Booth at Canandaigua Lake-NY

[HerbS]

Today,I was at a senior-citizen lunch,when a lady reinforced her family legend of Booth.Booth was at her uncle's cottage in 1865 on Canandaigua lake.She showed me the quil-feathered pen that Booth used to write with.Can this be proved-No.But,I traced John Surratt to a letter[hand writting experts] that he wrote to Lincoln,warning him about being assassinated.Postmarked-Dansville,NY[20 miles from Canandaigua]-sender unknown.So,who knows!*****Today,a Civil War historian confirmed,that JWBooth and his brother were both in Canandaigua,NY.*****

[BettyO]

She showed me the quill-feathered pen that Booth used to write with.

By the mid 19th Century (1865 in particular) most folk wrote with either pen and ink (a wooden handled or metal handled) stylus - or they wrote with pencil. They MAY have still used quills in the backwoods or in the army - but I really don't think so....

Any suggestions?

[HerbS]

Thanks-BettyO-Canandaigua Lake was the"backwoods" then! The lake is part of the Finger Lakes Region of New York State.Even today in Ontario County,1 of 8 can't read[literacy volunteers statistics].However,Ontario County's Office of the Aging is ranked the best in New York State.This region still has dirt roads and a high poverty level.This area has great wine,grapes,corn,and vegtables etc.Small towns and nature areas.Realestate on the lakes is very high priced due to the Rochester economy!They still have dirt roads in this region.They have the highest car-deer accident in the state.Western New York[central-northern,upstate NY] is unlike any other part of the state.Just ask Governor Cumo about-Buffalo's snow and potential floods.Or better yet, check out the weather forecasters who missed the forecast and damage in the Buffalo area!

[L Verge]

I thought the Canandaigua area was being kept rural and picturesque because of its natural draw as an artists' colony - left over from its heyday of the 19th century.

I'm with Betty on being a doubting Thomas about the use of a quill pen by JWB. I suspect he carried a pencil with him all the time in order to book engagements, etc. I don't doubt his being in that area, however, since there was a strong Copperhead group in that region of Western New York. Where does JWB Day by Day place Booth in the first quarter of 1865? Anywhere close to Canandaigua? Also, what's the date of the Dansville envelope? Does it coincide with one of Surratt's ventures into the area and/or Canada?

[HerbS]

Who knows about the Canandaigua area today and it's realestate growth-$400.000 for a basic cottage!The date of the Dansville letter is-3-28-1865.The area was full of Copperheads and I feel it does coincide with Surratt's ventures!