Sister In Law Polly Dies; John F. Returns
by George Holcomb • Transcribed by Betty McClave • Edited by Alex Brooks
Wednesday March 21, 1849: This forenoon I walked over to brother Simeon Wylie’s and sister Polly continues to be more dangerous and all hopes given up of her recovery by the doctors. This afternoon I gathered sap and tended to boiling sap, today brother F. Jay Wylie stayed with us again while his wife remained to brother Simeon.
Thursday: This forenoon we drew three big rocks out of the meadow onto the line joining James M. Glass and Mr. Hitchcock came with his oxen and helped us draw the three rocks by putting his yoke and ours together which was only two yokes, and this afternoon I tended to boiling sap and this afternoon Geo P. rode to Lebanon to the post office and took out a letter from John F. from Cincinnatti and another letter from Illinois from Tom Bert to Charlotte E. and on this evening the wife of brother Simeon Wylie died (Polly Spring Wylie, 66 yrs old).
Friday: This forenoon I took my one horse wagon and carried my wife to brother Simeon’s and we returned home before noon. Tonight brother F. Jay Wylie stayed with us and this afternoon I gathered sap.
Saturday: Today I took my one horse wagon and carried my wife and two daughters to the funeral of sister Polly Wylie at her house, the Rev. Mr. Shepherd preached. Geo P. walked to funeral and towards night I gathered sap.
Sunday: Quite a rain and wind and tonight a snow storm. Today we boiled sap.
Tuesday: Today snow squally, we chopped wood to the door and on this evening John F. returned home from New Orleans and Cincinnatti by way of Buffalo, he called to brother Wm Holcomb and sister Miriam Campbell’s.
Thursday: Today John F. took the one horse wagon and carried his Mother to brother Simeon’s on a visit.
Friday: Some rainy. I and John F. got up a sled load hay from the barrack with the ox team.
Saturday: This afternoon brother Simeon Wylie and two daughters and daughter in law Abigail and the wife of H. P. Wylie visited us and today John F. took the one horse wagon and went to Adams mill and left a grist, two bushel wheat, ½ bushel of corn, and ¾ of buckwheat.