Holcomb Diary
From Stephentown Genealogy: Roots & More
Introduction
Written by Tina Ordone
George Holcomb was a farmer, born on February 13, 1791 in Stephentown. He was the son of Beriah and Lucretia Pease Holcomb. George was a prolific writer, keeping a diary of many volumes, starting in 1805 and ending three months before his death on May 12, 1856. His diary is truly a history of Stephentown and it's residents. It vividly describes the way lives were led in those days, the hardships, the illnesses and the many deaths, including those in his own family.
For several years, The Eastwick Press has printed portions of George Holcomb's diary in each of it's weekly issues. They are small snippets, transcribed by Betty McClave and edited in summary text by Alex Brooks, editor of The Press. I started to subscribe to the Press when the diaries were already well into the 1820's, obviously having missed several years of George's youth. However, what I have, I am sharing here.
Please keep in mind, that even this transcription doesn't come close to what George himself wrote. The Press has edited the transcription by Mrs. McClave. We do have, a great sense, though, of life and the people who lived it during George Holcomb's lifetime. What a shame that someone didn't pick up where he left off and keep writing.
There are some comments in () and these comments are those of The Press. The installments are in chronological order, but not day by day, and at times skipping months.
Now, grab a cup of coffee, settle back and look for names of your ancestors. If they were in Stephentown, it is likely that George knew them and mentioned them in his diary.
Diary Excerpts
10 Jun 1805 Samuel Humphrey died
18 Jun 1805 Mildred Holcomb is 18 yrs old
3 Jul 1805 Betsy Spring had a s/.
18 Jul 1805 Abner Bull's wife died
25 Jul 1805 Grandfather Holcomb died, funeral next day
27 Jul 1805 William Sheldon died
30 Jul 1805 Sylvester Holcomb is 21 yrs old
8 Sep 1805 William Wylie died
13 Sep 1805 Martha Jones's child died
14 Sep 1805 Mr. Sanford's wife died & Grace Green had a baby
7 Oct 1805 Eleanor Holcomb is 17 yrs old
9 Nov 1805 William Holcomb is 12 yrs old
16 Nov 1805 Mrs. Non died
9 Dec 1805 Mrs. Jane Humphrey died
19 Jan 1806 Deacon Carr's 2nd wife died in the meetinghouse
22 Jan 1806 Philander Holcomb is 3 yrs old
14 Mar 1806 Eleazer Grant died
18 Mar 1806 Reuben Delano had a dau
3 Apr 1806 Caleb Chapman had a dau
6 Apr 1806 Eli Douglas' wife died
22 Apr 1806 Mr. Foley had a son born
2 Jun 1806 Lucretia Wylie is 26 yrs old
17 Jul 1806 Nancy _____ died
26 Jul 1806 Platt Gardner died
3 Aug 1806 Gardner died
28 Aug 1806 Lucretia Wylie moved to Boonville
28 Aug 1806 Simon Wylie had a s/born
11 Nov 1806 Dr. Jolls died
13 Nov 1806 Deborah Wylie had a dau
8 Jan 1807 Mr. Shepard had a s/born
22 Feb 1807 Beriah Holcomb is 8 yrs old
13 Mar 1807 Mr. Doty died
15 Mar 1807 Went to Mr. Younglove's funeral
11 Jul 1807 At night watched Capt. Dellanoes' corpse
15 Aug 1807 At night watched with Mr. Tory's baby to Mr. Friends
18 Aug 1807 At night watched with Mr. Tory's babies
13 Sep 1807 Mr. Judge John Tryon died
1 Feb 1808 Joseph Hills died (young son)
17 Mar 1808 Hannah Douglas died, funeral on 19th at Baptist Meeting House, Mr. Younglove preached
26 May 1808 Mrs. Niles died, funeral the next day at Baptist meeting house
__ May 1808 Lucretia Clark died
27 Jun 1808 J. Thompson had a s/born
21 Oct 1808 Betsey Clark died
31 Jan 1808 Mr. M. Jackson m/ Lucretia Gillett
11 Feb 1808 Mrs. Deborah Wylie m/ Reubin Morton
15 Feb 1808 Caleb Chapman m/ Betsy Nugeon
21 Feb 1808 Reuben Delanoes moved to Rome
22 Mar 1808 Sylvanus Carpenter lives in Delanoes house now
25 Mar 1808 B. F. Bull moved into Sylvanus Carpenter's house
21 May 1808 Mrs. Sprague was buried, funeral was at Hancock Meeting House
26 May 1808 Squire William Douglas Jr.'s son William died (a child)
12 Jun 1808 Wife of deceased Asa Douglas (Rebecka) died
27 Oct 1808 Caleb Chapman's son Zach had a son born
7 Nov 1809 Mr. Laner's wife died
4 Jan 1810 Eleasar Grant died
5 Jan 1810 John Borman's third wife died
7 Jun 1810 Ephraim Parses (?) wife died
17 Jul 1810 Reuben Chapman ran away because he had a child, said to him by Lovela Green, on the 5th of this month
24 Sep 1810 Mr. Ira Squire m/ Miss Lucy Frink
1 Nov 1810 Mr. Lyman Spring m/ Miss Nancy Frink
9 Nov 1810 William Holcomb is 17 yrs old
21 Nov 1810 John Wylie, Jr. had a son born today (Henry Platt Wylie)
3 Dec 1810 Caleb Goodrich m/ Miss Hannah Wylie
17 Dec 1810 Harry Doolittle m/ Miss Thankful Packing & Mr. Case m/ Miss Betsey Morrow
18 Dec 1810 Mr. Sanford's 2nd wife died
22 Feb 1811 Mr. Miller Jackson's son Frederick & a daughter both died within 1 hour
23 Feb 1811 Samuel Youdal's Mother died, an aged person
28 Feb 1811 Caleb Chapman moved to a few miles from Rome, NY
1 Mar 1811 Ezekiel Shelden died at 4 o'c. They had watchers for the corpse. Avra Jones was killed by a log he sawed that rolled on him.
3 Mar 1811 Ezekiel Shelden's funeral at Baptist meetinghouse, Elder Hull preached
25 Apr 1811 Reuben Andrews m/ Cleo Moffitt
22 May 1811 Rensselaer Main died, he now lived in Canaan, the funeral was the next day & was held at the Baptist meetinghouse in Stephentown, preached by Elder Northrop
13 Jun 1811 George Holcomb was 20
4 Jul 1811 Widow Goodrich died, mother of Elijah & Rier Goodrich, she died in a fit, an aged woman
6 Jul 1811 Nancy & Lyman Springs had a daughter
15 Jul 1811 Mr. Stanton had a daughter born
18 Jul 1811 Heard the son of Mr. Clothier was run over by a run away horse, and wagon. Went to Elijah Goodrich's to see the boy
20 Aug 1811 Mr. Perkins died by drinking cold water
25 Aug 1811 Mrs. Belinda Vars died, the dau of Uncle Michael Holcomb
26 Aug 1811 Mr. Von died, the father of David and Titus Von (probably Vaughn)
7 Dec 1811 Mr. Plumb, the goldsmith, died in Canaan
25 Dec 1811 Andrew Stevenson m/ Miss Lamphier
29 Dec 1811 Squire Wm. Douglas died, father of Benjamin & Em & Elie & others. Funeral attended at the Baptist meetinghouse with a concourse of people and a sermon delivered by Elder Hull, on the 31st.
16 Jan 1812 Mr. Amos Broad m/ Miss Elisabeth Egleston
18 Jan 1812 Wm. Dixon m/ Ascaneth Humphrey
26 Jan 1812 Went to Mr. Gates. His daughter, the widow Hubbard, hung herself on the 24th in her father's garrett. There was a concourse of people at the funeral.
11 Feb 1812 Mr. Conklin died (John H.)
29 Feb 1812 Mr. Wing was found dead, supposedly murdered by one Convis, both of Berkshire County
8 Mar 1812 Old widow Woodward died
13 Jun 1812 George Holcomb is 21 yrs old & he now works for father on shares
15 Jun 1812 Eunice Bennett died, consumption (Hancock)
14 Jul 1812 Col. Steward's wife died
18 Jul 1812 Henry Stanton's dau was buried, was 1 yr old
31 Jul 1812 Sylvester Holcomb is 28 yrs old
9 Jan 1814 Went to Lebanon meetinghouse to funeral of Mr. Patterson, went to the grave, it was a Masonic funeral
23 Jan 1814 Wm. Dixon family moved away and they left to go westward the next day
9 Feb 1814 Elijah Grant m/ Sally Moffitt
14 Feb 1814 Joshua Maxon's son died
2 Mar 1814 Harrison is brother-in-law to Isaac Newton
9 Mar 1814 Ira Squires moved westward
12 May 1814 Jane Russell m/ Thomas Carpenter
13 Jun 1814 Went to funeral of old Mr. Manson that died last night to the house of Isaac Newton. Funeral at Solomon Carpenters & Elder (Nicholas) Northrop preached
10 Jul 1814 Helped bury an infant child of Mr. Richard Campbell
21 Jul 1814 Watched with corpse of Richard Campbell's wife. She died about 2 this aft. Russell Andrews and Susan Humphrey watched with me
4 Aug 1814 Betsey (Camel) Douglas m/ Doc (Behah) Douglas
17 Aug 1814 Old Widow Dudley died
21 Sep 1814 Isaacas Rowley (Canaan) died
7 Dec 1814 Tisdale Baker died of a severe illness & George Holcomb helped bury him next day. The funeral adjourned on account of the priests not attending
28 Dec 1814 This morning at 45 min past 4 Cousin Samuel Holcomb died in Canaan to his father Squires. Today I walked to Nassau to inform his parents of his death
29 Dec 1814 Myself & part of Father's family went to Canaan to accompany up the deceased to my father's house. Before we started Mr. Clark, Doc of Divinity, made a prayer. Eight or ten connections accompanied & stayed at our house
30 Dec 1814 Funeral was attended with a concourse of people to father's house & a sermon preached by Elder Beaman (Baptist)
28 Jan 1815 Sylvester Carpenter m/ Susan Humphrey at the house of John Russell
5 Feb 1815 Grandmother Abigail Holcomb died, 94 yrs old, funeral on the 7th
27 Feb 1815 Mr. Hand died (gravestone says he died 1 Mar, age 30)
7 May 1815 Isaac Newton lived with Solomon Goodrich
16 May 1815 Dexter Brown lives in Solomon Carpenter's house
22 Jul 1815 Henry Hull m/ Louise Douglass
23 Jul 1815 Reuben Chapman m/ Nancy Gibson
4 Nov 1815 Rendered an account to Mr. Sammey that m/ Widow Conklin
20 Apr 1816 Today Mother Holcomb is 72 yrs old
21 May 1816 Britain Chase kicked by horse & died the next day
11 Jul 1816 Funeral of Daniel Maccaster in Hancock meetinghouse, Elder Leland preached
28 Jul 1816 Eli Hatch of New Canaan m/ Esther Haskell of Stephentown
8 Aug 1816 Elisha Bennett m/ Betsey Chapman by Elder Beman
13 Oct 1816 Mr. Phineas Lamb died in a fit
29 Oct 1816 Aunt Potter lived in Fort Edward
2 Nov 1816 Today Joseph Sheldon was buried, Elder Hill preached. I have not heard which day he died.
6 Nov 1816 Sylvester Holcomb married Betsey Hastings
16 Mar 1817 Funeral of Miss Patchin, age 9, at the home of Mr. Nathan Patchin
30 Mar 1817 Funeral of Harriet Hall at Presbyterian Lebanon, wife of Philander Hall
27 Apr 1817 Isaac Newton lives on Black River
2 Jul 1817 Roger Sweet's funeral at Baptist meetinghouse, he was 40
18 Jul 1817 Took his "nigger John" when changing works
3 Aug 1817 Went to funeral of Old Mr. (Tolman) Chase attended by a Quaker priest in the Baptist meetinghouse
9 Sep 1817 Sylvester Holcomb's oldest boy was born
23 Sep 1817 Old Mrs. Mary Russell died at 6 a.m., George Holcomb and 3 others watched with her that night. Funeral was the next day at Presbyterian meetinghouse (age 70)
1 Oct 1817 Funeral for Sally Graves, wife of Dr. Elijah Graves & dau of Hosey Moffitt. (26 yrs old)
5 Oct 1817 Wm. Chapman m/ Olive Bills
15 Oct 1817 Wife of Old Capt. Josiah Humphrey died
18 Oct 1817 Miss Russell Tanner died, funeral next day at Baptist meetinghouse
16 Nov 1817 Elder Bemans baptized Miss Patty Remmington
20 Dec 1817 Squire Powell Gardner died instantly in his chair. Funeral on the 22nd at Baptist meetinghouse
27 Dec 1817 Engaged Rev. Churchill to come & marry brother William Holcomb Miss Barnard
28 Dec 1817 Brother William Holcomb m/ Julia Barnard
19 Jan 1818 John Tyron died after a short illness. Funeral on 22nd, prayer at his home then a sermon at the meetinghouse. George Holcomb was a bearer to the grave. Bearers all invited back to the house for refreshments.
8 Mar 1818 Went to Uriah Goodrich's, his son is on the point of death. He was taken the 6th speechless, blind & deaf. I stayed until after 12 to behold the boy in all the agonies of death. He died about 2 hours later. Took Lydia & Lucinda to see the corpse. Funeral was on the 10th at his home, Elderly Saturlay preached.
27 Mar 1818 William Holbrook & I moved "part of his wife's furniture from her father's house to our house
28 Mar 1818 Ezekiel Main died (aged 27, son of Anna & Stephen)
22 Apr 1818 Funeral of Cousin Josiah Egleston's girl, about 2-1/2 yrs, she died with fits
2 May 1818 Funeral of Stephen Main's wife
2 Jun 1818 Funeral of Henry, s/cousin Jesse Egleston, about 6 yrs old, had the falling sickness fits. (epilepsy?) He died 31 May, Elder Beman preached
14 Aug 1818 Samuel Post died about 2 a.m., funeral the next day. Mr. Younglove the Presbyterian preached
28 Aug 1818 Funeral of Old Mr. Joseph Sanford. George Holcomb was a bearer, Elder Otis preached
29 Aug 1818 Dr. Elijah Graves m/ Miss Rachel Platt (his 2nd marriage)
30 Aug 1818 John Humphrey m/ Miss Miranda Bemon
24 Sep 1818 Funeral of Cousin Josiah Holcomb, Gregory preached. He died 22 morning
25 Sep 1818 William Holcomb was gone 16 days moving Sylvester Holcomb to Sullivan
5 Oct 1818 Sylvester Holcomb sold his farm & effects and returned to Stephentown. He claimed the country unhealthy but George Holcomb thinks he was homesick
13 Oct 1818 John Runnels, a Quaker, funeral
14 Oct 1818 Funeral of Old Mrs. Munroe, widow of Noah Munroe
30 Oct 1818 Clark moved into William Holcomb's house to go halves with him on blacksmithing
8 Jan 1819 Eli Townsend m/ Harriet Carpenter
17 Jan 1819 Robert Stanton m/ Betsey Stanton
21 Jan 1819 Ebenezer Flavel Booge m/ Sefrona Griggs
25 Feb 1819 Hiram Brown m/ Polly Chapman
10 Mar 1819 Lavinia Lord died, had only been taken 24 hours, lived next door to Bigelow's Tavern, funeral on the 12th at Presbyterian meetinghouse, Mr. Churchill preached
11 Mar 1819 Sylvester Holcomb had a daughter born today (2nd child)
12 Mar 1819 William Chapman had a son born today
15 Apr 1819 George Holcomb married Lucinda Wylie
15 May 1819 Brother William Holcomb's dau Lucretia born
16 May 1819 Mr. Gorton of Hancock was buried; Lansing Sheldon died at 6 o'c, s/deceased Capt. Wm. Sheldon
24 May 1819 Sister Newton & husband (Isaac) moved in Joseph Hills house near Capt. B. Sackett's. I put her on a bed (she is very ill) and drove slowly.
5 Jun 1819 Mr. Rose, in the north part of town, was killed instantly with the fall of a tree, funeral was the 6th, he was buried by the Masonic Order; Mr. Leach m/ (DeGrass) Pardee
13 Jun 1819 Doc Evert of New Lebanon buried a dau
20 Jun 1819 Deacon Doty had a daughter baptized at the Baptists
27 Jul 1819 Sylvester Holcomb moved to the westward
25 Aug 1819 James Rodgers hanged himself in his orchard. A jury of 24 said it was self murder. Funeral on the 26th. (He had been dead 24 hours when found)
20 Sep 1819 Joseph Cole's funeral. He was drowned in Samuel Udell mill pond fishing
21 Oct 1819 Dr. Dwight Wright m/ Polly Platt, he of New Lebanon & she of Stephentown
11 Nov 1819 Francis Buten m/ Amanda Russell at her father's by Elder Matthew Jones
26 Dec 1819 John Rodgers was found dead in bed
10 Jan 1820 Richard Campbell died with a short illness at Albany
5 Feb 1820 Green Worden m/ Cousin Louisa Egleston by Elder Jones
21 Feb 1820 Widow Adams was buried. She died the 18th, funeral held at her house by Elder Northrop. She is the mother of James.
21 May 1820 Wrote a letter to Brother Beriah Holcomb at Brutus, NY
11 Jun 1820 Five of Simeon Wylie's children were sprinkled at the Baptist Church. Elder Coa officiated & the eldest of Henry Platt Jr., too
16 Jun 1820 Francis Bute had a son born
2 Jul 1820 Funeral of wife of Squire Martins, Elder Trumbull preached
24 Aug 1820 Funeral for Dr. Graves 18 mo old child at Presbyterian meetinghouse. Rev. Hunter preached
17 Sep 1820 Mr. Perkins that lives in Squire Wm. Douglas's house buried a child
23 Sep 1820 Old Mrs. Carpenter died, mother of Thomas, Joseph, Sylvanus & others. Funeral was the next day at meetinghouse near Benj. Carpenter's. Elder Satterley preached (Sarah, age 88)
11 Nov 1820 Gideon Hall was buried
14 Nov 1820 Caleb Gardner, one of the overseers of the poor in Stephentown returned the name of Barnum Clark. (to have his name deleted as per his being hired by Wm. Holcomb)
19 Nov 1820 Mr. Green m/ Mariah Perry some time ago
22 Nov 1820 Isacher Rowley's dau Louisa died very sudden of the colic. Funeral the next day at her father's house. Mr. Churchill preached.
24 Nov 1820 John Conklin, deceased, is father of Betsey. She m/ John Conklin & they live in Hillsdale
24 Jan 1821 William Holcomb's 2nd child born, a dau
9 Feb 1821 Funeral of Robert Fairbanks who died very suddenly, Mr. Churchill preached
11 Feb 1821 Benedict Woodward lived in West Stephentown
3 Mar 1821 Simeon Vary's wife (Polly) died after a long consumptive sickness. The funeral was the following day at their house, Elder Northrop preached
10 Mar 1821 Charles Mosley's son died, aged 1-1/2. He was scalded or burned with an iron & then had the measles. The funeral was the next day at the Presbyterian meetinghouse & Mr. Hunter preached
27 Mar 1821 Elderly Jonathan Owens died & wife (Abigail) of Claudius Moffitt died (age 26)
28 Mar 1821 7:45 a.m. daughter born. A friend and Dr. Elijah Graves attended my wife. (Charlotte E. Holcomb)
2 Apr 1821 Abner Bull Jr's wife died very sudden. She was put to bed a few hours before. Myself & 3 others carried the coffin up to Bull's in a very hard snow storm. The funeral was on the 4th. Went to the house & helped carry the corpse on a bier by hand to the Presbyterian meetinghouse. Mr. Moses Hunter preached.
10 Apr 1821 Mr. Rice of New Lebanon died
16 May 1821 Squire Davis of New Lebanon was buried
2 Jun 1821 James Harrington's eldest son shot dead (age 10) by Elic Brown's son (age 17). Brown's son committed to jail on the 6th
13 Jun 1821 Today I am 30 years old
15 Jul 1821 Jeremiah Jolls 2 dau were baptized at Elder Jones meetinghouse
6 Aug 1821 Isaacher Rowley died. Funeral the next aft at his home in New Lebanon. Moses Hunter preached
15 Aug 1821 Wm. Gray has a brother Abner
26 Aug 1821 John Gardner's son John's funeral. He died in Albany with a fever taken on his way to Balston Spa. Elder Hull preached & about 100 people attended
__ Sep 1821 Mr. Marks of New Lebanon died
__ Sep 1821 Mr. Howard of Stephentown died
12 Oct 1821 Palmer Tanner died
6 Nov 1821 Amos Chapman buried a stillborn child
12 Nov 1821 Infare wedding of Isaac Humphrey and Dana Greenfield at Mother Springs. They were married yesterday at Solomon Carpenter's by Elder Jones
19 Nov 1821 Sally Crandall died at Simeon Baker's. She was maintained by the Town
28 Nov 1821 Had a real fist fight with Joshua Crocker when I tried to collect rent. He went home with head swolled & ache and he anointed it with vinegar. I solomley swear I never raised a hand against him, only to defend myself.
30 Nov 1821 Swore in court on assault & battery at Griggs Inn. Again fought—Crocker the aggressor. Court fined Crocker 7 dollars. Crocker counter suited and lost
13 Dec 1821 Squire Wm. Douglas died, funeral on 15th at Baptist meetinghouse. Sermon preached by Moses Hunter & Elder Jones addressed the mourners and made prayers. He made a prayer before the corpse was removed from home to the meetinghouse, a large concourse attended the funeral but a very severe cold day
3 Jan 1822 Samuel Holcomb m/ Verona Howard & they started on a journey westward
9 May 1822 Jacob Coles's son is named Milo
9 Jun 1822 Orra Howard died, he was son of Squire Nathan Howard
11 Jul 1822 Nathan Tyler's wife was buried today, funeral at Baptist meetinghouse (Rachael)
17 Jul 1822 Funeral of Jared Harrington's child
20 Jul 1822 Heard of Lucy Ann Post's death. Used to live here and move to Lenox. Funeral today. She died with a relapse of dysentery
30 Aug 1822 Francis Bute had a dau born
12 Sep 1822 Jesse Egleston buried a dau of 18 today
26 Sep 1822 Dr. Stephen Hall buried. Died yesterday of the quick Consumption. Evergreens Cemetery
12 Oct 1822 Isaac Humphrey had a dau born
27 Oct 1822 Wm. Clark's dau Delia (who m/ Charles Kellogg 23 Sept 1818 by Silas Churchill) died age 21 (buried Evergreens)
29 Oct 1822 Went to Lebanon to Henry Hull's wife's funeral. She died yesterday with the consumption. (Lois, dau of Benj. and Lois Douglass, 1796-1822, age 27 yrs, 9 mths, buried in Stephentown Cemetery)
30 Nov 1822 Funeral for Old Mr. Wheelock, father-in-law of Elijah Douglas (father of Betsey Wheelock Douglass)
16 Dec 1822 Mr. Palmer's wife died, a few minutes after talking. The cause no one knows.
26 Dec 1822 Sylvester Holcomb is living in Lebanon, NY and came for a visit. He plans to move to Stephentown next spring. Returned to Lebanon, NY on the 31st.
12 Jan 1823 Elisha Gilbert died last night and we heard the Lebanon Bell toll for him. Ezekiel Knapp died, both of New Lebanon
19 Jan 1823 Funeral for Old Mr. Allen, son-in-law of Elder Mathew Jones
26 Jan 1823 Edwin Platt m/ Lucy Douglass and Asa Goodrich m/ Betsey Chapman, both of Hancock
20 Feb 1823 Noah Harrison m/ Susan Morey by Sq. John Bull and quite a large collection
27 Feb 1823 Today Wm. Holcomb's first son was born
12 Mar 1823 Betsey, wife of Dr. Wm. Douglass, dau of Sq. Wm. Douglass, died after a long and painful consumption. Funeral on the 14th at the Baptist meetinghouse. Mr. Moses Hunter preached. (Buried at Stephentown Cemetery)
24 Mar 1823 Sylvester Holcomb moved to Stephentown from Westward
4 May 1823 Took covered wagon to Hancock meetinghouse to funeral of Old Mr. Foster. Elder Hull preached
23 May 1823 John Tilden died, s/Elem Tilden of New Lebanon
28 May 1823 Reuben King of Lebanon was found dead in the street, supposed to have died in a fit. Masonic funeral on the 29th
29 May 1823 Priest Churchill's wife died and lay a corpse while Reuben King's funeral was attended to by Priest Clark. Her funeral is the 30th.
13 Jun 1823 This day I am 32 years of age
10 Jul 1823 Nathaniel Rose died
12 Jul 1823 I rode over for Dr. Graves and betwixt 9 and 10 o'clock I had a dau born. (3 weeks ago they were bleeding his wife because she had pleurisy)
12 Jul 1823 Elisha Morton m/Widow Sheldon, Elamson's wife
15 Jul 1823 Gillette Goodrich's wife died, after a long sickness. Funeral on the 16th at her home. Elder Leland preached (Patty)
13 Sep 1823 Wife of Benjamin Douglas died (Lois McKay, age 59)
18 Sep 1823 Benjamin Douglas' dau Apalona died in P'fld, m/ (Austin) Stowell only a few months ago (age 21) and funeral was today in Elder Jones meetinghouse
27 Sep 1823 An Irishman was m/ sometime ago to Lucy Bennett
24 Dec 1823 Edwin Platt's wife died. Died 10 o'c this forenoon. Funeral on the 26th at Baptist meetinghouse, Moses Hunter preached (Lucy Douglass Platt, age 18, d/ Eli Douglas)
11 Jan 1824 Benjamin Douglass m/ Widow Wood
17 Jan 1824 Sylvester Holcomb's wife had a stillborn baby. Newton & I buried the child.
Winter - Illness in the family. At the end of the last installment, Holcomb's second daughter Lucinda was dangerously ill.
January 20, 1824 Monday - Doctor Graves came and concluded the complaint was in my child's head and there was no cure. Last night said Right gave nine portions of Markery (mercury) injections and draughts and today said Graves draws blisters ointing the head with salt. This afternoon brother Wm took my sorrel mare and cutter and rode to Richmond after Dr. Merryman to come and see my child. He agreed to come tomorrow. This evening I borrowed John Wylie's cutter and went after widow Lucy Rowley to watch, but she could not come and I stopped and got the widow Earlebel Campbell to come and watch.
Tuesday: Today said Dr. Merryman came and met said Dr. Graves to my house and gave Dr. Graves directions on how to doctor the child. Said Merryman told us that the disease was on the lungs and the child was getting better and with careful doctoring the child is a prospect of getting better. Tonight I took the cutter and carried the widow Campbell home and got the widow Rowley to come and watch with my child.
Wednesday: This morning I took the cutter and carried the widow Rowley home and today I walked on to what is called West Hill and engaged one Hannah Campbell to come to our house on trial to live.
Tonight I took the cutter and fetched Mrs. Salley Russel here to watch with my child. Thursday: Today we drew wood from my farm, and tonight Sally Green watched with my child.
Sunday: Today I took the cutter and carried Mother over to Brother Sylvester a spell and took dinner. Sister Betsey continues very dangerous sick. At night I went down to Mr. Morey’s after his daughter Susan Harrison to come tonight to nurse my child, but she could not come for her child is unwell.
I got Mr. Danford's single wagon and rode to Lebanon to Mr. Wadams to see Mrs. Wheeler to get her to come and work for us, but she could not come, at present.
Monday: This morning I took the double wagon and carried a grist of four bushels of rye to H.Platt's mill and left it to be ground. I called to Dr. Graves and had him, come over to my wife, for she has quite a fever. I went up to AsaGoodrich's and got Miss Lucy
Hadsil to come and help us, and this afternoon I went after our grists. I called up to Samuel Holcomb's and told him
he must come and settle with Wm and myself, for I wanted my pay. He agreed to come and settle.
Tuesday: We ground up a new ax, and then we went over into my swamp and made a bridge over the brook on what is called the beaver meadow.
Wednesday: Tonight Miss Lucy Haddsill left us and returned to said Goodriches, She charges 31 cents. I did not pay her.
Thursday: Today I got Mr. Danford’s wagon and went to Lebanon. I called down to the wagon maker Wadoms to see the Wheeler woman about coming to come to work for us. She agreed to come Sunday next. I called to Mr. Gay’s and told him to sell Wm’s cutter if he can get thirty dollars in cash. This evening I walked down and Julia Morey came and watched with my wife and child.
January 30, Friday: We drew and piled logs in my swamp. Tonight I tended to the watching with my wife and child. My wife is a getting better. Her sore mouth and throat is growing better and the child is all better.
Saturday: This morning Mrs. Moulton went home. She has been here a week to nurse my child, for my wife has not milk enough, being sick.
Father Dies
Tuesday, March 2, 1824: We chopped saw logs rail timber and wood in my swamp and drew out. Tonight Father is quite distressed and we are awake with him a good part of the night.
Wednesday: This morning I walked over after Doctor Graves and he came and bled Father, and he was some easy, and he bled my wife. This afternoon I loaded up a load of cider and apples for market.
Thursday: Today I went to Troy. I carried three barrels and a quarter of cider and sold it for four dollars and 82 cents, and about ten bushels of apples. Tonight I stayed to a private house on the hill. Just before I got into the city to one Mr. Merchant’s. My expenses for lodging and horse stable and tea, twice I gave three pecks of apples, price 38 cents.
Friday: This morning I finished selling out my load---I got home about ten o’clock and I found Father very sick, and Wm had got Doctor Right and bled father about eleven this evening. .
Tonight Mr. John Russell (pictured left) and Rowland Danford watched. Father fell on his breast on to a chair pummel last night and bruised him very much. Tonight I took but a little rest.
Saturday: Today Uncle Josiah Holcomb came to see father and Cousin Jesse Eggleston’s wife and his mother, all on account of Father’s being so very sick. Today Dr. Graves called twice and a number of the neighbors came in. He is in great distress by turns. Mr. Newton and wife came here to see father and she stayed all night. Tonight Mr. Ephraim Pierce and Joshua Phillips watched.
Sunday: Today I tended up on Father. He is not in so much distress, only by spells.
Monday: I tended to Father. I sent 12 cents to H. Platt’s store and got it in gin for father.
(Wednesday and Thursday continued much the same, with Holcomb doing not much but tending to his father, his father’s condition much the same but growing weaker, and new people coming to watch with him each night.)
Thursday: This morning the old widow Buten was found dead in her bed, funeral on the 12th at Presbyterian meetinghouse attended by Priest Hunter. Today I tended to father. He is thought dangerous.
Friday: Today the funeral of the widow Buten was attended at the Presbyterian meeting house by Priest Hunter. I could not attend for taking care of Father. Tonight Father was in great distress part of the night. Deacon Pierce prayed with us tonight.
Saturday: Today I tended to taking care of Father. He continues growing weaker and appetite fails. Today Deacon Hunter came and prayed with Father and tonight Mr. Amos Chapman and Brother Wm watched, and Wm thought Father was dying far few moments and then revived but in great pain.
(On Sunday his father was puking and having spells of “lying drowsy.”)
Monday, March 15, 1824 – We do discover this morning about three hours before light that Father is struck with death. He continues puking blood by spells and in great distress and some of the time he grew so weak that he could not raise the blood, and it is thought that he choked to death and expired betwixt eight and nine o’clock and underwent a great many hard struggles, through the pangs of death he had his senses it was supposed, until his last moments and to appearance while his last agonies that he was deaf and blind and died with uplifted hands to Heaven and such a scene I never but once before could reach to the bottom of my heart. He cautions us while on his death bed prepare yourselves children for death before it is too late.
It is the request of my father for months past and likewise while on his death bed to be buried in the Masonic order and to have an Episcopalian preach his funeral sermon. He chose Mr. Humphrey, the settled minister of Lanesborough, Mass., and I found a horse today and got my wife’s cousin Isaac Humphrey to go after said minister and to call to Mr. Stodder Williams and go with him to the preacher and engage him. Said Williams likewise did, and then the young man Isaac returned with Mr. Williams and took a refreshment and then came home and told me the priest would come according to our request. Our family requested Episcopalian brethren to come over to help carry on the meeting to read service. I now attend to the funeral preparations. The first is the appointment of the funeral to be on Wednesday at twelve o’clock at the Presbyterian meeting house. We sent to the Free Masons for them to bury him in their Order according to Father’s request. Today Mr. R. Danford went with his horse and Mr. Pierce’s wagon to Lebanon and carried Alma Russell. They went to Elem Tilden’s and got the funeral necessaries to the amount of eight dol and 99 cts, and to Smith’s store to the amount of one dol and I had it all charged to me. Our neighbors came in today and helped us prepare for the funeral. Tonight Mr. Joshua Phillips and Francis Buten watched with the corpse.
March 16, Tuesday: Today quite stormy and the snow blew. This morning Wm and I walked to the burying ground near the Presbyterian meeting house and gave directions where to dig our father’s grave, which was at the head or a little south of the head of my son George Jay’s grave. We had liberty from Mr. John Russell to lay our father there. Today Capt. Adam Brown and Isaac Humphrey took our horses and sled and carried wood from our door to the meeting house for a fire for the funeral tomorrow, and other neighbors visited us in preparing today and borrowing for accommodations, and Mr. John Wylie made the coffin. I prepared the pine boards and other materials. I sent to H. Platt’s 25 cts after a few articles that lack to finish the coffin. Expense for making I know not yet. Tonight Mr. John Wylie and Benjamin Sackett Jr. watched with the corpse.
March 17, Wednesday: This morning I sent for Joshua Phillips to come and he took my horse and rode to Lebanon to Elem Tilden’s store and got a whole piece of crepe for me for the Freemason. On last evening Doctor Dwight Wright called to our house and requested me so to do and what they made use of he would see it paid for and requested me to return what they did not use, and fetch him a bill. The said crepe was charged to me. On this forenoon our connections and neighbors met at our house, and the Freemasons moved the corpse about twelve to the Meeting House, and the Episcopalian priest Humphrey in procession with them while the mourners followed in sleighs and more distant connections in wagons. Priest Hunter waited on the Episcopalian priest in to his pulpit and then he opened the meeting by reading Service, and prayer and Priest Hunter read a psalm and sung in the gallery. We then had a sermon from said Humphrey. His text was in Luke the 2nd chapter, 29th and 30th verses. We had a very entertaining discourse, and then he addressed the connections of the deceased and likewise addressed his Masonic Brethren and then Hunter read a psalm and singing in the gallery, and Humphrey closed with a prayer.
The Masonic Brethren took the corpse to the grave and then their Master Brother Doctor Wright delivered a discourse and dropped their green bough in to the grave, and then we mourners returned home and the Masons filled up the grave and they returned to our house in procession and they took a refreshment of liquor and victuals and said Humphrey returned to our house and took dinner. I gave him two dollars and he returned home tonight. The money that I handed said Humphrey was money that Father left, and Mother got it and handed it to me for that purpose. Today Mr. Ephraim Pierce took his sleigh and carried part of us mourners to the meeting house and Elijah Bennet drove our sleigh. The mourners took some refreshment to our house. Today a blistering and snowy weather.
March 18, Thursday: This forenoon, we returned home the borrowed things that we borrowed of our neighbors for the funeral, and this morning Sylvester returned home with my cutter that he had last night to carry his family home that had been to our house for three days, in the time of my father’s death and funeral. Today we sledded home some wood from my farm.
Friday: Today we drew home some wood from my farm. I carried Mr. Asa Sheldon a barrel of cider, price one dollar, which leaves a balance due to me 38 cents for deduction out his charge of 62 cents for helping dig Father’s grave. This evening Wm and I rode down to Mr. Wm. Bailies to inquire of him our duty about settling the estate that father left, but said Bailie was not home and we returned without calling in to his house. They let me pass the gate free again out the one that was near Mr. Henry Withees. I had a very gad road both going and coming.
Monday: I walked to Mr. Jordan Booge’s and read father’s will to Squire E.F. Booge, and he advised me to get a settlement with the heirs and then I agreed with him to write a bond to bind all of us heirs to abide by the disposal of Father’s property. I returned home and told brother Wm. That he must fix for to go the the westward if we three, Sylvester, Eleanor and we two do agree that you and Beriah shall choose those men and we do agree thereto and of Sisters Lucretia Wylie and Myriam Cammel (Miriam Campbell) thereto do agree, this is what we are undertaking to do. Tonight, Sylvester fetched Daniel Moulton’s pack from the widow Douglas for Wm to have to go the before mentioned journey. Wm. And myself made out eighteen dollars for his expenses by taking five dollars and 62 cents of the money that Father left.
Tuesday: This morning I walked down to Capt. Andrew Hunter’s and got a letter that I went to him yesterday to have him write to my brother and two sisters to the westward, advising them to have a settlement with the rest of the heirs and to bind us all in the bond to abide by the disposal of our deceased Father’s estate. I called to Wm. Bailey’s a few minutes and I called in to Mr. Booge’s and them I came home and Wm. took breakfast early and then he took a horse rode round as the road goes and I took his pack on my back and went over the hill and met him near Ancil Marrows, and then I took the horse and I rode home and Wm. Went on his journey, as is before mentioned, on to our brother and sisters.
This afternoon I received a line from E. F. Booge. His request was for me to come to his father’s house and be his bale, for his father had swore the piece against him, but I refused to be his bale, but I walked to the pool with him to Squ. J. Bull’s, according to his request, but he was not tried.
April 25, 1924: Aged Wm L. Gardner died, funeral at Baptist meetinghouse, Elder Hall preached.
April 28, 1924: Son of Jonas Smith's son was killed under a harrow he got on to ride and the oxen ran away. He lived to Joseph Bailey's in New Lebanon
Sunday, May 30, 1824: This morning I started for the westward and brother Sylvester put his horse to my wagon and carried me to Nassau at the gate near Dunham’s Tavern. I then walked on to Bath. I crossed the ferry in a small boat in company with some that was going over. It cost me nothing. I passed through Albany on to Guilderland, on the Cherry Valley turnpike, and put up to a Dutch tavern thirteen miles from Albany. Tonight I had tea and my own victuals.
Monday: This morning I had a bowl of milk to foresaid tavern and my bill was 1/3 pense. I then came on through Duanesburgh and Schoharie at a store at the bridge I paid one cent for a sheet of paper. I then went on to Sharon Village and paid six cents for half a pint of rum. I then went on nearly or within two miles of Cherry Village to P. Vannettes and put up. I had tea with my victuals.
Tuesday: This morning I paid my bill to Vannette, which was one shilling. I then passed through Cherry Valley Village in to Springfield to Cook’s tavern and had a cup of tea with my victuals. I paid six cents for it and passed on through Richfield in to Litchfield and stayed to a cousin Deacon Crums.
Wednesday June 2, 1824: This morning I came on from Cousin Crums. When in Litchfield I stayed at cousin Deacon Crumb's. I called to his daughter Cynthas. She married a man by the name of David Pomers in aforesaid town. I only called a few minutes and took a glass of wine with them, and I went on through Brookfield into Hamilton Village. I called to Mr. Orin Squires a few minutes and passed on up to Lebanon to sister Miriam Campbell. I got there about four o’clock and found sister Lucretia Wylie there and brother Peter came there and stayed tonight.
Thursday: This morning after breakfast I went home with brother Wylie and wife and I talked with them and sister Miriam concerning settling the estate that our father had left us. They all agreed to sign off in the same way as the rest of the heirs had as the will directs. Brother Wylie called over and got his brother Moses and Mrs. Charles Wylie to come and witness and deed and release that they signed off to Brother Wm and myself, and then brother Peter and his brother Moses went with me to the south part of the town to one of the commissioners said it would not answer, for he must examine sister Wylie alone from her husband. Said Stebbins came home with us to brother Peter Wylie’s and examined sister Lucretia alone from her husband and I paid him one dollar for his certificate.
Friday: This morning I walked to Morris Flats to the County Clerk’s office of Madison County and the County Seal put to my deed, and I paid 25 cts. On my way from Log City I missed my road and lost one mile’s travel. I returned to Log City to Clark’s tavern and found brother Peter Wylie and now we returned to Lebanon.
Saturday: This morning sister Miriam filled my pack with victuals and my bottle with whiskey and she sends one shilling to sister Newton and her husband’s little girl Rosanna sends some small presents to my children and to brother Wm’s and I left there.
3 Aug 1824 Mr. Samuel Brown was found dead in the road or had a fit and fell in the brook and partly drowned
5 Sep 1824 Funeral for Ludwig. Elder Hull preached then Mr. Wells a traveling preacher did a short sermon
29 Sep 1824 Squ. James Sweet's second dau Juliette died
11 Oct 1824 Funeral of Abigail Burton (28 yrs old) at Caleb Joll's. She had been in decline for a number of years. There was not any sermon preached. Mr. Churchill was expected but he was unwell
5 Dec 1824 John Murdock buried his second dau, she died 2 Dec with the consumption
5 Jan 1825 Franklin Gardner m/ Lecta Vary
9 Jan 1825 Capt. Andrew Hunter was found dead in bed. The funeral was on the 11th at his own dwelling house. Priest Churchill preached but I could not hear any of the sermon for the house was so full of people
20 Feb 1825 2 a.m. George Holcomb's 4th child born, Dr. Graves attended
20 Feb 1825 Old Mr. Horton died (Thomas, age 70)
21 Apr 1825 John Wylie's 4th daughter born (Deborah Marie)
27 Apr 1825 Wife of George Landon died with the consumption (Cynthia, age 27)
9 Aug 1825 Old Widow Chase (Elizabeth w/Tolman Chase) died. (She was born 1759)
21 Aug 1825 John Foster of Hancock took his razor and cut his own throat and died instantly. It was thought he was deranged by being out of health or a disorder in his head.
22 Aug 1825 Wife of Old Mr. Caleb Chapman died (Martha, age 62-9-0)
31 Aug 1825 Tonight Gen. Hosey Moffitt died. It was caused by a wagon box falling on to his bowels. Funeral on the 2nd, Mr. Shepard from Lenox preached.
27 Sep 1825 Brother Sylvester Holcomb had a son born but expired in a few minutes. (This was 9 months, 10 days after their stillborn baby arrived)
1 Oct 1825 Funeral for Amherst L. Sackett. He was kicked by a colt 4 months old. Kicked in the bowels. He lived 24 hours
Wednesday, December 20, 1825: On this morning brother Wm and myself started a journey to the northward to look for cows, We walked on foot. We got to Hoosick Falls and stayed to brother Wm’s father (in law) Barnhart’s.
Thursday: We started on and went into Vermont, through Shaftsbury into Arlington and stayed to Hill’s Tavern and had supper, lodging and bitters and we paid 75 cents and went on to Sandgate. We called to Baker’s tavern before we left Arlington, and paid 50 cents for breakfast. We could not find any cows. We turned our course into York State. We came into Salem and stayed. We stayed at a private house and paid 31 cents for supper and lodging.
Saturday morning we passed on through Arquile to Cousin Abel Potter’s. We went a crooked road in pursuit of cows but not any.
