It would be much easier for a family to go from Canada to China now, than it was to come from New York to Canada then.

He had to purchase a boat large enough to hold his family and goods, with supplies of groceries for two or three years, with farming utensils, tools, pots, boilers, etc., and yet the boat must not be too large to get over the portage from the Hudson to the Mohawk.

As there were no waggon roads from Albany to the Niagara frontier, families coming to Canada had to come down the Mohawk to Lake Ontario and enter Canada in that way.  My father found it a weary journey, and was months in accomplishing it.

On my father’s arrival at Niagara, at that time the seat of government, he called on his Excellency, General Simcoe, who had just returned from a tour through the Province of Canada West, then one vast wilderness. He asked General Simcoe’s advice as to where he should choose his resting-place.  He recommended the county of Norfolk (better known for many years as Long Point), which had been recently surveyed.

As it was now drawing towards the close of summer, it would require all their time to get up a shanty and prepare for the winter.

Consequently, arrangements were made immediately for continuing their journey.  The heavy batteau was transported from Queenston to Chippawa around the Falls, a distance of twelve miles.  Supplies were added to those brought from New York, and they once more started on their journey, bidding goodbye to the last vestige of civilization.

They were twelve days making 100 miles — not bad travelling in those days, taking the current of the river and lake, adverse winds, and an unknown coast into consideration.

Continued....>

Copyright 1994-2014 John Cardiff and Port Ryerse Environmental and Historical Society

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