-June 21st 1815

Today was a rough day; it started out rough, and ended rough. Although I, Payne Bluff, am

now calmly sitting in a dark bunk bed writing in my journal, I recall the day’s events, and remember 

that they did not start off this calmly. I was busy until late last night, helping my Lord with his 

manor. For that reason I struggled to get up at dawn to prepare for the voyage ahead of me. With few 

hours of sleep in me, I swiftly ate a breakfast of dried peaches and bread, threw together a sack of 

some clothes and belongings, and grabbed enough food to last for the two month’s journey. I miss my 

hometown of London deeply, my family has been there for generations. In contrast, I do not miss the 

hardships of my life. Feeding my Lord’s animals, tending the gardens and fields, grinding wheat - 

these were all aspects of my life that I no longer must deal with. My greatest memories of Britain 

swept over me, and my train of thought suddenly shattered by a loud horn ringing out above. 

Immediately following that, the largest, though not the most beautiful vessel I have seen, approached 

the nearby dock. 

-June 22nd 1815

The steerage of this boat is filled with people, and is barely satisfactory for the transportation 

of wild animals, yet I muse cope with this as my living quarters for two months. Last night’s sleep 

was close to that of the previous night – short and minimally rejuvenating. At first, I didn’t think my 

bunk was too bad, until a stiff straw of hay poked through the blanket and stole the sleep away from 

me. Throughout the whole night I could hear murmurs and snoring, and folks stumbling awkwardly to 

the bathroom (which happened to be an old bucket in the corner). After little hours of sleep, I woke up 

to the creaking of the 2 wooden bunks above me, and a furry little critter scurrying around under the 

patched wool blanket I brought from home. That blanket reminded me of my poor little house, which 

still exceeded the steerage’s living environment by far. As I sat upright, threw the rat out of my bed, 

and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, I gazed out over the disorder mob of strangers slowly preparing 

for the long day ahead. The thought of my home and family washed over me, and I asked myself a 

question, why did I do this?

-August 24th 1815

Well, it looks like my two months of travel are over, and I am now ready to start a new life! 

As much as I miss my family and my hometown of London, I cannot let that burden my work ethic for 

creating a new, better life for myself. Earlier today, I went up to the ship’s deck to observe Canada on 

both sides of the St. Lawrence River. I much preferred the cool breeze and fresh air, so I remained on 

the deck, watching with great intent, as the dock of York slowly approached us. My supplies from 

home have been dwindling over the last couple of days, and earlier this afternoon I received my 160 

acres of land, just outside the town of Dundas. I have not gone there yet, but that is my destination. I 

have started a new life, and along with it, new land to be passed through the generations. Soon I shall 

plant the seeds I brought and I’ll start farming cattle. I cannot wait to earn enough money to bring 

over the rest of the family. Life was hard in Steerage, but the future looks optimistic; so far Upper 

Canada has been all I have dreamt it would be.