|
Pages 081-090
JOHN OSBORN DIARY January
1, 1800 - October 2, 1802
A Voige to Cabaras & Roan Countys
(wen the 13 in the after part
of the Day my uncle & I Sot of in order for to go up throw the above
Mentioned Countys for to purchase a Waggon (the most of the inhibitance
being Dutch & we ware informed that they ware possers of the Best
of Waggons- we went 7 miles to my fathers I went over to brother WMS
& staid till morning
thir 14 frosty
very Early I Left brothers & went over to my fathers & from there
my uncle & I Sot off on our journy calld at old MR CHARLS POLKS
& he Drawd out a Bottle of Whisky- we Drank some with him & Rode
on to DAVID POWELS there we calld in & had 1/2 pint off Whisky
for 12-1/2 Cents from there we went on & crost Rocky RIver to one
JNO HAGLERS a Dutchman there we staid all Night when supper was
set we had for to look how the would begin for to use it was som thing
in a Tin Bason but Ill Sware I can't tell what part that was in it was
Pumkin but what Else I know not- however the Broke there Bread in small
peases & Dipt it into the Bason & we don so too and it was not
so bad we had milk after it- (this day I suppose we made about 29 miles)-
fri 15 moderat
when we call our Reckoning we had foder for our horses our suppers &
a Quart of Whisky & we had but 56-1/2 Cents for to pay- we ware informd
that one MR ARCHABALD McCURDY Living 4 miles up the River had a
Waggon for sale so we Left MR HAGLERS & crost the River back
at the same place where we crost Last even and went to MR McCURDY
but he had no waggon for sale- But he fed our horses & had a very
good Brackfast prepard for us- from there we went on Crost the River again
a Little above there- we are now in Cabaras County) & went on to a
Little Town calld Concord where they hold Cabaras Courts we staid in Town
a while had 1/2 pint of Brandy for 18-3/4 Cents than we Left that &
went to CORNEL MARTIN FIFFERS there we staid all night & was
very friendly Entertained our horse well fed & good Diet for ourselves
& as much Whisky as we choose for to Drink & nothing for to pay
sat 16 moderate
Early we Left MR FIFFERS & went a small Distance to one MR
BARBARIES made a Little tary than went to one JNO FINKS (this
is in Roan County) a Black Smith but MR FINK was from home about
3 miles at one MR SAVAGES so we went there for to see him he was
a man that some times as we ware informd got Waggons made & shed them
for sale & we thought that perhaps we could get one engaged with him
for to be Ready against a certain time but he could not ingage us one
but he told us that a brother in law of his who made Waggons had one now
at the Smiths for to be shad for sale & if we would be back about
the middle of Next Month we would get here the waggon makers name was
JNO SETSAR)- We are now some odds of 50 miles from home so we sot
off for home calld in at JAS NICKSONS had 1/2 pint of Whisky for
12-1/2 Cents from there we went on to PAUL FIFFERS & tarryed
all night
[Page 51]
sun 17 cool
when we calld our Reckoning this morning there was 7 shillings for to
pay- very Early we Left MR FIFFERS & went to SAMUEL SMITHS
(20 miles) there we got our horses fed and our Brackfast BenevoLently
Than made for home and a Little after Dark we got home-
mon 18 frosty
I was cutting still wood all day
tus 19 frosty
I went to JNO McMURRYS for a sadle he was making for me & one
for uncle for which I paid 9-1/2 Dollars 4-1/2 for his & 5 for Mine
than home again
wen 20 moderate
I began for to run singling in order for to make Whisky but by Reason
of the Dry weather I have my water Lifted Late I went up to HUGH RODGERS
& staid all Night (JEAN RODGERS)
thir 21 warm & rain
Early I Left HUGH RODGERS & went home & turnd into the
still house-
fri 22 clear & warm
I Masht 2 runs & Doubled made 7 gallons- the first I made this season
sat 23 moderate
I Masht a run og Whisky & in the even I sot off & went to ROBERT
HUEYS & staid all night-
sun 24 moderate
I Left ROBERT HUEYS & went home to my uncles-
mon 25 cool with appearance
of Rain
I was attending of the Mill- MR. McMULLEN & MR JOHN JOHNSTON
of Lancaster County came. MR McMULLEN tarried all Night-
In the night I was sent for by STEPHEN BLUE he was Lying very sick-
had sent to a Doctor & had got some madicin & Directions for to
use them & they could not read them so I went up & staid till
day
tus 26 clear & pleasant
Early I Left MR BLUES & went to where ELIJAH MAYS now
Lives from there home- than took some of the Negros with me & went
to HUGH RODGERS from there to where MAYS Lives again in
order for to shell some corn I had there- this Day MAYS Moved away
in the even I went to MR RODGERS again & home
wen 37 warm
I sot off with the Waggon & 2 Negros Boys for to Bring my corn from
MAYS place calld at STEPHEN BLUES & on took home with
a Load of corn & Back for another as I came calld at GEORGE McWHIRTER
Juniors & so along to WM McCRORY School from there home
thir 28 warm
I was helping of uncle for to pick his mill stones till even than I took
my gun in my hand & walked over to Mr McCAINS & staid all
night (SALLY McCAIN) & was very friendly Entertained
fri 29 uncommon warm
Early I Left Mr McCAINS & went home- Began for to run my still
& had for to Lift water is seems as if the watter was not for to stand
this season which is mighty against me
sat 30 some rain &
cool
I was busy in the still house
sun 31 cloudy
I went up to HUGH RODGERS in the even home-
February 1802
mon 1 cloudy & moderate
Riseing up a Long while before Day I Doubled a run of Whisky made 10 gallons
Masht more & run singling-
tus 2 cloudy & warm
I was in the still house Doubled a run made 10 gallons Masht more &
run singlings-
wen 3 clear & warm
I was busy in the still house runing singlings till even than I went up
to HUGH RODGERS & staid all Night (JEAN RODGERS)
thir 4 frosty
Early I Left MR RODGERS & went home & Masht a run of Whisky
& Doubled one made 10-1/2 gallons-
fri 5 frosty
I Masht a run of Whisky- in the afternoon I Sot off & went to PETER
RAPES by this time it was geting Dark MR RODGERS was there
covering of MR RAPES house & some more company we took a Drop
of Grog I stept to the Door for to see if my horse was standing but as
MR FIFFER says Behold- Behold he was gone sadle Bridle & all
& MR RODGERS & I sot out after him want to JAS BECKETS
from there to Dadys from there to brother WMS & back to RAPES.
WM went with us & by the way we found him however we went to
RAPES & got a Quart of Whisky & RODGERS & I
staid to morning (NANCY RAPE. Ah for the very kindness- They want
me for to marry MISS NANCY.
[Page 52]
sat 6 frosty
Early I Left MR RAPES went to brother WM. from there to
my brothers with a bottle of Whisky for to cheer up the old man spirits
that he would talk free with me-from there I went up to brother ALEXRS
& sot & chateted a while than back to Dadys & staid all Night
sun 7 some rain
I Left Dadys calld a few minutes at JAS BECKETS & so on home
mon 8 warm
Rising Early I turnd into the still house & run them all day &
all night made 10 gallons-
tus 9 very warm
I was very busy between the stills & the Mill
wen 10 very warm
I Doubled a run of Whisky made 10 gallons Masht more & run singlings
thir 11 warm
I was all day & Night busy in the still house Doubled a run of Whisky
made 11 gallons
fri 12 Exceeding warm
I was busyed in the still house
sat 13 warm
I Doubled a run og Whisky made 11 gallons- in the afternoon JAS SCOTT
& his brother JNO from Lancaster came & them & I turnd
in & took a grog then we sot off & went to JNO McCAINS
from there to WM. McCAINS & staid till morning -
sun 14 very warm
Early I Left Mr McCAINS & went home (Mr HUGH McMULLEN
from Lancaster came up Last even) uncle Mr McMULLEN & I walked
Down to THOMAS WALKERS & home again- In the even MR McMULLEN
& I walked up to HUGH RODGERS & back home again
mon 15 showery & warm
I was busy in the still house
tus 16 warm
I sot things in the still house Than I went to a plantation that formerly
was JNO FITES Deceast it was for to be sold at public auction &
I was appointed for to call the sale- in the afternoon the sale began
it was the first Vandue that ever I calld & it went on very well it
went to 1607 Dollars- to JEREMAH CURTION- Late I went home
wen 17 warm
I was in the still house till even Than I went up to HUGH RODGERS
& staid all night (JEAN RODGERS) very kind of my company
thir 18 warm
Early I Left HUGH RODGERS & went home to my daily calling Doubled
a run of Whisky made 11 gallons- I keep a great deal of company not for
of Love but for past time & drinks a great deal of whisky and not
for the treat but for to ?? My mind is a troubled as the wavery sea-
fri 19 warm
I was busy in the still house
sat 20 warm
I was at my daily calling Doubled a run og whisky made 10 gallons-
sun 21 wet morning
I was all day at home-
mon 22 cool
I was at my Daily calling- Distilling-
tus 23 very frosty
I sot my stills a runing Than I went to SAMUEL LASLEYS by his Request
for to call a Vandue for him he is about for to move off- I calld the
sale & he give me 2 Dollars property went of high- corn at 77 &
79 cents per bushel- Late I returnd home
wen 24 cold
I was busy in the still house-
thir 25 much rain
I Doubled a run of Whisky made 11 gallons was in the still house all day-
fri 26 moderate
I was busy in the still house till even than I sot off & went to WM.
McCAINS from there to DAVID STARNS & over to LARD BURNS
& back to STARNS & back to McCAINS & staid all
night- (SALLY McCAIN) I was very friendly Entertained-
sat 27 warm
Early I Left Mr McCAINS & went to HUGH RODGERS &
from there home to uncles Doubled a run of Whiskey made 12 gallons &
there was some Quentity of people there taking a grog FREDERICK FISHER
& his wife was with the Rest & him & I turnd into Swoping
Creatures I SWOPT him a Roand horse to a Bay mare & I give him 25
Dollars to boot- Late I went with HUGH RODGERS & his son WM
home & staid all Night- (JEAN RODGERS)
sun 26 moderate
Early I Left MR RODGERS & went home to uncles & him &
I went up to ANDREW WALKERS he was came home from Charlston in
the even we went home
MARCH 1802
mon 1 warm
I was attending of the stills & helping of uncle for to pick the mill
stones
tus 2 warm
I was in the still house Doubled a run made 10 gallons sold a Barrel of
Whisky to LITTLE BERRY CRENSHAW 32 Dollars & 25 Cents-
[Page 53]
wen 3 very warm
I run my stills till even & my father came there & I sot off &
went home with him in order for to begin FARMING-
thir 4 frost
I turnd into my clearing which I began Last fall- in the afternoon I went
to JNO AIKENS & home again to Dadys
fri 5 frosty morn
I was working in my clearing till noon I went to PETER RAPES &
home again & up to brother ALEXDRS & home again about Dark
to brother WMS. & home-
sat 6 warm
in the morning I went with some more company up to brother ALEXDRS
for to see a Tarcilm sot a fire than home again- & was busy till even
than I went over to brother WMS & staid all Night
sun 7 frosty
Early I went from brother WMS to Dadys from there up to brother
ALEXDRS & back to Dadys-(I am so Discontented in mind causing
me for to get from place to place when I am not busy at work & indeed
I can hardly content myself at work-) And in the even back to brother
ALEXDRS again & home again-
mon 8 sharp frost
I wrought exceeding hard in my clearing
tus 9 warm
I was working in my clearing till even Than I went to ROBERT HUEYS
he was just come home from Charlston I made but Little tarry but Returnd
home-
wen 10 warm
Early I went to old MR WOLFS made very Little tarry but home
& wrought very hard till Night
thir 11 small rain &
cool
I was busy till even than I got on my mare & rode to PETER RAPES
& took a grog than home again- my mind is wickedly given about this
time so that I hardly can be confind to my worke-
fri 12 warm
I was hard at work till Late in the even & FREDERICK FISHER
& his wife came to Dadys ROBERT HUEY & his wife JENEY
BECKET & some others about Dark MR FISHER & I mounted
our Creatures & off we went to PETER RAPES got 1/2 gallon of
Whisky did not Light But Back again & we had a jolly Night (NANCY
BECKET)
sat 13 moderate
Dady & MR FISHER & his wife & I sot off calld at PETER
RAPES took a Drop of Grog than went on to uncles took some grog than
parted in the even I went over to the WIDOW WILSONS there was some
hands Roling Logs from there to HUGH RODGERS & home to uncles
& staid till morning
sun 14 sharp frost
Late in the even I went up to HUGH RODGERS & staid all night
(JEAN RODGERS)
mon 15 sharp frost
Early I Left MR RODGERS & went to uncles in the after part
of the Day I Left uncles & went to ANDREW WALKERS Esqr &
proved an account of 5 Dollars against JAS LITTLE who is absent
himself out of the parts than when home to my fathers & staid all
night
tus 16 warm
I began for to Plough for corn- At Night I went up to brother ALEXDR
& back to Dadys
wen 17 warm & windy
I was following of my plow
thir 18 warm & dry
I am still following of my plow some what thinking of I am spard helth
some day Next week for to visit one of the fair sex- Just as it
was geting Dark I was steping out at my fathers East Door I heard the
WHIPERWILL
fri 19 warm
I was very busy at my Farm I begin for to feel somewhat wearyed but I
pick up new vigour & goes on
sat 20 warm day & windy
I was following of my plough till even than I sadled my mare & off
I went to PETER RAPES from there to MR LAWSONS store he
was just come home from Charlston & PETER RAPE who was halling
for him from there some company of us went back to RAPES &
took a Drop of grog than WM McCRORY & I went to brother ALEXDRS
