Pages 091-100
JOHN OSBORN DIARY January 1, 1800 - October 2, 1802


MAY 1802 Book VI N. Carolina

sat 1 warm
I was at my plough till noon than I sot off & went to my uncles & him & I walked over to JAS SHANNONS & home again

sun 2 warm
in the afternoon I Left uncles & went up to my fathers again

mon 3 warm
as I was bringing my horses out of the woods I calld at brother ALEXDRS & on home to my plough

thir 4 warm
I was following my plough hard all Day against night I feel very feteauged for it is new ground & it is hard for the want of Rain & some of it very stoney & Rooty & stumpy all which makes it very Bad for to plough- However tomorrow even if helth permits I mean for to pay a visit to a certain young Lady (I have some other Business that calls me for to Ride out)

wen 5 warm & dry
I was ploughing till noon then I went to FREDERICK FISHERS with my mare to his horse for there to WM McCAINS & staid all night & was friendly treated (SALLY McCAIN) we had a great deal of conversation this night about her going away to Caintucky for to see some of her friends that livin there & we both was some what troubled about it but perhaps she may not go

thir 6 warm a good shower of rain
Early I Left MR McCAINS & went to MR FISHERS again from there to PETER RAPES & turnd in & Discourst his Daughter NANCY a while & it appeared for to be very agreeble than to my fathers than up to brother ALEXDRS & home again

fri 7 moderate
I was at my plough (altho Discontented in mind) I finished breaking up my new ground & glad was I

sat 8 cool morning but warm day
I was furing out for to plant corn at noon I was over at brother WMS helping him for to Role Logs on his clearing

sun 9 as yeasterday
I am very Discontented- WM McCRORY came to Dadys & I went with him up to brother ALEXDRS & in the even back to Dadys from there to PETER RAPES & chatted a while than to brother WMS & to my fathers again than up to brother ALEXDRS again & staid all Night (this visiting so much on the sabath day is not recommendable but being Discontented & geting with company it passes the time away-

mon 10 warm
Early I Left brother ALEXDRS & went home to my plough & had some hands planting of my new ground & till even then it came on Rain & Rain almost or altogether

tus 11 Rain
I was at brother ALEXDRS a short space in the afternoon I was ploughing but the ground is too wet so that I cant get my business Drove on Rapped Enough & some of my worke is Like for to get ahead of my so that it Disturbes my mind

wen 12 warm after the rain which makes a fine growing season
I finished furing out of my new ground in the afternoon I began for to plough amongst my old ground corn

thir 13 moderate
I was following of my plough amongst my corn till even than I went to PETER RAPES from there to THO WINCHESTER to a sosiaty there was a Number of people & 7 or 8 of them prayed & continued meeting till Late then I went to old MR JNO RODGERS from there home

fri 14 cool morning
I was at my plough all day at Night I went over to brother WMS & staid till morning

sat 15 warm
Early I Left WMS & went home to Dadys & up to brother ALEXDRS & Back home again & fist up for to ride this day I went to brother WMS from there to the WIDOW OSBOURNS from there to DAVID MOORS from that to DAVID ORRS & I was agoing from there to JAS COUGHRENS & MR ORRS Daughter MARGARET fixed up & she would go for to pilot me the way & for to tell the truth I would as Leave been without her company however ????????? to MOSES CRENSHAWS & from there to JAS COUGHRENS & staid all night (MARGARET ORR) Ah for she had but very little sence for she thinks that I will marry her but she is Damnable mistaken & if she had half wit she might have know it for Devil an ?? company ever will I keep with her more

[Page 57]

sun 16 rain in the morning
I Left JAS COUGHRENS & Rode to the Mathodist Meeting house to there sosiaty & staid there a while then home to my fathers & in the even up to brother ALEXDRS & staid all Night

mon 17 wet morning
I went home to my fathers & over to brother WMS & home again in the afternon I was at my plough (at night tormented with the tooth ach)

tus 18 cool morning the nights are Almost cold enough for frost
I was following of my plough amongst my corn & very much afflicted with the Tooth Ach one affliction after another & Divers Discontentment of the mind causes me for to Drink more spirits than I formerly did for to keep up my Drooping spirits & Drown Melencholy-

wen 19 very cool morning
as I was going to the woods after my horses I calld in at brother ALEXDRS & home to my plough this day I finished plowing over my old ground corn

thir 20 cool morning
I sadled my mare & off I went to PETER RAPES turnd in & Discourst MISS NANCY awhile from there I went to ROBERT HUEYS- my brother-in-law there I staid a while & took Dinner with them than from there I Rode to my uncles & WM McCRORYS school master came there from his school & we all had a drop of grog together & was Merry although I am a good deal afflicted with the tooth ach but when I got amongst good friends it revived me & somewhat motigated my misery

fri 21 moderate
when I got up in the morning my Right cheek was very much swelled by reason of the tooth ach how ever after Brackfast I went with MR. McCRORY we calld at the WIDOW WILSONS & on to his school house & I staid a few hours with him then went to HUGH RODGERS & staid there a while & took Dinner with them then I went to my uncles again & staid all night

sat 22 moderate
I am very much afflicted with my right cheek it is greaveously swelled & seems as if it was beeling I Left my uncles & Rode up to my fathers

sun 23 moderate
I am still in misery with my Right cheek I was all day & all Night at my fathers

mon 24 moderate
my cheek feels some better & a swelling some what abated I fixes me up a shovel plough the first ever I had & turns into my new ground corn but she flutters about at a Divil of a Rate with me but perhaps I may get better acquented with her presently

tus 25 warm
my cheek still hurts me some but I follow my shovel plough in my new ground- at noon I went up to brother ALEXDRS & home to my plough (this even the Neighbourhood began for to return home from a great MEETING in the Waxhaws in MR BROWNS congregation ther was a Large number of all sorts of Ministers it began last friday

wen 26 warm with appearance of Rain
I was not doing much & busy too Looking about things on the plantation- (my mind is so uncettled that when I worke none Neither do I rest any still walking from place to place for past time some times to the Neighbouring houses.  But with all I am I believe better satisfied when I am hard at worke in the field- Late in the even I walked down to JAS BECKETS from there over to PETER RAPES & staid all night (rain) (NANCY RAPE) some hos she had heard allow that I did not intend for to marry her therefore I had the more fun to myself & seemd for to be very earnest about it too

thir 27 pleasant
Early I Left MR RAPES & went home to my fathers & followed my shovel plough I made some altaration in the set of her then I began for to like her very well for she run much better- at Night I went up to brother ALEXDRS & stand all night

fri 28 wet
Early I went from brothers home to my plough & presently it came on rain so that I was forsed for to Quit my plough & betake myself to the house for shilter

sat 29 warm
I was working in the field till noon & my mare had broke out of the field so I not knowing where she would go I sot out after her went to THOMAS PRESLEYS from there to the woods & found her than I ploughed a while than I took my gun in my hand & walked over to brother WMS & we went a gameing of it till Late than home & I walked over again to WMS & staid all night

[Page 58]

sun 30 moderate
I went from brother WMS to my fathers & from there a Number of us went to the Mathodist Meeting house to their sosiaty & there was a Number of people collected there & they began for to sing & pray & at Leangth three Negro Women fell down & there was a Dredful fuss singing & Praying over them & they a crying out Lord Jesus have mercy on my- it is too tedious for to mention every word Neither can I remember it that they Expresst- However at Last the broke up & I went home to my fathers but thought very little of this days uprore

mon 31 cool morning
I was following of my plough till Late than I went up to brother ALEXDRS & staid all night- We have now a fine growing season if it was warm it is wet a nough but I think the are the coolest nights that ever I felt this season of the year

[Page 58]

JUNE 1802 Book VI N. Carolina

tus 1 cool morning
Early I went home to my plough finished ploughing over my new ground & entered into my old ground the 2nd time-

wen 2 cool morning
I was following of my plough

thir 3 moderate
I was working in my corn till even then it came on Rain) I walked over to brother WMS & home again

fri 4 uncommon cold for the season
I was following my plough amongst my corn

sat 5 moderate
I was at my plough till noon than working amongst my corn till night

sun 6 warm
I Left my fathers & Rode about 6 miles to the WIDOW NASHES the was a sosiaty meeting appointed by the Mathodist (But indeed it was not for sake of any good that I Expected I went for but for to see strangers) However there was several that give Exaitations some Mathodist & some Baptist & I give very good attention to them for to hear what they had for to tell the people but still there was some Ladys that Drawd my attention a little too- Espeacily 2 of one MR SHALVEYS Daughters & some others- therefore when worship was over I converst a little with some of them than rode home to Dadys than I went up to brother ALEXDRS & staid till morning

mon 7 warm
Early I Left brothers & went home to my plough but directly it came on Rain & before the rain was over my Mare broke out of the field & I sot off after her not knowing where she would run I went to old MR WOLFS & to old JNO FINEYS & ANDREW MATTHEWS & by THO WINCHESTERS by JNO RODGERS by HUGH McCRORYS & to PETER RAPES & to JNO BECKETS & home but got no intelegents of my Mare I went to my plough-

tus 8 warm
I sot off in order for to hunt my mare I went by old MR WOLFS by WM FISHERS by FREDERICK FISHERS the treated me hansomly with Rum by WM PHILLIPS & to WM RODGERS there I calld & took a grog of Whisky than by GEORGE McWHIRTERS JUNIORS & to WM McCRORYS school than to HUGH RODGERS & from there to uncles & all the account I got of her was passing WM. RODGERS yeasterday- I sot off again & went by the WIDOW WILSONS by FREDERICK FISHERS they Drawed their Rum on me again from there by JACOB STARNS & to DAVID STARNS & they treated me with more Rum from there to WM McCAINS (had a short conversation with MISS SALLY) from there to HUGH McCAINS JUNIORS by this time it was Dark I made but Little tarry by WM GAULTS by ANDREW McCAINS to JNO McCAINS & there staid till morning (had some chat with MISS BETCY) was very friendly Entertained (But no more inteligence of my Mare which makes me begin for to think that I will have a Divel of a hunt

wen 9 warm & rain
Early I Left MR McCAINS in order for to proceed on in my hunt of my mare went by  HUGH McCAINS SENIERS by JNO HUEYS Esqr by HERCULES HUEYS by JAS HUEYS by HUGH MONTGOMERYS by JNO NESBITS by JOSEPH NESBITS & to JNO JOHNSTONS there I calld & he treated me to as much grog of Whisky as I would Drink from there I went to JNO CRAIGS & there was my Mare & he had raised her from a coalt- than I was satisfied & old MR JNO CRAIG Esqr his father was there & him & I being some what acquented we turnd in & took a grog together for he is a very jolly old gentleman & we took Dinner than I Left that & sot off for home (this is in Lancaster County, South Carolina) on the waters of Cain Creek) went by JNO COFFEYS HUGH COFFEYS to HERCULES HUEYS & he took me in & give me as much Whisky as I would Drink I have had wonderful Luck this voige of grog the people are very kind from there by JNO HUEYS Esqr & so on to uncles by this time it is Late in the night

[Page 59]

thir 10 warm
after Brackfast I Left uncles & Rode home to brother WMS than to Dadys & wrought my corn ground for to plough it the 2nd time I followed till even than I went Down to PETER RAPES in order for to give his daughter a chat I staid all night (NANCY RAPE) she was very kind & loving but she had got with MR ??? CARTER & was afraid ???

{fri 11 NOTHING FOR FRIDAY JUNE 11, 1802

sat 12 warm
very Early I Left MR RAPES & went home to my plough at noon I went up to brother ALEXDRS for to get my plough sharpt & home to my plough-

sun 13 warm & dry
I feel very solotary in the even I walked up to brother ALEXDRS & home again

mon 14 warm with appereance of rain
I was following of my plough- harvest is beginning for to come on last- Numbers has Reap Wheat & some is cutting)  Late I went over to JNO AIKENS & staid all Night

tus 15 warm
Early I Left MR AIKENS & went home to my plough-some what thinking for to pay a visit tomorrow for to pay a visit to one of the fair sex if I do you will find it in the following lines-

wen 16 warm
I Left my fathers & Rode Down to my uncles & in they even I Left that & went to WM McCAINS from there up to DAVID STARNS & back to McCAINS & staid all night & was treated very kindly (SALLY McCAIN) some of her conduct was out of my mind but its not worth relating

thir 17 warm
Early I Left MR McCAINS & Rode to uncles he had a Number of hands Reaping wheat & Rye & I helpt in the field till Night than I went home with HUGH RODGERS & his son & staid till morning (JEAN RODGERS)

fri 18 warm
Early I Left MR RODGERS & went to uncles again from there I sot off in order for to go to Dadys went to PETER RAPES & there was some hands cuting of wheat I turnd in & Reap a while than home to my fathers & staid all Night

sat 19 warm
I was following of my plough at noon I was up at brother ALEXDRS geting some worke done at the shop- In the even WM McCRORY school Master came to my fathers & him & I went over to brother WMS than to brother ALEXDRS & staid all night

sun 20 Exceeding warm
After Brackfast brother his wife MR McCRORY & I went Down to Dadys from there to the Mathodist meeting house to their sosiaty when it was over back to Dadys & staid all night

mon 21 warm
I was Reaping of wheat at my fathers at Night (JNO JONES being there) him & I sadled our Nags & off we went to brother WMS from there to ROBERT HUEYS the fore part of the night I discourst MISS NANCY BECKET & thr greater part of our conversation was upon Religion maters & the after part of the night I converst with MISS MARGARET ORR & she did not care a Dam about Religion & so I spent the night

tus 22 warm
Early I Left MR HUEYS & Rode home to my fathers than to brother WMS & Reapt all day & staid all night & there was several young ladys there POGY ORR & JEAN RODGERS & c but I Laid me Down & slept till morning

wen 23 warm & Rain about
Early I Left WMS & went to JAS BECKETS & Reapt wheat all day at night I went home to my fathers & staid all night

thir 24 warm
I was following of my plough till about 10 oclock than I was helping of my father in the even till Late than I went to HUGH McCRORYS to MR LAWSONS store from there to PETER RAPES & staid all night (NANCY RAPE) she appears very much inamird with me but still doubtfull of my Loyalty (& in truth well she may) however she seemd for to have a desire that I should visit her again which I promised I would for I like for to pass a few hours with her once in a while- Right well for almost all the rest of the settlement are got such miseries that one will hardly ever see them crack a smile

[Page 60]

fri 25 moderate
Early I Left MR RAPES & went home to my plough

sat 26 moderate & windy & vast dry
I was following of my plough till noon than I went into a field of brother ALEXDRS that was near & helpt him for to Reap Rye till Night than I went over to brother WMS & staid till morning

sun 27 moderate & Dry
I went from brothers home to my fathers & went with them to their Mathodist meeting house to their sosiaty when it was over home again

mon 28 {NO WEATHER LISTED}
I was at my plough till noon than helping my father for to Bind up oats

tus 29 warm
I was helping of my father for to get his oats into the Barn

wen 30 warm
this morning as I am informed Little before the Dawning of the Day old MR SAMUEL JONES departed this Life- I went with WM McCRORY to the Mathodist meetin house for to hear one MR GAZEWAY preach he spoke from the 6 Chapt & 17 verse of the Revekatuibs & he give us a Rapped sermon than MR McCRORY & I went to PETER RAPES from there to HUGH McCRORYS to MR LAWSONS store where we parted I went home

[Page 60]

July 1802

thir 1
It is Now uncommon Dry & warm hearabouts it appears that if it does not rain soon that corn will die & wheat in general is but Lite it being much hurt with the Rust & old corn is in a manner done-

thir 1 I may say hot
I was hoeing my corn & begining for to think that if rain does not soon come I shall make very Little corn & I have 23 or 24 acres of corn- at night I went over to brother WMS & staid all night

fri 2 warm
I went from WMS home to my fathers & than left that & went to MR LAWSONS store from there to MR ROBERT HUEYS from there to SHARID GREYS Esqr it was Muster & paying of the cessing of house & land there- in the even I Left that & went to uncles & staid all Night

sat 3 warm
uncle & I went to JOHN STEPHENSONS it was a day of paying the cessment of houses & land there in the even there a Rose a mighty Hubbub amongst the people & some give others a few clouts but Whisky was the cause- about Dark we went home (a little rain)

sun 4 in the even a good shower of Rain
we went about 1/2 mile to a spring where one MR McMULLEN is for to preach & there was a Number of people collected & he spoke both forenoon & after noon from the 9 Chap & 16 verse of Corinthans when servese was all over I went with uncle home again & took Dinner my brother WM & his wife being along them & I Left that & I rode home to my fathers-

mon 5 warm in the evening much Rain
I was at my plough at noon I was at brother ALEXDRS geting some smith work done-

tus 6 warm
now the ground is in good order to the corn to grow I believe it has seldom been so wet since corn was planted.  I was working amongst my corn till even than I sot off & went to HUGH McCRORY to MR LAWSONS store from there to PETER RAPES there I staid all night (much rain) (NANCY RAPE) she is very kind but she is very doubtfull that I am intending for to Deceive her the thing which is very true for to mary her is a thing that never intend altho she is a right clever girl & I like very much for to have a chat with her once in a while for past time because I am not well satisfyd in mind-

wen 7 warm
Early I Left MR RAPES & went home to my fathers & was busy on farm till I walked over to brother WMS & 1 JAS RODGERS came there (his brother in law) & we went over to Dadys & back to WMS & staid all night

thir 8 warm
I went up to brother ALEXDRS & home again to my plough

fri 9 exceeding warm
I was following of my plough-

sat 10 wet till noon
than I sot off with an intent for to pay a visit that I have had in my mind for some time I calld at THOS PRESLEYS Door & took a Drop of Whisky then went on to SOLOMAN SIMONS there I tarryed a while than I left that in order for to go to MR. THOS SHALBYS (for there was the place that I aimd for when I left home)  However I Misst the way & got into the dasams hut at last I came to a little hut of a cabben in the woods & some poor Ratched souls breathing in it & there I inquired for MR SHALBYS again & I was 3 miles past I tackt about for there again & Readily found they way & got there about the seting of the sun it is the first time ever I have been here  However I was friendly Receivd & there was a Baptist Minister for to preach this night at one JOHN METHENUES about 2-1/2 miles from there & some of MR SHALBYS people were about for to start to the preachin & I took a notion for to go with them & had my mare put up & off we went a foot to MR METHONIES & it was one MR MORGEN that preacht & he spoke from the Prophecy of Isaiah the 27 Chapt & 13 verse & he is a Stormer you may be sure When all was over we went home with old MR CHARLES COOK a Baptist Preacher there we staid till morning

[Page 61]

