391[Diary entry: 18 April 1798] (Washington Papers)
18. Morning—Clear & more moderate—Wind still at No. Wt. Mer. at 32. Clear all day & but little wind after morng. Mer. 50 at Night & no higher all day. Peaches not killed, & hoped other fruit not hurt. Points of the New Moon upwards. Mr. Fitzhugh & family left this after breakfast. Began to plant Corn at Union farm.
392[Diary entry: 19 April 1798] (Washington Papers)
19. Morning—clear & calm & continued so through the day. Mer. 40 in the Morning—53 at Night & 54 at highest.
393[Diary entry: 20 April 1798] (Washington Papers)
20. Morning—lowering—wind Southerly & Mer. at 54. Variable weather all day. Mer. 62 at Night, & 64 at highest. Mr. Peter went away after breakfast and Mr. Townshend Dade & Mr. Nichs. Fitzhugh came to Din. Nicholas Fitzhugh’s sister Susannah Fitzhugh Dade (1757–1808) was married to Col. Townshend Dade of King George County.
394[Diary entry: 21 April 1798] (Washington Papers)
21. Rained the greater part of last Night. Wind still Southerly & fresh. Mer. 58 in the morning 62 at Night & 64 at highest. A very heavy shower of Rain & high wind abt. 2 Oclock. Mr. Dade & Mr. Fitzh. went after breakf.
395[Diary entry: 22 April 1798] (Washington Papers)
22. Morning—calm & clear—Mer. 55. Clear all day with the wind at No. Wt. but not hard or cold. Mer. 62 at Night & 65 at height. Doctr. Craik came on a Visit to Eleanor Peter. Martha Eliza Eleanor Peter (1796–1800) was the eldest child of Thomas and Martha Parke Custis Peter.
396[Diary entry: 23 April 1798] (Washington Papers)
23. Morning lowering & calm—Mer. 52. Clear afternoon—wind at No. Wt. Mer. 66 & at its highest. Mr. Peter returned—sent for.
397[Diary entry: 24 April 1798] (Washington Papers)
24. Clear with but little wind, from No. W. Mer. 51 morning. Calm mid day & wind at So. Et. at Night. Mer. 56 then & 62 at highest. Doctr. Craik came in the afternoon to visit Mr. Peter’s Children. Thomas Peter and Martha Parke Custis Peter had two children at this time; the younger was named Columbia Washington Peter (1797–1820).
398[Diary entry: 25 April 1798] (Washington Papers)
25. Morning—Lowering—Wind at S. E. Mer. at 52. Clouds heavier towds. Night. Mer. 52 at Night—60 at highest. Doctr. went away after breakf.
399[Diary entry: 26 April 1798] (Washington Papers)
26. Morning very heavy—Wind at S. E. Mer. 53. Clear afterwards & turning very Warm. Mer. at 67 at Night & not higher all day. The Revd. Mr. Fairfax and Doctr. Craik (to visit Mr. Peter’s children) came to dinner. The first returned afterwards.
400[Diary entry: 27 April 1798] (Washington Papers)
27. Morning, & the day throughout clear. Wind at So. Et. Mer. 56 in the M. & 68 at Night & no higher all day. Doctr. Craik went away after breakfast & Mr. & Mrs. Law and a Mr. Ghan, a Swedish Gentleman came to dinner. mr. ghan : Henry Gahn (d. 1834), a young Swede from Stockholm, was established in New York where he carried on “a very lucrative commerce” with Spain. He later served as a...