Reminiscences from The Life of a Pioneer by Ira Ayer I

It was concluded to have Uncle Joseph Bradley go with us and have a voice in some of the movements of the journey. We started briskly on and reached Bilrica(3) sometime before sunset, but Uncle Joseph thought it would be as well to stop for the night. This conclusion of Uncle's that it would be as well to stop for the night, together with the fact that Bilrica was to the left of the road that should have gone, appeared a little strange to Father, but after hearing all the facts in the case there was nothing strange about it. Miss Brower was Uncle Joseph Bradley's Prettiest girl, and she lived in Bilrica. From Bilrica we started on our journey with cheer. Our manner of living was to call for a room, with the privilege of providing our own meal. This seemed to be satisfactory all around. So we moved on pleasantly and happily. We crossed the Hudson at Albany, took the Cherry Valley road, and moved nicely on. It might have been somewhere on this road that it was thought it best to have a little change in our way of living. I think it was in a village place; we called for our meals right out. This made it much easier for dear mother and smoother as we might say all around. The bill was $7,00; even after that, we fell back on the old plan. As days passed on, nearly four weeks passed by, until the number of days and number of miles to our journey's was complete. Here, in due time, Uncle Joseph left us, to go back to Haverhill, I suppose, by the way of Bilrica. I think we stayed in Buffalo about three weeks. We found it a new country town, nearly all; from where the Mansion House is now, to the Buffalo Creek was a swamp of adders. No one spoke of Buffalo as to what it was but, as to what it is going to be. During our stay in town Pa, I suppose, was inquiring what the farming lands were in every direction. He finally concluded to go up the Lake. Everything being ready, we went as far as the Eighteen mile creek, (Pa_ had already been to see Mr Palmer he was keeping Tavern at the mouth of the creek on the up Lake side, Mr Palmer showed Pa_ a small log house where he could move his family; the house was on the same side of the creek that the Tavern was) most of the way on the beach. It was dark. Pa Hallooed, Mr Palmer from his home across the creek answered and soon he was out with a lantern. He shouted to us, the best he could where to go into the creek, and what course to take, when we got there. Pa understood, and drove as well as he could, and the horses pulled the best they knew how, and up the creek we went; sometimes, it may be, the water would run into the box; then we would find ourselves on the rapids; then would stop to hear what Mr Palmer said; then it may be, we would turn to the right or left as Mr Palmer would direct; so up the creek we went, about a half a mile; then another shout from Mr Palmer. "Come out of the creek here:" we stopped to hear what our guide said. "Come out of the creek here;" he cried the second time. Pa_ drawed on the gee line and cryed out at the top of his voice, "Getup!" The horses sprang; the next moment both wagons were high and dry: we found we had reached our new home. Dear Ma inhaled a full breath and all was right again. Pa and Mr Palmer consulted together a short time. The house was provided with a light; goods were carried in; the horses were cared for; supper was brought forward and placed on the table in good condition; everyone felt like eating their portion and all were cheerful and happy. Mr. Palmer after kindly doing for us all that was needed to be done said goodbye and went home. The bed time hour was at hand, beds were made ready and soon all were in bed sleeping sweetly.

The next day was the time to put every thing in order. The old log house was small, yet a place was found for every thing and every thing was put in place. So far, so good, but where is our farm? was in inquiry. In a day or so Pa started to find a farm. He went to Springville and found one that suited him, I suppose, very well. He soon returned home and started for Batavia to get an Article. As he started along he called on Mr. Palmer and told him he was on his way to Batavia to get an Article of a piece of land in Springville. Mr. Palmer advised Pa to look up the Lake as he thought he might do better; so Pa turned and went home, and soon selected the farm, a part of which James Ayer now lives on. He soon started for Batavia the 2nd time and took an Article for 439 acres; but Ma and the family had a great fright about Pa; he was gone so long, we certainly thought that something bad had happened to him. We thought of many things; possibly he was taken sick, or the horse had been stolen, or that Pa had been robbed, or that he had fallen from the wagon and was badly hurt; possibly killed; as days passed on we more and more feared we should never see dear Pa alive. Again dear Ma began to look over our situation to see what would be best to do if we had lost dear Pa. We kept looking and wondering until our last hope had almost faded out. By and by while all this was going on in our minds, some one cried out, "Pa is coming!" All ran to look; "yes" said another "that's dear Pa!" Then as with one voice they all cried out "Yes our dear Pa is coming! dear dear Pa Pa is coming!" Soon he was at the door. All ran to kiss him. After the greeting was somewhat subsided, dear Mother said, "Mr. Ayer what has happed to you that kept you so long?" "nothing;" said dear Pa, "only bad roads." He had gone and done his business all right, and come home as soon as he could. Now for moving to our new neighborhood. After a day's rest, dear Pa went up to see what was the first thing to be done.

