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24[278] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR,1795,
1795,
December,
4, Sharp frost-mild evening, thin clouds. I rode to Doolin's- He took my measure for a Coat. Went to Court house. Bought a vest Pettern & 3 hanks silk of A.Shepherd jr & paid him 17/6 for them. Bo't 2 pair Worsted hose on acc'o at Barbour's 16/- After dinner walked to C.Taylor's. Wm Taylor & wife were there. I returned at night, C.T. & W.T. said if it suits them they will come here tomorrow.
5, Cold- some clouds in morn- Clear after. Lent Wm Taylor my Sorril mare to go after his horses, they left C.Taylor's yesterday. J.Taylor jr came here going to Tho's Barbour's- J.Taylor & Rob't Coleman dined here. John Leathers jr called here at night returning from Col Barbour's place, which he says he is to Oversee. He promised to bring me some smoking Tob'o Monday next,
6, Sunday, Hard frost. Moderate weather. I walked to C.Taylor's. W.Taylor & wife & Rob't Coleman dined there.
7, Hail,snow & rain in morn, rainy evening. Had all my wheat on hand run through the fan- 6 Bushels put into two bags for my own use. William Taylor came from C.Taylor's, dined with me, and returned in the Evening- C.Taylor went in last night to Uriel Mallory's, to visit his daughter, very ill. Gidieon May came with a Waggon for Corn he bought of M.Biggers- M.Biggers wife delivered it(he being gone to May's)- from Stack near the Stable.
8, Cleared last night- some clouds, moderate. J.Taylor sent for me, I went over to dinner- William Taylor, his wife, Sally, Betsy & Polly Taylor were there. J.Taylor jr not returned from Culpeper.
9, Smart frost- Fair pleasant day. Polly Edwards(with her sister Sally) came here and cut out Coats &breeches for my 5 negro men. I paid her 3/- and she took Frank's to make,for which I agreed to give her 3/- She got done soon after dinner.
10, Thursday, Mild pleasant- a few clouds. I rode to Court house to see Barbour's Salt, it will not suit to Salt Pork,being coarse. Left a letter with Mr.Shepherd for F.S.Taylor. Bo't 2 oz Col'd thread & paid Mr. Shepherd for do 1/- do 2 oz white 1/- & 9d.- on acco't at Barbour's- I got home by 11 o'clock- W.Taylor had sent word he wou'd be here to dinner. He, his wife, Sally & Betsy Taylor & C.Taylor dined here.
11, Moderate for the season. I paid 4/- for 8 Ball soap to E.Chew's Hannah. She said it was the property of Aunt Taylor's Phoebe. Sent Frank & got 2 Bus' Salt from A Shepherd. I carried Cloth & Rib. to Polly Edwards to get 2p'r Breeches made- Went over the nountain to Reuben Taylor's. Wm Taylor & wife- Sally, Betsy & Polly Taylor, J.Taylor jr, Milly Glassel, Rob't Moore, Polly & Fanny Moore & Gabriel Barbour dined there. They sent for fiddle. I came away in evening & met Nancy Taylor. the Company were going to dance.
12, White frost- Cloudy forenoon, Rainy evening. I rode by Doolins to Court house. Bought 2 doz vest buttons at 1/- of A.Shepherd jun'r, who told me the Goods he sells are Mess'rs D. & J.Blair's- I returned to dinner- M.Bickers repairing Negroes houses & stables- Breakfasted and dined with me.
13, Sunday, Thick, Cloudy & moist, mild. Rained last night. I rode to Court house and from thence to the Church. A Sermon preached by Mr O'Neil, an Episcopalian, to about 20 persons- I came home to dinner.
14, Rained last night. Some snow on Blue ridge- clear & cool evening. Sent Frank with buttons to P.Edwards. Mrs Biggers was here in evening to get a slip to add to Davy's breeches,being cut too short. Getting prepared to kill hogs tomorrow.
15, Fine moderate morning- Some clouds in evening. Had 20 Hogs that were put in en to fatten 11th November. Macon Biggers had 4 for his next years provisions, 501 lb Nett- viz't. 146, 124, 121,110. I had 16 for my use Cut & Salted up in Evening 1,859 lb=165, 161, 160, 160, 137, 117, 115, 105, 101, 98, 97, 95, 88, 85, 75, = 1859 lb Nt. = 16 Hogs F.T.kept. Negro George assisted to kill & cut out.

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