& staid till morning-
sun 21 moderate
I went from brothers to the Mathodist Meeting House to their Sosicty than
to Dadys in the even I went to PETER RAPES from there to old MR
HOMES they ware Looking for him to Die some time in the Night I Left
that & went home to my fathers
mon 22 wet in the after
part of the day
I was working at my farm till it came on Rain than I went to JAS BECKETS
& to HUGH McCRORY to MR LAWSONS store Bought cloth &
triming for a sadle cloth at 2 Dollars & a hat 4 Dols than I went
to PETER RAPES & staid all Night (NANCY RAPE) her love
seems for to eneding)
[Page 54]
tus 23 Dark morning
Early I Left MR RAPES & went to JAS BECKETS from there
home to my fathers & followed my farm
wen 24 cloudy morning
about 10 o'clock I sot off from my fathers & went to WM FISHERS
from there to FREDERICK FISHERS & my mare to a 1 year old colt
that he has than I went to WM McCAINS & staid all Night was
very kindly Entertained (SALLY McCAIN)
thir 25 warm
Early I Left WM McCAINS & went to FREDERICK FISHERS
& him & his wife sot off with me & went to WM RODGERS
from there to MR LAWSONS store & over to PETER RAPES
& back to the store & from there home to Dadys Late I walked over
to brother WMS & home again
fri 26 showery
I was following of my plought till even than I went up to brother ALEXDRS
shop with some worke than home
sat 27 a little snow in
the morning but faird off cool
I was following my plough at noon I was at the shop of ALEXDR again
sun 28 sharp frost
I went to JNO AIKENS Plantation for to help to Lift some of his
cows that could not rise for they ware every soul away about 10 miles
at a great Preaching & allowed for to be some Days gone- I Returnd
home
mon 29 cool
I was busy on the farm till Night than I went up to brother ALEXDRS
& staid till morning
tus 30 moderate
Early I Left brothers & went home & followed my plough all day
wen 31 warm & windy
I was following of my plough with many a though- The fruit trees are Nearly
in Bloom & I expect a good many killed with the frost-
APRIL 1802 Book VI N. Carolina
thir 1 cloudy warm &
windy
I was following my plough till even than I went to JAS BECKETS
the Night before his wife had her 4th child BORN being a son- from there
I went to PETER RAPES & discourst Miss NANCY a while
than went to brother WMS & home to Dadys
fri 2 warm
Early I Left Dadys in order for to go to uncles (calld at MR LAWSONS
store got some Little Articles than went on to uncles & Masht a run
of Whisky for him & in the even Let that & went to WM McCAINS
& staid all Night (the conduct of MISS SALLY was not to my
mind)
sat 3 warm
Early I Left Mr McCAINS & went to FREDERICK FISHERS
from that home to uncles. And a Quentity of us turnd out to the
woods for to kill squirels- we killed 53 & in the even calld in at
HUGH RODGERS than home-
sun 4 warm
In the afternoon I sot off from uncles & Rode to my fathers
mon 5 moderate
about the Dawning of the day I begin for to feel very unwell but when
it come day I Rose up & went to the woods after my horses but found
them not went home again & continues sick but stiring some about in
the even I walked over to brother WMS. & back again
tus 6 warm
I feel but soberly but at my Leabours
wen 7 warm
I calld at brother ALEXDRS as I was hunting my horses & home
to my plough till noon than I was at brother WMS. & home to
my worke till even than I went to JAS BECKETS & to PETER
RAPES & to brother WMS. again than home
thir 8 Rain
I was at brother ALEXDRS in the morning & home again in the
afternoon I had some hands helping of me for to Roll Logs in my clearing
Late I went over to brother WMS & WM RODGERS being there
him & I went to PETER RAPES & staid all Night (NANCY
RAPE) ha ha ha how it makes me Laugh to myself for to think how easy
a girl may be made for to believe a lie for this night she made a full
confession not of her doing but of her Love-
fri 9 warm
Early I Left MR RAPES & went home to my fathers & went
to the woods after my horses & it was noon before I found them than
home to my worke
sat 10 warm
I was working in my clearing till even than I went to PETER RAPES
from there to ROBERT HUEYS & staid till morning
sun 11 moderate
I Left MR HUEYS & went to the Mathodist Meeting house to their
