396

1799,
January,
1, Tuesday, Cloudy, a little rain and sleet, quite mild for the Season. I pointed
out to Malachi Atkins where I want to tend Corn the present year. Reuben
Taylor called here before noon and went on to #Robert Taylor's, about Land business
&c. * J. Gibson Taylor & Jamey Pendleton called & warmed, they had been hunting,
saw J. Taylor jr pass by afterwards- Gave Sary Baby cloaths to make.
[# Robert, son of Erasmus & 1st cousin of Diarist-WKA]
[*John Gibson, son of James, the Clerk, and Ann (Pendleton) Taylor and
nephew of Diarist; married Elizabeth Lee Taylor, dau. of Col. Rich'd & Sarah
(Strother) Taylor and sister of President - Gen. Zachary Taylor- WKA]
2, Thin Clouds and moderate. Sent a Bar 37 lb Iron, by M. Atkins, to J. McNeil's
to get 2 Narrow axes made- to get some Steel of Reuban Taylor's at Shop.
Reuben Taylor came here- I wrote a letter for him to J. Barbour jr inclosing
two plats of Land surveyed in this County for him & one for me- Also papers
about Reuben Taylor's entering a Caveat against N. Bickers for one his plats
After dinner I rode to Court house with R. Taylor. I bought a Loaf Sugar &
Iron pot of Hackley, got Newspapers &c.
3, Snowed briskly in morning. Cloudy evening, the snow about an inch deep. the 5th
this winter. I staid at home.
4, Cold night. Thin clouds all day, the snow has not melted much. Sent Peter with
old Axes to J. McNeils, to get laid, who sent word that he wou'd do it next
tuesday. Wm Bell sent Davy with a Note asking the loan of 4 bottles Port wine,
which I delivered to Davy. Began to Fence for Cornfield.
5, Very hard frost, cold cloudy morning, began to Snow about 1 o'clock & continued
till night. Cow had a calf. 1 Ewe had a Lamb. I staid at home.
6, Sunday. Snowed most of last night, cleared befor day, Severe cold- Snow 9 or 10
inches deep. Very clear & freezing. I took a dose Salts yesterday & another
to day- had Headache bad yesterday, better to day. Very cold I staid at home.
7, Very hard frost, Fair cold morning, Hazy afternoon & not quite so severe cold.
I have been very unwell for three days past, took Salts two last days- took
15 Grs. Ipecac & 25 Jallap to day- which operated & made me very sick, but got
better toward night. J. Taylor came here before noon, said J. Pendleton intended
to dine here, but as I was unwell, he returned. J. Pendleton had been to
Court house & when he came, soon went away to J. Taylor's. I was too unwell to
have satisfaction in Company.
8, Sharp frost, Turned cloudy & moderate in evening, thawed a little. A little
rain & hail after dark. I walked to J. Taylor's. Thomas Crutchfield was married
to*Nancy Taylor- A large company at the wedding- I staid till after supper.
+Col. James Barbour, #Thomas Barbour- John Pendleton and James Taylor jr came
home with me. Malachi Atkins had ½ Barrel Corn sent to mill. I sent 3 bushels
& got meal at McKinney's mill. Malachi Atkins went to James McNeils and got
1 new ax & had ____Laid or upset- J. McNeil told him he made use of 2 3/4 lb of
Reu Taylor's Steel in my work.
* "Nancy," was Ann P. Taylor, dau of Janes and niece of Diarist.
+ Col. James Barbour was father of #Thos.Barbour, who m. Mary, dau. of James
Taylor, the Clerk, and niece of the Diarist. I think he was also father
of the Philip Barbour, who married Lucy Taylor, dau. of Commodore Richard
Taylor. (This is correct PFT)
- John Pendleton, m. Elizabeth, Taylor, dau. of James the Clerk.-WKA PFT-]
9, Wednesday, Cloudy and thawed a good deal, no rain since morning. the snow very
wet, but ground not soft-below surface- A negro boy(Sam) of Charles Taylor's
was here yesterday with a dog- the dog killed one of my sheep- I sent M. Atkins
to C. Taylor's to inform him, and he had the dog killed. The gentlemen
who came home with me last night( and I with them) went to J. Taylor's to
breakfast- A large company was there again to day- much dancing yesterday &
to day- I staid till supper.