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5[169] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1791, 1791, March, 13, Weather changed to cool- cloudy day, -[Sunday]- 14, Warm again, Capt Herndon's Waggon Loaded with Wheat. 15, Warm & smoky- ClTaylor, J.Taylor jr. Capt Burnley & J.Burnley dined here. 16, I grafted some of Uncle Taylor's fine pears under the Apple tree in Caslow's pen. Uncle Taylor dined here. Tho's Doolin bought 2 Midlings Bacon 41 lb at 3d. My father deducted 7/4 for cutting Negroes cloaths, the balance 20/- he is to pay by April Court. he said he was married yesterday to W.Finnel's daughter. 17, Burnt our old Plant Patch which was sown at night. Had Onion, Lettuce & Cabbage seeds, the latter from Caroline, sown there. We went to J.Taylor's- Capt Herndon went to my father's & came to J.Taylor's where he dined. C.Taylor also dined there. J.Barbour jr. came after dinner. Mr.Hide & Mr.Young called at J.Taylor's, the latter going to Greenbriar. I got some privet twigs & planted 18, Grafted some Greyh'art Cherry's, , one in Garden near Meat house- 4 in Wheat patch below garden. We went to Uncle Taylor's, Maj'r Madison and Mr.T.Bell was at my father's & came to E.Taylor's. J.Taylor & son also were there. Maj'r Madison handed me the Report of the Sec'ty of War's opinion on my claim, which is against it. Burnt but did not sow plant patch below Spring. 19, Began to rain lasr night at dark, rained a little in the night. very rainy this morning so that we could not sow seeds in plant patch, continued to rain, hail and snow till in the night, when it turned very cold. Snow sometimes covered the earth. 20, [SUNDAY] Severe frost which killed some of the Cherry's & peaches which had blossomed much from the warm weather three or four days past. My father rode to Court house, ret'd by J.Taylor's and dined there. C.Taylor came here to dinner- G.C.Taylor went to Pine S[take] Church and heard Mr.Leland's funeral- he dined at Capt Conway's & ret'd at night. 21, Hard frost again last night. 22, Changed warmer and windy. My father gave 30/- for a Barrel Flour to a man from Rockbridge County. 23, Killed a Stalled Cow. Sent ColR.Alcock one hind Quarter 85 lb Nett- Rob.Taylor had a fore Quarter 80 lb. Had Cabbage seed (best), Lettuce, onion and Tobacco seed sown in pen below the Spring. Walked in evening to J.Taylor's & returned Cloudy & smoky weather. 24, Uncle Taylor, James and Charles Taylor dined here. Thunder & lightning at night and a good rain with high wind. 25, Fine morning and warm after the rain. I rode to Court house & ret'd to dinner. Had peas sown near little house, Beets in the border next to house. 26, I sent George to ColAlcock's & got a Keg 5 1/2 gallons Cider, he left a bus' onion there, Also 1/2 bushel onion at Mr.Shepherd's. Brewed Persimmon Beer, pot some Molasses- Mrs Moore sent 4 fine Carp here- I sent her some Onion and Parsley seeds- I walked to J.Taylor's in evening. Mrs Burnley & family there. I paid her 3/- for making 5 stocks & Wristbands to 3 shirts- 27, [SUNDAY] White frost this morning. I saw some ice in the bottom but believe the frost was not bard enough to do harm. 28, Went with G.Taylor & G.C.T. to Court. 29, Went again to Court- Cloudy & Mist - Frank rode B.Taylor's Mare to Mill- From appearance of Liquor Spilled in the Cellar, I think some person had got in while we were at Court- 30, Went again to Court, the Court broke up to-day. I got my mare's shoes changed- J.Barbour jr came here & staid till next day. I gave him a little Buckwheat. 31, Some frost but not severe- After dinner J.Taylor jr came here, we went hunting down the run, we chaced some hares and he killed some squirrels.
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 MANUCRIPTS ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT.