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[149]10 DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1790, 1790, May,
12, I rode to Maj'r Lee's and got 5 1/2 Gallons Whiskey at 3/- & paid for it- Brought home a loaf Sugar & 20 Lemons sent up by my father, the Lemons mostly spoiled After I returned I walked to Capt. Burnley's. Uncle & Aunt Taylor & C.Taylor dined there. A hasty & heavy shower of rain about 3 or 4 o'clock & washing. Planted Cabbages.
13, I went to J.Taylor's- C.Taylor & family, J.Pendleton & do. & T.Barbour's family dined there. The Bees swarmed- Hive next the pales-
14, Capt Burnley came here in the morning, we were at Breakfast but he would not eat- I rode to Court house. Dowling had not made my Breeches- I returned & went to C.Taylor's J.Taylor & son & J.Pendleton dined there.
15, Dicky and Colby went a fishing to Dade's Mill. I went to Court house & got my Breeches and paid Dowling for making &c 5/6- J.Pendleton, T.Barbour & J.Taylor jr were there, said they would return & go a fishing- I went to river. J.P. & J.T. jr- also went- they boys & I caught 3 or 4 dozen & returned home to dinner
16, Reu Taylor came here. the boys & I went with him to C.Taylor's (who sent & bor'd a bottle brandy) Robert Taylor dined there- My father got home from Caroline, said Jo'n Taylor came with him- complains of being unwell- Rec'd a letter from J.Maury, G.C.Taylor, F.S.Taylor & Col.Jas.Taylor.-[SUNDAY]-
17, Weather cool & dry- Had a small shoat killed- Bro'r James dined here. After dinner I went with him to a plant patch he & Capt Burnley has in partnership the plants pretty good- We returned by the school house. I killed 2 squirrels on my way home. Had dung brought from Quarter.
18, Weather continues cool & dry. Uncle Taylor & J.Taylor dined here- Had some grass planted in the yard- planted Watermelon & other seed in Garden & below the Spring.
19, Cloudy and misty morning- H.Bell was here, wanted to swap for young horse. Rainy evening, but moderate.
20, Planted Cabbage plants in middle square and next the little house.
21, I went to Capt Dade's with Syl, for 4 1/2. Gal's Whisky & sent him home with it. The boys went to Dade's Mill and I went there but did not stay long. Fish w'd not bite. We returned to dinner- Sowed some Beet seed sent by Rob Taylor- Weather warm- Mr.Goodlet told the boys yesterday that he should not keep school but go home to day. J.Taylor & Capt Burnley here an hour in evening.
22, Clear dry weather. Negro George went to Caroline on my father's young horse- My father rode to Uncle Taylor's, they were coming from there to James Taylor's, he came there with them, Mrs Burnley dined with them there. I went over also and after dinner rode with J.Taylor & uncle Taylor to Court house Saw Five playing &c. Had Watermelon Seed replanted in potatoe patch. Hived a swarm of Bees- went back, Bro'r James paid me at his house, one half Joe, two half Guineas & one dollar= £4.20- Had Strawberries- hardly ripe.
23, Went with my father, Richard & Colby to Uncle Taylor's- Ch's Taylor & Rob't Taylor dined there- Hived a Swarm of bees- Rob't Taylor brought my watch from Mr.G.assell's. I had sent it to be cleaned at Winchester.-[SUNDAY]-
24, Went to Court with my father & the boys. Saw Goodwin, who told me my Goods from Maury were at Fredericksburg. I offered to pay him Shipping Charges and duty, but he said Mr.F.Maury wou'd not receive them. I bought a Saddle & bridle of Little john & paid for it £3.- There fell some drops of rain.
25, Went with G.Taylor to Court- brought some Check to cover Mattrass- Court adjourned. Capt Conway came home with us- Heard Mrs.Bell died yesterday.
26, Capt Conway went away after breakfast- G.Taylor walked to C.Taylor's & came by J.Taylor's, who with his son James, J.Pendleton and C.Taylor dined here- J.Taylor paid me One half Joe & one Moiedore, £4.4.0
27, A little rain fell in last night & a little about 10 o'clock to-day, but neither would wet a person to the skin- Sheared 20 Sheep, 69 lb gross wool. 9 lambs cut, 21 Lambs in all. Planted H.Battaile's sort of water melon seed in a sink in New Ground & some Cucumber & Muskmelon- The Watermelon seed were saved from one melon. Planted in the plant patch above the Poplar Spring seed saved of one large round Watermelon. Also planted Palma Christa seed there & in the Garden & replanted Cucumber &c.
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.