Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 1.djvu/221

 " CHOHASS."

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��born in Ireland, May 19, 1719, came to America in 1728, and to Bedford in 1738. He held the office of Justice of the Peace until his death, was Judge of Probate, Governor's Councillor, a member of the General Court two years, and he held all the offices in the gift of his townsmen. He was also a good surveyor.

Mr. Patten set out in October, and was gone six weeks and three days. He kept an interesting journal during that time. It gives a good idea of the roads or rath- er paths that then led to that almost un- known region, the time it took to reach it, nearly two weeks, the journey can be made by railroad in five hours now, the cost and manner of traveling, the charac- ter of the lodgings on the route, the names of many of the early settlers, who preached there, and some of the wild game that was found in the woods. His journal* has never before been published as we are aware, having recently been found in an old trunk once his, and is as follows :

A journal of Deacon Bobert Walker's & Matthew Patten's journey from Bedford to up Peezumsuck Biver in OcVr & Nov'br 1764.

October 15th 1764 Set out and arived at Pennykook and Lodged at Mirs Os- goods

16th got Pork and some other Arti- cles we wanted for our journey and arived at Mr Bowins in Bakerstown

17th We set out before sun rise and arived within about 5 or 6 miles of Ply- mouth and Campt

18th We arived at Mr Zechariah Par- kers on Bakers Biver and Lodged there

19th We intended to sent home the Boy and horse but omited it by it being a very Rainy day

20th the morning still wet but we had Some thoughts of sending him away but had the promise of Company if he tarried untill the next morning and this Even- ing Mr Ward came to Town in order to preach to morrow.

21st The Company would not set out

��♦It is now in possession of John A. and Isaac N. Riddle of Bedford.

��being Sabath day but went and heard Mr Ward.

22d Went to Capt Hobarts Camp and fitted of the boy and returned to Mr Par- kers and moved to Mr Jotham Cumings ;

23d & 24th Tarried att Mr Cumingses and Hunted.

25th After fitting our Packs Set out for Chohass. Traveled up Bakers River as far as we could and Campt in the night it began to Snow that by next morning it was some Depth

26th yt Continued to Snow all Day The Snow was very Wet and Hung in abundance on the trees and bushes

27th & 28th the snow being froze on the trees and bushes so that it did not fall off any and the trees and limbs were constantly breaking off and tumbling down and we lay by and could not March forward The Snow was 7 inches deep on the Low land and very solid

29th being Monday Set out Early in the morning and when we came to Cho- hass Road met with a number of men and horses & Cattle Carrying one Mr Locks family to Chohass which was a great help to us in Breaking the path on the high land the snow was harder, we arived at the 15 mile tree and Campt

30th We arived at Maj'r Tapplines two or three hours after dark the first house in Chohass after the hardest days march that perhaps ever we traviled and Exceedingly fateagued

31st After breakfast went up the Riv- er to Col : Bailys and the Col : was not at Home the afternoon tryed for a Cannoe

November 1st Spent the forenoon try- ing for a Cannoe but cou'd not get one in the afternoon fell a white pine to make one

2d & 3d Workt at our Cannoe.

4th Sabath day lay by

5 & 6th Workt at our Cannoe Was hindered because we could not get pro- vision to inarch as soon as we cou'd have been ready.

7th In the forenoon finished our Can- noe and padles and after Dinner set off up the river and got above the Goose Islands and Campt in the night rained

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