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 Saturday, March 7, 2009

August 6, 1840: The Beauty of Canandaighua

Spent the afternoon visiting wee lady of my sister's aquaintance at Canandaighua where we arrived by stage in a few hours from Geneva - much admired the beautifull house and gardens of a Scotch gentlemen Mr. Gregg -

This village of Geneva are the prettiest places I have yet seen this side of the Atlantic - they appear to be the residences mostly of persons of retired circumstances living comfortably and in some elegance.

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