Author	Cashin, Joan E
Title	A family venture : men and women on the southern frontier / Joan E. Cashin
Pub Info	New York : Oxford University Press, 1991

posted by Lloyd at 9:57 AM

Oliver G. Steele, Steele's Western Guidebook and Emigrant's Directory, Containing Different Routes through the States of New-York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. (4th ed., Buffalo: Published by Oliver G. Steele, 1836).


The discussion of Ohio (pp. 47-48) contains a generic discussion of work opportunities, the advantages of purchasing a semi-improved property, and the need for artisans that the author applies to all states in the guide.

The description of Indiana (pp. 67-76) says (76) that "no part of the western country possesses greater advantages for the emigrant than Indiana."

(p. 90) quoting Peck's guide for emigrants, the book lays out the expenses for improvements for a typical farm, to wit:

160 acres prairie @1.25 = 200
Fencing 4 fields 40 acres, Va fencing 8 rails high = $160
Breaking ground first time, with plough, @ $2/ac = $320
Cabins, stables, corn cribs, etc $200
80 acres timber land 80 acres prairie $ 200
Total: $1080
posted by Lloyd at 2:02 PM