(George’s cousin Samuel died on Sunday, March 20)
Monday, March 21, 1842: By a request of cousin Samuel a short time before he died and the request of the family after his death, I this morning engaged Mr. Aaron Merrils to dig said Samuel’s grave and I went to the burying ground and gave directions to dig the grave to the left of his Father and Mr. John Russel went with me to council the place to dig said grave and this forenoon I took my single wagon and rode up to cousin Verona Holcomb’s and fetched home my daughter L. Angeline. Today I had a part of our highway tax worked. My two sons work, I only came on to see the work but a few hands on today and one team.
Tuesday: Today quite stormy and I took my covered wagon and carried all my family except Sarah, she was unwell, to the funeral of cousin Samuel Holcomb to the Presbyterian Meeting House near Hiram W. Brown’s tavern. The preacher was from Troy, by the name of Mr. Sole, a Universalist, which was requested by the deceased to have a preacher of that faith and order and selected Mr. Smith of Albany, but his health was poor and Mr. Smith recommended Mr. Sole of Troy. The funeral was attended with a very large congregation and overflowing house that competed with a severe stormy day. The discourse was very effecting and appropriate to the occasion and every hearer gave great attention and listening ear.
Wednesday: Today Squ Silas Gardner from Hancock called to my house and I handed him two dollars to hand to Mr. Sole as a present for rendering his good will and services for tending the funeral of Samuel Holcomb. This afternoon I walked over to Caleb Chapman, the Town Clerk, and got the bill of sale I had recorded on 15th Sept last which cousin Samuel Holcomb gave me for security for signing a note over four years ago of two hundred dollars together with himself and the two Nathan Howards. On the way going and returning I called to a number of places and in particular I called to Nathan Howard to try to find out what he intended to do or what I must or have got to do concerning to pay the note that he over pursuaded me to sign a note in favor of Nathan Vary but said Howard did not give me any direct answer and I returned home.
Thursday: Today my boys drove home my cows from my Rodgers farm for the hay was gone and today I fixed up the stantions on my barn floor to board up my cows. A one leg man by the name of Osborn, a traveller for labor took dinner with us and towards night I walked down to Judah Rowley’s to carry a bonnet that was borrowed to attend funeral the other day. I called to the old widow Booge’s and engaged some rye straw.
Friday: This morning I and my two sons went with the horse and ox teams onto my Rodgers farm and drew two loads of alder poles home for wood and then my sons returned to school and this afternoon I took the horse team and sled and drew a load of straw of sixty bundles from the widow Booge’s, wind very high and some rain, hail, and snow.