801[Diary entry: 13 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 13th. Mercury at 17 in the Morning—32 at Noon and 30 at Night. Wind at No. West in the Morning but at South East in the Evening—forenoon clear, but lowering afterwards but not very much—rather raw and cold. Rid to the Ferry, French’s, and Dogue Run & Muddy hole Plantations; also to the Mill & the Ditchers—Nothing remarkable at any of them. About 8 Oclock in the evening Doctr. Stuart...
802[Diary entry: 14 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 14th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—51 at Noon and 46 at Night. Day clear and pleasant the Wind being Southerly. Doctr. Stuart stayed and dined as did Mr. Anstey after which both went away—the 1st. to his own home and the other to Alexandria. At home all day.
803[Diary entry: 15 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 15th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 50 at Night. Rain last Night with the wind fresh from the So. Wt. which continued so through the day. Very lowering all day & now and then a sprinkling with rain but not enough to drive people from work. The Sun set clear and the Western horison indicated fair weather. Rid to all the Plantations & to the Ditchers. In the Neck set the...
804[Diary entry: 16 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 16th. Mercury at 35 in the Morning—55 at Noon and 52 at Night. The forenoon a little lowering, but the afternoon clear and remarkably pleasant—little or no Wind all day. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s, Dogue run and Muddy hole—also to the Ditchers. The same kind of work going on as usual at all of them. On my return home found Mr. Porter and Mr. Ingraham here, who dined...
805[Diary entry: 17 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 17th. Mercury at 33 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 45 at Night. Clear, with the Wind very brisk all day from the So. West—moderate but not very warm. At home all day. Just as we had dined Messrs. Richd. & Theodk. Lee came in, and after Sundown Colo. Carrington from Congress, and Major Swan from Boston arrived, all of whom stayed the Night. Maj. James Swan (1754–1830), who was twice...
806[Diary entry: 18 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 18th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—55 at Noon and 47 at Night. The Morning was exceedingly pleasant & perfectly calm. The Wind afterwards rose in the So. Wt. quarter & shifted to the westward. The ground was froze this Morning tho’ not very deep. All the Gentlemen (messrs. Porter & Ingraham who had stayed two Nights with the others) went away after Breakfast. I rid to all the...
807[Diary entry: 19 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 19th. Mercury at 27 in the Morning—37 at Noon and 27 at Night. Wind at No. Et. in the Morning, with appearances of a change of Weather. About Noon it was calm, clear, and very pleast. but towards sundown the wind Sprung up again at No. Et.—the clouds gathered fast, and indicated rain speedily. Went to French’s and marked of the fields (as they are to be divided in future) by stakes.
808[Diary entry: 20 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 20th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning 45 at Noon and 43 at Night. About 8 Oclock in the evening of yesterday it began a slow, & very moderate rain which continued it is supposed through the Night. In the morning it was very heavy with great appearances of a repetition of rain but none fell. Towards noon the Sun shone & the afternoon was clear & very pleasant. Wind at So. Et. all day but...
809[Diary entry: 21 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 21st. Mercury at 37 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 42 at Night. A very heavy thick fog till 10 Oclock—Cloudy & lowering Most part of the day afterwds. though the sun made feeble efforts to shine. Evening clr.—but little wind and that at No. Et. Major Swan (of Boston) & Mr. Hunter of Alexandria came here to dinner & stayed all nig[ht].
810[Diary entry: 22 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 22d. Mercury at 37 in the Morning—37 at Noon and 36 at Night. Wind still at No. Et. Morning very heavy, which, about 10 Oclock turned to a thick mist and in the Afternoon to rain. Major Swan & Mr. Hunter set off for Fredericksburgh before Breakfast. At home all day.
811[Diary entry: 23 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 23d. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 32 at Night. Heavy & thick—always misting & sometimes raining. A good deal of the latter fell in the night. Wind—tho’ not much of it at No. Et. At home alone all day.
812[Diary entry: 24 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 24th. Mercury at 46 in the Morning—49 at Noon and 48 at Night. Raining more or less all day. In the Morning there were some appearances of the weather clearing, but it soon thickened and set in to raining, slowly till towards sundown, when the clouds again broke to the Westward. In the Night the wind blew fresh from the So. West & Continued to come from that quarter all day but very...
813[Diary entry: 25 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 25th. Mercury at 35 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 39 at Night. Lowering morning, with some appearances of the weathers breaking in the forenoon but it soon thickened again and before 3 began a fine snow which soon turned to rain which it continued to do thru the whole, or greater part of the Night. Wind at So. West. Rid to the Ditchers & Mill and to the Ferry, French’s Dogue run, &...
814[Diary entry: 26 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 26th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 46 at Night. In the Morning early it rained—about 9 Oclock the weather seemed disposed to break but sooned thickened again and rained more or less from abt. Noon till Night when the weather again seemed inclined to clear. Wind tho’ not much of it, was at So. Wt. in the Morning & more Westerly in the afternoon. Mr. Madison & Mr. Griffith...
815[Diary entry: 27 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 27th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 36 at Night. A good deal of Rain falling in the Night, the ground was very wet; after 9 oclock it became clear with little or no Wind till towards Sundown, when it came out pretty brisk from the No. West. Rid to all the Plantations and to the Ditchers whom I found had made a mistake and instead of working on the line dividing the...
816[Diary entry: 28 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 28th. Mercury at 26 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 32 at Night. Wind Westerly all day, and not much unlike Snow—Grd. froze in the Morning. Colo. Henry Lee, his Lady, Miss Lee and Mr. Fendall came here to dinner—the last of whom went away afterwards (crossing the river for Maryland). Miss Lee is undoubtedly Mrs. Matilda Lee’s sister Flora Lee.
817[Diary entry: 29 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 29th. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—30 at Noon and 30 at Night. Wind cold & raw from the So. West. About Sun rise it began to snow & continued to do so for 3 or 4 hours when it turned to rain, and rained thro’ the day. The Wind was Southerly but raw & cold; ground hard frozen. Rid in the Morning before breakfast to Muddy hole Plantation in order to set the Ditcher (Danl. Overdonck) to...
818[Diary entry: 30 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 30th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 32 at Night. Foggy and warm with very little or no Wind the greater part of the day. In the evening it became clear. Rid to the Ferry, & French’s Plantation, and intended to have gone further but getting wet in passing a Mirey place at French’s I returned home to get on dry cloaths. Sent Danl. Overdonck to Muddy hole again who with a...
819[Diary entry: 31 January 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 31st. Mercury at 32 in the Morng.—48 at Noon and 40 at Night. Wind at No. West and pretty fresh early in the Morning, but decreased as the Sun rose and became quite calm & a little lowering towards Night. Accompanied by Colo. Lee I rode to the Ferry, Frenchs Dogue run and Muddy hole Plantations and also to my Mill & the Ditches. At Dogue run the Women were altering the Meadow fences...
820February [1787] (Washington Papers)
[Thursday 1st.] Mercury at 32 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 46 at Night. Wind (tho’ not much of it) variable and weather lowering but with changeable appearances. Mr. Fendall, Colo. Lee & his Lady, & Miss Lee went away after breakfast. I rid to the Ferry & French’s Plantations. At the first the women were cleaning up field No. 1 below the Hill. Friday 2d. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—36 at...
821[Diary entry: 1 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
[Thursday 1st.] Mercury at 32 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 46 at Night. Wind (tho’ not much of it) variable and weather lowering but with changeable appearances. Mr. Fendall, Colo. Lee & his Lady, & Miss Lee went away after breakfast. I rid to the Ferry & French’s Plantations. At the first the women were cleaning up field No. 1 below the Hill.
822[Diary entry: 2 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 2d. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 36 at Night. Very cloudy most part or all the day. Wind at No. Wt. in the Morning and So. Wt. afterwards and cold and raw. Majr. G. Washington & Mr. Jno. Dandridge came here to dinner yesterday. Rid to all the Plantations to day and to the Ditchers. At the River Plantn. began to sow 3 pints of Timothy seed (mixed in a bushel of Ashes) to...
823[Diary entry: 3 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 3d. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 36 at Night. About 8 Oclock in the evening of yesterday it began to Snow & continued to do so moderately thro the Night & till about 10 Oclock this day when after getting to be about 6 Inches deep it cleared. Wind, what little there was of it being Southerly the whole time. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s Dogue run and...
824[Diary entry: 4 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 4th. Mercury at 24 in the Morning—30 at Noon and 34 at Night. In the Night; or early this Morning, the Wind shifted to the No. West blew very hard and turned cold. At home all day. About two Oclock Doctr. Stuart came in.
825[Diary entry: 5 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 5th. Mercury at 18 in the morning—30 at Noon and 30 at Night. Ground very hard froze. Wind at So. Et.; raw & cold with great appearances of a change in the weather. After breakfast Doctr. La Moyeur went up to Alexandria and Doctr. Stuart and Mr. Jno. Dandridge to Abingdon. I rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs Dogue run & Muddy hole. At the Ferry the Overseer had begun to sow...
826[Diary entry: 6 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 6th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 48 at Night. Last evening & Night being Soft no frost to day—little or no Wind. Clear and exceedingly pleasant. Snow tho’ there was a good deal in the Morning had quite disappeared by Night. Mr. Willm. Craik who came here to dinner yesterday went away after breakfast. I rid to all the Plantations and to Simpsons with my Nephew G. A....
827[Diary entry: 7 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 7th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—30 at Noon and 32 at Night. A good deal of rain fell in the Night. About Sun rise it began to Snow and continued to do so, more or less all day. Continued at home.
828[Diary entry: 8 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 8th. Mercury at 27 in the Morning—30 at Noon and 30 at Night. The Wind which had been at No. Et. all day yesterday still continued there. In the Night and early this Morning it Rained after which it hailed and then Snowed. At home all day.
829[Diary entry: 9 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 9th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 38 at Night. Clear, with the wind at No. Wt.; but neither hard, nor cold. Mr. Bushrod Washington and his Brother Corbin went away after breakfast and Geo. Washington went up to Alexandria. Doctr. La Moyeur left this but meeting with some accident to his Chaise returned again. I rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s, Dogue run, &...
830[Diary entry: 10 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 10th. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 36 at Night. Clear but raw and cold the Wind being pretty fresh all day from the So. Et. In the Night it blew very hard. After breakfast Doctr. La Moyeur again set out & soon after Docter Craik went away. I went into the Neck to run the outer lines of my land there bounded by Mr. Mason and Mr. Alexander and to ascertain lines for the...
831[Diary entry: 11 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 11th. Mercury at 31 in the Morng.—33 at Noon and 33 at Night. Began to rain at or before day and kept very steadily at it—sometimes hard, till abt. 2 Oclock when the Sun came out for a short duration—little or no Wind & that Southerly.
832[Diary entry: 12 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 12th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 40 at Night. The Sun rose clear, and the Morning was tolerably free from clouds but it soon over cast, and all the latter part of the day had great appearances of Snow or rain. Rid to the Plantations at The Ferry, French’s, Dogue run and Muddy hole—Plowing at the Ferry in the New Meadw. and at French’s in field No. intended for Turnips...
833[Diary entry: 13 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 13th. Mercury at 38 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 45 at Night. Moderate and pleasant with Sun and Clouds alternately—Wind Southerly. Rid to all the Plantations. Plows at Work—those of Muddy hole at work at Frenchs. Ferry people came to work in the New ground front of the Mansion house on Friday the 9th.
834[Diary entry: 14 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 14th. Mercury at 36 in the Morng.—36 at Noon and 36 at Night. Thick and heavy clouds in the Morning and wind at No. Et. About 8 Oclock A. M. it began to rain and kept steadily at it all day—at times raining very fast. Rid immediately, after breakfast to French’s Plantation to see a sick man and intended to have gone to others but was driven back by the rain.
835[Diary entry: 15 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 15th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 48 at Night. Clear, wind at So. Wt. in the Morning which blew fresh by Noon—after which it came out at No. Wt. blew hard and turned cold. Rid to the Plantations at The Ferry, French’s Dogue run and Muddy hole—also to the Mill and ditchers—Plowing at all except Muddy hole—the plows of that being at Fr[enc]hs—where No. 5 being too wet...
836[Diary entry: 16 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 16th. Mercury at 28 in the Morning 52 at Noon and 50 at Night. Very clear and pleasant in the Morning with little or no Wind. About 9 Oclock it Sprung up at No. Wt. and seemed inclined to blow hard—but before Noon it died away and came out afterwards at So. Wt. Mr. Dandridge went away after an early breakfast and G. A. Washington set out for Berkley. I rid to all the Plantations....
837[Diary entry: 17 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 17th. Mercury at 32 in the Morng.—48 at Noon and 42 at Night. Wind Southerly and warm all day. Towards night it lowered. Went into the Neck to Mark some lines for fences. Finished this Evening plowing the orchard for Barley. Received, before I had done a message acquainting me that Colo. Wadsworth and a Mr. Chaloner were here which brought me home. Jeremiah Wadsworth (1743–1804), of...
838[Diary entry: 18 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 18th. Mercury at in the Morning— at Noon and at N. Clear, Warm, and very pleasant all day, with very little wind. Towards dusk it began to lower again. After dinner Colo. Wadsworth & Mr. Chaloner returned to Alexandria.
839[Diary entry: 19 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 19th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 56 at N. A very thick fog till nine or 10 Oclock when it dispelled, became clear & exceedingly pleasant. Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck heaping dung with the Women ar[oun]d the Barn. Began after the Fog dispelled to plow for Oats in the Easternmost cut of drilled Corn (Timber landing field) intending to sow and harrow close at...
840[Diary entry: 20 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 20th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—35 at Noon and 30 at Night. The Wind in the Night sprung up at No. West and blew very hard all day and till within Night. Ground froze this Morn. Went with Mrs. Washington to Mr. Fendalls to make a visit to Colo. and Mrs. Lee. Dined and returned home in the Evening. Found Doctr. Craik here.
841[Diary entry: 21 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 21st. Mercury at 24 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 36 at Night. Morning clear, but cold; ground hard froze—wind fresh all day from West. Doctr. Craik went away before breakfast—after wch. I rode to Muddy hole and Neck Plantations. Began to Sow Oats at the latter in the ground which the Plows went into on Monday abt. Noon, & finished yesterdy. about dinner time. They were not more than...
842[Diary entry: 22 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday 22d. Mercury at 30 in the morng.—55 at Noon and 48 at Night. Day pleasant, with the Wind at South till the evening when it began to lower. The Wind had shifted to the No. Et. & the Moon & Stars looked dim. Rid to Muddy hole Dogue run & Frenchs Plantation. At the first about a fence on the New ditch which was begun yesterday. At the second, the Plows having done all they could in the...
843[Diary entry: 23 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Friday 23d. Mercury at 27 in the Morning—33 at Noon and 30 at Night. The Wind which shifted last Night to No. Et. brought Snow which by day break was abt. 2 Inches deep. It continued Snowing with the wind in the same quarter till 12 Oclock this day when the Sun appeared, tho it did not perfectly clear. At home all day. In the Evening Mr. Griffith came in and stayed all night.
844[Diary entry: 24 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Saturday 24th. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 36 at Night. Cloudy, heavy morning—wind Southerly tho not fresh—Red horison at the Suns rising & lowering all day. After breakfast Mr. Fairfax, his wife & daughter and Mr. Griffith went away. I rode to the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s, Dogue run, & Muddy hole. Plowing at Frenchs and Dogue run. Finished the Ditch at Muddy hole...
845[Diary entry: 25 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Sunday 25th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 44 at Night. Dull heavy morning, with the Wind what little there is of it at No. Et. The Moon last Night had a dim circle round it—also a bur and the Stars when they did appear were dim also. About Noon it became quite calm—this afternoon was clear & exceedingly pleasant.
846[Diary entry: 26 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Monday 26th. Mercury at 33 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 32 at Night. Red Sky at Sunrising—Wind Southerly in the fore Noon and at East in the afternoon. Morning heavy and damp with great appearances of rain. About Noon the clouds broke and the Sun appeared after which it clouded and looked very much like rain. Rid to all the Plantations—to the Mill, and to the Ditchers. In the Neck, the ground...
847[Diary entry: 27 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Tuesday 27th. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 44 at Night. Morning early, cloudy, with the Wind Southerly. Before Noon it became clear—warm, and very pleasant, after which the wind came out at No. Wt. blew pretty fresh turned cloudy, & grew colder, but not disagreeably so, or likely to freeze. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenches, Dogue run and Muddy hole. Set the Plows at...
848[Diary entry: 28 February 1787] (Washington Papers)
Wednesday 28th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 44 at Night. Morning clear—ground not froze—Wind westerly, but not very fresh. Afterwards it shifted more to the No. West and blew hard but did not freeze. Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck began to cross the Plowing in the homestead (orchard inclosure) in order to sow Oats; but the grd. in places having been tolerably well...
849March, 1787 (Washington Papers)
Thursday First. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 46 at Night. Morning very pleasant with little or no wind—but it soon Sprung up at No. West and blew fresh and though it grew cooler was not cold. Rid to all the Plantations. The operation of harrowing which was begun yesterday in the Neck was going on; but as it did not appear to me that it would prepare the ground sufficiently for...
850[Diary entry: 1 March 1787] (Washington Papers)
Thursday First. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 46 at Night. Morning very pleasant with little or no wind—but it soon Sprung up at No. West and blew fresh and though it grew cooler was not cold. Rid to all the Plantations. The operation of harrowing which was begun yesterday in the Neck was going on; but as it did not appear to me that it would prepare the ground sufficiently for...