Diary, 1786-1799

[45] 13 DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1786 July 10, Sowed some Turnip seed in Watermelon patch and had it wed- John Taylor, his sister Jenny, Misses Maria and Betsy Gilberts & Mr. John Thomas dined at J.Taylors. 11,Went with J.Taylor & family to Mr.E.Taylors to dinner. Doct'r Williams came after we had dined. 12, Molly Taylor went to Mr. Glassells w'th G.C.Taylor & the young Ladies from Uncle E.Taylors- rained a good shower-(Mary Taylor, dau. of James, who afterwards m. Thomas Barbour- W.K.A.) 13, Went out with gun but killed nothing. Walked in Evening with J.Pendleton to Mrs.Thomas's. a slight shower. 14 Bro'r James & spouse went to Reuben Taylors. I dined at Capt Burnleys, had potatoes & Cucumbers- Capt Burnley said he wished the road from Collina not to go through his land. 15, Sowed some more Turnip seed in Melon patch & had it weed. Went over the Mountain & Cut poppa pole and canes. A very heavy rain in Evening w'ch overflowed all the low places & washed very much, carried several fences down16, Very warm & sultry- Clouds but no rain. 17, J.Pendleton went to Culpepper Court. I began to Clean and Stone the Spring at Collina. 18, Finished Stoning in Spring. H.Taylors Waggon Went to C.Porters for load of plank w'ch took all d ay. Went in Evening to C.Taylors, my father not come up. Caslow sent 10 chickens by Frank. 19, Went to Collina measured the plank brought yesterday- 1662 feet F edge & 10 Flooring-Dined at Capt.Burnleys with J.Taylor & family. Ch Taylor, Wm.Merewether & John Bell- Got home a little before a very fine Rain- J.Pendleton got home from Culpepper. Workmen put Cornice on house. 20, Workmen began to Shingle my fathers House. Jn'o Mothershead ret'd to work. G. Taylor got to C.Taylors from Caroline, F.Conways, which he left yesterday & came from Mr.F.Thornton's to day. Heavy Shower of rain at night. 21, Cloudy & rainy morning. Clear afterwards. J.Taylor sowed Turnip Seed. F.T. had headache & fever. Dined at C.Taylors. G.Taylor, J.Pendleton & J.Taylor. We walked after to Collina- G.T. appeared satisfied about his building- Finished Shingling22, Turnip seed sowed at Collina. Mr.Ingram had a ewe lamb of G.T. suppose 7/6 val. G.Taylor & Ch Taylor dined at J.Taylors. 23, G.T. dined at J.Taylors. 24, Do. went to Mr. E.Taylors the Family but himself from home returned and Dined at J.Taylors. C.Taylor was sent for and bled E.Pendleton (dau of James Taylor, m. Jno. Pendleton - W.K.A.) 25, E.Pendleton was delivered of a Son last night. Mrs Gaines & Mrs James were with her who say it was a seven months child- I dined at C.Taylors with my father. 26, Went with G.Taylor to Dinner at Mr.E.Taylors, Rob.Taylor, his wife & her sister came from Caroline yesterday27, Court. Paid for Dinner Without drink 2/6. Told Col.Alcock I should present him at next Court. Miss N.Shepherd came here and staid- G.Taylor came here from Court. 28, Rain little in morning. Went to C.Taylors, Maj'r Moore, Capt Conway & Reuben Taylor with their families dined there. 29, Capt Conway, G.Taylor, R.Taylor & self dined at Maj'r Moores30, Went to Church. Mr.Waddill preached came home to dinner. Miss C.Pendleton the elder came from Culpeper. 31, Rainy morning, Not much, Dined at Capt. Burnleys in Company Miss Judy Burnley, John Churchill & John Bell. Boiled Corn at dinnerFrom 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.

[46] 14 DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1786 August 1, Rainy all day moderate and still. G.Taylor came here in evening from C.Taylors. 2, Rainy a little in morning, cloudy all day. Sowed Mustard Seed in G.Taylors Turnips. 3, In company with G.Taylor & Eras Taylor went to Walkers Mill. crossed with our horses in the boat on the way to Capt Powells. When we got to the river at Frys, cou'd not pass along the road for water in the Cuts, attempted to head them and were much bewildered, but got out at the upper end of Frys Plantation. got to Capt Powells at 3 o'clock, pd ferriage for self & G.T. 1/3. 4, Went from Capt Powells after dinner to Mr.Glassells-Capt Powell went part of the way to guide us. 5,6,&7,&8th. Staid at Mr. Glassells- Doctor Buckner came there the 6th & staid till the 9th. 9, Came down from Mr. Glassells & Dined with Uncle E.Taylor-came to J.Taylors after dinner. When got home, Heard that Chap'n Taylor who lately came from Kentucky brought the News of my brother Edmund Taylors' death which he had heard happened abt the last of June or first of July of the Cholic-I fear it is true. Had my horses shoes removed the 5th. [Note-Edmund Taylor died July 1st, 1786, was born Oct.21, 1744. He married Sarah Stubbs and left a large family. His daughter, Mary, married her cousin Richard Taylor Jr., son of Commodore Richard Taylor, and also had a large family--P.F.T.] 10, Bro'r James who had been to Fred'g returned and says he saw a man from Kentucky who told him that he believed the report of Edm'd Taylor's death is tru. G.T. came from C.Taylors in evening. 11, G.T. here, nothing remarkable. 12, Reu Taylor, C.Burnley with families dined at J.Taylors. 13, Went to Church- Heard Mr.Belmain. A.Madison p'd G.Taylor a half Joe, w'ch he let me have- I dined at C.Taylors - C.Conway dined there. 14, G.Taylor dined at J.Taylors. 15, C.Taylor & self went to Col.Madisons. Maj'r & Mrs Hite, F.Madison, A.Madison & W.Madison dined there. 16, Maj'r Hite & spouse, Col.Madison, G.Taylor, Miss S.Madison & self went to Col.Burnleys. W.Madison went also, we dined & ret'd in evening. Mr. Belmain, R't Taylor & wife, Miss M.Pendleton & Miss Taylors were at Col.Madisons & Miss J.Burnley came with us. 17, We intended to Maj'r Madison but rain prevented our going- Col.Burnley & Wm.Madison dined at ColMadisons w'th us. 18, Went to Maj'r Madisons, Col.Madison & Maj'r Hite dined there with us- The Comp'y from Uncle Taylors & Mr. Belmain returned there- Maj'r Madison paid £5.7.0 which was the bal'ce due of a bond he gave G.Taylor for Pork. 19, G.Taylor & F.T. came from Maj'r Madisons to J.Taylors- found Mr.W.Brown & wife there- after dinner G.Taylor went to C.Taylors. As I went to Col.Madisons met one Priest who said he lived near (15) E.Taylor's who he said died ab't the first of July. That W.Taylor married Miss Hord some time before. (Edmund & William, brothers of the diarist-W.K.A.). 20, Went to Church Mr. Belmain preached. Mr.Waddill was there21, Mr.& Mrs. Brown, H. & J. Pendleton went to Culp'r. Reuben Taylor called on his way to Culp'r Court. Warm day. 22, Very warm weather. 23, Do. Bro'r Charles his wife & Miss M.Conway Dined at Brother James'. It gives me pleasure to hope that a friendly intercourse will ensue and for the future continue. My father, G.C.Taylor & Law Battaile also dined here. 24, Went to Court. Paid Mr.W.Ingram two half Joes- he p'd £3.13.6 of it to Stephen Rice- Agreed with Reuben Thomas for 4M Heart Shingles jointed & rounded at 20/- if liked when seen. Rainy evening. 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.