Christmas Sunday: We continured to Cousin Patten’s today. Stormy.
Monday, December 26: This morning we started on from Cousin Potter’s. We called to Cousin Fullerton’s a few minutes, but he was not at home. We saw his wife, Cousin Miriam and Aunt Cousin Abil walked with us as far as Fort Edwards Village. We then passed on through Kingsburgh and Sand Hill Village into Fort Ann and Stayed to Jonathan Osborn’s and he had cows for sale. We had supper.
Tuesday: This morning we bought three heifers at ten dol and fifty cents per head and a new milk cow at eleven dol and said Osborn gave in our keeping. We then came on into Hartford and I bought a heifer at nine dollars and then I returned back to Granville. I rode with one Mr. Man and stayed with him and took supper and Wm. Stayed in Hartford with the five head of cows.
Wednesday: This morning I bough said Man’s cow and paid ten dol. I then came on into Hartford to Dixon’s and then Wm and I came on in to Arguyle and paid 22 dollars forty cents for two cows. We then came to Fort Edwards to Cousin Potter’s and stayed with our stock.
Thursday, December 29: We continue at Cousin Potter’s with our stock. Today quite stormy. Today I went out and bought one cow of one Mr. MacCoy, and he drove the cow to said Cousin Potter’s and I paid him ten dollars. I walked all day in the neighborhoods round Potter’s but could not buy any more cows.
Friday: This morning we took breakfast with Abram Sebron and then we paid him 44 dol for four cows and then we paid one Mr. Lee ten dollars for a heifer, and we paid one Mr. Mack Mullins 21 dol for two cows and we drove the seven to Cousin Potter’s, which makes 15 in all. We continue there for it is very stormy.
Saturday, December 31, 1825: This morning we started for home with our drove of cattle. Said Potter would not take any pay for the trouble of our cattle. Today we paid nineteen dol and fifty cents for two more cows in Argyle, and we swapped a heifer for a cow and paid two dol to boot in the town of Jackson. Today we traveled 18 miles and stayed in the town of Jackson to old Mr. Fullman’s, and had supper and our cattle well tended. Today quite stormy and some slippery driving cattle.
(They bought one more cow in Hoosick on their way home, and returned the next day through stormy slippery traveling. They ended up with nineteen cows, for which they paid $201.50)
(After returning from a trip up to Vermont in which he bought 19 cows, he continured to buy cows nearer to home)
Tuesday, January 3, 1926: Today we went over to our Rodgers farm and salted our new flock of cattle and chopped and drew a load of wood home. Today we paid Francis Buten the ten dollars in cash for his cow that was agreed here before, and drove her home. I went with the cutter after Charlotte to school. Tonight and this evening I went up to Mrs. Smalley’s and bargained, with her son, Philander Woodard, for his cow at eleven dollars and fifty cents, and came in the morning after said cow and paid him in silver.
Wednesday: This morning I walked up to P. Woodard, paid him for his cow and as before agreed, and he helped drive her home. Tonight I went with the sleigh after Charlotte to school and this evening we sorted over apples for market.
Wednesday January 5, 1925: Franklin Gardner was married to Lecta Vary.
Monday, January 9: This forenoon I took the cutter and carried Charlotte to school. I went to R. Humphrey’s with the cloth to be dressed for Wm. I carried my second daughter, Angeline and left her to B. Sackett’s until I went to said Humphrey’s. Charlotte returns after school to said b. Sackett’s to stay a part of the week and go to school. Capt. Andrew Hunter was found dead in bed. The funeral was on the 11th at his own dwelling house. Priest Churchill preached but I could not hear any of the sermon for the house was so full of people
Tuesday: I rode over twice to my Rodgers Farm and foddered and today we carted stone.
Wednesday: Today we carted stone and tonight I rode up to B. Sackett’s and fetched Charlotte home from school, quite unwell.
Thursday: We butchered a beef cow and Mr. R. Danford helped. I have paid him partly in apples.
Saturday: Today we cut up our beef and salted. Wm had about one third.
Wednesday: Today we borrowed Mr. Hazard Morey’s long ladder. Wm and I brought it on our back and we put it on to Wm’s old house, where Mr. R. Danford lives, and we repaired the roof. Today I carted one load of stone.
Thursday: I took the double wagon and went to the Shakers to mill to their new stone mill. I had five bushels of wheat ground and Wm had three bushels of Rye ground, but our grists got mixed.
Wednesday: Today Wm and I carried two loads of wood to Doctor D. Wright. The load that the ox team carried measured ninety feet and the other load that horse team measured eighty feet.
Monday, January 30: I drove our white no horned cow to bull to B.B. Mason’s near Asa Goodrich and left her all night in said Maxon’s stable. Today Wm goes to Troy with four barrels of cider and half a barrel of apple sauce. It snowed some today.
Tuesday: Today a severe cold day, the coldest weather that has been this winter.
20 Feb 1825 2 a.m. George Holcomb's 4th child born, Dr. Graves attended
20 Feb 1825 Old Mr. Horton died (Thomas, age 70)
Selling the Stock
12 Jan 1826 Nicholas Gardner m/ Jane Wylie
11 Feb 1826 This morning Rowland Danford had a dau born
Tuesday, March 7, 1826: Today I walked to Pittsfield to The American Press and got 75 advertisements printed, and paid 50 cts, and paid 50 cts to have the advertisements put into the paper. In those advertisements Wm and I have advertised 22 cows, one pair of oxen, two steers, 60 sheep, and one cart and two wagons all at auction if not sold at private sale before the 20th. I paid in Pittsfield six cts for a ball of sewing thread, and six cts for sugar toys for my children. I began to scatter my advertisements every direction.
Wednesday: I walked to Hancock and put up my advertisements. I sent an advertisement to the north part of town. On the way home I called to Mr. Ezekiel Sheldon’s and got some colt’s foot for my children that has got the whooping cough.
Thursday: Today I walked to Andrew Snyder’s and engaged him to come and auction off this aforementioned property. I went round by the way of Lebanon Meeting House to put up advertisement and came home by way of Claudius Moffitt’s store.
Wednesday, March 15: Today we drove a part of our stock home from the Rodgers Farm and had six cows appraised off to Peter Wylie, which filled his note of 95 dol and eight dol over, and took my note, and we had seven cows and a pair of year old steers appraised off to sister Miriam Campbell for 142 dol, which filled my note that she sent by said Wylie, and I keep it for sale in next Monday at auction with my stock.
Monday: Today we tended selling the property that we advertised. The stock that I turned out to Peter Wylie and Miriam Campbell last week, the said property of theirs was sold at auction for 14 cents on the dol less than it was appraised. I then put up a cart and covered wagon, but I had a by bidder and had them returned on to my hands. Caleb Chapman, Jr. bid of our old double wagon at 23 dol and 75 cts. I offered six months credit by leaves it on our hands. George Landon bid off a hog at 2 dol and 22 cts but did not pay. I put up three cows but had them struck off to a buy bidder., I bargained with Hosey Bennet for two cow at 18 dollars each and have his note. Tonight our auctioneer James Snyder returned home with us and took supper. I then paid him his cash, two dol for his services today. Today a very stormy, damp and chilly day.
Tuesday: This morning I walked down to Widow Hunter’s with brother Peter Wylie to collect money for cows, and to Hazard Morey’s and Ephraim Pierce’s. Today I bargained and sold our sheep to Moses Hunter at two dol per head, and took his note of 104 dol payable the 15th of April without interest. We helped him get the sheep home and took the wagon and horses and carried one that would not or could not walk. Today the money was all collected that was due on said Wylie and M. Campbells’ stock and handed to said Wylie and he is to return M. Campbell’s to her, 122.25 cts all cash and said Wylie’s $88.25. I took brother Wylie in to my wagon and carried him to Hancock to Squ. John Gardner’s and left him to take the stage. As I returned I called to my Rodgers Farm and Hosea Bennet came after his cows. He examined one of his cows and found that he was lowsey. I offered him to leave her and take another, but he would not. He likewise took the two that he bargained for last night. He gave a note of 36 dol payable in six months with interest. I fetched a load of wood home that Wm and Samuel chopped. Tonight I walked over to George Landon’s to get my pay, which is 2.22 cts. For the hog he bid off, but he denies paying me. He makes an excuse the hog is sick.
Friday, March 24, 1826: I chopped wood to the door, some rainy. We had a cow jump out of the lot. I went to E. Pierce’s and H. Morey’s and Adam Brown’s and Ezra Sackett’s after her, but could not find her. The said cow James Glass had turned into the highway and she ran away, but brother Wm had found the said cow in Sylvanas Carpenter’s swamp before I had returned tonight from looking for her.
Saturday: I am quite unwell with a bad cold and head ache.
Saturday, April 1, 1826: The forenoon Wm and I went to Hancock mountain on to Elijah Douglas land to chop coal wood but it was so steep that we returned home and concluded not to get any wood there.
March 28, 1826: Daughter Charlotte is 5 years old.
Monday, April 3: I see Henry Hull to Gardner’s and he came with me down to my Rodgers Farm and he bought four cows of me at nineteen dol per head and gave me a note on demand. I then walked over to Job Green’s this afternoon where this town was putting in town officers.
Tuesday: I took John Wylie’s single wagon and went to Lebanon to Jones to town meeting. I carried five dollars worth of Bull’s gingerbread at 3 cts a card and sold it at five cts per card, and sold six gallons of cider and one peck of apples. I got six dol and fifty cts in cash and a new half bushel for my day’s work. Today I carried my mother to Mr. A.J. Booge’s and left her until I returned at night. Today brother Wm sold five dollars worth of gingerbread and five gallons of cider in this town to Joseph Green’s to town meeting and he cleared four dol and fifty cts.
Thursday: This morning Wm and I helped Mr. R. Danford get a hearth stone and place it in the south room of that house where he lives. Today a young girl that was brought up among the Shakers came here to get work. Her name is Eunice Adeline Welch.
Friday: Today I tended to helping to make soap and chop wood to the door yard. Today this said Eunice Adeline Welch began to spin for us a week at fifty cts.
Saturday: Today we gave Charlotte some physic for she is quite unwell and has been for two days with a pain in her head and ear and swelled neck and lost her appetite.
Sunday: Our daughter continues quite unwell. Today the funeral of daughter of old Mr. Salmon Wheeler, aged about 13 years old. She died at Mr. Sylvanus Carpenter’s and the funeral at his house, and we did not hear of it, not until it was too late. She died yesterday. Elder Jones preached.
Monday: I am quite unwell and today a very snowy day.
Tuesday: We yoked up two yoke of steers and drew manure with one yoke a spell. We, Wm and I, then made corn brooms. Today Moses Hunter came and paid up the note of one hundred and four dollars for the sheep he bought of us last month, the money nearly all of it on Pittsfield bank and the remainder on Albany excepting two bills, one on Greenfield and the other bill on New York. Tonight brother Wm went up to Edward Carr’s and paid him seven dollars, the interest on the one hundred dollars that was due last may, and Wm went to Calvin and offered him the money for my note I gave the 20th December last, but he refused taking the money, for he said the note was on demand, and he had not demanded it, and Wm fetched the money home again.
Wednesday: Today I walked up to Erastus Brown’s store. I reckoned with him. When I returned home I called to Calvin Carpenter’s and took up my note of 106 dollars and 26 cts interest and principal given the 20th of December last. I paid in all in Pittsfield bills except in one dol and 26 cts in specie. He had a choice not to take his pay yet.
Thursday: This forenoon I took the single wagon and my wife went with me and we carried Charlotte to Doctor Graves and he gave us some drops and castile soap to put in her ear, and some physic and some things to put into wine. We called to H. Platt’s and paid 12 cts for a bottle and nine cents for wine and today I paid Eunice Adeline Welch 50 cts for her week’s work and she went away.
Thursday, April 20, 1826: This afternoon I went to school house to a school meeting to try to agree to move the said school house, but it was not agreed on. I called to Asa Goodriches on the way home and got a pair of shoes that was to have been made by Amos Chapman for my wife. Goodrich was employed by said Cahpman to make the shoes. Today a disturbance took place with our families.
Friday: I returned the shoes that I got to Goodriches last night, for they were too large. He would not take them for he said that the upper leather was so poor that he could not sell them. But said Goodrich agreed to make another pair for nothing if I could find leather. I told him I would, and went and got my calf skin and borrowed some leather of John Wylie and paid in cast to John Russell’s wife six cents for quarter of a yard of lace cloth to line said shoes.
Today I tended to no work, but tried to get Wm to talk over our concern and make a division of our property but he would not. Mother’s age is 76. John Wylie's 4th daughter born (Deborah Marie)
Saturday: I walked over across to Claudius Moffitt’s store and exchanged the shoe that Goodrich made for a pair of Denmark Sattin shoes and paid fifty cents to boot in cash.
Sunday: This evening I walked over to my Rodgers Farm to brother Sylvester’s to see to my young cattle.
Monday: Today we tended to put runners under the school house and this afternoon we went with our oxen to the drawing of said school house. It was drawn from the corner near Simeon Wylie’s to the spot near where the Widow Buten once lived.
Tuesday: This morning I sowed some spring wheat for John Wylie and this forenoon I went and consulted with Mr. Hazard Morey about dividing with brother Wm, our property. He advised us to do it ourselves. This afternoon I plowed stalk ground.
Wednesday: We plowed stalk ground.
Sunday, April 30: I took the single wagon and carried my wife to the funeral of old Miss Rebecca Douglass, who died on Friday with old age. The old lady was one of the first settlers of this town. She came with her father, Asa Douglass, and she never married.Elder Jones preached at his meeting house. After the sermon and burial, on Mr. Taggart preached a short sermon.
Friday, May 5: Today I and my wife and child went to Troy. On the way we called to Mr. Henry Withee’s and took dinner. We peddled out nearly all of our load before we got to Troy.
(A long list of items sold and items bought for his mother, his wife and his children follows)
Tuesday: We worked on said Rodgers Farm sowing oats. At night I took the single wagon and my wife went and carried our babe George Pease to Lebanon to Doctor Wright’s and he looked at the swelling on my child’s cheek and let us have some salve to put on it. I called home by way of John Bull’s and got a chest of cake.
Thursday: Today I went to election to Simon Cranston’s and supported Archibald Bull in preference of Lane. I carried gingerbread and pies, cider and egg cider for sale. I cleared about six dollars.
Sunday, May 14, 1826: Today my wife and I rode to Dr. Wright’s with our child to see if the swelling was fit to open, but it was not.
