Title: Remarks & Occurs. in Jany. [17]72
From: Washington, George
To:

Jan. 1 & 4. Settling with the Assignees of Mr. John Semple for the Maryland Tract of Land sold him by Colo. Thoms. Colvil &

fixed the Balle. still due on that Land to £2576.15.2½ [sterling], £1000 of which to be paid upon acknowledgement of Deeds to them at George Town the 23d. Instt. and the Residue in June 1773. An allowance is to be made for any money which it shall appear Mr. Semple has credited Mr. Hough for on Colo. Colvils Acct.

   The initial £1,000 to be paid by the three merchants was to cover several protested bills of exchange that John Semple had given in part payment for the Merryland tract. However, sometime before 23 Jan., Semple was credited with £183 6s. 5d. sterling paid in cash to take up part of those bills, and the merchants’ initial payment accordingly was reduced to £816 13s. 7d. (LEDGER CGeneral Ledger C, 1790–1799. Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, N.J., 16). The merchants gave their own bond for the £1,576 15s. 2½d. that was supposed to be paid in June 1773 (GW to John West, Jr., NNgWHM).

5. Told Mr. Willis of Loudoun that he might have my small Tract of Land adjoining Wormeley, Alexander, and others for £250—provided he took it without measuring; but if I run it out, it should be priced at 25/. pr. Acre let it measure more or less. He also wanted the Plantation Kennedy lives on upon Lease, & would give, if he liked the place upon examining of it, £40 pr. Ann. Rent if he had the liberty of Working 25 hands thereon. To this I told him I would give no definitive answer as I was under promise of giving the preference to another but would write him as soon as I could.

   David Kennedy (Kennerly) served as ensign and lieutenant in the French and Indian War and was GW’s quartermaster in the Virginia Regiment in 1758. After the war he settled in Frederick County, where he became a militia captain and a justice of the peace (CARTMELLT. K. Cartmell. Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia, From its Formation in 1738 to 1908. Winchester, Va., 1909., 89, 135). GW leased a plantation on Bullskin Run to Kennedy 1768–73 for £28 a year (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 248; General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 22).

8th. Engaged to advance by, or at the April General Court for the use of Mr. Bryan Fairfax £150, or thereabouts, to discharge the Balle. of his Bond to Doctr. Savage. Also promised, if I could, to take up a Bill of Excha. of about £160 Sterg. with Int[eres]t thereon at the same time; In consideration of which I am to have the liberty of taking any of the Tracts of which he has given me a Mem[orandu]m at the prices there Stipulated in case I like them, or either of them upon examination thereof within  Months from this date. If not he is then to become my Debtor for the money I shall advance on these two Accts.
Receivd 563½ Bushels of Oats from Arlington.

   GW paid £150 on Bryan Fairfax’s account to Dr. William Savage or his agent Thomas Montgomerie at the Fairfax County court, 20 April 1772, but

   did not make good Fairfax’s bill of exchange, which had been drawn on the merchant John Muir of Alexandria and was held by John Baynes of Maryland (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 5; Fairfax to GW, 15 July 1772, DLC:GW). Nevertheless, Fairfax was grateful for GW’s help in discharging his debt to Savage. “I could not have raised the money without your Assistance,” he told GW in a letter dated 3 Aug. 1772 (DLC:GW). GW was compensated for the £150 with a tract of land in Fauquier County, which he chose from Fairfax’s holdings there during May of this year (see main entries for 27, 29 May and 25 Sept. 1772).

   Arlington plantation in Northampton County on the Eastern Shore of Virginia was part of the Custis lands owned by Jacky Custis (MEADE [1][William] Meade. Old Churches, Ministers and Families of Virginia. 2 vols. Philadelphia, 1857., 1:262–63). GW paid £10 13s. 4d. for freight of these oats (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 3).


Title: [Diary entry: 1 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

Feb. 1st. Attempted to ride as far as the Ferry Plantation to wch. there was a Tract broke but found it so tiresome & disagreeable that I turnd back before I got half way.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Went across the Creek upon the Ice and staked off a fence for the Field on the Creek.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Ditto—Ditto.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Ditto—Ditto.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Attempted to ride out again but found the Roads so disagreeable and unpleasant that I turnd back before I got to the Ferry Quarter.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Went to the Ferry Plantation to run some Lines there. Returnd before 12 Oclock.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Ditto—Ditto.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Rid to the Mill again on the same business as yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Rid to the Ferry Plantation and to the Fishing Landing where a few Fish were catchd in the Sein.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. At home. Mr. Ramsay & Captn. Conway stayd all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Set of for Williamsburg but not being able to cross Accatinck (which was much Swelled by the late Rains) I was obliged to return home again.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Sett off again and reachd Colchester by nine Oclock where I was detaind all day by high Winds & low tide.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Crossd early & breakfasted at Dumfries. Got to Fredericksburg in the Afternoon & lodgd at Colo. Lewis’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Stayd all day in Town with my Brother John &ca. Dined at Colo. Lewis’s & Spent the Evening at Captn. Weedon’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

Feb. 1st. Snow still so deep that there was no passing from one place to another where there was no tract made. Day for the most part clear, tho’ the Sky lookd muddy. Weather Mild & wind what little there was Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Perfectly Calm and Mild till the Evening, when their Sprung up a little Wind from the Eastward. A little Snow fell in the Morning, the day cloudy and lowering quite thro’.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. The Wind coming on from the No. West & Shifting more Westerly it grew clear and very cold—blowing hard and freezing hard—Rivr. being almost Froze across and the Snow hard enough to bare.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Very severe Frost. River quite froze. Morng. clear & not very cold but the Wind coming out at No. West it became very much so. Clear all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Day clear, and morning very hard frozen—first part warm & pleast. latter cool, wind blowg. fresh from the Southward.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Morng. clear, Midday Cloudy & like for Snow but clear afterwards with but little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

9th. Raing. and thawing all Night and till 11 or 12 Oclock this day being foggy & Calm. About 12 the Wind came out hard & cold from the No. Wt. & froze.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Clear and Cold—Morning being hard froze with the Wind at No. West. In the Afternoon it got Southerly but still kept cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. A Cold & fresh Southerly Wind blew all day. Clouds for the most part with appearances of falling Weather.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Wind & Weather both variable. In the Morning the Wind was Northerly Raw & Cloudy—in the Afternoon Southerly & clear—at least not very Cloudy.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Calm and pleasant in the Morning and till the Afternoon when the Weather Clouded and the Wind blowing pretty fresh from the So. and So. Et. grew raw & Cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Calm Warm and pleasant. Snow Dissolving a good deal.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. The Wind shifting to Northwest abt. 9 Oclock last Night blew hard & grew exceeding Cold as it contd. to be all this day. Wind fresh from the same Quarter.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. A Cold and Sharp Southerly Wind blowing all day the Snow and Earth thawd but little.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Thawing pretty considerably to day Wind continuing at So. and Warm being also clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Warm and Hazy, with now and then a little Rain. Wind Southerly and thawing fast.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Fresh Southerly Wind with some heavy Showers in the forenoon—Snow melting exceedg. fast Ground in the old fields being almost bear.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Raining in the Morning & Cloudy and lowering all day. In the Evening misting which afterwards turnd to Rain a good deal of which fell in the Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Raining fast the first part of the Morning—afterwds. clear, when the Wind blew violently hard at No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Continued blowing violently hard all Night and the whole day through at least till the Evening but not remarkably Cold tho the Wind was at No. Wt.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 27. Calm and exceeding pleast. Ground this Morning and yesterday’s pretty hard froze.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Very white frost & fresh Southerly Wind with Clouds & now & then a slight sprinkle of Rain. Ground not froze.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 February 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Wind at No. West and pretty Cool but no frost—also Cloudy till the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

Mar. 1st. Reachd Colo. Bassetts from Todds Bridge by 12 Oclock. Stayd there the remainder of the day.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Set out for Williamsburg and got in about 12 Oclock. Dined at the Speakers and supd at the Treasurers.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Dined and Supd at the Governors.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Dined at the Attorneys and Spent the Evening at the Governors.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Dined at Mrs. Dawson’s and Spent the Evening in my own Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Dined and Spent the Evening at the Treasurer’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. At Colo. Bassetts all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Returnd to Williamsburg by 12 Oclock and Dined at the Club at Mrs. Campbells.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Dined and Spent the Evening at the Palace.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Dined and Spent the Evening at the Club at Mrs. Campbells.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Dined at the Club and Spent the Evening at Southalls.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 14. Dined at the Club & Spent the Evening there also.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Dined at the Speakers & Spent the Evening at my own lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Dined at the Club and Spent the Evening at the Burgesses Ball in the Capitol.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Dined at Mrs. Dawsons & went to the Play in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Dined at Mrs. Amblers and Spent the Evening at Southalls.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Dined at the Club & Spent the Evening there also.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Went over to Colo. Warner Lewis’s in Gloucester. Dined & Lodged there.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Returnd to Williamsburg before 10 Oclock and dined at the Club & Spent the Evening at the same.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Dined at Mr. Lewis Burwells and went to the Play.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Dined at the Club and went to the Play.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Dined at the Club and Spent the Evening at Mrs. Campbells.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Dined at Mrs. Dawsons and Spent the Evening at My Own Lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Dined and Spent the Eveng. at Mrs. Campbells.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Dined at Mrs. Campbells & spent the Evening there also.


Title: [March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

Mar. 1st. Reachd Colo. Bassetts from Todds Bridge by 12 Oclock. Stayd there the remainder of the day.

   GW crossed the Pamunkey River at Ruffin’s ferry (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 3).

2. Set out for Williamsburg and got in about 12 Oclock. Dined at the Speakers and supd at the Treasurers.

   Because the House of Burgesses met only briefly this morning, GW probably did not renew his burgess oaths until the next day (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 204). This session of the assembly had already met for three weeks and was to continue for another six.

   GW lodged with Edward Charlton, whose two-story frame house stood almost directly across Duke of Gloucester Street from the Raleigh Tavern (WILLIAMSBURGColonial Williamsburg Official Guidebook: Containing a brief History of the City and Descriptions of more than One Hundred Dwelling-Houses, Shops & publick Buildings, fully illustrated. Also a large Guide-Map. Williamsburg, Va., 1970., 17). A wigmaker in Williamsburg for many years, Charlton had not advertised himself as a tavern keeper and was apparently renting private rooms in his house only during public times. His brother, Richard Charlton, had operated a regular Williamsburg tavern during the late 1760s, but there is no indication that his tavern was in business at this time (see main entry for 4 May 1768). Edward Charlton’s wife, Jane Hunter Charlton, was a milliner who often furnished Mrs. Washington and Patsy Custis with various goods.

3. Dined and Supd at the Governors.

   GW today was reappointed to the standing committees of privileges and elections, propositions and grievances, and religion, and was one of a committee of three appointed to review a petition for financial relief from John Robinson, a disabled veteran of the Virginia Regiment (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 204).

4. Dined at the Attorneys and Spent the Evening at the Governors.

   In the House of Burgesses today GW reported committee approval of John Robinson’s claim; he should be allowed £5 “for his present Relief” plus an annuity of £6 for life. The house promptly agreed to this proposal, and GW was ordered to take the resolution to the council for its concurrence, which it gave on 11 Mar. Later in today’s proceedings a petition for relief was received from a second disabled veteran, Philip Hand. A new committee, again including GW, was appointed to consider his claim (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 209–10, 234).

5. Dined at Mrs. Dawson’s and Spent the Evening in my own Room.

6. Dined and Spent the Evening at the Treasurer’s.

7. Took an early Dinner at Mrs. Dawson’s and went up to Colo. Bassetts with him in the Afternoon.

8. At Colo. Bassetts all day.

9. Returnd to Williamsburg by 12 Oclock and Dined at the Club at Mrs. Campbells.

10. Dined and Spent the Evening at the Palace.

11. Dined and Spent the Evening at the Club at Mrs. Campbells.

   Earlier in this session of the burgesses, the house had ordered its committee on propositions and grievances to prepare a bill empowering two planters to erect gates on public roads that crossed their property to public ferries. Today the committee was further instructed to include GW, Burwell Bassett, and Joseph Cabell in the bill. GW was to be permitted to “Keep a Gate or Gates, on his Land, across the Road leading to Posey’s Ferry, on Potowmack River,” while Bassett was to be allowed the same privilege on the road to the Brick House ferry on York River and Cabell on the road to his ferry on the James (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 198, 235).

12. Dined at the Club and went to the Play.

   The play was presented by David Douglass’s American Company, which came to Williamsburg for the spring season, from the convening of the General Assembly in early February through the April session of the General Court (RANKINHugh F. Rankin. The Theater in Colonial America. Chapel Hill, N.C., 1960., 165).

13. Dined at the Club and Spent the Evening at Southalls.

   The House of Burgesses today referred a bill for docking the entail on some land owned by John Hancock of Princess Anne County to a special committee of five members, of which GW was one (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 241–42).

14. Dined at the Club & Spent the Evening there also.

15. Dined at the Speakers & Spent the Evening at my own lodgings.

16. Dined at the Club, & spent the Evening there also.

17. Dined at the Club and went to the Play in the Afternoon.

18. Dined at the Club and Spent the Evening at the Burgesses Ball in the Capitol.

   On this day the burgesses received a petition from several “Inhabitants and Freeholders of the County of Frederick,” requesting passage of an act for improving “the Navigation of the River Potowmack from Tide-Water to Fort Cumberland.” Such improvement, the petitioners argued, “would be productive of great Advantage, not only to those who are settled upon the adjacent Lands, but to the whole Colony, by introducing a most extensive Trade.” Financing could be obtained from any of three sources: public tax money, private venture capital, or public subscription of private capital. According to usual procedure, the petition was referred for study to the committee on propositions and grievances. Other business before the house today included a report from the committee on John Hancock’s bill that the bill’s allegations were true (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 252–53).

   The burgesses’ ball was briefly noted the following day in Purdie and Dixon’s Virginia Gazette: “Last Night there was a Ball and elegant Entertainment at the Capitol, given by the gentlemen of the Honourable the House of Burgesses to his Excellency the Governour and the People of Rank in this City.”

19. Dined at Mrs. Dawsons & went to the Play in the Evening.

20. Dined at Mrs. Amblers and Spent the Evening at Southalls.

   Mary Cary Ambler had a town house in Williamsburg, where GW apparently dined with her on this day, but her principal residence was at her plantation about seven miles away on Jamestown Island.

21. Dined at the Club & Spent the Evening there also.

   The burgesses today passed an act to divide Frederick County into three counties: the northernmost portion to be called Berkeley County, the central portion Frederick County, and the southernmost portion Dunmore County. By this act, which the council approved two days later, GW’s Bullskin Run lands became part of Berkeley County (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 262, 268; 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., 8:597–99).

22. Went over to Colo. Warner Lewis’s in Gloucester. Dined & Lodged there.

   GW crossed the York River on the ferry running between Yorktown and Gloucester (Tindall’s) Point (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 4).

23. Returnd to Williamsburg before 10 Oclock and dined at the Club & Spent the Evening at the same.

24. Dined at the Club & Spent the Evening at Mr. Andersons.

25. Dined at Mr. Lewis Burwells and went to the Play.

26. Dined at the Club and went to the Play.

   GW is here attending the local premiere of the “new Comedy . . . A Word to the Wise,” by Hugh Kelly (1739–1777). It was received, reported Purdie and Dixon’s Virginia Gazette a week later, “with the warmest Marks of Approbation.” The newspaper went on to comment: “If the comick Writers would pursue Mr. Kelly’s Plan, and present us only with moral Plays, the Stage would become (what it ought to be) a School of Politeness and Virtue.”

27. Dined at the Club and Spent the Evening in my own Room.

28. Dined at the Club and Spent the Evening at Mrs. Campbells.

29. Dined at Mrs. Dawsons and Spent the Evening at My Own Lodgings.

30. Dined and Spent the Eveng. at Mrs. Campbells.

   In the House of Burgesses today John Hancock’s bill was passed (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 280, 289).

31. Dined at Mrs. Campbells & spent the Evening there also.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

Mar. 1st. Ground pretty hard froze. Morning Calm & pleasant. Cool & Windy afterwards Wind fresh from the Northward.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Pretty Cool all day—Wind being abt. No. Et. & Cloudy in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Cloudy & Snowing in the forenoon & raw & cold all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 4. Morning clear and tolerably pleasant but raw and Cold in the Afternoon & raining in the Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Hard frost and unpleasant with Clouds.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Tolerably pleasant—Wind getting Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Clear, Warm, and very pleasant with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. The Rain which began to fall in the Night continued till abt. 9 Oclock when it ceased & cleard. away warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Tolerably pleasant in the Forenoon but lowering & like for Snow in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Cold & raw in the forenoon Snowing in the afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Clear Morning but very hard frost ground being blocked up close. In the Night Snow again.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Snow about an Inch deep but soon Melted. The day Clear & cool especially in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Hard frozen Morning & Cold all day but clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Wind fresh & raw in the forepart of the day from the So. West—afterwards still & pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Hard frost and very Cold, Wind at No. West again.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Cloudy & disagreeable in the Morning. Raining in the Afternoon & Misty Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 22. Wind very fresh from the same & clear but cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. White Frost but clear till the Afternoon—then lowering a little.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Tolerably pleasant & at the same time clear & mild.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Raining more or less all the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Clear and Cool Wind Northerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Tolerably pleasant in the Forenoon but raw & cold afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Pleasant forenoon but very Wet & Rainy afterwds.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Wind very fresh from the westward with Cool Clouds.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 March 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Forepart clear but a little Cool—latter part Cloudy & like for Rain.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in March [1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

Mar. 1st. Ground pretty hard froze. Morning Calm & pleasant. Cool & Windy afterwards Wind fresh from the Northward.

2. Pretty Cool all day—Wind being abt. No. Et. & Cloudy in the Afternoon.

3. Cloudy & Snowing in the forenoon & raw & cold all day.

4. Morning clear and tolerably pleasant but raw and Cold in the Afternoon & raining in the Night.

5. Wind blew very fresh and cold from the Northwest.

6. Hard frost and unpleasant with Clouds.

7. Tolerably pleasant—Wind getting Southerly.

8. Clear, Warm, and very pleasant with but little Wind.

9. The Rain which began to fall in the Night continued till abt. 9 Oclock when it ceased & cleard. away warm.

10. Tolerably pleasant in the Forenoon but lowering & like for Snow in the Afternoon.

11. Cold & raw in the forenoon Snowing in the afternoon.

12. Clear Morning but very hard frost ground being blocked up close. In the Night Snow again.

13. Snow about an Inch deep but soon Melted. The day Clear & cool especially in the Evening.

14. Hard frozen Morning & Cold all day but clear.

15. Very raw and Cold with the Wind Northerly and clear.

16. Wind fresh & raw in the forepart of the day from the So. West—afterwards still & pleasant.

17. Hard frost and very Cold, Wind at No. West again.

18. Lowering Morning, and Snowy day.

19. Cloudy & disagreeable in the Morning. Raining in the Afternoon & Misty Evening.

20. Snow several Inches deep this morning & continued Snowing, & Melting as it fell till 2 or 3 Oclock in the afternoon.

21. Clear & Windy from the No. West & cool for the Season.

22. Wind very fresh from the same & clear but cold.

23. White Frost but clear till the Afternoon—then lowering a little.

24. Tolerably pleasant & at the same time clear & mild.

25. Raining more or less all the Afternoon.

26. Clear and Cool Wind Northerly.

27. Tolerably pleasant in the Forenoon but raw & cold afterwards.

28. Pleasant forenoon but very Wet & Rainy afterwds.

29. Wind very fresh from the westward with Cool Clouds.

30. Wind from the same Quarter and Cool but clear.

31. Forepart clear but a little Cool—latter part Cloudy & like for Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

Apl. 1. Dined and Spent the Evening at Mrs. Campbells.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Dined and Spent the Evening at Mrs. Campbells.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Dined at Mrs. Campbells and went to the Play—then to Mrs. Campbells again.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Took a Cold dinner at Mr. Southalls & came up to Eltham in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Went to see Mrs. Dandridge betwn. Breakfast and Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Returnd to Williamsburg. Dined at Mrs. Campbells—went to the Concert & then to Mrs. Campbells again.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Dined at Mrs. Campbells and went to the Play then to Mrs. Campbells again.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 8. Dined at Mrs. Campbells and Spent the Evening at my lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 10. With Colo. Bassett & Lady & there 3 daughters set of for Mount Vernon. Dined at Todds Bridge and lodged at Hubbards.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Breakfasted at Hubbards and dined at Colo. Lewis’s in Fredericksburg where Colo. Bassett &ca. lodged. I lodged at my Mothers.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Dined in Dumfries and reachd home in the Afternoon where I found Mrs. Barnes, Miss Carlyle, Miss Alexander Miss Hunter, Colo. Carlyle & Son & Daughter Nancy.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. All the above went away but Mrs. Barnes & Miss Hunter. About 12 Oclock Colo. Bassett & Family arrived.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Walk’d to the Fishing Landing at Poseys between breakfast & dinner with Colo. Bassett.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Rid with Colo. Bassett to my Mill from thence to Poseys & home to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Walkd with Colo. Bassett to the Fishing Landing at the Ferry between Breakfast & Dinner. Captn. Posey dined here. J. P. Custis came here.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. At home all day. Mr. Campbell dined here.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Went up to Court, Colo. Bassett & Jno. Custis with me. Returnd in the Afternoon—Mr. Tilghman & Mr. Hanson with us.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Walkd to the Fishery at Poseys between Breakfast & dinnr. Mrs. Fairfax dined here & returnd in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Rid to the Mill and Fishery with the Ladies & Gentlemen. Mr. Tilghman & Mr. Hanson went away.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Dined at Belvoir with Colo. Bassett & Lady & Daughter, Mrs. Washington & Patcy. Returnd in the Evening. J. P. Custis dind also.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Rid to Muddy hole Doeg Run and Mill with Colo. Bassett before Dinner. Mr. Mitchell & Mr. Ball who came yesterday went away.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Went a Hunting with Colo. Bassett. Found nothing.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Colo. Bassett & Mrs. Bassett, Mrs. Washington & Self went to Pohick Church & returnd to Dinr.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 27. At home all day writing to send to Williamsburg by Colo. Bassett.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Colo. Bassett & Family set of home. I rid to the Mill and Fishing Landing at the Ferry.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Rid to the Mill and Fishing Landing again. Doctr. Rumney dined here.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Went to the Fishing Landing at the Ferry again.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

Apl. 1. Raw, Cold, & Cloudy Morning. Close and constant Rain afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Raining a kind of fine Rain more or less all day with the wind at East—cold & disagreeable.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Cloudy, Cold, & unplesant all day. Wind Northerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Wind still in the same quarter. Cloudy & equally disagreeable with now and then a Sprinkle of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Rain Early this Morning and Cloudy till about 12 Oclock then clear and tolerably pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Clear and tolerably pleast. in the Forenoon. In the afternn. appearances of Rain and Wind Easterly.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Very Cold and very Windy from the Northwest with flying Clouds & sometimes a sprinkle of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Warm, Calm, & pleasant in the forenoon, brisk wind from the Southward with Clouds & some Rain in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Clear and Cool wind being Northerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Clear but Cool with the Wind high from the Westward.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Clear, Calm, & Warm in the Forenoon, but Cloudy afterwds. with the Wind variable.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

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


Title: [Diary entry: 20 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Clear but the Wind very hard at No. West and Cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Tolerably pleasant and Moderately warm with but little Wind and that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Calm and Warm in the Morning. Wind very fresh from the Southwest in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Quite calm and pleast. but a little cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Clear Calm and Warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Clear and Calm, and very Warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Clear, Calm and very warm again.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 April 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Not quite so warm as yesterday but pleasant, clear & Calm—very smoky.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in April [1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

Apl. 1. Raw, Cold, & Cloudy Morning. Close and constant Rain afterwards.

2. Raining a kind of fine Rain more or less all day with the wind at East—cold & disagreeable.

3. Cloudy, Cold, & unplesant all day. Wind Northerly.

4. Wind still in the same quarter. Cloudy & equally disagreeable with now and then a Sprinkle of Rain.

5. Clear, Calm, and tolerably pleasant but not very warm.

6. Rain Early this Morning and Cloudy till about 12 Oclock then clear and tolerably pleasant.

7. Clear and tolerably pleast. in the Forenoon. In the afternn. appearances of Rain and Wind Easterly.

8. Tolerably pleasant in the Morning but before 11 Oclock began to Rain and raind more or less all day—with thunder & lightning in the Evening.

9. Very Cold and very Windy from the Northwest with flying Clouds & sometimes a sprinkle of Rain.

10. A little Cool and Windy from the westward but tolerably pleasant notwithstanding.

11. Warm, Calm, & pleasant in the forenoon, brisk wind from the Southward with Clouds & some Rain in the Afternoon.

12. Clear and Cool wind being Northerly.

13. Clear and Warm in the forenoon—but very windy in the Afternoon.

14. Clear but Cool with the Wind high from the Westward.

15. Clear, Calm, & Warm in the Forenoon, but Cloudy afterwds. with the Wind variable.

16. Lowering and Misting all day with but little Wind & Warm in the forenoon but Cooler afterwds. with the Wind Easterly.

17. Clear, & Cool in the forenoon wind at Northwest—Warmer afterwards.

18. Clear and tolerably pleasant with but little in the forenoon—lowering afterwards.

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

20. Clear but the Wind very hard at No. West and Cold.

21. Tolerably pleasant and Moderately warm with but little Wind and that Southerly.

22. Calm and Warm in the Morning. Wind very fresh from the Southwest in the Afternoon.

23. Quite calm and pleast. but a little cool.

24. Very cool with squaly Clouds & Snow with wind from the Northwest.

25. Cool, and Calm in the Morning but windy afterwards from the Northwest.

26. Clear Calm and Warm.

27. Tolerably warm and pleasant but a little windy from the Southwest.

28. Clear and Calm, and very Warm.

29. Clear, Calm and very warm again.

30. Not quite so warm as yesterday but pleasant, clear & Calm—very smoky.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Rid to the Mill and Ferry Plantations, and to the Fishery at the Ferry. J. P. Custis returnd to Mr. Bouchers, and Mr. Ballendine came in the afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Mr. Ballendine Went away abt. 11 Oclock. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Rid to the Mill, Doeg Run, and Ferry before Dinner. In the Afternoon Doctr. Rumney and Mr. James Adam came here & lodged.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Mr. Adam went away in the Morning early. Rid with the Doctr. to the Fishery at Poseys who came back to Dinner with Mr. Campbell & went away in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Rid into the Neck, and to Muddy hole.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Rid to Doeg Run Mill and Ferry. Mr. Campbell lodged here.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

10th. Went to Pohick Church & returnd home to Dinner. Mr. Campbell Dined here.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Rid to the Ferry Plantatn. & Mill. Old Mr. Wm. Bayly dined here.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Went up to Alexandria with Mrs. Washington & Miss Custis to see Captn. Woods Ship Launched. Returnd in the afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Rid to Muddy hole, Doeg Run, Mill and Ferry Plantations before Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 14. Dined at Belvoir, and returnd in the Afternoon. Found Colo. Mason here.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. At home all day. Colo. Mason & Captn. McCarty dined here, the former went away after Dinner the latter stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Went to Mr. Barnes’s on Business of Mrs. Barnes & returnd to Dinner. Captn. McCarty went away after breakfast.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. At home all day without Company.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Went up to Court and stayed all Night. In the Evening Mr. Peale & J. P. Custis came to Mount Vernon.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Mrs. Barnes came up to Alexandria. I returnd home in the Afternoon, & found Colo. Blackburn & Lady, Miss Scott Miss Brown, & Doctr. Brown here who came before Dinner—also found Mr. Peale & J. P. Custis.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 21. Captn. Posey who came here the 19th. went up to Alexandria this day. I set again to take the Drapery.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Set for Mr. Peale to finish my Face. In the Afternoon Rid with him to my Mill. I returnd home by the Ferry Plantation.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Rid into the Neck, and to Muddy hole before Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Set out after Dinner for Loud[ou]n &ca. Reachd Mr. Fairfax’s and lodged there.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 26. At Leesburg all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Set out with Mr. Bryan Fairfax to view some of his Lands on Goose Creek and Little River. Lodged at Mr. Charles Wests.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Surveyed one of Mr. Fairfax’s Tracts on Little Rivr. Dined at one Jon. Jacksons a Tenant of his and loged again at Mr. Chs. Wests.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Went up to Mr. Robt. Ashbys dined and lodged there. After dinner went to view some more of Mr. Fairfaxs Land on Goose Ck. & Chattens R.


Title: [May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

May 1st. Went a Hunting with Mr. Jno. Custis. Found nothing. Returnd to Dinner.

2. At home all day. Mr. Foxcraft Mr. Hoops and Mr. Ramsay came here to Dinner and stayd all Night.

   Two of GW’s visitors were from the postal service. After 1764 British America was divided between a southern postal district, from the Carolinas to the West Indies, and a northern postal district, from Virginia to Canada. John Foxcroft, who shared direction of the northern postal district with Benjamin Franklin, was in direct charge of that district 1764–74 while Franklin was in England. John’s brother Thomas Foxcroft became postmaster of Philadelphia in 1766. This Mr. Foxcroft was probably John, who often traveled to Virginia on postal business. William Ramsay was postmaster at Alexandria at this time (see HARRISON [4]Fairfax Harrison. “The Colonial Post Office in Virginia.” William and Mary Quarterly, 2d ser., 4 (1924): 73–92.; KONWISERHarry M. Konwiser. Colonial and Revolutionary Posts: A History of the American Postal Systems; Colonial and Revolutionary Periods. Richmond, Va., 1931.; SMITH [1]William Smith. “The Colonial Post-Office.” American Historical Review 21 (1915–16): 258–75.; LABAREE [3]William B. Willcox et al., eds. The Papers of Benjamin Franklin. 42 vols. to date. New Haven, 1959–.).

   Mr. Hoops was David Hoops, probably traveling from his home in Philadelphia to Hanover County where a married sister lived (GLAZEBROOKEugenia G. Glazebrook and Preston G. Glazebrook, comps. Virginia Migrations; Hanover County . . . . 1723–1850. 2 vols. Richmond, 1943–49., 2:xiii). He was a son of Adam Hoops (1709–1771), of Philadelphia, with whom GW had dealt when he was a commissary for the British troops during the 1758 campaign against Fort Duquesne (GW to John Forbes, 30 Dec. 1758, DLC:GW).

3. Mr. Foxcraft and Mr. Hoops went away after breakfast and Mr. Ramsay after dinner. I continued at home all day.

4. Rid to the Mill and Ferry Plantations, and to the Fishery at the Ferry. J. P. Custis returnd to Mr. Bouchers, and Mr. Ballendine came in the afternoon.

   John Ballendine, now out of Fairfax County’s debtor’s prison (see main entry for 16 April 1770), had been encouraged by Virginia’s recent Potomac

navigation act and was rounding up support for a trip to England to study canal building there. He came to Mount Vernon today to ask for GW’s support and for letters of introduction to leading men in Maryland, including Governor Eden, who might be persuaded to back him. GW obliged, but he warned his Maryland friends that although “Mr. Ballendine has a natural genius to things of this sort . . . I cannot help adding, that his Principles have been loose; whether from a natural depravity, or distress’d circumstances, I shall not undertake to determine” (GW to Jonathan Boucher, 5 May 1772, CSmH).

5. Mr. Ballendine Went away abt. 11 Oclock. At home all day.

6. Rid to the Mill, Doeg Run, and Ferry before Dinner. In the Afternoon Doctr. Rumney and Mr. James Adam came here & lodged.

   James Adam’s visit today and Matthew Campbell’s calls during the next four days must have concerned GW’s current business with Robert Adam & Co.: the sale of 929,700 herring and 10,894 shad for a total price of £184 17s. and the purchase of three slaves for £185 (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 42).

7. Mr. Adam went away in the Morning early. Rid with the Doctr. to the Fishery at Poseys who came back to Dinner with Mr. Campbell & went away in the Afternoon.

8. Rid into the Neck, and to Muddy hole.

9. Rid to Doeg Run Mill and Ferry. Mr. Campbell lodged here.

10th. Went to Pohick Church & returnd home to Dinner. Mr. Campbell Dined here.

11. Rid to the Ferry Plantatn. & Mill. Old Mr. Wm. Bayly dined here.

   William Bayly (d. 1782), an original settler of Colchester in the late 1750s, had established a tavern there and later became the proprietor of the Colchester tobacco warehouse (SPROUSE [3]Edith Moore Sprouse. Colchester: Colonial Port on the Potomac. Fairfax, Va., 1975., 173). Baily came to Mount Vernon today to discuss the rental of GW’s bateau (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 28, 64).

12. Went up to Alexandria with Mrs. Washington & Miss Custis to see Captn. Woods Ship Launched. Returnd in the afternoon.

13. Rid to Muddy hole, Doeg Run, Mill and Ferry Plantations before Dinner.

14. Dined at Belvoir, and returnd in the Afternoon. Found Colo. Mason here.

15. At home all day. Colo. Mason & Captn. McCarty dined here, the former went away after Dinner the latter stayed all Night.

16. Went to Mr. Barnes’s on Business of Mrs. Barnes & returnd to Dinner. Captn. McCarty went away after breakfast.

17. At home all day without Company.

18. Went up to Court and stayed all Night. In the Evening Mr. Peale & J. P. Custis came to Mount Vernon.

   The court met 18–19 May; GW attended both days (Fairfax County Order Book for 1772–74, 27–34, Vi Microfilm).

   Charles Willson Peale (1741–1827), a resident of Annapolis, came to Mount Vernon with a letter of introduction from Jonathan Boucher. Peale had forsaken his saddlery business, to which he had been apprenticed as a youth, to take up painting. He visited John Singleton Copley in Boston in 1765 and studied painting with Benjamin West in London 1767–69. He was now making his living painting miniatures, and on occasion larger portraits, of gentry and merchants in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.

19. Mrs. Barnes came up to Alexandria. I returnd home in the Afternoon, & found Colo. Blackburn & Lady, Miss Scott Miss Brown, & Doctr. Brown here who came before Dinner—also found Mr. Peale & J. P. Custis.

   Col. Thomas Blackburn (c.1740–1807), a Prince William County justice, lived at Rippon Lodge near Dumfries. His wife was Christian Scott Blackburn (b. 1745), younger sister of Miss Catherine Scott. Dr. William Brown (1748–1792) graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1770 and had begun to practice medicine in Alexandria. He would soon marry Catherine Scott. Miss Brown is probably Dr. Brown’s sister Frances Brown (d. 1823), who would later marry Charles Alexander of Fairfax County (HAYDENHorace Edwin Hayden.  Virginia Genealogies. A Genealogy of the Glassell Family of Scotland and Virginia, also of the Families of Ball, Brown, Bryan, Conway, Daniel, Ewell, Holladay, Lewis, Littlepage, Moncure, Peyton, Robinson, Scott, Taylor, Wallace, and others, of Virginia and Maryland. 1891. Reprint. Baltimore, 1973., 165, 177–78, 601–3).

20. Colo. Blackburn & the Compa. with him went away after Breakfast. I sat to have my Picture drawn.

   On 21 May, GW wrote to Jonathan Boucher: “Inclinations having yielded to Importunity, I am now contrary to all expectations under the hands of Mr. Peale; but in so grave—so sullen a mood—and now and then under the influence of Morpheus, when some critical strokes are making, that I fancy the skill of this Gentleman’s Pencil, will be put to it, in describing to the World what manner of man I am” (WRITINGSJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. 39 vols. Washington, D.C., 1931–44., 3:83–84).

21. Captn. Posey who came here the 19th. went up to Alexandria this day. I set again to take the Drapery.

   Peale’s practice was to sketch the painting out in one neutral color, show the sketch to the subject for his approval, and then paint the portrait, thus demanding a minimum of time and patience of the subject. On this day Peale had GW wear the “Drapery” (clothing) chosen for the painting, which was GW’s colonel’s uniform from his service in the Virginia Regiment (SELLERSCharles Coleman Sellers. Charles Willson Peale. 2 vols. Philadelphia, 1947., 1:106; MORGAN [1]John Hill Morgan and Mantle Fielding. The Life Portraits of Washington and Their Replicas. Philadelphia, 1931., 24; see frontis., vol. 1).

22. Set for Mr. Peale to finish my Face. In the Afternoon Rid with him to my Mill. I returnd home by the Ferry Plantation.

23. Rid into the Neck, and to Muddy hole before Dinner.

24. Set out after Dinner for Loud[ou]n &ca. Reachd Mr. Fairfax’s and lodged there.

   Peale remained at Mount Vernon to paint miniatures of Patsy and Jacky Custis. Jacky also paid Peale for a miniature of his mother, Martha Washington, probably for Jacky’s own use (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 50; CUSTIS ACCOUNT BOOKGW’s Accounts Kept for Martha Parke Custis and John Parke Custis, 1760–75. Manuscript in Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond., 30 May 1772).

