121[Diary entry: 12 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday Mar. 12. Returnd home, Mrs. Carlyle accompanying us, the day being exceeding fine. Wind at South. Found William Lodwick here with one Beef from Frederick. He set of with two but lamd the other and left him at Ricd. Colemans at the Sugar Lands. Lodwick was apparently hired for this job only. In 1756 Richard Coleman (d. 1764) and his son James received a license to run an ordinary on...
122[Diary entry: 13 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday Mar. 13th. Incessant Rain and No. Et. Wind. Mr. Carlyle (who came here from Port Tobo. Court last Night) and Mrs. Carlyle were confind here all day. Mulatto Jack returnd home with the Mares he was sent for, but so poor were they, and so much abusd had they been by my Rascally Overseer Hardwick that they were scarce able to go highlone, much less to assist in the business of the...
123[Diary entry: 14 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday Mar. 14th. No. Et. Wind & rain witht. Intermission till after Noon. The Rain then abated, but clouds continued. Mr. Carlyle & his Wife still remaind here. We talkd a good deal of a Scheme of setting up an Iron Work on Colo. Fairfax’s Land on Shannondoah. Mr. Chapman who was proposd as a partner being a perfect Judge of these matters was to go up and view the Conveniences and determine...
124[Diary entry: 15 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday Mar. 15. Snowd in the Morng. but afterwards clearing. Mr. Carlyle and his Wife returnd home. Wm. Lodwick & the boy (Nat) who came down with him went up for the lame Beef they left upon the Road coming down. The Vast quantity of Rain which had fallen in the last two days had Swelld the Waters so high that dogue Run carried of the Tumbling Dam of my Mill and was near carrying of the...
125[Diary entry: 16 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday Mar. 16th. In the Morning early began Snowing with a Strong No. Et. Wind and continued without the least Intermission, or Remission till dark, & how long after I know not.
126[Diary entry: 17 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday Mar. 17th. The Snow this Morng. was much drifted, & many places of considerable depth. It kept Snowing by Intervals till Noon & appeard unsettled the whole day. Went to my Mill and took a view of the Ruins the Fresh had causd. Determind however to repr. it with all expedition & accordingly set my Carpenters to making Wheel & Handbarrows. Beef from Coleman’s was brought down. Mr. Possey...
127[Diary entry: 18 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday Mar. 18th. Cool in the morning, Wind at No. West, but afterwards Shifting to South grew more moderate and Melted the Snow much. Went to Court partly on my own private Business and partly on Cliftons Affair but the Commissioners not meeting nothing was done in regard to the Latter. Much discourse happend between him and I con⟨cer⟩ning his ungenerous treatment of me. The whole turning to...
128[Diary entry: 19 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday Mar. 19. Cold Southerly Wind & Lowring Weather till towds. Evening when the Clouds dispersing it became more moderate. Peter (my Smith) and I after several efforts to make a plow after a new model—partly of my own contriving—was fiegn to give it out, at least for the present. Snow but little dissolvd. Colo. Fairfax & Mrs. Fx. came here in the Evening.
129[Diary entry: 20 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday Mar. 20th. Cold Northerly Wind. Colo. F[airfa]x and I set out to Alexa. by appointmt. to Settle & adjust (with the other Comrs.) Cliftons & Carrols accts. conformable to a decree of our Genl. Court but not being able to accomplish it then the 28th. was a further day appointed to meet and my house the place resolvd upon. The other commissioners were Rev. Charles Green and John West,...
130[Diary entry: 21 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday Mar. 21st. Colo. Fairfax & Mrs. Fx. returnd home. The Wind being No. Easterly the Morng. and indeed the best half of the day was very Cold and Cloudy. The Wind towards Evening seemd to be getting So[uther]ly. Brought 47 Bushels of Wheat from my Mill.
131[Diary entry: 22 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday March 22d. Cold southerly Wind and Cloudy, with Rain from 10 O’clock till Night. Doctr. Laurie came here. Agreed with George Taylor for 3 Sows and Pigs—at 45/. Taylor is a local small planter who apparently moved to Loudoun County later in 1760.
132[Diary entry: 23 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday Mar. 23d. Southerly Wind and Warm. Miss Fairfax & Miss Dent came here. Hannah Fairfax was a younger sister of George William Fairfax. Miss Dent was possibly Elizabeth Dent (1727–1796) or one of her younger sisters, all daughters of Peter Dent (c.1694–1757), of Whitehaven, on Mattawoman Creek in the Piscataway region of Prince George’s County, Md. ( NEWMAN Harry Wright Newman. The...
133[Diary entry: 24 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday Mar. 24th. Began repairing my Mill Dam—with hands from all my Quarters Carpenters Included. In digging Earth for this purpose great Quantities of Marle or Fullers Earth appeard. In the Evening, in a Bed that had been prepard with a mixture of Dung on Saturday last, I sowed Clo⟨ver,⟩ Lucerne, & Rye Grass Seeds in the Garden, to try their Goodness—doing it in the following Order. At the...
134[Diary entry: 25 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday Mar. 25th. Set one Plow to Work on the Field below the Garden. All hands being employd on the Dam again the Water was Stopd. and the Work in a fair way of receiving a finish by tomorrow Night. The Wind was Southerly—the Day Changeable. Mrs. Possey, & some young woman whose name was unknown to any Body in this family, dind here.
135[Diary entry: 26 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday Mar. 26. One Plow at Work today also. Miss Dent & Miss Fairfax returnd home. My Dam was entirely compleated by Evening. Spent the greatest part of the day in making a new plow of my own Invention. Wind at No. West & very boisterous.
136[Diary entry: 27 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday Mar. 27. Southerly Wind, day warm and very fine. Sat my Plow to work and found She Answerd very well in the Field in the lower Pasture wch. I this day began Plowing with the large Bay Mare & Rankin. Mulatto Jack conting. to Plow the Field below the Garden. Agreed to give Mr. William Triplet £18 to build the two houses in the Front of my House (plastering them also) and running Walls...
137[Diary entry: 28 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday Mar. 28. According to appointment, Colo. F⟨airfa⟩x & Mr. Green met here upon Clifton’s Affair, he being present as was Mr. Thompson Mason (as Council for him). Mr. Digges and Mr. Addison were also here and after examining all the Papers and Accts. on both sides, and stating them in the manner wch. seemd most equitable to Us, the debt due from Mr. Clifton according to that Settlement...
138[Diary entry: 29 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday Mar. 29th. About noon sat one Plow into the Fallow Ground below the Hill, & about an hour before Sunset the other. Fresh and variable Wind chiefly from South. Carried out about Tumbril Load of Dung from the Stable upon the Clover Field.
139[Diary entry: 30 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday Mar. 30th. Little Wind, but moist Weather. A misty Rain continuing at Short Intervals through the day.
140[Diary entry: 31 March 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday Mar. 31st. Strong So[uther]ly Wind in the first part of the day with light Showers but Abt. Noon the Wind got No[rther]ly. Went to Belvoir (according to Appointment on the 28th. past) and drew up and Signd a Report of our Proceedings in Clifton’s affair to be sent with the Accts. to the Genl. Court. Finishd plowing the Fallowd Ground abt. Sun Setting. Mr. Walter Stuart who I met with at...
141[April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday April 1–1760. Crossd plowd the Fallow Field to day wch. contains 3.2.38 wch. shews that 2 Acres a day in Level ground already broke up may easily be accomplishd. Doctor Laurie came here. The Wind at No. West. Weather clear, somewhat Cool and drying. Moon at its first rising remarkably red. Recd. a Letter from Mr. Digges, Inclosing a Packet for Messrs. Nichos. & Withe wch. he desird I...
