Schooling For Geo P
by George Holcomb • Transcribed by Betty McClave • Edited by Alex Brooks
Geo P is to remain at James Bush’s until George finds him a school…
Wednesday, November 27, 1844: I then left him on my way home and Charlotte with me. We came on to Sand Lake to the Rev. Mr. Sessions and I bargained with him to take my son for 12 weeks and school and board and wash and lodge him for the 25 dollars and said Sessions agreed to write to my son Geo P tomorrow morning and have him come on immediately to school and from there we came on to Chauncy Rows and took supper and then we came home by eleven this evening.
Thursday: Today I wrote a letter to my son Geo P to have him come on from Brunswick to Sand Lake to the Rev. Mr. Sessions School and I walked up to Nathan Howard’s post office and put said letter in to go to Wynantskill post office and I paid said Howard up for my last Universalist Reporitory five cts. Today quite a snow storm.
Saturday: This evening Nathan Sackett bargained to live in my house that is near James M. Glass’s until next April and agreed to pay me eight days works during that time to pay his house rent and work it when I called for the week.
Monday: Today I took my one horse wagon and went to Pittsfield and fetched Nathan Sackett’s wife and two children and Nore Harrison son Edmond went with a two horse team and fetched his goods and moves into my house near James M. Glass as is before agreed.
Tuesday: I started for Troy afoot, Doctor Thomas overtook me and I rode to Troy with him. We called to Sliter’s tavern and I paid for half a peck of oats for his horse which was six cts and then I walked by the way of Mr. Sessions School to inquire why Geo P had not come to his school or if he had written to Geo P and from Mr. Sessions I walked to the gate and met said Doctor Thomas and rode down to Troy and I paid one gate four cts. I called to Wm Chapman’s and paid three cts for a drink gin and took dinner but they would not take any pay for my dinner, and then I went into Third St 159, to Mr. Gibb’s where Geo P boards and Mrs. Gibbs directed me to the school room near the Court House in Second Street and George P entreated me to let him remain at said Gibbs School and I concluded to so long as all things went well. I then went up to Lansingburgh and made inquiry if my cousin Potters remained in Waterford but I found no information and I returned to Troy and to Mr. Gibbs and slept with my son Geo P.
Wednesday: I took breakfast with my son at said Gibbs and then I bargained with said Gibbs to take his horse home with me and keep said horse until the middle April and he is to pay me 16 dollars. I then at eleven o’clock left Troy for home and rode the before-mentioned horse of said Gibbs and got home at seven o’clock this evening.