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 Friday, March 6, 2009

August 5, 1840: Lake Seneca

Roused at 1:00 both my sister and self by the departure of stages - but ours did not leave till three o'clock -

A chilly morning and in passing the lofty hills to the head of Lake Seneca where we are bound found the necessity of always having an overcoat in traveling - the distance is 25 miles thro a wild country and back roads - to the Seneca Lake where we once more embarked on the placid waters - the scenery on the banks very similar to the Cayuga - width from 1 to 2 miles and about 40 -

At three o'clock came again in sight of the peacefull village and hanging gardens of Geneva.

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