Pages 031-040
JOHN OSBORN DIARY January 1, 1800 - October 2, 1802


fri 24 frost
I walked over to JAS WILSONS & to WM McCRORYS school Staid awhile & home to uncles (much afflicted with my left let)

sat 25 frost
I was all day at uncles. This whiles am not doing much sowing Wheat for the Negroes to plough & looking to things about the plantation

sun 26 frost
I went to HUGH McCAINS seniors for to hear one MR MARTAIN a Covenenter Minister Preach. He give us 2 sermons but short my mind is Interrupted so that I cannot remember the Taxtes but in the afternoon it was Luke the 19 Chapt but I know not what verse, When all was over I went home to uncles & staid all Night

mon 27 moderate
I went from uncles up to ?? by the way I calld at old MR WOLFS when I went to Dadys I turned in for to Plough in the remainder of my wheat in the evening when I Loost my horses I went up to brother ALDRS & Staid all night

tus 28 like for rain
Early I went from brother ALEXRS to Dadys & followed my Plough

wen 29 cloudy
I finished seeding of my Wheat Than I walked Down to JAS BECKETS about a small Trade that him & I was about than returned home & staid all Night-

thir 30 wet
I went to DAVID ORRS for to see about some money that he was oweing of me he was not at home- I turned in and Discourst his Daughter MARGRET a while than home to my fathers & staid all Night

fri 31 wet
I went over to JNO AIKENS because yeasterday morning his Wife had her 7th child Born which is her 1st son. In the evening I went home to Dadys & staid all Night-

NOVEMBER 1800 Book VIth N. Carolina

sat 1 some rain
Early I went up to brother ALEXDR made but little tarry but home to Dadys from that I went to DAVID ORRS for to see about my Money again but finds ORR not at home yet (yeasterday was the rase between SHARID GREYS stud & COON PLILERS & GREYS win) I turned in a courts the Daughter again & it seemd so agreeable with the familey that MRS ORR pays me my Money That I went home to my fathers & staid all Night

sun 2 warm
brother ALEXR & I sot off from Dadys & went Down to uncles in the even he went home & I staid (my Aunt continues very sick yeat-

mon 3 cool
before day I went to JAS WILSONS for this morning his is for to start with some sheep for CHARSTON & I had business with him. From ther I went to Esqr JNO HUEYS & received of him 30 Dollars on PETER COALMANS account who is not deceasr deom that I went to JNO McCAINS the morning being cool I alighted & warmd myself. Than I went on up to WM McCAINS I have not been there since the 23 of Sepm & I was very kindly entertained (SALLY McCAIN)(warm promises renewed) I returned home to uncles & imedately one of his Negro Boys & I sot off & went to my fathers in order the Next morning for to go to old Mr HENERY HARGETS for to get sider for my Aunt for it is her chief Drink-

tus 4 frosty
Early in the morning we sot off from Dadys & went to old Mr. HARGETS But his sider was all sold so we went about 1/2 mile farder to WM CHENNEYS there we got 10-1/2 gallons of sider than we came to Mr HARGETS again from that to brother ALEXDR & to Dadys from that home to uncles by this time it was Late

wen 5 frosty
I was attending of the mill Late I went up to HUGH RODGERS & staid all Night (JEAN RODGERS)

thir 6 frosty
Early I went from HUGH RODGERS home to uncles- Not very much busied at any imployment

fri 7 Light frost
I was all day & all Night at uncles I did fix up for to go to the WIDOW COALMANS VANDUE but my horse dodge me-

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sat 8 moderate
(yeasterday I received from Little BERRY CRENSHAW upon HENERY CRENSHAWS account 30 Dollars) In the afternoon I went to CHARLS GILLASPYS calld in at a house whare McELROY now lives as I came home) calld at JNO SPREBERYS-

sun 9 moderate smoky weather
In the afternoon WM McCAIN & his Wife came to uncles & I went home with them & staid all Night & was friendly enterned (SALLY McCAIN)

mon 10 moderate
I went from WM McCAINS to LORD BURNS from that to PAUL FISHERS to WM FISHERS from there to SOLOMON HARVIES my business was for to buy Rye or Barley Both from HARVIES to Dadys up to brother ALEXDRS & back to Dadys from that to DAVID MOORS from that to DAVID ORRS by this time it was Late so I staid all night- (MARGRET ORR) ha ha a free contest for to marry- According to the peoples way I was kindley entertained

tus 10 frost
Early I sot off from DAVID ORRS & went to the WIDOW OSBOURNS from that to JNO AIKENS from that to Esqr SHARID GREYS WM LEGITT & GREYS Daughter JENNEY was MARIED I staid & took dinner with them than I went home to uncles & staid all Night

