Aboard the Etna, August 1, 1866

. . . The last few days at Bloxwich were spent at Uncle James Goodwin's home. We took the train at Wolverhampton July 26, 1866, for Liverpool. It took six hours to make the journey to Liverpool, where we were detained for several days before setting sail on the steamer Etna, which was commanded by Captain H. Tibbits.

We started our voyage from Liverpool to New York, August 1, 1866, leaving Liverpool at one o'clock. On this journey we were accompanied by my Uncle John Goodwin, my mother's youngest brother. The voyage was very rough. Some days it was impossible for us to stand up on the deck. We met several vessels bound for Liverpool and passed several sailing vessels bound for New York. Among the things that I remember most were the poor accommodations on the boat, the poor food, the shortage of water, etc. Also the fog horn as we passed the banks of Newfoundland. [p.152]

After we had been on the sea fifteen days, we saw a very high lighthouse. Later we saw the tops of houses on Long Island, and a pilot came on board to pilot our ship into the harbor. Next morning we went ashore at Castle Garden, where mother bought bread, cheese and milk, from which we made a good meal.

We stopped at the Cornish House and Star Hotel near Castle Garden. We stayed there a few days, then traveled by train to Albany. There, we were much in love with the place and father was offered $15.00 a week to play a double bass in a theater. We had bought our tickets to Chicago [though] so only stayed in Albany a few days.

On our trip west, we saw many beautiful and interesting things. The suspension bridge near Niagra Falls was so wonderful that we marveled at it, one end bing in Canada and the other in the United States. The falls resembled a lake falling over great rocks filling the air with mist and making a deafening, roaring noise. We crossed over into Canada and traveled for some time on the Canadian side of the river. We were impressed by the density of the forests and also b the large fields of grain.

We arrived at Chicago August 23, [1866] where we visited the important sights. Our next stop was Aurora. Our next great sight was the Mississippi river and Rock island. Her we saw great steamers, boats and large wooden rafts.

When we reached Davenport, we inquired for English people and were referred to a Mr. Mackay, a Scotsman, who interested himself in our behalf and found us an empty house to live in until we could get better accommodations. Mother was so ill by this time that we thought it better not to travel farther.

We arrived in Davenport after crossing a bridge over the Mississippi River between Rock Island, Illinois [p.153] and Davenport Iowa. We went to the Pennsylvania House and had breakfast. On account of mother's ill health and father's not being well, we decided not to go farther. Father and mother went out for a walk around and inquired where they could find some English people. They were directed to Mr. Dories' store. He was from the Island of Guernsey, and gave them all the information he could and recommended that they go to Mr. Mackay, the Scotsman [already mentioned] who kept a grocery store at the edge of town. The store was one mile from the river. [Here] the Mississippi ran from east to west, which was contrary to its general direction. Mr. Mackay was very kind to us. As boarding at the hotel was very expensive and there was no house to rent, he let us live in a house he was building. The weather was very warm. We got a long very nicely there for three weeks.

Mr. Mackay told us of a house and four acres of land that were for sale. The house was situated one mile north and two blocks west of his home. Mr. Mackay took us to see it. The house had been formerly kept for a pleasure garden by an English family. It seemed to be an ideal place. The house contained six rooms, and there was a wide veranda. There was an avenue of cherry trees going from the back door to the well, which was the center of a summer house covered with Clinton grapes and honey sickles. There were seats that were enjoyed in the summertime. Also there were a large asparagus bed, all kinds of small fruit and an orchard. A branch of Duck Creek ran through a corner of the lot. There was a barn on the place, and there were a house, cow and chickens. An Osage orange hedge ran along the east side of the lot and there was a pasture on the west. We were all delighted with the appearance of the place.

Father bought the home September 10, 1866. [THEY LIVED IN THIS HOME FOR THE NEXT 12 YEARS] . . . . [p.154]

. . . While I was in Mount Air, my sister, Ann, convinced father that this was the opportune time to go on to Utah. [p.160] Fearing that he might be in Utah sometime without work, father decided that I should remain in Iowa and teach school for a time and they would go on ahead. I consented to this, and father, Ann, Willie and Georgina went on to Ogden in August, 1878, while I remained in Mount Air. . . .

. . . I arrived in Ogden November 26, 1878, and had a very happy reunion with the family. . . [p.161]

BIB: Critchlow, Elizabeth Frames Fellows. [Autobiography] IN Critchlow and Related Families comp. by Georgina Boylette Critchlow Bickmore, Charlotte Rhoda Critchlow Ryberg, and Frances Elizabeth Critchlow (privately printed, 1967) pp. 152-54,
160-61. (CHL)
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