xxviii AUDUBON THE NATURALIST 



1812 



The annus mirabilis in Kentucky, marked by a series of earth- 

 quakes, which begins December 16, 1811, and furnishes 

 material for "Episodes." 



Commission house of Audubon and Bakewell is opened by the 

 latter in New Orleans, but is quickly suppressed by the 

 war, which breaks out in June. .; 



Spring. Starts a retail store, on his own account, at Hender- 

 son. 



November 30. John Woodhouse Audubon, born at "Meadow 

 Brook" farm, Dr. Adam Rankin's home near Henderson. 



1812-1813 



Storekeeping at Henderson, where he purchases four town 

 lots and settles down. 



1816 



March 16. Enters into another partnership with Bakewell; 

 planning to build a steam grist- and sawmill at Henderson, 

 they lease land on the river front. 



1817 



Thomas W. Pears joins the partnership, and the steam mill, 

 which later became famous, is erected. (After long disuse 

 or conversion to other purposes, "Audubon's Mill" was 

 finally burned to the ground on March 18, 1913.) 



1818 



Summer. Receives a visit from Constantine Samuel Rafinesque, 

 who becomes the subject of certain practical jokes, at 

 zoology's future expense, and figures in a later "Episode." 



