1January 1785 (Washington Papers)
First Monday. Colo. Bassett, who brought his daughter Fanny to this place to remain on the 24th. of last Month set off on his return to the Assembly now sitting at Richmond. I took a ride to my Plantations in the Neck, & called to see my neighbour Humphrey Peake who has been long afflicted with ill health and appears to be in the last stage of life & very near his end. Wind Southwardly. The...
2February—1785 (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 1st. Mercury at 29 in the Morning, 28 at Noon and 34 at Night. Snowing, raining, or Hailing all day & Night and very disagreeable. Wind at No. Wt. and West the whole time. Wednesday 2d. Mercury at 28 in the Morning 32 at Noon and at Night. The Snow this morning is about 9 Inches deep & pretty well compressed. Wind at No. West and very cold. Mr. Scott went away after Breakfast. Employed...
3March 1785 (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 1st. Mercury at 34 in the morning 38 at Noon and 42 at Night. Wind at No. West all day, & sometimes pretty fresh; at others very moderate. In general clear with some flying clouds. Planted the remainder of the Poplars & part of the Ash Trees—also a circle of Dogwood with a red bud in the Middle close to the old Cherry tree near the South Garden Ho[use]. Began with my two Tumblers to...
4April—1785 (Washington Papers)
[1.] Mercury at 50 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 58 at Night. Wind variable—from So. West to No. Wt.—pretty fresh, and towards Evening more cool; then being at No. West. Mr. Hanson went away after breakfast. Grafted 12 Duke, 12 May Duke and 12 black May heart Cherries & 12 Burgamy Pears. The Cherries were chiefly on Stocks wch. had been taken up a considerable time, & the roots covered with...
5May [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...
6June 1785 (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 1st. Mercury at 64 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 72 at Night. But little Wind and that from the Southward—day clear, warm & growing. Govrs. Johnson & Lee, and the other Gentlemen with a Son of the first went away after Breakfast. In the Afternoon Mr. Mathew Whiting, Mr. Wm. Booth, & a Doctr. Graham [came] here & stayed all Night. Gov. Thomas Johnson had three sons: Thomas Jennings,...
7[July 1785] (Washington Papers)
July 1st. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 80 at Night. Clear with but little Wind and warm. Went to Alexandria to a meeting of the Board of Directors, who by Advertisement were to attend this day for the purpose of agreeing with a Manager and two Assistants to conduct the Undertaking of the Potomack Navigation—but no person applying with proper Credentials the Board gave the...
8August 1785 (Washington Papers)
Monday 1st. Mercury at 74 in the Morning— at Noon and 78 at Night. But little wind, weather clear & day very warm. Left home at 6 Oclock P. M. and after escorting Fanny Bassett to Alexandria I proceeded to Doctr. Stuarts where I breakfasted; and from thence went to George Town to the Annual Meeting of the Potomack Company appointed to be held at that place. About Noon, a sufficient number of...
9September [1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday first. Mercury at 70 in the Morng.—69 at Noon and 68 at Night. Cloudy Morning—with the Wind at East. Between 9 & 10 Oclock it began to drip slow rain, in which I planted the remainder of the Wheat from the Cape of Good Hope leaving 230 grains to replant the missing seeds, & some that had been washed up by the late rains; the whole number of grains given me by Colo. Spaight amounting...
10October [1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday first. Thermometer at 66 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 72 at Night. Southerly Wind and clear. Began to raise a Scaffold for Shingling the Front side of my House, next the Court yard. Rid to my River, Muddy hole, and Dogue run Plantations. Doctr. Stuart came in whilst we were at Dinner & stayed all Night. Sunday 2d. Thermometer at 70 in the Morning—76 at Noon and at Night. Weather...