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9[231] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1794, 1794,
April,
16, Very warm and fair. I walked down the Run- the boys turned out Mr.Coleman [School master-WKA]- but after I came away. Planting corn in the Barn field. Sowed Scarcity, 4 rows in West-4 next parsnip 3 next red Beets__next Carrot 2 last Scarcity-- in the New pen-- planted some Cucumber & Gourd seeds- & sowed Indian Pepper. Some Cucumber seeds in Bed by Asparagus- W.Bowling pd bal'ce his bond.
17, Very thick cloudy-but no rain. Finished planting corn in the old ground. I was very unwell-violent headach-swelled jaw and fever-
18, Cloudy morning, misty & cleared warm. I took a dose Aloe pills last night & castor oil this morning- had a bad night-but better after physic operated- Walked with gun to lower part of Mrs Burnleys Plantation on the Run- Killed 4 Squirrels. Packed up my Bacon in ashes. M.Biggers brought a parcel Norfolk papers from Mr Shepherd, inclosed from F.S.Taylor, who did not write any letter.
19, Clear and warm. Very unwell, violent pain abated. M.Biggers sent me half a shoat.
20, Easter Sunday. Warm clear morning, cloudy evening. Reuben Taylor came here and dined- I gave him some Indian peas to plant. I feel better to day than for several past. Thompson Taylor arrived here at dusk from Kentucky;he brought letters to me from Richard Woolfolk, Jon'a Taylor & G.C.Taylor-
21, Very close rainy day- in the evening Thompson Taylor walked to J.taylor's- it rained most part of last night- [Thompson, son of Commodore Richard Taylor]
22, Very cloudy morning, with some mist, cleared before noon & very fine evening. Thompson Taylor came from J.Taylor's early and after breakfast set off to Caroline. Cutting a ditch in lower end f Meadow-
23, Foggy morning- fine afternoon. Finished first part of Ditch. Uncle Taylor dined here.
24, Some clouds, but no rain. Enoch Hill's son came here, nobody being at the Office I went with him & copied the courses of a Deed from L.Grymes &c to his father, he said would pay for at Court. Planted about a Bushel of Irish Potatoes in the new pen- Also Indian peas, but did not finish- 16 Rows toward road of the Horse peas- 8 next Small White pea. N.Biggers says one of the spayed Sows in the Woods he found down the run with four pigs, very young. I was very unwell in forenoon, better in evening.
25, Began to rain about sunrise & rained a great deal with thunder to Southward, cleared about noon- Some clouds. Got the Sow & hogs in pasture. Ditching the pen- and Meadow.
26, Fine day- very wet in valleys- Plowing in field by meadow, Ditching the upper and C.Taylors came here after dinner, I paid him Fifteen pounds on acount of father's estate, he said he intends to Fred'g next week- The Brindle Cow had a calf, male.
27, [SUNDAY] I staid at home alone-
28, Cloudy morning-some drops of rain. Finished planting peas in New pen- Maury's sort planted next Sweet Potatoes- no French peas planted. Had a small shoat killed- 1/4 to M.Biggers. I went to Electrion. H. Taliarferro had a poll taken, but Davis & Johnson were Elected- I paid Charles Dickason his proved account for work edone for my father $7.0.8. Rec'd a letter from Mess'rs Blairs that they sold my wheat about 5/- pr Bushel.
29, Some clouds with very little rain. I went again to Court- Levy laid for County. Sold C.P.Howard the shoes Henshaw made too small, for same I paid, 13/- Gave my List, Tith's &c to a Pporter yesterday.
30, Fine clear day- Macon Biggers cut & marked some shoats, with those cut a few days makes 14. Two of the old white Sows shoats marked and turned out for breeders. Had Pumpkins planted on Drake's branch. Planted Water-melon patch in new pen, also in potatoe patch: Cucumber seed around it. In first row joining Potatoe patch 10 Squash seed and Guinea Water melon. J. Taylor walked here in 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.