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DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1798.

1798,
January,

1, Monday, Dark clouds or fog and thaw- a little rain last night. I went to Court house- A sale of *Baylor's Slaves had been advertised- 15 or 20 Slaves was there and a good number of people wanted to buy- One or two slaves were cried but the price bid was ( the seller thought ) not satisfactory and I believe none were sold. [ *John Baylor, ancestor of John Ray Baylor, W.KA. ]
2, Cleared 1ast night- White frost. Fair and pleasant. C. Taylor came to visit Sary and breakfasted- I gave Sary 20 grains Jallap, 5 of Ipecac & 15 of Ginger, which operated as a puke and purge. C. Taylor went home and returned to Dinner. Mr. C. P. Howard & J. Taylor jun'r dined here.
3, White frost- Cloudy mild day- about 6 o'clock at night began to hail with rain. Essex brought a letter from his master, Col. Ja's Taylor, offering to sell him for £90. I think to give it, tho' a very great price. James Sebree called with his waggon & Received 47 Bushels wheat for Mr. D. Triplett. Sent my Cart to C. Taylor's and got 5 Barrels corn, being what I sold him 2 sows & 12 pigs for.
4, Thursday, Did not much fall in the night-but a great quantity of rain mixed with sleet to-day- much ice on trees & c. Essex came this morning- Davy soaled and mended his shoes, which were much worn, he says he has no blanket- that the last he had was when he went to Louisa. I staid at home. rain & c all day.
5, Some clouds in morn. Fair day & fine evening, thaw. I went to C. Taylor's- J. Taylor & family, J. Taylor jr & wife, T. Barbour's wife- Tho. Barbour (Doct'r) W. Pendleton, C. Bell, and Harriet Triplett, dined there. C. Taylor went to see Col. L. Taliaferro after dinner.
6, Mild fair and pleasant, earth very wet. Reuben Taylor & sons, Billy & Frank, walked here and dined with me. Hung up part of my Bacon.
7, Sunday, White frost, fair morning, cloudy evening. I went to Sermon at Courth house, very few people. I returned home to dinner.
8, White frost- Became cloudy- Rained very moderately all evening. I gave Sary a purge. C. Taylor was here to see her & ret'd to dinner. Hung the balance of meat to smoak. M. Biggers went to J. McNeil's Shop, but did not get tools.
9, Cleared before day- Some clouds, moderate. Removed the old hay into the Stable loft, yesterday. Sary says she is worse- gave her two doses of Bark & Rhubarb, 20 Bark, 5 Rhubarb. C. Taylor rode out and called about 1 o'clock- went to see Sary and dined here. gave Sary 30 drops Turlington at night. M. Biggers got some Axes done at McNeils Shop to-day. C. Taylor got a Cart wheel-lent him.
10, Clear morn. Clouds and a little snow in evening, ceased soon after dark- not an inch deep. I was unwell and at home. Sary a little mended.
11, Cold and clear- some scattered clouds in evening. Sary continues ill- C. Taylor sent his son with a note to give 1/4 oz Salts, which I did. Charles staid to dinner- I continue unwell.
12, Sharp frost. Fair and moderate afternoon. I was at home, not very well.
13, Hazy morn. fair mild evening. J. Sebree rec'd 48 Bus' Wheat for D. TRiplett, he gave me 3 Potomack Shads- had tar for his wheels. Reuben Taylor came with a boy & brought me a bag of tobacco for smoking- He with J. Taylor, Ch. Taylor & John Pendleton dined here.
14, Sunday. Thin clouds, a very little mist, wam. I went to J. Taylor's and dined there. Cha's Taylor, J. Pendleton & family, T. Barbour's family, E. Chew and Wilson Coleman (who came for C. Taylor to go to see his brother's wife) were there. J. Taylor jr & wife at Maj'r Moore's- J. Taylor ret'd me 33/- which I lent him yesterday to pay GRaham the Schoolmaster. J. Pendleton's wife in a low state of health.
15, Cloudy warm morn, close rainy after 9 o'clock. Sent 1 oz Col'd thread to E. Chew and a little old cheese for E. Pendleton- Who afterwards sent a snuf bottle and got about a pint of wine.

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.