by Alex Brooks
Thursday, August 26, 1819: I walked to the Baptist meeting house. Elder Hull preached the funeral sermon of said Rodgers (this is James Rodgers, who hung himself in his swamp in the last episode). A large concourse of people attended.
27 Friday: This morning Father and myself rode to Hoosac to Mr. David Barnhart’s, brother Wm’s father-in-law. We carried Meriah Barnhart up home. I went up after a yearling colt that I agreed for, of Mr. David Barnhart when he was to Stephentown the first of July for $25. We called in Berlin to Wells Inn and I paid nine cents for liquor, and we called in Petersburgh to Colonel Worthington’s and I paid sixteen cents for liquor. This evening I called up to Michael Barnhart’s a spell, this evening we caught the said colt and haltered him.
30 Monday: I am quite unwell. I called to Doc Hall as he was going by and he let me have three bilious pills.
As fall comes on, the newly married George throws himself with great energy into his new role as family provider. The first of September finds Holcomb and his brother William driving around collecting debts and trying to borrow money. He is apparently gathering money to buy provisions in Albany.
George and his brother William make a pressing of apples, and take three barrels of cider and 10 bushels of apples to Albany. Driving all night on Friday evening, September 3, they sell their load all day on Saturday, $2 per barrel of cider and anywhere from 18 cents to 38 cents per bushel of apples. They bought $12.52 worth of iron for George’s wagon and William’s blacksmith shop. They also bought sugar, tea, salt, spices and a stone pot. They traveled all night going home, arriving at daybreak on Sunday.
The following Friday he made a similar trip to Pittsfield, carrying three barrels of cider and eight bushels of apples. He got $1.50 each for his barrels of cider, and from 25 cents to 50 cents for each bushel of apples.
September 11, Saturday: Returning home, I came by way of Pool Hill to J. Bull’s and took in a chest of cakes, 20 dollars worth, to carry to Berlin to muster training, and am to have one fifth for selling.
Sept 13, Monday: I went to Wells Inn in Berlin with a double wagon and had Sackett’s horse. (He later paid Sackett ten gallons of cider for the use of his horse). I carried said chest of cake and a new barrel of cider. I got about 8 dollars for this day.
Throughout September there are frequent trips to market, and a great deal of buying and selling. His prime stock-in-trade is apples and cider.
Oct 7, Thursday: I attended to chores and walked over and got Doctor Graves to come and bleed William, for he is taken with a cold and my wife was bled too.