by Alex Brooks
Holcomb is in Madison County, NY to consult with his sister Miriam and other relations about settling his father’s will. Although the Erie Canal was not completed until 1825, Holcomb came back to Albany by boat in June of 1824.
Saturday, June 5, 1824: This morning sister Miriam filled my pack with victuals and my bottle with whiskey and she sends one shilling to sister Newton and her husband’s little girl Rosanna sends some small presents to my children and to brother Wm’s and I left there.
Sunday: I slung my pack and started for home. About four o’clock this afternoon I went down to the canal at Jeremiah Brainard’s at the Mansion House. There I went aboard the Morning Star of Manlius, commanded by Capt. Ferdinand Roberts. I went aboard a little before sunset. We ran about five miles and then lay up at Burrows in said Rome. I paid six cents for my lodging to said Burrows.
Monday morning we came into Oriskeny and lay up and ate our breakfast. We then run down to Utica. I paid my passage for fifteen miles, which was 15 cents, and I paid three cts for my halfpint bottle of whiskey, and one cent for a sheet of paper in said Utica. I then walked on for about three miles and overtook a mamouth boat. I paid six cents for a passage for six miles. I then walked to the Little Falls in company with another traveler. We then took passage of another boat, the Sun about one hour high. Her name is the Rising Sun, belonging to the company of the Daily Diligence and commanded by Capt. Oliver Capron. I paid my passage when I went aboard to Troy, which was 75 cents. We ran all night, and gained rising of twenty miles through the night. I slept a part of the time. Great confusion all night, with the passengers fiddling and dancing.
Tuesday: Today we ran down within three miles of Schenectady and lay up to one Schermerhorns, and I paid six cents for my lodging. Today I paid one cent for a glass of small beer to a lock house. The number of locks from Utica to Schenectady is 26 in number.
Wednesday we ran down to Troy, I got out at the nine locks and walked to Troy, a distance of four miles. The two aqueducts crossing the Mohawk today is quite a curiosity.