15 [47] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR-1786, August 25, Cloudy & little rain- I did not go to Court No Magistrate but Mr Shepherd there. He adjourned Court. 26, Went to Co't house- The Lawyers of opinion it is not legal for Court to be held this day as there was no Court yesterday and the Magristrates did not sit. Capt. C.Conway paid me 3 Doubloons - 4 half Joes- & 1 Meiedore - say £25.1.0 27, Nothing extraordinary. 28, Got Mr.Ingram to ride my horse ro see shingles at Capt Rob't Thomas's - says they are course but will do. 29, Agreed with Chas Porter for 1000 feet of Scantling to be sawed at his Mill for 48/- Col'o Madison & G.Taylor met Col'o Towles at Ch's Porter Com's &c at J.Taylors & settled the sum the Trustees of Beverleys Estate were to receive for their trouble to s'd Madison & Taylor £75. each. Col.Burnley, Capt J.Walker & Wm Webb Dined at J.Taylors with the foregoing - Col'o Towles staid others went away. 30, Last night heavy rain, rainy & cloudy day- Col'o Alcock came to consult with Col Towles- They went away ab't 10 o'clock31, Rainy wet. Fresh in River. September, 1, Went to Maj'r Lees, got 2 Doub's Exchanged. Went to Hub'd Taylors. Capt Conway & family Capt Burnley & wife, G.Taylor C.Taylor & family dined there- Cloudy, but little rain. 2, Went to B.Hansfords Barbecue & Shoot'g Match. Paid 2 1/1 for Dinner with Cyder. Company behaved well. 3, Miss C.Pendleton set off to Culpeper. M.Taylor set out with Lucy Taylor to Mr.Gilberts where they expect John Taylor & Miss Nancy Gilbert will be married next Tuesday the 5th instant. 4, Very warm weather. 5, Went to Dancing School- R.Taylor bor'd some Nails. 6, H.Taylors waggon bro't load Shingles. 7, Dined at Mr.E.Taylors Col E.Pendleton who came up the 5th was there. G.Taylor J.Taylor & J.Pendleton C.Taylor & his family & Capt Burnley dined there. 8, Col Pendleton, Mr.E Taylor & family, R.Taylor & do. dined at James Taylors. E.Taylor bor'd more Nails9, G.Taylor & self dined at Mr.E.Taylors- The day being cloudy & Misty I did not venture to Shooting match at T, Colemans- Mr.F.Madison p'd two half Joes & 1 Dollar to bro'r James for me, w'ch have Credited him for. M.Taylor Ret'd from Jno Taylors wedding- John Taylor & wife got to his fathers10, [Sunday] Did not go to Church being cloudy. 11, Nothing remarkable. 12, Went Gunning in Comp'y W.Madison Rob't Taylor, C.Taylor, J.Pendleton & Jas Taylor & dined at C.Taylors. Mrs Hite & Miss S.Madison there. Weather cool 13, Mr.Shepherds Waggon bro't plank from Walkers Mill. Mrs.Hite & Miss S.Madison dined here. 14, Frost and cool. 15, Went to Terrils Sale- gave letter for W.Taylor to E.Terrill- pd Rob't Thomas for Shingles £3.14. Capt. Burnley came to J.Taylors to Dinner- Mrs.Thomas, Mrs Barbour Mrs Burnley, J.Taylor & wife & W.Gilbert dined here. Col.Spencer bo't Terrils Land. 16, Dined at Mr.E.Taylors, Mr. Belmain, W.Morton Mr.Gilbert & son & their own family. 17, [Sunday] Rainy, I did not go to Church. Mr.Belmain came to J.Taylor & baptized J.Pendletons son called James Taylor - Col.Barbour, G.Taylor, C.Taylor & G.C.Taylor- Mr. P. Pendleton & son James came after dinner- very rainy all day & night. 18, G.Taylor & self went to Col Madisons after dinner, left P.Pendleton & son & H'd Taylor at J.Taylors- The Road very wet. Heard that Capt J.Walkers Negro Richmond attempting to bring the Boat across the Mill dam was carried over with the stream and drowned. From the TAYLOR DIARY, #1907-z in the Southern Historical Collection, Univeristy of North Carolina Library, Chapel Hill. FOR REFERENCE ONLY: PERMISSION TO PUBLISH MUST BE REQUESTED. WARNING: MOST MANUSCRIPTS ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT.

