Augusta County: Diary of Francis McFarland (1859-1864)

It rained all last night & this morning till 10 O'clock, then cleared off cool. God in his abundant energy has spared the lives of myself & family to see the Beginning of another year, in circumstances of great mercy. My own health now may be said to be good. It has been very imperfect for several months, & that distressing eruption on my back & especially on my legs has harassed me. But Providentially I was led to use Allum Water & rain water & small doses of Salts & it has entirely disappeared. In other respects I am as well as a man of my age can expect to be. Preaching fatigues me but little.

M^rs M^cFarland enjoys remarkably good health & is a great blessing to me. Mary Lewis's health is also good. Frank very well & Mary Louise improving -- seems to be in good health, very cheerful & can walk briskly on her crutches. The "curve" in her spine seems to be diminishing & the abscess to be discharging less.

Robert & James are at home & have undertaken to carry on the farm without my hiring a man by the year. They behave well & are a great comfort to me. Francis is in Washington City -- says he is reporting the proceedings of the Senate of the U.S. I know not what for. I feel more anxious about him than any of my Children, for he is in no regular employment that will last.

New Year's day continued.
Betsey & D^r H. have been perplexed about a change of Residence. They have concluded to remove from Marion, in Lonyth Co. & board at a M^r Shannon's on the Turnpike from Wythevile to [blank space] But they & their children are well.

Thus we have numerous mercies for which to be grateful. But the subject of my greatest anxiety is about the Spiritual interests of my Sons. None of them are Professors of Religion; & although two years ago Francis professed conversion in Harrisonburg, I have great fears about him.

May God, for Christ's sake grant me the joy of seeing them, before I die the devoted Disciples of Jesus Christ. And O, may He pour out his Spirit on my Charge. This I desire above every thing earthly.

Roxa Bent is now with us.

Today we are all at home and I am in my quiet pleasant study preparing to preach a New Year Sermon.

Day pretty cold & roads very bad. I went to Bethel on horseback. Preached to a good Congⁿ. but not with as much liberty as I sometimes have. Subject the constraining influence of the Love of Christ.

Cool -- cloudy & threatening. Put a lock on M^rs M^cF's room door. Reading Newspapers &c.

Reading & Writing. Wrote to Moore, Hoge & Co. & sent on the names of 22 Subscribers to the Central Presbyterian & my Check for $44.00. Wrote also for the Sabbath School Visitor & enclosed a gold Dollar.

Mrs Larew & Lizzie Wilson dined with us. M^r Henderson called. Sent my letters, written yesterday to the office. Rec^d a letter from D^r. Wm Brown. Wrote to my Daughter Betsey. Wrote to Rev. James Morrison.

The morning mild. I took the opportunity of visiting some sick persons. Rode on horseback to Wm. Cochrans. His son Wm has been very ill with Pleurisy & Pneumonia but is recovering. His dughter Margaret is also very feeble & in a strange way. Called at M^r Merritt's, & visited M^rs Via, who is very low & certainly cannot live long. Came home very much fatigued.

I spent a very feverish & uncomfortable night. Took some medicine but so unwell I did not rise till 11 O'clock, & still quite unwell.

I am better but not quite well. Preparing for the Sabbath. The day intensely cold --colder than any day last winter, or this thus far. Ice on the inside of my windows all day. Ther. did not rise above +17

This is my Birthday. This night I have completed my 71 year & blessed be God I am in tolerable health & crowned with his mercies. Of late I find my strength has declined, but I think it is the effect of imperfect health. If that were restored to its usual state (& it is nearly so) I think my strength would be all I could expect at my age. I find I cannot bear fatigue or exposure as I once did.

I hear that some of the most judicious of my people are saying that they do not see that I am at all failing in my preaching. May God grant me strength of body & vigour of mind & fervour of Piety to preach Christ as long as it will be for his glory & the edification of the Church. Amen.

Very cold. Rode to Bethel on horseback -- the road terribly rough. Preached to a comparatively small Congⁿ. & not with much liberty. Suffered much from the cold.

Very cold. I kept the house closely & glad that no duty required me to go from home. Sent to the P. Office letters to M^r Morrison, D^r. Humphreys & D^r. John Leyburn. Reading Newspapers.

The day comparatively mild. I have been reading & working.

A delightfully pleasant clear & warm day. Reading & working.

I preached at the Poorhouse to a number of the paupers & M^r Henderson's family. M^rs M^cFarland & Roxa walked there & home. We all dined there.

The day mild. The Boys went to Bethel to singing School & Robert from there to a party at M^r Merritts. I spent most of the day reading Newspapers.

Preparing for the Sab. But after dinner heard of the death of M^rs Via a good woman. I am requested to preach a funeral Sermon tomorrow at the church. Changed my plan. Plowing.

Cool, but tolerably pleasant. Roads very rough. Preached at Bethel to the young by the request of M^rs Via, some months before her death. I had a large & very solemn Congⁿ. The Coffin lay before the pulpit.

Mild. Plowing. I wrote for the Central Presbyterian for Rebecca Strain, & enclosed $2. Also for the "Presbyterian" for D^r Humphreys & enclosed $2. Also for the Presbyterian Magazine & enclosed $1.00.

Clear but cool. Sally & Irwin Gilkeson & Mary & [unclear: Jenusha] M^cPheeters spent the night here. M^rs Lewis from Charlottesville M^rs Cochran & M^rs Eskridge & M^rs Gilkeson spent the day here.

Plowing in the NW field. I was reading & writing.

In the afternoon Rev. Rob. C. Walker came & spent the night here. His object was to consult me about resigning his Pastor charge to go to settle in Pittsboro, N.C.

Very pleasant day. M^rs M^cF. & Mary & Roxa spent the day at M^r Gilkesons. I was working nearly all day.

Warm. Began to rain early, wind S. Very heavy rain. About 1 P.M. the wind changed to NE & the rain still heavier till night. The Ther. fell 20.

I have been reading & studying a little.

Too wet to plow. The day cold at 8 1/2 P.M. +12. I have been Studying.

Intensely cold Preached at Bethel to a small Congⁿ. though good for the day. Subject, Pillar of cloud & Fire.

Cold. Working & reading the News. Letter from M^r Morrison & Betsey.

Wrote for the Central Presbyterian for James Hall, & enclosed two Dollars.

Reading & working. The boys in the woods cutting wood.

Very mild. Boys hauling wood. I was reading &c. Wrote to Mr Robert Ligget for a Cooking Stove, authorizing him to give as high as $22.

Rained moderately all day. I was reading all day.

Pleasant but extremely muddy. Sister Roxa left us. Sent Robert to take her to Staunton in the Carriage. She has been with us since the 9^th of Nov.

Letters from Betsey & Francis. Reading, & beginning to prepare for the Sab.

Mild. Plowing. Studying.

Cooler, but pleasant. Went to Ch. & all the white family but Mary Lou. Preached to a good Congⁿ. & there was solemn attention. I had a good degree of liberty in Prayer & in Preaching. O, may God bless his own word. D^r. Osborne, Son of the Rev. Michael Osborne came home with us, and spent the night. He is in search of a place to practice Medicine.

Clear & cold.

Wrote to Rev. James W. McKennan & sent him my Check for $200 being the balance due him of Martha Ewing's Legacy, without interest on this last sum which I think should be paid him for at least two years.

Also wrote to Wm. Rankin Jr. & sent my Check for $66.50 for the Bd. of Foreign Missions.

Clear & still cool but tolerably pleasant for the Season.

I went to Adam Hawpe's to visit the family who still feel their bereavement deeply. I had private conversation with both M^r & M^rs Hawpe seperately & there is a tenderness of feeling that I trust will end in good. Called a moment at John Thompson's & came home. Plowing.

Reading. Robert plowing. Morning mild. About 1 P.M. began to rain & continued all the afternoon.

Cool. Robert finished plowing the South half of the N.W. field. James in the wood. I was reading.

The Boy hauled a load of wood. James went to the Post Office. They both went to Bethel to Singing School. Mr Calhoun did not come.

Rec^d. a letter from Francis.

M^r R. Tate Wallace & M^r Pilson came & spent several hours with us. They informed me that several friends of mine had agreed to raise a sum of money for me to enable me to buy a pair of horses & they paid me in cash Three Hundred Dollars $300.00 of which M^r James Bumgarner gave his Check for $100.

This is by far the largest present I ever received, & it was entirely unexpected. And it seems that M^r Bumgarner proposed that he would give $100. if the Congⁿ. would give another hundred, but they thought it was too little for the purpose & resolved to raise $200. more.

I regard this as a wonderful event. I need good horses indeed, but I could have managed with economy to have bought them. But God has directed this, I trust, to increase the affection between me & my people. It encourages me to hope that there is a feeling towards me, that by God's blessing may greatly increase my usefulness. I pray that fruit may abound to their account. God knows I have coveted no man's silver or gold, & yet I do esteem this gift more than I would double the sum from any other source.

(continued.) I marvel particularly that M^r Bumgarner -- not a pious man, should be foremost in this matter, & give so much. And I learn he said he gave it as cheerfully as he ever sat down to eat his dinner. O, that God would make me the instrument in his Salvation.

Studying. The Boys at Singing School. M^r Calhoun not there.

Cool & threatening. Preached at Bethel to a good Congⁿ. on Inattentive hearers. About 1 1/2 O'clock began to snow & in two hours the ground was covered & then cleared off.

Reading. Wrote to Betsey & Francis. Francis Gilkeson came with the threshing machine & after setting it took out my whole crop Cloverseed, Oats & wheat, & took the Machine home. M^r & M^rs Gilkeson came up to see us.

Reading. Hauling wood.

Very foggy, about noon began to & continued all the afternoon.

Went to Bethel to meet the Elders & Commissioners -- J. Merritt, M. Pilson, S. Hays, D. Blackwood, A. Gardner, Jhn. Humphreys Arch. Sproul were there.

(continued.) The business was to ascertain what vacant Pew room there was. Called in the morning at M^r Bumgarner's

A M^r Beard from Nelson Co. came here & I sold him Dave -- the horse I got from Mary in Roanoke, for $15. & gave the money to Mary Lewis.

It continued to rain last night till near midnight & the wind changed & there was a sprinkle of Snow.

Miss Polly Larew, M^rs Wilson & M^rs Wright dined here. D^r. Tate came & opened the second Abscess on Mary Lou's groin. It discharged largely.

Cool. Rec^d letters from Betsey & Francis. Wrote to D^r. M.D. Hoge. Studying.

Studying. Rec^d the sad inteligence of the death of my dear friend Cornelia Lenoir. A lovely Christian. Also the more sad news of the death of my niece Lucretia Pitzer.

Rec^d a letter from Rev. J.W. McKennan, acknowledging the Rect of my check for $200. remitted on the 31st Ult.

Day pretty cold & road bad, but had a very good Congⁿ at Bethel & very solemn attention.

Reading. Wrote to M^rs A.P. Derrick & J.K. Pitzer.

Reading & writing.

Plowing in front of the house. The day very warm.

I went to Staunton on horseback. Deposited in Bank the $300. I rec^d. to buy horses & $ more of salary $100. Rec^d. of E.M. Taylor Virginia State Stock for $1200. purchased in Richmond by a M^r Strother for $97.50 per share of $100 and I had $30. the Balance of $1200. deposited to ^xher credit in the Valley Bank. Paid the Waddells two dolls. for the Staunton Spectator for D^r. Humphreys up to May 1st 1859. Pd. Mary Lewis one dollar for D^r. Humphreys, being the balance in my hands.

x Mary Lewis [on side]

Plowing. James went to singing. I reading, and writing. About dark it began to rain.

About 11 O'clock it began to rain & continued moderately all day. M^r James Calhoun came & spent the night with us.

Studying. Cleaning wheat very gloomy. Showery.

Very Blustery. The Boys & I went to Bethel. I preached to a small Congⁿ. David Kunkle & wife there.

Cool. Plowing.

I went to see M^rs Brawford who has been very ill, but found her better & now regarded as out of danger.

I dined at M^r Bumgarner's. M^r & M^rs Kunkle there. M^rs K's nervous system is very much disordered.

In the afternoon I went and took tea at M^r Towberman's & then delivered an address on Temperance to the Sons of Temperance at Mint Spring. Plowing.

Wrote to D^r. M. D. Hoge & sent him my Check for $47.50 for Printing & distributing the Minutes of Synod. Wrote also to Rev. M^r Hepburn.

This the day for the concert of Prayer for Colleges. We all went to Bethel & had a pleasant meeting though the number attending was not large. Afternoon cool & threatening.

A little after midnight it began to snow & continued till about noon. There was about 5 or 6 inches fell.

Before breakfast M^r T. A. Lightner sent me by Joe a Bay horse called, Prince, which he bought yesterday of Thos. Williams for $150. cash. He is recommended as a good sound horse. I sent him my check for $150.

Studying. Rec^d. a very interesting letter from my dear Cousin Gen^l. R. Patterson.

Very bad roads, but a good Congⁿ. All went to Bethel. I preached but not as comfortably as usual.

Reading. Preparing to preach at the Funeral of Mr. Heyden.

Called at M^r Wm. J. Gilkeson's & paid him for a sack of Salt $2.37 1/2 & for half-soling Rhoda's shoes 45 cents. Preached at the Funeral of old M^r Heyden, aged 86 1/2 years.

I set out early & called to see M^rs Brawford who has been very ill but is now much better.

Dined at M^r Merritts, & he & I went to Greenville to see M^rs Antrim who has for many months absented herself from the house of God. First on account of Col. Tate reclaiming his pew which he had allowe them temporarily to use.

Then perhaps two months after -- on the 12 of Sept. I think I went to see her, to satisfy her if possible that she had just cause of complaint & to induce her to return to Church. She introduced the subject when she & I were alone at the dinner table and became much excited & spoke so of Col. Tate & how badly they were treated that I thought it my duty to Say M^rs Antrim You are not manifesting a Christian Spirit on this subject; why on this principle you would not be willing to go to heaven unless you got a high seat there. Meaning that if she would not agree to go & worship God in his house unless she got a choice seat there, the same principle would lead to the result I named. For she told me in so many words "we are not going to sit any where." With very much more to the same purpose.

She was greatly offended at my plainness, and now insists that she said nothing to provoke my reproof, and charges me with saying other things which I never thought of.

M^r Antrim & Alex^r Brownlee & M^r Merritt were present to day. I opened the meeting with prayer, but very soon it was manifest that such was here spirit that I could accomplish nothing. Therefore after saying what I could & seeing no hope of doing any good I left her with M^r Merritt & M^r Brownlee. There was not the least evidence of a Christian Spirit in this whole interview. Called to see Mary Hawpe who seems in a deep melancholy & thinks she will die although D^r. Churchman says she has no disease.

Got my horse shod & rode home.

Began to rain about sunrise & continued with but little abatement throughout the day. Wrote letters to Rev. J. L. Blain, M^r Richardson, Joseph M. Wilson & enclosed One dollar for the Presbyterian Historical Almanac. Also to Singer & Co. & M^r E. H. Craig Richmond, Act. for Wheeler & Wilson's Sewing Machines & to Rev. D^r. Wm. L. White.

This is an exceedingly gloomy day.

I rec^d. an invitation yesterday to aid in a Communion Season at Waynesboro on next Sab. & the two days preceding, but in the present state of the roads, & my appointments out I did not think it my duty to go, & reluctantly declined.

Reading & studying. Rev. Henry Brown came & spent the night with us.

Pleasant day. M^r Brown left us. I was busy studying.

Pleasant. A large Congⁿ. I preached an hour & a quarter with a good deal of liberty & the people did not seem restless.

Rained heavely in the morning & then moderately, but so that I could not hold my catechizing at Mt. Ida. Wrote to Francis to come home. Wrote to Eugenia E. Bumgarner.

About 8 P.M. there was vivid lightning with thunder -- the first this spring.

Cloudy & drizzling. Set off early road extremely bad. Dined at M^r Samuel Humphreys'. Had a pretty good meeting for Catechising. Baptized three Children for Margaret F. M^cClure. Spent 1 or 2 hours at M^rs Patterson's & then spent the night at M^r M^cClures Col. Tate's.

Clear & pleasant. Called & spent a couple of hours at R. Tate Wallace's. M^rs Jo^s. Smith is there sick, but much better. Ballard Smith & Sam^l. Humphreys came there. M^r Smith went with me to James M^cClungs where we dined. I went on to Greenville. Left with M^r T. A. Lightner $19. for James J. Talley; being $18.72 the amount owed him & 28 cents interest. Pd. M^r Antrims Bill, $7.53 called at Wm Smith's M^r Tupple's & John Hays.

Went to Staunton. Left at the Clerks office the list of my Taxable property. Bought clothes for the Servants.

Paid charges on a Cooking Stove from Phil^a $3.36. (One doll. to Richmond) Heard M^r Letcher speak a few minutes. M^r Goggin there -- did not hear him.

A vast croud in town. Borrowed a Rope & tackle of M^r Brown for topping trees.

Cloudy. Warm. Rain. Brought home a Cooking Stove which was bought for me by Robert Ligget in Phil^a. for $20. To day I sent him a Draft for the Bank of America, N.Y. for that sum.

Brought home also a Barrell of Allum Water from Burris' Spring which M^r David Kunkle kindly sent me gratis to Staunton.

I have been studying today.

Studying. Before dinner M^rs Mary Wallace & her two Children & Mary Hawpe & Rebecca Wilson came here & staid till evening. Miss Hawpe is better but is very nervous. Had some private conversation on religion. I trust she is serious.

Lovely day. Preached to large & attentive congⁿ. from Ruth 1:16, 17. The first time I ever took a text from that Book.

It began to rain immediately after Breakfast & rained all day. I was busy setting up the Cooking Stove.

Clear & cool -- high wind.

Wrote to the Editors of the Journal of Commerce & enclosed a dollar for next year beginning March 20^th. Wrote to Rev. W^m. See & B. Christian & Held a Catechising at Mount Ida.

Pleasant day. I was reading some time, & began to record the Minutes of Synod & wrote 4 Pages. The Boys getting wood.

Pleasant. Robert plowing for oats. I was working & reading. In the evening it began to rain.

It rained nearly all last night & to day several heavy Showers. My sons went to Singing School. I was reading & Studying.

A very cold uncomfortable day. The wind very high, & flakes of snow flying nearly all day. Robert went to the Mill. I have now got 15 Bushels of the 50 I bought of M^r Gilkeson.

I have been preparing for the Sabbath.

Cool. Small Congⁿ. owing to M^r Pinkerton Preaching at the Fun^l of Henry Hawpe. I preached with less liberty than usual.

The warmest day since October. Wrote to Rev. John S. Blain. Rode to Mint Spring. Called on the Miss Heyden's.

Pleasant day. Sowed some Cloverseed on the Hill field. I wrote 6 Pages of Minutes of Synod. Plowing in the afternoon for Oats.

A pleasant day I took M^rs M^cFarland to See M^rs Brawford & I went on to Greenville. Settled with M^r Lightner & I paid him his Blacksmith's Bill & Stove Bill in full. Made some calls. Dined at M^r Smith's. Called at Jas. Bumgarners.

Bought 13 Apple trees of Beard & planted them in missing places in the Orchard & one new Row at the East end. Also two Oxheart Chrry trees which I planted in front of the house. Letter from D^r. W. Brown.

I endeavored to Study but could do but little. Plowing for Oats.

Cool. Studying. Plowing.

Preached at Bethel to a good Congⁿ on Individual Responsibility. Very fixed attention. I had a good degree of liberty -- Thanks be to God.

I went to Staunton & took Mary. Dined at the National Hotel. Bought a horse with the aid of M^r Lightner from F.W. Martin of Harrison where the horse was raised. He was highly recommended by a M^r Young who has known him as a good horse in every respect. I paid Cash for him $122.50 He was said to be 8 or 9 years old. We call him "Judge."

I paid Wm. J. Gilkeson in Staunton $32.50 for 50. Bushels of Corn at 65 cents per Bushel.

James broke out with measles.

Went to Middlebrook with Robt. about his Uniform.

Called on M^r James Randolph who has taken a Pew at Bethel. On M^r & M^rs Garnder M^r & M^rs Torbet M^rs D^r. R. M. Chesney & M^r & M^rs Templeton & M^r Beard.

Sowed some Oats on Monday & some more to day. Plowed the garden. Wm. Goodnight helping to make garden. I was not well & could not even read much.

I am pretty well. Sowed more Oats. I went see Wm Rosen about working for me. He agrees to do so at 50 cents per day at all kinds of work. Wrought my new horse in the waggon. He works well but is rather free. I rode him also & like his movement pretty well. I fear I have taken cold from the penetrating wind. Wrote to John N. Gordon & enclosed my Certificate of Deposit in the City Savings Bank No. 81, & dated May 21^st 1858 for $100. & authorized him to draw all my Dividends (now on $500. There was a Semiannual One due in Nov. last. I ordered from M^r Gordon a half Barrel of good dry New Orleans Sugar & 2 lbs. Gunpowder tea to be sent by M^r Gardner & 1/2 lb. Nutmegs.

I am pretty well. Studying Robert went to Middlebrook about his uniform. Planted Potatoes in the garden.

Busy in My Study.

This the day of the Company Muster at M^r Gilkerson's School house. Robert was run for Captain & was within one vote of M^r Paris who was elected. Robert was then elected 1^st Leiutenant; he had been Second Lieut. before.

A very pleasant day.

I preached at Bethel to a tolerable Congregation, On the Obligation to Obey Christ's Comd. to observe the Lord's Supper.

James has pretty well recovered of Measles -- he had a favourable time. It is too cool to day for me to ride out. I have spent the day reading.

This day the wind was piercing the Ther. about 11 a.m. rose to 44 then fell & by 4 p.m. it was at 32. I could not Stay out. Robert plowed part of the day. Snow showers.

I fear the frost last night has killed Peaches, Cherries & plums.

Robert has strong Symptoms of Measles -- headache & eye-balls sore & weakness -- could not work. Too cold for James to go out & for me also.

Robert is pretty well & I now hope it was only a little Bileaus attack. All the white family went to Church. This is the first day of our protracted meeting & was kept as a day of Fasting & prayer. The attendance far exceeded my expectation; it was very encouraging. But alas I had no Ministerial aid; & having no fear of disappointment, I was entirely unprepared. The Elders held a prayer meeting first, & then I gave an extemporary discourse.

Rev. D^r. Wm. Brown & his wife came & spent the night with us.

Went to Bethel. An uncommonly large Congⁿ for Friday. M^r See there. D^r. Brown preached an excellent Sermon on the Converted Thief who was crucified Took Collection for Church extension. D^r. B. & wife returned with us.

D^r. Brown & wife left us for home. Rev. M^r See preached at Bethel a very good Sermon ^{Rev. 22:17} to the largest week day Congⁿ. we have had for a long time: M^r Wm. Pinkerton followed with brief but very good address. M^r P. would preach in Greenville at 4 p.m.

It rained very heavily a great part of the night with Lightening and Thunder & most of today also.

I went to Bethel with M^rs M^cF. in a very heavy rain. Robert is confined to bed with Measles -- not very bad. Mary had to stay at home with her children who also have the Measles -- Mary Lou broken out & has a distressing Cough. Frank not yet broken out. Liz has symptoms of measles.

M^r Hepburn had sent me word that he would be with me to-day but did not come, & I had to go through the whole communion Services alone I spoke incessantly for about 2 1/2 hours. I was much fatigued & came home in a heavy rain. We were afraid to have James exposed & sent him to M^r Bumgarner's.

This the warmest day for six months. M^r Cummins, the Methodist preacher for Greenville & Middlebrook spent the night with us & till 11 O'C. to day. I have been reading & writing. Mary's children are both confined with measles. Mary Lou has a troublesome Cough.

Robert is still confined to bed, but does not suffer much.

Warm. Wm Rosen began to work for me at 50 cents per day. Cut down the Lombardy Poplars infront of the house. Robert better and able to be up a little. Mary Lou better Liz quite ill with measles. D^r Tate came to see Mary's children.

I am very tired with a little work.

Cut up & hauled the Poplars to the house -- Wm Rosen made me a shaving horse. Cris. Goodnight in the Garden. James went to mill.

I have been directing & working.

Got 9 Bushels more of corn from the Mill = 24 in all.

Paid Cris. Goodnight in full $3.25.

Making a gate. Went to the Post Office. Recd. a kind letter from my friend Henry A. Kerr of New York.

Called at M^r Gilkeson's.

Sowed Cloverseed on the North side of the SE Field to the Second hollow, on Oats.

Studying & Working.

Finished sowing oats on the SE field I tried to Study but succeeded poorly.

Snowed furiously from NE from day break till 8 O'clock, then ceased. Cold Preached to a pretty good Congⁿ The Prayer-meeting well attended.

Cold. James Plowing in front of the house -- Robert harrowing. The first work he has done.

Went to Greenville to settle with the Treasr. Dined at M^r Smith's. Made Several purchases of M^r Lightner Went to see Issabella Doak who is sick. Robert marking for Corn in the NW Field.

Preparing for Presbytery. About 1 P.M. M^rs M^cF. & I left home for Staunton took our lodgings at D^r. Waddell's D^r Wm Brown opened Pb^y with a very good Sermon on Revl. 11:1,2,3.

I was unanimously elected Moderator & Messrs Irwin & Trimble Clerks.

Did not rest very well from the influence of feathers. Heard a Sermon from Rev. John Miller -- interesting but I doubt the interpretation of the Text. Rev. making it refer to the present world alone. M^r Wm Pinkerton preached a pretty good Serm. at night. We dined at Addison Waddell's & took tea at Mr Wait's.

Damp. In the afternoon & evening rain. Saml. Brown preached Dined with Miss Sally Waddell -- Tea at Lyt. Waddell Jr. Pb^y sat at night.

Rained very heavily nearly all night. Installation Service -- M^r Richardson preached; I presided & charged the Pastor & D^r White charged the people. Services went off pleasantly. Dined at M^r Lyttleton Waddell's Sr. Pb^y. Adjourned about 5 1/2 O'clock P.M.

Cool. D^r White preached in the Pbn. Ch. I introduced the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper & D^r. White closed with an address.

I preached in the evening to a very large & attentive Congⁿ.

Day very pleasant. Court day & a great Crowd in town. The Officers training commenced to day. Robert on parade. Dined at D^r. Waddell's with a large company Mary's Sewing machine arrived. I paid $1.90 charges from Phil^a. Made several small purchases.

Began to plant corn on the W. side of the NW field. I am so much fatigued I can do nothing but read. About noon it began to rain & stopped us from planting. Rec^d. Mary's Sewing Machine.

Much rain. Delivered an address to the Mint Spring Division of S. of Temperance in connection with presenting to them a Bible from the ladies. Rev. M^r Cummins, Methodist -- rec^d. it & delivered an Address.

The morning cold & threatening, but cleared off. Got 6 Bs. more corn ground: -- in all 30 Bs.

Studying Boys went to the Regimental parade at Middlebrook.

Studying, but not well. Planting Corn in the N.W. field.

Pleasant. Preached at Bethel to a good & attentive Congⁿ on the Characters of Cain & Abel, & with some Liberty. Dined at M^rs Graham's & at 4 P.M. Preached in Greenville to a good Congⁿ. Spent the night at Ballard Smith's, but did not sleep till after 2 a.m. in consequence of drinking coffee late.

Made a number of purchases of Lightner & Co. Finished planting Corn in the NW field.

James Rosen Assisting.

Recording Minutes of Synod.

Recording Minutes Wrote to Rev. Peyton Harrison & D^r. M. D. Hoge. Went to the Post Office. Sally Gilkeson here. Jame taken sick.

James has a bileous attack -- some fever -- better in the afternoon. Recording Minutes.

Finished planting corn in front of the house. James Rosen & 2 of M^r Gilkeson's boys assisting. Recording Minutes. J. B. J. Logan Es^q. and John Wilson Spent the night here.

Fitzgerald commenced Ditching.

Preached at Tinkling Spring to a good Congⁿ. Spent the night at David Gilkeson's. Had a conversation with John G. which I hope was profitable to him.

Planted potatoes among the Corn.

Visited Sally Douglass at M^r M^cClanahan's & talked with her & prayed. I fear she is dying with consumption. Preached to a good Congⁿ. at Tink. Spring. Spent the night at M^r See's, pleasantly.

Preached at Tinkling Spring to a very large Congⁿ & very attentive. 6 or 7 were rec^d. on examination. The people treated me with great kindness. Dined at Hugh G. Guthrie's & then came home. I thank God, I have been pretty well &, had liberty in preaching.

Cr. Finished transcribing the Minutes of Synod. Hauling stuff from the Sawmill.

A very fine rain = a great blessing. Writing letters, reading &c. M^rs M^cF. Robert & I took tea at M^r Gilkeson's & I paid him $4. for a day's threshing 4 horses & 3 hands also $2 for a blanket for Ann, in full of all due to this date. Sold Mat. for $10. to Beard.

Made two stools to send to Betsey's children. The boys Shearing Sheep.

Mary & Robert went to Staunton. The day too damp & threatening for me to go. In the afternoon it cleared off. I went to see John Wright Jr. who is very unwell in consequence of cold Taken after Measles.

Warm Fine weather for the grain. Studying, & reading. Got 6 Bs. more corn from the mill = 36. Only 14 remaining.

A very fine shower P.M. I felt quite unwell last night. Rose about midnight & took a blue pill, & in the morning Salts: did not rise till 9 1/2 a.m. Had to be on the Sofa nearly all day -- could study none. Head uncomfortable, chilly, & bones aching. Dr. Tate put in another seaton in Mary Lou's back.

I spent an uncomfortable night. My head felt badly & throat sore & bones aching. I was utterly disqualified for going to church. Did not get out of bed till 4 1/2 p.m. Then somewhat better.

I rested badly last night. To day I am somewhat better. Rose about 9 1/2 P.M. Feeble. My head is better & less aching in my bones & the feverish symptoms abated. M^r Collins came with Fitzgerald to the Ditching.

My sleeping last night seemed exhausting. I am very weak. I rose early & lay awake on the sofa, but read & wrote all day. Appetite good.

Remitted to Peter Walker, Phil^a. $19.00 in a Draft on the Bank of America N.Y. collected for the Bibl. Repertory. The Boys went to Alice Graham's Wedding.

I feel greatly exhausted this morning, as if from sleeping too soundly. My pulse also which was full & strong has become very feeble. I did not rise till after 10 a.m. It is raining & very damp.

I am better. Sleep did not oppress me, last night. I am slowly gaining Strength. Too weak to set off for New Providence.

Morning damp. About 10 a.m. set off for New Providence with M^rs M^cF. Heavy shower on us. Dined at M^r Sproul's. Went on & Spent the night at M^r Hepburn's.

Preached to a good Congⁿ. with good attention. Attended I am better.

A very heavy rain last night with much thunder & lightening.

Had a Prayermeeting & Maj Preston read a good address on the history of the Shorter Catechism. I preached to an immense & very solemn Congⁿ. & with more than my usual liberty. Seven were added on examⁿ. & 2 on Cert. I closed with an address.

I attended an interesting prayer meeting in Brownsburg, & made an address.

I spent the night at James Gilkeson's.

Breakfasted at D^r. Morrison's. Prayer meeting at 10 a.m. I preached to a good Congⁿ. Dined & M^r. Hepburn's & came to M^rs Sprouls & spent the night.

Paid a Bill to Randolph Patton & Co. in full $19.44.

Pd. Hess' Bill for Shoemaking &c $7.00 Made several calls & came home to dinner. I am fatigued & not well. Boys working corn. Paid John Collins for a job of ditching done by him & John Fitzgerald, in full $19.00.

I am not very well. Boys working corn in front of the house. I wrote to Peter Walker for the Bib. Repy. for J. T. L. Preston, but did not send the money ($2.50) which I received.

John Rosen paid me $6.00 for 18 lbs of wool & I paid him 75 cents for 1 1/2 days of his son James planting corn. Wrote to Revd. P. M. Custer, John S. Blain & Wm. E. Baker. Also to John N. Gordon & enclosed my Check for $200.00 to be deposited for me in the City Savings Bank, & he to retain the Certificate.

Working. Then Studying.

Several fine Showers. I learned there was a destructive hail storm a few miles North of us. I thank God we escaped.

The boys finished plowing the corn the first time. Studying.

Preached at Bethel to a good Congregation.

Visited Sam^l. Humphreys M^rs Charlotte Tate, who has been very ill but is some better. Dined at Col. Tate's Called at M^r D. C. Gilkeson's & visited M^r James M^cClung who has suffered very much from Rheumatism. Made some purchases in Greenville & returned home.

Morning treatening. M^rs M^cF. & I dined at Adam Hawpes. I went to Greenville. Took tea at Blackwood's I called at Wm Swink's. There was a very heavy Shower. Came home.

Reading. Went to get M^r Stover to do some work. Called at Jame's Hall's.

Reading & working. Wrote to Francis & to Rev. J. B. Ramsey. A fine Shower. Rev. John S. Blain came & spent the night here.

M^r & M^rs Pilson & Mary McCatehan (Douglass) came to see us & Dined here. M^r Blain left us after Dinner. M^rs M^cF. went home with M^r Pilson.

Quite cool. At 10 a.m. 62 at 2 p.m. 58. Studying.

Preached at Bethel to a good Congⁿ. & with more liberty than usual. Dined at John Thompsons & preached at the School House & came home. Over

On yesterday morn^g. there was a heavy frost which has done great damage to Corn, Potatos, vines &c. I fear the injury will be very serious.

M^r Stover took the roof off my back Porch & put on sheeting in order to covering it with tin. M^rs M^cFarland & I rode down to M^r Gilkeson's to see M^rs Marshall who is there very ill.

Got my horse shod at Lightner's. Preached at the Fun^l. of M^rs Crist on M^r Blackwood's farm. Large Congⁿ. M^r Grubert putting a tin roof on my back Porch. M^r Stover assisting & layin a floor at my front porch.

The boys cutting the frosted corn.

M^r Grubert finished putting on the tin roof, 10x21 feet at $10.00 per square = 21 dollars. I paid him -- but a shower came on & it leaked in many places.

M^r Stover finished the porch floor by 10 1/2 O'clock. I paid him $2.50.

Set out for Rocky Spring. Dined at M^r Herring's. Called on M^rs Calhoun & at M^r Mann's & spent the night at M^r Wm. Guy's.

Preached at Rocky Spring Staid at M^r Blain's.

Preached twice at the Church. Still at M^r Blain's.

Preached in the morning & assisted in the Communion. Dined at M^r Crawford's. Preached at M^r Mann's & spent the night there.

Drove to Staunton. 20 Ms. by 12 1/4 O'clock. Dined at the National Bought a Hat for James for $2.50 15 lbs of Candles at 15 1/2 cents = $2.32 1/2. Dinner & Horse .50 Came home.

M^r Stover building a henhouse. Emaline & Matilda Sproul & Arch^d. Christian & wife here.

Set off early & preached at the funeral of a child of D.C. Gilkeson to a large audience. Visited M^rs Charlotte Tate M^r M^cClung & Issabella Doak. Came home. Suffered much with cold in my head.

Much indisposed. Breakfasted in bed could do nothing but read.

It began to rain early & there was one of the greatest rains for years till 3 O'clock, when it ceased. I have continued so feeble I could do nothing. Wrote to Rev. Wm. Pinkerton.

Cool & pleasant. I am very little stronger; have to recline much on the Sofa & can study very little.

Still very feeble. Went to Bethel & preached as usual to a large congⁿ. Strange that my strength held out so. Rained in the afternoon, & much in the night.

I am better. It does seem that the effort to preach yesterday was of Service to me.

Sent Orders for Books to the Bd. of Publication for Bible Classes & the Library & myself -- also to Smith & English. Took the letter to the P.O. myself.

Weather still unsettled. I have lost two days mowing of Clover by rain. Pd. Wm. Rosen in full $2.13

Got half a Bll. of Herrings of M^r. Gardner.

Day fair Plowing corn. M^r Stover finished the Poultry yard. Paid him in full $7.00.

M^rs M^cF & I went to see M^rs Gilkeson, who has been quite sick.

I am quite unwell to day. Cannot do any thing. Lying on the Sofa, reading & sleeping. It seems a bileous attack.

