Welcome to Henry's Travel Blog!
Although he kept detailed business papers, Missouri Botanical Garden founder Henry Shaw left little personal material for biographers to consider in analyzing his life. One of the few items which remain is a series of five journals. Following his retirement from the hardware business in 1840, Shaw traveled abroad and made notes, recollections, and even sketches in these small bound books. Join us as we chart Henry's journey to Europe and beyond.
 
Shaw's variable spellings, punctuation, and grammar, preserved throughout, are typical even for well-educated gentlemen in the 19th Century. Important note (4/14/09): The entries from March 11, 2009 through April 8, 2009, correspond to recently discovered text from Henry Shaw's journal. They will be posted online under the correct dates to preserve chronological accuracy.
 
   
   

Posted Online Wednesday, March 4, 2009

August 3, 1840: Geneva on Lake Seneca

Took an excursion with my dear little sister Caroline - leaving Rochester in the Eastern Stage and with agreeable company we passed thro Pittsford and Canandaigua to Geneva on Lake Seneca - one of the lakes tho secondary in size - superior in beauty to the great northern lakes - remained here for the night -

In the evening joined the audience at the Presbn. Church and listened to a poetical composition by the author (Mr. Street) and an address of the college boys by a Reverend Mr. Henry of N. Yk - a man of good plain sense, but impolished in his manner and out of place as a literary speaker.

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