Genteel emigration

From the travel journal of Mary Coburn Dewees, 1788:

October 21st We are now laying about a mile from Pittsburgh, and have received several invitations to come on shore. we have declined all, as the trunks with our cloaths is not come up, and we in our travelling dress, not fit to make our appearance in that Gay place. Just received an Invitation from the french Lady we travelled part of the way with to come up. Mr. Tilton call’d on us with Mrs. Tilton’s Compliments would be happy to have us to tea, he gone and three french Gentlemen & an Englishman came on board & expressed a great deal of pleasure to see us so comfortable Situated. In the afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Oharra waited on us at the boat and insisted on our going to their house, which in Compliance to their several invitations we were obliged to accept, and find them very polite and agreeable. we staid and Supp’d with them, nor would they suffer us to go on board while we continued at this place.

22nd. Mrs. Oharra waited on us to Mrs. Tiltons to Mrs. Nancarrows & Mrs. Odderongs & engaged to tea with mrs. Tilton, Col Butler and his lady waited on us to the Boat, was much delighted with our Cabbin took a bit of Biscuit & Cheese with a glass of wine & then returned to dine at Capt Oharras. Spent the afternoon at Mrs. Tiltons with a room full of Company, and received several invitations to spend our time with the Ladys at Pitts. Called on Mrs. Butler and saw a very handsome parlour, Elegantly papered and well furnished. It appeared more like Philad than any I have seen since I left that place.

23rd Drank tea at the French ladys with several Ladys & Gentlemen of this place. [pp 137-138]

I love this picture of Mrs. Dewees and her companions holding a salon, more Jane Austen than James Fenimore Cooper, on board their Kentucky boat. But as with all good Western movies, this is partying with danger on the horizon:

24th The town all in arms, a report prevailed that a party of Indians within twenty miles coming to attact the Town. The drums beating to arms with the Militia collecting from every part of the Town has I assure a very disagreeable Appearance. [p. 138]

And so the Dewees party pursue their way on to Kentucky, leaving the hospitality of Pittsburgh with regrets.

All quotes are from Ellen Eslinger’s Running Mad for Kentucky. Frontier Travel Accounts (University Press of Kentucky, 2004).

Possibly related posts:

How Braddock marched into slaughter

The Lioness of Iran

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.