The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

The Life Of George Holcomb – Preparing to Peddle

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Tuesday, June 16, 1829: I went to the Shakers with a load of oak bark, eighty feet at five dollars per cord, It was credit me on account, three dol and 44 cts.  Platt Wylie put a horse side mine to go to the Shakers.  We took dinner to Munson’s where I traded.
Wednesday: I hoed potatoes and this afternoon I walked over to Henry Platt’s Jnr Store to vendue.  Said Platt had failed, but I did not bid off anything.
Thursday: This evening I walked to Lebanon to the pool to see if I could sell a barrel of soap, but could not market it.  I called to Bull’s the baker, but he would not engage to bake for me to peddle as he did last year.  I did not engage it.
Friday: We half hilled corn.  Platt Wylie helped in the way of changing works and brother Sylvester helped most half a day in the way of changing works, and this afternoon he started for Greenbush to get a load of cake to peddle at camp meeting next week at Dalton.  I sent five dollars worth.  I found a wagon and horse feed and lent him 50 cts.
Sunday, June 21: This afternoon I walked to the east part of Pittsfield to Mr. James Foot’s and called to his house about sunset to get information about the Methodist camp meeting, if peddlers would be admitted near the ground.  I called to Pittsfield town to Calvin Martin Esq to get a recommend to James Foot, one of said Methodist to be admitted.  Said Martin said he would have one written when I come to camp meeting.  I returned home tonight.
Monday: Today I took the single wagon and carried one bushel corn to Hancock Village to Wm Lapum Hull’s Store.  I took a keg of Molaga wine at 75 cts, 5¾ gal to sell to camp meeting on commission – if not sold, to be returned.  This afternoon I took my single wagon and carried my cake and cider up to Hancock Mountain and left it to Mr. Sparahawk’s and returned home for the rest of my load for to start tomorrow for camp meeting.
Tuesday: This morning at daybreak I started for camp meeting in Dalton.  I took a barrel of beer this morning and went on to take my load.  I went with my single wagon.  Mr. Newton went with me, and brother Sylvester went in company.