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24[309] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR,1796,
1796,
November,
4, Slight frost, smoky, mild. J.Taylor sent me a piece of beef- I sent him two plates butter. Mrs Stewart & Mrs Biggers came here to breakfast. They cut out Coats and Breeches for 6 Negro men. I p'd Mrs Stewart for do. 4/6. Reuben Taylor & Richard Taylor jr came here before noon- I was invited to J.Taylor's- they went with me and dined there. C.P.Howard was there. R'd Taylor was unwell in evening.
5, Smoky, dry, moderate weather. I gave R'd Taylor jr a letter to Ben Taylor with my father's and Brother John's wills enclosed- He set out after Breakfast on his return to Kentucky intending to John Pendleton's to day. he said it did not suit him to stay longer as a Waggon with goods for his father was gone on to Winchester: He was tolerable well today. Mrs Gilden & daughter brought home 5 pr Stockings.I rode to Mrs Bell's- J.Taylor, J.Taylor jr & wife, Nancy Taylor, C.Taylor, Sally & Betsy Taylor & C.P.Howard, Mr Gambell and wife & their own family dined there.
6, Sunday, Smoky dry weather, moderate. I went to J.Taylor's- E.Chew came there fro C.Taylor's. Sally and Betsy Taylor also, we dined there, all the family at home.
7, Smart frost- dry,smoky. Run part of my wheat thro' the fan. had 9 bushels cleaned of threshed Wheat brought in for family use. J.Taylor sent Harry in evening & Davy went there to make shoes. I rode to Court house to Election for Elector of President &c. W.Madison got about 90 votes. Gave Col J.Madison jr a plat of my Military Land for 1,000 acres N.West of Ohio. Also 2 plats of Reuben Taylor's for 1,000 acres each, and requested him to get grants if any office at Philadelphia.
8, Tuesday, Sharp dry frost- smoky & cloudy. The widow Day came here to ask Hel to build a house. I walked to J.Taylor's- Mr Gambell, James Bell, C.Taylor and E.Chew dined there. Finished cleaning wheat.
9, Smoky, dry. Sunshine dim, not so cool as yesterday. Had a young steer killed- Macon Biggers had a hind quarter 73 lb in part of his next years provision. Gathered some corn in pasture field,that might get stalks convenient for cattle &c. Reuben Taylor came here in evening- I gave him $4.11.6. silver for a Doublcon.
10. Very smoky,dry, warm and sunshine very dull. I went to C.Taylor's, he was at home, but went to Aunt Taylor's to bleed the widow Madison, and when returned went to see a sick negro at T.Barbour jr's. I heard that Mrs Gambell was unwell- Mr Gambell &c proposed didning at C.Taylor's to day when I was at J.Taylor's- The Girls were gone to Goulier's dance at Court house. M.Fall dined at C.Taylor's.
11, Smoky, dry, warm & some clouds. J.Taylor,C.Taylor, J.Taylor jr, Reu Taylor, C.P. Howard & Chas Bell dined here. Mr Gambell & Jas Bell promised but did not come. Jos Clark's Waggon brought me Bus Oysters.
12, Saturday, Smoky dry weather, continues mild. Edmund Taylor[jr. nephew of diarist-WKA] got here to dinner, returning from Norfolk, says he left F.S.Taylor well.
13, Smoky with clouds, no rain. Edm'd Taylor & I went to Church- Mr O'Neil preached Miss Richards' funeral sermon. But few people there. E.Taylor & self came to Maj'r Moore's to dinner. Reuben Taylor & family, Ja Taylor jr & wife, were there. J.Taylor was here in evening a short time, Gibson & Nat, w'th him.
14, Smoky, cloudy & damp. Edmund Taylor set out after Breakfast on his return to Col Thruston's in Frederick- Said he was undetermined if he shou'd stay there or go on to Kentucky- I rode to Court house- The Sheriffs met to make return who is Elector of this district. Wm Madison had 66 votes more than Lewis Corner. I carried 3 1/2 yds Coating to T.Doolin's & had my measure taken for a coat- all the trimmings but for Sleeve lining & pockets. I got 27 lb Sugar of Mr. Jenkins for which I paid 31/6 also paid 3/10 1/2 a balance I owed before. Got 1 1/4 yds flannel & 1/4 yd Velvet at Barbour's for Coats &c

From the TAYLOR DIARY, #1907-z in the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. FOR REFERENCE ONLY: PERMISSION TO PUBLISH MUST BE REQUESTED. WARNING: MOST MANUSCRIPTS ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT.