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....
7581[Diary entry: 3 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 3d. Thermometer at 70 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 66 at Night. Wind at So. West, weather variable until Noon when it became more cloudy & dripping. Towards evening it began to Rain and the Night was wet. The two reverend Gentlemen who dined and lodged here, went away after breakfast.
7582[Diary entry: 4 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 4th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 66 at Night. Wind at So. West, veering more Westerly. Morning wet, and till Noon dripping; Clear afterwards, and wind fresh.
7583[Diary entry: 5 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 5. Thermometer at 60 in the Morng. at Noon and 68 at Night. Brisk wind from the Southward all day. Weather clear. Stripped the Shingles of the South side of the Pediment of the West front of the House, in expectation of Mr. Sanders’s coming to direct the Shingling of it, but he never appeared. Colo. Ramsay introducing a Mr. McComb, & a Mr. Lowry; dined here, & went away afterwards....
7584[Diary entry: 6 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 6th. Thermometer at 65 in the Morning—65 at Noon and 66 at Night. Flying clouds and a Rainbow in the Morning with but little wind; drippings of rain, more or less all day. Mr. Burwell Bassett, and Mr. Shaw set out after Breakfast for Dumfries. The appearances of the day, and the impracticability of giving, on acct. of the clammyness of the Earth, an even face to any more of my lawn,...
7585[Diary entry: 7 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 7th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—64 at Noon and at Night. Wind Southwardly all day and weather clear, warm, & pleasant. Sat to day, as I had done yesterday, for Mr. Houdon to form my Bust. Mrs. Jenifer, wife of Doctr. Walter Jenifer, dined here, and returned afterwards; and Doctr. Craik came here in the afternoon, and stayed all Night. Mr. Shaw and Mr. Bassett returned from...
7586[Diary entry: 8 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 8th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 68 at Night. But little wind—weather clear, and exceedingly pleasant. Sowed the ground which was plowed yesterday, and which might amount to about a quarter of an Acre, with near half a Bushel of the Orchard Grass Seeds; which was neither very clean nor I fear not very good. Also sowed with English Grass Seeds, as much more of the...
7587[Diary entry: 9 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 9th. Thermometer at 64 in the Morng. 70 at Noon and 70 at Night. Morning and Evening lowering. Midday tolerably clear, warm & pleasant. Accompanied by Mr. Houdon and the two Mr. Bassetts, attended the Funeral of Mrs. Manley at the Plantation of Mr. Willm. Triplett, and returned to Dinner. Sarah Harrison Manley (d. 1785), a sister of George Harrison of Fairfax, had been married first to...
7588[Diary entry: 10 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 10th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morng. 70 at Noon and 74 at Night. Thunder about day. Morning threatning but clear & pleasant afterwards. A Mr. Jno. Lowe, on his way to Bishop Seabury for Ordination, called & dined here. Could not give him more than a general certificate, founded on information, respecting his character; having no acquaintance with him, nor any desire to open a...
7589[Diary entry: 11 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 11th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 71 at Night. A Very heavy fog until near 10 Oclock, with very little wind, from the Eastward. From thence till five P. M. it was tolerably clear; when it clouded again, & looked like rain. Sowed more English grass Seed on All the ground that had been levelled, & Smoothed on the Lawn. Began the foundation of the House at the...
7590[Diary entry: 12 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 12th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 62 at Night. The Rain which fell last Night had made the ground so Wet that I could neither level or in any manner work it. I was obliged therefore to employ the labourers thereon in other Jobs. Mr. Livingston (son of Peter Van brugh Livingston of New York) came to Dinner, & stayed all Night. And in the Evening Mr. Madison...
7591[Diary entry: 13 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 13th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 62 at Night. Wind at No. Et. all day, and raining more or less—sometimes hard. Mr. Livingston, notwithstanding the Rain, returned to Alexandria after dinner. A Suspension of all out doors work.
7592[Diary entry: 14 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 14th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—65 at Noon and 66 at Night. Lowering most of the day, but no wind. Mr. Madison went away after Breakfast. My Chariot which went up for, brought down Miss Sally Ramsay & Miss Kitty Washington, to be Bridesmaids tomorrow at the wedding of Miss Bassett. Mr. George Washington, & Mr. Burwell Bassett went to the Clerks Office & thence to Colo. Masons for...
7593[Diary entry: 15 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 15th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morng. 68 at Noon and 68 at Night. A Heavy lowering morning with the wind at South. Clear afternoon and fine Evening. The Reverend Mr. Grayson, and Doctr. Griffith; Lund Washington, his wife, & Miss Stuart came to Dinner—All of whom remained the Evening except L. W. After the Candles were lighted George Auge. Washington and Frances Bassett were married...
7594[Diary entry: 16 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 16th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morng. 68 at Noon and 72 at Night. Morning thick and lowering, with appearances of rain, which vanished about Noon; after which it was clear and very pleasant—wind continuing at South. Mr. Grayson went away very early in the Morning, & Mr. Griffith, Mrs. Lund Washington and Miss Stuart after Dinner.
7595[Diary entry: 17 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 17th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning— at Noon and at Night. Foggy & lowering morning, with but little wind. Clear afterwards, and Wind at No. West & cool. Set out to meet the Directors of the Potomack Navigation at George Town. Where, having all assembled, we proceeded towards the Great Falls, and dispersing for the convenience of obtaining Quarters, Govr. Johnson and I went to Mr....
7596[Diary entry: 18 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 18th. Thermometer at in the Morning— at Noon and at Night. After an early breakfast at Mr. Fairfax’s, Govr. Johnson & I set out for the Falls (accompanied by Mr. Fairfax) where we met the other Directors and Colo. Gilpin in the operation of levelling the ground for the proposed cut or Canal from the place where it is proposed to take the Water out, to the other where it will be let...
7597[Diary entry: 19 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 19th. Thermometer at in the Morng. at Noon and at Night. Wind which had been at No. Wt. yesterday, & clear, had now shifted to the So. Et. and lowered till Night, when it began to rain; which it did more or less through the Night, the wind blowing fresh. Immediately after breakfast I set out for my return home—at which I arrived a little after Noon. And found my Brother Jno., his...
7598[Diary entry: 20 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 20th. Thermometer at 67 in the Morng. 66 at Noon and 65 at Night. Wind fresh at South East and weather threatning, with Showers of rain (some pretty heavy) through the day. George Washington & his wife, Bushrod Washington, his wife Sister & Brother, the two Mr. Bassetts, Mr. Craik and Mr. Shaw, notwithstanding the weather set out for the races at Alexandria, and were disappointed of...
7599[Diary entry: 21 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 21st. Thermometer at 57 in the Morning—55 at Noon and 53 at Night. Flying Clouds and cold, with appearances of Snow; wind being at No. West. My Brother, Mr. Willm. Washington and his wife went up with me to this days races at Alexandria. We dined at Colo. Ramsays & returned in the Evening with the Company who went from here the day before, Except Mr. Wm. Washington, the two Mr. Bassetts...
7600[Diary entry: 22 October 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 22d. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 52 at Night. Wind at No. West and fresh; & Cold with appearances of unsettled weather. Went up again to day, with my Brother, and the rest of the Gentlemen to the Race, & dined at Mr. Herberts. All returned, except Mr. Jno. Bassett, who got hurt on the race field, and Mr. Shaw. Mr. Willm. Scott came here in the Evening, from...