Diary, 1786-1799

1799, April, 9, [Continued], for 200 dollars Mr. Triplett promised to pay me, he told me that he was to pay the money to D. Triplett for Jos'a Willis. I agreed to wait till our Court, at which time he said he would certainly pay me the money, he returned. 10, Clear & very severe frost- Ice full ½ inch thick on the pigg(?)nof water. Had a small Plant bed burnt by Spring house, & had Cabbage, Lettuce, Radish & Onion seeds sown there. C. Taylor went after breakfast to his place, returned to dinner, went after dinner & returned at night. Davy was yesterday & to day at J. Taylor's making shoes- Harry was here yesterday, nobody to day in his place. 11, Slight Frost- moderate- thin clouds part of day and smoky in evening. J. Taylor was here early. Got medecine of C. Taylor and returned before breakfast. Brought Corn stalks with Cart out of Wheat patch. Finished breaking up Corn ground & began to List. Had 15th Hhd Corn taken out. C. Taylor went to Barnetts ford to see ___Addison and intends from thence to Capt Conway's. I walked in evening to J. Taylor's- The waggon not come to carry J. Taylor jun'rs things. Had most of my Bacon packed in Ashes. Turned Yearlings out of meadow. 12, Warm smoky morning. Y. Peter Unwell, gave him a dose salts. After breakfast walked to J. Taylor's. J. Taylor jun'r Loaded Z. Herndon's Waggon with his goods & after dinner the Waggon, his negroes & three of Brother James' set out on their journey to Kentucky- Bro'r James went with J. Taylor jr, they all intend to Mr. Barbour's to night. Mrs Burnley & two young daughters, Rd. Noel, Zach. Herndon & George Lee (the Waggoner) dined at J. Taylor's. I saw Reuben Taylor at J. Taylor's- he got home yesterday, said he delivered our Patents to Register & received out plats. C.T aylor came here from Capt Conway's in evening. 13, Saturday, A little rain last night. Aurora Borealis- Cleared before noon moderate. Had Irish potatoes taken up yesterday out of a hole in the Garden and Sweet potatoes to day, they had kept tolerable sound- C. Taylor went after breakfast to J. Taylor's to see a sick negro child- went home- back & dined at J. Taylor's- came here in evening. [For 14th and 15th see below] 15, Malachi Atkins went for his wife yesterday at J. Henderson's, said she was not well this morning- got 1 Qu Whiskey. J. Taylor sent Grandison with a pot & got 22 lb lard. Let Wm Bell have, p/r Davy, 2 Gammons, 26 lb Bacon. Picked the Geese, got about 4 ½ lb feathers from 32, vizt 10 Geese, 22 Ganders - 3 Geese setting, total 35. C. Taylor came, got some Ammunition & went on to his place. 16, Very warm- fair,smoky and dry weather. I trimmed part of my Orchard. C. Taylor came by here, went to his place, returned to dinner- and to J. Taylor's in evening. Patrick Bell was here this morning & cut 3 yearlings- 1 Cow yearling and those cut marked- total 4. James Bell (C.H.) Sent Hanover to borrow my Cart which I lent to carry a bed & chairs to Col. Alcock's- the Cart was returned at night. 17, Clouds in morn- fair noon- warm smoky, a few drops of rain at dark. Had 16th Hhd Corn taken out of New house. Had beans planted in Garden, 3 Rows of early, the other Saddle strap, Also Cucumbers & sundry kind Climbling by Asparagus- thunder & Sprinkle of rain in night. 14, Slight frost, Moderate fair day, hazy evening. After breakfast, C. Taylor walked to J. Taylor's to see sick negro child- soon after C. Taylor was gone, Reuben Taylor called here, took my letters for Brother William and Nephew William Taylor, he was on his journey to Kentucky, intends joining Maj'r J. Taylor &c. I walked to J. Taylor's, C. Taylor walked with me by Aunt Taylor's (where we saw Maj'r Moore) to the Court house (being sermon day) There was very few met & no service- Mr O'Neil was there. I paid him four dollars, being my Subscription last year. I paid A Shepherd jr 16 Cents postage L're from F.S Taylor rec'd ten days ago. C. Taylor & I came to J Taylor's to dinner- Bro'r James- T. Crutchfield & wife, at T. Barbour's- R'd Noel & wife & Mr Verdiere came to J. Taylor's. Also C.Taylor's wife & chlidren from Cap. Conway's 15. Fair,Warm,smoky very dry- Peach trees are nearly in full bloom [SEE ABOVE]

