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[66] 5.
DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1787,
1787
March
11, Sunday, I dined at J.Taylors, walked in evening to Ch's Taylors, Mrs A.Madison, Miss Jenny Taylor & Capt Conway there, they went away. G.Taylor staid.
[Miss Jenny, dau. of Erasmus, married Chas.P.Howard-W.K.A.]
-Storm & thunder&c-Midland-
12, Went to Midland with my father to live. Got the Cart from Jos Clarks, and moved my things to Midland after Breakfast. G.Taylor and myself dined dined at Uncle Eras'Taylors, the weather good but windy- clouded at night and about midnight came on a violent storm of wind & rain- Aunt Thomas & Ch's Taylor dined at Uncle Taylors, on our return met Rob't Taylor and his wife from Caroline. Had 21 lb Sugar of C.Taylor for the Butter he got of G.Taylor the 10th,
13, Breakfasted on Eggs, Bread & butter not being fixed for Tea, Coffee &c, the weather cleared about 10 o'clock, warm but windy- Mess'rs Ingram & Porter came & measured their work and made out their bill- they dined with us & went away in even'g. Their Bill for Building the Dwelling House about £107. Meat house, Dairy & Necessary about £14. They found their own provision, but G.Taylor furnished most of the light Scantling, some shingles, all the planks & c.
14, G.Taylor went to Jos Smiths to try to borrow some money-did not succeed- I went to Wilsons Store & bought some trifles. We both went to dine at Col Madison's- only himself at home, Mrs Madison & Miss Sally gone to W.Madison's who had hurt his leg- they returned at night- Hear the wind blew down Col.Burnley's Barn, W.Webb's Chimney & Col.Johnson's Tobacco house. [Col.James Madison was father of President Madison.-W.K.A.]
15, Came from Col'o Madisons after breakfast, he went to meet the Culpeper Collector. We dined at Midland-without Company- T.Bramham & A.Robinson came for tcols & while here put a Bottom to a large Box of Oak Plank-for making of which I am to pay Bramham 4/6. Note- He did not make a lid to it. Had Candles brought from C.Taylors. they were made there 17 Dozen- Had some holes dug to plant Cherry trees which Frank brought here from Maj'r Madison's yesterday, of the Grey heart kind. Brothers James & Charles came here after dinner & sat about two hours.
16, Mrs Clark came here early & requested my father to let her have a Girl to mind, or tend, her child, which my father had lent Reuben Taylor, he told her he woul dlet Reuben have Doll instead of Sary- Reuben was here in evening & seemed unwilling to exchange as he thought it would be indulging Mrs Clark. We had Coffee for breakfast today- Mr.Hub'd Taylor was here after breakfast and Borrowed my horse to ride to Caroline & intends to set off this evening- I desired him to sell the horse if he can get £35.: Bro'rs James & Charles & Mr.Rob't Taylor dined here- Bacon & Eggs for Dinner &c. Planted some Greyheart Cherry trees w'ch came from Maj'r Madisons- I was very unwell last night & this morning but am better in evening.
17, Last night the Wolves howled about 7 & 9 o'clock near the fence by Plant Patch- I walked up the mountain this morning but saw no sign of them.
18, [Sunday] Peach and Cherry trees in blossom- Went to Church, Mr Waddill preached- G.Taylor, C.Taylor & F.T. went to dine at J.Taylors. Two Miss Pendletons there- Jno'Pendleton gone to Culpeper. Saw a large flock (suppose 100) wild Geese.
19, G.Taylor went to C.Taylors & said he intended to Mr.Ben Porter's. I dined alone. C's Porter came in the evening & requested me to let him have some money to pay Benj'a Willis who intends to set out for Georgia tomorrow. I let him haveHalf Joe and a Guinea- My father dined at B.Porters & ret'd in the evening- cou'd borrow no cash- [a Portugese coin, about $8.00 or $9.00 gold- W.K.A.-]