April 10, 1793
(As a side note to this writing. I started a journal a few years back when we were doing quit a bit of stuff at Yargo. These are excerpts of that journal. I will post a few words every now and then, just for the fun of reading. Some are fiction and some are non-fiction, as the scenarios go. I do hope you enjoy them. It was a great pleasure to sit in the doorway of the cabin, or under one of the trees and write in this journal in the evening, when everyone was gone and it was quite outside and a very easy, peaceful feeling was felt. The days of old are not gone, they were wrote down for everyone to remember. I do hope someone now, will continue to do the same, so we can all, once more share in the feeling of what once was and what is yet to be.)
It has been a tiresome journey from Virginia, but we have finally arrived at our new home, here in the Georgia wilderness. My allotment for services rendered in our fight for Independence. My wife, a bit uneasy to leave our family's and farm behind, to start a new life here on the frontier, is still giving me a bit of the ole silent treatment.
I feel the uneasiness, will slip away a bit, when the work starts all over again for us. She will be much too busy to think of it any longer. My sons are very excited about the idea of being so far away from the settlements, it gives them more room to roam and hunt at their leisure, which they are very intent on doing so. And, the thought of seeing some Indians has added to their excitement, I do hope to delay that bit of excitement, for awhile any way.
We have a good bit of work cut out for us in the weeks ahead and we must get started as soon as we can. It may be a little late for planting, but we must try to get some crops in the ground and do the best we can with them.
There are a few farms in the area already, Mr Alexander's cabin is about a half a days walk from our own. He accompanied us on our way for a bit, seems he was on his way back with a load of goods for himself and a few others. He is a character of sorts and seems a very merry fellow, I suppose he will be a good neighbor indeed. From what I can gather, from our conversing, he would rather build things, then to farm, and from what I have seen of his farm, that has a bit of truth to it. None the less, a good sort to have close by, I do believe we shall enjoy his company.
Tomorrow will bring much work with the rising sun. I hear my wife calling me to supper.
The air is so fresh and the forest so green, the water is pure and cool, I feel I shall love it here and make a good life for my family.
The light is starting to fade, I must close for now. I have about 30 some entries, so keep yore eyes peeled to the horizon !
Jerald Eyer
April 26, 1793
I take time to write more, as it is still raining, today has been a very heavy rain, I do hope it will end soon as I have much work to catch up on.
My good wife's birthday has come and gone. She was indeed surprised at the gifts she received on that day. The sink and cupboard was indeed a welcomed addition to the cabin, she has now a place for her water picther and bowl and the cupboard now hangs on the wall for her dishes, which she received from her mother some time ago and dearly treasures. The bed is completed and the ticking made. She now desires some new linen for it, but I feel that will be further in the future than the present. For now, wool bedding will have to do. Our humble cabin is now beginning to take on a life of it's own and she is very much enjoying it. One must endeavor to keep his good wife happy here or she will surely desert you in the direst of straits. This has happened on a few occasions out here, but I don't dwell on that much our bond is much too strong for such happenings.
I have heard news of a new family coming to the valley, they were kilt on their way down river and all was lost. It is such a sad tale to hear and tell of. We are very fortunate that nothing like that has occurred here. However, Mr. Alexander's cows have become missing. He fears a savage hand in this. It at times is hard to tell though as most folks let their stock roam from field to woods at their will. I have been splitting rail when I have the time and it may be time soon to start some fence for our stock. We have taken to tyeing up our milk cow for now, the horses I just hobble.
We received word that the muster at Yargo will be the 9 of May. We are looking forward to it as I am told all of the folks around here will be in attendance. We are told it will be a feast of sorts as the word has been spread to do some hunting and fishing for the event. This has made my sons very happy indeed. If I would allow them too, this would be all that they would do. I can not blame them though, I too enjoy it and it is a welcomed break from the chores at hand. I do envy their youth and enthusiasm, they are very good sons and a man could not ask for better.
It seems the rain has stopped. I do believe I shall take a walk and see how the crops faired in the heavy rains.
Jerald Eyer
May 9, 1793
I write this from Yargo Station, as we have decided to spend the night here. It is quit the peaceful night and the good Lord has decided to spare us from any rain on this day, I thank him for that.
It has been a long and rather enjoyable day of festivities. The men all mustered and signed on as militia for the vally here, that was the first order of bussiness for the station. We are all accustom to the drilling we did today, as we have all done it before. It has brought back bad memories for some, but it is something that needs done and we know it is important.
It was quit warm today as well and that took it's toll on some of the older men on the feild as we drilled. Fresh cool spring water was brought up by some women from the station's springhouse, this was very welcomed by the men as we rested in the shade of the tree line. They also brought us some fresh baked bread, cheese and deer jerk in which to hold us over till the evening meal was served. The women began preparring the game that was fetched for the meal this day. There was deer, turkey and some fresh fish brought in by several men. There were potatoes and turnips, dried beans, cabbage and squash, along with breads, pies and cakes. It was for some reason, the best food we ever ate. It was stated that we should all gather here once a month, to do this and so we shall.
My sons did good work of their chore of bagging game as well, their mother and I are very proud of them. The children romped, swam and played their selfes tired, it was pleasing to hear the laughter and excitement in their voices. It is finaly good to meet all the families. We have a good group of folks here and a strong bond has been made by all.
We had a shooting match which was a big to do. The men also tested their axe throwing into a block of wood, my youngest son Jacob does pretty well with this amongst the older men. Some walked away grumbling about being beaten by a child. They even tested each other on who could build a fire the fastest.
This evening, we made merry with some rum one of the traders brought in with him. We played music, sang and danced around a rather large fire built within the stokade walls, till one by one, we drifted off to our small makeshift camps for a deep slumber. Some you could still here as they continued to consume drink and make merry of the situation. I was one of those that stayed next to the fire, and the rum, as it had been some time since I partook of drink and sound company of like minded folks. This grand time will not be forgotten soon.
We did get the chance to do a little trading for some goods dearly needed. The traders had decided that in the future when they travel this way, they will bring more goods of the white mans nature as they worded it, to the station.
My candle is slowly dieing down, as I am. It has been a full day of the most enjoyable experiances any man could ask for. I shall look forward to the next we should all meet again, to share a fire, good food, pass the jug, and tell of tall tales.
Jerald Eyer
May 16, 1793
The crops are fairing well as they all seem to be sprouting in a rush to leave their dirt beds and grow towards the heavens, this I am truely thankful for, as I had began to wonder if the rain would ever stop and let any thing grow . The corn is doing exceptionally well and that is good as we really depend upoun it for our selfs and the stock. The beans and squash are doing good as well, the potatoes are a little slower then I would like to see. It appears that some of them are rotting in the dirt, too much rain I am afraid. We shall see in a while.
My wifes herb garden is growing real fine and that has brought her great joy, as she works in it and her flower beds in the evening hours after supper.
Jacob and Justin have caught a basket of fish for our evening meal this day it will be a welcomed diversion from the pickled beef we have been eating. The doe deer are with fawn and have not dropped them as of yet, so I have asked my sons to not harvest any deer unless they know for sure they are buck deer. My wife has stated that any deer caught feeding in the garden is fair game, shoot at will and she will be pleased to cook it.
Have heard news from Groaning rock that a cabin burning has taken place, the family had escaped the savages with only their lifes and nothing further. They are to be put up at Yargo Station till they can rebuild their cabin around here. Their are a few abanboned farms that they could apply for. Mr Humphries, our local Justice of the Peace, will help see them through this ordeal. As we are all neighbors and freinds they shall not suffer thier ordeal alone.
Mr Alexander visited today, seems he has lost yet another cow to savages, as he put it. It has riled him up to say the least. He is off to see what can be done about it.
A new family has moved to the valley, Phill McCrackin, his wife Gaylyn and 3 children. Scots from down around Darrien way. He purchased a nice fifty acre parcell, from public sale. Should be a good start on a nice farm for his family. We visited them yesterday to see if they needed any thing and to welcome them. We took them a nice mincmeat pie and some fresh fish and dinned with them. They are a very pleasant family and will be a welcomed addition to the valley. I do hope they do well in their endevours here. They have a son Jacobs age and they seem to get along quit well together.