1799, April, 18, Thursday, Fair day, moderate, very dry- windy afternoon. Had most of ny cows turned in the woods & some other Cattle- The buds very late-Finished Listing for Corn, began to Plant afternoon in Mountainfield- finished planting the same the 20th- C. Taylor came here to breakfast. I lent him my mare, he went to see Roger Bell &c about Waggon & Carton about shingles- I walked to Stephen Fox's, bought a few articles, C.T. & I got back to dinner- I walked with C. Taylor by his place to J. Taylor's- C. Taylor's wife & children, Capt J. Moore's wife, Salley Burnley. T. Crutchfield & wife at J. Taylor's. Frank planted Cucumber & Cimbling seed below Spring. 19, Clouds in morn- broken clouds- Turned cold at night, windy. J. Taylor came here after dinner & got Cabbage seeds. Planting Corn. I staid at home. Trim'ed remainder of Apple trees. 20, Ice on piggin- Clear cool day. Col. J. Barbour, Maj'r Moore, Capt J. Moore, J. Taylor & C. Taylor dined here. James Taylor, C. Taylor & myself being appointed to examine James Barbour's Acco't of Adm'n of Phil Barbour's Estate, we did what was exhibited. the Acco't left wih F.T. Had 17th Hhd Corn taken out. 21, Sunday, Fair morning, clouds or hazy evening, moderate, very dry. C. Taylor came here after breakfast and shared. I walked back with him to J. Taylor's- C. Taylor, his wife and young chldren, Mrs James, Mrs Parsons, & E. Chew, dined there. T. Crutchfield gone to Culp'r, his wife unwell. Hannah's child was ill in the morning and died in about noon- C. Taylor saw it and supposed it had got hurt, probably the carelessness of its mother. 22, Thin Clouds at times, smoky, moderate & very dusty. I sent Frank, with 6 bushels corn in Cart, to Madison's mill got meal- Sent Mr. Bohannon's Cask to Mr. Richards' I walked to Court. Rec'd 26/- of Wm Bell for Bacon. Received of Mr. Tho's Richards for the Credit of Mr. Dan'l Tripletts acco't $36.4.0 & gave Rec't to T.R. Bought of E. Hackley & paid 6/- for a Cash iron Baker. I came home to dinner about 5 o'clock. Wm Gibson & some of his hands came to C. Taylor's to day. C. Taylor sent for bed, table, chairs &c. 23, Thin clouds in morning- a light Thunder Shower in evening. Took out 18 Hhd Corn In evening *Phil Barbour (of Thomas), John Wharton jr & ____Burton, came here (school-boys) going to Electrion & went away next morning after breakfast. [* This may have been the Phil Barbour who afterwards married Lucy, dau. of Com. Richard Taylor. Lucy at this date was 12 years old- WKA] 24, Wednesday. Fair except some broken clouds, very dry by evening, very little appearance of the rain that fell last evening. C.Taylor came her & breakfasted with the boys who came last evening- We all went to the Election. There was no Poll taken for County delegates- Col. James Madison & Capt Jas. Barbour Elected About 200 votes & upwards for Mr. Dawsom ( or Congress) & French Strother for State Senator- I ret'd home alone in evening to dinner- The meeting not numerous- Finished planting corn, was 5 days, I day more than last year. Gave J. Bell & letter for Bro'r Jonathan. 25, Fair morning- scattering clouds in evening. Plowed ground for Potatoes &c beyond Meadow and removed fence. C. Taylor was here to breakfast, went to his place after. send & got 1½ Bushels Sweet potatoes. R'd Noel sent a bottle which I filled with honey. M. Atkins' wife was here in evening, to get the Doct'r directions read- She has the jaundice. 26, Fair morning,weather very dry, cloudy evening. C. Taylor came here, breakfasted and went to his place. Sent for Table, chairs, plates, Dishes &c. I had 2 Bushels Sweet potatoes, a few Spanish & Bermudas & Irish potatoes planted. After dinner, walked to C. Taylor's, he was about getting kitchen prepared to move into- I came by J. Taylor's- C. Taylor's family- R'd Noel & wife at J. Taylor's.

1799, April, 27, Rained in night and till afternoon moderately & plentifully for the present- warm & thunder in evening. I gave all my negro men(except old peter) ½ Bus' Sweet potatoes each to Plant, they planted part in evening. Had Fodder put into Stable Loft. Wm Bell set 2 Crowns & 2 quarter dollars by Davy 16/2. I owed change 6d- 16/8. Sent 2 Gammons 20 lb Bacon at ⅓. 28, Sunday. Fair & warm till evening, cloudy & some drops of rain. C. Taylor came over to breakfast and shaved- I returned to J. Taylor's with him- His family, T. Crutchfield and wife dined there. 29, Broken clouds-drying weather. C. Taylor came here to Breakfast- His cart came & took his Desk, some beds & sundry other things home, he & part of the family went to live in his Kitchen- his daughters *Betsy, & Polly, & Patsy came by here from J. Taylor's. Had ground broke up for a Hemp patch by Shelter. Took an out 19th Hhd Corn. One of the old Cows calved. [*Elizabeth married Thomas Jenkins, Mary married Rob't Taylor, Harriet married Catlett Conway-WKA 30, Tuesday, Fair morning, turned cloudy before noon and began to rain soon after, rained moderately all the evening. I took a dose Ipecac & Jallap, which appears to be of advantage- Walked out & killed a Squirrel before breakfast. Had above ½ Bus' Hemp seed sown. Began to plow cornfield across. C. Taylor sent dozen herrings & some Irish potatoes (from Capt Conway's) to plant

May, 1, Wednesday, Cloudy & small rain at times in the day. Shower with wind I walked in evening to J. Taylors, got G.C.T's Newspapers. Mr. T. Barbour got to J.T. whilst I was there, he & J.T. intend to Fred'g tomorrow. Gave Mr Barbour a Mem'o to get me some things, which he said it wou'd suit him to pay for- I did not send money2, Cleared last night- windy cool, fair day. Had Timothy seed sown in the Spring bottoms in Wheat. In evening Cabbage seed in a bed burned some days ago. Sent 6 Bus' Corn & got ground at McKinney's Mill. Sister J. Taylor sent for honey. I sent about a quart. Capt Conway came here in evening, we intend to go to a Sale at Mr. Triplett's tomorrow. 3, Clouds and rain with flakes of snow till about noon. Broken clouds afternoon, cold evening. Had 20th Hhd Corn taken out. C. Taylor came here to breakfast, he & Capt Conway dined here- he latter went away about 2 o'clock intending to Mr. Triplett's- the rain prevented C. Taylor & me from going. I let C. Taylor have the gold I rec'd the 22d ulto at Court, of T. Richards £36.4.0 & a dollar making £36.10.0 which I lend him towards building &c. 4, Great white frost. the earth frozen in moist places, cold day, a few broken clouds. Cucumbers &c bitten. I walked in evening to C. Taylor's- he paid A. Garton £6. towards Shingles. Wm Bell sent half a Guinea & Silver 8/9- near 23/- I sent him a Gammon 11 lb bacon 13/9 he owed 8/4 marking 22/1(p/r Davy) paid W. Bell the 5th at Sermon in full lid. 5, [SUNDAY] Slight frost, cool & clear till evening. Hazy and cold. I walked to Court house: Mr. O'Neil preached to a dozen hearers. I came to Aunt Taylor's

and dined. Mrs Burnley, Mr & Mrs Howard, there. Cam by J. Taylor's got list of Articles T. Barbour bo't for me at Fred'g. £4.16.3 & bringing up 5/6- £5.1.9. He & J. Taylor got up to day- he was gone home before I got there- Aunt Thomas & John Pendleton's family had just got to J. Taylor's from Culpeper Capt J. Walker sent a dollar for Hempseed- I sent all I had. not quite ½ Bushel 6, Monday, Fair till evening then hazy- moderate. I sent Frank with my Cart to J. Taylor's & got home a Sack Salt, a Loaf Sugar & 30 lb brown sugar,which T. Barbour bought for me at Fredericksburg. Mrs Porter, Mrs Wood & daughter, came here before noon. Mrs Wood looked at my house, said she intends to build and wants a plan- They went from hence to C. Taylor's to dinner. F.S. Taylor got here about noon, he said he had come to Fredericksburg on business and rode to Orange to see his friends- I went with him to J. Taylor's to dinner. Aunt Thomas, E. Pendleton, T. Crutchfield wife there-After dinner we went to C. Taylor's C.T. was from home, W. Gibson at work- We returned to my house.

1799, May, 7, Fair, mild windy, F. S. Taylor staid with me- Brothers James and Charles Taylor dined here. I killed a Shoat. 8, Fair, Fra. S. Taylor returned towards Fred'g after Breakfast. I let him have £5. & gave him mem'o to send me 100 lb Rice, 2 Reams PaPer, A nest Wooden ware & some Corks. Planted Irish Potatoes,2 or 3 bushels. M. Atkins got a bottle whisky, she said to make bitters. In evening I walked to Mr Shepherds & got Newspapers. 9, Thursday, Fair morn- Smoky and hazy afternoon. I have felt heavy for some days this morning took Salts, which has relieved me for the present. Had a Watermelon patch planted near Potatoes- also Pompion seeds-Cumber &c and Broom Corn Had ground plowed & hilled beyond the meadow and Indian Peas Planted (of two kinds) there. C. Taylor called here after dinner- had been to Maj'r Moore's to see old Joe- and dined at Aunt Taylor's- I walked late in the evening to J. Taylor's- Aunt Thomas, John Pendleton's family & Nancy Crutchfield there. 10, Some broken clouds- windy (a little) & very warm- I went to C. Taylor's- he drew the only remains of four of my upper fore teeth, which makes my mouth very sore- I came away before noon. J. Taylor came here afternoon, I assisted him in examining some papers. Finished planting Peas- Very dry weather. Had Cabbage seed sown in bed by Spring house with other seeds- Also Cucumber, Muskmelon. Ten Turkey hens hatched 18 young, 4 goslings three days ago. Finished plowing corn 1st time since planted. 11, Saturday, Some thin clouds in morning, fiar day very dry. The people had to day to finish planting their crops- Took out 21 Hhd Corn. I staid at home-feverish. 12, Whitsunday, Cool & Clear- C.P. Howard says there was frost this morning. I walked to J. Taylor's- Aunt Taylor, C.P. Howard, Aunt Thomas, R'd Noel & wife, E. Pendleton & children & T. Crutchfield & wife dined there. C.P. Howard came home with me, wants to buy a Cow & Calf, he looked at mine & agreed to give me 20 dollars for a likely brindle Cow about 6 or 7 years old & her young calf. 13, Fair, smoky and very dry weather. After breakfast, Frank assisted C.P. Howard to drive the Cow & calf (he had agreed to buy) into the lane towards Aunt Taylor's- I staid at home. 14, Clear morning, smoky, very dry & warm cloudy evening. Replanting corn. M. Atkins went to McNeils & got some work. M. Atkins sent his wench & got ½ Bushel Salt, he has now had all that I agreed to find of provision. I staid at home, feverish in evening. 15, Wednesday, Some clouds & sunshine- very warm, smoky and dry. Very windy afternoon Much fur (from leaves) in the air. I had the headach all night and this morning- I took some pills last night, and a dose of Salts this morning, which has in some measure relieved me. I staid at home- People replanting corn. George brought Newspapers, only Genius Liberty. 16, Fair morn, windy & dry- Thunder & sprinkle rain in even. J. Taylor sent G.C.T's Newspapers by boy & that he was going to Aunt Taylor's- I wanted to see Bob't Taylor & walked to Aunt Taylor's- Aunt Thomas- J. Taylor & wife, T. Crutchfield & wife, Maj'r Moore, Rob't Taylor & family, John Taylor & do. & Miss Polly Smith (of Rockingham) dined at Aunt Taylor's. I gave Rob't Taylor Copy Holdbrooks Bill ag't Skaggs & F. Taylor to draw my answer- My Patent & other papers I also left with R. Taylor for information. Finished replanting Corn. 17, Thin clouds- rainy evening, M. Atkins got 2 hoes mended at McNeils Shop, he brought a little Steel home- I intend to leave his shop. Sent my People to get rails from trees lying down on Mrs Burnley's land- she gave me leave some time ago. C. Taylor called here, had been to J. Taylor's-to see T. Crutchfield, who is sick- I walked after dinner to C. Taylor's soon returned. 18, Saturday. A plentiful rain fell last night, a little this morning. Clear and pleasant afternoon. Hear that G.C. Taylor got to J. Taylor's last night- been gone 11 weeks. Took out 22d hhd Corn. Planted Cabbages in square by gate, (the plants small) G.C. Taylor came her to dinner, and after dinner rode to the Court house & to Aunt Taylor's.

