7451[Diary entry: 30 May 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 30th. Mercury at 62 in the Morning— at Noon and 69 at Night. But little Wind, and that Southwardly—warm—& pretty clear. The Gentlemen who came here to Dinner yesterday went away after Breakfast. I went to Alexandria to meet the Directors of the Potomack Co. Dined at Colo. Fitzgerald and returned in the Evening—after the Directors had agreed to meet at Mount Vernon tomorrow at 10 Oclock....
7452[Diary entry: 31 May 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 31st. Mercury at 66 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 66 at Night. Govrs. Lee & Johnson, Colo. Fitzgerald & Colo. Gilpin came here according to appointment. Fanny Bassett returned. Raining more or less all day—in the Evening & Night much fell. The directors of the Potowmack Company agreed at this meeting to divide the clearing of the Potomac into two areas of responsibility, one above and...
7453June 1785 (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 1st. Mercury at 64 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 72 at Night. But little Wind and that from the Southward—day clear, warm & growing. Govrs. Johnson & Lee, and the other Gentlemen with a Son of the first went away after Breakfast. In the Afternoon Mr. Mathew Whiting, Mr. Wm. Booth, & a Doctr. Graham [came] here & stayed all Night. Gov. Thomas Johnson had three sons: Thomas Jennings,...
7454[Diary entry: 1 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 1st. Mercury at 64 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 72 at Night. But little Wind and that from the Southward—day clear, warm & growing. Govrs. Johnson & Lee, and the other Gentlemen with a Son of the first went away after Breakfast. In the Afternoon Mr. Mathew Whiting, Mr. Wm. Booth, & a Doctr. Graham [came] here & stayed all Night. Gov. Thomas Johnson had three sons: Thomas Jennings,...
7455[Diary entry: 2 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 2d. Mercury at 69 in the Morning—73 at Noon and 77 at Night. Wind, what there was of it, came from the Westward. Day very warm, & the forepart of it clear—the latter part cloudy with appearances of Rain but none fell.
7456[Diary entry: 3 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 3d. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—75 at Noon and 78 at Night. Rid to my Plantations at the Ferry—Dogue Run and Muddy hole Mr. Whiting, Mr. Booth, and Doctr. Graham having first set out for Maryland, immediately after breakfast. Very little Wind in the forenoon but Warm when the Sun was out. Afternoon Raining, with the Wind pretty violent from the So. West.
7457[Diary entry: 4 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 4th. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—80 at Night [Noon] and 80 at Night. Not much Wind, and that Southerly—very warm. In the afternoon a thunder Gust above & below this but little rain fell here. In the Afternoon the celebrated Mrs. Macauly Graham & Mr. Graham her Husband, Colo. Fitzgerald & Mr. Lux of Baltimore arrived here. Catherine Sawbridge Macaulay Graham (1731–1791), a prominent...
7458[Diary entry: 5 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 5th. Mercury at 72 in the Morng.—80 at Noon and 80 at Night. Opened the Well in my Cellar in which I had laid up a store of Ice, but there was not the smallest particle remaining. I then opened the other repository (called the dry Well) in which I found a large Store. Colo. Fitzgerald went away after Breakfast. My Nephew Geo. Auge. Washington returned in the afternoon. Wind Southwardly,...
7459[Diary entry: 6 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 6th. Mercury at 76 in the Morning—79 at Noon and 78 at Night. Wind at East all day but not very fresh—Clouds & Sunshine alternately. Mr. Herbert (Willm.) came here to dinner & returned after it. Mr. Lux rid to Alexandria after Breakfast.
7460[Diary entry: 7 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 7th. Mercury at 70 in the Morng. 68 at Noon and 67 at Night. Wind at East and Cloudy all day, with fine Rain at times. Mr. Dulany, Mr. Saml. Hanson, and Mr. Roberdeau (Son to Genl. Roberdeau) as also Doctr. Stuart came here to Dinner. The three first went away after it—the latter stayed all Night. Mr. Lux returned in the evening. Mr. Roberdeau is Isaac Roberdeau (1763–1829), oldest...
7461[Diary entry: 8 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 8th. Mercury at 65 in the Morning—65 at Noon and at Night. A great deal of rain fell last Night and much fine rain this day. Wind at East all day and at times pretty fresh. Placed my Military records in to the Hands of Mrs. Macauly Graham for her perusal & amusemt. (these indeed were placed there yesterday). Doctr. Stuart returned home after Breakfast. military records : In 1783 GW...
7462[Diary entry: 9 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 9th. Mercury at 62 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 65 at Night. Tolerably clear in the Morning, but more or less cloudy all day afterwards. Not much Wind and that Southwesterly. Captn. Brooke dined here. I rid to my Mill and to the Dogue run & Muddy hole plantations. captn. brooke : probably Walter Brooke (d. 1798), a son of Thomas Brooke (1706–1748) and Sarah Mason Brooke of Charles...
7463[Diary entry: 10 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 10th. Mercury at 67 in the Morning—71 at Noon and at Night. But little wind in the forenoon. In the afternoon it was at Et. with a pretty heavy shower of rain about 5 Oclock. In the Afternoon Mr. Whiting Doctr. Graham and a Mr. Wyat came here. In the Morning Mr. Lux set out on his return home. mr. wyat : perhaps Dr. William E. Wyatt (1762–1802) of Prince William County, who was married...
7464[Diary entry: 11 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 11th. Mercury at 71 in the Morning—75 at Noon and at Night. After Breakfast Mr. Whiting, Doctr. Graham, & Mr. Wyatt went away and my Brother Charles Washington, Colo. Robt. H. Harrison of Maryland & Mr. Ballendine & his Sister Fanny came to Dinner. In the Evening Colo. Jno. Mercer his wife & Miss Sprig came—All of whom stayed the Night. Showers around us, but none fell here. The...
7465[Diary entry: 12 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 12th. Mercury at 76 in the Morning—76 at Noon and at Night. Very little Wind in the forenoon, in the Afternoon there was more, & variable with Clouds & thunder but no rain. Captn. Conway and his Wife, Colo. Hooe & De Neufville, Colo. Henley Mr. Sanderson & Mr. George Digges dined here—all of whom went away [after] dinner except Mr. Digges. Whilst we were at dinner, a Mr. Aldge & a Mr....
7466[Diary entry: 13 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 13th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 80 at Night. But little wind in the Morning. At times afterwards it blew pretty fresh from the Westward, but was nevertheless very Warm. Colo. Mercer, Lady & Sister went away after breakfast. My Brother, Mr. John Lewis and G. A. Washington dined at Mr. Lund Washingtons & returned in the Evening. Sowed the following Nuts, & Seeds, in the...
7467[Diary entry: 14 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 14. Mercury at 78 in the Morning—80 at Noon And 80 at Night. Calm in the Morning and very little wind at any time in the day. In the Morning there was rumbling thunder at a distance and Clouds indicative of rain as there also was in the Afternoon but none of it reached us. About 7 Oclock Mr. Graham & Mrs. Macauly Graham left this on their return to New York. I accompanied them to Mr....
7468[Diary entry: 15 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 15th. Mercury at 78 in the Morning—80 at Noon and 84 at Night. Mr. John Lewis after a stay of almost 8 Weeks took his departure, very well recovered. My brother Charles also left this on his return home. Rid to my Plantations at Muddy hole, Ferry, and Dogue run. Also to the Mill. Mr. Bushrod Washington came here before dinner.
7469[Diary entry: 16 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 16th. Mercury at 80 in the Morning—84 at Noon And 86 at Night. Light wind from the Southward all day. Weather very warm. Some appearances of rain in the afternoon, but none fell here.
7470[Diary entry: 17 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 17th. Mercury at 80 in the Morning—84 at Noon and 83 at Night. Between 4 & 5 Oclock it was at 85. Westerly Wind in the forenoon & So. Wt. afterwards with rumbling thunder at a distance & some appearances of rain—but none fell near this. Cut down the Weeds in the ground which had been sowed with Clover & Orchard Grass Seeds in the Inclosure adjoining H[ome] H[ouse]—as also those in the...
7471[Diary entry: 18 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 18th. Mercury at 80 in the Morning—81 at Noon and 82 at Night. Wind Westwardly in the forenoon, & Southwardly afterwards. In the Afternoon my Brother John came hither from Alexandria, having gone to that place by Water.
7472[Diary entry: 19 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 19th. Mercury at 78 in the Morning—80 at Noon And 82 at Night. Very little wind all day, & none in the Afternoon. Mr. Montgomery came here to dinner & went away afterwards.
7473[Diary entry: 20 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 20th. Mercury at 79 in the Morning—84 at Noon and 86 at Night. Clear with very little wind, Sultry in the Afternoon. My Brother John went up to Alexandria after an early Breakfast. Began to pull the seeds of the Blew, or English grass, and cut the top from the Walnut tree wch. I transplanted in the Spring, as it seemed to be declining; the leaves which had put out falling off by...
7474[Diary entry: 21 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 21st. Mercury at 82 in the Morning—86 at Noon And 88 at Night. Little or no Wind but extremely Sultry. Mr. Ballendine came here abt. 5 Oclock in the Afternoon and my Brother returned from Alexandria abt. 8 Oclock.
7475[Diary entry: 22 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 22d. Mercury at 82 in the Morning—84 at Noon and 80 at Night. Calm, and very warm in the forenoon. About one Oclock it began to cloud, and to thunder. Soon after which the clouds parted, and powerful rains went above, and below us. Very little more than laid the dust fell here, but we had a pretty high Wind from the Westward. After Breakfast Mr. & Miss Ballendine and Mr. Bushrod...
7476[Diary entry: 23 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 23d. Mercury at 78 in the Morning—80 at Noon and 78 at Night. Morning lowering with appearances of rain. About 10 Oclock the clouds dispersed and it turned very warm. A little after noon a cloud arose in the So. West quarter and thundered and about 3 Oclock we had a fine shower wch. gave sufficient refreshment to vegetation. Very little Wind in the forenoon—Eastwardly afterwards. A...
7477[Diary entry: 24 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 24th. Mercury at 77 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 72 at Night. A good deal of rain fell at and before day break—continued cloudy all day with the Wind at East. Finished cutting all the grass within the inclosures on both Sides the House.
7478[Diary entry: 25 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 25th. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 77 at Night. Clear and but little wind during the whole day. Making, with the jobbers about the House, the Hay which had been cut the preceeding days—got it into Shocks. My Nephew, George Steptoe Washington came here in the Afternoon.
7479[Diary entry: 26 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 26th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 77 at Night. Southerly wind and clear. Major Edwards and a Mr. Philips came here before Dinner. Mr. Charles Lee also came to Dinner. The whole stayed all Night. Evan Edwards of Pennsylvania served throughout the Revolution in various Pennsylvania regiments. In 1777 he acted as aide-de-camp to Maj. Gen. Charles Lee. After the Revolution,...
7480[Diary entry: 27 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 27th. Mercury at 77 in the Morning—79 at Noon and 77 at Night. A little rain in the Morning—with Clouds and appearances of it in the Afternoon, but none fell here. In the Morning there was but little wind. The Clouds which appeared in the Afternoon produced a good deal of wind from the West & No. West wch. changed the Air & made it much Cooler. Mr. Lee went away before Breakfast.
7481[Diary entry: 28 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 28th. Mercury at 69 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 72 at Night. Clear & pleasant, wind what their was of it, westerly. Finished my Hay at and about the House & got it into large Cocks or small stacks on the grd. where cut. Doctr. Stuart, Mr. Booth and a Mr. Hawkins came here to dinner, the first of whom went away after it. In the Afternoon my Brother Charles came. Col. Josias Hawkins...
7482[Diary entry: 29 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 29th. Mercury at 69 in the Morning—74 at Noon And 76 at Night. Clear & pleasant all day except being warm. Wind Westerly. Messrs. Philips and Edwards, and Mr. Booth & Mr. Hawkins left this after Breakfast. Colo. Bassett his two Sons, Fanny Bassett, and Nelly & Washington Custis, followed soon after for Abingdon. Mr. George Lee & Doctr. Craik came here to breakfast and after Dinner...
7483[Diary entry: 30 June 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 30th. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—76 at Noon and at Night. Clear & warm, with little Wind at any time of the day. My Brother Charles left this after breakfast and G. Auge. Washington went up to Abingdon. Rid to my Hay field at the Meadow—from thence to my Dogue run and Muddy hole Plantations and dined with only Mrs. Washington which I believe is the first instance of it since my...
7484[July 1785] (Washington Papers)
July 1st. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 80 at Night. Clear with but little Wind and warm. Went to Alexandria to a meeting of the Board of Directors, who by Advertisement were to attend this day for the purpose of agreeing with a Manager and two Assistants to conduct the Undertaking of the Potomack Navigation—but no person applying with proper Credentials the Board gave the...
7485[Diary entry: 1 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
July 1st. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 80 at Night. Clear with but little Wind and warm. Went to Alexandria to a meeting of the Board of Directors, who by Advertisement were to attend this day for the purpose of agreeing with a Manager and two Assistants to conduct the Undertaking of the Potomack Navigation—but no person applying with proper Credentials the Board gave the...
7486[Diary entry: 2 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 2d. Mercury at 76 in the Morning—80 at Noon and 84 at Night. A little wind from the Westward in the forepart of the day & from the Southward in the Afternoon. Doctr. Stuart, Wife & Sister, and Patcy & Nelly Custis came here to Dinner—As did Mr. McCrae & a Mr. Shaw whom Mr. Montgomerie recommended to me as a Clerk or Secretary. All of these stayed the Night. Robert McCrea...
7487[Diary entry: 3 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 3d. Mercury at 79 in the Morning—80 at Noon and at Night. A little wind from the Westward till towards Noon; then Calm until near 5 Oclock when there was a squall from the No. Wt. with appearances of rain but little or none fell here. Mr. McCrae and Mr. Shaw left this after Breakfast, & Doctr. Stewart, his wife, Sister & Betcy & Patcy Custis after dinner. In the Evening Mrs. and Miss...
7488[Diary entry: 4 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 4th. Mercury at 76 in the Morng.—80 at Noon and 82 at Night. Tolerably pleasant in the forenoon, the Wind being No[rth]wardly, but warm afterwards. Rid to my Ferry—Dogue run & Neck Plantations—at all of which my Wheat Harvests had begun. That in the Neck had commenced on thursday last.
7489[Diary entry: 5 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 5th. Mercury at 79 in the Morning—84 at Noon and 82 at Night. Very warm in the forepart of the day altho the wind was Northerly. About One Oclock a cloud arose in the So. W.; and an hour or two after, we had a fine Shower of rain for about 10 or 15 minutes, preceeded by a squall of wind from the same quarter, wch. cooled the Air & made the Afternoon pleasant. After dinner Mr. Govournr....
7490[Diary entry: 6 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 6th. Mercury at 80 in the Morning 84 at Noon and 84 at Night. Clear and warm, with but little Wind & that variable. Mrs. Blackburn and her daughter went away before breakfast. General Lincoln & his Son; Mr. Porter, & a Doctr. Milne came to Dinner & returned afterwards. Received from Genl. Lincoln 3 young trees of the Spruce Pine and two of the Fir or Hemlock in half Barrels which...
7491[Diary entry: 7 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 7th. Mercury at 78 in the Morng.—82 at Noon and 86 at Night. Very little Wind at any time in the day, & that from the So. West. In the afternoon there were Clouds and appearances of Rain but very little fell here. Rid to my Harvest fields at the Ferry—Dogue run and the Neck between Breakfast & Dinner. Mr. Govournr. Morris went away before Breakfast as did Mr. Craik. Colo. Bassett &...
7492[Diary entry: 8 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 8th. Mercury at 81 in the Morning—82 at Noon and 85 at Night. Exceedingly warm with little or no Wind day clear. Colo. Bassett & Mr. Arthr. Lee went away after Breakfast & Mr. Turner before it. Mr. Burwell and Mr. John Bassett dined at Mr. Lund Washington’s & returned in the Evening. Perceived the Guinea grass Seed to be coming up. Sowed one half the Chinese Seed given me by Mr. Porter...
7493[Diary entry: 9 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 9th. Mercury at 80 in the Morng.—82 at Noon and 82 at Night. Morning very warm, with but little Wind, which coming from the Eastward in the Evening & blowing brisk cooled the Air and made it pleasant. Burwell & John Bassett and G. A. Washington set out after Breakfast for the Sweet Springs in Bottetourt County. I rid to my Harvest fields at the Ferry and at Dogue run and over my...
7494[Diary entry: 10 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 10th. Mercury at 76 in the Morng.—78 at Noon and 78 at Night. Morning calm—but the Wind fresh afterwards from the Eastward. Cool and pleasant. At home all day alone.
7495[Diary entry: 11 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 11th. Mercury at 75 in the Morning 80 at Noon and 79 at Night. Wind at So. West in the Morning, fresh & Cloudy. About Noon it began to thunder, & at 3 Oclock to Rain; and continued Showery at Intervals till near sun down—one of which was very hard, accompanied by heavy wind from the No. West or more Northerly. Rid to my Harvest fields in the Neck, Dogue Run, & Ferry Plann. Perceived the...
7496[Diary entry: 12 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 12th. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 76 at Night. Wind pretty fresh from the Westward, or No. West in the Morning, & cool & pleasant with clouds—but clear warm & still afterwards. Rid to my Wheat fields in the Neck, Dogue run and ferry Plantations. Found great damage done in the former by yesterdays Wind, and Rain, having beat down, and entangled the Straw so as to render...
7497[Diary entry: 13 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 13th. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 78 at Night. Morning calm & clear. Afternoon clear with the Wind from the Southward but not very fresh. Transplanted the Spruce & Fir (or Hemlock) from the Boxes in which they were sent to me by General Lincoln to the Walks by the Garden Gates. The Spare one (Spruce) I placed in my Nursery, or Botanical Garden.
7498[Diary entry: 14 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 14th. Mercury at 72 in the Morng.—77 at Noon and 79 at Night. Day clear—with a little Wind from the Southward. Went through my Harvest field at Muddy hole to Alexandria, to a Meeting of the Directors of the Potomack Company. Agreed with Mr. James Rumsey to undertake the Management of our works and a Mr. Stuart from Baltimore as an Assistant. Gave them directions—passed some...
7499[Diary entry: 15 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 15th. Mercury at 74 in the Morng.—78 at Noon and 76 at Night. Lowering Morning with the Wind at So. West, and pretty fresh. A black cloud, with high wind, and a little rain about 3 Oclock. Observed the Seeds of the Palmetto Royal which I had sowed on each side of the Gate in Front of the House were coming up. Mr. Fairfax and his Son Ferdinando left this after breakfast.
7500[Diary entry: 16 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 16th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 80 at Night. Day clear & warm, with but little Wind and that Southerly. Rid to my Wheat fields at Muddy hole and in the Neck; the first would be finished harvesting this day, the next not till Monday. Finished cutting the Wheat at Dogue run on Tuesday, and at the ferry on Wednesday last.