David Cragg 1825-leaving

From 1825 to 1832 there are only a few poems, notes, accounts and letters so I will try to piece together the cause of the family the best I can.

The first entries for 1825 are poems which show that he is just managing to keep his head above his hobble and how hard it is to get along without a wife with just young Ann who was just 13, to manage the household.

In a lighter vein he figured it would be a fine thing if he could find a nice rich Quaker woman to marry but then sadder again, he writes of how he misses his dear Molly.

He writes of books he had been reading. He hated Paradise Lost but enjoyed some of Shakespeare.

Then there is a very serious poem criticizing the decline of some of the Quaker beliefs and customs. He thought they were getting to be like the church with overseers who made their own rules.

There are several poems on farm work and the weather.

In 1826 on the 17th of January there is a bit of an old will of William Pye:

“I also give and bequethe to James Houson my old clothes box. To Thomas Houson my chest To David Cragg my meat ark To Lawrence Pye my bedclothes And to John Dodding my wearing apparel.”

On March 6th, 1826 David writes about the hard times in England at that time. Even many rich men were reduced to poverty. The farmers were very hard hit because no one could afford to but their products and money was hard to collect and their credit was nil.

“April 26th - Now 57 years ago Since I first daylight ever saw So in this vale of woe and tears I have lived full 57 years Now in spite of what I can Be titled to be called old man My hair has hotten thin and gray My body going to decay.”

He writes of some of the pleasures he has had and the books he has read. He wonders if anyone will ever read his books and after he has gone will anyone care. He speaks of the fact that once he was quite well off but now at Beggar’s Bush. He is weary of fighting and wracking his brain but he still hopes that with the Lord’s help to come up with some solution so that his family will not have so hard.

The end of these long pages of couplet verse is about Ann. At 14 she was pretty well mistress of the house.

He goes on to say that though she was such a spitfire she worked very hard and well. She kept the house and those in it in good order so perhaps she deserved to have her fiery spirit.

I became weary of copying pages and pages of less than adequate poetry so well just say there is one about

“Poor old Gilbert who died of over drinking”

One about farmers and vicars and several on religious life and life on earth and hereafter.

There is one entry on August 13th where he decided to take the newspaper to his father rather than send Ann for he thought she might upset things by giving advice.

1827

All I had on 1827 were a number of letters back and forth in sort of a family feud with Thomas Lambert. It seemed that David kept his accounts and did some of his dealings for him and was paid a small sum for this work but the heirs accused him of taking more than his just wage. There were long pages of records accounting for every penny of the Lambert estate but the heirs still were not satisfied. They brought it into the Society of Friends but he told them firmly but politely to mind their own business as his conscience was clear before God. He did not deny that he used small sums of Lambert’s money for his own use when he was completely at a stall but always with the old man’s knowledge and consent and he repaid it as promptly as possible.

1828 - 1829

There was nothing but pages and pages of accounts. The message was quite clear that the struggle was worsening. He was able to hire Alice Cragg of Damagillside to help at times. The rest of the time he and Ann managed alone.

In June 1829, Timothy was peeling bark in Swainhead wood for a company contract. Later Isaac joined him. Ann and Margaret were working out. Jennet and young David, only nine and seven years old were holding the fort with old David doing the chores and the housework.

David himself worked when he could but he was ill most of the month of June. On June the 18th, Isaac, Timothy, Ann, and Agnes were at the Lancaster Quarterly meeting.

There is nothing more until December 1829. By then they had decided to sell out at Greenbank, pay off the money against it and pay as many of the remaining debts as possible and take up a new farm at Langthwaite belonging to the Greaves estate of Scotforth with Isaac as headworker, although the farm was taken in David’s name. David’s health was not too good and he was afraid to take the full responsibility.

