Pages 101-112
JOHN OSBORN DIARY January 1, 1800 - October 2, 1802


thir 22 warm
Early I Left brothers & went home-  than I sot of & went to JNO HAMMANS for to get my Mare shod he was going to JNO THOMPSONS for to help him for to Raise a Barn so I went with him to THOMPSONS when we got the Barn up THOMPSON & I went back to his house & he shod my mare then I returnd home to my fathers

fri 23 wet
I went up to brother ALEXDRS & home again- Than vast rain- Late in the even I went over to JNO AIKENS & staid all night

sat 24 warm rain
I went from AIKENS home to my fathers-  Late in the evening I went with some company to JAS BECKETS HUGH McCRORYS & to old MR JOHN RODGERS in order for to sot up this night for to see the old man (a very old man) depart this life for he has been lying on a languishing bed this 4 days & nights with the people standing a round the bed for to see his disalition- However we staid all night but he died not this night likewise

sun 25 warm & rain
Early we left Mr RODGERS & went to HUGH McCRORYS JAS BECKETS to brother WMS from there I went home to my fathers

mon 26  rain
about 10 oclock I sot off from fathers in order for to go to Sharlott to our court.  I rode to DAVID MOORS (had 1/2 pint of whisky 6-1/2 cents) from there I rode on to SAMUEL BLACKS from there to WM BLACKS (he is a cousin of my father) There I staid all night & was very friendly treated

tus 27 rain
after Brackfast MR BLACK his wife & Daughter & I sot off & Rode to Sharlott there I had a pint of wine 50 cents 1-1/2 pints of whisky 32-1/2 cents my mare put up at MRS McCOMBS & fed 12-1/2 cents- Late in the evening a Quentity of us left Sharlotte & rode to WM STEWARDS there we took up our Lodging had dinner we Drank Whisky & Ran Dand about to I suppose it was past midnight than we went to bed & I fell in with MR STEWARDS Daughter MISS CATY I slept but Little

[Page 63]

wen 28 rain
we drank whisky till brackfast was prepard so we took brackfast then we calld our Rackonings & had my mare in the stable & fed with oats last night & this morning my dinner last night & brackfast this morning & 4 half pints of whisky & my bill was 87-1/2 cents then we took to the Rode & it a raining we rode on to we came to DAVID MOORS by this time our company was all parted off gut SOLOMON HARRES ELIJAH SIBLEY & myself we calld I had 1/2 pint of whisky 12-1/2 cents than we rode on calld at PETER RAPES from there to HUGH McCRORYS to MR LAWSONS Store from there to my fathers

thir 29 warm
I was at my fathers all day & indeed not fit for to go much about with one of my feet that I got burnt this day a week at HAMMANS shop where I was geting my mare shod-

fri 30 warm
with my foot I am not capable of any worke but was all day at my fathers with a mind as unsetled as the roleing billows of the sea

sat 31 warm
I was at home

[page 63]

AUGUST 1802

sun 1  August 1802
It is now every seasonable & crops begins for to look past peoples expectation considering the forepart of the season

sun 1 warm
this day the Mathodist held their sosiaty at my fathers & there was a number of people collected there

mon 2 warm & rain
I sot off from my fathers went to PETER RAPES & turnd in & Discourst MISS NANCY a while than on to JACOB FILES from there to uncles & staid all night

tus 3 wet
I was all day at uncles helping for to pick the mill stones

wen 4 warm
I went from uncles to WM McCAINS from there to LORD BURNS & returnd back to MR McCAINS & staid all night (SALLY McCAIN) I was kindly entertained but all things was not to my mind

thir 5 warm
Early I Left MR McCAINS & went to MR BURNS from there to FREDERICK FISHERS from there home to uncles & directly I received a letter from MR WM CULBETH Montgomery County & I understood he was at ANDREW WALKERS (him & one POWEL had a show there so off I went to WALKERS for to see MR CULBETH for him & I was somewhat acquented there was a number of people there for to see the shows the ware for to show what they call Poppets But the greatest sight was an animale that I believe they calld ORANGERTANG such a thing I never saw before (12-1/2 cents per man for seeing) it was about the size of a common dog but for to see it walking a peace off it has the appearance of a person & it has mostly the actions of a person only much activer than a man- I staid till about midnight than I went home to uncles & staid till morning

fri 6 warm
I was all day at uncles MR CULBETH & MR POWEL came there & in the even some quentity of people gathered for to see the showes & we vewed the courious things that MR CULBETH & POWEL had till we ware satisfied than we turned in to frolicing till late in the Night

sat 7 warm
in the even I went to HUGH RODGERS & staid all night (JEAN RODGERS)

sun 8 warm
I went from Mr RODGERS home to uncles & in the even I left that in order for to go to my fathers by the time I got to JAS BECKETS it came on Rain & I turnd in & staid all Night

mon 9 wet
Early I left JAS BECKETS & went home to my fathers- And from there up to brother ALEXDRS for to see how they fair for last Saturday the had their Second Child BORN being a boy-Also I drank some grog & took Dinner with them than returnd home

tus 10 wet
In the even I walked up to brother ALEXDRS & home again - I am very much dissatisfyed both sleeping & weaking my mind is releing through discontent

wen 11 warm
It is such wet times that I cannod Drive on business in the even I went over to brother WMS & home again

thir 12 warm
I may say I am doing nothing & yet very busy- I have no work that suits this weather- But for the lake of contentment I am continually going about & in much waige upon me than hard labour- However tomorrow if it is Gods will for to spare me Life & health I am Determind for to make a visit of the Famels fair But all for past time Not with any intention of marrying- Therefore you may read the following lines and you will her name repreted (that is if you desire for to hear it)

[Page 64]

fri 13 moderate
I sot off from Dadys rode to JNO SIBLEYS Esqe it was his law day I staid there while then went to THOS SHALBYS (in order for to visit his daughter) from there I went to EDMON RITCHES to a shooting match it was a calf they shot for- I taryd a short space than returnd back to MR SHALBYS & staid till morning (MISS POLLY SHALBY) her heart appears tender & her love to me she freely acknowledged to begeat & very loveingly did me embrace-Now you may be told it tickels me much for to see how I can tender the hearts of the fair ones & hear those minds in full then bid them Adue

sat 14 warm
when I began for to prepare for to leave MR SHALBYS for to ride home my mare in the Night had broke out of the pastor & was gone however off I sot on my foot went to SOLOMON SIMONS from there to WM HELMS from there home & my mare was safe home- I staid at home this Night

sun 15 very cool morning
I sot off & went to MR SHALBYS again for my sadle that I left yeasterday & staid till even discoursing MISS POLLY SHALBY than returnd home to my fathers & went up to brother ALEXDRS & staid all night

mon 16 cool morning
Early I went from brothers home & the chief my business this day was killing squirels round my corn field- Late I went over to brother WMS and staid all night

tus 17 moderate morning but warm day
Early I left brothers & went home about noon I was calld upon by brother WM I went over & home again got a syth & thrnd into my meadow for to mow grass- But by my swear I don't know how so in the even JNO AIKEN & his wife came to my fathers & I went home along with them & staid all Night

wen 18 warm
I went from MR AIKENS home to Dadys

thir 19 warm
brother ALEXDR & I went from Dadys to MR LAWSONS store from there to PETER RAPES took a Drop of Brandy & I discourst MISS NANCY a while from there to brother WMS & to my fathers-(some times my mind is some what serean & other times it is like a ship between two waves tossing tow & fro all but reqady for to be racked to peaces- Late in the even I went with NANCY ??? BECKET and staid all night (NANCY BECKET) she is very loveing

fri 20 moderate
I went from BECKETS home & by the request of brother WM I went over to his house I did not tarry long but home again

sat 21 warm
Early I went up to brother ALEXDRS for to help him for to raise a stable when we got done I went home than to brother WMS & home again

sun 22 warm
I went over to the Mathodist meeting house to their sosiaty when it was over JNO JONES & I went to PETER RAPES from there to Dadys

