Finding A School For John F.
by George Holcomb • Transcribed by Betty McClave • Edited by Alex Brooks
Saturday, November 13, 1847: Today John F. called to James Chapman and got an answer to my letter from Troy from the widow Orr. Her answer was that she accepted my proposal of exchanging sons to board but our bargain she has defeated. I this evening received a letter from Howard’s post office from her that she has changed her mind, which defeated the bargain.
Sunday: Today John F. and Sarah O went to the New Baptist Church to the funeral of the son of Stephen Sheldon, the deceased boy’s name is Uberto, age ten years.
Monday: Today I and my son Geo P rode over to my Rodgers farm and carried our half of the carrots into the celler from the barn, the carrots were what Aaron Merrils raised on shares, about 45 bushels of them. Today John F. banked up the house.
Tuesday: This morning I started for Troy with John F. to get him into a school somewhere. We first called to Sand Lake to the Rev. Sessions but it did not suit, we then went into Troy and called on several schools and teachers but some difficulties attended but did not agree to any school. I called to the widow Margaret Orr, the boarding house as I had before bargained with her, but she had changed her mind and concluded not to change her son for mine to board. My daughter Charlotte went to Troy with me to trade and she stayed to Mr. Truesworthy’s tonight. I and John took supper to Wm Chapman’s grocery, I paid 25 cts and we stayed to Worden’s tavern on Congress Street.
Wednesday: I this morning got up early and left John F. to Worden’s tavern and he took breakfast there while I walked up to Lansingburgh and visited the male and female schools. I then returned to Troy and took my team and John F. and carried him to Lansingburgh and we called to the Academy and bargained with the teacher to pay three dollars and 50 cts for tuition one term that is called eleven weeks and the term commences tomorrow. Then we went into Congress Street to No. 127 to a boarding house and I bargained for John F. board to pay two dollars per week for board and lodging and a room with fire and lights to study but his washing to be a separate bill, and left a bag of apples of two bushels to be credited to John F. board, and left John F. one bushel of apples for his own eating. I took dinner to said boarding house with my son John F. and then left Lansingburgh and returned to Troy.