The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Digging Potatoes And Grinding Apples

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Thursday, October 5, 1837: Today I went to Pittsfield with my covered wagon and carried my wife  and two oldest daughters and two sons to cattle show. We called to Roberts Tavern on the mountain to what is called Broad’s old stand and I paid ten cents for bitters and crackers. Mr. Bull of Albany delivered an address and then I and my wife and daughters went to brother Jay Wylie and took tea. I paid about 40 cts for my two sons to see the shows and for cake and clams. Some snow and rain this afternoon and quite dark coming home this evening, a large crowd today of people, especially in the meeting house.
Friday: We dug potatoes on my Rodgers Farm and Daniel Kites dug for me on shares for one out of eight. We fetched home 35 bushels tonight.[private]Friday October 13: We gathered apples and some rainy and this evening we had an apple bee. Tonight it froze hard.
Saturday: I chopped and drew a load of wood and shook apple trees. Tonight I went to ny Rodgers Farm and got my last load of potatoes that Mr. Kites dug on shares. I have drawn home two loads on evenings this week and said Kites has drawn me home two loads on evenings this week.
Sunday: We carried winter apples into the celler to keep them from the frost. Today Phila Nigh finished working for us.
Monday: We gathered apples and tried to grind apples but my mill clogged and I quit, and this evening I walked to Hazard Morey’s to see if he would come and fix my cider mill, but he was not at home, and this evening I went to school meeting. Adam Brown and Benj Carpenter and myself were put in as trustees and Simeon Wylie Clark and Alonzo Rodgers was collector.
Tuesday: This morning I went and engaged Mr. Hazard Morey to come and cut over cider mill, and he came and did the work a half day and I owe him for the same and this day we gathered apples and this evening we ground apples, and tonight I worked till four in the morning making cider and gathering apples.
Thursday: I worked on the highway with my team and plow and had three days works credited me. Today I finish carrying in the potatoes that Mr. John Sackett dug on shares for one out of eight. He dug 20 bushels.[/private]