mon 23 warm
brother WM & I turnd out for to kill squarels against brother ALEXDR & WM FREEMAN for a Bottle of Brandy- It was at WMS & once at PETER RAPES & at night we met at Dadys & we had win the prize by 2 they killd 12 & us 14

tus 24 warm
Yeasterday my sister MARTHA- ROBERT HUEYS wife was taken in leabour & has 2 midwives with her & she is extremely bad so that life is hardly expected for her.  This morning they sent up for me to go for one MRS McBRIDE that was counted a very skilld midwife so off I went had 12 or 13 miles for to go to McBRIDES when I got there we made but very little tarry till I brought her to HUEYS & I staid there till late and my sister continues wonderfull bad but no child born yet I left that & went home to Dadys

wen 25 warm
This morning about the Dawning of the day MARTHA HUEYS child was born & it was dead & her hardly expected for to live- Early I went down there & staid all night

thir 26 warm
my sister lies very low- Early I left that & went home to my fathers & took some foder

fri 27 warm
I went to where JNO HAMMANS nwt lives for to get a pair of shoes put on my mare than back to PETER RAPES than home to my fathers- Than sot off from there in order for to pay a visit when to JAS RICHES from there to DAVID RICHES from there to THOS SHALBYS- there I staid all Night (POLLY SHALBY) Ah for her love flames like fire in stuble

[Page 65]

sat 28 warm
I left MR SHALBYS & went to WM HELMS from there home than I went to the meeting house about a mile for to hear one MR BROWN preach but he sure directly I fell on sleep for last night I slept but very little & when sermon was over I went home to my fathers & directly sot off for to go to my uncles calld at PETER RAPES took a drop of grog & discourst MISS NANCY a while than went on WM McCRORYS being in company with me from RAPES

sun 29 warm
I went from uncles to HUGH RODGERS from there to GEORGE McWHIRTERS juniers his wife is lying sick so that life is not expected for her- in the even I returnd back to Mr RODGERS & home to uncles

mon 30 warm & heavy rain
In the morning I left uncles & rode to JNO McCAINS from there to WM GAULTS from there to WM McCAINS from there to FREDERICK FISHERS from there his son GEORGE & I went to JACOB STARNS from there to DAVID STARNS & there was some more of the neighbours & we turnd in & had a stump of a frolic & I streind one of my uncles very bad we went back to MR FISHERS & staid till morning

tus 31 warm
my uncle this morning feels very bad & is much sweled.  However I left MR FISHERS & rode home to my fathers

[Page 65]

SEPTEMBER 1802

wen 1
Corn looks tolerable well considering of the season- Wheat is not very high fruit

September 1802 Book VI State N. Carolina

wen 1 warm
I turnd in to take of my foder-

thir 2 warm
I am busy at my  foder

fri 3 appearance of rain
I was working at my foder till even they I went to PETER RAPES & staid all Night (NANCY RAPE) Ah the kindness

sat 4 moderate
Early I left MR RAPES & went home to my fathers from there to JNO OSBOURNS for to help him for to raise a barn at night home again to Dadys

sun 5 moderate morning
MARTHAW HUEY my sister lies very sick yet I went with some more company down for to see her than home late I went up to brother ALEXDRS & staid all night

mon 6 cool morning
Early I went from fathers home & at takeing foder till even than I went to the WIDOW JONES & staid all night- got a pair of sadle wallets from JNO JONES 4-1/2 dollars 16 wt tobacco 1 Dollar

tus 7 moderate
Early I left MRS JONES & calld at JNO AIKENS than home to my fathers & at takeing foder again

wen 8 appearance of rain
I am busy at my foder & feels somewhat feteuged

thir 9 warm
I am at my daily calling takeing foder

fri 10 warm
I am busy at the old trade of basket makeing that is takeing foder in the night a light rain

sat 11 moderate
I was not very busy late in the even I went over to brother WMS & staid all night

sun 12 very warm
in the afternoon I left WMS & went home to my fathers - staid all night

mon 13 warm
I was takeing foder again- Thinking this even or tomorrow for to visit some of the ladys as you will see or read in the following lines- This even I sot off at THOS PRESLEYS I met with ROBERT SIBLEY from Virginia & his brother ELIJAH I returnd in a little while with them & drank some Brandy than went on to SOLOMON SIMONS from there to The SHELBYS there I tarryed all night (POLLY SHALBY) Ah how the people is admired with me but if the knew my mind I think the would not be so fond of me

tus 14 vast warm
I left MR SHALBYS in order for to go to ELIJAH SIBLEYS for to look at ROBERT SIBLEYS negroes that he has there for sale however I misst my rode & went to O'BEDIAH THOMPSONS from there to MR SIBLEYS when I got there the negros that I wanted for to see was at THOS DOSTERS so I went there But did not think much of the girls when I did see them (that is according to the prices I left that & went to ???? DOSTER the day being warm I tarryed a while & drank ???? & Brandy took Dinner ??? road to THOS PRESLEYS & from that home to my fathers

wen 15 vast hot
I began for to take my new ground foder at noon I was over at brother WMS & home to my foder

thir 16 warm
Early I went over to brother WMS & halpt him for to raise a stable some higher than home-was pulling foder

fri 17 warm
in the evening rain- I went over to JNO AIKENS & staid all night- his wife lyes very sick

sat 18 moderate
Early I left JNO AIKENS & went home to Dadysfrom there I sot off & rode to WM McCAINS (however There I met with a disappointment for my business there was for to give his daughter a chat but Behold as old MR FISHER says she was not at home) from there I went to HUGH RODGERS & he is very sick so I tarryd a little while than went to uncles & late I went up to JNO McELROYS for to help him to husk corn when we got done I went home to uncles & staid till morning

[Page 66]

sun 19 warm
in the afternoon I left uncles & went to HUGH RODGERS from there to WM McCAINS from that to THOS ZINSENCES?? by this time it was in the night I staid a while than rode home to my fathers

mon 20 warm
I was takeing at my foder till late than went to JAS BECKETS from there to PETER RAPES & staid all night (NANCY RAPE)

tus 21 cloudy
Early I left MR RAPES & went to JAS BECKETS from there home to takeing at my foder but presently it came on rain so that I was forsed for to leave off my worke-
 My mind like to a Drunken man
 That to & from doth  reel
 One day its hear next its there
 For with it there is no steadyness at all
 There is a reason why it is so
 But no one does it know
 No never will it know unless
 On some following lines they do it read

wen 22 very much rain
in the even I walked over to brother WMS for his Wife lyes very sick it is now a very SICKLY time & numbers are dieing- Last night MOSES CRAIGS wife died- I staid all night at brothers

thir 23 cloudy
Early I went home to Dadys from there to JAS BECKETS for to help him for to kill a beef cow when we got done I went home ' imediately word came from JNO AIKENS that his wife (my sister) was just departing of this life so off I went there & staid till the after part of the day but she did not die yet so I went home again - Late I went over to brother WMS for to see if his wife was geting any better but she is not so I staid all night

fri 24 cool
Early I went home to takeing at my foder again- Late I went up to brother ALEXDRS but I had not been long there before word was sent from JNO AIKENS again for to go- I see his wife die so off my brother & I sot went to Dadys from there to AIKENS & staid till about midnight but she is still a live we went home again

sat 25 cool
I went over to brother WMS for to see if his wife was geting any better but she continues bad from there I went to JNO AIKENS again & his wife continues vast bad so I came back to WMS & home again- Late I went back to WMS & staid all night

sun  26 very cool
However I am creditable informd that friday night last there was FROST but I did not see it- this morning I left WMS & went home from there I went to JNO AIKENS from that to the Mathodist meeting house from there back to brother WMS than home

mon 27 cloudy & cool
I went to AARON THOMPSONS his prpoerty was for to be sold by way of execution for 12 Dollars I redeemd his property & so returnd back calld at PETER RAPES got a quart of Brandy & went on to my fathers

tus 28 wet & cool
I went with brother ALEXDR to JAS BECKETS from there to PETER RAPES than to brother WMS than home from there up to ALEXDRS & home again- Late I went over to brother WMS & staid all night his wife continues very sick

wen 29 wet
Early I left WMS & went home again- was all day busy at one thing & another on the plantation

thir 30 wet morning
about noon I want to where WM FREEMAN now lives from there to SAMUEL BECKETS for to help him for to husk corn in the even home again- Late I went up to brother ALEXDRS & staid all night

fri 1
People is now beginning for to gether in their corn and in a general way crops are late and good- Corn is selling at 25 cents per bushel

[Page 67]

October 1802 Book VI N. Carolina

fri 1 moderate
Early I left brother WMS I went to my fathers & helpt him for to raise a building for corn- And in the evening I went to JAS BECKETS from there to HUGH McCRORYS for to help him to husk corn some time in the night PETER RAPE junier & I came over to his fathers & took grog of Brandy than back to husking again- when we got done I went home with RAPES people & staid till morning (NANCY RAPE)

sat 2 moderate
Early I went from MR RAPES to brother WMS from that home to pulling of foder

sun 3 appearance of rain
I went to the Mathodist meeting house for to hear MR BROWN a Presperteren Minister preach the portion of Scripture that he spoke from you will find in Lukes Gosple the 14 chap & from the 15 verse to the 25- when sermon was over I went home

mon 4 moderate
I was takeing of foder till noon than I went over to brother WMS & helpt him for to take some foder than home late I went over to WIDOW THOMPSONS for to help her for to husk corn than home

tus 5 warm
I sot off from Dadys went to brother WMS from there to the WIDOW JONES to the VANDUE of the property of the deceast SAMUEL JONES there I staid till in the night than I was beset on all turns DAVID ORRS people for to go home with them

REST OF PAGE TORN

END OF OSBORN DIARY

The Osborne Diary Impression
by D. L. McWhorter

My lasting impression of this Diarist is that here was a young afflicted boy, who was clever and original, and managed to get a good deal of fun out of life.  He was evidently quite popular and likeable, and he seemed to have charmed the "Famil sex".  His family connections were apparently of the best, judging by the places he stayed and was welcome on his various trips.  Also, he had a serious religious bent, because he went to many preachings, was friends with several ministers, and paid close attention to the sermons. The actions of some of the Methodists he describes was quite a new thing at that time, having recently originated in Kentucky.

I had an uncle (great) JOHN WHICHARD of Edgecombe County, who had the "White Swelling" as a young man, and his character as I knew him and as I have been told about his youth was very much like that depicted in the Diary of the Osborne boy.  My uncle married and raised a family of five children, died about 1912.  He was a very well loved man, although he drank to excess in his youth.  Took the Keely cure and never drank again.

I hope this Osbourn boy married the girl he was engaged to and had courted so long.  No doubt his affliction caused some hesitancy, but I imagine SALLY McCAIN did not entirely condone his playing around with so many other girls.  It seems that he was getting ready to settle down.  He was "clearing of some land" from his father and probably intended to build a home.  By the Diary being in North Carolina, it may be he always stayed there. However, he is careful to mention South Carolina, also North Carolina, and I wonder if he may not have been also in Tennessee a while later on.  Possibly he was writing with an eye to future readers.  In fact he mentions some future friend or well wisher who may read these lines after his decease.

Since this was book VI it is likely that he began his Diary to pass away the time when he first became ill.  He must have got the habit pretty well ingrained, although Diary keeping was a common habit at that period around 1800.

However, I have never seen a better Diary or one more instructive as to the living conditions, and withal he was very clever, witty, and gifted.  His lyrical outburst upon returning from a visit to the SHELBY girls sounds like the troubadours of old.  And he was so much in love at first that he couldn't refer to his "only one" without saying "golly Moses".  Why did he stop?  Probably growing up.

