RELEASE DATE: DECEMBER 30, 2007
KINSEARCHING
by
Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
This week we continue with information from the publication by the U. S. Congress, {House of Representatives} REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS FOR THE YEAR 1853. AGRICULTURE (Washington: A. O. P. Nicholson, Printer, 1854).
p. 5 - Joseph CORNISH of East Granby, Hartford Co., CT - He
states "This county has long been noted for its well-matched, fine working oxen,
as well as for its cows."
T. L. HART of West Cornwall, Litchfield Co., CT
pp. 5-6 - Anthony M. HIGGINS of Wilmington, New Castle Co., DE
p. 6 - William J. PHELPS, Elmwood, Peoria Co., IL
pp. 6-7 - Edwin WINSHIP, Winship's Mills, Clinton Co., IN
pp. 7-8 - Samuel D. MARTIN, near Pine Grove, Clarke Co., KY - His report supplies interesting details about the time (based on the seasons) and cost (influenced by the price of grain) involved in transporting cattle to the Atlantic markets. For example, "Driven on foot to Cincinnati, and from thence by railroad to New York, takes 13 days, and costs about $13 each animal. Fed on grain, and driven on foot, 70 days to New York, early in the spring, costs about $13 each. Fed on early grass, and driven on foot, 60 days to Philadelphia, or 70 days to New York, costs from $8 to $9 each. Pastured on late grass, on foot, 60 to 70 days to Philadelphia and New York, costs from $5 to $6 each. The cost to Charleston and Savannah is about the same as to Philadelphia. The cost to New Orleans by steamboat is about $10 each. The cost of transportation is also influenced by the stage of the river and other circumstances."
pp. 8-9 - Micajah BURNETT, of the United Society of Shakers,
Pleasant Hill, Mercer Co., KY
p. 9 - Daniel FULTON, Bowdoinham, Lincoln Co., ME
George W. DRISKO, Jonesborough, Washington Co., ME
David BRUMBAUGH, Marsh Run Mill, Washington Co., MD
pp. 9-10 - William BACON, Richmond, Berkshire Co., MA
p. 10 - Simon T. ASHETON and Elijah MYRICK, Trustees of the United Society of
Shakers, Harvard, Worcester Co., MA
William S. MAYNARD, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co., MI
p. 11 - J. D. YERKES, Northville, Wayne Co., MI
pp. 11-12 - Thomas W. SAMPSON, Ashland Farm, Rocheport, Boone Co., MO - In his report he says "The California trade has produced quite a revolution in the cattle trade in Missouri." He further explains:" Our stock of cattle has been very much improved within a few years past, by the introduction of pure-blooded short-horns from England, New York, Ohio, and Kentucky; much the largest number of which have been brought from the latter state."
p. 12 - James L. MINOR, Jefferson City, Cole Co., MO
D. C. GARTH, Huntsville, Randolph Co., MO
p. 13 - Armstrong O'HARA, Saint Francois Co., MO
pp. 13-14 - Levi BARTLETT, Warner, Merrimack Co., NH - He mentions "Our beef-cattle and sheep are conveyed to Brighton market (80 miles) by railroad--oxen at about $1 per head, when a full car load is forwarded; dressed hogs, butter, cheese, and other farm products, at 25 cents for 100 pounds. In transporting live cattle and sheep from this to Brighton market per railroad, there is a great saving in shrinkage over the old method of "footing" it, and consequently a saving to all parties concerned--the farmer, the drover, the butcher, and consumer."
p. 14 - Gershom WIBORN, Victor, Ontario Co., NY - He states "...it is generally conceded that our best and finest breeds have been derived from animals imported from England within the last twenty years."
John FITCH, Troy, Rensselaer Co., NY
John B. YOUNG and James DE MOTT, Ovid, Seneca Co., NY
p. 15 - John HURLBUT, Arkport, Steuben Co., NY
Lewis G. MORRIS, Mount Fordham, Westchester Co., NY
(To be continued)