A Journey to Ohio in 1810, as Recorded in the Journal of Margaret Van Horn Dwight

In this intimate diary, a young New England woman sets out on a rugged wagon journey to the frontier of Ohio in 1810. Her entries capture the bittersweet farewells to beloved friends and family, the quiet moments of reflection, and the everyday challenges of travel along early‑American roads. Through her eyes we glimpse the customs of hospitality, the modest comforts of inns, and the stark contrast between the familiar New Haven world she leaves behind and the untamed wilderness ahead.

Beyond the travelogue, the journal offers a vivid portrait of a determined, thoughtful young woman shaped by a lineage of scholars and clergy. Her observations on the people she meets, the landscapes she crosses, and the emotions stirred by distance create a rich tapestry of early‑19th‑century life. Listeners are invited to share her hopes, anxieties, and quiet joys as she moves toward a new chapter in a rapidly expanding nation.