A LETTER FROM THE LAND
Saturday, June 30th, 1849
It is with pleasure I sit down to write a few lines to you, after a painful and toilsome journey.
We left New York on the 1st of May, and took a canal boat to Albany. Albany is one of the finest places I ever saw; we were one day and a night in going there; the distance, 145 miles. We left there the same morning for Utica. Utica is also a very fine place; a good many marble buildings in it; it is distance 225 miles from Albany. We next came to Syracuse; there is not such a place in England to compare to it for beauty; distance 316 miles. We left there for Rochester, where we stopped a day and a night. I went to see the Falls of Niagara: such a sight I never saw in all my life. Rochester is 415 miles, and to the Falls 26 miles; and from there to Buffalo 508 miles.
At Buffalo I met with an old friend, his name is James Hall; with him I stayed two days. You must tell Henry Snowball that I have seen him, and that he sends his love; he is getting 30s. per week English money. I could have had a job with him, at the same wages, but as the man did not appear willing to engage James also, I did not like to behave shabby, so came off with him to the land.
We left Buffalo and crossed the lakes for Milwaukee. From New York to Milwaukee is 1480 miles, and we were a month in going the journey. From Milwaukee we had to travel the distance 106 miles through the woods, with a waggon and two horses, and had to walk all that way. At night we did not know were to lay our heads; we had to lay down with the horses in the stables, sometimes under trees. When we met with a house by the way side, we slept on the floor, for they could not accommodate us with beds; you must think what we have had to undergo.
When we came to Pottersville, we found it one of the most miserable places you can imagine; the people there have been too lazy to work; they would do nothing but shoot for a living, the same as wild men. We had 26 miles farther to go; I was fit to drop for want of rest and being foot sore. When we got there, the land was not ready for us; no houses built, no land cultivated; the land agent had not had time to do it; he had been detained on the road, but he got us comfortable lodgings, in a barracks formerly occupied by soldiers; it is called Fort Winnebago.
All the women remained here, and the men set to work for the society. We have got our house up, and a portion of the land cultivated; three acres of Indian corn, and two acres of fall wheat sown and fenced. I bought a cow and calf, for which I gave £2 10s.; the cow gives a gallon of milk night and morning.
They don't live here as in England; we have no beef, nothing but salt pork; James and I cannot eat it. We have plenty of milk, coffee, tea, bread, and sugar; every thing is as dear here as in England, but we have no tobacco to pay for as in the old country.
When we came to this land we had not a place to lay down in; we had to pull up trees to shade us at night; some tied the four corners of a blanket to the boughs of trees, to sleep in and keep the vermin off them; but we are more comfortable now, and have a good store for provisions. We are placed in the midst of Indians, who are to leave this land in about 18 months; they are very civil and kind. We have plenty of deer, and shall have plenty of beef during the winter; the summer is so hot, that it cannot be kept, but when the population is greater we shall have plenty of every thing.
This is a prosperous country; every man is as good as his master. Tell my uncle Laycock he might do well here with his family; it suits a man with a family better than a single man; a man with a wife here is more comfortable. We have had a many young men here who have returned, it is such a wilderness. I have often thought what a fool I had been to throw myself away to come to such a place as this; but I think differently now. I intend to leave this part next month to go a harvesting, I can get a dollar a day; when harvest is over I shall return home, and in the spring, after our seed is in the ground, I shall be off to get work at my own trade, at which I shall get 11s a day; they shall buy my plough, my oxen, and my horse, and I think I shall go on well.
We have 40 acres of land; the society think that 20 acres is too small so that James and I have 80 acres between us, and it is together. Any man that is willing to work will get on here. We have all trades here the same as in England. I have been as home-sick as any body, but I think after a few years, I shall be a gentleman, if my land turns out well; it appears to be of very good quality, and will grow anything.
A man can get a dollar per day, that is 8s. of our money here, but only 4s. English. At my trade I can have 11s. per day, our money. A cloth dresser gets from 5s. to 6. a day, English money, in the large towns; but if a man had £100 clear money, to come here and buy land, he might be a gentleman in three years, if he minded his points. This place will be one of the finest in all the States. The Fox River runs right through our land, and they are making it navigable for the steamers to come up, so that we shall have a market at home. It cost us £9 to come here, and we have about four dollars left. I am going off to-day about 14 miles to buy two pigs and some poultry.
Tell uncle Laycock that this is the place for him, and I would have him join the society, and not be humbugged with tyrants in England.
I must now conclude, with my kind love to my sisters, brothers, grandmother, Mrs. Thomas, William and James, Sarah and Mary; to Smiths, Thompsons, James Malow, Mr. and Mrs. Boyes, uncle Laycock, aunt Laycock, to Job, and all inquiring friends.
We are all well, and I remain you affectionate, but far-distant son,
Direct for me---"Care of James Mountford, Fort Winnebago, Columbia County, State of Wisconsin, United States of America."
Source: The Potters' Examiner and Workman's Advocate, later Emigrant's Advocate.