I remember a big letter came to father and was told later it was from
Cousin Mitchell, telling father if he was doing well to remain where he
was for the present. And on the return of the little schooner which took
the people to Green Bay father received a large barrel of presents for
all our family from Cousin Mitchell and his wife. Dress and shoes for
mother, pretty little red top boots for all our boys, with little blue
jackets and caps for them and many other things which brought joy to
their hearts to be remembered by those so far away. Our boys were great
favorites with the Mitchells and used to be with them so much at
Mackinac Island. My father also had an uncle living in Green Bay,
Daniel Whitney, among the first white settlers of the place. His
descendants are still living there. Cousin William Mitchell lived there
many years. Before passing from this life he was head keeper of
Tailpoint Light House, twenty-two years at Green Bay.
I remember one very nice neighbor we had at this time. Slocomb was his
name. Mother dressed the boys up in their new clothes, sent to them from
Green Bay, and I was also dressed in my little red dress and shoes, then
we were all taken over to see Mrs. Slocomb and from there my brothers
took me over to see the vessel being built. I can remember how large it
looked, it seemed so high up over us. The ship was to be finished and
launched some time in September, then the Slocomb family were to move
away to Milwaukee to make their future home. They had only one son, a
boy about seven. When he reached the age of sixteen he was drowned at
Milwaukee, which was a sad blow to those fond parents.
While more people were coming as more help was needed to finish the
ship, all was busy bustle among the neighbors for there was to be a
great gathering to watch the launching of the ship. Soon another family
came, old friends of my mother's, a Mr. and Mrs. Courchane. The man had
come from Montreal, Canada, to Mackinac Island a few years before and
there met and married pretty Miss Abbie Williams. Aunt Abbie we children
always called her. Mother was so happy to have her friend with her. They
had three little girls. Mr. Courchane was a ship carpenter by trade and
came to help finish the vessel. They were very kind neighbors to us.
Their little girls' names were Lucy, Emmeline and Margarette. They lived
just a few steps from our house; we children were all very happy
together. My eldest brother Lewis was thirteen, the next, Anthony, or
Toney, was ten; the next, Charles, was seven. I remember their little
red top boots; I would put them on and walk about the floor, which
pleased them so much to see the little sister in her cute baby ways.