106

[102] 15
DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1788,
1788,
July,
24, Rain and wind high last night from the North.continued to rain & blow violently ceased about noon. Wind laid the Corn &c very much. Bro'r James & Capt Burnley here in evening-
25, Went with G.T. to J.Taylor's & Dined- a little rain- Daniel took a bee tree.
26 Jos Clark was here & sowed Turnep seed, breakfasted & went to J.Taylor's - G.Taylor & F.T. went to Hansford's to see Five playing- light showers of rain.
27.Heavy rain in the night, Cloudy till noon, warm and showery. Capt Burnley & Mr.Bacon here in evening. [Sunday]
28, Rainy night, cloudy dark morning and some rain. Went with G.Taylor to Court-Smart shower of rain-dined at Hansford's & drank punch.
29, Went again to Court- a little rain- a Negro man of Maj'r Lee's burnt in the hand for stealing bacon of Geo.Neman.
30, Went with G.Taylor to J.Taylor's. Cowherd & Porters, Comm'rs for Listing property had their returns Examined & dined there. T.Barbour & wife went to his father's.
31, Cloudy day but very little rain- Killed a Lamb- Jos Clark dined here.
August
1, Jos. Clark & Ambrose Clark Gelt my father's young horse & breakfasted here- J.Taylor & Charles Taylor dined here- Uncle Taylor & son Robert were sent for but did not come- Cloudy and a little rain in morning. Reuben Taylor was here in evening to ask me to write bonds between him & Wm Clark & others for some Kentucky Land sold them.
2, Went with G.Taylor to Hansfords- Some five playing &c- I wrote & witnessed a Bond from Reu Taylor to William Clark, Henry Sparks & Isham Tatum for his conveying to them 4,350 Acres Land in Fayette for which they gave their bonds to pay him £
100. the 25th Dec'r 1788, £
117.10.0 the 25th Dec'r 1789. G.Taylor rode to Uncle Taylor's & dined there, I came home.
3, Rainy morning, ceased about 11 o'clock. I went with G.Taylor to C.Taylor's to dinner. C.T. told us he had been last night to see J.(Jane-WKA) Burnley, who was at Capt. R'd Thomas' and that she died ab't day. [Sunday]
4, Clear except a little fog. Rob't Taylor came by & G.Taylor set off with him to Spot'a Court & Caroline. Capt Burnley came by abt 12 o'clock, said he had been to the Doctors, that his daughter Lucy was sick. J.Clark breakfasted here.
5, Will set off to Mr.Pritchetts, Spotsylvania. I walked to Uncle Taylor's. Capt Burnley's daughter Jane was buried- Mr.T.Bell & family, H.Burnley, J.Taylor & family & Capt Burnley was there. Mr. Goodlett read the burial service- Except Mr Goodlett & Capt Burnley the rest dined there. Rainy afternoon-
6, Cloudy morning- A widow Moore of Louisa applied for a copy of her son's time of service in Reg't Guards, which I certified- Reu Sanford was here in evening about Overseers place- fine evening-clear.
7, Clear day- J.Clark breakfasted here-J.Taylor was here after breakfast to borro Hnds, none empty. After dinner C.Taylor was here- I gave him mem'o to get some articles for me, he intends to Capt Conways this evening on his way to Caroline- Finished setting Garden Posts & began to rail.
8, Cool & a few clouds in morning. I rode to Orchard & got some peaches, not quite ripe- Reu Taylor called & brought me a bottle honey. We went to Sheriffs sale at Co't house. Rain in evening (light showers)- Jo Griffy brought my watch to Mr Shepherd's who gave it to me to-day.
9, Heavy rain in night without thunder, clear at 8 o'clock-
10, [Sunday] Cool and Cloudy, I went to Church & heard Mr.Waddill-called by Capt Burnley's-his daughter very ill & died before we returned from Church, of the Quinsey. I went to James Taylor's to dinner.
11, Weather continues cool but clear. Sent a bag of Rye to Mill for this place- The Out Negroes had the first Saturday, the 9th. I walked to the Mountain, saw some Squirrels but killed none- A good many apples on the Mountain old field- peaches not good yet. Sister C.Taylor sent for a small bason butter- & desired I would walk there. I did & dined with Maj'r Moore, Mrs Moore, & daughters polly & fanny- Maj'r Madison & family the weather fair and cool for the season.
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.