501[Diary entry: 16 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 16th. Thermometer at 48 in the Morning—57 at Noon and 50 at Night. Misling morning. About 9 Oclock it cleared and was warm and pleasant overhead but very wet under foot, occasioned by the quantity of Rain that fell last Night—but little wind and that from the Westward. About 4 oclock a pretty heavy shower of Rain fell. Finished the Mound on the right and planted the largest weeping...
502[Diary entry: 17 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 17th. Thermometer at 49 in the morning—52 at Noon and 48 at Night. Cloudy all day, and sometimes dripping rain—Wind at No. West but not fresh nor cold. Finished landing Corn—viz. 1000 Bushels which had swelled 13 bushels over. Had every species of stock turned off my Muddy hole Wheat field except two English Colts and with young.
503[Diary entry: 18 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 18th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 52 at Night. Morning a little cloudy, and the Wind at No. West with appearances of blowing hard; but towards noon it cleared, the wind moderated, and in the afternoon it became calm and very pleasant. Rid to my Ferry, Dogue Run, Muddy hole, and Neck plantations. On my return before dinner found a Mr. Charton (a french Gentleman)...
504[Diary entry: 19 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 19th. Thermometer at 46 in the morning—50 at Noon & 46 at Night. Wind moderate in the forenoon, and the morning exceedingly pleasant; but blowing fresh from the Eastward after twelve o’clock. It lowered in the afternoon and threatned an unfavourable change. A Gentleman calling himself the Count de Cheiza D’arteignan Officer of the French Guards came here to dinner; but bringing no...
505[Diary entry: 20 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 20th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 46 at Night. Wind fresh from the No. East all day—misling and raining, more or less, till eveng. At times it fell pretty heavily. Planted in that square of my Botanical garden, adjoining to the Servants & spinning House in two and an half rows, 95 of the gloucester hiccory nut. They are on that side of the square next the...
506[Diary entry: 21 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 21st. Thermometer at in the morning—60 at Noon, and 58 at Night. Wind brisk from the No. West all day (drying the ground finely)—in the morning it was a little cloudy but clear afterwards. The Count de Cheiza D’Artingnon (so calling himself) was sent, with my horses, to day, at his own request, to Alexanda. Mr. Shaw went to town to day on my business. In the So. West square of my fruit...
507[Diary entry: 22 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 22d. Thermometer at 50 in the morning—58 at Noon and 58 at Night. Wind rather variable, but chiefly from the Westward. About noon it lowered and a large circle appeared round the Sun—but the Sun set clear and the evening was red. Had the intervals between my Cape Wheat hoed. Cut the top of every other row of the first sowed of it about 8 Inches from the ground it being not less than...
508[Diary entry: 23 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 23d. Thermometer at 51 in the Morning— at Noon and 50 at night. Wind very fresh the whole day at No. West, and weather clear. Along side the Cherokee plumb (planted yesterday) I planted in a Row and piece, the Spanish chesnuts sowed last fall. And next these 43 rows, one foot apart & about an inch asunder in the row between 17 and 18,000 seed of the honey locust. Next these, in three...
509[Diary entry: 24 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 24th. Thermometer at 46 in the morning—56 at Noon and 55 at Night. Wind at No. West in the Morning, and rather cool. After noon it was at South west and blew pretty fresh—looking hazy. Rid to my Plantations at Dogue run, Muddy hole and in the Neck. Began again to sow Oats at the first and last of these, though the ground was yet too wet. Sowed the ground which was prepared on Wednesday...
510[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...
511[Diary entry: 26 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 26th. Thermometer at 57 in the morning—67 at Noon and 67 at Night. Clear and very smoaky all day, with the wind brisk from the Southwest. Towards sundown it began to lower a little. The warmth of yesterday and this day, forwarded vegetation much; the buds of some trees, particularly the Weeping Willow & Maple, had displayed their leaves and blossoms & all others were swelled, and many...
512[Diary entry: 27 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 27th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning at Noon and 56 at Night. Cloudy all the forenoon—Wind at No. Wt. Rid to all my Plantations. Finished plowing in the Oats at Dogue Run—ground much too wet; but not to be avoided, as nothing could be well worse than a longer delay of getting them sowed. Ordered the ground to be harrowed, to smooth and prepare it for the Timothy seed which I mean to...
513[Diary entry: 28 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 28th. Thermometer at 42 in the morning—50 at Noon and 52 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at So. It should have been noted, that in the Night of the 26th. there fell Rain—tho’ not a great deal—enough however to wet the top of the ground. Finished sowing my Oats in the Neck and plowing them in, but not the harrowing of the ground after the Plows. Finished the Land sides of my...
514[Diary entry: 29 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 29th. Thermometer at 48 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 62 at Night. Lowering in the forenoon, and sometimes dropping Rain—clear afterwards—Wind Southerly all day and at times fresh. Finished crossing the ground at Muddy hole plantation, intended for experiments. Began to plow a piece of grd. in the Neck for Burnet, Saintfoin and Rib grass, in front of the overseers house. Rid to all...
515[Diary entry: 30 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 30th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—63 at Noon and at Night. Lowering more or less all day, with the wind at South. Rid to the ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole plantations & to the Mill. On my return home, found a Mr. Wallace, an Irish Gentlemen—some time since recommended to me by Mr. Edward Newenham, here. The Corn which I had lately received from York River having got very hot,...
516[Diary entry: 31 March 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 31st. Thermometer at 56 in the Morng.— at Noon and at Night. Raining a little before day with thunder & lightning—after which it misted till towds. Noon when there were appearances of its clearing; but in the afternoon it rained pretty smartly, and continued threatning. Wind No. & No. West sometime No. E. Walked to my Plantation in the Neck where, tho’ the ground was nearly prepared for...
517April 1786 (Washington Papers)
Saturday 1st. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 32 at Night. A very disagreeable mixture of Rain and fine hail fell all day, with a fresh and cold No. easterly wind. Towards night and in the Night it snowed. Few days or Nights this year have been more inclemt. and disagreeable than this. Sunday 2d. Thermometer at 31 in the morning—40 at Noon and 41 at Night. A very hard frost...
518[Diary entry: 1 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 1st. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 32 at Night. A very disagreeable mixture of Rain and fine hail fell all day, with a fresh and cold No. easterly wind. Towards night and in the Night it snowed. Few days or Nights this year have been more inclemt. and disagreeable than this.
519[Diary entry: 2 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 2d. Thermometer at 31 in the morning—40 at Noon and 41 at Night. A very hard frost this Morning; Water & wet Ice frozen and day cold—Wind hard at No. West and weather clear—Snow which fell in the Night had drifted so as not to tell the depth of it easily. All the blossoms & young foliage much injured, and the forward fruit (if no more) entirely destroyed. Just after dinner Mr. Fendall...
520[Diary entry: 3 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
April 3d. Thermometer at 36 in the Morng.—50 at Noon and 50 at Night. A hard frost this morning & a good deal of Ice—Wind Southerly and clear till the afternoon, when it shifted to the East and lowered. Mr. Fendall went away before Breakfast and Mr. Wallace & Doctr. Middleton soon after it. Lund Washington dined here. Snow chiefly dissolved—ground very wet and unfit to stir. Planted stocks of...
521[Diary entry: 4 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 4th. Thermometer at 45 in the morning—49 at Noon and at Night. Little wind, but very cloudy in the morning, and before 10 oclock it began to Rain; and continued to do so moderately all day and till we went to bed from the East. Sent my Seins and People to the Fishing landing at the ferry, but no hand was made of Fishing. Planted 6 of the pride of China brought from Mr. Lyons by G. A....
522[Diary entry: 5 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 5th. Thermometer at 45 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 44 at Night. Wind at No. West or more northerly all day and raining and mizzling without intermission—being very disagreeable and the ground very wet. Fanned all the heated Corn to day. The trouble this Corn has occasioned to preserve it from entire destruction is equal to the worth of it. To prevent its receiving some damage &...
523[Diary entry: 6 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 6th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 54 at Night. Very clear all day and upon the whole pleasant though the Wind blew pritty fresh and cool in the Morning from the No. West—but shifting to the Southward it grew calm in the afternoon. Mr. Griffith went away after breakfast and I rid to my Plantations at the ferry Dogue run & Muddy hole. Transplanted 46 of the large...
524[Diary entry: 7 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 7th. Thermometer at 50 in the morng.— at Noon and 52 at Night. Rid to Muddy hole Plantation and finding the ground which had been twice plowed to make my experiments in there middling dry in some places, though wet in others, I tried my drill or Barrel plow; which requiring some alteration in the harrow, obliged me to bring it to the Smiths shop. This suspended any further operation...
525[Diary entry: 8 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 8th. Thermometer at in the Morng.— at Noon and 44 at Night. Lowering more or less all day and sometimes dropping. Wind South, So. Et., & more Easterly and at times pretty fresh. Towards Sun down the appearances of fair weather was more favourable. Rid a little after Sun rise to Muddy to try my drill plow again which with the alteration of the harrow yesterday I find will fully answer...
526[Diary entry: 9 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 9th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning— at Noon and at Night. Lowering more or less all day. In the morning there were great appearances of Rain. About Noon it brightened up a little but in the evening it grew cloudy again and a large circle appeared round the Moon between 9 and 10 Oclock at Night. The Wind was at So. Et. and E.So. Et. all day and at times pretty fresh. Mr. Dalby of...
527[Diary entry: 10 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 10th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 46 at Night. Cold and raw Northerly wind blew all the forenoon, and in the afternoon shifted Easterly & was not much pleasanter. Began my brick work to day—first taking away the foundations of the Garden Houses as they were first placed, & repairing the damages in the Walls occasioned by their removal. And also began to put up my...
528[Diary entry: 11 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 11th. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 52 at Night. Wind at No. Et. all day, and at times pretty fresh—raw and disagreeable. Towards evening it lowered a good deal, & the Sun set in a bank. Sowing the Siberian Wheat to day, as yesterday, at the ferry. And sowed 26 rows of Barley (except a little at each end wch. was too wet for the ground to be worked) at Muddy hole;...
529[Diary entry: 12 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 12th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morng.—55 at Noon and 50 at Night. A Brisk wind all day from the No. Et.—cold & raw, with appearances of a change of Weather especially towards evening when it lowered very much. Rid to the fishing Landing, ferry, Dogue Run, and Muddy hole plantations. Finished at the first, Sowing the ground intended for experiments, with the Siberian Wheat. This spot...
530[Diary entry: 13 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 13th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 52 at Night. A high, cold, and disagreeable wind from the No. East blew all day and the Sun for the most part hid. Rid to Muddy hole and river Plantations. The Carrots at the first were sowed as directed yesterday and at the latter I began to Sow Oats in Rows ten feet a part in grd. managed in the following manner. 1 Marked off...
531[Diary entry: 14 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 14th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—64 at Noon and at Night. Clear Morning with the wind at No. East, but neither very fresh nor cold. Afterwd. Southly. & warm. Doctr. La Moyeur sent for his Black horse & Chaise which his Servant carried away to day. Doctr. Craik went to Alexanda. after breakfast & returned again at Night. Rid to my Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue Run, and ferry in...
532[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...
533[Diary entry: 16 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 16th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 67 at Night. A brisk Southerly wind all day and at times much appearances of rain, but none fell. Mr. Lee went away after breakfast. Very few fish caught yet at my fishery at the ferry.
534[Diary entry: 17 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 17th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning— at Noon and 58 at Night. Morning clear and warm, with very little wind. About 10 Oclock it began to lower, and about 2 there were great appearances of rain but the Wind getting to No. West & blowing pretty fresh they all vanished. Went up to Alexandria to an election of Delegates to represent this County; when the suffrages of the people fell upon...
535[Diary entry: 18 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 18th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—58 at Noon and at Night. Wind at No. West—pretty fresh & cool—cloudy also without much signs of Rain. Rid to Muddy hole—Dogue Run & ferry plantations; & to the fishing Landing. At the first they had begun to plant the Irish Potatoes in drills; 4 rows were allotted for this purpose 2 whereof had a handful of dung put upon each set—which were at the...
536[Diary entry: 19 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 19th. Thermometer at 50 in the morning—62 at Noon and 60 at Night. Calm and warm in the forenoon. What little [wind] there was came from the Southward. In the afternoon the wind sprung up—but not fresh from the East. Rid to my Ferry Plantation, and walked into the Neck. At the first few fish were caught. At the latter I found (including what was sowed yesterday and Saturday) 50 rows...
537[Diary entry: 20 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 20th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 48 at Night. Wind fresh but not hard at No. Et. all day and very cloudy, sometimes dropping Rain. Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run and ferry Plantations and to the fishery at the latter. Finished Sowing 50 Rows of Barley in drills, at Dogue run, which took 35 quarts of Seed. The ground for this grain was twice plowed into 5 furrow...
538[Diary entry: 21 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 21st. Thermometer at 48 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 48 at Night. Drizzling till about 6 Oclock when it began a constant slow & moderate Rain with the Wind from No. Et. all day. About Noon, one James Bloxham, an English Farmer from Gloucestershire arrived here with letters of recommendation from Colo. Fairfax (& others to him) consequent of my request to him to enquire after such a...
539[Diary entry: 22 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 22d. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 56 at Night. In the Night there fell a great deal of rain, with some thunder & lightning which put a stop to plowing and indeed most other workings of the Earth. Morning Mizzling till about Noon, when it broke away without much wind which still hung to the Eastward. It was also tolerably warm and pleast. Rid to the Plantations at...
540[Diary entry: 23 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 23d. Set off after breakfast, on a journey to Richmond—to acknowledge in the General Court some Deeds for Land sold by me as Attorney for Colo. George Mercer which, it seems, could not be executed without. Dined at Dumfries and lodged at Stafford Court House. Very cloudy all day with but little wind and that from the Eastward.
541[Diary entry: 24 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 24th. A good deal of rain having fallen in the Night, and it continuing to do so till after 6 oclk. I was detained till near seven—when I set out, dined at my mothers in Fredericksburgh & proceeded afterwards to, and lodged at General Spotswoods. Until Noon the day was Missling, & sometime Raining which it also did in the night—but being warm, vegitation was much promoted—Wind Easterly....
542[Diary entry: 25 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 25th. Set out from General Spotswoods about Sun Rising and breakfasted at the Bowling green. Where, meeting with Mr. Holmes (a neat, and supposed to be a good farmer) I was informed by him that from experience he had found that the best method of raising clover (in this Country) was to sow it on Wheat in Jany. when the ground was lightly covered with snow having never failed by this...
543[Diary entry: 26 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 26th. Left Hanover Court Ho[use] about Sun rise; breakfasted at Norvals tavern and reached Richmond about Noon. Put up at Formicalo’s Tavern, where by invitation, I dined with the Judges of the General Court. Morning cloudy & not much wind, but between 8 and 10 Oclk. it came out fresh from the No. Wt.; and died away again about Noon. Meeting with Mr. Thos. Newton of Norfolk, he...
544[Diary entry: 27 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 27th. Acknowledged in the General Court a Deed to James Mercer Esqr. for the Lotts he and I bought at the Sale of his deceased Brother Colo. George Mercer and received a reconveyance from him of my part thereof. Road with the Lieutt. Govr. Randolph, the Attorney General, and Mr. George Webb, to view the cut which had commenced between Westham and Richmond for the improvement of the...
545[Diary entry: 28 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 28th. Left Richmond about 6 Oclock—breakfasted at Norvals—Dined at Rawlins and lodged at the Bowling. This Morning, as yesterday, was perfectly clear, warm and pleasant. Yesterday however, was calm. To day the Wind blew fresh from the So. West & in the afternoon became cloudy with great appearances of Rain a few drops of which fell, but in the evening it cleared and turned cooler.
546[Diary entry: 29 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 29th. Set out from the Bowling green a little after Sun-rising—breakfasted at General Spotswoods—Dined at my Sister Lewis’s in Fredericksburgh and spent the evening at Mr. Fitzhughs of Chatham. One of my Chariot Horses having got lame going to Richmond, but forced back to Genl. Spotswoods (not however without much difficulty) was left there with a Servant who was ordered to proceed...
547[Diary entry: 30 April 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 30th. Set off about Sun rising from Mr. Fitzhughs—breakfasted at Dumfries and reached home to a late Dinner. Where I found 3 of Mr. Rawlins Men; two of whom (one a Mr. Tharpe, director of the work) had been since Sunday last; & had employed many hands in preparing Mortar & other materials for them. That the Fishing (especially at the home house wch. had been discontinued on acct. of the...
548May [1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday first. Rid to the Fishing landing and to the Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole; perceived the Siberian Wheat at the two first had come up thinly which I attributed partly to bad seed and partly to too thin sowing as the Oats and Barley at all three were also too thin and where the ground had been wet, and hard baked none appeared. Set them to drilling the common Corn...
549[Diary entry: 1 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday first. Rid to the Fishing landing and to the Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole; perceived the Siberian Wheat at the two first had come up thinly which I attributed partly to bad seed and partly to too thin sowing as the Oats and Barley at all three were also too thin and where the ground had been wet, and hard baked none appeared. Set them to drilling the common Corn...
550[Diary entry: 2 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 2d. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—69 at Noon and 62 at Night. Wind Easterly, but not very fresh clear and plesant. Rid by Muddy hole plantation into the Neck. At the first finished drilling the common corn, and ordered the plow to be sent to Dogue run. At the latter I began to drill the common corn—in the furthermost cut—next the river, opposite to Mr. Digges’s & continued the...