Now Pa is gone, it will be a good time to tell what a scare I had with a bull dog. I had made myself a squirt gun and was playing with it around, and as I and bull dog were standing near the bank of the creek together, I squirt some water in bull dog's face, I thought by bull dog's actions he didn't like it very well; he stood on his hind legs, so that we stood face to face, his head as high as mine; he appeared to be angry. I kept the dog between myself and the creek as well as I could then went to patting him, saying, "good bull dog!" After a while, he seemed to cool down and I carefully separated from bull dog. I never squirted water at bull dog after that.

In a day or two, Pa returned. He said that a man by the name of Taylor had very kindly offered to have us move into his house, until we could build ours. Pa said Mr. Taylor's People were mechanics and would help us about building. We got ready as soon as we could and moved in with our new Neighbor. Arrangements were made at once for building our log house; soon all was ready and Neighbors from far and near, were invited to the raising. At the appointed time they come dodging through the bushes from every quarter. When night came, the log house was up. All were friendly wishing us good luck, saying they were glad we had come to take a part in the woods with them and with a friendly goodbye, left for home.

I think before we had time to do anything more to the house four feet of snow fell. This was a set back, to be sure, but perseverance was the order of the day; all hands went at it with a will: every day told something I think. In about six weeks the house was ready for the new comer; no chimney, no hearth, and I think no chamber floor, yet the house was ready for the newcomers. At the word ready we moved in at once; the winter was cold but wood was plenty, and near by; we cut our wood 4 feet long, sometimes our backlogs would be 2 feet through. We would stick the ax in one end of the log; the men get hold of the helve next to the ax; then the women would get hold of the mens hands and all pull together. The log would move at once: sometimes the first haul would take it to the right spot for rolling onto the fireplace where it belonged. The next thing would be back stick about a foot through, the fore stick about the same size. All this we would call a good foundation for a fire. (One thing I have forgotten to tell you; for hand irons we used short pieces of wood.) Now would come on the kindlings and small wood well rounded up with the latter. The large sticks would last 24 hours round, the small wood put on as needed. In this way we would have a variety of climate as dear Mother used to say, in cold weather freeze on one side and burn the other. Dear Pa made it his first business to cut all the trees within reach of the house so they would not be falling onto the house by the wind, or any other cause. While engaged in this business, he came to a tree that seemed to say to the woodsman use your best skill to make me fall this way or that way, I will go where I am a mind to. It was a large beach, rotten on one side. Dear Pa didn't pretend to be much of a woodsman but thought he would try it any how. It leaned a little towards the house. Pa commenced chopping, using all the caution he could, to keep the tree from falling on the house. The baby was in the corner by the fire. Dear Mother was near, if not in the very place where the tree fell, looking through, between the logs, watching the tree. As the time drew near for its falling, anxiety increased on the part of all. Dear Mother and baby were on the side of the house where the tree was about to fall. All was silent but the sound of the ax. Soon there was trembling in the top, a sure indication that a tree is about to fall, dear Mother was looking out between the logs. The tree started. Pa Hallooed to the top of his voice, Mother ran to the baby to run out with it if possible in time to escape harm. The tree fell just where she had been standing. You see Mother was saved by her love for the baby.

We had been living in the log house about two years. Bear thought it about time to make the newcomers a fashionable evening visit, but when he got to the house of the strangers he found all in bed fast asleep; bear thought it not worth while to disturb them; there being plenty of young hogs around, he could get his own supper all very well: as he was somewhat tired by his long travel he felt like lying down a while and possibly take a short nap. He slept longer than he intented to. Looking about he found it was almost morning and finally concluded on account of it being so late he might as well take his breakfast with his supper all at the same time. It was not long after he came to this conclusion, before he made a pounce on a small pile of young hogs. He was very fortunate, or as it might be he so intended, to catch the best hog in the lot. We never doubted that bear carried out his intention to eat supper and breakfast at the same time. Bear concluded he had better be going, for he didn't know what folks would think. In the morning they might say we will have his hide for pay. As soon as the family were up the cry was, "Something had killed one of the hogs!" We were New England people, and hardly knew what to think about the whole affair. We sent for Mr. Dustin, one of our neighbors who was better acquainted with gaming, than we were: he said it was a bear that had done the mischief. Well what was to be done? for we didn't like our fashionable caller very well for a neighbor on account of his taking so much liberty among strangers. The cry was, "Set a trap for him!" Dear Pa asked Mr. Dustin what he thought about it, and enquired of him if he could set a trap. Yes he said, I can set a trap well enough. We took what hog there was left for last and started for the woods. A log trap was soon in readiness. In the course of a week or so Mr. bear was caught. Sure enough, the log on his back brought him down on the log below, to the very pinch. It was cold weather and it was thought best to take him into the house to skin. This we did and had a good time.

Time passed on, counting baby James Ayer we were ten in the family. Clothes were getting thread bare. New ones were wanted, new ones we must have soon, and no money to buy with and what shall we do? This question no one could answer. Dear Mother was the first to see a star of promise; it was this, we must make our clothes, and went on to tell the story. We must get some sheep, we must raise flax, we must have spinning wheels, we must do our own spinning, we must do our own weaving. All were standing around and Pa with the rest. Three cheers for Mother, the children cryed out but where will you get the loom Mother? "I will see to that," was the reply. Soon, Mr. Gray and Mr. Taylor were sent for. They came with broad ax and plane and such framing tools as they wanted to build the loom. The first thing to be done was to get the best white ash log that could be found in the woods (of suitable length of course) the next thing they wanted was a beetle(4) and wedge. The splitting was a matter to be accomplished just right: it must be not too large not too small. While Mr. Taylor was doing the splitting, Mr. Gray was hewing(5). This too, was a very nice part of the work. The line was to be split if possible it must not be hewed too large it must not be hewed too small. As soon as the splitting was done, Mr. Taylor commenced framing and so they worked together, until the loom was finished (and a very nice loom it was). I made the warping bars. In the meantime, Sister Martha called on some of the weavers to learn what she could about weaving. As soon as she pretty well understood the art, a web was ready to put into the loom, and in it went, and as soon as the whole thing could be brought around, we had the wool and the flax(6). We had the big wheel humming and the little wheel whirling and the loom a slamming. Every one knew their own work and could do it without oversight. Pa would dress the flax, Ma would hetched(7) it, and card the tow(8) into rolls and spin the flax on the little wheel. Sister Mary and Sarah did the spinning on the large wheel, and so it was humming with the large wheel, whirling with the little wheel, slamming with the loom, all going on at once. All this was for summer wear. By and by the wooling rolls came from the carding machine. The spinning of them was the work of the large wheel. This renewed the humming. All was pleasant cheerful and happy. As soon as the warp of a woolen was spun, Martha was ready to put it in the loom and go on with the slamming. All this worked nicely for years until cloth was so cheap, that it was better to buy than to make.

Yet we had our discouragements, but not without courage to go with it. We had been in the habit of getting money from a fund we had in Haverhill to help us over the tight places. The last we sent for, was $140,00. As the money always had come safe, we supposed this would come in the same way so we lived on credit, as we had need, but the money never came. You may ask reader, if we were discouraged at this disappointment. O no no no dear friend to be sure it was a great disappointment but we had no room in our history for the word discourage. Years passed away and the time came when Goreham and Ira should go to Haverhill. It had been talked about for some time. We had $1000, coming to us there, which would be enough to get a deed of our farm. We were well fitted out for our long journey. Our clothing was made of the finest wool of our sheep. Our boots were new, our hats I suppose the same, our canes were made of good hickory, with a suitable amount of lead run on the top. We were to go a foot. We were to go to Vermont near Montpelier, to see Uncle Jonathan Ayer. This was about one hundred miles out of the way; but we wanted to see Uncle Jonathan. It was about January 1, 1818. Ira was 16 years of age and Goreham 18(9). I think we had our knapsacks to carry provisions with us, in order to make a little money go as far as possible. It was early morning we kissed goodbye and started. The first day we reached Cold Springs, stayed I think at Hodges Hotel. So went steadily on, sometimes we would catch a ride. One day we rode nearly 20 miles in a six horse wagon with a tire six inches wide. The business of these wagons was to carry Merchandise from Albany to Buffalo. We went to Saratoga Springs. There we stopped a while to rest and take some spring water. Possibly it did us good and helped us on the way. I think we crossed the Hudson at Sandy Hill, about 10 or 12 miles above Troy. Now we began to feel that we were on our way to Uncle Jonathan's. We had got over our lameness and we stepped off with good face and cheer. In a few days we were at Rutland; from thence we passed over the mountain, there took a road to Montpelier. It was not many days before we reached Uncle Jonathan's. We knew Uncle very well, he looked so much like Pa, but we had to tell him who we were. After finding out who we all were we had a laugh and a happy time. I think we stayed two days. All that time Uncle did what he could to make it pleasant for us. We had a five dollar bill we asked Uncle to change it for us. He gave us two dollars and told us to keep the bill. We had about 200 miles, before us yet to go. We went through New Hampshire and called at Chester, about 15 miles from Haverhill, to see Mr. Walkers and wife. Mrs. Walker (whose maiden name was Betsy Gay) was a girl that dear Mother brought up, I suppose from a child. We had a fine time. Mr. Walker done what he could to please us. He took us around to show us this and that, and among the things he showed us a Meeting House they had lately built, (probably Presbyterian) which led us to think he might be a member of the church, Mrs. Walker was almost overjoyed to see the boys. Kisses were almost showered down upon us. All this was acceptable to Goreham and myself, for they were the first kisses we had received since we left home; We stayed one or two days and started for Haverhill. There I suppose we were expected: no great demonstrations except kisses; much of this was done of course for we met cousins in abundance all around. Many questions were asked by all, about the new country which we listened to and answered the best we could. Uncle Enoch Bradley was very kind to us to take us to Town, and round about to see Relatives, and old Neighbors, that we might have it impressed on our minds how Haverhill looked, and who our friends and neighbors were, and how they looked, so it was we received many kindnesses from all, which were treasured up, and brought Home with us and not forgotten for a long time. I think we stayed about two weeks at any rate. The time came for us to go. The night before starting dear Grand Mother had our shirts hanging on the chair to air. The $1000, was already in Goreham's shirt pocket; The thought entered Grand Mothers mind what if the chair that had Gorham's shirt hanging on it with the $1000 in the pocket, should tip into the fire. She sprang in an instant and ran into the sitting room and made all safe. The next morning came, every thing was ready, and we started. Uncle Enoch Bradley took us with his carriage, as far as Methuen, 6 or 8 miles, where we had to cross the River. He saw us safely across, and we parted.

Now after doing the business all right that we came for, and took our last look at Haverhill and our friends we started on for home with a good pace and cheer. We looked through the mist of 500 miles and saw the log house and dear Father and dear Mother and all the dear Brothers and sisters and we longed to be there. We stood on our best nerve and said If the Lord will we will be there and on we started with light hearts and a quick pace. Our manner of living was to buy what we wanted to eat, where we could get it: but we had our three meals a day. When the hour came for a meal, we would call at some good looking house, and tell them we would be pleased to have them get us some tea; we had vituals with us in our knapsacks. The tea would be forthcoming. We enjoyed our meals nicely, and on we came, making one hundred miles in three days. Sometimes we would do better than that; much depended on the condition of the roads. After some days we come to green Mountains; how defiant they looked! but we almost laughed at the proud Goliath: up and down we went for nearly two days, we went slowly up and faster down. Sometimes we would run going down. Before we got over the mountains, in going down on the run I catched my cane between my legs and it snapped like a pipe-stem; but not knowing what use we might have for it, having a $1000, in our pockets, I thought it best to keep the lead end. This I did by holding the lead end in my hand and running the other end up my sleeve. So the days passed on, every one telling from 33 to nearly 40 miles nearer home. During our absence, nothing had been heard from us, that is to say, I think so. We soon told the folks we had the money all safe. Soon Pa went to Batavia and got the deed for 439 acres all safe to be laid away.

Now I will go back and tell a short story about the war before Perry's victory on the Lake. The British Navy seemed to pride themselves in sailing up and down the Lake near our Shore. After a while they took into their heads to make a friendly call and get something to eat. In one case they took Mr. Bates, living within a few rods of where I now live and Cap. Gates living on the Salsbury Place. The alarm was soon given around the Neighborhood. A friendly Quaker that lived about a mile off not feeling it right to go himself with a gun, came over as fast as he could and told Pa what had happened and I supposed advised him to go to the Lake as quick as he could (Sister Martha had it in a poetical form. "Come James Ayer to the lake repair, for the British have come o'er: they have taken Capt. Gates, they have taken Bill Bates, and carried them from our shore.") This was for the benefit of our friendly Quaker. The prisoners were taken down nearly as far as the Eighteen mile creek and put near enough shore so they could wade the rest of the way. After that I think the Neighbors kept a guard here on the bank, until the victory before mentioned.

I will tell one story more about the war and close. Not far from the time that Gates and Bates were taken prisoners, a large open boat hugging our shore as close as it could come along, going up the Lake the British Navy made for the boat; the alarm went out; the Neighbors ran with their guns as fast as their legs would carry them; the boat pulling away as fast as they could covered by our fire. The Navy doing their best with their cannon, firing I suppose, part of the time at the boat, and part of the time at the men on shore. It was thought by the men on shore judging by the whistling balls and falling limbs to say the least they had a very liberal share of the Navy's fire. The boat got safe into Cattaragus Creek without the loss or hurt of a man. It was said the boat was loaded with Perry's Navy Rigging for the Navy boats he was building at Erie.

Martha at the age of 15 or 16 years was called on to teach a school in Hamburg in the Neighborhood of a Christian people. Martha met with them at their Preaching meetings, prayer and class meetings. It seemed all new to her, on account of the spirit manifested by the Brethren and Sisters, also on account of the spirit she felt herself. She said nothing for a while. At the same time the spirit of God seemed to be pressing upon her; it was all new to Martha, such manifestations as she saw in the people and what she was experiencing herself. Finally she spoke to one of the Sisters about it; she told Martha it was the Lord's Spirit in the hearts of the Brethren and Sisters and in her heart too. Martha said to the sister she was never in such a meeting before and wanted to know what she should do. The sister told her she must pray. Martha asked her if she wouldn't pray for her, for she had never prayed in her life. Yes the sister said, and was about to kneel down; Martha hesitated and asked the sister if it wouldn't do as well in another room. Yes the sister said she didn't know but it would but hadn't we better kneel here? if you think best, we will, was the reply. They both knelt, and the sister prayed that Martha might have faith to believe that things are ready. Martha saw the point and said "I do believe." It was the same instant she said this that she experienced religion, and was made very happy in the Lord. The Brethren and Sisters soon saw what the Lord had done for their teacher and rejoiced greatly. Reader let us praise God for his goodness and loving kindness to the children of men.

Martha at once joined the Methodist Church and conformed to its rules in dress as well as in everything else; not so much because they were the rules of the Church, but because she loved them, as well; and all this, because she was a new creature, and old things had passed away. She got her a Quaker bonnet and a dress and other wearing apparel to compare with it. She soon wrote home to dear Mother, and in her letter she spoke of Brother Canfield so and so Brother and Sister Oakes so and so and some good old Mother in Israel so and so. What does all this mean? says dear Mother. It can't be Martha is going to or has got married. In the mean time an aged Sister of another denomination came up from the lake through the woods nearly a mile and a half, and told Mother that Martha had joined the Methodists and went on to tell dear Mother many things that were quite disparaging about the Methodists. It seemed that the old lady took all this pains in coming so far, to let Mother know in time, what was going on in Hamburg, that if possible to save the girl before it went on any farther. It was all new to dear Mother. She didn't know what to do about it or think about it. She finally concluded it best to keep still a while, until Martha came home. Then she could tell better. As soon as school was out, Martha came home. She brought her story with her. She told it; it was a good one; it was the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth; no room for Calvinism__: to every one that believeth. The old lady no doubt meant well but we heard nothing from her after her call. In the course of a week or so, Brother James Hall called on us. Martha had formed an acquaintance with him in Hamburg, probably an arrangement was made between the two for his coming. Before going to bed, he proposed prayer and then after prayer he spoke to the whole family as they sat around in the form of a class meeting. He talked to them about religion. He told them of its importance, and how they must get it. I suppose He stayed and preach the following Sabbath. Rev. James Hall was one of the Great Men of the Earth. He lived to see 90 years or more, and died in Mayville, Chautauqua Co, New York. His wife lived a number of years after, and died in the same place.

Our family at this time consisted of the following persons:

x Burried in the Cemetary at Evens Center, Erie Co., NY

o Burried in the Cemetary at Angola, Erie Co., NY

I must say more about Martha. It seems she was chosen of the Lord to be the first to carry Salvation to her Fathers house. She did this. She was a true messenger with the Bible in her hand, she told the story of the cross, as it read: Whosoever will let him come for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. It seemed to be her delight to do all she could. She would take the family to a stable that was vacated for a time, to hold prayer meetings, and probably enquire meetings, to know how each were getting along in the good way. All was interesting and encouraging because the Lord was with them. As the fruit of her labor, she soon saw five or six of her own family, besides some from without, formed into a church of her own choice. But her work was not done and she felt it never would be done as long as she could hold up a hand for Jesus; her course was onward, all of her Fathers family sooner or later were converted to God. Eight of them joined the Methodist, one the Baptist and one who went South I think I understood joined the Cumberland Presbyterians. Please reader allow me to go back to the time when Martha first came from Hamburg, then I will proceed and tell you more about Martha in coming years.

When Martha first came from Hamburg, (after it was noised about she had experienced religion) she found she was on the battle ground of Calvinism. Her own family all took her part. Her Father and all. The Presbyterians would bring forward Bible to prove that Calvinism was right and Methodist was wrong. Martha would make her best defense as far as she knew the Bible. If they brought forward anything that she was not prepared to defend at the time, she would pass it off and drown it into forgetfulness for the time as best she could, until our Ministers came around. Then she would lay the matter before them in order to get the right interpretation of what she had been talking about, with the Presbyterian brother. If opportunity offered, she would call the Presbyterian's attention to what they had talked about when they last met; then Martha would tell him just how it was and bring forward scripture to prove it. In fact Martha got the argument and the Presbyterian brother felt the force of it, and would be glad to start for home as soon as courtesy would allow. Often times the Calvanist would talk with Pa on the Calvinistic doctrine. Pa's way was to give them a blow over the left where they least expected. I will give you a case. Pa and Dea. Talman were working together and were talking on the subject of Foreordination. They were through work for the day. Pa finally asked the Dea. if he supposed that the Lord decreed that he shouldn't strike another blow tonight. The Dea. answered in the affirmative. Pa struck another blow and said, I have broken one decree anyhow.

Sister Martha was married in the log house. She brought up quite a large family most of which were pious in their early years, and joined the Methodist Church. Her grandchildren I knew but little about except Julia's family who were mostly if not all, professors of Religion. One of them, Rev. Ward Platt(10) is a prominent member of Genesee Conference. He is preaching the word in power and demonstration of the Spirit. Sister Martha lived to a good old age. She was a devoted advocate for the Christian Religion from the day of her first experience, until the day of her death, when the Lord took her. In the course of a few weeks I think of making a visit to the grave where her precious dust lies. Hoping and trusting I shall meet her in the sweet bye and bye to part no more forever.

In the balance of my writing may be found the names of Sarah Black(11) Ira Ayer and family. Mrs. Sarah Black experienced religion soon after the return of her Sister Martha from Hamburg. Sarah had a full benefit of Martha's experience which was a great help to her. Martha told her that faith and repentance was the ground work to build on, though in the days of early youth, she seemed to understand the way, and embraced it as a foundation, to build for her present good and everlasting welfare. Sister Sarah Black proved to be a sister in the church well fitted to fill every place where she could do good. Her seat would be filled at the preaching, her voice would be heard at the prayer meeting; and at the class meeting. She had a good story to tell. Her motto was, it must be done; her exhortation was to her Brethren and Sisters onward. If Meeting House was to be built, or buildings to be repaired, she and her worthy husband Joe Black, also a devoted Christian were always ready to share her portion of the expense and a little more. She is now seventy eight years of age, ready to go when the Master calls.