wen 12 frosty
I am fast begining for to be feel myself capable of working I begin for to fix the still house in order to make Whisky a soon as it Rains (my aunt continuos sick)

thir 13 warm
I was helping for to pick the Mill stones Expecting of Rain shortly-

fri 14 moderate
I went from uncles to WM LIGETTS from there to HUGH FORBISES from that home (my errand was for to Buy Rye I got the promise of some) Late in the evening I went up to HUGH RODGERS & staid all night

sat 15 frosty
soon in the morning I went from HUGH RODGERS home to uncles still puting things to rights in order for stilling as soon as it rains-

sun 16 frosty
I was all day at home

mon 17 moderate
I went to ANDREW WALKERS Esqr from that to JNO McCAINS (discourst Miss BETSY a while) from that I went to SAMUEL WARDENS for to see him about some Money that he was oweing of me from that to Esqr JNO HUEYS & WARDEN got a summons out for one HAMLET that owed him I brought the summons with me the Next morning for to take it to JAS SHANNONS who is Lately sworn in for Constable

tus 18 moderate
Early I went from uncles up to JAS SHANNONS with the summons for WARDEN I made but Little tarry but home again In the afternoon I sot off from uncles & went by DANIEL WINCHESTERS with an ax for JNO HAMMENS to upset I went on to PETER RAPES the evening being turnd cool I calld for 1/2 pint of Brandy from that I went to JNO OSBOURNS calld in & for to keep them to look smileing at me I give his wifes Daughter a while chat) By this time it was Late in the night I went to Dadys & staid till morning

wen 19 hard frost
very Early I went up to brother ALEXDR & back to fathers again & from that home to uncles- In the evening I went to JNO McELROYS I not in his house from that to HUGH RODGERS & home again I was after hands for to cut still wood tomorrow

thir 20 in the afternoon it came on SNOW the first we had this season
I was cutting still wood with some hands I had hired Late in the evening I went over to JAS WILSONS he was come home from Charlstown this day & brought me a still When I went there he was gone from home so I went to HUGH RODGERS & staid all Night (JEAN RODGERS)

fri 21 clear & frosty
Early I went from HUGH RODGERS home to uncles & Geard up the horses & went over to JAS WILSONS & Brought home my STILL that he brought me from Charlston She is marked 66-1/2 gallons the price 1 Dollar & 25 cents per gall which was 82 Doll & 62 Cent & the carriage 3 Dollars & 50 Cents Sot the still stands me 86 Dollars & 12 Cents- When I got home I went to ANDREW WALKERS Esqr it was his Law day from there I went to FRANCES ASHLEYS from that to JAS BECKETS by this time it was in the Night I staid till morning

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sat 22 hard frost
every Early I Left JAS BECKETS & went to Dadys from that to brother ALEXDR & back to Dadys from that home to uncles presently JAS SHANNON & his son & JNO McNEELY came to uncles & them & I sot off & went to JNO HUEYS Esqr there I got judgment against JNO HAMLET for 24 Dollars & some shillings Than McNEELY & I turnd into Raceing I run my Black against his Grey for a Bottle of Brandy & I Beat him he was not satisfied with that but Draws of the shoes of his horse & we had the other heat for another Bottle & I Beat him again then I beleave that he was willing for to leave off that sport- It is now in the night I went up to JNO McCAINS & staid till morning- (ELIZABETH McCAIN)

sun 23 hard frost
I went from JNO McCAINS home to uncles-

mon 24 Exceeding hard frost & high cold winds
I was at home till Late I went to GEORGE McWHIRTERS seniers- I was not in the old mans house but in the little house that his son-in-law DENTEN SMART was living in Tomorrow I was for to help him for to move to Cain Creek I went to HUGH RODGERS from that home

tus 25 vast cold
very Early I sot off from uncles with his waggon for to move Mr SMART according to promise again I got to JAS WILSONS I was very cold so I calld in & warmd than Drove on to old MR McWHIRTERS took in Mr SMARTS household stuff than Drove to JNO McWHIRTERS for to get the reminder of my load his corn & foder was there. AARON McWHIRTER was for to hall for him too so we got our waggons Loaded & Drove to JAS McCAINS place where he was for to live for some time. Mr SMART went over to old Mr McCAINS for a Bottle of Brandy but the old people was from home so he got none so when he came back being I was better acquented about the house he wanted me for to go to the old mans & get a Bottle so I went over & got a Bottle of Brandy when I got back the are near done unloading so when we got done we Drove back to JNO McWHIRTERS got our waggons Loaded again & Drove back to McCAINS place again by this time it was in the Night against the time that we got done unloading & our horse fed & our suppers & Each one Drove home it was near midnignt- I am much tormented with the tooth ach-