142[Diary entry: 1 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday April 1–1760. Crossd plowd the Fallow Field to day wch. contains 3.2.38 wch. shews that 2 Acres a day in Level ground already broke up may easily be accomplishd. Doctor Laurie came here. The Wind at No. West. Weather clear, somewhat Cool and drying. Moon at its first rising remarkably red. Recd. a Letter from Mr. Digges, Inclosing a Packet for Messrs. Nichos. & Withe wch. he desird I...
143[Diary entry: 2 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday Apl. 2d. Got the above Ground ready for Sowing tomorrow. Begn. to Cross plow the first plowd Ground in the lower Pasture endeavouring to get it in Order for Sowg. Lucerne Seed In. A Drying Southerly Wind & Warm.
144[Diary entry: 3 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday April 3d. Sowd 17½ Drills of Trefoil Seed in the ground adjoining the Garden, numbering from the side next the Stable (or Work Shop) the residue of them viz. 4 was sowd with Lucerne Seed—both done with design to see how these Seeds answer in that Ground. Sowd my Fallow Field in Oats to day, and harrowed them in viz. 10½ Bushels. Got done about three Oclock. Cook Jack after laying of...
145[Diary entry: 4 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday Apl. 4th. Sowd abt. one Bushl. of Barley in a piece of Ground near the Tobo. House in the 12 Acre Field. Harrowd, & crossd Harrowd the Ground in the sd. Field intended for Lucerne. Apprehending the Herrings were come Hauled the Sein but catchd only a few of them tho a good many of other sorts. Majr. Stewart and Doctr. Johnston came here in the Afternoon and at Night Mr. Richie attended...
146[Diary entry: 5 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday Apl. 5th. Planted out 20 young Pine trees at the head of my Cherry Walk. Recd. my Goods from York. Hauld the Sein again catchd 2 or 3 White Fish more Herring than Yesterday & a great Number of Cats. Richie and Ross went away. Made another Plow the same as my former excepting that it has two Eyes and the other one. So[uther]ly Wind, but not so fresh as that wch. blew Yesterday....
147[Diary entry: 6 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday April 6th. Wind at No. Et. and Cool. About 3 Oclock it began Raining and continued to do so (moderately) for about an hour when it cleard, the Wind shifting So[uther]ly. I just perceivd the Rye grass Seed wch. I sowd in the Garden to try its goodness was beginning to come up pretty thick; the Clovr., Lucerne, & Barley I discoverd above Ground, on the first Instant. Majr. Stewart &...
148[Diary entry: 7 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday April 7th. Raind till 6 Oclock pretty hard and then cleard—Wind So[uther]ly and Cloudy all day. In the Evening Colo. Frog came here, and made me an offer of 2400 Acres of Land wch. he has in Culpeper for £400. This Ld. Lyes (according to his acct.) 46 Miles above The Falls of Rappahannock—is well Water’d Timberd & of a Fertile Soil—no Impr[ove]ments on it. I told him that I woud get...
149[Diary entry: 8 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday April 8th. What time it began Raining in the Night I cant say, but at day break it was pouring very hard, and continued so, till 7 oclock when a Messenger came to inform me that my Mill was in great danger of blowing. I immediately hurried off all hands with Shovels &ca. to her assistance and got there myself just time enough to give her a reprieve for this time by Wheeling dirt into...
150[Diary entry: 9 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday Apl. 9th. Wind at No. Et. Very Cloudy and sometimes Misty. The Heavy Rains that had fallen in this few days past had made the Ground too wet for Plowing; I therefore set about the Fence which Incloses my Clover Field. Doctr. Laurie came here. I may add Drunk. Observd the Trefoil wch. I sowd on the 3d. Inst. to be coming up, but in a Scattg. manner. The Lucerne wch. was sewd at the...
