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Travel Diary of
Samuel Hastings Stackhouse, 1811

Accompany Samuel Stackhouse as he travels overland over 1300 miles
from Pennsylvania to Nashville, Tennessee, then down the Natchez Trace
through Choctaw Territory to his destination in the Natchez Territory.

The following information appears on Early SW Mississippi Territory with the permission of Carolyn F. Castor, 4th Great Grandaughter of Samuel Hastings Stackhouse, and family.  The document is copyright, and may be downloaded for personal use only.  No part of the document may be otherwise reproduced without prior written consent of Carolyn F. Castor.

Introduction

The Route

Read the Diary



Introduction
by Carolyn F. Castor

Samuel Hastings Stackhouse was born 9 Oct 1779 in Bucks Co., PA.  He was the son of Hastings and Margaret (Robins) Stackhouse of Philadelphia and New York. The Stackhouse family was originally Quaker and was a part of the great migration of William Penn. Hastings was a Loyalist during the American Revolution and, due to his war activities, was forced to leave Philadelphia for New York.

Little is known about the early years of Samuel's life.  In one passage of the diary Samuel refers to "my part of England." Perhaps he received an education in England.  The diary also indicates that he traveled to Natchez at the request of a British company.  However, family records do confirm that Samuel lived with his family in Savannah, GA, where he met and married Mary Hills, daughter of Captain Ebenezer and Hannah (Porter) Hills of Boston, MA, and later Savannah.  Samuel and Mary had three children: Mary Hills, Samuel, and Hastings William.

It is interesting to note that during the early 1830's there was a migration of Stackhouses to Hinds County (now Copiah Co.), Mississippi.  Cousin William arrived first, immigrating with his wife, Sarah (Moody) from the Pee Dee River area of South Carolina. Hastings, Samuel's son, soon followed and married William's daughter, Caroline. Hastings and William were both plantation owners in the county.

According to a family Bible entry, Samuel died in New York in his 40's. His place of burial is unknown at this time.  Samuel's wife and daughter followed Hastings to Mississippi and are buried in the Old Crystal Springs Cemetery with many other members of the Stackhouse family.

Also mentioned in the diary are Uncle Amos Stackhouse and his wife, who are the ancestors of President George Bush.

The diary of Samuel Hastings Stackhouse was written in 1811 during a business trip.  Unfortunately, the diary was damaged years ago when lent to family members. The opening and closing pages were partially destroyed and are difficult to read.  These pages are transcribed with ****'s indicating missing portions. The diary was transcribed 20 years ago by my Grandaunt Janet Block, the wife of Keith Stackhouse Block. Uncle Keith is the owner of the diary.  The bracketed information is my own addition after studying the transcript with a map and a book about the Natchez Trace.

Many thanks to Aunt Janet for all her hard work and to Uncle Keith for allowing this diary to be enjoyed by many.


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The Route
PA
Lancaster, Lancaster Co.
Elizabethtown, Lancaster Co.
Middleton, Dauphin Co.
Harrisburg, Dauphin Co.
Carlisle, Cumberland Co.
Chambersburgh, Franklin Co.
Somerset, Somerset Co.
Greensburg, Westmoreland Co.
Braddock, Allegheny Co.
Pittsburg, Allegheny Co.
Washington, Washington Co.

VA (Now WV)
Wheeling, Ohio Co.

OH
Little Washington, Richland Co.
Zanesville, Muskingum Co.
Springfield, Clark Co.
Chillicothe, Ross Co.
Lebanon, Warren Co.
Hamilton, Butler Co.
Reading, Hamilton Co.
Cincinnati, Hamilton Co.

KY
Gaines (Historic?)
Georgetown, Scott Co.
Lexington, Fayette Co.
Nicholasville, Jessamine Co.
Danville, Boyle Co.

TN
Nashville, Davidson Co.
Franklin (Historic?)
Keg Spring
Grinders Stand

AL
Colberts Ferry
Bear Creek
Buzzard Roost Spring

MS
Old Facters Stand
Pigeon Roost
French Camp
Nortons Public Stand
Wards Stand
Grindstone
Bayou Pierre
Gibsonport

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