sun 11 warm
after taking of Brackfast with MR COOK we left that calld in at one MR WINKETS I believe from there to ABRAHAM SHELBYS from there home to THOS SHELBYS and JNO SIBLEY Esqr sent for MR SHELBY & his family for to come & Drink sider with him & they insisted on me for to go with them so off we to MR SIBLEYS (1-1/2 miles) & he treated us like a gentleman & we staid till even & Drank sider & took Dinner with him-  Now we are abot to part & I can say that I hardly ever met with kinder people to me and my visit Ended & I converst a little with Both MR SHALBYS Daughters MISS POLLY & MISS NELLY But did not say much about marriage to Either of them for to confess the truth I could not make choice of one for to make my Addresses too for they are Both Lovely girls & I may say all they family is so kind the old people Both very much insisted on me for to go home with them again & staid this Night But my business seemd for to call me home so we parted in Love & off I sot for home-
Now as I Ride I can sing & say
The visit that Long I entended I have made
And tow Lovely Damsals I confess they are
But of them a Choise I cannot make
For which Reason I did not clasely ingage with Either
But with this Resilution here I Do them Leave
That if it is Gods will Life & health me to spare
My promes to them i'll fulfill
That is are Long for to Return again
Than unto one of them I'll say the thing that is not true
For if truth was Let out it would Loudly sing & say
Neither of you I never do intend to mary
But to flater the famels my tongue I have Let Loose
But one Day or another I Expect to Bid them all Adue
However to cut my Little Ditty short I Rode to MRS NASHES a Widow Woman & a very genteel woman too there I fell into courting of her & I may say of her as of almost all other she was kind & gentell & my company appeard very acceptable & as I said to the others so said I to her that is promies to Return- Than Rode on home to my fathers thinking on the past times I have had & some times my consiance tells me I am doing Rong but my inclination leads me so-

mon 12 moderate
I was following my plough

tus 13 moderate
I was following of my plough till even than I went to HUGH McCRORYS from there to PETER RAPES & staid all Night (NANCY RAPE) Now I begin to think of fulfilling the word in the Last Line of my Rhime on the other page that word Adue I bid her-

wen 14 cool for the season
Early I Left MR RAPES & went home to my plough but Directly it came on Rain than I went up to brother ALEXDRS & home again & in the even over to brother & with him to THOS PRESLEYS we took a Drop of Whisky & Returned to Dadys & staid till morning

thir 15 Light showers
I was ploughing some part of the day & some part working at a piece of ground that I have begun this day for to clear off for Meadow- God only knows whither ever I will pertake of the fruits of this Leabour (For it circumstances do not alter in some cases perhaps I may betake myself to some ferrer country-

[Page 62]

fri 16 cool morning
I Left Dadys & Rode to ANDREW WALKERS Esqr it was his Law day & I had summond some people for Debt I got judgement against WM MILLER for 15 Dollars 37-1/2 cents in the evening Left that & went to uncles & staid all night

sat 17 warm
I was helping of uncle for to fix things about the still house in order for him to make some Brandy in the eve I went up to HUGH RODGERS & staid all night (JEAN RODGERS) all love-

sun 18 warm & showery
Early I Left MR RODGERS & went home to uncles & staid till even than I Left that & Rode to my fathers-

mon 19 warm Rain*
I was at my plough till even than Rain- I walked over to brother WMS & staid all Night

tus 20 cloudy morning
Early I Left brothers & went home I Left that & Rode to MRS NASHES & her & I Rode about a mile & 1/2 to a Meeting house for to hear a Mathodist Minister the name of JONES preach the congregation was small the words that he spoke from you will find in the Book of Joel the 2 Chapt & 11 verse the Latter part of the verse- When sermon was over JNO SIBLEY Esqr invited me home with him I excepted the invetation & went home with him Drank sider & took Dinner than his son ROBERT & I had our creatures sadled & off we went about 1 miles to THOS SHALBYS in order for to see his Daughters & when I was there I vewed the two ladys & converst with one and then the other but which of them I could not tell myself that I would fall in with for close communion for the one that is MISS POLLY I thought was the best & the likeliest but by the deluding of a young man she was ???

wen 21 showery
Early ROBERT SIBLEY & I left MR SHALBYS & went to his fathers & drank some sider than I left that & went to MRS NASHES & directly there she had a decanter of whiskey & glasses on the table & I drank some with her than directly a very grand Brackfast on the table so I took some Brackfast with her than she Rode with me up to my fathers I walked up to brother ALEXDRS & home again (heavy rain)  Almost every where I go with a grinning counterance I am deceving altho discontented I am) in the even I walked up to brother ALEXDRS again & staid all night

Back to top of page