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DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR,
1786
March,
1, My father came by & I went with him to Col Madison's. Capt.Conway rode with us on his way to his Mountain Plantation-there as a small snow fell last night but mostly dissolved by morning and the weather fine. Capt.J.Lee was at Col.Madison's & complained of having slept but little last night on account of cotton sheets being on his bed. he went to Maj'r Madisons in evening.
2, Continued at Col.Madison's, looked into the Trustees Accounts with H.Beverley's estate. Col.Madison jr. while we were here came to breakfast of which he eat sparingly, and then would go to his room till a little before dinner-after dinner play at whist for half bits till bed time, smart snow.
3, Cont'd. Maj'r Madison dined at his father's, caught a fox on the way-ret'd in the evening.
4, Continued, weather cold, snow melts very little.
5, Sunday-Doct'r Williams did'd at Col.Madison's, heard R'n Taylor's wife is very ill. Miss S.Madison went to see her.
6, Rec'd my Memorial & papers sent to Richmond from Col.Madison jun'r who says he did not think my prayer would be granted, and that it would have been useless to present them to Assembly-with Mr.Dunscombs opinion that I was not entitled to half pay &c- Col'o Madison sen'r, my father and I went after breakfast to A.Madison's. Col Madison jr. went there about 10 o'clock. Harry Lee & wife at Maj'r Madison's-Mrs Lee a decent looking woman. The Col.Madisons returned at night-my father & self stayed- Capt.Lee there.
, 7 Came down with my father to my brother James's. After dinner my father went to brother Charles's. hear that Rn Taylor's wife cont's unwell-that there was a dance at Mr.T.Bells last evening.
8, Mr. Hoomes called here, got him to take some old clothes to mend. Mr. Robb dined here. Snowed an hour, but not to show on the ground.
9, My father came over & G.C.Taylor & dined. Mr. Robb called on his way home but did not stay long. Mr.J.Gaines came about 12 o'clock-said he had been assaulted by James Shropshire, who wrested a negro wench irom him w'ch he had seised for his father's taxes.
10, Made cut my father's & my own lists of Taxable property & tithes & delivered them to Col'o Madison at Court house. My father, brothers James & Charles & cousin John Taylor came to Uncle Taylor's to dinner- Mr.Wallace at J.T's. Hear that Reuben Taylor's wife cannot walk since lying in-came home in the evening.
11, John Pendleton & the boys went hunting but did not start a Fox, caught some hares. My father dined here & returned to Ch's Taylor's in the evening. The snow is almost gone off. the weather has been rather cold.
12, Wrote an answer to Col.Gar't Minor inclosing him a certificate of Mr.James Overton's service in the Reg't Guards, a Sergt from 20, Jany 1779 to 4, May when I nominated him Ensign w'ch he resigned the 1,Aug't 1779.
13, Bro'r James went to Louisa Court sent letter by him to Col.Minor. Nancy Taylor went to school for the first time to Pierce Sanford+ Hear that Mrs Lewis is to begin a Dancing School this day at Col'o Alcock's. I walked out with my gun, shot a few small brids. My father & Doct'r Taylors family went to Maj'r Moores on a visit. My health has been low for some time. Heard wild Geese cry in night (+ Ann Pendleton Taylor, 3rd child of James T., niece of diarist- m. Thomas Crutchfield-W.K.A.-)
14, Dined at Mr.E.Taylors-Girls Quilting, my father dined there. Uncle Taylor had been to see Mr. Terrill who is in declining low state of health. I walked to Col'o Alcocks-Mrs. Lewis had 15 scholars in her dancing school. Heard that Charles Smith from the Western Country said that Col Richard Taylor & brother William were expected to come in soon. My father came to bro'r James's at night.
From the TAYLOR DIARY, #1907-z in the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina Library, Chapel Hill. FOR REFERENCE ONLY: PERMISSION TO PUBLISH MUST BE REQUESTED. WARNING: MOST MANUSCRIPTS ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT.