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7 [229] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1794, 1794, March, 21, Cloudy morning, a little rain & thunder. And'w Shepherd jun'r brought me a letter from F.S.Taylor with Norfolk Newspapers- He would not alight from his horse. I had 3 Bus' Wheat picked & put in bag. 22, Foggy morning, warm fine afternoon. Reuben Taylor came here to breakfast from Mrs Burnley's, where his family are. I paid him £12. Cash on acco't of Est'e of G.Taylor dec'd. I went with him to Mrs Burnley's & dined there. Reu' Taylor &c- Eisses Polly & Fanny Moore there. I planted in S.West corner of yard-two Pear trees grafted from Uncle Taylor's tree by Cellar- I believe they were from Corn house tree. Some Blossoms on Peach trees- 23, Warm Springing weather. Cherry & Peach trees, blossomed much to day. I went to C.Taylor's, J.Taylor, his wife and younger children & E.Chew dined there- Sally Taylor at Capt Conway's. ----[SUNDAY]---- 24, Very warm- some clouds & smoky- Had a small Plant Patch burnt: The fire caught Mrs Burnley's & my fences & burnt ab't 50 pannels- Had Cabbage, Onion, Lettuce, Mountain Cresses and Turnep seeds sown there. I went to Court, collected no money on account of my father's estate. Mr.F.Taliaferro was not there- he had wrote that he would be & pay a considerable sum for Wm Edwards. I rec'd 18/9 of Mr T.Barbour jr for a Side of Leather, and paid Richard Johnson a Guinea & Pistareen of two sides of Soal Leather 23 1/2 lb. sent from B.Hydes 1/3.29 4 1/2 I dined at Nooe's- In the morning had a cherry tree taken up by Mrs Burnley's fence & planted in yard. 25, Cool smoky- some clouds, a little sleet & rain. I went to Court house- Spoke Mr J.Blair about sundry things in business &c. I came home to dinner after dark- Sowed Oats yesterday & finished to day. 26, I waited till near 12 o'clock for T.Jones who had promised to Load his waggon with my wheat, but did not come. I went to Court rec'd the money due from the Est'e G.Burnley & Jas Bell- and let Reu Taylor have Three pounds- I p'd Robert Taylor 1/4 1/2, a small balance to G.B's Este from me- Paid 1/3 for 1 lb. Salt at Barbour's. Court rose about 3 o'clock- I came home about 4 o'clock- Frank has been sick since the fire, when I expect he overheated himself &c. 27, There was smart frost, but don't think to injuse vegetation, which has been very great for a week. I was not so well as common. 28, Sharp frost- very dry weather, evening warmer. I took dose of Salts- Went to Langham's field & cut canes, but got no good ones. 29, No frost- great dew- Some drops rain, smoky- 30, [SUNDAY] o I went to J.Taylor's and dined there. E.Chew and his own family were there. Weather Smoky, warm and some clouds- 31, Smoky, windy, with a Slight hasty rain in the evening and turned cooler. Sowed Flax in Turnep Patch & small spot in the Pasture field. David Faulconer came here (J.Taylor being from home) & got Licence to Marry Sarah Grady, John Partlow was with him. Plowing the place intended for Potatoes, Peas and vines &c. Sent Reuben Taylor 1/2 bus' Flax seed r Israel. April, 1, Cool and clear but saw no frost- I sent Frank with 3 1/2 Bus Wheat to F.Taliaferro's Mill & got Flour- I walked to C.Taylor's & got 3 lb Powder which Capt Conway bought for me- C.Taylor was gone to Capt Conway's- I came back before noon & in evening went to Court house- bought 2 1/2 yards Linen & hat for E.Chew & brought another hat, which i did not pay for, to return it or pay 14/- Something for me at Mr.Shepherd's I paid him 3/- for waggonage a Sack Salt from Blair's & 1/6 for keg Sugar & some cotton from Richard Taylor's. 2, No frost, Hazy and smoky. I went to J.Taylor's- delivered 2 1/2 yds Linen & a hat (bought yesterday) to E.Chew. Sent a Sledge & got a Sack Salt, Keg of Sugar & bag of Cotton that were at Mr.Shepherd's. I assisted J.Taylor to make out his business for Sheriff and staid to dinner. Mrs James & E.Chew there. James & Nancy went to J.Pendleton's last Monday- J.Taylor & I walked to Schoolhouse- Saw Mrs Wood & Caty Shepherd there. 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.