7531[Diary entry: 15 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 15th. Thermometer at 78 in the Morning—82 at Noon and at Night. Wind Westerly in the Morning wch. died away about Noon—when clouds in the Southwest indicated Rain but none fell. Rid to my Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run and Muddy hole. Found the two first were suffering as I had described the other two on Saturday and that both had discontinued sowing of Wheat after putting about 30...
7532[Diary entry: 16 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 16th. Thermometer at 79 in the Morning—86 at Noon and 86 at Night. Foggy & close morning with but little wind all day. Accompanied my Brother to Alexandria and meeting Mr. & Mrs. Fendal & Miss [Nancy] Lee who proposed to dine here I made but little stay in Town. My Brother not being able to complete his business did not return ’till the Evening. Mr. Fendall, Mrs. Fendall &ca. stayed...
7533[Diary entry: 17 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 17th. Thermometer at 78 in the Morning—84 at Noon and 86 at Night. Cloudy & damp Morning, with the Wind at South. In the Afternon Clouds gathered all round us with thunder & lightning and a good deal of rain appeared to fall upon Patuxent and above us on this river but not enough fell here to wet a handkerchief. Mr. [and] Mrs. Fendall and Miss Nancy went away before breakfast and my...
7534[Diary entry: 18 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 18th. Thermometer at 81 in the Morning—86 at Noon and 88 at Night. About 4 Oclock the Mercury was at 90. The fore part of the day was quite calm, and the whole of it intensely hot. About Noon it began to cloud & sprinkle rain which went off again. At 4 another cloud arose, out of which we had a pretty shower for about 15 or 20 Minutes, but not sufficient to wet the ground more than an...
7535[Diary entry: 19 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 19th. Mercury at 79 in the Morning—82 at Noon and 82 at Night. Morning lowering, and very like for rain, but about noon it cleared after a very slight sprinkling, not enough to wet a man in his shirt. Doctr. Craik returned from John Alton’s, took breakfast, & proceeded home. Encouraged by the little rain which had fallen, and the hope that more would fall I sowed about half an Acre of...
7536[Diary entry: 20 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 20th. Mercury at 78 in the Morning—82 at Noon and 82 at Night. Clear, with the wind at East the greater part of the day but not very fresh. Mr. Shaw went to Dumf[rie]s. Rid to all my plantations, and visited John Alton, who still lay ill, and in great danger. At Muddy hole, there appeared to have fallen more rain than at any other of my Plantations. At this place my Overseer had...
7537[Diary entry: 21 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 21st. Mercury at 78 in the Morning—82 at Noon and 82 at Night. Calm & foggy Morning with but little Wind all day, and no appearances of rain.
7538[Diary entry: 22 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 22d. Mercury at 78 in the Morning—77 at Noon and 77 at Night. Very cloudy morning with the Wind at So. West. About 8 Oclock it began to rain moderately and with intervals continued to do so through the day, and Night—but as the rain was fine, & not const[an]t the ground was not penetrated deep by it especially where it was before hard.
7539[Diary entry: 23 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 23d. Mercury at 76 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 75 at Night. Morning lowering, with drops of rain now and then, but none fell to wet the ground. Wind for the most part of the day Easterly. Doctr. Craik came here before Dinner. Visited John Alton in the Evening and returned and stayed all Night. Mr. Shaw returned home in the Afternoon. With the Guinea grass Seed I had on hand, I began...
7540[Diary entry: 24 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 24th. Mercury at 76 in the Morning—75 at Noon and 74 at Night. Weather clear and but little wind and that variable. Doctr. Craik went away after Breakfast. Sowed some more of the Guinea Grass seed today in the manner of yesterday. Measured round the ground which I intend to inclose for a Paddock, and find it to be abt. 1600 yards. Receiv’d Seven hounds sent me from France by the...
7541[Diary entry: 25 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 25th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—80 at Noon and 78 at Night. Wind Southwardly in the forenoon, but not much of it. About Noon a Cloud arose in the West & promised rain but none fell here, but the Wind shifting to the Westward it blew hard for a few minutes & the cloud went above us. Finished sowing the Spaces of the Guinea Grass in the little Garden.
7542[Diary entry: 26 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 26th. Mercury at 72 in the Morng.— at Noon and 76 at Night. Clear with but little wind at any time of the day. A Mr. Mar⟨t⟩el (or some such name) a Frenchman came in and dined, and just before dinner Mr. Arthur Lee, and Mr. P. Fendall got here; all of whom went away after it was over. In the Afternoon—Doctr. Marshall and his Sister, and Miss Hanson crossed the River, drank Tea, and...
7543[Diary entry: 27 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 27th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—80 at Noon and 80 at Night. Morning clear with the wind pretty fresh from the Southward. About 10 Oclock it clouded up, and rained a little; then cleared; but about 5 Oclock, a very black and heavy cloud arose in the Southwest, out of which (about Six oclock) proceedd for a few minutes very heavy wind, & a powerful Shower; the last of which continued...
7544[Diary entry: 28 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 28th. Mercury at 74 in the Morng.—76 at Noon and 76 at Night. Wind Southerly; with clouds, slight Showers, and Sunshine by intervals all day. In the Afternoon Doctr. Craik came here—on a visit to Jno. Alton.
7545[Diary entry: 29 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 29th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 73 at Night. Wind Southerly, with Showers in the Morning, and Clouds all day, with appearances of Rain but none fell after noon. Doctr. Craik after visiting John Alton before breakfast, went after it to see Lund Washingtons child who had been siezed with fits & the family alarmed by it. Lund and Elizabeth Foote Washington had at least...
7546[Diary entry: 30 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 30th. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 74 at Night. But little Wind and that westerly—clear and pleasant. Rid to my Plantations at the Ferry—Dogue run and Muddy hole. Found the Corn a good deal improved in its looks, and that it had put forth many young Shoots but it is to be apprehended that the tassel in a great deal of it had got too dry for the farina to impregnate the...
7547[Diary entry: 31 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 31st. Mercury at 70 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 72 at Night. Westerly wind and Clouds all day. Rid the Plantations in the Neck, & at Muddy hole. Found the Corn at the first as mentioned yesterday at the other places. Mrs. Washington rid to see the Sick Child of Mr. Lund Washington from whence Doctr. Craik came here to Breakfast—after which he visited John Alton, and then returned...
7548September [1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday first. Mercury at 70 in the Morng.—69 at Noon and 68 at Night. Cloudy Morning—with the Wind at East. Between 9 & 10 Oclock it began to drip slow rain, in which I planted the remainder of the Wheat from the Cape of Good Hope leaving 230 grains to replant the missing seeds, & some that had been washed up by the late rains; the whole number of grains given me by Colo. Spaight amounting...
7549[Diary entry: 1 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday first. Mercury at 70 in the Morng.—69 at Noon and 68 at Night. Cloudy Morning—with the Wind at East. Between 9 & 10 Oclock it began to drip slow rain, in which I planted the remainder of the Wheat from the Cape of Good Hope leaving 230 grains to replant the missing seeds, & some that had been washed up by the late rains; the whole number of grains given me by Colo. Spaight amounting...
7550[Diary entry: 2 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 2d. Mercury at 64 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 65 at Night. Wind at No. Et. and pretty fresh all day, with misling Rain wch. sometimes became stronger.
7551[Diary entry: 3 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 3d. Mercury at 65 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 66 at Night. Much such a day as yesterday until the Evening when the Sun made a feeble effort to appear and the clouds began to thin and disperse. In the Evening James Madison Esqr. came in.
7552[Diary entry: 4 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 4th. Mercury at 66 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 68 at Night. Foggy, or Misling morning, and Cloudy most part of the day, with but little Wind.
7553[Diary entry: 5 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 5th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 72 at Night. Day clear & pleasant with very little wind. About 2 Oclock, Fanny Bassett and Mr. Craik third Son of the Doctr. came here; the last of whom went away after dinner. Mr. Madison left this after Breakfast. Began to spade up the Lawn in front of the Court yard. And also began to prepare the Scaffolds for Cieling the Piazza. The...
7554[Diary entry: 6 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 6th. Thermometer at 67 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 73 at Night. Wind at No. West, and fresh all day, yet warm in the Sun. Fanny Bassett went to Mr. Lund Washington’s and stayed all Night. I rid to my Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run and Muddy hole and returned about 12 Oclock. A Mr. Tayler, Clerk to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs came here whilst we were at Dinner, sent by Mr....
7555[Diary entry: 7 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 7th. Mercury at 67 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 70 at Night. Clear day with the Wind fresh & Cool from the No[th]ward in the forenoon but still & warm in the Afternoon. Fanny Bassett returned before Dinner, and Doctr. Craik came to it & went away afterwards to visit John Alton, and his Children at Mr. Chichesters from thence. About Noon brought two Negro men from the River...
7556[Diary entry: 8 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 8th. Thermometer at 64 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 68 at Night. Calm clear and pleasant. Rid to my Plantations at Muddy hole and in the Neck. Found that at the first they had begun to sow Rye yesterday (as they had also done at the Ferry Plantation) and at the latter to day. Doctr. Craik came here to Breakfast & crossed the river afterwards. Purdie went away.
7557[Diary entry: 9 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 9th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 72 at Night. Clear and rather warm, with but little Wind. Rid up to Alexandria with Mrs. Washington, who wanted to get some cloathing for little Washington Custis; and for the purpose of seeing Colos. Fitzgerald & Colo. Gilpin on the business of the Potomack Company. Returned home to Dinner. GW and the directors, after discussing...
7558[Diary entry: 10 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 10th. Thermometer at 68 in the morning—70 at Noon and 72 at Night. Calm and warm, with some appearances of rain which vanished in the evening. Rid with Fanny Bassett, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Shaw to meet a Party from Alexandria at Johnsons Spring (on my Land where Clifton formerly lived) where we dined on a cold dinner brought from Town by water and spent the Afternoon agreeably—returning...
7559[Diary entry: 11 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 11th. Thermometer at 69 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 74 at Night. Wind fresh at No. West all day & clear—warm notwithstanding. Mr. Potts, and Doctors Mortimer and Craik Junr. dined here and returned to Alexandria in the Evening. Mr. Shaw and Mr. Tayler went to Alexandria after breakfast in my barge & did not return until after midnight. John Potts, Jr. (1760–1809), a Pennsylvanian, in...
7560[Diary entry: 12 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 12th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morng.—68 at Noon and 71 at Night. Wind pretty fresh at No. West in the forenoon, but calm afterwds. and perfectly clear. Rid to my Ferry—Dogue run—& Muddy hole plantations. A Mr. Cawood, Sheriff of Charles County in Maryland, came here in the forenoon with an acct. of Taxes of the Land I hold in that County & in Nangemy Neck. Promised to get Doctr. Craik...
7561[Diary entry: 13 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 13th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 74 at Night. Calm morning, but a brisk Southerly wind all day afterwards and clear. Began to level the ground which had been spaded up in the lawn fronting the House, having turned it up as far as to where the old cross wall of the former Gardens stood. Colo. Willm. Fitzhugh of Maryland & his Son William and Doctor Marshall came...
7562[Diary entry: 14 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 14th. Thermometer at 72 in the Morning—76 at Noon and at Night. Wind still at So. and pretty fresh in the Morning with Clouds and some Appearances of rain in the forenoon but more in the Afternoon as there was distt. thunder and a good deal of Lightning. Colo. Fitzhugh & Son and Doctr. Marshall went away after Breakfast, and Docter Craik came to Dinner, and stayed all Night.
7563[Diary entry: 15 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 15th. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 73 at Night. Brisk Southerly wind all the forenoon, and cloudy—in the Afternoon the wind was more moderate & clear. Doctr. L’Moyer came in before Dinner. Jean Pierre Le Mayeur (Lamayner, L’Moyer), a French dentist who came to New York during the Revolution, went to GW’s headquarters in 1783 to do some work on his teeth (GW to Le...
7564[Diary entry: 16 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 16th. Thermometer at 69 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 75 at Night. Calm and clear in the forenoon—Southerly wind afterwards with clouds and appearances of rain but none fell here. Mr. Hiebert came here to dinner and returned to Alexandria afterwards. Sent my Chariot at the request of Mrs. Stuart with Betcy & Patcy Custis to Mr. Calverts. Nelly & Washington Custis went with them to...
7565[Diary entry: 17 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 17th. Thermometer at 72 in the Morning—71 at Noon and 70 at Night. At or before Sunrising it began to rain moderately—after which it continued by hard Showers with intervals until between One & two in the Afternoon accompanied with sharp lightning and loud thunder. The rain coming on moderately, induced me to Sow the Ground which I had levelled of the Lawn whilst it was raining—but...
7566[Diary entry: 18 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 18th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morng.—67 at Noon and 69 at Night. Clear, and the Wind fresh from No. West all day. Colo. Henley, Mr. Porter, Mr. Hunter and Doctr. & Colo. Ramsay came here, dined and returned in the afternoon. Dr. William Ramsay, Jr., and Col. Dennis Ramsay were the two sons of William and Ann McCarty Ramsay of Alexandria, whose funerals GW attended earlier this year....
7567[Diary entry: 19 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 19th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning 70 at Noon and 70 at Night. Clear, calm, and serene all day. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole. Took my French Hounds with me for the purpose of Airing them & giving them a knowledge of the grounds round about this place. Upon my return, found a Mr. John Defray here—a Dane from Copenhagen, who had been cast away on the...
7568[Diary entry: 20 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 20th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 68 at Night. Wind Easterly. Morning & whole day lowering. About Sunsetting it began to rain slow and moderately & continued to do so through the Night. About Noon, agreeably to an appointment I set off for the Seneca Falls. Dined at Colo. Gilpins and proceeded afterwards with him to Mr. Bryan Fairfaxs where we lodged.
7569[Diary entry: 21 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 21st. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 68 at N. The rain continuing without intermission until 10 or 11 Oclock, and no appearances of fair weather until Noon, we did not leave Mr. Fairfax’s ’till a little after it and then meeting much difficulty in procuring a vessel, did not get to the works at the Seneca fall until the labourers had quit them. We then went to our...
7570[Diary entry: 23 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 23d. After taking an Early breakfast at Mr. Hipkins’s I set out & reached home about 11 Oclock. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 62 at Night. Morning cloudy, and afternoon raining. Wind at No. Et. About One Oclock My Nepw. G. A. Washington & the two Mr. Bassetts arrived. Found the late rains had brought up the Seeds of the pride of China, and several more of the Palmetto.
7571[Diary entry: 24 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 24th. Thermometer at 62 in the morning—62 at Noon and 62 at Night. Wind at No. & No. Et. all day & tempestuous with allmost a constant rain.
7572[Diary entry: 25 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 25th. Thermometer at 64 in the Morng.—66 at Noon and 69 at Night. Clear & serene with the Wind & pretty fresh about Midday. Morning & Evening calm. Doctr. La Moyer & Doctr. Craik came here to Dinner. The latter went away afterwards. The other stayed all Night.
7573[Diary entry: 26 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 26th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 60 at Night. Clear day, and calm Morning but brisk wind afterwards from the No. West. Went up to Alexandria to meet Colonels Gilpin & Fitzgerald on business of the Potomack Compa. Doctr. La Moyer, Mr. B. Bassett and G. A. Washington accompanied me the first of whom remained there. Dined at the New Tavern, kept by Mr. Lyle. Brought...
7574[Diary entry: 27 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 27th. Thermometer at 57 in the Morng. 59 at Noon and 62 at Night. Wind fresh from the No. West with flying Clouds, and Cold. Doctr. Craik who came here last Night, returned this Morning to Maryland.
7575[Diary entry: 28 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 28th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morng. 60 at Noon and 62 at Night. Morning lowering, with appearances of rain but Evening clear, wind still to the No[rth]ward. Doctr. Jenifer and his wife came here to Dinner, and went away after it, to Colo. McCartys. Mr. Tayler having finished the business which brought him here, I sent him up to Alexandria to take a passage in the Stage, for New York.
7576[Diary entry: 29 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 29th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—65 at Noon and 66 at Night. Day clear, and not much wind, especially in the Afternoon. Mr. Sanders, an Undertaker in Alexandria, came down between breakfast & Dinner to advise a proper mode of Shingling—putting Copper in the Gutters between the Pediments & Dormants, and the Roof and to conduct the Water along the Eves to Spouts & promised to be...
7577[Diary entry: 30 September 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 30th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morng. 68 at Noon and 70 at Night. Day clear, wind pretty brisk from the Southward—till the Evening when it veered more to the Eastward. Mr. Hunter, and the right Honble. Fred. von Walden, Captn. in the Swedish Navy—introduced by Mr. Richd. Soderstroin came here to Dinner, and returned to Alexandria afterwards. In the Evening a Mr. Tarte—introduced by...
7578October [1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday first. Thermometer at 66 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 72 at Night. Southerly Wind and clear. Began to raise a Scaffold for Shingling the Front side of my House, next the Court yard. Rid to my River, Muddy hole, and Dogue run Plantations. Doctr. Stuart came in whilst we were at Dinner & stayed all Night. Sunday 2d. Thermometer at 70 in the Morning—76 at Noon and at Night. Weather...
7579[Diary entry: 1 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday first. Thermometer at 66 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 72 at Night. Southerly Wind and clear. Began to raise a Scaffold for Shingling the Front side of my House, next the Court yard. Rid to my River, Muddy hole, and Dogue run Plantations. Doctr. Stuart came in whilst we were at Dinner & stayed all Night.
7580[Diary entry: 2 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 2d. Thermometer at 70 in the Morning—76 at Noon and at Night. Weather warm. Forenoon clear, Afternoon lowering. Went with Fanny Bassett, Burwell Bassett, Doctr. Stuart, G. A. Washington, Mr. Shaw & Nelly Custis to Pohick Church; to hear a Mr. Thompson preach, who returned home with us to Dinner, where I found the Revd. Mr. Jones, formerly a Chaplin in one of the Pensylvania Regiments....