7651[Diary entry: 10 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 10th. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 40 at Night. Little or no wind all day but thick and Mizling as yesterday till Night when it began to rain fast again. Opened a drain into the Shoar that goes from the Cellers, to receive the water from the Gutters, and spout from the House top that it may be carried of under ground. Flooring the Ice House. Preparing with the...
7652[Diary entry: 11 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 11th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morng. 50 at Noon and 58 at Night. A heavy mist all day with little or no wind. At or before dusk it began to rain fast and about 9 at Night it cleared with a puff of Wind from the Southward and the Moon & Stars appeared. Mr. Wilson, Mr. Sanderson and a Mr. Hugh Mitchel dined here and went away in the afternoon. Hugh Mitchell is probably a member of the...
7653[Diary entry: 12 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 12th. Thermometer at in the Morning— at Noon and 58 at Night. Morning cloudy and soft without any wind. In the Evening it began to Mizzle, and after dark to rain fast and continued to do so until I went to bed and how much longer I know not. Majr. Farlie went away before breakfast, with 251 Diplomas which I had signed for the Members of the Cincinnati of the State of New York, at the...
7654[Diary entry: 13 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 13th. Thermometer at in the Morng. 47 at Noon and at Night. Wind Westerly, fresh, & air turning cold. Flying Clouds all day, but clear at Night, and still. Finished killing my Hogs—The Number & weight of which are as follow. No. Wt. River Plantn. 44 6814 Dogue run Do. 28 4003 Muddy hole Do. 30 3638 Ferry—Do. 26 2930
7655[Diary entry: 14 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 14th. Thermometer at 36 in the Morng. at Noon and 42 at Night. Morning and day clear & pleasant—wind at So. East. Ground a little froze in the Morning. Mr. George Washington and his Wife set off to visit her friends in New Kent &ca.—Mr. Bassetts Carriage & Horses having come up for them on Sunday Night last. Rid to the Ferry Plantn. The Mill, and Dogue run Plantation and went & came...
7656[Diary entry: 15 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 15th. Thermometer at 40 in the Morng. 45 at Noon and at Night. Moderate & clear all the fore part of the day with the Wind at So. East, but not fresh. In the Afternoon it began to lower—at Dusk turned very cloudy and in the Night set in to a constant rain. Mr. Shaw went up to Alexandria, after dinner, to a Ball I presume. And in the Evening Joseph Winzor & Willm. Kirchwall 2 of my...
7657[Diary entry: 16 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 16th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 56 at Night. Rainy Morning and an Easterly wind, but not much of it. Drizzling all day and towards Night it began to rain again and threatned a wet Night. Very light wind all day. Before dinner Joseph Hickman, another of my Tenants from Frederick came in, to whom and those that came yesterday and Williams, I passed Leases for the Land...
7658[Diary entry: 17 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 17th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morng. at Noon and at Night. Rainy Morning, wind though not fresh at No. West which afterwards more to the No. & East & continued raining off & on all day. Went to Alexandria to meet the Trustees of the Academy in that place and offered to vest in the hands of the said Trustees, when they are permanently established by Charter, the Sum of One thousand...
7659[Diary entry: 18 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 18th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 52 at Night. Morning perfectly clear & pleasant, with but little wind and continued so through the day. Serene moderate and pleasant.
7660[Diary entry: 19 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 19th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 52 at Night. Calm and pleasant all day, especially in the Morning. Towards evening the wind, though very little of it, came from the Eastward & the weather lowered. Rid to the Mill, and to Dogue run Plantation. Took the Hounds with me, and in the Pincushion found a fox, which the Dogs run very well for an hour—after which, coming to a...
7661[Diary entry: 20 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 20th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morng. 47 at Night and 45 at Noon. Morning tolerably clear; but a red sky at the place of the Suns rising (which is an indication of dirty weather) and the wind (tho not fresh) at No. East. The day continued tolerably clear and pleasant, until the Evening when it began to lower. Dispatched at his own reqt. the Spaniard who had the cha[rge] of my Jack from...
7662[Diary entry: 21 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 21st. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 46 at Night. Lowering all day with but little Wind and that Easterly. Mr. Danl. Dulany (son of Danl.) Mr. Benja. Dulany, Messrs. Saml. & Thos. Hanson, Mr. Philp. Alexander, and a Mr. Mounsher came here to Dinner and Stayed all Night. Finished measuring my Corn at the several Plantations, which stand thus. River Plantation viz....
7663[Diary entry: 22 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
[Thursday 22d.] Went a Fox hunting with the Gentlemen who came here yesterday—together with Ferdinando Washington and Mr. Shaw, after a very early breakfast. Found a Fox just back of Muddy hole Plantation and after a Chase of an hour and a quarter with my Dogs, & eight couple of Doctor Smiths (brought by Mr. Phil. Alexander) we put him into a hollow tree, in which we fastned him, and in the...
7664[Diary entry: 23 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 23d. Thermometer at in the Morng. 44 at Noon and 42 at Night. Morning cloudy, with the Wind at West; which shifting to the No. Et. produced strong, and encreasing appearances of falling weather before the Evening. Went out with the two Mr. Hansons & Mr. Alexander, when they set out on their return after breakfast, with the Dogs; just to try if we could touch on a Fox as we went along...
7665[Diary entry: 24 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 24th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morng. 34 at Night and 36 at Noon. Wind at No. East with rain in the Morning (a good deal of wch. appeared to have fallen in the Night). About 10 Oclock it began to Snow & continued to do so untill about 2 Oclock when it ceased—just covering the ground the Snow being wet.
7666[Diary entry: 25 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 25th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morng. 42 at Noon and 42 at Night. Morning perfectly clear and fine without Wind. About 9 Oclock it sprung up from the Southward and blew fresh with various appearances of weather sometimes much like rain & then clearing. At Night the Wind Shifted to the Westward and before Morning got to No. West blowing hard all the while. Count Castiglioni, Colo. Ball,...
7667[Diary entry: 26 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 26th. Thermometer at 32 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 38 at Night. Clear and cold in the Morning with the wind high at No. West which moderated a little towards Night.
7668[Diary entry: 27 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 27th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morning—44 at Noon and at Night. Clear with the wind very high from the Southward until the Evening when it shifted to the Westward & blew equally hard but did not get to be very cold.
7669[Diary entry: 28 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 28th. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—38 at Noon and at Night. Colo. Ball went away yesterday, after breakfast—tho’ it was unnoticed in the occurrances of the day. Wind exceedingly high from the No. West & clear. A Mr. Israel Jenny of Loudoun County came here in the Afternoon, respecting some Land which he has been endeavouring to obtain under an idea of its being waste, but which...
7670[Diary entry: 29 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 29th. Thermometer at 29 in the Morning— at Noon and 40 at Night. Morning clear with very little wind and that from the South. Pleasand all day until the evening when it began to lower and about eight at Night set in to raining with a strong Southerly wind wch. continued through the Night. Count Castiglioni went away after breakfast, on his tour to the Southward. Mr. Jenny also left...
7671[Diary entry: 30 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 30th. Thermometer at 46 in the [morning]— at Noon and at Night. A good deal of rain fell in the Night which ceased about day break but the Wind from the Southward continued to blow very hard all day with flying Clouds. Went to Dogue run again to compleat my Surveys of the Fields which I did about 2 Oclock and upon my r[e]turn Found Miss Sally Ramsay Miss Kitty Washington—Mr. Porter and...
7672[Diary entry: 31 December 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 31st. Thermometer at in the Morning— at Noon and 37 at Night. A Raw Wind from the Eastwd. blew in the forenoon. Afternoon Calm, but chilly with appearances now & then of a change in the weather. Rid to my Plantations in the Neck Muddy hole, and Ferry. George Steptoe Washington came here to dinner and after it went away the Company that came yesterday. Landed 230 Bushels of Oats today...
7673January 1786 (Washington Papers)
Sunday 1st. Thermometer at 36 in the Morng. at Noon and at Night. Lowering day, with but little Wind, and that Easterly. Lund Washington and Wife dined here & returned in the Afternoon. Mr. Shaw went up to Alexandria and stayed all Night. Monday 2d. Thermometer at 34 in the Morng. 35 at Noon and 35 at Night. Heavy lowering Morning with the wind at East. About 9 Oclock it began to rain and...
7674[Diary entry: 1 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 1st. Thermometer at 36 in the Morng. at Noon and at Night. Lowering day, with but little Wind, and that Easterly. Lund Washington and Wife dined here & returned in the Afternoon. Mr. Shaw went up to Alexandria and stayed all Night.
7675[Diary entry: 2 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Monday 2d. Thermometer at 34 in the Morng. 35 at Noon and 35 at Night. Heavy lowering Morning with the wind at East. About 9 Oclock it began to rain and continued to do so, slowly, all day. Immediately after an early breakfast I went out with the Hounds but returned as soon as it began to rain, without touching upon the drag of a Fox. Mr. Shaw returned from Alexandria this Morning before Breakt.
7676[Diary entry: 3 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 3d. Thermometer at 39 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 42 at Night. Clear and pleasant morning without wind at Sun rising but it soon sprung up from the Southwesterly quarter and veering more to the westward blew hard until the evening when it again turned calm & very pleasant.
7677[Diary entry: 4 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 4th. Thermometer at 35 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 40 at Night. Morning calm and clear with very little wind all day. After breakfast I rid by the places where my Muddy hole & Ferry people were clearing—thence to the Mill and Dogue run Plantations and having the Hounds with me in passing from the latter towards Muddy hole Plantation I found a Fox which after dragging him some...
7678[Diary entry: 5 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 5th. Thermometer at 33 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 32 at Night. Morning clear and cold—ground hard froze—as it was yesterday Morning. Wind at No. West, blowing pretty fresh all day. Went into the Neck. A Daniel McPherson from Loudoun came here with some money from my Loudoun Tenants—sent by the Widow of Lewis Lamart. The Cape Wheat which (on the 30th. of November) was cut, not as I...
7679[Diary entry: 6 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Friday 6th. Thermometer at 30 in the Morng. 28 at Noon and 30 at Night. Wind at No. Et. in the Morning, which was Cloudy, with intervals of Snow through the day and very cold. The wind towards Night getting to the No. Westward blew h[ar]d. My Boat went up with a load of Flour to Alexandria from my Mill for Mr. Hartshorne. A distressing time It is to be feared the people must have had of it &...
7680[Diary entry: 7 January 1786] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 7th. Thermometer at 26 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 32 at Night. Morning clear with the Wind at No. West. Fresh, and Cold, all day. The little Snow which fell yesterday had disappeared except in places where the influence of the Sun could not be felt. The Boat which was sent off yesterday with flour got no further than Johnsons Ferry & there by neglect suffered to get aground. Sent...
7681[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 &...
7682[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...
7683[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....
7684[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...
7685[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.
7686[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.
7687[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.
7688[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.
7689[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....
7690[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...
7691[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...
7692[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...
7693[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.
7694[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...
7695[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.
7696[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.
7697[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.
7698[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...
7699[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.
7700[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...