The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Deaths From Measles; Geo P Sells 97 Sheep

By

Tuesday, February 24, 1852: Today I took my cutter and rode to Hancock. I called to Lapum’s store and got six dozen boosums to make and four dozen for Susan Jones to make. I called to Capt. Hubbard’s to see if he would sell an old stone sink, but he was not home. I carried Charlotte to Simeon Wylie’s and then she rode to temperance meeting with them to the Baptist Church. Today Geo P. went to Pittsfield with cutter and sold 11 bushels apples to Tylor’s school for ten dollars.
Wednesday: I am lame with a swollen ankle on my left foot.
Thursday: My foot and ankle continue lame and to swell, I had a poltice of slippery elm and corn meal applied or polticed. Today my two daughters went to Berlin to a temperance meeting to the Chapel, they went in a load of four horse team on a wagon.
Friday: I continue lame and to poltice my ankle and foot. Today Geo P. drove his fat spotted oxen to Dike Babcock at six dollars per, weighed one 1133 and guessed the other ox and both estimated at 133 dollars, live weight 3340.
Saturday: Today Rufus Kendall came to let us know of the death of his wife’s mother that is the wife of Sylvester Holcomb deceased, her name when or before marriage was Betsey Hastings. She died on last Friday evening, she died of the measles. Today a hard wind of snow storm and drifted and towards night John F. walked over to Hiram Newton’s to let know of the death of the widow Betsey Holcomb.
Sunday: My ankle continued painful and I have the elm poltice applied. Today no one of my family attended the funeral of sister Betsey Holcomb for the roads were drifted badly to go to Pittsfield where she died. Yesterday, before said Kendall got home, his child, the youngest son, Calvin, Levi Lucus died with measles.
Monday, March 8: I have the poltices continued on my foot. Today John Hadsell, the son of Miles Hadsell came and paid Geo P. three hundred and eighty dollars for ninety seven fat wethers and took them away.
Tuesday: Mr. Runnals came and bargained for my house and garden for one year to take possession the first of April and to pay me fifteen dollars to pay in haying at one dol per day and do the work in good weather to begin the second Monday in July. and to work the four first days in each week until paid.