Resurrecting the First American West

12. the said Callaghan had stipulated to give him the same as a compensation for his services as agent for said Callaghan in obtaining two settlements and preemption rights [?] one in the name and behalf of the said Daniel & the other for his Brother Patrick Callaghan, the said Daniel Callaghan acknowledged that the contract was agreed on as stated by said Worthington, but complained that said Worthington had given 1200 acres to Johnston and Garrard for clearing out the said settlements and preemptions which he considered as exorbitant, and this deponent and John Martin were referred to by them as arbitrators to determine what said Callaghan should give to said Worthington for his services. We gave it as our opinion that the said Callaghan should give the said Worthington two hundred acres of said land from a principle that being the custom [?] of the country to give one half for clearing out land, where two hundred acres was the residue of the one half after giving Johnston and Garrard their twelve hundred acres, which said determination was mutually agreed to between the said Callaghan and Worthington, said Callaghan expressed that he had conditionally sold the whole of the aforesaid lands, but that he would give the said Worthington the said two hundred acres or the price that he should get for it. This deponent conceives the said land, to be worth three pounds per acre. And further this deponent saith not. signed George Johnston Sworn to before John Hunter and Samuel Shepherd justices of Scott, the 14th June 1799.

13 Kentucky Lct I Thomas Arnold clerk of the Paris District Court do certify the foregoing pages to contain a true transcription from the words and papers in my office, of the proceedings had in the cause between the parties therein mentioned, as fully and wholey as the same is therein contained. In Testimony whereof I have herewith my hand and affixed the seal of my office this twenty seventh day of June one thousand eight hundred and one Tho: Arnold complaintants cots is $ 24-94 this rund, s --- 3. 36. seal these -- 1 - " $29.30 Tho. Arnold clk D. C. Paris District towit I John Allen one of the Judges of the District Court of Paris do certify that the above attestation of Thomas Arnold clerk of the said court is in due form of law. Witness my hand the date above. John Alle

Worthington vs Record Callaghan Rec'd of Mr. Worthington For the ___ __ for here with _____ _______ and $ ___ _________

(upside down at bottom) No. 11

15 Lexington Decr. 17.th 1816.

My dear Sir,

Was you aware that there were two different species, or at least strongly-marked varieties of the Gymnocladus (Coffee nut Tree) native in our county [?] I was accidently led to remark a difference in the tree which I had never before done and upon references to Michaux and other authors I find but one species designated viz. the G. Canadensis. From a number of trees which I have lately examined I am induced to believe that there exists difference enough to constitute two species or at least varieties. At the present season when neither the flower nor leafs is to be seen, we have only the general appearance of the tree and form of the seed, vessels to judge by of the latter I send you a rough sketch, representing the form of the two pods (legumens). Each contain from eight to ten seed imbedded in that peculiar sweet and viscid matter which fills the pods and divides it into cells. The seed of Fig 1. are generally smaller than those of the other. As to the general appearance of the two trees that from which the pod (fig 2) was taken exhibits comparatively a rough in aspects the external back being convoluted into thin tortuous scales like that of the Honey-locust while that bearing fig 1. is a smoother tree, its back resembling more nearly that of the dogwood. As to the altitude and general growth of the two trees I see no differences. Both are very common in the neighbourhood of this. The former perhaps more frequent.

These remarks are not the result of hasty and superficial examination but proceed from an attentive examination of a number of individuals. What does [?] say about it. His book is not to be seen in Lexington. In the notice which you take of the Forest trees of your counttry I see that you follow Marshall in calling that before us by the old Linneaus name of [Guidandina?]. It is now I believe more genereally known by [Lamark's?].

I have lately heard from some of my medical brethren, that there was a probability of Lexington's being enriched by the acquisition of yourself. In that case I assure you Sir, I should feel much greater reluctance in leaving it than I do now. But as neither in Cincinnati or Lexington I may enjoy the pleasures of your Society I feel the more indifferent about your removal. Selfish motives aside, however, I feel a wish that you would remove to this place on account of your amiable lady. Her health I am induced to hope would be better in this place, where from the facility of procuring servants ladies are not subjected to the hardships of domestic drudgery.

Be pleased to present my best respects to Mrs. Drake to whom also Mr. Short desires to be remember'd, and accept from my [?], dear Sir assurancies of the most unfeigned Esteem of Your H Servt C W. Short Dr Drake, Cincinnati,

Gen. - Gymnocladus Lam: [Guclandina Lin.?]

Fig. 1 Fig 2d.

Jany. 8th. 1820

My Dear Salley, I am now at Mr. Janetts on the banks of the Tennessee River where I arrived the 17th ulto. I sent Jeff last Saturday to Smithland for letters if any were in the post Office for me, & gave him two Dollars to buy linnen for a bag to carry corn meal in to the woods, and pay the postage on my letters: he came home Drunk at night: with four bottles of whiskey along altho I had sent for none, my money all gone, & a bill from the Merchant with an account against me for a ballance due for bottles & Whiskey. I was so provocated I did not know what to do. He had a great big Irishman mounted up on [fox?] behind him, for he had broake down his horse, so that he will not be fit to ride this winter. [Fox?] was sweating & [smoaking?] cold as the weather was: he had waisted all the day drinking in town: got [lost?] & [road?] hard with his man behind him, to keep from lying in the woods all night. I started Sunday for the woods with two bushels of sifted meal & a midling of [pork?], the 3d. time to go round the 17,000 acres on Clarks River: The surveyor failed to meet me: Monday Jeff hobbled our horses in the [corner?] on monday night and I have not seen nor heard of them since: I sent Jeff tuesday after them, he returned back Drunk, went to the first house where there was whiskey & no further: I started him Wednesday another course he went out of sight & then turned round through the woods to the same house (5 miles off) where he got drunk the day before, & stayed out all night, I went myself the same day where I thought it was likely I might hear of the horses: but got no tidings of them: thursday & friday I traced up about 5 miles & a half of my lines found one corner: it began to rain; & I came back here; the nearest house to my work, I lodged at when I did not lie in the woods all night: and strange to tell the man with a wife & 5 or 6 children had not one ounce of meet of any kind nor a grain of corn or meal nor a drop of milk nor a cow; they had some turkey meet when I first arrived; They lived on my provisions while I stayed there & with comers & goers eat up my provisions: this is the 3d. time I have been out & not finished the first survey: and here I am a foot.

I have hired a man to go with Jeff tomorrow morning, in serch of the horses: Jeffs horse was hobbled with a rope: but if there should be any whiskey in the way, & I am informed there is, they will end their Journey there I expect: I must start one or 2 more men out after the horses: tomorrow or next day.

When I left home I took bearly money enough to bear my Expences, & my expences here are greatly more than I expected. Corn is 4 lb. per bushel, and in Some places one Dollar. The man Overby Sold my Whiskey to, is insolvent, I cant git one Dollar from him: his note is for $221. the greatest plenty if I could git it, to buy me two ponies to take me home. my great coat lieing in the woods, is burnt in holes: the brush and greenbriers with which this county abounds, has tore my Socks, Legings, Breeches, & Great Coat into strings or rather Rags: here for the first time for many years past, I have Dined & Sup'd on Dry bread and swamp water, I am compeled to wash down [hand?] mill [bead?], with water, I have fellen off 30. or 40. pounds I expect, with observation and the bowell complaint, my fat belley has gone down. I am now as gaunt as Brutus almost.

The Indians are encamped all through this County. I am at their camp almost every day, but they are like the Bees that assembled at Nashvill Some years ago. Quite harmeless to all appearance. They live wandering about seeking Game: and realy git more of it, and live better than half the whites: in this quarter when Jeff has whiskey he is all noise & bustle: when none he mopes about and dose but little: he is the [mer?] [iest?] Spencer: That I ever saw: I had better been by myself if I am in verry good health most of my time, and all my complaints are the effects of fateague cold and hunger. You must not send me any money in Bank Bills by the mail for I shall be gone hence before it would arrive here. The hogs in this country are all caught or shot in the woods & killed as they run no such thing as puting up hogs to fatten with corn, the [me?] eats like boar meet strong & tuff: like all other wild meet nothing like our corn feed [?]: bad enough

as soon as you receive this letter send to Dan Dan Stevens & tell him not to make a gallery on the Top of the Dwelling house, if he has began it to stop & do no more at it. git all the money you can from Edmond Johnson at [Hones?] ferry send to him every week or two set all the money in writing you receive & the day of the month. I hire a man to take this letter to Smithland & bring me letters if any from the Office.

I wish you could keep the boys at school dont enter them for more than a quarter at a time.

There is a misserable set of people in this country. I have wrote everything I have to write from here I am greatly destress in my mind & I cant tell when I shall be relieved from it

Give my love to all the Children and accept my best wishes for your wellfare and Happyness in this & the next world

Green Clay

Sunday Morning Jany 9th Tuesday morning the man I hired to go with Jeff to hunt my horses has returned & no news of them at all The men were [steeting?] on the Ohio at Smithland last cold weather in Gangs - a man was taken sick

Tell Cassius there is one John [Derro?] making shoes at this house, who says he and another man gathered in the Ohio lowgrounds in six days 65 Bushels of Pecon nuts The weather is as cold again as ever felt nearly Jany 11th 1820. farewell again: Green Clay

Smithland Ky Jany 13

[1820?] Mrs Salley Clay Madison County Kentucky