Monday: Today we cross plowed our flax ground with our mares but at sunset the bay mare lost her colt. Today we bagan to plow sward land for corn. We plowed but very little for it was too warm for our oxen.
Wednesday: Today I sent to H. Platt’s store and paid nine cents for one pound of salts for our bay mare. Wm got them, and tameric bark to give said mare.
Thursday: Today I took the single wagon and my wife went and carried our babe George Pease to Doctor Wright’s and had his cheek lanced. This forenoon I rode up to the Shakers and got trusted four dollars and 76 cents of Monson’s office and agreed to pay in corn at 63 cents per bushel.
Saturday, May 20: Today old Mrs. Barnhart was thrown from a wagon. Her horse ran away. She was returning home to Hoosic from brother Wm’s and two of her daughters, but they were not hurt, and Wm took our single wagon and put her and a bed and fetched her from Calvin Carpenter’s home to his house.
Sunday: Today Wm took said Barnhart wagon and horse and carried the two Barnhart girls home and returned home tonight and rode one of their horses.
Tuesday: Today Gideon Barnhart came here from Hoosic. He is crazy. He came without a hat or shoes. Tonight I had him come up from Wm and I took him in a chamber and were were fastened in and we went to bed and slept very well.
Today old Mr. Barnhart and his son Joseph came here with a double wagon after Gideon, but he had cleared out this morning.
Friday, May 26: Today old Mr. Barnhart returned home without his son Gideon.
Tuesday, May 30: Today Mr. John Mott’s wife died. It is thought that her death was caused by a family fight, bruised and took cold.
Tuesday, June 6: This afternoon Wm went after his wife’s brother Gideon that was crazy and had gone to Lebanon a disturbing the school and others. Tonight I stayed to Wm’s and helped take care of him. He was no particular trouble only to watch him.
Wednesday: Today brother Wm’s wife’s mother had got well enough to ride home with the mail carrier.
Thursday: Today Wm stayed home to take care of crazy Gideon and this afternoon his brother came and took our single wagon and carried him home to Hoosic.
22 Jun 1826 Mr. Aaron Jordan Booge died. Funeral on the 24th at his home. Procession moved to Mr. Churchill's meetinghouse & Elder Taggard preached and Mr. Churchill read Mr. Booge's dying prayer in his own handwriting. Churchill also made prayer at the grave. (aged 74)
28 Jun 1826 Old Capt. Benjamin Sackett died. Funeral the next day, Mr. Hendrick preached at Presbyterian meetinghouse (age 71)
July 3, 1826 Monday: This morning I rode to Lebanon to John Bull’s and engaged cake to carry to independence. I called to Wm. Tryon’s store and borrowed a stone jug and called to Bailie’s store and got one gallon of molasses and had it charged, 44 cents. I got the said molasses to sweeten cider to carry to independence.
Tuesday, July 4: Today I took the single wagon and Samuel went with me. I took cake from Bull’s, five dollars and six cents wroth and carried to Pittsfield. I doubled my money on the cake and sole about two dollars worth cider. Wm took the same quantity and went to Brainard bridge. He cleared nearly the same as I. Independence was celebrated in two places in Pittsfield. Also in our town at Carpenter’s.
Wednesday: We hoed corn today. I took the single wagon and carried my wife and sister Twichel to the pool and to the Shakers. We went in company with Mr. Joseph Fairfield and his wife from Pittsfield, who came to our house last night on a visit. My expense for drinking and cake on Pool Hill was 59 cents. We went to the Shakers to see their school and gardens and I called to see two young cousin Potter girls that live with them.
Tuesday, July 11: Today we began to hay on our Rodgers farm. I. (Isaac) Newton helped in the way of changing work.
Thursday: We hayed.
Friday: Some rainy. We called to Wm Clark’s store to talk over the mistake that he made in not crediting us for two loads of wood and concerning James Rodger’s estate. He told us that he held a demand against us for goods to the amount of nearly 20 shillings and I offered to pay it and have him give us a receipt but he would not until he had settled the Rodger’s estate. We then rode up to Elijah Goodrich Jr. and bargained for 45 sheep for twenty eight dollars and fifty cents, and returned home. Today Eber Moffit’s youngest son bled to death.
Saturday: This morning Wm and I rode over to Elijah Goodrich Jr.’s and gave him our note for one year for 20 ewes and 25 lambs, which is 28 dollars and fifty cents as we bargained yesterday. We marked them our ear mark and a red H on the back and drove them to our Rodgers farm, and there we hayedtoday.
Sunday, July 23: Today I took the single wagon and carried my wife and her sister Hanah Twichel to the Shaker meeting.
Tuesday, August 1: Today some rainy. This morning I took the single wagon and carried my wife up to Squ. Nathan Howard’s. We went there to see her sister Hannah Twichel take a passage in the stage. I gave her one dollar to pay her passage on to Troy. She lives in Cincinnati in the state of Ohio. We fetched our daughter Charlotte and came by way of Reuben Andrews and had her foot measured for a pair of boots. This afternoon I cradled some rye and put up. I went with the wagon after our school children and I left my shoe to Asa Goodrich to have a patch put on.
August 16, 1826 Wednesday: This morning I rode to Lebanon to the butcher Mr. Merryfield to have him come and look at some fat cattle. He agreed to come. Today we hayed but some showery. Tonight I rode to Hancock Village and I bargained with the shoemaker Grinman to make me shoes and take such pay that I have to spare in produce. I called to Wm Lapum’s and paid five cents for dye woods, and as I was going I called to Benj. Carpenter’s, for his son Govanier died but a few minutes before, his age 26 and by profession a lawyer. He had been lingering with the consumption.
Today Old Elder Leland preached a sermon in this town on the death of the two ex-Presidents Adams and Jefferson.
Thursday: Today Mr. Merryfield came and offered us 33 dol for two cows, but I asked 35 dollars. This afternoon Wm and I took the single wagon and rode up to Gen. Caleb Carr’s to a court betwixt Calvin P. Sackett and Francis Buten concerning the highway. Said Buten was pathmaster, and plowed a ditch before said Sackett’s door and stopped up a sluice way that stopped the wash of the road from going onto his land. I give in my testimony that Buten was doing justice to the public and doing but little or on injury to Sackett but some advantage. A number of witnesses gave in the same testimony.. Said Sackett withdrew the action and paid the cost. He saw the verdict was going against him. We carried a grist to Platt’s mill and left it. We got home after midnight.
Friday, August 25: Tonight I and Benj. Sackett watched with brother John Wylie. He is quite weak and low with the consumption.
Saturday: This morning I rode to Lebanon to Capt. Thomas Bentley’s to see if he wanted to buy fat cattle. This morning about eight o’clock John Wylie died. I returned there in a few minutes after. This evening I rode up to Hancock Village to Hadsill’s and Gregory’s store and got one yard and a quarter of mourning crepe at 75 cents per.
Sunday: Today we tended the funeral of brother John Wylie. First a prayer at the house of the deceased, by Mr. Hendrick and then the procession moved to the meeting house and at three o’clock said Hendricks preached. A large number of connections attended and a very concourse of people attended. Brother Jay Wylie put a horse with ours and we went in our covered wagon.
Monday: I went to Nassau with our single wagon to what is called Schermerhorn’s Old Stand to Salmon’s to training. I carried four dollars worth of cake and a keg of new cider. I made 4 dol and 50 cts today out of the cake and cider.
Tuesday: I took the same cake with two kegs of cider and went to camp meeting to the southwest part of Lebanon, about three miles beyond Cornwell’s store and Wm returned home. I went on to the camp ground and the Methodists forbid peddling and I went to one of the priests and he told me that the state had passed an edict for them against peddling of any description within two miles from their campground. I then returned home with out selling anything. On the way home, I sold my two kegs of cider. I then came on to Bull’s and returned the cake.
5 Sep 1826 Sold cider to Daniel Torry, (New Lebanon) and to a family named Gray who lives in Torry's house
8 Sep 1826 Funeral of Dr. Graves 2nd wife, dau of Henry Platt
September 12, 1926 Tuesday: This afternoon Wm took the double wagon and rode up to Simon Cranston’s to Calvin P. Sackett’s and Francis Buten’s court. We was both supoened for witnesses but the Justice did not appear and there was no cause of action. It was the same concern as they contended on the 17th of August.
Wednesday: We worked on the highway, three of us and cart and oxen, which counts us five days works. The post rider stayed with us as usual today.
Thursday: Today we took the cart and oxen and drew butternut coal wood together.
Saturday: Tonight I watched coat pit most all night and Wm all night.
Sunday: Today I tended coal pit and tonight I and my wife went to Ephraim Pierce’s to meeting. Elder Tagard preached and tonight I . Newton tended coal pit for us. (pictured at right)
Tuesday, September 26: This forenoon I took covered wagon and carried my wife to Doc Graves, but he was not at home. Tonight I walked up to Mrs. Smalley’s to get her daughter to come and do house work while my wife was unwell, but could not get her.
Wednesday: This morning I rode to Lebanon and got Dr. Right to come and doctor my wife for she continues more unwell. I rode to a number of places after a hired girl, but a last I got Cousin Josiah Egleston’s daughter Eliza to stay until Sunday.
Saturday: Today I took the single wagon and carried my daughter Charlotte E. to Dr. Graves and had her leiterised to her head for deafness. I left her there and went on to a number of places to get a girl to come and do housework. At last I got Caroline Humphrey.
Sunday: This morning I paid Eliza Egleston 44 cts for her part of a week work for the time she agreed to stay and today she went home.
Monday: Today I carried Charlotte E. my oldest daughter to Doctor Graves and had her lecter shocked. (electric shocked?)
Tuesday: Today I and Wm peddled to what is called general training in our own town to Allen’s tavern, but the training was broke up for the Colonel did not give out the orders time enough.
Wednesday: Today Wm and I took the double wagon and went to Pittsfield peddling to cattle show. We took Bull’s cake and our own cider to peddle.
Thursday: We peddled and at night we came home. We called to J. Bull and paid for the cake and took another chest of cake to fetch along. I cleared about seven dollars both days and I guess that Wm did about the same.
Friday: Today I peddled in our own town to Allen’s Tavern. There was a caravan of live animals such as lions and elephant and others today. I cleared about four dollars and fifty cents. One Mr. Tabor rode home with me and stayed all night and I make him welcome. Said Tabor travels with said animals to sport at dice.
Thursday, October 12, 1826: We dug one load of potatoes on the Rodgers farm and gathered one load of apples on said farm. This afternoon some rainy. This evening I went to school meeting. We put in three new trustees – Simeon Wylie, Elder Jones and brother Wm. I paid my summer schooling for my two girls going 119 days. It was one dollar and 17 cts. I paid it to J.B. Maxon, the old trustee, and Wm paid his, which was nearly two dollars. Tonight Wm and I borrowed 7 lbs. of fresh pork of Sylvester.
Friday, 13 October: This forenoon I gathered apples. This afternoon I took the double wagon and carried Mother and Abigail Meachum and my daughter Charlotte to the funeral of old widow Phebe Sackett, the wife of the deceased Benjamin Sackett, who died very suddenly yesterday morning. Moses Hunter preached at the meeting house.
Saturday, 14 October: I went to Elijah Goodriches and agreed with him to still cider for me. On this evening we had an apple bee, and had about 12 bushels pared.
Sunday, October 15, 1926: Funeral of Eliza Bounds at Presbyterian meetinghouse.
Tuesday: This morning I went with the cart with four barrels of cider to Elijah Goodriches still, and today we dug potatoes on our Rodgers farm.
Saturday, 21, October: This morning I drove our sheep home from our Rodgers farm and today Wm and I took the single wagon and rode to Lebanon to Luck Rich’s to raising a three story house. A dinner was provided about dusk. Luther Rich fell from the farm and cut his head and broke his arm, and Hampton Babcock had his foot jambed as the timer fell on it. I came home by way of I. Newton’s and fetched Mother Holcomb home. She was there on a visit.
22 Oct 1826 Capt. Joseph Rodgers died and Mr. (Philetas) Glass m/Widow Chase (of Brittain Chase) (Eleanor)
Monday, 6 November: This morning I drew a load of stone off the hill and this afternoon I sent a hand with a cart and oxen with a load of stone to help underpin the school house and drew gravel and banked it up. Today I went to election to Claudius Moffitt’s. I voted for the People’s ticket, for Governor DeWitt Clinton and the buck tail for Daniel B. Rochester for Governor. Today I went from election with the single wagon to Lebanon to election with cake and cider, but I did not sell but a few cakes for it was cold and rainy.
11 Nov 1826 Funeral of John Surdam, attended by Elder Jones. He died very suddenly
20 Nov 1826 Went to Widow Booge's vendue. Bid off one bake kettle at 76 cts and one iron basin 59 cts and a pair of stillards at 14 cts.
Wednesday, November 22, 1826: I walked over to Lenox to see an Indian hung. I got there too late He had been hung about five minutes. I did not go ion some rods of the gallows. I stayed there only 30 minutes and returned home by way of Pittsfield. I called to a number of places in inquire the price of apples. I paid three cents for a drink if liquor. I walked from Pittsfield home with my neighbor’s boys, that had been to the hanging. The Indian was hanged for shooting another Indian.
Friday: This afternoon I drew a load of rails and fenced Wm yard to keep in a cow. Tonight I walked over after my youngest daughter L. Angeline to school and brought her in my arms home.
Thursday, November 30: Today a peddler called and told my wife that I told him to call and let her have a two gallon wooden bottle but he lied to my wife. She bought it, and gave half a bushel of corn and two of them their dinner and bated their horse.
December 25, Monday: Today I took the cart and oxen and went in to our Rodgers swamp and I got a load of wood and Wm started to come home with it and got into Mr. Sylvanus Carpenter’s lot and the cart mire in the mud and the oxen broke the yoke and we came home and got another an we went, lifted it out and it came home.
Wednesday: Today I took the cutter and went and fetched Abigail Meachum to our house to work. I went by way of Nathan Howard’s to Post Office and took our a letter from Cincinnati from Sister Hannah Twichel, price 25 cents. I called to H. Platt’s Store and paid Wm’s and my tax to Stephen S. Kittle, Collector, which was five dol and four cents.
Saturday: Today snowy and brother Wm took the cutter and carried his wife’s sister home to Hoosic. It was Meriah Barnhart. She had been to Wm’s about four months. On this week we carry and fetch our children to school.
Sunday: Today quite snowy and blowing and today Wm returned from Hoosic.
