History of Saginaw county, Michigan; together with ... portraits ... and biographies ... History of Michigan ...

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

191

Cambridgeport, Mass., and remained all winter with my father
settling up his affairs. He was of a pious turn of mind, full of fun,
especially with children, and had seen lmuch of the world. My
little brothers and sisters became very much attached to him during the winter he lived with us. Many of the old settlers recollect
Capt. Hall. With your permission, I will read you a letter from
my father to Captain Hall, after he had returned East and taken
command of his vessel:
OLD SHIP.
"On Eden's garden yet we live,
Where Providence us plenty give;
I say, my children, silence all;
I'm going to write to Captain Hall.
" Last winter he was here, you know,
And in the summer off did go;
Don't you yet mind him, children all?
You used to play with Captain Hall.
" He was as busy as a bee,
And much we loved his company;
And from my children tears yet fall,
When thinking back of Captain Hall.
" He made our fires and sung his song,
He charmed the hearts of old and young;
The time seems long to us, one and all,
Since he's departed, Captain Hall.
" On Saginaw river he did stayA steam-mill ran there many a day;
And when he spent his money all,
We bid adieu to Captain Hall.
"And now he's left this wild country,
To sail again the stormy sea;
May Providence, who guides us all,
Make smooth the path of Captain Hall.
" Now, to your lady I'll resort:
May she live long in Cambridgeport;
And comfort take with children small,
And fold her arms round Captain Hall.
"By this time you will plain discover,
My letter's full and running over;
My children join me, one and all,
In sending love to Captain Hall.
"Soon after this my father removed to Portsmouth, and, with my
brother James, commenced the manufacture of lumber. This was
the second mill built on the Saginaw river. My father shipped the
first cargo of lumber that ever went out of the Saginaw river. It
would run 60 per cent uppers, and he sold it at Detroit to the late
James Busby, brother-in-law of the late James Fraser, for eight