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DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1797,

1797,

December,

1, Friday, Cold and cloudy.
Had part of a Leaf fat refined.
G.C.Taylor came here about 12 o'clock, paid me 20 dollars he borrowed when he was last here, said he intended to Mrs Madison's to preoceed tomorrow for Richmond.

2, Rain & froze in morning, thick mist & clouds all day.
Finished refining Hogs lard.
J.Taylor sent and borrowed a Gallon of whisky.
Had a Hnd Old Corn removed into Old house(21st)

3, Sunday, Clouds all day and misty-not cold. I went to J.Taylor's to dinner.
Mrs Gaines & E.Chew there, Nancy at T.Barbour's.
J.Taylor jr dined at Maj'r Moore's got back before I came home.
6 doz Candies return from J.Taylor's,lent some time ago.
Tho's Bell sent home pot & part of Lard he had 25 Nov'r.
Kept 6 1/2 lb

4, Rained brisk last night, Cleared by day & turned very cold.
I went to D.Triplett' bought some sundries for Eliz'a Chew & some things for self- C.P.Howard was there & assisted to bring some articles to the lane by Aunt Taylor's- We stopped at T.Bell's, had some grog- T.Bell paid me the balance £3.7.0 due for the steer.

5, Very hard frost and very cold clear day.
And'w Shepherd jr called here about noon to enquire about M.Biggers' corn, he went away before 1 o'clock.
After dinner I carried the goods I bought yesterday for Eliz'a Chew to J.Taylor's & delivered them to her.
Mrs Gaines & C.Bell there, the latter went away.

6, Remarkably clear- hard frost, still & less cold in day.
Took the 22d Hnd Old Corn out of New house & put in 12 Hnds New Corn, there was 18Hnds of old Corn left making, with that put in today 30 Hnds - M.Biggers delivered A.Shepherd's waggon for A.Maury 3 Hnds of his corn.

7, Thursday, Very cold hard frost- Thin clouds.
Sent for C.Taylor to see Sary who complains- the Doctor thinks her complaint Hysterical- He dined here.
Hear that J.Taylor jr had a daughterborn last night[Emily, M. Gibson Berry Taylor,d.s.p.]
Finished measuring my Crop of Corn, 69 Hnds made.
Put into Old Corn house, 42 do into New do (18 old remain'd 12=54 Macon Biggers had 1/6, his share 11 1/2) do for his provision next year 8 1/2) 15=69
The Hnd Contained 11 5/8 Bushels.

8, Thin clouds-not so cold as for several days, a little rain after dark.
Reuben Taylor came here-& brought a p/s Hurnhums [?] 16 yds a.
1/6 is 4 dollars & paid me 11 dollars to balance acco't money lent- he went away before noon to Court house.
I sent my cart with 18 Bus'Corn & 3 Bus Wheat to Madison's Mill for myself and 2 1/2 Bus Wheat for M.Biggers.
M.Biggers, Frank & old Peter went with the Cart-they got back about 2 o'clock in the night- They got the grain ground.
I had from 3 Bus'Wheat about 108 lb Flour & 12 lb Seconds & 36 lb Bran 156 lb.
Wm Stewart sent Daniel & got 2 lb Wool good weight-

9, A little rain soon last night- Great white frost- The mountains covered with Snow- Windy, clouds and cold.
M.Biggers got Bar 64 lb Iron & German Steel and Axes to carry McNeil's Shop.

10, Sharp frost, clear and still.
C.Taylor came to see Sary who continues unwell, we went to J.Taylor's to dinner, his daughters Sally and Betsy were there- C.Taylor's wife after dinner-J.Taylor jr has a large fine daughter.

11, Sharp frost, Fair and serene.
Had part of the Wheat run 3d time through the Fan.
Frank scoured the Floors of Hall & chamber.
I was at home.

12, White frost-Cloudy morn fair after.
South wind & thaw.
Running Wheat through the Fan.
Overseer & people helped to put out fire over the nountain.
I was at home, pasted paper on wall.

13, Cloudy, soft, mild day. Finished running Wheat through the Fan.
M.Biggers went to Smith's shop.
Sent my hatchet.
Rob't Taylor sent & got a quart M.Wine.

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.