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7, [94]
DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1788,
1788,
April,
1, Fine warm day-very dry- J Taylor sent for us & went there and dined with Uncle Taylor, his family, Jno. Taylor & wife.
2, We went to Uncle Taylor's, Jas Taylor & son, Jno Pendleton and Mr Rich'd Thomas dined there. H. Burnley after dinner. I met Mr. Shepherd & Arch'd Wilson going to Fredericksburg and got Mr. Shepherd to take my watch for White to regulate. G. Taylor staid- I walked home after supper.
3, Rained moderate all day. A boy came to invite me again to Uncle Taylor's- I went and dined there with same Company as yesterday except J Taylor Jr. H. Burnley was still there. Rob't Taylor had not returned from Spotsylvania Court. G. Taylor & self came home about sunset. Bird Martin,
4, Foggy morning, cleared warm, not much rain fell- Planted some Cimbling, Cucumber & Muskmelon seed- sowed in old plant patch, Cabbage, Onion, Parsley, and somescattered Cresses, Lettuce & Mustard seeds, some of the latter around the large plant patch. Planted a few Pear stocks & grafted them with Maj'r Moores latter sort. Planted peach stones.
5, Foggy morning but warm, good afternoon. I went by J. Taylor's & with J. Pendleton & J. Taylor Jr, went fishing to Dade's Mill but the Fish did not bite but litle, returned and dined at J. Taylor's- G.Taylor dined at Uncle Taylors & wentto Court house after dinner-J. Taylor sent Cyrus & borrowed a bottle of brandy Hub'd Taylor dined at Col Taliaferro's & called here in evening- says he in-tends to Caroline next Monday.
6, [Sunday] After dinner G.Taylor went to Hub'd Taylor's to carry a letter to Mr F. Conway- There was Thunder & Lightning last night, and again this eveningwith a fine mod rate shower.
7, I was very ill all day- Headach & fever. Small rain all day- Saw some Cherry blossoms- G.Taylor wrote to William Taylor [his son in Ky. WKA] & sent letter pr William Leathers & Morgan Finnel, who set off to-day- My father's little mare foaled.
8, Cloudy & Mist- I continue ill but not so much as yesterday- J. Taylor sent pr Cyrus & borrowed a Quart brandy- George went to Mill- I returned Mr. Porter's 4 Vols. Tatlers. The Miller sent me a fish he caught yesterday. Sharp thunder & Lightning in afternoon, but not much rain.
9, Cleared & warm- my health better- Capt Burnley came here and dined. My fever & headach ret'd violently at night & lasted all night.
10, Went with my father & dined at J. Taylor's- There was a chest of goods there, brought from Fred'g by Mr. Shepherd's waggon. J. Pendleton said he intends to go to live at his place in about ten days- Weather pleasant, my health a little mended.
11, G. Taylor sent for his goods and after breakfast set off to see Andrew Bourn. C. Taylor went with him. J. Clark sent about a Bus' Potatoes which directed George to plant to-day-also some Snap Beans- Watermelon & Cucumber seeds in Potatoe patch. I went to J. Taylor's & J Pendleton went with me to the Court house- Rec'd my watch of Mr Shepherd who told me she still runs too fast. came back by J. Taylor's. G. Taylor was there, he dined at C. Taylor's. Heard Whip poor-will at night.
12, Rainy morning, not much, cleared in evening. Killed a Turkey- Bird Martin.
13, Staid at home. [Sunday]
14, Dark morning- rain ab't 9 o'clock and continued till night- In the evening I went with G. Taylor to the Court house to a sale of Negroes by Col.E [dmund] Pendleton Jr. He had 25 to sell but sold only five-
15, Went again with G. Taylor to the sale, but believe there were not many Negroes sold to-day- Had my bridle eat by J. Davis's mare- Geo. Shepherd offered for my horse £27. [?] the way of discount of money my father had assumed to pay- which I told him I would take- and he is to let me know tomorrow if he will purchase the horse- Fine morning, a little rain in evening. Had sugar Beans planted.

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.