Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-02-13
WESTERN FARMERS.

/
A REvoLUTIoNARY SOLDIER IN WIsCoS-
sIN.-Mr. David Paddock. grand father of
DIR. Paddock, Of Salem, Racine county. was
born at Nine Partners, Washington county.
y. T., on the 9th day of April, 1850, and
is therefore, in the 9th year of his age. He
now resides with his son, VIM. ID. Paddock.
Esp in Salem. His memory is remarkably
retentive and his mental flcultcs active. In
conversation he is intelligent, cheerful, and
even witty. | understand that his habits
have always been strictly temperate and his
temper even. His descendants consist OF
children, 81 grand children, and to his
knowledge, 81 great grand children.
lie was deprived of his sight by disease
OF the eye, about u years ago, previous to
which time he always labored industriouslv
on his farm and made it general rule to be
at work every morning before sunrise. and
he says he never lost a meals victuals by in
disposition. Since, he has had the misfor-
tune TO lose his sight he has frequently rca-
ped wheat, shelled corn, pared apples, and
picked wool
Daring the revolutionary war he was pre-
sent in several hard fought BATTLES, and at
one time WIS engaged in the erection of bat
tenes on the North river, below Poughkeep-
SIC. He was acqnqintcd with Gen. Putnam
and remembers Gen. Van Horn and Gen.
| Heath.
In speaking of the revolutionary war. he
says that during that glorious struggle for Ii
berry, the citizons used every exerton to
prevent the British from obtaining provis oas
and made it a rule TO destroy all the food
they could not use. Gen. Burgovne, he re-
marks, brought an extensive supply of artil-
lery from England. the whole Of which fell
into the hands of the Americans, on the cap
turc Of that commander by Gen. Gates He
says the Hcssans were a worthless, law set
of fellows; that "a whole army of them in
coming 10 stump on fire, would sop until
every MN could light his pipe and light it
we'll too;" and that they were slow and clum-
sy in their movements and did not seem con-
cerned as 10 which way the battle would ter
inmate.
The Irish, he observes, were to mqn
united with the Americans in the battle field
where they exhibited iudomitable courage,
inficxjb!c tirmncss, and unyiolding patriotism.
and seemed highly delighted with the bus
ness of fighting.
The Mohnwk Indians were very hostile to
the Americans and inflicted the most cruel
fortunes on those who fell into their hands
Cen Blrgoyne was captured in the month
OF O:tobcr; the weather was then wet and
cold; the greater portion of the American
army was destitute of shoes and badly cloth
ed, and many of the poor fellows marked
their footsteps with their blood. WhisLey,
then called white face, was sold at five dol
lars continental moncy*) per gill
Subsequent to the dcfcot of Burgoyne the
British retreated to New York city and the
people of the river country had not much
trouble with them.
Mr.. Paddock recollccts when the Widow
Ten Eykc kept tavern in tho only building
then standing on the site OF the present city
OF Troy Poughkecps;e then had only 6 O,
10 buildings, and Hudson was not common
cod, Farmers laborers worked for four o,
five dollars per month; carpenters who hew,
ed timber for building had sixty-two and a
half cents and the scorers fifty per cents per
diem. The price for max Nc coat of coarse
cloth, or "Hnsry 'roolsey,', was one dollar
making tow cloth trousers-thcn generally
worn by tormers-2o cents. The most re-
spectacle women Of the country then wore
gowns composed of linen warp filed with
cotton and sold at thirly-sevcn and a half
cents per yard.
Shoes were not then worn by labourinn
men except in very cold weather men having
harvested and done other out door work bare
footed and Mr.. p. adds that the soles of la
bourlng mems feet were at that time as iourb
and thick as sole leather. Shoes were sold
at y shIllmgs per pair and all the leather then
used IN Washington county, was brought
| from New York city, The winters were for
merly much colder, and the sleighing much
better, in New Y 9rk state, thln now. Sleds
were then invariably used by farmers, irs,cad
of Sleighs. Horses were never shod; sheep
could not be raised in consequence of the
multiciplity of wolves which often attacked
and drove the dogs home. A good working
mare was sold at seven and half dollars.
and al excellent horse for Sl2. MANY hor
ses were turned out in the winter to feed ON
brush; young colts were never let out of the
stable until large enough TO defend them
selves against the wolves. Deer and game
10y h'h' ""o WY Dul
milton and guns were scarce. French mus
kets, made TO carry IA large ball were used
instead of rifles. An aperture cut through
the wall of log house, served as n substi
'ute for a window, as glass windows were at
that time seldom used The farmers had
no regular hoes; an axe rudely shaped sold
for II shillings; corn for shilIings, and
wheat for 80 cents per bushel. Potatoes
were very scarce, very small, of dsagrcea-
bic flavor and were never sold. "Becf was
then worth nothing says Mr.. Paddock, "be-
cause there was none to sells
VI have seen a note of the Continental
money in the possession of DIR. Paddock
which is printed on very common paper, and
dated, believe 1910. The printed part of
the document, including the words of eau
ton, sit is death to counterfeit" is perfectly
legible, but the signatures of the officers are
completely obliteratcd, a proofin .'black and
white,t' that printing ink even at that time,
was more indelIble than the Typographical
fluid. J. p. b. Nee.