sosiaty & from there home to fathers
[Page 55]
mon 12 moderate
I was ploughing till in the forenoon than it came on Rain & I went
to PETER RAPES from there to where old MR HOMES Lived in
his life time he is Deceast & this day his property is selling at
public Auction I staid till Late than to RAPES again from there
home
tus 13 moderate
I was working in my clearing till noon than I went to brother WMS
& wrought the afternoon than home again- at Night I went to JAS
BECKETS a few of the Mathodist was for to meet there for to hold sosiaty
I staid a while than home again
wen 14 clear & warm
I was working in my clearing till noon than furing out corn ground
thir 15 warm
in the morning as I was bring of my horses out of the woods I calld a
minut at brother ALEXDRS than to my plough furing out corn ground
fri 16 cool morning
was furing out corn ground till Late than I went to PETER RAPES
for a Bottle of Whisky & home again
sat 17 cool with appearance
of Rain
I was furing out corn ground & had some hands Planting corn at night
when we finished we went to PETER RAPES for to take a grog some
of us went over to MR LAWSONS store & back to RAPES
& I staid all Night (NANCY RAPE) ha ha ha she more confessing
her Love but if she knew my mind she would not be so free as telling of
her mind to me-
sun 18 warm
Early I Left MR RAPES & went to brother WMS from that
home to my fathers & from there I went to WM HOWARDS for to
hear MR WALLAS preach when the sermons was over (I was not in MR
HOWARDS house) I went to ROBERT HUEYS from there home
mon 19 much rain
I was in the woods the forenoon hunting of horses & got wet I calld
in at ROBERT OWENS? than home
tus 20 cloudy & cool
I went to FREDERICK FISHERS & the people treated me very genteely
& DAVID STARNS & his wife came thar & the all insisted
on me for to stay all Night with them & the would send out for some
of the Neighbours & have a frolic so after a long persuasing I consented
for to stay & MR FISHER & MR STARNES & I sot
off & went to WM RODGERS for some Rum than back again &
there was a smart Number of people met & we frolocked out till day
light without a wink of sleep-
wen 21 warm
MR FISHER & his wife & I Left his house & went to uncles
there we parted I went home to my fathers
thir 22 warm
I wrought in my clearing But my mind is not altogether contented for some
Reasons but it will be I expect better or worse before Next Christmas
for I mean for to fill up this Book in the same station of Life that I
have filld the former pages that is if God spares me Life & health
for to do it than in the Latter Book I intend for to alter my way of Life
& try a maried Life that is if my mind Dose not Daviate from what
it is at present- Late in the even I went to JAS BECKETS from there
to PETER RAPES & staid all night (MISS NANCY RAPE) she
is free & kind-
fri 23 moderate
Early I Left MR RAPES & went home to fathers & coverd corn
for him till noon & a Little after midday WM McCOY came along
appearing to me the start mades man that ever I saw & I sent for accistance
for to tye him he tryd for to kill me with all his might but I came neare
him till more healp came & than he got moderate & WM FREEMAN
was grogy & some of us thought he was abuseing of his famely so off
we went there but did not stay long but home such an even fuss I never
saw
sat 24 warm
Early as I was out after my horses I calld at brother ALEXDRS I
went to WM FISHERS for some oats than home- In the even I walked
up to brother ALEXDRS & home again
sun 25 warm
I feel very solatary I was at home all day
mon 26 warm
I was following of my plought & the ground is geting very dry &
hard
tus 27 warm
I was following my plough till even than I went up to brother ALEXDRS
for to get my shear sharpt (this day I began for to brake up my New ground)
I staid all night
wen 28 appearance of Rain
Early I Left brother ALEXDRS & went home to my plough
[Page 56]
thir 29 warm
I was at my plough & my team is Rapped & the ground stumpy &
hard so that it is like for to out doe me- in the even when I Loost my
plough I went down to PETER RAPES got me a Bottle of Whisky than
home
fri 30 warm
as I was Bringing my horses out of the woods I calld at brother ALEXDRS
& home to my plough
Back
to top of page
|