Allen Blog- Hugh's Story- Part 11- The Road West

What brought Hugh and his siblings from N.Y. and New Jersey to Jersey County, Illinois? 

It was a distance of over 900 miles. In 1850 St. Louis was booming, and it was the gateway to the west. Steamboat travel took the traveler to its doorstep; St. Louis was a major inland port. Irish and German immigrants soon flocked to the city. St. Louis was the end of the stage coach line from the east, and soon became the starting point for trails to the west- a growing interest after the discovery of gold in 1849.  Railroads also spread in this direction- although in 1850 there was no bridge to cross the Mississippi. Passengers and freight were hauled across the river by ferries. By 1860 the city had a population of over 160,000 people. (1)

The western lands beckoned to immigrants, and promoters published guidelines to encourage them to settle in the west. Below is an extract from Mr. Peck's "Emigrant's Guide" reproduced in "Illinois in 1837, published by S. Augustus Mitchell.

                                                        "Suggestions to Emigrants"

Canal, Steam boat and Stage Routes- Other Modes of Travel- Expenses- Roads, Distances, etc.

“…Having decided to what state, and part of the state, an emigrant will remove, let him then conclude to take as little furniture and other luggage as he can do with, especially if he comes to public conveyances. Those who reside within convenient distance of a sea port, would find it both safe and economical to ship by New Orleans, in boxes, such articles as are not wanted for the road, especially if they steer for the navigable waters of the Mississippi. Bed and other clothing, books, &c. packed in boxes, like merchants' goods, will go much safer and cheaper by New Orleans, than by any of the inland routes….”

The most expeditious, pleasant, and direct route for travelers to the southern parts of Ohio and Indiana; to the Illinois river, as far north as Peoria; to the Upper Mississippi as far as Quincy, Rock Island, Galena and Prairie du Chien; to Missouri, and to Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Natchez and New Orleans, is one of the southern routes. These are, 1. From Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, by railroads and the Pennsylvania canal; 2. By the Baltimore and Ohio railroad and stages to Wheeling…”

Portion of map entitled

"Principal Routes of Trade and Migration 1840-1850" 

Canals solid red, rivers dotted red, railroads green (a)

 From Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, by railroad and canal was 394 miles. The “Pioneer Line”, for passengers only, advertised a four day journey for $10. The “Western Transportation Line” which took both passengers and freight, advertised a five day journey for $7, or six and a half days for steerage passengers, 8 days for freight. Emigrants were advised not to carry more than a small trunk or two on these packet lines. Meals were provided for 37.5 cents.

Erie Canal- If Hugh took this route he would have seen many cities along the way- Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo (c)

                (d)

At Pittsburgh, one could board a steam boat. From Pittsburg to Cincinnati was $10, from Cincinnati to Louisville, $4, from Louisville to St. Louis, $12. Meals were included on the steam boats. This however, was rather a luxurious travel style, unaffordable for most emigrants. Deck passage was also available, however, Pittsburg to Cincinnati $3, Cincinnati to Louisville $1, Louisville to St. Louis $4.

“The deck for such passengers is usually in the mid-ship, forward of the engine, and is protected from the weather. Passengers furnish their own provisions and bedding. They often take their meals at the cabin-table, with the boat hands, and pay twenty-five cents a meal. Thousands pass up and down the rivers as deck passengers, especially emigrating families, who have their bedding, provisions, and cooking utensils, on board.”

  

“The whole expense of a single person from New York to St. Louis, by the way of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with cabin passage on the river, will range between $40 and $45; - time, from twelve to fifteen days. Taking the transportation lines on the Pennsylvania canal, and a deck passage in the steamboat, and the expenses will range between $20 and $25, supposing the person buys his meals at twenty-five cents, and eats twice a day. If he carry his own provisions, he passage, &c. will be from $15 to $18.”

The brochure goes on to suggest:

“Farmers who remove to the west from the northern and middle states, will find it advantageous, in many instances, to remove with their own teams and wagons. These they will need upon their arrival. Autumn, or from September till November, is the favorable season for this mode of emigration. The roads are then in good order, the weather usually favorable, and feed plenty. People of all classes, from the states south of the Ohio river, remove with large wagons, carry and cook their own provisions, purchase their feed by the bushel, and invariably encamp out at night.”

“Individuals who wish to travel through the interior of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, &c., will find that the most convenient, sure economical, and independent mode, is on horseback. Their expenses will be from seventy - five cents to one dollar fifty cents per day, and the can always consult their own convenience and pleasure, as to time and place.” (2)

The National Road to St. Louis (b) The Stagecoach ran along this road, or travelers could take their own mode of transportion.

Did Hugh travel by horseback, wagon, stagecoach, or a combination of steamboat, canal packet boat, rail and stagecoach? We can guess that he came by the most affordable method of travel at the time. In any case, it was his chance to see America along the way- surely an adventure for any young man.

 An early emigrant who came from New York to Jersey County, Illinois stated “Almost constant traveling, and trying to travel had brought me to the land of promise. We got onto the rise of land about four miles south of Jerseyville, where we could see the little town. It was not much to look at four miles off, but the fine prairie, so rich, so beautiful, grand and enchanting. I broke out with feelings of great emotion and gratitude to God for what my eyes beheld, for I had never looked upon so grand a sight before. There was considerable farming done near the town, and still great, beautiful prairies lay out with hundreds of cattle feeding them, and they were worth about five to ten dollars per acre, and no sale, no money, no confidence. The prices of produce were as you might have a chance to trade something for something else.
      I bought what I considered as good a team of horses as there was in the country for one hundred and ten dollars, and four yoke of oxen, with yoke and chain, at $25 per yoke. Times were hard then, but we could live, and the prospect was so good it gave courage, and we have more than realized all that we anticipated. I can, with joy and satisfaction, say I am glad I live in Illinois.” (3)

Sources of Information:
1- https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/archive/history-physical-growth-stlouis/

2- http://jersey.illinoisgenweb.org/JCHistory/JC-Emmigration.htm
3-http://jersey.illinoisgenweb.org/JCHistory/JC-Pioneer.htm

Sources of illustrations: 

a- Dixon Ryan Fox, Harper's Atlas of American History (New York, NY: Harper & Brothers Publishers , 1920) 47 Map Credit: Courtesy the private collection of Roy Winkelman  http://etc.usf.edu/maps

b-Transportation between the east and west during the Canal Era (1825—1850). Source: S.E. Forman, Advanced American History (New York, NY: The Century Company, 1919) 327 Map Credit: Courtesy the private collection of Roy Winkelman; link http://etc.usf.edu/maps

c-"Map showing Present and Proposed Canal System" -- from: Annual report of the State Engineer and Surveyor of the State of New York, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1903. (Albany : Oliver A. Quayle, 1904) -- facing p. 60.  http://www.eriecanal.org/maps.html
  

d-Illustration by William Roberts in Jacob Abbott's Marco Paul's Voyages and Travels, Erie Canal.  New York: Harper & Brothers, 1852 edition, p 44.