The Ohio River valley has some of the most fertile soil in the world. People said that the dirt was so rich that you could plant a bare stick and it would break out in leaves. Many pioneers moved out west because owning such land meant a better life. Today, this area is a part of the breadbasket of the world.
The Dewees family traveled from Philadelphia to Kentucky in 1787 to 1788. The first leg of their adventure was by wagon to Pittsburgh wherethey obtained a flatboat and continued down the Ohio River. In Mary Dewees' writing, she described some of their traveling adventures.
Often, children helped with chores. Such as cooking and cleaning up after meals and feeding and cleaning up after the animals. Other chores were new, such as acting as lookouts for snags and sandbars in the river and fishing off the boat. Even cats and dogs had important jobs to do. Cats caught rats, and a good watchdog could help hunt. Many children also found time to play along the banks.
