LIFE OF JAMES VVADSWOIITH. 151 



the spot. In spite, hoM'ever, of the admirable adaptation of the upland of the 

 Homo. Farm to the production of wheal, grazing was to the very last the princi- 

 pal object. This application to a purpose whicli might at first sight appear the 

 least profitable wasdictated by the prudence of Mr. Wadsworth, who was aware 

 that It was impossible by means of hired labor to cultivate grain on as good 

 terms as could be done by those who held their own plows. For similar reasons 

 root crops never formed a part of his system of husbandry. 



The leasehold lands were at first granted to tlie settlers for the term of two 

 joint lives and the survivor, the parlies named being usually the settler and his 

 wife. By mutual agreement these were subsequently changed to leases for a 

 term of years, and this became, from tliat lime, the form of the original contract. 

 'J^hese farms usually comprised each about one hundred acres. The rent was in 

 most cases fixed by a money standard, but it was many years before money began 

 to pass from the tenant to the landlord. The convenience of the former demanded 

 that It should be received in the product of the farm, or worked out in labor. I<. 

 was not until the War of 1812 caused the expenditure of government funds in the 

 Western District of INew-Yorlc that money made its appearance, and this was in 

 the form of a partially depreciated paper. The establishment of banks speedily 

 followed, and although their charters were doled out as the rewards of partisan 

 polities, or were directly purchased by political corruption, they were, in spite of 

 the taint on their origin, the instruments of no little benefit to the poor landhold- 

 ers and the tenants of small farms. 



Larger farms than those of 100 acres were leased for shorter terms, on the con- 

 ditions of the payment of a share, usually one-third, of the grain crops, and a 

 stipulated sum for the portions not under the plow. The rotation of the crops on 

 property of this description, and the manner of cultivation, required much indi- 

 vidual attention from the proprietor, and, although more profitable to him than 

 lands leased in the other manner, were far more troublesome to manage. 



In the collection of his rents, Mr. Wadsworth looked for the same punctuality 

 and good faith from his tenants that he was accustomed to exhibit in his own 

 dealings with others. Hence, with the improvident or careless, he gained the 

 reputation of severity. That this was unmerited, none acquainted with his ac- 

 tive benevolence and equanimity of temper can doubt. The knowledge on the 

 part of his tenants of the steadiness of his course in this respect was, to the in- 

 dustrious, rather a benefit than an injury, for it compelled them to a close calcu- 

 lation of their profits : and the requirement of punctuality in payment prevented 

 the careless from accumulating debts beyond their ability to discharge. 



Many of the farms held for long terms of years reverted to Mr. Wadsworth 

 before his death ; and, while the land itself was generally in good order, the 

 tenants had, for the most part, made such profit from the occupation as to be in 

 comfortable circumstances. From inquiries and comparisons made upon the spot 

 it was inferred that the tenants of his estate were upon the whole more success- 

 ful in their pursuits, enjoyed a greater share of comfort, and laid by larger profits 

 than those who purchased upon credit lands of equal quality in the neighborhood. 



Mr. Wadsworth married, in the year 1804, Naomi Wolcott, of East Windsor, 

 Connecticut. By this marriage he had several children, three of whom survive 

 him. In his wife he had the good fortune to meet with tastes and disposition 

 congenial to his o^vn ; and those who had the good fortune to enjoy her acquaint- 

 ance still speak in the highest terms of her worth. Under her inspection and 

 management, under circumstances thai all who have attempted housekeeping ou. 



