, owing probably to the cold weather --or some other cause unknown to me. The engines are housed and the cars drawn by horses. Snow must neccessarily cause some hindrance, I think, when from its great quantity it cannot hand[i]ly be removed from the rails. What little snow has fell this winter has been easily removed by men with brooms, but if an old fashioned eleven snowstorm and wind should come this winter 'twould take all the men in Schendy to clear them.

Thursday December 15, 1831 What is more sorrowful than fallen splendor, the fall of a wealthy noble, house full of honor, illustrious deeds, beauty, wit and all the accomplishments which in this world are held in the highest estimation, than the time when such a house has no heir on which to confer the name and bear it up from oblivion?

Friday December 16, 1831 Went into a book shop and read Stearn's Tristam Shandy Gent., thought him a very eccentric man, a funny writer.

Saturday December 17, 1831 Saw a Dutch girl with short petticoats --very droll to a Yankee.

Sunday December 18, 1831 Very cold day, and didnt go to meeting, ought to have went. Went this evening to the Baptists, house very full, good sermon.

Monday December 19, 1831 Cold all along now. Went to hear a sermon at the Dutch Ref. Church, the commencement of a "protracted meeting." Good. The church is at the bottom of Union St., a large edifice of brick with steeple and bell. There is nothing in the interior which is very remarkable or more to be remembered than ordinary. A pretty good organ.

Tuesday December 20, 1831 Attended meeting all day and liked much. Dont know the names of the ministers.

Wednesday December 21, 1831 Cold days now --dont know when they will end. Meetings are well attended.

Thursday December 22, 1831 The spirit of God seems to be silently but effectual[l]y working in the minds of sinners, some have hopes of glory beyond the grave.

Friday December 23, 1831 Had a letter today from Dr. Chaplin of Waterville in which he gives me a dismission from W[aterville] College and a recommendation to Union College. Good meetings now at Dutch Ref. Church. A blessed revival of religion seems to have began in the hearts of Christians and sinners. The preaching is powerful and toutching the feelings. I never saw so many assembled ministers of talent.

Saturday December 24, 1831 This morning I went to see Dr. Nott and had my name entered in the College books without any difficulty. I can enter the Freshmen class without examination because I bring a recom[mendatio]n and dismis[sion]n from another College. This is much better than I expected when I went. In the afternoon I went to the Dutch meeting, which closes tonight. Was coming up Liberty St. the other day and saw a novel appearance. Two negresses in dashing style were coming up with horse and slay over the Canal Bridge when they run afoul an old lumber sleigh which stuck them fast. Such horrid grins and grimaces!! They hoisted a signal of distress and were soon helped "to get under way" again. Great many negroes in this city.

Sunday December 25, 1831 Went to the Presbyterian meeting in Union St. The house is not very large but convenient and well warmed. Mr. James preached rather moderately by reading his sermon. What was particularly new to me was the mode of singing. They have seats for a regular choir of singers, but the leading singer takes his stand immediately before the pulpit, fac[e]ing the congregation and sings while all who can, follow. It is a very simple and pleasant arrangement. P. M. 2 o'clock. Attended the Episcopal [Church] in Ferry St. It is a very elegant little stone church with a high, picked [peaked?] steeple. It being Chris[t]mas, festoons are hung in every imaginable form in the interior, presenting a fine appearance. They have a small organ. Two persons officiated, one reading the Liturgy and the other an [agree?]ably written sermon, very flowery, a little bombastic. All form is not pleasing to the Almighty, but "the broken and contrite heart respect." This evening I went to hear Mr. Gillet.

Monday December 26, 1831 Cold and unpleasant weather. I study a little, saw wood a little, and do nothing a little and so I spend my time. One week from next Friday the term begins. Then I shall be obliged to study hard, perhaps. "Pull the door shut," a Dutchman says.

Tuesday December 27, 1831 An old Dutchman came in to see us this morning, very sociable and blundering. Real Dutch. Says he, "The West is poisoned with Yankees. They plague the Dutch terribly. Many years ago they so imposed upon them that a Yankee could not get a nights lodging at a Dutch tavern. The Yankees would get what they wanted and give their notes in which they never got a farthing." Many such anecdotes he told us of those "poisonous Yankees" but at last stopped by saying that the Dutch and Yankees were now on good terms. Went up to College to find a room &c. Mr. Holland, the Register, introduced me to Mr. Willis, one of my class from Danvers, Mass. I staid an hour and half in conversation on various subjects respecting the College and, not finding a room handily, I have concluded to wait till the students come in that I may find a vacancy if possible.

Wednesday December 28, 1831 Father is now making me a pine desk to study by. I anticipate much pleasure from my splendid course of studies at College. If God grants me health and life, I hope now to make a permanent stand here for the present. Health is an incalculable blessing which can only be suitably prized by those who have been sick. Of late I have had some symptoms of my old disease Dyspeps[i]a, yet by the help of God and good management I hope it may beprevented.

Thursday December 29, 1831 We have now three or four in. of snow which fell last Tuesday night. How fast time flies!

Friday December 30, 1831 Went to hear Mr. Van Vactin [Vechten], the Dutch minister, this evening --a very devoted but feeble man.

Saturday December 31, 1831 Was awakened last night by the cry of Fire! Fire! which I found to proceed from Mr. Lasalls Cabinet Shop in State St. which [burned] down. Not a great loss, I should think; six hundred dollars, I am informed: I have now come to the close of another week-month-year in safety, health and enjoyment of every blessing which a bounteous Providence can bestow to make me happy. This evening I set down to ruminate on the past circumstances of my last year and record my thoughts and results in this book. May Heaven grant that I may so "consider upon my past ways that I may apply my heart to wisdom" for the future. The first thing which naturally pops into the mind is "Where was I one year ago this very night? Ans. three hundred fifty miles "down east" at Waterville College in the enjoyment of health and religious and literary privileges. Now I am in Schenectady NY. Who would have ever dreamed of such a change? Not I. I then thought, while writing a farewell sentence to the closing year, I should also close this in the same place. "God is great." Between the two nights of which I now speak, much has happened --to me. I have left one College and joined another. I have lost the fine state of religious feeling which I enjoyed about that time, and have a low, worldly state now, little savoured by the works of a truly pious man. O lamentable is this last change. I have been sorely afflicted by a frightful disease which now, thank God, is partially removed. By this means I have lost one year in my College course, but I am perfectly resigned to both of the last Providences which God has been pleased to send upon me. It is for my good and his own Glory. I would not have it otherwise than pleases him. If he chastise, I will rejoice and I count his chastisement but gain. I have sinned much and gone astray from God! I acknowledge before him and the world with shame. I have been guilty of the most base ingratitude in that I have abused his mercies and thought light of his counsels. Still, with all my backslidings, sins, iniquities, omissions and commissions, I love him and his people. I feel grateful for his goodness although I do not manifest it as I ought. It looks m[y]sterious and awful to view the ways of the Almighty --how he casts down and raises up --how he destroys and makes alive and how he does all things according to his own eternal will. How solemn is the view when we look at a year that is past, count the many hairbreadth escapes, and tracing along the chain of events bring our mind to the very time in which we live. This [There] is something grand in the past, the reason of which we cannot tell, a certain querying in our minds why we have lived to this moment, who kept us alive and for what purpose. When looking forward to another "New Year's Day" I know not where I shall be, in this life or another, but into the hands of an all Wise God I commit my life, and bid this year '31 an everlasting farewell.