51[Diary entry: 2 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 2d. Doctr. Craik came here to Dinner & stayed all Night. Drizzly Morning which first turned to rain, & then to snow.
52[Diary entry: 3 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 3d. Doctr. Stuart—his wife Betcy & Patcy Custis who had been here since the 27th. ulto. returned home. Doctr. Craik visited Mr. Peake & returned to Dinner. While we were at Dinner Colo. Blackburne & his daughter Sally came. The whole remained the Evening. Variable & very squally weather with Snow & Sunshine alternately. Towards evening the Wind came from the No. West & blew violently....
53[Diary entry: 4 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 4th. Colo. Blackburne went to Alexandria leaving his daughter here. Doctr. Craik attempted to cross the river at my Ferry, but failing on acct. of the Ice returned, & stayed dinner & the evening. Wind variable & cold.
54[Diary entry: 5 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 5th. The Doctr. in vain attempted my ferry & being disappointed went to George Town with a view of crossing on the Ice. Colo. Blackburn returned this Evening from Alexandria. Wind Northwardly & cold.
55[Diary entry: 6 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 6th. Colo. Blackburn & his daughter left this after breakfast. Wind from the Southwest, raw, cold & disagreeable.
56[Diary entry: 7 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 7th. Road to my Mill, Ferry, Dogue run, & Muddy hole Plantations. Preparing my dry well, and the Well in my New Cellar for the reception of Ice. But little wind, and that Southwardly. Day very pleasant—tho’ it thawed but little. The well in the new cellar was to prove unsatisfactory (see entry for 5 June ). The dry well that GW used as an icehouse was first mentioned in 1773, when it...
57[Diary entry: 8 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 8th. Drawing Ice from the river to my well in the Cellar—got it ¾ full & well pounded, as it was thrown in. Wind pretty fresh from the Southwest. The little Snow, not exceeding 2 Inches with which the ground was covered began to disappear and the ground to soften very much. The day for the greater part was lowering & variable.
58[Diary entry: 9 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 9th. Not much wind, and that at West, & So. West. Moderate & thawing a little. The Mercury in the Thermometer was at 32 this afternoon. Appearances of Rain.
59[Diary entry: 10 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 10th. Mercury at Sun rise was at 38—at Noon the same and at Night 42. Drizzly all day with but little wind—that westerly. Made a finish of the Ice in my well in the Cellar and began to fill the dry well—but the Ice unexpectedly leaving the Shore was obliged to quit. But little thawing to day, notwithstanding the wind & weather.
60[Diary entry: 11 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 11th. Mercury at 38 in the Morning 40 at Noon & 44 at Night. Until Noon it was foggy, with but little wind. Afternoon it cleared, & was very pleasant. The wind pretty fresh from the So. West—which bringing the Ice to the Shore again I renewed the Work of filling my dry Well with it by assembly Carts & hands from my Plantations.
61[Diary entry: 12 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 12th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning—40 at Noon & 38 at Night. Morning very fine with but little Wind from the So. Wt. At 10 o’clock it shifted to the No. Wt. blew very hard & turned Cold. Road to my Mill Swamp, where my Dogue run hands were at work & to other places in search of the sort of Trees I shall want for my walks, groves, & Wildernesses. At the Sein Landing & between that &...
62[Diary entry: 13 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 13th. Mercury in the Thermomiter at 26 about Sunrise—30 at Noon & 32 at Night. Morning clear & cold, the Wind being fresh from the No. West, Which, about Noon, died away and grew moderate. Was envited, & went to the Funeral of Mr. Peake who died on Tuesday night. Returned to Dinner, accompanied by the Revd. Doctr. Griffith. Found a Mr. Dalby (an English Gentleman) here—both of whom...
63[Diary entry: 14 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 14th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning 34 at Noon & 38 at Night. The Wind tho’ there was not much of it came from the So. West and continued at the same point the whole day. Appearances of Snow in the Forenoon but clear afterwards until Sunset—when it went down in a bank. Mr. Griffith & Mr. Dalby both went away after breakfast. Received an Invitation to the Funeral of Mr. Thos. Kirkpatrick...
