George Holcomb

Saturday, September 21, 1850: John F. took the one horse wagon and carried his two sisters to Pittsfield. I sent a due bill against Dr. Cluff and he paid it, one dollar and 20 cents. My two daughters paid one dollar and fifty cents each for straw hats without trimmings and paid one dollar and 70 cents for trimmings and 19 yards calico at 21 cents per, and John F. had Dr. Cluff fix in an artificial tooth that he had put in before, and I sent one hundred and ten dollars to the bank and exchanged for Pittsfield bills.

Monday: Today we began to shingle the south side of the barn. Geo P. and John F. and Mr. Yuego shingled, and I carried shingle and Edwin dug potatoes and carried some shingle. At night I carried Sarah over to Simeon Wylie’s to carry to Troy boosums. Today I sold fifteen old sheep at 9/6 apiece.

Tuesday: Today Geo P. and John F. and Yuego shingled on the barn and finished. I paid Mr. Yuego 75 cts in cash, he owed me one dollar and 25 cents for turnips, which makes one dollar per day for his work.

Wednesday: Today I and Geo P. went with one horse wagon to look for sheep to buy. We stayed in the north part of Pownal in Vermont to one Mr. Merchant’s.

Thursday: This morning I paid our bill for us two, supper, lodging and breakfast and horsekeeping which was 62 cents and then we went on to Bennington Court House to the cattle show and fair. We stayed there about three hours. It was rainy. Tonight we got into York State in to the Town of White Creek and stayed. This morning John F. left home for New York.

Friday: Today we came on towards home. Geo P. collected some money on the way for fruit trees he sold last spring in Petersburgh and Berlin. We got tonight to the south part of Berlin and it began to rain, a hard thunder storm and we stayed to one Mr. Davises, his wife Anna Carpenter before marriage.

Saturday: This morning Mr. Davis would not charge us for our supper and breakfast but I gave him half a dollar. We got home today noon and this afternoon we took down staging and picked up old shingle round the barn.

Saturday, September 7, 1850: This forenoon I took my one horse wagon and brother F. Jay Wylie with me and we went to Lenox to Sq. Bishop’s and Squ Bishop agreed if the Ross case was carried up to the Supreme Judges he would tend to it or defend it. We then returned to Pittsfield. I then called on Squ Gold, he had that immediately returned from a journey. I then counciled him concerning a settlement with Ross. We talked about a compromise of one thousand dollars.  My wife paid into Buel’s daguerreotype office twenty cents to have her likeness taken over for the one he had taken was not correct. We started for home at two o’clock. We came three miles and it was rainy and we stopped to Mr. Butler’s two hours and then came home. I called to Nichols post office and paid five cents for letter for Charlotte from her cousin Lewis. Today Geo P. returned home from Vermont with four yoke of young oxen.

Wednesday: I took my one horse wagon and carried my wife to Camp Meeting on Gale Hill. When we returned we took tea to Joshua Hart’s and Geo P. carried his two sisters to camp meeting in company with Mr. Bushnell. We came off the Camp ground when the sermon was out at the middle of the day, for it was cold and chilly weather.

Friday: Today brother S. Beers came and bought a yoke Geo P. young oxen at 50 dollars and paid down 20 dollars and gave a note for 30 dollars.

Monday: Today H. P. Wylie had a bee, I this forenoon mowed rowing for said Wylie and this afternoon Geo P. and others cut up his corn and shocked it up. Today Edwin remains to home, he does not come to work for me.

Tuesday: I took my one horse wagon and carried one of my old wagon wheels up to Wetherbe to new fellow but he could not repair it and I returned to Palmer Barnes and left to be new-fellowed and some spokes. This afternoon I cut up corn. Today Edwin did not return to work but returned this evening.

Thursday: I and Edwin drew in two loads of corn and at night we husked. Today Mr. Lord from Canaan came and took the sheep that he bargained on the 4th and he paid me up for them at nine shillings and sixpence per head, one hundred of them. Some rainy tonight.

Saturday: I mended fence where the water had carried the rails down stream in the meadow, and I sold 49 cents worth turkey feathers at three cents per and six pounds wool taggins at 20 cts per to a tin peddler and got a tin glass lantern at 70 cents and four six quart milk pans at 22 cents each.

Tuesday, August 27, 1850: We four of us hayed, I and my two sons and Edwin, and Nelson Rhodes helped, to pay house rent that was due last winter. Towards night I took my one horse wagon and carried my wife to brother Samuel Beers and stayed tonight. Sister Eleanor is quite unwell and lame with a swelled foot.

Wednesday: Today we all worked at haying, four of us and I paid an Irishman 75 cents to help us hay, his name I did not learn, which makes five of us.

Friday: I worked at hay and Edwin help me this afternoon. This foenoon Geo P. and Edwin went to the north part of the town picking blackberries.

Saturday: Today I took the one horse wagon and rode to Pittsfield to try to collect money for Geo P. but did not collect any. I called to see Sq. Gold but he was not home. I took dinner to Brother F. Jay Wylie’s.

Monday, September 2: I only tended to chores this afternoon, quite heavy rains and high water and rainy through the night. This morning Geo P. started for Vermont to look for cattle and sheep to buy. He went with one horse and wagon, and Aaron Merrils with him to help drive, if bought any. Today John F. went to Pittsfield with one horse wagon and carried and sold the apples he bought in Berlin the other day. He sold them at 50 and sixty two cents per bushel, and he went to Doctor Cluss and had three teeth dug out and one set in and paid three dollars. Today I sold the horse I bought of John Coevey, I sold the horse to not be a sound horse and took Mr. Clark Vary’s and John Whiten’s note and they do agree to pay the note in ninety days

Tuesday: Today I took my one horse wagon and carried my daughter Sarah to sister Eleanor Beers for she is quite unwell and lame foot. I returned home tonight and Sarah with me, one Miss Eddy was there to help sister Eleanor. On the way there the water high near glass factory and bridge away.

Wednesday: Today Mr. Lord from Canaan called to my house and bargained for all my sheep that was in my swamp pasture, the number I did not know, but not to vary more than ten or fifteen from one hundred. He agreed to take them in the course of week after next and pay nine shillings and sixpence per head and he paid me eight dollars in advance.

Friday: Towards night I took Geo P.’s top wagon and carried my wife over to Pittsfield on a visit and stayed to brother F. Jay Wylie’s.

Saturday, August 3, 1850: I went to Pittsfield and carried nine bushels new potatoes that average 65 cents per. I trusted one and a half bushels potatoes to Dr. Cluff at 60 cts per. I sold half a bushel of rare ripe onions to Wells store for 25 cents. I paid 45 cents to Doctor Reed’s Agricultural Store for one hundred pounds plaster. [Read more…] about Cousin H.P. Wylie Is Extremely Ill

Thursday, July 4, 1850: This forenoon I and my wife returned home from brother Beers, we went by the way of Stephentown Factorys and came home by the way of Lebanon. Today I gave Edwin Leonard 25 cents and gave his time. Geo P. returned home this evening from Wynantskill and left Charlotte E. to James Bushes on a visit.

Friday: We hoed corn four of us. Tonight a hard thunder storm and rain in torrents. It commenced about eight o’clock this evening and continued til nearly one in the morning with but little cessation of  rain and thunder and lightning. The rain did some considerable damage.

Saturday: I this forenoon worked on the highway where the late rain had torn the road to pieces, and Geo P. worked on the highway all day. This afternoon I laid up fence and Edwin with me where the water washed it down.

Sunday: I and my wife and family went to the lecture room this afternoon, Elder Bowls preached. 

Sunday, July 14: This morning John F. took the one horse wagon and went to the gate at Wynantskill to James Bushes after his sister Charlotte E.

Tuesday: I and my two sons and Edwin Leonard hoed and weeded carrots. This evening I rode over to see if I could hire Simeon Wylie Jnr to hay but could not hire him and went up to hire Old Mr. Perkins but could not.

