1[Diary entry: 18 October 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 18th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 70 at Night. Cloudy morning with great appearances of Rain all the forenoon and a little sprinkle of it—but clear warm and pleasant in the Afternoon. Went up to Alexandria agreeably to a summons to give evide. in the Suit between the Estate of Mr. Custis & Robt. Alexander, but the latter not appearing nothing was done & I returned...
2[Diary entry: 2 August 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 2d. Mercury at 65 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 70 at N. Much rain had fallen in the Night. The day was variable, but generally cloudy with fine rain about 10 or 11 Oclock which lasted more than an hour—after which the Sun came out but for a short duration. Rid to Muddy hole, but proceeded no further as, at the time I was there the appearances of a wet day were greatest.
3[Diary entry: 8 November 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 8th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 62 at Night. Clear all day, with the Wind high from the No. Wt. Went up to Alexandria, agreeably to a summons, to give testimony in the Suit depending between the Estate of Mr. Custis and Mr. Robt. Alexander. Returned by the New Barn which had got about half the Rafters up. Found Mrs. Stuart, Miss Stuart, and all Mrs. Stuarts...
4[Diary entry: 25 February 1788] (Washington Papers)
Monday 25th. Thermometer at 32 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 46 at Night. Calm and clear Morning. Wind Southerly afterwards which occasioned a considerable thaw. Mr. Fairfax going away directly after breakfast I rid to the Plantations in the Neck—at Muddy hole and Dogue run. At the first (that is the Neck) the Women were grubbing & fencing along the Creek. At Muddy hole doing the same. The...
5[Diary entry: 22 October 1788] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 22d. Thermometer at 49 in the Morning 60 at Noon and 60 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind (especially in the Night) fresh from So. Wt. Sent Mrs. O’Conner to Alexa. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s & Dogue run. At the latter, the hands from the two first except the Ferry men & Carts, together with their plows as were the Plows of Muddy were all at work digging...
6[Diary entry: 15 March 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 15th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning—58 at Noon And 56 at Night. The Wind, tho’ there was but little of it, was at No. Wt. Mild and warm. Visited all the Plantations. At all of them, the full compliment of Plows were at work and going on very well. In the Neck, the Women were spreading Dung on the ground intended for Oats and Barley—being the West part of No. 2. At this place ⟨also⟩...
7[Diary entry: 12 November 1788] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 12th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 51 at Night. Wind at So. Wt. all day & pleasant—Clear in the morning, but a little lowering towards 3 oclock—clear afterwards. The force of yesterday was employed in the roads to day. Mrs. and Miss Stuart went away after breakfast. I rid to the repairers of the Road and to my New Barn—the Rafters of which were all raised about...
8[Diary entry: 5 April 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 5th. Thermometer at 51 in the Morning—64 at Noon And 63 at Night. Clear and warm all day, but little wind and that at Easterly. Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck, the same work as yesterday was going forward. At Muddy hole the same also. At Dogue run the same. The two plows at this place finished breaking up the turnip ground in No. 1 about dinner time yesterday & went...
9[Diary entry: 2 December 1788] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 2d. Thermometer at 37 in the morning—47 at Noon and 46 at Night. Clear, with the Wind at No. Wt. but not strong. Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck, the People were gathering Beans, corn, and drawing them in. Only 5 plows were at Work—the Waggon being employed in drawing in Corn. That part of the Corn which was intermixed with Carrots, would be gathered (tho’ not measured) to...
10[Diary entry: 27 September 1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 27th. Thermometer at 60 in the morning—68 at Noon and 72 at Night. Clear Morning with the Wind at No. Wt. Calm afterwards, or very little wind from So. Et. Rid to the Ferry, Frenchs and Dogue run Plantations. The same work at all three, as in the days preceeding—with the Muddy hole hands in aid at the latter. Turned the Mares & Colts from the Pasture at the home house into that at the...
11[Diary entry: 15 May 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday—15th. Repaired to the State Ho. at the hour appointed. No more States represented, tho’ there were members (but not sufficient to form a quoram) from two or three others—viz. No. Carolina, & Delaware as also Jersey. Govr. Randolph of Virginia came in to day. Dined with the Society of the Cincinnati.
12[Diary entry: 27 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 27th. Went to the Woods back of Muddy hole with the hounds. Unkennelled two foxes & dragged others but caught none. The dogs run wildly & ⟨were⟩ under no command. Passed through Muddy hole Plantation and ordered grass Seeds to be sown in the following places, manner, & quantities—viz.—taking a breadth from field No. 4 across to No. 3 of eql. width with the farm yd. & containing abt. 5...
13[Diary entry: 31 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday. 31st. Clear pleasand & warm in the forenoon. Towards Noon it grew cold. Wind hard at No. West. Rid to all the Plantns. In the Neck 6 plows were at work & 2 more were put at it this morning one of wch. broke immediately. The other hands were getting Irish Potatoes in the further cut (Tob. Ho.) in Timber landg. f[iel]d. At Muddy hole—finished Sowing Wheat 12½ bushls. in the cut right...
14[Diary entry: 27 May 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 27th. Went to the Romish Church—to high Mass. Dined, drank Tea, and spent the evening at my lodgings. romish church : Of the two Roman Catholic chapels in Philadelphia at this time GW probably attended the larger, St. Mary’s, on Fourth below Spruce Street. The chapel had been extensively renovated in 1782 ( SCHARF [1] J. Thomas Scharf and Thompson Westcott. History of Philadelphia....