“12th of the 12th month, 1829 - A rainy day and strong wind. I could not get off for Lancaster for a wonder as I seldom miss upon Market day. Isaac and William Buttler are employed making carts and wheels for our new farm at Langthwaite. We think of moving to the house now occupied by my brother Titus about the middle of the first month. There we shall be near and ready to start work upon the land as soon as Canglemas day is come. We are enquiring out for two horses suitable for our purpose but have not yet light upon.”

On the 25th of December, 1829 David received a letter from his son Timothy from Bradford where he was working again.

After selling out at Greenbank it appears by an entry on the 16th of November they were living at Heversomesyke but it was too small and to take the farm there would be a losing concern for so large a family.

1830

They took the farm at Langthwaite and the only records of the first part of the year are write-ups on his troubles with the landlord. “The King of Misery.” David was no man to work for someone else. He considered himself a good and careful husbandryman but he just could not please that landlord which led to many arguments. Finally he gave up and did as he was told but the spirit seems to have gone out of his writing.

1831

On October 1st, 1831 they went to Lancaster market. David was selling potatoes, Ann was selling ducks and Isaac was selling meal.

On the 2nd - "A fine day, very warm. Myself, Timothy and David was at the meeting and Mary and Agnes also. We had company of brother Titus.”

5th - David was selling potatoes at Lancaster market. Timothy was at a sale at Billhill in Littledale.

On the 7th David went to Lancaster with milk and then to see John Griffin about assessed taxes.

6th - "Much rain last night and this morning then got up to be a fine day. News says that the reform bill is cast out in the House of Lords. I thought the Lords was not likely to be beat by a set of cotton spinners and shop keepers.”

December 14th - "Was a fine day. Lancaster monthly meeting. I was not there and I have not heard if any complaint was made against me or my family as we have declined to attend their meeting of worship for some time by past.”

December 15th - "Was a stormy day. Draining before noon and afternoon thrashed. Made at the mill two pecks of oats into meal for the pigs and family. We being out of bread. Cholera Morbus at Sunderland. Last account 141 dead since the scourge began.”

December 18th - "A cold day. Timothy at meeting. Ann at church. Isaac at Greenbank to see uncle Thomas.”

December 20th - "Very cold. Isaac off to Joseph Pye’s flitting from Catshaw to Caton.”

December 21st - "A fine day. Isaac returned from flitting at night. Cholera Morbus at Sunderland deaths 220.”

December 25th - "Christmas Day. Betty Curwin of Lower Langthwaite House buried today at Ellel Chapel. Aged 24 years. Daughter Margaret came to see us and tarried all night.”

1832

January 22nd - "Sunday. A cold day. I was at Lancaster meeting. There was a friend out of America. He prophesied that in England and Ireland we was on the eve of a great and terrible calamities of violence, bloodshed and disaster. Thousands and tens of thousands engaged in mortal combat and falling in droves on every side. Famine and pestilence and distress upon every quarter, etc. Margaret, Isaac and David at the meeting in the afternoon. A public meeting for the whole town and many chose to come. The company was very great and the meeting house filled in every part.”

Since moving to Langthwaite and the compass of the Lancaster meeting, David and his family found themselves very much outsiders. The overseer was constantly rebuking him for something. Also David was quite often ill and unable to attend meetings. And spit-fire An and Isaac, easy going, generous and fun loving, both chased at the Quaker restrictions and more and more they attended chapel rather than meetings. David himself found himself more welcome and well treated at chapel.

He was finally brought up for dealing by the meeting on three charges:

Drunkenness
Non-attendance of meetings
That he refused to let the meeting educate his children

To the first charge he claimed was not true. He did not deny he went to the public house and had a glass or two of ale while he read the newspapers and enjoyed the conversation of pleasant company. He did it openly, looking neither to right or left to snake in. But he did not get drunk. To the second charge, he said they should be helping him in his labours in bringing up a large family alone instead of spying on them. He claimed his customers were mostly of the established faith or Methodists. Very few Quakers would buy from him and would beat him out of a sale whenever they could. They were always persecuting him for breaking some musty old rule of the Society.

To the third charge, he had applied for a ticket to send Mary to Ackworth school but he was turned down. Mary was so disappointed she cried.

One evening he was invited to a meal after meeting at Wm. Birket’s. There were many others there. Wm. Birket’s wife went after him on the three points while they were eating. David was very hurt at this public disgrace and very angry. They also went after Isaac. At first he refused to meet with the committee but later when he did he told them just what he thought and was later dismissed from the Society.

April 5th, 1832 - "To friends of the Lancaster month meeting:

Dear friends, I hereby give my resignation as a member of your Society. I remain with respect, David Cragg.”

The book from June to November, 1832 is so worn that I cannot make out more than David seemed to owe money to everyone and his dog. He had great troubles with his landlord and he was sure “he was going under the hammer.” Even with five of them working they just could not catch up. Jennet was working for her uncle Titus and his wife Hannah. Hannah complained a great deal about her and they had a quarrel so that Titus said he would never speak to David again. But Hannah’s father, Old George Crosskill, who lived with Titus and Hannah loved Jennet and would let no one else take care of him. After the quarrel, old George sent for a man to take him from Golgate to Awarton and “that old George took fit and died.”

During these hard times thoughts of America grew stronger and in April, 1832 David somehow raised the money to send Timothy to America where he immediately got work at good wages.

In September 10th they “received a letter from Timothy dated JUly 28th at Petersburg in Virginia giving account that they were all well and in good spirits. They are working making a railroad into Carolina from Petersburg.”

Chapter V

Emmigration to America 1833 - by David Cragg

January 31st, 1833 - "At Lancaster this afternoon met with James Jackson and he informed me that a vessel was arrived at Liverpool from America with 100 returned emigrants that went last spring and got work for the summer but could have none for winter.

Read an extract in the newspaper from Mr. Stewart’s account of America. He says the prospects for agricultural purposes is very good and labourers of all sorts may have plenty of work and good wages.

Richard Thompson of Three Tons Lancaster talks against America. There is no prospect of doing better there than here for any man. They all that have gone would be glad to be back in old England.”

February 1st, 1833 - "A cold stormy day, frost and snow and afternoon rain and thaw. We was dressing barley this afternoon.”

February 2nd - "I was at Lancaster, met with Edward Howard. He had seen the captain of the vessel now lying at Wardley’s to sail about the first of April for Quebec in Canada. Passengers to pay two pounds each and find themselves in provisions and there will be a tax upon emigrants at Quebec of 10s each to the Government there. And they will be directed how is the best way to proceed into the country they propose to settle by persons appointed for that purpose.
I met with Bibby of Fieldhead in Littledale and Jackson of Lancaster lives with him and he proposes to go along with us to America. He wants to borrow off me “Fowler’s Tour” and Cotton’s “Account of America” which request I think to comply with on Saturday next.”

Sunday, February 3rd, 1833 - "Two families of emigrants intending for America from Wardley’s. Farmers in Forton of the name Thornton.”

Sunday, March 24th - "About ten days ago my son Isaac went to Warldey’s and entered our family to go in the “Six Sisters” to Quebec, to sail 1st day of April, 1833.

Nov 1836 - Six Sisters was later wrecked at Wexford. Travelling between Quebec to Lancaster
 
Timothy Cragg, aged 24 years went in the year 1832 and is now in Petersburg, Virginia.”

“By Isaac’s account the fare from Warldley’s will be two pounds. To the authorities there 0/5/5 = 2/5/0. And by Timothy’s letter the fare in the line of packet from Liverpool to New York six more.

One emigrant
 
From Wardley’s to Quebec 2-0-0 Tax to authorities at Quebec 0-10-0
 (Information by captain of vessel)

From Quebec to Montreal by steamboat 180 miles 0-6-6 Montreal to Prescot by boat and barge 120 miles 0-7-0 Prescot to York by steamboat 250 miles 0-7-0
(Account published by commissioner for the information of emigrants)
550 miles 3-10-6

Liverpool to New York passage 6-0-0, New York to Albany - 150 miles steam 0-5-0, Albany to Buffalo - 360 miles canal 2-2-0, Langthwaite to Liverpool 0-5-5
________________________________________
8-12-0
Making a difference of 5/1/6 per person and 40 pounds for 8 persons.

A letter written by David Cragg to Richard Cragg from Langthwaite near Lancaster, March 15th, 1833:

“Dear nephew,

I take this opportunity to write to you a few lines to inform you that myself and all my sons and daughters are coming to America this spring. My son Timothy came last spring in 1832 to Norfolk and Petersburg in the state of Virginia and stopped at work near Petersburg. He proposed in his last letter we had from him to leave that place about the first of March and set up the Chesapeake to Baltimore. From there over the Alegheny Mountains to Pittsburg and then down the river Ohio to Cincinnatti and advised if we write to him direct to you was the likeliest way to find him. He had wrote to you from Peterborough, Ontario and had not got an answer for want most probably the letter not getting regular post. We have sold all out stock except the house and goods which we purpose to sell by auction the 25th of this month. We have entered to take our passage from Wardley’s in the “Six Sisters” at the foot of the river Wyre. Captain to Quebec in Canada to pay 2/6 per head above 14 years of age and the time fixed for departure is the first of April, 1833. And from Quebec we think to travel up to Montreal and to Prescot and then on to Buffalo upon Lake Erie, a populous and thriving town. And there or some other place we think Lousiville to stop and take a house and as many of the young folks get employment as can for a time. And then in the fall or the latter end of summer some one or two of the most active of us to take a journey over the country for a dew hundred or a thousand miles and to see and examine what part of the Western States suits the best in order to make an establishment to be entered upon in the spring of 1834. I thought it best that Timothy be informed which was we are likely for coming to America and what steps we think of taking when we got there. Joseph Bibby and Francis Davis in a letter from Joseph dated the 4th of January are at Charlestonon the river 60 miles to the Ohio. THey can fo for two dollars each. Joseph engaged as Miller in a new steam mill. Davis in the coal trade. John Buttler and Rich Buttler’s families are at Troy, state of New York and their account is favourable. John Shuttleworth and Richmond and Cartswell are at Prescot and Ogsburg up the river toward Lake Ontario, about 120 miles above Montreal. Jackson is in the vicinity of Champlain and a good place being foreman of a large estate. Your uncles Thomas, Richard and Titus all in good health at present. Give my love to your mother, brother and sisters and all acquaintances in Cincinnatti. I remain with respect,

David Cragg.

P.S. We shall write again as soon as convenient after we have got across the Atlantic and inform you where we are and how to find us. And we shall be glad for thee to unite with us in seeing about a suitable situation for a permanent settlement for all or most of our family for the next year.”

March 24th - "It appears by the account given by my son Timothy dated the 5th of May at Liverpool, 1832, that the fare is 6/6/0 by the line of packets to New York or Philadelphia. There is a hazard also when an emigrant arrives at Liverpool a day or two before the sailing of the vessel, they may be too late, and the berths taken up. So a delay of some time must take place before the next vessel sails which may put the emigrant to unnecessary expense in stopping at Liverpool.

Saturday, March 30, 1833 - "At two o’clock in the morning. We took our departure from Langthwaite near Lancaster in old England. We had Joseph Thirswell one cart, brother Richard two cart, his son John to drive. Tom Slinger for head man. Isaac having to stop another day at Lancaster to finish up some accounts. Three carts, 17 boxes besides trunks and bundles of beds and bed clothes, sacks of meal, flour and potatoes, etc. At Scotforth we passed by John Griddin’s Bear and Staff. I gave a rap at the door and called out ‘Farewell John Griffin’. We got well forward. Called at Stallman and got a pint of ale. An old woman railed against us going to America. Joseph Thirswell was hooting in praise of the maneuver, which was amusing to the company. We got to Wardley’s about nine in the morning. Tide not left the ship, got one horse to wade to the ship side. Tom Slinger went on board to choose our berth as we was the first aboard. We got the landlady to boil us the kettle for coffee and tea for breakfast in the public house. Then we got our baggage on board, and stowed here and there as well as we could. It was a very fine day. Joseph and John set off with the carts home again about four in the afternoon.”