64[Diary entry: 15 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 15th. Mercury at 38 in the Morning—42 at Noon and the same at Night. Wind Easterly in the Morning but before noon it shifted to the So. West & blew fresh & towards Night it veered round to the No. Wt. & blew very hard. With the Easterly wind there was a little rain which ceased with it. Grew clear & turned cold.
65[Diary entry: 16 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 16th. Mercury at 36 in the morning—38 at Noon & night. Wind light all day from the No. West. Weather clear & pleast.
66[Diary entry: 17 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 17th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—36 at Noon & 46 at Night. Day fine & pleasant—wind at South. Went to and returned from Alexandria to day. At my return found dispatches from the assembly respecting the Potomack Navigation. On 22 Jan. 1785 GW wrote to William Grayson , a member of the Virginia House of Delegates for Fairfax County, acknowledging receipt of “your letter, with the Books,...
67[Diary entry: 18 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 18th. Mercury at 50 this Morning—55 at Noon & 58 at Night. Wind Southwardly & fresh all day and now and then dripping of rain. In the evening the Clouds dispersed & the Sunset clear. Sent the dispatches which came to me yesterday to Messrs. Fitzgerald and Hartshorne (managers named in the act for improving & extending the Navigation of Potomack and) who are appointed to receive...
68[Diary entry: 19 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 19th. Mercury at 48 in the Morning—the same at Noon and at Night. Day clear & fine. The Wind at No. West & Cool. Employed until dinner in laying out my Serpentine road & Shrubberies adjoining. Just as we had done dinner a Mr. Watson—late of the House of Watson & Cossoul of Nantes—and a Mr. Swift Merchant in Alexandria came in, and stayed all Night. Elkanah Watson (1758–1842), born in...
69[Diary entry: 20 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 20th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 45 at Night. Wind at No. Et.—day raw—lowering—damp & disagreeable. Mr. Watson and Mr. Swift went away after breakfast. I continued my employment of yesterday—arranging the Walk &ca. Began to grub & clear the under growth in my Pine Grove on the margin of Hell hole.
70[Diary entry: 21 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 21st. Mercury at 52 in the Morning—54 at Noon & 55 at Night. More or less rain all night and variable wind—which, at times, blew exceedingly hard. In the Morning the wind was at No. Et. attended with rain. Before Noon it shifted to the Southward—blowing pretty fresh. The weather then cleared. This day a large Ship went up—on Tuesday last 4 square rigged vessels also went past wch. was...
71[Diary entry: 22 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 22d. Mercury at 45 in the Morning—the same at Noon & 44 at Night. Clear weather—the wind being at No. West all day. In the Evening Doctr. Craik Junr. came here & stayed all Night. James Craik, Jr. (died c.1803), was the son of Dr. James Craik. His company, Jas. Craik & Co., did some business with GW in 1786 ( General Ledger B General Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George...
72[Diary entry: 23 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 23d. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—38 at Noon & 42 at Sun setting. Clear & quite calm all the forenoon. Towards evening the Wind sprung up from the Eastward. Doctr. Craik left this after breakfast—attending Miss Bassett to his Fathers—to the wedding of his Sister Sally. Sarah (Sally) Craik, daughter of Dr. James Craik, was married 25 Jan. 1785 to Dr. Daniel Jenifer, Jr. (1756–c.1809).
73[Diary entry: 24 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 24th. Mercury at 41 in the morning—57 at Noon & 54 at Night. Drizzly at intervals all day—Fresh wind from the South. Renewed my labors on the Walks, Shrubberies &ca.—but was much interrupted by the unsettledness of the weather. In the Night it rained pretty much.
74[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...
75[Diary entry: 26 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 26th. Mercury at 29 in the Morning, 38 at Noon & 39 at Night. But little Wind and that from the Southward—day clear & very pleasant overhead, but sloppy & disagreeable under foot, after it began to thaw—the ground having been hard froze in the Morning—which freezings & thawings it is apprehended, will be very injurious to the Winter grain.
