The Life Of George Holcomb – Father’s Will

Thursday, Jan 29, 1824: Today I got Mr. Danford’s wagon and went to Lebanon. I called down to the wagon maker Wadoms to see the Wheeler woman about coming to work for us. She agreed to come Sunday next. I called to Mr. Gay’s and told him to sell Wm’s cutter if he can get thirty dollars in cash. This evening I walked down and Julia Morey came and watched with my wife and child.
Friday: We drew and piled logs in my swamp. Tonight I tended to the watching with my wife and child. My wife is a getting better. Her sore mouth and throat is growing better and the child is all better.
Saturday: This morning Mrs Moulton went home. She has been here a week to nurse my child, for my wife has not milk enough, being sick.
Monday, February 22: This morning I walked down to Mr. Wm Bailey’s after the will that Father left with him to keep until I call for, but said Bailey was not at home and I returned home. This evening Wm and I walked down to Wm Bailey’s and he read the will to us and then handed it to us and we fetched it home.
Tuesday: This morning I walked over to Capt. Adam Brown’s to ask his advise about settling Father’s estate. He walked home with me and heard said will read, then he advised me to get the heirs all together and settle the estate. Today I walked up to Horatio N. Carr’s Inn and returned my road bill which was worked over the assessment one and a half days work. The whole work was one hundred and one days work.
Friday: This afternoon I started for Troy in the double wagon. I had Samuel put the two yoke of oxen on to the wagon and take my load up the hill to the meetinghouse and he got stuck in the mud and he got Mr. Phillips’ oxen and helped draw it out. I then went on and found it very muddy and hard traveling. I sold one barrel in Nassau to one Mr. Harmans near the gate and trusted him for the cider. I charged one dol and 25 cts. I then went on to Sand Lake to Weever’s tavern and put up, about nine this evening.
Saturday: This morning I paid my bill to said tavern, which was 6 cents for lodging and six cents for horse stabling. I went on and sold the keg of cider for 38 cts to the gate tender near Mr. Henry Withees. I went on to Troy and sold one barrel of cider for one dol and 50 cts – and the other at one dol and 25 cts and then I paid 38 cents for a small pair of morocco shoes for my daughter Lucinda Angeline. I then called in to the Surrogates office and handed him my Father’s Will and he read it and he told me it was according to law, but advised me to get a settlement with the heirs. I then called over to Judge Buels for advise what way to settle the estate. He told me if I could get a settlement with the heirs it was best, but if I could not, I must take the course of the law. I paid him one dol for a few minutes talk and then came out. I put my horses to my wagon and came on homewards. I came to Mr. Henry Withees and stayed tonight and found my own hay and oats.
Sunday: This morning I stayed and took breakfast. I then came on home and got home about two this afternoon. My gateage was 44 cents.