The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

The Life Of George Holcomb – George’s Son Becomes Ill

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compiled by Alex Brooks
Wednesday, July 5, 1820:  Tonight my son George J was taken quite unwell and Cousin Samuel Holcomb went after Doctor Graves but could not get him.  Said doctor sent some phthisic.  It set the child puking.
Thursday:  This morning I went after Doctor Graves.  I walked as far as Sylvester Pardies and he let me have a horse to ride.  Said doctor came and left medicine.  Today I tended still and we ran off one charger of cider.
Friday:   We worked on our barn, a new shingling of it.  My child continues quite unwell and the inflammation in the eyes.
Saturday:   Today said Wylie and Williams and Bute worked for me and Samuel Holcomb part of the day and Johnson King half a day and William part of a day.  We finished shingling said barn.  This week has been remarkably warm, Wednesday in particular.  Two men killed themselves in the town of Berlin, and two others hurt themselves in this town.
Sunday:  This morning I rode over to Dr. Graves, but I found him to Caleb Joles and said doctor came and left more medicine for my child.
Tuesday: Today I hoed potatoes…this evening I took the single wagon and rode over to H. Platt’s store and got trusted for one gallon of new rum, 63 cents, and half a gallon and a pint of  gin that I sent by Father last Saturday and had it charged.  I likewise called to Dr. Graves and got some medicine for my child, and told him to come and see the child tomorrow.  From there I went to Willard Bennet’s and fetched his daughter Eliza home to help my wife do her work a few days.
Friday, July 14:  “Today rainy, the first rain in five weeks after a large drought.  Today I hoed a few potatoes and stilled off one charger of cider emptins.
Saturday:   We reaped rye on John Wylie’s land, that I sowed on shares.  Cousin Samuel Holcomb helped, and I gave him credit on book.  On Friday the 14th, the wife of Benjamin Gardner died, and this day Almyra Chapman died.
Sunday:   Today I took the single wagon and carried Eliza Bennet home and paid her 50 cents for the five days work.  My wife went along too, and carried the babe to have it ride for its health.”