Charlie Stehlin

This book has been one of the most interesting pieces of literature in my vast collection of early New York history. It is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the early history of this state from the late 1700s to early 1800s. This man Beardsley was individual to say the least. He is right along there with De Witt Clinton, especially regards the latter's 1810 journal. He describes scenes, or first hand accounts, of moments in his life way back in them rural days. He kept his youthful spirit very much alive through reflection of his days gone by which he describes so eloquently in this book. New York was, in the main, still heavily forested when Levi roamed this state to hunt and to just get from one place to another either by foot or horse power back in them olden times. He said: "It is no marvel to me, that the red man sighs for forest life, where without restraints, imposed by laws and customs of civilized society, he roams free as the air he breathes. To the man of reflection, who feels responsible to a higher power, and looks upon objects around him as evidence of the existence of that great and good being, who created, regulates, and sustains all things, I can conceive of no place or circumstance so well calculated to impress the sensitive mind with awe and veneration, as the deep seclusion of the forest." This book is chock full of things that just delight my boyish spirit! He talks of going to the woods very often... "when a mere boy, have I repaired to a secluded spot, where there was a clump of pine trees, and sat under them for hours together, listening to the sighing of the winds in the topmost branches." He describes social scenes and customs of those bygone days, of female visits to neighbors..."They would come on foot three miles, and remain as late as they could, and reach home in time to milk the cows at night." They walked in the dark "through swamps and dangerous places." Women mind you! Beardsley describes the game seen (and which he hunted) and heard in the early 1800s...martens, otter, deer, fox, black squirrels..."the hooting and screaming of owls." He goes on about the superstitious beliefs held by many in them days, of dreams and supernatural appearances. His old stomping grounds were the woods and hills of Otsego County near Cooperstown which he explored vastly. He talks of sitting atop a high point in that vicinity and seeing the Rensselaer hills or Vermont's Green Mountains way in the east. He talks of the Indian trails he used to traverse when New York state was still a wilderness, and on and on the man goes to preserve very precious moments in an era never to be experienced again, except through journals and literature such as this perchance we are so fortunate to happen upon them. This book is chock full of moments like above, and more. If it were put to me that I must forfeit all but two dozen of my vast heap of books relative to the history of New York, New England, Vermont....this Beardsley book would be one of the lone survivors. What a fascinating read! And I thought I knew it all!