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Diary of John F. Watson's Journey to New Orleans & Observations there in 1804-5

 
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Title
Diary of John F. Watson's Journey to New Orleans & Observations there in 1804-5
Creator
John Fanning Watson (1779-1860)
Description
Watson comments on the cities and towns he passed through in his travels from Philadelphia to New Orleans and describes his stay in the latter city. While in Pittsburgh, he observed that the widespread burning of coal made the houses look more like forges than dwellings. Once in New Orleans, Watson was informed of the deaths of his father and brother. Of New Orleans, Watson noted that it was larger then he had expected and that the residents were more engaged in business than in Philadelphia. In addition, he witnessed few high houses, rampant disregard for observing the sabbath, many lizards, expensive tailors, a lot of shrimp and gumbo to eat, and people of different ancestries--French, Spanish, and American--keeping separate societies. Watson was born in Batsto, New Jersey, the son of William and Lucy Fanning Watson. In 1806 he opened a mercantile house in Philadelphia and was later listed as a bookseller and stationer. In 1814, Watson accepted a position as cashier of the Bank of Germantown and received a notary public commission. He remained with the bank until 1848. He then became the secretary-treasurer of the Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Railroad, where he remained until 1859. Watson was also an amateur historian and a pioneer in the use of oral histories and public opinion questionnaires. He published, among other works, Annals of Philadelphia, Historic Tales of Olden Time Concerning the Settlement and Advancement of New York City and State, and Historic Tales of Olden Time Concerning the Early Settlement and Progress of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. In 1812 he married Phebe Barron Crowell and had 7 children.
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