The Life Of George Holcomb – Funeral Preparations

In the last episode, Holcomb’s father died. He now turns to funeral arrangements.
Monday, March 15, 1824: It was the request of my father for a months past and likewise while on his death bed to be buried in the Masonic order and to have an Episcopalian preach his funeral sermon. He chose Mr. Humphrey, the settled minister of Lanesborough, Mass, and I found a horse today and got my wife’s cousin Isaac Humphrey to go after said minister, and to call to Mr. Stodder Williams and go with him to the preacher and engage him. Said Williams likewise did, and then the young man Isaac returned with Mr. Williams and took a refreshment and then came home and told me the priest would come according to our request.
Our family requested Episcopalian bretheren to come over to help carry on the meeting to read service. I now attend to the funeral preparations. The first is the appointment of the funeral to be on Wednesday at twelve o’clock at the Presbyterian meeting house. We sent to the Free Masons for them to bury him in their Order according to Father’s request. Today Mr. R. Danford went with his horse and Mr. Pierce’s wagon to Lebanon and carried Alma Russel. They went to Elem Tilden’s and got the funeral necessaries to the amount of eight dol and 99 cts, and to Smith’s store to the amount of one dol and I had it all charged to me. Our neighbors came in today and helped us prepare for the funeral. Tonight Mr. Joshua Phillips and Francis Buten watched with the corpse.
March 16, Tuesday: Today quite stormy and the snow blew. This morning Wm and I walked to the burying ground near the Presbyterian meeting house and gave directions where to dig our father’s grave, which was at the head or a little south of the head of my son George Jay’s grave. We had liberty from Mr. John Russel to lay our father there. Today Capt. Adam Brown and Isaac Humphrey took our horses and sled and carried wood from our door to the meeting house for a fire for the funeral tomorrow, and other neighbors visited us in preparing today and borrowing for accommodations, and Mr. John Wylie made the coffin. I prepared the pine boards and other materials. I sent to H. Platt’s 25 cts after a few articles that lack to finish the coffin. Expense for making I know not yet. Tonight Mr. John Wylie and Benjamin Sackett Jr watched with the corpse.
March 17, Wednesday: This morning I sent for Joshua Phillips to come and he took my horse and rode to Lebanon to Elem Tilden’s store and got a whole piece of crepe for me for the Freemason. On last evening Doctor Dwight Right called to our house and requested me so to do and what they made use of he would see it paid for and requested me to return what they did not use, and fetch him a bill. The said crepe was charged to me.