51[Diary entry: 4 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday Jany. 4th. The Weather continud Drisling and Warm, and I kept the House all day. Mrs. Washington seemg. to be very ill ⟨I⟩ wrote to Mr. Green this afternoon desiring his Company to visit her in the Morng. Rev. Charles Green (c.1710–1765) was the first permanent rector of Truro Parish, recommended to that post in 1736 by GW’s father. He also practiced medicine. “Ministers were frequently...
52[Diary entry: 5 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday Jany. 5th. Mrs. Washington appeard to be something better. Mr. Green however came to see her abt. 11 Oclock and in an hour Mrs. Fairfax arrivd. Mr. Green prescribd the needful and just as we were going to Dinnr Captn. Walter Stuart appeard with Doctr. Laurie. The Evening being very cold, and the wind high Mrs. Fairfax went home in the Chariot & soon afterwards Mulatto Jack arrivd from...
53[Diary entry: 6 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday Jany. 6th. The Chariot not returng. time enought from Colo. Fairfax’s we were prevented from Church. Mrs. Washington was a good deal better today, but the Oyster Man still continuing his Disorderly behaviour at my Landing I was obligd in the most preemptory manner to order him and his Compy. away which he did not Incline to obey till next morning. In colonial Virginia the established...
54[Diary entry: 7 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday Jany. 7th. Accompanied Mrs. Bassett to Alexandria and engagd a Keg of Butter of Mr. Kirkpatrick being quite out of that Article. Wrote from thence to Doctr. Craik to endeavour if possible to engage me a Gardener from the Regiment and returnd in the dusk of the Evening. Mrs. Bassett, the former Anna Maria Dandridge (1739–1777), younger sister of Mrs. Washington, in 1757 married Burwell...
55[Diary entry: 8 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday Jany. 8. Directed an Indictment to be formd by Mr. Johnston against Jno. Ballendine for a fraud in some Iron he sold me. Got a little Butter from Mr. Dalton and wrote to Colo. West for Pork. In the Evening 8 of Mr. French’s Hogs from his Ravensworth Quarter came down one being lost on the way as the others might as well have been for their goodness. Nothing but the disappointments in...
56[Diary entry: 9 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday. Jany. 9. Killd and dressd Mr. French’s Hogs which weighd 751 lbs. neat. Colo. West leaving me in doubt about his Pork yesterday obligd me to send to him again to day, and now no definitive answr was receivd—he purposing to send his Overseer down tomorrow to agree abt. it. Colo. Bassetts Abram arrivd with Letters from his Master appointing Port Royal, & Monday next as a time and...
57[Diary entry: 10 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday Jany. 10th. Accompanied Mrs. Bassett in a Visit to Belvoir. She this day determind on setting of for Port Royal on Saturday. Colo. West wrote me word that he had engag’d his Pork. Killd the Beeves that Jack brought down two of which were tolerable good. Belvoir, located on a bluff overlooking the Potomac on the next “neck” downriver from Mount Vernon, was the first seat of the Fairfax...
58[Diary entry: 11 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday Jany. 11th. Deliverd Rd. Stephens two Hogs in part of his Years Provisions weight 69 90 159. He had one before of 100 lbs. weight. Two Hogs were also reservd for Foster of the following weights 90
59[Diary entry: 12 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday Jany. 12th. Sett out with Mrs. Bassett on her journey to Port Royal. The morning was clear and fine but soon clouded and promisd much Rain or other falling weather wch. is generally the case after remarkable white Frosts—as it was to day. We past Occoquan witht. any great difficulty withstanding the Wind was something high and Lodgd at Mr. McCraes in Dumfries—sending the Horses to the...
60[Diary entry: 13 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday Jany. 13th. The Wind last Night Chopd about from Southerly to the No. West blew extreame hard and made it excessive cold. We reachd Mr. Seldons abt. 3 Oclock and met with a certain Captn. Dives there a Man who, as I have been informd is pretty well known for some of his Exploits and suspected to be an Instrument in carrying Dickenson whose Character and Memory are too well established...
61[Diary entry: 14 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday Jany. 14th. The Wind at No. West, and the Morning being clear and cold but otherwise fine we set out—Mr. Seldon obligingly accompanying us a few Miles to prevent any misapprehensions of the Road. We arrivd about 2 Oclock to the Plantation late Colo. Turners but now Inhabited by an Overseer directly opposite to Port Royal (at this place also Mr. Giberne lodges) and here we were...
62[Diary entry: 15 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday Jany. 15th. Mr. Gibourne and I, leaving Mr. Bassett Just ready to set out recrossd the River and proceeded to Colo. Carters where we dind and in the Evening reachd Colo. Champes. Several Gentlemen dind with us at Colo. Carters (neighbours of his) but we spent a very lonesome Evening at Colo. Champes not any Body favouring us with their Company but himself. The Morning of this day was...
63[Diary entry: 16 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday Jany. 16. I parted with Mr. Gibourne, leaving Colo. Champes before the Family was Stirring and abt. 10 reachd my Mothers where I breakfasted and then went to Fredericksburg with my Brothr. Saml. who I found there. Abt. Noon it began Snowing, the Wind at So. West but not Cold; was disappointed of seeing my Sister Lewis & getting a few things which I wanted out of the Stores returnd in...
64[Diary entry: 17 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday Jany. 17th. The Snow had turnd to Rain & occasiond a Sleet, the Wind at No. Et. and the Ground coverd abt. an Inch and half with Snow, the Rain continued with but little Intermission till Noon and then came on a Mist which lasted till Night. Abt. Noon I set out from my Mother’s & Just at Dusk arrivd at Dumfries.
65[Diary entry: 18 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday Jany. 18th. Continued my Journey home, the Misling continuing till Noon when the Wind got Southerly and being very warm occasiond a great thaw. I however found Potomk. River quite coverd with Ice & Doctr. Craik at my House.
66[Diary entry: 19 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday Jany. 19. The Wind got abt. to the No[rth] ward last Night and froze the Ground hard. The Morning Lowerd, and threatned Rain; but about Noon the clouds dispersd and grew Warm, the Wind coming about Southerly again. Recd. a Letter from my Overseer Hardwick, informing me that the Small Pox was surrounding the Plantation’s he overlookd—& requiring sundry Working Tools. Bought 4 Hogs...
67[Diary entry: 20 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday Jany. 20th. My Waggon after leaving 2 Hogsheads of Tobo. at Alexandria arrivd here with 3 Sides of Sole Leather and 4 of upper Leather 2 Kegs of Butter one of which for Colo. Fairfax and 15 Bushels of Salt which She took in at Alexandria. Visited at Belvoir to day carrying Doctr. Craik with us who spent the Evening there. The wind Continued Southerly the whole day the Ground very soft,...
68[Diary entry: 21 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday Jany. 21st. Warm with Rain, the Wind at South till Noon when it veerd abt. to the No. Ward & cleard. The Ice in the River almost gone. The Rains that fell last Night, & to day in some measure hardned the Ground from the Rotton condition it appeard in Yesterday.
69[Diary entry: 22 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday Jany. 22d. The Wind continued No[rth]wardly—the weather clear & cold—the ground hard froze & the River blockd up again. Killd 17 more Hogs which were bought of Mr. French who was here ready to see them weighd & to receive his Money. Doctr. Craik Dind here. Hogs wd. 1722 lbs. nett. These hogs made the total amount of pork received from French 2,473 pounds. Paying the agreed rate of 22s....
70[Diary entry: 23 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday Jany. 23d. Clear and more moderate than Yesterday—but the g[roun]d & r[iver] still hard frozen. Abt. Noon the wind (what little blew) came Westerly and Inclining South. My Waggon set of for Frederick with Sundry’s that were wrote for by the Overseer there. Doctr. Craik left this for Alexandria and I visited my Quarter’s & the Mill. According to Custom found young Stephen’s absent....
71[Diary entry: 24 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday Jany. 24th. Moderate and fine, the Wind at So. and a gradual thaugh.
72[Diary entry: 25 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday Jany. 25th. Fine warm morning with the wind at So. till abt. 10 Oclock when it came westerly and then No. Wt. blewing exceeding hard till 3 in the afternoon. Went to Alexandria and saw my Tobo. wch. came from the Mountns. lying in an open shed with the ends of the Hhds out and in very bad order. Engagd the Inspection of it on Monday. Wrote to Doctr. Ross to purchase me a Joiner,...
73[Diary entry: 26 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday Jany. 26th. A Very white frost the ground and River hard froze. The wind at Sun Rise at No. Et. In an hour afterwards it got to south and continued there the whole day. Rode to Williamsons Quarter—the Overseer not there—a very remarkable Circle round the Moon—another Indication of falling Weather. In 1756 Benjamin Williamson rented a farm from GW near Mount Vernon on Little Hunting...
74[Diary entry: 27 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday Jany. 27th. A high South Wind continued to blow till about 4 in the afternoon and then it got to No. Wt. blew fresh, and grew Cold. Abt. 10 oclock it began to Rain, and continued witht. Intermission till the wind changd and then grew clear and began to freeze. The Southerly Wind had almost opend the River of Ice.
75[Diary entry: 28 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday Jany. 28th. The River close again & the ground very Knobby & hard. The wind got So. about and blew fresh which allmost cleard the River of Ice. Visited my Plantation. Severely reprimanded young Stephens for his Indolence, & his father for suffering of it. Found the new Negroe Cupid ill of a pleurisy at Dogue Run Quarter & had him brot. home in a Cart for better care of him. In 1760...
76[Diary entry: 29 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday Jany. 29th. White Frost, and Wind at So. till 3 oclock then No. Wt. but not very cold—clear all day. Darcus—daughter to Phillis died, which makes 4 Negroes lost this Winter viz. 3 Dower Negroes namely— Beck—appraisd to £50– Dolls Child born since— Darcus appd. at and Belinda a Wench of mine in Frederick.
77[Diary entry: 30 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday Jany. 30th. Very Cloudy. Wind at So. till 9 Oclock at Night when it instentaniously shifted to No. West & blew a mere hurricane. Cupid was extreame Ill all this day and at Night when I went to Bed I thought him within a few hours of breathing his last.
78[Diary entry: 31 January 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday Jany. 31st. He was somewhat better; The wind continued at No. West all day—very cold & clear.
79[February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday Feby. 1st. 1760. Wind at and Snow till 9 Oclock then cleard & became tolerable warm. Visited my Plantation’s. Found Foster had been absent from his charge since the 28th. Ulto. Left Order’s for him to come immediately to me upon his return & reprehended him severely. Mr. Johnston & Mr. Walter Stewart came here this Afternoon. Saturday Feby. 2d. 17[60]. The Gentlemen went of after...
80[Diary entry: 1 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday Feby. 1st. 1760. Wind at and Snow till 9 Oclock then cleard & became tolerable warm. Visited my Plantation’s. Found Foster had been absent from his charge since the 28th. Ulto. Left Order’s for him to come immediately to me upon his return & reprehended him severely. Mr. Johnston & Mr. Walter Stewart came here this Afternoon.
81[Diary entry: 2 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday Feby. 2d. 17[60]. The Gentlemen went of after Breakfast and I rid out to my Plantns. and to my Carpenter’s. Found Richd. Stephens hard at Work with an ax—very extraordinary this! Desird him to see after Wm. Nations’ Rent, who died t’other day. The wind for the most part was Northerly yet the Day was mild —the Evening fine & promisd settle Weathr. Mrs. Possey and 2 of her Children...
82[Diary entry: 3 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday Feby. 3d. Very white Frost—and wind shifting from So. to East. Breechy was laid up this Morning with pains in his breast & head attended with a fever. Mrs. Possey went home and we to Church at Alexandria. Dind at Colo. Carlyles and returnd in the Evening. One Newell offerd himself to me to be Overseer. Put him of to another day. Episcopal services in Alexandria at this time were held in...
83[Diary entry: 4 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday Feby. 4th. White Frost & So[uther]ly Wind. Sometimes cloudy & sometimes clear. The Frost seemed to be getting out of the Ground. Dispatchd Foster to Occoquan, to proceed from thence in Bailey’s Vessell to Portobacco for 100 Barrls. of Corn wch. Captn. Possey purchased of Mr. Hunter the Priest for my use. Sent money to pay for the Corn viz.—37 pistoles and a Shilling, each pistole...
84[Diary entry: 5 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday Feby. 5th. Breechy’s pains Increasg. & he appearing worse in other Respects inducd me to send for Dr. Laurie. Wrote to Mr. Ramsay Begging the favour of him to enquire in to the price of Mr. Barnes Sugar Land Tract & he informd me that the value set on it by Mr. Barnes was £400. Visited my Plantation and found to my great surprise Stephens constt. at Work. Greg and Lucy nothing better....
85[Diary entry: 6 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday Feby. 6th. Fine warm day and the ground much dried. The wind which was extreamely little appeard to be shifting. Colo. Fairfax & Mrs. Fairfax Dind here. The Dr. sent his Servant down with things to Breechy. Grig came here this afternoon, worse and I had 15 Hogs arrivd from Bullskin.
86[Diary entry: 7 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday Feby. 7th. The Hogs which arrivd Yesterday were killd—weighg. as follows viz. 142 140 140 139 130 130 110 90 90 90 90 90 83 80 70 445 440 410
87[Diary entry: 8 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday Feby. 8th. 1760. The Wind had got to No. West, but as it did not blew fresh, so neither was it cold. Rode to my Plantatns. and orderd Lucy down to H[ome] House to be Physickd.
88[Diary entry: 9 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday Feby. 9th. The Ground was a little crusted but not hard—a remarkable white Frost. Visited my Plantation’s before Sunrise & forbid Stephen’s keeping any horses upon my Expence. Set my Waggon’s to draw in Stocks and Scantling, and wrote to Mr. Stuart of Norfolk for 20 or 30 or more thousd. shingles 6 Barrls. Tar 6 of Turpentine & 100 wt. of Tallow or Myrtle wax or half as much Candles....
89[Diary entry: 10 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday Feby. 10th. The Wind got to North and often, clouded up and threatend Rain but in the Evening at sunsetting it cleard and seemd to promise fair Weather. Captn. Possey, and Mrs. Possey dind here. He obliquely hinted a design of selling his 145 Acres of Wood Land on Muddy hole. Orderd all the Fellows from the different Quarter’s to Assembly at Williamson’s Quarter in the Morning to move...
90[Diary entry: 11 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday Feby. 11th. Went out early myself and continued with my People till 1 Oclock in which time we got the house abt. 250 yards. Was informd then that Mr. Digges was at my House upon which I retd. finding him & Doctr. Laurie there. The Ground being soft and Deep we found it no easy matter with 20 hands and 8 Horses & 6 Oxen to get this House along. Exceeding clear & fine, wind Northwardly....
91[Diary entry: 12 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday Feby. 12th. A Small Frost happening last Night to Crust the Ground causd the House to move much lighter and by 9 Oclock it was got to the spot on wch. it was intended to stand. Visited at the Glebe the day being very fine clear & still. No wind blowing from any Quarter perceivably. Sett Kate & Doll to heaping the Dung abt. the Stable. Recd. a Letter & Acct. Currt. from Messrs. Hanbury...
92[Diary entry: 13 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday Feby. 13th. A fresh gale So. continued the whole day with clear and Warm Sun. Visited all my Quarters.
93[Diary entry: 14 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday Feby. 14th. Mr. Clifton came here and we conditiond for his Land viz., if he is not bound by some prior engagement. I am to have all his Land in the Neck (500 Acres about his house excepted) and the Land commonly calld Brents for 1600 £ Curry. He getting Messrs. Digges &ca. to join in making me a good & less Colo. Carlyle will let me have his Land adjoining Brents at half a Pistole an...
94[Diary entry: 15 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday Feby. 15th. A Small fine Rain from No. Et. wet the Top of my Hay that had been landed last Night. It was all carted up however to the Barn & the Wet and dry seperated. Went to a Ball at Alexandria—where Musick and Dancing was the chief Entertainment. However in a convenient Room detachd for the purpose abounded great plenty of Bread and Butter, some Biscuets with Tea, & Coffee which the...
95[Diary entry: 16 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday Feby. 16. Returned home—receiving an Invitation to Mrs. Chews Ball on Monday night next, first. The Morning lowerd, and dript as yesterday, but abt. 10 Oclock the Wind So[uther]ly, blew fresh, and cleard. Mercy Chew (d. 1775), with her husband Joseph Chew, kept a tavern in Alexandria which GW patronized in the early 1760s (Fairfax County Deeds, Book C–1, 63, Vi Microfilm; Fairfax...
96[Diary entry: 17 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday Feby. 17th. The Wind blew cold & fresh from the No. West. Went to Church & Dind at Belvoir. Sent 4 Yews & Lambs to the Mill to be fatted.
97[Diary entry: 18 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday Feby. 18th. Dispatchd my Waggon with Tools &ca. for Frederick. Sent over for two more Tons of Hay—to Mr. Digges. The Morning was cold the Wind being at No. West. It afterwards changd to So. and grew more moderate but towards Night it agn. Shifted to the No. East, but made no perceptable change in the Air, as to heat or cold.
98[Diary entry: 19 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday Feby. 19th. Went to Court, and Administerd upon Nations Effects. Got Mr. Smiths Lease to me recorded and Mr. Johnston not having Darrels Deeds ready I was obligd to get the acknowledging of them postpond. Recd. a Letter from my Brothr. Austin by Mr. Lane & answerd it. Fine moderate day with a brisk Southerly Wind which brought up the Vessell with my Corn. Mike and Tom began sawing in...
99[Diary entry: 20 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday Feby. 20. Landed 65 Barrels of Corn. Fine moderate day. Very little wind. George & Billy sawd 155 feet of Oak Scantling.
100[Diary entry: 21 February 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday Feby. 21. Finished landing the Corn, which held out only 1½ Bushells above measure. Paid the Skipper for the Freight. Visited at Mr. Clifton’s and rode over his Lands—but in an especial manner view’d that tract calld Brents, which wd. have pleas’d me exceedingly at the price he offerd it at viz. half a pistole an Acre provided Colo. Carlyle’s 300 Acres just below it coud be annexd at...