Generation
"the men paddled their wives and children across the stream, swam the oxen over, then by means of ropes drew the wagons, heavily loaded with pork, flour and provisions (brought from New York) to the other side, landing all in safety. This feat, so successfully accomplished, excited the wonder and admiration of the Indians, for the genius and daring of the white men. During the trip the rain fell in torrents and the roads, in many places, became almost impassable. Frequently the team would almost sink in the quagmires, and the women and child- ren would have to get out of the wagons. Instead of walking miles around when they encountered a body of water, these sturdy pioneer women so adjusted their apparel that it would not get wet and boldly waded in.
Onion River presented another obstacle, but here, unfortunately, there were no canoes. The gentlemen showed their gallantry by carry- ing the ladies across on their backs. Mr. Parrish was carrying Mrs. Betsey Harmon, when stepping on a mossy stone, his foot slipped and both went under, and as Mrs. Harmon says, 'this made practical Bap- tists out of genuine Congregationalists'. All the women and children of the twenty three families which constituted this company were thus transported over the river, though not everyone was so unfortunate as Mrs. Harmon. Their objective point was "Deacon Dyes' settlement," where they arrived in due time, and found the Deacon at his home, which was known as pioneer headquarters.
The first stopping-place of the Harmon and Parrish families was at the Harmon Spring, which was located just east of Simon Harmon's residence. Their first habitation, a log house of 24 by 30 feet, was built at the Spring. Having cut and hauled the logs, they put up the body of the house in one day. A number of Indians who were watching them roll up the logs were asked to help lift, but, thinking the white men were plotting their destruction they obstinately refused.
Having covered about fourteen feet of the roof with rough boards, and having thrown down some loose ones for a floor, the beds were arranged around the wall. Before time for retiring Deacon Trowbridge called to make them a visit, and remained over night. When the lights were extinguished and the stars shone down through the uncovered por- tions of the cabin, the Deacon remarked: "This would be a good place in which to study astronomy."
Our subject says that when, during the first night spent in his new home, he heard the Indians and howling wolves, the thoughts of his old home in New York stole upon him and produced a feeling of homesickness which he later often felt while enduring the hardships and privations of pioneer days. Due homage should be paid to the sturdy and honest pioneers who came to the unbroken wilds of the far West and blazed the road for civilization."
Note. Jane Maltby's father, Timothy (6), mar. Beulah Harmon. It would appear that the Harmons mentioned above, were relatives of Jane Maltby.
VII.2086. John Maltby, b. Jan. 23, 1822 (Tim.6, Tim.5, Sam.4, Sam.3, Sam.2, Wm.1). Mar. May 18, 1843, Rachel Emeline Crawford, at Pulaski, N.Y., b. Feb. 3, 1825; d. May 22, 1903. He d. Feb. 28, 1894.
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