Sunday, March 31st, 1833 - "At Wardley’s - A fine morning. We have got a very good night’s rest on board the vessel in our wooden hammocks. Our apartment is about 12 feet long, nine feet wide and five and one half feet high for nine persons, four beds, two storeys one above the other, bedplace and boxes set, we have only about ten feet long and two feet wide left to stand upon.

Last night a family of emigrants arrived after dark. The tide was up therefore they put their baggage in a boat to convey them to the ship, the captain helping and they capsized the boat, the boxes, goods and captain in the water. Boxes, clothes, provision, books, papers, etc., laying them out today to dry in the sun and not much damage done.

We had the company of William Cragg of Greenbank to see us before we set off. Stopped all night. Afternoon a vast company to see the vessel and emigrants. It is called Wardley’s Fair. There was hundreds. David and I, Tom and William Cragg went to Stalman for an out. Met Isaac there. Got some ale. I’m in spirits thus far. The captain expects to be off about Tuesday noon and the sooner the better, say I. We can do no good here.”

Monday, April 1st, 1833 - "A fine day. Wm. Cragg set off home before noon. Isaac and Tom took him a good piece again. David and I went to Stalman. Met some emigrants there from Lancaster.

Ann throng employed in regulating our apartment, driving nails to hang cans, pan and other necessary goods.

The emigrants have a fine place set up on deck in the open air to cook upon. Much like an old cathedral. The wind blows the smoke in the faces of the cooks and makes them think it is no joke cooking upon such ill-contrived construction.”

Tuesday, April 2nd - "A fine day. Wind south near calm. All the emigrants are got on board and they are a very numerous assortment of men, women and children. Captain says we may expect to be off at midnight. It seems to me that we will be over much crowded between decks and over close and warm. I think better ventilation would be extremely useful or else we shall be in danger of disorders by being too close and confined during the night, the hatches being shut up. Also no light allowed after time.

It is a most humble, jumble, tumble piece of confusion among the emigrants, their boxes and parcels and having them to place here and there. We may be 70 or 80 of all including sailors, all very friendly and use no bad language.”

Wednesday, April 3rd - "A rainy morning. A fine day. We had the custom house officers this morning to examine the passengers and their goods, etc. The did not make any strict search about anything.

The emigrants are:
 
“11 o’clock. I suppose in less than an hour we shall be off. The wind if fair, the anchors all up and hands all on board. So now we bid adieu to Old England, and to me, no doubt forever.”

Wednesday, April 3rd, 1833 - "Set sail on board the ‘Six Sisters’ from Wardley’s in Old England bound for Quebec in Canada, North America 11 o’clock. A fine day, wind south. Shouting, hurrahing and waving of hats by those on board and answered by a great crowd on shore. Fired off the gun and away we went and bid adieu to Old England forever. So long William and all the henpecked club, the performing parliament, the tythes, church rates, parsons ans parasites, our friends and our enemies and out landlord, the calico pelican King of misery at Lancaster.”

“Noon, we are got out to sea steering near north. ‘John of Guant’ steamer in sight. A fine day. All in good spirits at present, sickness unbegan. Isaac smoking his pipe like a philosopher, Tom Slinger helping the sailors in their heavy jobs. David running about like a powder monkey. I am writing, the ship waving about endways but not sideways. Afternoon a steamer passed us from Liverpool to the Isle of Man. Several vessels in sight. The wind blows hard. The ship pitches about three feet fore and aft, like a weigh beam. Length of the ship 70 feet.”

The rest of the book is concerned with the voyage and the arrival in Canada.