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27[205] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1792, 1792, July, 20, Had the Bacon Sunned. My father rode to the Overseer's looked at Peach trees, very little fruit, he says he does not think there will be enough to make brandy. he called at J.Taylor's but returned to Dinner. I wrote to W.Taylor, Botetourt, by John Taylor, who is to go tomorrow to Rockingham with his family. 21, I am rather more unwell than usual, took a dose of Salts, but continued very ill all day. My father rode in the evening to Court house. The weather cooler than lately- a few clouds, 22, Began to rain early in the morning, moderately, with light showers till evening. My illness a little abated. Wrote letters to Ben Taylor, F.S.Taylor and one to Mr A.Dunscomb about an account of mine. -[SUNDAY]- 23, Rained moderately (I believe) all last night and rained very constantly to day till about 2 o'clock, which I think has watered the earth very well- It wwas so rainy my father did not go to Court. I went in the evening- Court had sat and were risen before I got there. 24, Fine day but a little cool- The 2d son of J.Brockman came here to apply to look after my father's business as an overseer, said he expected his eldest brother wou'd get Maj'r Madison's business. Took 2 Hives of Bees & got about 5 Gallons honey. 25, Sam'l Brockman (in Company with John Hancock and ____ Durrett) was here offering himself as Overseer for my father's plantation. My father told him he would determine whether to take him or not next September. C.Taylor came from the Springs & dined here. Fra's Walker & G.C.Taylor came here in the evening. Mr Walker had been to Maj'r Waugh's in Culpeper, to get an affidavit of his testimony, relating a Lawsuit of Doct'r Walker's in Greenbrier County. 26, Mr. Walker, G.C.Taylor, my father & I went to a Barbecue at our Court house, it was a fine pleasant day and an agreeable Company were present. John Taylor (son of Zachary) arrived from Kentucky, he brought me some letters- Mr Walker & G.C.Taylor went in evening towards Castle hill- 27, I rode towards the Court house in the evening and met Ch's Taylor returning from Capt Conway's Quarter, he came home with me. 28, Rainy all day tho'moderate- C.Taylor staid with us at night. 29, [SUNDAY] Rained moderately last night and to day tho' it was like a mist most of the time. C.Taylor staid with us all day. J.Taylor walked over after dinner 30, C.Taylor went home after breakfast and then went to Court house- My father & I rode to Court house. There was a called Court for trial of March, a negro of Campbells Estate, who was burnt in hand and whipped. The Commissioners met about settling the Acc'ts between Barbour, Webb & Madison & made a little progress- They desired a meeting Friday the 17th next month- Fine day- some clouds but no rain - Capt Conway & Reu Taylor called here & got Turnep seed- 31, Fine clear day- Negro Nanny was sent by my father to the Springs. Syl car'd her & ret'd in evening- J.Taylor sent for us and my father & I dined there- J.Pendleton & family, T.Barbour & Do. & Miss Joanna Pendleton & Mr James were there J.Barbour D[eputy] S[heriff]. came to J.Taylor's after dinner, my father paid him £5.17.0, for Taxes, Levies &c. I paid him 9/- for Taxes & Levies. Sowed Turnep, Radish and Cabbage seed mixed together in Caslow's old pen. August, 1, Thunder & lightning last night. Began to Rain very moderately about day-break, cleared about 10 o'clock. James Taylor, John Pendleton & J.Taylor jr dined here Thunder & lightning in evening and about Dust a smart shower of rain with wind 2, The weather a little hazy in the morning- Went with my father to a Barbecue at Col.Lawrence Taliaferro's- Had a Genteel Company, a good Barbecue in good ceder found there had been a smart shower at home. C.Taylor came home with us and complained of being very unwell with griping & fever. 3, Began to rain soon in the morning, rained briskly constantly till about 3 o'clock when it ceased. C.Taylor continues unwell- J.Taylor came over in the evening, staid about an hour & returned. 4. C.Taylor went home in the evening. 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.