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The Diary   1802-1807

[In December 1801 or January 1802, Sylvanus returned to Chatham for a visit.]

707,  17^th January 1802.  The Methodists had a quarterly meeting here and acted strangely by hellowing and bawling.  After meeting I tried to get my sister [who had come two days earlier] to stay tomorrow that we might settle about our father's estate and open our mother's will but she would not.  [Records of the First Presbyterian Church, Elizabeth, NJ, show the mother died 14 Oct 1801.]  I therefore told her that she used me ill and we had some smart words.  My Son-in-law Miller came here & gave me $5 and I let him have my silver watch for $20 to pay in the spring.  In the evening he went away and took his little boy with him.

708, 23 Jan. 1802.  I sent George and Tommy to the point early this morning for pork, etc.  After noon I went to Esq. Wards and stayed some time.  In the evening the boys returned with the pork and sundry articles they got for me at William Dayton's to the amount of near $10.  Our young people have all gone this evening to see a show at Capt. William Day's.  27^th.  [They started back to PA.]

709, 30 Jan.  Got to my brother's.  In the evening there was a committee met here to make arrangements about the turn pike road & chose me chairman.  I wrote to the Commissioners on the Jersey side and signed it Chairman.  30^th.  I left Nathaniel Cogswell's deed for the Dyberry tract with Esq. Grandine to get it recorded.

711, 10 Feb. Samuel Edsall sent me a note and order on Samuel Smith and I spoke to him about it and he begs me not to serve him.

[In early April they built some log rafts as a means of delivering lumber down the river to Philadelphia.]

718, 11 Apr. (en route] We all arose at 3 am, took breakfast, and I took P. Coleman, George Briand and my George, stopped at Thomas Schoonover's and waited until Jacob Schoonover came along.  I took his horse and he steered our raft.  I met them at the lower fork.  We then took our horses on the raft and crossed to Paupack.  I went on to Wilsonville and from there to Esq. Snider's and our people were there with the raft below.  12^th.  About 3 pm I paid my reckoning and got on a raft with John Stroud and started.  Since morning 75 rafts have passed down the river.  I came on to the pond eddy and stayed all night.  13^th.  I have slept but little last night as the house was so full we could not all lie down at once.  We started at 5 but in running Butlers Falls we stove the head of one of our rafts which occasioned us to put into the shore about 2 miles lower down to refit.  Major Stroud got on one of the log rafts and let me have his horse to ride down to my brother's at Milford.  I saw Samuel Edsall here and talked with him about settling my Father's estate but got little satisfaction.[1]  14^th.  We started at 5, made no stop until we got to Shoomaker which is 32 miles from Milford.

719, 15 Apr.  Started at 6, came on to the gap of the mountain [Delaware Water Gap] which is very high and craggy rocks and the water is still and deep all the way through.  We proceeded without much difficulty although we saw a number of rafts stove on our way to the eddy at Easton.  Came to at sunset and I went down and got an order from the Late sheriff Speering for my deeds that are in the Prothonotary’s office [clerk of the court] in Philadelphia.  16^th.  Laid on a bench all night, started at light, came on 14 miles to Lower Pursley's Ferry then through Walford and the tumbling dam in the night and stopped at Blacks.  Here is a fine eddy.  17^th.  Arose early and came off about 5.  Weather cold and ice all over our raft.  Above Wilson falls we took on a steersman and paid him a dollar.  In running through the falls one of the boards struck a rock and knocked off our hind oar which hurt our raft a little but we soon righted it and lost only 9 boards.  We kept on and got to Lamberton about 2 pm. [Lambertville?, opposite New Hope, PA.]  18^th. The stage came along about 7, I got in, got to Philadelphia about 2.  I found my brother Jonathan here.   19^th.  I wrote to my wife and left it at the Swiftsure Stage Office.  21^st. George brought in my raft.

720, 22 April 1802.  I dined with Major Nielson and gave him a deed pole for half of a tract of land that Brother Samuel took out in my name.  23^rd.  This morning Major Wood went around with me to try to sell my planks but have little encouragement.  After dinner I called at the Prothonotary's office and had to pay $3 for recording the deeds on the lands that formerly belonged to my Father.  27^th.  After breakfast I called on Mr. Bringhurst to whom I had sold my boards; it was a 6175 inch measure, came to $98.80.  28^th [Sylvanus started back by stage.]

