1803, Jan. 9th. I staid at home; the weather was very cold; Nancy complaining; yesterday she put a heavy cross on me about taking Naomi Ozborne. 14th. Nancy very poorly, wanted a doctor. 15th. Nancy still poorly; I sent for Dr. Tilding, and went and brought Mrs. Carter. 16th. I carried home Mrs. Carter, and brought Miss Polly Thompson here. 17th. Yesterday we lost a cow, called the Bodkin cow, by carelessness in feeding with Nubbins, supposed her choaked; Dr. Tilding visited Nancy again. 19th. Still very cold, but moderated a little this evening; Nancy a little better; I have lost about three out of four night's sleep. 20th. Still cold; drawing wood and heaping brush; I went to prayer with Nancy, and she got very happy; and Miss Polly Thompson shouted aloud. EXTRACT III. 1806, Dec. 22nd. I was at home repairing and cleaning the hen house, and turkey house, and find our people has stole about half or two thirds of my dung-hill fowls, and two turkeys, and two ducks; this game they have played with me for about four years. 1807, Jan. 28. The weather yesterday evening began to soften. The boys was cutting and drawing wood to-day. 29th. I read NEWTON on the PROPHECIES. I went to Basil Boltons to get money-got none; as I came home met the fiddle and fiddler. 31st. I intended off to Canterville, but was disappointed by rain; yesterday Nancy finished my black corded britches, and they fitted me well. Feb. 7th. Was the coldest day this winter, and the wind blew a storm; I had ice froze to my eye-lashes by the water running out of my eyes, and the creeks froze up, and was severe frost. 20th. The boys was putting up the fence, and finished that next the windmill; bought a gound pattern 4s. per yard, 6 yards for Nancy. 22nd. Yesterday Jim came here, ran away from Carington, went to meeting, friend Dodson preached. 23rd. Nancy, Mrs. Ringgold and I went to meeting, friend Dodson preached; we had a good season in class this evening; Richard Carington and V. Benton came after Jim; I acted as mediator, and made peace. March 19th. Friend Thomas Jackson here, and staid all night, and met with a trial in hearing about his girls' great coats, and something Nancy said. 22nd. Nancy and I went to meeting, and I had to try to preach; I had hard work, however I gave such as I had, and tried to reconcile myself; we had a tolerable time in class meeting, thank God! 30th. I was at home all day; cleaned my carriage; John put a great cross on me, and I intend to pay him at a convenient opportunity, if I am spared. April 8th. Borrowed Mr. Denny's scow, and went to Bodkin after my corn; met with a cross by T. W. telling a lie to get a barrel of corn; I got only six barrels for my share this year; may God forgive the poor sinner; got home about sun-down with the corn. This night Nancy put a cross on me, and I lost my sleep. May 13th. Nancy and I dined with Mr. Denny and his wife; they were married yesterday; there was a number there religious, and some bold sogers for satan; I tried to watch and keep my garments unspotted. June 10th. Mrs. Carter and Nancy making a shambro gound for Nancy; very warm weather. 15th. John and Steve working the corn; Lyd and I working in the garden, and I fatigued myself and worked too hard; felt very poorly. 28th. I went to meeting, friend Larkins preached a good sermon; but we had but a dead class meeting: I subscribed 3 dollars to buy Mr. Larkins a carriage. 30th. I hired three men to cut grass, Isaiah Lewis, Jacob, and Andrew, two free black men; gave them 7s. 6d. per day, and we had a gust in the evening and wet my hay. July Sunday 5th. This was a day of great trial, and I had to fight John, Steve, and Dave, and I was very poorly, and felt great debility. 18th. Mr. Wm. Ringgold, and Miss Kemps, here to tea; we finished getting in our wheat, and this evening had another great fall of rain; about dusk Mrs. A. Carter pitched here to lay in-this was a great cross to me, and ill treatment; Lord help me to bear this and many more crosses. 21st. The weather still cloudy and like for rain: last night about midnight Mrs. A. Carter was laid of a fine son, August 8th. I was at home; Nancy, and her brother Arthur went to the camp meeting; the boys deepening the ditch at the road. 10th. The camp meeting broke up after holding ten days, and from the current report was a great time, such as never was seen before in this part of the world; this evening Nancy and Arthur came home. 11th. Nancy and I went to class meeting, and we had a refreshing time, thank God; this evening Mrs. Carter went home, she has been here better than three weeks, a tiresome time! Sept. 9th. Last night I had a powerful shaking ague, and perhaps the strongest I ever had. 13th. I staid at home-feel weak, but, thank God, I have lost my ague. 21st. John and Steven spreading manure; I sent my ox-cart to help draw plank for camp quarterly meeting; friends was very backward in assisting. 22nd. Yesterday begun my tent, and we begun to put up the seats and stands for preaching. 23rd. Finished cutting out my tent; and it took between 90 and 100 yards of linen. 24th. We finished our tent, or nearly so; friends Sparkes and Larkins lodged here. 25th. I went to the camp ground and put up my tent, and let it for the accommodation of preachers; my wife and I came home to lodge at night; we were both poorley, and Mrs. Ringgold very ill-like to die, and Lydda sick. 26th. Family very ill; I went and Nancy staid; the people behaved badly, and it seemed to hurt the feelings of the preachers. 27th. Nancy and I went again; both sick all day. 28th. Meeting broke early; we came home with our things. October 5th. We are still poorley; but thank God for his mercy; I do hope we are mending. 6th. Still some prospects of amendment; Nancy and my self walk about the house, and eat a little. Lyda is very poorley, and Deb wants to lay up; I thank God,, for though we have been chastened it is for good. 7th. One cross more this day got part of the iron work of my cart broke, drawing the plank, and was hard on me at this time, having no wood at my door, and my family sick. 12th. The boys pretended to cut tops, but not half work; I went out to hire hands, but could get none-all sick and lazy. 13th. I was sick, but saw I must work, or not save my fodder; went to cutting tops. 16th. I was obliged to thatch fodder for the first time for about 34 years; I found it a hard job of work in my weak estate of body. " 26th. I went up to court on a fool's errand; lodged with Mr. Joshua Kinnards. 1808, Feb. 1st. Was a rainy day; I made John and Stephen shell corn; Ned very sick, I suppose pleurisy. 2nd. Ned appeared much worse than he has been since he was taken last Tuesday, and was very delerious; had him bled; I thought he would die this night. 7th. I was at home tending on Ned, who was very poorley; we had him cupped by Mrs. Sarah Baxter, and he appears I more in his senses than he has been. 16th. Nancy and Betsy Jackson went to class meeting; staid at home to wait on Ned; to-day makes three weeks since Ned was taken sick, and for two weeks he has been as helpless as an infant; hard work for poor me; I expect I have not slept five whole nights out of fifteen; I am almost worn out. 23rd. I was at home nursing Ned; this makes five weeks since he was taken, and four weeks we have sat up with him. March 1st. Nancy and I went to meeting, and, thank God we had a good time; I came home and had to go to fighting; whipped John, Steve, and Lyd, and Jenny and Deb for lying and stealing: Mr. and Mrs. Woolhand put a great cross on me. June 7th. 1 was at home, and made John draw some wood for his rebelling against my lawful commands; and reproved Mr. James Sneed's keeping company with negroes, and he promised to quit it. July 4th. There was much firing on Independence.* I am afraid this feast is too often kept with the old leaven of malice and wickedness. 8th. I went to meeting; friend Randall preached, and friend Dawson exhorted; and thank God we had a good meeting The 4th of July is the day from which the United States of America date their Independence of Great Britain. ED. in Class; and a heavy cross at home; Steve broke the the cart, and Deb the pitcher; I whipt Lyd and Deb. 17th. Nancy and Betty went to meeting, and I staid at home, and in the evening I tried to preach at Silus Leg's child's funeral, and found it hard work. 22nd. Nancy and Betty rode to meeting; I walked; felt hurt at being the drudge; friend Collins preached; Mrs. Deford was not suffered to stay in meeting. August 6th. I was much oppressed with Woolhand's stock, and must kill some of them, if no alteration takes place, to secure them from tresspassing. 9th. It rained a light rain, and I was at home, reading the Rebellion in Spain. (British Influence.) 13th. Worked in the garden, I believe, and I felt very poorley by the sting of a bumble bee. 20th. This morning I whipt John, for many past offences, and for night-walking. RIDDLE. Unless your quick imagination halts, Tell me, my friend, what beast shall give you salts? ANSWER. A beast that on its prey doth pounce ON MADE WINES. It seems that all things will produce, On the note of a friend who lives by the sea-side, The seal was, rose, thistle and shamrock entwined, The flowers might he proper, but quite misapplied Was the shamrock, since he might have sealed in his pride, With a rock that was real, if that way inclined. |