I am better & able to Study a little. Day pleasant.

Studying. Rec^d. Bills of books from Phil^a. Plowing Corn.

Preached at Bethel to a large Congⁿ. In the Afternoon in Greenville Dined at D^r. Tate's.

Mowing the lot N. of the house. Rode to Mint Spring, called at Col. Wilson's & at Wm. J. Gilkeson's. Rev Wm. Brown & Rebecca Smith dined with us.

The warmest day. Mowing in the Orchard.

1 warmer than yesterday = 94 I set out for Lexington at 6 1/2 A.M. Dined & remained 3 1/2 hours at M^r Patton's. Reached Col. Reid's at 6 1/2 P.M. Hon. Wm. C. Alexander of Princeton N.J. there whose society I enjoyed exceedingly. Shower in the night.

Board met at 12 M. Dined at Col. Reid's. Took tea at Wm. White's. Col. Reid's family all the Supper & Col. Alexander &c spent the evening pleasantly together.

The Board met, then the Commencement. Orations from J. W. M^cCoun on the Utility of Science. Geo. S. Junkin for Cincinatti Oration. Geo. L. Leyburn, Cincinatti Oration. Geo. Junkin Jr. Valedictory. 16 graduates. Only One Robinson Medal conferred -- the $40. one conferred Geo. L. Leyburn.

After conferring the degrees (& the Degree of D.D. at my suggestion conferred on Rev. James B. Ramsey) the Hon. Wm. C. Alexander delivered an Address of 1 1/4 hours on the influence of Literary Institutions. I do not know that I ever heard a finer Oration. He is a splendid man. He has the most wonderful memory I have ever known. He told me it was entirely unwritten. Board again met. Took tea with the Miss Baxters, M^r & M^rs See.

Breakfasted with M^r & M^rs Miller, where I met M^r Benton Taylor a Lawyer of Chicago & his Bride, daughter of D^r. N. L. Rice -- pleasant people. Spent a couple of hours with D^r. White. Called on M^rs D^r. Graham & the Miss Grahams. Dined at Col. Reids. At 4 1/2 O'clock left Lexington. Rode to M^r Patton's Very warm. A Shower.

Preached at Fairfield to a good & very attentive Congⁿ & examined their Bible Class. Spent the night at M^r Arch^d M^cClung's.

Called at Nelson Bell's -- their Son John very unwell. Called at M^r Pinkerton's. Dined at Ballard Smith's. Home. Robert & James in Staunton. Day uncomfortably cold .

Had Asthma last night & this morning. Uncomfortable all day. Robert & James cutting wheat.

Cloudy & about 11 a.m. it began to rain and continued till late moderate. M^r Rosens two sons harvesting till near noon.

Asthma last night. Not well to day. Working & reading. M^r Rosen's sons assisting in cutting wheat till noon. Paid them $2.00.

Had to sit up all last night with Asthma -- the worst attack I have had for many years. I was able to lie down before sunrise & slept a little; then took some coffee & could sleep no more. I am suffering with it all day. My Sons finished cutting wheat.

Very feeble & unwell. Could study very little.

Still very weak & a bad cough. Went to Bethel & preached with more liberty & energy than usual for more than an hour. Returned home & dined & went on horseback to Mt. Ida where I preached again to a large audience for an hour -- then rode home. I am astonished at myself that I could when so feeble, endured much labour. Glory to God for the privilege.

Still much fatigued. Remitted my Check to Joseph P. Engles for the amt of his Bill of Books of the 23d Ult. ___________________$27.33.

Balance of a Collection for the Bd. of Publication after expanding for our Library $9.50_____19.50

To be paid to Smith English & Co. for Books bought of them ____________11.80 sum remitted $58.63

Finished hauling in wheat. Had in all 107 Dozens.

I feel better to day, but the heat is so oppressive I can do nothing. Mowing the meadow in front of the house.

I am better but the weather is so debilitating were it not for a brisk East wind the heat would be very great.

Oppressively warm. M^rs M^cF & I went to visit M^r Mish's family who have taken a Pew in Bethel. Met there M^r Cutchfield & M^r Anderson from Goochland. M^rs Mish is a member of the Ch. Daughters, Margaret & [blank space]. Took coffee at M^r Bumgarner's. Came home very unwell.

Unwell & extremely weak, could study none & scarcely read. Good rain here; in Staunton a deluge.

I am a little better to day. Robert & Mary went to Staunton. I can study but little.

Feel very weak more so than on last Sab. but preached at Bethel as usual & then at the S. H. on Christian's Creek. The latter place was so warm I suffered much & was greatly exhausted. I came home feeling to unwell to spend the night elsewhere.

I am much better. Got in the last of our hay. I have been resting & reading.

I was stronger in the morning, but in the afternoon weak, with disordered bowels. Boys Cutting Oats.

Better. Finished cutting Oats Reading & writing. Wrote to Rev. Jos. Smith D.D.

Mary & Mary Lou left us on a visit to R. T. Wallace's & that neighbourhood. Hauling in Oats. Two heavy showers.

Studying a little.

Studying. Hauling in oats.

I am pretty well. Preached at Bethel to a good Congⁿ. In the afternoon to the Blacks at Broadhead. Spent the night at R. T. Wallace's.

I had a bad night with Asthma. Rained here heavily this morning. Dined at Jas. M^cClung's.

Had Asthma again & feel badly Reading. Wm White of Lexington, dined with us. Finished our harvest.

Still Suffering with Asthma. Wrote to Rev. James Morrison & Rev. A.D. Hepburn.

I am better today, but feel much exhausted from sitting up all night with Asthma, except from 2 to 4 A.M.

The boys went to Greenville for Shingles & brought home 2650 + 30

I rested better last night, but feel a good deal of Asthma today. Robert & James went to Weir's Cave. I gave them $3.00 each.

M^r Stover came to work for me.

Spent a wretched night coughing I am very unwell-can do nothing. My breast very uncomfortable & I cough a great deal. Boys returned.

Very feeble, but went to Bethel M^r Merritt prayed & I preached more than an hour to my own astonishment. But I had to recal my appointment for Greenville.

Had another bad night. Coughing very hard. Feel badly today. Could scarcely read.

I am very weak today. Cannot sit up more than half the time Still cough hard.

I coughed less last night. Slept pretty well. But no stronger. M^r Pilson came to see me.

I spent a very feverish night. Sent for D^r Tate to see me. He came recommended nothing but what I had been dooing. I am better this afternoon. Wine of Ipicac did good.

My fever was higher last night than heretofore. I cannot understand why the fever always rises while asleep. I take Wine of Ipicac & Swt. Spts. of Nit. I can scarcely sit up any today.

I rested better last night. I sat up more today. Pulse better.

Had high Fever last night. Sent for D^r. Tate. Kept my bed till near noon In the afternoon better. D^r Tate came. Did not vary the prescription much.

I am very sorry I could not preach today-our preparation Sabbath. But it is of the Lord.

Had very high fever last night. Comes on in my Sleep-which is wonderful to me. This morning I felt very badly-did rise till near noon. Then better. Pulse in the morning 106 P.M. 80. No pain-cough but little. Sent for D^r. Waddell & wrote to M^r Campbell.

I am somewhat better. A warm bath last night was very beneficial. I had little fever last night.

D^r. Tate & D^r. Waddell met here by my arrangement. D^r. W. seems to think there is no ground for serious fears. I take no medicine today.

M^r Gilkeson & M^r Pilson came to see me.

I slept pretty well & am much better today. Appetite returning. Mary & Mary Lou returned-absent 3 weeks.

I rested pretty well & am still better. Thanks be to my gracious God.

I am not so well. Sent James for M^r Campbell, who came & preached at Bethel to a small Congn. I was not able to go. M^r C. went to M^r Pilson's.

Though very feeble went to Bethel In the evening much better. M^r Morrison preached well Campbell exhorted. Both spent the night with us.

Stronger. Went to Bethel M^r Campbell preached a good Sermon. M^r Morrison introduced the Ordinance M^r Campbell served the Second Table. I did nothing.

We had no additions. Alas, Alas.

I am still improving.

Rode to the Sawmill. In moving some [unclear: scantlin] I took a pain in my back, or rather right loin, which was troublesome.

My back is much worse. I cannot move without much suffering.

My Back no better. Finished hauling out manure. Brought 17 Rafters from Engleman's Mill 4 inches by 3 & 13 1/2 feet long. Raising the timbers at the Barn 133 3/4 feet.

Putting up the Plates at the Barn. My Back perhaps a little better.

My back about the same. all but M^rs M^cF & I went to Aniversary of the Sons of Temperance at Mint Spring.

Spent an uncomfortable night. My back no better & otherwise unwell Went to Bethel & preached with a degree of Strength & animation that astonished myself: & thanks to God. I had more than usual liberty & there seemed deep Solemnity on the Congⁿ.

My back is better & I am better every way, thanks to God. Rev. Wm. E. Baker & his father in law, M^r King from Georgia came to see me. M^r Baker wants me to assist him at his Communion.

I am still better. Arch^d. M^cR. Blain came last night & left us this morning on his way to H.S. College. M^rs M^cF & I went to Greenville & Dined at M^r M^cClures-bought a number of Articles-visited Adam Hawpe's & came home.

At home-fatigued. It rained last night moderately till say midnight.

Began to plow in the Orchard. Wrote to Rev. John S. Blain about a school for Robert. Too hard to plow.

Very feeble in the morning but better afterwards. Studying.

I am much better. Sent to Greenville for shingles & procured 2473.

Moderate rain early. Mary & my Sons went to Church early. Near 10 a.m. it began to rain so fast that deemed it inexpedient to go. The Congⁿ. was very small. It rained till 5 p.m.

Reading & writing Plowing in the Orchard.

Went to John Bare's. Called at M^rs Mary Wallace's-not at home. Called at M^r Pilson's. Home. Plowing.

at home reading & working. Completed the Spring-house.

On yesterday enclosed a Dollar to Rev. D^r. N. L. Rice to pay for his Magazine for the current year.

Went to M^r Palmer's sale.

Went to Hebron & presided in the Installation of Rev. John F. Baker & gave the Charge to the Pastor. Rev. Wm. E. Baker preached the Serm. & Rev. L. Emerson charged the people.

Quite unwell. Went to Hebron & preached. Felt much exhausted. M^rs M^cF & I dined at M^r Sterritt's.

Rested badly. Quite unwell. Preached a long Sermon at Bethel. On Elders & Overseers or Bishops. Felt better than on yesterday.

Reading. It rained much last night, & constantly & heavily till noon & then more moderately till night. This rain was much needed.

I am better-reading & working a little. The ground sufficiently wet for plowing sod.

Reading. Wrote to Francis.

Rode to Staunton. M^rs M^cF. & I dined at Rev. Wm E. Baker's with M^r & M^rs King (Father & Mother of M^rs W. E. B.) & Rev. John F. Baker. Made several small purchases.

Studying a little, but not well.

Had a bad night with Asthma. Today I am very feeble.

I spent a very feverish night, did not see how it was possible for me to preach today took a cup of tea in bed. Rose at 8-exceedingly weak.

Went to Bethel & preached nearly an hour. Felt great exhaustion. Shortly after coming home went to bed. Had a burning fever & a distressing night. took Spts of Nitre & some salts & the fever abated towards morning. Today I am better but exhausted.

Ate a little breakfast in bed. Am very weak today, better.

Not so well. Reading. Wrote to David Kunkle & to the Elders of Lebanon Church Recommending to them Rev. Wm. G. Campbell.

Sowed the Orchard field with Smooth Mediterranean Wheat. Sowed on it 7 3/4 bushels; procured of M^r Wm J. Gilkeson at $1.12 1/2 per Bushel.

I had a rather feverish night & am not well today. Reading.

Sowed 3 3/4 Bs. White wheat on the lot N. of the house. Finished seeding. I am better today. Studying & reading.

It began to rain before day & continued with scarcely any abatement throughout the whole day. Wind strongly NE. Seldom is such a days rain experienced. Studying.

It rained incessantly & heavily all night, & this morning till 8 1/2 O'clock. Streams high. Studying. I am better.

I am better. Went to Bethel and preached to an unusually large Congⁿ. who seemed interested in the subject.

Pretty well. Writing.

Raining-wind NE. Pd. M^r Stover for work done $35.00 and Wm. Rosen in full $6.63 And they leave me for the present. Wrote to D^r Humphreys & Rev. D^r. White.

The day Showery throughout & some very heavy. Mary & Robert went to Staunton & did not return.

Studying. Preached in the afternoon at James Hall's to a very few hearers. Letter from D^r. Wm. Brown.

Went to Greenville. Settled my store acct with Lightner & Co. of 67.56 & paid him in full. I had advanced $50.

Dined at Wm. F. Smith's-called to see M^rs Gillum.

Studying, but not in a good frame for Study. N. Burwell here. Letter from Betsey-all well.

Preached at Bethel to a good & attentive Congn with rather more liberty than usual. O, that God would give his word success. Not fatigued.

Went to Staunton to endeavor to sell my little mare Jenny, but could not. Many people in town. Saw D^r. Wm. Brown & Rev. Wm. G. Campbell. D^r. B. & I dined at M^r Wail's.

Repairing my Buggy.

Went to Greenville Bought of Bumgarner & M^cClure 500 feet

of Pine plank. Dined at M^r Lewis Bumgarner's-Called at M^r James Bumgarner's.

Sent to Greenville & got 500 feet more Pine plank: the whole at $1.25 per 100 feet. I promised to pay for them in six months.

Working at my Buggy.

Studying a little & preparing for my journey to Synod. Cloudy all day, but no rain.

Cloudy & threatening in the morning, but no rain. M^rs M^cFarland and James set off for Winchester-would spend the Sab. at Augusta Church.

I preached for M^r Crawford at St. John's Ch. to a pretty good Congⁿ. Dined at M^r Bumgarner's.

Preached at Bethel. Spent the night at M^rs Sproul's.

Set off for Synod at Christiansburg. Dined in Lexington at Wm. Whites. In company with M^r Pilson & Mary P. drove to M^rs Moffett's. 23 + 14 = 37 miles Was very kindly treated.

Drove 11 miles to Buchanan & 29 to Salem = 40 ms. Staid at Hon. Henry Edmonsons. Henry C. Blair there.

Attended to Mary Lewis' business. Drove 26 miles to Christiansburg. Staid at M^r Stuarts the Pastor. Pleasantly situated & treated very kindly.

Rev. D^r. B. M. Smith preached the opening Sermon.

My bowels much disordered by the water. At Synod all day. Dined at M^r Morrison's.

A little frost. Bowels still disordered. Dined at D^r. Edie's.

A Very heavy rain & continued all night. M^r Miller of Petersburg preached a good Serm. on the relation of Baptized Children to the Church.

Rained nearly all day D^r. Dabney preached a noble sermon. D^r. Wilson & I administered the Lords Supper in the afternoon. I took cold & did not go out at night.

Set off for home. Arrived at Salem at 2.30 P.M. Dined at M^r Lonneau's spent the night at Fred. Johnston's. Preached in the Pbn. Ch. Text. John 1:29. Had a very restless feverish night.

I am feverish & unwell. H.C. Blair Esq^r. paid me $44.00 for Mary L. Drove 27 ms to the house of Jno. T. Anderson where I arrived about 3 p.m. & was very kindly rec^d. & most hospitably entertained. Although quite unwell I enjoyed my visit much to this Christian family.

I rested badly-am very unwell. Set out at 9 a. m. & drove slowly to Lexington where I arrived about 4 p. m. much exhausted. Staid at Wm. White's where I was treated with great kindness. M^rs White presented me with a handsome Vest pattern of corded silk, & all the trimmings.

I reached home about dusk much broken down. But thanks to God that I am safely at home. I found all well.

Still quite unwell, could only be on the sofa & read newspapers. At dusk, to my surprise, M^rs M^cFarland & James reached home quite well-had come from Winchester in two days.

Still unwell. Studying.

A heavy & killing frost. Cough very troublesome. Preached at Bethel to a good Congⁿ.

Spent an uncomfortable night, & am quite unwell today.

Still much oppressed with my cold. Doing little today but reading Newspapers.

Went to Greenville to get groceries from Leightner & Co. which he gives me at cost & Carriage. Dined at M^r Smith's.

M^rs Elisabeth Brown came to see us. Also M^rs Stewart & Miss Rose Kennedy.

I am suffering with my cough. The family all went to spend the day at M^r Gilkeson's except the boys & me.

The coldest day since April. Studying a little & making an abstract of the Minutes of Synod.

Cloudy & cool. Studying.

Clear, but chilly. Preached to a good Congⁿ. with some liberty People very attentive. M^rs Stewart & Rose Kennedy there.

Mary & I went to Staunton. I Bought from [unclear: Moreby] & Taylor two pair of Boots for Robert & Jame for $8 did not pay for them.

I spent a very restless & feverish night-cause unknown. Today unable to do anything.

Rested better & am better today. Wrote to Betsey. Sent my Check to Wm. S. Martin & Co. for $35. for the benefit of Rev. M^r Chiniquy's Colony in Illenois. Sent an extract from the Minutes of the Synod of Va. to the Synod of N. Carolina.

Pretty well. Sent on the remainder of the Abstract of Synodical proceedings. Chilly day.

Day quite cold. Went to Bethel M^r Hepburn preached a good sermon on rejoicing in God. He came home with us. Moderate Congⁿ.

No applicants to be rec^d. into the Comⁿ of the Church-Alas.

M^r Hepburn preached an excellent Sermon-instructive & practical-delivered with animation; giving me an increased confidence in his ability. John 5:39, 40 mainly on the unwillingness of sinners to to come to Christ for life.

Rec^d. John Pilson rec^d. on examⁿ. into the Church-a very promising youth. May he be a blessing to the Church.

M^r. Hepburn Preached in Greenville last evening; it is said an excellent Sermon. He preached an excellent sermon today on "Return unto me & I will return unto you. It was a pleasant communion season.

Working & reading.

Married James W. Hudson & Ann Eliza Doak Brown.

Bought a Bill of goods of Lightner & Co.

Day Milder. Took M^rs M^cFarland to M^r Bumgarners. I went on to Middlebrook to get a coat made. M^r A. Lightner cut an overcoat for James of Lion Skin. Dined at M^r B's.

At home. That troublesome eruption has again appeared on my legs & for several days has kept me uneasy & it is worse today.

My legs worse today. Rode to Cochran's Mill to try the Sulphur Water there; but I think it is too weak to be of any service to me. Have not felt comfortable enough to study today.

Wrote to D^r. Wm. Brown telling him that I feared I should disappoint him.

Suffered with the eruption last night. Drank water from at spring at Cochran's mill which proved quite diuretic. Did not rise tell near 11 a.m. Could study very little.

In bed all day.

A little better-the mineral water proves useful.

I could not stand without pain. Thought it best to remain in bed. I was sorry I could not preach, for there was a good Congⁿ. But, the will of the Lord be done.

Spent a very uncomfortable night-head much disordered & very laborious breathing. I think that Mineral water disagrees with me in some respects. But my legs are decidedly better Kept my bed till after dinner, then rose. My legs do not hurt me so much when I stand.

Rested better last night. Rose early & was at the table at all my meals. But my legs became more uneasy.

Rested very badly from laborious breathing. I know not from what cause. My legs rather better. Wrote to D^r. M.D. Hoge.

I am much better; have been able to walk about & direct about making a wagon Body.

Paid M^r Stover $16.25 in full Pd. Wm. Rosen in full for this week's work. $3.00 At noon set off for Staunton & took Robert with me. Mary & Frank went to M^r Brown's. At 3 p.m. took the Carrs and arrived at 4 at Pondgap Depot. M^r Kunkle sent me to Crawford's treated very kindly by the family.

Spent the day mostly reading the two Presbyterians. A Party of hunters of 22 & over 30 dogs came hear for a week's hunt. They are very noisy.

I spent an uncomfortable night with Asthma-sat in the parlor from 3 a.m. till morning. Had a bad headache & did not rise till near noon. I feel out of my element today. No opportunity of preaching Christ. But the eruption is disappearing, & I trust my labours will not be interrupted during the winter. The day uncomfortably cool.

Very cold. Ice on my windows inside, although I rose & made a good [unclear: fire] at midnight & kept it up for two hours. Suffered much with Asthma. Better today.

M^r Campbell called to see me. The Hunters killed 3 deer-one very larg Buck, 7 prongs.

A good deal of ice, but calm. Spent a restless & feverish night. This morning my pulse 110. Wrote to M^rs. M^cFarland.

I rested pretty well last night & feel much better today. The hunters killed one deer yesterday & one today.

Last night & the night before I slept on a pallet in the parlor & have been free from Asthma. I am pretty well today the eruption has entirely dried up & I trust I shall now be free from it. There are here M^r & M^rs Morris. M^rs M. daughter to M^r Crawford M^r M. is the Clerk to a house in Baltimore. M^r Carr from N. Garden in Albemarle Co. aged 23 one of the hunters, M^r Smith & Son, near Brookville, Capt Coles.

Miss Estaline Ramsey teaches in the family.

I am pretty well. The sulphur water has proved very diuretic & almost every vestage of the eruption is gone. M^rs Crawford would receive no compensation for my Board. They have treated me very kindly. May God reward them for it.

At 2 p.m. went over to the Depot, & at 3 left it on Capt. Fink's train. Reached Staunton about Sunset. M^r Campbell met me at the Depot & I went home with him & spent the night. Treated very kindly.

Made a few purchases = 40 lbs of 8d. nails at 3 1/2 other nails 62 1/2. A Lamp to burn Coal Oil $1.50 One Gal. Coal Oil at $1.50 Came home to dinner with James all well. Thanks be to God.

Confined to bed with a bad headache till 2 p.m. could not study.

Not well, but went to Bethel & preached to a good Congⁿ. Took a Collection for a Church in Louisa Co to which Rev. John M. Goul preaches, to aid them in rebuilding their their Church which was destroyed by fire.

Pretty well. Working. Sold a Steer to M^r Parkins for $35. I bought him a year ago for $22. Put up our hogs to fatten.

Reading. Remitted $5. to Peter Walker to pay for the Biblical Repertory for this year for Maj. Preston & M^r Morrison. Wrote to S.C. Henry, Phil^a.

Rode to Greenville. Bought various articles of Lightner & Co. Dined at M^r M^cClung's. Called at M^rs Charlotte Tate's. She not at home. Called to see Sam^l. Humphreys, who has been sick. Went to Middlebrook for my Coat which M^r Keizer has made & brought it home. Fatigued.

This day appointed in 25 states as a day of Thanksgiving and by our own Synod. We had a pretty good Congⁿ. & I think a pleasant day to God's people. M^rs M^cFarland & James went to M^r Blackwood's.

This evening at 4 O'clock M^rs Phebe Thompson died Suddenly.

Preparing a Funeral sermon. M^rs M^cFarland did not return. Day threatening.

Lovely mild day. Preached to a very large audience at the Funeral of M^rs Phebe S. Thompson, wife of John L. Thompson. She & her husband were at Church on Thursday-Thanksgiving day-returned home & ate her dinner as well as usual. M^r T. left her to go to Greenville-She was taken with a hemorrhage-vomited blood copiously, & died in a few minutes. Her husband was recalled & was back in from 7 to 9 minutes but she was dead.

She was an eminently pious devoted Christian & one of my very best friends. May God bless the solemn call to her bereaved husband.

Day damp cloudy & threatening. Preached at Bethel to a good Congⁿ. M^r J.B.J. Logan & M^r Dinkle came home with us.

Transcribing Minutes of Synod for the press. My sons gathering Corn. Wrote a long letter to D^r. Wm. Brown.

Delightful weather. Had John Weaver & Jas. Rosen helping to husk corn. M^rs Mary Wallace spent the day here.

Rode to Mint Spring. Geo. Koiner here. M. Pilson & wife here. Hauling in Corn.

A very warm day. Finished hauling in Corn. Put away about [blank space] Bushels of sound corn.

Preparing Minutes & working.

A lovely warm day. Saw a Butterfly in the open air.

Had M^r Stover & Wm. Rosen building a Cowshed. M^r Stover got his knee hurt & I had to send him home in my Buggy. M^rs M^cFarland & Mary made a visit to John Hays.

