Could this song have originated on the Delaware & Hudson Canal that runs from the coal fields of PA to Kingston NY? The boats from both canals often rafted together down the Hudson River to NYC. I’m not familiar with the song, but I can imagine canalers were like many other occupations where songs from one place were frequently adopted elsewhere.
Rachel Bliven
6/20/03 7:51 AM, Dave Ruch at [log in to unmask]
This is very interesting, as the song has long been associated with the Erie Canal. It has appeared in numerous compilations of Erie Canal song and verse. Hmmm.......I wonder how I can find out more.
----- Original Message -----
From: James Corsaro <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 3:07 PM
Subject: Re: Yewdall's Mill
I think the Yewdall's Mill you are speaking about is in Pennsylvania. There was a Yewdall's Mill in Philadelphia in the 19th century and there was and is still a Phoenixville, PA near Reading, PA today. There is a Fairmount Park in Philadelphia and a couple of Fairmount towns in PA. as well.
Jim Corsaro
----- Original Message -----
From: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 12:58 PM
Subject: Yewdall's Mill
A resident of my town has asked me if Yewdall's Mill, featured in the folk song, "The Girl From Yewdall's Mill," was real or fictitious. The canal song also mentions Fairmount and Phoenixville and Ginea Hill. French's Gazetteer lists Fairmount as a canal stop in the town of Camillus in Onondaga County. Phoenixville may be Phoenix in the town of Schroeppel in Oswego County. Neither French's nor Spafford's refer to Yewdall's Mill.
Does anyone have any knowledge of this place?
Mary Jo Lanphear
Town of Brighton Historian