121[Diary entry: 25 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 25th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—80 at Noon and 78 at Night. Wind Southwardly in the forenoon, but not much of it. About Noon a Cloud arose in the West & promised rain but none fell here, but the Wind shifting to the Westward it blew hard for a few minutes & the cloud went above us. Finished sowing the Spaces of the Guinea Grass in the little Garden.
122[Diary entry: 15 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 15th. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 73 at Night. Brisk Southerly wind all the forenoon, and cloudy—in the Afternoon the wind was more moderate & clear. Doctr. L’Moyer came in before Dinner. Jean Pierre Le Mayeur (Lamayner, L’Moyer), a French dentist who came to New York during the Revolution, went to GW’s headquarters in 1783 to do some work on his teeth (GW to Le...
123[Diary entry: 3 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
3d. Having business to transact with my Tenants in Berkeley; & others, who were directed to meet me at my Brother’s (Colo. Charles Washington’s), I left Doctr. Craik and the Baggage to follow slowly, and set out myself about Sun rise for that place—where after Breakfasting at Keys’s ferry I arrived about 11 Oclock—distant abt. 17 Miles. Colo. Warner Washington, Mr. Wormeley, Genl. Morgan, Mr....
124[Diary entry: 6 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 6th. Thermometer at 30 in the Morng. 28 at Noon and 30 at Night. Wind at No. Et. in the Morning, which was Cloudy, with intervals of Snow through the day and very cold. The wind towards Night getting to the No. Westward blew h[ar]d. My Boat went up with a load of Flour to Alexandria from my Mill for Mr. Hartshorne. A distressing time It is to be feared the people must have had of it &...
125[Diary entry: 10 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 10th. Thermometer at in the Morning— at Noon and 38 at Night. Wind Southerly all day & at times pretty fresh, and in the forenoon cold—but warmer & much pleasanter afterwards. Rid to my Plantation in the Neck, and took the hounds with me. About 11 Oclock found a fox in the Pocoson at Sheridens point and after running it very indifferently and treeing it once caught it about one Oclock....
126[Diary entry: 28 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 28th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 70 at Night. Clear & pleasant all day. In the forenoon the Wind was at N. Wt.—in the afternoon it was at So. West. Rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole Dogue Run and the Ferry and to the Hay fields. At the first I sowed turnips in Drills in the ground which had been sowed with Oats that never came up (by the Negro Quarters). There...
127[Diary entry: 28 April 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 28th. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—75 at Noon and at Night. Clear & warm—Wind from the So. Wt. & in the Evening pretty fresh. To Dinner Mr. Pine a pretty eminent Portrait, & Historian Painter arrived in order to take my picture from the life & to place it in the Historical pieces he was about to draw. This Gentleman stands in good estimation as a Painter in England, comes recommended...
128[Diary entry: 25 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 25th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morng. 42 at Noon and 42 at Night. Morning perfectly clear and fine without Wind. About 9 Oclock it sprung up from the Southward and blew fresh with various appearances of weather sometimes much like rain & then clearing. At Night the Wind Shifted to the Westward and before Morning got to No. West blowing hard all the while. Count Castiglioni, Colo. Ball,...
129[Diary entry: 19 May 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 19th. Mercury at 66 in the Morning—63 at Noon and 66 at Night. Mr. Pine left this (on his return to Philadelphia) in my Phaeton, which was to carry him to Annapolis. Sent My Overseer & Barge to Popes Creek for the Baggage of Geo. Auge. Washington, and such Articles as he had brot. from the West Indies & South Carolina for my use—as also some Wild Geese which Mr. Wm. Washington had...
130[Diary entry: 8 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 8th. Mercury at 65 in the Morning—65 at Noon and at Night. A great deal of rain fell last Night and much fine rain this day. Wind at East all day and at times pretty fresh. Placed my Military records in to the Hands of Mrs. Macauly Graham for her perusal & amusemt. (these indeed were placed there yesterday). Doctr. Stuart returned home after Breakfast. military records : In 1783 GW...
131[Diary entry: 23 May 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 23d. Mercury at 62 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 72 at Night. Calm, cloudy, & warm all day; at times, when the sun came out it was hot. Veg[it]ation rapid by the warmth & moisture of the weather. Set out the Palmeto Royal in my garden—in number Plants and put the box in which the Magnolio, live oak & Sower Oranges were in the Area in front of the Green House. Doctr. Stuart went away...
132[Diary entry: 12 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 12th. Mercury at 76 in the Morning—76 at Noon and at Night. Very little Wind in the forenoon, in the Afternoon there was more, & variable with Clouds & thunder but no rain. Captn. Conway and his Wife, Colo. Hooe & De Neufville, Colo. Henley Mr. Sanderson & Mr. George Digges dined here—all of whom went away [after] dinner except Mr. Digges. Whilst we were at dinner, a Mr. Aldge & a Mr....
133[Diary entry: 2 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 2d. Mercury at 76 in the Morning—80 at Noon and 84 at Night. A little wind from the Westward in the forepart of the day & from the Southward in the Afternoon. Doctr. Stuart, Wife & Sister, and Patcy & Nelly Custis came here to Dinner—As did Mr. McCrae & a Mr. Shaw whom Mr. Montgomerie recommended to me as a Clerk or Secretary. All of these stayed the Night. Robert McCrea...
134May [1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday—First. Mercury 51 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 60 at Night. Day cool, Wind at No. West & clear all the forenoon, with flying clouds afterwards. Took a late breakfast at Hanover C[our]t House. Went from thence to Mr. Peter Lyon’s where I intended to dine, but neither he nor Mrs. Lyon being at home, I proceeded to, & arrived at Richmond about 5 oclock in the afternn. Supped & lodged at...
135[Diary entry: 25 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 25th. Thermometer at 53 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 64 at Night. Clear, warm, and pleasant all day—wind southerly, and pretty fresh—smoaky, the sun, consequently, looking red. Rid to all the Plantations, and to the Mill. Finding the ground both at Dogue run and River plantation (which had been twice plowed at each) for Oats, too much consolidated & baked (the last plowings being...
136[Diary entry: 15 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 15th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning— at Noon and at Night. Clear all day—Wind Easterly in the Morning, & Southerly in the Evening & rather cool. Rid to Alexandria to a meeting of the Directors of the Potomack Company, who had advertised their intention of contracting on this day with whomsoever should bid lowest for the Supplying the Companys Servants with Rations for one year. A...
137[Diary entry: 5 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 5th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—67 at Noon and 63 at Night. The Morning mild and agreeable, as indeed it was through the day till towards evining, when it began to lower pretty much: a large & distinct circle round the Sun before noon & lasted a gd. while. Set out early from Abingdon, and beginning at the upper corner of my Land (in 4 Miles run) a little below an old Mill; I ran...
138[Diary entry: 8 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 8th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 68 at Night. But little wind—weather clear, and exceedingly pleasant. Sowed the ground which was plowed yesterday, and which might amount to about a quarter of an Acre, with near half a Bushel of the Orchard Grass Seeds; which was neither very clean nor I fear not very good. Also sowed with English Grass Seeds, as much more of the...
139[Diary entry: 25 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 25th. Mercury at 46 in the Morning 38 at Noon—and at Night. In the Morning early it rained a little, but the wind coming out from the No. West it soon cleared—blowing hard until night when it moderated & soon ceased. A little before Dinner a Doctor Gilpin & a Mr. Scott—two West India Gentlemen came here introduced by a letter from Mr. Rob. Morris of Philadelphia and a little after them...
140[Diary entry: 15 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 15. Mercury at 28 this morning—at noon not observed, but at Night 36. Morning fine, wind Southwardly, which shifted to the Eastward & grew colder. Abt. Noon it began to Snow, & continued to do so until past 3 oclock. Went this day to ascertain the quantity of Land given to, and received from Mr. Willm. Triplett by way of exchange & to run a dividing line betwn. him & the Land I let Mr....
141[Diary entry: 12 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 12th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 62 at Night. The Rain which fell last Night had made the ground so Wet that I could neither level or in any manner work it. I was obliged therefore to employ the labourers thereon in other Jobs. Mr. Livingston (son of Peter Van brugh Livingston of New York) came to Dinner, & stayed all Night. And in the Evening Mr. Madison...
142[Diary entry: 5 March 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 5th. Mercury at 45 in the Morning at Noon and 54 at Night. Morning cloudy; but clear by 10 Oclock; the wind being at No. West tho’ neither fresh nor cool. About noon the wind shifted to So. West grew quite warm & pleasant. Sun Set in A Bank. Planted all the Holly trees to day—most of them with a good deal of dirt about the Roots—but they were very indifferent trees having stragling...
143[Diary entry: 2 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 2d. Thermometer at 58 in the Morng. 58 at Noon and at Night. A Very thick, damp Morning, & heavy Fog until about 9 Oclock, when it began to Rain; & continued to do so until Noon, when it thinned, and looked as if it would be fair, but soon recommenced raining, which lasted until near night. Perceived the Wheat from the Cape, which had been sent to me by Mr. Powell of Philada., &...
144[Diary entry: 27 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 27th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—80 at Noon and 80 at Night. Morning clear with the wind pretty fresh from the Southward. About 10 Oclock it clouded up, and rained a little; then cleared; but about 5 Oclock, a very black and heavy cloud arose in the Southwest, out of which (about Six oclock) proceedd for a few minutes very heavy wind, & a powerful Shower; the last of which continued...
145[Diary entry: 17 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 17th. Thermometer at 72 in the Morning—71 at Noon and 70 at Night. At or before Sunrising it began to rain moderately—after which it continued by hard Showers with intervals until between One & two in the Afternoon accompanied with sharp lightning and loud thunder. The rain coming on moderately, induced me to Sow the Ground which I had levelled of the Lawn whilst it was raining—but...
146[Diary entry: 5 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
5th. Dispatched my Waggon (with the Baggage) at day light; and at 7 Oclock followed it. Bated at one Snodgrasses, on Back Creek and dined there; About 5 Oclock P.M. we arrived at the Springs, or Town of Bath—after travelling the whole day through a drizling rain, 30 Miles. Robert Snodgrass ran the tavern which his father, William Snodgrass, an emigrant from Scotland, had built on Back Creek...
147[Diary entry: 31 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 31st. Mercury at 70 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 72 at Night. Westerly wind and Clouds all day. Rid the Plantations in the Neck, & at Muddy hole. Found the Corn at the first as mentioned yesterday at the other places. Mrs. Washington rid to see the Sick Child of Mr. Lund Washington from whence Doctr. Craik came here to Breakfast—after which he visited John Alton, and then returned...
148[Diary entry: 21 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 21st. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 68 at N. The rain continuing without intermission until 10 or 11 Oclock, and no appearances of fair weather until Noon, we did not leave Mr. Fairfax’s ’till a little after it and then meeting much difficulty in procuring a vessel, did not get to the works at the Seneca fall until the labourers had quit them. We then went to our...
149[Diary entry: 8 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 8th. Thermometer at 27 in the Morng.—38 at Noon and 35 at Night. Day clear, with the wind pretty fresh at No. West in the forenoon which moderating as the Sun rose backed to South West and grew calm towards the evening. Mr. Bushrod Washington and his Wife went away after Breakfast and about 11 Oclock Betcy & Patcy Custis returned to Abingdon in my Chariot—accompanied by their Brother &...
150[Diary entry: 12 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 12th. Thermometer at 28 in the Morning—39 at Noon and 40 at Night. The Snow which fell yesterday had not covered the ground more than ¾ of an inch thick. A very heavy hoar frost this Morning. Day calm, and the evening clear, and remarkably pleasant & warm. Mr. Shaw went up to the Ball at Alexandria.