25. Got to Leesburg to Dinner & Stayed all Night.

26. At Leesburg all day.

27. Set out with Mr. Bryan Fairfax to view some of his Lands on Goose Creek and Little River. Lodged at Mr. Charles Wests.

   GW was inspecting Fairfax’s lands in Loudoun and Fauquier counties in order to choose a tract as compensation for the £150 that he had previously paid on Fairfax’s account (see “Remarks” entry for 8 Jan. 1772).

28. Surveyed one of Mr. Fairfax’s Tracts on Little Rivr. Dined at one Jon. Jacksons a Tenant of his and loged again at Mr. Chs. Wests.

   Charles West today signed an agreement to sell GW 484 acres of land on Dogue Creek for 25s. an acre, a total price of £605 (NjMoHP; General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 59). GW had tried to purchase the eastern part of the tract in 1769, because its boundary on that side came within a few rods of the place where his merchant mill was soon to be built and because there was good timber on the land suitable for use in construction of the mill, but no deal was made at that time (GW to West, 6 June 1769, DLC:GW).

29. Went up to Mr. Robt. Ashbys dined and lodged there. After dinner went to view some more of Mr. Fairfaxs Land on Goose Ck. & Chattens R.

   GW took a 600–acre tract on Chattins Run as his compensation from Bryan Fairfax. Located in Fauquier County near Rectorstown, this land had been inherited by Fairfax from his younger brother William, a lieutenant in the British army who died at Quebec in 1759. The patent for the tract was sent to GW in August (Fairfax to GW, 3 Aug. 1772, DLC:GW).

30. Set out early. Viewd some Land belonging to Jesse Ball & one Kinner. Stopd a little while among my Tenants under the Ridge. Dined at Snickers’s and lodged at Mr. Warnr. Washingtons.

31. At Mr. Washingtons all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Very smoaky and hazy all day—warm in the Afternoon and perfectly Calm.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. A little Rain, with the Wind fresh from the No. East in the Morning and very cool—clear afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Tolerably calm and pleast. wind Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Wind very fresh from the Southward with Clouds & a little Rain in the Morning.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Wind Easterly with Clouds & much appearance of Rain about Noon but very little fell.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Still Cloudy with appearances of Rain but none fell. Wind high from So. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Cool, Wind being pretty fresh from the Northwest.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

11th. Rather Cool & lowering with the Wind varying from South to East.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Clear, and tolerably pleasant with but little Wind and that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Warm and clear in the forenoon. In the Afternoon & first part of the Night a fine Rain from the So. Wt.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Lowering forenoon & Warm. Wind from the Westward afterwards but not Cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 20. Clear and warm in the forenoon with but little wind. In the Afternoon a heavy Shower of Rain with Wind from the No. West which turnd the Air very Cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Clear, and Cool all day—with the Wind Westerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Still cool and clear the Wind in the same place.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Lowering Morning. Wind Southerly & day warm. With Rain in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Very warm and Sultry especially in the Afternoon with but little wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Tolerable warm with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Pleasant but rather warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Warm in the forenoon with Clouds and appearances of Rain in the Afternoon but none fell.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Very warm with Thunder and Rain. (Fred[eric]k).


Title: [Diary entry: 31 May 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Very Warm again with Rain abt. 2 Oclock.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in May [1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

May 1st. Very Smoaky and a little lowering with but little Wind and tolerably Warm.

2. Very smoaky and hazy all day—warm in the Afternoon and perfectly Calm.

3. A little Rain, with the Wind fresh from the No. East in the Morning and very cool—clear afterwards.

4. Tolerably calm in the Morning but Windy and cool afterwards with Rain in the Afternoon & Night.

5. Tolerably calm and pleast. wind Southerly.

6. Wind very fresh from the Southward with Clouds & a little Rain in the Morning.

7. Clear and tolerable warm with the wind very fresh from the Southward.

8. Wind Easterly with Clouds & much appearance of Rain about Noon but very little fell.

9. Still Cloudy with appearances of Rain but none fell. Wind high from So. West.

10. Cool, Wind being pretty fresh from the Northwest.

11th. Rather Cool & lowering with the Wind varying from South to East.

12. Very warm—there being but little Wind and that Southerly. Day clear.

13. Cooler than yesterday with some appearances of Rain but none fell.

14. Clear, and tolerably pleasant with but little Wind and that Southerly.

15. A little Cool but clear & not unpleasant.

16. Very Warm, and but little Wind, that Southerly.

17. Warm and clear in the forenoon. In the Afternoon & first part of the Night a fine Rain from the So. Wt.

18. Lowering forenoon & Warm. Wind from the Westward afterwards but not Cold.

19. Clear and somewhat cooler than yesterday—but pleasant notwithstanding.

20. Clear and warm in the forenoon with but little wind. In the Afternoon a heavy Shower of Rain with Wind from the No. West which turnd the Air very Cool.

21. Clear, and Cool all day—with the Wind Westerly.

22. Still cool and clear the Wind in the same place.

23. Lowering Morning. Wind Southerly & day warm. With Rain in the Afternoon.

24. Very warm and Sultry especially in the Afternoon with but little wind.

25. Wind shifting to the No. West this day was a little cool in the forepart but pleast. notwithstanding.

26. Tolerable warm with but little Wind.

27. Pleasant but rather warm.

28. Much such a day as yesterday, with but little Wind.

29. Warm in the forenoon with Clouds and appearances of Rain in the Afternoon but none fell.

30. Very warm with Thunder and Rain. (Fred[eric]k).

31. Very Warm again with Rain abt. 2 Oclock.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

June 1st. Went with Mr. Wr. Washington & Mr. Willis to my Brother Saml. where we dined and stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Stayed at Mr. Washingtons all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 4. Set of on my return home. Dined at the Widow Evans’s & lodged at Mr. Edward Paynes.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Met the Vestry at our New Church & came home in the Afternoon where I found Captn. Posey—who had been since I w[en]t.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. At home all day. Posey & Mr. Robt. Alexander dined here. The latter went away afterwds.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Went to Pohick Church and Return’d to Dinner. J[ohn] P[arke] C[ustis] came.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Rid to the Ferry Plantan. and Mill.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

10th. Rid to the Ferry Plantation & Mill. Mr. Pendleton went away after Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Rid over Muddy hole Wheat Field—also that at Doeg Run. Dr. Rumney came in the Ev[ening].


Title: [Diary entry: 13 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney Dined here & returnd in the Afternoon. J. P. Custis returnd to Mr. Bouchers.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Made a Visit to Lord Fairfax at Belvoir. Mr. Byrd & Mr. Willis came home with me.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Mr. Willis went away early. Mr. Tilghman, & a Mr. Andrews came to Dinner & stayd all Night as did Mr. Magowan at Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. The Gentlemen went away. I went up to Court & returnd at Night. Mr. Magowan came home with me.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. At home all day. Mr. Magowan went away after Breakfast.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Mr. Andrews & Mr. Wagener went away. Mr. Byrd & I went to Pohick Church & returnd to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Lord Fairfax, Colo. Fairfax & Mrs. Fairfax dined here & returnd afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. At home all day. In the Afternoon Mr. Tilghman came here & stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

27th. Rid with my Brother to Muddy hole, Doeg Run & Mill. Found Mr. Byrd (who went from here on thursday last) & Mr. Tilghman here, who Stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. With the above went after Dinner in my Whale Boat to the Spring at Johnson’s Place.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. My Brother & Family Set of home—Mr. Tilghman also after Breakfast. I rid with Mr. Byrd in the Forenoon to my Meadow at Doeg Run and to the Mill and in the Afternn. went to Sound the Depth of the sevl. Fishing Shores from Poseys up to Gilbt. Simpson’s.


Title: [June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

June 1st. Went with Mr. Wr. Washington & Mr. Willis to my Brother Saml. where we dined and stayed all Night.

2. Went to Run off the Land Captn. Kennedy lives on also my smaller Tract by Mr. Keiths. Accomplished the former but not the latter. Got to Mr. Wr. Washingtons to Dinnr. & met my Br. Jno. & Wife there.

3. Stayed at Mr. Washingtons all day.

4. Set of on my return home. Dined at the Widow Evans’s & lodged at Mr. Edward Paynes.

   Two widows named Evans lived in Loudoun County about this time: Mary Evans (died c.1789), widow of John Evans (d. 1770), and Sarah Evans, widow of Price Evans (d. 1770), formerly of Pennsylvania (KING [6]J. Estelle Stewart King, comp. Abstracts of Wills, Inventories, and Administration Accounts of Loudoun County, Virginia, 1757–1800. Beverly Hills, Calif., 1940., 11–12, 53).

5. Met the Vestry at our New Church & came home in the Afternoon where I found Captn. Posey—who had been since I w[en]t.

   The vestrymen today dealt with matters relating to the building of the new church. George Mason, who was overseeing the construction, was directed to have three flights of stone steps put at the front door instead of the one flight previously specified. The churchwardens, George William Fairfax and Edward Payne, were ordered to have the roof painted, to arrange for the building of a brick vestry house nearby, to engage workmen to carve ornaments on the altarpiece, and to have the religious inscriptions on the altarpiece gilded with gold leaf donated by GW and George William Fairfax. The vestrymen also decided that 12 pews in the church should be sold at the laying of the next parish levy on 20 Nov. (Truro Vestry Book, 153, DLC).

6. At home all day. Posey & Mr. Robt. Alexander dined here. The latter went away afterwds.

7. Went to Pohick Church and Return’d to Dinner. J[ohn] P[arke] C[ustis] came.

8. Rid to the Ferry Plantan. and Mill.

   GW today gave John Posey £50 in cash and a horse and saddle worth £10 for a deed to the six-acre strip of land where Posey’s house and ferry were located (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 50; deed of John Posey to GW, 8 June 1772, PPRF). Although the legal dispute between Posey and John West, Jr., over ownership of this land apparently remained unresolved in the courts, GW’s purchase of Posey’s rights cleared the way for a settlement of another kind. He now had only to conclude his deal with West on acceptable terms to gain undisputed possession of the strip (see main entry for 22 Sept. 1772).

9. Went into the Neck in the forenoon. Found Mr. Chichester & Wife—Miss Molly McCarty, and Mr. Phil. Pendleton here. The first went away.

   Molly McCarty is probably Mary McCarty (d. 1786), a daughter of Capt. Daniel McCarty and a younger sister of Mrs. Sarah McCarty Chichester, who appears here.

10th. Rid to the Ferry Plantation & Mill. Mr. Pendleton went away after Dinner.

11. Went into the Neck & run Round Johnson’s Plantatin. also run some Lines across the Neck.

   Susannah (Suckey) and Hannah Johnston were now renting from GW the Clifton’s Neck plantation that their parents, Samuel Johnston (d. 1769) and Hannah Johnston (d. 1771), had previously rented (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 200, 308; General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 46; will of Hannah Johnston, 8 July 1771, Fairfax County Wills, Book C–1, 123–24, Vi Microfilm).

12. Rid over Muddy hole Wheat Field—also that at Doeg Run. Dr. Rumney came in the Ev[ening].

   Rumney brought Patsy Custis eight musk capsules to be used for relief of her epileptic seizures (receipt from William Rumney, 24 June 1772, ViHi: Custis Papers).

13. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney Dined here & returnd in the Afternoon. J. P. Custis returnd to Mr. Bouchers.

14. Made a Visit to Lord Fairfax at Belvoir. Mr. Byrd & Mr. Willis came home with me.

15. Mr. Willis went away early. Mr. Tilghman, & a Mr. Andrews came to Dinner & stayd all Night as did Mr. Magowan at Night.

16. The Gentlemen went away. I went up to Court & returnd at Night. Mr. Magowan came home with me.

   The court met 15–18 June. GW was not recorded by the court clerk as one of the justices present today (Fairfax County Order Book for 1772–74, 61–89, Vi Microfilm).

17. Rid to the Ferry Plantation & back again from thence.

18. At home all day.

19. At home all day. Mr. Magowan went away after Breakfast.

20. At home all day. In the Afternoon Mr. Byrd—Mr. Andrews & Mr. Wagener came here.

21. Mr. Andrews & Mr. Wagener went away. Mr. Byrd & I went to Pohick Church & returnd to Dinner.

22. Lord Fairfax, Colo. Fairfax & Mrs. Fairfax dined here & returnd afterwards.

23. Rid to the Ferry Plantation & into Muddy hole Corn Field.

24. At home all day. In the Afternoon Mr. Tilghman came here & stayed all Night.

25. Rid as far as the Mill and turnd back on Acct. of Rain. In the Afternoon my Brothr. Jno. & Wife & Son Corbin came here on there way from Fred[eric]k.

   Corbin Washington (1765–c.1799) was one of the younger sons of John and Hannah Washington’s children (WAYLAND [1]John W. Wayland. The Washingtons and Their Homes. 1944. Reprint. Berryville, Va., 1973., 113, 318, 330).

26. At home all day with my Brother &ca.

27th. Rid with my Brother to Muddy hole, Doeg Run & Mill. Found Mr. Byrd (who went from here on thursday last) & Mr. Tilghman here, who Stayed all Night.

28. With the above went after Dinner in my Whale Boat to the Spring at Johnson’s Place.

   In a letter dated 5 Mar., Jonathan Boucher told GW that Governor Eden of Maryland “has got You a very handsome . . . Whale Boat, for £20, which, I fancy is by this Time at Mount [Vernon]” (DLC:GW). On 22 May, Boucher invited GW to visit him in Maryland, and added: “Shou’d ... your Whale Boat be arriv’d, perhaps You may be tempted to try her” (DLC:GW). Since GW paid 18s. for “Freight of my Whale Boat from Patux[ent]” on 17 June, this excursion may have been his first in it (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 50).

29. At home all day.

30. My Brother & Family Set of home—Mr. Tilghman also after Breakfast. I rid with Mr. Byrd in the Forenoon to my Meadow at Doeg Run and to the Mill and in the Afternn. went to Sound the Depth of the sevl. Fishing Shores from Poseys up to Gilbt. Simpson’s.

   Gilbert Simpson (d. 1773) leased land in Clifton’s Neck, first from William Clifton, and then from GW after his purchase of the land in 1760 (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 113, 137, 209).


Title: [Diary entry: 2 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 2. Very hot and Sultry in the forenoon, with a good deal of Rain & Wind in the afternoon (in Frederick) but not much at Mt. Vernon.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Misting & Raining more or less all day (in Frederick) with the Wind fresh & Cool from the Eastward.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Flying Clouds, with the Wind very fresh & Cool from the Eastward.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Very Cold in the Morning & Cool all day, with the Wind high from the same point.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Very Cloudy & Misting, now & then all day, from the Eastward from whence the Wind blew fresh & Cool. No Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Clear and grown warmer with the Wind Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Cool in the forenoon with the Wind Easterly—warmr. afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Tolerably warm again with but little Wind and that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Cloudy Morning. Clear Noon & Warm Sun with a small Shower or two of Rain in the Afternoon & good d[ea]l Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Clear and Cool Wind Westwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Clear and but little Wind—very warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Very hot, with but little Wind in the forenoon—pretty fresh afterwards from the South.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Very Warm in the Morning but cooler afterwards wind getting to the Westward.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Tolerably Cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 19. Clear & not very warm—but little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Warm and lowering—afterwards misting with a good appearance of Rain wch. went off.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Wind pretty fresh from the No. West and cool in the forenoon—warmer afterwds.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Warm again, & cloudy in the forenoon—with a fine moderate Rain for an hour or more abt. 1 or two Oclock from the Eastward.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Wind Southerly and warm with flying Clouds & showers about—but none here.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Misting in the forepart of the day. Towards Night a close & constant Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Misting more or less all the Forenoon, the Afternoon clear & Windy from the Westward.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Clear—Wind Westerly, & pretty fresh but warm notwithstanding.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Warm and a little lowering with scarce any Wind, & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 June 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Lowering all the forepart of the day but clear afterwds. with but little Wind from the So.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Mr. Byrd went over to Belvoir. I continued at home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. After Dinner Rid to Muddy hole to my Harvest People.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. In the Afternoon Rid to my Mill where Messrs. Wm. Shaw and Adam Lynn had been Inspecting my Flour.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Went up with Mrs. Washington and Patcy Custis to see Mr. Adams New Store. Returnd before Dinr.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Rid to the Harvest field at the Mill—Doeg Run and Muddy hole.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. At home all day with those Gentlemen.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 12. Mr. B. Dulany &ca. went up to Church in Alexa. and returnd again in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Mr. Dulany Mr. Tilghman & J. P. Custis went to Belvoir.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. The above Gentlemen returnd to Dinner. I rid to the Ferry & Mill Plantn. In the Afternn. we went on board of Captn. Jordan. Mr. Geo. Digges returnd with us.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Went up in the Afternoon with Mrs. Washington, J. P. Custis, Miss Custis, & Milly Posey to a Ball in Alexandria. Lodgd at my House in Town.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Came home to Dinner. Mr. Byrd returnd in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. At home all day except Riding to the Ferry Plantn. Mr. Byrd here.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Went with Mr. Byrd & J. P. Custis to Pohick Church & Dined at Belvoir. Returnd in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Colo. Fairfax & Lady, Mr. W. Washington Lady & 3 Children; Mrs. B. Fairfax, Miss Carlyle, Mr. Norton, Mr. Prentis, Mr. Whiting & Mr. Jno. Lewis Dined here & in the afternoon Colo. Lewis came.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Colo. Fairfax & the two Mrs. Fairfax’s—Miss Carlyle, Mr. Norton & Mr. Prentis went away after Breakfast.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. At home all day with the Company that remaind yesterday. Mr. Jenifer Adams Dined here.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Dined (with the above Compa.) at Belvoir & lodged there.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Dined at Belvoir this day also, & returnd in the Evening with Colo. Lewis, Mr. Jno. Lewis, Mr. Byrd & Mr. Whiting.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Mr. W. Washington & Wife, & Mr. Norton & Mr. Prentis dined and Lodged here as did C[aptain] Posey.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. The above four went away after Breakfast. As did Mr. Byrd also, along with them in order to set of home the next day.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Colo. Lewis & Son, and Mr. Whiting went away after Breakfast. So did J. P. Custis to Mr. Boucher’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Rid into the Neck.


Title: [July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

July 1st. At home all day with Mr. Byrd.

