Diary, 1786-1799

1799, February, 20, Cold cloudy mist with a little fine rain. C. Taylor rode my mare after Breakfast, intending to Col Madison's- G.C. Taylor went to J.Taylor's, returned after dinner & went by Mrs Burnley's to go with Sally Burnley, *Salley & *Betsy Taylor to a Ball at William Bell's. Reuben Taylor came here and dined with me, told me he had a son born the 16th- his wife well &c. Had 4th Hhd Corn taken out. Tom making yard gate. [* daughters of Dr. Charles Taylor-WKA] [#Benjamin, son of Reuben Taylor, born Feb. 16,1799-PFT] 21, Cold mist last night, ice on trees & cloudy all day. I staid at home all day Reuben Taylor called here going & returning from Court house, wanted to see C. Taylor about butter &c. C. Taylor & G.C. Taylor came here from the Ball about midnight, it was raining small. 22, Friday, Small rain & hail in morning, cleared before noon & changed very cool and clear. C. Taylor went away after breakfast,coing to Capt Conway's. Reuben Taylor sent Sam & got a pot of butter, which was bought for C. Taylor- he to pay A.S. jr for it. James Taylor & John Pendleton came here, afterwards C. Bell Also Alex'r Shepherd jr, who had been to the office- they dined here- After dinner _____Gilmer came here, he & G.C. Taylor staid- C. Bell went away before night, the others about 10 o'clock. 23, Very cold last night, clear & hard frost- G.C. Taylor & _____Gilmer went away after breakfast, said intended to Capt Conway's. Had 5th Hhd Corn taken out. I had fever last night- slept bad. J. Taylor's girl borrowed Tin pan of flour, do 2d March. Gave Young Peter Dose Salts. 24, Sunday, Clear & hard frost, cold windy day. I believe J. Taylor and family went to T. Barbour's. T. Crutchfield & wife went to Spotsylv'a last Wednesday. I staid at home alone all day- Expected G.C. Taylor from Capt Conway's in evening. 25, Monday, Hard frost and very cold day, some clouds- clear in the evening. Capt Jas Alcock came here to see Doct'r Taylor. I waited with him expecting C. Taylor & G.C. Taylor,who did not call on their way to court, where we went & saw them- I fear Mr Triplett will disappoint me, as he did not pay me anything to day-J. Taylor jr bought a horse & wanted to Exchange 100 dollars bank notes for Specie- He got Doct'r Shepherd to do it for him for the present & promised to exchange with Dr. Shepherd if he desires it. Capt C. Conway, C. Taylor, & G.C. Taylor came with me from Court- they came from C. Conway's in morn. 26, Thin clouds and little snow in morn, & in evening & night Snowed briskly- fell 4 or 5 inches deep. I sent a Bull's hide 34 & a small hide 8½ lb by Essex to Mr. Shepherd's for Mr Collins to Tan for me, he spoke about it yesterday. Doct'r Shepherd called here, C. Taylor & he went to see Mrs Alcock (Pamunkey) Capt Conway went home, G.C. Taylor to Office, Reu Taylor called here, and after J. Taylor jr they went away & returned with G.C. Taylor & Chas Bell, who all dined here- William Drope came in evening from Capt Conway's & C. Taylor ret'd at sunset- J. Taylor jr & Reuban Taylor went away, the rest staid. 27, Ceased snowing before day, Cloudy hazy morn, not cold. I sent Moses & Martin to McKinney's Mill, got 2 bags Corn ground. Moses got a Bus' Bran & paid 9d for it. After Breakfast, C Taylor went to Baldwin Taliaferro's to see Miss M. Conway's John- G.C. Taylor & C. Bell went to the Office- they all returned to dinner, also Reuben Taylor & Maj'r Moore- Mr. George Gilmer returned from Fredericksburg & here to dinner- Wm Drew went with C. Bell to Mrs Bell's, where he he is to board- Mr. Gilmer, C. Taylor & G.C. Taylor staid. I paid G.C. Taylor 31/4½ , a balance I owed for Tom's work- Sold him a pair Shoes for Wm Drew 6/- 28, Thin Clouds,some sunshine, snow melted consdierably. C. Taylor was semt for by Maj'r McKinney & went to visit Mr Jacob McKinney. Lent G.C. Taylor 2 half Joes £4.10.8, when he was going to Wythe County. J. Taylor came from T. Barbour's and over to dinner. After dinner, G.C. Taylor & Geo Gilmer went to J. Taylor's with him-intending as far as Mrs Macon's this evening, On their way over the ridge. Mr Uriel Mallory came here in evening and dined- Ch's Taylor at night- they staid.

7[391] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR,1799, 1799, March, 1, Friday (10th Snow). Snowed last night,and moist snow,sleet & mist, to day, the new & old Snow this morning about 7 inches deep. Mr.Uriel Mallory went from after breakfast to J.Taylor's- C.Taylor rode my mare to Court house,being the day appointed for Execution of Negro Horatio,Condemned for a rape- the bad weather prevented me from going. C.Taylor & Mr Mallory returned in evening. Had 6th Hhd Corn taken out. 2, Snowed last night, cloudy to-day. C.Taylor & Capt Mallory went away after breakfast, the latter going home. C.Taylor going by Baldwin Taliaferro's,intends to Capt Conway's. 3, Sunday, Cloudy last night, cleared before noon. clouded again, windy with [illegible] drifts of snow, turned cold at night- I staid at home. Macon Biggers called & warmed- returning from Louisa. 4, Monday, Hard frost, clear,cold and windy. Took out 7th Hhd Corn. 5, Very hard frost, clear and cold.I staid at home. C.Taylor came here in evening. 6, Hard frost, clear morn, hazy & more mild evening. Had the Oats cleaned, measured 19 1/2 Bushels,put them in Hhd in Wheat house. Sent Frank to Stephen Fox's & got 1 yd Flannel for Hannah. I walked before noon to Mrs Burnley's, she was gone to Robert Taylor's- I ret'd & dined at home. C.Taylor(after after Breakfast went to Wm Madison's &c about Plank &c for building, & returned at night 7, Some frost, mild and fair-considerable thaw. I walked with C.Taylor to J .Taylor's- his [C.T' s-WKA] daughters Sally and Betsy came there from Rose hill, dined at J.Taylor's- J. Taylor Jr was there in evening, said he intends going to Fredericksburg tomorrow. C.Taylor returned with me. 8, Friday, Fair,milk,great part of the snow melted. C.Taylor went after breakfast to Capt Conway's. I staid at home, Peter went to McNeils' shop, got 5 Hilling hoes. 9, Rained briskly early in morn- Windy and most of the snow gone at night- A little shower of Rain in the evening. Had the barrel of Tar braoched & drew some. Salley & Betsy Taylor sent 3 [illegible] shirts they made for me.Sent them a Black trunk of G.C.Taylor's by boy. After dinner I walked to Mrs. Burnley's, paid her 9/- balance due for sewing work &c- She gave me leave to get some dead trees for rails- Sally Taylor went to Mrs Burnley's whilst I was there & soon returned to J.Taylors10, Sunday, Cool, thin clouds,and a little windy. I staid at home, wrote F.S.Taylor W.Drope called here and went to J.Taylor's. C.Taylor came here in evening,he dined at J. Taylor's, also John Gibson came here a little after. they staid here 11, Snowed before day, about an inch deep & Showers of Snow before noon, it soon melted,torned cooler in evening and very windy in the night. Sent & had some dead Chestnuts in Mrs Burnley's field cut and mauled for rails. C.Taylor & Mr Gibson dined here, Mr.Gibson in evening went to Col.Madison's C.T.staid. J.Taylor set out to Fred'g. I walked to the road & gave him the letter I wrote to F.S.Taylor. 12, Very hard frost, dry-windy and cold, clear. Took out 8th Hhd Corn. About making soap. C.Taylor was here all day- C.P. Howard & John Taylor came here and dined- J.Taylor jr came in evening- all but C.Taylor went away at night. 13, Snowing at day & cont'd all day- 3 or 4 inches high, cold. C.Taylor here. 14, Ceased snowing early in last night- & cleared- Frost fog in morning. Sunshine forenoon, hazy evening- half the snow thawed. C.Taylor went away after breakfast. Sent Frank & Martin to McKinney's Mill, got 6 Bushels of corn ground [illegible] sent 1/6 & got 2 Bus Bran. 15, Friday, Rained a little last night, heavy rain this morning and a little most of the day-not much of the snow melted since yesterday- the rain mixed with sleet & cool. Had 9th Hhd Corn taken out. I staid at home- C.Taylor came in evening. 16, Clear morning,windy & some clouds, near all the Snow melted- C.Taylor went away after breakfast, intended to visit Mr McKinney & go to Capt Conway's- A young man names James came here for C.Taylor to visit his brother.J.Taylor walked here in evening & sat awhile.

-- 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.

8[392] Diary of Francis Taylor, 1799. 1799, March, 17, Sunday, Thin clouds and cool. cold at night. I walked to J.Taylor's- C.Taylor & family came from Capt Conway's to J.Taylor's- Salley & Betsy came there yesterday- T.Crutchfield & wife also there. I paid Salley Taylor 15/- for make ing 3 shirts- I left the above there in the evening.

18, Severe frost- clear and cold- I write to e.Hackley who sent a Keg Salmon( by George _ C.Taylor came here with ______James, who got medicine for his brother- They dined here.

19, Tuesday, Sharp frost, clear and not so cold as yesterday. Finished cutting down corn stalks, but not got off. I was all day at home. Jos Clark came here in evening,got some Seeds.

20, Cloudy, with small rain at times. Began to plow with 2 double horse & 1 Ox plows-in the Middle field,intended for corn. Hannah unwell. Frank went and brought Venus, after having several convulsion fits Hannah was delivered of a female child between 7 & 8 o'clock in the evening & continued very ill. N.D.Anderson came here about sunset and got some Castor oil for his wife , by direction of C.Taylor. This day I am 52 years of age. [Nathanial D.Anderson married Nancy, dau. of Thomas and Elizabeth [Taylor] Bell. He was member of the Ky. Legislature from Ohio Co.Ky.-1820:1823-PFT]

21, Rainy last night & to-day, in light showers, warm. Hannah had many fits last night- Sent to J.Taylor's for C.Taylor who came about midnight,and directed sundry things for her- She continued very ill,having many fitts and delirious all last night and this day. Venus went home afternoon- Charles Taylor at [illegible] night went to J.Taylor's. Reuben Taylor called here reurning from Court house, dined with C.Taylor & me. C.Taylor went about sunset to J.T's.

22, Friday, Ceased raining last evening-Some clouds and sunshine and mild dayC.Taylor came here after breakfast. Hannah continues delirious & very ill,but had fewer fits than before- suppose her not quite so ill in the evening as she had been. Brother James, with James Taylor(of Kentucky)came here at noon, brother James complained that he was unwell & soon went home.C.Taylor & J.T. (Kentucky) dined here- C.Taylor went to J.Taylor's J.T.(K.) rode to Mrs. Burnley's in evening. Took out loth Hhd Cord. [Gen.James Taylor,of Newport-]

23, Ice and frost. Clouds & sunshine,still morn,windy even. C.Taylor walked here after breakfast to see Hannah,who is a little mended- He soon went back to J.Taylor's. I dined at home alone. J.Taylor(Kentucky)came here in evening from Reuben Taylor's, had been to Maj'r Moore's, Mrs. Bell's & Mrs. Burnley's.

24, Sunday, Sharp frost & ice- Fair till evening,then hazy. J.Taylor(K.) went before breakfast to Aunt Taylor's. C.Taylor came after breakfast, Hannah very ill. H.Tallaferro Sr. sent for C.Taylor. I lent him my mare to ride there & see a sick negro. C.Taylor came with me in evening to see Hannah and returned to J.Taylor's. I went to J.Taylor's- Maj'r Moore,Capt R.Barbour & wife, J.Taylor Jr. C.Bell, T.Bell, William Stweart,Reur Taylor-C Taylor & family, Mrs. Parsons, Mrs James, Fanny Madison, Nelly Madison, Salley Bumley, Thos.crutchfield & wife dined there. Also J.Tayor(Kentucky) who came here after supper

25, White frost,milk pleasant day. I agreed with James Taylor,of Kentucky, as follows about my Major's claim for Continental Lands- He is to be at the whole expense and trouble of getting title to the same,for which he is to keep half the land- I executed an assignment for him to get the Warrant, also a power of Attorney to do the whole business & if he thinks best,he may sell the warrant, but Advised not to take less than a dollar p/r acre. I kept a writing of our agreement. C.Taylor came here to breakfast- Hannah is supposed to be a little mended- C.Taylor, J.Taylor(Kentucky) and I rode to Court- Reuben Taylor put two Patents for 1,000 acres each, and i put four of 1,000 each (Issued from the Register's office of Virginia) into the hands of Col Jas Barbour to return to the Office & take out the Surveyor's plats by which they issuedbeing part of our Continental Lands granted by this State- Which we understand must be set to R[ichard].C[lough].Anderson,Surveyor, to get his Certificate & Seal of Office,then to go to the Sec'ty of State to get grants, agreeable to a Law of Congress &c.

- 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.

9[393] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR,1799. 1799, March, 25,[Continued], At Court. I paid Capt James Barbour 10/9 which sum, or 178 cents,he paid the Register of Land Office,when he delivered my plat for ___acres Land near Fox's. I paid James McNeil 12/7 for Smith's work on a/c. I paid E.Hackley 7/6 for a Keg fish & 6/- for 1 doz plates. Rec'd of Wm.Bell 24/- for balance of Bacon 15/- and for 2 Bottles wine 9/- fully settled. I dined at Court house C.Taylor went from Court to see Maj'r McKinnery,returned here to supper & went after to J.Taylor's. J.Taylor (of K.) Went from Court to Mrs Burnley's,where there was a Company & ret'd here in night.

26, Smoky, warm morning,thin clouds evening. J.Taylor(K.) went to J.Taylor's to breakfast. C.Taylor came here from J.T's to breakfast. Hannah continues very ill. J.Taylor sent a pot into which 18 lb Lard was put. I went with C.Taylor to Court. Paid A Shepherd jr for my mare's shoes being removed 1/3. Gave P. Sanford my list of Taxable property &c. C.Taylor called here in evening & went to J.Taylor's. J.Taylor(of Kentucky) went to Court,from thence to Aunt Taylor's to dinner & did not come here.

27, A little rain before day and in morning. C.Taylor came after breakfast to see Hannah,(who is mending) and soon returned to J.Taylor's. Took out 11th Hhd Corn. Sent old Peter & Moses to McKinney's Mill & got corn ground. C.Taylor came over in evening to see Hannah. J.Taylor(Kentucky) called here in the even ing & got his horse,Bags &c and went to Reuben Taylor's- he dined at Rob't Taylor's. Nah'l Gordon,Assessor,called here in evening,valued my Houses at 800 dollars- took List of my Slaves & Land and staid here- 400 acres Land7 Slaves. George brought a parcel of Brown sugar about 23 lb & 1 yd Ozn's, sent to Court house for me by D.Triplett.

28, Hard frost & ice, clear,cold and windy. N.Gordon went from here after breakfast, Assessing- C.Taylor came here & breakfasted- Hannah better- I walked to C.Taylor's place with him, went from thence to James Taylor's- Aunt Taylor, Mrs Howard, Mrs Parsons, J.Taylor jr's wife, T.Barbour's wife & children, T.Crutchfield & wife- John Taylor's wife, C.Taylor, his wife & 2 sons,dined there. I paid Aunt Taylor 3 1/4 dollars for Venus Laying Sary and Hannah. Took out 12th Hhd Corn.

29, Friday, Sharp frost & ice- Clear cold windy morning, mild afternoon- Smoke & some clouds in evening. C.Taylor came here before dinner- __James was here & got some medicine for his brother- C.Taylor dined here and staid. Sowed Peas in square near the gate- 5 rows common, 3 rows Large or Marrowfat.

30, Warm windy,sunshine, but very smoky. C.Taylor went to [illegible] B.Tallaferro's to see John. Returned by B.Porter's- I walked to J.Taylor's, Dined there. Tho's Barbour & family, Th Crutchfield & wife, J.Taylor jr & family & C.Taylor there.

31, Continues windy warm & smoky, cloudy & few drops rain in evening. C.Taylor,after breakfast,went to visit Mrs Robinson. I walked to Aunt Taylor's. C.P. Howard & wife, J.Taylor jr & wife dined there- Rob't Taylor & wife came after dinner - John Taylor & wife was at B.Porter's & returned in evening- C.P.Howard in tends to remove some of his effects to morrow. C.Bell was here when I got tends to remove some of his effects to morrow. C.Bell was here when I got home, said his bro'r James is ill & got 2 doses Castor oil of C.Taylor's.

-- 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.

10[394] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR,1799, 1799, April, 1, Monday, Smoky, dry, clear, warm, a little windy. C.Taylor came here from Capt. Conway's, dined and went to visit John White's wife in Louis. After dinner I walked to J.Taylor's told him I intended to send soon to Madison's Mill soon for cyder &c. Col.James Barbour & Tho's Wood came to J.Taylor's on business & soon went away. Col.Barbour is on his journey to Richmond. Mrs Parsons E.Chew, J.Taylor jr & wife, were at J.Taylor's. A few blossoms open on Apricot

2, Thunder and rain last night, rained a good deal this morning, cleared in evening; windy and cool. Macon Biggers spayed 8 shoats, cut 8 do & marked them, he & M.[illegible] breakfasted here. The Shoats about 6 months old. 2 sgoats died. M.Akins went to Shop to get plow &c mended. Took out 13th Hhd Corn. C.Taylor ret'd before noon and staid.

3, Hard frost, ice 1/2 inch thick, windy, cold and clear. Began to plow Oats in Orchard field-sowed 10 Bushels and finished next morning. C.Taylor's Cart brought my cask home, It went to Farr's by the Church & brought some whisky for him, he went & returned here to dinner- R'd Rhoades was here to see the Doctor & got medicine. C.T.staid. Rec'd 4 N.Papers from F.S.Taylor- A letter from W.Taylor, Floyd's forke.

4, Very cold last night hard frost & ice. Fair day. A little milder in evening, still cold for the season. After breakfast C.Taylor went from here intended to visit Rhoades's child &c. One of shoats out 2d, died last night another to-day M.Atkins went to J.McNeils, got some work done. Had about a Bushel Flax seed sowed in ground where sweet potatoes grew last year. Old Red cow had a male calf.

5, The ground a little frozen, ice, clear & moderate. J.Taylor came here, got peas, seeds, & returned. C.Taylor came here from Capt Conway's to dinner. Had Beets and Scarcity seeds sown beyond Garden, 4 rows of each. Beets.

6, Thin clouds and Sunshine, moderate, Took out 14th Hhd Corn. C.Taylor went to Walker's Mill- bot at Richard's for me [illegible] lb Tea( I gave him Cr. for) he went to Maj'r Moore's to Dinner. J.Taylor called here, I rode with him & T.Crutchfield to Maj'r Moore's- Aunt Taylor, Col.Madison jr & wife, John Taylor & wife, Rob't Taylor, Reuben Taylor & family, J.Taylor jr & do.,John Alcock, Capt R'd Barbour's wife, John Moore & Wm Moore, were there- C,Taylor came here at night.

7, Sunday, Some thin clouds & mild morning, fair evening, a little smoky. Reuben Taylor came here before noon, informed me Col.Barbour had brought our patents back from Richmond for want of an order for the Register to deliver the plats of Survey and said he wou'd go himself tomorrow to Richmond about that business- I gave him the order to get mine attested by himself & C.Taylor. J.Taylor called here going to A.Bledsoe's meeting. C.Taylor & I rode by Court house, went to Rob't Taylor's. Col.Madison jr & wife & Salley Burnley dined there- C.Taylor went to see John & returned here in evening.

8, A little hazy, smoky and windy, thunder in evening. Peaches began to bloom. C.Taylor went after breakfast to his place & ret'd at night I sent Frank & Martin to Madison's Mill with the Cart & my riding mare, got 2 bags corn ground, some sand, and brought a Cask left at Mill by Bohannon with Cyder for C.Taylor- there was only about 5 Gal's Cyder(& that very sour) left in the Cask.

9, Tuesday, some clouds in morning, very cold and windy, appeared to Snow towards Great Mountains. C1 ear, cold evening. C.Taylor went after breakfast to his place- J.Taylor sent a note of invitation for C.Taylor & me to dine with himthat J.Taylor was about preparing to set out for Kentucky, the boy went by C.Taylor's we went there- J.Taylor jr & wife, T.Crutchfield & do dined there Rob't Taylor & Winslow Parker were there but went away before noon. J.Taylor jr & wife went to Maj'r Moore's in evening, She took her leave,not expecting to be there again.C.Taylor went by home & came here at night. Thomas Richards came here About an hour by sun in evening, asked me if I cou'd wait a little

-- 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.