1081[Diary entry: 15 May 1772] (Washington Papers)
15. At home all day. Colo. Mason & Captn. McCarty dined here, the former went away after Dinner the latter stayed all Night.
1082[Diary entry: 16 May 1772] (Washington Papers)
16. Went to Mr. Barnes’s on Business of Mrs. Barnes & returnd to Dinner. Captn. McCarty went away after breakfast.
1083[Diary entry: 17 May 1772] (Washington Papers)
17. At home all day without Company.
1084[Diary entry: 18 May 1772] (Washington Papers)
18. Went up to Court and stayed all Night. In the Evening Mr. Peale & J. P. Custis came to Mount Vernon. The court met 18–19 May; GW attended both days (Fairfax County Order Book for 1772–74, 27–34, Vi Microfilm). Charles Willson Peale (1741–1827), a resident of Annapolis, came to Mount Vernon with a letter of introduction from Jonathan Boucher. Peale had forsaken his saddlery business, to...
1085[Diary entry: 19 May 1772] (Washington Papers)
19. Mrs. Barnes came up to Alexandria. I returnd home in the Afternoon, & found Colo. Blackburn & Lady, Miss Scott Miss Brown, & Doctr. Brown here who came before Dinner—also found Mr. Peale & J. P. Custis. Col. Thomas Blackburn (c.1740–1807), a Prince William County justice, lived at Rippon Lodge near Dumfries. His wife was Christian Scott Blackburn (b. 1745), younger sister of Miss Catherine...
1086[Diary entry: 20 May 1772] (Washington Papers)
20. Colo. Blackburn & the Compa. with him went away after Breakfast. I sat to have my Picture drawn. On 21 May, GW wrote to Jonathan Boucher : “Inclinations having yielded to Importunity, I am now contrary to all expectations under the hands of Mr. Peale; but in so grave—so sullen a mood—and now and then under the influence of Morpheus, when some critical strokes are making, that I fancy the...
1087[Diary entry: 21 May 1772] (Washington Papers)
21. Captn. Posey who came here the 19th. went up to Alexandria this day. I set again to take the Drapery. Peale’s practice was to sketch the painting out in one neutral color, show the sketch to the subject for his approval, and then paint the portrait, thus demanding a minimum of time and patience of the subject. On this day Peale had GW wear the “Drapery” (clothing) chosen for the painting,...
1088[Diary entry: 22 May 1772] (Washington Papers)
22. Set for Mr. Peale to finish my Face. In the Afternoon Rid with him to my Mill. I returnd home by the Ferry Plantation.
1089[Diary entry: 23 May 1772] (Washington Papers)
23. Rid into the Neck, and to Muddy hole before Dinner.
1090[Diary entry: 24 May 1772] (Washington Papers)
24. Set out after Dinner for Loud[ou]n &ca. Reachd Mr. Fairfax’s and lodged there. Peale remained at Mount Vernon to paint miniatures of Patsy and Jacky Custis. Jacky also paid Peale for a miniature of his mother, Martha Washington, probably for Jacky’s own use ( General Ledger B General Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers. , folio 50;...