Transcript

Diary of my visit to America 1893

M^r Geo Jeremiah

Aberbeeg Colliery

Aberbeeg

N^r Newport

Monmouthshire

Tuesday Aug: 15^th 1893

Wednesday Aug: 16^th

After returning from a short walk after breakfast I found that the other passengers had gone down to the docks taking my Portmanteau along. The dock in which the vessel lay was about four miles away, so I took the Electric Cars on the overhead railway, a mode of riding which beats anything I have ever seen until now. When I got to the vessel it was about 10 o’clock the passengers were commencing to go aboard, it was 2 o’clock before we were all on, during that period the lading of the passengers and their baggage together with the provisions for the voyage presented a very animated appearance. I inspected my berth which was no.2 in room no.19. There were four berths in the room two each side of the door, one above the other, mine being a top one. There was a lavatory in every room as well as electric light, which could be turned on night or day. We got tugged out of the dock into the river, where we anchored about three o’clock to await the arrival of the saloon passengers who came on board about 4 o’clock. Owing to the tide by the time having gone on we were obliged to wait until 10 o’clock in the night before we were enabled to start. There being some sand banks at the mouth of the Mersey, which with our big ship it was not safe to cross. The scene on the river was grand when we were sailing out, the lights both sides of the river and of the vessels and ferry boats showing up well in the darkness. I went to bed a little after eleven and slept my first night on board as well as ever I slept on land. I awoke in the morning about 6 o’clock to discover that I had no company during the night.

Thursday, Aug: 17^th

I got up at 6 o’clock as it is of no use trying to sleep once you wake in the morning. After breakfast we sighted Ireland, and by 12 o’clock were anchored in Cork Harbour off Queenstown to await the mail and also Passengers, who came on almost immediately. It was a lovely day and the still water of the Harbour with the hills of ould Ireland in the distance made the picture look so calm and beautiful that there was little wonder that many of the Irish passengers who came on board were crying, in parting from it. While the mail and passengers were coming on board several of the natives came out in small boats to sell articles such as lace goods, fish, walking sticks, etc etc. It was very amusing to watch the girls come aboard they had to climb a rope about 20 feet high they could do it like sailors too. At 12x45 we weighed anchor for New York, for now we were off. By night time when we had got well out in the Atlantic many of the passengers wished they were off in reality. We got out of the sight of land about half past six in the evening. I had company in my bedroom this night, they came on at Queenstown. They were all the same family, Americans. I wrote to Father and Emily from Queenstown.

Friday, Aug: 18^th

Nothing but tramping the deck for me today, they say it keeps off sea-sickness and I feel very much like it. It is pitiful to see some of the passengers who are sick, especially those in the steerage. We had a shower or two of rain but they were very short.

Saturday, Aug: 19^th

Sunday, Aug 20^th

The dining tables show that there is a decided improvement in the health of the passengers, as the last few days they have been very badly attended, but today they are filling up again. I have not missed a meal but some meals it is very little I eat as the loss of exercise means the loss of appetite. We had a Church of England service at 10x30, collection for the poor of L’pool and New York. We also had a singing service and some addresses in the evening.

Monday, Aug: 21^st

We had a beautifully fine day until about 4 o’clock in the evening it began to get rough, it got worse and worse, when I turned in about half-past nine it was raining and blowing a gale, which made the ship roll tremendously. I could not sleep at all and the rolling of the ship making me feel a little sick I got up and went on deck, and sat down in a sheltered seat for half an hour after which I went back to bed and slept. I forgot to mention that we had a concert this evening, the collection was in aid of the Sailors Orphans.

Tuesday, Aug: 22^nd

The storm last night made several people sick again this morning, but they comfort themselves with the fact that this will be their last day on the ocean waves. It is a beautiful day, we pick up our pilot who we met about 300 miles out of New York. A long distance for such a small boat as theirs. We see several schools of porpoises. The sunset today is the grandest thing of its kind that I have ever seen, the sky and the ocean seemed as though they were afire, and the coloring was such as would be impossible to describe. We all seemed loathe to go to bed, as we were told we should see land very early in the morning. I gathered my things up and got my Portmanteau ready for my departure.

Wednesday, Aug: 23^rd

I got up at half past four, it was dark but there were many up on deck before me. We had got into New York Harbour, and were nearly stopping. We had done the voyage in 6 days and 6 hours. We could not go further than the entrance of the harbour until the quarantine doctor had come on board to examine if there were any sick persons on board. He came on board about seven o’clock and after passing him satisfactorily we were allowed to proceed to our dock which we reached about nine o’clock. Watching the signs of recognition between some of those on board and of their friends who were meeting them, I observed some person energetically trying to draw someone’s attention close to where I was standing. I looked both sides of me to see anyone that responded, no, not one, so I looked at him again then another fellow dressed somewhat similar began waving his hat it seemed as though it was me they were directing their efforts to, thinking they were making a mistake I walked away, but before long I was not satisfied but that I must go and have a look at them again, Directly I went back the fellow raised his fist at me then I knew it was Alfred. I was not long before I was by his side. My first impression of him was that he was very thin, and his voice all but gone. I got my Portmanteau scanned over by the Custom’s office and we took it to the station by which Alfred came in by and sent it off there and then. It was at the depot in Chester waiting for us alright when we got there in the evening. We walked about New York a good bit and did business in connection with the ticket I bought at L’pool for the World’s Fair, with which I had a good deal of trouble, and I was very thankful Alfred was along. I saw many things new and strange to me which would take time and room to write of. We left New York about 4 o’clock in an Express train the accommodation of which is beyond comparison of those in England & Wales. We had to change our train at P’delphia depot which is the largest in the world. We arrived at Chester about half past six, where I received a most cordial welcome. The family here consist of M^r & M^rs Brown, Richard a son who is a house-carpenter and Maggie a daughter who is employed at a cotton mill, but both are not working at present. There is a boarder here as well as Alfred, named Peter Grant a young Scotchman, he works with M^r Brown at the shipbuilding yard. This is a very nice house, on the outskirts of the town, neither is it too far away for Alf and Grant comes home to dinner.

Thursday, Aug: 24^th

Friday, Aug: 25^th

Went for a walk in the morning, terribly hot weather 93^o in the shade. We went to see a base ball game in the afternoon. In the evening there was a grand parade and show of fireworks by a certain Order of the State of Pen^a. who had all met here.

Saturday, Aug: 26^th

I went with James to an hotel to dinner, afterwards to the Stradlings and Alfred also came there after he had washed and changed, we had supper there after which in the evening we had a walk around town and went back again to finish the evening.

Sunday, Aug: 27^th

I went to a Baptist Church in the morning at 10.30. What struck me most was to see the congregation as well as the preacher use fans. There are many shops open on this day. From what I have already seen and heard, the Sabbath day is not kept so sacred as it is in the old country by a long way. In the evening we went to a Church belonging to a sect called the Heavenly Recruits. Services do not commence here in the Summer owing to the heat until about eight o’clock. The manner in which the Recruits conducted their Service was such that I never thought I should witness by white people who profess to be Christians. When the service was half over the minister when announcing the collection also stated the sum required, the collection after being counted not realizing the amount the boxes were sent around again which however did not obtain the sum asked for so the minister came around himself and at last succeeded in obtaining all he wanted. This mode of collecting seemed very strange to me, but not so to the persons who attend the church of the Heavenly Recruits.

Monday, Aug: 28^th

Alfred and I went by boat to Philadelphia. Failed to find where M^rs Paget lived. We went to Fairmount Park, the largest in the world. In the Park the Centennial Exhibition 1876 was held. Two large buildings of which still remains, over which we wandered. In the afternoon we went to see a base-ball game, with Louisville. The accuracy with which the players who are all professionals throw and field the ball is astonishing. We came home with the B & O Railway, as I wanted to buy my ticket for Chicago at their depot. I bought a valise in P’delphia to take a few things with me to Chicago.

Tuesday, Aug: 29^th

Wrote to Emily and to Jas. Neale. Went around town a couple of times during the day. We had a great storm last night. Six houses close by had roofs torn off.

Wednesday, Aug: 30^th

Young Brown and I walk about town in the day-time. Alfred and I went in the evening, dropped in at the Heavenly Recruits coming home.

Thursday, Aug: 31^st

Young Brown and I went mushroom picking about 9 o’clock had a good few. In the afternoon I went to the jewellers and had new gold rims put on my glasses, 4½ dollars.

Friday, Sept: 1^st

We again went in search of mushrooms, got up at five o’clock. James wanted me to dine with him, but it came on to rain so did not go. Had supper at the Stradlings.

