HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE EAST POINT BAPTIST CHURCH cellars dug for storage purposes. Traces of those old cellars can still be seen. They are close together, one on each side of the line dividing the farms and they tell a pathetic story of a homesick people longing for close companionship with their neighbors, building their rude log- cabins near together for mutual protection and social intercourse. In building their cabins their only tools were the axe, the saw, the pod- auger, the hammer and the pit-saw. Mills of any kind were unknown in that region until some years after. Accustomed to the harsh economic conditions of the old land, where rents were excessive and privileges few, those sturdy pioneers faced the hardships of their new situation with courage and hope. During the summer they cut down the trees and burned them on the land. The following spring they planted the seed, using the hoe to cover it. In the autumn they cut down the gram with the reaping-hook and threshed it with a wooden flail. The process of preparing it for food was equally primitive. After the grain was winnowed, it was dried in the sun or over the big fireplace, and then poured into a hollow stone prepared for the purpose and crushed by using a stone hammer rounded at one end. Sev¬ eral years later a grist-mill was built at North River , now Bothwell, driven by water power. This mill was almost entirely constructed by Alex¬ ander McVane and served the public for two generations. The new settlers discovered, in their new home, many compensa¬ tions for their isolated and lonely life. Their firewood was abundant rnd entirely free. Game was plentiful and without restriction. They c'scovered that the glowing tales told them in the old land by over- enthusiastic land agents were not entirely fictitious. They were assured that in the new country beyond the sea, fire and soap, and sugar could be produced from the same tree. This apparently impossible tale was found to be true in the case of the sugar maple. The agents also assured them that game was free, and so abundant at certain seasons, that they rould have partridge for breakfast, wild-goose for dinner and duck for supper, or if they preferred greater variety, they could have stewed rab¬ bit or bear-steak. As for fish, they were so plentiful during the fishing season that they could back a cart into any river or lake and fill it up with a scoop net. Although these glowing descriptions were never fully realized, the new settlers discovered that the virgin soil was productive beyond their dreams, and that they could enjoy hunting game, or fishing in the rivers and streams without having to give an account to squire or landlord. 14