151[Diary entry: 10 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday Apl. 10th. Mrs. Washington was blooded by Doctr. Laurie who stayd all Night. This Morning my Plows began to Work in the Clover Field, but a hard Shower of Rain from No. Et. (where the Wind hung all day) abt. 11 Oclock, stopd them for the Remainder of the day. I therefore Employd the hands in making two or three hauls of the Sein, & found that the Herrings were come. Val Crawford...
152[Diary entry: 11 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday Apl. 11th. Set one Plow to Work again in the Morning the other about 10 Oclock in the Clover Field. Tryd the new Plow brot. Yesterday, found she did good Work and run very true but heavy—rather too much so for two Horses, especially while the Gd. was moist. Abt. 11 Oclock set the People to Hauling the Sein and by Night and in the Night Catchd and dressd Barrels of Herring and 60 White...
153[Diary entry: 12 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday April 12th. Hard No. West the whole day, very clear and Cool. Hauld the Sein but without Success. Some said it was owing to the wind setting of the Shore, which seems in some Measure confirmd by the quantity we catchd Yesterday when the Wind blew on upon it. About 11 Oclock finishd plowing the Clover Field. Abt. 1 Mullatto Jack began harrowing it with the wide Toothd Harrow and got...
154[Diary entry: 13 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday April 13th. Fine clear still Morng. Abt. 10 Oclock the Wind (what little there was before being So.) came Easterly, blew fresh and Clouded. Towards Evening the Atmostphere was quite Overcast and threatned Instant Rain. My Negroes askd the lent of the Sein to day but caught little or no Fish. Note the Wind blew upon the shore to day.
155[Diary entry: 14 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday Apl. 14. Fine warm day, Wind So[uther]ly and clear till the Eveng. when it clouded. No Fish were to be catchd to day neither. Mixd my Composts in a box with ten Apartments in the following manner viz.—in No. 1 is three pecks of the Earth brought from below the Hill out of the 46 Acre Field without any mixture—in No. All mixd with the same quantity & sort of Earth in the most effectual...
156[Diary entry: 15 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday April 15th. Sent Tom and Mike to Alexandria in my Boat for 20 or 25 Bushels of Oats. Went up myself there to Court after calling at Mr. Green’s & leaving Mrs. Washington there. Mr. Darrell not being there the Execution of his Deeds were again put of. Being informd that French, Triplet and others were about buying (in conjunction) a piece of Land of Simon Piarson lying not far from my...
157[Diary entry: 16 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday Apl. 16. My Boat which the Wind and Rain prevented from returning Yesterday came home this Morning the Wind being at North West and Fresh. Mr. Triplet & his Brother came this day to Work. Abt. 10 Oclock they began, and got the Wall between the House and Dairy finishd. Thinking the Ground Rather too wet for Sowing I set my Horses to Carting Rails, and both my Plows were stopd Cook...
158[Diary entry: 17 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday April 17th. By 3 Oclock in the afternoon Mr. Triplet finishd the Wall between the Dairy and Kitchen. The Rain from that time prevented his Working. Sowed my Clover Field with Oats, 24 Bushels. The upper part next the Peach Orchard was Harrowed in during the Rain but before it began to Clog much. Also sowd 18 Rows of Lucerne in the 12 Acre Field below the Hill. The first 4 Rows were...
159[Diary entry: 18 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday April 18th. Righted up all my Fencing. Planted other Pine Trees in the Fencd place at the Cornr. of the Garden the first being broke, and much hurt by Creatures. Began Sowing my Clovr. and got 4 Acres sowd 14 lb. to the Acre. Harrowd it in with the fine toothd Harrow as light as I coud. Tryd my Roller wch. find much too light. Sowd 69 Rows more of Lucerne which makes 87 in all. Got my...
160[Diary entry: 19 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday Apl. 19th. Crossd at Mr. Possey’s Ferry and began my journey to Williamsburg about 9 Oclock. Abt. 11 I broke my Chair and had to Walk to Port Tobo. where I was detaind the whole day getting my Chair mended—no Smith being with 6 Miles. Lodgd at Doctr. Halkerston’s. John Posey’s ferry crossed the Potomac River from the lower point of the Mount Vernon neck to Marshall Hall in Charles...
161[Diary entry: 20 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday Apl. 20th. Set out early, and crossd at Cedar point by 10; the day being very calm & fine, Dind and lodgd at my Brother’s. The Evening Cloudy with Rain. Wind tho little at So. West. The lower of the two Cedar Points in Maryland was about a 13–mile ride south from Port Tobacco. GW most likely used Hooe’s ferry, although several ferries crossed the Potomac from Cedar Point in 1760. His...
162[Diary entry: 21 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday Apl. 21st. Crossd at Southern’s and Tods Bridge and lodgd at Major Gaines’s. After leaving his brother’s home GW rode about three miles below Leedstown to Southern’s (earlier Southings) ferry on the Rappahannock River, whose owner lived on the far side of the river in Essex County. In 1755 the ferryboat was manned by two Negroes ( HENING William Waller Hening, ed. The Statutes at Large;...
163[Diary entry: 22 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday April 22d. Crossd Pamunky at Williams’s Ferry, and visited all the Plantations in New Kent. Found the Overseers much behind hand in their Business. Went to Mrs. Dandridges and lodgd. From Major Gaines’s, GW rode south through King William County to cross the Pamunkey River into New Kent County at Williams’s ferry. The crossing brought him very near the Custis plantations in the...
164[Diary entry: 23 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday Apl. 23d. Went to Colo. Bassetts and remaind there the whole day. Burwell Bassett’s home, Eltham in New Kent County, was less than a mile up the Pamunkey River from West Point, where the Pamunkey joins the Mattaponi to form the York River.
165[Diary entry: 24 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Thursday April 24th. Visited my Quarters at Claibornes and found their business in tolerable forwardness. Also went to my other Quarter at where their was an insufficient quantity of Ground prepard—but all that coud be had—it was sd. Dind at Mr. Bassetts and went in the Evening to Williamsburg. claibornes : This Custis plantation lay in King William County on the neck of land the Pamunkey...
166[Diary entry: 25 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Friday Apl. 25th. Waited upon the Govr. The governor of Virginia was an appointee of the king. Since, in the British imperial practice, the governorship was considered to be a source of revenue as well as an administrative responsibility, the governor often obtained the royal appointment of a lieutenant governor, who would live in Virginia as the colony’s chief executive officer, and with whom...
167[Diary entry: 26 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Saturday Apl. 26th. Visited all the Estates and my own Quarters about Williamsburg. Found these also in pretty good forwardness. Receivd Letters from Winchester informing me that the Small Pox had got among my Quarter’s in Frederick; determind therefore to leave Town as soon as possible and proceed up to them. estates: John Parke Custis’s plantations in York County. He had also inherited the...
168[Diary entry: 27 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Sunday Apl. 27th. Went to Church. In the Afternoon some Rain, & a great deal of severe Lightning but not much Thunder. church: probably Bruton Parish Church on Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg.
169[Diary entry: 28 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Monday Apl. 28th. Let my House in Town to Colo. Moore, for Colo. Dandridge, who is to come into it in the Fall, and pay me 45 £ pr. Ann. In the meanwhile I am to paint it. In the Afternoon after collecting what Money I coud I left Town and reachd Colo. Bassetts. This day agreed with Mr. Jno. Driver of Nansemond for 25,000 shingles to be deliverd in October. They are to be 18 inch shingles and...
170[Diary entry: 29 April 1760] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday Apl. 29th. Reachd Port Royal by Sunset. GW crossed the Pamunkey River at Thomas Dansie’s ferry and dined at Todd’s ordinary on his way to Port Royal ( General Ledger A General Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers. , folio 89).