by Alex Brooks
September of 1830 was filled with peddling trips to Williamstown, Pittsfield, Dalton, Lebanon, Ancram and Kinderhook to camp meetings, musters and military training.
Sunday, September 19, 1830: On this evening brother Wm and I started for Hoosic to be there for peddling to training tomorrow. Wm’s daughter Lucretia went and stayed to her grandfather Barnhart’s. We returned and left her.
Monday: This morning at seven o’clock we got to Hoosic Corners and we peddled there, sold cake and cider, today to training. Tonight we came down to Petersburgh and stayed to the widow Runnels to a private house. Our expense was 37 cts.
Tuesday: We came on to Berlin to Hammon Village to training these two days. I made about eight dollars and 96 cts. I bought a few auction goods to the amount of 87 cts. We got home about ten this evening.
Wednesday: Today we peddled in our own town cider and cake. I made about four dollars and bought about 40 cts worth of auction goods.
Thursday: Today brother Wm and I went to Pittsfield peddling cake and cider, and tonight we went on to Lanesborough and stayed to Baker’s tavern.
Friday: This morning we went on from Lanesborough to Cheshire to training peddling cake and cider. These two days I made ten dollars. Today when I was to training I found a pocketbook on the ground stamped into the dirt. I heard of no inquiries and I fetched it home to advertise for the owner. In said pocketbook is seven dollars and 26 cts and notes over eighty dollars. We got home about ten this evening.
Monday, September 27: This morning about one o’clock I start for Troy. I walked all the way. I got into Troy about seven this morning and I went to one Mr. Joseph Swallow to board at two dols per week, during the time that I stay as juryman. I took my breakfast at nine this morning. We was called in to court at eleven. The court did nothing today but organize. George R. Davis sets as first judge.
Tuesday: Today the court was called in at nine this morning. I only sat on two juries today.
Wednesday I sat on two juries.
Thursday: This morning I took a letter from Mr. A.J. Wilson and called over the river to Gilbinsville to a Justice in order to get my note that I had left with said Wilson nearly two years hence for to collect against James Landon, but could not find said note. I returned to Troy and informed Wilson the note was lost and he agreed that he would find said note and return it to me. I paid seven cts for crossing the ferry twice and six cts to a barber to shave me. Today at noon the Judges discharged me on account of my being hard of hearing. I paid for my board to said Swallow’s which was one dollar. Today my wife came to Troy in company and to help her two sisters and husbands on their way home to take the canal for the west. I then drove my wagon home that my wife came out with. We got home at ten o’clock this evening. My gateage home was 14 cts. While I was in Troy this week I paid 12 cts for beer and peaches.