- Title
- Travelling Notes of J. F. Watson. Trip to Manahawkin - July 1833; Trip to Cape May Island - July 1834; Trip to Harrisburgh &c - Jany 1835.
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- Creator
- John Fanning Watson (1779-1860)
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- Description
- On the way to Manahawkin, Watson and his wife stopped in Burlington and Mt. Holly. He continued to be impressed with the Green bank. Watson drew the "Mansion of Health," where he stayed in Manahawkin. He described experiencing sun burn, plunging in the surf, and sailing down the sound. From July 4 to July 10, 1834, Watson journeyed to and stayed in Cape May. He described the Bennett boarding house in words and with a small illustration. In 1835, Watson ventured to Harrisburg because he had never been there. Passing through Lancaster, he claimed the place was "very primitive in its appearance, having still many brick and frame houses..." He found Harrisburg to be "prettily situated along the Susquehanna River.†He noted that the business of legislation pervaded everything. He described and sketched the chair that John Hancock sat in when he signed the Declaration of Independence. Watson commented on the churches, public square and market in Carlisle. 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 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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- Format
- ["manuscript"]
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- Subjects
- ["Diaries","Men--Diaries","New Jersey--Description and travel","Pennsylvania-Description and travel"]
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Travelling Notes of J. F. Watson. Trip to Manahawkin - July 1833; Trip to Cape May Island - July 1834; Trip to Harrisburgh &c - Jany 1835.
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