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[37] 5
DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR,
1786
March
15, At bro'r James's- my father here- Rainy cold weather rain all day-warm & lightning at night, my father stayed here to day.
16, Foggy morning, soon cleared off warm and fine springing weather. My father went to Doctors & intends to Capt Burnleys to day- My father, bro'rs James, Reuben Ch's Taylor & family, John Taylor, John Pendleton, Mrs. W. Madison, P. Moore & Hub Taylor dined at Capt Burnleys, had headache very bad in the evening.
17, My father dined at bro'r James's after dinner I went with him to C. Taylor's, same Company there- Fox hunters could not start a fox I returned in the evening.
18, My father came by from C. Taylors I went with him to Uncle E. Taylors to dinner- Mr. J.P. Adams there. I expect he intends to address Miss L.T.- * My father & self returned to bro'r James's [*Lucy Taylor married Rev. Alex. Balmain -W.K.A]
19, Wrote to bro'r Edmund & Cousin Z. Taylor [in Ky.-W.K.A.] expect to send the letters by Mr. E. Craig who I expect will set off tomorrow for Kentucky. Mr. W. Morton called for his deed from L. Taliaferro, hesaid Mr. Thornton's line of land he bo't of John Fitzhugh interferes with his- John Pendleton, his wife & sister, Miss Caty Pendleton set off to Culpeper. Hear Rob't Taylor and wife got up last night from Caroline. My father went after dinner to Chs. Taylors. [Zachary, son of Zachary m. Alice Chew. W.K.A.]
20, Cold raw and windy, a little rain all day. James Gaines dined here. Bro'r James rode to Court House & heard that Mr. E. Craig will not set off before next friday for Kentucky. Hear Mr. Rob't Terrill died yesterday. Saw butterflies 2 days ago. This day makes me 39 years of age.
21, Good day, went to Maj'r Lees & bought some cloth &c for a suit of cloathes, dined with him. Saw Mr. E. Craig who told me he did not think he should set out for Western Country until next week-
22, Went to Ch's Taylor's to dinner. Jas Clark and bro'r James Sowed Tob'o seed &c.
23, Court day, went to Court- Chs. Dickenson promised to come to work for my father after next Louisa Court. A. Holmes brought up some old cloathes he had repaired- and took Cloth &c to make me a suit. I pd him for mending. Mr. Gordon a candidate treating for votes &c-
24, Went to Court, Some persons suppose it necessary for Col'o Madison to bester about the election- Let Capt. Conway have Int Warrants for £21. to be paid for when he sells Tobacco. pd. Mr. Wallace £5.11.0 on my father's account.
25, Dined at Ch. Taylor's, my father, bro James, Capt Conway, Mrs Conway, Capt. Burnley and Mrs. Burnley in Company.
26, Bro'r James rec'd a letter from B. Grymes that he declines acting as a magistrate and that he would not take lists. My father dined here, ret'd to C. Taylor's, intends down tomorrow. Lent my bags. Mr. Js. Hawkins & [Wm?] Morton dined after.
27 My father set off for Caroline- I went over to Casolin's, trimmed a few trees. Cold and a little rain.
28, Went to Uncle E. Taylors to shoot snipes with John, Robert & Ch's Taylor, killed only 3 snipes, 2 part'ges, &c. Bro'rs James& Reuben Dined at E.T.- they had been to the store.
29, I was trimming trees &c. Some peach trees in Bloom.
30, Taken with bad cold- Cloudy- Mrs. Lewis's Dancing School- Cloudy & a little rain. Thunder &c in night. Miss M. Chew came to my brothers- Col.Madison & C. Taylor called about 10 o'clock, but did not stay to dinner, went to Ch Taylors-
31, Mr. R't Taylor dined here, Miss M. Chew [Mildred Chew m. James Coleman-W.K.A.]-they went after dinner to Mr. E. Taylors Jainey & Nancy went to Dancing school accompanied by Molly Taylor. The weather cool, cloudy & small rain. Cold continues bad-

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.