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DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1798,
1798,
July,
20, Friday, Clear and cool for the season. Sent my Cart for the Slab timber got the 18- made 4 loads. Reuben Taylor called here, said his youngest child was unwell- was going to C.Taylor's, but seeing him ride by,he returned. Henry Wood called here,was going to office,but hearing the Clerk was from home, did not go Roger Bell got Summer & winter Turnep seed for J.Taylor.
21, Fair and changed warmer. Finished plowing over the corn. Tom Rived into slabs, the Timber brought yesterday. Planted Cucumber seeds in border by wak in garden
22, Sunday, Fair, warm. I went to C.Taylor's, he had just returned from Springs.
his three eldest daughters left at Springs. J.Taylor came up with him, and walked over to dinner.
23, Some clouds,warm,no rain. Killed a latter last year's sheep. 1/4 sent M.B. Began to cut my Hay. I went to Court. Paid Col.Madison 5/7 1/2 for a Bell. The people do not appear to be pleased with political matters. I returned in evening, dined at home. Heard that Congress had risen. E.Chew obtained Judg't vs James Coleman on Pet'n.
24, Fair warm morning, some clouds-begins to be dry. Mr. Stephen Fox sent a boy & got 3 p/s bacon he bought and paid for last week. J.Taylor jr's Harry came here & got a midling 10 1/2 lb Bacon,which he said his master directed him to apply for. I walked to J.Taylor's, directed Ex'on to issue,E.Chew vs J.Coleman. Rob't Taylor was at Office- Aunt Thomas, Sally Burnley,C.Bell & E.Chew- J.Taylor & daughter Nancy at home,the family at Springs. Finished cutting my grass, and had it stacked in the evening, it appeared in good order.
25, Fair morning, a moderate shower afternoon. Joe came to work, pointed cracks &c. Tho's Lendrum bought 51 lb Bacon & paid for it,51/- Had the loose hay raked in meadow & cocked. M.Biggers assisted Tom to cover Stable with Slabs. Took out Hhd Corn(13th)
26, Hazy warm morn, dry day. Joe Whitewashed part of house below stairs. M.Biggers & Tom finished covering Stable,mended doors & c. Mrs Burnley sent a girl with pr breeches,made for me. Mrs Day called here going to C.Taylor's. Had Summer & winter Turnep seed sown in Flax patch.
27, Friday, Fair morn, a little smoky, warm and dry weather. M.Biggers got 2 Bushels Wheat & sent to Madison's mill. Joe Whitewashed above-finished ( except to go once more over the stair case.
28, Dry,warm and windy-some broken clouds. Joe finished before 10 o'clock- I paid him 15/- and a bottle of whisky for mending & white washing. Had the floors scoured above and below. Frank had a busy day about it- Did not clean all the white wash from doors &c.
29, Sunday, Fair and warm, dry, windy. I went to C.Taylor's, dined there, his three eldest daughters at Orange Springs- he came thence this morning.
30, Cloudy, began to rain before noon and rained moderately most of the day, being very acceptable. Frank cleaned most of the wooden parts of wall &c.
31, Fair morn, some drops rain afternoon. Thomas Clark came here & borrowed 20 dollars of me, which he says he will repay at our next Court. Patsy Leathers bought a midling bacon 11 1/2 lb for 11/6. Had Cow pen sown with Ternep seed.

August,
1, Fair. Reuben Taylor called here on his way to the Court and returned after dinner. I sent George to Hackley's and got 500,10d & 250, 6d Nails. J.Taylor came here to dinner, Henry Samuel dined here,he came by Reuben Taylor's, he roda a horse w'ch he offers to let R.Taylor ride a few days to judge if he thinks he wou'd suit me,and wants me to buy.

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.