Thursday, August 6, 1835: Today an Irish woman came and went to work for us. Today sister Eleanor and my daughter Charlotte went to Hoosic to old Mr. David Barnhart’s to get information what town brother Wm has moved to, but all I can learn he lives in the country of what is called Buffalo. On the way home tonight from work I met Mr. Amis Chapman and he asked me if I was willing he should return to his work for me and I gave him a privilege in my barn as he says it was in the bargain but refused to let said Chapman to have privilege in my barn for it was not in any former bargain. I then told him I would give him a privilege to put his cow and hay for her in my barn and he promised he would take care of his cow when he foddered my cows or when Hiram foddered he might fodder his cow with mine and be the judge of what proportion of hay to fodder, and Chapman is to continue to work until he has made up his lost time.
Saturday: Today a little before sunset brother I. Newton died. He died like a person going to sleep, without a struggle or a groan. On this evening I took my wagon and rode to Hancock and engaged Mr. Acox to make brother Newton’s coffin and I called to Wm Lapum’s and got six yds cambric to make a shroud and had it charged to the family of the deceased.
Sunday: This morning I rode over after my wife. She stayed last night with the family of the deceased, brother Newton’s, and then I went with Peter Surdam and gave directions where to dig the grave and Mr. Zach Chapman went with me. I returned home and this afternoon I went with my covered wagon to the funeral and carried my family, Aseneth and Miriam Newton and brother Sylvester and daughter ride with me. Elder Jones preached the funeral sermon at the Saturday meeting house and the deceased was buried at the burying ground near the Presbyterian meeting house.
Monday: Today I took my wagon and horses and carried my wife and sister Neltha Wylie and brother Twichel and wife to Troy and they all took passage on board of a canal boat to Rome. I paid my wife’s passage one dol and 59 cts, the price is one cent 1/2 per mile. I paid 12 cts for tea for my wife to carry on the boat. About five o’clock I came out of Troy and traveled nearly all night. When I stopped coming home to Sliters to bate. I paid three cts for brandy and two cts for crackers.
Friday, August 14: On this evening a man called to stay all night. He called his name James Maxwell. I gave him a supper and he stayed.
Saturday: Today this stranger J. Maxwell stayed and had his shirt washed and he helped us work at hay and stayed tonight. Rainy.
Sunday: Today after dinner this said James Maxwell went away.