Title: January 1785
From: Washington, George
To:

First Monday. Colo. Bassett, who brought his daughter Fanny to this place to remain on the 24th. of last Month set off on his return to the Assembly now sitting at Richmond.
I took a ride to my Plantations in the Neck, & called to see my neighbour Humphrey Peake who has been long afflicted with ill health and appears to be in the last stage of life & very near his end.
Wind Southwardly. The day very fine & pleasant.

   Frances (Fanny) Bassett’s mother, Anna Maria Dandridge Bassett, had died in 1777, and since then Fanny seems to have spent much time visiting various relatives. She came to Mount Vernon in Dec. 1784 to make her permanent home with her aunt and uncle.

Sunday 2d. Doctr. Craik came here to Dinner & stayed all Night.
Drizzly Morning which first turned to rain, & then to snow.

Monday 3d. Doctr. Stuart—his wife Betcy & Patcy Custis who had been here since the 27th. ulto. returned home.
Doctr. Craik visited Mr. Peake & returned to Dinner.
While we were at Dinner Colo. Blackburne & his daughter Sally came. The whole remained the Evening.
Variable & very squally weather with Snow & Sunshine alternately. Towards evening the Wind came from the No. West & blew violently. Turned very cold & froze hard.

   Dr. David Stuart (1753–c.1814) had, late in 1783, married John Parke Custis’s widow, Eleanor Calvert Custis. Stuart was the son of Rev. William Stuart of St. Paul’s Parish, then located in Stafford County (HARDYStella Pickett Hardy. Colonial Families of the Southern States of America: A History and Genealogy of Colonial Families who Settled in the Colonies Prior to the Revolution. 2d ed. Baltimore, 1958., 493). Stuart attended the College of William and Mary and graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1777. He practiced medicine in Alexandria, and was at this time living four miles above the city. Elizabeth Parke (Betsy) Custis (1776–1832) and Martha Parke (Patsy) Custis (1777–1854), the two eldest children of John Parke Custis, lived with their mother and stepfather. The two youngest children lived at Mount Vernon. Stuart was a member of the Virginia Assembly 1785–88 and of the Virginia ratifying convention of 1788 and was one of the first three commissioners appointed by GW for the District of Columbia. About 1792 he moved his family to his Hope Park farm and, in later life, to Ossian Hall, both in Fairfax County. In the 1780s

Stuart served as translator for the many French letters that GW received, and during the presidency, he helped to keep GW informed of public sentiments in Virginia.

   Sarah (Sally) Blackburn was the daughter of Col. Thomas and Christian Scott Blackburn of Rippon Lodge.

Tuesday 4th. Colo. Blackburne went to Alexandria leaving his daughter here.
Doctr. Craik attempted to cross the river at my Ferry, but failing on acct. of the Ice returned, & stayed dinner & the evening.
Wind variable & cold.

Wednesday 5th. The Doctr. in vain attempted my ferry & being disappointed went to George Town with a view of crossing on the Ice.
Colo. Blackburn returned this Evening from Alexandria.
Wind Northwardly & cold.

Thursday 6th. Colo. Blackburn & his daughter left this after breakfast.
Wind from the Southwest, raw, cold & disagreeable.

Friday 7th. Road to my Mill, Ferry, Dogue run, & Muddy hole Plantations.

Preparing my dry well, and the Well in my New Cellar for the reception of Ice.
But little wind, and that Southwardly. Day very pleasant—tho’ it thawed but little.

   The well in the new cellar was to prove unsatisfactory (see entry for 5 June). The dry well that GW used as an icehouse was first mentioned in 1773, when it was being repaired (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 140). It was located at the southeast corner of the river lawn. In 1784 GW had considered building a new icehouse but decided instead to repair and improve the old one. On 2 June he wrote Robert Morris that the snow with which he had packed his icehouse was already gone, and requested advice and a description of Morris’s icehouse (DLC:GW). Morris suggested, among other things, that GW not use snow but pound ice into small pieces so it would freeze into a mass (15 June 1784, DLC:GW).

Saturday 8th. Drawing Ice from the river to my well in the Cellar—got it ¾ full & well pounded, as it was thrown in.
Wind pretty fresh from the Southwest.
The little Snow, not exceeding 2 Inches with which the ground was covered began to disappear and the ground to soften very much. The day for the greater part was lowering & variable.

Sunday 9th. Not much wind, and that at West, & So. West.
Moderate & thawing a little. The Mercury in the Thermometer was at 32 this afternoon. Appearances of Rain.

Monday 10th. Mercury at Sun rise was at 38—at Noon the same and at Night 42.
Drizzly all day with but little wind—that westerly.
Made a finish of the Ice in my well in the Cellar and began to fill the dry well—but the Ice unexpectedly leaving the Shore was obliged to quit.
But little thawing to day, notwithstanding the wind & weather.

Tuesday 11th. Mercury at 38 in the Morning 40 at Noon & 44 at Night.
Until Noon it was foggy, with but little wind.
Afternoon it cleared, & was very pleasant. The wind pretty fresh from the So. West—which bringing the Ice to the Shore again I renewed the Work of filling my dry Well with it by assembly Carts & hands from my Plantations.

Wednesday 12th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning—40 at Noon & 38 at Night.

Morning very fine with but little Wind from the So. Wt. At 10 o’clock it shifted to the No. Wt. blew very hard & turned Cold.
Road to my Mill Swamp, where my Dogue run hands were at work & to other places in search of the sort of Trees I shall want for my walks, groves, & Wildernesses.
At the Sein Landing & between that & the point at the old Brick kiln I found about half a dozn. young Elm trees, but not very promising ones. Many thriving ash trees on high (at least dry) ground of proper size for transplanting and a great abundance of the red-bud of all sizes. In the field which I bought of Barry & Miss Wade along the drain, & prongs of it, are one or two more; but rather of large size—but in the latter (a prong of the drain in Barry’s field) there are great abundance of the white thorn (now full of the red Berries in clusters). Within the Meadow fence at the Mill, & within that Inclosure next Isaac Gates’s are some young Crab apple trees and young Pine trees in the old field of all sizes. And in the Branch of Hell hole betwn. the Gate & its mouth are a number of very fine young Poplars—Locusts—Sasafras and Dogwood. Some Maple Trees on high ground & 2 or 3 Shrubs (in wet ground) wch. I take to be of the Fringe tree.
About Sundown Lewis Lemart—one of my Tenants in Fauquier & Collector of the Rents arising from the Tract on which he lives came in with some money & stayed all Night.

   walks, groves, & wildernesses: Before the Revolution, GW designed a formal English landscape for the western front of Mount Vernon. Little work was done on it, however, until after the war. The design called for a small circular courtyard, bounded by a carriage road. Beyond this was to be a bowling green with a serpentine drive bordering both sides down to a gate at the road. On the outer edges of this serpentine drive, between the drive and the north and south gardens, were what GW called his shrubberies and wildernesses. The shrubberies extended from each side of the courtyard to a point just beyond the gardens, while the wildernesses, more thickly planted areas, stretched from the shrubberies to the road. At the north and south ends of the mansion were to be thick plantings of trees which GW called his groves.

   The trees named here are Ulmus americana, American elm; Fraxinus americana, white ash; Cercis canadensis, redbud; Crataegus crus-galli, white thorn; Malus coronaria, American crab; Pinus virginiana, Virginia scrub pine; Liriodendron tulipifera, tulip poplar; Robinia pseudo-acacia, black locust; Sassafras albidum, sassafras; Cornus florida, dogwood; Acer sp., maple; Chionanthus virginica, fringe tree.

Thursday 13th. Mercury in the Thermomiter at 26 about Sunrise—30 at Noon & 32 at Night.

Morning clear & cold, the Wind being fresh from the No. West, Which, about Noon, died away and grew moderate.
Was envited, & went to the Funeral of Mr. Peake who died on Tuesday night.
Returned to Dinner, accompanied by the Revd. Doctr. Griffith. Found a Mr. Dalby (an English Gentleman) here—both of whom stayed all Night.

   David Griffith (1742–1789), a native of New York, was educated for the medical profession and practiced in New York for several years before studying for the ministry. He was ordained by the bishop of London in 1770. In 1771 he became minister of Shelburne Parish in Loudoun County. During the Revolution, Griffith served as chaplain and surgeon of the 3d Virginia Regiment. In Feb. 1780 he was chosen rector of Fairfax Parish (Christ Church, Alexandria), where he remained until his death. Griffith was a deputy at the first general convention of the Episcopal church in 1785 and was chosen first bishop of Virginia in 1785. A lack of funds kept him from journeying to London for consecration, and he resigned from the post in 1789.

   Philip Dalby, a merchant, in May 1785 opened a store in Alexandria on the corner of Royal and Cameron streets. He offered “a large Assortment of Goods” for cash, produce, or credit (Va. Journal, 12 May 1785).

Friday 14th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning 34 at Noon & 38 at Night.
The Wind tho’ there was not much of it came from the So. West and continued at the same point the whole day.
Appearances of Snow in the Forenoon but clear afterwards until Sunset—when it went down in a bank.
Mr. Griffith & Mr. Dalby both went away after breakfast.
Received an Invitation to the Funeral of Mr. Thos. Kirkpatrick at 3 oclock tomorrow, but excused myself.
Yesterday, & this day also was closely employed in getting Ice into my dry well.

   Thomas Kirkpatrick, of Fairfax County, was in 1782 head of a household of two whites and one black (HEADS OF FAMILIES, VA.Heads 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., 16). He signed the resolution forming the Virginia nonimportation association, in Williamsburg in 1770, as a merchant from Alexandria (VA. REG.William Maxwell, ed. Virginia Historical Register. 6 vols. 1848-53. Reprint. Spartanburg, S.C., 1973., 3:79). Thomas Kilpatrick, probably the same man, was a wheat purchaser and inspector of flour at Alexandria in 1775 (HARRISON [1]Fairfax Harrison. Landmarks of Old Prince William: A Study of Origins in Northern Virginia. Berryville, Va., 1964., 417).

Saturday 15th. Mercury at 38 in the Morning—42 at Noon and the same at Night.
Wind Easterly in the Morning but before noon it shifted to the So. West & blew fresh & towards Night it veered round to the No. Wt. & blew very hard.

With the Easterly wind there was a little rain which ceased with it. Grew clear & turned cold.

Sunday 16th. Mercury at 36 in the morning—38 at Noon & night.
Wind light all day from the No. West. Weather clear & pleast.

Monday 17th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—36 at Noon & 46 at Night.
Day fine & pleasant—wind at South.
Went to and returned from Alexandria to day.
At my return found dispatches from the assembly respecting the Potomack Navigation.

   On 22 Jan. 1785 GW wrote to William Grayson, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates for Fairfax County, acknowledging receipt of “your letter, with the Books, Potomac bill and other papers” (DLC:GW). Included in the dispatches was the actual engrossed copy, “spared indulgently from the Clerks office,” of “An act for opening and extending the navigation of Potowmack river” (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., 11:510–25), passed by the Virginia Assembly on 5 Jan. 1785; a “cover” note from the House clerk, John Beckley; several books for enrolling the subscriptions of the private capital authorized to finance the Potowmack Company; and a list of “the James River rate of Tolls” for the newly authorized James River Company, authorized to open navigation on the James River above Richmond (GW to John Fitzgerald and William Hartshorne, 18 Jan. 1785, DLC:GW; 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., 11:450–62).

   Also included in today’s dispatches from Grayson was a letter to GW from James Madison (1751–1836), member of the Virginia House of Delegates for Orange County (9 Jan. 1785, ICU). Madison had visited Mount Vernon just before the fall 1784 session of the Virginia General Assembly in which he shepherded the Potomac and James River navigation bills through the lower house. In his letter to GW he enclosed three resolutions regarding internal improvements passed in that session (see MADISONWilliam T. Hutchinson et al., eds. The Papers of James Madison, Congressional Series. 17 vols. Chicago and Charlottesville, Va., 1962–91., 8:235).

Tuesday 18th. Mercury at 50 this Morning—55 at Noon & 58 at Night.
Wind Southwardly & fresh all day and now and then dripping of rain. In the evening the Clouds dispersed & the Sunset clear.
Sent the dispatches which came to me yesterday to Messrs. Fitzgerald and Hartshorne (managers named in the act for improving & extending the Navigation of Potomack and) who are appointed to receive Subscriptions—that they might get copies of the Act printed and act under them.

   William Hartshorne, a Pennsylvania Quaker, was a merchant in Alexandria. He was elected treasurer of the Potowmack Company on 17 May 1785 and served until Jan. 1800 (BACON-FOSTERCorra Bacon-Foster. Early Chapters in the Development of the Patomac Route to the West. Washington, D.C., 1912., 61, 100).

   The Virginia Act provided: “Whereas . . . many persons are willing to subscribe large sums of money to effect so laudable and beneficial a work; and it is just and proper that they, their heirs, and assigns, should be empowered to receive reasonable tolls forever, in satisfaction for the money advanced by them in carrying the work into execution, and the risk they run . . . it shall and may be lawful to open books in the city of Richmond, towns of Alexandria and Winchester in this state, for receiving and entering subscriptions for the said undertaking.” Hartshorne and John Fitzgerald were named in the act to be the managers of the Alexandria subscription book (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., 11:510–11). Subscription books also were opened in Annapolis, Georgetown, and Frederick, Md.

Wednesday 19th. Mercury at 48 in the Morning—the same at Noon and at Night.
Day clear & fine. The Wind at No. West & Cool.
Employed until dinner in laying out my Serpentine road & Shrubberies adjoining.
Just as we had done dinner a Mr. Watson—late of the House of Watson & Cossoul of Nantes—and a Mr. Swift Merchant in Alexandria came in, and stayed all Night.

   Elkanah Watson (1758–1842), born in Massachusetts, was apprenticed just before the Revolution to John Brown, of Providence, a merchant who became active in importing gunpowder and other supplies for the army. In 1779 Watson went to France as agent for Brown and others. He opened a mercantile business in Nantes in partnership first with Benjamin Franklin’s grandnephew, Jonathan Williams, and later with Francis Cossoul (Cassoul). The business failed in 1783 and Watson returned to the United States in 1784 (HEDGESJames B. Hedges. The Browns of Providence Plantations: The Colonial Years. Providence, 1968., 245–54). While he was abroad, Watson sent GW some Masonic ornaments from France (GW to Watson & Cossoul, 10 Aug. 1782, DLC:GW). Watson was greatly interested in both agriculture and canals and, in later life, founded the Berkshire (Mass.) Agricultural Society and endeavored to raise capital for building canals. He came to Mount Vernon bearing a gift for GW from Granville Sharp, the British philanthropist and founder of the colony of Sierra Leone in Africa. Sharp had entrusted to Watson two bundles of books for GW, “embracing his entire publications on emancipation and other congenial topics” (WATSON [2]Winslow C. Watson, ed. Men and Times of the Revolution; or, Memoirs of Elkanah Watson, Including His Journals of Travels in Europe and America, from the year 1777 to 1842, and His Correspondence with Public Men, and Reminiscences and Incidents of the American Revolution. New York, 1856., 233). During his visit to Mount Vernon, Watson and GW discussed canals at great length, and particularly the Potowmack Company and its plans for navigation of that river (WATSON [2]Winslow C. Watson, ed. Men and Times of the Revolution; or, Memoirs of Elkanah Watson, Including His Journals of Travels in Europe and America, from the year 1777 to 1842, and His Correspondence with Public Men, and Reminiscences and Incidents of the American Revolution. New York, 1856., 244–45).

   Jonathan Swift (d. 1824) was a merchant who had moved to Alexandria from New England sometime before 1785. In September of this year, he married Ann Roberdeau, daughter of Brig. Gen. Daniel Roberdeau. In his later years, Swift served as a consular agent for several European countries (BUCHANAN [2]Roberdeau Buchanan. Genealogy of the Roberdeau Family, Including a Biography of General Daniel Roberdeau of the Revolutionary Army, and the Continental Congress; and Signer of the Articles of Confederation. Washington, D.C., 1876., 122–23).

Thursday 20th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 45 at Night.
Wind at No. Et.—day raw—lowering—damp & disagreeable.

Mr. Watson and Mr. Swift went away after breakfast. I continued my employment of yesterday—arranging the Walk &ca.
Began to grub & clear the under growth in my Pine Grove on the margin of Hell hole.

Friday 21st. Mercury at 52 in the Morning—54 at Noon & 55 at Night.
More or less rain all night and variable wind—which, at times, blew exceedingly hard.
In the Morning the wind was at No. Et. attended with rain. Before Noon it shifted to the Southward—blowing pretty fresh. The weather then cleared.
This day a large Ship went up—on Tuesday last 4 square rigged vessels also went past wch. was the first day the Navigation opened so as to admit this since the frost commenced, on the 4th. instant.

Saturday 22d. Mercury at 45 in the Morning—the same at Noon & 44 at Night.
Clear weather—the wind being at No. West all day.
In the Evening Doctr. Craik Junr. came here & stayed all Night.

   James Craik, Jr. (died c.1803), was the son of Dr. James Craik. His company, Jas. Craik & Co., did some business with GW in 1786 (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 212). In 1787 he dissolved his mercantile business but continued selling drugs and medicines in his store (MOORE [1]Gay Montague Moore. Seaport in Virginia: George Washington’s Alexandria. 1949. Reprint. Charlottesville, Va., 1972., 190). There is no indication that he ever practiced medicine, although he received a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1782 and was frequently referred to as Dr. Craik, Jr. (LIPPINCOTTHorace Mather Lippincott. George Washington and the University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, 1916., 32).

Sunday 23d. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—38 at Noon & 42 at Sun setting.
Clear & quite calm all the forenoon. Towards evening the Wind sprung up from the Eastward.
Doctr. Craik left this after breakfast—attending Miss Bassett to his Fathers—to the wedding of his Sister Sally.

   Sarah (Sally) Craik, daughter of Dr. James Craik, was married 25 Jan. 1785 to Dr. Daniel Jenifer, Jr. (1756–c.1809).

Monday 24th. Mercury at 41 in the morning—57 at Noon & 54 at Night.
Drizzly at intervals all day—Fresh wind from the South.
Renewed my labors on the Walks, Shrubberies &ca.—but was much interrupted by the unsettledness of the weather.
In the Night it rained pretty much.

Tuesday 25th. Mercury at 46 in the Morning 38 at Noon—and  at Night.
In the Morning early it rained a little, but the wind coming out from the No. West it soon cleared—blowing hard until night when it moderated & soon ceased.
A little before Dinner a Doctor Gilpin & a Mr. Scott—two West India Gentlemen came here introduced by a letter from Mr. Rob. Morris of Philadelphia and a little after them a Mr. Blaine all of whom stayed the Evening.
Day very cold—latter part.

   A third member of Dr. Gilpin and Mr. Scott’s party, called Mr. Colby, “remained indisposed at Baltimore” (GW to Robert Morris, 1 Feb. 1785, DLC:GW). mr. blaine: may be Thomas Blane (Blaine) of Westmoreland County.

Wednesday 26th. Mercury at 29 in the Morning, 38 at Noon & 39 at Night.
But little Wind and that from the Southward—day clear & very pleasant overhead, but sloppy & disagreeable under foot, after it began to thaw—the ground having been hard froze in the Morning—which freezings & thawings it is apprehended, will be very injurious to the Winter grain.

Thursday 27th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—the same at Noon & 37 at Sunsetting.
Wind at No. West & clear all day—air pretty sharp in the forenoon.
Made Mr. & Mrs. Lund Washington a mornings visit—from thence I went to Belvoir and viewed the ruined Buildings of that place. In doing this I passed along the side of Dogue Creek & the river to the white Ho[use] in search of Elm & other Trees for my Shrubberies &ca. Found none of the former but discovered one fringe Tree and a few Crabtrees in the first field beyond my line and in returning home (which I did to Dinner) by the way of Accatinck Creek I found several young Holly trees growing near Lawson Parkers.

   In 1779 Lund Washington married his cousin Elizabeth Foote, daughter of Richard Foote of Prince William County. The couple lived at Mount Vernon until 1784 when they moved into their newly built home, Hayfield, located on the Alexandria Road five miles south of Alexandria. Lund’s property consisted of about 450 acres, comprising most of the three parcels of land GW had acquired from Simon Pearson and George and John Ashford in 1761–63 and a small piece of wasteland obtained in 1771. This land was not formally deeded to Lund by GW until 25 Feb. 1785. However, there

seems to have been an earlier lease on at least a part of the land, probably with GW’s promise to deed the land to Lund at a later date. GW specified in the deed that the land was in repayment of £5,304 Lund had earlier paid to Thomas Hanson Marshall for land on GW’s behalf (Fairfax County Deeds, Book P–1, 415–17, Vi Microfilm; see entry for 15 Feb. 1785).

   ruined buildings: Belvoir had been badly damaged by fire in 1783. GW wrote George William Fairfax of this visit to his home: “I took a ride there the other day to visit the ruins—& ruins indeed they are. The dwelling house & the two brick buildings in front, under went the ravages of the fire; The walls of which are very much injured: the other Houses are sinking under the depredation of time & inattention, & I believe are now scarcely worth repairing. In a word, the whole are, or very soon will be a heap of ruin. When I viewed them—when I considered that the happiest moments of my life had been spent there—when I could not trace a room in the house (now all rubbish) that did not bring to my mind the recollection of pleasing scenes; I was obliged to fly from them; & came home with painful sensations, & sorrowing for the contrast” (27 Feb. 1785, DLC:GW). In 1814 the remaining walls of Belvoir were leveled by shells from British ships (MUIRDorothy Troth Muir. Potomac Interlude: The Story of Woodlawn Mansion and the Mount Vernon Neighborhood, 1846–1943. Washington, D.C., 1943., 23). holly: Ilex opaca, American holly.

Friday 28th. Mercury at 32 this Morning—42 at Noon and the same at Night.
Wind pretty fresh from the Southward, with Sun shine, and appearances of rain alternately. In the evening it lowered very much.
Road to day to my Plantations in the Neck—partly with a view to search for Trees; for which purpose I passed through the Wood and in the first drain beyond the Bars in my lower pasture, I discovered in tracing it upwards, many small & thriving plants of the Magnolio and about & within the Fence, not far distant, some young Maple Trees; & the red berry of the Swamp. I also, along the Branch within Colo. Masons field, where Mr. T. Triplett formerly lived came a cross a mere nursery of young Crabtrees of all sizes & handsome & thriving and along the same branch on the outerside of the fence I discovered several young Holly Trees. But whether from the real scarcity, or difficulty of distinguishing, I could find none of the fringe tree.

   magnolio: This may be any one of several varieties indigenous to the area: Magnolia virginiana, or sweet bay, which in the eighteenth century was called Magnolia glauca, or swamp laurel; Magnolia tripetala, or umbrella tree, a deciduous variety; or Magnolia acuminata, or cucumber tree. red berry of the swamp: Ilex verticillata, black alder or winterberry.

Saturday 29th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning and the same at Noon & Night.
Raining until about 10 Oclock when it ceased. About 12 the

Sun appeared and the day became exceedingly pleasant afterwards.
The Wind, until some time after noon came from the Southward but not very fresh. Towards the evening it inclined to the westward more—blew fresh & grew cold.

Sunday 30th. Mercury this morning at 26 at Noon 32 and at Night 28.
Wind fresh from the No. Wt. & Cold—day clear.
In the Afternoon Mr. Willm. Scott with the two Miss Blackburns came in and stayed the Night.

   William Scott (c.1751–c.1787) was a son of Rev. James and Sarah Brown Scott of Dettingen Parish, Prince William County, and the uncle of the Blackburn girls. Scott lived at Strawberry Vale “near the Lower Falls of Potomack, in Fairfax County” (Va. Journal, 15 April 1784). There were four unmarried Blackburn girls at this time—Julia Ann (Nancy), Sarah, Catherine, and Mary Elizabeth (Polly). Sarah Blackburn was to marry Nathaniel Craufurd of Prince George’s County, Md., in about two weeks and Nancy Blackburn (1768–1829) would marry GW’s nephew Bushrod Washington on 13 Oct. 1785.

Monday 31st. Mercury at 22 in the Morning 28 at Noon & 29 at Night.
Wind at No. Wt. & pretty fresh in the forenoon—less of it & from the Eastward in the afternoon. Day clear until the Evening when it lowered & after dark turned very cloudy.
About one oclock Mr. Wm. Hunter of Alexa. with a Mr. Hadfield (a Manchester Mercht.) recommended by Colo. Sam Smith of Baltimore & Colo. Fitzgerald & a Mr. Dawson came in. Dined & returned to Alexandria.

   William Hunter, Jr. (1731–1792), a Scottish-born merchant of Alexandria, carried on extensive trade with London and Liverpool. He was a member of GW’s Masonic lodge and mayor of the city 1788–90 (BROCKETTF. L. Brockett. The Lodge of Washington. A History of the Alexandria Washington Lodge, No. 22, A.F. and A.M. of Alexandria, Va., 1783-1876. Alexandria, Va., 1876., 95; POWELLMary G. Powell. The History of Old Alexandria, Virginia: From July 13, 1749 to May 24, 1861. Richmond, 1928., 237, 361).

   Joseph Hadfield (1759–1851), a member of the Manchester firm of Hadfield & Co., was one of a host of British agents who came to America after the Revolution to try to collect pre-Revolutionary debts owed to their firms by American merchants (HADFIELDDouglas S. Robertson, ed. An Englishman in America, 1785: Being the Diary of Joseph Hadfield. Toronto, 1933., v—vii).

   Samuel Smith (1752–1839) served in the Continental Army 1775–79 and was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the 4th Maryland Regiment in 1777. After the war, Smith returned to his father’s mercantile house in Baltimore, becoming a prosperous trader and land speculator.

   Mr. Dawson was possibly George Dawson, a friend of Hadfield who had served under Banastre Tarleton during the Revolution as a captain in the King’s Orange Rangers, a Loyalist company. He accompanied Hadfield on some of his travels through the colonies (SABINELorenzo Sabine. Biographical Sketches of Loyalists of the American Revolution. 2 vols. 1864. Reprint. Baltimore, 1979., 2:504; WRIGHTLouis B. Wright and Marion Tinling, eds. Quebec to Carolina in 1785–1786: Being the Travel Diary and Observations of Robert Hunter, Jr., a Young Merchant of London. San Marino, Calif., 1943., 131, 137).


Title: [Diary entry: 1 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 1st. Mercury at 29 in the Morning, 28 at Noon and 34 at Night. Snowing, raining, or Hailing all day & Night and very disagreeable. Wind at No. Wt. and West the whole time.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 3d. Mercury this morning at 22 at Noon  and at Night 28. Wind at No. West all day but it did not blow hard—clear & cold. Mr. Benja. Dulany came here to Dinner & returned afterwards. We concluded a bargain which has been long in agitation for the Exchange of his Land in this Neck which he & his wife have the reversion of for the tract I bought of Messrs. Adam Dow & McIver on Hunting Creek. The Exchange is simply Tract for Tract—but as he cannot put me in possession of his, Mrs. French his wife’s mother having her life in it he is to pay me, during that period—or until she shall relinquish her right therein, and the full & absolute possession is vested in me—the same annual rent I now receive from Mr. Dow—viz. One hundd. and twenty pounds Virga. Curry. Writings & conveyances to this effect to be drawn by Mr. Charles Lee—Who from both is to be furnished with the necessary Papers.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 5th. Mercury at 25 in the Morning—32 at Noon & 32 at Night. Day lowering with appearances of Snow. In the Morning the Wind (tho’ there was not much of it) was at No. West. At Noon there was scarce any and towards night that which did blow came from the No. East.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 6th. Mercury at 31 in the morning—38 at Noon and 39 at Night. Morning lowering with appearances of Snow or rain. Abt. Noon the Sun came out—but soon disappeared and became thick & lowering. No Wind. Doctr. Brown was sent for to Frank (waiter in the House) who had been seized in the Night, with a bleeding of the Mouth from an Orifice made by a Doctr. Dick who some days before attempted in vain to extract a broken tooth & coming about 11 Oclock stayed to Dinner & returned afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Monday 7th. Mercury at 39 this morning—44 at Noon and 48 at Night. Day clear, perfectly calm, Warm & pleasant. The Snow began to dissolve fast.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 8th. Mercury at 39 in the morning—42 at Noon—46 at Night. Morning lowering—clear at Noon, & cloudy afterwards. Wind in the forenoon abt. So. East. Afterwards it veered more Easterly, & blew fresher. Thawed a good deal. Finding that I should be very late in preparing my Walks & Shrubberies if I waited till the ground should be uncovered by the dissolution of the Snow—I had it removed Where necessary & began to Wheel dirt into the Ha! Haws &ca.—tho’ it was it exceeding miry & bad working.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 9th. Mercury at 44 in the morning—at Noon 50 and at Night 56. Morning lowering—but clear, calm, warm & pleast. afterwards

which with the rain that fell last night had uncovered the ground in many places & was dissipating the Snow very fast. Transplanted an English Walnut tree from the Corner near where the old School house stood to the opposite side wch. with the one that was moved in the fall were intended to answer the two remaining ones—but from their size and age I have little expectation of their living. Also moved the Apricots & Peach Trees which stood in the borders of the grass plats which from the same causes little expectation is entertained of their living. These were placed under the Wall in the North Garden on each side of the Green House and an old pair tree was movd at the same time into the lowr. Square of the South Garden from which less hopes of its living were entertained than of any of the others. Road to where my Dogue run people were grubbing in the Mill Swamp & Meadow. In the Afternoon Fanny Bassett returned from Doctr. Craiks accompanied by his son William.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 10th. Mercury this Morning at 46 at Noon  and at Night 52. Day clear, calm, & pleasant until the Evening when it grew a little hazy & the Sunset in a bank. The little wind that stirred came from the Southward. Road up to Alexandria today and dined with Colo. Fitzgerald.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 11th. Mercury at 46 this Morning—51 at Noon and the same at Night. The first part of the Morning was hazy & rather cool. Before Noon it grew clear, warm, and pleasant and towards the Evening it lowered & the Sun set in a bank. The Wind in the Morning was Northwardly. Afterwards it got round to the Southward but there was very little of it. Employed all day in marking the ground for the reception of my Shrubs. In the Evening a Mr. Andrews, Jeweller in Philadelphia,

called to shew me an Eagle medal, which he had made, & was about to offer as Specimen of his Workmanship to the Members of the Society of Cincinnati in hopes of being employed by them in that way. He was accompanied by a Mr.  name not known.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 12th. Mercury at 44 this Morning, 44 at Noon and 44 at Night. Planted Eight young Pair Trees sent me by Doctr. Craik in the following places—viz. 2 Orange Burgamots in the No. Garden, under the back wall—3d. tree from the Green House at each end of it. 1 Burgamot at the Corner of the border in the South Garden just below the necessary. 2 St. Germains, one in each border (middle thereof) of the upper Squares by the Asparagas Bed & Artichoake Ditto upper bordr. 3 Brown Beuries in the west square in the Second flat—viz. 1 on the border (middle thereof) next the Fall or slope—the other two on the border above the walk next the old Stone Wall. Received an Invitation to the Funeral of Willm. Ramsay Esqr. of Alexandria—the oldest Inhabitt. of the Town; & went up. Walked in a procession as a free mason—Mr. Ramsay in his life time being one & now buried with the Ceremony & honors due to one. The ground getting uncovered, I again with my people from the Quarters, began to clean up the ground under the Pines, and along the hollow of H. Hole & its branches. This Work I renewed yesterday, & contd. it to day. Mr. Willm. Craik called and dined in his way home. The Sun rose clear this Morning, but it soon overcast begun to Snow & then to rain wch. continued until abt. 10 Oclock. About Noon the wind sprung up pretty fresh from the No. West & grew colder.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 14th. Mercury at 31 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 33 at Night. Morning clear and calm—Ground hard froze. Wind afterwards, fresh from the No. West with flying Clouds which gave a rawness & chill to the air. In company with Mrs. Washington made a visit to Colo. McCarty & family. Dined there and returned home afterwds.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 15. Mercury at 28 this morning—at noon not observed, but at Night 36. Morning fine, wind Southwardly, which shifted to the Eastward & grew colder. Abt. Noon it began to Snow, & continued to do so until past 3 oclock. Went this day to ascertain the quantity of Land given to, and received from Mr. Willm. Triplett by way of exchange & to run a dividing line betwn. him & the Land I let Mr. Lund Washington—but the badness of the day prevented the execution. Thursday next I appointed to go again on this business.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 16th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—45 at Noon & 49 at Night. Wind Southwardly & pretty fresh in the forenoon—calm afterwards and somewhat lowering.  Transplanted along the So. side of the Wall of the No. Garden, the Ivy; which I had taken up with as much dirt about the roots of it as I could obtain. Weather soft and thawing—the Southwardly having dissolved all the Snow that fell yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 17th. Mercury at 39 in the Morng.—46 at Noon and 49, at Night. Wind at No. West all day but not hard. Clear and cold in the Morning. More moderate about Noon & very pleasant in the Afternoon being calm. In the morning early I went to Mr. L. Washingtons (to Breakfast) in order to finish the Work I had began on Tuesday last but after having plotted & measured the slipes which were to be given in Exchange for the Land below the Race, I found it did not agree with my former measurements & therefore left the business undetermined until I could go there again & run some lines of Harrisons Patent or compare it more carefully with my former works. Dined with Mr. Willm. Triplett & returned home in the Afternoon—soon after which the two Doctr. Jenifers came, & stayed the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Saturday 19th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning, 43 at Noon, and 48 at Night. Morning lowering, but the Clouds dispelling about Noon, it became warm & pleasant afterwards. The Sun set in a bank. Little or no wind at any time of the day. Went to Mr. Tripletts and rectified the mistakes in running the Lines and finished the business respecting the quantities of Land given in Excha. and the partition between him and Mr. Lund Washington. Finished planting Ivy in front of the Gardens. My Nephew George Steptoe Washington came here to Dinnr. from the Acadamy at George Town.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 20th. Mercury at 43 in the Morning, 47 at Noon and 50 at Night. Wind pretty fresh all day from the Southward. Morning lowering. About Noon great appearances of rain—but towards sunsetting the clouds dispersed and the Sun came out. A large, but not a very distinct circle about the moon.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 22d. Mercury at 36 in the Morning, 42 at Noon and the same at Night. Wind pretty fresh all day from the No. Wt. and Cool. Weather perfectly clear—ground hard froze. Removed two pretty large & full grown Lilacs to the No. Garden gate—one on each side, taking up as much dirt with the roots as cd. be well obtained—also a Mock Orange to the Walk leading to the No. Necessary. I also removed from the Woods and old fields, several young Trees of the Sassafras, Dogwood, & red bud to the Shrubbery on the No. Side the grass plat.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 23d. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 42 at Night. In the Morning it was calm and clear. About 10 oclock the wind, for about an hour, blew pretty fresh and cool from the No. West. It then shifted to the Eastward—died away and grew cloudy and towards Night had all the appearances of falling weather. Planted trees on the South Shrubbery similar to those of yesterday, in the South Shrubbery except the Lilacs for which I thought the ground too wet. Brought down a number of young Aspan trees from one Saml. Jenkins’s near the old Court House to transplant into the Serpentine Avenues to the Door. As they came late I had the roots buried until they could be transplanted in the places they are intended to grow.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Thursday 24th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning, 44 at Noon and 42 at Night. About two Inches of Snow fell in the Night. Before daylight, it began to rain, and continued to do so until near Sundown when it ceased, & the horizon became clear to the Westward. Prevented by the weather from preparing my grounds or transplanting trees. Wind Eastwardly in the forenoon & westwardly afterwds.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 26th. Mercury at 33 in the Morning, 38 at Noon and 37 at Night. Wind at No. West all day and at times pretty fresh—more or less cloudy and in the evening lowering. The ground was hard froze this morning. Finished laying out my Serpentine Roads. Dug most of the holes where the trees by the side of them are to stand and planted some of the Maple which were dug yesterday and some of the Aspan which had been brought here on Wednesday last.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 27th. Mercury at 30 in the Morning 34 at Noon and 37 at Night. Weather clear—Wind fresh from the No. West all day. After Breakfast Mr. Crawford, his wife & Sister went away—they crossed at my Fer⟨ry⟩ to Marlborough. Mr. Bushrod Washington also set off for his fathers passing through Maryland.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 February 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 28th. Mercury at 33 in the Morning 36 at Noon and 43 at Night. Wind No. Wt. & westerly all day & cool—ground hard froze—Flying clouds but no appearance of rain. Planted all the Mulberry trees, Maple trees, & Black gums in my Serpentine walks and the Poplars on the right walk—the Sap of which and the Mulberry appeared to be moving. Also planted 4 trees from H. Hole the name unknown but of a brittle wood which has the smell of Mulberry.


Title: February—1785
From: Washington, George
To:

   Tuesday 1st. Mercury at 29 in the Morning, 28 at Noon and 34 at Night.
Snowing, raining, or Hailing all day & Night and very disagreeable.
Wind at No. Wt. and West the whole time.

Wednesday 2d. Mercury at 28 in the Morning 32 at Noon and  at Night.
The Snow this morning is about 9 Inches deep & pretty well compressed.
Wind at No. West and very cold.
Mr. Scott went away after Breakfast. Employed myself (as there could be no stirring without) in writing Letters by the Post and in Signing 83 Diplomas for the members of the Society of the Cincinnati and sent them to the care of Colo. Fitzgerald in Alexandria—to be forwarded to General Williams of Baltimore the Assistant Secretary of the Society.

   The Society of the Cincinnati, founded in 1783, was open to American officers who had served for three years in the army, or were in the army at the end of the Revolution, and to French officers of the rank of colonel

and above. Later, naval officers were also included. The hereditary nature of the new society in particular aroused much bitter opposition. It was usual practice for GW to sign blank diplomas and send them to the state secretaries to be completed and issued to members (HUMEEdgar Erskine Hume, ed. General Washington’s Correspondence concerning the Society of the Cincinnati. Baltimore, 1941., xi—xvii).

   Otho Holland Williams (1749–1794) was born in Prince George’s County, Md., the son of Joseph and Priscilla Holland Williams. He was secretary of the Maryland chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati and the first assistant secretary general of the national society. Williams had joined the army as a lieutenant in 1775 and retired as a brigadier general in 1783. After the war, he was appointed naval officer of Baltimore and, under the new Constitution, collector of customs for the port of Baltimore, a post he retained until his death.

Thursday 3d. Mercury this morning at 22 at Noon  and at Night 28.
Wind at No. West all day but it did not blow hard—clear & cold.
Mr. Benja. Dulany came here to Dinner & returned afterwards.
We concluded a bargain which has been long in agitation for the Exchange of his Land in this Neck which he & his wife have the reversion of for the tract I bought of Messrs. Adam Dow & McIver on Hunting Creek. The Exchange is simply Tract for Tract—but as he cannot put me in possession of his, Mrs. French his wife’s mother having her life in it he is to pay me, during that period—or until she shall relinquish her right therein, and the full & absolute possession is vested in me—the same annual rent I now receive from Mr. Dow—viz. One hundd. and twenty pounds Virga. Curry.
Writings & conveyances to this effect to be drawn by Mr. Charles Lee—Who from both is to be furnished with the necessary Papers.

   his land in this neck: a tract of 543 acres on Dogue Creek, part of the 5,000 acres granted by Lord Culpeper to Nicholas Spencer and John Washington in 1674. With the exception of a small tract still held by the heirs of Harrison Manley, GW, by this exchange, now would control the entire neck of land lying between Little Hunting Creek and Dogue Creek, which had composed the original grant. To own the whole grant had long been one of GW’s ambitions, and he made every effort over a period of years to purchase the French-Dulany land. In 1782 GW had bought the 376–acre Dow tract, located on Hunting Creek and up the Long Branch of Hunting Creek, for the express purpose of trading it for the French-Dulany land. However, despite Mrs. Penelope French’s earlier approval of a trade for land nearer her home, a change of heart had led to a stubborn refusal on her part to relinquish her lifetime rights to the land (Benjamin Dulany to GW, 28 Feb. 1782, and GW to Lund Washington, 21 Nov. 1782, two letters, DLC:GW; Lund Washington to GW, 20 Nov., 4 and 11 Dec. 1782 and 8 Jan. 1783, ViMtvL). It was not until 1786 that the Dulanys and GW finally prevailed

upon Mrs. French to sign a deed giving up her rights. Peter Dow, one of the former owners of the Hunting Creek Tract, was then living on that land (agreement between Dulany and GW, 4 Feb. 1785, PHi: Gratz Collection).

   Charles Lee (1758–1815), the brother of Col. Henry (Light Horse Harry) Lee, was naval officer of the South Potomac District. In 1789 he was appointed collector of customs at Alexandria and from 1793 to 1795 was a member of the Virginia General Assembly from Fairfax County. He also practiced law in Alexandria and after the Revolution handled much of GW’s legal work. In 1795 GW appointed him attorney general of the United States.

Friday 4th. Mercury at 22 in the Morng.—28 at Noon and at 32 at Night.
Calm, clear, and very pleasant over head, all day.
The Snow began to melt a little.
The two Miss Blackburns left this after breakfast, in order to return home—but it is to be feared they would meet with some difficul⟨ty⟩ at the ferry at Occoquan.

Saturday 5th. Mercury at 25 in the Morning—32 at Noon & 32 at Night.
Day lowering with appearances of Snow. In the Morning the Wind (tho’ there was not much of it) was at No. West. At Noon there was scarce any and towards night that which did blow came from the No. East.

Sunday 6th. Mercury at 31 in the morning—38 at Noon and 39 at Night.
Morning lowering with appearances of Snow or rain. Abt. Noon the Sun came out—but soon disappeared and became thick & lowering. No Wind.
Doctr. Brown was sent for to Frank (waiter in the House) who had been seized in the Night, with a bleeding of the Mouth from an Orifice made by a Doctr. Dick who some days before attempted in vain to extract a broken tooth & coming about 11 Oclock stayed to Dinner & returned afterwards.

   Elisha Cullen Dick (1762–1825), of Alexandria, was a Pennsylvanian who had received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1782. He settled in Alexandria after taking his degree and soon became a popular member of Alexandria society. One of the founders of the Masonic lodge at Alexandria, he served as its master 1787–99, except for a year and a half when GW was master. He held several offices in Alexandria, including that of mayor. GW seems not to have used Dick’s services again after his servant’s unfortunate experience. Dick was, however, one of the doctors called in for consultation by Dr. Craik during GW’s final illness.

Monday 7th. Mercury at 39 this morning—44 at Noon and 48 at Night.
Day clear, perfectly calm, Warm & pleasant. The Snow began to dissolve fast.

Tuesday 8th. Mercury at 39 in the morning—42 at Noon—46 at Night.
Morning lowering—clear at Noon, & cloudy afterwards.
Wind in the forenoon abt. So. East. Afterwards it veered more Easterly, & blew fresher. Thawed a good deal.
Finding that I should be very late in preparing my Walks & Shrubberies if I waited till the ground should be uncovered by the dissolution of the Snow—I had it removed Where necessary & began to Wheel dirt into the Ha! Haws &ca.—tho’ it was it exceeding miry & bad working.

   ha! haws, &ca: A ha-ha wall was a sunken wall which prohibited cattle from approaching the house, but left an uninterrupted view of the landscape.

Wednesday 9th. Mercury at 44 in the morning—at Noon 50 and at Night 56.
Morning lowering—but clear, calm, warm & pleast. afterwards

which with the rain that fell last night had uncovered the ground in many places & was dissipating the Snow very fast.

   Transplanted an English Walnut tree from the Corner near where the old School house stood to the opposite side wch. with the one that was moved in the fall were intended to answer the two remaining ones—but from their size and age I have little expectation of their living. Also moved the Apricots & Peach Trees which stood in the borders of the grass plats which from the same causes little expectation is entertained of their living. These were placed under the Wall in the North Garden on each side of the Green House and an old pair tree was movd at the same time into the lowr. Square of the South Garden from which less hopes of its living were entertained than of any of the others.
Road to where my Dogue run people were grubbing in the Mill Swamp & Meadow.
In the Afternoon Fanny Bassett returned from Doctr. Craiks accompanied by his son William.

   The schoolhouse was a small building at the west end of the north garden. The greenhouse was located at the north end of the north garden, and at this time was incomplete. GW had undertaken the construction of the greenhouse soon after his return from the war. On 11 Aug. 1784 he wrote his former aide, Tench Tilghman, for the dimensions and other details of a greenhouse at Mrs. Margaret Tilghman Carroll’s plantation in Maryland (RPJCB). Tilghman replied on 18 Aug., sending details and sketches (DLC:GW). Completion of the building was delayed, and not until 1787 were the roofing and flooring finished (Mount Vernon Store Book, ViMtvL).

   The two wings designed as slave quarters were not finished until after 1791 (GW to Anthony Whitting, 14 Aug. 1791, ViMtvL).

Thursday 10th. Mercury this Morning at 46 at Noon  and at Night 52.
Day clear, calm, & pleasant until the Evening when it grew a little hazy & the Sunset in a bank. The little wind that stirred came from the Southward.
Road up to Alexandria today and dined with Colo. Fitzgerald.

Friday 11th. Mercury at 46 this Morning—51 at Noon and the same at Night.
The first part of the Morning was hazy & rather cool. Before Noon it grew clear, warm, and pleasant and towards the Evening it lowered & the Sun set in a bank.
The Wind in the Morning was Northwardly. Afterwards it got round to the Southward but there was very little of it.
Employed all day in marking the ground for the reception of my Shrubs.
In the Evening a Mr. Andrews, Jeweller in Philadelphia,

called to shew me an Eagle medal, which he had made, & was about to offer as Specimen of his Workmanship to the Members of the Society of Cincinnati in hopes of being employed by them in that way. He was accompanied by a Mr.  name not known.

   eagle medal: Maj. Pierre-Charles L’Enfant, a French engineer who served in the Continental Army, designed the badges and diplomas for the Society of the Cincinnati and had them produced in France. He returned to America with a supply in time for the May 1784 meeting. The medal was a gold eagle, with an enameled medallion on its breast bearing a motto and a representation of Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus, the Roman general-farmer after which the Society was named. It was suspended from a sky-blue ribbon edged in white (HUMEEdgar Erskine Hume, ed. General Washington’s Correspondence concerning the Society of the Cincinnati. Baltimore, 1941., xii—xiv). Jeremiah Andrews advertised the medals for sale in the Pa. Packet, 5 July 1787.

Saturday 12th. Mercury at 44 this Morning, 44 at Noon and 44 at Night.
Planted Eight young Pair Trees sent me by Doctr. Craik in the following places—viz.
2 Orange Burgamots in the No. Garden, under the back wall—3d. tree from the Green House at each end of it.
1 Burgamot at the Corner of the border in the South Garden just below the necessary.
2 St. Germains, one in each border (middle thereof) of the upper Squares by the Asparagas Bed & Artichoake Ditto upper bordr.
3 Brown Beuries in the west square in the Second flat—viz. 1 on the border (middle thereof) next the Fall or slope—the other two on the border above the walk next the old Stone Wall.
Received an Invitation to the Funeral of Willm. Ramsay Esqr. of Alexandria—the oldest Inhabitt. of the Town; & went up. Walked in a procession as a free mason—Mr. Ramsay in his life time being one & now buried with the Ceremony & honors due to one.
The ground getting uncovered, I again with my people from the Quarters, began to clean up the ground under the Pines, and along the hollow of H. Hole & its branches. This Work I renewed yesterday, & contd. it to day.
Mr. Willm. Craik called and dined in his way home.
The Sun rose clear this Morning, but it soon overcast begun to Snow & then to rain wch. continued until abt. 10 Oclock. About Noon the wind sprung up pretty fresh from the No. West & grew colder.

   eight young pair trees: Varieties not previously mentioned are the St. Germain, a large, long pear which is picked green and allowed to ripen

for winter use, and the “Brown Beuries.” Many varieties were called Beurre or butter pears, which GW is here rendering as “Beuries.”

   Asparagus officinalis, asparagus, and Cynara scolymus, French or globe artichoke, were common garden vegetables at the Mansion House.

   william ramsay: GW undoubtedly means the earliest inhabitant of Alexandria.

Sunday 13th. Mercury at 34 this Morning, 38 at Noon, & the same at Night.
Wind at No. West all day but not fresh—clear & not unpleasant—ground hard froze.

Monday 14th. Mercury at 31 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 33 at Night.
Morning clear and calm—Ground hard froze. Wind afterwards, fresh from the No. West with flying Clouds which gave a rawness & chill to the air.
In company with Mrs. Washington made a visit to Colo. McCarty & family. Dined there and returned home afterwds.

Tuesday 15. Mercury at 28 this morning—at noon not observed, but at Night 36.
Morning fine, wind Southwardly, which shifted to the Eastward & grew colder. Abt. Noon it began to Snow, & continued to do so until past 3 oclock.
Went this day to ascertain the quantity of Land given to, and received from Mr. Willm. Triplett by way of exchange & to run a dividing line betwn. him & the Land I let Mr. Lund Washington—but the badness of the day prevented the execution. Thursday next I appointed to go again on this business.

   GW needed a small piece of land owned by William Triplett which bordered on GW’s tumbling dam and millrace. He proposed to give Triplett some small strips of land in exchange. The negotiations had gone on for years because of boundary disputes and GW’s long absence during the war. Some of the land GW was leasing to Lund Washington was also involved in the dispute. On 18 May 1785 a deed was signed giving Triplett 29 acres on the northwest side of the millrace. The acreage involved was part of land GW had bought from George Ashford and Simon Pearson, and also a small strip of wasteland granted him in 1771. In return, Triplett gave GW 26 acres on the lower, or east, side of the millrace with 5s. token fee (Fairfax County Deeds, Book P–1, 432–35, Vi Microfilm).

Wednesday 16th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—45 at Noon & 49 at Night.
Wind Southwardly & pretty fresh in the forenoon—calm afterwards and somewhat lowering.

Transplanted along the So. side of the Wall of the No. Garden, the Ivy; which I had taken up with as much dirt about the roots of it as I could obtain.
Weather soft and thawing—the Southwardly having dissolved all the Snow that fell yesterday.

   ivy: Here GW is not referring to Hedera helix, the classic English ivy, or even to the domestic Parthenocissus quinquefolia, the Virginia creeper. Rather, it is Kalmia latifolia, the mountain laurel. Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, which GW had in his own library, reproduces a drawing of K. latifolia and describes it as vulgarly called mountain ivy. Writing some instructions to Lund Washington 19 Aug. 1776, GW explained his wishes for plantings in his groves by the mansion house (CSmH). In the south grove he wanted flowering trees such as crabapple, dogwood, and tulip poplar, interspersed with such evergreens as holly, pine, cedar, and ivy. Evidently he was attempting to produce a showy undergrowth among his flowering trees and was not calling for a climbing ivy. The flowers of GW’s ivy were coming

into bloom when he made his 30 May 1785 diary entry, another indication that this was mountain laurel.

Thursday 17th. Mercury at 39 in the Morng.—46 at Noon and 49, at Night.
Wind at No. West all day but not hard. Clear and cold in the Morning. More moderate about Noon & very pleasant in the Afternoon being calm.
In the morning early I went to Mr. L. Washingtons (to Breakfast) in order to finish the Work I had began on Tuesday last but after having plotted & measured the slipes which were to be given in Exchange for the Land below the Race, I found it did not agree with my former measurements & therefore left the business undetermined until I could go there again & run some lines of Harrisons Patent or compare it more carefully with my former works.
Dined with Mr. Willm. Triplett & returned home in the Afternoon—soon after which the two Doctr. Jenifers came, & stayed the Evening.

   The two doctors are Dr. Walter Hanson Jenifer and Dr. Daniel Jenifer, Jr. (1756–c.1809), of Maryland, sons of Daniel and Elizabeth Hanson Jenifer (see main entry for 28 Aug. 1774).

Friday 18th. Mercury at 36 this Morning, 40 at Noon and 44 at Night.
Not much Wind. In the forenoon, the little that blew was Northwardly—in the afternoon Eastwardly.
The two Doctr. Jenifers went to Alexandria after breakfast.
Planted border of Ivy under the No. side of the So. Garden wall.
Also four Lime or Linden Trees, sent me by Govr. Clinton of New York which must have been out of the ground since the middle of Novr. without any dirt about the Roots and only a covering of Mat. These were planted in the Serpentine Roads to the door—the 3d. trees on each side next the Walls & the second trees on each side next the grass plat.

   lime or linden trees: Tilia americana, linden or basswood. GW wrote to Gov. George Clinton that the seedlings had been delayed at Norfolk by the severity of the winter and that he did not expect them to live. He asked for other plants and seeds, saying he would make no apology because “I persuade myself you will have pleasure in contributing to an innocent amusement” (20 April 1785, DLC:GW).

Saturday 19th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning, 43 at Noon, and 48 at Night.
Morning lowering, but the Clouds dispelling about Noon, it became warm & pleasant afterwards. The Sun set in a bank.
Little or no wind at any time of the day.
Went to Mr. Tripletts and rectified the mistakes in running the Lines and finished the business respecting the quantities of Land given in Excha. and the partition between him and Mr. Lund Washington.
Finished planting Ivy in front of the Gardens.
My Nephew George Steptoe Washington came here to Dinnr. from the Acadamy at George Town.

   George Steptoe Washington (c.1773–1809) was the second of the three sons of Samuel Washington and his fourth wife, Anne Steptoe Washington. He and his younger brother, Lawrence Augustine Washington (1775–1824), were being educated under GW’s supervision and largely at his expense. Samuel Washington had left his estate badly encumbered by debts, and its proceeds were not enough to provide for his children. GW placed George and Lawrence in Rev. Stephen Bloomer Balch’s academy at Georgetown in 1784, but their extravagances led him to remove them in November 1785 to the Alexandria academy. The two boys were to cause problems for GW for several years. During his presidency, GW sent them to the University of Pennsylvania, and in 1792 both went to study law with Atty. Gen. Edmund Randolph, then living in Philadelphia (DECATURStephen Decatur, Jr. Private Affairs of George Washington: From the Records and Accounts of Tobias Lear, Esquire, his Secretary. Boston, 1933., 180, 270). The money that GW expended on behalf of the two nephews was never recovered, but by the terms of his will the debt, amounting to nearly £450, was erased.

Sunday 20th. Mercury at 43 in the Morning, 47 at Noon and 50 at Night.
Wind pretty fresh all day from the Southward. Morning lowering. About Noon great appearances of rain—but towards sunsetting the clouds dispersed and the Sun came out.
A large, but not a very distinct circle about the moon.

Monday 21st. Mercury at 42 in the Morning  at Noon, and 46 at Night. Wind at No. West, and pretty fresh all day—weather clear and very pleasant.
Went to Alexandria with Mrs. Washington. Dined at Mr. Dulany’s and exchanged Deeds for conveyance of Land with him & Mrs. Dulany—giving mine, which I bought of Messrs. Robt. Adam, Dow & McIvor for the reversion of what Mrs. Dulany is entitled to at the death of her Mother within the bounds of Spencer & Washington’s Patent.
Fanny Bassett who went on Thursday last to the wedding of

Miss Blackburn returned—accompanied by my Nephew Bushrod Washington. George Steptoe Washington returned this morning to the Academy at George Town & in the Evening the Manager of his & Brothers Estate came here with some money for their use—Sent by my Brother Charles.

   The manager of the estate of George Steptoe Washington and his brother was Robert Carter (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 229, 301).

Tuesday 22d. Mercury at 36 in the Morning, 42 at Noon and the same at Night.
Wind pretty fresh all day from the No. Wt. and Cool. Weather perfectly clear—ground hard froze. Removed two pretty large & full grown Lilacs to the No. Garden gate—one on each side, taking up as much dirt with the roots as cd. be well obtained—also a Mock Orange to the Walk leading to the No. Necessary.
I also removed from the Woods and old fields, several young Trees of the Sassafras, Dogwood, & red bud to the Shrubbery on the No. Side the grass plat.

   Syringa vulgaris, lilac, and Philadelphus coronarius, mock orange.

Wednesday 23d. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 42 at Night.
In the Morning it was calm and clear. About 10 oclock the wind, for about an hour, blew pretty fresh and cool from the No. West. It then shifted to the Eastward—died away and grew cloudy and towards Night had all the appearances of falling weather.
Planted trees on the South Shrubbery similar to those of yesterday, in the South Shrubbery except the Lilacs for which I thought the ground too wet.
Brought down a number of young Aspan trees from one Saml. Jenkins’s near the old Court House to transplant into the Serpentine Avenues to the Door. As they came late I had the roots buried until they could be transplanted in the places they are intended to grow.

   In his second reference to “South Shrubbery” in this entry GW apparently should have written “North Shrubbery.” aspan trees: Populus tremuloides, aspen or quaking aspen.

   Fairfax Old Court House was built in 1742 on the road leading from Hunting Creek to Key’s, or Vestal’s, Gap. In 1755 the county seat was moved to Alexandria and in 1800 removed to its present location southwest of the old courthouse, on the road from Alexandria to Williams’, or Snickers’ Gap (HARRISON [1]Fairfax Harrison. Landmarks of Old Prince William: A Study of Origins in Northern Virginia. Berryville, Va., 1964., 321–26).

Thursday 24th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning, 44 at Noon and 42 at Night.
About two Inches of Snow fell in the Night. Before daylight, it began to rain, and continued to do so until near Sundown when it ceased, & the horizon became clear to the Westward.
Prevented by the weather from preparing my grounds or transplanting trees.
Wind Eastwardly in the forenoon & westwardly afterwds.

Friday 25. Mercury at 40 in the Morng. 42 at Noon and 38 at Night.
Wind Westwardly and cloudy all day—rather cool—although the ground was not frozen this morning.
Laid off part of the Serpentine Road on the South side the grass plat, to day. Prevented going on with it, first by the coming in of Mr. Michael Stone about 10 oclock (who went away before noon)—then by the arrival of Colo. Hooe, Mr. Chas. Alexander, & Mr. Chs. Lee before dinner and Mr. Crawford, his Bride & sister after it.
The same cause prevented my transplanting trees in my Shrubberies, & obliged me to cover the roots of many which had been dug up (particularly Dogwood, Maple, Poplar, & Mulberry) the ground not being marked for their reception.
Colo. Hooe, Mr. Chs. Alexander & Mr. Lee went away after Dinner.

   GW is probably referring to Michael Jenifer Stone (1747–1812), the son of David Stone and his second wife, Elizabeth Jenifer Stone, of Charles County, Md. Stone served in the Maryland House of Delegates 1781–83, as a member of the Maryland ratification convention in 1788, and in the federal House of Representatives 1789–91. He was appointed judge of the first Maryland judicial district in 1791. mr. crawford: probably Nathaniel Craufurd and his new wife, Sarah Blackburn Craufurd.

Saturday 26th. Mercury at 33 in the Morning, 38 at Noon and 37 at Night.
Wind at No. West all day and at times pretty fresh—more or less cloudy and in the evening lowering. The ground was hard froze this morning.
Finished laying out my Serpentine Roads. Dug most of the holes where the trees by the side of them are to stand and planted some of the Maple which were dug yesterday and some of the Aspan which had been brought here on Wednesday last.

Sunday 27th. Mercury at 30 in the Morning 34 at Noon and 37 at Night.
Weather clear—Wind fresh from the No. West all day.
After Breakfast Mr. Crawford, his wife & Sister went away—they crossed at my Fer⟨ry⟩ to Marlborough. Mr. Bushrod Washington also set off for his fathers passing through Maryland.

Monday 28th. Mercury at 33 in the Morning 36 at Noon and 43 at Night.
Wind No. Wt. & westerly all day & cool—ground hard froze—Flying clouds but no appearance of rain.
Planted all the Mulberry trees, Maple trees, & Black gums in my Serpentine walks and the Poplars on the right walk—the Sap of which and the Mulberry appeared to be moving. Also planted 4 trees from H. Hole the name unknown but of a brittle wood which has the smell of Mulberry.

   black gums: Nyssa sylvatica.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 1st. Mercury at 34 in the morning 38 at Noon and 42 at Night. Wind at No. West all day, & sometimes pretty fresh; at others very moderate. In general clear with some flying clouds.  Planted the remainder of the Poplars & part of the Ash Trees—also a circle of Dogwood with a red bud in the Middle close to the old Cherry tree near the South Garden Ho[use]. Began with my two Tumblers to Cart Dung upon the Ground designed for Clover and Orchard grass.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 2d. Mercury at 35 this Morning—40 at Noon and 39 at Night. Wind at No. West all day, and for the most part of it pretty fresh and cold. Cloudy and towards Sunsetting much the appearance of Snow. Planted the remainder of the Ash Trees—in the Serpentine walks—the remainder of the fringe trees in the Shrubberies—all the black haws—all the large berried thorns with a small berried one in the middle of each clump—6 small berried thorns with a large one in the middle of each clump—all the swamp red berry bushes & one clump of locust trees.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 3d. Mercury at 34 in the Morng., 40 at Noon and  at Night. Morning calm, warm, and very pleasant—wind afterwards from the Southward & pretty fresh. Sun set in a bank. Planted the remainder of the Locusts—Sassafras—small berried thorn & yellow Willow in the Shrubberies, as also the red buds—a honey locust and service tree by the South Garden House. Likewise took up the clump of Lilacs that stood at the Corner of the South Grass plat & transplanted them to the clusters in the Shrubberies & standards at the south Garden gate. The Althea trees were also planted. Employed myself the greatest part of the day in pruning and shaping the young plantation of Trees & Shrubs. In the Evening Mr. Story formerly an assistant to Genel. Greene & afterwards Aide de Camp to Lord Stirling came in and spent the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Friday 4th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning. 46 at Noon and the same at Night. Morning thick and heavy, with appearances of rain. Before noon the Sun made some feeble efforts to shine, but was again obscured in the afternoon; & towards Night it began a mizling rain and in the Night there fell more, so as to wet the ground. Planted two more Service trees at the North Garden wall one on each side the gate—two Catalpas (large) West of the Garden Houses—28 Crab trees and the like number of Magnolia—besides a number of little Sprouts, from 6 Inches to two feet high of the last mentioned tree. The Magnolia had good roots wch. were well enclosed with the Earth they grew in. Also compleated my Serpentine walks with Elm trees. After breakfast Mr. Story went away and about Noon Colo. Mercer came in & spent the remaining part of the day & Night here.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 5th. Mercury at 45 in the Morning  at Noon and 54 at Night. Morning cloudy; but clear by 10 Oclock; the wind being at No. West tho’ neither fresh nor cool. About noon the wind shifted to So. West grew quite warm & pleasant. Sun Set in A Bank. Planted all the Holly trees to day—most of them with a good deal of dirt about the Roots—but they were very indifferent trees having stragling limbs & not well leeaved. Colo. Mercer went away after breakfast. I rid into the Neck & to Muddy hole Plantn.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 6th. Mercury at 48 in the morning, 50 at Noon and 55 at Night. Morning a little lowering & calm—Wind afterwards pretty fresh from the Southward—weather Mild.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Munday 7th. Mercury at 50 in the Morning, 50 at Noon and 48 at Night. Wind Southwardly in the forenoon & until about 3 oclock when it shifted to the No. West blew pretty fresh & turned cold. The morning lowered, and until Noon, sprinkled rain at Intervals. About 12 Oclock the Sun came out very warm & pleasant & continued so until the wind shifted which brot. up Clouds again. Planted all my Cedars, all my Papaw, and two Honey locust Trees in my Shrubberies and two of the latter in my groves—one at each ⟨side⟩ of the House and a large Holly tree on the Point going to the Sein landing. Began to raise the Bank of Earth & to turf it, along the Northernmost row of Trees in the Serpentine Walk in the right. Finished Plowing the Ground adjoining the Pine Grove, designed for Clover & Orchard grass Seed.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 8th. Mercury at 43 in the Morning, 42 at Noon and 38 at Night. In the Night there fell a good deal of rain which about Sun rise changed to hail & sleet wch. prevailed through the day and loaded the Trees with Ice with the weight of which the Evergreen in my Shrubberies were a good deal bowed. Wind pretty fresh all day at East. The ground was covered about an Inch with the hail &ca.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 10th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning, 38 at Noon and 32 at Night. Wind fresh from the No. Wt. all day and cold. Ground hard froze in the morning and but little thawed through the day. Sent my Waggon with the Posts for the Oval in my Court Yard to be turned by a Mr. Ellis at the Snuff Mill on Pohick & to proceed from thence to Occoquan for the Scion of the Hemlock to plant in my Shrubberies. Continued with my jobbers to pound the Plaister of Paris as the Earth was too hard frozen to be dealt with. Went to return the visits of Colo. Mason and others in his Neighbourhood. Called first at Mr. Lawrence Washington’s, who being from home, I proceeded to Colo. Masons, where I dined & lodged.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 13th. Mercury at 42 this Morning, 46 at Noon and 48 at Night. Wind very fresh from the So. West, and great appearances of Rain in the forenoon. About Noon the wind ceased, and the Sun came out—after which it again clouded—the wind shifted to the No. Et. and it set in for a serious rain about 5 oclock which was unlucky on acct. of an open Boat load of Flour from my Mill, bound to Alexandria for Mr. Hartshorne and wch. I was obliged to detain at my Fish house under as good cover as I could provide for it.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Munday 14th. Mercury at 48 in the Morning, 46 at Noon and 48 at Night. A great deal of rain fell in the Night, which never ceased until after 8 oclock. My Boat with the flour went off about day break but whether the flour received any damage or not I cannot tell. The wind remained at No. East until 9 oclock when it died away and sprung up pretty fresh from the No. West when the Sun came out. It did not turn cold notwithstanding the point from whh. the wind blew and the freshness of it. Planted the 9 young peach Trees which I brought from Mr. Cockburns in the No. Garden—viz.—4 on the South border of the second walk (two on each side of the middle walk)—2 in the border of the Walk leading from the Espalier hedge towards the other cross walk and 3 under the South wall of the Garden; that is two on the right as we enter the gate & one on the left. The other Peachtree to answer it on that side & the two on the West Walk, parrallel to the Walnut trees were taken from the nursery in the Garden. Drove Stakes to support the largest of the evergreens in my Shrubberies—the wind shaking & giving too much disturbance to the roots of them especially when the ground is soft.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 15th. Mercury at 36 in the morning—38 at Noon and 40 at Night. Ground hard frozen in the Morning—Wind brisk (and cold) all day from the No. West; which made the borders to my Walk, progress slowly.  Laid out a walk for the wilderness, intended on the No. of the Serpentine road on the right. Began to open Vistos throw the Pine grove on the Banks of H. Hole. Visited my Plantations at the Ferry, Muddy hole, & Dogue run.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 16th. Mercury at 26 in the morng.—27 at Noon and 33 at Night. Ground very hard froze & air Sharp from the No. West all day which prevented any movement of Earth. About 1 Oclock a Mr. Alexander Donald came here introduced by a letter from Govr. Henry.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 17th. Mercury at 24 in the Morning—32 at Noon and 30 at Night. Ground hard froze—the Creeks quite fast with Ice & the river covered with it to the channel. Wind Southerly all day, but not very fresh. The day, until after the middle of the afternoon, was very clear—it then began to lower, & at Sunset looked very much like rain. No earth could be moved until the afternoon; and even then, it not being in good order, it was not attempted. Laid out a walk for the Wilderness intended on the South of the Serpentine road on the left. After breakfast Mr. Donald went away and to dinner Colo. Andrew Lewis (son of Genl. Andw. Lewis) and a Mr. Neiley, came—afterwch. they crossed into Maryland. Trimmed the Weeping and Yellow trees which were transplanted on the 10th. & put 80 cuttings of the former into a nursery.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 19th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 43 at Night. Wind at No. Et. all day; and more or less rain mixed in sml. degree with Snow; which with what fell in the Night made the ground so wet that I could plant no trees to day. Many of those planted yesterday yielded to the Wind & Wet, and required propping. Received a Swan, 4 Wild Geese, & two Barrels of Holly Berries (in Sand) from my Brother John and a Barrel of the early Corn from New York.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 21st. Mercury at 40 in the Morning  at Noon and 46 at Night. Very little wind all day but foggy and moist which carried away the Snow & hail that fell in the Night rather better than an Inch thick. Staked up the largest of my Trees in the avenues and Wilderness and Shrubberies to day, which from the softness of the ground & impression made on them by the Wind were leaning. Bought 150 Bushels of clean & good Oats from an Eastern shore man at 2/4 pr. Bushel. Major Jenifer left this for Alexandria after Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 22d. Mercury at 45 in the Morning, 52 at Noon and 51 at Night. Mizling Morning and very little Wind. About 8 Oclock it

sprung up at No. West, & encreasing, blew hard all the remaining part of the day from that point & West. Mrs. Grayson sent me 8 Yew & 4 Aspan trees & Colo. Mason some Cherry Grafts. Planted the intermediate holes round the Walk in the Wilderness on the right and filled the spaces between with young Pines. Went to Alexandria—dined & returned in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 23d. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 40 at Night. Wind fresh and cool all day from the No. West. Very clear. Finished Planting the Pine trees in the wilderness on the left and planted 4 of the live Oak Trees (which I had received from Norfolk) in the Shrubberies on the right and left on the grass plat in front of the House. Staked most of the Pines that had been planted.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 24th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 45 at Night. Wind Southerly. The Sun, tho’ it rose clear had a Watery look and soon became obscured. The Weather very lowering. About 4 Oclock it began to Snow (fine Snow) & continued to do so with a small mixture of rain until I went to bed. Finding the Trees round the Walks in my wildernesses rather too thin I doubled them by putting (other Pine) trees between each. Laid off the Walks in my Groves, at each end of the House. Sent my Carriage to Alexandria for Colo. Mason according to appointment—who came in about dusk.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 25th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 45 at Night. A thick fog, or mist, all day; with little or no wind. Planted some of the largest Pine trees on the Circular bank which is intended to inclose the Court yard, Shrubberies &ca. and Staked most of those wch. had been planted in the two Wildernesses. About One O’clock Major Jenifer, Mr. Stone, Mr. Chase, & Mr. Alexr. Henderson arrived here.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 26th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 44 at Night. Morning clear, but a watery Sun, which was soon obscured by clouds; the whole day was lowering; towards Sundown it began to Snow, which continued until it became two Inches deep. The Wind was at No. East all day & was raw & chilling. My jobbers spent the greater part of this day in placing stakes for the Support of the young Pine trees. Mr. G. Mason Jr. & Dr. Brown came, dined, & returned.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 27th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning  at Noon and 52 at Night. All the Pines, & other evergreen Trees which were not well staked, being heavily loaded with Snow, yeilded to the weight, and where the ground was very soft (which was the case in many places) quite laid to the ground. Wind Southerly all day but not much of it. Morning cloudy & more or less so all day. The Snow which was not more than two Inches deep, soon disappeared. Mr. Waltr. Stone dined here and went away afterwards. Mr. Henderson also went to Colchester after dinner to return in the morning.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 29th. Mercury at 52 in the Morning  at Noon and 54 at Night. The Sun rose with a watery appearance tho’ the hemisphere was clear—which however soon clouded & towards evening began to rain. Wind at No. East all day but not very fresh until dark. Major Jenifer, Mr. Stone and Mr. Henderson went away before breakfast & Colo. Mason (in my carriage) after it by the return of which he sent me some young Shoots of the Persian Jessamine & Guilder Rose. Transplanted in the groves at the ends of the House the following young trees. Viz.—9 live oak—11 Yew or Hemlock—10 Aspan—4 Magnolia—2 Elm—2 Papaw—2 Lilacs—3 Fringe—1 Swamp berry & 1 H ⟨ ⟩ Doctr. Stuart came in the afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 30th. Mercury at 58 in the Morning—62 at Noon and  at Night. A good deal of rain fell in the Night—showers all day with thunder; & alternate Squals and calm. Doctr. Stuart went away after breakfast & carried the three Children Betcy, Nelly, & Washington Custis with him to Abingdon. Arthur Lee Esqr. came to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 March 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 31st. Mercury at 52 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 60 at Night. Wind very hard all day from west—weather clear. Mr. Lee went away after Breakfast and in the Afternoon Mr. Thos. Hanson & two of his Sisters arrived and Nelly Hanson came in. Planted the Scarlet or French honey suckle (as my Gardner calls it, & which he says blows all the Summer) at each Column of my covered ways—as also against the circular walls between the Store house &ca. and the two new necessaries. Also planted the Gilder rose & Persian Jessamine opposite thereto on the Walks leading up to these necessaries—4 of the first and Six of the latter on each walk.