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23[2454] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1794, 1794,
November,
1, Saturday, Cloudy morning-some sunshine, very arm. John & Frank began to Saw,but broke the tiller. I sent Frank to the shop & got it mended,but it soon broke again,so that they sawed only one log- M. Biggers went & got it mended a second time. I staid at home.
2, [SUNDAY] Cloudy & small rain most of the day, warm. I was sent for and went to J.Taylor's to dinner, none by his own family there.
3, Rainy last night-very showery day a wam brisk wind from south, cleared at night mild. I was all day at home.
4, Clear fine mild day. I rode to Court house,bought & paid Banks for sundries,15 yds Fearnought 50-[?]m 4 lb Coffee 6/-, 6 lb Sugar 6/--(he made a mistake & was only 4 lb)- I dined at Mr.Shepherd's invitation at his house, all his family & Mr.Miller(Caroline) were there- When I got home found Mr.David Henning, who brought me the 1st & 2 Volumes of the American Revolution.
5, Fine day- only alittle frost in morning- I rode to Court house. Mr.Banks righted mistake in Sugar bought yesterday. I returned to dinner. M.B.dined with me.
6, White frost- mild day- Cloudy evening. J.Taylor, J.Taylor jr & John Langham, dined here. Fixed posts to act Corn house on Killed a shoat this morning.
7, Hazy, warm & some clouds. J.Taylor sent to borrow my mare- I rode her to Mr. Shepherd's, came to J.Taylor's, breakfasted there & lebt him my mare to ride to Mr Triplett's Mill- Col B.Johnson & J.Langham at J.Taylor's- I came home before noon. Tavener Jones came here- I settled with and paid him for carrying to Fredericksburg 142,13/60 Bus Wheat at 8d Bus'l, I found him provision & c & it came to $14.14.10- I paid him in full $4.6.0 Rec't. Rec'd a letter from D. & J.Blair that they sold my wheat at 6/3 pr bushel 190,11/60
8, Very warm, some clouds,smoky,windy even'g. I rode to Uncle Taylor's, he is very weak & low- I went from thee to Muster at Court house- Saw Mr.A Glassil & wife- Mr.Howard & do. at store- J.Taylor asked C.Taylor & me & we came with him about 2 o'clock to dinner- C.Taylor's & Reu Taylor's familys & Miss Polly Moore there- J. Taylor jr, Gab'l Barbour & Rob't Coleman(School m'r) came afterwards, dined & went to Mr Dade's to a dance.
9, [SUNDAY] Some clouds-not so warm as yesterday, nor cold. I staid at home-reading history of revolution.
10, Cooler, cloudy & a little rain. Charles Leathers began to work,putting up Corn house-I agreed to give him 2/6 day. Macon Biggers at work with C.Leathrs. I staid at home.
11, Clouds without rain, and warm. Ch Leathers & M.Biggers finished putting up logs or Corn house and went to get the rafters-
12, Fair & moderate for the season. James Taylor was here to breakfast, I let Davy go to his house to make a pair Shoes for Harry: he sent Cyrus & Sawney here. C.Leathers finished getting rafters, had them brought in & he began to couple them. Putting Corn in old Corn house, Macon Biggers says he has measured 52 Hhds. Pat came from C.Taylor's with 2/3 for butter. I sent 3 pounds. 11 of the wild hogs(all but one of the old sows) came into the pasture, got them in Mountain field next day to fatten- The Guinea sow took Boar about this time.
13, Sharp frost, Ice, good day. Sent Frank & got 100 20d Nails of Mr.Howard-He brought Gunlocks,but they dont suit my gun. M.Biggers & Cart went to Herndon's Mill & brought a load of Slabs, for Cornhouse floor. C.Leathers worked on Corn house- 4th, day.
14, Turned cloudy in night,before day hail & rain & cold small rain all day.ice on trees in morning. C.Leathers went home early in morning.
15, Ceased raining before day-cloudy & a few drops rain about sunset- Mountains covered with snow. C.Taylor sent 4/6 for butter, I sent 6 lb Pat. C.Leathers worked on Cornhouse- Raised roof and began to cover- M.Biggers about the floor Joe Clark was here to see Sleys- He took them (4) home, if they suit not, he to carry them to Barbour's Store- he paid for 3 the 19th-12/-
16, Sharp frost, clear morning, cloudy evening, spit snow. I went to J.Taylor's to dinner, James & Nancy at J.Pendleton's-
17, Cold Cloudy morning, fair evening. C.Leathers covering Cornhouse.Began to put corn in New Corn house.

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.