[48] 16 DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1786, 1786 September 19, Continued with my father at Col Madisons- Mr. Belmain, Miss Lucy & Miss Jane 20, Taylor & Maj'r Madison there the 19th. & Mrs. W. Madison ret'd from Berkley the 20th- W.Madison was at Col Madisons21, the 21st, Mr Belmain set off to Winchester. I hear he intends down again next month. He has been addressing Miss Lucy Taylor and I imagine flatters himself to succeed. 22, C. Taylor & self came to James Taylors -Maj'r Madison & wife dined there- Geo Catlett who had been to Sweet Springs passed & staid at J. Taylors this week & proceeded down by Culpeper. 23, Dined at Ch's Taylors- Maj'r Madison his wife & Rob't Taylor were there. 24, Stayed at J. Taylor's. [Sunday] 25, Bro'r James John Pendleton & self went to Capt Burnleys, Maj'r Madison & wife G. Taylor & C. Taylor & family dined there. Heard that Mr. T. Perkins was dead. 26, G. Taylor & Charles Taylor dined here. Bro'r James's wife unwell. My father complains of headache. 27, I walked to Cha's Taylors, gave C. Taylor mem'dm to get materials for his house- He paid me 20/- I went from thence to Collina and got some of the stumps out of the ground- Very hot weather. 28, Went to Court. Mr. C. Dickinson came to bro'r James's at night29, C.Dickinson went to Collina prepared to work on chimney- Had Bed &c bro't from C.Taylors. Peter with Cart & Oxen brought Bricks- Earth for Mortar and poles for Chimney scaffold- C. Taylor informed me his family wd be from home next week, applied to Jos Clark to have provision cooked for Dickinson & told him to kill a Lamb or Shoat- J. B. Pendleton came to J. Taylor. p'd Mrs. Thomas's Lucy 4/- for mak'g 2 shirts & Breech's [for?] Frank. 30, Rode to Store to enq'r if any Sugar &c for me from Wilson pr Sinar- none sent. Ch's Dickinson began to work upon the Chimney- S. Overton with him. October, 1, Maj'r Madison & C. Taylor met here in the morning & bro'r James set off with them to the Fair & Races at Fred'g- Ch's Dickinson came over in morning and we went to Church. Mr. Waddill did not meet and we had no sermon. H. Pendleton jr. came from Culpeper. C. Taylors family went to Col.Madisons. 2, Martin a young man came to work with Dickinson- I think he knows very little about laying bricks- a small shower of rain- still warm [No entry for 3rd.] 4, Went to Lees store-gave 10/5 for set of Knives & forks 1 doz'n. Called at Uncle Taylors & dined there with Mrs. Moore Mrs. Lee, Mrs A. Madison & Mrs Reuben Taylor-smart shower and weather warm. 5, Last night rainy- this day very great and constant rain. 6, Capt H. Pendleton came here earlyearly in the morning he came from Capt. Row'd Thomas's yesterday & cou'd not pass the run at Brick Church, but went with J Waugh to Capt Z. Herndons from whence he came here. Bro'r James got home ab't Sunset from Fred'g which he left about 10 o'clock this morning- The Fresh when he came away was higher than ever known by 18 Inches- did some 7, [?] Capt H.Pendleton, H.P., J.B.P., Miss S. Bell and J. Taylors family. Frost bit vines this morning. 8, Capt. H. Pendleton set off to Culpeper- J.Gaines dined here- [Sunday] 9, Went to Middleburn- The Joiners Apprentices all about. Wm Martin who worked w'th C. Dickinson two days last week came to day about 1 or 2 o'clock. Alex Shepherd was at Middleburn & I spoke to him to send his fathers Waggon tomorrow fro Scantling from Porters Mill, which he promised to do.

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.

