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20[159] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1790,
1790,
November,
1, My father & I went to Uncle Taylor's to dinner. Col Madison jr, Mrs Hite, Miss F[rances] Madison [The President & two of his sisters-PFT], Miss Polly Moore, & Mrs Balmain there. Mr. Goodlet not at School.
2, I went with J. Taylors to Col. Madisons. Maj'r Moore & family, Mrs Hite &c, W. Madison dined there & we all staid. Warm.
3, Rained a smart shower- In evening Jas Taylor & I came from Col. Madisons and left the above company there-
4, J. Taylor was here but ret'd before dinner. My father rode to Court house & had jug of oil brought home.
5, Cooler weather.
6, Sent wheat to Mill. -[SUNDAY]-
7, G.C. Taylor went to Col. Madison's. I sent Memorial &c by him to the young Colone
8, J. bell came here but soon went away- G.C. Taylor returned from Col. Madison's.
9, Heard that Mess're Jefferson & Madison passed by on their way to Philadelphia. We went to C. Taylor's , whose son was Christened, Charles- Uncle Taylor & family, Mr. Belmain & wife & J. Taylor jr were there.
10, G.C.T. went to Col. Burnley's- I rode to Maj'r Lee's- got a pair Shoes brought by him at Fredericksburg & p'd 11/- for them. I bought 3 pr Stockings & p'd 19/- for them. Chs & Reuben Taylor Taylor at Court house. I came with them to J. Taylor's- Uncle Taylor & family- Mr. Balmain & wife & my father were there & Cap Burnley & family.
11, Went with my father to Uncle Taylor's J. Taylor & family, Capt Burnley & do. Mr. Balmain &c were there. I got Mr. Balmain to take my watch to carry to Wells at Winchester.
12, Dined at home- Rode in Evening to Courthouse & got my Mare shod- A very little rain in the morning.
13, Very white frost & smoky weather. Cloudy but not cold-
14, [SUNDAY] A moderate rain last night- fine day. Dined at home.
15, M. Perry's wife died last night- I let him have plank for Coffin- Two Gartons made here. I went to Hyde's & bo't Sundries & ret'd to dinner. Rd. Taylor's Dosia brought some things for boys.
16, A good rain last night, warm & cloudy today. J. Taylor jr dined here.
17, Cloudy, cool but very little rain in day- Dosia set off to Caroline. Rained in night and some today.
18, Some rain here last night- The Great Mountains White with Snow- Cool today- I went to Maj'r Lee's & bought Cloth &c. G.C. Taylor went to brother Reuben's- Bro'r James was here in evening-
19, Heard bro'r Charles's wife very unwell and two of his grown negroes dangerously ill- People are very sickly in general- I was shooting & killed 9 Squirrels. Killed a Cow this morning, ab't 300 lb Nett.
20, G.C. Taylor went to Col. Madisons. Yesterday & today fine warm weather. G.C.T returned & J. Bell came home with him.
21, [SUNDAY] J. Taylor & sons & Jas Bell dined here- Charles Taylor's Slave Will died last night.
22, Went to Court. Got Holmes to take Cloth &c to make Vest & breeches for me. Lent Capt Conway a Guinea [?]1.8.6 to pay Duke-
23, A Traveller was here last night, bought a Shoulder of bacon & paid a bad dollar, I went with G.C. Taylor & Jn Carrill in pursuit of him, overtook hin above Suttons & he plead ignorance of its being bad, returned a good one & let him go on. Capt Conway came home with us last night- Says he lost two negroes this morning-
24, Capt Conway went away before breakfast, went by C. Taylor's & intends to his quarter- I went with my father to Court- They did not sit, so few people a jury could not be got. C. Taylor's Fanny died.
25, Staid at home, Cloudy and a little snow with sleet. C. Taylor dined here.
26, Very close sleet, fine rain & snow, much ice on the trees &c- Negro Rachel died.

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 MANUCRIPTS ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT.