The true northerner., 1871-11-03
Correspondence OF the True Northerner.
LOCAL HISTORY.
Befpg Rec0iiecti0ns and HeminFscences
L! ne Early settlers.

| Befps' kGcOfffctt0nS ana RsfDsiNFsc1"ct6
| L. ne Early settlers.
In the most common passages OF the
lives of the most obscure of the pioneers
of Michigan, there is thrilling interest
to the reader whose path has been made
smooth, by their indomitable energy
The very fact of these brave men and
women having cut their way into an un-
tried wilderness, under the most appali-
ing difficulties is an unmistakable clue
to their characters, so far as will and
determination are concerned The i'm.
agination can scarcely fill out more ex
travagant picture than some of these
old settlers sat for, especially the one
who is the subject of our present sketch, +,
John Nesbitt, of Porter The camera
into which he gaged was long one, ex
tending all the way from Belfast, in
Ireland, TO the Rocky Mountains
Across the briny deep, through the dark
wilderness and into Mexico's shining
mines; the colors of this picture were
all retained, both the brilliant hues and
the sombre shades.
Not unfrequently the most trivial
circumstance, apparently, will change
the whole course of life. While yet
young lad, Mr.. Nesbitt became interest
ed in reading by his fathers freside in
Ireland, a monthly periodical, published d
in Rhode Island-probably in Provi.
dence-by an Engli,hman, named Rob-
ert Cobbett, who was formerly a member
of Parliament, and had emigrated to
America as early as 1900 Mr. Cob
belts paper, if not wholly devoted to
American agriculture. was somewhat on
that subject, and descriptive of scenes
in this new country, which young Mes
bitt had an uncomfortable desire to wit.
ness. When be commenced reading
these papers, which he borrowed of a
neighbor, John was but twelve years Of
age, and though now his years number
nearly three score and ten, his evening
readings in the American Journal, and
his delight in descriptions of maple sugar
making, breaking steers and planting
corn, are "a vivid in remembrance. as
his imagination was of these new things
to him were when he first made a re-
solve TO come to this country. He well
knew that it was of no use to communi.
cate his resolution to his parents, for
they would bury him sooner than give
their conseut for him t. leave home at
that tender age, and run the risk of
starvation among the American indians
They knew, however, the desire that was
paramount to every other in the mind
Of their young son for the five years
that he Ionged 10 cross the ocean His
father paid yearly rent for seventy
four acres of land az five dollars per
acre, amounting to three hundred aud
seventy dollars. The year that the sub.
ject OF our sketch was seventeen years
of age, aad the las. year that he remain
ed in Firms Isle, he went with his faith
or to the office of the rich landlord, to
pay the reut. Ga counting the gold,
the amount was found TO lack Just one
shilling Of the annual sum which had
always been promptly paid until this
paltry deficit was paid the penurious aud
oyerLeariEg landlord would not sign the
lease, and Mr. Nesbitt vas compelled to
borrow the small sum, though far from
home. This trivial circumstance was
the turning point in Johns life, and he
then and there made a solemn vow that
he would not remain in that land of
bondage, and told his father 50 He
had already paid at the Office ten dol
lars Of his passage money, and his name
was booked for the next departure of the
vessel from the port of Belfast. At this
time the hoy was at work away from
home. BY his fathers teamsters he
sent his large chest home, to be filled
for the journey, or retained at their will.
With many tears, the faithful mother
stored it to its utmost capacity, with
clothing and eatablcs for the long 'leap
in the dark"
The journey then from the Eastern
to the Western continent, was an under.
taking OF vast proportions, but now,
wben steam ship can plow her way
| thrnuoh IN al yhh or ton Il, :.