Wednesday: today I took the ox team and made a path into our swamp and got part of a load of wood. While I was gone from home, Mr. Hosey Bennett came and paid up a note of 36 dol given the 20th of last March. The interest was one dol and 98 cents and he paid one dol and 50 cts of the interest and there is 48 cents remains unpaid. The whole amount interest and principal he paid was 38 dol in bank bills, and my wife handed him 50 cents in change according to his request, to make it correct by his calculation.
Friday: We went with both teams and drew wood for Mr. Rowland Danford. He had a bee for a spell, and at night he provided a most excellent supper.
The Children are Sick
8 Jan 1827 This morning before one o'clock I went after Dr. Elijah Graves and a few neighboring women and about daylight I had my third son born
Saturday, January 20, 1827: We took the sleigh and got E. Pierce’s fanning mill and went over to our Rodgers Barn and fanned up about 35 bushels of oats and fetched them home. This week has been remarkably cold and blustering, snow deep and drifts.
Saturday, January 27: We sledded wood with both teams…tonight a thaw, and rainy.
Sunday: this forenoon rainy. Today Samuel and I went up into the widow Smalley’s lot and dug up some shoemake root to make a poultice for our second daughter L. Angeline, she has an inflammation in her leg, by a scratch and taking cold.
January 29, Monday: This morning at one o’clock I walked over after Dr. Elijah Graves, and I rode home with said doctor. He gave calomel to L. Angeline for she has a very high fever and a sciprilous complaint on her leg. The said Doctor went to bed and we watched with said child. Today I slept some. I am unwell. Tonight I took the cutter and rode over to our Rodgers Farm and foddered. I fetched home a cutter load of hemlock bows for our sheep. Tonight we watched with Angeline.
January 30, Tuesday: I went up to Goodrich Hollow to Mr. Amos Chapman’s and brought his wife home. Aseneth Newton rode home with me and watched with Angenline part of the night and I tended up on her.
Wednesday: Today quite stormy and this afternoon I rode over to Dr. Graves to know what to do for this complaint moving from the leg of my child up towards the body. He gave me physic and directed to rub on flour. When I was going to road was so drifted that I left my horse to the Widow Morton’s and walked down to said doctor’s.
February 4, Sunday: Today I took the cutter and carried my daughter Charlotte E. to the Shaker meeting. Harry W. Betts died tonight.
Wednesday February 8: Harry W. Betts died tonight. I tended to chores and threshed out corn and helped about making soap, and this afternoon I took the cutter and carried six bushels of corn to Gregory’s and Hadsell’s store at 72 cts per, and Abigail Meachum went with me and traded it and nine cts more that I had charged, which maked four dol and forty cts she traded towards her wages. It is six weeks today she has worked for us, and she charges 4 dol and 75 cents. Tonight my son George Pease was taken unwell.
Thursday: We chopped and drew wood from the swamp. Tonight our son is quite sick and restless.
Friday: This forenoon I went to Judah Rowley’s and got about two tablespoonsfuls of honey, but they would not take any pay for it. We got said honey to make a wash for George Pease mouth. It is full of canker and this afternoon I took the horse team and drew a load of corn stalks. Our son did not rest very well with his sore mouth, nor let us rest.
Saturday: Today Wm and I took the sleigh and carried some rye straw over to our young cattle to the Rodgers barn, and fetched home the fanning mill and then I took the cutter and rode over to Doctor Graves, and he ordered a puke and then physic for my boy, and borax to wash his mouth. Tonight he is very, very restless taking a puke.
Sunday: Tonight our son George Pease continues quite sick under the operation of medicine and sore mouth.
Monday: We tended to chores and fanned up rye. Our son continues quite sick and we have to watch with him nights.
Tuesday: This morning I took the cutter and went after Doctor Graves and he came and doctored my son George Pease for the sore mouth and quite a fever.
Wednesday: Today we ground up new axes, and tonight my son George continues better and rests better.
The Kids Get Whopping Cough
Sunday, February 5, 1827: Today I took the cutter and carried my wife and children over to brother Sylvester’s. I carried all three of my children to have them ride for the whooping cough.
Monday: This morning I took the cutter and my wife went with me and carried our son B. Pease to Doctor E. Graves and had his teeth cut, and we got some phistic for Angeline. Tonight I went to debating school at the school house near Simeon Wylie’s.
Friday: Today I am unwell. I tended to chores and towards night I walked down to Judah Rowley’s and got about a tablespoonful of honey for to give to Angeline in medicine to the whooping cough.
Saturday: Today I walked over to Dr. Graves to have him come to brother Wm’s children. His two oldest are quite unwell. From there I walked up onto what is called Tyler’s mountain to inquire for coal to buy.
Wednesday: Today I called up where Thomas Berry was burning a coal pit near Solomon Goodrich’s and bargained with him for one hundred bushels of coals for four barrels of cider. I called to Elder Jones and handed him his change from getting his grass seed the other day in Troy. Tonight one old Mr. Miller called and stayed with us. He is come to try to bargain for sheep. Today brother Wm went and got Dr. Graves twice to his youngest child, the third daughter. She is very dangerous.
Thursday, February 16: Attended to chores and helped take care in the house of my whooping cough children.
Friday: Today I tended to chores and to brother Wm’s chores, for is as well as all of his family is sick. Said Graves bled him and gave medicine. I tended in the house part of the time to my children. Today Asa Sheldon killed our old brown horse and took his hide and is to have half that he gets for his hide.,
Saturday: This afternoon we went into my swamp with both teams and got two sled-loads of hard wood, one to Wm’s and I chopped part of it and tended to his chores. This evening I walked down as far as Mr. Booge’s and tried every house to get some one to come and watch with Wm’s child, but could not for most every one was unwell.
Monday 22 Feb 1827 Asa Worden and son and sons wife made us a visit. She was Meriah Hadsell
Tuesday, February 23: Today it snowed. I was quite unwell part of the time. I lay a bed. I have this general distemper that is common through the country. Towards night I took the ox team and went up to Stephen Sheldon’s and got 70 bushels of oats straw.
Friday: Today I am quite unwell and with a boil coming on my arm. I took the cutter and called to James Adams and got Hannah Nappin to come a short time and help do the work and take care of our whopping cough children. Tonight I sent 12 cts by R. Danford to E. Tilden’s and got some castor oil.
24 Feb 1827 Randall Brown m/Margaret Sweet, d/James Sweet
28 Feb 1827 Mr. Nappins second son died
10 Mar 1827 Joshua Gardner Jr. died. Buried at the Baptist meetinghouse on the 13th
14 Mar 1827 Luke Rich's mother died, an aged person
Monday, March 26, 1827: Today Wm and I spent all day in trying to make a division in our property, but could not come to any agreement.
Tuesday: On this day Wm and I came to an agreement on part of our division in dividing our property. Wm agreed to give up of holding any demands for what he had paid or done on my Rodgers farm, likewise given up his claim of the stills and still house, and give me the privilege to have it remain on his land for twelve year and for me to take it away within that time. Likewise the house, that part of it that stands on his land, he agrees that it is to be considered undivided property and attached to the home farm with the rest of the undivided property, the little barn near the house to be divided in the same way, and I do agree to give up my demands of my earning until he was of age and which was three hundred dollars and the expense that I was at for his getting the blacksmith trade, which was one hundred and fifty dol and my half of the shop and tools, on hundred dollars, and the house and acre that we paid three hundred dollars my half 75 dol and I have him my note to be paid in cash in ninety days of 100 dollars, which the whole amount I gave is 725 dol, that all for the six hundred and twelve dol that we both paid for my Rodgers farm, On this evening, Wm and I walked down to W. Bailey, drew a writing similar to what I have stated, and Wm and I both signed it.
Wednesday, March 28: On this day, Wm took our sorrel mare and rode to Hoosic. He went to ask advice of his Father Barnhart concerning we dividing.
(In the last episode, George and his brother William (always referred to as Wm) were trying to come up with an equitable arrangement for dividing their property, which had become common property by years of the two of them working together on everything. Together they had worked the home farm passed down to them by their father, worked and improved a new farm which George had bought a few years before (referred to as his Rodgers farm), and built a still and a blacksmith shop to Wm, and appeared to leave the home farm as common property. Wm had then gone to Hoosick to consult with his father in law Mr. Barnhart about the division of property. George has not said yet why the two of them felt the need to divide up their property at this moment.)
Thursday, March 29, 1827: Wm returned from Hoosic. He came home with the horse sick, and this evening he went to Lebanon and got Allen Spencer to come and doctor the horse. We tended to it until midnight.
Friday: We tended to doctoring said horse. Samuel Harrington called and contended for two dollars for the services of his horse last summer, the 20th of June – you can see the bargain. Now rather than to have dispute I do agree to carry him two bushels of rye or corn which he agrees to take for his demands. Today Wm and I tried to come to some agreement about dividing the remainder of our property, but we could not agree, but we agreed to leave it to Mr. Hazard Morey for the third man, and I chose Mr. John Russell, and he chose Mr. Solomon Carpenter. I called to see Mr. Morey and Mr. Russell and he called to see Mr. Carpenter. This afternoon I went over to my farm and salted our cattle.
Monday, April 2: This morning Wm and I met to agree on the terms of the dividing of our property by the men that we agreed on on Saturday, but he would not consent to Hazard Morey as was agreed on Saturday, and he chose Adam Brown in his place, and we agreed on Wednesday to divide our farm that father left. Today I called to Adam Brown’s and got two quarts of milk. Today Wm took the singled wagon and carried Samuel Harrington two bushels of corn, which pays him for the use of his horse last June. Now we have fulfilled what we have agreed. I went to see Cousin Orsemas Holcomb. He is very sick and considered dangerous. They had a jury of doctors
Tuesday, April 3: Today I took the single wagon and went to Lebanon to town meeting peddling Bull’s cake, and I carried about 12 gallons of cider. I sold the cake, nearly all of it for six cts per card. I cleared eight dol today. David Johnson of New Lebanon died
Wednesday: Today the arbitrators came on, Adam Brown, Solomon Carpenter and John Russell, and they proposed to Wm and me for one to buy the other out, and I proposed to Wm to set a price and would agree to take it or let him likewise. He did by holding a council with these three abitrators. Their judgment agreed to a dollar and Wm’s was fifty dollars higher, and the price was nine hundred and fifty dollars for the one to pay the other that went away, one year from this date, and the one that stayed to have all of Mother’s furniture such as stove, brass or iron kettle, and whatever likewise Mother’s two cows and so forth at her decrease, and I agreed to take said farm together with the encumbrances, but Wm is to improve one half for this year and support Mother for this year, one half and I now take Samuel we signed notes of two hundred dol to each other if either give back to forfeit the same. On this evening I called down to Wm Bailey’s according as brother Wm directed as his business is to give me a deed and get said Bailey to do the writings, moreover Wm is to lease me the ground that the house stands on that Wm lives and the platform in front as long as the house stands.
Monday, April 9, 1827: Today we began to plow stalk ground. Wm and I do not divide, we manage our home farm together, each one to do half of the work for this year and each one to do his equal part in providing for our mother, and Samuel comes now into my hands as is ageed on the 4th of the present month. Today Gideon Barnhart came to buy our young oxen and today Mr. Rowland Danford moves from Wm’s house to Lebanon. Tonight Samuel drove our young oxen home from my Rodgers farm so that we could have a chance for Barnhart to see them if he wants to buy. Today sister Eleanor began to help us do our work, for my wife is quite unwell.
Tuesday: This morning I walked over after Dr. Graves, for my wife continues a pain in her side and a bad cough. He came and bled her. Today we plowed. Tonight I walked up to the Presbyterian meeting house and heard a young man that had been a Shaker deliver a discourse to tell what the rise of the Shakers was and their progress.
Wednesday: This morning Wm and I sold Gideon Barnhart our four year old oxen for fifty dollars. This afternoon I took the single wagon and went and fetched Cousin Amanda Green to nurse our babe for my wife has quite a fever.
Sunday: This morning I walked over to Adam Brown’s and got two quarts of milk and today I walked down to Old Widow Booge’s and got two quarts of beer. She would not take any pay. I got it for my wife, for she continues quite sick. Tonight a snow storm.
Tuesday, April 17: Today I took the wagon and horses and plow and went over to my Rodgers farm and I plowed brother Sylvester’s garden and for to pay me he beats and spreads the manure in the meadow, and I told Sylvester that he must pay me rent for the house and garden to begin this month, price 12 dol for a year, and if further privileges such as pasturing and wood must be another bargain.
Wednesday: I mended fence on the hill, drew out manure and plowed sward. We had a calf die and we skinned it and Wm carried it to Elem Tilden’s and had it credit 58 cts on our account. On this day I paid my school bill to brother Wm, which was one dol and twenty seven cts, he stands one of the trustees.
Saturday April 21, 1827: This morning I rode over and got some slippery elm bark in Mr. Solomon Carpenter’s lot for to make tea for my wife’s cough.
Monday: This forenoon we carted rails and stone and plowed sward land and this morning I took my wife into the cart and carried her to Mother Spring’s on a visit, but her cough continues to increase. (George’s mother in law was married to John Wylie and after he died she married Nathaniel Spring. Her name was Deborah Allyn)
Tuesday: Today rainy. We fanned over rye and finished breaking sward land for corn, and I rode up to Elisha Morton’s and got a four ounce bottle of Hurlbert’s cough drops, and for the same I stand indebted for 75 cts, the price agreed on and to give my wife for her cough.
Wednesday: Today a snow storm.
Saturday April 28: Today’s quite rainy. I tended to chores such as tending to the sheep and lambs, and this evening I ent up to Garret Hirse for brother Wm to tell him that he would let his old house until the 3rd day of April next for 20 dol and said Hires must secure him for the pay and no horn cattle to run on said premises on the account of the fruit trees, likewise to keep his hogs in a pen and to take no one in to his family now into the house without Wm consent, not to burn up or destroy any fence nor boards, and furthermore said Hires must go to Lebanon and notify Archibald Simpson that he can’t let him have said house, and said Hires agreed to these proposals, and he is to have the same privileges of the house and yard as Mr. Rowland Danford last year did.
Sunday: Today I walked over to my Rodgers farm and I. Newton went up into Simeon Wylie’s woods and got me some moose weed for to make my wife some drink for her cough, for it continues quite bad. I came home and got white pine bark and spignut and steeped it and sweetened it with molasses, which she is taking as medicine for said cough.
Thursday May 3: I walked to Pittsfield and Dalton to market oats, rye and corn, and flax and returned home this evening.
