Diary of a Young Girl: The Erie Canal in 1822, Two Volume Set: Part I; Part II (Rochester History, Summer 2000, Vol. LXII, No. 3; Fall 2000, Vol. LXII, No. 4

27; 27 pp. Two volume set. Part I. Rochester History, Summer 2000, Vol. LXII, No. 3; Part II. Rochester History, Fall 2000, Vol. LXII, No. 4. This diary is printed with permission of the University of Rochester, Rare Books Division, Rush Rhees Library. The University Library purchased this diary in 1938.... This diarist, who appears to be a young Quaker woman from Philadelphia traveling with four girls (including herself) and three "young gentlemen." The purpose of their 1822 trip seems to be to explore the new country and seek adventure... She made observations that seem insightful beyond her years, reflecting a fine education. She observed the canal under construction and in some completed sections she rode and gave us a glimpse of early travel. She made her trip from Philadelphia to New York City along the Hudson to the Erie Canal and along its path to the Genesee River where she moved along the early road to Niagara through Batavia. She traveled into Canada only a decade after the War of 1812 ended.