721, 2 May.  I got to my brother's at 12 [Milford]; he was not at home.  3^rd.  My brother came home last night.  I went to Edsall's after dinner.  I told them that if they would pay me their equal part of the expense and make me whole I was willing to divide the land amongst the heirs but he did not say one way or the other.

724, 29th May.  [Sylvanus started another raft trip.  He describes the river and trip difficulties in great detail.] 30^th.  Got to Milford at dusk and lashed our raft.  Found all my brother's family well.  31^st.  Little Samuel Seely [his nephew, son of John] came with us, we started at 7 and landed little Sam at his house. [Went on to Philadelphia and sold all his lumber at a good price.  Returned home by stage as before.]

744, 4 Nov.  [Capt Howell is staying with Sylvanus and working at the mill, but Howell's wife, Nelley is back in NJ.]  Capt. Howell went to Bethany about 8; Samuel Smith came and went to work.  I received a letter from my dear wife and my daughter Susan is sick and several of the neighbors are dead.  Nelley also wrote that she was sick and two of her children.

745, 20 Nov. I arose at 5, got breakfast and Capt. Howell, George and I started at light and went to Middle Creek Falls and spent the day searching out Brother Joshua's lines round his tract.  Went to Wilsonville, got there at dark, put up much fatigued.  21^st.  We came to finish our work and run down the other side line of brother Joshua's tract and find it does not take in the mill seat.  The southwest corner of the fall tract is a large white pine on a high cliff of rocky ground and the S.E. is a beach in the bottom near the bend of the creek above b. Joshua's house.

746, 27 Nov.  At daylight I went to sawing.  Soon after George and Capt. Howell took a pair of oxen and went to help Little Samuel Seely raise his house.

748, 9 December 1802.  For the first time this winter I wrote my wife, B. Joshua, Son John, Miller, James Ward, and daughter Nelley.  Capt. Howell and George are making ready to start for Chatham tomorrow.

757, 10 February 1803.  My Brother's child [Kitty] departed last night about 9 and it fills the house with troubles.  I see no way that they can stop their business and therefore advised them to keep on.  I received 2 letters from my son Tommy and they were all well.  Blessed be God for his goodness.  My brother's child was interred about 3 this afternoon.  11^th. Towards evening William Wigton came and after some talk informed me that he and his brothers had given their share of our father's estate unto their sister Pamelia.  [I assume these are Christopher's grandchildren; children of Pamela and Samuel Wigton.]

758, 22 Feb.  My son George and Moses Samson came home about noon and left their load at Milford.  I was glad to see them although they bring news that my son John and Brother Joshua are both sick.  And also that my affairs are bad at home and it seems as if my trouble is at its height and God grant it may be for they are very heavy.

760, 5 Mar.  George gave me a line from my Brother Samuel in which are the names and ages of his children as follows:

            Charles Blanchard Seely, b 24 Aug 1785 at Acquackanock

            Elvira, b 6 Dec 17886, d 13 Sep 1793

            Robert Morrill Seely, b 28 Dec 1787

            Amelia Seely, b 3 Nov 1789 d 9 Jan 1790

            Maria Seely, b 15 Feb 1791

            Cornelia Seely, [twin] b 15 Feb 1791

            Charlotte Seely, b 28 Oct 1792

            Harriet Seely, b Nov 1794

            Samuel Harper Seely, b 31 July 1795

            Eliza Seely, b 2 Oct 1796

            Christopher Seely, b 6 Nov 1798

            William Seely, 25 Aug 1799, d 23 Dec 1802

            Kitty Broadhead Seely, b 13 Sep 1802, d 9 Feb 1803.

762, 21 Mar.  [while rafting to Philadelphia] Last night Wm. Wigton came to me and says that he came up to steer down my raft.  George and Maloney went up to assist my Brother in getting down.  Wigton tells me my son Thomas has gone up and says my Brother Joshua is at the point of death. [He died on March 18.]

766, 7 May.  Received a line from my son John at Allentown on his way to Jersey.  Mr. Jedediah Sayre was here and I was glad to see him.[2]

772, 5 July 1803.  I sawed a birch log for my son's mill to make the rag wheel, etc.  We took an early dinner and took provisions and all hands started for the middle creek fells, viz, my three sons, Moses and Isaac and got to the falls a little before night and set to clearing where we expect to erect the mill.  11^th. My son John W. Seely let me have $50 today and we took out some little things that were paid on each side and I now have in my hands in the whole of his money $146.  12^th. This morning my son is making ready to start for home.

777, 30 July.  This morning my brother's son Joseph [son of Joshua, b 1785] came here which made my heart bleed afresh for his father.  1 Sep.  I wrote to Brother Samuel, Brother Rutter, my Son John, I. Ward, Capt. Howell, Sister Polley and Bethya, Lawyer Grandine, James Teller and my dear wife by Joseph Seely who is to start tomorrow.

782, 1 Nov.  Soon after noon Mr. Simons [Isaac Seaman] came with his wife to see me and soon after my Brother Samuel came here and as my cousin Samuel Seely [probably son of John, who lived in Bethany] is here there is a child from 3 of my father's family [ie, father's siblings] here together, a thing I never saw before. 2^nd. I gave my brother a line to Daniel Stroud that I would be answerable for $50 rent for my Brother if he would let him live in the house until next Spring.

790, 11 January 1804.  [Philadelphia]  I paid my lodging 32 cents and stage fare $4.  Started for Lancaster at 5 am in order to get a trial on Tink Meadow which belongs to my father's estate.  Oh my God how hard this is as I know not how to spare one shilling of money as I want all and more to pay my just debts.  Arrived at Lancaster at 4.  I soon found Mr. Hugh Bareley, Member from Greene County [PA], who tells me my son is well and has been to the westward this fall.  12^th  I called at Surveyor General's office and find Tink Meadow is not returned.  I got an order for its return and another for Brother Joshua's tract.  I then went to the Secretary's office and got a citation for a trial on Tink Meadow tract.  Lancaster is an inland town and is somewhat hilly.  The Assembly sits here at present which makes it very thronged.

793, 6 February 1804.  [At B. Samuel's, Milford.] I gave Daniel Stroud an order from Maj. Neilson to sell a sawmill where Cormelason lives and talked to my brother to see it for Neilson.  I called on the Commisioners about Joseph Seely's tract that is advertised for taxes but the clerk has not come and I cannot settle about it. [This must have been part of Christopher's estate.  Joseph Seely lived in Dutchess County and elsewhere across the Hudson.]  7^th.  I showed the Commissioners the mistake in Joseph Seely's tract and paid the tax, $6.64.  I tried to get Christopher Seely [estate] settled but could not.  I saw my niece Edsel and her children which I was glad of. [Jane Little, wife of Samuel Edsall.]  8^th.  I called at Court and threw in a petition for a bridge over our creek.  They are selling lands for taxes and it goes on fast.  9^th.  I gave Daniel Stroud an obligation that my Brother Samuel shall quit this house on the first of April next.  I went to the vendue but bought nothing.  And am security for his rent, $50.

795, 29 Feb 1804.  Jonas Sayre[3] came here and informed me that my brother Jonathan laid at the point to die at Mr. Semors [Semours?] on Delaware and that he thinks he is not living by this time.  1 Mar.  George and Mr. Sayre started for Mr. Seemore's to see my Brother Jonathan if he is yet alive.

796, 8 Mar.  George came home about 9 this morning and he brings word that his uncle Jonathan is better.  9^th.  I agreed away my house and lot at Chatham to Mr. David Lum[4] for $800 and he is to have possession 10^th of April at which time he is to pay $200.

803, [took a raft of lumber to Philadelphia, sold it, then took a stage to Springfield, and continued on foot to Chatham.]  7 May.  I looked over some writings, took out what I want with me.  I find that the bond my Brother Samuel gave me was dated 23 May 1796 for £112 with interest.  In the afternoon I went to see my son-in-law James Ward, Capt. Howell and wife, and my wife also.   I stayed chiefly about the house.  Home I cannot call it as it appears that I have made another home.  My sister [Mary/Polley} and Pamelia Wigton came to see me and I tried to make some settlement with them but could not.  I tried to settle with Capt. John Crane; did not get through it.  Simeon Broadwell called and got his brother Samuel's writings from me.  Toward evening I went to Abraham Samson's and informed him of a mistake in his and David Lum's settlement and he promised to right it with my wife.

804, 10 May.  I went round by the old mill and took leave of my friends.  I signed over two notes to James Ward against Raynear Blanchd to the amount of 12.14.0 and interest due thereon for fourteen years.  I paid Thadeus Day $2 on Thomas Parsel's account.  11^th.  This morning I signed writings with Mr. Lum and he gave Frederick Smith a note for $50 and I took up one for the same sum that I gave to Doctor Smith.  Mr. Lum has paid to Samson, Capt. Crane, and Pierson and other debts so that I have only $230 dollars coming and owe a hundred of that to McCullin and Johnston.  I settled with Thomas Parcell.  12^th.  I settled with the Widow Ab. Carter for her husband's and Father-in-law's estate and took her note for $20, the balance due me payable in 4 months.  This evening I was arrested by Johnston and McCullin.  Mr. Lum was my bail and I called a $200 note in Capt. Day's hands for his security.  13^th.  I am getting ready to start for home.  I took a heavy leave of my wife and family and old neighbors.  14^th.  Got to Jedediah Sayre's about 1 pm and stayed the night.  I took an account of a note that he holds against my father's estate as this was the occasion of my coming this way.  It is dated 19 January 1787 for £5-18-0 or thereabout with interest.

807, 2 June 1804.  [In Reading].  Called on Mr. John Spiker to get him to prove a draft of survey of Tink Meadow that he took from James Scull's office for me some years back.  He said that if I would get a judge to come to him he would do it.  With some difficulty I got Judge Morris to go with me and he proved it.  I called on old Aunt Ingolish and she is as hearty as a woman of her age generally is, being 73 years old. [This must be a Williamson aunt.] [Sylvanus continued on to Lancaster to the Board of Property to pursue his claim to Tink Meadow but they refused to let his written evidence be given because the law requires 10 days notice to the parties who might want to cross examine.  The trial was put off until the first Monday in December.]

808, 5 June.  Continued to Sinking Spring [near Reading].  To think that I spent my happiest days here and that all those that were then with me are now in Eternity and that I must in a very short time be numbered with them and further, I never expect to see this place again.  All those thoughts crowding upon me at once sunk my mind to that degree that I scarcely knew where I was and cried to God to bear me up or I should fall, and Blessed be his great goodness lighted my mind and I got relief in some measure.

812,  [Back at home; his wife has joined him there.]  9 July.  George and Mr. Sayre are chopping logs; Isaac is sawing.  10^th.  Set Isaac to sawing and George went to Capt. Spangenburg's frolic.  I gave Jonas Sayre $1 toward his work and he is gone to the frolic likewise.  11^th.  I wrote to Messrs. Bunting and Torrey that I will be answerable to them of $11.50 on Jonas Sayre's account.

813,  20 July.  I set to sawing, Isaac to making a bedstead, George and Tommy went to the election of a colonel at Walt Kimball's and returned in the evening and brought me a line from my Brother Samuel which informs me he has bought Van Auken's place.  21^st.  I wrote a line to inform my B. Samuel that he ought to come up and cut his grass on Van Auken's place soon.

815, 5 Aug.  Wrote Dr. Budd, William Day and Daughter Susan.  Robert Seely brought me a line from his father informing me that he had bought the Elks Forest tract.  10^th.  Isaac [employee], Sayre and George went to William Schoonover's frolic. 

816, 16 Aug.  This morning I settled up with Jonas Sayre how much he had worked and credited him for 23 days and gave him an order upon Stoll & Johnston for $4 and he set for home.

828, 19 Nov.  I sent Moses with a load of boards to Esq. Bunting for the Prison.  George went to Isaac Brinks and got some venison to give to my daughter.  Capt. Howell killed a nice young buck.  I wrote Sister Mary, Sister Bethya, & Joseph Seely.  20 Nov.  Capt. Howell and my three daughters made ready and started about 10.   I wrote by Susan to David Lum to let her have $4.  My daughter Howell left her daughter Susan with us.

877, 13 Dec 1805.  Went to Bethany and gave Daniel Stroud a note for $50 payable in 6 months for my brother Samuel's rent at Milford. I wrote Maj. Wood to send me what money he has of mine in his hands by Maj. Torrey and sent him an order on George Snyder for $17.  I find that my brother Samuel has returned the 1200 acre tract near Middle Creek as his lands and the Collector of Revenue has sold them, and I know not what to do in this business and fear that I shall lose them.  I now find that was the reason that I could not find those lands in any of the Collector's books although I have examined all of them as I look for them in the patentee's names.  Oh the pride and vanity of my brother; what trouble and expense it has and does cost me.  17^th.   Mr. Prince (Brand) called on me and showed me an article with Jonas Sayre and wanted me to give up Jonas Sayre's article with him, Sayre and Torrey and Esq. Bunting for a 50-acre lot, and Brand paid me part and gave me a note for the residue of $2.25 that Sayre owed me and I exchanged with Brand and gave him Sayre's article and am to take Brand's article to the mill and get Sayre's order on me for the article. 

884, 11 Feb 1806.  I looked at the books of the direct tax and find that brother Samuel returned 1400 acres on Middle Creek and it is sold and Daniel Stroud bought it.

