1January 1788 (Washington Papers)
[Tuesday 1st.] Thermometer at 25 in the Morning—30 at Noon and 27 at Night. Clear and moderate in the forenoon there being but little Wind and that Southerly. Towards night it clouded—after which the wind getting to No. Wt. it cleared and turned cold. Mr. Lee returned to Alexandria after breakfast—as Mrs. Stuart did from Mr. Lund Washington’s. I remained at home this day also. Wednesday 2d....
2February [1788] (Washington Papers)
Friday 1st. Thermometer at 25 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 38 at Night. Morning clear & pleasant with the Wind (but not much of it) Southerly, at wch. point it continued all day, & grew Milder. The top of the ground for about an Inch thawed—but not deeper. Visited the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run, Frenchs and the Ferry. Work at all as usual. The Women belonging to Dogue run having...
3March [1788] (Washington Papers)
Saturday the first. Thermometer at 24 in the Morning—24 at Noon and 24 at Night. The Wind, which had considerably encreased in the Night, blew cold from the No. Wt. and clouded up. About 11 Oclk. it began to Snow, and continued to do so fast till about 2 Oclock covering the grd. about an Inch & half when it ceased and the Sun came out. Rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole, D. Run and Frenchs....
4April [1788] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 1st. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—65 at Noon And 64 at Night. Morning heavy with the Wind at South. Clear afterwards & very warm. Went with Mrs. Washington and Colo. Humphreys to visit Mr. & Mrs. Rogr. West. Dined there & returned in the afternoon. Previous to this I visited all my Plantations. At the Ferry, the Plows began to work in field No. 3—the Harrow putting in Oats & grass...
5[May 1788] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 1st. of May. Thermometer at 56 in the morning—76 at Noon And 76 at Night. Clear & warm, with the Wind Southerly. Visited all the Plantations—the Fishing Landing, Brick yard & Mill. At the Ferry, the Plows were removed from No. 7 to No. 2, & were plowing for Corn (laying off & listing). The Women were planting of it, but thinking the grd. too wet I made them desist, & return to making...
6[June 1788] (Washington Papers)
Sunday. June 1st. About Sun rise, we set out for the Great Falls, where having met Mr. Smith (the assistent Manager who resides at the works at the Seneca falls) we examined the Canal, banks and other operations at this place and were pleased to find them in such forwardness and so well executed. The upper part of the Canal, however, still requires to be widened—Stones &ca. removed out of it...
7[July 1788] (Washington Papers)
July first. Thermometer at 68 in the morning—74 at Night and 78 at Night. Wind at So. West in the forenoon but calm afterwards. Rid to the Ferry, French’s, Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations. At the first, the Plows and harrows were at work, as usual. The other people having gathered up, and put the Rye in shocks, went this morning to assist in Weeding Corn & Planting Potatoes at French’s. At...
8August 1788 (Washington Papers)
1st. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—75 at Noon—and 74 at Night—Not much wind, and that at So. Et.—Morng. clouded but tolerably clear afterwards. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue Run and Muddy hole. At the Ferry—the same plows as yesterday were at work in the B. Wheat. The other hands, except the Carter, who was drawing rails to the Wheat yard, were Hoeing Corn. At French’s...
9September 1788 (Washington Papers)
Monday 1st. Septemr. Thermometer at 69 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 74 at Night. Morning cloudy with the wind still at No. East. Misting at intervals through the day—but no rain fell. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run and Muddy hole. At the First—Weeding Turnips—The Plows at Muddy hole. At Frenchs—all hands except the Plow People, were at Dogue run. At Dogue run—the Same...
10October 1788 (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 1st. day. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 56 at Night. Cloudy morning with the Wind at No. East. Lowering afterwards till about 2 Oclock when it began to Rain & continued to do so pretty steadily till bedtime—probably all night. Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck—The Fodder not being dry enough to take in, the People were employed in pulling up the Blackeye...