PA Photos and Documents

John Townsend kept this diary during a trip on horseback from his home in Goshen, Chester County, Pennsylvania, to North Carolina and back home in February through early April 1752. He was accompanied by Thomas Douglas and Anoch (Enoch) Eachus on the way to North Carolina, but only Eachus returned with Townsend to Pennsylvania. Douglas had land in North Carolina and, according to the diary, was headed to Charlestown when Townsend and Eachus started their return to Pennsylvania. Towsend’s recordings include detailed notes about the route, challenges of traversing rivers and other waterways, lodging and its expense, care of the horses, the landscape and types of trees, and the weather. He also describes individuals and groups of townspeople encountered, particularly one location where Townsend was concerned about disease in the community. Some commentary in the journal has a spiritual tone. Townsend took this journey before his marriage in June 1755 at Goshen Monthly Meeting to Deborah Jones (1721-1805). They had three children: twins John and James, born in 1756 and daughter Rebecca, born in June 1758. John Townsend died April 7, 1759. Additional information in the volume includes the names and birth dates of family members, notes on purchases made, and accounts of hours worked by various people. The portion of the diary describing the journey to North Carolina was published in Chester County History, Spring 1976, Volume 1, no. 2.