One volume (102 ms. p.) plus 2 printed miniature books.
There is an absence of
biographical data concerning Lemuel Bryant of Ashfield, Mass. Bryant may also have lived in Northampton,
Mass., which he frequently mentions in the journal. His recurrent comments on the quality of farming lands in the
various states strongly suggest that he was a farmer by profession. On the first page of the journal, he states
that he left his “military orders with _________for the Clerk,” and he refers
to himself as “Captain Bryant” on [age 92.
This title appears to have been in jest, however, for it was used in
connection with his seeking of a position as a Colonel’s servant during the
Black Hawk War.
The journal describes his trip over land and by water through New
York State, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and his stay in
Chicago. There are recurrent
evaluations of the farming potentialities of lands in the various states
visited. He describes and comments on
states, towns, cities, and people encountered.
There are particularly interesting entries relative to the Siamese
twins, Chang and Eng Bunker, and the Joseph Bailly family of Indiana.
Bryant’s account of his Chicago sojourn is basically devoted to
the Black Hawk War. He describes the
Potawatomies, their 4th of July celebration, and the arrival and treatment of a
shipload of choler-stricken soldiers.
He also comments on Chicago, the Chicago River, and Fort Dearborn. The journal terminates with his departure
for New York State after an unsuccessful attempt to join the Army for the Black
Hawk War.
The journal also includes a cure for the ague and fever, a floor
plan of a New York house, and several pages of an Indian language-English
vocabulary, all in manuscript. Two
printed miniature books are also present.
Itinerary of the Journal:
Pages
1-33 New York State
34-35 Pennsylvania?
36-48 Ohio
48-63 Michigan
64-72 Indiana
73-93 Chicago
1 Embarks from
Ashfield, Mass., April 27, 1832
2-5 Description of
Albany, N.Y., particularly the great museum there.
12 “I saw a
representative from the Antimasons … a fine fellow (with small low crown
hat and patched
pantaloons) … he had an upper lip out there was not lower part to
his face.”
15 Comments on
Rochester, N.Y.
23-24 Remarks on Buffalo,
N>Y.
27-28 “Fayetteville
(N.Y._) … saw the celebrated Siamese Twins (Chang and Eng Bunker) & knew
them at first sight although I never saw them before. They appear to be about 16 or 18 years of age & of quite
prepossessing countenances. They were
riding in a chaise alone. One of them
drove, the other had his arm over his shoulder. Their complexion was rather tawny. Where they came from or whither they were going I knew not. They will not show themselves I understand …
a little further & I met the elephant Columbus the first I ever saw – he
did not appear as monstrous large.”
39-40 Comments on
Cleveland, Ohio
48-63 Comments on Michigan
land, particularly its suitability for farming.
66-67 “Arrived at the Old
Boys or bys as he is called. His name I
believe is Bailey. He is a Frenchman
& to appearance he merits the name of ‘Old Boy’ - &he is a fat dirty
fellow & he sits on a rush mat and smokes his pipe for hours … he is &
has been for years a fur trader and he has large fat squaw for a busom
companion a sweet looking
creature!!!!!! He has a number of little log buildings on a bank by the Big
Parlamint and it poesents the appearance of a small village.”
68-70 Further comments on the Bailly family, their
appearance and social customs, including the remark, in respect to the
daughters, “here is good feed for a fortune hunter as respects the fortune but
he will find it coarse hunting.”
73 Arrives in Chicago.
75-76 “July 4th. This has been a great day here. The Indians were dressed fantastically &
bedangled with paint, dirt & ashes in the most hideous manner … (they)
marched … to the house of the Indian Agent Mr. Owen bearing the national flag
of the U.S. & here they performed a variety of dances around it.”
80 “I saw some of them
(i.e., the Indians) start for the army.
They appeared of good courage.
Atkinson has a number of them for spies for him.”
81 “There is not ten acres
of improved land within two miles of Chicago.
At the distance of several miles there are settlements. Napers is 30 miles west of here.”
82 “The Chicago river is a
deep sluggish stream with dark water dirty.
There are a good many fish in the river of different kinds. The river will no doubt be much used for
navigation.”
83-84 “Poor Uncle
Sam!! Has to find a great deal of
timber for his tenants. Boards are
brought from Detroit & St. Josephs at 36 dollars per thousand – houses are
covered with oak. Shakes very
well. Some houses are frequently made
without any awed boards … there is a little village nearly a mile from the Lake
called ‘The Point’ – 3 or 4 stores, 3 taverns.”
85-86 “the fort (Dearborn)
is near the Lake a very find situation a few feet above the level of the Lake,
8 or 10. It is built of oak logs drove
into the ground & the buildings … of hewn logs. It commands a fine level prairie … so level that an enemy would
stand a poor chance in attacking them any way.
The Fort was burned during the last war with Great Britain & several
persons brutally murdered. I was some
of the bones lying under a tree - 3 or
4 miles south of the Fort.
87-88 “The 14th of July
was a day never to be forgotten. The
night before a schooner landed at this place and brought word that the troops
would be here in a day or two at most and this was hailed as an event that
would terminate the war speedily … word was brought to us that the steamboat
Shelden Thompson had landed & brought the cholera. 15 had been thrown overboard after sundown. Gen. Scott … was sick in the bakehouse next
door & was not expected to live till morning. All was confusion. The
troops were ordered out of the fort for the reception of sick soldiers and with
frightened soldiers calling to each other, dogs barking, Indians hallooing
rendered it an awful scene.”
85-86