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EARLY RECOLLECTIONS BY WM. C. HOYT
June 7th, 1873
In the spring of 1828, I took passage on a canal boat, at Fairport, New York, for Buffalo. Went on board the steamer Enterprise; was sea-sick before the boat was fully clear of the ice; arrived in Detroit the fourth day, at sunset; landed on a platform built out to deep water, a few feet wider than the gangway of the steamer; stayed over night at Benjamin Wood-worth's hotel, the only first class hotel in the place, sign on a post in the street, fare, sixty-three cents for supper, lodging, and breakfast.
Went in the direction of Pontiac, and passed through a swamp that reached eleven miles, at that time; no house or settlement to be seen on the road; arrived at Pontiac the same day; only a few buildings were there; a new horse-barn had just been built, and a man was painting it yellow; the boards were not planed. Every part of the place was nearly in its primeval state, nevertheless, it was growing very fast. I did not particularly observe its importance, or all its improvements. I went past a few miles, to Mr. Postle's where I stayed, in company with B. S. Northrop, a few days, and made several pleasant excursions over the surrounding country with his son, Charles Postle.
It was surprising to me to see such energy and perseverance manifested among the settlers. All seemed to be inspired with high hopes of future wealth and happy homes.
Michigan
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