2. Mr. Byrd went over to Belvoir. I continued at home all day.

3. Rid to the Ferry Plantation Muddy hole & Doeg Run.

4. After Dinner Rid to Muddy hole to my Harvest People.

5. At home all day alone.

6. In the Afternoon Rid to my Mill where Messrs. Wm. Shaw and Adam Lynn had been Inspecting my Flour.

   William Shaw (died c.1774), an Alexandria cooper, had been appointed an inspector of flour by the Fairfax County court 18 Dec. 1769, and Adam Lynn (died c.1785) of Alexandria had received his appointment as inspector from the justices 2 Feb. 1770 (Fairfax County Order Book for 1768–72, 278, 287, and Fairfax County Order Book for 1772–74, 312, Vi-Microfilm). By law, inspectors could charge mill owners a 3d. inspection fee for each barrel of flour weighing 220 pounds net or less and 6d. for each barrel over 220 pounds (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., 8:143–44). On 17 June 1771 GW had credited Shaw with £3 2s. 1½d. for inspecting 497 barrels, half the lower legal rate, and today credited him with £1 14s. 1½d. for 273 barrels, again half the lower legal rate. Although Lynn may have received the other half of the inspection fees, no cash payments to him for that purpose are recorded in GW’s ledger (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 341; General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 58).

7. Went up with Mrs. Washington and Patcy Custis to see Mr. Adams New Store. Returnd before Dinr.

   GW did much business with Robert Adam & Co.’s store during the next 2½ years, and there is some evidence that he obtained “better terms than common” in return for his patronage (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 42, 133; GW to Matthew Campbell, 7 Aug. 1772, DLC:GW).

8. Rid to the Harvest field at the Mill—Doeg Run and Muddy hole.

9. Rid to Muddy hole, & into the Neck before Dinner and to the Mill &ca. after Dinner. J. P. Custis came.

10. At home all the forenoon. In the Afternoon Rid to the Mill &ca. Mr. Benjn. Dulany & Mr. Tilghman came in the Evening.

   Benjamin Tasker Dulany (c.1752–1816), younger son of Daniel Dulany the younger and Rebecca Tasker Dulany, had been a student with Jacky Custis at Boucher’s school in Annapolis. Dulany became a frequent visitor at Mount Vernon during this period, for he was courting Elizabeth French, whom he married in 1773.

11. At home all day with those Gentlemen.

12. Mr. B. Dulany &ca. went up to Church in Alexa. and returnd again in the Afternoon.

   The new church in Alexandria was still not finished, but the Fairfax vestry agreed with John Carlyle during this year to complete work on it for £220 (see main entry for 31 July 1768; POWELLMary G. Powell. The History of Old Alexandria, Virginia: From July 13, 1749 to May 24, 1861. Richmond, 1928., 87).

13. Mr. Dulany Mr. Tilghman & J. P. Custis went to Belvoir.

14. The above Gentlemen returnd to Dinner. I rid to the Ferry & Mill Plantn. In the Afternn. we went on board of Captn. Jordan. Mr. Geo. Digges returnd with us.

15. At home all day. Mr. Tilghman went away in the Morning early—the other Gentlemen in the afternoon.

16. Went up in the Afternoon with Mrs. Washington, J. P. Custis, Miss Custis, & Milly Posey to a Ball in Alexandria. Lodgd at my House in Town.

17. Came home to Dinner. Mr. Byrd returnd in the Afternoon.

18. At home all day except Riding to the Ferry Plantn. Mr. Byrd here.

19. Went with Mr. Byrd & J. P. Custis to Pohick Church & Dined at Belvoir. Returnd in the Evening.

20. Colo. Fairfax & Lady, Mr. W. Washington Lady & 3 Children; Mrs. B. Fairfax, Miss Carlyle, Mr. Norton, Mr. Prentis, Mr. Whiting & Mr. Jno. Lewis Dined here & in the afternoon Colo. Lewis came.

   Mr. Norton is John Hatley Norton (1745–1797) of Yorktown, who, after his father’s return to London in 1767, became the Virginia agent for John Norton & Sons of London (PRICEJacob M. Price. “Who Was John Norton? A Note on the Historical Character of Some Eighteenth-Century London Virginia Firms.” William and Mary Quarterly, 3d ser., 19 (1962): 400–407., 401–2). Mr. Prentis is Joseph Prentis (1754–1809) of Williamsburg, a ward of Norton’s father-in-law, Robert Carter Nicholas. Both Norton and Prentis had been invited by George William Fairfax to accompany him this summer to Warm Springs, “not so much for the recovery as for the Establishment of his [Norton’s] Health” (Robert Carter Nicholas to John Norton, 4 Aug. 1772, MASON [1]Frances Norton Mason, ed. John Norton & Sons, Merchants of London and Virginia, Being the Papers from Their Counting House for the Years 1750 to 1795. 1937. Reprint. New York, 1968., 263).

21. Colo. Fairfax & the two Mrs. Fairfax’s—Miss Carlyle, Mr. Norton & Mr. Prentis went away after Breakfast.

22. At home all day with the Company that remaind yesterday. Mr. Jenifer Adams Dined here.

   Daniel Jenifer Adams (b. 1751), only son of Josias and Ann Jenifer Adams of Charles County, Md., had been taken into a trading partnership with GW, John Carlyle, and Samuel Brodie. Flour from GW’s and Carlyle’s mills was to be shipped to the West Indies on board the brig Fairfax, captained by Brodie. Adams was to be the supercargo, or agent, who would accompany the flour and decide on which island and at what price it should be sold (FREEMANDouglas Southall Freeman. George Washington: A Biography. 7 vols. New York, 1948–57., 3:295, 307, 345; see “Remarks” entry for 24 July 1772).

23. Dined (with the above Compa.) at Belvoir & lodged there.

24. Dined at Belvoir this day also, & returnd in the Evening with Colo. Lewis, Mr. Jno. Lewis, Mr. Byrd & Mr. Whiting.

25. Went a fishing and dined at the Fish House at the Ferry Plantation.

26. Mr. W. Washington & Wife, & Mr. Norton & Mr. Prentis dined and Lodged here as did C[aptain] Posey.

27. The above four went away after Breakfast. As did Mr. Byrd also, along with them in order to set of home the next day.

28. Colo. Lewis & Son, and Mr. Whiting went away after Breakfast. So did J. P. Custis to Mr. Boucher’s.

29. Rid to the Mill Plantation the Mill, and Doeg Run—also to the Meadow at the Mill. Mrs. Cox came here. Captn. Posey & Daughter went over to Mary[lan]d.

   Mrs. Cox may be Elizabeth Cox (d. 1792), wife of Presley Cox of Fairfax County. She was at Mount Vernon “making and altering Gowns for Mrs. Washington [and] Miss Custis” (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 55).

30. Rid into the Neck.

31. At home all day. Mr. Hy. Peake dined here. Mrs. Cox went away after Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

July 1st. Lowering kind of a forenoon but clear afterwards with the Wind Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Wind tolerably fresh from the Southwest in the forenoon, and very Sultry. In the Afternoon a pleasant Shower, but not much of it.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 3. Very hot and Sultry with the Wind Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Very hot with a little Wind from the Southward. In the Afternoon a little, & but a little Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Again very hot—Wind in the same Quarter. In the Afternoon a very pretty Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Still warm and Sultry, Wind being Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Wind pretty fresh from the Southward—but Warm & Sultry Notwithstanding—appearances of Rain in the Evening but none fell.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Very Warm, with appearances of Rain but none fell. Wind Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Cool & pleasant with the Wind still Easterly.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Wind fresh from the Southward but pretty warm notwithstandg.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Lowering Morning with a little Rain (& but little) abt. Noon. No Wind. In the Night a little more Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Lowering Morning, with little or no Wind. Clear afternoon & very warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Clear & pleasant, but tolerably warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Lowering all day with the Wind very fresh from the So. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 20. Much such a day as yesterday with but little wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Wind tolerably fresh in the forenoon & pleasant but Calm, & very warm afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

23d. Lowering all the forenoon with some Rain which fell moderately, but in no quantity. Afternoon clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Clear in the forenoon, with some appearances of Rain but none fell here. But little Wind & that from the So. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Clear but Warm, with little wind from the Southward.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Much such a day as yesterday, except there being a little more Wind from the Westward.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Warm with but little Wind and that from the Southward.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Clear, Calm, and exceeding Hot.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Cool, Wind blewing fresh from the Northwest which dryed the Ground fast.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in July [1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

July 1st. Lowering kind of a forenoon but clear afterwards with the Wind Southerly.

2. Wind tolerably fresh from the Southwest in the forenoon, and very Sultry. In the Afternoon a pleasant Shower, but not much of it.

3. Very hot and Sultry with the Wind Southerly.

4. Very hot with a little Wind from the Southward. In the Afternoon a little, & but a little Rain.

5. Again very hot—Wind in the same Quarter. In the Afternoon a very pretty Rain.

6. Still warm and Sultry, Wind being Southerly.

7. Wind pretty fresh from the Southward—but Warm & Sultry Notwithstanding—appearances of Rain in the Evening but none fell.

