They
came to the Firelands in ships, by wagon, canal boat, and finally by train,
bus and automobile. Our ancestors came first from New England
followed by others who came here directly from Europe. In the 19th
century many of our ancestors wrote home to their families, telling about
their travels or writing for them to follow soon. John Wheaton wrote to
his parents in England, asking them to come to the Firelands and telling them
the best way to travel. The father could reduce the rate of their
passages by working his way as a butcher. Both father and son were
butchers and could work for the folks already in the country.
They could also purchase calves or sheep to butcher and sell in towns and
villages at much lower prices than in England.
Eliza "Lizzie" WEBB TIMBS THOMAS writes of her voyage from
Ireland to Wakeman, Ohio in an essay she wrote in 1882 after her
arrival. Eliza's trip started on September 26th and ended upon her
arrival in Wakeman on October 6th. Eliza traveled by ship, train
and other means, not identified, but probably private carriage or
wagon. Eliza came to America and the Firelands, following her
brother eleven years after his emigration from Ireland. She was not sure
that she would recognize him. We do not know, from her essay, how old
she was when she made her journey. But
imagine, if you
will, that you are but about twenty years of age and traveling alone to a
strange land. The only person you knew you hadn't seen since you were
nine. Eliza
was in just such a position.
These are just two of the many of the letters and essays that will fill the links on this page. If you have a letter, essay or article you would like to see on these pages, send them via e-mail and I will post them.