76[Diary entry: 27 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 27th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—the same at Noon & 37 at Sunsetting. Wind at No. West & clear all day—air pretty sharp in the forenoon. Made Mr. & Mrs. Lund Washington a mornings visit—from thence I went to Belvoir and viewed the ruined Buildings of that place. In doing this I passed along the side of Dogue Creek & the river to the white Ho[use] in search of Elm & other Trees for...
77[Diary entry: 28 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 28th. Mercury at 32 this Morning—42 at Noon and the same at Night. Wind pretty fresh from the Southward, with Sun shine, and appearances of rain alternately. In the evening it lowered very much. Road to day to my Plantations in the Neck—partly with a view to search for Trees; for which purpose I passed through the Wood and in the first drain beyond the Bars in my lower pasture, I...
78[Diary entry: 29 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 29th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning and the same at Noon & Night. Raining until about 10 Oclock when it ceased. About 12 the Sun appeared and the day became exceedingly pleasant afterwards. The Wind, until some time after noon came from the Southward but not very fresh. Towards the evening it inclined to the westward more—blew fresh & grew cold.
79[Diary entry: 30 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 30th. Mercury this morning at 26 at Noon 32 and at Night 28. Wind fresh from the No. Wt. & Cold—day clear. In the Afternoon Mr. Willm. Scott with the two Miss Blackburns came in and stayed the Night. William Scott (c.1751–c.1787) was a son of Rev. James and Sarah Brown Scott of Dettingen Parish, Prince William County, and the uncle of the Blackburn girls. Scott lived at Strawberry Vale...
80[Diary entry: 31 January 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 31st. Mercury at 22 in the Morning 28 at Noon & 29 at Night. Wind at No. Wt. & pretty fresh in the forenoon—less of it & from the Eastward in the afternoon. Day clear until the Evening when it lowered & after dark turned very cloudy. About one oclock Mr. Wm. Hunter of Alexa. with a Mr. Hadfield (a Manchester Mercht.) recommended by Colo. Sam Smith of Baltimore & Colo. Fitzgerald & a Mr....
81February—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...
82[Diary entry: 1 February 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.
83[Diary entry: 2 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
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 myself (as there could be no stirring without) in writing Letters by the Post and in Signing 83 Diplomas for the members of the Society of the Cincinnati and sent them to the care...
84[Diary entry: 3 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 3d. Mercury this morning at 22 at Noon and at Night 28. Wind at No. West all day but it did not blow hard—clear & cold. Mr. Benja. Dulany came here to Dinner & returned afterwards. We concluded a bargain which has been long in agitation for the Exchange of his Land in this Neck which he & his wife have the reversion of for the tract I bought of Messrs. Adam Dow & McIver on Hunting...
85[Diary entry: 4 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 4th. Mercury at 22 in the Morng.—28 at Noon and at 32 at Night. Calm, clear, and very pleasant over head, all day. The Snow began to melt a little. The two Miss Blackburns left this after breakfast, in order to return home—but it is to be feared they would meet with some difficul⟨ty⟩ at the ferry at Occoquan.
86[Diary entry: 5 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 5th. Mercury at 25 in the Morning—32 at Noon & 32 at Night. Day lowering with appearances of Snow. In the Morning the Wind (tho’ there was not much of it) was at No. West. At Noon there was scarce any and towards night that which did blow came from the No. East.
87[Diary entry: 6 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 6th. Mercury at 31 in the morning—38 at Noon and 39 at Night. Morning lowering with appearances of Snow or rain. Abt. Noon the Sun came out—but soon disappeared and became thick & lowering. No Wind. Doctr. Brown was sent for to Frank (waiter in the House) who had been seized in the Night, with a bleeding of the Mouth from an Orifice made by a Doctr. Dick who some days before attempted...
88[Diary entry: 7 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 7th. Mercury at 39 this morning—44 at Noon and 48 at Night. Day clear, perfectly calm, Warm & pleasant. The Snow began to dissolve fast.
89[Diary entry: 8 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 8th. Mercury at 39 in the morning—42 at Noon—46 at Night. Morning lowering—clear at Noon, & cloudy afterwards. Wind in the forenoon abt. So. East. Afterwards it veered more Easterly, & blew fresher. Thawed a good deal. Finding that I should be very late in preparing my Walks & Shrubberies if I waited till the ground should be uncovered by the dissolution of the Snow—I had it removed...
90[Diary entry: 9 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 9th. Mercury at 44 in the morning—at Noon 50 and at Night 56. Morning lowering—but clear, calm, warm & pleast. afterwards which with the rain that fell last night had uncovered the ground in many places & was dissipating the Snow very fast. Transplanted an English Walnut tree from the Corner near where the old School house stood to the opposite side wch. with the one that was moved...
91[Diary entry: 10 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 10th. Mercury this Morning at 46 at Noon and at Night 52. Day clear, calm, & pleasant until the Evening when it grew a little hazy & the Sunset in a bank. The little wind that stirred came from the Southward. Road up to Alexandria today and dined with Colo. Fitzgerald.
92[Diary entry: 11 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 11th. Mercury at 46 this Morning—51 at Noon and the same at Night. The first part of the Morning was hazy & rather cool. Before Noon it grew clear, warm, and pleasant and towards the Evening it lowered & the Sun set in a bank. The Wind in the Morning was Northwardly. Afterwards it got round to the Southward but there was very little of it. Employed all day in marking the ground for the...
93[Diary entry: 12 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 12th. Mercury at 44 this Morning, 44 at Noon and 44 at Night. Planted Eight young Pair Trees sent me by Doctr. Craik in the following places—viz. 2 Orange Burgamots in the No. Garden, under the back wall—3d. tree from the Green House at each end of it. 1 Burgamot at the Corner of the border in the South Garden just below the necessary. 2 St. Germains, one in each border (middle...
94[Diary entry: 13 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 13th. Mercury at 34 this Morning, 38 at Noon, & the same at Night. Wind at No. West all day but not fresh—clear & not unpleasant—ground hard froze.
95[Diary entry: 14 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 14th. Mercury at 31 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 33 at Night. Morning clear and calm—Ground hard froze. Wind afterwards, fresh from the No. West with flying Clouds which gave a rawness & chill to the air. In company with Mrs. Washington made a visit to Colo. McCarty & family. Dined there and returned home afterwds.
96[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....
97[Diary entry: 16 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 16th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—45 at Noon & 49 at Night. Wind Southwardly & pretty fresh in the forenoon—calm afterwards and somewhat lowering. Transplanted along the So. side of the Wall of the No. Garden, the Ivy; which I had taken up with as much dirt about the roots of it as I could obtain. Weather soft and thawing—the Southwardly having dissolved all the Snow that fell...
98[Diary entry: 17 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 17th. Mercury at 39 in the Morng.—46 at Noon and 49, at Night. Wind at No. West all day but not hard. Clear and cold in the Morning. More moderate about Noon & very pleasant in the Afternoon being calm. In the morning early I went to Mr. L. Washingtons (to Breakfast) in order to finish the Work I had began on Tuesday last but after having plotted & measured the slipes which were to be...
99[Diary entry: 18 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 18th. Mercury at 36 this Morning, 40 at Noon and 44 at Night. Not much Wind. In the forenoon, the little that blew was Northwardly—in the afternoon Eastwardly. The two Doctr. Jenifers went to Alexandria after breakfast. Planted border of Ivy under the No. side of the So. Garden wall. Also four Lime or Linden Trees, sent me by Govr. Clinton of New York which must have been out of the...
100[Diary entry: 19 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 19th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning, 43 at Noon, and 48 at Night. Morning lowering, but the Clouds dispelling about Noon, it became warm & pleasant afterwards. The Sun set in a bank. Little or no wind at any time of the day. Went to Mr. Tripletts and rectified the mistakes in running the Lines and finished the business respecting the quantities of Land given in Excha. and the partition...