889, 2 Apr.  I went to Bethany and Mr. Torrey gave me a deed for my lot in Bethany.  4^th.  I went to Bethany and put Mrs Duffie's [a longtime employee] and my deeds into the office to be recorded.  Both deeds are from Torrey for town lots in Bethany.  5^th.  Mr.Sayre, a son of Thomas Sayre, called on me for my opinion about setting up a store at Bethany.[5]  

900, 16 Jun.  This day there was a total eclipse of the sun and it was so dark as to see the starts plain all over the sky.  My son Thomas and brother Jonathan came.

917, 29 Nov 1806.  Towards evening I went up the creek to look for S. Seely's logs ["Little Samuel", son of uncle John].   4 Dec.  Severe storms of snow all day.  Brother Jonathan came home from Simmons. 

918, 8 Nov.  Snow is about 8" deep and the pond is frozen chiefly over.  Brother so lame he does nothing except cleaning the ox's feet.  Daughter Susan went to Bethany [to school].  11^th.  Got 4 of S. Seely's logs into the flue way.  13^th.  I took up the note that I gave Samuel Johnston towards my brother Samuel's rent some years back and Bish Woodward gave me a check for $9.50 that he got for boards etc. for the court house some time past.  I got a pair of boots from Arnall for Isaac and brother Jonathan's shoes that are mended.   14^th.  I gave Isaac $3 and my brother $1 and they started for Chatham.

922, 2 Feb 1807.  Charles B. Seely [son of b. Samuel] was here and our horses fought with his and the old horse is badly hurt.  Went to Bethany, got $10 from Mr. Forker and gave them to Mr. Torrey and a receipt from the Land Office for money paid towards a tract of land that's his back of Dyberry and he is to get me a patent from Lancaster.

926, 7 Apr.  Took the sled and went to Bethany and met Jennings and Isaac Brink and came into an agreement with them for the place they live on and articled with them and did not get home until near 12 at night.[6]  11^th.  George is gone with a load for John Garrett to Bethany, 422 feet of hemlock siding and 14 studs.  Capt. Arnol [Arnold?] took away 265 feet of inch pine that came out of a log of Samuel Seely Jr. and 78 feet of my own.  13^th.  I took the sled and horses and hauled boards up to Bethany.  On my way I met Esq. Woodward going to Paupack and soon after Esq. Kellogg coming down to acknowledge the deed that I am about to send Daniel Hole, and Mr. Kellogg has brought all my writings from Torreys and also the account of the taxes due on the following tracts of land which Mr. Elijah Day wrote me to pay:  Rebecca Phillips, 439 acres; John Taylor, 439 acres, and Benjamin Mason 439 acres.  The taxes due on each tract for the years 1805-1806 are $3.30, making $9.90.  I took a receipt and Esq. Kellogg charged me 75 cents for his trouble. 

934, 2 May.  [On another rafting trip.]  Arose early and it rains and has been considerable in the night.  Charles Simmons and Henry Smith came and we started about 7 and when we got to Thomas Schoonover's all our rafts were gone but one.  We took that and went on to New house and stopped as the river is too high to run the narrows.  Charles and Smith went through the narrows on a log raft and returned.  3d.  I arose early and the boys moved 3 of our rafts to Paupack eddy and I went to look after my old plank and find that they are chiefly gone.  We heard that Richard Van Auken was drowned in the narrows.  Charles and Henry went on a raft to run the narrows and I went to Jonathan Brinks to lodge, got a quart of whisky from T. Schoonover, paid 25 cents.  4^th.  Water too high to run; we laid by.  5^th. Charles and John Smith ran one of our rafts through safely and Coleman Doty Henry. Smith and George went on another and stove in the narrows and left it.

935, 8 May.  Clear and cold, ice in many places.  Doty and I got my 3 rafts together and about noon Charles and George came with our broken raft.  We came off early and ran the falls safely until we came to Sim's Cleft and there we ran on the head of an island.  Doty got off on a small raft and brought us a canoe and we came to Carpenter's.  11^th.  Pulled in at Dingman's ferry and got to my brother's at 10 at night and went to bed.

939, 2 June [in Philadelphia]  Paid $7.50 for Charles Simmons and $3.50 for the hands, ie, Smith and Doty.  4^th.  I gave my brother the $400 that he left with me and after breakfast I bought a coat from Maj. Wood and I am to allow him $12 for it.  I left about 700 feet of plank and boards in Maj. Wood's hands to sell for us.  I came to the stage office, paid $4 fare and started at half past 8.  5^th.  We got to Springfield at 9, took breakfast.  Here I left the stage and wrote David Beach by post.  I came on in a wagon to Chatham, found my children in health, except my daughter Miller who feels poorly.  6^th.  After breakfast I went to Stephen Day's and got a line from J.C.W. to Susan dated 14^th of March past.  I went to James Ward's, looked over my books a little, then round by Uncle Thady's [Day] and stayed at J Ward's all night.

940, 10 Jun.  I went to Miller's and towards noon Capt. Blanchard came with a chair and took me to his house for dinner.  Here I settled with Maj. Patten's son on account of a note wherein I was security for my brother Joshua and I gave him a note for $113 due in one year which was the balance due on the note.  I went to Uncle Thady's and stayed all night.  [Many other visits to friends and relatives over several days.]  17^th.  I drew a note to my Sister [Mary] for $100, one to Pamelia Wigton for 450 and signed them, came out to Chatham gave Dr. Budd $20 to pay toward the note that I will send my sister if she wants it and settles with me, and $5 more to bear his expenses and he started for New York about 8 am.   

941, 18 May.  This morning Dr. Budd came and brought me a quitclaim from my sister and Abby Little [daughter of sister Deborah and David Little, both deceased] and he tells me that he paid Abby Little the 20 dollars that I sent on her part and it is cr. on my note.  He further tells me that Pamely Wigton is to be down in one week and my sister desires me to wait.

942, 1 July.  Dr. Budd got a line from my sister and she says Pamelia is not coming down. 6^th.  I got a horse from James Ward, went to Newark and got the Clerk to put his certificate to a deed from Esq. [Stephen] Day[7], one from his son Stephen, and one from sister and Abby Little.  9^th.  Daughter Ward tells me Pamelia is to be down the middle of this month and as I do not know how to wait I have got William Budd to go to her for me.  10^th.  Went to Dr. Budd's, the Dr. wrote to Pamelia.  I gave Billy a note of $50 for Pamelia if she chooses to sell to me and gave Billy $7 to bear his expenses and he started for the Walkill [Orange County, north of Goshen]

943, 14^th July.  J.C. White wrote last from Palermo, Sicily.  I wrote him this day to Leghorn.  15^th.  Last evening Wm. Budd came home and brought me an acquittance from Pamelia Wigton as she chose to sell.  I got Capt. Day's horse and chair and William Budd went with me to Morristown and he proved the conveyance that Pamelia gave me, and we got the Clerk's certificate.   19^th.  I saw my friend Elijah Day who brought out some little things to Susan that were sent her from Sicily.

956, 4 Nov 1807.  Letter from my daughter Susan in which she informs me of the death of General Dayton.  This reminds me of my own exit being near and God grant that I may be ready.

958, 2 Dec.  Charles Kimball is here and brought me a line from Jane Forquer[8] and they live in Fairfield County and in Friedrach [Frederick] Town on Owl Creek, State of Ohio and the nearest post office is in Zanesville in Muskingum County.

959, 14 Dec.  After breakfast  I went to Bethany and got a petition drawn to make our creeks navigable from my falls down and from Dyberry Falls to meet the other navigable water, and I got a number to sign it.  15^th.  George and I worked on the cowshed, Isaac finished making the sleds [for Sylvanus and Col. Schenk].  Samuel Seely Jr. lodged here last night.  16^th.  Isaac Oakley and I made a settlement as he is start for Chatham tomorrow and I owe him $52.43.

960, 17 Dec.  I wrote to brother Rutter, Miss Jane Forquer and daughter Susan.  21^st.  George and I went to Bethany.  George kept on to Nielson for oats.  I got Mr. Lillig to sign my returns for Stephen Day's tracts of land and I gave him a due bill for $6.33 for surveying them.  I left my returns with Maj. Torrey to send to Lancaster and returned home.  22^nd.  George went for a pail of water and had a fit and as he stayed longer than common, Sally went after him and found him on the ground.  [There are many references to George's fits over the years; apparently he suffered from epilepsy.  Sally may be brother Samuel's daughter Sarah, working for Sylvanus and his family.]

963, 30 Dec.  I went to Bethany and accepted an order drawn on me by Mr. Stryker for $14 in favor of Isaac Dimmick and Dimmick paid me $20 more and I receipted for both on our article.  I then left Pamely Wigton's and sister Polly [Mary] and Abby Little's deeds to me to be recorded.