Saturday, Sept: 2^nd

Started for Chicago at 11.30 o’clock in the morning. My first long journey by train.

Sunday, Sept 3^rd

I was very glad when day broke, as I slept but very little during the night. The scenery was new to me but monotonous as the country for miles and miles was nothing but corn. The track was very straight in many parts there were straight stretches of fifteen to twenty miles long. I spent most of my time at the end of the train, but I got very dirty before I got to Chicago, where we arrived about half-past five. I went to the Cosmopolitan Hotel where I got a bed for a dollar. The streets in the evening were crowded and presented an appearance of great bustle and business. No more notice being taken of Sunday as of any other day.

Monday, Sept: 4^th

I went to the Fair about ten o’clock. It is a good distance from Chicago proper, about seven miles, but houses are now built all along the route so that it appears as though it was in the city. It is useless for me to put down what I saw in the fair as it is too much of a task. In the evening after coming out, I tried for lodgings near the fair grounds but failed to get any to suit, so I went down to the city to sleep.

Tuesday, Sept: 5^th

I looked for a hotel to stay at before I went to the fair. I got fixed at the Hotel Dearborn for a dollar and a quarter for bed and breakfast.

Wednesday, Sept: 6^th

Went to the fair, great day with the Welsh. Gorsedd meeting. Stayed for fireworks.

Thursday, Sept: 7^th

Went to the fair. Great day with the Welsh again. There was as much Welsh to be heard around the Choral Hall as was to be heard at any Eisteddfod meeting in Wales. Welsh people came from all parts of the States some hundreds of miles to hear those from Wales sing, and to see if there were any that they knew. At the evening concert which was a first class one I found out Miss Phillips, the first person I met with in the fair that I knew.

Friday, Sept: 8^th

Went to the fair. Another great day with the Welsh. Went to concert in the evening.

Saturday, Sept: 9^th

Went to look up Harry Phillips’ address. Saw M^rs Phillips and arranged to call Tuesday evening. At half past two took the train to Braceville. I arrived there about seven o’clock, they were very glad to see me.

Sunday, Sept: 10^th

Got up very much refreshed. I was very tired going to bed as I had spent a very long week at Chicago, and had got pretty well done up. The country around here is quite flat, prairie country. Will took me for a drive around to Essex after dinner. We got picking hickory nuts.

Monday, Sept: 11^th

Tuesday, Sept: 12^th

Annie drove me to Braceville a distance of four miles to meet the train. Today was the first day of rain for them to have since June. I got my first letters from home here too. They had been sent on by Alfred. Very glad to get them. I called with Harry Phillips in the evening, he came around town for a walk.

Wednesday, Sept 13^th

Went to the fair, as I had not visited the Midway. Went to Buffalo Bill’s show in the night.

Thursday, Sept: 14^th

I started home from Chicago at three o’clock after travelling about twenty miles I was told by the conductor that I was on the wrong train, there were four others as well as myself. We were landed at the next depot. The mistake occurred owing to the train I was on as well as the train I should have been on starting the same time for the same place that is Port Huron. The difference being, they were different company’s trains and were running a different route. We were taken back to Chicago free of charge. I was not able to resume my journey until a quarter past eight in the evening. I got to Niagra Falls about four o’clock next day.

Friday, Sept: 15^th

I slept but very little during the previous night. After arriving at the Falls I immediately went to see them. I went down to the Cave of the Winds to go to see which I had to strip to the skin and put on clothes which were given to me. It was a grand sight, which everyone ought to see. My train started from there at half past three in the morning.

Saturday, Sept: 16^th

I slept very well last night. After getting well on my day’s journey I found out I would not be able to reach Chester so I sent Alfred a dispatch not to expect me home until Sunday. I arrived at New York about ten o’clock at night. I stayed at North Hudson Hotel 42^nd St.

Sunday, Sept: 17^th

I went to Brooklyn to hear D^r Talmage in the morning. I started from New York about three o’clock arrived at Chester about seven. Alfred and young Brown were at the depot meeting me.

Monday, Sept: 18^th

Alfred did not go to work. Had a very bad night of it. We went to have Photos taken. Had a letter from James Neale.

Tuesday, Sept: 19^th

Had letters from Mother and Emily. Wrote to Emily and James Neale. Went to Stradlings to supper.