8. Very Warm, with appearances of Rain but none fell. Wind Southerly.

9. Wind Easterly & Weather cooler than the preceeding days.

10. Cool & pleasant with the Wind still Easterly.

11. Much such a day as yesterday wind being in the same place.

12. Still tolerably Cool—Wind Southerly however.

13. Wind fresh from the Southward but pretty warm notwithstandg.

14. Lowering Morning with a little Rain (& but little) abt. Noon. No Wind. In the Night a little more Rain.

15. Lowering Morning, with little or no Wind. Clear afternoon & very warm.

16. Clear & Warm in the forenoon—a fine Shower betwn. two and five Oclock in the Afternoon.

17. Clear & pleasant, but tolerably warm.

18. Lowering all day with the Wind very fresh from the So. West.

19. Clear & pleasant with but little Wind.

20. Much such a day as yesterday with but little wind.

21. Wind tolerably fresh in the forenoon & pleasant but Calm, & very warm afterwards.

22. Clear and tolerably pleasant with but little Wind & that Northerly.

23d. Lowering all the forenoon with some Rain which fell moderately, but in no quantity. Afternoon clear.

24. Clear in the forenoon, with some appearances of Rain but none fell here. But little Wind & that from the So. West.

25. Clear but Warm, with little wind from the Southward.

26. Much such a day as yesterday, except there being a little more Wind from the Westward.

27. Warm with but little Wind and that from the Southward.

28. Clear, Calm, and exceeding Hot.

29. Clear, & very Warm, Wind Southerly but very little of it.

30. Very Warm, notwithstanding the Wind blew fresh from the So. West. In the Afternoon a moderate Rain for upwards of two hours.

31. Cool, Wind blewing fresh from the Northwest which dryed the Ground fast.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

July 3d. Began my Wheat Harvest at Muddy hole & Doeg Run in the following Manner. Viz.—At Doeg Run with the two Davy’s & two Sons of Brummit as Cradlers, & the Wheat being rather green no regular assortment of Cradlers was allotted to them as yet. At Muddy hole, Palmer (who did not work himself, but only acted as an Instructer) and Six of the youngest Cradlers began.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 6. Began in the Neck with Mike & Tom and three white Men. But as hands were Shifted from place to place there were sometimes more, & sometimes less in each Field.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Finished the Harvest at Muddy hole & carried the hands from thence to the Ferry Plantation.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Finished at Doeg Run, from whence some hands went into the Neck, and the Rest to the Mill.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Compleated my Harvest in the Neck—The Ferry Plantation, & every where else. Began to Sow Wheat in the Neck.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

22d. Began to cut my Meadow at the Mill & finished it the 30th.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Began to Ditch the Swamp at the Ferry.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Captn. Brodie Saild for the West Indies with my Flour on Board 273 Barls.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Began to Sow Wheat at Muddy hole; also at Doeg Run.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 July 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Finished Sowing one Cut in the Neck—that is the uppermost but one on the Creek 67 [bushels].


Title: Remarks & Occurs. in July [1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

July 3d. Began my Wheat Harvest at Muddy hole & Doeg Run in the following Manner. Viz.—At Doeg Run with the two Davy’s & two Sons of Brummit as Cradlers, & the Wheat being rather green no regular assortment of Cradlers was allotted to them as yet.
At Muddy hole, Palmer (who did not work himself, but only acted as an Instructer) and Six of the youngest Cradlers began.

   Brummit may be William Brummitt, who lived close enough to GW to have made occasional use of the blacksmith at Mount Vernon (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 76).

6. Began in the Neck with Mike & Tom and three white Men. But as hands were Shifted from place to place there were sometimes more, & sometimes less in each Field.

10. Finished the Harvest at Muddy hole & carried the hands from thence to the Ferry Plantation.

11. Finished at Doeg Run, from whence some hands went into the Neck, and the Rest to the Mill.

18. Compleated my Harvest in the Neck—The Ferry Plantation, & every where else. Began to Sow Wheat in the Neck.

22d. Began to cut my Meadow at the Mill & finished it the 30th.

23. Began to Ditch the Swamp at the Ferry.

24. Captn. Brodie Saild for the West Indies with my Flour on Board 273 Barls.

27. Began to Sow Wheat at Muddy hole; also at Doeg Run.

30. Finished Sowing one Cut in the Neck—that is the uppermost but one on the Creek 67 [bushels].

31. Began to Sow Wheat at the Mill.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Rid to the Ferry Plantation and returnd from thence.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. At home all day writing & Posting my Books.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Ditto—Ditto.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Went with those Gentlemn. a Fishing and Dined undr. the Bank at Colo. Fairfax’s near his White Ho[use]. Found Mrs. Cox here when we returnd.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. After Breakfast the Gentlemen went away. Mrs. Cox continued, & I rid to my Ditchers at the Mill.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Went into the Neck and run round and divided the New Plantn. I intend to make there into three fields.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Rid to the Ditchers at the Ferry and Mill. Mrs. Cox went away about 12 Oclock.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Went up to Alexandria to Court. Stayd all Night. Dind with Mr. Adam.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. In Town all day and Night. Din’d & Supd at Arrells.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

 19. Ditto. Ditto. Dined at Arrells. Suppd no where.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Still in Town. Dined at Arrells & went to the Ball in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Dined at Arrells again & returnd home after Dinr.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Mill, Doeg Run, & Muddy hole—also to the Mill & Ditchers there.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Went a Hunting, and into the Neck, but found nothing; came home by 12 Oclock.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Surveyd Mr. John West’s Land in my Neck at his request.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue Run and to the Ditchers at the Mill.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. At home all day alone. In the Evening Mr. Custis came.


Title: [August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

Augt. 1. Rid to the Ferry Plantn., Mill, Doeg Run, and Muddy hole.

2. Went to Pohick Church and Dined with Mrs. Washington & Patcy Custis at Captn. McCartys. Came home in the Afternn.

3. At home all day alone.

4. Rid to the Ferry Plantation and returnd from thence.

5. At home all day alone.

6. Rid to the Ferry Plantation Mill Doeg Run and Muddy hole.

7. At home all day writing & Posting my Books.

8. Ditto—Ditto.

9. At home all day alone.

10. Rid to the Ferry Plantation to the Mill & where my Ditchers were at Work there. In the Evening Doctr. Rumney, Mr. Kirkpatrick, Mr. Balmain & Mr. Cox came here.

   Mr. Cox may be Presley Cox (d. 1783).

11. Went with those Gentlemn. a Fishing and Dined undr. the Bank at Colo. Fairfax’s near his White Ho[use]. Found Mrs. Cox here when we returnd.

   In 1758 George William Fairfax obtained the position of collector of the customs for the South Potomac River Naval District (VA. EXEC. JLS.H. R. McIlwaine et al., eds. Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia. 6 vols. Richmond, 1925–66., 6:100). The fishing party was dining near the customshouse, which was painted white to be clearly seen by ship captains, and thus referred to locally as Fairfax’s White House.

12. After Breakfast the Gentlemen went away. Mrs. Cox continued, & I rid to my Ditchers at the Mill.

13. Went into the Neck and run round and divided the New Plantn. I intend to make there into three fields.

14. Rid to the Ditchers at the Ferry and Mill. Mrs. Cox went away about 12 Oclock.

15. At home all day alone.

16. At home this day also. In the afternoon Captn. Posey & his Daughter returnd.

17. Went up to Alexandria to Court. Stayd all Night. Dind with Mr. Adam.

   The court met 17–21 Aug., and GW attended each day (Fairfax County Order Book for 1772–74, 89–118, Vi Microfilm).

18. In Town all day and Night. Din’d & Supd at Arrells.

19. Ditto. Ditto. Dined at Arrells. Suppd no where.

20. Still in Town. Dined at Arrells & went to the Ball in the Afternoon.

   On this day Robert Hanson Harrison and William Ellzey brought suit for GW against John and William Barry to force a division of the 193–acre tract on Dogue Creek, part of which GW had bought 18 Dec. 1770. GW excused himself from the bench while the case was being heard. The court ruled in his favor and ordered county surveyor George West to divide the land fairly between the two parties before the court met in September. The surveying and other costs were to be equally shared by GW and the Barrys. Five justices were appointed to supervise the division: Sampson Darrell, Daniel McCarty, George Mason, John West, and John West, Jr., but only three were required to be present (Fairfax County Order Book for 1772–74, 114–15, Vi Microfilm).

21. Dined at Arrells again & returnd home after Dinr.

22. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Mill, Doeg Run, & Muddy hole—also to the Mill & Ditchers there.

23. At home all day alone.

24. Went a Hunting, and into the Neck, but found nothing; came home by 12 Oclock.

25. At home all day a writing.

26. At home this day also.

27. Went with Mrs. Washington and Miss Custis to Mr. William Digges’s and Dind there—only Betcy & Jenny Digges at home. Returnd in the Afternoon.

   jenny digges: Jane Digges (c.1754–1826) was apparently the youngest of William and Ann Digges’s many children (BOWIEEffie Gwynn Bowie. Across the Years in Prince George’s County: A Genealogical and Biographical History of Some Prince George’s County, Maryland and Allied Families. Richmond, Va., 1947., 255; RAMSBURGHEdith Roberts Ramsburgh. “Sir Dudley Digges, His English Ancestry and the Digges Line in America.” Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine 57 (1923): 125–39., 130–31).

28. Surveyd Mr. John West’s Land in my Neck at his request.

29. Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue Run and to the Ditchers at the Mill.

30. At home all day. Mr. Willm. Digges Dined here.

31. At home all day alone. In the Evening Mr. Custis came.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

Augt. 1. Cool—wind still Westerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 August 1772]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Clear & pleasant, but rather Cool. Wind hanging still to the Westward.