3401[Diary entry: 25 September 1788] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 25th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 72 at Night. A fog in the morning, but clear afterwards, & warm all day. Dined at Mr. Benja. Dulany’s but passed through the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs & Dogue run. At all of which the same work was going on—both with the Plows and other people—as yesterday.
3402[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.
3403[Diary entry: 13 May 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 13th. About Nine o’clock Mr. Corbin and I set out, and dined at Chester, where I was met by Genls. Mifflin, Knox & Varnum—Colonls. Humphreys and Minges and Majors Jackson and Nicholas. After dinner we proceeded for the City. At the Ferry (Grays) I was met by the Troop of City light horse by whom (and a large concourse, I was escorted to Mrs. Houses—after passing the Artillery officers...
3404[Diary entry: 27 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 27th. Mercury at 77 in the Morning—79 at Noon and 77 at Night. A little rain in the Morning—with Clouds and appearances of it in the Afternoon, but none fell here. In the Morning there was but little wind. The Clouds which appeared in the Afternoon produced a good deal of wind from the West & No. West wch. changed the Air & made it much Cooler. Mr. Lee went away before Breakfast.
3405[Diary entry: 17 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 17th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 76 at Night. Clear forenoon with the Wind pretty brisk from the Southwest—which continued all day with appearances of rain in the Afternoon but little or none fell here. Fanny Bassett and Nelly Custis went to Church at Alexandria. Dined at Mr. Ramsays & returned in the Evening. Mr. Ridout and Son called here between breakfast and Dinner...
3406[Diary entry: 25 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 25th. Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck Began with 4 plows to break up flush field No. 4 (in 6 feet ridges) for Indn. Corn & Potatoes next yr. and began also to get to a yard wed for the purpose the Buck Wheat—also to get up the Hogs for Porke. At Muddy hole began also to get in, and thresh out the Buck Wheat. That which grew on the experimental half acre yielded only 3¾ Bushls....
3407[Diary entry: 28 December 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 28th. Thermometer at 35 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 40 at Night. Cloudy during the fore part of last with appearances of Snow or Rain but the Wind springing up fresh at No. Wt. it cleared. Very pleasant all day—morning calm & not hard. Abt. Noon the wind rose at No. Wt. but neither hard nor cold. In the afternoon it got to the Southward. Mr. Willm. Craik & his two Sisters, & Mr. Kelly...
3408[Diary entry: 7 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 7th. Thermometer at 76 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 76 at Night. About Sunrising, the Directors & myself rid up to Keeptrieste, where Canoes were provided, in which we crossed to the Maryland side of the river and examined a Gut, or swash through which it is supposed the Navigation must be conducted. This Swash is shallow at the entrance, but having sufficient fall, may easily (by...
3409[Diary entry: 15 November 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 15th. Morning mild and very heavy with the wind fresh from So. Wt. Which produced sprinkling rain till abt. 10 Oclock and constant rain afterwards till about 2 Oclock when it moderated, but continued very cloudy with slight drippings all the afternoon. Went to Alexandria to an election of Senator for this district—Mr. Thos. West of Fairfax & Mr. Pope of Prince William being the...
3410[Diary entry: 21 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 21st. Thermometer at 76 in the Morng.—79 at Noon and 80 at Night. Cloudy morning, but clear Afternoon with a brisk Southerly Wind all day and warm. Mr. Thompson, a Presbaterian Minister (introduced by Mr. Robt. Adam) came here, dined and Stayed all Night.
3411[Diary entry: 11 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 11th. Thermometer 77 in the Morning—84 at Noon and 84 at Night. The Drought, the effects of which were visible when I left home, had, by this (no rain having fallen in my absence) greatly affected vegetation. The grass was quite burnt & crisp under foot—Gardens parched and the young Trees in my Shrubberies, notwithstanding they had been watered (as it is said) according to my...
3412[Diary entry: 25 May 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 25th. Another Delegate coming in from the State of New Jersey gave it a representation and encreased the number to Seven which forming a quoram of the 13 the Members present resolved to organize the body; when, by a unanimous vote I was called up to the Chair as President of the body. Majr. William Jackson was appointed Secretary and a Comee. was chosen consisting of 3 Members to...
3413[Diary entry: 1 September 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...
3414[Diary entry: 15 June 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 15th. In Convention as usual. Dined at Mr. Powells & drank Tea there.
3415[Diary entry: 5 July 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 5th. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris’s and drank Tea there. Spent the evening also.
3416[Diary entry: 25 September 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 25th. Mercury at 50 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 64 at Night. The Morning and day through was very pleasant, turning warm—the wind getting to the Southward. Sent Mr. Tucker & his Lady to Colchester. Doctr. Stuart, Mrs. Stuart & family together with Nelly Custis went up to Abingdon. In the afternoon the Revd. Mr. Bryn. Fairfax came in and stayed all Night. Began to day with my Waggon...
3417[Diary entry: 15 October 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 15th. Mercury 65 at Morn—76 at Noon and 74 at Night. Clear, warm, & pleasant all day. Accompanied by Majr. Washington his wife Mr. Lear & the two Childn. Nelly & Washington Custis went to Pohick Church & returned to Dinner. Fell in with on the Road, Colo. Jno. Mercer, his Lady & child coming here and their nurse. Col. John Francis and Sophia Sprigg Mercer of Maryland had a son, Richard,...
3418[Diary entry: 5 November 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 5th. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night. The forenoon variable—sometimes threatning and then promising—but clear, fine and agreeable in the afternoon. Wind southerly all day. Colo. Pickney &ca. set out after breakfast. At home all day writing.
3419[Diary entry: 28 May 1788] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 28th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 68 at Night. In the Morning the Wind was at North, but it soon shifted to So. Wt. and blew very fresh, with clouds, and sprinklings of Rain. In the afternoon it shifted to No. Wt. Rid to the Ferry, Frenchs & Dogue run Plantations, and to the Brick yard. At the Ferry—Finshed this Morning replanting of Corn and began on the South...
3420[Diary entry: 25 January 1789] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 25th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morning 40 at Noon and 40 at Night. Lowering more or less all day with rain after dark. Colonels Fitzgerald Lee & Gilpin dined here, and returned to Alexandria in the evening.
3421[Diary entry: 18 June 1788] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 18th. Thermometer at 70 in the Morning—75 at Noon And 72 at Night. Clear in the Morning; at Noon & Night Cloudy with rains about 10 Oclock for an hour. Wind at South. Rid into the Neck and to all the Plantations. Examined the grain in the Neck which appears as follow—viz.—The Wheat in field No. 7 which I expected would have been very fine scarcely merits the epithet—Middling the...
3422[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...
3423[Diary entry: 8 July 1788] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 8th. Thermometer at 76 in the morning—82 at Noon and 82 at night. Morning clear with the Wind pretty fresh from the Southward which continued all day. Visited all the Plantations. At the Ferry—Only one plow at Work (the driver of the other being sick). About Noon sent two more Cradlers to this place—one from Dogue run & the other from Muddy hole to assist in cutting down Wheat that the...
3424[Diary entry: 27 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 27th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 58 at Night. A remarkably great white frost and the ground a little frozen. Wind Southerly all day, after it rose in the Morning, but not very fresh. Forenoon clear but the afternoon, especially towards the Suns setting, a little hazy & lowering. Mr. Battaile Muse came here before dinner but would not stay to it. After finishing...
3425[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...
3426[Diary entry: 22 June 1788] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 22d. Thermometer at 67 in the Morning—78 at Noon And 76 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at So. Wt. Mr. Fendall, and Mr. Willm. Craik came to dinner and went away afterwards—the latter to Alexandria and the former to Westmoreland.
3427[Diary entry: 17 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 17th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 62 at Night. Colo. Lee & all the Company went away after Breakfast. Mr. Shaw went up to the Assembly in the Afternoon ’at Alexand. Morning a little foggy & thick but clear afterwards with the Wind at No. West and cool. assembly . . . at alexand. : “The Gentlemen of Alexandria, who are desirous to become Subscribers to the...
3428[Diary entry: 28 June 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday—28th. Dined at Mr. Morris’s in a large Compy. Drank Tea there & spent the Evening in my own room.
3429[Diary entry: 12 July 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 12th. Thermometer at 78 in the Morning—86 at Noon And 85 at Night. Morning calm & clear—So. Westerly Wind thereafter. Visited the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run and Muddy hole. At the first—Four Cradlers were cutting Wheat in No. 6 and binding it—but after cutting that which stood tolerably well would go to French’s. At French’s—all hands (Plow drivers included) were...
3430Certificate for James Rumsey, 7 September 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have seen the model of Mr Rumsey’s Boats constructed to work against stream; have examined the power upon which it acts; have been an eye witness to an actual experiment in running water of some rapidity; & do give it as my opinion (altho’ I had little faith before) that he has discovered the art of propelling Boats, by mechanism & small manual assistance, against rapid currents: that the...
3431[Diary entry: 31 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 31st. Thermometer at 52 in the Morng. 54 at Noon and 56 at Night. A raw and moist air, with a westerly wind & lowering Sun. Mr. Shaw returned to Breakfast, & Mrs. Stuart, Miss Allan &ca. went away after it. A Captn. Fullerton came here to Dinner on business of the State Society of the Cincinnati of Pensylvania; for whom I signed 250 Diplomas as President. Went away after. Sent half a...
3432[Diary entry: 7 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 7th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning & 59 at Noon—but removing it afterwards out of the room where the fire was, into the East Entry leading in to my Study, this circumstance with the encrease of the cold fell the Mercury to 42. Morning clear calm & pleast.; but the wind coming out violently from the No. West about half after eight Oclock, it turned cold & uncomfortable. Doctr....
3433[Diary entry: 18 July 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 18th. Dined at Mr. Milligan’s and drank Tea at Mrs. Meridiths.
