296

4[289] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR,1796,
1796,
February,[SUNDAY]
14, Fair, Windy, cool but not sharp. I went to Court house to a Sermon preached by Mr.O'Neill, he began to officiate at Upper Church last Sunday- There was a decent Congregation. I saw John Taylor of Rockingham, he gave me a letter from Mr.Davies with one from F.S.Taylor- I wrote at night to F.S.Taylor and inclosed Mr.Davies' letter. I came home to dinner.
15, Fair,moderate, hazy evening. John Taylor called here on his way to Fredericksburg and Caroline- I sent my watch by him for Walker to clean &c. He took a letter to F.S.Taylor- Col. James Taylor about land and to Clk of Spotsylvania, about O'Neill &c. J.Taylor jr came in evening with dogs. I went with him to hunt hares, but found only a few.
16, Frosty, Cloudy and cool- some(a little) rain at night. I was at home all day.
17, Hazy, moderate. Begn to plow.
18, Dark, misty and rainy. Abour sunset heavy shower with thunder to be the Southward. Pidgeons settled in Cornfield. Shot one.
19, Friday, Some frost. Fair, moderate. Reu Taylor called here going to Court house and returned to dinner; he said Mr. O'Neil wished to live in this neighborhood and asked me if I would like to board him. I think it would not suit my situation. I walked in the evening to the road, where my people were making a fence- Saw J.Taylor came.
20, Sharp frost, Hazy & appeard to snow at G't Mountains[ Blue Ridge-WKA-] I staid at home. George brought home a pair of shoes sealed for me by Garde.
21, Sunday, Cold- Snowed a little morn & evening, but not enough to cover the Earth. I was at home all day. Two pair Stockings & a Cake of Soap which C.P.Howard bought at Philad'a was sent from J.Taylor's. H.Daingerfield came here in the evening. {The Daingerfields were connections through the Battailes-WKA-]
22, Snow fell in the night 2 inches- fine morning,cool & clouds in evening. H.Daingerfield and I went to Court- John Taylor brought ans'rs to letter I wrote John Chew & Col.Jas.Taylor. I paid B.Hyde 21/- for making a pr Boots & soal leather for do. Reuben Taylor paid me 64/9. I told him he might sned for butter. James Early and Capt C[atlett].Conway came home with me.
23, Hard frost- most of Snow melted yesterday. Capt Conway & Mr Early went away after breakfast. Reu Taylor sent Harry for butter. I sent my pot,wt 15 pounds,as I promised yesterday.
24, Very cold- Cloudy, brisk south wind. Sowed Red Clover seed in Wheat South of Clover patch. Frank put eggs under a Hen at night in hen house.
25, Sharp frost, some clouds, hazy & smoky- turned moderate. Frank brought me 7 lb drop shot from C.Taylor, which were bought by C.Conway some time ago.
26, Cloudy,misty,warm morning, some sun & smoky evening. I walked by Macon Biggers's Mrs Day & Polly Edwards were there. I returned to dinner. Sent Frank a little Peter to Mill- both got meal. After dinner Planted 4 Apple trees in the orchard in the place of dead ones.
27, Moist evening. Fair,warm & Smoky after. Planted Peach trees where dead ones in orchard. Sowed 3 pints of Early Wheat in Clover pen.
28, Sunday, Hazy, moderate, cloudy morning. I walked to C.Taylor's, he was gone to see Mr. Tho's Beell's-Reuben Taylor was at C.Taylor's, had the toothach and waited till late to get it drawn- we came away together. R.Taylor paid me a French crown being a balance of our account. He met C.Taylor & returned with him- C.Taylor said Mr Bell is very weak. J.Taylor was at C.Taylor's after dinner.
29, Rained moderately last night, rainy day.

March,
1, Tuesday,Snowed brisk in morning, ceased about noon, covered the ground about an inch but being ,oist mostly dissolved. Cloudy all day. Mr.Ben Porter called and desired me to attend next Thursday at his house about settling the Executorship of his father's Estate. Charles Taylor & *Wm.Taylor(Botetourt) dined with me- C.T. brought me some bitter ingredients. [* Wm Taylor, son of Jonathan & nephew of Diarist-WKA-]

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