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DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1790, 1790, April,
14, Rainy morning, thunder & rain in evening. Packed Gammons & Shoulders of Bacon in Salt. D.Davis sent his cart for Bacon. G.Taylor sent him 2 Gam's, 2 Shoulders & 2 Midlings, weight 104 lb. Also sent Iron Oven to be mended.
15, Rain in the morning moderate. G.Taylor rode to Uncle Taylor's, dined there & went to Court house. Capt Burnley here in evening.
16, Cloudy & cool all day. Went with G.Taylor to J.Taylor's. Uncle & Aunt Taylor, Capt Burnley, Mrs.Lee, Miss Bell, John Pendleton & family- T.Barbour's family & Mrs James dined there.
17, Rained a little in the night, continues cool-Rainy, a little Sleet & Snow- the whole day & till midnight- J.Taylor & son, J.Pendleton & Capt Burnley dined here-
18, [SUNDAY] The Great Mountains [Blue Ridge] very white with snow, a few drops of rain- cleared cool & windy. J.Taylor jr who staid last night went home after breakfast, I rode by J.Taylor's & went to Dade's Mill with J.Pendleton, T.Barbour & J.Taylor Jr, a great swell in the River, the water this side Mill house. I returned & Dined at J.Taylor's.
19, I dined with G.Taylor at C.Taylor's, J.Taylor was there but was sent for & did not stay to dinner. Gibson still at work there. There was a smart white frost this morning and in moist places the ground was frozen but believe it did no injury here. The Mountains extremely white with snow. I planted large Sugar Beans in the East border of Asparagus square-
20, Cloudy night & morning, Shower of rain with thunder & lightning- Mountains in afternoon still have snow on them. Rob Taylor got a gallon Linseed oil.
21, My father rode to Court house & Uncle Taylor came back with him. Maj'r Moore also came here and dined- The weather still unsettled, a very little rain fell- After dinner Mr.John Moore & Sam'l Smith came here, the latter had business with Maj'r Moore & he went away with him.
22, Cool and cloudy, some snow still on the Blue Ridge- Bro'r James sent a letter to me from the Hon'ble *James Madison Esq'r, which he got yesterday at his father's- Heard Whip-poor Will. Several showers to-day a little hail. Planted Irish potatoes in Turnep patch. White sort in the South, Red in the North- Forward Corn and Broom Corn between- C.Taylor here after dinner & got some lamp black & ochre to paint with. [*James Madison jr., after President]
23, Some snow yet on top of the Blue Ridge & weather cool- My father went to Mr.Bells, John Bell in low state- I rode to Court house, came by the School house and paid Mr.Goodlet 20/- which Bro'r Richard sent up for that purpose by G.C.Taylor- I had before paid him £3. for Richard & Colby Taylor's Schooling- After dinner I walked to J.Taylor's, C.Taylor came to see Sister Taylor's sore breast. T.Barbour came to J.Taylor's with a Waggon load of corn. Sowed Carrots & planted Snap & planted Snap beans in the Pen.
24, Weather changed to warm. My father and I went to J.Taylor's-C.Taylor & family, Reu Taylor & wife, J.Pendleton's & T.Barbour's family's were there. Wm.Gibson put a window and hung a door in the Office.
25, [SUNDAY] I was very unwell last night & continue so to day- my father also very unwell. A very little rain and warm.
26, My father & I both better to day. Rained before day & rainy morning. We went to election. H.Burnley had 293, B.Johnson 197 & J.Davis 191 votes- John Bell died last night 11 o'clock. Capt White came home with us.
27, Turned cold last night, Snowed very fast a little while this morning. We went to Court, my father came home to dinner. I dined at Wood's- very cold evening- A vestry was held- to appoint Deputies to attend a Convention of the Episcopal Church the first Wednesday in May next & Thos Barbour & John Daniel, Gent, were appointed.
28, Severe frost and ice this morning- Snowed very fast in the morning but not to show on ground. The tender buds bitten but hope some of the fruit is unhurt, continued cool all day- Moon Eclipsed- My father assigned me a bond from John Scott & Z.Herndon, ass'd to him by H'd Taylor-Also paid me a Hnd Tobacco at Royston's G.T.No.1196-1342, Nt.1218 lb, the price of which is to be settled hereafter.
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.