1Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
The following diary is GW’s Philadelphia journal (Regents’ No. 34), a rough diary (from 11 May through 15 Nov. 1787) from which GW drew information for his more complete diary entries for those dates which appear earlier in this volume (see entry for 8 May 1787 ).
2[May 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 11th. Set out before breakfast and rid 12 Miles to Skirrets Tavern, where we baited, and proceeded to the Ferry at Havre de grass to dinner. The wind being high, & the weather Squally I did not cross the river—frequent Showers thro’ the day with Mists and sun shine alternately. Saturday 12th. Crossed the river early in the morning and breakfasted at the ferry house on the east side....
3[June 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday June 1st. Convention as yesterday. Dined with Mr. John Penn and Spent the evening at Bush-hill at a very elegant entertainment given to a numerous company by Mr. Hamilton the owner of it. Saturday. 2d. Majr. Jenifer coming in with powers from the State of Maryland authorizing one member to represent it, added another State (now eleven) to the Convention. Dined at Club, at the City...
4July [1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 1st. Dined and spent the Evening at home. Monday. 2d. Dined with some of the Members of Convention at the Indian Queen. Drank Tea at Mr. Binghams & walked afterwards in the State Ho. yard. Sat for Mr. Pine. Tuesday [3d]. Sat for Mr. Peal This Morn. Dined at Mr. Morris. Drank Tea at Mr. Powells and went with him to the Agricultural Society at Carpenters hall. Wednesday 4th. Visited Dr....
5[August 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday Augt. 1st. Returned abt. 11 Oclock with the above Company to Philadelphia. In this Town I understood—that the usual time of Sowing Buck Wheat was from the 10th. to the 20th. of July—that the grd. ought to be Twice plowed and at least as often harrowed & the grain harrowd. in—That it is considered as an uncertain Crop—liable to injury (whilst in the blossom) by a hot Sun—and very apt...
6[September 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday. Sepr. 1st. Dined at home and drank Tea there. Sunday—2d. Rode to Mr. Bartrams & other places in the Country and dined & drank Tea at Mr. Grays. Monday 3d. Dined and drank Tea at home. Tuesday 4th. Dined and did the same after visiting a machine at Doctr. Franklins for smoothing Clothes, instead of Ironing of them after washing which appears to answer exceeding well for every species...
7[October 1787] (Washington Papers)
Oct.—Monday—1st. Rid to all the Plantations—work as usual—except that the Plows at Dogue run were putting in Rye in the same field No. . Mr. Craik went away Ditchers went to Muddy hole—& Tuesday. 2d. Rid to all the Plantations. Sent 2 Plows from Frenchs to Muddy hole—the other 2 preparg. ground within the Meadow for Rye & grass Seeds—on which 1½ bushels of Rye was sown and therewith 1½ bushls....
8November [1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 1st. A frost this Morning which crusted the ground and formed Ice. The Morning early was calm and not unpleasant but the Wind blew fresh and cold afterwards at No. Wt. Rid, by the way of Muddy hole (where the People were taking up Turnips to transplant for seed) to Alexandria to attend a meeting of the Directors of the Potomack Company and the Exhibition of the Boys at the Alexa....