Jacob needs this as his older brother Justin seems to be going afeild more then he use to and is staying out longer. He has that traveling look in his eyes, it is just a matter of time before he sets out on his own. His mother worries more about him as well. I do try to comfort her and let her know that all young men go through this and it is a way of life for woodsmen such as Justin. He has been to the Coossa Valley with Corneiles Dogharty, an Indian trader, of sorts out of Agusta. They have only been gone since the muster at Yargo and she misses him already. I too miss the extra hands with the work around here, but I will not hold him back.
I had the pleasure of meeting an Indian halfbreed the other day while doing a little hunting myself. His name is Quitbear half Scots, half Creek. Good sort and kind of quiet, does not speak much. I do imagine that is how his name came about. I told him of where I live and he would be welcomed at my cabin any time he was near it. My wife still has trouble trusting anyone with indian blood, but she is slowly seeing the good in our local indians.
My wife is telling me supper is ready, I must close for now.
Jerald Eyer
May 24, 1793
I can hardly beleive it is still raining this much rain. My wife is a bit upset at this as well. She can not dry her laundry out side, so I have put up some rope in the cabin in order for her to dry her blankets and clothing. There is no room to move in here and we are burnning the fire longer to dry the balnkets. With the heat from the fireplace it is unbearable. We had the door open, till the wind blew the rain inside and made a terrible mess of it. I told her not to do laundry when it rained, she replied with when is that. I Laughed out loud in spite of the situation, she seen no humor in it. I shall return to my writing and leave her to her laundry.
Mr Lambert had planted a fair amount of corn on a nice slopeing hillside at his farm, last year the corn did very well there, this year however it has mostly washed away from all the rain we have been haveing. A few off us chipped in and helped to plow up some more of his bottom land and got more seed planted before is started to rain again. It will be a very late crop. At least he shall have the oppertunity to maybe have one at all.
Those that live by the rivers and creeks are not fairing so well at all. The rivers are up and the creeks are swelling over their banks. It will indeed be a very hard year for some. We feel fortunate enough that we may have some to share with the others. It will be a trying time, if we can all pull together, we may be able to save the day and fend off this horrid rain yet.
It is a good thing in as there is plenty of wild game in the valley, we shall not starve, that is for sure. It would nice though to have some vegatibles with the meat and I would rather have wheat bread then corn bread. Which is what we will be eating when I finish the table and benches I traded McCrackins several bushels of wheat for. It seems they have brought along more then they need and are willing to barter some of it away.
Things are looking up a bit.
Jerald Eyer
June 7, 1793
We have had no visitors this week and the rain has stopped, that is good. We have a lot of work to catch up on and I hope to get a good start on it in the morning. Jacob and I have made him a bed, he will no longer have to sleep on the floor. That ole poplar has gone a lot further then I ever imagined. There has been a lot of furniture made from it and there is still plenty of lumber left. Now that I think back on it some, I should be able to build quit a few peices for trading or saleing.
I seen the other day that we will have a large crop of berries this year, they are as thick as hair on a dog. I can just now taste the cobblers, jellies and pies. For the most part our feilds seem to be fairing well, considering all the rain we have been having. I would like to see a week or two with out the rain, it will take some time for all the mud to dry up. I was able to get the last of the rails split and the fence will soon be complete and we will have a good place for our livestock. Last evening I shot a red fox trying to get in the hen house, Jacob laid claim to the pelt.
I noticed as well Jacob has become quit the woodsman, he spends all of his free time in the woods or in the water, fishing, hunting and trapping. He helped Mr. Cissell cut and split firewood in trade for a few old traps he had laying around his place and Jacob has put them to good use. Mr Cissell is a trapper and trader his self and seems to make a good wage of it if I do say so. He is starting to do less trapping and more trading these days. He is an associate of
Corneilis Dogharty and they frequent the Coossa Valley together on many occasions. He did not make this last trip with Justin and Corneilis, due to comming down with the fever, that is one of the reasons Justin went along. That is what gave Jacob the oppertunity to do a little trading of his own. It is funny how some things work out around here, makes for good relationships as well.
Mr Cissell is doing better now, we visited a bit yesterday and shared a few pulls on the jug, much to the dismay of his wife, she thinks he should still be in bed, he has other plans and told her to go back in the cabin. I left shortly after. I'm sure our wives will speak of this and I will get my what for later on.
It is getting late and we have much to do in the morning, so I will close for now.
Jerald Eyer
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