At the end of the last installment, Holcomb’s second daughter Lucinda Angeline was dangerously ill.
January 20, 1824, Monday: Doctor Graves came and concluded the complaint was in my child’s head and there was no cure. Last night said Right gave nine portions of Markery injections and draughts and today said Graves draws blisters ointing the head with salt. This afternoon brother Wm took my sorrel mare and cutter and rode to Richmond after Dr. Merryman to come and see my child. He agreed to come tomorrow. This evening I borrowed John Wylie’s cutter and went after widow Lucy Rowley to watch, but she could not come and I stopped and got the widow Earlebel Campbell to come and watch.
Tuesday: Today said Dr. Merryman came and met said Dr. Graves to my house and gave Dr. Graves directions how to doctor the child. Said Merryman told us that the disease was on the lungs and the child was getting better and with careful doctoring the child is a prospect of getting better. Tonight I took the cutter and carried the widow Campbell home and got the widow Rowley to come and watch with my child.
Wednesday: This morning I took the cutter and carried the widow Rowley home and today I walked on to what is called West Hill and engaged one Hannah Campbell to come to our house on trial to live. Tonight I took the cutter and fetched Mrs. Salley Russel here to watch with my child.
Thursday: Today we drew wood, and tonight Sally Green watched with my child.
Sunday: Today I took the cutter and carried Mother over to Brother Sylvester a spell and took dinner. Sister Betsey continues very dangerous sick. At night I went down to Mr. Morey’s after his daughter Susan Harrison to come tonight to nurse my child, but she could not come for her child was unwell. I got Mr. Danford’s single wagon and rode to Lebanon to get Mrs. Wheeler to come and work for us, but she could not come, at present.
Monday: This morning I took the double wagon and carried a grist of four bushels of rye to H. Platt’s mill and left it to be ground. I called to Dr. Graves and had him come over to my wife, for she has quite a fever. I went up to Asa Goodrich’s and got Miss Lucy Hadsil to come and help us, and this afternoon I went after our grists. I called up to Samuel Holcomb’s and told him he must come and settle with Wm and myself, for I wanted my pay. He agreed to come and settle.
Tuesday: We ground up a new ax, and then we went over into my swamp and made a bridge over the brook on what is called the beaver meadow.