7501[Diary entry: 17 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 17th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 76 at Night. Clear forenoon with the Wind pretty brisk from the Southwest—which continued all day with appearances of rain in the Afternoon but little or none fell here. Fanny Bassett and Nelly Custis went to Church at Alexandria. Dined at Mr. Ramsays & returned in the Evening. Mr. Ridout and Son called here between breakfast and Dinner...
7502[Diary entry: 18 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 18th. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 74 at Night. Wind Westerly in the Morning with Clouds, and appearances of rain. In the Afternoon it got to the Southwest & cleared. Finished my Wheat Harvest in the Neck and began to cut Grass at Morris’s.
7503[Diary entry: 19 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 19th. Thermomiter at 70 in the Morng.—74 at Noon and 76 at Night. Very little Wind through the day, and in general clear. Rid to the Plantation in the Neck—to Muddy hole, and to Dogue run at the last of which they were cutting grass and at the first just begin[nin]g.
7504[Diary entry: 20 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 20th. Thermomiter at 72 in the Morng.—75 at Noon and 76 at Night. Wind Easterly and moderate in the Morning, but by 10 Oclock it shifted to the So. West and blew up two Showers of Rain each of which continued about 10 Minutes. In the Afternoon there were other slight Showers but altogether made but little. Fresh Southwester all the Afternoon. Rid to the Ferry & the Plantation there.
7505[Diary entry: 21 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 21st. Thermometer at 76 in the Morng.—79 at Noon and 80 at Night. Cloudy morning, but clear Afternoon with a brisk Southerly Wind all day and warm. Mr. Thompson, a Presbaterian Minister (introduced by Mr. Robt. Adam) came here, dined and Stayed all Night.
7506[Diary entry: 22 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 22d. Thermometer at 80 in the Morning—84 at Noon and 82 at night. Southerly Wind and very warm all day with Clouds and appearances of Rain but a few drops only fell here. Rid to the Ferry—Dogue run and Muddy hole Plantations. Mr. Lund Washington & his Wife dined here. And Mr. Thompson went away after Breakfast. The leaves of the locust Trees this year, as the last, began to fade, & many...
7507[Diary entry: 23 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 23d. Mercury at 79 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 80 at Night. Wind Westwardly in the forenoon, but quite calm afterwards; afternoon cool. Rid to Muddy hole and River Plantations. Finished my Hay Harvest in the Neck. Perceived a few Plants of the Pride of China (the Seed of which were Sowed on the 13th. of June) to be coming up. And also the Jien pien Cou fa—between the 8 & 9 pegs and...
7508[Diary entry: 24 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 24th. Thermometer at 72 in the Morng.—74 at Noon and 72 at Night. Wind Westerly all the forenoon; calm afterwards & cool.
7509[Diary entry: 25 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 25th. Thermometer at 72 in the Morning—76 at Night [noon] and 76 at Night. Rid to my Plantations at the Ferry—Dogue run and in the Neck. Southerly Wind, and warm in the Afternoon.
7510[Diary entry: 26 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 26th. Thermometer at 75 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 74 at Night. Lowering day, with little drippings of Rain (not enough to lay the dust) through the day. Wind pretty brisk from the Southward. With Mrs. Washington, Miss Bassett and the two Children I dined at Mr. Lund Washington’s. On my return, found Mr. Will Shaw (whom I had engaged to live with me as a Book keeper, Secretary,...
7511[Diary entry: 27 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 27th. Thermometer at 74 in the Morng.—80 at Noon and 80 at Night. Morning a little lowering—forenoon perfectly calm & the wind at South afterwards. A Cloud rising about 5 Oclock afforded a pretty Shower for about 10 or 15 Minutes. Finished cutting my Meadows at Dogue run but the Rain prevented my getting it secured either in Cocks or otherwise. Also cut my Field Pea’s the Seed of...
7512[Diary entry: 28 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 28th. Thermometer at 77 in the Morng.—81 at Noon and 84 at Night. Southerly wind in the forenoon. Calm afterwards until about 5 Oclock & very warm—Southerly from thence through the Night. Finished my Harvest at Dogue run, which compleated the business of Haymaking for this year.
7513[Diary entry: 29 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 29th. Thermometer at 78 in the Morng.—80 at Noon and 78 at Night. A Squall of Wind and a little fine Rain came on about 6 oclock in the Morning; both of which were soon over: but the former continued pretty fresh from No. West until the Evening, when it became Calm. Cut the Weeds, wild grass &ca. which had intermixed with the Clover that I sowed at the home house and at Muddy hole—this...
7514[Diary entry: 30 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 30th. Thermometer at 70 in the Morng.—72 at Noon and 75 at Night. Clear with but little Wind at any time of the day. Put shades over the Spruce & Hemlock pines, brought me by Genl. Lincoln, which seemed to be declining fast. Mr. Shaw went this Afternoon to Dumfries.
7515[Diary entry: 31 July 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 31st. Thermometer at 70 in the Morng.—78 at Noon and 78 at Night. Calm & clear all day.
7516August 1785 (Washington Papers)
Monday 1st. Mercury at 74 in the Morning— at Noon and 78 at Night. But little wind, weather clear & day very warm. Left home at 6 Oclock P. M. and after escorting Fanny Bassett to Alexandria I proceeded to Doctr. Stuarts where I breakfasted; and from thence went to George Town to the Annual Meeting of the Potomack Company appointed to be held at that place. About Noon, a sufficient number of...
7517[Diary entry: 1 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 1st. Mercury at 74 in the Morning— at Noon and 78 at Night. But little wind, weather clear & day very warm. Left home at 6 Oclock P. M. and after escorting Fanny Bassett to Alexandria I proceeded to Doctr. Stuarts where I breakfasted; and from thence went to George Town to the Annual Meeting of the Potomack Company appointed to be held at that place. About Noon, a sufficient number of...
7518[Diary entry: 2 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 2d. Thermometer at 76 in the Morng.—78 at Noon and at Night. Weather clear and Warm with but little wind. Left George Town about 10 Oclock, in Company with all the Directors except Govr. Lee who went to Mellwood to visit Mr. Igns. Digges (his father in Law) who lay at the point of death and being accompanied by Colo. James Johnson (Brother to Govr. Johnson) and Messrs. Beall, Johns &...
7519[Diary entry: 3 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 3d. Wind at No. West & tolerably pleasant with appearances of Rain, without any falling. Having provided Canoes and being joined by Mr. Rumsay the principal Manager, & Mr. Stewart an Assistant to him, in carrying on the Works, we proceeded to examine the falls; and beginning at the head of them went through the whole by water, and continued from the foot of them to the Great fall....
7520[Diary entry: 4 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 4th. In order to be more certain of the advantages and disadvantages of the Navigation proposed by Mr. Ballendine, through the Gut; we took a more particular view of it—walking down one side & returning on the other and were more fully convinced of the impropriety of its adoption first because it would be more expensive in the first instance and secondly because it would be subject to...
7521[Diary entry: 5 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 5th. Thermometer at 74 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 76 at Night. After Breakfast, and after directing Mr. Rumsey when he had marked the way and set the labourers to Work to meet us at Harpers ferry on the Evening of the Morrow at Harpers Ferry (at the conflux of the Shannondoah with the Potomack) myself and the Directors set out for the same place by way of Frederick Town (Maryland)....
7522[Diary entry: 6 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 6th. Thermometer 76 in the Morning—88 at Noon and 82 at Night. Breakfasted in Frederick Town, at Govr. Johnsons, and dined at Harpers ferry. Took a view of the River, from the Banks, as we road up the bottom from Pains falls to the ferry, as well as it could be done on Horse back. Sent a Canoe in a Waggon from the Ferry to Keeptriest Furnace in ordr. to descend the Falls therin...
7523[Diary entry: 7 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 7th. Thermometer at 76 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 76 at Night. About Sunrising, the Directors & myself rid up to Keeptrieste, where Canoes were provided, in which we crossed to the Maryland side of the river and examined a Gut, or swash through which it is supposed the Navigation must be conducted. This Swash is shallow at the entrance, but having sufficient fall, may easily (by...
7524[Diary entry: 8 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Monday 8th. Thermometer at 68 this Morning—70 at Noon and 70 at Night. This being the day appointed for labourers to engage in the work we waited to see the issue until Evening, when Mr. Johnson & his Brother Colo. Johnson took leave of us. Many Gentlemen of the Neighbourhood visited us here today—among whom Mr. Wormeley Senr., my Brother Charles—Colo. Morgan, Captn. Shepherd and Colo....
7525[Diary entry: 9 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 9th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 74 at Night. Having provided a light & convenient Boat—hired two hands to work her and laid in some Stores, Colonels Fitzgerald & Gilpin, and myself embarked in it, leaving Mr. Rumsey to engage more hds. & to set those he had to work about 6 Oclock P.M. In this Boat we passed through the Spout, and all the other Falls and rapids, and...
7526[Diary entry: 10 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 10th. Thermometer at 72 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 80 at Night. Before Sun rise we embarked and about Nine Oclock arrived at the head of the Seneca Falls and breakfasted with our old Landlord Mr. Goldsborough to which place our horses had proceeded the Over Night from Captn. Smiths. The Nature of the river, from the foot of Pains falls to which a description has already been...
7527[Diary entry: 11 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 11th. Thermometer 77 in the Morning—84 at Noon and 84 at Night. The Drought, the effects of which were visible when I left home, had, by this (no rain having fallen in my absence) greatly affected vegetation. The grass was quite burnt & crisp under foot—Gardens parched and the young Trees in my Shrubberies, notwithstanding they had been watered (as it is said) according to my...
7528[Diary entry: 12 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Friday 12th. Thermometer at 76 in the Morning—82 at Noon and 83 at Night. Very little wind, but some appearances of rain in the West but none fell. Mrs. Fendall and Miss second Daughter of the President of Congress dined here and returned home after it. The second daughter of Richard Henry Lee, president of Congress, was Hannah Lee (1766–c.1801), who was married in 1787 to GW’s nephew, Corbin...
7529[Diary entry: 13 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 13th. Thermometer at 80 in the Morng.—84 at Noon and 86 at Night. Rid to my Muddy hole and Neck Plantations, and beheld Corn in a melancholy situation, fired in most places to the Ear with little appearance of yielding if rain should soon come & a certainty of making nothing if it did not. Attempts had been made at both these Plantations to sow Wheat, but stirring the ground in the...
7530[Diary entry: 14 August 1785] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 14th. Thermometer at 79 in the Morning—82 at Noon and at Night. Morning calm & clear. Abt. Noon the wind came out from the Westward and in the afternoon there were appearances of rain No. Wt. & Southward of us with rumbling thunder at a distance but the clouds vanished without shedding any of their Watry particles. Doctr. Craik left this after Breakfast.