[49] 17 DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1786. 1786, October, 10, Apprentices returned last night. I went by Ch's Taylors, he told me he forgot to give my letter to my father - I wrote another and inclosed the former to send by Peter who goes down to look for C.Taylors horse, which he lost at Fredericksburg last week. I killed Three Squirrils11, J.Taylor went to Gaines's who is to make him a pair of Cart Wheels - and then to Col'o Alcocks where the Com'rs were laying off Mrs Alcocks thirds. I mixed 8 Pennyw't Ipecac, 2 p'w Rhubard, 2 Pwt Saltpetre & 2 or 3 pwt Magnesia with Castile Soap w'ch made 90 pills began to take them. 12, J.Pendleton his wife & sister Caty, H.Pendleton Jr. J.B.Pendleton & M.Taylor set off from J.Taylors to Culpeper. J.Clark killed a Beef, sent a hind quarter to J.Taylors, I do. to W.Ingram wt 67 lb. at 2d. - 1 Fore quarter to C.Taylor and kept the other. Cooking has been at J.Clarks since the 1st of this month for C.Dickinson & c- Rob't Taylor was at Middleburn, spoke to Mr.Ingram ab't doing his work, but could not agree about the price - 13, Peter brought C.Taylors horse from Fred'g. Bro'r James's Family & self went to Dine at Uncle E.Taylors. Capt Burnley & wife, Cousin M.Chew & C.Taylor were there. M.Chew came to J.Taylor's. 14, Went to H'd Taylors & dined there, Col.J.Taylor there and told me he had agreed to take a place H.Taylor bo't of T.Graves & let H.T. have the place he lives on - H.Taylor told me that laths may be got on his land for my fathers house. Let Col Taylor have 30- for Phil Taylors use. Hub'd Taylor & his father intends down tomorrow - Beat Cyder at H. Taylors - Mrs Burnley & Miss M.Chew at J.Taylors when I returned - & went to Capt Burnleys. The weather has been remarkably warm and good for a week. C.Taylor told me yesterday there was 3 p's bacon at his house w'ch should be sent to J.Clarks for workmen, he sent 3 p's ab't 1st Oct'r they were all small and that there was no more. George bro't horses from Culpeper. 15, [Sunday] Morning foggy and warm. 16, Went with J.Taylor & family to Capt Burnleys, J.Caines also dined there-and came to J.Taylors. 17, Rainy morning till 9 o'clock - I went to Mr Shepherds & got Jo Griffy to go for aload to Porters S.Mill - He returned at night and said Draper refused to let him haul Timber - I think C.Porter ought to pay for the Waggon hire -I paid W.Martin 18/- pr Ch Dickinsons order for G.Taylor. Had my horse shod at Mr.Shepherds shop and paid 2/618, Met Capt Burnley & went to Wilsons Store, C.Taylor came there & he and Capt Burnley went to Col.Burnleys. I returned and overtook Mr.Joel Early above Court house, he invited me to the ordinary & treated with pint of wine - 19, Fine weather, some Frost Went to C.Taylors, Capt Burnley, his wife, Misses Judy Burnley, Nancy Bell, Lucy & Jenny Taylor dined there. 20, Went to Called Court on Frances Taylor charged with the murder of her bast'd child, there was not proof to condemn her - I paid Maj'r Cowherd for Castile soap 1/6 w'ch he got at Richmond, bought 3 doz thr'd butt's to put to Under Jackets 7 1/2 d - Saw Mr.Belmains Horses at Uncle Taylors who came down to day from Mr.Glassells with Uncle and Aunt Taylor - Saw Mr.Bowie, who with his wife was at Mr Shepherds21, Went to Shooting match at Glebe - Two Beeves shot for - one of B.Porter's & one of Jos Woods - P.Sanford had dinner, I dined for 2/- 22, [Sunday] Went to Church, heard Mr. Waddil preach Mr Belmain there - Major Hite was at Church and told me the oil had all leaked out of the Cask, which he [?] had promised to send my father. G.C.Taylor got up last night from Caroline and says U.Taylor will be up next tuesday or wednesday. Fine weather & midling Congregation- Mrs James came to J Taylors to Dinner Col'o J.Pendleton came here about sunset on his way to the Assembly and-

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 [underscored]: MOST MANUSCRIPTS ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT.