9161[Diary entry: 8 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 8th. Thermometer at 27 in the Morng.—38 at Noon and 35 at Night. Day clear, with the wind pretty fresh at No. West in the forenoon which moderating as the Sun rose backed to South West and grew calm towards the evening. Mr. Bushrod Washington and his Wife went away after Breakfast and about 11 Oclock Betcy & Patcy Custis returned to Abingdon in my Chariot—accompanied by their Brother &...
9162[Diary entry: 9 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 9th. Thermometer at 28 in the Morng. 38 at Noon and at Night. Wind Southerly all day. Clear but a chilly air. Saturday, yesterday, and this day morning, the flats and Creeks were froze, but that on the former dispersed with the tide when the Winds blew. The latter remained. Sent Mr. Shaw to Alexandria to dispatch my Boat which went up yesterday and to pur⟨cha⟩se & send down a ton of...
9163[Diary entry: 10 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 10th. Thermometer at in the Morning— at Noon and 38 at Night. Wind Southerly all day & at times pretty fresh, and in the forenoon cold—but warmer & much pleasanter afterwards. Rid to my Plantation in the Neck, and took the hounds with me. About 11 Oclock found a fox in the Pocoson at Sheridens point and after running it very indifferently and treeing it once caught it about one Oclock....
9164[Diary entry: 11 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 11th. Thermometer at 34 in the morning—36 at Noon and 33 at Night. Morning very thick and heavy. About 8 Oclock it began to Snow moderately with the Wind at So. Et. and continued to do so until 12. Agreed to let William Barber have 50 (or more acres of Land if he chooses it) at the rate of Ten pounds pr. Hundred Acres; for the term of fourteen years; and to allow him one year free...
9165[Diary entry: 12 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 12th. Thermometer at 28 in the Morning—39 at Noon and 40 at Night. The Snow which fell yesterday had not covered the ground more than ¾ of an inch thick. A very heavy hoar frost this Morning. Day calm, and the evening clear, and remarkably pleasant & warm. Mr. Shaw went up to the Ball at Alexandria.
9166[Diary entry: 13 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 13th. Thermometer at 32 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 35 at Night. But little wind all day and that from the No. West. Evening quite calm. Laid out the ground behind the Stable, formerly a Vineyard, for a fruit Garden. Mr. Shaw returned about 12 Oclock from Alexandria.
9167[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.
9168[Diary entry: 15 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 15th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning 42 at Noon and 40 at Night. Little or no Wind all day. Clear and very pleasant. Nelly & Washington Custis returned home to day. Doctr. Stuart came here to Dinner & returned in the Afternoon.
9169[Diary entry: 16 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 16th. Thermometer at 35 in the Morng. at Noon and 38 at Night. Lowering Morning with theatnings, & spittings of Snow till about Noon when the wind (for before it was calm) came out at No. West tho’ not hard dispelled the Clouds. Run round my Plantation at the Ferry and on my return found a Mr. Armstrong here on business of Mr. Balch’s respectg. my Nephews—who after dining returned....
9170[Diary entry: 17 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
January 17th. Thermometer at 27 in the Morning—30 at Noon and 28 at N. Wind at No. West all day, and Cold. Thawed but little, altho’ it was clear. Employed as yesterday, in collecting Ice, but under many disadvantages, being obliged to go over to the Maryland shore and pick up the floating Ice in the River—which I was disposed to do, rather than run the risk of not laying up a store. Cornelius...
9171[Diary entry: 18 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 18th. Thermometer at 20 in the Morning—22 at Noon and 26 at Night. Day very cold—no thawing and the afternoon threatning of Snow. A fine mist of it falling—Wind Northerly. Colo. Fitzgerald called here on his way from Dumfries & dined and then proceeded. Fixed with him, and requested that he would give the Board of Directors of the Potomack Company notice of the meeting intended to be...
9172[Diary entry: 19 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 19th. Thermometer at 19 in the Morning—20 at Noon and 22 at Night. Morning Cloudy—Wind Northerly and weather cold. Snow about an Inch deep fell in the Night. After ten oclock it began again, & continued Snowing fine till bed time with the wind Northerly. Discontinued getting Ice, the river not being in a State to get it from the other shore and the prospect such as to get it any where...
9173[Diary entry: 20 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 20th. Thermometer at 18 in the Morng.—24 at Noon and 26 at Night. A Mixture of Snow and hail fell all the fore part of the day and hail & rain the latter part, which consolidated the Snow which in the Morning might be about 6 or 8 Inches deep. Wind Northwardly all day, but not much of it in any part of it.
9174[Diary entry: 21 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 21st. Thermometer at 26 in the Morning— at Noon and 34 at Night. Cloudy and hazy till betwn. eleven & 12 oclock when the Suns feeble efforts to shine were overcome. About one oclock a heavy mist came on. About two it grew very dark—thundered and rained—after whch. it continued misling till bed time. Rid to my Plantations at Muddy hole and Dogue run—from thence to the Mill. Upon my...
9175[Diary entry: 22 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 22d. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 48 at Night. Raining more or less all day, and a close thick fog the whole day proceeding from the dissolution of the Snow which by Night was almost gone. Wind tho’ not much of it Southerly and warm—the damps in the house being also very great the damps upon the walls being to be swept of.
9176[Diary entry: 23 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 23d. Thermometer at 38 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 40 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at No. West but neither hard nor cold. Snow entirely gone, except in places hid from the influence of the Sun & the Southwardly wind which blew yesterday.
9177[Diary entry: 24 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 24th. Thermometer at 31 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 34 at Night. Morning clear & pleasant: Lowering afterwards; with appearances of Snow—little or no Wind all day. Began my work of Ice-getting again to day but it was not in a proper State being rather a mixture of Snow & Ice and not hard enough.
9178[Diary entry: 25 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 25th. Thermometer at 34 in the morning at Noon and 40 at Night. Morning calm and very foggy till after 8 oclock when the fog dispersed and was very pleasant. About one oclock the Wind sprung up at No. West but blew neither hard nor cold. Mr. Jno. Dandridge set off on his return home after breakfast. I rid to Morris’s, Muddy hole and Neck Plantations between Breakfast and dinner. The...
9179[Diary entry: 26 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 26th. Thermometer at 33 in the Morng.— at Noon and 39 at Night. Clear and pleasant all day and more especially in the afternoon—Not much wind, but that from the No. West. Renewed my Ice operation to day, employing as many hands as I conveniently could in gettg. it from the Maryland shore, carting, and pounding it. Mr. Shaw went up to the dancing assembly at Alexandria after Dinner.
9180[Diary entry: 27 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 27th. Thermometer at 30 in the Morning— at Noon and at Night. Clear and pleasant all day; Wind at No. West in the forenoon and Eastwardly afterwards, but not much of it. Mrs. Washington set out after breakfast for Abingdon—to see Mrs. Stuart who is ill. I rid to my Mill and to the Plantation at Dogue run—also to the places where the Muddy hole & ferry people were at Work. Mr. Shaw...
9181[Diary entry: 28 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 28th. Thermometer at 34 in the morning—43 at Noon and 44 at Night. Morning calm & clear but the [ground] hard frozen. About 10 oclock the wind sprung up at South, but did not blow hard. Thawed the ground a good deal. Went out after breakfast with my hounds. Found a Fox in the Branch within Mr. Thomson Masons Field and run him sometimes hard and sometimes at cold hunting from 11 oclock...
9182[Diary entry: 29 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 29th. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 50 at Night. The morning remarkably fine & pleasant, with little or no wind—the afternoon a little lowering and at Night it began a mizzling rain which encreased and continued raining all night. After breakfast the Gentlemen who came yesterday returned. In the afternoon Colo. Grayson & his Nephew Mr. Benjn. Orr, came in and stayed...
9183[Diary entry: 30 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 30th. Thermometer at 54 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 50 at Night. The Morning foggy, with showers at intervals till near 11 oclock after which it cleared, with a brisk Southwardly wind. Mrs. Washington with Betcy & Patcy Custis came home, from Abingdon before dinner and after it Colo. Greyson & Mr. Orr left this. Planted the Hemlock Pine wch. was brought to me by Cornelius McDermot Row...
9184[Diary entry: 31 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 31st. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 34 at Night. The morning was a little cloudy but the weather soon cleared with a brisk No. Wester which occasioned a great change in the air. Planted a few pine trees in my Wildernesses.
9185February 1786 (Washington Papers)
Wednesday first. Thermometer at in the Morng.— at Noon and at Night. Ground very hard froze, Wind Eastwardly in the Morning, and So. Et. the remaining part of the day; but clear, & tolerably pleasant notwithstanding. Not being able to leave here yesterday (as I intended) for the appointed meeting of the Directors of the Potomack Navigation at the Great Falls this day, I set out this Morning at...
9186[Diary entry: 1 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday first. Thermometer at in the Morng.— at Noon and at Night. Ground very hard froze, Wind Eastwardly in the Morning, and So. Et. the remaining part of the day; but clear, & tolerably pleasant notwithstanding. Not being able to leave here yesterday (as I intended) for the appointed meeting of the Directors of the Potomack Navigation at the Great Falls this day, I set out this Morning at...
9187[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...
9188[Diary entry: 3 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 3d. Thermometer at in the Morng.— at Noon and at Night. The Snow that fell last Night did not cover the ground an Inch. The Wind was at So. West, and the day overhead was pleasant. Snow soon disappeared. After an early breakfast we left Mr. Scotts; and about noon I reached home; where I found an Eastern shore man delivering the Oats which Doctr. Stuart had engaged on my behalf of a Mr....
9189[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...
9190[Diary entry: 5 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 5th. Thermometer at 34 in the morning—36 at Noon and 37 at Night. Wind Northerly. About 9 oclk. last Night it began to Snow which turned soon to rain which continued through the Night and more or less all day, intermixed now & then with spittings of Snow. Abt. Noon the Wind shifted to the No. West and blew pretty fresh but the weather in other respects did not change.
9191[Diary entry: 6 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 6th. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 38 at Night. Flying Clouds in the morning with a brisk No. West wind all day and cold though clear after ten oclock. The largest of my Buck fauns which had been missing since friday last came home after dinner with its left hind knee broke & much shivered—supposed to be by a shot. Planting pines in the wilderness on the left of the...
9192[Diary entry: 7 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 7th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning— at Noon and 54 at Night. Morning clear & very pleasant, as it continued to be all day. Wind Southerly, but not fresh. Mrs. Washington, Kitty Washington, Miss Ramsay, Mr. Shaw and myself went to Colo. McCartys to the funeral of Mrs. Peers (one of his daughters). I took my ferry & dogue run plantations in the way. We returned home to dinner—after...
9193[Diary entry: 8 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 8th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morng.—52 at Noon and 44 at Night. Day rather variable, but upon the whole pleasant; In the morning there were flying clouds with the wind pretty fresh from the No. West—after which it was clear and still, till the evening, when the Wind came out at So. East. After Breakfast Mr. Griffith went away, and before dinner Mr. Wm. Craik came in and stayed all...
9194[Diary entry: 9 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 9th. Thermometer at 43 in the Morng.—54 at Noon and 50 at Night. Clear morning, with a remarkable white frost. Wind Southerly all day. Went early in the Morning to my river Plantation. Took the Dogs with me and on my return hunted, but never got a fox a foot tho I dragged one to Mr. Robt. Alexanders Pocoson at whose house I called. In my way home I took Muddy hole plantation. Found...
9195[Diary entry: 10 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 10th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 66 at Night. Wind Southerly & pretty fresh all day, till evening, when it shifted to the No. West and turned cold—a large circle round the Moon. This day was remarkably fine & promotive of vegitation. The buds of the lylack were much swelled & seemed ready to unfold. Doctr. Craik went away after Breakfast. I began to hand weed the...
9196[Diary entry: 11 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 11th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 30 at Night. Wind at No. East all day—very raw, and cold—a red angry sky at Sunrising; lowering about Noon and snowing afterwards, by intervals, towards night. A Mr. Wooldridge (an English gentleman) and a Mr. Waddell of No. Carolina—together with Mr. Murray, Mr. Wilson, & Mr. Maize came here to dinner & stayed all night....
9197[Diary entry: 12 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 12th. Thermometer at 30 in the Morng.—32 at Noon and 34 at Night. Snow about half an inch deep in the Morning but soon disappeared afterwards—cloudy for the most part and but a feeble Sun at any time of the day—not much Wind and that about So. Et. Messrs. Wilson, Murray, and Mease went away before breakfast—Mr. Wooldridge and Mr. Waddell after it and Miss Ramsay & Kitty Washington some...
9198[Diary entry: 13 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 13th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 32 at Night. Cloudy Morning but tolerably clear afterwards till Noon when it lowered and sprinkled fine Snow by intervals till Night by which the ground was not covered more than half an inch. Wind Southerly but raw and cold notwithstanding. Planted the two peach trees which were brought on Saturday from Doctr. Griffiths in my fruit...
9199[Diary entry: 14 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 14th. Thermometer at 32 in the Morning—36 at [noon] and 38 at Night. In the course of last night there fell 8 Inches Snow and it continued snowing slightly till 10 or 11 Oclock when it cleared & became a fine afternoon and evening—Not much wind and that variable sometimes at So. Et. then at No. West and then calm. Employed all the women and Weak hands (who on acct. of the Snow) could...
9200[Diary entry: 15 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 15th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 36 at Night. Morning lowering. Towards Noon it became clear and warm, after which it clouded up again. Between 4 and 5 it began to Rain wch. turned to snow in a little time soon after which it ceased. Wind for the most part of the day was Southerly. Doctr. Craik went away after Breakfast. Began with some of the Men abt. the House...
9201[Diary entry: 16 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 16th. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 46 at Night. Morning cloudy and not pleasant, wind being at No. West, but not fresh. Afterwards it became clear, calm, and exceedingly agreeable. The warm & pleasant afternoon almost carried of the Snow. Put one of Doctr. Gordons Subscription Papers (yesterday) in the hands of Doctr. Craik to offer to his acquaintance. Dr. William...
9202[Diary entry: 17 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 17th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 48 at Night. A thick fog till 9 oclock A.M. when it dispelled; was clear and pleasant till towards Sunsetting when the western horison seemed to cloud & lower. Wind Southerly all day but the ground very wet—Snow all dissolved where the Sun had access. Rid to my Mill, and the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue Run & ferry. Sent for...
9203[Diary entry: 18 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 18th. Thermometer at 45 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 50 at Night. The morning lowered—cleard at Noon and about two it rained a little; with appearances of a good deal, at first—however it soon ceased, though it continued cloudy till night, when the Wind, which had blowed pretty fresh from the Southward all day, shifted to the No. West. Began the yards back of the Green house designed...
9204[Diary entry: 19 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 19th. Thermometer at 35 in the morning—38 at Noon and 38 at Night. Morning clear and tolerably pleasant, though the horison was red & angry at the place of the Suns rising. After noon it lowered a good deal and at Night there fell a mixture of Snow and Rain—which turned to a kind of misling rain that continued through the Night. But little wind in the fore part of the day—at So. Et. and...
9205[Diary entry: 20 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 20th. Thermometer at 35 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 38 at Night. Missling all day intermixed at times with Rain with but little wind. Began, though the ground was too wet, to set the Posts of my Paddock fence. Mr. Lawrence Washington of Chotank, Mr. Wm. Thompson Mr. Willm. Stuart and Mr. Lund Washington came here to dinner—all of whom except the first went away after it. William...
9206[Diary entry: 21 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 21st. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 38 at N. Clear, with the wind pretty fresh at No. West in the forenoon calm afterwards. A Mr. McPherson of Alexandria came & returned before dinner. His business was, to communicate the desires of a Neighbourhood in Berkeley County, to build a School & Meeting House on some Land of mine there, leased to one . My answer was, that if...
9207[Diary entry: 22 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 22d. Thermometer 36 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 40 at Night. A grey Morning with a red and angry looking horison at the place of the Suns rising. About 10 Oclock it began to lower very much & at Noon to drip Rain which continued with intervals all the remaining part of the day but not so as to drive people from their work. Calm all day. After breakfast Colo. Carrington & Mr....
9208[Diary entry: 23 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 23d. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—32 at Noon and 32 at Night. Wind at East all day. By eight A.M. it began to Snow and continued to do so more or less all day, covering the ground by Night 3 or 4 Inches when it became a kind of Sleet. Mr. Lund Washington came here to dinner, and returned afterwards. A Mr. Rice Hooe came in the afternoon and stayed all Night. Mr. Shaw went to...
9209[Diary entry: 24 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 24th. Thermometer at 32 in the morning—33 at Noon and 29 at Night. Cloudy about day break—but it soon cleared, and about 8 oclock the wind began to blow very high from the No. Wt. and continued to do so all day—growing very cold & freezing hard especially towards Night. Mr. Lawe. Washington and Mr. Hooe left this after breakfast, and crossed in my Boat (which could not get back till the...
9210[Diary entry: 25 February 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 25th. Thermometer at 24 in the morning—31 at Noon and 30 at Night. Clear and calm in the forenoon—wind Southerly afterwards and thawing, the ground being hard frozen. Renewed the fencing of my Paddock to day. Went into the Neck and to Muddy hole Plantations to measure the fields which I had plowed for Oats & for experiments—also to Dogue run to divide some fields and to mark the Rows...