The Life Of George Holcomb – A Cold Winter

After returning from a trip up to Vermont in which he bought 19 cows, he continued to buy cows nearer to home
Tuesday, January 3, 1826: Today we went over to our Rodgers farm and salted our new flock of cattle and chopped and drew a load of wood home. Today we paid Francis Buten the ten dollars in cash for his cow that was agreed here before, and drove her home. I went with the cutter after Charlotte to school. Tonight and this evening I went up to Mrs. Smalley’s and bargained with her son, Philander Woodard, for his cow at eleven dollars and fifty cents, and came in the morning after said cow and pay him in silver.
Wednesday: This morning I walked up to P. Woodward, paid him for his cow as is before agreed, and he helped drive her home. Tonight I went with the sleigh after Charlotte to school, and this evening we sorted over apples for market.
Monday, January 9: This forenoon I took the cutter and carried Charlotte to school. I went to R. Humphrey’s with the cloth to be dressed for Wm. I carried my second daughter Angeline and left her to B. Sackett’s until I went to said Humphrey’s. Charlotte returns after school to said B. Sackett’s to stay a part of the week and go to school.
Tuesday: I rode over twice to my Rodgers Farm and foddered and today we carted stone.
Wednesday: Today we carted stone and tonight I rode up to B. Sackett’s and fetched Charlotte home from school, quite unwell.
Thursday: We butchered a beefcow and Mr. R. Danford helped. I have paid him partly in apples.
Saturday: Today we cut up our beef and salted. Wm had about one third.
Wednesday: Today we borrowed Mr. Hazard Morey’s long ladder. Wm and I brought it on our back and we put it on to Wm‘s old house, where Mr. R. Danford lives, and we repaired the roof. Today I carted one load of stone.
Thursday: I took the double wagon and went to the Shakers to mill to their new stone mill. I had five bushels of wheat ground and Wm had three bushels of Rye ground, but our grists got mixed.
Wednesday: Today Wm and I carried two loads of wood to Doctor D. Right. The load that the ox team carried measured ninety feet and the other load that horse team  carried measured eighty feet.
Monday, January 30: I drove our white no horned cow to bull to B.B. Mason’s near Asa Goodrich and left her all night in said Maxon’s stable. Today Wm goes to Troy with four barrels of cider and half a barrel of apple sauce. It snowed some today.
Tuesday: Today a severe cold day, the coldest weather that has been this winter.