In the second part of December and all of January, weather permitting, George makes many trips all around the area to buy cows. The going price for a good healthy cow appears to be about 15 dollars. He has some difficulties herding his cows back to Stephentown on several occasions because of icy conditions.
February 1, 1831: Some stormy. This afternoon I went into the swamp and drew out two drags of wood on the bob sled to make a road and then chopped a hemlock tree and drew part of it home for a runner to draw my still house home for a cheese house.
Friday: Today we worked on the highway shoveling out snow that drifted in last night.
Saturday: Today I paid 12 cts for the book of the life of Mrs. Bradley that was wrecked and taken by the Arabs, and we paid 32 cts for my wife a pair spectacles. We traded with trunk peddlers that was passing.
Monday: I rode to Mr. Shout’s and to Mr Watson’s to engage a girl to work for us, but I did not find any to engage
Tuesday: Today I took the one horse sleigh and carried my wife to Hancock north part and bargained with Ruth Palmer to work for us this season at 63 cts per week. she agrees to milk, wash, bake, do housework, spin, or any kind of work from morning till time to quit work at night, and I do agree to let her have a horse some few times when I can spare it best to ride to Hancock to see her sister and stay one night. She agrees to begin the first of April.
Thursday, February 10: Today I drew saw logs to E. Goodrich saw mill, black oak and birch. On this evening I and my wife called a few minutes to know of Rowland Danford what grounds he had to report falsely of me in a most scandously. He had nothing to screan him and I set him aside, never to have any more dealing with him until he makes a very great acknowledgement.
Friday: Today I cut and drew a load of wood from the swamp and then put out my team to tend to the Eclipse of the sun which the almanack says visible. It was very cloudy and nothing was seen on the sun but the appearance of night a coming on for a few minutes and then over.
Sunday; Today I and my two eldest daughters rode with brother Wm and his two daughters to the Shaker meeting.
Tuesday I sledded wood from said swamp. Tonight a pack peddler stayed with us. He goes by the name of Cheap Jimmy.
Wednesday: This morning the peddler gave a handkerchief for his keeping. I paid him four cts for a piece of tape. Today rain storm and I am unwell with a lame back.
Monday, February 21: today I was informed that Ruth Palmer died yesterday morning in a fit in less than one hour after she was taken. She is the girl we had hired to work for us this season.
Friday, February 25: I took the cutter and carried my wife and we went to Nicholas Gardner’s and bargained for Filey Nigh at 68 cts per week to work for us through the season. She agrees to milk, wash, spin, or do any kind of work about the house.