151[Diary entry: 2 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 2d. Thermometer at in the Morning— at [noon] and at Night. A very remarkable hoar frost, with but little Wind; day pleasant till the evening when it clouded up and abt. 8 oclock began to Snow. Spent this day in examining the ground more attentively, and levelling the different ways we had discovered yesterday but on acct. of the swolen state of the river, & rapidity of the currant we...
152[Diary entry: 27 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 27th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morning—44 at Noon and at Night. Clear with the wind very high from the Southward until the Evening when it shifted to the Westward & blew equally hard but did not get to be very cold.
153[Diary entry: 31 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 31st. Thermometer at in the Morning— at Noon and 37 at Night. A Raw Wind from the Eastwd. blew in the forenoon. Afternoon Calm, but chilly with appearances now & then of a change in the weather. Rid to my Plantations in the Neck Muddy hole, and Ferry. George Steptoe Washington came here to dinner and after it went away the Company that came yesterday. Landed 230 Bushels of Oats today...
154[Diary entry: 25 May 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 25th. Mercury at 64 in the Morning—67 at Noon and 70 at Night. Wind pretty fresh all day from the Southward. Clear, and pleasant—very conducive to Vegetation. The blossom of the transplanted fringe tree was beginning to display. The locust blossom full out. Expected General Roberdeau and some Methodist Clergymen to dinner but they did not come. Had Peas for the [first] time in the...
155[Diary entry: 14 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 14. Mercury at 78 in the Morning—80 at Noon And 80 at Night. Calm in the Morning and very little wind at any time in the day. In the Morning there was rumbling thunder at a distance and Clouds indicative of rain as there also was in the Afternoon but none of it reached us. About 7 Oclock Mr. Graham & Mrs. Macauly Graham left this on their return to New York. I accompanied them to Mr....
156[Diary entry: 4 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 4th. Mercury at 76 in the Morng.—80 at Noon and 82 at Night. Tolerably pleasant in the forenoon, the Wind being No[rth]wardly, but warm afterwards. Rid to my Ferry—Dogue run & Neck Plantations—at all of which my Wheat Harvests had begun. That in the Neck had commenced on thursday last.
157[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...
158November [1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday first. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 56 at Night. A White frost and damp kind of a Morning, with but little Wind. Rather hazy all day, & towards evening lowering. Rid to my Plantations at Dogue run and Muddy hole—at the former preparing, & Sowing Ground with Timothy seed. Mrs. Fendall, Mrs. Lee & Miss Flora Lee, daughters of the former with Doctr. Skinner, came here...
159January 1786 (Washington Papers)
Sunday 1st. Thermometer at 36 in the Morng. at Noon and at Night. Lowering day, with but little Wind, and that Easterly. Lund Washington and Wife dined here & returned in the Afternoon. Mr. Shaw went up to Alexandria and stayed all Night. Monday 2d. Thermometer at 34 in the Morng. 35 at Noon and 35 at Night. Heavy lowering Morning with the wind at East. About 9 Oclock it began to rain and...
160[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...
161[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...
162[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...
163[Diary entry: 7 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 7th. Thermometer at 56 in the morng.—67 at Noon and 66 at Night. Clear with the wind fresh, but not cold, from the No. West all day. Towards night it died away, & inclined to the Southward more. Mr. Porter, Mr. Murray, (Young) Mr. Bowen, and a Captain Aitkins came (by invitation) to dine with us today, and returnd to Alexandria in the Evening. Just as we were about to set down to Dinner...
164[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...
165[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...
166[Diary entry: 11 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 11th. Thermometer at 55 in the morning—58 at Noon and 58 at Night. Morning cloudy, with great appearances of rain. About 11 Oclk. it began to rain; which fell moderately for about ten minutes & ceased but continued cloudy the remainder of the day—Wind at So. East but not very fresh. My Brother set off on his return home after breakfast, passing through Maryland. Mrs. Washington and...
167[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...
168[Diary entry: 14 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 14th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—65 at Noon and 66 at Night. Lowering most of the day, but no wind. Mr. Madison went away after Breakfast. My Chariot which went up for, brought down Miss Sally Ramsay & Miss Kitty Washington, to be Bridesmaids tomorrow at the wedding of Miss Bassett. Mr. George Washington, & Mr. Burwell Bassett went to the Clerks Office & thence to Colo. Masons for...
169[Diary entry: 1 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 1st. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 70 at Night. Misting in the Morning and at Intervals all day with the wind at No. Et. and at times fresh. Rid to my Plantations at Muddy hole and in the Neck; at the latter the People were setting Corn in the field of experiments, furthest cut. The Peas at this place have come up very indifferently, and looked badly. The Barley also...
170[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....
171[Diary entry: 7 March 1785] (Washington Papers)
Munday 7th. Mercury at 50 in the Morning, 50 at Noon and 48 at Night. Wind Southwardly in the forenoon & until about 3 oclock when it shifted to the No. West blew pretty fresh & turned cold. The morning lowered, and until Noon, sprinkled rain at Intervals. About 12 Oclock the Sun came out very warm & pleasant & continued so until the wind shifted which brot. up Clouds again. Planted all my...
172[Diary entry: 4 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 4th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morng. at Noon and 60 at Night. Lowering, and the wind very brisk from the So. West in the Morning; but clear, calm, warm, and very pleasant afterwards. Raised the heavy frame in my [Ice] House to day and planted 16 Pines in the avenues on my Serpentine Walks. Rid to my Dogue run Plantation, where they were still preparing ground for, & sowing of, Timothy...
173[Diary entry: 21 February 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 21st. Mercury at 42 in the Morning at Noon, and 46 at Night. Wind at No. West, and pretty fresh all day—weather clear and very pleasant. Went to Alexandria with Mrs. Washington. Dined at Mr. Dulany’s and exchanged Deeds for conveyance of Land with him & Mrs. Dulany—giving mine, which I bought of Messrs. Robt. Adam, Dow & McIvor for the reversion of what Mrs. Dulany is entitled to at the...
174[Diary entry: 11 March 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 11th. Mercury at 30 in the Morning, 34 at Noon and 41 at Night. Left Colo. Masons about 12 oclock. Dined with Mr. Martin Cockburn, & came home in the afternoon. Planted the Hemlock Scions which were brought home yesterday, 28 in Number in the Shrubbs—2 poplar trees wch. had been omitted (by an oversight) in my Serpentine Walks before; and 13 Weeping and 13 Yellow Willow trees...
175[Diary entry: 29 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 29th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 73 at Night. Wind Southerly, with Showers in the Morning, and Clouds all day, with appearances of Rain but none fell after noon. Doctr. Craik after visiting John Alton before breakfast, went after it to see Lund Washingtons child who had been siezed with fits & the family alarmed by it. Lund and Elizabeth Foote Washington had at least...
176[Diary entry: 1 April 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...
177[Diary entry: 19 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 19th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning 70 at Noon and 70 at Night. Clear, calm, and serene all day. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole. Took my French Hounds with me for the purpose of Airing them & giving them a knowledge of the grounds round about this place. Upon my return, found a Mr. John Defray here—a Dane from Copenhagen, who had been cast away on the...
178[Diary entry: 8 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
8th. Set out about 7 oclock with the Doctr. (Craik) his Son William, and my Nephew Bushrod Washington; who were to make the tour with us. About ten I parted with them at 15 Miles Creek, & recrossed the Potomack (having passed it abt. 3 Miles from the Springs before) to a tract of mine on the Virginia side which I find exceedingly rich, & must be very valuable. The lower end of the Land is rich...
179[Diary entry: 24 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 24th. Thermometer at 62 in the morning—62 at Noon and 62 at Night. Wind at No. & No. Et. all day & tempestuous with allmost a constant rain.
180[Diary entry: 12 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
12th. Left Daughertys about 6 Oclock, stopped a while at the Great Meadows, and viewed a tenament I have there, which appears to have been but little improved, tho capable of being turned to great advantage, as the whole of the ground called the Meadows may be reclaimed at an easy comparitive expence & is a very good stand for a Tavern. Much Hay may be cut here when the ground is laid down in...
181[Diary entry: 1 October 1784] (Washington Papers)
October 1st. Dined at Mr. Gabriel Jones’s, not half a mile from Mr. Lewis’s, but seperated by the South fork of Shannondoah; which is between 80 and a hundred yards wide, & makes a respectable appearance altho’ little short of 150 Miles from its confluence with Potomack River; and only impeded in its navigation by the rapid water & rocks which are between the old bloomery and Keys’s ferry; and...
182[Diary entry: 14 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 14th. Thermometer at 26 in the Morng.—35 at Noon and 36 at Night. Went out with the Hounds, & run a fox from 11 Oclock untill near 3 Oclock when I came home and left the Dogs at fault after which they recovered the Fox & it is supposed killed it. Before the Chase, I visited my Ferry & Dogue run Plantations.
183[Diary entry: 4 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 4th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morng.— at Noon and 40 at Night. Clear morning with very little wind—after which it sprung up but not fresh, from the Eastward, and lowered. Mr. Porter and Doctr. Craik went away before Breakfast and Mr. Rumsay after dinner. Having assembled the Men from my Plantations, I removed the garden Houses which were in the middle of the front walls to the extreme...
184[Diary entry: 29 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 29th. Thermometer at 29 in the Morning— at Noon and 40 at Night. Morning clear with very little wind and that from the South. Pleasand all day until the evening when it began to lower and about eight at Night set in to raining with a strong Southerly wind wch. continued through the Night. Count Castiglioni went away after breakfast, on his tour to the Southward. Mr. Jenny also left...
185[Diary entry: 27 May 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 27th. Mercury at 60 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 62 at Night. Wind at No. Wt. all day with flying clouds and little sprinklings of rain. Cold and disagreeable. Mr. Magowan went away after breakfast.
186[Diary entry: 16 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 16th. Mercury at 80 in the Morning—84 at Noon And 86 at Night. Light wind from the Southward all day. Weather very warm. Some appearances of rain in the afternoon, but none fell here.
187[Diary entry: 31 May 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 31st. Mercury at 66 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 66 at Night. Govrs. Lee & Johnson, Colo. Fitzgerald & Colo. Gilpin came here according to appointment. Fanny Bassett returned. Raining more or less all day—in the Evening & Night much fell. The directors of the Potowmack Company agreed at this meeting to divide the clearing of the Potomac into two areas of responsibility, one above and...
188[Diary entry: 6 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 6th. Mercury at 80 in the Morning 84 at Noon and 84 at Night. Clear and warm, with but little Wind & that variable. Mrs. Blackburn and her daughter went away before breakfast. General Lincoln & his Son; Mr. Porter, & a Doctr. Milne came to Dinner & returned afterwards. Received from Genl. Lincoln 3 young trees of the Spruce Pine and two of the Fir or Hemlock in half Barrels which...
189[Diary entry: 20 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 20th. Mercury at 79 in the Morning—84 at Noon and 86 at Night. Clear with very little wind, Sultry in the Afternoon. My Brother John went up to Alexandria after an early Breakfast. Began to pull the seeds of the Blew, or English grass, and cut the top from the Walnut tree wch. I transplanted in the Spring, as it seemed to be declining; the leaves which had put out falling off by...
190September [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...
191[Diary entry: 10 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 10th. Mercury at 76 in the Morng.—78 at Noon and 78 at Night. Morning calm—but the Wind fresh afterwards from the Eastward. Cool and pleasant. At home all day alone.
192March 1786 (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 1st. Thermometer at in the Morning— at Noon and at Night. The Snow which fell in the night was little, if any over an inch deep this Morning. The forenoon of the day was variable and foggy—the afternoon clear, warm, and pleasant till the evening, when it lowered and threatned a disagreeable change. After a very early breakfast at Abingdon I set off for the meeting at the Great falls...
193[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...
194[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...
195[Diary entry: 9 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 9th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morng.—66 at Noon and 64 at Night. Clear & warm, with but little Wind and that did not spring up till about 11 Oclock—first from the No. Et.—shifting afterwards to So. Et. Rid to all my Plantations between Breakfast and dinner. Found the Flax in the Neck had come up, and full thick; and that the grass Seeds (rather Millet) obtnd. from Colo. Cary had come...
196[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.
197[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.
198[Diary entry: 13 May 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 13th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 64 at Night. Lowering all the forepart of the day with drops of rain (but no more) now and then. Evening clear—Wind variable, but mostly at So. Et. I rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run & Ferry plantations; and to the fishery at the latter. Ordered my People to quit hauling, and bring home my Seins. Finished (yesterday evening) planting...
199[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...
200[Diary entry: 16 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 16th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morng. 68 at Noon and 72 at Night. Morning thick and lowering, with appearances of rain, which vanished about Noon; after which it was clear and very pleasant—wind continuing at South. Mr. Grayson went away very early in the Morning, & Mr. Griffith, Mrs. Lund Washington and Miss Stuart after Dinner.