3434[Diary entry: 2 August 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 2d. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning 77 at Noon and 73 at Night. Wind Southerly all day and tolerably clear. Visited all the Plantations. At the Ferry—Six plows were turning in B. Wheat—three of them from Frenchs. Tried the Patent Plow sent me by Major Snowden, whh. run easy and did good work. Gathered up the thin wheat wch. had been cut down some days ago. At Frenchs—The hands were...
3435[Diary entry: 24 March 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 24th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 45 at Night. Wind Southerly. The Sun, tho’ it rose clear had a Watery look and soon became obscured. The Weather very lowering. About 4 Oclock it began to Snow (fine Snow) & continued to do so with a small mixture of rain until I went to bed. Finding the Trees round the Walks in my wildernesses rather too thin I doubled them by putting...
3436[June 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 1st. June. Attending in Convention and nothing being suffered to transpire no minutes of the proceedings has been, or will be inserted in this diary. Dined with Mr. John Penn, and spent the evening at a superb entertainment at Bush-hill given by Mr. Hamilton—at which were more than an hundred guests. Saturday 2d. Majr. Jenifer coming in with sufficient powers for the purpose, gave a...
3437[Diary entry: 21 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 21st. Thermometer at 48 in the Morning— at Noon and at N. Lowering morning, with the wind at No. Et. About half after ten A.M. it began to Snow & continued to do so (of a Wet kind) until Night, when it ceased tho’ the ground was not covered more than an Inch thick. Colo. Harrison & Doctr. Craik left this after Breakfast, and I went up to Alexandria with G. Washington to meet the...
3438[Diary entry: 8 August 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 8th. Dined at the City Tavern and remained there till near 10 Oclock.
3439[Diary entry: 14 April 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 14th. Mercury at 48 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 58 at Night. Winds variable—in the Morning Easterly—then, Southerly—then Calm. Afterwards pretty fresh at So. West—Sometimes with appearances of rain—but generally clear. Sowed the ground at Muddy hole, which had been twice plowed—once harrowed & gone over with the Hoes to break the clods. Began to Sow the field at the House, but my...
3440[Diary entry: 11 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 11th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morng. 50 at Noon and 58 at Night. A heavy mist all day with little or no wind. At or before dusk it began to rain fast and about 9 at Night it cleared with a puff of Wind from the Southward and the Moon & Stars appeared. Mr. Wilson, Mr. Sanderson and a Mr. Hugh Mitchel dined here and went away in the afternoon. Hugh Mitchell is probably a member of the...
3441[Diary entry: 22 July 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 22d. Left town by 5 Oclock, breakfasted at General Mifflins—rode up to the Spring Mills and returnd. to Genl. Mifflins to Dinner, after which came to the City.
3442October [1787] (Washington Papers)
October 1st. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 62 at Night—Cloudy in the Morning but clear afterwds. with variable winds. Mrs. Fanny Washington, and the Children, and Mrs. Jenifer went up to Abingdon. Colo. Gilpin and Mr. Willm. Craik dined here. The latter stayed all Night. Rid to all the Plantations. Work at each as usual except that the Plows at Dogue run were putting in rye...
3443[Diary entry: 28 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 28th. Mercury at 26 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 32 at Night. Wind Westerly all day, and not much unlike Snow—Grd. froze in the Morning. Colo. Henry Lee, his Lady, Miss Lee and Mr. Fendall came here to dinner—the last of whom went away afterwards (crossing the river for Maryland). Miss Lee is undoubtedly Mrs. Matilda Lee’s sister Flora Lee.
3444[Diary entry: 4 May 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 4th. Mercury at 56 in the Morning 59 at Noon and 64 at Night. Raining until 7 O’clock, when the wind getting to the Westward, the Clouds broke, & the weather cleared & was tolerably pleast. After doing a little business, & calling upon Judge Mercer and the Attorney General, I left Richmond about 11 Oclock. Dined at one Winslow’s abt. 8 Miles from the City, & lodged at Clarkes Tavern...
3445[Diary entry: 12 August 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 12th. Dined at Bush-hill with Mr. William Hamilton. Spent the evening at home—writg.
3446[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.
3447[Diary entry: 15 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday. 15th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning 56 at Noon and 52 at Night. Clear all day—Wind at So. Wt. in the Morning and at No. Wt. afterwards. Ordered the Buckwheat to be immediately cut—beginning with that at Dogue run (abt. 12 Acres) which was accordingly done this forenoon (when the frost was likewise severe) before the moisture was off the Straw. Put the Buck Wheat, as cut (with scythe...
3448[Diary entry: 2 September 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday—2d. Rode to Mr. Bartrams & other places in the Country and dined & drank Tea at Mr. Grays.
3449[Diary entry: 25 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
25th. Having obtained the foregoing information, and being indeed some what discouraged from the acct. given of the passage of the Cheat river through the Laurel hill and also from attempting to return by the way of the Dunkers bottom, as the path it is said is very blind, & exceedingly grown up with briers, I resolved to try the other rout, along the New road to Sandy Creek; & thence by...
3450[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....