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24[246] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1794, 1794,
November,
18, Very cold morning-milder evening & fair. Wm Edwards was here early in the morning & said he wou'd go to Col.Maury's tomorrow. Chas Leathers finished the Corn house. I paid 17/6 for 7 days work. I paid M.Biggers a half Joe & 2 dollars, $3. in acco't for his Wheat. Let him have 2 dollars to buy Leather for me at Hyde's, he intends going there tomorrow.
19, Sharp frost, mild day, cloudy evening, a little mist. Joseph Clark was here & paid 12/- for the 3 Sleys[Sleighs], the other, he is to carry to Barbour's Store. He took away the Linseed oil, which he is to measure & pay for at Court (the oil was in a cask). I rode to Uncle Taylor's- he continues very weak, went from thence to Court house, had my riding mares shoes removed, saw Mr. Howard at Bank's, paid him 1/9 for 100 nails had the 13th instant. came home in evening & dined.
20, Constant rainy day, strong S.wind in evening. Macon Biggers did not buy any leather for me, he ret'd 36/- which I am to let him have at Court. Blustering & warm at night. (25th returned 6 dollars to M.Biggers)
21, Ceased raining & turned cold last night- smart frost. I staid at home.
22, Clear & very cold last night, much frost. I let M.Biggers have 16lb for his part Hhds- He kept 15 Hhds(36 Barrels) suppose his share & 8 barrels. I find him for next year,will be about that much.
23, Sunday, Cold with some clouds- Sharp morning. I went to J.Taylor's and dined. E.Chew there. Nancy went to Mr.Barbour's this morning- J.Taylor jr complains of cold &c.
24, Very sharp frost- Fair day & tolerably mild. J.Taylor sent his negroes & Cart to pay for work done by Davy. Gathered & got the Corn at home to the Stack to day. I went to Court- Got no money of W.Edwards. Jos Clark paid 25/- for 5 Gall's Linseed oil he had the 19th. Capt Jas Coleman paid me 3 dollars, which he aid Spence Mozingo sent in part of his account. Mr.W.Dade paid 4/4 1/2 won of him at his house & C.T's 7 bits last summer. C.Taylor spoke to me to day to let him have a pot of butter,which he sent for at night, 38 lb gross, I think the pot 13 lb-
25, Sharp frost-Fair day & moderate. I rode to Court & returned in evening. Rec'd 23 & 24 a letter & Cheese 11 1/4 from F.S. Taylor.
26, Frost, Fair moderate day. This day finished measuring the corn made the present Crop, M.Biggers says as follows:
Barnfield 67 Hhds at 12 bush ) Bar. Bus.
112, 268, 4
Meadowfield 25)
F.T. used 2. M.B. 4 Bus) 6
270.Barls
Put in Old Corn house, 52.
Do in New do, 43
M.Biggers kept 15, 112
I rode to Court, proved an acco't of G.Taylor's estate agt*A.Madison's Estate for 24/- and one of my own for 5/7 1/2 which sums James Bell paid me.{Note- Ambrose Madison, son of Col.James Madison Sr., and brother of the President, died Oct.3,1793-PFT] I bought sundry articles for K.Chew 3.15.9. I dined with G.Barbour,J.Barbour jr & J.Taylor jr there.Capt Conway came home with me to supper.
27, Clear & windy, not cold. Capt Conway went away after breakfast, by C.Taylor's. I went to J.Taylor's about noon, carried the articles I bought yesterday to K.Chew-who is there- Cha's Bell was writing in the office. I dined there.
28, Very mild-smoky weather. J.Taylor sent for me to dinner. I went over. Mr Macon, Cha Taylor & daughters were there. Mrs Macon was unwell at C.Taylor, otherwise she, C.Taylor's wife & Miss M.Conway was to be there. Mr Banks was there but went away before dinner. Macon Biggers said he shou'd remove 6 Bushels corn out of the old house, which with 4 he used and 15 Hhds he kept make 38 Barrels, being 30 Barrels for his share(1/9 of crop)and 8 barrels allowed for provision for next year.

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