After dinner, Emma and Sophia prepared the wine and apples, when we drank success to the day and health to all absent friends, then, after having a few tunes on the harp, we all took a stroll in the woods across the Mill creek bridge , so-called by having a mill close by. All around a great quantity of pine timber was lying which called our attention, seeing the turpentine oozing from beneath the bark. We returned home a short time before tea, which we had about ¼ to 7. The evening seemed short and passed pleasantly, and sister entertained us with some tunes upon the harp.

Saturday 25 March. A grey morning, my cold still bad. Mr. G. went out with two gentleman and returned to dinner at 5 ¼ P.M. Sister and I took a walk in the morng from 9 to 11 ½. We reached the Burying ground. It was delightful weather, quite like a summer day, so we ventured to sit down and rest upon some fallen trees, and talked over our anticipated journey to Cincinnati. The children were out, too, and I took them again in the afternoon and we gathered some very pretty moss.

Sunday 26th - My cold bad. Still lovely mild weather. Did not take breakfast until ten ock., and after reading a few minutes, I felt obliged to lie down on my bed, where I remained sleeping or sometimes reading until 4 P.M. and sister reclined on the children's bed to keep me company, for we felt much fatigued, we did not go down until tea time. This was a miserable way of spending a Sabbath, but we were told the clergyman had fallen out of his sleigh and broken his leg. The people did not appear to care much for religious services. Sister had taken the children in the morning to church , but when disappointed, took a short walk before returning home. Early in the evening it rained again, but we had no lightning which I rather expected after the closeness of the day. I went to bed about 8 P.M. and had some rum and water which sister brought up.

Monday March 27th. Another change. Snowing and very cold. We all remained at home. Mr. Harris called in the afternoon respecting a boat for us to go down the river in.

Tuesday 28th - All at home excepting Mr. G. who went about boats. Better weather.

29th - lovely clear warm day. We all took a walk to the bury-ground to see the bluebirds but none could be seen. (I forget to name that when we went to the burying ground on the 25th we saw a field nearly covered with bluebirds, which was a lovely sight, and never saw any afterwards). Passing the edge of a river we startled three partridges, which a hunter might have shot, for although they looked very pretty, they would have been very acceptable in a place where so little fresh meat could be got. We reached home at 12 P.M. and Mr. G. took Emma with him down to the river to see how thing were. After dinner at 3-20 we went to the woods N.E. of the village in hopes of finding some partridges for sister, but were much disappointed again - we saw several woodpeckers. We did not get home until 6 ½ and were very tired of the day's work.

Thursday 30th - Another beautiful summer's day. I practiced the harp from ¼ to 11 'till ½ past 12 during which time Mr. & Mrs. G. went to see the state of the river and the children took the pretty country walk towards the burying ground. All were home by dinner time, and after that Mr. G. went again down to the river. Sister generally rested at that time, and I took a long walk by the woods with Emma to gather moss. We started at 4 ½ and reached home by half past six.

Friday 31st - Fine mild weather. Children went for a walk, and Mr. G. alone to the river. He did not return until 3 P.M. when he told us he had been viewing Olean from the top of a mountain at the opposite side of the river. After dinner he took sister and me in a row boat across the river into the pine forest, but it was so damp we could not walk there, so we returned. It was a hard matter to row across the stream, which was so rapid. We then sauntered about by the river seeing Mr. Smith's drafts off, and returned home about 7 to tea. In the evening I played harp music while Mr. G. was writing and others sewing.

April 1st Saturday - Rather a cloudy day. Children went for a walk. Mr. G. went to the river to see the rafts. Sister sewed some and I played the harp for half and hour. All at home again about 10 ½ when Mr. G. took the children across the river in a boat to the woods and returned home just in time to escape a shower of rain. Sister and I were busy washing out some interesting articles that were too fine to put in the wash. Mr. G. then requested us to take a walk but in a short time an approaching storm hurried us home. This was the second day of hearing the frogs, which I suppose had begun for the summer. Sister then played the harp, when to our great astonishment two gentlemen with a tap at the door entered, and apologizing said the sound of the instrument outside was so sweet that they were impelled to intrude and request another tune. Mr. G. who was writing requested them to be seated and A. played several tunes. They had never seen a harp before. There was quite an assemblage outside on the walk listening, too, rather a country looking set. The instrument was moved to let them see, and the gents. thought it far superior to the piano-forte. They were on their way to Cincinnati, and in the Fall intended to go to New Orleans.

Sunday 2nd April - a rainy morning which ceased before 10 ock. but changed to a very windy damp day. The meeting house being at least open for service, Sister took the children. Mr. G. had gone out before we heard a clergyman had some. I could not go out on such a bad day with my cold and sore throat, so I read in quietness. Our dinner consisted of salt pork, toast & boiled rice, rather poor. Monday and Tuesday nothing new.

Wednesday 5th Apl - a fine day. My cold nearly well. Mr. and Mrs. G. walked to the river and strolled about, and I took Sophia and Isaac for a walk by the adjacent forest.

Thursday 6th - My cold worse again, increased by going out the day before. Did not get up until 10 ½ A.M. when I took my breakfast alone. We were busy sewing the rest of the day and evening.

Friday 7th - a fine day, Sewed with sister. Nothing new. Mr. G. generally watched the river business as he intended buying a flat boat. One fine day he took us a short distance down the river to show us how romantic the scenery was. We floated pleasantly down, but it was a different story coming up such a rapid stream. Mr. G. needed to use both his oars and we had to steer. This was a novel occupation, and the way the boat shot across to one side of the river, and again to the other was perfectly astonishing and ridiculous. Sister concluded to be landed and walked home, but poor me, I had to help the boat back. It was with great difficulty I could keep the boat out of the rushes at the side of the river and no one could tell how thankful I was to be once more safe on dry land. Poor Mr. G. had to use all his strength to row up stream, and was tired enough. A few days more we heard the boat was bought, and having a cabin built on it, with a small division for the work hands. The packing cases and boxes were arranged in it so as to answer for bedsteads, and with clothes lines and large linen sheets, divisions were made in the cabin for the different members of the family. The boat was fifty feet long.

April 14th, 1832. We entered the cabin. A strange feeling came over me when I thought of the risk we were to run. We only traveled 5 miles the first day and then tied up for the night. Finding our match box, by some means, empty, we obtained a light from an Indian's cottage and then set out to arrange the apartments and beds, a curious undertaking. The next morng we rose at 6 A.M. and we had not gone far when the men wished to go ashore, and in so doing ran upon a snag, and it was with great exertion for three hours that they were able to free the boat. All this trouble, I think was caused by the desire of the pilot for whiskey. We then partook of a hurried breakfast and continued our course. The scenery was lovely - pine forests at both sides which were only broken open by an occasional log hut with its garden plot ready for Indian corn and potatoes. Some inhabited by Indians and others by men not much more civilized. At 2 P.M. we had our dinner of eggs &c which we managed to cook on a wood fire at the stern of the boat. The place, or box, was made of a frame of wood filled with clay. Not being learned in the art of cooking, we directly met with a disaster, for as no one waited by, the wood burned up suddenly, the water dried out, and the rice was burnt. We took this only slightly to heart and thought we would do better next time. About 5 P.M. our careless pilot ran the boat upon a shoal of stones, and all hands had to get out into the water to get it afloat, again with handspikes. They tried working hard for more than an hour, when they became disheartened and refused to work any longer. We were not alarmed as the water was so shallow we could see the pebbles at the bottom. The weather was very changeable, and a shower of rain made our cabin feel very damp and uncomfortable.

Monday 15th - At 3 A.M. Sister thought the boat moved a little, she as well as myself, was wakeful and anxious. At 5, it swung again, waking Mr. G., when all hands were soon ready to push it off, which was easily done as the rain ashore had caused a rise. At eleven we were very much alarmed, for the pilot not keeping a sufficient distance from an island, a contrary stream sucked us back, and towards the ashore where a large tree hung over. Every moment we expected to see the cabin torn off, so we rushed with the children to the end of the boat, while Mr. G. and the men kept the boat as far out as they could with hand spikes until we had passed the tree. Then we rushed with the current round the head of the island to the other side where we floated down stern first for some time. We escaped free of damage excepting one board of the cabin being broke in. The fire went out in the confusion, and we were thankful to have raw eggs beat up and cold rice & molasses for our dinner. Not long after this, a man called from the shore, wishing to ride a few miles with us, so Mr. G. fetched him in our skiff, but in a short time our pilot ran us upon another shoal. Our passenger was so alarmed that he wanted Mr. G. to put him ashore again, which could not well be done then. So what did he do but wade through the water leaving us to our fates. It is always expected that all on board should help in case of trouble. Help was sent for from shore but none could be procured, we remained in this dilemma for three hours, the poor men standing in the water trying with their spikes to push it off. At length they formed a dam and succeeded in getting it afloat.

We got within a few miles of Warren that night, and arrived at the village the next morning, April 16th, at 7 A.M. Mr. Gooch there discharged the drunken pilot who had caused us so much trouble.

One day while the men were in the water trying to get the boat off a bar, I found a large bucket half full of whiskey. I was desperate and hurriedly turned half out, fearing to turn out more, and then added a quantity of water. I heard them grumbling afterwards at the poor whiskey. We then engaged another hand, Mr. G. intending to pilot himself, but two men wished to go down as far as Tynaster Village who were well acquainted with the river, so they guided us safely 15 miles the first day and 23 miles by 3 P.M. the next day. They cautioned Mr. G. and told him he would be wrecked before we went many miles. We proceeded on our way, and so on met with trouble, and ran among the long grass at the head of an island. The river was very wide, and a gentleman on the opposite shore, seeing our difficulty, came to our assistance. We were all put on to the island while the boat was got off, and then went to our boat in the skiff, once more to defy dangers. We tied up at Oil Creek that night, as sister begged Mr. G. not to go on in the dark, as not long before we had had a great fright; the boat ran over a rock with a fearful crash, ad we feared it was broken in. The men, unused to the river, had not observed the ripples until too late to guide the boat round it. After that I was quite unnerved, and expected to be wrecked. I could not rest lest they should start before daylight, and kept watch.

At day dawn I woke the eldest girl, advising her to dress quickly, as I heard the men stirring, and then we woke the little ones: their ages 7, 9, 11 - the eldest one was 13 years old. We started about 6 A.M., April 19th, and in less than half an hour there was a terrific crash, and we were fast upon a rock with the water rushing in. In a few minutes, Mr. G. looked in at the door with his hear nearly standing on end, to tell us not to be alarmed, as were at the bottom. Then there was a scene of confusion, indeed. The small boxes supporting our beds floated out, and it was with difficulty we held to the side of the cabin to keep on the head of the bed, out of the water. Seeing the harp in danger, sister and I reached and seized it, dragging it upon the bed. In a few minutes, Mr. G. came in the skiff to take us ashore, with a strong man to row us, while he remained with the rest. It was with great difficulty be reached the shore owing to the rush caused by the rock and boat, and, I must add, it was a strange feat for us to walk upon the floating boxes to get out of our boat to the skiff. Some floated out of the door and were lost. I felt relieved to feel I was once more safe upon dry land, but how we got dry I could never tell, although we were soaking wet above our knees. I suppose the children were carried out, as they were all dry. One child was minus a shoe, which was found afterwards, soaking wet. A woman with an old man and a boy came down a hill from a log hut, and offered kind assistance, and called to a friend to come and help. He brought his canoe and fetched some things ashore, while our man brought things in the skiff. However, this would not do for the heavy luggage, and Mr. G. walked to Oil Creek for help. In the meantime, sister and I unpacked some things to try and save them, and hung them in the trees. The kind woman had made three fires for us. I boiled some water and made tea as soon as I got the kettle, which we drank in a hurry to keep off the chill, and beat up some raw eggs for the tea, which did very well with the few remaining biscuits. About 3 qts of milk had escaped the water, and this we put the wet bread in, adding the beat up eggs and plenty of sugar for dinner, which would not have been amiss could we have sat down a while. It was a splendid fine day, and a pretty sight on looking up the river to see a fleet of boats coming down to help us.

About 6 P.M. some boats were lashed together and loaded with heavy cases to take to Oil Creek by the use of hand pikes. Also, three canoes were tied together to carry goods. After packing up, we were ordered to walk up the beach to a hut, where a man ferried us across the river to Oil Creek. We were indeed exhausted and thankful to be under a roof once more. The only accommodation was at Mr. Holiday's, and that was wretched, but we were glad to get our tea, although the fat pork swimming in fat looked unpleasant. They afterwards boiled some eggs for us, and we were able to eat a meal. We then went upstairs to see our sleeping apartments. This was a large room with five beds. In one corner, at the end, slept a man and his wife, the other corner our men slept in. This portion Mr. G. divided off by putting up a clothes line and hanging large linen sheets. Then he hung others across the other way, dividing his family. We had a strange time altogether. Days were passed hanging clothes to dry round a field fence at her other side of the creek, where the warehouse was, and we had to cross in a canoe every morning.

The day after the wreck was spent getting the boat off the rock. Three yoke of oxen on shore, and men in boats with handspikes managed to get the boat off, which it took several days to mend. The weather continued clear and favorable for our work, and after much persuasion, Mr. G. engaged a pilot to take us to Pittsburgh, a Mr. Heighs, a fine steady man well-acquainted with the river chart.

The Wednesday following , Apl. 25th, we left Oil Creek about 1 P.M. In one place we passed through some fearful rapids which did not trouble the pilot, as he knew well between which two rocks to go. We had an easy passage down, but I felt prostrated, and cared little for the scenery after the fright and all our anxiety.

We reached Pittsburgh on Saturday the 28th. The next morning at 9 and old lady called to see us, like a ministering spirit she comforted us, and invited us to call on her. Also informed us there were several churches in the place of different sects. Sister was glad to go, and took the children, leaving me to guard the boat. This kind stranger heard that an English family had arrived from London, England, and she, being English, felt interested. But I have missed Saturday afternoon, when we arrived at one o'clock. The pilot and two men left us, and we had only one steersman. Sister and I went ashore to get some provisions, and procured a nice piece of veal, which we stewed the next day for dinner. It was a great treat after living so many days upon eggs, potatoes, bread (partly corn), butter & boiled rice and milk for our tea. I was not surprised to see Pittsburgh so dirty as I had been told of it before. Two women called on us to learn if they could get a passage down the river - of course we had no room to accommodate them.

I was in a terrible anxious state of mind, as I heard there was doubt about Mr. G. having a pilot, someone told him there was no need, and he was a man to catch at a straw. I determined not to go farther, but secretly to inquire for a situation as teacher, which I wrote to my brother in England for help and advice, for he had told me to do so in case of trouble. However, sad to relate, I was out in the middle of the river before I was aware of it, on Sunday afternoon, and Mr. G. in his skiff landing on the opposite shore to get fire wood. Suddenly, our little steersman rushed in the cabin door, and said it was impossible to manage the boat alone, and asked sister to call him, as he would not come to his. We went out and found ourselves apparently in the midst of a large lake, at the junction of three rivers, and our man said the water was driving us up the Monongahela River. He roared and shouted, and sister waved, when at last Mr. G. came. He then rowed for the Ohio, and I found out, to my great dismay, we were on our way down to Cincinnati without a pilot. I felt almost overcome to think he should risk again his amiable wife and family.

We soon got in the wrong current and kept knocking against hogs by the shore, and it was hard rowing and steering to get over across the river into the right stream. I was much frightened and Mr. G. scolded me, so I had to bear all in silence, and an anxious time poor sister had as well as myself. Sometimes we went on so late at night that we strained our eyes to see through the darkness, what the occasional noise was caused by. Sometimes, trying to land at unfit places where snags and grass had collected, or where the rush of water was too strong. One night a great wind arose, and we were hurriedly anchored by the shore. About the 6th of May, after eight days floating, we had another man to help row, and Mr. G. helped, too, for he was anxious to reach Cincinnati.

On the 7th we anchored near a farm house 55 miles above Cincinnati. As sister did not feel well, at 1 A.M., she had the boat started at 3 A.M. and we reached Manchester 25 miles at 10 o'clock. Sister feeling better, another man was hired to row, and we pressed 9 miles to Maysville, thinking to stop, but orders from sister was still to strive to reach Cincinnati, but at 2 ½ P.M. we reached Augusta, a pretty little town, and she was willing to stop. Mr. G. called at a respectable looking private house to make some inquiries, and was recommended to Mrs. Ingle's boarding house (or hotel). The only nurse in the place was already engaged, but her place was well filled by Mrs. I. and her friend, and old lady. Mrs. Ingles is a delightful woman, and both were truly good and kind. I had afterwards to be head nurse, not a difficult office to fill as sister was so well and able to direct, and Horace, our dear welcome little babe, so good.

Born May 8th, 1832 at 6 P.M. Dr. Mackie was our medical attendant and was also kind and attentive. We could not have been better attended had we been settled in Cincinnati. Mrs. Ingles seemed to anticipate all our wants with pleasure. A large waiter was brought up at night with refreshments, and a black girl slept in the hall outside our door. Mrs. Craper and Mrs. Mires called the next day. Mrs. C. dressed the baby for me, giving me a lesson. Mrs. Mackie called in the afternoon, making a longer visit and came several other times. Two other ladies also called on us, surprised to find sister so well, and congratulated her on having such a sweet-tempered dear little boy. He never disturbed anyone at night. He nursed at 10, between 2 & 3, and at 5 A.M., and at half past five her own breakfast was brought up. I had little to do, as our wants were immediately attended to by Ellen, the black cook. This was our first life in a slave state (Kentucky) and the slaves certainly have a better time than many servants in England, and they appear to enjoy waiting upon those who treat them kindly.

In two weeks we once more took to our boat, another important[?] move. Sister, however, kept upon her bed and with care gained her usual health. But we had a terrible time when getting near Cincinnati. Getting in the wrong current which kept driving us towards shore, striking or rubbing against keel-boats and others, the men scolding at us and wondering at our stupidity. Mr. G. ordered Isaac, his son, about 10 yrs. old, to take the rudder and guide the boat, but it soon knocked him down, when I ran to his assistance. I helped him up and we both rowed as had as we could. Then I heard a scream, I rushed in and found my sister had snatched the babe from the bed, for a sudden jar had shaken some pieces of bedstead down, and she feared the babe would be killed. Mr. G. was in front, rowing with all his strength to keep out from the shore. Two women on the hill above attracted my attention and called out "look at the woman steering." Not in the least daunted, I exerted myself as if life depended upon it. Before long, Mr. G. asked a man to catch the rope and threw it out, when they stared at us as if they never saw such a boat before, but I expect it was the girl and boy steering that they were astonished at. The rope had to be drawn in again, and another desperate trial made. Mr. G. shouted, asking men to please catch the rope, when a man was kind enough to help us to draw in and anchor.

Mr. G. then inquired for a house to rent, and then came to the boat and took sister in a carriage to look at one. To my utter amazement, Mr. G. then undertook to take the boat down a short distance farther to the street we were to live on, so as it would be less expensive and trouble to move the goods. How thankful I felt to be at the end of our perilous journey, and when bedsteads were up how homelike it appeared. But for many days our dining table was a large case turned over, for it took some time to unpack. A person could hardly imagine what next troubled our minds. Someone told Mr. G. that Lexington [KY] was the best place for him, so he proposed to his poor wife packing up and going down the river to (Carrollton) and then up the (Kentucky) to Lexington. Sister came to me for advice, when I said decidedly not to go one mile farther. So we remained.