+ + Spec. 95: 1038. D. 16, ’05. 1290w.
Fordham, Elias Pym. Personal narrative of travels in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky; and of a residence in Illinois territory, 1817–1818; ed. with notes, introd. and index by Frederick Austin Ogg. *$3. Clark, A. H.
This manuscript, hitherto unpublished was written anonymously in 1817–18 by a young Englishman who assisted Morris Birkbeck in establishing his Illinois settlement. The journeys are “rich in personalia of early settlers, remarks on contemporary history and politics, state of trade, agriculture, prices, and information on local history not obtainable elsewhere ... and make accessible to historical students much new and important material.”
“It might be added that Mr. Ogg’s prefatory description of the westward movement during this period, showing the economic condition of both Old and New World under which Fordham made his tour and his observations, is as interesting as anything Fordham wrote.” Edwin E. Sparks.
+ + Am. Hist. R. 12: 150. O. ’06. 4420w.
Reviewed by Theodore Clarke Smith.
Atlan. 98: 703. N. ’06. 60w. + + Nation. 82: 510. Je. 21, ’06. 200w. N. Y. Times. 11: 357. Je. 2, ’06. 140w.
“It is a most enjoyable narrative, and of real historical importance.”
+ + Putnam’s. 1: 254. N. ’06. 100w.