The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

The Life Of George Holcomb – Brother Sylvester’s Child Lives For Only A Week

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Friday, July 27, 1827: We hayed on my Rodgers Farm but some rainy….on last evening brother Sylvester had a daughter born, its weight was two pounds, (?) ounces.
Saturday morning I rode through this town and to Hancock Village to notify the people that Mr. Butler the Episcopalian priest from Troy would preach tomorrow in the Presbyterian meetinghouse, and I rode to Lebanon to give said Butler notice that his appointment was accepted in this town.
Friday, August 3: We hayed on my Rodgers farm and brother Wm and his boy helped in the way of changing works.  On this evening brother Sylvester’s child died, aged about one week.
Saturday: Today Wm and I dug a grave for Sylvester’s child, and we mowed a spell.  This afternoon I took the wagon and carried  my wife and family to the funeral of brother Sylvester’s child at his house.  Elder Jones delivered a short sermon.
Friday, August 10: This morning I took the wagon and my wife went with me to Doctor Right’s and carried our son George Pease and got some medicine.  Said child had a relapse.
Sunday, September 16: Today Wm took the single wagon and went to Hoosic after his wife’s sister Meriah, some rainy.
Monday: This morning I rode over after doctor Graves for brother Wm’s wife.  Today she had a daughter born for her fifth child.  Today Wm returned from Hoosic with his wife’s sister Meriah.
Tuesday: We gathered apples and ground apples.  this afternoon rainy and tonight a very high wind.
Wednesday: Today I took the single wagon and carried Mr. Lewis the tailor the cloth, and was measured for a coat and pantaloons and left it to be cut out.  I carried him three bushels of apples to pay him for same.
Saturday: We worked on the highway with the team and cart, myself and Samuel, and cart works my two days and Wm Post one day and brother Wm worked half a day and his oxen all day, which completes our second assessment.
Wednesday: I went to Pittsfield and peddled cake and cider.  I do have said Bull’s cake.  I made nearly five dollars.
Thursday: Today I took the single wagon and some cider and went to Cheshire Corners to training.  I made nearly five dollars.
Friday: this morning I took the single wagon and went over to my Rodgers farm and pulled up my few beans…this afternoon I peddled cider and cake to Lebanon meeting house to officer training.  I called to Mr. Lewis and got my coat and pantaloons that he has cut out for me.