1799, May, 19, [SUNDAY], Fair till evening- then a little hazy. I went to J. Taylor's- G.C. Taylor went there to dinner, he then came by my house & set out for Fredericksburg- T. Crutchfield & wife & E. Chew were at J. Taylor's- Salley & Patsy Taylor there in evening. T. Barbour sent Whisky in my keg to J. Taylor's, by Joe- I sent Frank who brought it home. 20, Fair, windy and cool. Sent Frank to McKinney's Mill, got 6 bus Corn ground. Had a Swarm of bees hived, the first. I staid home. 21, Fair and cool- drying weather. James Taylor came here & got 8 Gammons 86 lb, 7 shoulders 90 lb. and 2 Midlings 27 lb bacon, total 203 lb.- which he promised to pay for when G.C. Taylor returns- Let J.T. have 1 old & 1 late Bottles Cyder for N. Crutcfield. Mrs Tierce was here & got a Midling bacon 11 ¾ lb paid 11/9 for it. 22, Wednesday, Fair, warm, windy & dry, some broken clouds. Had new logs put in Turkey & hen houses. After dinner I walked to court house. Bo't a Side Upper Leather of Mr. Verdier & paid 12/3 for it. Doct'r Shepherd paid me 15/- for bacon W. Bell had the 17th. I got the Newspapers. 23, Fair warm morn, two good showers with thunder in the evening. C. Taylor sent me a dozen herrings- got whisky. Finished repairing Turkey & Hen houses. I staid at home, read Newspapers. 24, Rained a shower last night, Fair morn, except broken clouds- very sultry- Violent wind about 6 o'clock with Thunder & a shower. Had my 28 Sheep sheared 7 Ram & 6 Ewe Lambs marked- Wool gross Wt___. I staid at home. 25, Fair & clouds in morn- a little rain afternoon. Sent 2 Pieces Bacon 28 lb by George to Wm. Stewart p/r note, I walked to J. Taylor's- E. Pendleton & children, T. Crutchfield & wife, E. Chew dined there- Mrs Parsons came there in evening. 26, Sunday, Fair pleasant day. I walked to Court house, Mr. O'Neil did not attend, there was about 40 people met- it being in course Serman day. I came to Aunt Taylor's to dinner- Mrs Burnley and 2 youngest daughters, Aunt Thomas, C.P. Howard & wife, John Moore & wife- John Taylor & family, Salley & Patsy Taylor were there- Rob't Taylor & family after dinner- John Glassel also dined there. I came by J. Taylor's- wanted to see T. Barbour, who had walked out & did not return before I came away G. C. Taylor here at night. 27, Fair, cool morning, pleasant day. Mr. Thomas Barbour came here after breakfast- Paid me Gold £17.4.6., Silver £59.11.0, and bank notes £55.10.0, Total £132.5. I went with him to Court- G.C. Taylor went after breakfast by J.T.'s to Court. John Hencher paid me (??).3.0. in full for Oxen. Tho's Richards paid me £23.16.0 for which I gave him a Rec't to the Credit Dan'l Triplett's acco't. I exchanged 125 dollars Bank notes for Specie. I got my answer of Holdbrooks bill ag't by Mr. T. Barbour to Kentucky. Had Watermelon, Cucumber &c seeds planted by nursery & replanted beyond the meadow. Replanting Corn (the second time)- One of Sheep died. 28, Fair- turned warmer. Took out 23d Hhd Corn. I walked to Cout- Exchanged 50 Dollar note with Barnett Watts for silver. The Suit was not called, G.C. Taylor came here at night. 29, Fair, getting dry. G.C. Taylor went to C. Taylor's to breakfast, returned here & went to Court before I did- I walked to Court- McCall, Smellie & c suit vs me Ex'or or G. Taylor dec'd was decided as I had expected, being settled by scale of depreciation. The verdict for £15.5.9 ¼ & £11.6.4. Damages. I dined at Verdier's 30, Thursday. Thin Clouds in morn. A little shower of rain in evening. Thunder struck a tree near Davy's house. I sent letters to J. Taylor to be sent Mr. Thomas Barbour to convey to Kentucky, he told me he intended to set out tomorrow- One of the letters is for Hubbard Taylor, containing my answer to Geo. Holdbrooks Bill in Chancery- with The letter for Jonathan Taylor 2 bottles C hurches Cough drops- I staid at home. Macon Biggers came here about noon, he cut 6 Lambs, 1 was not cut, only one testicle being apparent. Macon Biggers