551[Diary entry: 3 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 3d. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—67 at Noon and 62 at Night. Calm and clear in the Morning. About Noon the wind sprung up from the Southward and towds. Night veered round to the Eastwd. and turned cool. Mid day warm. Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run and Ferry plantations—also to the fishing landing. At the 1st. hoed up the sunken & cold places in which Barley had been sowed and was...
552[Diary entry: 4 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 4th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 63 at Night. Clear and pleasant, with but little wind, and that Easterly. Towards evening it began to lower a little and at Night a circle appeared round the Moon. Doctr. Craik came here in the forenoon, & crossed the river after Dinner on his return home, at wch. time I set out for Abingdon in Order (to morrow) to Survey my 4 Miles...
553[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...
554[Diary entry: 6 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 6th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morng.—58 at Noon and 56 at Night. A fresh wind all Night at No. East. Morning and forenoon very cloudy, with a mizzling rain, but not enough to wet the ground—wind from the same qtr. or a little more Northerly, continuing all day, which made it cool and disagreeable. After an early breakfast I set out on my return home, & taking Muddy hole in my way,...
555[Diary entry: 7 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 7th. Thermometer at 56 in the morng.—67 at Noon and 66 at Night. Clear with the wind fresh, but not cold, from the No. West all day. Towards night it died away, & inclined to the Southward more. Mr. Porter, Mr. Murray, (Young) Mr. Bowen, and a Captain Aitkins came (by invitation) to dine with us today, and returnd to Alexandria in the Evening. Just as we were about to set down to Dinner...
556[Diary entry: 8 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 8th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 65 at Night. Clear, calm, & warm. Rid to Muddy hole & Dogue run. Began at the first to cross the lists in order to Plant Corn. The early Corn, & Indian Pease at this place were coming up. Sent a Carpenter to put a new Axle & do some other repairs to the Barrel plow at Dogue run. Sowed 3 rows of the Borden grass Seeds in the inclosure...
557[Diary entry: 9 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 9th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morng.—66 at Noon and 64 at Night. Clear & warm, with but little Wind and that did not spring up till about 11 Oclock—first from the No. Et.—shifting afterwards to So. Et. Rid to all my Plantations between Breakfast and dinner. Found the Flax in the Neck had come up, and full thick; and that the grass Seeds (rather Millet) obtnd. from Colo. Cary had come...
558[Diary entry: 10 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 10th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning— at Noon—and at Night. But little wind in the Morning—a red Sky at the sunrising and some clouds and appearances of rain, which soon dispersed. My Brother and Mr. George Washington went up to Town after Breakfast and did not return till the Evening. I rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run, and Ferry—also to the fishing landing. At the...
559[Diary entry: 11 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 11th. Thermometer at 55 in the morning—58 at Noon and 58 at Night. Morning cloudy, with great appearances of rain. About 11 Oclk. it began to rain; which fell moderately for about ten minutes & ceased but continued cloudy the remainder of the day—Wind at So. East but not very fresh. My Brother set off on his return home after breakfast, passing through Maryland. Mrs. Washington and...
560[Diary entry: 12 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 12th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—67 at Noon and 65 at Night. Cloudy in the Morning—about Noon the Sun shone but was soon obscured again & it remained cloudy all the latter part of the day—rain exceedingly wanting. At home all day. Finished about Noon planting with the Barrel Plow the middle cut in my field of experiments at the River Plantation.
561[Diary entry: 13 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 13th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 64 at Night. Lowering all the forepart of the day with drops of rain (but no more) now and then. Evening clear—Wind variable, but mostly at So. Et. I rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run & Ferry plantations; and to the fishery at the latter. Ordered my People to quit hauling, and bring home my Seins. Finished (yesterday evening) planting...
562[Diary entry: 14 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 14th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 71 at Night. Clear all day, with very little Wind and that from So. West. G. A. Washington and his Wife, and Mr. Shaw went to Pohick Church—dined at Mr. L. Washingtons and returned in the Evening. Colo. Gilpin, The Revd. Mr. McQuir; Mr. Hunter, & Mr. Sanderson came here to dinner and returned afterwards. Began yesterday afternoon to...
563[Diary entry: 15 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 15th. Thermometer at 64 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 68 at Night. Clear morning with but little Wind. About 10 Oclock clouds arose to the westward, and at 11 it began to thunder; About 12, a small, & very light sprinkling of rain fell, after which it cleared, but about 4 Oclock in the afternoon another cloud arose from whence we had a slow & moderate rain for about 3 quarters of an...
