The Story of Marcellus Ross
by George Holcomb • Transcribed by Betty McClave • Edited by Alex Brooks
Marcellus Ross makes his first appearance in the Holcomb diary on Thursday, July 13, 1848: Today at half past eleven o’clock one Marcelles Ross from Pittsfield, Illinois, made a stop with us.
On Saturday evening Mr. Ross joins Geo. P. on a ride to Lebanon in the two wheel carriage, and on Sunday Geo P. took his two sisters and Mr Ross in the two wheel carriage to the Shakers to meeting.
On Monday George Holcomb Sr. makes a special trip to Mr Kellog’s house east of Pittsfield, left Marcellus Ross there and came home again.
On Tuesday George took his daughter to Albany and bought her a great deal of finery, as described in last week’s episode. They returned home late Wednesday night.
Thursday, July 20, 1848: Today Marcellus Ross returned from Pittsfield, one Mr. Kellog and sister came and fetched him back to my house, and they took dinner and tea.
Saturday: I went to Pittsfield and carried 19 bushels potatoes at 75 cts per and I paid ten cts for three pieces whale bone and I paid 12 cts three cards hooks and eyes. Today Deborah Wylie sewed for us.
Sunday: This afternoon Geo P. took the two wheel carriage and carried Marcellus Ross to Pittsfield to Mr. Kellog’s and carried Charlotte E. to brother F. Jay Wylie’s and then he returned home.
Monday: Today I went to Pittsfield with my one horse team and caried nine bushels of potatoes and sold them at 75 cts per, and I gave brother F. Jay Wylie one peck of potatoes and took dinner there and I gave Charlotte E. four dollars and 25 cts to buy some small articles such as laces and fringes. I paid 96 cts for four dozen of lemons and then I fetched Charlotte home. This afternoon Deborah Wylie came to make dresses for Charlotte.
There is no mention of Ross for a week, then this:
Monday: Today I and my two sons mowed on my Rodgers farm and about sunset Marcellus Ross came and took his trunk and baggage and left here for good.
Saturday, August 5: Today I received a letter from Colonel Wm. Ross dated New York City.
Tuesday: This morning early, brother F. Jay Wylie called here from Pittsfield to let us know that Marcellus
Ross is about to get married to the daughter of John Kellog and leave for Illinois and if we wanted to fetch him to justice now was the time and this evening Geo P. rode on horseback to Pittsfield and counciled with Sq. Goold and gave him directions to fill out a writ to take said M. Ross for breach of promise to C.E., my oldest daughter, and Geo P. stayed to F. Jay Wylie’s tonight.
Wednesday: Today I finished cradling oats on my Rodgers farm and then I walked up to see Sq. Silas Gardner concerning some law questions. Tonight and this forenoon Geo P. returned from Pittsfield and on this evening I took my two wheel carriage and Geo P. with me and we met brother F. Jay Wylie on the way. He came to give us notice that Ross is to leave town tomorrow and if we mean to fetch him to justice now was the time. I and Geo P. called to Sq. Goolds and counciled him and then we told him to put the thing in operation to have said M. Ross taken immediately. I and my son returned to brother F. Jay Wylie’s and stayed tonight.
Thursday: This morning early my son Geo P. took the horse and carriage and returned home and I remained in Pittsfield, and at or about ten o’clock the sheriff Right took M. Ross as he was about to take the cars and said Right secured the bail of twelve thousand dollars by John Kellog and Clapp. I at eleven o’clock this forenoon started for home from Pittsfield. I walked. I called to E. C. Hughes in the west part of Pittsfield and rested me and got a drink water and on Hancock mountain to Sylvester Smiths I called and got another drink water. and I came by way of Goodrich Hollow and came across by the widow Susan Brown’s and called to Mr. Rose’s and got another drink of water. I got home at three o’clock.
Thus begins a protracted legal battle against Ross on behalf of Charlotte which will cost George a great deal of money. The trial will not happen for two years, and will be followed by further appeals and inconclusive legal wrangling. We can only guess what effect all of this had on Charlotte emotionally, as George does not generally write of such things