George Builds A Room For Lodgers

Monday, December 1, 1851: I went to Pittsfield with cutter and carried my two daughters. We took tea to brother F. J. Wylie’s. On the way going I left 4  bushels turnips to the rope maker Bailey’s and got ten pounds rope for the turnips. I paid two dollars and 87 cents for 70 feet of half inch lead pipe weighing 59 pounds of W. G. Backus.
Wednesday: I and Geo P. began to board up or make or partition off a lodging room in the kitchen chamber. Today Mr. Aaron Merrils began to fodder one hundred and forty sheep and six head horn cattle for me on said Rodgers farm but no bargain what he is to have a week but he said that he should charge one dollar per week.
Friday: I worked part of the day boarding up the lodging room in the kitchen chamber and Geo P. worked at the bedroom boarding up. Tonight I kept a peddler and his horse, his name is Carpenter. I paid him 31 cts for two gingham neck handkerchiefs.
Saturday: I finished boarding up said bedroom and this afternoon my women papered said bedroom.
Monday: Today the wife of old Caleb Jolls died.
Tuesday: I went to the funeral of the wife of Caleb Jolls. I went with my one horse sleigh and carried my wife and two daughters
Thursday: I called to my Rodgers farm to Aaron Merrils and reckoned with him for foddering for me last winter 20 sheep and four calves from the first Jan. to the first April. I credited him eight dollars and one dol 88 cts for skinning and 31 cts for washing, and I charged him 20 dollars for house rent and three dollars for three cord wood, which leaves thirteen dollars and sixty two cents due me. I called to Russel Palmer’s and bargained with him to make our sausage at two cts per pound and take his pay in turnips, and Geo P. carried the meat to him this evening. While I was to Hancock I paid Daniel Gardner one dollar on my subscription for Elder Haven.