p7 1817 Journal Thomas Dean

It is dimcult to believe that this modern Jason, toiling through the forests of Indiana with a heavy pack, swim- ming rivers to get his boat over rapids, sleeping on beds of wet brush and leaves in forests, sometimes without food, and living like an Indian, had left behind him, at Deans- boro, N.Y., a large, beautiful home, situated in the charm- ing Oriskany Valley. He had left a wife and live children. He was owner of large farming interests, and was the chief man of affairs in that part of the county. Besides being engrossed in the management of Indian affairs, he served as postmaster, justice of the peace, etc.; was called fre- quently to act on arbitration boards; was on numerous boards of trustees, including trustee of Hamilton College; trustee, president, and linally sole owner of the Friends Cotton and Woolen Manufactory. Deanshoro was named after him.

From his journal, under date of August 29, it will be seen that while in an old shelter, made by the Indians for hunting an the bank of the Wabash, he realized the serious hazards that he was running in making this journey. He says:

"This morning I awoke at about 2 o'clock and put out the ire, laid down again, went to sleep. I had a remarkable dream, which agitated me very much. It brought me to the situation of my family, and the state of my affairs in which I had left them; the imprudence of leaving home on such a journey without first settling all of my affairs; that they I would lose greatly in case of my never returning to them again. The contents of my dream agitated me so much that I could not eat much breakfast."