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DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1797, 21 [338]
1797,
September,
21, Fair day,very dry-cool evening. J.Taylor was here in morn- I lent him a Case bottle of Whiskey-he got basket Peaches. Began to sow early wheat the left or West side of the Valley in Mountain field. I walked to Ja's Taylor's(he asked me in morning) Aunt Taylor,Mrs Burnley & children &c.,Maj'r Moore, John Moore, R'd Barbour's wife, Lucy Barbour- C.Bell,T.Bell, J.T.jr., &c there- Tho's Bell sent his girl and got a small pot butter, Towel, pot & butter 9 1/4, Butter M't 6 1/4 lb. Sent corn to Dade's Mill to have meal tomorrow.
22, Pleasant, sunshine & clouds- very dry.I walked to Court house,met Maj'r W.Moore & Charles Taylor about settling A.Shepherd's account against Jos Woods'Estate- Mrs Wood was unwilling that we should proceed as her lawyer was not present, and the settlement was deferred- Mr.Shepherd,Alex Downey-Mrs Wood,B.Winslow & P.Sandford were there- Dined at T.Bell's Left off sowing E.Wheat to-day - only 3 Bus' sown.
23, Cloudy-sometimes dropped rain very little. Began to cut Corn Tops. Gathred Leathercoats & White apples, about 5 pecks.
24, [Sunday],Rained a little moderately-distant thunder- I agreed to keep Macon Biggers to look after my business next year on following terms- If the hands as at present-to give him 1/6 part of Wheat & Corn,deducting seed wheat- If a plow boy be added 1/6 Wheat 1/7 Corn. Find provisions- 8 Barrels Corn, 500 lb Pork, 100 lb Beef and 1 1/2 Bushels Salt. Also a Cow to milk. I walked after dinner to J.Taylor's, their own family as common only there. Last night Aunt Taylor's James brought me a hat from Blair's.To night Joe brought me from do. 1 Sack Salt, 20 yds Ozn'a & 1 lb. Sulphur. I paid Barbour's Joe for bringing above, 3/-
25, Fair morning and day, warm. I went to Court. T.Babour told me he had some cash for me at J.Taylor's,but not so much as promised. Tho's Clark paid 12 dollars, Jos Clark borrowed for him. Rec'd a letter from brother William,Edmund Taylor brought from Kentucky- John Taylor sent it. I saw Mr.James Blair,who told me that Rob't Patton had paid $21. to him for D.Triplett's order to me.
26, Fair,warm morn some clouds after, cool evening. I staid at home to dinner.A stack of Fodder tops made by Wheat yard. I walked to J.Taylor's in evening.
27, Fair,cool- I rode to Court house- Had mare shod, paid A.Shepherd jr 3/- for do. I got home to dinner.
28, Very Clear-pleasant,but very dry. Had Cow & 2 Ewes put in Meadow. Had Geese picked. C.Taylor breakfasted here & returned home. Reu Taylor was here after breakfast, a little time- J.Taylor & son Nat. dined here- J.Taylor paid me 46 dollars which settled his account-except a small balance for Cards &c. I took Castor oil and feel better to day.
29, Warm- some clouds and hazy. I rode to Court house-read Newspapers-went down to Mrs James's.Geo. Morris preached to not a large audience- I returned home to dinner. Finished sowing wheat- 15 Bus'Early to the left, or West side of mountain field, 21 Red in same field(See Aug.28) 7 1/2 Do. in Orchard field.Total 43 1/2 3 small p/s bacon by his boy.
30, Cloudy,very dry. I went to J.Taylor's-expected to meet Tho Barbour jr there-he did not come- I received money he left with J.Taylor $52.1.6. Edm'd Henshaw, Geo.Newman,W.Daniel's wife :& daughter dined at J.Taylor's- J.Taylor after dinner set out for the District Court at Fred'g.

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