Friday: This morning I took my one horse wagon and fetched Deborah Wylie to sew for us on dresses and carried her home at night.

 

Wednesday, June 26, 1850: I and my daughter Sarah went to Lenox and Geo P. carried Deborah, we all as witnesses and the wife of F. Jay Wylie as a witness and E. M. Buell we six witnesses for the plaintiff, and Colonel Ross and two others for the defendant, with several depositions on both sides. Council for plaintiff Thomas A. Gold of Pittsfield and H. W. Bishop of Lenox and Kellog and Colt of Pittsfield for defendant. This afternoon trial called on, tonight bound to tomorrow, half past eight in morning. We put up to Wilson’s tavern through the day and all we witnesses had dinner excepting Buell, he came this afternoon. Tonight Squ Gold rode up to Pittsfield with me and Sarah rode with Geo P. and Deborah, Mr. J. Wylie carried his wife. I did not settle my bill to Wilson’s, left to settle tomorrow. Tonight we all stayed to F. Jay Wylie’s and to supper there.

Thursday: This morning I and my son Geo P. and daughter Sarah O and Cornelia Wylie with her returned to Lenox at the opening of the court. The case was on trial through the day before Judge Hoar and about sundown the jurors went out to make up their verdict. Tonight I came about a mile on the road to Pittsfield to one Mr. Kendall’s and stayed, and Sarah went to F. Jay Wylie’s and stayed, and Geo P. and Deborah Wylie came home. Tonight before I left the court house I paid up Squ Bishop for pleading Charlotte’s case. I paid him 25 dollars and took a receit in full, and paid my bill to Wilson’s for nine dinners, and two horses to hay and oats, 4 dol 37 cts.

Friday: This morning at half past eight I returned from Mr. Kendall’s. I paid him 37 cents for myself  per lodging for breakfast and horsekeeping.  When I got to the court house the jurors handed their verdict to Judge Hoar which he gave into the court which was in favor of Charlotte E. Holcomb that Marcellus Ross is to pay her twelve hundred dollars and the cost. I then returned to Pittsfield to J. Wylie’s and took dinner. I handed him one dollar to hand to lawyer Hubbard for council on said case, nearly two years ago, shortly before said Marcellus Ross was arrested. This afternoon I and my daughter Sarah returned home from Pittsfield. Tonight I drove a cow onto my Rodgers farm and left her through the night with my bull.

Monday: I took my one horse wagon and rode to Pittsfield and returned the names of the six witnesses to Squ Gold that was on part of the plaintiff to Lenox last week on the Ross case and I also paid said Thomas Gold twenty dollars on his fees and took a receit. I returned home by four o’clock.

Wednesday, June 19, 1850: This morning early I and Edward got our sheep home from my Rodgers farm to sheer and I got Geo P. oxen home and took them to a pasture on Philander Hatch land that Geo P. had hired. Today my two sons and Edward and Mr. Ostrander sheered sheep and Mr. Glass sheered half a day and they all sheered 105 sheep and 18 of them was Geo P.’s sheep and today I took the one horse wagon and rode to Pittsfield to Squ Gold’s to see what was to be done concerning the suit of Ross. I took of Gold a subpoena and subpoenaed Mr. Buel and paid him one dol and 48 cts and went up to Pontoosic to find Eveline Bert to notify or cite him to court, but found out that he was gone on west into York State. I took tea with his brother, a school boy where he was at school. I then returned home.

Thursday: This forenoon I and my two sons and Edwin hoed corn, and this afternoon rainy. This evening or towards night John f. took the one horse wagon and carried Mr. Walker the Blacksmith five bushels potatoes at 31 cts per and carried Mr. Jarvis one bushel and he credits the same on account 31 cents. This afternoon Geo P. rode to Hancock and paid in cash 75 cents for two barrels of ashes and had a pair thick shoes charged to Burrel’s shop at one dol 50 cents to be paid in potatoes. at 25 cts per bushel, and towards night Mr. Dean came and paid me the cash three dollars for two of the smallest of my pigs.

Monday:  I took my one horse wagon and road to Pittsfield to Squ Gold’s concerning the suit with said Ross to Lenox this week. Brother F. Jay Wylie rode with me to the east part of the town to old Mr. Pool’s and Mr. Tracy’s to get proof concerning said trial but not any. I took dinner to said Wylie’s and his daughter Elisabeth rode home with me. I paid in Pittsfield 79 cents for 165 pounds of plaster.

Tuesday: I hoed carrots and plastered corn the second time, and went onto Hatch’s hill and salted Geo P. oxen. Tonight brother F. Jay Wylie came to let us know that the Ross trial is to be called on tomorrow, and he stayed with us tonight and brother Sylvester Holcomb stayed with us tonight. Today my two daughters went in the one horse wagon over to Mr. Canada’s to carry boosums to Troy, and they stopped at Doctor Dickson’s and charlotte paid him 25 cents to dig out a tooth, and cousin Elisabeth Wylie went with them.

 

Saturday, June 1, 1850: Today I took my one horse wagon and carried my wife and daughter Charlotte to the Christian Chapel to conference meeting. On the way home I called to Mr. Leonard’s the tailor by trade and bargained with him to hire his boy by the name of Edwin to work for me four months at six dollars per month. This evening or nearly night, my wife hit her head against a door catch and hurt it bad, it struck her nerves and went through her whole system and was chilled with ague and bad pain in the head, Tonight after we were all abed and asleep Rensselaer Sheldon came and got his trunk. He quit work for Geo P. on Friday morning the 24th of May. Nelson Perkins came with said Sheldon after the trunk.

Friday, June 7: I sowed the oats and the grass seed in the young orchard on the hill. Today in the middle of the day we washed our sheep near the Douglass bridge on side the road on Daniel Gardner’s land. I put them in the water, my two sons and Edwin Leonard washed them. I killed one sending it in the water.

Monday: This forenoon or part of the forenoon my two sons and Edwin Leonard worked on the highway and it was rainy. We had the ox team to work on said highway. Geo P. was overseer on highway. 

Tuesday: I this forenoon took the one horse wagon and went to the west part of Lebanon to Smith’s mill and paid two dollars and 25 cents for six hundred pounds of plaster. On the way home through Lebanon I called to Squ Wheeler’s the gate tender and paid him ten cents which pays up my commute to September a reckoning in the apple trees Geo P. let said Wheeler have this spring towards commute, which was 40 cents. I called to F. Everett’s store and paid six cents for one pound roll brimstone to burn to keep the crows from the corn field. This afternoon I and my hired boy Edwin planted over potatoes where the crows had pulled up the corn and my two sons worked on the highway with the team and Edwin this forenoon worked on the highway.

Wednesday: This forenoon I and Edwin plastered corn. Today Geo P. worked on the highway with the team. The most part of the work on the highway this year has been building up the road along against my orchard. Today John F. and Charlotte E went to Troy with one horse wagon and carried boosums and collars to Bennett’s and Vanvalkenburgh for ourselves and others. Tonight at sunset Mr. Gustus Rollo had a son die, a little boy

Friday May 10, 1850: Today Geo P. bargained with Sylvenas Carpenter and bought Roswell G. Pierce’s nursery and is to pay 325 dollars cash and 75 dollars is paid in trees and is to pay in trees and today paid one hundred dollars of the cash and is to have the nursery until the seventh day of May in 1852.

Saturday: I and John F. carried two loads of manure onto my Rodgers farm and got out some manure there. We plowed with both teams a piece of ground west of the house, it was an old carrot ground. I sewed two bushels of oats on it and harrowed them in and put on eight quarts clover and timothy seed 3/4 acre of the ground and today Geo P. and hired man worked in his nursery.

Sunday: I walked over to Martin Owen’s and he agreed that his boy Michael to come and work for us in one week.

Thursday: I this forenoon took my lame horse onto my Rodgers farm to pasture and put up fence there, and I carried Mr. Aaron Merrils one pound carrot seed to raise carrots to the halves in the same way as years before.  Said horse got out of the pasture and Geo P. got the horse home again when he returned from Hancock village.

Friday: Today I took the one horse wagon and went to Pittsfield. On the way I stopped on Pool Hill and sold Parsons seven gallons of dried apple sauce for three dollars and 62 cents. I sold in Pittsfield half a bushel of apples for one dollar and 25 cents and twelve quarts walnuts for 48 cents. I changed 20 dollars for Pittsfield money in the bank. I paid while in Pittsfield to Benj Hall five dollars by order of his brother that gave me insurance on my buildings of one thousand dollars and got my policy from Hichols post office the other day from Washington County Insurance Company.

Monday: I harrowed turf for corn part of the forenoon and then it was rainy the remainder of the day. I paid Eliza and Jane Wylie each three dollars which was interest on their fifty dollars notes up to the first of April, and I went over the hill to cousin Jesse Egleston’s and paid one years and six month interest on a fifty dollars which was five dollars and 25 cents. I rode up to the widow of Johnson Brown to hire a boy but could not. On the way home I called to C. Wheeler’s store and engaged a boy of Mr. Leonard to come tomorrow on trial.

Wednesday: This morning Edwin Leonard came to work for me on trial but no price agreed on. I and Edwin mended fence on my Rodgers farm.

Saturday, June 1: This morning Geo P. drove 44 of his fat wethers and delivered to a man by the name of — to go to Brighton. He came yesterday and bargained for the sheep and agreed to pay three dollars and 25 cents a head for 42 and three dollars a head for two, which makes 142 dollars and 50 cents but when he paid for the sheep he would not pay the 50 cents and then I and Geo P. returned home by eight o’clock this morning.

Tuesday April 16, 1850: This morning I took the ox team and sled and went to Judah Rowley’s and got ten hundred and eighty one pounds of good hay and paid four dollars and ninety four cents and Geo P. paid four dollars and a half for the said hay. Doctor Bates came today again and doctored John F.

Friday: I this forenoon took the horses and wagon and got half a ton of hay to Noah Harrison’s and paid him four dollars and fifty cents.

Tuesday: Some rainy this morning. Towards the middle of the day I took the ox team and wagon and went to Harvey Patchins and bought half a ton of hay and paid him four dollars and fifty cents cash in hand. Today John F. goes out for the first time after having the mumps.

Wedneday: John F. plowed sward on head land. Today is the first he has worked since he had the mumps. Tonight we kept a peddler that sold patent medicine, his name I did not learn. He was from Massachusetts and he found his own horse feed. He paid his bill, which was thirty one cents in his medicine, one bottle.

Monday: Geo P. and hired man worked in his nursery and at night Geo P. went with one hundred trees to Lebanon and left them with Jabez Babcock for a man in Boston and today Doctor Bates called and got one bushel of mercer potatoes at 44 cts and three and a half pounds of butter at 16 cents per and he credits the same to me.

Tuesday: Today Geo P. went with my two horse wagon and horse and Hiram Newton with his two horse wagon they went to Berlin and Petersburgh and carried eleven hundred grafted apple trees. Geo P. did not return tonight.

Wednesday: Tonight Geo P. returned home from selling apple trees, he paid Hiram Newton four and a half dollars for carrying said trees. Today John F. took Geo P. fat sheep, 62 of them, on to my Rodgers farm to pasture.

Thursday: Old Mr. Perkins planted for Geo P. today and this afternoon the Irishman by the name of Mac Fitz Jerem planted. This afternoon I took my two horse wagon and fetched ten hundred and seventy two pounds of hay from Harvey Patching’s at nine dollars per ton and I paid in cash five dollars for the hay and 60 cents due him yet, reckoning in the eighty cents on the load hay I got the other day.

Friday: Today Mr. Hall took a survey and gave or insured me of one thousand dollars on my house and outbuildings.