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25[247] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR,1794,1794,
November,
29, Warm,hazy,smoky & windy,some drops rain. I staid at home:J.Taylor jr & Chs Bell went by in the evening with Dogs and gun.
30, [SUNDAY] Cloudy morning, rainy evening. I went to C.Taylor's to dinner, he & family there.

December,
1, Monday, Small rain last night-very dark morning, cloudy & fine rain, afterwards showers, cleared warm in evening. Sent Davy to J.Taylor's to know the size to make pair of shoes for E.Chew, he had Leather &c,but complains of a violent pain in his knee, & did not finish them.
2. Fair & mild, cloudy & a little rain at night. Mr Banks came here to breakfast, he wanted to buy Pork: I did not want to sell. Had 12 Hogs(fattened by the Spring) killed: 78, 97, 149, 149, 165, 169, 170, 175, 205, =1,357 Nt.kept by F.T.=9. 83, 93, 121, =299, Nt.= 3 M.Biggers had. Let Macon Biggers have 30 hogs 299 lb Nett, also he had 1/2 Bus' Salt. Davy continued so unwell that he did not come out. George assisted to Kill & clean hogs-and cut up two. I put off cutting the rest till tomorrow. Mr Smith's Aggy came and assisted in the Kitchen.
3, Clear & cold, Flying clouds. Had the remaining 7 hogs cut up & salted. I went to C.Taylor's, gave a letter to Wm Smith & a letter to Mess'rs Blairs requesting them to pay Col J's Taylor $3.14,0., to send me $20. & Exchange 25 dollars Bank notes sent by C.Taylor by Capt Conway. J.Taylor & wife- E Chew, Nancy Gaines & W. Pollock jr dined there- C.Taylor set off after dinner, intends to C.Conway's tonight.
4, Frost- and fine day for the season. I went to aCourse race in Willis's field, opposite John Waugh's- There was a smart number of Spectators- Amongst them several ladies. Tom Bell's mare won- 5 started- Rec'd a letter & Newspapers of F.S.Taylor.
5, Great white frost- Hazy- Killed the 11 hogs(commonly called wild hogs) fattened in the Mountain field- vizt. 1 Sow & 10 young ones. Roger Bell came with his dog & caught the old Sow for me, cou'd not get her in the pen- The other old Sow has been missing since early in Fall. Macon Biggers had 2 hogs,201 lb, making 500 lb Nett(including 3 hogs he had the 2d, instant)it being what I agreed to find him for next year. Acco't of 11 Hogs killed: 70, 75, 78, 85, 104, 105, 105, 114, 117, =9 Hogs =853 lb Kept by F.Taylor, + 1,357, Kept the 2d Dec'r = 2,210 lb salted by F.T. Mountain Field= 119, 82, 2 Hogs =201 lb + 299 Macon Biggers had the 2d instant = 500 lb. -See 2d, Decr. Old George assisted about cleaning the hogs & cut them up in evening- Had them salted & Saltpetre on the joints of those Salted before and now. Mr Rob Coleman(Schoolmaster) called here on his way to see M.Biggers- said he had agreed to teach at same place another year & asked if I W'd board him, which I told him would not be convenient.
6, Fair and very, mild. I rode to Uncle Taylor's,he is extremely weak. Col Madison, Mrs Macon, J.Taylor & wife, dined there- Mr Howard & wife & John Taylor's family also there- J.Taylor & I rode after dinner to Mr. Shepherd's Store but did not dismount. Bo't 4 Carp at night, of Moses, to pay 1/- for.
7, Sunday, Mild weather, some clouds. I went to J.Taylor's, E Chew was there. I let her have a pair of Shoes Davy made. James & Nancy Taylor were from home.
8, Mild weather. The Cart brought Lightwood for M.B. here. C.Leathers came to work on M.Biggers' house. I sent a shoulder 9 1/2 old bacon, a chine & 3 Sp ribs.Mrs Strewart & Mrs Biggers were here & cut out the Cloaths for Negroes- I paid 3/- to Mrs B. In night found and killed an Opossum in Turkey house.
9, Sharp frost. Sent Frank to H.Taliaferro's, he brought 7 Gal's Cyder. C.Taylor sent for me to dinner. J.Taylor & family, Nancy Gaines,G.Barbour & Ch's Bell dined there. Mr.B.Porter Sen'r was there but went before dinner. C.Taylor brought me $20. from Mess'rs Blairs, and got 25 dollars Bank notes exchanged. He bought a box Anderson's pills & 1/2 Bus Oysters for me(Received)
10, Mild weather. Finished refining hogs lard, sent Frank for but'r pot to C.Taylor's he brought a side Dressed Leather I had bought of C.Taylor at 10/-

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.