wen 26 cool morning
I & uncle Negro BEN sot off with the waggon & some Barley for to go to Dadys- we went to JAS BECKETS from that to Dadys & left our Barley & came back to BECKETS & took in some corn that I had there from there we Drove home-

thir 27 moderate
my brother ALEXR was helping me for to set up one of my stills we did not finish

fri 28 moderate
I finished building of the fernis that I began yeasterday - A scatch of a Dream- Last night I Dreamed & behold I was in the old patriarch JACOBS stead & LEAH & RACHAL & I was together at the Brink of some great water & we was prapering for to cross it (we had some sort of a pilot but I cannot tell what he was) & we sot Down & Each one sung a lovely verse & thought the Beautifulest that ever I heard but when I awoke I could not recolect our verses for to write them- I thought that LEAH was not beautiful but of all the Beauties that ever I beheld RACHEL Exceeded all as we sot & sung I kept her blumy sheeks & thought that never an angle could ever Exceed her- But concernng of the water that we ware to cross we did not know whither it had any Bottom or no & we was going into it so without any thing for to go over in but our faith to Bear us over- But before we entered the water I awoke & behold it was a Dream- I felt sorry for parting with my sweet company-

sat 29 moderate
I sot off from & went to WM FISHERS for to see him about some still vessels but he was not at home I went to LORD BURNS from that to DAVID STARNS from there to WM McCAINS. This day there was some hands Repairing of a School house for WM McCRORY at JAS WILSONS & as the fell a Board Tree O¹ the sad Accident that happened a limb of a Tree struck JAS WILSON on the head & killed him dead he Never spoke a word. However, I staid all Night at Mr McCAINS (SALLY McCAIN) I was very kindly treated

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sun 30 sharp frost
Miss SALLY McCAIN & I sot off & went to the Waxhaw Meeting house for to hear preaching - Indeed I do not know whither Either of us went altogether for love of the preaching or not- However it was one MR McNITE that preacht the portion of Scripture that he spoke from from was the 10 Chapt of Mark from the 17 verse- When sermon was done we Rode home to her fathers again by this time it was Dark & I staid all Night.

DECEMBER 1800 Book VI at N. Carolina

mon 1 sharp frost
Very Early I sot off from WM McCAINS & calld in (I may now say at the WIDOW WILSONS from that home to my uncles- in the evening brother WM came to uncles & him & I walked up to HUGH RODGERS & staid all night

tus 2 hard frost
very Early we went to uncles & from that we sot off in order for to go to Dadys- When we got as far as HUGH McCRORYS we calld in there because his step Daughter WINNY CLARK was for to be married this day to JONATHAN BROOM- after some time he come & they got married (old MR. COOK done it)- We staid & took dinner with them & couriest about a while Than JNO CRY SAMUEL BECKET brother WM & I got on our horses & went over to PETER RAPES Drank Brandy & Divled about till in the night than CRY BECKET & I went Back to McCRORYS & staid till we seen the young couple Beded than I went to JAS BECKETS & staid till morning

wen 3 frost
Early I went from JAS BECKETS up to Dadys made myself a short coat Late in the even I went up to brother ALEXR & staid all Night (some rain)

thir 4 cloudy
soon in the morning I went from brother ALEXRS to Dadys made but Little stay till I sot off for home I calld in at FRANCES ASHLEYS for to see him about some copper ware from that home to uncles & praperd things for mashing grain for to make whisky-

fri 5 warm
I Masht a Bushel & 1/2 of Meal for to make whisky Allowing the Next day for to Mask some more the 1st I Masht this season

sat 6 moderate
I Masht 2-1/2 Bushels more sun 7 moderate I was all day at home mon 8 moderate I began about seting my new still-

tus 9 sharp frost
I was working at my furnis staid till Late I went to the WIDOW WILSONS from that to HUGH RODGERS & staid till morning

wen 10 hard frost
very Early I went from HUGH RODGERS home & finished my furnis

thir 11 cool some rain
I went to FRANCES ASHLEYS for some coopper ware

fri 12 windy & uncommon cold
I was puting things in order about the still house viz what little I did do but it was so cold that I did but very Little of any thing

sat 13 Exceeding cold
I was as the former day busy & not doing much Neither

sun 14 vast hard freezes
I was at home all day and all night

mon 15 hard frost
I got all things in fix about my stills for running if I had water but the Lake of water keeps me from steady business for which I am uneasy in mind continualy for it seems as if I was for to make nothing this winter-

tus 16 cool
Early I sot off with uncles waggon & Negro Boy Pet for to go to WM FISHERS for some Hogsheds for stilling before we got 1/2 way our fore horses scard in the creek & wheeld round & Broke our waggon toungs (I thought it was Bad) however I took an ax & put it in again & went on & took a rong road & we went where Never a Waggon went before nor I know not whither ever one will go that way again but we got to FISHERS & got Hogg & give him 5 Dollars for them than drove home

wen 17 hard frost
I was halling wood for my stills till even Than I began for to single Whiskey run one stillful than I went to Bed

thir 18 moderate
I went to WM McCRORYS school house this morning his schollars had BARD him our for their Christmas play. We Drank Brandy & Devisted while there than some Quentity of us went to HUGH RODGERS & Drank Brandy & foold about till in the even than I went home & run another still full of singlings & had Drank rather more Brandy than I commonly do at once for it Does not agree very well with me this while & by the time I had my stillful done I thought it was Bed time & I went to Bed

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fri 19 warm & wet more rain than has been for a long time before
I run 3 stillfuls then Doubled in the Night made 6-1/2 gallons Now it is Late in the night as I sit before my still furnas writing of these Lines I think it seems as if my Lot was hard for me to be here & other people takeing of their rest in sleep & indeed I am not very able for much -- & Expect much of it from now to Spring- But I can't say that it is Necessity that Drives me But the greed of gain; Therefore a great Number of people will say it is no matter of him.

sat 20 warm
I Masht 2 runs of Whisky which was a stout peace of Business

sun 21 hard frost
I went from that to brother ALEXR & staid till Late in the even than I went back to Dadys and staid all Night

mon 22 moderate
Early I went from my fathers to WM RINERS for to see him about 30 Bushels of corn that he was oweing of me from that I went to brother ALEXRS I made but Little tarry till I went to my fathers again from that to brother WMS. from there home to my uncles

tus 23 very warm for the season of the year
Riseing up Long before day I went to the Mill & ground me some corn in order for to Mash me another run of Whisky When day was come I Masht my run of Whisky - Late in the afternoon I sot off in order for to pay a visit I went to WM McCAINS. It was his Daughter SALLY that I aimd for to converse with this night & as it happened she was from home so I got my sleep

wen 24 warm
very Early I had my horse sadled & rode home & for to try an Experiment I Masht 2 Bushels of Meal in a Hogd alowing When it is ready for to yeast for to take a pailful out of one that is working & throw in it for yeast I did so & it wrought vehemently. In the afternoon I went to DAVID CRENSHAWS to HENERYS store Bought me a Jacket Pattern & 1-1/2 yds of girting from that I went to WM SMITHS from that home

thir 25 warm
I turnd in to the still house for to single a run of Whisky a little after dark I sot off from uncles & went to PETER RAPES I turnd in & converst with Miss NANCY a while than I went to my brother WMS for this morning his wife had her 2 child BORN which is a son from that I went to Dadys & staid till morning

fri 26 warm
Early in the morning brother ALEXR & I sot off from Dadys with a waggon & went to WM RINERS & got 30 Bushels of corn that he was oweing of my from that we turnd and Drove to uncles and he went for home and I turnd into the still house again and was all Night there-

sat 27 warm
I Doubled a run of Whisky for my self made 9 gallons I was in the still house till in the night very wet night.

sun 28 wet morning
I was all day at uncles

mon 29 moderate
I turnd into the still house masht a run & run singlings at Night Doubled made 10 gallon was all Night in the still house WM McCOY was with me & good Sir our eyes was almost smokt Blind

tus 30 sharp frost
I Masht & was Singling of another one Hogshed & run singlings-

wen 31 sharp frost
I Masht & Doubled a run made 11 gallons & run Singlings Driveing on Jehu Like.

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JANUARY 1801

thir 1 sharp frost
I was grinding at the Mill till noon Than I sadled my horse & rode to WM McCAINS from that to DAVID STARNS to a shooting Match there I was till in the night Than I went home with WM McCAINS people there was a number more ther that staid all night- (SALLY McCAIN) all things did not go to my mind but O! the kindness of the people to me

fri 2 moderate
Early I went from WM McCAINS to uncles & turnd into the still house & masht a run of Whisky & run singlings - came on Rain

sat 3 childing cold
Early I turnd into the still house. run singlings till Night than Doubled made 9-1/2 gallons. sun 4 snow sleet & dredful cold I was all day at home

mon 5 Dredful cold
I turnd into the still house run singlings at Night Doubled was all night in the still house runing of my stills made 10-1/2 gallons. tus 6 somewhat moderate I masht a run of Whisky & run singling & attended the Mill so that I did not get as much done in the still house as I would a wisht for

wen 7 moderate but wet
I masht a run of Whisky & run singling till night & than Doubled made 11 gallons

thir 8 moderate high waters
I was in the still house

fri 9 moderate
I masht a run of Whisky & run singlings

sat 10 moderate
I masht a run of Whisky & Doubled made but 9 gallons

sun 11 wet morning
I walked up to HUGH RODGERS & Late in the evening his son WM & I went over to JNO McELROYS from that I went home. (this night upon my Bed I Dreamt strange things for one thing I Dremt that I maried a strange Woman with whom I had no acquentance & after I maried she proved with child to som other man However after I had maried her I became Discontented for what I had Done I thought on my other sweet hearts with home I had spent many an hour & the more I Looked at my spouse the less I thought of her - When I awoke it was a Dream & I was glad.

mon 12 sharp frost
Riseing up before day I sot my stills aruning this day I kept the stills aruning & helpt for to pick the Mill stones in the Night Doubled a run of Whisky that I began for to single this morning made 9 gallons was all Night in the still house.

tus 13 moderate
I masht a run of Whisky & singled a run

wen 14 warm
I masht a run of Whisky & Doubled one made 10 gallons & run singlings till almost day WM McCRORY being with me we went to Bed & slept till day

thir 15 warm
Riseing up after a short nap I sot my stills aruning than went over to JAS SMITHS for to see him about some Money that he was oweing of me I got no Money but got an order on DAVID ORR for 12 Bushels of corn I Returns home & Doubled a run of Whisky made but 8 gallons (I may say Dam the Luck but perhaps it is part my owne fault trying so many New ways

fri 16 warm
I masht a run of Whisky & singlings

sat 17 warm
I masht a run of Whisky & Doubled one made but 6-1/2 gallons Than I had my horse sadled & sot off & went to PETER RAPES from that to JNO OSBOURNS & DAVID ORR was there we staid & Drank Whisky awhile & tooke supper. Than Mr. ORR invited me for to go home with him & I did not care much - I thought that I would go & Discourse his Daughter MARGRET a while so I went home with him but as it happened she was not at home so I was disappointed but O how kind the old Woman was she seems fully parsuaded that I am going to mary her Daughter but if she knew my mind she would not think so much of me - However I chated a while & got my horse fed than I went to JNO AIKENS & staid till morning

sun 18 frost
in morning went from JNO AIKENS to Dadys & over to brother WMS & back to Dady & staid till evening than I sot off & went home to uncles.

mon 19 much rain
Early I sot my stills aruning of singlings in the Night I Doubled & made 11 gallons & run singlings

tus 20 cool & clear
I masht a run of Whisky & run singlings (I was sent for by a youg Woman this day which is enough for to make me Laugh the girls I Never kept Company with but three times & she is fully persuaded that I will mary her & thinks Long for to see me. but if she knew my mind she need not make herself uneasy for I never had the Least notion of Marying of her. all the compnay that ever I kept with her was for past time because I seen that I could win her affections her name is not yet mentioned. but to make a long story short it is Miss PEGGY ORR.

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wen 21 sharp frost
I masht a run of Whisky & doubled one made but 7-1/2 gallons it was a run that I wrought without Malt or yeast. Late in the even I had my horse sadled & off I went in order for to pay a visit I went to FREDERICK FISHERS Drank some Brandy with him from that I went to WM McCAINS the place where I aloted for to abide to morning but things did not go exactly to my mind therefore I had my horse sadled and off I went from that to JNO McCAINS & staid till morning

thir 22 sharp frost
but pleasant day Early I set off from JNO McCAINS I called in at ANDWRS a few minutes from that home run singlings till Night than I Doubled made 9-1/2 gallons

fri 23 moderate
I masht a run of Whisky & run singlings

sat 24 some wet
I Masht a run of Whisky & Doubled one made 9-1/2 gallons. in the even I went up to JAS BECKETS from that to Dadys & staid till morning.

sun 25 moderate
I went from Dadys up to brother ALEXR from that we went to JAS LOWEYS made but Little stay till we went back in the afternoon to Dadys again & over to brother WMS & back to Dadys & staid all Night

mon 26 somewhat cool
very Early I Left Dadys & went to home to uncles. I turnd into the still house & run singlings all day in the night Doubled made 10-1/2 gallons & run singlings I am strangely afflicted

tus 27 moderate
I masht a run & run singlings till Night & than I Doubled again being up all the night before I got done I fell asleep & run over my Cag & Lost some Quentity but I made 11 gallons was all night in the still house

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