J!rney of a Lifetime: "e Elizabe# Bray J!rnal

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1 J!rney of a Lifetime: "e Elizabe# Bray J!rnal Copy$ght Newburypo% Ma$time Society, Inc. 1

2 Editor s Note: We are pleased to release to you the first chapter of the journal of Elizabeth Bray. It continues to be a work in progress. For the next few months we will be adding information that we are able to uncover about the family and their journeys, as well as the people and vessels they encounter along the way. We are publishing the text with as few changes to the original style in which it was written as possible. This means that punctuation and spelling are not always conventional, and abbreviations can be found throughout the text. When the book is complete, we will include footnotes to help decipher Elizabeth s shorthand more easily as well as background information. We hope you enjoy the beginning of the trip of a lifetime. It has been a labor of love for those of us at The Custom House Maritime Museum. We have been privileged to work on this project. I would be remiss to not recognize those that have made this possible. Cynthia Muir and Katherine Gilbert unearthed this treasure from a box of ships logs housed in the museum. They immediately recognized the journal for the exceptional treasure it truly is. They are responsible for ensuring it was not overlooked. Kevin MacDonald, the museums curator, has ensured the journal s interpretation is as accurate as possible. The depth of his knowledge is unmatched in this field and we would be lost without it. Kevin assembled the team that made this project come together. We were also fortunate to have intern Whitney Huff, who was a tremendous help in the initial transcription process. If you enjoy the first chapter, you can find more about us, and the journal, you can follow our blog Elizabeth Bray Travels. Enjoy! Michelle Hastings Exhibition Curator The Custom House Maritime Museum 2

3 Chapter One Journal of Elizabeth w. Bray kept during her only voyages (two) at sea; both in ship "Volant"; her husband master. (Stephen P. Bray) First Voyage Sept 25th 1854 Monday at 2 P.M. left home and all its endearments to accompany my husband on a voyage by sea, at the Depot of the N.P. Railroad found my two boys Stephen and George, with Rebec. and Cousin Mary all waiting to say farewell for awhile, dear boys how you will be grown, before we meet again in this world, if we are allowed that privilege which I hope to enjoy in ten months or one year at fastest, Stephen is eleven years 4 months 19 days old, George ten years 3 months and 17 days, the day is fine, family in good health, the boys will provided for, every thing seems favourable to my taking this journey, which I have desired all my married life, and now for the first time have the opportunity. 26 Arrived at about 11 o'clock at the United States Hotel N. York crossed the sound on the Empire State, had a pleasant run until near morning when it became very foggy which detained us some hours, My first appearance in New York City am not at all preposesed in its 3

4 favour, the streets thru which we have passed neither look good or smell sweet may our stay here be short 28th have been out today, to obtain some little things wanted for the passage being alone and unacquainted found is a difficult matter to supply small wants in this great city where everything is abundant 29 On our way down to the breakfast room stepped into the parlor to say good morning to Capt. George Lunt wife and daughter, just arrived at the hotel on their way home, to stay for the present, they are looking well, immediately after breakfast, left the hotel for our Ship, at ten AM set sail for New Orleans, staid on deck an hour or two, and was glad to retreat to the cabin on account of seasickness, am disappointed, as I did not expect to be troubled with the disease, the day is fine wind fair, the sickness continues a few days, the weather being very pleasant could spend most of the time on deck, feel a little uncomfortable all the time, a bad head ache and great disinclination to work, am disappointed in this respect, as I expected to be entirely out of work before arriving at N. Orleans. I am getting lazy, and fond of looking about, there are many things on this to interest a novice like myself and places to pass of which we have often heard, but never thought of seeing, we passed Abaco and crossed the Bahama Banks both by day light, had the satisfaction of looking at, and seeing very plainly, the hole in the wall, of which I have heard so many times, and which I never could form the slightest idea, it appears to me through the glass like a hole through a low wall of considerable thickness the top forming an arch, through ^ which we could see the waves 4