Friday: Today I took the wagon and horses and carried 16 bushels of rye and four bushels of corn to Pittsfield and sold it for 15 dol. I get 37 cts for the over plush on the rye. I carried 41 pounds of flax and sold it at a number of places, and I carried part of it to Dalton. I got for the whole four dol and eighty four cts.
26 May 1827 Zach Chapman's dau Laura died. Her health had been on a decline for more than 10 years. Funeral was the next day at the Presbyterian meetinghouse. Elder Jones preached at 3 o'c
13 Jun 1827 Today I am 36 yrs old
Friday, June 1: We worked on the highway and the team and I, with cart, and plow counted three days. Samuel worked this day, and Wm worked one of his.
Saturday: Today Samuel and myself worked on the highway, which counted me two days and the team and cart counted to Wm’s assessment, likewise he worked.
Sunday: Today I am quite unwell.
Wednesday: Today Wm and I went over to my Rodgers farm and divided our sheep. I had 20 old ones and eight lambs. We then divided the five yearlings calves. He had his choice and took the two best heifers, and for his having his choice and I do agree to pasture his two, I have his half of the odd heifer and his half the odd sheep, and then we had four two year old heifers. I agreed to take the white speckled one and the broiled one and he had the two dark red ones. We divided our pine plank what was in my Rodgers barn.
Saturday: This forenoon Wm and I went over to Elijah Goodrich’s and reckoned with him. He took our part of the boards that we had to his mill, which pays him up for the boards we borrowed of him in the year 1821. This day we began to work our corn. Rainy this afternoon, we hoed but little. Today Wm and I divided our wool, we had 51 pounds each and Mother had 7 ½ pounds. On this evening I walked over to the widow Booge’s to see a man and his wife that had lately left the Shakers. Their name is Haskings. I bargained with them for his wife to come and spin wool, for week’s work and milk four cows twice a day and I agreed to pay them 52 cts per week, and she further agreed to wash one day in each week and she further agreed to wash one day in each week in lieu of spinning and she further agreed to do housework if we wanted instead of spinning when my wife was not able to do it.
Tuesday: Today Samuel and I worked on the highway. In the middle of the day we went to J. Maxon’s raising a shed.
Tuesday, June 2, 1827: This evening Wm and I took the single wagon and rode to Lebanon. We went to the Shakers to see what they would pay for wool. We did not market ours for the price was so low. Wm marketed his reel. We then called to Elem Tilden’s store and I paid in cash 33 cts for calico, paregoric, and corrosive supplements. On this day Wm and I divided our oxen and horses. He had his choice and took the oxen and yearling colt, and I had a span of mares.
Wednesday: Tonight I came home with the cart and oxen and fetched butternut bark and part of a load of old wood. I am 36 years old.
Thursday: This forenoon I hoed in the garden and prepared butternut bark and tub for coloring wool and helped plow out potatoes.
Saturday: Today brother Wm takes athe single wagon and my sorrel mare and carries his wife to Hoosic on a visit.
Tuesday: I rode about the neighborhood to hunt up Dr. Graves and Elisha Clark’s young horses that was a missing out of my pasture. Said Clark took them without notice to me. On this day I took my bay mare the second time to Simon Cranston’s horse. This afternoon I was cutting timber on the hill. I cut my foot, but not very bad. Today Wm returned from Hoosic. On this day I heard of the death of Uncle Josiah Holcomb. He was buried on Friday last, I heard
Wednesday: This forenoon I took the cart and Wm’s oxen and carried timber to E. Goodriches to be sawed for cart axletree and body.
13 Jun 1827 Today I am 36 yrs old
15 Jun 1827 Uncle Josiah Holcomb was buried today
Thursday, June 21, 1827: Today I took the single wagon and carried 17 pounds of cheese to Randal Brown’s store and traded it at seven pence per pound.
Friday, June 22: This morning some rainy. We made a lane and milk yard. I took the single wagon and went to Elijah Goodriches and paid one dol and 63 cts for two pigs, and this afternoon I carried my wife and Mother Spring to the Widow Booge’s on a visit, and then went with brother Wm. To Judah Rowley’s and he bought two pigs.
Wednesday, June 27: Today rainy. This afternoon we pealed hemlock bark in my swamp, and I. Newton helped.
Friday, June 29: Samuel and I plowed and hoed potatoes. Tonight brother Wm returned from troy on a petty jury. He has been gone all the week. On this morning I rode to the pool to John Bull’s and got three dol and 31 cts worth of cake to carry to sell to the wolf hunt, but there was a mistake. There was no hunt at present. Platt Wylie (Henry Platt Wyle son of John Wylie, Jr. and Betsey Platt) hoed for me this forenoon and I rode to Hancock and found out there was not wolf hunt.
Sunday, July 1: Today I took the wagon and carried my wife over to Dr. Graves and she had two teeth drawn, and I had one drawn. I paid him 12 cents, which was all he did ask. We then went to Cousin Samuel Holcomb’s and stayed until after tea. This evening I rode to Lebanon pool hill to J. Bull’s the baker’s to contrive about peddling the Fourth of July. I fetched one dol and 12 cents worth of cake home in addition to what I had.
Monday July 2, 1827: I called to the old Widow Morton’s with brother Wm and he bargained with Samuel Morton for that farm. Said Morton is to give him possession the first of April next, clear of all incumbrance and a lease from Stephen Van Rensselaer with the rent paid up and brother Wm pays him for the farm when he takes possession, which is twelve hundred and fifty dollars. This morning I rode down to the widow Booge’s and fetched home Mrs. Haskins to work for us as is before agreed, at sixty two and a half cts per week. Tonight I borrowed Mr. John Russel’s half barrel and we made nearly a barrel of small beer.
Tuesday: Today I borrowed Zach Chapman’s wagon and we went to the Shakers with both teams, oxen and cart and horse team, with 148 feet of Hemlock bark at three dol per cord, and one hind quarter of veal, 20 pounds, at three cts per pound, and it paid up a small note and the remainder I paid towards some shoe leather. I walked up to William Post’s the hatter, and got a hat that he had dressed over for my head 50 cts, charged to me. On the way going I was detained on account of a very great rain, and it is high water and did considerable damage.
Wednesday: I went to Pittsfield and peddled cider, beer and bull’s cake. I cleared nearly twelve dollars, I paid said Bull five dol for what I sold for him.
Thursday: We hoed in the garden and mended fence where the great rain washed it away, and this afternoon we took down the under pinning stone from the corner of the barn and this evening I rode over to my Rodgers farm and engaged brother Sylvester to come tomorrow and joint over our barn floor and today I took the cart and oxen and borrowed Mr. Hazard Morey’s screw to hoist the corner of our barn.
Friday: We underpinned the barn in a number of places and raised the corner with said screw, and sawed some posts and put under and brother Wm helped. I had the posts of him, two long ones and one short one, and today brother Sylvester worked for me a laying over part of the barn floor, and for the same I credit him seventy five cents towards his rent. On this day Philander P. Holcomb came on a visit from the City of New York on account of his health, on his way to his father’s to the westward.
Saturday: Garret Hires butchered a calf for me and I paid him in cider. This forenoon I took the single wagon and carried the Shakers 36 feet hemlock bark.
July 9, Monday: This forenoon I hilled corn and in the afternoon I began to now on my Rodgers farm on what is called the beaver meadow. This afternoon brother Wm took my mare and plowed out Amos Chapman’s potatoes, part of them, and I. Newton’s corn that they do plant on my land on shares, and said Chapman pays Wm in making a pair of shoes for Mother and I find the leather to answer against Wm getting them made.
Tuesday: He hayed on my Rodgers farm and finished the beaver meadow. I took the single wagon and carried my son George Pease to Doc Nost(?) and had his foot measured for a pair of shoes, and to Wm Post’s and had his head measured for a hat.
Wednesday: Today we hayed on my Rodgers farm, and this afternoon Wm rode my mare to the west part of this town and hired a boy by the name of Cleveland to work for three dollars and 50 cts and tonight I kept a dry goods Irish peddler and a Yankee peddler with books and print.
Thursday: On this day I rode to Dalton by way of Pittsfield and called on Doctor Right’s and I got a bundle of clothes that brother Wm’s wife’s sister left there. That was Lucretia Barnhart a little deranged, and travels from place to place. I called to Dalton today by a request of a letter from Miss Hannah Bassett for her mother, the widow Bassett, had died but a few days previous, and she wanted me to go to Lanesborough and see the poor masters about agreeing to take the widow Hannah Wheeler. I called to Mr. Young’s but did not make any bargain, for he wanted to see the other poor masters, and then he would send me word what they could give a week for me to board the old lady. I returned home through Hancock Village over the mountain by Potters, and it was nearly ten o’clock this evening when I returned home.
Saturday: I walked up to Doctor Allen Wos and got my son George Pease new shoes, and was charged 37 cents for the making. I called to Wm Post’s to see if my said boy’s hat was done but it was not. Today I took the single wagon and carried my wife and Mother Spring to Richmond to brother Jay Wylie’s on a visit.
Sunday: This afternoon my wife and I started for home and left Mother Spring with brother Jay a few days for a visit, we called at the Shakers to the foot of the mountain and they helped me nail on the skain of my wagon axletree, and we stopped some time to rest our two children, for George Pease was quite unwell. We called to Doctor Right’s and got two portions of calomel for him and then we called to Elem Tilden’s and paid 12 cts for two ounces of paregoric for our babe John Franklin.
Friday, July 27, 1827: We hayed on my Rodgers Farm but some rainy…on last evening brother Sylvester had a daughter born its weight was two pounds, (?) ounces.
Saturday morning I rode through this town and to Hancock Village to notify the people that Mr. Butler the Episcopalian priest from Troy wold preach tomorrow in the Presbyterian meetinghouse, and I rode to Lebanon to give said Butler notice that his appointment was accepted in this town.
Friday, August 3: We hayed on my Rodgers farm and brother Wm and his boy helped in the way of changing works. On this evening brother Sylvester’s child died, aged about one week.
Saturday: Today Wm and I dug a grave for Sylvester’s child, and we mowed a spell. This afternoon I took the wagon and carried my wife and family to the funeral of brother Sylvester’s child at his house. Elder Jones delivered a short sermon.
Friday, August 10: This morning I took the wagon and my wife went with me to Doctor Right’s and carried our son George Pease and got some medicine. Said child had a relapse.
September 8, 1827: Cousin Ira Humphrey lived in Lansingburgh.
Sunday, September 16: today Wm took the single wagon and went to Hoosic after his wife’s sister Meriah, some rainy.
Monday: This morning I rode over after Dr. Graves for brother Wm’s wife. Today she had a daughter born for her fifth child. Today Wm. Returned from Hoosic with his wife’s sister Meriah.
Tuesday: We gathered apples and ground apples, this afternoon rainy and tonight a very high wind.
Wednesday: Today I took the single wagon and carried Mr. Lewis the tailor the cloth, and was measured for a coat and pantaloons and left it to be cut out. I carried him three bushels of apples to pay him for same.
Saturday: We worked on the highway with the team and cart, myself and Samuel, and cart works my two days and Wm Post one day and brother Wm worked half a day and his oxen all day, which completes or second assessment.
Wednesday: I went to Pittsfield and peddled cake and cider. I do have said Bull’s cake. I made nearly five dollars.
Thursday: Today I took the single wagon and some cider and went to Cheshire Corners to training,. I made nearly five dollars.
Friday: This morning I took the single wagon and went over to my Rodgers farm and pulled up my few beans…this afternoon I peddled cider and cake to Lebanon meeting house to officer training. I called to Mr. Lewis and got my coat and pantaloons that he has cut out from me.
Monday October 1, 1927: Today I took the single wagon and went to Canaan peddling cake and cider. I cleared five dollars.
Tuesday: I went peddling cake and cider and pies at Brainard’s Bridge. I cleared about seven dol.
Wednesday: Today I went to Pittsfield to cattle show peddling. I carried four dollars worth of Whitings and Rosses cake from Greenbush and two dollars 12 cents worth of J. Bull’s of Lebanon, and sold out and 20 gal of cider. I cleared eight dollars.
Thursday: I returned to Pittsfield peddling with a chest of Bull’s cake and half a barrel of cider. I sold out. I cleared about nine dollars today.
Thursday, October 11: Carted two loads of cider to H. Platt’s still, six casks each. I got two gal of cider brandy towards my brandy that I am having stilled. Tonight I went to our annual school meeting.
Saturday, October 13: We gathered apples. Tonight we ground apples for cider. I paid my school bill to brother Wm, as he is one of the trustees. My schooling for this summer for two children is one dol and fifty two cts.
Saturday, October 20: Today I took the single wagon and carried my wife’s sister Hannah Twichel to Troy and got a passage for her on a Canal boat. She is to pay one cent per. I crossed over into West Troy to see Mr. James Landon about his paying me up a note which was the remainder for a pair of fat cattle, but he was not at home, and I was informed by his neighbors that he was broke down and stopped business. I returned into Troy and left said not with the City Collector. Mr. Wilson. I stayed tonight to a tavern opposite Price’s tavern.
Sunday, October 21: This morning I paid my bill was 19 cts and today I came home. My gate fee was 29 cts and my bill was ten cts for wine going and I paid 23 cts for cider to Woodward’s and I fetched home with me a 14 year old by the name of Hosnocker, and if both parties is suited, I keep her this winter and school her only enough to have her living.
Tuesday: Today I took the wagon and my wife and I went to the Shakers, went there and asked them to give Mrs. Polly Hasket some things to keep house with. We consider the said Shakers is indebted to her for her work there all her days, but they would give her nothing, because they said Mr. Hasket had abused them. Tonight we husked corn a spell.
Wednesday: We gathered apples and ground some apples this evening.
Thursday: We gathered some apples and we made cider, and this evening we made cider. Today my wife took the wagon and rode to Hancock to Rodman Hazard’s. On this day cold and some snowy. This morning Mr. Wm Haskett went to Lebanon to shoemaking and took the leather to make Samuel a pair of shoes and mend mine towards his board and we reckoned for his board up to now, which was three dol and reckoned with his wife for her work to now, which was ten weeks work for spinning, washing, and milking at 62 cts per week excepting one week’s pay in apples at eight cts per bushel that week. She dried apples for us that she has her pay in apples and the rest of the time she washes one day in a week and milks for her board.
Sunday, October 28, 1827: Today I took the single wagon and carried my wife and sister Eleanor to Elder Jones meeting house to the funeral of old Mr. Jeremiah Landon and said Jones preached. On the way home we were stopped at Calvin Carpenter’s to see the sight of the son of Benj. Carpenter’s son Henry that was hurt by a horse running away and turning the wagon over. He was badly jammed.
Thursday, Nov. 1: This morning I told Mr. John Russell that I had a pile of wood to the school house and that wood I should not make use of there as he was going to work round said school house. I told him not to meddle with it nor let on one lese, but as near as I can find out he and others cut up my wood and put it into said school house and put a lock on the door, all this for what purpose I know not.
Wednesday, November 7: today quite stormy, snow and rain. This morning Henry Carpenter died with a wound from falling from the wagon on Sunday the 28th of last month. Said boy had his skull broken in and Doctor Batcheler transpanned him. He was wounded mortally otherwheres about the head.
Thursday: Today I took the single wagon and carried my wife and Mother Holcomb and Miriam Newton to the funeral of Henry Carpenter, the son of Benj, Carpenter. A sermon was preached by Elder Jones at the Seventh Day meeting house.
Friday: I carried my children to school and I chopped and knocked up old wood in my wood on the hill, and I took on a load onto my horse sled and broke down in the woods, and I took off the horses and came home. This evening, tonight my son George P. was quite restless with a stoppage on the lung.
Saturday: I began to help brother Wm kill hogs, but I was called home and went after Dr. Graves. Tonight I sat up with my son George Pease, he continued quite sick, a stoppage in the stomach.
Sunday: Tonight my son quite restless, I went to Dr. Graves and I got more medicine, for he continues distressed at the stomach.
Monday: Today I carried my children to school and we laid up rail fence round the orchard and turned our swine into said orchard and we took Wm’s ox team and we got down the broken sled and two loads of wood, and at night I took the wagon and rode over to Dr. Graves and got more medicine for my child, but we did not give it tonight, for the child was a little better.
Monday, November 12, 1827: I took the single wagon and carried my two daughters and brother Wm’s daughter to school to the school house near the Presbyterian meeting house. Mr. George Glass teaches the school. I send there from our own district on account of our trustees being willful and hiring a teacher that the voice of the district was not in favor of. Said trustees names were Solomon Carpenter and Joshua B. Maxon, and their teacher’s name’s Benj. Mattison.
Today Mr. Haskett moves his goods and clothing and all his concerns from my house. I charge him with half a bushel potatoes.
November 18, 1827: Elder Jones was married to Harriet. He was 33 and had 5 children
Tuesday, November 27, 1827: (In the prior installment, George’s son George Pease was unwell.) This morning I carried my children to school, and I cleaned the barn floor and Samuel began to thresh oats. Tonight Garrett Hires had my bay mare to go after the doctor for his wife.
Wednesday: I carried my children to school and I sorted some corn in the crib and we made barnyard fences. Tonight my son is more unwell and stopped to in the stomach and I was broke of my rest.
Thursday: Today I carried and fetched my children to school. Today some snow and rain. I mended our horse sled and I borrowed a vial of oil of Castor, for my child continued stopped at the stomach. We gave the medicine, or part of it, to said child.
Friday: Today quite rainy. We took off a cider cheese and we helped cider, and I went over to brother I. Newton’s and he went with me up into Elder Matthew Jones’ lot and we got slippery elm bark for to make drink for my child. I returned home and found my child more distressed for breathing and we was more alarmed. I was getting ready to go for Doctor Graves and Doctor Tanner was passing. I called in in to see the child and he told us the cild had the rattles and it was his opinion that it was past cure. He left a little blister plaster to apply if Doctor Graves failed. This evening I had brother Wm go after Doctor Graves and he came and stayed all night.
Saturday, December 1: This morning our child was not any better. I sent brother Wm after Doctor Right for council for Doctor Graves, for my child continues to be more sick, but said Right was not to home and he returned and I went after him about ten this morning, after him about ten this morning, but he had come home and gone again, and I returned home and about two this afternoon I went again after Right and found him to home, and he found my child very sick, but not of the rattles as Tanner said. He powerfully operated on the child, a puking and phisicing and releaved him shortly of the distress and said the complaint was on the lungs. Tonight sister Eleanor and Aseneth Newton watched.
Sunday: This morning before day, Right and Graves both came to doctor said child, but child complaint in the stomach and I rode to Elem Tilden’s and paid 75 cts for a bottle of castor oil, Seneca, and three cts for six crackers. I called to Doctor Right’s and got his pipe to give injections, and today Graves called down from meeting to see said child, and tonight we were quite frightened about the child, and we got Frederick Russell to go after Right and Platt Wylie after Graves. Tonight Polly Bailey watches with our child. Today brother Wm took my sorrel mare and the single wagon and went to Hoosic.
Monday: This morning Doctor Right and Doctor Graves both me to my house and consulted together about doctoring my child and and Right left it in the hands of Graves. The child is easier than it was last night. They do agree to continue puking and phisicing said child, to release the lungs, and this forenoon I walked over to Rensselaer Joles and borrowed a pipe to give injections. I tended to chores and made a pair of boar posts and cut wood. At night I went up to Mr. Champman’s and got their hired girl to come and watch. Her name is Permelia Casey.
Tuesday: This morning said Doctor Graves called to my child. He says the complaint is removed.
Wednesday: Wm and I finished our barn yards and tonight Aseneth Newton watched with my child. Today Dr Graves called and said we must brace up the child and he should stop giving medicine.
19 Dec 1827 Rockman Pierce died. Funeral on 21st at Elder Jones meetinghouse, Elder Taggot preached
Sunday, December 23: Today I took the cutter and carried my wife to the funeral of one Mr. Powell, he died on Monday night it is expected, in the snow storm. He was intoxicated and on his way home from the store with a jug of rum. Elder Jones preached his funeral at the schoolhouse in Goodrich Hollow, but sermon was out before we got there. Today cousin widow Nelly Holcomb and her son called to see if we would take her daughter to work for her board and go to school.
Monday: I carried my children to school and drew wood from my Rodgers Farm. Tonight I started to go to see the widow Nelly Holcomb to let her know that she might send her girl and we would take her as proposed. I sent word by her son without going any further. Tonight we kept a trunk peddler, and paid us in pins and thread.
Thursday: Today some stormy. I tended to chores and chopped wood to the door, and we, brother Wm and I,. tended to dividing our sheep. We had to divide our sheep over again on account of the marks getting rubbed off.
Friday: I called down to the Shakers to David Munson’s and paid one dol and 61 cts for five pounds of ¾ of shoe leather. I called into J. Gold’s store and exchanged 21 dol Vermont money for Albany, Troy, and Pittsfield money. Some rainy.
Saturday: I called to Samuel Holcomb’s to see if the widow Nelly Holcomb was going to let me have her little girl to help us, as has been talked, but she has engaged her elsewhere. On the way I called to H. Platt’s store and paid ten cents for my wife a small hair comb.
Thursday, January 10, 1828: We chopped and piled wood in my Rodgers swamp. On this morning Miss Alma Booge died. She has been for months unwell with bloating, and died at last with quick consumption.
Friday: Today my wife and I waked down to the widow Booge’s to the funeral of Alma Booges. Mr. Silas Churchill preached. I went up Goodrich Hollow in Hancock to Gideon Martin’s to engage money to borrow to make out a payment to brother Wm the first of April for land, but I did not engage any for a certainty. I called to Henry Stanton and got the promise of three hundred dollars the first of April next.
Thursday, January 24: Today I took the cutter and carried my wife and Mother Holcomb to Hazard Morey’s to the funeral of Old Mrs. Morey, her age 89 years. A Quaker from Adams preached and today Mr. Sylvester Gardner was married to Miss Alma Russell by Elder Jones, and this evening Mr. John Hatch to Miss Lecta Tyler, and tonight I walked over to H. Platt’s store and left my tax money and brother Wm’s with said Platt to hand to the said collector Mittle according to his orders. Our taxes were five dol and 80 cts, and brother Wm’s taxes were one dol and 88 cts.
February 2, 1828: Today Mrs. Hill, the wife of Joseph Hill was fetched from Nassau and buried at the Presbyterian meetinghouse. They once lived in this town and have children there(age 59, Mercy Hill, died 31 Jan, m/ Joseph Hill)
4 Feb 1828 Morgan Brown was buried. He died with the consumption
5 Feb 1828 Funeral of Loretta, dau of Joseph Russell at Presb. Meetinghouse. Sermon preached by Elder Jones. She was 18 yrs old. They lived to the westward and she was fetched to Albany for her health and she died with the consumption and then fetched on to this town to be buried with her connections
Wednesday, February 6, 1828: Today I am unwell, with a pain in my head. Today I went up to Mr. John Russel’s and Doc Bacholer from Pittsfield came and cut out a wen or substance from near the end of my second finger on my left hand, on the inside of said finger, which was very painful in taking it our and scraping the bone, and I paid him one dollar for the job, and tonight I took the single wagon and fetched my children from school. Tonight my finger was some painful.
Thursday: I was quite unwell and I took physic and my lame finger kept me confined to wetting it in spirits and water. Tonight Hiram Spring stayed with us.
Friday: Elijah Hatch buried his oldest daughter. She died with the measles. Today I kept confined to the house with my lame finger and some unwell.
Monday: Today I walked to Richmond to brother Jay Wylie’s to see if he was getting the money, five hundred dollars to lend me the first of April. He agreed to get the money by that time. On the way I called to Mr. Dewey’s to let him know that Henry Stanton wanted his money by the first of April.
Tuesday: February 12: On this day I bought brother Wm’s half of the single wagon with the pleasure box and lumber box and the chairs that we used in said boxes and one cushion that belonged to it, likewise his half of the cutter, and his half of the double and single harness to have a pair of single whiffletrees and the two set of trace chains with said harness, and for the same I gave a set of single wagon on wheels 12 dol delivered at Samuel Holcomb’s shop, and my half of the cast plow, 2 dol and 50 cts for my half of the horse collar, and I paid him five dol and 50 cts to the Shakers in harness leather, and I paid him three dollars in cash, and one dol remains unpaid yet, which makes 24 dol that I pay him for his half of the before-mentioned articles, calling said wagon 25 dol and cutter 12 dol and harnesses 11 dols.
Thursday: I walked up to Squ. Gideon Martin’s to see if he was intended to lend me money this spring. He gave me encouragement. I borrowed a book of his, Mary Dyre’s writings against the Shakers. Hiram Spring stays with us tonight.
Friday: In the forenoon I piled up wood to the door and then I put both yoke of my steers on with Wm’s oxen to brake them, and went with him into the swamp and got a load of wood for Mother.
Monday: This morning our Governor died. DeWitt Clinton died in a fit, if I get the information right.
Wednesday, February 27, 1828: Today a thaw and rainy. I mended my horse sled and then I took the cutter and carried my wife and daughter Charlotte to Hancock village and traded to Gregory’s and Hadsells.
Thursday: On this evening Hiram Hastings, brother Sylvester, and I. Newton made us a short visit, and said Hastings planed off the corners of my wife’s bureau drawers, or the bottoms, to make them slide in easier. This morning Squ. James Sweet died.
Friday: I tended to chores and some unwell and the rest of my family unwell, with colds. Tonight I called to make the widow Landers a short visit.
Sunday: This evening I walked to the post office to Nathan Howard’s and took out a letter from my wife’s sister Hannah Twichel in Cincinnati, Ohio, price 25 cents, and I paid one cent for a Cincinnati newspaper sent. Said Howard lent me a Freemasons Monitor. Today snowy and tonight rainy.
Monday: Today Gideon Barnhart helped me cut a walnut and he works it into ax helves, and we draw it the remainder for wood. I tired to shave ox bows, but I did not make any.
Tuesday: I took the horse team and sled and fetched a load of hay from my Rodgers barn, and drew a load of wood or walnut limbs off the hill and then we drew out manure with our oldest steers.
Monday: Today we took our sheep over to my Rodgers barn and I. Newton agreed to fodder and stable and take care of the lambs for the privilege of his sheep to run with mine and he foddered of my hay until grass.
Wednesday: I walked to the southwest part of Lebanon to Mr. Davis’ the plowmaker to make a bartering trade for a plow, but could not. On the way I called to Cousin J. Eggleston’s and to C. Moffitt’s store.
Friday: I am quite unwell with a lame back.
Saturday: I am unwell today. A snow storm. This afternoon I walked over to C. Moffitt’s store and paid in cash 24 cts for half a gallon of molasses, and I bought a plow of Mr. Moses DeGraw. The plow was made by David, it is gypson’s pattern. I have paid him 50 cts in cash, and gave a due bill for three bushels of corn and eight gallons of cider brandy for said plow. He called said plow six dollars.
Sunday, March 17, 1828: Today I took the double sleigh and carried my wife and Mother and Hannah and Mary Basset to the Presbyterian meeting. One Mr. Beech preached.
Monday: This forenoon I walked over to Gideon martin’s to see if he was going to get the money to lend me as he before gave me encouragement. He now tells me that I can have it by the first of April. I likewise called on Henry Stanton. He had three hundred dollars on hand, and agreed to keep it for me until April, and says if I want it then he will lend it to me. This afternoon I cut an ash in my swamp that had turned up for the sled runners, and we cut up some hemlock brush. Tonight we shelled corn.
Saturday, March 29: We got home from Troy this morning at four o’clock. Our expense was one dollar and eight cents. We bated but once coming home. I am unwell, but this afternoon I walked to Richmond and borrowed three hundred dollars of Brother Fred Jay Wylie, and gave my note on interest for one year, payable in current bank bills. I took tea there. I then walked home.
Sunday: On this evening I walked down to said Cousin Broads to see if his Father would lend me money, but he would not.
Monday: This morning I walked over to Henry Stanton’s and borrowed three hundred dollars payable in six months incurrent bank bills. Likewise I borrowed thirty dollars of Henry Curtis payable in one year in current bank bills and from Stanton’s I went to Gideon Martin’s and borrowed one hundred dollars and gave my note for one year, and from there I went to Elijah Goodrich’s and gave my note to Lydia Stone for nine dollars in specie payable in one year. I then came to Adam Brown’s and sold him my four year old steers for fifty dollars, and paid me the cash, and he lent me fifty dollars payable in one year.
Wednesday, April 2: Today brother Wm and I walked to Pittsfield. He borrowed eighty dollars of the widow Hannah Buh and I signed the note with him. The money was all in specie. I went into the bank and gave nearly two hundred dollars Stockbridge bills for their bills. I then paid brother Wm eight hundred and thirty one dollars in Pittsfield bills and took a credit.