John Mellish 1811

John Mellish’s two-paragraph description of Madison in 1811 is probably the first, first-hand account of the town to survive. Like many others, he gives more time to accounts of wine-making in Vevay. He also gives details about the river traffic and commerce that affected the entire river valley.

Travels through the United States of America, in the years 1806 & 1807, and 1809, 1810, & 1811; including an account of passages betwixt America and Britain, and travels through various parts of Britain, Ireland, & Canada. With corrections and improvements till 1815. Illustrated by coloured maps and plans ... With an appendix containing a letter from C. Burleigh, esq. to Irish emigrants removing to America and hints by the Shamroc society, New York, to emigrants from Europe.

Melish, John, 1771-1822. London, Reprinted for G. Cowie and co. [etc., etc.] 1818.

September 16. We started at 6 o'clock in the morning: the weather was clear and calm; the temperature of the air 62°, of the water 68°. The river is here about 700 yards wide, and is a beautiful stream. The country is bedded on limestone, and appears healthy, but the settlements are very thin. When we had proceeded eight miles, we found the breeze so strong, that we were not able to make head way against it, and we stopped at a plantation on the Kentucky side, where we saw a very handsome field of cotton, called here a cotton patch. We were now in sight of a Swiss settlement on the other side of the river, to which, on account of the head wind, we moved with difficulty; but on our arrival we were very much gratified by the appearance of this thriving colony. We were told that they emigrated to America about 10 years ago, and first attempted the business of vine-dressing on the Kentucky river; but not succeeding to their wish, they moved to this place, which they found to answer very well. We found the vineyards in very good order, and the grapes, which were at full maturity, hung in most luxuriant clusters. They were of two kinds, claret and Madeira, both reputed to be of the best quality, and the sample which we tasted had an excellent flavour. The wine consisted of two kinds, of course, claret and Madeira. The claret was rich in quality, but too acid. It was, however, a very palatable and pleasant beverage when diluted with water. The Madeira wine we found very unpalatable, but we were informed that it wanted age. The person who gave us our information said the colony consisted of about 56 persons, who were all vine-dressers, but they had no connection together in business. Each family was independent within itself. They have farms besides the vineyards, and they make all their clothing, so that the produce of the wine is so much added to their stock.

Last year they sold 2400 gallons at one dollar and a half per gallon; this year they will sell 3000; and they are very sanguine that they will be able to bring the business to full maturity. Their markets are, Cincinnati, Frankfort, Lexington, and St. Louis. They represent the climate as healthy; but the weather is changeable, and the heat in summer is very great, being from 24 to 26° of Reaumur^*. This summer it was at one time as high as 31½°;^† but this was the

[Note : * Fahrenheit 86° to 90½°.]

[Note †: † Fahr. 102°.]

warmest summer they ever experienced. The north-west winds are cold; south, south-east, and south-west winds are warm in summer, and mild in winter; and they are the most prevalent.

Seven miles below this we reached Port William, at the mouth of Kentucky river, where we stopped for the night. Port William is a small place, consisting of about 15 families only; and being subject to fever and ague in the fall, it is not likely to increase very fast. We were informed here, that some of the country people still retain their vicious propensity for fighting, biting, and gouging, and that they had lately introduced stabbing; a practice which had been learned at New Orleans; but the laws being very severe against these vices, the lawless were kept in check, and the state of society was improving. The comet this night was uncommonly vivid. The evening was very warm, the thermometer being 76°. Kentucky river is here 200 yards wide.

Sep. 17. We set out at 5 o'clock: the morning was foggy; the temperature of the air 62°, of the water 71°. Twelve miles below Kentucky river we came to a town called Madison, recently laid out in the Indiana territory, as the capital of Jefferson county. It is situated on a fertile bottom, and contains 12 families; 3 taverns and 2 stores, 2 blacksmiths, 2 hatters, 1 brickmaker, and 1 stonemason. The back country is rich, and settling very fast. The country here appears rather level, but to the southward it becomes more elevated.