218 STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



for a repository of merchandize. His water excursions became 

 more periodical, and he carried, at one time, only a part of 

 his wares to be freer from risk. The profits of trade were 

 next invested in the surer enterprizes of agriculture. In 1785, 

 he purchased the land where he now lives, consisting of five 

 hundred acres, and commenced the arduous task of clearing 

 it of the heavy forest trees and bush, with three negroes and 

 himself. 



The singularities of this man are many, as such, I shall 

 make no apology for animadverting on those the most striking 

 and characteristic. The intention of my visit to him was to re- 

 ceive a thousand pounds, which was then due on his note. I 

 was surprised, in the first instance, on my arrival at the middle 

 path of his estate, or road, leading to the buildings, at not see- 

 ing any bridge, or the least trace of one, over the ditch, which 

 was cut across for conveying the water off. How, in the name 

 of convenience, has this man, thought I to myself, lived here 

 twenty years without feeling the want of a bridge ; thinking, 

 however, was of no avail, I leaped my horse over, and followed ; 

 The shadow of a foot path, indistinctly perceptible from being 

 overgrown by weeds and grass, led me to a negro hut, where 

 I enquired for the house of the proprietor, expecting that it 

 would be hid from the road in some rural retreat or grove of 

 orange trees. Judge my surprise when an old Indian woman 

 came to the door and told me in a jargon of wretched Eng- 



