Travel Log

December 12, 1819

 

There's a sniff of snow in the air…candles twinkling from nearby homesteads…and the sounds of kiddies giggling with anticipation. This can only mean one thing…that Christmas season is here! I'm hunkering down with my cousin Isaac, his wife, Virginia, and their two children, Abraham and Cora through the winter months until I get my factory up and profitable.

 

Today we ventured into the nearby woods and chopped down the perfect Christmas tree--a fine looking fir, about 5 feet tall, with lush branches for hanging ornaments. Issac and I secured it into a stand, and we all adorned it with homemade baubles crafted by Abraham and Cora's hands: garland made of popcorn and cranberries, shiny tin ornaments, and paper cones and fans. But no candles--we all agreed that would be too risky, especially with Abraham and Cora's rascally kitten running about!

 

With the hearth crackling and family gathered about, the tree sure creates a festive atmosphere in this Bromwell home. Hard to believe that in less than two weeks, Kris Kringle will be making his rounds.

 

If you need popcorn for your own tree, or just to munch on, my Original Popcorn Popper will do the trick nicely! It works over a stovetop or fireplace, and you can check it out here.

November 21, 1819

 

Butternut squash mash...cornbread dressing...pumpkin pie...and a succulent bird wrapped around apple and chestnut stuffing topped with gravy. Swell food is always a pleasure to be thankful for, and I sure am more than ready to tuck into my cousin's wife's feast tomorrow with family and friends!

 

But more importantly, I'm also grateful for finally completing the amazing journey to my chosen city of Cincinnati that started in spring of this year. I've traveled by foot, by horseback and by flatboat to realize my dream...my dream of founding a company that will produce American-made wares to make home life a little easier and more comfortable for citizens of this fine country for many years to come.

 

Now comes the hard part...scoping out a suitable location for a factory in town and hiring folks to work the wire looms. But first things first--tomorrow is Thanksgiving!

 

Editors's Note: We at Jacob Bromwell would like to wish all of our customers, followers and friends a very happy Thanksgiving. Here's hoping you all have much to be thankful for this year!

 

October 1, 1819

 

Land ho! Today as the boat drifted down the Ohio, away from the grassy fields and leaf blanketed forests, we suddenly got a fizzing glimpse up ahead of a bustling weave of people, dirt streets, buildings and carriages. Could it be after four weeks on the waterway we've finally reached The Queen City of the West?

 

First order of business is finding a boardinghouse with a stable for Pioneer until I can secure some land of my own. The second will be scouting the city streets for a suitable site for my factory. I've already named it. It will be called the The Bromwell Brush & Wire Goods Company. Catchy, no? And when there's enough supplies to be sold, I plan on peddling the wares up and down along the river to the folks who live along there.

 

I wished my traveling companions fair thee well and I've told Benjamin and Stogie to look for the goods company so we can trade bourbon and riddles soon. Right now, I'm looking as thin as Job's turkey, so it's time for some grub!