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[152] 13 DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1790, 1790, July,
1, I rode to Court House to get a letter sent for Mr.J.Maury to Fredericksburg, but saw nobody going down- I ret'd to dinner, after dinner heard Capt Burnley was unwell &c, walked to his house but he was gone out. I am very unwell to day- Took Asthmart Tea- Weather cleared-
2, My father rode to Court house- when he ret'd I went with him to J.Taylor's who began his Harvest to day. M.Fall & C.Taylor's Daughter Betsy dined at J.Taylor's- A fine day. Heard at night that Bro'rs Richard & *George are on their way from Kentucky.-[ *This is the first time that George Conway Taylor is called "brother,"?-PFT]
3, Fine weather. C.Taylor & J.Taylor came here before noon. Bror's Richard & George got there to dinner, just arrived from Kentucky- After dinner Uncle Taylor & J.Taylor jr., came here.
4, [SUNDAY] Uncle Taylor, J.Taylor & son, C.Taylor, Reu.Taylor, Rob't Taylor, Capt.Burnley, G.Taylor (Arrarat) J.Burnley & James Burnley dined here.
5, I walked with Richard Taylor & G.C.Taylor to C.Taylor's & he went with us to J.Taylor's. G.Taylor, Uncle Taylor & Reuben Taylor also dined there. I cut off 10 1/2 yds 7/8 Irish Linen for F.S.Taylor which brother Richard will carry down for him. My father's harvest began to-day.
6, Richard Taylor set out at 6 o'clock on his return home. I went with him as low as Mr.Ride's store. It rained a little but not to prevent Travelling- I bought sundry articles at the store & returned by noon. My father dined at home. J.Taylor jr came home with G.C.Taylor at night.
7, I went to Wilson's Store, Wanted to buy thin cloth for Coat, but saw none- I ret'd to dinner. Fine Harvest weather.
8, Went to where the people about Harvest & from there to G.Taylor's- My father & boys dined there.
9, I saw J.Taylor jr yesterday who said he intended to Fredericksburg to day- I requested him to get me a cheese &c- G.C.Taylor went after breakf' to Col.Madisons- very fine harvest weather, cool for the season- Corn begins to Tassel. I walked in evening to Capt Burnley's, he appeared to be intoxicated- I believe has drank hard lately- We had Cimblings to day.
10, I Carried a ps 25 yds Linen to Mrs Burnley who agreed to make it into Shirts for me- Afterwards went with my father, Dicky & Colby to J.Taylor's & dined there- Cloudy evening & a very little rain.
11, [SUNDAY] Cloudy and rainy in evening, moderate and but very little.
12, Sent for C.Taylor to look at the cut in Frank's thigh from which he is very lame. He called by on his way above the Court house. I went with Dicky & Colby to Capt. Burnley's who took three Bee hives.
13, Heard that John Pendleton's wife is Sick, they sent for Bro'r James & he went over last night and his family early this monring.
14, Uncle Taylor dined here-also B.Bennett, the latter came to the Office about business and left a memo'dm.
15, Cloudy morning with a little mist. The weather dry, there having been no rain of any account here since the 30th June. Remarkable fine harvest season.
16, My father, G.C.Taylor & I went to Robert Taylor's- Uncle Taylor & C.Taylor dined there, Mrs Dandridge there. Aunt & Cousin Jenny came by on their way home from Mr.Glassell's. C.Taylor & I came by Court house. Whilst there a fine Rain fell without wind- but a smart wind was with the rain here.
17, I went to the Office to do some business for Mr.Shepherd &c- James Taylor jr got home from Culpeper & says his sister has got better. He, James Bell & G.C.Taylor came here at night- Sowed in Square next Corn house, Turnep, both sorts Cresses & Hanover Turnep seeds.
18, [SUNDAY] J.Taylor jr set off after breakfast to Pinestake Church, J.Bell & G.C. went to Maj'r Moore's- a few drops of rain before noon. Bro'r James ret'd from Culpeper & dined here, said his family intends home Tuesday the 20th.
19, G.Taylor rode to Maj'r Lee's Store & returned, A Smart Shower of rain fell about noon. Began Oat harvest.
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.