851[Diary entry: 7 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 7th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—30 at Noon and 32 at Night. A good deal of rain fell in the Night. About Sun rise it began to Snow and continued to do so, more or less all day. Continued at home.
852[Diary entry: 8 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 8th. Mercury at 27 in the Morning—30 at Noon and 30 at Night. The Wind which had been at No. Et. all day yesterday still continued there. In the Night and early this Morning it Rained after which it hailed and then Snowed. At home all day.
853[Diary entry: 9 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 9th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 38 at Night. Clear, with the wind at No. Wt.; but neither hard, nor cold. Mr. Bushrod Washington and his Brother Corbin went away after breakfast and Geo. Washington went up to Alexandria. Doctr. La Moyeur left this but meeting with some accident to his Chaise returned again. I rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s, Dogue run, &...
854[Diary entry: 10 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 10th. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 36 at Night. Clear but raw and cold the Wind being pretty fresh all day from the So. Et. In the Night it blew very hard. After breakfast Doctr. La Moyeur again set out & soon after Docter Craik went away. I went into the Neck to run the outer lines of my land there bounded by Mr. Mason and Mr. Alexander and to ascertain lines for the...
855[Diary entry: 11 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 11th. Mercury at 31 in the Morng.—33 at Noon and 33 at Night. Began to rain at or before day and kept very steadily at it—sometimes hard, till abt. 2 Oclock when the Sun came out for a short duration—little or no Wind & that Southerly.
856[Diary entry: 12 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 12th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 40 at Night. The Sun rose clear, and the Morning was tolerably free from clouds but it soon over cast, and all the latter part of the day had great appearances of Snow or rain. Rid to the Plantations at The Ferry, French’s, Dogue run and Muddy hole—Plowing at the Ferry in the New Meadw. and at French’s in field No. intended for Turnips...
857[Diary entry: 13 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 13th. Mercury at 38 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 45 at Night. Moderate and pleasant with Sun and Clouds alternately—Wind Southerly. Rid to all the Plantations. Plows at Work—those of Muddy hole at work at Frenchs. Ferry people came to work in the New ground front of the Mansion house on Friday the 9th.
858[Diary entry: 14 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 14th. Mercury at 36 in the Morng.—36 at Noon and 36 at Night. Thick and heavy clouds in the Morning and wind at No. Et. About 8 Oclock A. M. it began to rain and kept steadily at it all day—at times raining very fast. Rid immediately, after breakfast to French’s Plantation to see a sick man and intended to have gone to others but was driven back by the rain.
859[Diary entry: 15 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 15th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 48 at Night. Clear, wind at So. Wt. in the Morning which blew fresh by Noon—after which it came out at No. Wt. blew hard and turned cold. Rid to the Plantations at The Ferry, French’s Dogue run and Muddy hole—also to the Mill and ditchers—Plowing at all except Muddy hole—the plows of that being at Fr[enc]hs—where No. 5 being too wet...
860[Diary entry: 16 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 16th. Mercury at 28 in the Morning 52 at Noon and 50 at Night. Very clear and pleasant in the Morning with little or no Wind. About 9 Oclock it Sprung up at No. Wt. and seemed inclined to blow hard—but before Noon it died away and came out afterwards at So. Wt. Mr. Dandridge went away after an early breakfast and G. A. Washington set out for Berkley. I rid to all the Plantations....
861[Diary entry: 17 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 17th. Mercury at 32 in the Morng.—48 at Noon and 42 at Night. Wind Southerly and warm all day. Towards night it lowered. Went into the Neck to Mark some lines for fences. Finished this Evening plowing the orchard for Barley. Received, before I had done a message acquainting me that Colo. Wadsworth and a Mr. Chaloner were here which brought me home. Jeremiah Wadsworth (1743–1804), of...
862[Diary entry: 18 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 18th. Mercury at in the Morning— at Noon and at N. Clear, Warm, and very pleasant all day, with very little wind. Towards dusk it began to lower again. After dinner Colo. Wadsworth & Mr. Chaloner returned to Alexandria.
863[Diary entry: 19 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 19th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 56 at N. A very thick fog till nine or 10 Oclock when it dispelled, became clear & exceedingly pleasant. Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck heaping dung with the Women ar[oun]d the Barn. Began after the Fog dispelled to plow for Oats in the Easternmost cut of drilled Corn (Timber landing field) intending to sow and harrow close at...
