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17[181] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1791, $791, September, 26, We went to Court, Old Mr.[John] Bledsoe with us. Warm & Cloudy with a little mist. I paid 18/- to Doulin in part for making clothes. Gave Mr.Robb Letters for Rich'd, Ben & F.S.Taylor. Capt Conway came home with us. 27, Capt Conway came home with us. 27, Capt Conway went early to C.Taylor's. Thos Cook had 9 1/2 Gall's Brandy & paid part to day & the balance the 28th. We went to Court, J.Taylor paid me 30/- The Court did no business but adjourned till tomorrow. 28, C.Taylor came here and breakfasted & I went w'th him to Hyde's- Reu Taylor was at Hyde's & we came back to a Race at Cooks, where there was a large Comp'y at the race- I dined there &c- C.Conway paid me 15/- My father car'd thread to weavers, Mallory's, between 40 & 50 lbs. 29, I rode to the Court house & left things at Sadlers, ret'd & went to C.Taylor's to dinner. My father, J.Taylor & J.Pendleton dined there- Reu Taylor's son Billy came home w'th the boys. 30, J.Taylor, C.Taylor & J.Pendleton dined here. Began to treat out wheat, none sown. October, 1, Dined at home. Killed five squirrels- After dinner my father & I rode to Co't house. My brothers, Jas. Cha's & Reuben & sundry persons at Five Battery. 2, Very warm. In evening Eliz Pendleton, Nancy Taylor & children walked here. John Taylor's Billy brought up in the waggon a case for me, and some medecines for Ch's Taylor. I paid him a bit & 1/2 and paid Moses 1/6 for 1/2 doz Chickens had formerly. [SUNDAY] 3, Morning warm & tolerable clear, but a thick fog came over about 8 o'clock, which went off in an hour or two and the weather changed to very cool. John Taylor sent letters from Bro'rs Rich'd & Benny & F.S.Taylor. Began to sow wheat. 4, Last night cool & windy without frost, I rode to Doulins, got my Jacket & told him I would pay 9/- to my father, being the balance of 27/- he charged for mak'g Coat, Jacket & 2 pr Breeches. I came to Uncle Taylor's. My father and John Taylor dined there. After dinner J'n Taylor set out on his return home, intending to Col.Madison's to-night. House negroes cut Tops of the young corn. 5, Last night was cloudy without frost, the weather turned warmer to day & clear evening. Col.Madison [James Sr., W.K.A.], Col Madison jr, Maj'r [Ambrose] Madison, Mr Tho's Macon & C.Taylor dined here. House negroes gathering fodder of young Corn. Lent A.Madison 1st & 2nd Vol. Goldsmith's Earth &c. He said he w'd give me 34/- for the 8 volumes. 6, Staid at home. 7, J.Taylor was here in the morning, he returned last night from Fred'g. I sent to the road & got 100 yards Oznab'gs sent by Mr Dunbar for Reu Taylor. J.Taylor & son, J.Pendleton & C.Taylor dined here. 8, My father & I dined at J.Taylor's- I saw C.Taylor go by, he ret'd Rhubarb he borrowed- J.Pendleton, T.Barbour & their families at J.Taylor's- we went after dinner to the Five Battery. 9, G.Taylor (Redplains) dined here. Mild weather. G.T. gave me some Timothy seed.[SUNDAY] 10, Staid at home. 11, I rode to Court house & ret'd to Dinner. Col.Madison, Maj'r Moore, Mr Shepherd & J.Taylor were settling Riddle's Ex'ors Accounts. 12, Weather warm. Last night cloudy with Thunder & Lightning, N.West- There fell a little rain about day- The Moon was Eclipsed last night, visible, but clouds prevented it being much seen. 13, J.Taylor came over & breakfasted, the weather changed a little cooler, a little frost this morning. 14, White frost, but only bit the tenderest of things in Low places- Uncle Taylor dined here. Warm evening. 15, Very warm to day. My father & I went to Church & heard Mr Iredell preach a sermon to a small audience- Gathered & had cucumbers for dinner. Dicky & Colby got some Chestnuts. Secured Buckwheat & Pompions. 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.