7601[Diary entry: 23 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 23d. Thermometer at 50 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 59 at Night. Fine & pleasant all day, with the Wind at South. No frost as was expected. My Brother, his wife Daughter and Son; Mr. Willm. Washington his wife & 4 Children; Mr. Bushrod Washington & wife; and Mr. Scott all went away after Breakfast. Mr. Jno. Bassett & Mr. Shaw came home in the forenoon and Mr. Fitzhugh of Chatham, Genl....
7602[Diary entry: 24 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 24th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 58 at Night. Variable, & squally with a little rain. Wind at South in the Morning, and Westwardly afterwards. The two Mr. Bassetts (Burwell and John) left this after breakfast, to return home. In the Afternoon Doctr. Craik came in, and stayed all Night. I rid to my Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole—found the Orchard...
7603[Diary entry: 25 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 25th. Thermometer at 54 in the Morng. 58 at Noon and 56 at Night. Forenoon clear and serene, and pleasant; but the Afternoon Windy & cold, with flying clouds. Wind about West. Doctr. Craik went away before Breakfast—he intended to [go to] Alexa. but was to call upon John Alton. Rid to my Plantation in the Neck. Found my Corn & Wheat there similar with those at the other plantations as...
7604[Diary entry: 26 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 26th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 56 at Night. A large white frost this morning. Wind brisk and cold from the No. West all the day, after 9 O’clock. Took the cover off my dry Well, to see if I could not fix it better for the purpose of an Ice House, by Arching the Top, and planking the sides. Having received by the last Northern Mail advice of the arrival at...
7605[Diary entry: 27 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 27th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 58 at Night. A remarkably great white frost and the ground a little frozen. Wind Southerly all day, after it rose in the Morning, but not very fresh. Forenoon clear but the afternoon, especially towards the Suns setting, a little hazy & lowering. Mr. Battaile Muse came here before dinner but would not stay to it. After finishing...
7606[Diary entry: 28 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 28th. Thermometer at 54 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 62 at Night. Wind Southerly; clear and pleasant all day. Finished levelling and Sowing the lawn in front of the Ho[use] intended for a Bolling Green—as far as the Garden Houses. Also began to sow clover seed at Dogue run plantation.
7607[Diary entry: 29 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 29th. Thermometer at 59 in the Morning 64 at Noon and 65 at Night. Morning clear, calm, and very pleasant. About Noon it began to lower a little, and continued to do so all the Afternoon. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry and Dogue run—at the last of which finished Sowing the Clover Seed which I sent there the 26th.; With this I mixed 9 Bushels of the pounded Plaister of Paris; and...
7608[Diary entry: 30 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 30th. Thermometer at 64 in the Morning—63 at Noon and 60 at Night. Thunder and lightning about day Break and Raining more or less all day, attended in the forenoon with very high Wind from the Westward. Mr. Shaw went up to Alexandria after Breakfast, & stayed all Night.
7609[Diary entry: 31 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 31st. Thermometer at 52 in the Morng. 54 at Noon and 56 at Night. A raw and moist air, with a westerly wind & lowering Sun. Mr. Shaw returned to Breakfast, & Mrs. Stuart, Miss Allan &ca. went away after it. A Captn. Fullerton came here to Dinner on business of the State Society of the Cincinnati of Pensylvania; for whom I signed 250 Diplomas as President. Went away after. Sent half a...
7610November [1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday first. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 56 at Night. A White frost and damp kind of a Morning, with but little Wind. Rather hazy all day, & towards evening lowering. Rid to my Plantations at Dogue run and Muddy hole—at the former preparing, & Sowing Ground with Timothy seed. Mrs. Fendall, Mrs. Lee & Miss Flora Lee, daughters of the former with Doctr. Skinner, came here...
7611[Diary entry: 1 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday first. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 56 at Night. A White frost and damp kind of a Morning, with but little Wind. Rather hazy all day, & towards evening lowering. Rid to my Plantations at Dogue run and Muddy hole—at the former preparing, & Sowing Ground with Timothy seed. Mrs. Fendall, Mrs. Lee & Miss Flora Lee, daughters of the former with Doctr. Skinner, came here...
7612[Diary entry: 2 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 2d. Thermometer at 58 in the Morng. 58 at Noon and at Night. A Very thick, damp Morning, & heavy Fog until about 9 Oclock, when it began to Rain; & continued to do so until Noon, when it thinned, and looked as if it would be fair, but soon recommenced raining, which lasted until near night. Perceived the Wheat from the Cape, which had been sent to me by Mr. Powell of Philada., &...
7613[Diary entry: 3 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 3d. Thermometer at 54 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 58 at Night. Morning clear, Calm, and very pleasant; but the wind springing up about 10 Oclock in the No. West, & blowing pretty fresh, it turned cool towards Evening. Borrowed a Scow from Colo. Gilpin, with which to raise Mud from the Bed of the river or Creek, to try the efficacy of it as a Manure, and sent it to the river...
7614[Diary entry: 4 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 4th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morng. at Noon and 60 at Night. Lowering, and the wind very brisk from the So. West in the Morning; but clear, calm, warm, and very pleasant afterwards. Raised the heavy frame in my [Ice] House to day and planted 16 Pines in the avenues on my Serpentine Walks. Rid to my Dogue run Plantation, where they were still preparing ground for, & sowing of, Timothy...
7615[Diary entry: 5 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 5th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morng. 64 at Noon and 65 at Night. Morning a little lowering with the wind pretty brisk from the Southward until about Noon when it became Calm & clear. Went over the Creek to see how my people went on in raising mud from the bed of the Creek—their progress but slow. Mr. Robert Washington of Chotanck—Mr. Lund Washington & Mr. Lawrence Washington dined...
7616[Diary entry: 6 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 6th. Thermometer at 64 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 68 at Night. Clear, Calm, and remarkably pleasant all day. Sun set in a bank. Mr. Webster and Mr. Lee went away after breakfast. Mr. Geo. Washington & wife went to Church at Alexandria—as did Mr. Shaw. The two first returned to dinner. The other not ’till some time in the Night—after the family were in bed. Although it was omitted in...
7617[Diary entry: 7 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 7th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morng. 69 at Noon and 69 at Night. Clear, calm, and remarkably pleasant all day, but rather too warm for the Season. Mrs. Peake and Miss Eagland dined here and returned in the Eveng. Employed since I first began to supply the dead Trees in the Serpentine Walks which I compleated this day except with the lime (or Linden) and horse chesnut, neither of wch. I...
7618[Diary entry: 8 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 8th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 66 at Night. A very heavy fog (with little or no wind) until near Noon—when it dispelled; became clear, warm & pleasant. Rid to Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations—the first preparing Ground, & sowing Timothy Seed. Began to replace the dead trees in my shrubberies. Doctr. Craik first, and a Captn. Lewis Littlepage afterwards, came...
7619[Diary entry: 9 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 9th. Thermometer at 64 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 66 at Night. A red, & watery Sun in the Morning, which about Noon was obscured, slow rain afterwds. Wind Southerly all day; and at Night appeared to be getting to the Westward. Mr. Griffith went away after Breakfast and Captn. Littlepage after Dinner. Having put in the heavy frame into my Ice House I began this day to Seal it with...
7620[Diary entry: 10 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 10th. Thermometer at 59 in the Morning— at Noon and at Night. There having fallen so much rain in the Night as to convince me that the Straw which I had placed between the Cieling & the Wall of my Ice House, must have got wet, and being in some doubt before of the propriety of the measure, lest it should get damp, heat, & rot; I had it all taken out, leaving the Space between unfilled...
7621[Diary entry: 11 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 11th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morng. 54 at Noon and 55 at Night. Wind at No. Et. and fresh all day. Very cloudy and sometimes dripping. At Night it began to fall a little more seriously, but in no great qty. Sent my Carriage up for & brought George Washington & his wife down after dinner.
7622[Diary entry: 12 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 12. Thermometer at 54 in the Morng. 58 at Noon and 60 at Night. Wind a little west of the No. and pretty fresh all the forenoon; and cloudy. Afternoon clear, still, & very pleasant. Received 215 Apple trees (red striek) from Major Jenifer; wh[ic]h I sent to the river plantation in the Neck, to be planted. At the same time, and from the same place, received two New Town & 2 Golden...
7623[Diary entry: 13 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 13th. Thermometer at 59 in the Morning—65 at Noon—65 at Night. Clear all day. Morning calm & very pleasant; but Windy afterwards from the No. West. Mr. Saml. Hanson and his wife, Mr. Thos. Hanson and their two sisters, & Mrs. Dulany wife to Waltr. Dulany, lately from England came to Dinner, & stayed all Night. Samuel Hanson of Samuel was married to Mary Key (Kay) Hanson, of New Jersey,...
7624[Diary entry: 14 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 14th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 62 at Night. Calm, clear, & pleasant Morning. Wind pretty brisk afterwards from the No. Wt., but fine notwithstanding. The Company who came to dinr. yesterday, & lodged here last Night went away after breakfast—upon which I went to my Neck Plantation in the Neck with intention to take a descriptive list of my Horses, Cattle, Sheep,...
7625[Diary entry: 15 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 15. Thermometer at 54 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 60 at Noon [night]. Wind Southerly and pretty fresh. Weather somewhat hazy and Smoaky. Went to my Neck Plantation and compleated the Acct. of my Stock there—except that of the Hogs—which stand thus.
7626[Diary entry: 16 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 16th . Thermometer at 58 in the Morng. 66 at Noon and at Night. A large circle round the Moon last night—a red & angry looking sky at the Suns rising and a brisk Southerly Wind all day with rain in the Evening and Night. Finished the Arch over my Ice House to day. Went early in the Morning to take an acct. of My Stocks &ca. at Dogue run & Muddy hole Planns. N.B. The Tools not being...
7627[Diary entry: 17 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 17th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 62 at Night. Colo. Lee & all the Company went away after Breakfast. Mr. Shaw went up to the Assembly in the Afternoon ’at Alexand. Morning a little foggy & thick but clear afterwards with the Wind at No. West and cool. assembly . . . at alexand. : “The Gentlemen of Alexandria, who are desirous to become Subscribers to the...
7628[Diary entry: 18 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 18th. Thermometer at 49 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 50 at Night. Morning clear & serene—a white Frost and ground froze—Ice an eighth of an Inch thick. Wind at No. Wt. & pretty fresh untill the afternoon when it was almost calm. Began to take up a number of small Pines to replace the dead ones in my wilderness. Got them with much dirt about the Roots. Took an Account of the Horses,...
7629[Diary entry: 19 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 19th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morng. 54 at Noon and at Night. Wind at No. West and cold all day, with Clouds which threatned Snow in the evening. Ground very hard frozen. Finished digging my Summer Turnips and putting them in a Cellar. Also finished covering the Palmetto royal at the front gate, except a small piece on the south side, nearest the gate, for which brush could not be...
7630[Diary entry: 20 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 20th. Thermometer at 48 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night. Clear and calm all day, but the Air keen notwithstanding. George Washington & wife & Mr. Shaw went to Lund Washingtons to Dinner & returned in the afternoon. Colo. Harrison (Judge) came here to Dinner and Doctr. Craik (who went away early this Morning) at Night. My Nephew Lawe. Washington came here with a letter today...
7631[Diary entry: 21 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 21st. Thermometer at 48 in the Morning— at Noon and at N. Lowering morning, with the wind at No. Et. About half after ten A.M. it began to Snow & continued to do so (of a Wet kind) until Night, when it ceased tho’ the ground was not covered more than an Inch thick. Colo. Harrison & Doctr. Craik left this after Breakfast, and I went up to Alexandria with G. Washington to meet the...
7632[Diary entry: 22 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 22d. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 52 at Night. Clear and cold Wind at No. West all day. The Snow, except on the No. side of Hills & Houses had dissolvd. The Count Doradour and Mr. Magowan went away after Breakfast. The Reverd. Mr. Keith of Alexandria and a Mr. Bowie of Philadelphia came to Dinner and returned to Alexandria in the Evening. Gave my People their...
7633[Diary entry: 23 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 23d. Thermometer at 48 in the Morng. 54 at Noon and at Night. Clear, warm, and pleasant, with the Wind at South. Finished all the Brick work of my Ice House today. Miss Kitty Washington, Genl. Lincoln, Colonels Hooe & Lyles, Mr. Porter, Captn. Goodwin, Doctr. Swift, Mr. Potts, Mr. Dalby, Mr. Monshur Mr. Williams, Mr. Philips & a Mr. Cramer or Cranmur came here to Dinner and all of...
7634[Diary entry: 24 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 24th. Thermometer at 48 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 55 at Night. Clear, Warm & pleasant, wind being still southerly. Immediately after Breakfast, rid to my Plantation at the Ferry and took the following Acct. of my Stock—viz. From the Ferry, I went to the Plantation at Dogue run and took the following Account of the Tools there—being omitted when I was there last. Recapitulation of...
7635[Diary entry: 25 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 25th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morng. at Noon and at Night. Wind Westerly & cooler than it had been the two days preceeding. About Noon a black Cloud arose to the Westward out of which came a mixture of Snow and Rain—this disappearing the Sun shone but the day upon the whole was variable & unpleast. Set out after breakfast, accompanied by Mr. G. Washington, to make Mr. Mason at...
7636[Diary entry: 26 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 26th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—51 at Noon and 50 at Night. Wind Westerly and rather Cool in the Morning but less of it & warmer afterwards. Day variable—Clouds & sunshine. Colo. Lee & his Lady went away after breakfast—crossing to Maryland on their Way home.
7637[Diary entry: 27 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 27th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morng. 52 at Noon and 50 at Night. Very little wind all day but smoaky with some Clouds and rather chilly. General Lincoln and Colo. Henley Dined here & returned in the Afternoon.