He was also a very industrious young man, and I think with his affliction he worked more than most would have done.  Then he could sew and make his clothes or at least his work clothes.  I suppose he learned this while he was unable to get around.

As for his visits to his girl friends and staying all night, in those days of bridle paths through the woods, it was quite customary for people not to ride at night.  He was certainly welcome to the same families time and time again, and must have been trusted.  I always thought the boys stayed upstairs in the loft, but I suppose there were many one and two room cabins (log) with a common sleeping room, and the young folks like to talk till late.  In fact one time he got angry when (his cousin or uncle) JOHN OSBORNE sent him back to bed and he said it was merely for past time and he was not used to being treated that way.  I believe parents and girls were as respectable then as now.

The family of the Diarist.

In the 1790 census the following Osborn families were listed in Mecklenburg.

	M(16-)	M(-16)	F	Other	Slaves
WILLIAM OSBORNE	3	1	7	0	0
ABEL OSBORNE	1	0	1	0	0
Capt. JAMES OSBORNE	1	4	6	0	0
WIDOW OSBORNE	2	1	4	0	0
ALEXANDER OSBORNE	1	1	3	0	0
ROBERT OSBORNE	1	2	2	0	0
JOHN OSBORNE	2	2	2	0	0

The family of WILLIAM OSBORNE is the only one that fits all the conditions.  The Diary shows there were three sons, the Diarist (youngest it seems) brother ALEXR- Brother WILLIAM (Meck. M Bor?? 4Sept. 1798 ANN ROGERS - SHERROD GREY & JOHN FOSTER).  Brother ALEXANDER had his first child born during the period covered by the Diary and is not the ALEXANDER OSBORNE in the 1790 census, who was probably a cousin or uncle.  Then the Diary mentions 4 sisters, the wives of JOHN AIKEN and JAS BECKET (was this last an ancestor of the Governor of N.C.), also MARTHA (m ROBERT HUEY) and MARY.  Other sister's names unknown.

I suppose most if not all of the 1790 census OSBORNES were related as he mentions visiting several of them.  I have tried so far without success to untangle the various OSBORNE families of Mecklenburg, but it could be done I believe.

The WILLIAM OSBORNE of 1790 was hardly a very old man as his children were married apparently around 1800.  There was probably a grandfather OSBORNE who came to Mecklenburg, name unknown to me.

No doubt many of the OSBORNE families of 1790 moved away to Tennessee, Kentucky, etc. However, some of them were still there at the period of the Diary.  One place some of them moved was to Maury County, Tenn., because they are found there in the 1820 census with other Mecklenburg families Like the McWHORTERS and POLKS.  I noted there particularly an ALEXANDER OSBORNE and an ABNER OSBORNE.

Mentioning an original settler, the grandfather OSBORNE, reminds me that the Will of COL. ALEXANDER OSBORNE (1709-1776) (m. ANGES McWHORTER) of Rowan County, N.C. in 1776 names as a beneficiary MARY OSBORNE, dau. of WILLIAM OSBORNE, deceased.  Perhaps this WILLIAM was the grandfather COL. ALEXANDER OSBORNE lived quite near present Davidson College in southern Iredell, and later we find another OSBORNE family in northern Mecklenburg, which I have long thought an offshoot of the southern Mecklenburg OSBORNES.  (JOHN OSBORNE was the name, estate settled around 1820)  He was not a descendant of COL. ALEXANDER OSBORNE of Rowan and did not live there in 1790.

It is interesting to find that both the names of AIKEN and FOSTER are found around 1750 in old Lunenburg County, VA. Tythe lists (Bell's Sunlight on the Southside).  I wonder if these were the progenitors of the Mecklenburg families.

The Diarist mentions cousins named BLACK and COUGHRAN.  The McWHORTERS also had some connections with the BLACK family (through the GILLESPIES, I think, in Mecklenburg).  Then the THOMPSON family was related to the McWHORTERS, and probably to the OSBORNES.

The end.

D. L. McWHORTER,   Jan. 6, 1955

Davis L. McWHORTER died in December 1967.

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