Journal of Lieutenant William Feltman, September 21, 1781

This being a very cold day, bought our corn for three pounds, Virginian money.

SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 14

Journal of Captain John Montresor, Sunday, August 25, 1777

This day August 25th 1777 landed at head of Elk. This morning at past 9 the Van of the Fleet, came to an anchor opposite Cecil Court house and Elk Ferry and in half an hour after the Flat Bottomed Boats made good their landing at the Ferry House called Elk Ferry in the Province of Maryland, the rebels consisting only of 4 Companies militia under a Colonel Rumsey fled without firing a shot. The troops hutted with Rails and Indian Corn Stocks, no Baggage or Camp Equipage admitted. Came on about 10 this night a heavy storm of Rain, Lightning and Thunder. The wind being Southerly brought up the Fleet a short time after the landing. The Army Surprisingly healthy after so long a voyage and in such a climate-the return of the sick are about Four to each Battalion, very little fresh stock collected, and imperfect accounts of the situation of the Enemy. Inhabitants in numbers and well dressed at Cecil Court House Point. Troops landed with sixty Rounds per man.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 442

Journal of Captain John Montresor, August 28, 1777

The Army moved between 3 and 4 this morning. The weather extremely fine which dried the roads, which would have been otherwise impassible, the medium 12 Pounders proved to be most difficult to pass through the Sloughs. Two houses got on Fire after quitting the Quarters but appeared to me to have been done on purpose. About 9 o'clock this morning our Army arrived at the Town of Elk consisting of about 40 well built brick and stone houses, our march hither about 7 miles. Very few shots exchanged this day with the Enemy. One thousand men under a Colonel Paterson and the Philadelphia Light Horse fled from this Town on our approach, part to Gray's hill 24 miles beyond the Town, which the rebels likewise quitted, as we reached the summit we could observe them but not within Cannon shot. Several of our men very irregular in pursuit of fresh provisions, so as to fall in the Enemy's hands. The rebels broke up the bridge at the End of the Town which we soon repaired, in the mean time great part of the Army forded the Creek in about 3 feet water on a gravelly bottom. We took three or four prisoners. Part of the small craft with provisions, camp equipage, baggage and Stores reached the head of Elk this evening from the Fleet at Elk Ferry. Very heavy dews fell after sunset. The Roads upon the whole this day may be said to be good. 23 of our Troops, 3 of which Hessians missing, supposed to be taken by the Enemy plundering. The rebels were so precipitate this day as to leave some of their Store houses full, consisting of molasses, Indian Corn, Tobacco, Pitch, Tar and some Cordage and Flour. The Cattle was drove off excepting a few. Found fifteen of the rebel sloops and Schooners at Elk.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 443

Journal of Captain John Montresor, August 29, 1777

Weather delightful and cool especially the mornings and evenings which are now rather cold. The Chasseurs pushed a body of the rebel Infantry at daylight this morning. Several of the Small craft arrived at the Lower landing with provisions &c. This country abounding in Forage, Pasture and vegetables, but the Inhabitants flown. Large quantities of apples green and Indian Corn which are in moderation great refreshments to the Soldiery. This night Lt.-Gen. Kniphuysen with the Troops left at Elk Ferry, crossed the Elk and encamped at Cecil Court house. 13 of our men deserted from us, or taken by the Enemy when marauding. A man came in from Philadelphia, that passed through the Rebel country who assured us that they are posted at Brandywine with a considerable body at White Clay Creek. About four hundred men advanced to Iron hill about five and a half miles from hence.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 444

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Saturday, May 28, 1774

The Land here is level, sandy and barren in general, except where it is mixed with Oyster shells which renders it very fertile. Agriculture is in a very poor state. In short, they know very little about farming. Tobacco and Indian corn is all they make and some little wheat. All done by Negroes. The Tobacco is all worked with Hoes, the Indian corn with Ploughs, but of a bad sort and without a Colter. The furrow they make is not more than two inches deep and does little more than kill the weeds. Land sells upon an average here, at about three Dollars pr. acre. (Thirteen shillings and Sixpence Sterling.)

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, p. 18