7638[Diary entry: 28 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 28th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning—50 at Noon and at Night. Thick Smoak and Clouds in the morning & great appearances of Snow until one Oclock, when the Sun came out and was More pleasant but cold notwithstanding. Went with G. Washington to dine with Colo. Lyles in Alexandria. Returned in the evening.
7639[Diary entry: 29 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 29th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night. A large hoar frost followed by Southerly Wind and some Clouds—but upon the whole tolerably clear & pleasant. Sent my Boat to Alexandria for a Hhd. of Common Rum and some Articles brought from Boston for me by General Lincoln. Majr. G. Washington went up to receive them. Went out after Breakfast with my hounds from...
7640[Diary entry: 30 November 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 30th. Thermometer at 45 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 55 at Night. Morning very thick with Clouds & Smoak. About 9 Oclock it began to snow very moderately, which neither continued long—nor lay on the ground. At one the Sun came out, and the afternoon became clear & pleasant, the Wind, though not much of it, being Southerly all day. On the Wheat which was given to me by Colo. Spaight...
7641December [1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 1st. Thermometer at in the Morning— at Noon and 52 at Night. White frost, and clear morning—very little wind all day, and that Southerly. Took the Hounds out before Sun rise and about 8 Oclock, after being upon several drags, or the same drag several times, put up a Fox which the Dogs run very indifferently—being very much dispersed and often at Cold Hunting until about 12 or between...
7642[Diary entry: 1 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 1st. Thermometer at in the Morning— at Noon and 52 at Night. White frost, and clear morning—very little wind all day, and that Southerly. Took the Hounds out before Sun rise and about 8 Oclock, after being upon several drags, or the same drag several times, put up a Fox which the Dogs run very indifferently—being very much dispersed and often at Cold Hunting until about 12 or between...
7643[Diary entry: 2 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 2d. Thermometer at in the morning—56 at Noon and 56 at Night. Colo. & Mrs. Macarty came here to Dinner—as did Colonels Fitzgerald and Gilpin and Mr. Chas. Lee & Doctr. Baker. Wind Southerly all day—clear & pleasant. Dr. Baker is probably Dr. William Baker of Alexandria.
7644[Diary entry: 3 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 3d. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 61 at Night. The day very pleasant until the afternoon, when it began to lower. The Wind in the morning was Westerly, & in the Evening Easterly but not much of it. Employed all day at my writing Table on business of the Potomack Company. Brot. 2 Hounds fm. Colo. McCarty. George Washington & wife went up to Abingdon after Breakfast....
7645[Diary entry: 4 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 4th. Thermometer at 53 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 59 at Night. A thick fog, or rather mist in the morning, without any Wind until about 10 Oclock when it turned to a slow rain—which ceased about Noon and assumed the appearance of fair Weather—but about 4 Oclk. it began to drip again. Last Night Jno. Alton, an Overseer of mine in the Neck—an old & faithful Servant who had lived with me...
7646[Diary entry: 5 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 5th. Thermometer at in the Morning—58 at Noon & 58 at Night. Lowering all day—with very little wind and that Northerly. It being a good scenting morning I went out with the Hounds (carrying the two had from Colo. McCarty). Run at different two foxes but caught neither. My French Hounds performed better to day; and have afforded hopes of their performing well, when they come to be a...
7647[Diary entry: 6 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 6th. Thermometer at 52 in the morng. 57 at Noon and 59 at Night. Morning clear & very pleasant with but little wind. Before Noon it sprang up from the Westward and afterwards became cloudy but the Sun set clear. Finished getting in the Woods the Posts & railing for the fencing of my paddock. Made another experiment of the difference in expence between burning Spirmaciti & Tallow...
7648[Diary entry: 7 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 7th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning & 59 at Noon—but removing it afterwards out of the room where the fire was, into the East Entry leading in to my Study, this circumstance with the encrease of the cold fell the Mercury to 42. Morning clear calm & pleast.; but the wind coming out violently from the No. West about half after eight Oclock, it turned cold & uncomfortable. Doctr....
7649[Diary entry: 8 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 8th. Thermometer at 30 in the Morning—38 at Noon and at Night. Wind to the Eastward of North, in the Morning, and Cold—ground hard frozen. Afterwards it died away in a great Measure and Shifted more to the westward backing. Finished removing the Earth for covering of, and the way in to my Ice House. And again set the People to taking up & planting small Pines in the Wilderness on the...
7650[Diary entry: 9 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 9th. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—39 at Noon and at Night. Not much wind—thick and Misting all day. Towards Night it began to rain fast & continued to do so until day. Planted the Crab trees which were brought home yesterday and more young pines.