by Alex Brooks
In the last episode, Holcomb had a dispute with one of his brothers over settlement of his father’s will, and Brother Beriah went home “much dissatisfied.” After settling the legalities of his settlement with the first three siblings, he goes to cousin Samul Holcomb, and has difficulty there as well.
Sunday, April 8, 1824: This morning Squire John Babcock was going past our house and I called to him to stop and take some refreshment, and I let him read the deed that brother Beriah gave to Brother Wm and myself yesterday, and said Babcock told me that it was perfectly correct.
Thursday, April 22: R Danford went with me to the surrogate (in Troy). His name is C. Clows. I proved Father’s will by Rowland Danford, and I was qualified as an executor, and he gave me a copy of the will, and keeps the will to be recorded, and he gives me a blank inventory. I paid him six dollars and fifty for his fees, and I took a receit of him.
Thursday, April 29: Today the son of Jonas Smith was buried. He was killed yesterday under a harrow. He got on to ride, and the oxen ran away. He lived to Joseph Bailey’s, New Lebanon.
On this evening Sylvester and Eleanor signed off a deed and a release of all the real and personal property our father left to Wm and myself. We went to the house of John Wylie and said Wylie and Isaac Newton witnessed said deeds and releases and Wm and myself gave Eleanor a note of one hundred dollars in security until we give her release back to her priviledge of her right in the house and outbuildings as the will directs.
Wednesday, May 5: Today I borrowed R. Danford’s horse and put before John Russel’s wagon and carried John Wylie up to Sylvester Howard’s and he took the proof of said Wylie of the deeds that brothers and sister that is Beriah and Sylvester and Eleanor signed off to the estate that our father left. Said Howard is commissioner and this I have done to have recorded, the deeds to the County Clerk’s office. Said Howard charges one dol and twenty five cents, but I did not pay it. We then went to Cousin Samuel Holcomb. I went to settle with him and get his note or money, and he refused either, but we did not come to any settlement.