424

1799,
October,
18, Great white frost-the first I have seen this season- Bit al the tender leaves
&c, clear cool & still. Trod a small bed of Early wheat. I walked to James
Taylor's, he sold some Horses,Cattle,Sheep,Geese & plantation Tools- There was
not many at the sale, perhaps 40 or 50 people. Roger Bell's Waggon( drove by
Benjamin Lancaster)came here in evening- I came home & delivered for Tarlton
Goolsby 50 Bushels Wheat- Roger Bell and Joe Bledsoe called here before the
Waggon was loaded- they had been at J.Taylor's sale. I dined at home about
sunset. ½ Bushel of above Wheat Weighed 29 lb by my small Steelyards.
19, Saturday, Smart frost- Fair morn, mild- Cloudy & a few drops rain the evening
George Bickers got 2 Bus' Wheat to sow for G.C.Taylor( see 16th) Trod out the
remainder of my Early Wheat- Suppose about 70 Bushels in all- Cleaned about
24 Bushels and brought to Shed- the rest- run once through the Fan.
20, [SUNDAY], Cloudy, warm, a few drops rain. I sent Fank & got Newspapers from Ct.
house. J. Taylor dined here- he had been to C. Taylor's who was gone from home.
21, Monday, Fair smoky and warm for the season. I was so unwell that I slept but
little last night- continue very sore & severe pains in my bowels- Had the
balance of Early wheat cleaned & brought to Shed- Also about 12 Bushels cleaned
by beating this tailings- J. Taylor brought me a box of Hamiltn's Worm Lozenges,
which T. Barbour got & brought from Fred'g for me. J. Taylor did not alight.
22, Fair and mild- a little cooler in evening. I was very unwell & often got up last
night- feel easier to day than for two or three weeks- took extract bark. Had
2 pair young steers yoked. Began to dig potatoes. John Grady came here for a
load of wheat-but having brought no order for it- I refused to let him have it.
He afterwards brought a note from T.Goolsbys, when I delivered him 48 bushels
red wheat, ½ Bus' 29 lb.- to be delivered Mess'rs Colin & James Ross,
Fredericks'g- Let Grady have ½ Bus' Old Corn for 2/- he p'd.
23, Wednesday, A little Frost- Fair till evening then haz7- M.Atkins rode to Mr.
John Martin's- they hunted for my lost Ox & Steer,but without finding them. I
had a bad night & more unwell to day than yesterday. Finished digging sweet
potatoes- put the small in a pit under Fodder Shelter, 4 Hampers in Cellar,
about digging Irish Potatoes. Sent Frank with Cart in evening to Mr.Shepherd's
for a Bar'l Flour he sent word he had got for me, he brought home the flour-
Got Newspapers.
24, Some Frost- Fair. I was extremely unwell last night, very high fever, headach
and slept very little- very weak & sore to day. The people still digging Irish
potatoes- Same put into a hold beyond Hay stacks- Some in Garden &c- Benj'a
Lancaster with Roger Bell's Waggon,Received 50 Bushels wheat. Early kind, for
Tarlton Goolsby. T. Crutchfield walked here to see Waggoner & soon returned.
A large flock Geese flew by about dusk.
25, Cloudy morning and most of the day & at night rain(a little), I continue very
unwell but a little better than yesterday- Reuben Taylor called here going to
Court house, returned with Reynolds Chapman about 1 oc'clock, they dined here-
James Taylor came here after he dined- staid awhile. Negroes finished digging
Irish potatoes in morning, and went about Digging their own- and finished them
next day.
26, Saturday, A little rain before day- Thin clouds most of the day and warm.-
Lightning at night. I am a little mended( -still in much pain). Chas Taylor
called here, also Reuben Taylor & son William. I rode with them to General
muster at Court house- Paid Andrew Shepherd jr 8½ dollars for the Barrel Flour
he bought for me the 23rd. I signed two articles of agreement with Augustine
Wright to be my Overseer the ensuing year- kept one & gave him the other. Saw
T. Goolsby just from Baltimore-where he had been & purchased goods- he said he
expects them in a week.
27, Cloudy smoky morning-and day- windy but warm. Sent a quart Whisky to M. Atkins
by Old Peter. Rested badly after the frist of the night. Owen Gwatmey & Colby
Taylor got here to breakfast- say they expect Mr. Isaac Robertson to day- he
did not come- The above with Ch's Taylor & Reu Taylor dined here. Tho's
Crutchfield here after dinner.