A Visit to East Farnham, Canada, in 1830

A VISIT TO EAST FARNHAM119 A VISIT TO EAST FARNHAM, CANADA, IN 1830. Rowland Greene. [In connection with the preceding paper the following extract from an unpublished letter and Journal will be of interest. The writer was Dr. Rowland Greene, of Cranston, Rhode Island (1770-1859). He was a minister, and, in his day, one of the most prominent members of New England Yearly Meeting. Several volumes of his unpublished Journals (1795-1857) are in existence.—Editor.] Journal—"7th Mo. 16th [1830]. Left Barton and proceeded north through Brownington [Vermont] to E. Davis' Inn and dined. The roads were good, and soon after leaving Barton the country assumed a richer, handsomer form and better cultivated. From thence we rode to Georgeville on Lake Memphismagog [sic] and staid at Charnel's Inn. We entered this Province [Lower Canada] about 3 o'clock this afternoon; soon after passing the lines we enquired of an intelligent farmer whether we were in Canada ; he pointed to a long red store which we had just passed, and said one end of it was in the United States and the other in Canada, with a horse shed between them. Upon asking him in a pleasant mood, what was necessary for us to do—whether it was necessary we should report ourselves—he said, "Oh, no! If you have brought nothing to sell." I told him we had nothing to dispose of but Gospel love and good will to the people. He raised his eyes upon us, and in a serious manner said, "God prosper you in your undertaking," and kindly invited us to go home with him and spend the night. But as we had time to reach Georgeville by sunset we pursued our journey. The country as we entered the Province in the township of Candish is very handsome, and of rich soil. In many places it is well cultivated and populous. Their grass, wheat, corn, and potatoes are fine. No cultivated fruit that we noticed except apples and currants ; of the former some trees were full. 7th Mo. 17th, and 7th of the week. We crossed Lake Memphismagog [sic]—the morning was delightful and the waters 120 BULLETIN OF FRIENDS' HISTORICAL SOCIETY smooth which we pleasantly passed over in a two-horse boat. Our ride after this was over a high mountain, the roads exceedingly out of order, for seven or eight miles mostly through woods. We stopped at a kind of public house, just after passing through the woods where we found kind attention, but limited provision. About sunset we reached Gideon Bull's, his family but not himself , are members with Friends. Here we staid the 7th Mo. 18th and ist of the week. This morning we rode to George Hall's, 4 miles, and attended their meeting; some notice being given, it was well attended, and a precious season. At the close of it seemed proper to appoint another at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. There are about 30 families of Friends belonging to this Meeting who live within a few miles of each other, and is the only established Meeting of Friends in Lower Canada............ "7th Mo. 19th, 20th, and 21st till noon. Visited all the families belonging to Farnham Meeting, except two living about 16 miles out of the neighborhood, to the relief and encouragement of my mind. And in the afternoon of the 21st rode to St. Amonds and staid the night at a public house." From a letter to his wife. "Peru, at Geo. Irish's, 7th mo. 24th, 1830. .... Regarding our visit to the families of Friends in Lower Canada, I would observe that we had no prospect of such a service till approaching the neighborhood, when it gently passed before the view of my mind, without remaining long in thought, or exciting much concern. But there was something like a sweet savor which it left on the mind. And next day, being now with Friends, First-day, it again and again was revived with exceeding weight and became a subject of my serious concern. After the morning meeting, which was satisfactory, I mentioned this subject to my companion [J. N. Fay] and he uniting...