The Journal of H.K. Averill, Sr.

Edited By Keith Herkalo

One of the many fascinating facets of the Battle of Plattsburgh is the story of the volunteer rifle company made up of boys too young to enlist for military service. They formed "Aikin's Volunteers", were cited for their usefulness by General Macomb, and each awarded a commemorative rifle by the U.S.Congress in 1829. In tracing the family of one such volunteer, Henry Ketchum Averill, I discovered that the family was still in possession of the commemorative rifle and also an unpublished journal written by Averill, the nephew of Betsey DeLord.

The journal's first dozen pages detail Averill's recollections of the volunteer rifle company's exploits during the Plattsburgh battle, from September 3rd to September the 12th when the group disbanded; the remainder is a wonderful account of the life of a young, single attorney in the Plattsburgh area during the years 1818 - 1821. He writes of life in Peru and Plattsburgh, picnics with friends, dinners and parties at "Aunt Betsey's", and meeting the eligible ladies of the Plattsburgh area:

"Tuesday evening I called to see Aunt Betsey Delord where I found the accomplished Miss Matilda Moore & Major Cutler --- I had not been there long before Miss Hoyle came in and shortly after Mrs. Crane with Leut. Russell & Lindsey. We spent a very pleasant & agreeable evening, with the assistance of cards & chess, as usual -- It is to be wished that the practice of card playing, at parties, could be dispensed with; but I believe it is not possible, or at least it would be very difficult to effect a total banishment of cards on those occasions -- The talent at conversation in Plattsburgh is not very great, must be acknowledged, especially among the fair sex, consequently recourse must be had to some other kind of amusement, and perhaps card playing is as inoffensive as any that could be adopted--" This important piece of early 19th Century history is now available for sale. Board Member Keith Herkalo has received the permission of Averill's family to publish the journal for the Battle of Plattsburgh Association; all proceeds benefit the Association.

Softcover Price: $9.95
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