Time was drawing near to the finishing of the good ship Eliza Caroline.
The hammers could be heard from early dawn till dark. Seams were being
calked, there was painting and oiling going on from day to day. Many
were gathering from near and far to watch the process of launching the
ship. The little village was bustling with people. Every home was full,
for friends had come to stay a week. My parents told me afterwards the
launching was a grand success. The sails and all ropes and rigging had
come from Buffalo, N. Y. The trial trip was to Mackinac Island and
return and nearly all the people in the little town took passage.
The time had come for partings and sad farewells of old neighbors, for
now nearly all must scatter to other parts. My father was sent for from
Manistique. A Mr. Frankle had settled there and put in a mill. He was an
old friend of my father's, coming from Chegrin Falls, Ohio. Offering
good pay, father concluded to accept, and we prepared to move at once.
The schooner Nancy, also owned by the Newton Brothers, was to take us to
our destination.