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Diary of Francis Taylor, 1798,

1798,
January,
16, Great rain and very high wind before middle of last night-Cleared before day. Clear and warm. The ground settled on the top, wet under, I killed a Leather winged bat, flying in the day.
17, Fair, mild, pleasant weather, very little frost. I sent Peter & Frank with the cart & 7 Bags corn to go to Madison's Mill; Frank came back to inform me the river [ Rapidan- WKA] was not fordable for the Cart. I made him return on my mare with directions to bring the Cart &c to Jos Clarks till tomorrow, when he returned here, he said Peter had crossed the river on the mare & was nigh being drowned-but got out & was coming to Jos. Clark's when he left him.
18, Thursday, Some frost, Cloudy, not cold. M. Biggers went to the river at Barnet's ford, which being too full to cross with the Cart &o. He left the Cart and Corn at Joseph Clarks, and Peter came home with the oxen. J. Pendleton walked here in the evening & was here about two hours- says his wife is a little mended.
19, Cloudy and cool. Reuben Taylor came here & made out a state' of the time he served in the War, to be sent to J. Dawson about getting grants for Military Lands&c at Philadelphia. Maj'r Moore, Ja' Taylor Jr, were also here to dinner. I got Peter & Frank with the Oxen to take the Cart & corn from Jos Clark's, they went, got meal and got home between 7 & 8 o'clock at night. M.Biggers went to see about getting the business done, and rode my riding mare, he stopped at Wm Bowlings, where he said the mare got away from him, and he came without her. She came home next morning.
20, Cloudy morning. Fair pleasant evening. I walked to Aunt Taylor's (Mr. Howard sent to ask me). Mrs Bell, Mrs Campbell, Ch's Bell, Maj'r J. Daniel, J. Taylor, C. Taylor, J. Pendleton, Mrs Burnley, Capt R'd Barbour & J. Taylor jr dined there- a fine Rock for dinner. I staid (with others) till after supper.
21, Sunday, Very little frost, Fair mild weather. I went to J. Taylor's. J. Pendleton & ramily, Tho's Barbour's family, Capt R'd Barbour & J. Taylor jr dined there-J. Taylor jr's wife at Maj'r Moore's.
22, Cloudy morning, some rain afternoon, mild & clouds. I went to Court. Gave Mr. Wm.Smith a letter for Col.James Taylor, about Essex, to the care of Mr.Jas. Blair. Rec'd a letter from F.S.Taylor. I came home about sunset and dined alone
23, Brisk rain last night, turned cool, and about an inch deep of snow by day- Clouds & wind forenoon, fair evening. Sary complains of being very weak and poorly. J. Pendleton was over in evening, Gave him a little wine for his wife-who continues unwell.
24, Cold, sharp frost.Fair day. I went to J. Taylor's. C.Taylor,J.Pendleton & family & T.Barbour's family dined there. Nancy Taylor gone to Entertainment at Wm Smith's,Blue Run. I staid till after dark.
25, Cloudy & a very little snow, mild fair evening. J.Taylor,C.Taylor & J.Pendleton dined here. I was informed that John Thomas was found dead this morning about 150 yards from the house.
26, Friday, Small rain in morning- Cloudy day & rained a little at night.mild, and rained in night. I was sent for and went to J.Taylor's-Thos Barbour got there (returned from Richmond last night) John Pendleton & family, T.Barbour & family, O.Taylor, Capt R'd Barbour, Wm Moore jr and J.Taylor jr dined there. Nano; Taylor got home at night, came from Mr.Triplett's.
27, Rainy day, wind got North, not very cold, Snowed brisk in the evening, covered the earth about an inch. I went to C.Taylor's to dinner; James Taylor, John Pendleton, Tho's Barbour, James Taylor jun'r and Wm Moore jr dined there.
28, Sunday. Fair and moderate; most of the snow melted. I staid at home.
29, Smart frost. Cloudy morn; fair mild evening. I staid at home.
30, Great frost. Fair warm & smoky. Joseph Clark came here to breakfast and looked at the smallest pair of my young oxen-which I offered to him(if F.Taliaferre does not buy them) for £10. Cha's Bell pd me 6/- for 1/2 Bus' Hemp seed, to Mrs Madison last year. John Pendleton & wife, T. Barbour's wife & Nancy Taylor rode here about nood & returned to J.Taylor's to dinner.

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.