Title: [October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

Octr. 1st. At the Congress till 3 Ocl. Din’d with Mr. Hamilton at Bush Hill.

   James Hamilton (c.1710–1783) of Bush Hill, north of Philadelphia, was the son of Andrew Hamilton (d. 1741) and Anne Brown Preeson Hamilton. He had held various public positions including those of mayor of Philadelphia, member of the provincial council, lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania, and acting governor of the colony in 1771 and 1773. Hamilton was arrested as a Tory during the Revolution.

2. Went to Christ Church & dined at the New Tavern.

   Christ Church, the oldest Anglican church in Philadelphia, was located on the corner of Second and Market streets. On this day, one of the assistant rectors, Rev. Thomas Coombe, preached upon “Judge not according to the Appearance, but judge righteous Judgment” (ADAMS [1]L. H. Butterfield, ed. Diary and Autobiography of John Adams. 4 vols. Cambridge, Mass., 1961., 2:146).

3. At Congress till 3 Oclock. Dined at Mr. Reed’s.

   Joseph Reed (1741–1785), a lawyer in Philadelphia, had been educated at the Middle Temple. In 1773–75 he carried on an extensive correspondence with the British secretary of state for colonial affairs, Lord Dartmouth, attempting to acquaint him with conditions and attitudes in the colonies and to warn him against instituting oppressive measures in dealing with America. In Nov. 1774 Reed was appointed to the committee of correspondence in Philadelphia, and in 1775 he became president of the provincial congress and a lieutenant colonel in the Pennsylvania militia. In June of that year GW appointed him his first military secretary. Reed became adjutant general of the Continental Army in 1776, a delegate to the Continental Congress 1777–78, and president of Pennsylvania 1778–81.

4. At Congress till 3 Oclock. Dined at young Doctr. Shippens.

5. At Congress as above, Dined at Doctr. Bonds.

   Dr. Thomas Bond (1712–1784), physician and surgeon, was a native of Maryland who began practicing medicine in Philadelphia around 1734. He was influential in the establishment of the Pennsylvania Hospital and was a member of the staff until his death.

6. At Congress. Din’d at Mr. Saml. Meridith’s.

7. At Congress. Dined at Mr. Thos. Smiths.

   Thomas Smith (1745–1809) was deputy surveyor of the frontier area around Bedford, Pa., in 1769. After the formation of Bedford County in 1771, he held the offices of prothonotary, recorder of deeds, and clerk of the sessions and orphans courts. Smith later became colonel of the 2d Battalion of Bedford County Associators and a member of the Pennsylvania legislature 1776–80. He served in the Continental Congress 1780–82 and in 1794 was appointed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

8. At Congress. Dined with Mr. John Cadwallader.

9. Went to the Presbeterian Meeting in the forenoon and Romish Church in the Afternoon. Dind at Bevans’s.

   presbeterian meeting: Which Presbyterian church GW attended is unknown, although prevailing opinion favors the Presbyterian meetinghouse at Third and Arch streets. However, GW may have been with John Adams, who on this day attended the Presbyterian meetinghouse on Market Street between Second and Third streets and heard Dr. Francis Alison or Allison (1705–1779) deliver a sermon on the Lord’s Supper (ADAMS [1]L. H. Butterfield, ed. Diary and Autobiography of John Adams. 4 vols. Cambridge, Mass., 1961., 2:149).

   The Catholic church which GW attended was St. Mary’s, built in 1763 and located at Fourth and Spruce streets.

10. At Congress. Din’d at Doctr. Morgan’s.

   John Morgan (1735–1789), a graduate of Edinburgh, had also studied medicine and anatomy in England, France, and Italy. In 1765, shortly after his return to Philadelphia, Morgan was responsible for founding at the College of Philadelphia the first medical school in the American colonies. At the outbreak of the Revolution he aligned himself with the Patriots, and in Oct. 1775 he was appointed director general of hospitals and physician-in-chief of the Continental Army. Feuds and jealousies caused Morgan’s removal from office in 1777.

11. Din’d at my Lodgings & Spent the Evening at Bevan’s.

12. At Congress all the forenoon. Dined at Mr. Josh. Whartons & went to the Govrs. Club.

   josh. whartons: This man is more likely to be Joseph Wharton, Jr. (1734–1816), a merchant of Philadelphia, than his father, Joseph Wharton (1707–1776), who was living in retirement outside Philadelphia at his country place, Walnut Grove.

   govrs. club: An earlier visitor to Philadelphia described the Governor’s Club as “a Select Number of Gentlemen that meet every Night at a certain Tavern, where they pass away a few Hours in the Pleasures of Conversation and a Cheerful Glass’ (SCHARF [1]J. Thomas Scharf and Thompson Westcott. History of Philadelphia. 1609–1884. 3 vols. Philadelphia, 1884., 1:235). The club at this time probably met at Peggy Mullen’s Beefsteak House on Water Street at the corner of Tun Alley (JACKSONJoseph Jackson. “Washington in Philadelphia.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 56 (1932): 110–55., 122).

13. Dined at my lodgings—after being at Congress till 4 Oclk.

   This long day in Congress was caused by an extended debate “about the Parliamentary Power of regulating Trade. 5 Colonies were for allowing it, 5. against it, and two divided among themselves, i.e., Mass. and Rhode Island” (ADAMS [1]L. H. Butterfield, ed. Diary and Autobiography of John Adams. 4 vols. Cambridge, Mass., 1961., 2:151).

14. Dined at Mr. Thos. Barclay’s and Spent the Evening at Smiths.

   Thomas Barclay (1728–1793) was a partner in the Philadelphia mercantile house of Carson, Barclay & Mitchell and was a member of the Philadelphia

committee of correspondence. He was appointed to the state navy board in 1777 and in 1780 subscribed £5,000 for supplies for the Continental Army. Barclay was appointed consul in France in 1781. smiths: the City Tavern, run by Daniel Smith. GW’s cash memoranda book for this date lists “club at Smiths—.6.3” (CSmH). GW clubbed frequently at Smith’s as well as at other taverns during his stay in Philadelphia.

15. Dined at Bevans’s. Spent the Evening at home.

   On this day GW gave £1 14s. to his old Indian acquaintance Guyasuta, who was on a mission from the tribes in the Illinois and Ohio country to Guy Johnson, superintendent of Indian affairs for the Northern Department (GW’s Cash Memoranda, 25 Mar.—25 Oct. 1774, CSmH; WHARTON LETTER BOOKS“Selections from the Letter-Books of Thomas Wharton, of Philadelphia, 1773–1783.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 33 (1909): 319–39, 432–53; 34 (1910): 41–61., 450).

16. Went to Christ Church in the forenoon. After which rid to, & dind in the Provence Island. Suppd at Byrns’s.

17. After Congress dind on board Captn. Hamilton. Spent the Evening at Mr. Miflins.

   Although Hamilton has been identified elsewhere as Capt. W. Hamilton of the ship Union (Fitzpatrick, DiariesJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Diaries of George Washington, 1748–1799. 4 vols. Boston and New York, 1925., 2:168n), that vessel had cleared the port of Philadelphia before 3 Oct. (Pa. Packet, 3 Oct. 1774).

18. Dined at Doctr. Rush’s and Spent the Evening at the New Tavern.

   Benjamin Rush (1745–1813), the best-known American physician and medical writer of his day, was a professor of chemistry at the College of Philadelphia

and a member of the American Philosophical Society. Rush was elected to the Continental Congress in 1776. In April 1777 he became surgeon general of the hospital for the Middle Department and, in July, physician general for the same department.

19. Dined at Mr. Willings & Spent the Evening at my own lodgings.

20. Dind at the New Tavern with the Pensa. Assembly. Went to the Ball afterwards.

   dind at the new tavern: “On Thursday last an elegant entertainment was given at the City Tavern, by the Assembly of this province, to the Gentlemen of the Congress” (Pa. Packet, 24 Oct. 1774). GW’s cash memoranda book shows a payment of 7s. for the ball ticket and a 1s. offering to Christ Church (CSmH).

21. Dined at my lodging & Spent the Evening there also.

22. Dined at Mr. Griffins & drank Tea with Mrs. Roberdeau.

   Mary Bostwick Roberdeau (d. 1777), daughter of Rev. David Bostwick of New York, was the wife of Daniel Roberdeau, a Philadelphia merchant and Patriot.

23. Dined at my lodgings and spent the Evening there.

24. Dined with Mr. Mease & Spent the Evening at the New Tavern.

25. Dined at my lodgings.

26. Dined at Bevans’s, and Spent the Evening at the New Tavern.

   After approving an address to be printed for distribution among the inhabitants of Quebec, the First Continental Congress adjourned (JCCWorthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37., 1:113–14). GW and Richard Henry Lee were the only members of the Virginia delegation still remaining in Philadelphia at the time of the adjournment. The other Virginia delegates had left on 23 Oct. for Virginia, where the House of Burgesses was due to meet on the first Thursday in November.

27. Set out on my return home. Dined at Chester and lodged at Newcastle.

28. Breakfasted at the Buck Tavern. Dined at Downs’s & lodged at New town upon Chester.

29. Breakfasted at Rockhall & reachd Annapolis in the Afternoon.

30. Breakfasted at Mr. Calverts & reachd home abt. 3 Oclock.

31. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Lowering but much Cooler. Wind at West.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Cool, but not quite so much so as yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Warm without wind & being clear at the same time.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Again warm—wind notwithstanding Easterly.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Warm, but somewhat lowering.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Rather warm in the forenoon with appearances of Rain abt. 2 Oclock but none fell. However it turnd Cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Much Cooler than Yesterday. Wind Northerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Rather warm being clear with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 16. Lowering forenoon but no Rain. Wind fresh from the Southwest.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Somewhat Cool especially towards the Evening Wind being westerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Pretty cool—a large white Frost.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Again cool & somewhat lowering.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Warm, & lowering, but no rain fell.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Warm and still lowering but no Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Very foggy & lowering Morning but clear and warm afterwards. In the Evening Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

23d. Foggy Morning but clear and warm afterwds.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Foggy again in the forenoon, but clear afterwds. & Warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Much such a day as yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Clear and cool. Wind Westerly & fresh in the forenoon but less of it afterwds.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Clear and pleasant. Wind westerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

Novr. 1. At home all day. Mr. Ramsay, Mr. Muir, Mr. Rob. Harrison & Doctr. Rumney came here to Dinner & stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 2. The Gentlemen went away after Breakfast. I rid to the Mill. Mr. Ben. Dulany & Wife came here to Dinner & stayd all Night as did Mr. R. Thompson.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Ditto. Mr. Piercy a Presbeterian Minister dined here.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Went to Pohick Church. Mr. Triplet & Mr. Peake & Daughter dined here.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Mr. Martin Cockburn & Mr. Geo. Mason Junr. dined here.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 10. At home all day. Doctr. Craik came here in the Evening and stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. At home all day. Mr. Bryan Fairfax came here & stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. I went up to George Town To an intended meeting of Trustees for openg. Potomack River. None Met. Returnd home at Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 16. Ditto. Ditto.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. At home. Mr. Francis Willis Junr. dined here, & went to B[elvoir].


Title: [Diary entry: 18 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Captn. Dalton dined here and went away afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Set out for Wests Ordinary in order to attend Colo. Mercers Sale of the Bull run Land. Dined at New Gate & lodged at Colo. Fras. Peytons.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

21st. Attended at Wests Ordy. with Mr. James Mercer & sold all the Bull run Lands. Returnd to Colo. Peytons.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Set out for Frederick, in order to sell Colo. Mercers Estate in that County. Dind at Morgan Alexanders Ordy. & lodged at Colo. Warner Washington’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Sale continued at the same place where I again lodged.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Sale again—remained there.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Still continued to sell at the same place where I again lodged.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

29th. Continued the Sale at Dawson’s & finishd at that Plantation.


Title: [November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

Novr. 1. At home all day. Mr. Ramsay, Mr. Muir, Mr. Rob. Harrison & Doctr. Rumney came here to Dinner & stayed all Night.

2. The Gentlemen went away after Breakfast. I rid to the Mill. Mr. Ben. Dulany & Wife came here to Dinner & stayd all Night as did Mr. R. Thompson.

   Richard Thompson was living on the Maryland side of the Great Falls of the Potomac, where he was trying to establish a business in the manufacturing and sale of smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff. In 1774 he was appointed to be the clerk for the trustees for Potomac navigation (Va. Gaz., R, 8 Oct. 1772; Va. Gaz., D, 7 Jan. 1775).

3. I went up to Alexandria after the Company abovementioned Went away. Returnd in the Aftern.

4. At home all day alone.

5. Ditto. Mr. Piercy a Presbeterian Minister dined here.

   Mr. Piercy was probably William Piercy (Percy), a Calvinistic Methodist and disciple of George Whitefield. Piercy was chaplain to Selina Hastings, countess of Huntingdon, a devoted follower of the new Methodist movement. In order to give protection to Methodist preachers, she appointed large members of them to the nominal position of chaplain in her household. She had sent Piercy from London to Georgia in 1772 to act as president of Whitefield’s Orphan House, or college, at Bethesda, near Savannah, and to preach wherever he could collect an audience in the colonies. Piercy had preached at various locations in Philadelphia during the year. He had given a farewell sermon in late October at the Arch Street Presbyterian meetinghouse, and was probably at this time on his return to his headquarters in Georgia (KNIGHTHelen C. Knight, comp. Lady Huntington and Her Friends; or, The Revival of the Work of God in the Days of Wesley, Whitefield, Romaine, Venn, and Others in the Last Century. New York, 1853., 213; HILTZHEIMERJacob Cox Parsons, ed. Extracts from the Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer, of Philadelphia. 1765–1798. Philadelphia, 1893., 30–32; SPRAGUEWilliam B. Sprague. Annals of the American Pulpit; or Commemorative Notices of Distinguished American Clergymen of Various Denominations, from the Early Settlement of the Country to the Close of the Year Eighteen Hundred and Fifty-five. 9 vols. New York, 1859-69., 5:293–96).

6. Went to Pohick Church. Mr. Triplet & Mr. Peake & Daughter dined here.

   Probably Humphrey Peake’s younger daughter, Elizabeth, still a minor in 1774. GW commonly referred to a child of a friend as a “son” or “daughter” while still a minor and as a “Mr.” or “Miss” after the age of about 16. Thus Humphrey Peake’s elder daughter, Ann (Nancy), would be a “Miss” by this time.

7. Mr. Martin Cockburn & Mr. Geo. Mason Junr. dined here.

   George Mason, Jr. (1753–1796), was the eldest son of George and Ann Eilbeck Mason of Gunston Hall. He married Elizabeth Mary Ann Barnes Hooe and settled at Lexington in Mason’s Neck.

8. At home all day alone.

9. At home all day.

10. At home all day. Doctr. Craik came here in the Evening and stayed all Night.

11. At home all day. Mr. Bryan Fairfax came here & stayed all Night.

12. I went up to George Town To an intended meeting of Trustees for openg. Potomack River. None Met. Returnd home at Night.

   After inspecting canal works in England, John Ballendine had returned to the Potomac valley in the late summer of 1774 with a plan for opening navigation of the Potomac River “at and above the Lower Falls” to boats that could carry wheat and iron downriver to the ports of Georgetown and Alexandria (Md. Gaz., 8 Sept. 1774). At a meeting held in the early fall, probably at Georgetown, 37 trustees were chosen from the subscribers to Ballendine’s project, among whom was GW. Today’s meeting was scheduled to choose an executive committee of 10 trustees, but because the notice for the meeting did not appear in the Maryland Gazette until 10 Nov. 1774, there probably was not a quorum present.

13. Went up to Alexandria Church. In the Evening Colo. Blackburn Mr. Lee, & Mr. Richd. Graham came here as a Committee from the Prince Wm. Independ. Compy.

   Mr. Lee was Philip Richard Francis Lee (died c.1834), son of Squire Richard Lee of Blenheim, Charles County, Md. Philip Richard, a merchant in Dumfries, was a captain in the Prince William Independent Company, which was absorbed into the 3d Virginia Regiment early in 1776 (VSPWilliam P. Palmer et al., eds. Calendar of Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscripts. 11 vols. Richmond, 1875–93., 8:216; LEE [1]Cazenove Gardner Lee, Jr. Lee Chronicle: Studies of the Early Generations of the Lees of Virginia. Edited by Dorothy Mills Parker. New York, 1957., 347).

   prince wm. independ. compy.: On 21 Sept. 1774 a meeting of local men in Alexandria formed an agreement to organize the Fairfax Independent Company of Volunteers, which was probably the first “Independent Company” so organized in a Virginia county (MASON [2]Robert A. Rutland, ed. The Papers of George Mason, 1725–1792. 3 vols. Chapel Hill, N.C., 1970., 1:210–11). On 11 Nov. 1774 the Independent Company of Cadets of Prince William County appointed the three men who appeared here today as a delegation to “wait upon Collonel George Washington, and request of him to take the command of this Company as their Field Officer, and that he will be pleas’d to direct the fashion of their uniform,” which request GW accepted (HAMILTON [1]Stanislaus Murray Hamilton, ed. Letters to Washington and Accompanying Papers. 5 vols. Boston and New York, 1898–1902., 5:68–69). By the late spring of 1775 GW had also accepted the commands of the independent companies of Fairfax, Fauquier, Richmond, and Spotsylvania counties (photostat, Vi). In contemporary military terminology an independent company was a company unattached to any regiment. These independent companies were also independent of the militia system, and were usually founded independently of the county committees of inspection, although some men were members of both organizations.

14. At home all day. Those Gentn. Went away after Dinnr.

15. At home all day alone.

16. Ditto. Ditto.

17. At home. Mr. Francis Willis Junr. dined here, & went to B[elvoir].

18. Captn. Dalton dined here and went away afterwards.

19. At home all day.

20. Set out for Wests Ordinary in order to attend Colo. Mercers Sale of the Bull run Land. Dined at New Gate & lodged at Colo. Fras. Peytons.

   GW did more than “attend” the sale; he was in charge of the auctions to settle the estate of James Mercer’s brother George. Francis Peyton, son of Valentine Peyton, was a justice and burgess for Loudoun County. Peyton accompanied GW to the sale the next day (GW to John Tayloe, 11 Dec. 1775, WRITINGSJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. 39 vols. Washington, D.C., 1931–44., 37:515).

21st. Attended at Wests Ordy. with Mr. James Mercer & sold all the Bull run Lands. Returnd to Colo. Peytons.

   GW found his role in the auctioning of the Mercer land, which had “a good deal of exceeding poor and broken ground in it,” to be a frustrating experience. As the auction proceeded, he saw he was not getting prices anywhere near the original estate inventory valuation made in 1767. “But,” he reported to his fellow executor, John Tayloe, “there was no help for it; everything that could be done, was done, to dispose of it to the best advantage; in attempting which, I had three Lots of the Land (by endeavouring to raise [the price of] them) left upon my hands” (30 Nov. 1774, WRITINGSJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. 39 vols. Washington, D.C., 1931–44., 37:508).

22. At Colo. Peytons all day taking Bonds & making Conveyances.

23. Set out for Frederick, in order to sell Colo. Mercers Estate in that County. Dind at Morgan Alexanders Ordy. & lodged at Colo. Warner Washington’s.

   Morgan Alexander (1746–1783), originally of Gloucester County, moved to the Shenandoah Valley in the late 1760s and married Sarah Snickers (b. 1756). As she was a daughter of Edward Snickers, whose home and ordinary, in Frederick (now in Clarke) County, were on the Shenandoah River near the gap in the Blue Ridge that bore his name, Alexander may have been running the ordinary for Snickers at this time.

   Warner Washington’s home was Fairfield in Frederick County, a few miles north of the present town of Berryville (WAYLAND [1]John W. Wayland. The Washingtons and Their Homes. 1944. Reprint. Berryville, Va., 1973., 171–73).

24. Went to the Sale, which began at the Middle Plantation, at Willm. Dawson’s, the Head Overseers. Lodged there.

   Having held the land sale at a spot convenient to buyers from both sides of the Blue Ridge Mountains, GW was now auctioning off the slaves, stock, and tools which were gathered together at the main Mercer plantation for examination by the bidders. GW was disturbed at finding “only 90 instead of 110 Negroes, and a proportionate difficiency of Horses and stock; and few or no Plantation utensils” (GW to John Tayloe, 30 Nov. 1774, WRITINGSJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. 39 vols. Washington, D.C., 1931–44., 37:508).

25. Sale continued at the same place where I again lodged.

   In the margin of his Virginia almanac for this month, GW, apparently as a reminder, noted for 21 Nov. “Mercer’s sale at Wests” and for 24 Nov. “do. at Snicker’s,” but the latter sale seems to have been held at Dawson’s. Edward Snickers had a home where the road from Snickers’s ferry to Winchester crossed Buck Marsh Run, about three miles due south of Warner Washington’s home, Fairfield (CHAPPELEAR [1]Curtis Chappelear. “Early Grants of the Site of Berryville and Its Northern Vicinity.” Proceedings of the Clarke County Historical Association 8 (1948): 17–38., 37).

26. Sale again—remained there.

27. Still continued to sell at the same place where I again lodged.

28th. Dined at Mr. Booths and returned to my Lodgings at Dawson’s.

   As no sales were held on Sunday, GW went to visit an old friend from the Nomini region of Westmoreland County, William Booth, who had recently settled on upper Buck Marsh Run, about two miles southwest of Fairfield.

29th. Continued the Sale at Dawson’s & finishd at that Plantation.

   GW was becoming increasingly suspicious about his host’s honesty regarding the estate. His suspicions were confirmed when he was later told by Edward Snickers that Dawson had been selling off timber and stock at reduced prices; this, GW thought, would “account for the deficiency we found in the Articles of Horses & Stock” (GW to James Mercer, 12 Dec. 1774, DLC:GW).

30. Concluded the whole Sales at all the Plantations & went to, and dined at Alexanders where I also lodged.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

Novr. 1st. Clear & pleasant, but somewhat Cool till Eveng. then Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 2. Again cool & somewhat lowering.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Cool but clear with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Very pleasant with but little [wind].


Title: [Diary entry: 6 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Clear & pleasant in the forenoon but lowering & cold in the Afternoon. Wind Easterly.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Lowering and cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Tolerably pleasant not being so cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Cold Wind hard at West or No. West all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Clear, & not quite so cold notwithstanding the Wind kept in the same place but not quite so hard.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Clear, warm and pleasant with but little Wind and that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Exceeding pleasant, being clear and without wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Clear and pleasant being quite warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Warm and pleasant with but little Wind. Lowering in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. A little Rain in the Night & lowering in the forenoon. Clear afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Clear with not much Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Hard Wind all day from the No. West and very cold. Weather clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Clear and Cold. Wind hard at No. West all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Snowing and raining all day and the greatest part of the Night. Wind at No. Et. & fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Flying Clouds, & Wind fresh from the Northwest but not very cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Southerly Wind, after a very white frost & Cloudy.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Pleasant day, being clear with little or no Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Very pleasant after a very white frost. Southerly wind & Warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Another very white frost. Wind fresh from the Southward. Rain at & all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 November 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. It Continued Raining on & off till Noon then a close & Wet Snow till Night.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in Novr. [1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

Novr. 1st. Clear & pleasant, but somewhat Cool till Eveng. then Rain.

2. Again cool & somewhat lowering.

3. Clear & pleasant but little Wind.

4. Cool but clear with but little Wind.

5. Very pleasant with but little [wind].

6. Clear & pleasant in the forenoon but lowering & cold in the Afternoon. Wind Easterly.

7. Lowering and cold.

8. Tolerably pleasant not being so cool.

9. Cold Wind hard at West or No. West all day.

10. Clear, & not quite so cold notwithstanding the Wind kept in the same place but not quite so hard.

11. Clear, warm and pleasant with but little Wind and that Southerly.

12. Exceeding pleasant, being clear and without wind.

13. Clear and pleasant being quite warm.

14. Warm and pleasant with but little Wind. Lowering in the Evening.

15. A little Rain in the Night & lowering in the forenoon. Clear afterwards.

16. Rain in the Night & this Morning. Clear afterwards & windy from the No. West. Cold.

17. Clear with not much Wind & that Southerly.

18. Hard Wind all day from the No. West and very cold. Weather clear.

19. Clear and Cold. Wind hard at No. West all day.

20. Not so cold as the two preceeding days wind not being so fresh—but in the same place.

21. Snowing and raining all day and the greatest part of the Night. Wind at No. Et. & fresh.

22. Flying Clouds, & Wind fresh from the Northwest but not very cold.

23. Wind in the same Quarter but more moderate & not cold.

24. Southerly Wind, after a very white frost & Cloudy.

25. Raining more or less till abt. one Oclock—then clear.

26. Clear and pleasant, with but very little Wind.

27. Pleasant day, being clear with little or no Wind.

28. Very pleasant after a very white frost. Southerly wind & Warm.

29. Another very white frost. Wind fresh from the Southward. Rain at & all Night.

30. It Continued Raining on & off till Noon then a close & Wet Snow till Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

Decr. 1st. At Alexanders till 12 oclock taking Bonds &ca. then set of for, & lodged at Leesburg.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Breakfasted at Moss’s and dined at home.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. At home all day. Mr. Willis and a Mr. Harrison dind here & Parson Morton lodged here.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Went to Colo. Fairfax’s Sale at Belvoir. Returnd in the Evening alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Rid to the Mill, Morris’s & Muddy hole. In the Afternoon Mr. & Mrs. Calvert came.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. At home all day with the above Company. Mr. Willis lodged here.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. At home all day. The foregoing Company continuing.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. At home. Doctr. Craik and Miss Nancy McCarty came here in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. I went up to Alexandria, to an intended meeting of the Committee but was disappointed. Found Doctr. Craik & Mr. Willis here upon my return.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Early this Morning my Brother and Mr. Phil Smith came here—as did Mr. Booth.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Went with Mrs. Washington my Brother & Mr. Smith to Alexandria and stayed all Night. Mr. Booth went to Mary[lan]d.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Returnd in the Afternoon. Found Mr. Booth & Captn. Chs. Smith here.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

21st. At home all day with my Brothr. Jno. & Mr. Smith.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. In the Afternoon my Brother & Mr. Smith went away.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Doctr. Rumney & Mr. Thos. Triplet dined here.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. At home all day. Mr. Richd. Washington came here to Dinner, as did Mrs. Newman.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. At home all day with the above.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Ditto. Ditto. Colo. Carlyle & his Son George came here and stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. They went away again after Dinner and Mr. Robt. Graham came and stayed all Night.


Title: [December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

Decr. 1st. At Alexanders till 12 oclock taking Bonds &ca. then set of for, & lodged at Leesburg.

2. Breakfasted at Moss’s and dined at home.

3. At home all day alone.

4. At home all day. Mr. Willis and a Mr. Harrison dind here & Parson Morton lodged here.

   Andrew Morton, or Moreton (died c.1776), was minister of Drysdale Parish in King and Queen County and Caroline County in 1774 (WMQThe William and Mary Quarterly: A Magazine of Early American History. Williamsburg, Va. 5 [1896–97], 202). He was at Mount Vernon to try to lease Belvoir from GW, who was acting as George William Fairfax’s agent. GW refused a seven-year lease on the house without a bond for payment of the rent; but Morton arrived at Belvoir before Feb. 1775, with the bond unexecuted, and seems to have persuaded GW to let him live there for a year without a lease (GW to Morton, 21 Dec. 1774, CtY; Morton to GW, 1 Feb. 1775, ViMtvL). He died some time before Sept. 1776, while still living at Belvoir (Fairfax County Will Book, D–1, 94–95).

5. Went to Colo. Fairfax’s Sale at Belvoir. Returnd in the Evening alone.

   A second sale at Belvoir was advertised for this day. It consisted of two rooms of household furniture, kitchen furniture, cattle, plantation utensils, etc. The mansion house and land were also again advertised for lease on this date, as was a small plantation and two fisheries (Va. Gaz., P&D, 20 Oct. 1774).

6. At home all day alone.

7. Rid to the Mill, Morris’s & Muddy hole. In the Afternoon Mr. & Mrs. Calvert came.

8. At home all day with the above Company. Mr. Willis lodged here.

9. At home all day. The foregoing Company continuing.

10. Mr. & Mrs. Calvert—together with Mr. & Mrs. Custis went to Maryland. Mr. Willis continued.

11. At home all day. Mr. Willis went to Alexandria after breakfast.

12. At home all day alone.

13. At home. Doctr. Craik and Miss Nancy McCarty came here in the Evening.

14. I went up to Alexandria, to an intended meeting of the Committee but was disappointed. Found Doctr. Craik & Mr. Willis here upon my return.

15. At home all day.

16. Ditto—Do. Mr. Willis went away.

   In GW’s ledger under date of 17 Dec. is a payment to Mr. Willis of £47 10s. for 200 barrels of wheat. He received from Willis at the same time £9 4s. 9d. “for Sundrys sold at Belvoir for Cash” (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 128).

17. Early this Morning my Brother and Mr. Phil Smith came here—as did Mr. Booth.

   my brother: John Augustine Washington, whose wife’s sister, Elizabeth Bushrod, married Philip Smith (d. 1782), of Washington Parish, Westmoreland County.

18. At home all day.

19. Went with Mrs. Washington my Brother & Mr. Smith to Alexandria and stayed all Night. Mr. Booth went to Mary[lan]d.

   GW went to town on committee business: “at a meeting of the committee for Fairfax County, in the town of Alexandria, on Monday the 19th day of December, 1774, Messieurs [John] Fitzgerald and [Valentine] Peers, informed the committee that the ship Hope . . . had arrived in this colony . . . from Belfast, with sundry packages of Irish linen, amounting . . . to £1101 4s. 8d. sterling, their property, and requesting that the same should be sold, agreeable to the 10th article in the continental association . . . ordered, that the said goods be sold by the package, to the highest bidder . . . and if any profit shall arise from such sale, that [it be used] for relieving and employing such of the poor inhabitants of the town of Boston as are sufferers by the Boston port bill, subject to the direction of the committee for the said county of Fairfax” (Va. Gaz., Pi, 29 Dec. 1774).

   While in Alexandria, GW also met with several other trustees of John Ballendine’s Potomac navigation project and authorized Ballendine to hire 50 slaves as laborers (Va. Gaz., D, 7 Jan. 1775).

20. Returnd in the Afternoon. Found Mr. Booth & Captn. Chs. Smith here.

21st. At home all day with my Brothr. Jno. & Mr. Smith.

22. In the Afternoon my Brother & Mr. Smith went away.

23. Doctr. Rumney & Mr. Thos. Triplet dined here.

24. At home all day. Mr. Richd. Washington came here to Dinner, as did Mrs. Newman.

   Richard Washington, a London merchant to whom GW apparently believed he was distantly related, had been a correspondent and tobacco dealer for GW from 1755 to 1763. GW warmly assured him that “in the Event of your

ever visiting America . . . Mrs. Washington and I both woud think ourselves very happy in the oppertunity of shewing you the Virginia Hospitality . . . and I must . . . add, that I shall think myself very happy in seeing you at Mt. Vernon where you might depend upon finding the most cordial entertainment” (27 Sept. 1763, 10 Aug. 1760, DLC:GW). The other guest was possibly the Mrs. Newman who was employed by George Mason of Gunston Hall as a schoolmistress for his daughters at this time (ROWLAND [2]Kate Mason Rowland, ed. The Life of George Mason, 1725–1792. 2 vols. New York, 1892., 1:97).

25. At home all day with the above.

26. At home all day.

27. Ditto. Ditto. Colo. Carlyle & his Son George came here and stayed all Night.

28. They went away again after Dinner and Mr. Robt. Graham came and stayed all Night.

   This was probably Robert Graham (1751–1821), son of John Graham of Graham Park near Dumfries, Prince William County. Robert succeeded his father as Prince William County clerk in 1777 (HAYDENHorace Edwin Hayden.  Virginia Genealogies. A Genealogy of the Glassell Family of Scotland and Virginia, also of the Families of Ball, Brown, Bryan, Conway, Daniel, Ewell, Holladay, Lewis, Littlepage, Moncure, Peyton, Robinson, Scott, Taylor, Wallace, and others, of Virginia and Maryland. 1891. Reprint. Baltimore, 1973., 162–63).

29. Mr. Graham went away after breakfast. I contind. at home all day.

30. At home all day. In the Afternoon Genl. Lee, & Mr. Jno. Ballendine came here.

   Charles Lee (1731–1782) was a veteran English soldier, who, having recently embraced the American cause, was publicly defending the rights of the colonists and encouraging them to believe that they could successfully fight British or other professional troops if war came. A member of the English gentry by birth, he had served with distinction during the Seven Years’ War in America and Portugal, but at the end of the war he had been retired on half pay with the rank of major. His title of general derived from later service under the king of Poland, who had commissioned him a major general in his army in 1769. After returning to America in the fall of 1773, Lee had traveled extensively, talking to many colonial leaders. At this time he was on the way to Williamsburg, having come from Annapolis where, according to his former army friend Josiah Martin, now royal governor of North Carolina, he had been “employed in diciplining or rather drilling a set of people to arms . . . and by the most extravagant discourse exciting contempt of the Troops and power of Great Britain and of every character and act related to Government sparing not the most sacred” (Martin to the earl of Dartmouth, 10 Mar. 1775, N.C. COL. REC.William L. Saunders, ed. The Colonial Records of North Carolina. 10 vols. Raleigh, N.C., 1886–90., 9:1155–59). GW had seen Lee in Philadelphia while attending the First Continental Congress but may have met him first during the Braddock expedition of 1755 in which both men participated. Their conversation during Lee’s stay at Mount Vernon probably included a discussion of a plan that Lee had devised for organizing

American troops into battalions and may have touched on the subject of western lands, in which Lee was also much interested (ALDENJohn Richard Alden. General Charles Lee: Traitor or Patriot? Baton Rouge, La., 1951., chaps. 1–5).

31. At home all day. In the Afternoon Doctr. Craik came.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

Decr. 1st. Clear and pleasant, with but little Wind and that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Clear & calm in the forenoon but lowering afterwards. Wind blowing fresh from So. Wt.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Wind in the same place & Warm. Abt. Noon Cloudy with a few drops of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Clear and very pleasant with little or no Wind & warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Much such a day as the preceeding one. In the Evening Rain which contd. all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Fine Rain all day, with but little Wind. Rather Raw & cool but not Cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Clear after the Morning with the Wind fresh & cold from No. Wt.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Clear and Cold, wind continuing in the same place.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. More moderate, but Snowing fast all the forenoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 14. Clear and not unpleast. with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Much such a day as yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Very pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Ditto.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Warm and pleasant. Wind Southerly very little.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Still Warm with Showers of Rain, & Wind fresh from the So. West. In the Afternn. it chang’d to No. Wt. & blew hard.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Calm all the forenoon and very warm and pleasant in the Afternoon. Wind at No. Et.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Again calm & pleasant. Afternoon hazy & Wind Easterly.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. A little Snow in the forenoon. Wind continuing in the same place.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Remarkably pleasant Morning with little or no Wind. Afternoon hazy with a little Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Clear, and neither very cold, or unpleasant, although the Wind blew fresh from the No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Clear and pleasant forenoon. Cloudy afterwards with Snow in the Afternoon. Wind at No. East.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Lowering, and Snowing now and then throughout the day. Wind abt. No. West but not very Cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

29th. Clear and tolerably moderate and pleasant notwithstanding the Wind was pretty fresh at So. Wt.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Calm and exceeding pleasant—being clear in the forenoon. Somewhat lowering afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 December 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Clear but pretty cool. Wind fresh from No. West.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in Decr. [1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

Decr. 1st. Clear and pleasant, with but little Wind and that Southerly.

2. Cool & frosty in the Morning but very pleasant afterwards with but little Wind & that South.

3. Clear & calm in the forenoon but lowering afterwards. Wind blowing fresh from So. Wt.

4. Lowering Morning but Warm. Clear afterwards. Wind still Southerly.

5. Wind in the same place & Warm. Abt. Noon Cloudy with a few drops of Rain.

6. Clear and very pleasant with little or no Wind & warm.

7. Lowering all day with but little Wind. Warm.

8. Much such a day as the preceeding one. In the Evening Rain which contd. all Night.

9. Fine Rain all day, with but little Wind. Rather Raw & cool but not Cold.

10. Clear after the Morning with the Wind fresh & cold from No. Wt.

11th. Clear and very cold. Wind very fresh from the North West.

12. Clear and Cold, wind continuing in the same place.

13. More moderate, but Snowing fast all the forenoon.

14. Clear and not unpleast. with but little Wind.

15. Much such a day as yesterday.

16. Very pleasant.

17. Ditto.

18. Warm and pleasant. Wind Southerly very little.

19. Still Warm with Showers of Rain, & Wind fresh from the So. West. In the Afternn. it chang’d to No. Wt. & blew hard.

20. Wind still at No. West but not very hard or Cold, clear.

21. Calm all the forenoon and very warm and pleasant in the Afternoon. Wind at No. Et.

22. Again calm & pleasant. Afternoon hazy & Wind Easterly.

23. A little Snow in the forenoon. Wind continuing in the same place.

24. Clear and pleasant. Wind Northerly.

25. Remarkably pleasant Morning with little or no Wind. Afternoon hazy with a little Rain.

26. Clear, and neither very cold, or unpleasant, although the Wind blew fresh from the No. West.

27. Clear and pleasant forenoon. Cloudy afterwards with Snow in the Afternoon. Wind at No. East.

28. Lowering, and Snowing now and then throughout the day. Wind abt. No. West but not very Cold.

29th. Clear and tolerably moderate and pleasant notwithstanding the Wind was pretty fresh at So. Wt.

30. Calm and exceeding pleasant—being clear in the forenoon. Somewhat lowering afterwards.

31. Clear but pretty cool. Wind fresh from No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

Jan. 1st. At home all day. Doctr. Craik went away after Breakfast.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Mr. George Digges & three of his Sisters—to wit Tracy; Nancy & Jenny, and Mr. Danl. Carroll & Nancy Peake came here & stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Mr. Digges & his Sisters and Mr. Carroll went away after Breakfast.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Miss Nancy Peake went away after Breakfast. Doctr. Rumney Dined and lodged here.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 9th. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney & Mrs. Newman went away after Breakfast.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Again at home and alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Ditto—Ditto.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Went to Pohick Church & returnd to Dinner. Colo. Mason & Son, Mr. Dulany & Mr. Cockburn came home with me & stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Under Arms this day also and in Committee in the Eveng.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. At home all day. Miss Calvert returnd home.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Went a hunting with Mr. Custis. Killd a Dog Fox & returnd to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. At home all day. Danl. Jenifer Adams came here abt. 11 Oclock, & went away. Price Posey came—Dined and stayd all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney came here in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Doctr. Rumney visited the Sick—returnd to Dinner & stayed all Night. Mr. Alexr. Ross dind & went away after it.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Doctr. Rumney visited the Sick & returnd to Dinner. I went a hunting. Found a fox but did not kill it.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Went up to Alexandria to an intended meeting of the Trustees for opening the Rivr. Potomack. None met. Stayd in Alexandria all night & bo[ugh]t a parcel of Servants.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Went up to four Mile run to view the Land bought of Mr. Mercer. Lookd at part of it, & returnd home at Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. At home all day. Ditto. Mr. & Mrs. Custis went to Pohick Church & from thence to Colo. Masons.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Rid into the Neck to see the Sick People—came home by Muddy hole. A Mr. Bruce dined here.


Title: [January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

Jan. 1st. At home all day. Doctr. Craik went away after Breakfast.

2. Genl. Lee and myself rid up to Alexandria & returnd in the Afternoon. Mr. Richd. Washington went away after Dinner.

3. At home all day.

4. Genl. Lee went away after Breakfast. A Mr. Tarrant Breakfasted & Dined here. And Mr. & Mrs. Custis, & Miss Calvert came here in the Afternoon.

   Leonard Tarrant was visiting GW as a representative of the firm of Balfour & Barraud, of Norfolk, seeking to obtain from GW “about a Thousand Barr[el]s flour & a few hundred Bar[rel]s of bread” (Balfour & Barraud to [GW], 25 Dec. 1774, DLC:GW). Tarrant got his contract.

   GW today lent Charles Lee £15 cash, probably for traveling expenses to Williamsburg. According to a memorandum that GW wrote for Fielding Lewis on 30 April 1775, the debt was to be discharged by Col. William Byrd, with whom Lee supposedly left money for that purpose (PHi: Gratz Collection). Nevertheless, the £15, plus £9 12s. which GW lent Lee in June of this year, remained unpaid until four years after Lee’s death, when the account was settled without interest by the executor of his estate (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 137).

5. At home all day.

6. Mr. George Digges & three of his Sisters—to wit Tracy; Nancy & Jenny, and Mr. Danl. Carroll & Nancy Peake came here & stayed all Night.

7. Mr. Digges & his Sisters and Mr. Carroll went away after Breakfast.

8. Miss Nancy Peake went away after Breakfast. Doctr. Rumney Dined and lodged here.

9th. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney & Mrs. Newman went away after Breakfast.

10. At home all day, Mr. Stone dined here.

11. Again at home and alone.

12. Went a Fox hunting—found but did not kill.

13. At home all day alone.

14. Ditto—Ditto.

15. Went to Pohick Church & returnd to Dinner. Colo. Mason & Son, Mr. Dulany & Mr. Cockburn came home with me & stayed all Night.

16. Went up to Alexandria to a review of the Independant Company & to choose a Com[mitt]ee for the County of Fairfax.

   When first organized in Sept. 1774, the company agreed to limit its number to 100 men, to elect its own officers, to drill from time to time, and to supply its own ammunition. Each volunteer was to carry “a good Fire-lock and Bayonet, Sling Cartouch-Box, and Tomahawk” and to dress in “a regular Uniform of Blue, turn’d up with Buff” (MASON [2]Robert A. Rutland, ed. The Papers of George Mason, 1725–1792. 3 vols. Chapel Hill, N.C., 1970., 1:211).

   Although most of the Virginia county committees that had been formed before the Continental Association transferred their authority to meet and act from the Virginia Association to the Continental Association in the fall of 1774, there was strong sentiment to hold new elections for county committees as called for by the 11th article of the Continental Association. Many counties simply reelected the old committees or changed them slightly; some other counties took advantage of these new elections to expand the membership of their committees.

17. Under Arms this day also and in Committee in the Eveng.

   Today the committee, chaired by GW, passed resolutions to assess 3s. for every tithable in the county to pay for powder, to keep a list “of such persons as shall refuse to pay the same,” and to organize a. countywide militia system of 68–man companies (MASON [2]Robert A. Rutland, ed. The Papers of George Mason, 1725–1792. 3 vols. Chapel Hill, N.C., 1970., 1:212–13).

18. In Committee all day.

   No contemporary reference has been found during the period covered by GW’s diaries to any county committee in Virginia being called a committee of safety, each committee usually referring to itself merely as “the committee” for the county.

19. Returnd home to Dinner alone.

20. At home all day. Miss Calvert returnd home.

21. Went a hunting with Mr. Custis. Killd a Dog Fox & returnd to Dinner.

22. At home all day. Danl. Jenifer Adams came here abt. 11 Oclock, & went away. Price Posey came—Dined and stayd all Night.

   Adams was still trying to settle his debts to GW growing out of his role in the 1772 voyage of the brig Fairfax to the West Indies (see main entry for 22 July 1772). GW was pressing “that worthless young Fellow” Adams for possession of about 550 acres of Adams family lands in Charles County, Md., which GW accepted later in the year as “all I am likely to get for my debt” (GW to Robert McMickan, 10 May 1774, DLC:GW; General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 99; Daniel Jenifer Adams to GW, 4 Feb. 1775, DLC:GW; GW to Thomas Pollock, 29 Nov. 1773, DLC:GW).

23. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney came here in the Afternoon.

24. Doctr. Rumney visited the Sick—returnd to Dinner & stayed all Night. Mr. Alexr. Ross dind & went away after it.

25. Doctr. Rumney visited the Sick & returnd to Dinner. I went a hunting. Found a fox but did not kill it.

26. Went up to Alexandria to an intended meeting of the Trustees for opening the Rivr. Potomack. None met. Stayd in Alexandria all night & bo[ugh]t a parcel of Servants.

   This meeting had been called to “form and digest proper Plans to be laid before the Assemblies of Virginia and Maryland” in the hope of raising capital for John Ballendine’s Potomac navigation project (Va. Gaz., D, 7 Jan. 1775).

27. Went up to four Mile run to view the Land bought of Mr. Mercer. Lookd at part of it, & returnd home at Night.

   Four Mile Run is a small stream, about eight or nine miles long, which flows into the Potomac approximately four miles north of Hunting Creek. The land GW bought from James and George Mercer consisted of two patents, one for 378 acres and the other for 790 acres. These lands were deeded to GW 12 Dec. 1774 and proved 15 Oct. 1775. GW paid £892 for the two tracts (STETSON [1]Charles W. Stetson. Four Mile Run Land Grants. Washington, D.C., 1935., 39–60).

28. At home all day alone.

29. At home all day. Ditto. Mr. & Mrs. Custis went to Pohick Church & from thence to Colo. Masons.

30. Rid into the Neck to see the Sick People—came home by Muddy hole. A Mr. Bruce dined here.

   Normand Bruce (d. 1811), of Frederick County, Md., brought a letter of introduction from Thomas Johnson, who wrote: “his Drift is to persuade people in general to manufacture coarse Linnens in earnest, to shew that Hemp is the proper material for us to rely on much in preference of Flax. . . . he wishes for your Encouragement of a Work so well intended” (17 Jan. 1775, DLC:GW).

31. At home all day. Miss Dent & a daughter of Captn. Marshalls dind here.

   The daughter of Capt. Thomas Hanson Marshall of Marshall Hall was Mary Marshall (1767–1789). Miss Dent is probably Mary’s aunt, Sarah Dent, a sister of Mary’s mother, Rebecca Dent Marshall, who died in 1770 (NEWMANHarry Wright Newman. The Maryland Dents: A Genealogical History of the Descendants of Judge Thomas Dent and Captain John Dent Who Settled Early in the Province of Maryland. Richmond, Va., 1963., 35).


Title: [Diary entry: 2 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Very pleasant again, with but little Wind, and that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Exceeding pleasant, being clear, warm, & Calm.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Just such a day as yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Very pleasant in the Morning, and calm. Towards Noon the wind sprung up Northerly, but neither cold or hard.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Clear & pleasant in the Morning but the Wind coming out fresh from the No. Wt. it turnd Cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 9th. Clear & pleasant though a hard frost in the Morning being calm. Wind Southerly afterwards & a little lowering.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Clear all the forepart of the day & calm—lowering afterwards & Wind fresh from the Southward.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Rain fell last Night. Morning still & calm, Afternoon very windy from the No. West. Day cloudy.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. A little smoky & hazy. Wind fresh from the So. Wt. all day. Warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Lowering all day & Wind Southerly. At Night a good deal of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Cloudy but little or no Rain till Night. Wind Easterly.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Raining, or Snowing, more or less all day—with the Wind at East.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Foggy in the Morning, but clear, warm, & pleasant afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Very white frost but clear, Calm, & remarkably pleast. all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Calm, but lowering all day and warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Warm and pleasant, but rather lowering.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 25. Very warm and pleasant. Evening lowering, & Night Raining.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Clear, & very pleasant after the Morning—wind Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Calm, clear, warm, and exceeding pleasant till the Afternoon then lowering.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Cloudy all day, and somewhat raw & cold. Wind at No. West but not hard.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. A very white frost—clear & very pleasant with but little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 January 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Clear, warm, & pleasant. Wind pretty fresh from So. Wt.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in January [1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

Jan. 1. Calm, clear, warm, & exceeding pleasant.

2. Very pleasant again, with but little Wind, and that Southerly.

3. Exceeding pleasant, being clear, warm, & Calm.

4. Just such a day as yesterday.

5. Very pleasant in the Morning, and calm. Towards Noon the wind sprung up Northerly, but neither cold or hard.

6. Calm & pleasant in the Morning, but Wind at No. Et. afterwards.

7. Calm & clear Morning, but Wind from the No. West afterwards but neither hard or Cold.

8. Clear & pleasant in the Morning but the Wind coming out fresh from the No. Wt. it turnd Cool.

9th. Clear & pleasant though a hard frost in the Morning being calm. Wind Southerly afterwards & a little lowering.

10. Calm & clear in the forepart of the day—hard frost. Wind Southerly in the Afternoon & somewhat lowering again.

11. Clear all the forepart of the day & calm—lowering afterwards & Wind fresh from the Southward.

12. Rain fell last Night. Morning still & calm, Afternoon very windy from the No. West. Day cloudy.

13. Very cold in the forepart of the Day. Wind fresh from the No. West—Southerly towards Night.

14. A little smoky & hazy. Wind fresh from the So. Wt. all day. Warm.

15. Exceeding pleasant but rather too warm—there being but little wind & that Southerly.

16. Warm, but lowering wind fresh from the Southwd.

17. Lowering all day & Wind Southerly. At Night a good deal of Rain.

18. Cloudy but little or no Rain till Night. Wind Easterly.

19. Raining, or Snowing, more or less all day—with the Wind at East.

20. Foggy in the Morning, but clear, warm, & pleasant afterwards.

21. Calm, warm, and exceeding pleasant in the forenoon with a White frost. In the Afternoon the wind got to No. West but neither blew hard or cold.

22. Very white frost but clear, Calm, & remarkably pleast. all day.

23. Calm, but lowering all day and warm.

24. Warm and pleasant, but rather lowering.

25. Very warm and pleasant. Evening lowering, & Night Raining.

26. Clear, & very pleasant after the Morning—wind Southerly.

27. Calm, clear, warm, and exceeding pleasant till the Afternoon then lowering.

28. In the Night Rain. Misting all day with the Wind at No. East.

29. Cloudy all day, and somewhat raw & cold. Wind at No. West but not hard.

30. A very white frost—clear & very pleasant with but little Wind & that Southerly.

31. Clear, warm, & pleasant. Wind pretty fresh from So. Wt.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

Feby. 1st. Went into the Neck to see the Sick. Also went a fox huntg. Found nothing.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. At home all day. In the Afternn. Mr. Calvert, Mr. Bordley, & Mr. Jacques from Maryland and Mr. Wagener, Mr. Mills, Doctr. Rumney, & Mr. Rutherford came here.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Mr. Wagener, & Mr. Mills went away after Breakfast.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 4. Mr. Calvert & the Gentlemen from Maryland went away after Breakfast. Colo. Nathl. Harrison & a Mr. Murdock came to Dinner. Mr. Murdock is possibly John Murdock (1733–1791), who inherited land in Frederick County, Md., and in the fall of 1774 was chosen a trustee of John Ballendine’s Potomac Navigation Company (Va. Gaz., 10 Nov. 1774).


Title: [Diary entry: 5–6 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

5.
}
They contd. here.

6.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Colo. Harrison, Mr. Murdock & Mr. Rutherford went away after Breakfast.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Mr. Willm. Milner came to Dinner & went over to Mr. Digges’s in the Aftern.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Doctr. Jenifer & his Brother dind here, & Mr. Milner Lodged here.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Mr. Milner went away. Mr. Custis & myself went a hunting but killd nothing although we found a Fox. Robt. Ashby & bro. lodgd here.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Ashby & his brother went away. I contd. at home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

13th. At home all day. Mr. Geo. Digges came in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Went a Fox hunting—found & killd a Fox. Robt. Phil, & George Alexander came home with us. Mr. Muir Doctr. Rumney & Cap. Harper lodgd here.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Went a Huntg. again—found Nothing. None but Mr. Digges came home with me. Doctr. Rumney contd. here all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Went up to Alexandria to meet & exercise the Independant Company.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Went up to Alexandria to the Choosing of Delegates to go to Richmond. Doctr. Rumney.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Doctr. Craik staid all day. Mr. Rutherford came to Dinner & also stayd all Night. A Mr. Corse dind & went away afterwds.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Mr. Danl. Jenifer came to Dinnr. & went away afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 26. Mrs. Washington & self went to Pohick Church. Dind at Captn. McCartys. Mrs. Craik came home with us.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Went up with Mrs. Washington to Alexandria—returnd to Dinner.


Title: [February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

Feby. 1st. Went into the Neck to see the Sick. Also went a fox huntg. Found nothing.

2. At home all day. In the Afternn. Mr. Calvert, Mr. Bordley, & Mr. Jacques from Maryland and Mr. Wagener, Mr. Mills, Doctr. Rumney, & Mr. Rutherford came here.

   John Beale Bordley (1727–1804), of Baltimore and Wye Island, Md., pursued an avid interest in all areas of agriculture, including crop rotation, farm industry, and proper diet. Like GW, he turned from tobacco to wheat as a cash crop and practiced extensive experimental farming at his farms on Wye Island, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

   Launcelot Jacques (d. 1791) was apparently a descendant of French Huguenots who had settled in England. Jacques immigrated to Maryland and in the 1760s settled on the Potomac River at Green Spring, in Frederick (now Washington) County, Md. There he developed several ironworks in partnership with Thomas Johnson, both of whom had been working for years to open up the navigation of the upper Potomac (SCHARF [3]J. Thomas Scharf. History of Western Maryland. Being a History of Frederick, Montgomery, Carroll, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties from the Earliest Period to the Present Day; Including Biographical Sketches of Their Representative Men. 2 vols. 1882. Reprint. Baltimore, 1968., 2:1293–97). mr. mills: possibly John Mills (died c.1784), a merchant of Alexandria (Va. Gaz., D&N, 10 July 1779).

3. Mr. Wagener, & Mr. Mills went away after Breakfast.

4. Mr. Calvert & the Gentlemen from Maryland went away after Breakfast. Colo. Nathl. Harrison & a Mr. Murdock came to Dinner.
Mr. Murdock is possibly John Murdock (1733–1791), who inherited land in Frederick County, Md., and in the fall of 1774 was chosen a trustee of John Ballendine’s Potomac Navigation Company (Va. Gaz., 10 Nov. 1774).

5.
}
They contd. here.

6.

7. Colo. Harrison, Mr. Murdock & Mr. Rutherford went away after Breakfast.

8. Mr. Willm. Milner came to Dinner & went over to Mr. Digges’s in the Aftern.

   William Milnor continued to do business with GW, although there is no record of his buying fish after May 1774. Milnor was a Quaker, but he was an ardent supporter of the colonists against the British ministry and, on GW’s orders, furnished drums, fifes, and colors for the Fairfax and Prince William Independent companies, as well as a number of muskets. He also furnished GW with an officer’s sash, gorget, epaulettes, and sword knots, a treatise on military discipline, and several political pamphlets (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 123; Milnor to GW, 29 Nov. 1774, DLC:GW).

9. At home all day alone.

10. Doctr. Jenifer & his Brother dind here, & Mr. Milner Lodged here.

11. Mr. Milner went away. Mr. Custis & myself went a hunting but killd nothing although we found a Fox. Robt. Ashby & bro. lodgd here.

12. Ashby & his brother went away. I contd. at home all day.

13th. At home all day. Mr. Geo. Digges came in the Afternoon.

14. Went a Fox hunting—found & killd a Fox. Robt. Phil, & George Alexander came home with us. Mr. Muir Doctr. Rumney & Cap. Harper lodgd here.

15. Went a Huntg. again—found Nothing. None but Mr. Digges came home with me. Doctr. Rumney contd. here all day.

16. At home all day. The Doctr. went away after Breakfast, & Mr. Digges after Dinner.

17. At home all day alone.

18. Went up to Alexandria to meet & exercise the Independant Company.

19. At home all day alone.

20. Went up to Alexandria to the Choosing of Delegates to go to Richmond. Doctr. Rumney.

   Pursuant to a resolution by the First Virginia Convention (1–6 Aug. 1774) authorizing the moderator, Peyton Randolph, to call another convention when he thought necessary, Randolph issued a call on 19 Jan. 1775 for each county to choose two delegates to a convention to be convened in Richmond on 20 Mar. (VAN SCHREEVENWilliam J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record. 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83., 2:245–54).

21. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney & Captn. Marshall Dined here. Mr. Grayson & Mr. Henderson came in the Afternoon & lodgd.

   On 16 Feb., James Scott, Jr. (1742–1779), of Fauquier County, wrote to GW that he and Capt. Thomas Marshall were “the persons chosen by our [Fauquier County] Independent company, to wait on you for the purpose of offering you the command,” but Scott was not able to join Marshall in this visit (DLC:GW).

   William Grayson was at this time head of the Prince William County Independent Company. He served as aide-de-camp to GW from Aug. 1776 to Jan. 1777, when, promoted to colonel, he raised Grayson’s Additional Regiment, which he commanded until he retired from the service in 1779 (BERGFred Anderson Berg. Encyclopedia of Continental Army Units: Battalions, Regiments, and Independent Corps. Harrisburg, Pa., 1972., 48; W.P.A. [1]W.P.A. Writers’ Project. Prince William: The Story of Its People and Its Places. American Guide Series. Manassas, Va., 1941., 91–92).

22. The whole went away after Breakfast. Went with Mrs. Washington to Mr. Digges & Dind. Mr. Custis and wife went to Maryland. Doctr. Craik came in the Aftern.

23. Doctr. Craik staid all day. Mr. Rutherford came to Dinner & also stayd all Night. A Mr. Corse dind & went away afterwds.

   Mr. Corse may have been John Corse, a captain in the Delaware Regiment during the Revolution (see Fitzpatrick, DiariesJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Diaries of George Washington, 1748–1799. 4 vols. Boston and New York, 1925., 2:186n).

24. Doctr. Craik went away early in the Morning & Mr. Rutherfd. after Dinner.

25. Mr. Danl. Jenifer came to Dinnr. & went away afterwards.

26. Mrs. Washington & self went to Pohick Church. Dind at Captn. McCartys. Mrs. Craik came home with us.

27. Mrs. Craik went away after Breakfast—the Doctr. coming for her.

28. Went up with Mrs. Washington to Alexandria—returnd to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

Feby. 1. Pleasant with but little Wind, & that Near No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Calm, warm, & pleasant all day—being also clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Pleasant & clear in the Morning, but lowering afterwards with some rain in the Evening & Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Quite calm and Pleasant being warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Very little wind, but lowg. & like for falling weather.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Wind blowing very fresh from the So. West all day & for the most part clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Cloudy all day, with the wind fresh from the No[rth]ward. In the Afternoon Snowing & wind at No. Et.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Cloudy for the most part and Raw. Wind at No. Et. with Snow.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Snowing all the forenoon but not fast. Afternoon clear and Cold. Wind at No. Wt.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 13. But little Wind, and that Southerly. For the most part clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Cool & raw all day—the fore part at least. Wind Northerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Clear but cool. Wind fresh from the So. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Calm, at least very little Wind & that Southerly. Clear & exceeding pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Rather lowering with but little Wind & that at East.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Cloudy a little in the forenn. but clear afterwards & warm with very little wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Cloudy all day, but not Cold with but little wind, and that variable. At Night Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Again very warm and pleast. with but little wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Clear and warm with the wind pretty fresh from the Southward. At Night Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Clear and a little Cool—Wind fresh all day from the West & So. Wt.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Wind pretty fresh from the Northwest and a little cold towards Noon.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Wind fresh from the Southward. Raw & cool and lowering towards Eveng.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 February 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Lowering Morning but clear, warm, & exceeding pleasant afterwards—till the Evening when it Clouded & look like Rain. Wind blowing fresh from the Southwd.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in Feby. [1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

Feby. 1. Pleasant with but little Wind, & that Near No. West.

2. A White frost but clear & very pleast. with but little wind & that Southerly.

3. Calm, warm, & pleasant all day—being also clear.

4. Pleasant & clear in the Morning, but lowering afterwards with some rain in the Evening & Night.

5. Quite calm and Pleasant being warm.

6. Very little wind, but lowg. & like for falling weather.

7. Cloudy & calm, & something like Snow in the forenoon. Afternoon clear & exceeding pleasant. Wind Southerly.

8. Wind blowing very fresh from the So. West all day & for the most part clear.

9. Cloudy all day, with the wind fresh from the No[rth]ward. In the Afternoon Snowing & wind at No. Et.

10. Snowing & Raining till 12 or one Oclock then clear—wind getting to No. West at Night.

11. Cloudy for the most part and Raw. Wind at No. Et. with Snow.

12. Snowing all the forenoon but not fast. Afternoon clear and Cold. Wind at No. Wt.

13. But little Wind, and that Southerly. For the most part clear.

14. Cool & raw all day—the fore part at least. Wind Northerly.

15. Clear but cool. Wind fresh from the So. West.

16. Calm, at least very little Wind & that Southerly. Clear & exceeding pleasant.

17. Rather lowering with but little Wind & that at East.

18. Cloudy a little in the forenn. but clear afterwards & warm with very little wind.

19. Cloudy all day, but not Cold with but little wind, and that variable. At Night Rain.

20. Clear & very warm with but little wind & that Southerly.

21. Again very warm and pleast. with but little wind.

22. Quite warm with little or no Wind and Clear.

23. Clear and warm with the wind pretty fresh from the Southward. At Night Rain.

24. Raining more or less till the Afternoon, then clear, wind fresh all day from the Southward.

25. Clear and a little Cool—Wind fresh all day from the West & So. Wt.

26. Wind pretty fresh from the Northwest and a little cold towards Noon.

27. Wind fresh from the Southward. Raw & cool and lowering towards Eveng.

28. Lowering Morning but clear, warm, & exceeding pleasant afterwards—till the Evening when it Clouded & look like Rain. Wind blowing fresh from the Southwd.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

Mar. 1st. Cloudy all the forenoon with a little Rain. Clear afterwards. Wind very fresh all day from the No. West. Mrs. Barnes, & Miss Betcy Ramsay came in the Eveng. as did Mr. Morda. Red.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Went a Hunting but found nothing. Colo. Harrison and Captn. Wood came here to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. At home all day. Colo. Richd. Lee came to Dinner and Doctr. Craik in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Colo. Harrison & Colo. Lee went away, as did Mrs. Barnes & Miss Ramsay after Breakfast.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 8th. The above Gentlemen went away after Breakfast. Docter Craik came to Dinner & wt. away afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. At home all day. Lewis Lemart & George Chin came & stayd all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. At home all day. Mrs. Slaug[h]ter dind here.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. At home all day. Capt. Mc[Car]ty dind here.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. At home all day. Doctr. Craik came in the Afternn. Cleveland still here.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Set of for Richmond. Dind in Colchester with Mr. Wagener & lodgd at Colo. Blackburns.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Went to Dumfries to review the Independant Company there. Dind & lodged with Mr. Leitch. Spent the Evg. at an Entertt. at Grahams.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Reachd Fredericksburg first dining at Mr. James Hunters—detaind by Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Clear and pleasant—in Fredericksburg all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Reach’d Richmond abt. 11 Oclock. Dind at Mr. Richd. Adam’s. Went to Col. Archy Carys abt. 7 Miles in the Aftern.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Dind at Cooleys Tavern in Richmd. & returnd to Colo. Carys.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Dined at Galts Tavern & lodgd at a House of his providing.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 24. Dined at Galts & spent the Evening & lodgd at Mr. Saml. Duvals.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Returnd to the Convention in Richmond. Dined at Galts & went to Mrs. Randolphs of Wilton.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Stay’d at Wilton all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Left Richmond. Dined at Hanover C[our]t Ho[use] & Lodged at Roys at the Bolling Green.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Got to Fredericksburg abt. 11 Oclock. Dined at Colo. Lewis’s & spent the Evening at Weedons.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. At Fredericksburg all day. Dined at Colo. Lewis’s.


Title: [March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

Mar. 1st. Cloudy all the forenoon with a little Rain. Clear afterwards. Wind very fresh all day from the No. West. Mrs. Barnes, & Miss Betcy Ramsay came in the Eveng. as did Mr. Morda. Red.

   Betcy Ramsay was Mrs. Sarah Barnes’s granddaughter.

2. Morda. Red went away after Breakfast. Doctr. Jenifer & wife & Mrs. McCarty came to Dinner & stayd all Night.

   Dr. Walter Hanson Jenifer’s wife Ann was commonly called Nancy.

3. They went away after Breakfast. I contd. at home all day.

4. Went a Hunting but found nothing. Colo. Harrison and Captn. Wood came here to Dinner.

5. At home all day. Colo. Richd. Lee came to Dinner and Doctr. Craik in the Evening.

6. Colo. Harrison & Colo. Lee went away, as did Mrs. Barnes & Miss Ramsay after Breakfast.

7. I set my People off for the Ohio under the care of Willm. Stevens. Captn. Wood went away and Doctr. Craik went up with Lund Washington to see Jas. Cleveland. Colo. Harrison returnd. Mr. Whiting, & Mr. Catesby Woodford came to Dinner also & Stayed all Night.

   GW was making his second attempt in two years to seat his frontier lands on the Ohio and Kanawha rivers, for which he had gathered, through purchase and hire, a collection of black and white artisans and laborers. He was now sending them west under the temporary direction of William Stevens, who had replaced the ailing James Cleveland. In his instructions to Stevens dated 6 Mar. 1775, GW wrote: “I cannot pretend to say with certainty, when I shall be with you; but hope it may happen in May—if not in May, it shall be so soon after as I can make it convenient” (DLC:GW).

   Mr. Whiting is probably Francis Whiting, who died in this year.

   Catesby Woodford (1738–1791), a younger brother of Brig. Gen. William Woodford of the Revolution, was born in Caroline County. Catesby married Mary Buckner in 1771 and settled in Fauquier County (Stewart, Life of WoodfordMrs. Catesby Willis Stewart. The Life of Brigadier General William Woodford of The American Revolution. 2 vols. Richmond, Va., 1973., 1:70, 238, 276, 313; CROZIER [3]William Armstrong Crozier, ed. The Buckners of Virginia and Allied Families of Strother and Ashby. New York, 1907., 171).

8th. The above Gentlemen went away after Breakfast. Docter Craik came to Dinner & wt. away afterwards.

9. At home all day. Lewis Lemart & George Chin came & stayd all Night.

10. At home all day. Mr. Custis who came over on Sunday returnd again to Maryland.

11. At home all day. Mrs. Slaug[h]ter dind here.

12. Went to Pohick Church & returnd to Dinner. Found Mr. Jno. Stone here who went away afterwards. Jas. Cleveland came in the Afternoon.

   John Hoskins Stone (1745–1804), of Charles County, Md., had come to Mount Vernon to pay £300 for 3,000 bushels of GW’s corn (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 190).

13. At home all day. Capt. Mc[Car]ty dind here.

14. At home all day. Doctr. Craik came in the Afternn. Cleveland still here.

15. Set of for Richmond. Dind in Colchester with Mr. Wagener & lodgd at Colo. Blackburns.

16. Went to Dumfries to review the Independant Company there. Dind & lodged with Mr. Leitch. Spent the Evg. at an Entertt. at Grahams.

   GW reviewed the Independent Company of Cadets of Prince William County. Andrew Leitch, a merchant of Dumfries, was a member of the Prince William County Committee (VAN SCHREEVENWilliam J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record. 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83., 2:204).

   The entertainment at “Grahams” may have been in the 60–by–28–foot “Assembly room” which was constructed about 1769 under the management of Richard Graham and financed by subscription in Dumfries for assembly balls, celebrations, and entertainments on public occasions (Va. Gaz., R, 23 Mar. 1769).

17. Reachd Fredericksburg first dining at Mr. James Hunters—detaind by Wind.

   GW’s host was probably James Hunter, Sr. (d. 1785), then of King George County.

18. Clear and pleasant—in Fredericksburg all day.

19. Dined at Roys at the Bolling green and lodged at Hanovr. Court House.

   Hanover Court House, now Hanover, is 15 miles north of Richmond. In 1781 there was a “very fine and large inn here” (RICEHoward C. Rice, Jr., and Anne S. K. Brown, eds. The American Campaigns of Rochambeau’s Army, 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783. 2 vols. Princeton, N.J., 1972., 2:101).

20. Reach’d Richmond abt. 11 Oclock. Dind at Mr. Richd. Adam’s. Went to Col. Archy Carys abt. 7 Miles in the Aftern.

   The Second Virginia Convention was called to order at the Henrico Parish Church in Richmond, built in the 1740s on Indian Town Hill and set in a yard which in time became bounded by Broad, Grace, Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth streets. In 1772 a north wing was added, and it was in this building that the Second Virginia Convention met. Indian Town Hill, which was also called Richmond Hill, came in time to be called Church Hill, after the church building, which itself was variously called Indian Town Church, New Church, Old Church, Henrico Parish Church, and the Town Church. The present name, St. John’s Church, first appeared in the early nineteenth century (RAWLINGSJames Scott Rawlings. Virginia’s Colonial Churches: An Architectural Guide together with their Surviving Books, Silver, & Furnishings. Richmond, 1963., 165–68).

   The house of Richard Adams (c.1726–1800) was about a block from the church (SCOTTMary Wingfield Scott. Houses of Old Richmond. Richmond, Va., 1941., 12). Adams, who bought up so many lots in the area that Church Hill was sometimes called Adams Hill, became a successful merchant and entrepreneur (SCOTTMary Wingfield Scott. Houses of Old Richmond. Richmond, Va., 1941., 12–13; HEADS OF FAMILIES, VAHeads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Virginia; Records of the State Enumerations, 1782 to 1785. 1908. Reprint. Baltimore, 1970.., 112, 115; MORDECAISamuel Mordecai. Virginia, Especially Richmond, in By-Gone Days; with a Glance at the Present: Being Reminiscences and Last Words of an Old Citizen. 2d ed. Richmond, 1860., 45, 137). He represented Henrico County in the House of Burgesses 1769–75 and in all five Virginia conventions.

   Col. Archibald Cary (1720–1787) lived at Ampthill, on the south side of the James River in Chesterfield County, the county he represented in the House of Burgesses 1756–75 and in the Virginia conventions. The Ampthill house and major dependencies have since been moved to a site in Richmond (WATERMANThomas Tileston Waterman. The Mansions of Virginia, 1706–1776. Chapel Hill, N.C., 1946., 212–16; ROTHERYAgnes Rothery. Houses Virginians Have Loved. New York, 1954., 254–56).

21. Dind at Cooleys Tavern in Richmd. & returnd to Colo. Carys.

   The convention spent this day’s session hearing reports from their seven delegates to the First Continental Congress and discussing the proceedings of that congress (VAN SCHREEVENWilliam J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record. 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83., 2:353). Cowley’s (Cooley’s, Coley’s) tavern, inherited in 1769 by Abraham Cowley, was located near the intersection of what later became Main and Twenty-second streets.

22. Dined at Galts Tavern & lodgd at a House of his providing.

   The convention concluded the day’s deliberations by voting unanimous approval to “the proceedings and Resolutions of the American Continental Congress” and unanimous thanks to their seven delegates (VAN SCHREEVENWilliam J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record. 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83., 2:361). Gabriel Galt (1748–1788) ran the City Tavern, on the northwest corner of Nineteenth and Main streets below Church Hill (HEADS OF FAMILIES, VAHeads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Virginia; Records of the State Enumerations, 1782 to 1785. 1908. Reprint. Baltimore, 1970.., 116; Reps, Tidewater TownsJohn W. Reps. Tidewater Towns: City Planning in Colonial Virginia and Maryland. Williamsburg, Va., 1972., 277).

23. Dined at Mr. Patrick Cootes & lodgd where I had done the Night before.

   At this day’s session Patrick Henry proposed resolutions “that this Colony be immediately put into a posture of Defence.” After much debate, in the course of which Henry gave his “liberty or death” speech, the resolutions passed by a close vote. GW was appointed to a committee to “prepare a Plan for embodying, arming and disciplining” such an armed force, after which the convention adjourned for the day (VAN SCHREEVENWilliam J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record. 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83., 2:366–69; also see FREEMANDouglas Southall Freeman. George Washington: A Biography. 7 vols. New York, 1948–57., 3:403–5; MAYSDavid John Mays. Edmund Pendleton, 1721–1803: A Biography. 2 vols. Cambridge, Mass., 1952., 2:4–11; MEADE [1][William] Meade. Old Churches, Ministers and Families of Virginia. 2 vols. Philadelphia, 1857., 2:25–40).

   At this time Patrick Coutts (d. 1776), a Richmond merchant, was living on Shockoe Hill, later the site of the state Capitol (Va. Gaz., D&H, 4 Nov. 1775; Reps, Tidewater TownsJohn W. Reps. Tidewater Towns: City Planning in Colonial Virginia and Maryland. Williamsburg, Va., 1972., 274, 277).

24. Dined at Galts & spent the Evening & lodgd at Mr. Saml. Duvals.

   The convention decided on this day to send seven delegates to the Second Continental Congress (VAN SCHREEVENWilliam J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record. 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83., 2:371).

   Samuel Du Val (1714–1784) lived near Shockoe Creek at Mount Comfort, then situated northwest of Richmond but since incorporated into the city limits. From 1772 he had represented Henrico County in the House of Burgesses and the first two Virginia conventions (GRABOWSKIIBessie Berry Grabowskii. The DuVal Family of Virginia, 1701: Descendants of Daniel DuVal, Huguenot, and Allied Families. Richmond, 1931., 171–81; VAN SCHREEVENWilliam J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record. 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83., 2:171–72).

25. Returnd to the Convention in Richmond. Dined at Galts & went to Mrs. Randolphs of Wilton.

   Today the convention accepted an amended report of the defense committee, which recommended that each county “form one or more voluntier Companies of Infantry and Troops of Horse,” that every infantryman have a rifle or firelock and a tomahawk and “be cloathed in a hunting Shirt by Way of Uniform,” while the county committees were to be in charge of raising the money for munitions from among the local citizenry (VAN SCHREEVENWilliam J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record. 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83., 2:374–75). The convention also appointed a committee to report on manufactures, to which GW was appointed, and then chose the same seven delegates who had attended the First Continental Congress to attend the second Congress set for May. In the polling GW stood second to Peyton Randolph (VAN SCHREEVENWilliam J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record. 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83., 2:376).

   Anne Harrison Randolph, a daughter of Benjamin and Anne Carter Harrison of Berkeley, was the widow of William Randolph (1710–1761). Since her husband’s death she had presided over Wilton, which was built in the early 1750s about six miles south of Richmond on the north side of the James River. The house was later moved to the west end of Richmond (DU BELLETLouise Pecquet du Bellet. Some Prominent Virginia Families. 4 vols. Lynchburg, Va., 1907., 4:133).

26. Stay’d at Wilton all day.

27. Returnd to Richmond. Dined at Mr. Richd. Adam’s.

   Today, in its final session the Second Virginia Convention made Thomas Jefferson, delegate from Albemarle County, Peyton Randolph’s alternate delegate to the Second Continental Congress (VAN SCHREEVENWilliam J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record. 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83., 2:385–86).

28. Left Richmond. Dined at Hanover C[our]t Ho[use] & Lodged at Roys at the Bolling Green.

29. Got to Fredericksburg abt. 11 Oclock. Dined at Colo. Lewis’s & spent the Evening at Weedons.

   George Weedon was described by an English traveler who stopped at his tavern about this time as “very active and zealous in blowing the flames of sedition” (SMYTHJ. F. D. Smyth. A Tour in the United States of America: containing An Account of the Present Situation of that Country; The Population, Agriculture, Commerce, Customs, and Manners of the Inhabitants; Anecdotes of several Members of the Congress, and General Officers in the American Army; and Many other very singular and interesting Occurrences . . .. 2 vols. London, 1784., 2:151). Weedon was indeed a vigorous advocate of the American position; by April 1776 he had rented his tavern to another innkeeper

and had accepted a commission as a lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army (Va. Gaz., P, 6 Oct. 1775 and 5 April 1776). He became a brigadier general in Feb. 1777 and served until 1783, seeing action at Brandywine, Germantown, and Yorktown. After the Revolution he returned to Fredericksburg, where he died in 1793.

30. At Fredericksburg all day. Dined at Colo. Lewis’s.

31. Set of from thence. Dined at Dumfries & reachd home about Sun Set.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Clear, with little or no Wind in the forenoon but Southerly afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Clear & very pleasant all day. In the forenoon the Wind was a little fresh from the Southward but quite calm afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. A very foggy Morning but Calm, warm, & pleasant afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Clear, Warm, & Calm in the forenoon, but the Wind a little fresh from the Southward afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Clear and pleasant with but little Wind. Warm also.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

9th. Wind very fresh all day from the No. West but not Cold—though clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 11. Foggy in the Morning & very Smoaky all day with but little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Again warm & pleasant but lowering.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Misting with Rain now and then through the day. Wind at So. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Clear but somewhat Cool. Wind very fresh from the Westward, and No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Cloudy with Rain now & then through the day. Wind very fresh first from the No. East—then No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. A frost & cold—Wind very hard all day from the No. Wt.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. A White as well as a black frost.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Clear and very pleasant with but little Wind and Southe[rly].


Title: [Diary entry: 20 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Lowering and very warm with the Wind fresh from the So. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Cold all day with the Wind fresh from the No. Wt.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Clear & warm in the forenoon—Wind very fresh from the So. West. In the afternoon Wind shifting to the No. West & Cooler.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Wind Northerly & somewhat Cool but not unpleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Wind Easterly with Misting Rain all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Raining in the Afternoon with the wind fresh at No. Et. In the Evening it got to No. Wt.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

 28. Very Cold with a Frost—Wind fresh from the No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Severe Frost. White & Black. Fruit distroyd.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 March 1775]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Cool with the Wind at No. West but not very hard.