15[Diary entry: 17 June 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday. 17th. Went to Church. Heard Bishop White preach, and see him ordain two Gentlemen Deacons—after wch. rid 8 Miles into the Country and dined with Mr. Jno. Ross in Chester County. Returned in the Afternoon. William White (1748–1836), a native of Philadelphia, was the assistant minister and then, during the Revolution, the successor to Jacob Duché as minister for Christ and St. Peter’s...
16[Diary entry: 8 October 1789] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 8th. Mr. Gardoqui took leave, proposing to embark to morrow for Spain. The following Company dined with Me to day. viz. The Vice-President his Lady & Son and her Niece with their Son in Law Colo. Smith & his Lady. Governor Clinton & his two eldest daughters—Mr. Dalton and his Lady their Son in law Mr. Dubois and his lady and their other three daughters. In the Evening the Count de...
17[Diary entry: 31 May 1787] (Washington Papers)
[Thursday 31st.] The State of Georgia came on the Floor of the Convention to day which made a representation of ten States. Dined at Mr. Francis’s and drank Tea with Mrs. Meredith. the state of georgia : In his Philadelphia diary GW specified William Houstoun (1757–1812), who was an active convention participant, and William Pierce (d. 1789), who participated little but left some notes of the...
18[Diary entry: 7 July 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 7th. Attended Convention. Dined with the Club at Springsbury and drank Tea at Mr. Meridiths.
19[Diary entry: 21 June 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 21st. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Pragers, and spent the evening in my Chamber. Mr. Prager is probably Mark Prager, Sr., a member of the Jewish mercantile family that came to Philadelphia shortly after the Revolution. The firm, at first called Pragers, Liebaert & Co., was some time before 1791 changed to Pragers & Co. GW had written William Fitzhugh on 23 July 1784 introducing...
20[Diary entry: 12 October 1789] (Washington Papers)
Monday 12th. Received the Compliments of the Count de Pentheve, commanding his most Christian Majestys Squadron in the harbour of Boston—these were sent by the Marquis de Traversy in the Active Frigate; who with all his Officers, were presented by the French Minister about One clock. A squadron of the French navy consisting of two ships of 74 guns and four frigates, under the command of Henri...
21[Diary entry: 27 September 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 27th. Mercury at 66 in the Morning—80 at Noon and 78 at Night. Clear, calm, and warm all day. Colo. Bassett his Son & George Washington took a ride to Alexandria. I rid into the Neck, by Muddy hole, to measure a piece of ground intended for Corn another year & to new model my fields. Took up the flax that had been spread to rot at the latter place. Engaged at every plantation in...
22[Diary entry: 11 July 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 11th. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris’s and spent the evening there.
23[Diary entry: 2 November 1789] (Washington Papers)
Monday 2d. Having made previous preparations for it—About 8 Oclock attended by the President, Mr. Langden & some other Gentlemen, I went in a boat to view the harbour of Portsmouth; which is well secured against all Winds; and from its narrow entrance from the Sea, and passage up to the Town, may be perfectly guarded against any approach by water. The anchorage is also good & the Shipping may...
24[Diary entry: 17 October 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 17th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 59 at Night. Wind Southerly and raining till about 9 Oclock when it chopped round to the No. Wt.—blew hard & cleared. At home all day. Began to set a brick kiln.
25[Diary entry: 1 August 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 1st. About 11 oclock, after it had ceased raining, we all set out for the City and dined at Mr. Morris’s.
26[Diary entry: 7 November 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 7th. Mercury at 53 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 59 at Night. Clear mild & very pleast. all day—Calm in the forenoon & a light Southerly breeze after Noon. Rid to all the Plantations to day. In the Neck the people had just finished gathering and measuring the Pease which in all amounted to only 80 Bushels. They were, in places, very much missing to which this short quantity is...
27[Diary entry: 21 October 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 21st. Mercury at 50 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 55 at Night. Wind at No. Et. all day with various appearances—sometimes threatning Rain—at other times promising to be fair. Colo. Richard Henry Lee with his daughter Nancy, who came here yesterday to dinner, going away after breakfast, I rid into the Neck, and to Muddy hole & Dogue run Plantations. At the first the People had finished...
28[Diary entry: 27 January 1789] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 27th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 44 at Night. Much rain fell in the course of last Night—heavy forenoon, with the Wind at No. Et.—At Night a good deal of Rain. At home all day.
29[Diary entry: 11 November 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 11th. Mercury at 41 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 42 at Night. Morning clear and cool, with the wind pretty fresh from the No. Wt. By noon it became calm & very pleasant. Rid to the Mill, and to Dogue run & Muddy hole plantations. At the first named Plantation finished plowing for Rye in the Morning, but there remained of it 8 or 10 acres to sow & harrow in. By Night the ground from...
30[Diary entry: 2 January 1788] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 2d. Thermometer at 21 in the morning—30 at Noon and 25 at Night. Clear Morning but variable afterwards—not much wind, but that Southerly & cold—at least raw. Colo. Humphreys & Myself accompanied Mr. Paradise and his lady to Alexandria. Dined with Mr. Charles Lee and returned in the Evening—leavg. Mr. & Mrs. Paradise there. On the ride home GW contracted “a very severe cold” and for...