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6[356] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR,1798,
1798,
March,
14, White frost. Fair mild morning, hazy evening. I was very unwell, had sore throat and sore mouth. Heard that Mrs.Mary Willis Madison died this morning. Saw some blossoms on Apricot.
[* Mary Willis Lee, daughter of Hancock Lee and Mary Willis,his wife; married Ambrose Madison, son of Col.James Madison Sr., and his wife, Eleanor Rose Conway; and grandson of Ambrose Madison and Frances Taylor,his wife-PFT]
15, Thursday, Cloudy and a very little rain- Clear evening. My mouth and throat continues very sore-which prevented my going to Mr.Shepherd's,as requested &c. I took 30 grains Rhubarb yesterday & Castor oil to day but continue in much pain. John Pendleton came here to dinner, his son Tommy came with him but soon returned. After dinner Wm.Buckner jr & C.Bell walked here from J.Taylor's- they all ret'd in evening. Had Scarcity, Beets, Carrot & Parship seeds sown in the pen South of the yard.
16, Frost and ice- cool and fair. I continue unwell- sore mouth and throat,took salts. J.Pendleton was here in evening ab't two hours.
17, Some clouds in morn, fair mild day- J.Pendleton came here, I walked with him to C.Taylor's- his wife, J.Taylor, his wife, N.Taylor, dined at C.T's. J.Taylor got home this morning from Fredericksburg. Had Cucumber,Climbling,Parsnip and Carrot seeds Planted & sown in Patch by Meadow Spring.
18, Sunday, Hazy,Thin clouds, some drops of rain The boys from J.Taylor's came here before noon and got Walnuts and returned. I walked to J.Taylor's but had so severe a pain in my mouth and jaw that i staid only about an hour. J.Pendleton & family- Mr.Noel(Schoolmaster) & wife, were there. J.Taylor jr was there after I came away, and called here in evening to enquire how I did.
19, Thin clouds,with some drops of rain and smoky. My mouth continues sore, tho' a little mending. I staid at home. J.Pendleton sent here and got Cluster Cherry Cyons and some lavender to plant, he & family set out to Culpepere to-day. Little Peter sick at night, gave him Castor oil.
20, Cloudy, and a moderate rain. I was in very great pain from Sore jaw & mouth. I sent Frank with Sledge and a cask to Rob't Taylor for my part of Hhd Molasses(Mrs Taylor having wrote for that purpose) J. Tarylor was there also & got part. Frank says he brought 16 Gallons for me. Began to make soap. Frank says the Kittle has hole in it- I intend to return it to D.Triplett.
21, Rained in the night a good deal-and thunder about day- a little rain to-day- Cleared by noon. Very windy flying clouds & cool at night. I took some pills last night, a dose Salts this morning. Am easier than last night. At home all day. Gave L.Peter a dose of Salts to day.
22, Last night very high wind, windy forenoon. Fair,cool morning, mild evening. Snow on Mountains. I continue in much pain. Took Castor oil. Mrs Burnley sent about noon, that C.P.Howard was there and asked me to dinner- I talked there this evening- C.P.Howard & wife and Rob't Taylor's wife & children there. Davy was cleaning the Hemp that is in cellar.
23, Some white frost-Hazy,some sun & wind clouds. I walked to Mr.Shepherd's- Gave Mr.O'Neils Subscript'n paper to A.Shepherd Sen'r- took Reu Taylor's Newspapers and ret'd to dinner. I was better to day than for more than a week past - grew worse at night. Had about 4 Bushels Oats sown.
24, A heavy rain began(with thunder) about 2 o'clock this morning and continuedd showery all the forenoon, very high wind from South, blew down fences &c. Wind clouds & sunshine in evening. I continue very unwell,staid at home
25, Sunday, The ground frozen a little. Cold Cloudy with a very little rain in evening. Ch's Taylor, G.C.Taylor, J.Taylor, J.Taylor jr & Maj'r Moore dined here- G.C.Taylor borrowed 10 dollars of me, which he said he wanted to bear his expenses to Wythe. After dinner he went to Col'o Madison's on his way - he acknowledged the 80 dollars for F.Walker the 23 February. Wm.Twisdell called here in evening, told me F.Taliaferro said he wou'd see me at Court (about oxen).

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 PROTECED BY COPYRIGHT.