564[Diary entry: 16 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 16th. Thermometer at 65 in the Morning— at Noon and 64 at Night. Morning lowering. About 10 Oclock it thickened and thundered and before eleven began to rain & continued showery till near two Oclock after wch. it ceased but towards [evening] it thickned & began to rain again—Wind for the most part Easterly but not strong. The rain of yesterday & what fell today appear to have wet the...
565[Diary entry: 17 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 17th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—63 at Noon and 56 at Night. Morning calm, warm and pleasant. Between 10 and 12 Clouds arose, and showers fell around us, but none here. Between one & 2 Oclock the Wind came out hard at No. West and turned cold—after which it moderated, and shifted to the Eastward; but still continued cold. At home all day; writing the best part of it. Began...
566[Diary entry: 18 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 18th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—65 at Noon and 60 at Night. Wind at So. West with Showery Clouds around us all day; about 7 Oclock it began to rain, and continued to do so powerfully, for 20 or 30 Minits when it cleared again. Rid to all the Plantations between breakfast & dinner. At the Ferry I found my people had finished planting corn in the common way yesterday & were...
567[Diary entry: 19 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 19th. Thermometer at 55 in the Morning—65 at Noon and 60 at Night. Wind at No. West in the Morning and indeed through the day—the forepart of which was cool—the Middle and latter part moderate—the whole pleasant. Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue Run, & Neck Plantations; the harrow plow was stopped at the first, by the Rain which fell yesterday and which had made the grd. too wet, & too heavy to...
568[Diary entry: 20 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 20th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 59 at Night. Morning clear with the Wind at South West. About 8 oclock it began to thicken to the westward which increased with distant thunder. By ten o clock it was quite overcast and began to rain moderately & continued to do so without wind for more than two hours when it ceased & the Sun came out but was more [or] less cloudy...
569[Diary entry: 21 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 21st. Thermometer at 60 in the Morng.—70 at Noon and 66 at Night. A good deal, and heavy rain fell in the Night; with thunder & lightning; day warm, with sun shine & clouds alternately. Calm in the forenoon, & wind at East in the afternoon with thunder and great appearances of rain a little only of which fell.
570[Diary entry: 22 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 22d. Thermometer at 64 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 60 at Night. Wind Easterly, and very cloudy, with drops of Rain now and then. Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue Run & Ferry Plantations—replanting Corn at the first. Begun to day, & not on Saturday as I have noted, to plant Corn in the cut next the Overseers house at Dogue run—where by a mistake of the Overseer, they had begun, and had planted...
571[Diary entry: 23 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 23d. Thermometer at 60 in the Morng.—60 at Noon and 58 at Night. Misting in the Morning and very cloudy & cold all day with the Wind at No. Et. Rid to Muddy hole and Neck Plantations. Ordered the grd. allotted for Cabbages, to be prepared at both places; and plants to be taken from my garden to set it with. This preparation consisted of another listing (or plowing with three furrows)...
572[Diary entry: 24 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 24. Thermometer at 56 in the Morng.—56 at Noon and 58 at Night. Still drizling and cloudy, all day, with the Wind at No. East. At home all day. About 11 Oclock Doctr. Stuart and Mr. Lund Washington came in, dined, & returned afterwards and in the afternoon Colo. Robt. Stith arrived (from Alexandria) and stayed all night. Planted yesterday evening at Muddy hole about 1300 Cabbage...
573[Diary entry: 25 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 25th. Thermometer at 59 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 58 at Night. Drizling in the Morning, after which, about 9 Oclock, it began to rain, and continued to do so, moderately all day. At Night, and in the Night, it rained a good deal—Wind at No. Et. At home all day. Colo. Stith set off after breakfast, but turned back when it began to rain, and stayed all day & Night. Finished planting...
574[Diary entry: 26 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 26th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 60 at Night. Raining with little or no intermission through the day—a great deal having also fallen in the Night—Wind still at No. East. Sent 50 Barrels of Superfine flour by the sloop Tryal Peter Kirwin to Thos. Newton junr. Esqr. to be disposed of on my Acct. Half of this flour was shipped uninspected because Capt. Peter Kerwin,...
575[Diary entry: 27 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 27th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morng.—66 at Noon and 68 at Night. Wind Easterly all day—raining in the morning, clear about Noon with Clouds, mists, and Sunshine afterwards, alternately. Rid about 11 Oclock to visit the Plantations at Muddy hole and Dogue run. At the latter & in the Neck, the rain which had fallen in such quantities since Wednesday last had stopped their planting of...
576[Diary entry: 28 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 28th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 68 at Night. The forenoon very rainy with high Wind from the No. Et. About Noon it ceased raining. The Wind moderated and veered round to the Southward and then died away. The continual, and excessive rains, has so surcharged the Earth with Water, that abt. 40 feet of my sunk wall, near the Ice house fell down and the greater part of...
577[Diary entry: 29 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 29th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morng.—72 at Noon and 70 at Night. Thunder, Lightning, and a good deal of rain last Night with mists & rain till nine Oclk. this Morning and Wind fresh from the Eastward most part of the day. About 9 Oclock, Mr. Tobias Lear, who had been previously engaged on a salary of 200 dollars, to live with me as a private Secretary & precepter for Washington Custis...
578[Diary entry: 30 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 30th. Thermometer at in the Morning— at Noon and at Night. Wind tho’ not much of it, was still at East. Morning Misty and threatning till dinner time after which it cleared. Accompanied by Colo. Mead, I rid to muddy hole and Neck Plantations to shew him my experiments in the drill husbandry—with which he seemed to be pleased. G. A. Washington went up to Alexandria on my business & did...
579[Diary entry: 31 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 31st. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning— at Noon—and 69 at Night. Wind still at No. East, and the day heavy & lowering, without rain. Colo. Mead left this after a very early Breakfast. I rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole & Dogue run, by the New ground; and also went to the Mill. At both places the Plows were at Work in ground much too wet. At the first, that is Muddy hole, they...
580June [1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 1st. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 70 at Night. Misting in the Morning and at Intervals all day with the wind at No. Et. and at times fresh. Rid to my Plantations at Muddy hole and in the Neck; at the latter the People were setting Corn in the field of experiments, furthest cut. The Peas at this place have come up very indifferently, and looked badly. The Barley also...
581[Diary entry: 1 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 1st. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 70 at Night. Misting in the Morning and at Intervals all day with the wind at No. Et. and at times fresh. Rid to my Plantations at Muddy hole and in the Neck; at the latter the People were setting Corn in the field of experiments, furthest cut. The Peas at this place have come up very indifferently, and looked badly. The Barley also...
582[Diary entry: 2 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 2d. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 70 at Night. A good deal of rain fell in the Night and this Morning with the wind at No. Et. Afterwards it continued Misting and the Sun to shine, alternately through the day. More clouds and wet weather, and less Sunshine never happened, it is thought in the same time, in this Country before. Waters run from the Hills, and stand in...
583[Diary entry: 3 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 3d. Thermometer at 69 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 71 at Night. Morning very heavy, sometimes misting, and then raining till 9 oclock—lowering afterwards till the afternoon, when it became calm & clear with a good horizon at the Suns setting. The wind was at No. Et. all the fore part of the day, & pretty fresh. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole. At the...
584[Diary entry: 4 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 4th. Thermometer at 70 in the Morning 72 at Noon and 75 at Night. An exceeding heavy fog in the Morning, and quite calm all day and clear. Received from on board the Brig Ann, from Ireland, two Servant Men for whom I had agreed yesterday—viz.—Thomas Ryan a Shoemaker, and Caven Bowe a Tayler redemptioners for 3 years Service by Indenture if they could not pay, each, the Sum of £12 Sterg....
585[Diary entry: 5 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 5th. Thermometer at 72 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 74 at Night. Morning, and generally thro’ the day, clear, and very pleasant, but warm. Very little Wind, and that Southerly. Before breakfast, Mrs. Jenifer the widow of Doctr. Jenifer came, & returned in the afternoon. Soon after breakfast Messrs. Sanderson, Wilson, Murray & McPherson came in; all of whom, except the latter, went away...
586[Diary entry: 6 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 6. Thermometer at 72 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 74 at Night. Thick Morning, and more or less cloudy all day, but no rain—but little Wind—that which was came from the No. Et.—rather more Easterly. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Muddy hole, & Neck. At the first & last the people were setting and planting of Corn. The ferry people finished listing with the hoes their part of the...
587[Diary entry: 7 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 7th. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 74 at Night. Morning a little cloudy—in the afternoon light showers around us, with thunder and lightning at a distance—light breezes from the Southward. Rid to the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole Plantations and through the Wheat and Rye at the first—neither of which answered my expectations. The first, besides having a small head...
588[Diary entry: 8 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 8th. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 73 at Night. Clear in the forenoon and calm. About One o’clock a cloud arose in the No. West quarter wch. spread extensively; and before 3 began to Rain fast and continued to do so near half an hour. During this flurry the Wind blew fresh from the Westward, but after the rain ceased it came back to the Southwest and continued moderate...
589[Diary entry: 9 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 9th. Mercury at 70 in the Morning—77 at Noon and 74 at Night. Morning clear and pleast. with the Wind at No. West but not fresh, nor had it changed the air cooler. Mr. Wallace went away after breakfast and I rid to Muddy hole & river Plantations. The heaviness of the Plowing, and wetness of the land had encreased by the late Rains. Nothing indeed but the backwardness of the season and...
590[Diary entry: 10 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 10th. Mercury at 66 in the Morning—72 at Noon and at Night. A heavy lowering Morning with the wind at East. At times the Sun appeared for a few momts. but generally the clouds were heavy with distant thunder in the So. Wt. quarter in the Afternoon tho’ no rain fell here. Rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run, and Ferry. Took the Mill in the way. Finished replanting Corn this...
591[Diary entry: 11 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 11th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—80 at Noon and 75 at Night. A heavy fog in the morning, and cloudy most part of the day with great appearances of rain but none fell. Wind at East in the Morning tho not much of it fresh afterwards from the So. West till 6 oclock when it came out at No. Wt. Sometime after Candles were lighted Colo. Senf came in. During the Revolution, John (Jean)...
592[Diary entry: 12 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 12th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 69 at Night. Morning early was calm, but about 7 Oclock the Wind sprung up at No. West and blew pretty fresh till late in the Afternoon when it became calm. I rid to the Ferry, Dogue run and Muddy hole Plantations, and to the People who were working at the Tumbling-Dam. Finished replanting Corn at Muddy hole on Saturday last & began late...
593[Diary entry: 13 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 13th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning 75 at Noon and 73 at Night. Rid to the River, Muddy hole & Dogue run Plantations. At the first found the plows in the Eastermost cut of drilled Corn; where they had begun yesterday morning and were going over it the 2d. time. The hoes, which had got into it yesterday about 2 Oclock (after having finished replanting Corn) were following in the same...
594[Diary entry: 14 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 14th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 76 at Night. After an early breakfast Judge Harrison left this for his own house and in Company with Colo. Senf, I set out for our Works at the great falls; where we arrived about 11 Oclock and after viewing them set out on our return & reached Colo. Gilpins where we lodged. Mr. Rumsey was not there (at the Falls) having gone that...
595[Diary entry: 15 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 15th. Mercury at 70 in the Morning—82 at Noon and 82 at Night. Clear with little wind and very warm. Took Alexandria—My Mill dam Meadow at Dogue run and the Plantation there—as also the Ferry Plantation in my way home. Found the tumbling dam all but new laying the sheeting, and filling below it, compleated. Directed all the Breaches in the race & the leak at Piney branch dam, to be...
596[Diary entry: 16 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 16th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—82 at Noon and 80 at Night. Clear with little wind in the Morning. About 10 or 11 oclock a breeze sprung up from the Eastward but died soon afterwards—rising again in the afternoon at So. West. Finished my Mill race and Dam this Afternoon. Began about 10 Oclock to put up the Book press in my study.
597[Diary entry: 17 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 17th. Mercury at 76 in the Morning—85 at Noon and 83 at Night. Calm and very warm all day with but little wind and that Southerly—at times it was a little cloudy and at night there were thunder & lightning but no rain. Rid to all the Plantations to day. In the Neck the Hoes and Plows were in the last (Westermost) cut. The first got to work in it about noon yesterday and the latter...
598[Diary entry: 18 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 18th. Mercury at 78 in the Morning—84 at Noon and 78 at Night. Calm, clear, and very warm in the forepart of the day; abt. 2 Oclock a cloud arose to the Westward; and a pretty heavy shower of rain fell with some thunder & lightning; after which it cleared; but another shower came on about sun down tho’ it was very moderate & of short continuance.
599[Diary entry: 19 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 19th. Mercury at 73 in the Morning. 79 at Noon and 78 at Night. Morning cloudy, but clear afterwards, with the wind at So. West. Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run, and Ferry Plantations; and to the Meadows (where people were at Work) at the two latter. Finding my Corn was in danger of being lost by Grass & weeds, I stopped Brickmaking, and sent Gunner, Boatswain, Anthony, and Myrtilla to...
600[Diary entry: 20 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 20th. Mercury at 71 in the morning—77 at Noon and 78 at Night. Morning clear and pleasant with but little wind. In the afternoon the Wind blew from the Eastward, & a cloud arising in the contrary direction it began about 9 Oclock to rain very powerfully and continued to do so, more or less through the Night. Mr. Craik went away before Breakfast, and the rest of the Company about 11...