864[Diary entry: 20 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 20th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—35 at Noon and 30 at Night. The Wind in the Night sprung up at No. West and blew very hard all day and till within Night. Ground froze this Morn. Went with Mrs. Washington to Mr. Fendalls to make a visit to Colo. and Mrs. Lee. Dined and returned home in the Evening. Found Doctr. Craik here.
865[Diary entry: 21 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 21st. Mercury at 24 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 36 at Night. Morning clear, but cold; ground hard froze—wind fresh all day from West. Doctr. Craik went away before breakfast—after wch. I rode to Muddy hole and Neck Plantations. Began to Sow Oats at the latter in the ground which the Plows went into on Monday abt. Noon, & finished yesterdy. about dinner time. They were not more than...
866[Diary entry: 22 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 22d. Mercury at 30 in the morng.—55 at Noon and 48 at Night. Day pleasant, with the Wind at South till the evening when it began to lower. The Wind had shifted to the No. Et. & the Moon & Stars looked dim. Rid to Muddy hole Dogue run & Frenchs Plantation. At the first about a fence on the New ditch which was begun yesterday. At the second, the Plows having done all they could in the...
867[Diary entry: 23 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 23d. Mercury at 27 in the Morning—33 at Noon and 30 at Night. The Wind which shifted last Night to No. Et. brought Snow which by day break was abt. 2 Inches deep. It continued Snowing with the wind in the same quarter till 12 Oclock this day when the Sun appeared, tho it did not perfectly clear. At home all day. In the Evening Mr. Griffith came in and stayed all night.
868[Diary entry: 24 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 24th. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 36 at Night. Cloudy, heavy morning—wind Southerly tho not fresh—Red horison at the Suns rising & lowering all day. After breakfast Mr. Fairfax, his wife & daughter and Mr. Griffith went away. I rode to the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s, Dogue run, & Muddy hole. Plowing at Frenchs and Dogue run. Finished the Ditch at Muddy hole...
869[Diary entry: 25 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 25th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 44 at Night. Dull heavy morning, with the Wind what little there is of it at No. Et. The Moon last Night had a dim circle round it—also a bur and the Stars when they did appear were dim also. About Noon it became quite calm—this afternoon was clear & exceedingly pleasant.
870[Diary entry: 26 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 26th. Mercury at 33 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 32 at Night. Red Sky at Sunrising—Wind Southerly in the fore Noon and at East in the afternoon. Morning heavy and damp with great appearances of rain. About Noon the clouds broke and the Sun appeared after which it clouded and looked very much like rain. Rid to all the Plantations—to the Mill, and to the Ditchers. In the Neck, the ground...
871[Diary entry: 27 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 27th. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 44 at Night. Morning early, cloudy, with the Wind Southerly. Before Noon it became clear—warm, and very pleasant, after which the wind came out at No. Wt. blew pretty fresh turned cloudy, & grew colder, but not disagreeably so, or likely to freeze. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenches, Dogue run and Muddy hole. Set the Plows at...
872[Diary entry: 28 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 28th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 44 at Night. Morning clear—ground not froze—Wind westerly, but not very fresh. Afterwards it shifted more to the No. West and blew hard but did not freeze. Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck began to cross the Plowing in the homestead (orchard inclosure) in order to sow Oats; but the grd. in places having been tolerably well...
873March, 1787 (Washington Papers)
Thursday First. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 46 at Night. Morning very pleasant with little or no wind—but it soon Sprung up at No. West and blew fresh and though it grew cooler was not cold. Rid to all the Plantations. The operation of harrowing which was begun yesterday in the Neck was going on; but as it did not appear to me that it would prepare the ground sufficiently for...
874[Diary entry: 1 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday First. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 46 at Night. Morning very pleasant with little or no wind—but it soon Sprung up at No. West and blew fresh and though it grew cooler was not cold. Rid to all the Plantations. The operation of harrowing which was begun yesterday in the Neck was going on; but as it did not appear to me that it would prepare the ground sufficiently for...
875[Diary entry: 2 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
[Friday] 2d. Mercury at 31 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 44 at Night. Morning very clear and pleasant—ground a little frozen. About 8 Oclock the wind sprung up at No. Wt. & blew rather cool. Before Noon it died away and became warm and pleast.—after which it began to lower and towards Night looked very hazy & portentious of a change. Rid into the Neck with my Compass to ascertain if...
876[Diary entry: 3 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 3d. Mercury at 31 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 40 at Night. Very rainy Morning and till towards Noon—when it ceased, but no sun appeared all day. Wind, tho’ very little of it, was at No. Et. The Revd. Mr. Weems, and yg. Doctr. Craik who came here yesterday in the afternoon left this about Noon for Port Tobo. Doctr. Stuart came here in the evening. Mason Locke Weems (1759–1825), born...
877[Diary entry: 4 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 4th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 42 at Night. In the Morning early it was pleasand with the Wind at So. Afterwards it shifted to the No. Wt. and became variable with appearances all the evening of Snow or rain. Mr. William Fitzhugh (Son to the Colo.) came here before dinner.
878[Diary entry: 5 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 5th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 38 at Night. Cloudy morning with the Wind at No. West, but neither fresh nor cold. Cloudy all day with appears. of rain or Snow. Doctr. Stuart and Mr. Fitzhugh went away after breakfast. I rid to the Ferry, French’s Dogue run and Muddy hole Plantations. Began at French’s to Sow Oats, & to harrow them in and at Dogue run to Cut & Maul...
879[Diary entry: 6 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 6th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 48 at Night. Wind at No. West tho’ not very fresh but raw and Cold; the Sun seldom appearing. Rid to all the Plantations; No appearance of the first sowed Oats coming up in the Neck—Women, there, putting up a fence by Williams’s house—at all the other places working as yesterday. On my return home found Colo. Ball here and soon after...
880[Diary entry: 7 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 7th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—63 at Noon and 54 at Night. Cloudy with the wind brisk at So. Et. in the Morning, and varying more westerly afterwards and blowing fresh all day—Clear after 8 Oclock. Mr. G. W. Lewis went away after breakfast. Colo. Ball rid with me to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run, & Muddy hole—Sowing Oats at the 3 first as also grass seeds—At the...
881[Diary entry: 8 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 8th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 42 at Night. Grey Morning with some appearances of falling Weather—the wind however at No. West; about 9 Oclock it shifted to the No. East and blew raw and cold; before Noon it died away, and was very pleasant but towards evening it sprung up again at No. Et. and looked threatning again. Colo. Ball went away immediately after breakfast....
882[Diary entry: 9 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 9th. Mercury at 36 in the Morng.—44 at Noon and 42 at Night. A good deal of Rain fell last Night—wind at South all day. Abt. 9 Oclock it ceased raining; and about Noon the Sun came out, and it was very pleasant; but it clouded and lowered much afterwards. At home all day.
883[Diary entry: 10 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 10th. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 59 at Night. A clear and pleasant Morning with the Wind at So. after wch. it shifted to the No. Wt. and blew fresh but not cold. Towards evening it became calm and exceeding pleasant. A violent [wind] in the Night with storms of rain. Rid to all the Plantations. Found that much rain had fallen and that the sowing of Oats was stopped at...
884[Diary entry: 11 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 11th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 50 at Night. Calm, clear and remarkably pleasant all day till about Sun down when the wd. sprung up fresh from the So. Et. and the Sky became Muddy. Doctr. Craik came here to dinner to day. Mrs. Jenifer came here to dinner yesterday. Mrs. Jenifer is probably Sarah Craik Jenifer, Dr. Craik’s daughter.
885[Diary entry: 12 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 12th. Mercury at 36 in the Morng.—60 at Noon and 58 at N. Morning a little Cloudy with the wind at South—much the same all day. Towds. Night the wind freshened and in the Night blew a storm. Rid to all the Plantations—Plowing, and Sowing Oats and grass Seeds at all except at Muddy hole—threshing clover Seed there. No appearance of the first Sowed Oats rising yet. Majr. Washington went...
886[Diary entry: 13 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 13th. Mercury at in the Morning—68 at Noon and 64 at Night. The Southerly Storm of last Night was very violent—blowing down some of my fencing and the tops of my Hay & wheat Stacks. Much rain also fell by which the ground was made very wet and the Runs filled with water. Till about 8 Oclock this morning it continued to rain fast after which it cleared with a fresh Southerly Wind which...
887[Diary entry: 14 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 14th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 58 at Night. Remarkably fine and pleasant all day with little or no wind. Rid to all the Plantations—began to sow Oats as usual. The first sowed ones in the Neck were beginning to come up. At that place Nat finished on Monday last laying off field No. 3 for Corn. At Dogue run finished filling gullies & grubbing before the Plows in the...
888[Diary entry: 15 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 15th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning— at Noon and at N. Clear and pleasant with [wind] at South. Towards sundown the horison looked a little thick in the West. Went out with my Compass in order to Mark the ground at Muddy hole intended for experiments, into half Acre lotts, and two other places adjoining all on field No. 2—into 10 Acre lotts—Also to mark the lines which divide field No....
889[Diary entry: 16 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 16th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 60 at Night. Clear, warm, and very pleasant all day with but little Wind and that Southerly. Rid to all the Plantations, to the Mill and to the Ditchers. The last began to ditch on both sides the New Meadow at the ferry—Plowing and sowing as usual at all the other places. Mrs. Jenifer and the two Miss Craiks went away yesterday and Mr....
890[Diary entry: 17 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 17th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 48 at Night. Morning tolerably clear but lowering all day afterwards and sometimes misting with the wind at No. Et. Mr. Griffith went away after breakfast. I rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run, French’s, and Ferry Plantations. At French’s the Plows began yesterday after noon to plow in that cut of field No. 5 by Manleys houses. At the Ferry,...
891[Diary entry: 18 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 18th. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 63 at Night. A thick fog in the early part of the Morning and lowering till towards Noon—Clear afterwards till evening when the Sun set in a bank—Wind at So. Et. till Night when it appeared to be at So. West. The day was warm & pleasant. Wind fresh in the Night. A Mr. Black from New York, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Porter, Mr. Monshur, Mr. Murray,...
892[Diary entry: 19 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 19th. Mercury at 58 in the Morning—63 at Noon and 63 at Night. Morning lowering, and the Wind fresh from South. The same kind of Weather through the day, with drops of rain now and then. Rid to the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations; and to the Ditchers. Plowing and Sowing Oats as usual at the 3 first and at all of them the first sowed Oats were coming up. The ground is...
893[Diary entry: 20 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 20th. Mercury at 58 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 56 at Night. A Very thick fog all the Morning—lowering afterwds. with but little Wind. A little rain last N. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, and Dogue run. Had the hands from the latter and Muddy hole brot. to Frenchs to put up the fence along the Road, that that by Grays house might be removed out of the way of the plows....
894[Diary entry: 21 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 21st. Mercury at 48 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 60 at Night. Heavy, lowering Morning; with but little wind from the So. Et. Calm all day with Clouds and Sun shine alternately through the whole of it. When the Sun was out, it was very warm—Vegetation advancing very quick. The grass had come on surprisingly & the blossoms of the early fruits were putting forth as were the leaves of...
895[Diary entry: 22 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 22d. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 44 at N. Clear all day, with the wind pretty fresh from the Southward. Towards Night and in the Night, it encreased; and grew colder. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, & Dogue run. Began to sow Oats in Field No. 5 at Frenchs—in the West cut East side thereof with the Oats from George Town (the common kind). At Dogue run the...
896[Diary entry: 23 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 23d. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—46 at Noon And 38 at N. The Wind shifted from the Southward to the No. West in the Night and blew violently hard, which it continued to do all day turning cold & very disagreeable. Rid to all the Plantations. Finished about 9 Oclock breaking up all the ground in field No. 9 in the Neck. The Muddy hole force all at French’s putting up the fence along the...
897[Diary entry: 24 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 24th. Mercury at 28 in the Morning— at Noon and at Night. The Wind still violent at No. Wt.—ground frozen and so dried & baked with the Wind as not to be in condition for plowing or harrowing in the Morning. Ice almost through the day which was very cold for the season and exceedingly disagreeable. Rid to the Ferry, French’s, and Dogue run Plantations—The Plows at the first listg. of...
898[Diary entry: 25 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 25th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 49 at Night. Very severe frost last Night—More Ice than yesterday morning—Wind still at No. West but not so fresh as yesterday and weather clear. Mr. Snow from Alexandria came down and dined and returned in the Afternoon with Captn. Rice—immediately after which a Mr. Martin—an English Gentleman came in and a few minutes afterwards Mr....
899[Diary entry: 26 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 26th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—58 at Noon And 54 at Night. Morning clear and pleasant Wind Southerly but not much of it. At home all day. The English Gentleman went away after breakfast and Mr. Lee after Colo. Gilpin—Doctr. Stuart, Mrs. Stuart and Betcy & Patcy Custis came here to Dinner. The first went away after it. Finished sowing Oats in the Neck on Saturday last, in the...
900[Diary entry: 27 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 27th. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 49 at Night. Very smoky, and lowering all day with but little wind & that from the Southward. Rid to the Ferry, French’s Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations. At the first began yesterday, & would finish to day, harrowing Timothy Seed on the Rye which had been omitted in the Fall; and on the Snow during winter. Ordered a part of it to be...