It began to rain moderately before day & it increased with the wind NE. & then turned to sleet & snow. Samuel Christian spent the night here.

A gloomy day. The trees loaded with ice. Very unpleasant traveling from the falling of the ice. Had a good Congⁿ for the day.

A very thick fog all day. Robert went to Staunton & sent a Draft on N. York for 15 doll to [blank space] for a Sewing Machine for the sale of which he proposes to take an Agency. I was working, reading & writing.

Still thick fog & some rain. In the afternoon the wind W. & cloudy Preparing Minutes for the press.

The day quite showery & turning colder. Reading & writing.

The morning very cold.

Rode to Greenville & Baptized two children of And^w W. M^cClure's. Bought stuff for a Coat for Robert-Blue Casinet.

This day my son Robert is of age =21. O that he might begin to live not to himself but to God. I suffered much with cold riding home.

Very cold still. I feel the cold so much I am unfit for anything.

This morning My three horses-Prince, Judge & Squire, ran off with the waggon, but very mercifully it was ordered that little harm was done except breaking parts of the waggon.

Studying. John Wright hauling wood for us.

pretty cold; a good Congⁿ & very attentive. Had a good degree of liberty.

D^r. Wm. Brown came from Hebron & spent the night with us.

Reading & writing. Pleasant day.

Morning hazy-then cloudy & threatening Snow. Had Wm. Silers & John Weaver Butchering. Killed 8 fine hogs & a noble Beef.

Day chilly but pleasant for the season. I finished a copy of the Minutes of Synod for the press.

cold but tolerably pleasant. Sent Robert to Staunton with the Minutes of Synod to the Printer. Sent James with the Waggon to Greenville to be repaired.

Cold. Having been invited by Rev. Horatio Thompson D.d. to preach the Dedication Sermon at their new Church tomorrow, I set out to be in reach. Called to see M^rs Bumgarner who has been suffering with inflamatory Rheumatism. She is a little better. Called to see M^rs Elenor Patterson who has had a sleight stroke of Palsy. Spent the night at D.C. Gilkeson's.

I was seriously threatened with an attack of Pleurisy. Suffered much with pain in my side. Did not rise till after 9 O'clock. This morning very stormy. Sleet & then rain freezeing. Could not go out. Ben M^cClung & Robt Patterson came & staid till after dinner. Not well enough to go home.

Spent a feverish night. Pulse this morning at 112. M^r G. took me to Bethel in his Carriage. I preached as usual to a moderate Congⁿ. Felt badly when I got home. Went to bed about dark. I am invited to preach at the Dedication of

old Providence Church tomorrow.

Spent a feverish night. So unwell did not rise till the Afternoon & so could not go to O. Providence. Had to take medicine. I learn much disappointment was expressed at my failure to come to O.P.

I rested badly last night also. It began to snow before day & 1 1/2 inches fell. Then it rained & Cleared off. I was too unwell to go to marry John Wilson to Margaret, daughter of Alex^r. Brownlee, & had to send James to let them know. Rebecca Wilson came & spent the night.

Clear & quite cold. Reading and working. Wrote to Rev. Horatio Thompson D.D. explaining the cause of my absence from the Dedication of his church.

Cold. Reading & working. Rhoda went to Staunton.

Colder. Hauling wood. I was reading & working.

My sons went to a Party at M^r Gilkeson's.

Studying. James went to Greenville for our waggon which was repaired.

As Christmas came on the Sab. I preached on the Word was made Flesh. The day was cold, but we had a pretty good Congⁿ. & they were very attentive. Went to see M^rs Bumgarner. Dined there.

Day mild & pleasant. I & my sons went to Staunton. I agreed to hire a Boy named Jefferson from Joseph Smith for the next year at $110.

Preached to a large number of coloured people at M^rs Wallace's.

About an inch of snow fell last night. Day Very gloomy. Reading.

Still gloomy. There was a fine mist during the night which with an E. Wind frosted one side of the trees & bushes very curiously. In the morning it turned to Snow. But little fell. Yesterday & today I am taking cold. Remitted my check to John M. Goul for $23.

I am quite unwell with my Cold; did not rise till 10 O'clock & cannot study.

Still suffering with my cold. Could Study but little. Sent Robert with my Bond for $110. to Joseph Smith for the hire of Jefferson.

Cold. Went to Bethel in my Buggy with Mary; my sons also along. M^rs. M^cF. at home. Met a pretty good Congⁿ for the day. Preached on God's Mercies & judgments to world during the last year. Suffered much with the cold & my lungs in a state of much irritation; felt badly.

I have still very much to be thankful to God. My Family are enjoying pretty good health-all at home but Francis and Betsey & they were well when last heard from. Mary Lou's health is excellent. She is steadily improving in strength & now seems to depend but little on her crutches. I have an oppressive Cold, but I trust it will soon pass away.

J. Humphreys, Betsey & their children are still Boarding at Shannon's (Sharon in Wyth Co.) but will remove as soon as a favourable opening is found.

Francis is still in Washington City, & I think in no regular business.

This the coldest day since Jan 57. I am still very unwell from my Cold.

Still cold but moderated. I am better. Wrote to Wm. L. Martien & Co. Moore, Hoge & Co. To Jas. M. Collingwood & enclosed $1. to get 2 gold pens pointed &c. Wrote to Jos. M. Wilson & enclosed $1.12 for the Plan. Almanac & $1.00 for the Plan. Magazine.

Weather moderated. I am much relieved from any cold. Reading & working.

Got another barrel of flour from M^r Wm J. Gilkeson.

Cold. I am still better. Robert rec^d a Sewing Machine from Boston, but it is not the one ordered as I think. M^rs Wright, Ruth A. Henderson, Sally Gilkeson, Miss English & Mary M^cPheeters here. I have been reading & writing.

Cold still. Reading & writing.

About 9 a.m. it began to rain & continued most of the day. I have been preparing for the Sabbath.

Clear & mild but icy roads. Preached to a pretty good Congnⁿ on the Conversion of the World to God. This week has been set apart for Special prayer for this Object.

Mild. Robert & Mary went to visit at M^r Mish's & M^r Dunlap's. I went to see John Thompson. I hope my visit will be profitable to his soul. Paid postage on periodical for 1859. Bought of Lightner & Co. 12 lbs of Rice at 6 1/4. Called at John Hay's.

Warm. Reading &c.

very warm. Preached to the inmates of the Poorhouse. M^r Griaver & his wife; members of the Pbn. Ch. there.

Rained moderately till noon. Reading. Wrote to Henry G. Blair Esq^r. about Mary's business. Wrote to the Carbon Oil Company No. 191 Pearl St. New York.

The thickest fog I think I ever saw. Corrected the 1^st proof of the Minutes of Synod & sent James with it to Staunton.

Rained & froze. Studying. Letter from D^r Wm. Brown.

Day pleasant-roads bad. Preached at Bethel to a good Congⁿ on the duty of praying for rulers. It seemed to be called for from the present alarming state of public affairs, especially in Congress as the House of Representatives has not been able to select a speaker now for nearly six weeks.

Wrote to Moore, Hoge & Co. & enclosed my Check for $50.00 for 25 Subscriptions to the Central Presbyterian for 1860. Wrote also to Wm S. Martien & Co. & enclosed my check for $18.00 for 9 subscriptions. Took the letters to Mint Spring myself. Prayed with old M^rs Gardner who is sinking.

Snowed early, but cleared off. Preached at Wm Cochran's at the Fun^l of his sister Jane Cochran aged 75 years. Few present.

Reading & working.

Sharping saws & superintending the construction of a cow-shed. My sons putting on the roof. The day Cold. Wrote to D^r. W. Brown.

Day mild. Finished the Cow-shed. Also trying to study.

Warm & pleasant. Hands hauling wood. I was busying studying. M^rs Gilkeson here. Old M^rs Gardner died this morning. I am asked to preach at the funeral tomorrow at 11 a.m. but I cannot think it my duty to disappoint my Congⁿ at Bethel. I proposed to preach at 2.30 or 3 p.m.

Delightful day-not very wet. Preached at Bethel to a pretty good Congⁿ. Intended to go direct to A. Gardner's but when I reached Col. Wilson's found the fun^l was over. Rev. M^r Davis of the Lutheran Ch. had preached to a large Congⁿ. We dined at Col. Wilson's & came home.

M^rs M^cFarland & Robert & I went to Staunton. Dined at the Virginia Hotel on the invitation of M^r Jordan. Bought several articles. M^rs McFarland bought a shawl for $10.50.

Set out at 8.45 & rode on horseback to R.L. Wallaces to see his wife who has been ill for 2 weeks with Typhoid and Pneumonia-is thought to be a little better today; talked with her a few minutes & offered a very short prayer. After dinner called to see Issabella Doak. She is well. Called to see Nanny Doak who is seriously threatened with Paralasis. She is a little better. M^r Ross there has Pneumonia-is better. Stopped a few minutes at M^r Alex^r Brownlee's. Returned home much fatigued.

The day very pleasant & warm. I have been reading & resting. Hands hauling firewood.

Cloudy & threatening-a little hail then cloudy. At night rain.

Rode to James Hall's & paid him $30.00 for Rhoda's hire last year & he paid me for 4 lbs of Wool & for the Central Presbyterian $2 for this year.

Reading & studying a little. Cool.

High wind. Studying. M^r Gilkeson sent up his threshing Machine.

Preached at Bethel to a large & attentive Congⁿ and with some liberty.

Clear & mild. Francis Gilkeson & Washington & 3 horses taking out oats & Wheat & a little cloverseed. John Weaver & John Wright assisting. Finished by 3 O'clock.

Wrote to D^r. M.D. Hoge, giving him an order to draw my money out of the Savings Bank. Invest it in Virginia State Stocks (701.56 and about 33 dolls of interest. Or rather the order was for John N. Gordon to draw it & pay it over to D^r. Hoge.

Mary & Frank went to Greenville. Cleaned up 60 bushels of Oats, my whole crop. The morning hazy. About noon begain to rain, & at night rained heavily. About 9 p.m. began to snow.

Very Cold. 3 inches of snow. I was reading & working.

Still very cold. Finished screening wheat had 31 Bushels.

Studying. M^r Pilson spent the afternoon here. At 9 P.M. Ther. at +7.

Studying.

Rec^d a letter from Rev. M.D. Hoge D.D. enclosing Va. State Script for 6 per ct. stock $300.00 I drew what money I had in the City Saving's Bank & D^r Hoge was so kind as to make the purchase for me which he did at 92 1/2. I owe him now a ballance of $5.72.

Preached at Bethel to a good Congⁿ. Mary & Frank returned.

James Hays & wife came to see us. I went to Staunton to mail the Minutes of Synod. Spent the night at Col Wm P. Tates. Very kindly entertained.

Pleasant but hazy. Mailed 364 copies of the minutes of Synod & paid a cent each postage. Paid for Printing 500 copies $45.

Pd. D.A. Kayser $37 collected in Bethel for Foreign Missions, also $1.50 for the Home & Forⁿ Record of D.C. Gilkeson.

Pd. Moseby & Taylors Bill to date $15.00

Misses Molly & Catharine Bumgarner & Miss Wilson here last night. I am reading & writing & resting.

I went to Greenville. Pd. my Bill to Lightner & Co. of $24.00. Also paid John Robertson for blacksmith work on my waggon. Dined at D^r Tate's.

Clear & cold. Engaged in study for the Sabbath.

Studying. Wrote to Wm. S. Martien & Co. & enclosed two gold dollars for the Presbyterian for D^r John M. Tate.

Clear & cool. Roads rough. Preached at Bethel to a large & very attentive Congⁿ.

Mild. In the evening threatening. I was working all day-putting new spouts to the cistern & repairing a gate. This day Robert commenced teaching a school at Mint Spring, but he had only two scholars.

Day warm. Working & reading. Before sunset it begain to rain & continued till bedtime.

After midnight it began to & continued moderately till noon only 3 or 4 inches on the ground. Robert & James were at a Party Wm L. Smiths where it was said there were 150 persons. I began today to record the Minutes of Synod. Wrote only 3 pages.

Writing Minutes &c.

Studying.

It began to snow in the night & about 4 inches fell. In the morning it turned to rain & rained moderately. I was preparing for the Sabbath.

The day very cold & the roads very bad. I preached to a small Congⁿ.

Spent the day reading & writing.

Day very mild. The evening clouds from the South & threatening. James building a hogpen.

It began to rain in the night & continued till 10 a.m. then clear & warm. Writing & working.

Samuel & Lizzie Pilson came here to spend the night.

This the day for Concert of Prayer for the youth of our Country. We went to Bethel. The meeting was not large but somewhat interesting.

Working & studying.

Studying. Robert & Mary went to Greenville & M^r. Wallace's.

The day clear & cool. Preached to a large & attentive Congregation & with some liberty.

Spent the day reading.

Day very pleasant. I got Judge Shod at Lightners. Dined at John Hays' & wrote an Article of agreement between John Hays and James M. Hays. Called at Sam^l. Hays'. Mary & Frank went to Greenville

Went to Staunton. Called to see M^rs Stribling & M^rs M^cClung. Made some small purchases. It began to rain about sunset & rained heavily in the night.

Day mild. Reading writing & working.

Studying. Pleasant day.

Studying. Very mild. Shower.

Windy Preached at Bethel to a good Congⁿ & very attentive. Called to see M^rs Stover.

Writing & reading. Pleasant.

Plowed a land in the N.W. field. Executed a Will for John Hays & Articles of agreement between John Hays & James M. Hays. Dined at Wm. L. Smith's. Pd. Bumgarner & M^c Clure in full and % A. Lightner's Act for smithwork & Wm. Hess for repairing waggon visited John Brownlee.

Wrote to Henry A. Kerr N.Y. and enclosed a letter to the Ag^t of the Carbon Oil Co. & $5.25 to buy Oil. Rode to Mint Spring & settled with M^r Gardner to this date.

A cloud in the W. & Thunder. It passed round N. & M^rs M^cF & I set off for Greenville. It began to rain Moderately & gradually increased. I went to the sale of the Miss Soak's property. Dined at Alex^r. Brownlee's. Returned home.

Day cold with snow showers. Reading & studying.

Very cold. Plowing near the springhouse. Studying.

Preached at Bethel to a good & attentive Congⁿ.

In the morning mild; wind W. but in the afternoon it turned S. Fell to the freezing point. Studying question in the Confession of Faith.

Cold Called at Jas. M^cClungs. Dined at M^r Patterson. Attended my Catechising at Broadhead S. H. Called at M^r Wallace. Spent the night at M^r M^cClure's.

Called at M^r Mc. M^rs McGaff Doaks. Dined at M^r Merritts. Home.

working. Held a Catechising at Mt. Ida.

Studying.

Was summoned by J. East to attend in Greenville as a witness in a suit between him & John J. Beard about the price of Mat-horse. Beard did not come & the case was postponed. Dined at M^r Smith's. Home at 3 P.M. Studying.

It began to rain early & rained so much that I did not go to Bethel, not expecting a Congⁿ. My sons went there were 34 persons there. Messrs Pilson & Brownlee held a Prayer meeting. Rained all day.

Rained moderately all last night & all day to day till sunset. I recorded 5 pages of minutes of Synod.

M^rs M^cFarland and James went to Bethel to clean the Church. Robert & Jefferson work on the road to the Ch. I recorded 6 pages.

Mary & Robert went to Staunton. I recording minutes 4 pages. Wrote & enclosed a Gold Dollar for the Journal of Commerce. Wrote to D^r. White, J.L. Campbell, Rev. M^r Pinney and Col. Wm C. Patterson.

Sowed Oats near the spring-house. Writing & working.

M^rs M^cF & Mary & James & Robt & Frank went to Bethel about carpeting the Church. Sowed oats at the foot of the front meadow. I was working & reading. Plowing for corn. Mrs M^cFarland did not come home.

Studying & reading. M^rs M^cF came home.

Preached at Bethel to a good Congⁿ with some liberty. Day chilly.

M^rs M^cF & I went to Staunton & James took the waggon & brought home a Bl. Allum water which M^r Burrows sent me gratis. Also 5 gals. Carbon Oil from the Carbon Oil Company N.Y. Cost 85 cents per Gal there: vessel one dollar-changes to Staunton $1.25=$6.50 being $1.0 per Gal. Also 800 Wt. Plaster of Paris ground=at $12 per ton=To^l $4.35. Took my trunk to be repaired. Took an Oil can & sent it by Wm L. Smith to Richmond for flaxseed Oil. Dined at Col. Tates. Snow shower.

Went to see John Thompson who is very ill. Visited Alex^r Brownlee's family Conversed with Mary & M^rs Wilson on who contemplate joining the Church.

Called at John Larew's whose daughter proposed to join the Church. Brought home 50 lb. keg of pure white lead. Cost in Richmond $4.88.

Went to see M^rs James Hall who has been very unwell. Pd. M^r Hall for some time Roda was with us in 1848 $2.70 & for a piece of Beeswax 30 cents =$3.00. He gave me .50 for Missions.

Went to see John Thompson he is worse I fear will not recover. Dined at Adam Hawpe's. Had an interesting conversation with him about joining the Church. Called at John & Sam^l Hays' talked to the young.

John P. M^cClure came to let me know that John L. Thompson died last night at 9.15 O'clock. Studying-Plowing for corn.

I preached at the funeral of John L. Thompson, one of my warmest friends who died in a weeks sickness. I trust he was a pious man though not a member of the Church. I urged from his example the importance of a profession of religion.

Rained in the morning about 10 abated. M^rs M^cF. staid at home. I preached at Bethel to a thin Congⁿ. & with more liberty than usual. Spent the night at John Brownlee's.

Visited Sam^l Humphreys who is very low. Fears are entertained that he may not recover. His mind is perfectly calm. Visited M^rs Patterson M^r M^cClung (M^r Jas Gilkeson & wife there M^rs Wilson-A Brownlee's family & M^r Britain's.

At home feel fatigued. Wrote to Betsey, D^r Wm Brown & Rev J. Doll. Mary & Robert went to Staunton.

Rained till near noon. Clear. Sowed cloverseed near the Springhouse. I was reading and working.

Finished plowing for corn. I was working. In the afternoon visited at Samuel Hays' to converse with the young people. Found the girls very tender on the subject of Religion. Wind very high.

Last night I was quite unwell & this morning did not rise till near 9 o'clock. Could do little.

Studying-my sons went to muster. Harrowing for corn.

Went to Bethel the session met & rec^d into the Communion of the Church Sarah Jane Hays and Susan Margaret Hays, daughter of Samuel Hays, the Elder. Also Mary Susan Brownlee & Melissa Ann Brownlee, daughters of Alex^r Brownlee, the Elder. Also Mary Elisabeth Larew, daughter of John B. Also Adam M. Hawpe. Glory to God for this privilege. Baptized Miss Larew.

Preached to a large & attentive Cong. Dined at M. Pilsons. Preached at C.C. Schoolhouse to a full house. Came home somewhat fatigued. But thankful to God for the ability to labour in his vineyard.

Wrote to the Editors of the Journal of Commerce which has failed to come for two weeks & I fear the money sent has miscarried. Wrote to F.N. Watkins Esq^r about a school for Robert. Also to Wm. D. Blanton, who advertises for a Teacher. Went to Greenville & made various purchases of Lightner & Co. Called at M^r Bumgarners. Home. Marking out for Corn in NW field.

Called to preach at the Funeral of John Christ, aged 90 years. A very fine shower about 5 P.M. Marking for corn in front of the house.

The Presby. of Lexington met at Bethel Church-a full meeting. A good Sermon was preached at the opening by Rev. E. Thomas.

D^r White & his son Henry, D^r. Wm. Brown & M^r. Sam^l Brown came & spent the night with us.

day cool-attended Pby. Rev. W.E. Baker preached a good Sermon on the words of Peter-Master, we have toiled all night & have caught nothing &c. Prayers & exhortations by D^r White & M^r S. Brown. D^r Brown Messrs Miller Richardson & Lawson & Elder Hasseldon here all night.

Attended Pby. M^r Henry M. White was examined on Theology & the Sacrament & Ch. History & the Ch. Gov^t by me-read a Lecture & delivered a Popular Sermon & was Licensed. Rev. Enoch Thomas preached a good Missionary Sermon & a Collection of $47.42 was rec^d.

Had no company home with us.

Attended Pby & closely engaged all day. Session met & Virginia Ruth Gilkeson was rec^d also David Brainard M^cClung & Jeffery a Serv^t of Adam Hawpe aged about 78. Rev. John Miller a good Sermon rather too metaphysical on God So loved the world &c John 3:16. M^r Blain & M^r King with us.

The Presbytery adjourned about 5 P.M. after a harmonious delightful Session.

The Session met at 10 a.m. and rec^d on Examⁿ Thomas M. Crosen who had been a probationer for a month in the Methodist E. Ch. South. Also James Thomas J. Gillum & Eugenia E. Sproul. D^r White preached a good Sermon on Eph. 2:13 "For by him we both have access by one spirit into the Father." Rev. Sam^l Brown introduced the Comⁿ & M^r. Blain dispensed the cup & made a good address & M^r Thomas closed the services. We have great reason for the thankfulness for being permitted to receive Twelve on Exam^n. the largest number for many years. All the Glory to God. M^r Blain spent the night with us.

Feel a great sense of fatigue. Reading & writing.

Still feel a sense of fatigue. Began to plant corn on the W. side of the NW field-droping ashes & Plaster in the hill.

Cool & threatening. Planting corn. I was writing Minutes of Synod.

Rain. Finished the Minutes of Synod. ready for the Gen^l Assembly.

Finished planting Corn in the NW Field & commenced in front of the house with corn got from Ira Swatsby.

Studying. Finished planting corn. Planted about half an acre of Sorgum below the waggon shed.

A delightful day. Preached at Bethel to a large Cong^n. an earnest Sermon. May God Bless it.

Cool. Went to Staunton. Court day. Attended to various matters of business. Dined with M^rs Campbell.

Visited with M^rs M^cF at M^r M^cClung's-he is suffering more. Ben has been very unwell with Pneumonia, is improving. Dined there.

At M^rs Pattersons to tea. Phebe has returned is very feeble, but better. He is improving.

Frost. Visited at And^w M^cClungs L.C. Gilkeson's & dined at Alx^r Brownlees. Bought a large Bill of Goods from Lightner & Co. Then home. Articles for Robert value = $7.30.

Cold. Went to Staunton, also Rob^t & James. Got a ton (1100 lbs) of Plaster & various other articles. Had my Buggy tires all cut & new Bolts $4.00.

A Coat of Casimere for Rob^t $4.50 Vest, Do. 1.75 Trunk for Do. $5.00. 75 feet of Old sprouting at 5 cents =$3.75. Paid Wm. J. Gilkeson a Note of F.W. McFarland for $87.12 dated March 19^th 1857 & 8 years interest= $15.68. Sum paid $102.80. M^rs M^cF. & Mary &c. at M^r Gilkeson's.

Still cool. Visited Samuel Pilson who has had an attack of Drysepela. Dined at Adam Hawpes. Went to Granville & home, calling at M^r J. Bumgarners.

Studying. Sowing Plaster.

Cool. Preached at Bethel to a moderate Congⁿ. In the afternoon at Mt. Ida to a very full house. Had sore mouth.

Weary. Reading & writing letters of introduction for Robert who is going to Cumberland County in this state to teach in the family of Wm. D. Blanton, who is well recommended to me by F. N. Watkins Esq^r and offers Robert $200 for a session of eight months. The No. of Scholars will not exceed 10 or 12. Board &c. found.

A good rain this morning. I gave Robert $20 for expenses &c. &c. He is pretty well supplied with Cloathing.

After dinner James took Robert & his baggage to Staunton on his way to his place of business i.e. teaching.

Day cool & unpleasant. Reading.

Planted some Potatoes on this side of the N.W. field. M^rs M^cFarland & I went to Middlebrook-dined at M^r Gardner's. Called on Rev. M^r Crawford-M^rs Randolph & M^rs D^r Wm. M^cChesney. Spent the night at M^rs Sprouls. Col S.V. Emaline only at home.

Mild & pleasant Spring morning. Called a few minutes at M^r Bumgarners, & came home to dinner.

Pleasant spring day. Studying but dull. Mary & James went to Greenville & M^rs Pattersons.

Warm. Preached at Bethel to a good & attentive Congⁿ. Dined at D^r. Tates & preached in Greenville to a large Congⁿ. M^rs M^cFarland & I spent the night M^r Ballard Smith's.

Very warm. M^r B. Smith & wife went with us to James Smith's. Dined there. Visited Sam^l Pilson. Rec^d letters from Robert & Betsey.

Resting & reading.

There was a light shower early this morning and damp through the day. Hauling for 3 days Locusts for Past^r &c to the sawmill.

I wrote letters to D^rs Musgrave, Chenler & J. Leighton Scelson-also the Gen^l. Patterson & my son Robert.

Two very heavy showers-were much needed & will do great good. Reading & studying a little.

Damp & sleight showers. Studying. Went to see M^rs Col. Wilson who has suffered much with Eruption, is better. Went to the P.O. Rec^d a letter from Francis.

Pleasant. Studying.

Preached at Bethel with a good deal of liberty. Dined at A.F. Humphreys. Called to see Sam^l H. he is improving. Preached at Broadhead to a full house. Spent the night at And^w. M^cClung's.

called on M^rs Patterson & Phebe. The latter I fear cannot live long. Called at D.C. Gilkeson's, James M^cClung's Dined at Wm. Smith's. Called to see Sam^l Hays. A letter from D^r. Humphreys.

Languid & not well. Reading. Some girls took tea here.

Pleasant. Went to see Jack Thomason & his wife who are greatly afflicted. Visited M^r Cocharan's family. He is still suffering from the effects of his injury. Called on M^rs Bumgarner.

Hazy. M^r Latshaw here repairing my Chimney-wall. I had an appointment to preach at John Hays' & went as far as Sam^l Hays' when a tremendous Rain fell accompanied with hail. It did much damage. My fences were swept & low-grounds covered.

M^r Latshaw finished. I was studying & reading. Wrote to Francis.

Cool. M^rs M^cF & I went to Middlebrook to the meeting of the Classes of the German Reformed Ch. I was invited to sit as a Corresponding member. Heard the Rev. M^r Martin preach a tolerable sermon.

M^r Martin appointed to preach for me on the Sab. Introduced to M^r Tetzel of Shepherdstown & M^r Rinker of Shanandoah. Only 6 Ministers present & 2 absent.

Pleasant. M^r Martin preached a good Sermon from "Thy kingdom come." I preached at the house of the late Jno. Thompson to a large Congⁿ. of Negros. M^rs M^cF staid at Blackwood.

Went with Mary to see M^rs. Col. Wilson who is confined to bed & has strange symptoms. I fear occasioned by continuing to long to use Fowler's Solution of Arsenic. She took as high as 15 drops 3 times a day & for 4 or 5 days after it produced swelling all over. She has a distressing pricking in her hands & feet.

Took my Boots & Slippers to Patton to be soled. Called at Hayden's & to see Wm. Garrison, who I fear is to die of consumption.

Languid. Reading. Finished replanting corn.

In the corn with the Cultivator in front of the house.

Called at Sam^l Hays'-got Judge's fore Shoes removed. Dined at D^r Tate's. The D^r took out a tooth for me. Made some Calls. Home.

Not very well. Studying. This is the day for electing a Judge & County Officers. M^rs McF came home.

had a distressing cough last night. Preached at John Hays. Patton mended my Boots & Slippers. Pd. James Hays for 2 Bs. of long red Potatoes $1.50. M^rs E. Brown came.

Studying.

Cloudy & warm. Preached at Bethel to a good Congⁿ Had good attention. Dined at Reuben Lamberts. M^rs Mary Wallace there also. Rain prevented me from going to preach at C.C. Schoolhouse.

Charming day. Plowing corn. Went to see M^rs Col. Wilson & found her a little better. Prayed with her. Called to see Wm. Garrison who is sinking & I fear is skeptical & now too low I fear to receive new light.

Pleasant day. Reading & working.

Cloudy & light Showers. Repairing my sewing Machine. About noon Rev. John S. Blain came & spent the night with us.

Mr. Blain left us. The day is very pleasant. Went to see W. Garrison who is sinking & M^rs Wilson who is better.

Studying. Planted corn among the Sorgum.

Studying.

Preached at Bethel & in Greenville & returned home. M^rs M^cFarland went to M^r Morrill's.

Went to Staunton. Mary with me.

Paid Merideth for repairing M^rs M^cFarlands watch $10.00. Pd. Adam's Express for taking a watch to Farmville for Rob^t. $1.25. Paid for repairing my trunk $1.50 Paid for 20 lbs of fence Nails $1.00. Horse .25 Dined at J. Ad. Waddell's met with Several of the Baptist ministers of the Virginia Association and sat in their meeting sometimes. A shower & high wind.

Tired. Reading.

Called to see Sam^l Hays who is I think in a critical state. Went to John Brownlee's for M^rs M^cF. walked over to the late residence of John Brownlee who died yesterday. The Funeral had just moved off. Went & Dined at John P. M^cClure's. Came home.

Reading.

Had Company M^rs + Lizzie & Cris. Merritt + M^rs D^r. Tate & M^rs Wm Smith M^rs Lovey Tate M^rs Woods & Sally Gilkeson.

Not well. Feverish. Dined at Ballard Smith's Spent the night at M^r M^cClung Patton's.

Preached at Timberrridge to a full house who gave good attention. Supplying a Sab. for Rev. W. Trimble, who is absent in Missouri.

These three days have been very cool. I went home with Maj. A. B. Stuart & Spent the night there & was very kindly treated. I am not well.

Called an hour at D^r. Morrison's. Reached M^rs Sproul's at 11.40 a.m. Dined. Called at Bumgarner's & reached home at 4.40 p.m. fatigued. There was a little frost this morning.

Intelligence reached me this evening at 6 O'clock that M^r Sam^l Humphreys died about 1.15 p.m. Alas, Alas, one of my oldest warmest friends. But he has departed to be with Christ.

I was quite unwell last night & am unwell today. We all went to the Funeral of Samuel Humphrey & I preached to a large assembly. Then visited M^rs Patterson & Phebe & M^r M^cClung & family. I came home fatigued but better.

An excellent rain from morning till noon. Reading only.

I am still feeble. Reading only.

Studying a little. Taking cold.

Quite unwell-distressing cough.

I was summoned to Greenville as a witness in a case between John J. Beard & M^r East. I went though unwell. My testimony was of no avail. Dined at Wm F. Smith's & came home quite unwell & went to bed.

Spent a very uncomfortable night. Did not rise till 1 p.m.-very weak. Disappointed a large Congⁿ. for which I am sorry. D^r. Tate came to see us & prescribed for Rhoda who is very ill with Pneumonia.

I am very feeble; can do nothing & seem to gather no strength. Rhoda very ill; cannot live long without a change. Sent for D^r Tate, he came & bled Rhoda which relieved her breathing.

I am no better. Feel such inward weakness. Thought a ride would do me good & set off to visit the Sick, but had to return back. Rhoda somewhat better. D^r Tate came & prescribed farther for Rhoda.

I am better. Went to James Hall's. Dined at Sam^l Hays. Visited M^rs Col. Wilson Went to the Post Office. The mail brought a letter from Betsey from Newbern. They have left Sharon. M^r Gardner paid me $32.30 collected as Salary for me & which I allowed him to retain. Visited Wm Garrison.

I am febler than yesterday. D^r. Tate again called to see Rhoda. She is perhaps a little better. Col. Lilley spent a couple of hours with me. An excellent rain in the evening.

It rained much in the night. I am studying a little. D^r. Tate here to see Rhoda again. A letter & likeness from Francis.

Studying. Mowing.

I am still feeble. Preached at Bethel to a large Congⁿ. & I think with my usual energy. Dined at M^r Pilsons. Preached again at the Sch. house to a large & very attentive audience. Then rode home & perhaps stronger than in the morning!!! Glory to God.

Reading.

At 8 a.m. left home for Lexington. Called at M^rs Sproul's. Dined at D^r. Morrison's. Reached Col. Reid's before sunset. Very kindly received. Attended the prayer meeting & delivered an address.

Trustees of Washⁿ. Col. met. I & D^r Wm Brown dined at D^r. Junkin's. Took tea at Wm. White's.

Attended the Commencement. Spent the night at Rev. M^r Trimble's.

Called at D^r. Morrison's. Dined at M^rs Sprouls-home at 4 p.m.

Not well. D^r. Wm. Brown with us last night.

I am very feeble. Preached a long Sermon at Bethel. Much exhausted.

I am still very weak, could not go to visit the sick. Reading. James & Jef. cutting our miserable crop of Wheat. Lizzie Merritt here.

A pleasant shower this morning. I am better. Visited M^rs Wilson, Ann Hayden & Wm. Garrison.

Mowing. I am better. Reading &c.

Employed as yesterday.

Studying. M^r Merritt came & took away Lizzie. In the evening a drizzling rain commenced.

Did not rain in the night but this morning began & rained moderately for some time. Studying.

Had Asthma last night & had to sit up much. But preached at Bethel to a Large Congⁿ. Preached at Jas. M^cClung's & then came home.

Rested well but had Ashma badly after I woke & have felt it a little all day. Mowing the meadow in front. I have done nothing but read.

Mary & I went to Staunton. I got the Spring of my Buggy mended at Hardy's & a rod before. Cost $2.00. Dined at M^r Doyle's. Called on M^rs Baldwin widow & prayed with her. Rec^d 24 dolls, my first half year's dividend on 8 Shares Virginia State Stocks.

M^rs M^cF & I went to see Phebe Patterson. She is declining. Call at M^r M^cClungs & visited Alex^r Brownlee who is suffering with inflamatory Rheumatism. Warm.

Began to rain early & continued moderately till about noon. Reading.

Studying. Hauling in hay.

Finished hauling hay. Not well. Trying to study.

Preached at Bethel to an immense Congⁿ. Good attention. Dined at Sam^l. Hays' preached at Mt. Ida S.H. to a large Congⁿ. Came home much fatigued.

Put Castors on Jas. Hall's Bedstead. Visited Sally Daugherty & M^rs Wilson. Cut our Oats an excellent crop.

Preached at M^rs Selors' at the funeral of Wm Garrison, a young man who died of Consumption. The assembly was large.

Dined at John Hays'. Got my horses shod &c & made some purchases in Greenville. Sent my horse Bob to M^r Lightner to sell for me.

Saw the eclipse of the Sun. M^rs M^cF & I went & dined at Arch^d A. Sprouls-M^rs Bumgardner & M^rs Mish there. Came home.

This the warmest day for four years. M^r James W. Hudson & wife dined with us. Finished getting in our Oats (100 Doz) & so our whole harvest. Thanks be to God.

About 4 p.m. I walked to the Stable with M^r Hudson without my hat & soon felt my head much affected although I had held my handkerchief on it all the way. It continued till I went to bed. A sleight shower.

My head very uncomfortable all day-wet it often. Read a little. James & Mary went to M^rs Pattersons.*

The warmest morning for 2 yrs. My head better. Studying.

*Remitted to Rev. D^r. M.D. Hoge $184.00 to buy for me two Shares of Virginia State Stock.

I am better. Preached at Bethel & then at the School house in Greenville. There were showers today. Dined at A. W. M^cClure's. Came home.

Feel very dull. A fine shower. Sold my mare Jenny to M^r Campbell of Nelson for $8. I paid $40 for her ten years ago. She is probably 24 years old.

I had asthma last night. Spent most of this day oiling my Buggy harness.

Rec^d a letter from Betsey from Columbia, Tennessee. Dated 17^th inst. Where the family had arrived in safety the day before. Thanks be to God.

Had Asthma badly last night. Spent the day reading. James went to the mountain for whortleberries.

I wrote an earnest letter to Hon. Henry A. Edmondson about the necessity of of the Speedy Settlement of D^r. Leides' estate.

Had Asthma all last night. The Corn is dying from drought. Prospect bad. Mary & Mary Lou left home to go to David Kunkle's to drink allum water. James took them to Staunton. D^r. Brown & wife spent the night with us.

Asthma again last night. Very feeble & feverish today. Can do nothing in the way of study.