SC1896_FF1_067

{ Jno Chrisman My Gdfather}
65
He went home immediately, in despair, & was not seen
out of his house again during the election. The honest
soldier came up to me, after voting, in a very fine
humor, perfectly satisfied that he had acted his part
in good style. He was soon joined by others of the company,
& they made the court house ring, with their
obstreperous laughter.

At the time of my election to the Congress, I was Clerk
of the Circuit & County Courts of Wayne County, which
I shortly afterwards resigned - and my nephew
John Chrisman, who had written several years
in my office was elected my successor.
About the 10th of November 1815, I left my residence
in Monticello on horseback, for the city of Washington,
that being at the time, almost the only mode
of travelling. Rail roads, were not then thought of
and there were but few steam boats. My route
was across Cumberland Mountain at "The Gap"
near Beans Station, via Rogersville, Ten. Abingdon
Va., Wythe to Montgomery Court house, Lexington
Staunton, &c &c., Harpers ferry, Frederick town, Maryland
Montgomery Ct. House, to Washington, where I arrived
on Sunday evening preceding the 1st Monday in
December. I took boarding at the house of Mr.
Claxton, a very venerable man, who had been the Door
Keeper of the House of Repr. from the organization
of the Federal Government & was particularly
fortunate in having a most agreeable mess
of Gentlemen & Ladies, composed of Col. Burwell
Bassett & Lady of Virga, Col. Newton Cannon
& Lady of Ten., The Hon. John Williams, Senator
& Samuel Powell, William Blount, Isaac Thomas