Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Monday, July 4, 1774

Went to see them reap Wheat. The greatest slovens I ever saw, believe that one fourth part is left on the Field uncut. Some of them mow it with sticks fixed on the scythe in parallel lines to lay the grain straight. This makes worse havoc than the reapers. The grain is but indifferent and their crop very light, seldom that they get seven bushels from an acre, but they put it into the ground in such a slovenly manner without any manure, it is a wonder that they get any.

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, p. 25

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Tuesday, July 12, 1774

Viewing the Town, which is laid off in squares of an acre each, streets 80 feet wide, several good brick buildings, and when it is completed according to the plan, will be a beautiful and regular town. Their chief trade is Wheat, Flour and Tobacco. Mr. Kirk tells me they exported 100,000 bushels of Wheat and 14,000 barrels of Flour from this Port, the last year. Here is as good Wheat as I ever saw, brought to this market from the back country. I am told the land is very good about eighty miles to the Westward of Thiston. I have told Mr. Kirk of my scheme, he approves of it, and advises me to take a tour into the back country as soon as I am able to travel on horseback. Promises to give me every assistance that lies in his power. In the afternoon introduced me to Capt. William Buddecombe, a Gentleman from Liverpool, and several other gentlemen in town. Am very glad to find him so well esteemed amongst the people.

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, p. 27

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