Mort Austin Returns to Kansas In the winter of 1883–1884 my grandfather Mort Austin returned to work for his brother Ell who ran Henry Parmenter’s farm in Saline County, Kansas. Before Mort left, he had family and friends sign his … Continue reading
Carr’s Rock, Parkers Glen Parkers Glen was originally named Carr’s Rock. Carr, a raftsman, had been stranded there one night after his raft had been wrecked, according to George J. Fluhr, Historian for Pike County, Pennsylvania. In April 1868, there … Continue reading
Minisink Ford and Lackwaxen Most boarding houses in Highland were located near Eldred, Yulan, Barryville, or Hagan Pond (called Venoge in 1897). At some point at least two hotels/houses were located in the other hamlet, Minisink Ford, about four miles … Continue reading
Slackwater Dam A six-foot high slackwater dam existed below the confluence or juncture of the Lackawaxen and Delaware Rivers before the Roebling Aqueduct was built in 1847. The dam, which caused a calm section over a mile long, was raised … Continue reading
In Reminiscences, Johnston commented that the boatmen were often forced to run the boat as a family business due to the D&H Canal Company policies. Out of necessity to make a living, the boatman’s wife and children would work over … Continue reading
Albert and his brother Norman would soon buy the house near the old Ira Austin house where Ed and Mabel Austin Smith and their son Austin Smith lived. The Wolffs’ “new” home had been sold to Charles Frace in 1868. … Continue reading
The Delaware River is lined with rafts on their way to Philadelphia. Although the winter was unfavorable for the lumber trade, and the high winds prevalent further up, the stream drove the rafts against rocks and sand-bars, causing many wrecks. … Continue reading
Henry Austin kept a ledger. The page above shows what Henry sold to Abel Sprague Myers in November and December 1879 and mentions of 1880 and 1881. What follows are some earlier entries in Great-Grandfather Henry’s ledger. 1878, A.S. Myers … Continue reading
The early bunkhouses for lumbermen were small with dirt floors. Their later living quarters were usually in a larger building. The ground floor contained a room for the cook (who could be a woman, as in the case of my … Continue reading
