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DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1788,
1788,
March,
24, I slept very little last night, had headach & high fever and continue very very unwell to-day. Went to Election of Delegates for Convention, when the poll was closed the numbers stood: as follows:
James Madison 202 [President U.S. 1809-17, WKA]
James Gordon 187
Thomas Barbour 56
Charles Porter 34
Col. Madison addressed himself in a Speech to the people in defense of the New Constitution and there appeared much satisfaction after the Election was determined. Very cold, windy & drifts of snow but not to show on ground.
25, I rested better last night and find my health better to-day. G.Taylor went to Jno Finnels & from there to Court- I went to Court, put my Military Certificates in to John Smith's hands to carry to the Auditors & get Interest Warrants drawn for me- I saw a Camel with a cloth on it which was brought for a show. Weather not so cold as yesterday.
26, Ja's Taylor called here early on his way to Maj'r Moore's to see Austin Webb, who is going to Richmond. I went to Court, saw Jno Smith who has declined going to Richmond. I went to Court, saw Jno Smith who has declined going to Richmond & returned my Certificates, which I got Austin Webb to take to do the business. John Taylor & wife returned from Georgia got to his father's to-day- I saw him at Court- he told me that Rugh Jones had not paid the debt due to me, but that he promised to pay £8. when he could. G.Taylor rode to Andrew Bourns in Culpeper and dined at Geo Morton's. +Larkin Chew came home with me. G.T. was ret'd when we got home- Weather windy cool & some spits of Snow. [*John Taylor, son of Erasmus. +Larkin Chew (son of Thomas & Martha Taylor Chew) 1st cousin of the Diarist.WKA]
27, Fine pleasant day. *Capt [Garland] Burnley came here & breakfasted- Mr.Chew, G.Taylor & self went to Court, we walked by Uncle Taylors & returned there in afternoon & dined- Capt Burnley & wife and bro'r James's +wife+ were there. [married Frances Taylor, dau. of Erasmus. + Ann Pendleton, WKA]
28, Uncle Taylor, John Taylor, Rob't Taylor-[sons of Erasmus WKA-] Jas Taylor, Ch's Taylor [sons of Col George WKA] J Pendleton & Capt Burnley dined here. C.Taylor's family being gone to Capt Conways, he staid the night.
29, Reuben Taylor [bro of the diarist WKA] came here early (his youngest child being sick), to see the Doctor, they went after breakfs't. G.Taylor went with Mr T Bell & H Taylor to John Finnels and took his Deposition, he came home & dined. J.Clark was here and fixed Grindstone. I walked in evening to J Taylor's & returned.
30, G.Taylor dined at Uncle Taylor's where he went to see Rob Taylor before he goes to Spots' a Court. I dined at J.Taylor's. weather very dry. [Sunday]
31, Mrs Madison [Mrs James Madison Sr., mother of the President PFT] sent some Garden peas pr Peter, which I had sown in cld plant patch. Had carrots & Parsnips sown same day- Planted some cluster Cherry scions in Tcb'o Ground below Stable, peter brought y'm from Col Madison's- About noon Capt Burnley sent for us, we went & dined there with Uncle & Aunt Taylor, Jno Taylor & wife, Jane Taylor & Ch's Taylor. the last came & staid w'th us, his family being from home. A little Rain, cloudy & smoky.
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.