John F. Goes To Court To Collect Rent

Thursday January 18, 1855: This morning I walked up and had Geo P. come this forenoon and butcher two pigs and this morning  Elisha Bennet returned to my house and took breakfast, I gave him one bushel turnips and he served a summons on John Merrils. Today John F. went with my horse and cutter to Nassau to see Squ Smith Strait, he was not home and did not see him. This afternoon Geo P. went to Lebanon and I sent by him three dollars enclosed in a letter to the Washington County Insurance Company which was an assessment on my Premium note.
Saturday: This forenoon John F. and Geo P. with him went with his two horse team to Squ Wm. Hand’s store, there John F. met Edgar Brown and John Merrils and adjourned their trial til next Wednesday. Today I and John F. cut up the pig pork, two of them, and carried up and gave the widow E. Wylie a piece fresh pork today.
Monday: Quite a thaw, rain and wind. This evening John F. walked to the school house on the cross road near Harvy Patching to a debating meeting.
Wednesday: John F. had his trial with Edgar Brown concerning Brown’s not paying his rent, John F. withdrew the suit and said Brown paid the whole year’s rent and then John Merrils was called on to make his defence but said Merrils could not make any defence and then judgement was given against him and he now stands liable to be put out of John F. house with his family and goods at a warning. This trial is before Squ Wm. Hand at his store, Squ Smith Strait was John F. council and Squ Horation Right was council for E. Brown and J. Morril and Geo P. walked over to the said Sq Hand’s with John F. to the court. Today Patrick Rafferty chopped apple tree wood for us in the old orchard, it was trees that blew over.
Thursday: Today John F. went with Geo P. to carry him part the way on the road. Geo P. has started to look for to buy cows and to engage to sell apple trees, they went with Geo P. horse and wagon and John F. went to Petersburgh to what is called Worthington’s and returned home by nine o’clock this evening.
Friday: A hard wind and snow storm. John F. tends to Geo P.’s chores while Geo P. gone engaging apple trees.
Saturday: I am lame with the salt reum on one of my ankles. John F. and Patrick draw timber out of my Rodgers swamp.