94

[90]3
DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1788,
1788,
February,
12, A little frost-fine weather. Moses at Schoolhouse. Gave out meat to cut-negroes & Rachel &c. Went with my father to Court house- Dined at Mr. Shepherds saw J.Taylor at Maj'r Lees, was going to Shoemakers- C.Taylor went up to Wilsons.
13, Fine weather continues, much of the snow cone, Went with G.Taylor to Uncle Taylors & Dined there in Company with Col Madison, Maj'r J.Coleman and Maj'r Moore- came by J.Taylors & sat an hour. Schoolhouse building. Moses there.
14, Went with G.Taylor to Col Madison's to dinner, Jas Coleman of Halifax, Uncle E.Taylor, C.Taylor, Hardin Burnley-Mr. Shepherd, Maj'r Lee, A Madison & Wm.Madison dined there. Mr. Shepherd & Maj'r Lee went home as did A. & W.Madison, the rest staid. Miss Jane Taylor was there- Weather good.
15, We staid to dinner, Col.Burnley & W.Madison were there. Cloudy morning-Snow, rain & hail in evening. My father, Uncle Taylor, C Taylor & myself came home- Moses made key for Lock which I brought home.
16, Sleet & Rain- We went to J.Taylors & dined. Mrs Gaines there- Cleared in evening
17, [Sunday] Cloudy morning-much ice upon the trees &c which has been on them 36 hours. G.Taylor went to Maj'r Moore's who has been some days unwell, I dined alone- Rain about 2 o'clock & Snowed very fast about 3-which soon covered the ground altho' wet-and was 1 1/2 or 2 inches deep.
18, Clear and cold and windy-C.Taylor called here on his way to Howarths & ret'd in evening-he bought 50 W.C.Needles for me w'ch I paid him 1/6 for.
19, Clear and cool but more moderate than yesterday- Jos Clark breakfasted here- George went to Mill. I wrote to Mr.Ben Porter to lend me the Talters and received them by George.
20, Moses went to work with S.Mozingo getting pails.
21, Moses went again- G.Taylor rode to Court house. C.Taylor came by with him, but did not stay dinner- Cold morning- Snow in afternoon, very blowing in night.
22, Cont'd snowing all day but not above 2 inches deep. J.Taylor, J Pendleton, T.Barbour, J.Taylor jr C.Taylor & Mord'a Throckmorton dined here, left off snowing.
23, A few clouds & windy in morning, Mild evening. This day appointed muster, I went with my father to the Court house but there being snow on the ground there was no muster. Hubbard Taylor & Reu Taylor called here and dined-
24, Fine mine clear weather- Turkeys Sporting- We dined at home without Company [Sunday]
25, Went to Court. I was very unwell last night & continued so all day. My father dined at Alcocks- I ate home. Moses went to Getting pales. There was a dance at Col.Madisons this evening-
26, We went again to Court-weather moderate. Much talk amongst the people about the Constitution, the Baptists and ignorant part of them against it. The County Levy was laid to-day. Moses in the Woods getting pails. Jos Clark burnt Plant patch next to the house-
27, C.Taylor sent for Moses to make a Coffin for negro Harry who died last night- Moses ret'd ab't noon and went to work at the Schoolhouse. Very cold & windy some nasty clouds & snow in morning. Clear, windy & cold till night. Mr.Downey lent me 3 Vols Humphrey Clinker, which Jos Clark brought from Schoolhouse
28, Dined at J.Taylors with my father, Mr. Richard & Jno Thomas & Rich'd Barbour jr weather hazy & cool. Moses at Schoolhouse- J.Clark sowed Tobacco seed.
29, Cool Hazy weather-Moses getting pales. Mess'rs Richard (fatherWKA) & John (son WKA) Thomas, J.Pendleton, T Barbour, J.Taylor, J.Taylor jr & C Taylor dined here.
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.