5 break and dashing their white foam very distinctly, the opening appeared much less than I had imagined it, and nearer the waters surface. Crossing the banks we could see the chalk like bottom plainly, had a good run across, a fair wind all day as indeed we have had every day since we started. Oct. 12th at twelve midnight hove too being near the mouth of the Mississippi, made sail again early in the morning, and soon were boarded by a pilot, at 8 the Steamer J.P. Whitney, came alongside and took us over the bar, then left us to the Junius who had in tow the Bostonian and America, the current in the river being very strong, we were joined by another steamer the Phenix to help through the pass, some part of her machinery broke, and she soon gave out, and left us, consequently our progress is very slow, and its late Saturday evening before we come in sight of the Cresent City, and quite dark when we are made fast at the levee outside the May Queen of Bath, our passage is 13 days to the bar and two up the river making in all 15 Days passage, 15 very pleasant days, no storms, no violent winds, I feel as if I knew but little of sea life except its tranquility in pleasant weather our first day out we made 220 days, our shortest run was 20 miles (WROTE DAYS AND CROSSED IT OUT) wind ahead, the only day of head wind I think. 17th the weather is very hot, and yellow fever prevails to some extent, being altogether unused to this climate my husband feels no little anxiety about us, coming up the river, he made some inquiry about getting us boarded at the pass, I am so thankful he did not succeed, he feels no concern whatever with regard to himself, but how should I feel one hundred miles from him 5

6 and hearing such constant reports of the sickness and feeling the extremes of the weather, On the passage out I felt the want of nothing so much as good cold water one Ship in the same tow up the river was loaded with ice what a cheering sound ice, the Capt. very politely offered us some what a luxury, I drank and drank until I was fearful of drinking "too much" it was a real cordial The first week of our stay at N. orleans had a call from Mrs. David Stickney, an old friend, formerly of N.Port, was absent from home, but lost no time in returning the call the next day, in company with husband Fanny, and Capt. Wm H Lunt, found her in a comfortable home, with her two youngest children, she has become a widow since last we met, and has lost her eldest daughter, her face bears the marks of affliction, I go abroad but seldom, on account of the extreme heat and prevailing sickness, many have sickened about us but few have died within our knowledge, it seems confined in a great measure to the Shipping, three men were taken out of the Ship inside us, but all recovered, the mate of the Jabez Snow has died and Capt. Randall of the Floating Zephyr also Mrs. Elizabeth Ryan, wife of Capt. David J. Ryan of the White Falcon of Brunswick Me. aged 29 after an illness of one week on the first of Nov We attended her funeral on the evening of the same day, All Saints day we met many returning from the burial ground, bearing vases of flowers wreaths and various designs, with which the graves of departed friends had been ornamented during the day, many beautiful bouquets and wreaths still remained, lying on and about the tombs. The grave yard at N. Orleans is a most irregular looking place, A thick wall was before us in which were apartments, in appearance like ovens, many tier high, the corpse was deposited in the fourth tier from the grounds slowly and sadly was the last service spoken by the man of God, and sad were many hearts in sympathy with the bereaved husband, about to leave this port, and his dear departed, in a strange land far from the graves of her fathers, 6

7 far from home. We have been highly favored above many have had but little sickness and that not severe. Nov 4th called on Capt. Wm Lunt of the Cynosure who has had an attack of the fever slightly but is recovering on our return found the mate Mr. Brown groaning with pain and apparently suffering very much, the Capt, immediately administers for him, and we hope with proper nursing he will soon be about again. 5th the cook is taken ill this morning and seems very much alarmed about himself says he has suffered very much by fevers and so knows he shall be very sick. Wed. 8th wake up in the night with severe headache and full of pain. just one week today since Mrs. Ryan's sudden demise, I do not feel at all alarmed, am willing to trust to my husbands skill as physician, he has already administered a powerful dose, and I am resolved to keep my faith and be as quiet as the nature of the disease will allow, he started off early this morning and with the help of Capt. Lunt who is now quite well found me a nurse, our mate and Cook are both mending, my husband is in perfect health, tho I fear for him daily lest he may fall sick. 9th had a call from Mrs. Skolfield of the May Queen they are about leaving, and we shall not be away for two weeks at least, have found in Mrs. S. a pleasant neighbour and little Charley of two years has been a playmate for Fanny, the weather is getting more comfortable 7

8 Sunday 19th Am quite in my usual health, for which I have every reason to be thankful, attended church at Odd Fellows to day, heard Rev. Dr. Scott preach, whose society worship in this place, on Sabbath morning Oct. 22nd their house of worship was burned to the ground, since that time their Sabbath congregation has been gathered at the Hall, this is the fifth spent in N. Orleans, and the first that we have attended church, one who is born and always has lived in happy New England is struck by the disregard and profanation of the Sabbath day in this place, in many instances; passing through some streets, the stores are closed, and everything seems quiet, while in very many, the business is going on as if it were an ordinary day, the stores are full of purchasers and mechanics are busy at work, as on any week day. 20th Stephen is sent for in great haste to see Capt. Graves of Ship Inez, who has a sudden attack of cholera, found him very ill indeed, and has great fears for the result he has already been prostrated by fever, from which attack he had not recovered his full strength, when he was seized by cholera. 24th the steamer took us down river, or rather to the lower part of the City, preparatory to going down river, as men are not plenty shall be obliged to lay over one night, P.M. went ashore and call d on Capt. Graves, who is convalescent, but in a very weak state, he is a little anxious with regard to his business, his ship having been cleared 4 days already. 25th Saturday night 10 P.M. our friends who came to say good bye have just left, and the crew have been tumbled aboard, and we are starting down stream in tow of the Anglo Saxon, 8

9 who has one ship beside us, the (?Otomoeo) bound to Bordeaux, hope we may not be detained on the bar. Nov. 26th 1854, 4 P.M. Are safe over the bar with a fair wind and O Dear must go below, can t sit up. 30th Thanksgiving day at home and friends will thing of us, we fail to be at the family board today, had nice dinner of chickens roast and fricasee, and enjoyed it very much, the day is fine O. That seasickness would depart, we have the good fortune to have a first mate cook and steward our food could not ^be better cooked at home, it is certainly a great comfort on ship board. Dec 29 Seasickness lasted 15 days for the most part, since that time have been well, but felt little like writing, this is our 33rd day out, made Cape Clear Wed. 27th thus far had a remarkably pleasant passage across the Atlantic, for winter se^ason, Wed. evening saw Kinsale light on the coast of Ireland, and one other, Thursday night saw Tuscan rock light, Friday morning the water looked cold and stormy, more like winter than anything I have seen this passage, before noon hove too for a pilot, he came off in a small boat, followed by a brother pilot to beg something for the boat, this is the custom when a pilot boards a Ship, the second mate follows him with a big chunk of beef and pork, and of he goes, to his pilot boat, sail is made on the ship and away we go up channel, with a fair wind, before nine in the evening we are at anchor in the river Mersey, Dec. 29 (1854) 9

10 30th We had breakfast by candlelight at nine. AM the Capt. went ashore as soon, as he had finished his meal, to get a berth in dock for his ship, the river is full of vessels outwardbound the docks also are full, some Ships have been windbound five weeks, the pilot says, and winter here has been severe thus far. 31st Sabbath morning, the Capt. came off at six with a steamboat to take us into dock, he found just one vacancy at ten we are safe in Stanly dock, alongside the St. Patrick we passed her stuck fast on the Mississippi bar the day we got to sea and she is here the day before us, First impressions of England, before passing into dock, the opposite of the river looks, pleasant, many fine looking residences are in sight on the rising land, the landscape is springlike fresh and green, and altogether seems rather prepossessing, When once within the gates how changed the aspect, we are alongside a ship that looks like a mountain, on the opposite side is the dock wall, at either end are monstrous ugly looking brick storehouses, the morning dark and rainy, on the whole a rather a dubious close of the year

CI- A'PT"ED THE YOUNG WRECKER,

CI- A'PTED THE YOUNG WRECKER, I2 THE YOUNG WRECKER, CI- A'PT"ED V.r- CAPTAIN EDSON'S MISSION CROWNED WITm SUCCESS-THE CAPTAIN OF THE WRECKER AN OLD FRIEND-CAPTAIN EDSON OBTAINS A SITUATION AS CABIN-BOY FOR HIS PRO- T GE, WHO, IN MENTIONING