Saturday, January 1, 1830: I walked nearly to Hancock with an iron pin that I bought of Rensselaer Sheldon, he says he found it in the road. I could not find an owner.
Monday: Today I called to Ephraim Pierce’s and had him buy me send for Rensselaer Shelden and I went back to said Pierce’s, where before Pierce and family and R. Danford, I accused R. Shelden of stealing my money. He first utterly denied it and called on God to witness his assertion. I then told him he must confess the truth, for I had proof and some time reasoning to him the awful consequences if he did not let the truth come to light , and the rest that was present advised him to let the truth come to light for his own good. He then acknowledged he had taken four dol of my money and stole 25 cts before my eyes. Said Rensselaer Sheldon after he acknowledged the four dols and 25 cts that he had taken from me, I then made him own he had stole an iron bowl that he pretended he had found in the road one evening going to Hancock last fall with my cart and oxen with a load of cider. He insisted on my buying said pin and I paid him six cts for it, accusing him of stealing it and advised him to go and carry it back, but he appeared to be highly offended at that time, and I said no more, but at convenient opportunities made great exertions for an owner for said pin. He acknowledged he stole it out of a carriage standing in the highway where Jered Rifle lives and from me he will return said pin and make restitution and at the same time asking my forgiveness, appearing to be very penitent and willing to serve me for the money he had taken from me unjustly. He then gave me up his gun in security until he could pay me. I accused him of other theft, but he don’t acknowledge it nor have I proof of it. On this evening my wife and I went to Mr. R. Danford on an evening visit and we reckoned all of our accounts.
Thursday, Jan 21: I tended to chores, chopped some wood to the door and mended the manger, the stable in the barn. The horse tore it down last night.