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Isaac Coates Journal of Journeys to the Indian Country

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joints or vaccuums between them mostly about an inch wide. Some places we found them to extend into the lake; other places not quite to the edge of it; and in others not within ten yards of it. Where they ex-tended to the lake, they formed a beautiful level to ride upon. The next layer or stratum is slate about ten feet perpendicular. In some places it appeared very shelly or near rotten; in many others, excel-lent slate in great quantities either for flagging or covering for houses. Then one general layer of lime-stone about fifteen or eighteen inches thick; then pretty generally slate or other stone to the top of the wall or abutment, all which are curiously jointed in smooth squares or columnes some two feet square, some five, and some in oblong squares two or three feet by eight or ten. And as the water in wet times penetrates down those joints, I suppose it freezes in the winter and bursts off the columns, which fall down on the margin of the lake, in many places large bodies of them together as much as several square rods, and the timber on the top with them. In many places the trees were hanging by one half of theroots with their tops below a level, and some right top downwards and not touching the bottom. In many places by the continual dahsing of the waves against the rocks they are worn in curious forms. 21st. Rode three miles down on the margin of the lake and river Niagara to the ferry. No such curious wall on our right hand as yesterday, but similar beds of limestone. This Niagara River is the great outlet of all the northwestern lakes and waters, which makes a very great river above a mile wide and of great depth, running very rapidly. We crossed the river in a boat, which the heavy current drives across in a few minutes, which to some of our company ap-peared a little terrifying; and then rode up on the margin of the lake on the other side about eight miles, which appears to be pretty level except some very high banks of sand and a general bed of lime-stone lying in a form similar to the lower bed on the other side. Then turned off from the lake about a mile to Daniel Pound's, where four of us dined and left some linen to be washed (Halliday Jackson and Hugh Hartshorn having part with us at the ferry and gone down to view the great Falls). We then rode to Asa Schooly's, where we met withour beloved friends Wiiliam Blakey, Nathan Smith and Jacob Paxson, who we heard had arrived two days before us. Here we all propose to stay this night, our kind friend and landlord appearing to have things comfortably convenient about him. They said they could contrive for bedding for us all; but Thomas Stewardson and myself were desirous to sleep on the floor with our blankets, believing it would be best on several accounts; but we could not do it with-out hurting our friend's feelings, so consented to take a bed. But when we got to the bed chamber by our-selves, we found a good clean bed and clothing, which we examined, and found a thin straw bed on the sacking. We then took off the feather bed and laid it in the corner of the room, expecting we should not be discovered. But our kind friend came into the room and found the bed in the corner, but did not any more insist upon our compliance with their request. 22d. and first of the week. Stayed and attended their meeting, which is held in the house of our friend, Asa Schooly, where we lodged, which to me was a dull time, though some lively communications therein. After dinner I took an affection farewell of Halliday Jackson, who was returned from viewing the great Falls and is now about to return through a lonesome wilderness to Genesinguhta, the place of his present abode. We then classed ourselves in order to visit the families in this neighborhood, Nathan Smith, Jacob Paxson, and James Cooper going in one company, and William Blakey, Joshua Sharples, Thomas Stewardson, and myself in another. We then proceeded to and visited the families of John Cutler, a member; John Harret, and Azariah Schooly. Neither of the last two in membership, but hopeful, well inclined people. Returned to lodge at the same place. I may here note that Joshua Sharp-les, in getting into the boat at Buffalo Creek, slipped and fell on the edge of hte boat, which at first did not seem very bad, but [he] hath been gradually getting worse. We now think some of his short ribs are broken, and it looks as if he would hardly be fit to travel to-morrow. 23d. Joshua Sharples being too much amiss to venture out, we set out without him and had religious opportunities in the families of Daniel Pound, the widow Morris, and Obadiah Dennis, the second of which in a particular manner was a favorable one; and then returned to our old lodging where we all met and had a religious opportunity in the family. 24th. Joshua Sharples being unable to travel, we left him and rode thirty miles to John Wills's, where we lodged. On our way we rode fourteen miles down the river Niagara, crossed Chippeway River and passed the great Falls. Several of our company were dis-posed to take a view of the great phenomenon, but James Cooper and myself thought there was not time sufficient to satisfy our curiosity, so rode on and left them to take a slight view. We all met at the afore-said Wills's, and had an opportunity of retirement in the family, in which was some pretty close work. 25th. Set off from John Wills's, he accompanying us, and rode eleven miles to Friends' meeting, at the place called the Short Hills, which in the forepart was very heavy and trying, but more lively before the conclusion. After meeting, William Blakey, Thomas Stewardson, and myself visited Samuel Taylor and family, and went to Jeremiah Moore's to lodge, in whose family we had a solid opportunity. 26th. We visited the families of Enoch Shrigley, Solomon Moore, Jacob Moore, and Thomas Rice, noneof them members, but all the descendants [of Friends] and appear to be thoughtful people. In the evening had a religious opportunity in the family of John Taylor, whose wife and children are members, but John was disowned by the Falls Monthly Meeting and is now desirous of being reinstated, and sent anacknowledgment by William Blakey; here we lodged. 27th. Joshua Sharples met us yesterday in the afternoon, being somewhat better, but weakly yet. We visited the families of Joshua Gillam and Ben-jamin Will, both members, and the family of Thomas Gillam, not a member, it being a tender visitation to