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9[197] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1792,
1792,
April,
18, Cloudy, smoky and warm, a moderate rain afternoon. Uncle Taylor, Rob't Taylor, J. Taylor & C. Taylor dined here. Rob't Taylor assisted my father in altering matters of form in his answer to Minor &c Bill in Chancery-
19, Cloudy morning- My father being unwell I sent to C. Taylor to call on his way to Court house, he did and I went there with him, there was a alled Court on Ezekiel Clements charged with counterfeiting the current coin- He had a part of the stamp for dollars & some other things, but the proof being insufficient he was acquitted- It rained very brisk about the middle of the day and was a wet evening. C. Taylor came with me back & Abner Porter soon after & they dined here. Alex Shepherd paid me 12/- I won of him some time ago at Loo.
20, My father took some Aloe Pills last night and seems much better than he was yesterday. Rained last night and most of this day- dark & cloudy. J. Taylor walked here after dinner to enquire how my father was- Julius King was here & bought a midling Bacon 11 lb. at 8d. & paid 6/8. Macon Biggers (the Overseer) sent to ask for a Shoat, my father assented.
21, Rained a good deal last night and the air cold. Very rainy day with some spits of Snow with it, before noon, the weather very cold for the season.
22, [SUNDAY] A little rain in the morning, cloudy and cool day- The Great Mountains [the Blue Ridge] quite covered with snow. C. Taylor walked here and dined with us.
23, The first of the night cloudy and not so cold as in the day- A slight frost, which I believe hurt nothing about here. A fine day- Roads & vallies very wet. Went with my father to Court, and election. Col'o Barbour, a little before the Election was to begin informed the people that he declined standing a poll, so that Davis & Johnson being the only Candidates, they were returned by the Sheriff duly elected- many think Col. Barbour's aim was to ensure Johnson's election. My father having been sick and being still weak, to'he says he drank but little, became so helpless that it was late before he was able to ride home, G.C. Taylor was at Court and returned without coming here. Tops of Mountains still White.
24, My father remained at home- I went to the Court house. the Court settled rates for Taverns- A vestry was also held & recommended a Subscription for a Minister &c. Had Climblings, Cucumber & pompion seeds planted in the Hog-pen. Warm day & hazy.
25, Cloudy and very rainy day- I think more rain fell than in the same space of time had Done before this year. John Taylor, Rob't Taylor, Felix Gilbert Jr, James Taylor & son, dined here- C. Taylor walked over in the evening, said rain pervented his coming before dinner-
26, Fine morning- My father sent a quarter of Shoat to C. Taylor's and word that he intended to dine there. I went there also and dined- a few clouds & drops of rain.
27, Fine day. I was trimming Bee-hives & thought stirring made me feel better than for several days past. J. Taylor was here in evening.
28, Warm day- I was taken very unwell before breakfast with a chilly, shivering ague, which lasted about two hours and was followed by a burning fever which continued all day- I took sundry medicines & sweated copiously, and was very weak & think never was more sick in my life. My father rode to Court house after dinner. C. Taylor called here with him; I asked him if bleeding would be proper for me, but he advised me to defer it.
29, [SUNDAY] My fever continues, but something abated- There was Lightning, thunder & brisk rain, with wind. before day. Reuben Taylor dined here- J. Taylor walked over in evening. Planted some good Watermelon & Cucumber seeds in the pen beyond the Garden last night.
30, My health much better to day than cold have been expected from the severity of my disorder. C. Taylor & family went yesterday to Capt Conways, he came home to day and came here to dinner, went home after dinner and came back at night. Began to plant Corn the 23d, & finished the 28th, instant.

From the TAYLOR DIARY, #1907-z in the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina Library, Chapel Hill. FOR REFERENCE ONLY: PERMISSION MUST BE REQUESTED. WARNING: MOST MANUSCRIPTS ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT.