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DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1798,
1798,
June,
25, Cloudy morn, drop'ed rain but not much. Took ot 10 Hhd Corn. Began to cut Wheat I went to Court- The petition Brought against me Exor of G.T. dec'd by McCall, Smellie & Co..,was tried & Judgement given for 1.6.5 with interest from April 7,1785 till paid-I had given a fee to Mr.Wirt, who being absent, I employed J.Barbour but have not paid his fee to speak. Paid W.Pollock D.Sheriff 2.16.4 1/2 for Taxes &c in full. Received of Wm Stewart 30/- in full of his acco't. Rec'd of J.Blair $6.4.3. balance from D. & J.Blair.
26, Dropped rain in morning heavy rain last night. Continue Cutting Wheat. I went to J.Taylor's. Ordered a Pet'n, E.Chew vs James Coleman. Aunt Thomas, Mrs Burnley, Mrs Parsons, G.L.Grasty,C.Bell, J.T.jr & wife dined there. Finished Cutting Early Wheat.
27, Wednesday, Clouds- a few drops rain in morn,good evening. Got up part of my E.Wheat & Stacked in yard. J.Taylor got home(before noon) from Kentucky. I went over to dinner. Aunt Thomas, Mrs Parsons, C.Bell there, J.Taylor jr had gone to his people. Rec'd Letters by J.Taylor from Kentucky, he informed me our friends were well except bro'r Jonathan. C.Taylor was at J.T's in evening.
28, Some clouds & a sprinkle of rain. I rode to Shepherd's Shop,got my mare shod & paid A.Shepherd Sr. 3/- for it. I wnet from thence to T.Coolins(& after being detained two hour)got my Coat, paid him 15/- for making- Returned home to dinner. Reu Taylor called here going to J.Taylor's, had business, returned by after I got home. Got more of my Wheat Stacked,& finished next morn'g.
29, Cloudy & rainy morning. Fair evening. Rob't Cawthon sent ____McDaniel, who got the Oxen I sold him, & carried them away- I lent a Yoke. Let George have a Midling 12 1/2 lb Bacon for Jas.McDaniel paid 12/- I carried my Coat in evening to C.Taylor's & left it w'th Sister to alter cuffs- Aunt Thomas, Mrs Parsons & J.Taylor jr's wife were there.
30, Some clouds-warm. I staid at home- made 3 pints Currant Jelly,put about 2 1/2 lb loaf sugar to the Currant juice. Finished plowing 4th time over.

July,
1, I walked to Court house; Mr.Ferguson(Methodist) preached to a numerous audience I came by Aunt Taylor's- Maj'r Moore, Aunt Thomas, Mrs Parsons, Mrs Burnley & daughters, dined there- Mr.Howard & wife at Mr.Glassell's- Rec'd a letter from F.S.Taylor dated 20 June- [SUNDAY]
2, Fair,broken clouds & distant thunder in evening. I walked to Mrs Burnleys- carried & left there 10 1/2 yds Linen, thread & buttons, to make 3 shirts. I returned & walked to C.Taylor's to ask if cask lent was empty- got home before noon & sent Frank who got the Cask & put water in it.
3, A brisk rain last night with loud thunder,some clouds,very warm day- drops of rain at sunset.Began to out Common Wheat- quality mean. I sent a cash in my Cart p/r Frank & Moses to Robert Taylor,for whisky, Mr Jon'a Shipman sent for us- Frank says Mr Taylor put 29 gallons in my cask. I walked to the Court hosue being one of the appraisers & myself made Inventory &c of what personal estate was shown by Henry Bell & Alex Downey,the Adm'rs- Amount above $800. Took out 11th Hhd Corn. I was unwell all day smart fever &c. Bout a Loaf, 5 lb 10 oz sugar of Hackley & paid 12/6- George brought 29 Yds Ozn'a J. Sebree bro't from D.Tripletts.
4, Pleasant morning, and day. Finished Cutting Mountain field of Wheat & the Oats. I staid at home.
5, Clouds & a Shower of rain in evening. Had Flax pulled up & put in Cow house. Got some Wheat to Yard- Cut'g Orchard field in evening. I walked to Court house- There was a Sale of 8 Slaves(Col'o Burnley had given T.Bell's wife) to satisfy an Ex'on John Allen agt. Z.Burnley.
6, Fair pleasant morning and fine day. Finished Cutting Wheat in Orchard-no more to cut. Stacked at the yard from Mountain.
7, Saturday, Fair,some scattered clouds. James Sebree brought me a Sack Salt from Rob't Patton's on D.Triplett's account.

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