Title: May [1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday first. Rid to the Fishing landing and to the Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole; perceived the Siberian Wheat at the two first had come up thinly which I attributed partly to bad seed and partly to too thin sowing as the Oats and Barley at all three were also too thin and where the ground had been wet, and hard baked none appeared.
Set them to drilling the common Corn at Muddy hole and to sowing Clover Seed in the Neck on the Oats—the ground for

which, was in bad order; being so hard baked that the roller could make no impression on it. This business has been unseasonably delayed—partly from the late arrival of the Seed from Phila. & partly from neglect & unfavourable weather after it did arrive.
But indifferent luck in fishing to day.
Planted or rather transplanted from the Box sent me by Colo. Wm. Washington of So. Carolina 6 of the Sweet scented, or aromatic shrub in my Shrubberies, on each side the Serpentine walks on this (or East) side of the Garden gate. The rest of these shrubs I suffered to remain in the Box as they were beginning to shoot forth buds & it might be too late to remove them. Wind at No. West.

   sweet scented . . . shrub: Calycanthus floridus, Carolina allspice.

Tuesday 2d. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—69 at Noon and 62 at Night.
Wind Easterly, but not very fresh clear and plesant. Rid by Muddy hole plantation into the Neck. At the first finished drilling the common corn, and ordered the plow to be sent to Dogue run. At the latter I began to drill the common corn—in the furthermost cut—next the river, opposite to Mr. Digges’s & continued the sowing of clover there. Could perceive no vegetation in the Burnet Saint foin, or other grass which had been sown at this place.
Planted Pumpions at Morris’s near the old Houses in which Mrs. Wade lived; in a light sandy soil, 10 feet a part.
Began to harrow the ground at Morris’s, that is Dogue run plantation in which the bad clover seed was sown last fall in order to sprinkle Timothy Seed on it.
Planted 140 Seed sent me by Colo. Wm. Washington and said by him to be the Seed of the large Magnolio or Laurel of Carolina in boxes No. 4, 5 & 6 near the green house.
Also 21 of the Illinois Nuts; compleating at the No. end, the piece of a row in my Botanical Garden in which on the [20th] of [March] I put Gloucester hiccory Nuts.

Wednesday 3d. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—67 at Noon and 62 at Night.
Calm and clear in the Morning. About Noon the wind sprung up from the Southward and towds. Night veered round to the Eastwd. and turned cool. Mid day warm.
Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run and Ferry plantations—also to the fishing landing.

At the 1st. hoed up the sunken & cold places in which Barley had been sowed and was rotten in order to resow them.
At the next I had the ground which was harrowed yesterday & cross harrowing to day sowed with Seeds from my Hay loft—which I directed to be again harrowed to cover the seed and more effectually loosen the Earth. Also began to drill Peas at this—the large sort, next the Barley.
Caught a good many Fish yesterday—but not many to day.
Planted two rows of the everlasting Peas in my botanical Garden; in the Section which contained the guinea grass that would not stand the Winter.
Also 2 rows of the Acorn of the live & water Oak in the same garden—adjoining the row which has the hiccory & Illinois Nuts.
And in box No. 9 in the Garden by the green House was put a pistatia Nut given to me by Colo. Mead.
Perceived the Seeds of the Honey locust to be coming up, irregularly—whether owing to their being shallowest planted—hardness of the ground—or not I cannot say.
Also observed the clover & orchard grass seed which had been sown under the Pines in the pine grove for an experiment, was coming up pretty thick.

   illinois nuts: Carya illinoensis, pecan. GW also called them Mississippi nuts. They are Illinois nuts in Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia.

   colo. mead: probably Richard Kidder Meade (1746–1805), originally of Nansemond County, who served as an aide to GW in the Revolution and later settled in Frederick County. pistatia nut: Pistacia vera, pistachio.

Thursday 4th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 63 at Night.
Clear and pleasant, with but little wind, and that Easterly. Towards evening it began to lower a little and at Night a circle appeared round the Moon.
Doctr. Craik came here in the forenoon, & crossed the river after Dinner on his return home, at wch. time I set out for Abingdon in Order (to morrow) to Survey my 4 Miles run Tract; on which I had cause to apprehend trespasses had been committed.
Sent Majr. Washington to Town on Business where he and Mr. Lund Washington engaged to Mr. Watson 100 Barrls. of my Flour to be delivered next week at 32/9 pr. Barrl.
Not many fish caught to day at the Ferry.
Made good the missing Barley at Muddy hole.

Friday 5th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—67 at Noon and 63 at Night.

The Morning mild and agreeable, as indeed it was through the day till towards evining, when it began to lower pretty much: a large & distinct circle round the Sun before noon & lasted a gd. while.
Set out early from Abingdon, and beginning at the upper corner of my Land (in 4 Miles run) a little below an old Mill; I ran the Tract agreeably to the courses & distances of a Plat made thereof by John Hough, in the year 1766 (Novr.) in presence of Colo. Carlyle & Mr. James Mercer. Not havg. Hough’s field Notes, & no Corner trees being noted in His Plat, I did not attempt to look for lines; but allowing one degree for the variation of Compass since the Survey, above mentioned, was made, I run the courses and distances only; & was unable for want of time, to do more than run the lines that brot. me to the run again; the Meanders of wch. must be run at some other time in order to ascertain with precision the quantity of Land which is contained. Upon the whole I found this tract fully equal to my expectations. The whole of it is well wooded—some part is pretty well timbered; and generally speaking, it is level. About the main road, on the South side of the tract, trespasses (on the wood) had been made, but in a less degree than I expected to find and as I run the lines, as set down by Hough, with the variation; I run into the field lately Colo. Carlyle’s (now Whitings) so far as to cut off 12 or 15 acres of his inclosure; & made the plat close very well to the run.
Returned at Night to Abingdon being attended in the labours of the day, by Doctr. Stuart.

   For background on this land, see entries for  27 Jan. 1775 and 21 and 22 April 1785.

   Hough had surveyed the two tracts of land for James Mercer. There were several John Houghs of Loudoun County, and this seems to have been the John Hough who died in 1797. He was probably the one who lived on the Vestal’s Gap Road and in 1772 was appointed a trustee for keeping the main roads to Vestal’s and Williams’ gaps in repair (HARRISON [1]Fairfax Harrison. Landmarks of Old Prince William: A Study of Origins in Northern Virginia. Berryville, Va., 1964., 562, 576). The surveyor and one of the original trustees for the town of Leesburg was John Hough, probably the same man (HENINGWilliam Waller Hening, ed. The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619. 13 vols. 1819–23. Reprint. Charlottesville, Va., 1969., 7:235; STEADMANMelvin Lee Steadman, Jr. Historic Leesburg, Virginia: A Walking Tour. Leesburg, Va., 1967.). He was also a collector of quitrents for the Northern Neck proprietary from 1764 through most of the Revolution (DLC: Toner Collection).

   presence of colo. carlyle & mr. james mercer: That is, they were present during the 1766 survey. Col. John Carlyle owned adjoining land. His “field” was inherited by his grandson, Carlyle Fairfax Whiting (1778–1831), in 1784 (STETSON [1]Charles W. Stetson. Four Mile Run Land Grants. Washington, D.C., 1935., 55; WMQThe William and Mary Quarterly: A Magazine of Early American History. Williamsburg, Va., 18 [1910], 286).

Saturday 6th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morng.—58 at Noon and 56 at Night.
A fresh wind all Night at No. East. Morning and forenoon

very cloudy, with a mizzling rain, but not enough to wet the ground—wind from the same qtr. or a little more Northerly, continuing all day, which made it cool and disagreeable.
After an early breakfast I set out on my return home, & taking Muddy hole in my way, returned about 10 Oclock.
Found that all the large (Indian) Peas I had, had been sown with the drill plow yesterday, at Dogue run whh. only compleated 8 rows—after which, they proceeded to sow the small black eyed pea & finished with them.
That the drill plow in the Neck had finished planting the common Corn in the Cut in which it had first begun and was proceeding in the one adjoining and that the Muddy hole people had just begun to Hoe the New ground (for Corn) in front of the Home House.
That the ferry Plantation had begun to Plant Corn—in the common mode, for want of the drill plow, which was otherwise engaged.
And that an indifferent hd. had been made of Catching Fish since Wednesday last.

Sunday 7th. Thermometer at 56 in the morng.—67 at Noon and 66 at Night.
Clear with the wind fresh, but not cold, from the No. West all day. Towards night it died away, & inclined to the Southward more. Mr. Porter, Mr. Murray, (Young) Mr. Bowen, and a Captain Aitkins came (by invitation) to dine with us today, and returnd to Alexandria in the Evening. Just as we were about to set down to Dinner Doctr. Craik, his Wife, Son William, and daughters (Miss Craik & Miss Nancy) came in—Dined and stayed all Night.

   John Murray and Obadiah Bowen (1763–1793), eldest son of Jabez Bowen of Providence, R.I., were partners in the mercantile house of Murray, Bowen & Munford (Montfort) of Alexandria. John Munford, the third partner, was from New York City, where the firm also had a store (WARREN-ADAMS LETTERSWarren-Adams Letters: Being chiefly a correspondence among John Adams, Samuel Adams, and James Warren. 2 vols. Boston, 1917-25. In Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, vols. 72–73., 2:329–30; Alexandria City Hustings Court Deeds, Book B, 366–70, Vi Microfilm).

   Joseph Atkins (died c.1787), a sea captain, was a friend and business associate of Thomas Porter. His ship Hope had arrived in Alexandria in early April from North Carolina and sailed for Dieppe with a load of tobacco in mid-May (JEFFERSON [1]Julian P. Boyd et al., eds. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. 41 vols. to date. Princeton, N.J., 1950–., 10:181; Va. Journal, 6 April and 25 May 1786).

Monday 8th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 65 at Night.

Clear, calm, & warm.
Rid to Muddy hole & Dogue run. Began at the first to cross the lists in order to Plant Corn. The early Corn, & Indian Pease at this place were coming up.
Sent a Carpenter to put a new Axle & do some other repairs to the Barrel plow at Dogue run.
Sowed 3 rows of the Borden grass Seeds in the inclosure behind the Stables, adjoining to, and just below the Cape Wheat, & next the fence. Next to these was near a row of Yellow clover. The first was given to me by Colo. Fitzhugh of Maryland & the other by Colo. Chas. Carter of Ludlow. These rows were two feet apart, and the Seeds sown very thin in the rows, that the more Seeds might be saved from them for the next seasn.
On Saturday last the dead Cedars in my shrubberies were replaced by live ones just taken up.
Doctr. Craik, Wife & family went away after breakfast.
In the Evening a Captn. Whaley from Yohiogany came in on some business respecting the Affairs of the deceased Val. Crawford and Hugh Stephenson; to whom I gave, under cover to Thos. Smith Esqr. (my Lawyer in that Country) a Bill of Sale and the letter wch. inclosed it which the said Vale. Crawford had sent me, in the Mo[nth] of May 1774 as Security for what he owed me, and to indemnify me for my engagements in his behalf—to see if they were valid, & would cover the debt he owed me, as they never had been recorded. I also gave him the Statement of my Acct. with Colo. John, and the deceased Hugh Stephenson, which, in behalf of the latter, he promised to pay, and to obtain the other moiety from the first. He also promised to send in my Negros which had been hired to Gilbert Simpson or bring them in himself. In consequence of this assurance I gave him an order on Majr. Freeman to deliver them.

   Valentine Crawford had sent GW a letter dated 6 May 1774 enclosing the bill of sale of his land as security for a £100 debt he owed GW (DLC:GW). Benjamin Whaley, of Fayette County, Pa., delivered this document to Thomas Smith who was to ascertain its validity (GW to Thomas Smith, 8 May 1786, NhD). GW also gave Whaley a statement of his account with John and Hugh Stephenson which indicated that the two brothers owed GW £70 10s. Virginia currency (GW to Thomas Smith, 23 Sept. 1789, DLC:GW).

   Thomas Freeman, GW’s western agent, had been requested 16 Oct. 1785 to hire “a careful person” to bring the slaves at Washington’s Bottom to Mount Vernon, “if the measure can be reconciled to them” (DLC:GW). Of the nine Negroes now there, three apparently were young children, and two, Simon and Nancy, had been among the four slaves sent by GW in

   1773 to help start Simpson’s plantation (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 87). Despite an absence of nearly 13 years, these last two slaves had some reasons to return to Mount Vernon. “Simon’s countrymen, and Nancy’s relations,” GW had explained to Freeman, “are all here, and would be glad to see them. I would make a Carpenter of Simon, to work with his shipmate Jambo” (16 Oct. 1785, DLC:GW). Nevertheless, none of the slaves, according to Freeman, could be persuaded to go to Mount Vernon “from any Argument I could use” (Freeman to GW, 18 Dec. 1786, DLC:GW). All were sold to various purchasers 5 Oct. 1786, Simon bringing £100 and Nancy together with a young child bringing £80 15s. Total receipts amounted to £418 15s. (DLC:GW).

Tuesday 9th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morng.—66 at Noon and 64 at Night.
Clear & warm, with but little Wind and that did not spring up till about 11 Oclock—first from the No. Et.—shifting afterwards to So. Et.
Rid to all my Plantations between Breakfast and dinner.
Found the Flax in the Neck had come up, and full thick; and that the grass Seeds (rather Millet) obtnd. from Colo. Cary had come up; but none of the Saintfoin Burnet, or rib grass appeared to be springing. Finished planting, with the Barrel plow, the early Corn in the furthest cut in the field for experiments, in the Neck and not having enough to compleat another cut in the same field I ordered all the remaining part of it to be drilled with common corn. Accordingly, about Noon, the intermediate rows in the Middle cut which had been left for the early Corn were begun to be planted with the other. At this plantation also the People had begun to break up the Intervals, in the most grassy places between the listed ground—but I set a plough to crossing in order to plant Corn in the common way in the field intended for this purpose.
At Dogue run, the hands there were also hoeing up the intervals between the Corn rows.
The ground, by the heavy rains which fell about 14 days ago, dry weather, and baking Winds since, had got immensely hard; so as that Seeds which were not already up, could not force through it; and those which had come up previously could not grow.
Captn. Whaley went away before breakfast.
Mr. George Digges, and Miss Digges, came to dinner & returned in the Evening—at which time my Brother John came in from Berkeley.

   Panicum miliaceum, millet.

Wednesday 10th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning— at Noon—and  at Night.
But little wind in the Morning—a red Sky at the sunrising and some clouds and appearances of rain, which soon dispersed.
My Brother and Mr. George Washington went up to Town after Breakfast and did not return till the Evening.
I rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run, and Ferry—also to the fishing landing. At the first I found the early Corn had come up very well, except where the ground was hard, and baked; but that the birds were pulling it up fast. The Peas were also coming up, but not so regular as the Corn and of the Siberian Wheat, Barley & Oats which had come up some were cut off by a bug, & the rest looked indifferently; and in many places very thin; the Barley, which looked strong & of a good colour at first, had got to be yellow, and the ends of the blades in a manner dead. No appearance yet of the Potatoes & Carrots coming up.
Ordered Morris (at Dogue run) to discontinue his 5 furrow lists, and go on with three, as I might (the Season advancing fast) get my Corn in the ground before it was too late.
The Fish appeared to be quite done running—but I ordered my People to continue at the landing trying a haul on every tide untill Saturday and between while’s to attempt clearing a landing for sein hauling above the Ferry landing where the Channel approaches nearer the shore and it is thought good for Shad.
Began to plant Corn in the Common way at Muddy hole.

Thursday 11th. Thermometer at 55 in the morning—58 at Noon and 58 at Night.
Morning cloudy, with great appearances of rain. About 11 Oclk. it began to rain; which fell moderately for about ten minutes & ceased but continued cloudy the remainder of the day—Wind at So. East but not very fresh.
My Brother set off on his return home after breakfast, passing through Maryland.
Mrs. Washington and Fanny Washington went up to Abingdon & returned in the Evening.
I rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run and Ferry between Breakfast & dinner and crossed to that in the Neck after dinner. The ground, particularly where they were drilling Corn at the last and indeed at Dogue run, wch. was stiff, & had been plowed when it was too wet was astonish[ing]ly hard & lumpy; and in which it is much to be feared the Corn will never rise.

Friday 12th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—67 at Noon and 65 at Night.
Cloudy in the Morning—about Noon the Sun shone but was soon obscured again & it remained cloudy all the latter part of the day—rain exceedingly wanting.
At home all day.
Finished about Noon planting with the Barrel Plow the middle cut in my field of experiments at the River Plantation.

Saturday 13th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 64 at Night.
Lowering all the forepart of the day with drops of rain (but no more) now and then. Evening clear—Wind variable, but mostly at So. Et.
I rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run & Ferry plantations; and to the fishery at the latter.
Ordered my People to quit hauling, and bring home my Seins.
Finished (yesterday evening) planting Corn with the barrel plow, in the Cut intended for experiments at Dogue run.
Also finished planting Corn in the Middle cut (this day abt. 3 Oclock) at Muddy hole, in the common way—putting a little dung in each hole, in the poor parts of the ground.
The Cotton Seeds, Pumpion Seeds, & Timothy Seeds (which were sowed on the Oats) at Dogue run, were coming up.

   the cotton seeds: Gossypium. Cotton was never a part of GW’s farming plan. He raised a little on the York River plantation and bought some, apparently for the use of his family, not his slaves. From Philadelphia, GW sent a few Nankeen or Nanking cotton seeds to manager William Pearce 16–17 Mar. 1794. “Let them be planted the first day of May in light and rich ground, well prepared. Put four seeds in a hill” (NBLiHi). These seeds were a gift from John Jay. In thanking Jay 5 Mar. 1794, GW said he feared that Mount Vernon was too high and cold for successful cultivation, as shown by his experience of the effects of frosts on common cotton. He thought the lower parts of Virginia might provide a milder climate and more sandy soil, and said he would send some of the seeds to an acquaintance there (sold by Sotheby, London, 11–12 June 1973, Item 604).

Sunday 14th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 71 at Night.
Clear all day, with very little Wind and that from So. West.
G. A. Washington and his Wife, and Mr. Shaw went to Pohick Church—dined at Mr. L. Washingtons and returned in the Evening. Colo. Gilpin, The Revd. Mr. McQuir; Mr. Hunter, & Mr. Sanderson came here to dinner and returned afterwards.

Began yesterday afternoon to pen my sheep, & Milch Cattle at the Ho[me] House, in the hurdles which had been made for the former.

   the revd. mr. mcquir: William McWhir (1759–1851) was a Presbyterian clergyman, born in Ireland, who came to Alexandria about 1784. He was in charge of the Alexandria academy where GW’s two nephews George Steptoe and Lawrence Augustine Washington were enrolled.

Monday 15th. Thermometer at 64 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 68 at Night.
Clear morning with but little Wind. About 10 Oclock clouds arose to the westward, and at 11 it began to thunder; About 12, a small, & very light sprinkling of rain fell, after which it cleared, but about 4 Oclock in the afternoon another cloud arose from whence we had a slow & moderate rain for about 3 quarters of an hour which softened the top of the ground (before much baked) and must be of great service to vegetation. Wind what there was of it came from the So. West.
I rid to the Plantations in the Neck and to Muddy hole. At the latter perceived the Irish Potatoes to be coming up. At the former the Plows having overtaken the dung Carts (which were carrying out dung to spread in the Corn rows) I set them to plowing and planting the Peas—ordering the alternate Pea rows to be planted at the same distance (viz. 18 Inches) a part, as the Corn is—intending the intermediate ones to be drilled, that is, planted at 6 Inches a part to see which Mode will be most productive.
A  with whom an agreement was made to bring a load of good & clean Shells having brought very bad and dirty ones they were refused.
Majr. G. Washington went up to Alexandria on business. Doctr. Craik returned with him (by desire) in the afternoon to visit Mrs. Washington, who had been troubled for several days with a pain in her Shoulder.

Tuesday 16th. Thermometer at 65 in the Morning— at Noon and 64 at Night. Morning lowering. About 10 Oclock it thickened and thundered and before eleven began to rain & continued showery till near two Oclock after wch. it ceased but towards [evening] it thickned & began to rain again—Wind for the most part Easterly but not strong. The rain of yesterday & what fell today appear to have wet the ground sufficiently.
Doctr. Craik went away immediately after breakfast. I rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole and Dogue run. Perceived the

Pease at the former had come up very indifferently and looked badly which some of my Negroes ascribed to their being planted too early whilst the earth was too cold for this crop.
The Peas which were planted somewhat later at Morris’s (Dogue run) were also coming up, as his Corn was, and much pulled up by the Birds. The Timothy Seed sowed (on the clover field wch. had failed from the badness of the seed and which after harrowing had been laid down in it) at Dogue run, appeared to be coming up thick.
Began to plant Corn at this Plantation yesterday in the common method.
When I returned home I fd. Moses Ball, his Son John Ball, & Wm. Carlin here—the first having his effects under execution wanted to borrow money to redeem them. Lent him ten pounds for this purpose.
In the Afternoon a John Halley (of Maryland) applied to rent a fishing shore of me at Sheridins point. Requested him to make his proposals in writing and I would consider of them and as he was the first who had applied wd. give him the preference upon equal ground.

Wednesday 17th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—63 at Noon and 56 at Night.
Morning calm, warm and pleasant. Between 10 and 12 Clouds arose, and showers fell around us, but none here. Between one & 2 Oclock the Wind came out hard at No. West and turned cold—after which it moderated, and shifted to the Eastward; but still continued cold.
At home all day; writing the best part of it.
Began where Oats had been sowed in the Neck, and the grd. had got hard bound, and the clover seed unable to penetrate the earth and to vegitate to harrow and roll it, to see if the Clover & Oats both, would not be benefitted thereby.

Thursday 18th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—65 at Noon and 60 at Night.
Wind at So. West with Showery Clouds around us all day; about 7 Oclock it began to rain, and continued to do so powerfully, for 20 or 30 Minits when it cleared again.
Rid to all the Plantations between breakfast & dinner. At the Ferry I found my people had finished planting corn in the common way yesterday & were preparing the small piece near the Fish House to plant with the drill (or Barrel); in which they were

also beginning to plant Irish Potatoes. This piece contains a few rod over two Acres. At Dogue run, finding they would be late planting & replanting Corn (for that which was first planted with the drill plow had either come up very badly, or had been destroyed by Birds) I directed, after the Cut (round Barrys houses) in which they were planting, was finished, to run a single furrow in the remainder of the other each way, and to plant it in that manner, hoeing the ground well where the Corn was dropped. Perceived the Irish Potatoes to be coming up at this Plantation. At Muddy hole they finished planting corn about 10 Oclock. At this place I tried a 3 hoed harrow which I had just made, with a single horse. Upon the whole it answered very well. The draft seemed rather hard for one horse but the late rains had made the ground heavier than usual. Ordered my Overseer at this place to take into the Barn & thresh out, the only stack of Wheat remaining at the Plantation and to carry the grain to the Mill. In the Neck every other Pea Row had been planted with the barrel, dropping the Peas at 18 Inches a part in the rows; and five othr. rows (intermediate) on the South, were planted at 6 Inches asunder in the Rows but finding this would take more Seed than I cd. Spare I discontinued sowing more in this manner and return to the 18 Inch distance agn.
A Mr. Thos. Moody came here in the afternoon and paid me some money in discharge of his fathers Bond to Colo. Thos. Colvils Estate to which I am an Exr.
John Knowles came here to work at £5 pr. month and a pint of Rum pr. day.

   Thomas Moody was making a payment for a parcel of land bought in 1768 by his father, Benjamin Moody, from the estate of Thomas Colvill. The elder Moody, who protested the executor’s survey, had never made payment and thus never received a title. In 1779 Moody sold the land and went to court to force a settlement in the current inflated currency and to gain his title. Under an agreement finally reached in Nov. 1781, the payment today was the first of five payments to be made over the next three years (Washington’s reply to bill of complaint executed against him by Benjamin Moody, 22 Aug. 1780, NjMoHP; General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 135).

Friday 19th. Thermometer at 55 in the Morning—65 at Noon and 60 at Night.
Wind at No. West in the Morning and indeed through the day—the forepart of which was cool—the Middle and latter part moderate—the whole pleasant.
Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue Run, & Neck Plantations; the harrow plow was stopped at the first, by the Rain which fell yesterday

and which had made the grd. too wet, & too heavy to use it in. At the latter, they would have finished drilling the Corn, and planting the Potatoes (the doing of which begun yesterday) but for the Rain which had fallen in the afternoon. It was done however early this morning; and the other spot, in which the Siberian Wht. had been Sowed, was set out; to get it in order for corn. To Dogue run I sent the remains of the Barley about half a peck to be pricked in where missing in the rows (beginning next the wheat) at the distance of eight Inches.
Mr. Porter & Doctr. Craik Junr. came down the River in a Ship bd. to France. Landed & dined here & returned to Alexandria in the afternoon.

   Thomas Porter and Dr. James Craik, Jr., came to Mount Vernon aboard Joseph Atkins’s ship Hope (see 7 May 1786).

Saturday 20th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 59 at Night. Morning clear with the Wind at South West. About 8 oclock it began to thicken to the westward which increased with distant thunder. By ten o clock it was quite overcast and began to rain moderately & continued to do so without wind for more than two hours when it ceased & the Sun came out but was more [or] less cloudy all the Afternoon, and cool, the wind having shifted to the South East and got fresher.
Rid to Muddy hole and the Neck. The ground at the first having got drier, the harrow plow was again set to work in the drilled ground. Finished planting (yesterday evening) corn in the Neck with the Barrel plow and set about sowing pease there again.
Finished planting with corn the cut at Dogue Run, which includes the Houses that were Barrys and began in that nearest the Overseers House.
Having received from Holt of Williamsburg through the hands of Mr. Dandridge, about 6 gills of the Eastern shore Peas (or as he calls them beans) so celebrated for fertilizing Land I began, & before the rain fell, planted 3 Rows in the inclosure below the Stables adjoining the row of yellow clover, & in a line with the Cape Wheat, being a continuation of those rows (2 feet apart). The Seeds were placed a foot asunder in the rows.

   William Holt (d. 1791), an influential citizen of Williamsburg, was a Presbyterian who joined with Rev. John J. Smith of Long Island, N.Y., in establishing a settlement in New Kent County, Va., where they had a forge and mills. GW had several business transactions with Holt at this time.

   eastern shore peas: Later in his diaries, and in his correspondence, GW will call this crop the wild bean or the Maggity Bay pea. It was widely

called the Magothy Bay or Eastern Shore bean, and farmers had high hopes for it as a fallow crop for soil replenishment. GW paid a large price for a small quantity of seed, had little luck with it, and later reported that it was simply a variety of Cassia chamaecrista, the partridge pea which grew wild on his Mount Vernon farms. Its fame persisted, however; calling it the Magadaba bean, the Farmers’ Register, 1 (1833–34), 285, described it as an annual with black pods, very durable in hot weather.

Sunday 21st. Thermometer at 60 in the Morng.—70 at Noon and 66 at Night.
A good deal, and heavy rain fell in the Night; with thunder & lightning; day warm, with sun shine & clouds alternately. Calm in the forenoon, & wind at East in the afternoon with thunder and great appearances of rain a little only of which fell.

Monday 22d. Thermometer at 64 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 60 at Night.
Wind Easterly, and very cloudy, with drops of Rain now and then.
Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue Run & Ferry Plantations—replanting Corn at the first. Begun to day, & not on Saturday as I have noted, to plant Corn in the cut next the Overseers house at Dogue run—where by a mistake of the Overseer, they had begun, and had planted Barley in the rows of Siberian Wheat and had done  of them before I got there. Stopped and set them to replanting the missing parts of the Barley rows. Finished drilling the Corn at the Ferry Plantation.
Planted 10 more rows of the Eastern shore Peas, along side of those which were put in on Saturday last and all that section with them in my Botanical garden which had the Guinea grass last year—except the 2 Rows which had been before planted on the 3d. Instt. with everlasting Peas.
Seperated my rams from the Ewes at the home house and ordered the same to be done at the Plantations.
Began to take up the pavement of the Piaza.

Tuesday 23d. Thermometer at 60 in the Morng.—60 at Noon and 58 at Night.
Misting in the Morning and very cloudy & cold all day with the Wind at No. Et.
Rid to Muddy hole and Neck Plantations. Ordered the grd. allotted for Cabbages, to be prepared at both places; and plants to be taken from my garden to set it with. This preparation consisted of another listing (or plowing with three furrows) of the

ground which had been before listed; leaving an intermediate row at each place for Turnips, to try which would yield most, & be most profitable—replanting the common Corn which had been drilled at Muddy hole. Finished planting Peas with the Barrel in the Neck on Saturday last and listing the Corn ground at the same place this day for planting in the common way.
Began yesterday, with the Ferry people, to list the New ground in front of the House for Corn—with Hoes.
And this day began to lay the Flags in my Piaza—Cornelius and Tom Davis assisting.

   allotted for cabbages: Brassica capitata, cabbage, grown as a soil conditioner and livestock feed. GW called one variety “Drumhead & Cattle Cabbage” when writing to Anthony Whitting, 25 Nov. 1792 (DLC:GW). George Lee wrote GW, “I have sent you a small quantity of the great longsided scots cabbage seed” (28 April 1787, DLC:GW).

Wednesday 24. Thermometer at 56 in the Morng.—56 at Noon and 58 at Night.
Still drizling and cloudy, all day, with the Wind at No. East.
At home all day. About 11 Oclock Doctr. Stuart and Mr. Lund Washington came in, dined, & returned afterwards and in the afternoon Colo. Robt. Stith arrived (from Alexandria) and stayed all night.
Planted yesterday evening at Muddy hole about 1300 Cabbage plants and this morning finished the ground allotted for them at that place—to do which, took in all, abt.  Plants.
Also planted this day, in the Neck, two compleat rows of the Cabbages and the other two rows from the river fence up to the bushy pond by the other fence running Westerly and sent plants over this evening to compleat them in the Morning.

   Col. Robert Stith, of Chotank, was the son of Buckner Stith (1722–1791), of Brunswick County, and thus a nephew of Buckner’s brother John of Chotank, whom GW had visited on 3 Sept. 1768. He married Mary Townsend Washington, daughter of GW’s cousin and boyhood companion Lawrence Washington of Chotank.

Thursday 25th. Thermometer at 59 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 58 at Night.
Drizling in the Morning, after which, about 9 Oclock, it began to rain, and continued to do so, moderately all day. At Night, and in the Night, it rained a good deal—Wind at No. Et.
At home all day. Colo. Stith set off after breakfast, but turned back when it began to rain, and stayed all day & Night.

Finished planting Cabbages in the Neck; and transplanted Carrots from my garden, to two of the Rows at Muddy hole, which had been sowed, or rather planted, with seed which was either put in too deep, or never vegitated. One of these rows had dung in the furrow, and the other not.
Put a Coller on a large Bull in order to break him to the draft. At first he was sulky & restive but came to by degrees.

Friday 26th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 60 at Night.
Raining with little or no intermission through the day—a great deal having also fallen in the Night—Wind still at No. East.
Sent 50 Barrels of Superfine flour by the sloop Tryal Peter Kirwin to Thos. Newton junr. Esqr. to be disposed of on my Acct.

   Half of this flour was shipped uninspected because Capt. Peter Kerwin, “calling unexpectedly, and being in a hurry, would not allow time to get the Inspectors from Alexandria” (GW to Thomas Newton, Jr., 26 May 1786, DLC:GW).

Saturday 27th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morng.—66 at Noon and 68 at Night.
Wind Easterly all day—raining in the morning, clear about Noon with Clouds, mists, and Sunshine afterwards, alternately.
Rid about 11 Oclock to visit the Plantations at Muddy hole and Dogue run. At the latter & in the Neck, the rain which had fallen in such quantities since Wednesday last had stopped their planting of Corn and left a little ground at each of those places unfinished.
Colo. Stith crossed the river after dinner on his return home.
Finished laying 28 courses of the pavement in the Piaza—Weather very unfavourable for it.

Sunday 28th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 68 at Night.
The forenoon very rainy with high Wind from the No. Et. About Noon it ceased raining. The Wind moderated and veered round to the Southward and then died away.
The continual, and excessive rains, has so surcharged the Earth with Water, that abt. 40 feet of my sunk wall, near the Ice house fell down and the greater part of my cape Wheat lodged.

Monday 29th. Thermometer at 68 in the Morng.—72 at Noon and 70 at Night.
Thunder, Lightning, and a good deal of rain last Night with

mists & rain till nine Oclk. this Morning and Wind fresh from the Eastward most part of the day.

   About 9 Oclock, Mr. Tobias Lear, who had been previously engaged on a salary of 200 dollars, to live with me as a private Secretary & precepter for Washington Custis a year came here from New Hampshire, at which place his friends reside.
Rid to the Plantations at Dogue Run & Muddy hole passing by the New ground where my ferry and Muddy [hole] people were Hoeing for Corn.
Found my Mill race broke in 3 or 4 places and nearly half my Tumbling dams at the head of it, carried away by the fresh, occasioned by the immoderate rains, which had fallen and my Corn field both here & at Muddy hole in all the low places, and in the furrows covered with water. At both they were plowing, at the first to plant corn, and at the latter breaking up, but the water in many places followed the plows & it is to be feared that more hurt than good would result from the measure but the backwardness of Corn planting in one instance and rapid growth of grass in both Scarcely left a choice.
On my Return found Colo. Mead here.
Found, when I was at Dogue Run that Richard Burnet and wife had been living in the House formerly Barrys, since Wednesdy. last.
Agreed this day with James Bloxham, who arrived here the [21st] of April from England, to live with and superintend my farming business upon the terms mentioned in a specific agreement in writing.

   Benjamin Lincoln recommended Tobias Lear (1762–1816), a Harvard graduate from New Hampshire, to GW for the position of secretary and tutor, describing him as having the “character of a Gentleman & a schoolar” (Lincoln to GW, 4 Jan. 1786, DLC:GW). Lear asked for $200 a year and GW agreed to it in April (GW to Lincoln, 10 April 1786, MH; Lear to GW, 7 May 1786, DLC:GW). What started as only a one-year appointment developed into a close association and an enduring friendship.

Tuesday 30th. Thermometer at  in the Morning— at Noon and  at Night.
Wind tho’ not much of it, was still at East. Morning Misty and threatning till dinner time after which it cleared.
Accompanied by Colo. Mead, I rid to muddy hole and Neck Plantations to shew him my experiments in the drill husbandry—with which he seemed to be pleased.
G. A. Washington went up to Alexandria on my business & did not return till the Evening.

Wednesday 31st. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning— at Noon—and 69 at Night.
Wind still at No. East, and the day heavy & lowering, without rain.
Colo. Mead left this after a very early Breakfast.
I rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole & Dogue run, by the New ground; and also went to the Mill.
At both places the Plows were at Work in ground much too wet. At the first, that is Muddy hole, they were breaking up ground, and at the other (Dogue Run) they were crossing for the purpose of planting Corn, which would be all in to day and in miserable order, as the ground was little other than Mortar, & hills obliged to be raised to keep the grain out of the Water.
My Mill People, and Cowper, were employed in Repairing the breaches made by the Rain and in preventing the Water of Piney Run going up the Race in to Dogue Run, at the Tumbling dam as it has done since the mishap to the latter.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 1st. Thermometer at 68 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 70 at Night. Misting in the Morning and at Intervals all day with the wind at No. Et. and at times fresh. Rid to my Plantations at Muddy hole and in the Neck; at the

latter the People were setting Corn in the field of experiments, furthest cut. The Peas at this place have come up very indifferently, and looked badly. The Barley also did not assume the best appearance but the Oats looked well. Breaking up at both these places altho’ the grd. was vastly too wet for it. Removed my Cow pen & Sheep fold at home. Doctr. Craik was sent for to a Negro man named Adam in the Neck & to a Negro woman Amy at Muddy hole. After visiting these People & dining here he returned home. Mr. Shaw was sent to Alexandria on my business to day and returned in the Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 3d. Thermometer at 69 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 71 at Night.  Morning very heavy, sometimes misting, and then raining till 9 oclock—lowering afterwards till the afternoon, when it became calm & clear with a good horizon at the Suns setting. The wind was at No. Et. all the fore part of the day, & pretty fresh. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole. At the first and last they were plowing, but the grd. was very heavy—at the other it was too wet to plow at all. The Corn at all these places I found very much pulled up and destroyed by the Birds. The Rains had so softened the ground that to do this was very easy for them. Of the Siberian Wheat scarce any (of the little that came up) remains in the ground and the appearance of the Barley is very indifferent—not being either of a good colour or vigorous growth; whether owing to the quantity of rain or other Causes I do not undertake to decide. It did not, in the first instance, come up well—the drouth at first hurt it and the water, in many places covered it afterwards; this also happened to the Pease which cut but a poor figure. The Potatoes in low places either never came up, or is destroyed. The Cabbage plants in general stand well, tho’ in some low places these also are covered with water, and appear to be dead. The Oats seem to be in a more thriving way than any other species of the Crops and where they came up well at first have a promising look.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 4th. Thermometer at 70 in the Morning 72 at Noon and 75 at Night. An exceeding heavy fog in the Morning, and quite calm all day and clear. Received from on board the Brig Ann, from Ireland, two Servant Men for whom I had agreed yesterday—viz.—Thomas Ryan a Shoemaker, and Caven Bowe a Tayler redemptioners for 3 years Service by Indenture if they could not pay, each, the Sum of £12 Sterg. which sums I agreed to pay. Geo. A. Washington set off early this morning for Fredericksburgh. His wife & Washington Custis went to Church at Alexandria intending from thence to Abingdon. Mr. Shaw also went to Alexandria & returned in the Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Monday 5th. Thermometer at 72 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 74 at Night. Morning, and generally thro’ the day, clear, and very pleasant, but warm. Very little Wind, and that Southerly. Before breakfast, Mrs. Jenifer the widow of Doctr. Jenifer came, & returned in the afternoon. Soon after breakfast Messrs. Sanderson, Wilson, Murray & McPherson came in; all of whom, except the latter, went away before dinner. Mr. Sanderson dined & crossed the river afterwards on his way to embark at Leonard town, Saint Marys, for England.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 6. Thermometer at 72 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 74 at Night. Thick Morning, and more or less cloudy all day, but no rain—but little Wind—that which was came from the No. Et.—rather more Easterly. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Muddy hole, & Neck. At the first & last the people were setting and planting of Corn. The ferry people finished listing with the hoes their part of the New ground in front of the House on Saturday last and the hands belonging to Muddy hole will do the same to day. Sheared my Sheep in the Neck this day and rid through the Wheat and rye at that Plantation. Found the first to stand generally sufficiently thick on the ground but the heads appeared very short. They were full in blossum. The lower blades almost generally had turned quite red, and were dead but I did not perceive any signs of rust on them, or that the head, or Straw was injur’d thereby. The Rye was much better than I ever expected it would be. Except being rather too thin (especially in places, tho’ much thicker than I had any idea it ever would be) it might, upon the whole, be called a good field. The ground at all the Plantations plowed very heavily and wet. Began to cut the clover at the Home House (sowed Aprl. was [a] year) which lay in the upper part of the field & unmixed with Orchard grass. Had the ground which had been lately listed at Dogue Run for Cabbages chopped fine with the Hoes and intended to put the plants in the ground this evening but it was so late before the Overseer sent to my Gardener for them that there was only time left to draw and carry them to the Plantation this evening. Mr. Shaw (with my newly purchased Shoemaker to provide

himself with Tools) went up to Town on my business & returned in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 7th. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 74 at Night. Morning a little cloudy—in the afternoon light showers around us, with thunder and lightning at a distance—light breezes from the Southward. Rid to the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole Plantations and through the Wheat and Rye at the first—neither of which answered my expectations. The first, besides having a small head generally, was mixed exceedingly with cheat and the latter was much broken down with the winds and rain which had happened and abounded in white heads deficient of grain—occasioned I presume by the heavy rains which happened while the ear was in bloom. The Wheat, it is to be hoped, will escape this disaster as there has been little or no wind or rain since it began to bloom which is now pretty well over. The people at the Plantations above mentioned, were all replanting & setting Corn according to circumstances, in their drilled ground. At Muddy hole, setting took place altogether and here also they began to replant Peas, but had not enough of the large kind to make good the deficiency—but plenty of the small, black eyed Peas. Sheared the few sheep I had at the Ferry to day. Fanny Washington and the two Children, Nelly, & Geo. Washington, together with Miss Nancy Craik came home yesterday whilst we were at dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 8th. Mercury at 72 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 73 at Night. Clear in the forenoon and calm. About One o’clock a cloud arose in the No. West quarter wch. spread extensively; and before 3 began to Rain fast and continued to do so near half an hour. During this flurry the Wind blew fresh from the Westward, but after the rain ceased it came back to the Southwest and continued moderate till sometime in the Night when it got to the No. Wt. & blew pretty fresh. Rid to the Plantations at Dogue Run and Muddy hole and to the tumbling dam of Dogue Run, where I had begun with two

hands from each Quarter, and two Carpenters, to repair the breaches which had been made by the late rains. After having got the Water stopped, in order to lay the Wooden frame, the run swelled so much (occasioned by the rain which fell this afternoon) as to carry away the greatest part of the earth and rendered the labour of the day of little effect. Still setting, & replanting corn at Dogue run and Muddy hole in the Drilled fields—the last of which with replanting pease in the same would be compleated this day. Rid through my rye at Muddy hole which would have been fully equal to what might have been expected from the grd. had it not been for the rains which had broken down & tangled the straw and occasioned a number of white, & unfilled heads. The Eastern shore Peas (according to the information of my Overseer in the Neck) were sowed yesterday (by the barrel plow) in the ground which had been put in rib wort (that never came up). There were 10 Rows of the Peas and a little being left I ordered him to dibble in what remained in additional rows. Cut all the Clover at the Ho[me] House to day, & the small spots of grass round the Sweet brier Circles; also some under the Trees at the No. end of the House by the Smiths shop to day and put the clover in wind Rows except the part last cut. Mr. Wallace came here to dinner & stayed all night.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 9th. Mercury at 70 in the Morning—77 at Noon and 74 at Night. Morning clear and pleast. with the Wind at No. West but not fresh, nor had it changed the air cooler. Mr. Wallace went away after breakfast and I rid to Muddy hole & river Plantations. The heaviness of the Plowing, and wetness of the land had encreased by the late Rains. Nothing indeed but the backwardness of the season and rapid growth of the grass & Weeds could justify working ground in the condition the plowed land is. Passed through the Wheat at Muddy hole this day—found it, upon the whole as good as was to be expected from the impoverished state of the land—Though there is a good deal of cheat in the freshest part of the ground and the spick, (blasted grains) more or less in all. Finished replanting the corn & Peas in the drilled ground at Muddy hole this Morning about nine oclock, and not yesterday as was expected & began to replant Corn in the Cut adjoining. The drilled corn in the Neck had also been gone over, and the

people were replanting in the other field tho’ by much too wet for such business. Agreed this day with Mr. Tharpe to do my Plaistering in any of the Rooms in, or abt. the house & to repair the lathing at 7d. pr. Square yard. Got all the clover hay into small cocks this afternoon. Mr. Shaw went up to Town today on my business & returned in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 10th. Mercury at 66 in the Morning—72 at Noon and  at Night. A heavy lowering Morning with the wind at East. At times the Sun appeared for a few momts. but generally the clouds were heavy with distant thunder in the So. Wt. quarter in the Afternoon tho’ no rain fell here. Rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run, and Ferry. Took the Mill in the way. Finished replanting Corn this morning at the Ferry wholly and yesterday at Dogue run in the ground which was drilled. Began to hoe Corn at the Ferry (on the hill) which is the first plantation in order for it and here it ought to have followed the plows; the work of which is backward on acct. of their having been stopped. Turned the Cocks of clover hay to day and put all the rest of the grass except that which was cut this afternoon late into Cocks. Major Washington returned in the afternoon from Fredericksburgh. In my ride to day I visited the Labourers at the Tumbling dam. Find it will employ them the greatest part of next week. Wed with the hoes, the Millet, or Corn grass in the Neck to day.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 12th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 69 at Night. Morning early was calm, but about 7 Oclock the Wind sprung up at No. West and blew pretty fresh till late in the Afternoon when it became calm. I rid to the Ferry, Dogue run and Muddy hole Plantations, and to the People who were working at the Tumbling-Dam. Finished replanting Corn at Muddy hole on Saturday last & began late in the Afternoon of that day to hoe the drilled Corn at that place. Also finished breaking up the cut of drilled Corn nearest the Barn, which compleated the last breaking up of the whole corn ground at that Plantation. Began to cut the Meadow near the wood, at Dogue run about 10 Oclock to day and got all the clover & other Hay into large Cocks this afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 13th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning 75 at Noon and 73 at Night. Rid to the River, Muddy hole & Dogue run Plantations. At the first found the plows in the Eastermost cut of drilled Corn; where they had begun yesterday morning and were going over it the 2d. time. The hoes, which had got into it yesterday about 2 Oclock (after having finished replanting Corn) were following in the same cut. The plows would get through it about Noon, and the hoes nearly, if not quite, by night. Found the Flax just beginning to blossum at this place where it was rankest. At Muddy hole the plows had, this morning, finished breaking up and were beginning to cross plow in the cut next the drilled Corn. At Dogue run the people would but just finish replanting corn by Night and would begin to weed with the hoes the drill Corn on the East side of the field where the Potatoes were planted. Finished cutting the Meadow (into which 5 mowers went yesterday) 3 or 4 Oclock. Stopped the water of Dogue run at the Tumbling dam to day and turned it into the race. On my return home found Judge Harrison of Maryland and Mr. Rawlins both here—the last of whom went away after dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 14th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 76 at Night. After an early breakfast Judge Harrison left this for his own house and in Company with Colo. Senf, I set out for our Works at the great falls; where we arrived about 11 Oclock and after viewing them set out on our return & reached Colo. Gilpins where we lodged. Mr. Rumsey was not there (at the Falls) having gone that Morning to Seneca but Mr. Stuart the assistant was present. This day was clear and warm with but little wind from the Southward.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 15th. Mercury at 70 in the Morning—82 at Noon and 82 at Night. Clear with little wind and very warm. Took Alexandria—My Mill dam Meadow at Dogue run and

the Plantation there—as also the Ferry Plantation in my way home. Found the tumbling dam all but new laying the sheeting, and filling below it, compleated. Directed all the Breaches in the race & the leak at Piney branch dam, to be thoroughly repaired before the hands should quit. Found the Hay which had been cut in the upper Meadow nearly cured and 4 Mowers in the meadow next the Overseers House. About 7 Oclock in the afternoon, Doctr. La Moyeur came in with a Servant, Chaise, & 3 Horses.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 16th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—82 at Noon and 80 at Night. Clear with little wind in the Morning. About 10 or 11 oclock a breeze sprung up from the Eastward but died soon afterwards—rising again in the afternoon at So. West. Finished my Mill race and Dam this Afternoon. Began about 10 Oclock to put up the Book press in my study.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 17th. Mercury at 76 in the Morning—85 at Noon and 83 at Night. Calm and very warm all day with but little wind and that Southerly—at times it was a little cloudy and at night there were thunder & lightning but no rain. Rid to all the Plantations to day. In the Neck the Hoes and Plows were in the last (Westermost) cut. The first got to work in it about noon yesterday and the latter about 3 or 4 oclock in the Afternoon; both having passed through the middle cut, compleating as they went. The three hoed harrow was about got through the Eastermost cut (alternate rows) by Noon. The Oats were beginning to shoot forth the heads. At Muddy hole Plantation, the Hoes having overtaken the Plows that were crossing went to weeding the drilled Peas and I directed them to replant both Potatoes and Cabbages where missing in the same field. At Dogue run the Hoes appeared to have made little progress in weeding the drilled field—first because it was tedious among the Cabbages, Potatoes & Pease but principally because the ground had got so rough & matted with grass as to require much labour. At the Ferry, the Hoes had weeded the Corn in the cut on the Hill and about 10 O clock had begun in the flat below next the meadow fence & adjoining the drilled Corn. Examined the Wheat again to day, & concluded that at least half of it is destroyed.  Doctr. La Moyeur & Majr. Washington went up to Alexandria to day—The latter on my business. They dined there & returned in the evening. Just as we had dined, Captn. Smith of Mr. Ridouts Brig, Mr. Wallace a passenger in it for Bordeaux, and Doctr. Mortimer (going as far as Norfolk in her) came in and had dinner set for them. Mr. Hough, Butcher in Alexandria, came here this afternoon, & purchased from me three fatted Beeves (2 in the Neck, & 1 at Dogue run) for which he is to pay next week £42—also the picking of 12 Weathers from my flock at 34/. pr. head. If upon consulting my Farmer & they could be spared, he was to have 20.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 18th. Mercury at 78 in the Morning—84 at Noon and 78 at Night. Calm, clear, and very warm in the forepart of the day; abt. 2 Oclock a cloud arose to the Westward; and a pretty heavy shower of rain fell with some thunder & lightning; after which it cleared; but another shower came on about sun down tho’ it was very moderate & of short continuance.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 19th. Mercury at 73 in the Morning. 79 at Noon and 78 at Night. Morning cloudy, but clear afterwards, with the wind at So. West. Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run, and Ferry Plantations; and to the Meadows (where people were at Work) at the two latter. Finding my Corn was in danger of being lost by Grass & weeds, I stopped Brickmaking, and sent Gunner, Boatswain, Anthony, and Myrtilla to assist at Dogue run in weeding it. The grass at the Ferry being forwarder, and better than that at Dogue Run, where the Scythmen began last to cut, I removed them (tho’ the grass was not half down) to the former place. 4 Cutters at work.  Mr. Herbert & wife—Mr. Throcmorton & his Wife—Miss Hannah, & Miss Kitty Washington, & Mr. Willm. Craik came here to dinner & all stayed the Evening except Mr. Herbert who returned to Alexandria. A Monsr. Andri Michaux—a Botanest sent by the Court of France to America (after having been only 6 Weeks returned from India) came in a little before dinner with letters of Introduction & recommendation from the Duke de Lauzen, & Marqs. de la Fayette to me. He dined and returned afterwards to Alexandria on his way to New York, from whence he had come; and where he was about to establish a Botanical garden.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 20th. Mercury at 71 in the morning—77 at Noon and 78 at Night. Morning clear and pleasant with but little wind. In the afternoon the Wind blew from the Eastward, & a cloud arising in the contrary direction it began about 9 Oclock to rain very powerfully and continued to do so, more or less through the Night. Mr. Craik went away before Breakfast, and the rest of the Company about 11 Oclock, at which time I rid to the Plantations at Dogue Run & ferry and to the Meadows where People were cutting & making Hay. Stopped the cutters at the ferry, and set them to making hay; having too much grass down & exposed for the numbers employed in this business to execute in time without.  Mr. Shaw went up to Alexandria on my business and returned in the afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 21st. Mercury at 66 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 66 at Night. Wind at No. Et. and raining more or less till near Noon, after wch. it continued cloudy till sun down with the wind in the same quarter. A stop put to out doors work till near noon. About sun down Mr. Fendall came here.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 24th. Mercury at 69 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 80 at Night. Clear in the forenoon with but little wind. In the afternoon clouds arose and a smart shower of rain fell. Rid to all the Plantations and to the Hay Makers at the Ferry. In the Neck, both Plows & Hoes would have finished the cut of Corn by the Barn had not the Rain prevented. The Ferry hands would also have finished the cut of common corn on the Flat but for the same cause. Major Washington & his wife went up to Alexandria and were detained there all Night by the rain and appearances of the Clouds afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Munday 26th. Mercury at 74 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 78 at Night. The forenoon was clear and calm—as was the Afternoon except a cloud which rose to the westward and produced rain and a very high wind in the Night. Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run and Ferry Plantations. Found the Muddy hole people in the Eastermost cut of Corn having finished (with the hoes) the Middle cut on Saturday. The Plows however were yet in the Middle cut. At Dogue Run the Plows had finished breaking up, and had begun crossing the cut in which Barrys houses stand—into which they went about dinner time on Saturday. About 11 Oclock to day the hoes finished weeding the Cowpened ground, and had got into the Swamp corn which was more weedy than the rest. At the Ferry, the plows finished about 9 Oclock the drilled corn by the Fish house and went into the other drilled corn by the Meadow. About the same time the hoes having finished weeding the Corn in the flat,

planted in the common way, had begun to weed the drilled corn by the Fish house and to replant the Irish Potatoes therein. Finished cutting the meadow at the Ferry this afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 28th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 70 at Night. Clear & pleasant all day. In the forenoon the Wind was at N. Wt.—in the afternoon it was at So. West. Rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole Dogue Run and the Ferry and to the Hay fields. At the first I sowed turnips in Drills in the ground which had been sowed with Oats that never came up (by the Negro Quarters). There were 7 rows, running from 180 to 200 Steps of these (averaging 190 yards) wch. were sowed with about a gill or little more seed. The first row, Southerly, was harrowed with the little harrow at the tail of the barrel; but gathering earth and burying the Seed too deep, I took out every other tooth and with it in this order harrowed the next row. This also appeared to cover too deep. I therefore took the harrow off altogether & tied brush in its place which did much better. The

Seed used here was of the first recd. from Mr. Chichester and was of the last year. The hands at Dogue run having just weeded their Swamp Corn as I got there, about Noon, I directed, finding there was no prospect of getting over the Corn there with hoes before harvest that the whole shd. be immediately succoured and then between this and Sunday the forwardest which was also the most weedy should be gone over with the Hoes. The Mowers after cutting down the Clover yesterday (wch. was done by noon) went into the Meadow at Morris’s wch. had been left, & were cutting there to day. The grass at the Ferry was all got into cocks this afternoon. Doctr. Le Moyuer came in before Dinner. Mr. Shaw went out after breakfast to day, to see if he could engage any Mowers for me. He returned in the afternoon, having partly engaged 2 or 3.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 29th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning—71 at Noon and 70 at Night. Cool & pleasant—the Wind being at No. West & Westerly all day. At home all day. In the evening Major Gibbs came in. Planted in one Row, between the Cherokee Plumb, & the honey locust, back of the No. Garden adjoining the green House (where the Spanish chesnuts had been placed and were rotten) 25 of the Paliurus, very good to make hedges and inclosures for fields. Also in the section betwn. the work House & Salt house adjoining the Pride of China Plants, & between the rows in which the Carolina Laurel seeds had been sowed, 46 of the Pistatia nut in 3 rows and in the places where the Hemlock pine had been planted and were dead, Et. & W. of the Garden gates, the Seeds of the Pyramidical Cyprus 75 in number—all of which with others were presented to me by Mr. Michaux Botanist to his most Christn. Majesty. Mr. Shaw went out again to day to procure if to be had scythemen for Corn & grass—of which he engaged two for the latter to be at Work at Dogue run to morrow and 4 of the latter to be at this place on Monday.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 June 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 30th. Mercury at 65 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 70 at Night. Clear and pleasant all day the wind being at No. West and west all day, though not fresh. Rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run, & Ferry; & to the Hay makers at the second. At Dogue, found the Corn had all been succoured, and the hoes had got into the fresh & weedy ground along the wood side—about 3 oclock yesterday. The Meadow near the Overseers House, at this place would all be cut down about dinner time—The two white men, viz., Tayler & Hill, engaged by Mr. Shaw yesterday, having got to work there this Morning. The Plows at the ferry finished the drill Corn yesterday about 2 O clock and the hoes got over it about breakfast. Began to cut my Rye at the Ferry about 12 Oclock to day—employed three Negro Cradlers—viz.—Caesar, Sambo & Boatswain—the greater part of which appeared to me to be blighted and the rest very ripe, & much beat down. Both Rye & Wheat at this place had the appearance of greater ripeness than at any other and might have been safely cut Six or eight days ago if I could have left my corn to do it. Mr. Bushrod Washington came in whilst we were at Dinner.