20th – Hard Frost & very cold with fresh N.W. Wind. Went to Town, return’d to dinner – Prepar’d for killing Hogs tomorrow. Sent to Town for a Horse, purchased in Richmmond by Mr. B. J. Harris, he is a handsome Roane but unfortunately Lame.

From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, December 20, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.