Ira Ayer(12) embraced the great doctrine of Salvation at an early day. He has been a decided advocate for the teachings of the Bible ever since. He looks upon it as the word of God, he loves it as his own book, he is ready to battle with the Infidel or even the Skeptic on the side of the Bible. He has much of a Lady for his wife. She has a judgment in business matters and she is ready to tell her Husband what it is, moreover, it is often accepted by her Husband as being the best way. Ira has a family of 6 children, one son, the rest daughters. I was told by relatives who visited Mrs. Ira Ayer in New Jersey not long since, that they had a family of children much to be admired. In the war of the Rebellion Ira Jun. joined the Army in an early day. He was a scholar in the Meadville College at the time. He went as Capt. His command was made mostly, I suppose of the scholars of the Collage. He joined the 10th Reg. of the Pennsylvania Reserves. When all was ready, the Regiment went forward to do battle for the country. Soon they were called to take their place in line of battle. The first wound Ira received was in his arm, it proved very serious. It appears the ball entered his arm near the wrist and lodged in his elbow. The surgical apprentice supposed there was no ball there and dressed the wound in a way that led him to think in due time it would get along alright but instead of that, it grew worse all the time, until it became so exceeding painful that Ira's condition was considered alarming. The surgeon examined the arm again and found the ball was in the arm lodged I suppose in the elbow. His first business was to get it out, if possible. This he did: the wound had already been of long standing, but the surgeon knew his business and dressed the arm as well as he could, and it got along finely. Ira had a number of narrow escapes during the war. The rim of his hat was pretty well shattered, his side in one instance was grazed by a ball and I think there were other cases where he very narrowly escaped. He finally was wounded in his leg so seriously that within the last few years the bone has become diseased and he has had to use crutches from time to time. But in all the war and in all the battles sometimes not so threatening, at other times when the balls would fly like hail around, yet in every case it would seem, the Lord would say to the flying bullets, thus far thou canst come but no farther; what words! the firing of small arms, swords in the sunlight flashing, cannon roaring, all was confusion, the voice of man could not be heard, yet God spoke in a low yet commanding voice, thus far shalt thou come but no farther. Ira was saved. O Praise the Lord for this goodness and His loving kindness unto us. Ira and your dear family. Ira is now engaged in Government business at San Francisco

Jesus our all to Heaven is gone.

He whom we [fis?] our hopes upon

His track we [?ce] and we will pursue

The narrow way tell Him we view

Sarah is a lover of God and has been for many years. In early days she was taught by her own Mother to be good, and if she wanted the Lord to love her she must love Him and many things her Mother taught her that had a lasting benefit even until the Present. Sarah is now a Christian woman. Her voice may be heard on the Lord's side. She advocates the right in all things. In this she is outspoken, though it may be but a small matter controverted if it embraces the sentiment of right, Sarah's voice is heard on the side of right, whether it is asked for or not. She is loved in her own town. The Ladies of Titusville look to Sarah as being competent to take a leading part in literary matters.

(3) This is Billerica, a town about 15 miles Southwest of Haverhill.

(4) A beetle is a tool consisting of a heavy weight or head, usually of wood, for driving wedges, and ramming down paving stones, etc. (from "Concise Genealogical Dictionary" by Maurine and Glen Harris, Ancestry Publishing)

(5) Hewing is carving with an ax.

(6) The fiber from a flax plant.

(7) A hatchel is an instrument for combining flax.

(8) Tow is coarse and broken part of flax separated by the hatchel and ready for spinning.

(9) On January 1, 1818, Ira would have just turned 15 and Gorham would have just turned 17. Either the date or the ages were wrong.

(10) It is assumed that Martha had a daughter named Julia who married a man named Platt and they has a son named Ward.

(11) Ira's sister Sarah married a man named Joe Black.

(12) Ira Ayer Jr.

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Copyright 1997-2002 William H. Scholtz.
Last revised: January 14, 2002.