Charlotte’s Shopping Spree In Albany
by George Holcomb • Transcribed by Betty McClave • Edited by Alex Brooks
Monday, July 10, 1848: On this forenoon I and my two sons dug ten bushels new potatoes and this afternoon I went to Pittsfield with them. I sold the first three bushels to a grocery for four dol and 50 cts and then I sold six bushels more to another grocery for eight dol and 25 cts, and one and a half bushels of old potatoes at one dol per, and three pecks of new potatoes at two places on the road a-going for one dol and 12½ cts. I got in all 16 dol and fifty nine cts for potatoes, and then I sold eight pound and a quarter of turnips seed to the agriculture store at 50 cts per pound.
Friday: This morning at five o’clock I went with my one horse wagon to Pittsfield and carried ten bushel of new potatoes and retailed them to families. I got ten dollars. I got home before night.
Sunday: Today Geo P. took the two horse carriage and carried his two sisters and Mr. Marcelles Ross to the Shakers to meeting and this afternoon I took the two wheel carriage and carried my wife to meeting to the lecture room and the rest of my family walked to the meeting, Elder Haven preached. Today the funeral of the daughter of Rodman Hazard.
Monday: Today I took the two wheel carriage and carried Marcellas Ross to Pittsfield to Mr. Kellogg’s east of the village on the Washington Road, and then I returned home.
Tuesday: This morning at half past one o’clock I started for Troy and Albany and my two daughters with me. We called to Sand Lake to Mr. Rufus Withees and took breakfast and I borrowed thrity dollars of him and gave my note, and then we went into Troy and my daughters returned some work to the boosum stores and got their pay in trade and took out more work amd I paid two dollars and fifty cents for a carpet bag for Charlotte. We then went across the railroad bridge, I paid six cts and on the mackadam road to Albany I paid gate six cts and the three gates from Stephentown to Troy was 14 cts. We got to Albany at two o’clock and I put up in Washington Street on the south side of the street near the Capital. We went about the city this afternoon and looked at the goods but did not purchase anything. Today and tonight we returned to the tavern where my team was and took lodging, the name I have forgot.
Wednesday: We this forenoon went about the city and bought such articles as Charlotte wanted. I paid twenty two dollars for a gold chain and locket, and I paid 15 dollars for twelve yards of changeable silk for a dress, and then four other dresses and I paid seven dollars for a satin bonnet and one dollar for a pair silk stockings and gloves, laces, and fringes and other articles. I paid in all what articles I bought in Albany for Charlotte it cost seventy dollars. I paid my bill to the tavern was one dol and 56 cts and we came out of Albany at five o’clock and drove home this evening by midnight without bating. The ferry I paid six cts and three gates 19 cts.