Wednesday, Sept: 20^th

Spent the day loafing around, having an easy time of it but not tired by any means but begin to count the days before having to leave.

Thursday, Sept: 21^st

Nothing doing. Went to Stradlings to supper.

Friday, Sept: 22^nd

Went fishing, but got rewarded by more than our share of chaffing.

Saturday, Sept: 23^rd

Went fishing again. Going around Chester in the evening as we do every day.

Sunday, Sept: 24^th

Alfred and I went to the Catholic Church. It is a very grand place, and well attended. We went to Stradlings to dinner and spent the remainder of the day with them. We went to the M.E. Church in the evening the service of which I enjoyed best since leaving home. We also called at the Recruits on our way home. I forgot to mention that we sat for our photos before going to church, for the second time.

Monday, Sept: 25^th

Today being the last day in Chester. I began to wish things goodbye. James took me with him to dinner. In the afternoon I packed. In the evening they gave me a surprise party, a sort of thing quite new to me but quite common with them. Friends drop in and spend a jolly evening. Ice-cream and cakes being the refreshments, and lemon water or bottled beer being the drink.

Tuesday, Sept 26^th

I went down early to wish James and M^rs Stradling goodbye, and wished the Brown family goodbye about half-past eight. I was very sorry to leave as I had got to feel quite at home with them, and I had to leave them with thoughts that perhaps I should never see either of them again. We left Chester with the 9x10 train, after arriving at P’delphia we got off and went into town to make some purchases. We left P’delphia about one ‘clock arriving at New York 3x30. We took my luggage to the ship in which I was to sail in and afterwards went around New York for a stroll. We went to a theatre to hear Nat. C. Goodwin in Missoura.

Wednesday, Sept: 27^th

Well this was the day of my departure from a country in which I had made many friends and also spent a very enjoyable and pleasant time. It was with regret that I departed, especially owing to have to part with Alfred. We weighed anchor at 5x20 A.M. the weather being at the time cold and promising rain, which came before the day was over.

Thursday, Sept: 28^th

I slept in the same room as I did on my voyage out. Nothing eventful took place this day. The weather being a little finer than yesterday.

Friday, Sept: 29^th

We entered a fog last night, the fog=horn was going all night long, and we are in it still. We had an entertainment in the evening.

Saturday, Sept: 30^th

We got out of the fog last night sometime, because the fog horn was not going so I slept well. We sighted the "City of Paris" (which we were on the look out for) about fifty miles or more to the south-east of us but by night time we had passed her, which was the last we saw of her. She commenced her voyage an hour and fifty minutes before we did.

Sunday, Oct: 1^st

A beautiful day. We had service at half past ten. Also a singing service in the evening. About ten o’clock in the night we began to roll very much, and got worse. Had great difficulty in keeping from falling out of my berth, as for sleeping it was out of the question. The boxes, boots etc were banging about all night long.

Monday, Oct: 2^nd

Went up on deck rather early, to find the passengers holding on to the rails for support as the vessel was rolling like a barrel, although it was not stormy. Had great difficulty to eat any breakfast as we were upsetting it all the time. We had lots of fun all day. In the evening we had a concert.

Tuesday, Oct: 3^rd

Slept so well last night that I did not wake up early enough to get breakfast in time, it was late. A tender met us outside Cork Harbour about five o’clock to take off passengers and mails, of which there were many. Did not go to bed very early.

Wednesday, Oct: 4^th

Got up early to get a sight of old England. We were then steaming down the Mersey. We were landed and I had got through with the Customs by half-past eight. I and a young fellow from Llantrissant named Braugham went in a cab to Lime Street Station where we left our luggage to enable us to go around town. We left Liverpool 10x40 arrived at P’pool Road at 3x45. I walked to Pontypool had tea at Aunts returned to the Road by train for my portmanteau . Had about a quarter of an hour to wait for the train. When I reached P’pool Clarance Station Mother and Emily were there awaiting me. We got home alright Father and Richard being at the Station meeting us.

Thus ended a holiday trip which I shall always remember as the most enjoyable and pleasantest which I have ever spent, and I believe which I ever will spend.

Postscript George was 21 when he took this trip. He never visited the States again, and his brother Alfred never returned to the United Kingdom, dying in Chester Pa. at the age of 35 in 1900 after an appendicitis operation. George married eight years after his visit to the US and died in 1922.