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DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR,1798,
1798,
December,
17, Monday, Sharp frost, clear and mild evening. Brothers James,Reuben & G.C.Taylor, Mr.John Howard, C.P.Howard,John Taylor,& Charles Bell, dined here. Mr. J.Howard Alighting from his horse got his knee & leg considerably bruised & appeared in much pain. Aunt Taylor's Chair was sent for, in which he went away in the evening. William Edwards was here but wou'd not dine,said he breakfasted late. He wanted borrow Hogshead staves for Col.Willis, I did not lend,nor know if I have any- G.C.Taylor staid two or 3 hours after the company were gone & went to C.Taylor's Tom got about 4 3/4 yards Cloth to make a Coat &c after his master was gone.
18, Thin clouds in morn, began to snow about sunset,not very cold. Sent Frank to J.Taylor's and got a small cask of Whisky Mr T. Barbour sent there for me, he told me the Cask contained 10 3/4 Gallons at 4/- The Cask to be returned when empty. Sent a Dollar by Frank to Mrs Burnley on acc't for work. Fank brought the Cloaths & c Cut out & cloth left. Davy made a pair Shoes for E.Chew. Sary about making men's Cloaths. M.Atkins went to J.McNeils Sthop & got Sorril Mare shod.
19, Snowed last night about 2 inches,then rained w'ch formed a Crust of ice-Cloudyy day and thawing. Sent Frank and Martin with Corn to Mill- they got it ground at McKinney's-did not get back till after dark. Peter carried a little Wheat belonging to M.Atkins to same Mill & got flour before night. I staid at home- Let G.C.Taylor's Tom have a remnant of Cotton about 2/3 yard for back of Jackets- 3 yds brown linen, 1 doz Coat & 18 Vest buttons & thread, to make his Suits
20, Cloudy all day, cool and did not thaw much. I rode to Stephen Fox's on Sorril mare- S.Fox not there. I bought 2 yds Welsh plains( to make a par breeches for G.C.Taylor's Tom) and a few other articles, am't 19/6. I returned to dinner.
21, Sharp frost- Cleared last night-Clear day-thin clouds at night. I sent 2 yards Welsh plains to C.Taylor's for G.C.Taylor's Tom, Had the ewe that was in What field killed. I staid at home.
22, Began to Snow about 5 o'clock this morning and snowed all day,very fast in the morning,small misty snow in evening, at dark 9 or 10 inches- not very cold. I gave my Working slaves Stockings,hats &c. I walked to J.Taylor's- Carried E.Chew a pair of strong shoes, made by Davy. I dined at J.Taylor's. J.Taylor jr and wife, Sally & Betsy Taylor there.
23, Sunday, Cleared early last night,cool and windy day with broken clouds,appeared to Snow at mountains. I staid at home.
24, Fair and not very cold,thawed a little. Reuben Taylor called on me, I went with him to Court. I paid Roger Bell a dollar,which with 9/- he owed for 3 Bushels Corn I lent him made 15/- which he charged for removing my Overseer, Malachi Atkins. Paid Jos Clark 3/- for weaing 6 yards Cotton rec'd of him this day. Received of William Pollock,for Elizabeth Chews Execution against James Coleman, $7.8.4 deducting 9/4 for said Pollocks acc't for serving 2 Attachments & 1 Sum's Petition therefrom, the sum of $6.19.0 Which I give her Credit for.
25, Tuesday, Fair mild day, thawed a little, hazy at night. I was invited to Jas. Taylor's- went over to dinner. C.Taylor,Sally & Betsy Talor, J. Taylor jr & wife- Tho's Crutchfield, Nancy Smith and E.Chew were there. I erturned about sunset.
26, Cold and cloudy- A little snow and rain after the middle of the day. I staid at home- Reuben Taylor came by after dinner returning from Robert Taylor's,where he dined. Went there about getting a Caveat prosecuted against Nicholas Biggers
27, Cloudy and frosty mist or fine rain last night, cleared in morning, very mild & considerable thaw. I staid at home till evening,walked to C.Taylor's & got some of G.C.Taylor's books, ret'd about sunset. Sent Frank to Court house for Newspapers, he said there was none for me.
28, Friday, Cloudy and much of the snow melted. Rained in the night. I staid at home. Frank rode young mare,says she goes pretty well.
29, Rained briskly in last nigt,cloudy thick morn, most of the snow disappeared to day. Cleared before noon,broken clouds & very windy evening. I staid at home.

From the TAYLOR DIARY, #1907-z in the Southern Histoical Collection, University of North Carolina Library, Chapel Hill. FOR REFERENCE ONLY: PERMISSION TO PUBLISH MUST BE REQUESTED. WARNING: MOST MANUSCRIPTS ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT.