61[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.
62[Diary entry: 2 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 2d. Thermometer at 70 in the Morning—76 at Noon and at Night. Weather warm. Forenoon clear, Afternoon lowering. Went with Fanny Bassett, Burwell Bassett, Doctr. Stuart, G. A. Washington, Mr. Shaw & Nelly Custis to Pohick Church; to hear a Mr. Thompson preach, who returned home with us to Dinner, where I found the Revd. Mr. Jones, formerly a Chaplin in one of the Pensylvania Regiments....
63[Diary entry: 27 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 27th. Thermometer at 74 in the Morng.—80 at Noon and 80 at Night. Morning a little lowering—forenoon perfectly calm & the wind at South afterwards. A Cloud rising about 5 Oclock afforded a pretty Shower for about 10 or 15 Minutes. Finished cutting my Meadows at Dogue run but the Rain prevented my getting it secured either in Cocks or otherwise. Also cut my Field Pea’s the Seed of...
64[Diary entry: 17 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 17th. Thermometer at 78 in the Morning—84 at Noon and 86 at Night. Cloudy & damp Morning, with the Wind at South. In the Afternon Clouds gathered all round us with thunder & lightning and a good deal of rain appeared to fall upon Patuxent and above us on this river but not enough fell here to wet a handkerchief. Mr. [and] Mrs. Fendall and Miss Nancy went away before breakfast and my...
65[Diary entry: 31 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 31st. Thermometer at 70 in the Morng.—78 at Noon and 78 at Night. Calm & clear all day.
66[Diary entry: 7 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 7th. Mercury at 67 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 70 at Night. Clear day with the Wind fresh & Cool from the No[th]ward in the forenoon but still & warm in the Afternoon. Fanny Bassett returned before Dinner, and Doctr. Craik came to it & went away afterwards to visit John Alton, and his Children at Mr. Chichesters from thence. About Noon brought two Negro men from the River...
67[Diary entry: 21 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 21st. Mercury at 78 in the Morning—82 at Noon and 82 at Night. Calm & foggy Morning with but little Wind all day, and no appearances of rain.
68[Diary entry: 11 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 11th. Thermometer at 69 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 74 at Night. Wind fresh at No. West all day & clear—warm notwithstanding. Mr. Potts, and Doctors Mortimer and Craik Junr. dined here and returned to Alexandria in the Evening. Mr. Shaw and Mr. Tayler went to Alexandria after breakfast in my barge & did not return until after midnight. John Potts, Jr. (1760–1809), a Pennsylvanian, in...
69[Diary entry: 2 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
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 continued to do so, slowly, all day. Immediately after an early breakfast I went out with the Hounds but returned as soon as it began to rain, without touching upon the drag of a Fox. Mr. Shaw returned from Alexandria this Morning before Breakt.
70[Diary entry: 24 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 24th. Mercury at 69 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 80 at Night. Clear in the forenoon with but little wind. In the afternoon clouds arose and a smart shower of rain fell. Rid to all the Plantations and to the Hay Makers at the Ferry. In the Neck, both Plows & Hoes would have finished the cut of Corn by the Barn had not the Rain prevented. The Ferry hands would also have finished the...
71[Diary entry: 27 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 27th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morng. 52 at Noon and 50 at Night. Very little wind all day but smoaky with some Clouds and rather chilly. General Lincoln and Colo. Henley Dined here & returned in the Afternoon.
72[Diary entry: 17 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 17th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morng. at Noon and at Night. Rainy Morning, wind though not fresh at No. West which afterwards more to the No. & East & continued raining off & on all day. Went to Alexandria to meet the Trustees of the Academy in that place and offered to vest in the hands of the said Trustees, when they are permanently established by Charter, the Sum of One thousand...
73[Diary entry: 24 April 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 24th. Mercury at 64 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 71 at Night. Calm and clear all day—at least till the afternoon when there was a little breeze & variable. Upon a close examination I perceived the clover seed was coming up—but could discover no appearance of the Orchard, Guinea, or Bird grass Seed rising. An Express arrived with the Acct. of the Deaths of Mrs. Dandridge & Mr. B....
74[Diary entry: 21 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 21st. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 46 at Night. Lowering all day with but little Wind and that Easterly. Mr. Danl. Dulany (son of Danl.) Mr. Benja. Dulany, Messrs. Saml. & Thos. Hanson, Mr. Philp. Alexander, and a Mr. Mounsher came here to Dinner and Stayed all Night. Finished measuring my Corn at the several Plantations, which stand thus. River Plantation viz....
75[Diary entry: 15 May 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 15th. Mercury at 59 in the morning—63 at Noon and 65 at Night. General Cadwallader came here yesterday. Today Colo. Fitzgerald—Mr. Murray,—Mr. Porter—Mr. Munser Mr. Darby & the Revd. Mr. Prince came here to dinner, & went away after it. In the Afternoon Doctr. Stuart Mrs. Stuart & Miss Stuart came and stayed all Night. Wind at So. East all day, with some appearances of Rain. John...
76[Diary entry: 4 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 4th. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—80 at Night [Noon] and 80 at Night. Not much Wind, and that Southerly—very warm. In the afternoon a thunder Gust above & below this but little rain fell here. In the Afternoon the celebrated Mrs. Macauly Graham & Mr. Graham her Husband, Colo. Fitzgerald & Mr. Lux of Baltimore arrived here. Catherine Sawbridge Macaulay Graham (1731–1791), a prominent...
77January 1785 (Washington Papers)
First Monday. Colo. Bassett, who brought his daughter Fanny to this place to remain on the 24th. of last Month set off on his return to the Assembly now sitting at Richmond. I took a ride to my Plantations in the Neck, & called to see my neighbour Humphrey Peake who has been long afflicted with ill health and appears to be in the last stage of life & very near his end. Wind Southwardly. The...
78[Diary entry: 27 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 27th. Thermometer at 38 in the morning—46 at Noon and 43 at Night. Forenoon warm, and variable with but little wind. About noon it sprung up fresh from No. West and blew hard all the afternoon. Mr. Booth went away after breakfast—and Doctr. Brown came after dinner (and returned) to visit Boatswain a sick Negro man. Having received, yesterday Evening, a number of fruit trees from my...
79[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.
80[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...
81[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...
82[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;...
83[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,...
84[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...
85[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.
86[Diary entry: 4 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 4th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 66 at Night. Wind at So. West, veering more Westerly. Morning wet, and till Noon dripping; Clear afterwards, and wind fresh.
87[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...
88[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...
89[Diary entry: 29 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 29th. Thermometer at 78 in the Morng.—80 at Noon and 78 at Night. A Squall of Wind and a little fine Rain came on about 6 oclock in the Morning; both of which were soon over: but the former continued pretty fresh from No. West until the Evening, when it became Calm. Cut the Weeds, wild grass &ca. which had intermixed with the Clover that I sowed at the home house and at Muddy hole—this...
90[Diary entry: 1 March 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 1st. Mercury at 34 in the morning 38 at Noon and 42 at Night. Wind at No. West all day, & sometimes pretty fresh; at others very moderate. In general clear with some flying clouds. Planted the remainder of the Poplars & part of the Ash Trees—also a circle of Dogwood with a red bud in the Middle close to the old Cherry tree near the South Garden Ho[use]. Began with my two Tumblers to...
91[Diary entry: 19 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 19th. Mercury at 79 in the Morning—82 at Noon and 82 at Night. Morning lowering, and very like for rain, but about noon it cleared after a very slight sprinkling, not enough to wet a man in his shirt. Doctr. Craik returned from John Alton’s, took breakfast, & proceeded home. Encouraged by the little rain which had fallen, and the hope that more would fall I sowed about half an Acre of...
92[Diary entry: 9 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 9th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 72 at Night. Clear and rather warm, with but little Wind. Rid up to Alexandria with Mrs. Washington, who wanted to get some cloathing for little Washington Custis; and for the purpose of seeing Colos. Fitzgerald & Colo. Gilpin on the business of the Potomack Company. Returned home to Dinner. GW and the directors, after discussing...
93[Diary entry: 23 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 23d. Mercury at 76 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 75 at Night. Morning lowering, with drops of rain now and then, but none fell to wet the ground. Wind for the most part of the day Easterly. Doctr. Craik came here before Dinner. Visited John Alton in the Evening and returned and stayed all Night. Mr. Shaw returned home in the Afternoon. With the Guinea grass Seed I had on hand, I began...
94[Diary entry: 13 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 13th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 74 at Night. Calm morning, but a brisk Southerly wind all day afterwards and clear. Began to level the ground which had been spaded up in the lawn fronting the House, having turned it up as far as to where the old cross wall of the former Gardens stood. Colo. Willm. Fitzhugh of Maryland & his Son William and Doctor Marshall came...
95[Diary entry: 1 September 1784] (Washington Papers)
Having found it indispensably necessary to visit my Landed property west of the Apalacheon Mountains, and more especially that part of it which I held in Co-partnership with Mr. Gilbert Simpson —Having determined upon a tour into that Country, and having made the necessary preparations for it, I did, on the first day of this month (September) set out on my journey. Having dispatched my...
96[Diary entry: 4 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 4th. Thermometer at 35 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 40 at Night. Morning calm and clear with very little wind all day. After breakfast I rid by the places where my Muddy hole & Ferry people were clearing—thence to the Mill and Dogue run Plantations and having the Hounds with me in passing from the latter towards Muddy hole Plantation I found a Fox which after dragging him some...
97[Diary entry: 26 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Munday 26th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 78 at Night. The forenoon was clear and calm—as was the Afternoon except a cloud which rose to the westward and produced rain and a very high wind in the Night. Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run and Ferry Plantations. Found the Muddy hole people in the Eastermost cut of Corn having finished (with the hoes) the Middle cut on Saturday. The...
98[Diary entry: 29 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 29th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night. A large hoar frost followed by Southerly Wind and some Clouds—but upon the whole tolerably clear & pleasant. Sent my Boat to Alexandria for a Hhd. of Common Rum and some Articles brought from Boston for me by General Lincoln. Majr. G. Washington went up to receive them. Went out after Breakfast with my hounds from...
99[Diary entry: 30 June 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 30th. Mercury at 65 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 70 at Night. Clear and pleasant all day the wind being at No. West and west all day, though not fresh. Rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run, & Ferry; & to the Hay makers at the second. At Dogue, found the Corn had all been succoured, and the hoes had got into the fresh & weedy ground along the wood side—about 3 oclock...
100[Diary entry: 19 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 19th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 52 at Night. Calm and pleasant all day, especially in the Morning. Towards evening the wind, though very little of it, came from the Eastward & the weather lowered. Rid to the Mill, and to Dogue run Plantation. Took the Hounds with me, and in the Pincushion found a fox, which the Dogs run very well for an hour—after which, coming to a...
101[Diary entry: 26 April 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 26th. Mercury at 69 in the Morning—71 at Noon and 76 at Night. Quite calm, clear, and very warm all day. The ground on the South side of the Road (between the Ditches) being prepared I sprinkled the same quantity of Powdered stone on it—sowed the same quantity of Seed (orchard Grass) on it and Managed it in all respects as I did that on the North side opposite yesterday—beginng. with...
102[Diary entry: 23 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 23d. Thermometer at in the Morng. 44 at Noon and 42 at Night. Morning cloudy, with the Wind at West; which shifting to the No. Et. produced strong, and encreasing appearances of falling weather before the Evening. Went out with the two Mr. Hansons & Mr. Alexander, when they set out on their return after breakfast, with the Dogs; just to try if we could touch on a Fox as we went along...
103[Diary entry: 17 May 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 17th. Mercury at 60 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 62 at Night. General Cadwallader went away after Breakfast, and I went to Alexandria to the appointed meeting of the Subscribers to the Potomack Navigation. Upon comparing, & examining the Books of the different Managers, it was found, including the Subscriptions in behalf of the two States, & the 50 Shares which the Assembly of...
104[Diary entry: 30 April 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 30th. Mercury (by Mrs. W’s acct.) in the Morning at 68—at Noon 69 and at Night 62. Wind Northerly all day, & towards Night cold. Dined at General Spotswoods, and lodged at Mr. Jno. Baylors (New Market). Alexander Spotswood (1751–1818), son of John and Mary Dandridge Spotswood and grandson of the governor, lived at New Post, his home on the Rappahannock River in Spotsylvania County. He...
105[Diary entry: 6 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 6th. Mercury at 76 in the Morning—79 at Noon and 78 at Night. Wind at East all day but not very fresh—Clouds & Sunshine alternately. Mr. Herbert (Willm.) came here to dinner & returned after it. Mr. Lux rid to Alexandria after Breakfast.
106[Diary entry: 21 May 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 21st. Mercury at 67 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 68 at Night. Calm all the forepart of the day, and warm. The wind came out from the Southward afterwds.; and a thunder shower of no long continuance Succeeded; thence it turned cool, the wind getting to the Westward. My Phaeton which had been with Mr. Pine to Annapolis returned about 3 Oclock to day; as did my Barge which had been sent...
107[Diary entry: 10 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 10th. Mercury at 67 in the Morning—71 at Noon and at Night. But little wind in the forenoon. In the afternoon it was at Et. with a pretty heavy shower of rain about 5 Oclock. In the Afternoon Mr. Whiting Doctr. Graham and a Mr. Wyat came here. In the Morning Mr. Lux set out on his return home. mr. wyat : perhaps Dr. William E. Wyatt (1762–1802) of Prince William County, who was married...
108March 1785 (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 1st. Mercury at 34 in the morning 38 at Noon and 42 at Night. Wind at No. West all day, & sometimes pretty fresh; at others very moderate. In general clear with some flying clouds. Planted the remainder of the Poplars & part of the Ash Trees—also a circle of Dogwood with a red bud in the Middle close to the old Cherry tree near the South Garden Ho[use]. Began with my two Tumblers to...
109[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...
110[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...