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20 [184] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1791, 1791, December, 1, Rainy till the evening when Capt Conway went home- Killed 20 Hogs weighing 1775 lbs. Nett (See Mem'dum Book) J.Taylor was here in evening. 2, Cut up & Salted Hogs- Cool day- J.Taylor was here but did not stay long. 3, G.Taylor went to Boyers, the Sadler-from thence by Court house and home to dinner 4, Cool, cloudy and a few Spits of Snow- Reuben Taylor dined here. -[SUNDAY]- 5, Killed 10 hogs at Quarter, 6 the Overseer had w'ch weighed before gutting, 522 lbs. 4 brought home wt before gutted 335, after, 261 Nett. Snowed very fast till evening it was moist & only about an inch deep- Maj'r Moore called here in evening. 6, Very cold- some clouds & windy- Elijah Mallory brought home Woolen cloth, he said 54 yards. Sent 1 lb 2 oz Cotton by him- Jos Bickers called here- he had been to Shepherd's- I went to Court house, a vestry was appointed to day but only four members met. Carried cloth to Doolin to make a Coat & a pr Breeches to be altered. 7, Very cold-cloudy. 8, Continues cold & freezing. 9, Still very cold- Uncle Taylor dined here- J Taylor walked over in the evening- John Morrison & one Cooper came here & lodged- they came from Botetourt- brought a letter from Wm Taylor to G.C.Taylor. 10, I went to Court house & came to Schoolhouse, the Gentlemen met there who employed Mr Snodgrass to teach & settled what each Scholar was to pay- Mr Snodgrass is not engaged for another year- Weather more mild. 11, [SUNDAY] Bro'r Richard sent for his sons- Sent me a Ream wrapping paper 5/- & 1 doz Handk'fs 18/-. Sister Taylor sent a present to us of a Dozen Oranges & a parcel of Salt Fish. J.Taylor was here in evening & said Harry was very ill. G.C.Taylor came from Albemarle at night- 12, Began to rain before day and to snow early in the morning, it was so moist that it chiefly melted as it fell. J.Taylor came by on way to Mr.Wm.Taylor's sale, the weather was so bad we did not go to it. G.C.Taylor went in evening to Capt Conway's- Dicky & Colby are to meet him at Wright's tomorrow morning Maj'r Langham & Mr John McDonald came here after dark and staid- 13, Richard & Colby Taylor set off after sunrise- J.Taylor came by on his way to Mr.Taylor's sale. Maj'r Langham, Mr McDonald, my father & I went there- We did not buy anything. Very cold, Cloudy morning- Clear evening. 14, Clear cool morning, but quite mild evening. I rode to Doolins & the Store- Uncle Taylor and Robert Taylor were there, also Col Madison- They went to Rob Taylors to dinner, he invited me and I went with him- Col Madison went to Mrs Thomas's & ret'd to R.Taylor's. About 7 o'clock at night Mr.Wm.Taylor, Maj'r Langham & Mr McDonald came here from Mr Taylor's sale which was ended to day- Maj'r Langham& Mr McDonald gave their bonds to Mr.Taylor for purchases at the sale, to which I was witness- After settling their business, about 10 o'clock, Mr.Taylor went to Maj'r Moore's where he said Mrs Taylor was. 15, Maj'r Langham & Mr McDonald set out before breakfast on a journey towards winchester. Very mild still weather. We sent 3 bus Wheat to Dade's Mill & got flour, also had Sand brought here. 16, Warm and smoky tho' some frost in the morning. Carting Corn to corn house. I walked in evening to J.Taylor's & returned. 17, I rode to Court house- paid Alex Shepherd 4/1 for a Cheese 7 lb he bought for me. Came by Uncle Taylor's, dined there- My father was there. 18, Rained a little before day and light showers contin'd all day- My father & I dined at home -[SUNDAY]- 19, Rained pretty constantly last night but not heavy. Cloudy to da without rain. Mr.D.Snodgrass came here from J.Taylor's and dined- I paid him for schooling Richard & Colby Taylor £3.1.6, about 12/10 of which is to be refunded when the money shall be collected from some who sent after the school was made up- Mr.Snodgrass went from here to Capt Burnley's- 20, Fine day- C.Taylor breakfasted here- I rode to the Court house- got my mare shod Brought home my Coat Doolin made for me- Bought a barrel of Flour for my father & paid 25/- for it, w'ch he repaid me. Came home to dinner- Reuben Taylor was here & paid me 40/- for a Table. Wm Porter came here in evening to see B.Taylor's Colt, which I offered him for £9- 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.