CHAPTER IX.

THE FIRST WOMAN’S RIGHTS CONVENTION.

In the spring of 1847 we moved to Seneca Falls.  Here we spent sixteen years of our married life, and here our other children—­two sons and two daughters—­were born.

Just as we were ready to leave Boston, Mr. and Mrs. Eaton and their two children arrived from Europe, and we decided to go together to Johnstown, Mr. Eaton being obliged to hurry to New York on business, and Mr. Stanton to remain still in Boston a few months.  At the last moment my nurse decided she could not leave her friends and go so far away.  Accordingly my sister and I started, by rail, with five children and seventeen trunks, for Albany, where we rested over night and part of the next day.  We had a very fatiguing journey, looking after so many trunks and children, for my sister’s children persisted in standing on the platform at every opportunity, and the younger ones would follow their example.  This kept us constantly on the watch.  We were thankful when safely landed once more in the old homestead in Johnstown, where we arrived at midnight.  As our beloved parents had received no warning of our coming, the whole household was aroused to dispose of us.  But now in safe harbor, ’mid familiar scenes and pleasant memories, our slumbers were indeed refreshing.  How rapidly one throws off all care and anxiety under the parental roof, and how at sea one feels, no matter what the age may be, when the loved ones are gone forever and the home of childhood is but a dream of the past.

After a few days of rest I started, alone, for my new home, quite happy with the responsibility of repairing a house and putting all things in order.  I was already acquainted with many of the people and the surroundings in Seneca Falls, as my sister, Mrs. Bayard, had lived there several years, and I had frequently made her long visits.  We had quite a magnetic circle of reformers, too, in central New York.  At Rochester were William Henry Channing, Frederick Douglass, the Anthonys, Posts, Hallowells, Stebbins,—­some grand old Quaker families at Farmington,—­the Sedgwicks, Mays, Mills, and Matilda Joslyn Gage at Syracuse; Gerrit Smith at Peterboro, and Beriah Green at Whitesboro.

The house we were to occupy had been closed for some years and needed many repairs, and the grounds, comprising five acres, were overgrown with weeds.  My father gave me a check and said, with a smile, “You believe in woman’s capacity to do and dare; now go ahead and put your place in order.”  After a minute survey of the premises and due consultation with one or two sons of Adam, I set the carpenters, painters, paper-hangers, and gardeners at work, built a new kitchen and woodhouse, and in one month took possession.  Having left my children with my mother, there were no impediments to a full display of my executive ability.  In the purchase of brick, timber, paint, etc., and in making bargains with workmen,