Title: Remarks & Occurences—in Sepr. [1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

                  Septr. 1st. Finished Sowing Wheat at my Mill Plantation in all Bushels
                  75.

                  4. Finished Sowing Wheat at Muddy hole with
                  96

                  11. Began to get Fodder at the Mill.

                  12. Sowed all the Corn ground at Doeg Run withWheat except some of the Swamps which were left for Barley
                  65½

                  Began to get Fodder at Muddy hole.

                  14. Finished sowing Corn Gd. Wheat in the Neck.

                  15. Began to get Fodder there.

                  27. Finished sowing the Fallowed Gd. in the Neck with Bushels
                  151

                  which makes in all sowed there
                  387½

                  Finished getting Fodder at the Mill.

29. Finished getting Ditto at Muddy hole.

30. Finished getting Do. at Doeg Run.
Note. The Fallowed Ground above mentioned containd abt. 40 Acres & lay in that part of the 211 Acre Field next to Abednego Adams about 30 Acres of which was old Ground the Rest New.

This Land recd. its first Plowing in the month of Septr. & that part of it which the Corn Rows run through receivd no other Plowing. All the Wheat was Sowed—which was then plowed in and afterwards Harrowed. The other Part was cross Plowed, then sowed and Plowed in, and the end of the Field next to Abednego Adams Harrowed in the following manner—to wit—five Ridges, on Lands of eight feet each, harrowed, five others not harrowed—then 5 Harrowed & five not so for a good way. This was done to see which method was best that is whether the Wheat woud thrive better in the one way than the other & whether the Land was not preservd more by Harrowing than lying in Furrows.

   This land of Abednego Adams is probably land willed to his wife Mary Peake Adams by her father in 1761. After her death, Adams married Hannah Moss, of Fairfax County, and settled at Mount Gilead in Loudoun County.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

Octr. 1. Dined at Belvoir with Mrs. Washington and Patcy Custis. Returnd in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Colo. Carlyle and two Daughters—Captn. Brady and Captn. Posey dined here.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Rid to Muddy hole, Doeg Run, and Mill.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Rid to Alexandria to see how my Carpenters went on with my Ho. Returnd to Dinr.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Went a hunting but found nothing after which Rid to Muddy hole, D. Run & Mill.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Likewise at home all day. In the afternoon Mr. Robt. Alexander came.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Went a fox hunting & finding a Deer the Dogs ran it to the Water but we never see it. Mr. Alexr. went home.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Went to Captn. Poseys to run the Lines of the Land he bought of Mr. Marshall. Dined there.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Rid to Muddy hole Doeg Run and Mill. Captn. Posey dined here ⟨afterw⟩ard.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Captn. Marshall came over here & dined & I rid with him round his Land.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Went a Fox hunting. Started a Dog Fox by old Palmers & run it back of Mr. Clifton & there catched it. Went afterwards into the Neck. Mr. Matthew Campbell dined here.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. At home all day alone. My Brother Charles came at Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Rid to Muddy hole Doeg Run, & Mill after Mr. Fairfax went away.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. At Home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. At home all day—alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Went to Poseys Sale. Returnd at Night with Colo. Mason Mr. Ross, Mr. Sebastian Mr. Harrison Mr. Magowan & Colo. Masons Son George.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Went to the Sale again. Mr. Harrison Mr. Sebastian & Mr. Magowan came home with me also Robt. Alexander. Found Doctr. Rumney here.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. At home all day, Mr. Harrison went away in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Rid to Muddy hole Doeg Run and Mill also to my New Purchase of Poseys Land. Mr. Stedlar went away.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. At home all day. Captn. McCarty came in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Set out from thence abt. Nine Oclock and reachd no further than Peyton’s Ordy. on Aquia being stopd by Rain.


Title: [October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

Octr. 1. Dined at Belvoir with Mrs. Washington and Patcy Custis. Returnd in the Evening.

2. Colo. Carlyle and two Daughters—Captn. Brady and Captn. Posey dined here.

   captn. brady: possibly William Brady, captain of the Berkeley County militia, later captain in Stephenson’s Rifles and captain of the 11th Virginia Regiment in the Continental line. Brady resigned in 1778 and was awarded 4,000 acres of land.

   Posey had been drinking heavily in recent weeks and had often been absent from his home, but he came to Mount Vernon today, as GW reported to Robert Hanson Harrison on 7 Oct., “perfectly Sober and proposed of his own voluntary motion to sell his Estate finding it in vain to struggle on longer against the Terms of Debt that oppresses him.” The sale was to begin on 23 Oct. (DLC:GW).

3. Rid to Muddy hole, Doeg Run, and Mill.

4. Rid to Alexandria to see how my Carpenters went on with my Ho. Returnd to Dinr.

5. Went after Blew Wings with Humphrey Peake. Killd 3 & returnd by Muddy hole.

6. Went a hunting but found nothing after which Rid to Muddy hole, D. Run & Mill.

7. At home all day.

8. Likewise at home all day. In the afternoon Mr. Robt. Alexander came.

9. Went a fox hunting & finding a Deer the Dogs ran it to the Water but we never see it. Mr. Alexr. went home.

10. Went to Captn. Poseys to run the Lines of the Land he bought of Mr. Marshall. Dined there.

   This land was the small strip on the Potomac involved in John West, Jr.’s suit against Posey. GW’s survey of this day, made “at the particular request of Captn. Posey,” differed slightly from the one West and Alexander had made earlier (the dated survey is at ViMtvL).

11. At home all day.

12. Rid to Muddy hole Doeg Run and Mill. Captn. Posey dined here ⟨afterw⟩ard.

13. Captn. Marshall came over here & dined & I rid with him round his Land.

   Thomas Hanson Marshall owned 480½ acres that bordered the Mount Vernon tract on the west, lying on both sides of the road that ran from Gum Spring to Dogue Creek. GW had long wished to acquire that land, but Marshall, who was in no great want of money, had been reluctant to let it go unless he could make an exchange for land adjoining his Maryland plantation (Marshall to GW, 21 June 1760, DLC:GW; GW to Lund Washington, 15 Aug. 1778, DLC:GW; GW to Lund Washington, 18 Dec. 1778, NjP:De Coppet Collection). Consequently, GW persuaded his fellow fox hunter Robert Alexander to promise to sell him, at £2 Maryland currency an acre, 300 to 400 acres of a tract next to Marshall’s plantation that Alexander’s wife, Mariamne Stoddert Alexander, had inherited. It was the offer of Mrs. Alexander’s land that today brought Marshall to Mount Vernon, where he verbally agreed to give GW that part of his land lying south of the Gum Spring road in return for an equal acreage from the Alexander tract, provided that he could obtain immediate use of the Alexander land (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 96; Marshall to GW, 18 June 1769 and 8 Mar. 1770, DLC:GW).

14. Went a Fox hunting. Started a Dog Fox by old Palmers & run it back of Mr. Clifton & there catched it. Went afterwards into the Neck. Mr. Matthew Campbell dined here.

15. At home all day alone. My Brother Charles came at Night.

16. Went up to Court and returnd at Night.

   The court met 16–19 and 24 Oct. (Fairfax County Order Book for 1768–70, 240–47, Vi Microfilm).

17. Went to Court again and returnd. Mr. Fairfax & Mr. Magowan came here.

   GW was present when the court began today but soon excused himself from the bench because the suit that various merchants had brought against Posey and him was to be heard, despite the fact that Posey had already volunteered to sell his mortgaged property for the benefit of GW and his other creditors. The justices ordered that 23 Oct. should be the date of sale and authorized GW to hold the sale by himself if necessary (Fairfax County Order Book for 1768–70, 243–45, Vi Microfilm).

18. Went a Fox huntg. with Mr. Fairfax & Mr. Magowan. Found & killd a Dog Fox.

19. Rid to Muddy hole Doeg Run, & Mill after Mr. Fairfax went away.

20. At Home all day.

21. Rid to Muddy hole Doeg Run and Mill. Mr. Magowan went to Colchester.

22. At home all day—alone.

23. Went to Poseys Sale. Returnd at Night with Colo. Mason Mr. Ross, Mr. Sebastian Mr. Harrison Mr. Magowan & Colo. Masons Son George.

   According to the court’s order for the sale, GW was to be the first creditor paid out of the proceeds, with the residue going to the merchants who had brought suit to force the sale. However, GW was not to receive everything that Posey owed him, because the court’s order covered only three main portions of the debt: the loans for which GW had mortgages, £820 Virginia currency plus interest of £153 11s. 7d. Virginia; Posey’s bond to George Mason for which GW as his security was responsible, £200 sterling plus interest of £20 12s. 7d. sterling; and GW’s cost in the merchants’ suit, £1 17s. Virginia for lawyers’ fees. In a new statement of Posey’s account, GW wrote off about £70 Virginia in miscellaneous debts and charged him only with the items in the court’s order. That balance was completely discharged during the three days of the sale. GW took £571 16s. Virginia in “sundries” that he bought at the sale for himself, £140 13s. 10d. Virginia in cash, and the remainder in bonds and credits from various gentlemen. GW’s “sundries” included the 200 acres of land that Posey had purchased from Charles Washington in 1759, but the strip of land on which Posey’s house and ferry were located was not sold to anyone because of John West, Jr.’s suit (Fairfax County Order Book for 1768–70, 243–45, Vi Microfilm; General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 256).

24. Went to the Sale again. Mr. Harrison Mr. Sebastian & Mr. Magowan came home with me also Robt. Alexander. Found Doctr. Rumney here.

   At the sale today GW paid George Mason £100 for the 100 acres of land Mason had previously agreed to sell him (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 61). Mason had sent GW the deed for this tract ten days earlier, and it was registered in the Fairfax County court 22 Nov. 1769, being proved by Robert Hanson Harrison, William Carlin, and Humphrey Peake (Mason to GW, 14 Oct. 1769, NN: Washington Collection; Fairfax County Order Book for 1768–70, 256, Vi Microfilm).

25. Went to the Sale again. Mr. Harrison & Mr. Magowan returnd home with me.

   On this and the following day GW paid Robert Alexander a total of £418 14s. Maryland currency for his wife’s land: £218 14s. in cash and £200 sent to

   Fielding Lewis, Jr. on Alexander’s account. Lund Washington gave Alexander £81 6s. more on 22 Nov., making the total price of the land £500 (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 96).

26. At home all day, Mr. Harrison went away in the Afternoon.

27. Rid to Muddy hole Doeg Run and Mill also to my New Purchase of Poseys Land. Mr. Stedlar went away.

28. At home all day. Mr. Magowan went home.

29. At home all day. Captn. McCarty came in the Afternoon.

30. Set out on my Journey to Williamsburg & reached Colo. Henry Lees to a Late Dinner.

   Governor Botetourt had summoned the burgesses to a new session beginning 7 Nov. On this trip GW took Mrs. Washington and Patsy with him, traveling in a handsome green chariot trimmed with gold that had arrived from England some time during the past 12 months (invoice of goods shipped to GW, Sept. 1768, DLC:GW).

31. Set out from thence abt. Nine Oclock and reachd no further than Peyton’s Ordy. on Aquia being stopd by Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

Octr. 1. Clear, Wind being fresh from the No. West till the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Wind fresh from the Southwest all day—and clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Still & clear till Evening then Cloudy with drops of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Clear & perfectly calm till Evening, then a little Wind from the No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Cool Morning with the Wind fresh from the Northwest. Evening more moderate wind getting southwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Wind southwardly with apps. of Rain. A large circle rd. the Moon.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Cloudy with the Wind southwardly the forenoon & Eastwardly afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Rain in the Night—but not much, & Misting all the forenoon with the Wd. at Et. then shifting to the southward & clearg.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Wind Eastwardly but not fresh. Warm—with a little, fine Rain in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Wind very fresh from the So. West & very warm with flying Clouds.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Wind tolerably fresh & cool from the No. West with Clouds also.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Wind Eastwardly & very Cloudy in the Afternoon, it set in to raining & continued to do so most part of the Night. Warmer than yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Wind at No. West again but not hard. Clear & pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Pleast. Morning, but Wind got very suddenly & very hard from the No. West & also very cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. A very hard & killing frost last night. Ice ½ Inch thick this Morng. Wind at No. West in the fore part of the day but Southwardly afterwards and raw.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Wind southwardly & fresh. Day tolerably pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Wind Eastwardly & very cloudy.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Raining in the Night and Misty all day. Wind still Eastwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Clear warm & pleasant. Wind Southwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. The Weather clear & pleasant with but little Wind and that Southwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Pleast. Morning but the Wind hard from the No. West all day & cold. Weather clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Cold, the Wind being exceeding fresh from the No. West & cold & cl.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Clear & tolerably pleasant Wind being moderate & So. Westwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Clear & very pleasant wind southwardly & warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Cloudy Morning and drisling afternoon. Wind Eastwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Cloudy & misty Morning and rainy afternoon. Wind still Eastwdly.


Title: Acct. of the Weather—in October [1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

Octr. 1. Clear, Wind being fresh from the No. West till the Evening.

2. Wind fresh from the Southwest all day—and clear.

3. Wind Northwardly and cold in the forenoon, but mild afterwards.

4. Still & clear till Evening then Cloudy with drops of Rain.

5. Clear & perfectly calm till Evening, then a little Wind from the No. West.

6. Cool Morning with the Wind fresh from the Northwest. Evening more moderate wind getting southwardly.

7. Wind southwardly with apps. of Rain. A large circle rd. the Moon.

8. Cloudy with the Wind southwardly the forenoon & Eastwardly afterwards.

9. Rain in the Night—but not much, & Misting all the forenoon with the Wd. at Et. then shifting to the southward & clearg.

10. Wind Eastwardly but not fresh. Warm—with a little, fine Rain in the Afternoon.

11. Misty and foggy all day with sometimes fine Rain.

12. Wind very fresh from the So. West & very warm with flying Clouds.

13. Wind tolerably fresh & cool from the No. West with Clouds also.

14. Wind Eastwardly & very Cloudy in the Afternoon, it set in to raining & continued to do so most part of the Night. Warmer than yesterday.

15. Wind at No. West again but not hard. Clear & pleasant.

16. Pleast. Morning, but Wind got very suddenly & very hard from the No. West & also very cold.

17. A very hard & killing frost last night. Ice ½ Inch thick this Morng. Wind at No. West in the fore part of the day but Southwardly afterwards and raw.

18. Wind southwardly & fresh. Day tolerably pleasant.

19. Wind Eastwardly & very cloudy.

20. Raining in the Night and Misty all day. Wind still Eastwardly.

21. Clear warm & pleasant. Wind Southwardly.

22. The Weather clear & pleasant with but little Wind and that Southwardly.

23. Pleast. Morning but the Wind hard from the No. West all day & cold. Weather clear.

24. Cold, the Wind being exceeding fresh from the No. West & cold & cl.

25. Clear & tolerably pleasant Wind being moderate & So. Westwardly.

26. Clear & very pleasant wind southwardly & warm.

27. Much such a day as the former there being but little Wind & that Southwardly.

28. Warm and pleasant. Little or no Wind & clear day but lowg. Eveng.

29. Clear & pleasant with but little wind & that southwardly.

30. Cloudy Morning and drisling afternoon. Wind Eastwardly.

31. Cloudy & misty Morning and rainy afternoon. Wind still Eastwdly.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

Octr. 4. Finished getting Fodder in the Neck.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Finished Hoeing over my Swamps at Doeg Run & preparing them for Barley.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 October 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Sowed (at the rate of about two Bushels to the Acre) some large Salt on a piece of fallowed gd. in the Neck that was old & much worn. Note, the manner in which I did this, was as follows—the Ground being plowed into 8 feet Lands; I sowed two of them and left two, sowed two, and left two alternately sticking Stakes at the Head of the Lands that were Sowed with Salt. This Salt was Sowed on a piece of Flat Ground that has been very much worn and was harrowed after the Wheat had been plowed in.


Title: Remarks & Occurs. in Octr. [1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

Octr. 4. Finished getting Fodder in the Neck.

12. Finished Hoeing over my Swamps at Doeg Run & preparing them for Barley.

20. Sowed (at the rate of about two Bushels to the Acre) some large Salt on a piece of fallowed gd. in the Neck that was old & much worn.
Note, the manner in which I did this, was as follows—the Ground being plowed into 8 feet Lands; I sowed two of them and left two, sowed two, and left two alternately sticking Stakes at the Head of the Lands that were Sowed with Salt. This Salt was Sowed on a piece of Flat Ground that has been very much worn and was harrowed after the Wheat had been plowed in.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

Novr. 1. Came from Peyton’s to Colo. Lewis’s after breakfasting at my Mother’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. At Fredericksburg all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Set out from thence after Breakfast. Dined at Todds Bridge & lodgd at King Wm. Court House.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Came to Williamsburg. Dind at Mr. Carters with Lord Botetout Govr. Eden &ca. and suppd at Mrs. Vobes with Colo. Fitzhugh.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Dined at the Governors & supped at Anthony Hayes.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Stayd at Eltham all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Came to Town abt. 11. Oclock. Dined & supp’d at Mrs. Campbells.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Dined and Supped at Mrs. Campbells.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Dined at Mr. Wythes and supped at Anthony Hays.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Dined at Mrs. Campbells at or after 5 Oclock, and spent the Evening there without supping.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Had a Mutton Chop at Mrs. Campbells with Colo. Bassetts abt. One Clock & then came up to Eltham.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Went to Church & returnd to Eltham to Dinner w. Mr. Dangerfd. & the Parson.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. At Eltham all day—occasiond by Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Came to Town with Mrs. Washington P & Jacky Custis. I dind at Mrs. Campbells. Mrs. W &ca. dined at Mrs. Dawsons. I spent the Eveng. (without suppg.) at Mrs. Campbells.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Dined at Mrs. Dawsons all of Us. I & J. P. Custis supped at Mrs. Campbells.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. J. P. Custis and I dined with others at the Govrs. I spent the Evening at Hayes.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Dined at Mrs. Campbells with Mrs. Washington & JPC[ustis] as also did Colo. & Mrs. Bassett. Spent the Evening in my own Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Dined at Colo. Burwells. Mrs. Washington JPC[ustis] & Mrs. Bassett dined at Mrs. Campbells. I spent the Evening in my own Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Dined at the Treasures. Mrs. Washington & Mr. & Miss Custis dind at Mrs. Dawson’s. I supped at the Treasures.


Title: [November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

Novr. 1. Came from Peyton’s to Colo. Lewis’s after breakfasting at my Mother’s.

2. At Fredericksburg all day.

3. About one Oclock set out and reachd Parker’s Ordy.

   Jacky Custis met the family in Fredericksburg, having come from Boucher’s school by prior arrangement to join in the trip to Williamsburg (GW to Jonathan Boucher, 3 Oct. 1769, MoSW: Meissner Collection; GW to Boucher, 14 Oct. 1769, NN: Washington Collection).

4. Set out from thence after Breakfast. Dined at Todds Bridge & lodgd at King Wm. Court House.

5. Breakfasted at the Causey & Dind at Eltham & lodgd there.

   GW’s expenses today included 16s. at Ruffin’s ferry and 3s. 1½d. for “Seeing Tyger” (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 296). This animal may have been a North American cougar which American colonists often called red tiger.

6. Came to Williamsburg. Dind at Mr. Carters with Lord Botetout Govr. Eden &ca. and suppd at Mrs. Vobes with Colo. Fitzhugh.

   Mrs. Washington and Patsy remained at Eltham today, while Jacky accompanied GW to town, where they lodged at Mrs. Campbell’s place (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 296, 299).

   Sir Robert Eden (1741–1784), proprietary governor of Maryland 1769–76, was, according to his later friend Jonathan Boucher, “a handsome, lively, and sensible man. . . . He had been in the Army, and had contracted such habits of expense and dissipation as were fatal to his fortunes, and at length to life. Yet with all his follies and foibles, which were indeed abundant, he had such a warmth and affectionateness of heart, that it was impossible not to love him” (boucher [1]Jonathan Bouchier, ed. Reminiscences of an American Loyalist, 1738–1789: Being the Autobiography of The Revd Jonathan Boucher, Rector of Annapolis in Maryland and afterwards Vicar of Epsom, Surrey, England. Boston, 1925., 67). Eden’s military experience included service with the Coldstream Guards in Germany during the Seven Years’ War. In 1765 he had married Caroline Calvert, sister of the current proprietor of Maryland, Frederick Calvert, sixth Baron Baltimore (1732–1771), from whom Eden had received his appointment as governor.

   Jane Vobe (died c.1789) operated a well-furnished tavern on Waller Street near the theater, and according to a traveler who had stopped there four years earlier, it was a place “where all the best people resorted” (french traveller“Journal of a French Traveller in the Colonies, 1765, I.”  American Historical Review 26 (1920–21): 726–47., 741). Mrs. Vobe was in business as early as May 1757, when GW first patronized her tavern, and she remained at this location until 1771 (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 35).

   Col. Fitzhugh is probably Henry Fitzhugh (1723–1783) of Stafford County. He was the son of Henry Fitzhugh of Bedford and married Sarah Battaile, daughter of Capt. Nicholas Battaile, in 1746. Fitzhugh was a colonel in the Stafford County militia and furnished supplies to the American army during the Revolution.

7. Dined at the Governors & supped at Anthony Hayes.

   The burgesses convened today. A moderate tone was set for this session by Governor Botetourt’s opening remarks to the house. Parliament, he assured the burgesses, would soon repeal all taxes for raising a revenue in America except the one on tea, and he pledged his own strong support for this action. The burgesses were not fully appeased by his speech, continuing to object to the tea tax, and no steps were taken to dissolve or modify the association. But Botetourt was personally popular with the burgesses, and they chose not to make an issue of the remaining tax at this time. The session would be a long one devoted to the colony’s normal business. GW was today appointed to the same three committees on which he had served during the last session: religion, privileges and elections, and propositions and grievances (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1766–69, 225–30).

8. Dined at the Speakers & supped at Mrs. Campbells.

9. Dined at Mrs. Dawsons and supped at Mrs. Campbells.

10. Dined at the Treasurers and supped at Mrs. Campbells.

   GW today paid 5s. to have his watch repaired and gave Jacky £2 in cash for pocket money. Another £1 10s. were lost at the card table (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 296).

11. Clear & pleast. Dined at Mrs. Dawsons and went up to Eltham.

   Today being Saturday, the burgesses adjourned, after transacting the lengthy business of the day, until 11:00 A.M. Monday morning (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1766–69, 247–53).

12. Stayd at Eltham all day.

13. Came to Town abt. 11. Oclock. Dined & supp’d at Mrs. Campbells.

   Jacky stayed at Eltham with his mother and sister.

14. Dined and Supped at Mrs. Campbells.

   GW on this date paid 2s. 6d. to a tailor and lost 7s. 6d. at cards. “Coffee &ca. at Mrs. Campbells” cost him 2s. (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 296).

   At Eltham, Patsy was today visited by Dr. John de Sequeyra (1712–1795) of Williamsburg, who prescribed some medicine for her (receipt from Sequeyra, 16 Dec. 1769, ViHi: Custis Papers). Sequeyra (also Siquiyra, Siqueyra, or Sequayra), scion of a distinguished Sephardi Jewish family of physicians in England, was born in London, received his M.D. degree in 1739 from the University of Leyden, and settled in Virginia in 1745. He was one of the attending physicians during Lord Botetourt’s last illness and in 1773 became the first visiting physician to the new hospital for the insane in Williamsburg, the first such public hospital in the American colonies (gillHarold B. Gill, Jr. The Apothecary in Colonial Virginia. Williamsburg, Va., 1972., 95; rothCecil Roth et al. Encyclopaedia Judaica. 16 vols. New York, 1971–72., 14:1179).

15. Dined at Mr. Wythes and supped at Anthony Hays.

16. Dined at Mrs. Campbells at or after 5 Oclock, and spent the Evening there without supping.

17. Dined at Mrs. Campbells after 4 & spent the Evening there without supping—Having 1 Bowl of P. & Toddy.

18. Had a Mutton Chop at Mrs. Campbells with Colo. Bassetts abt. One Clock & then came up to Eltham.

   The burgesses adjourned today until 11:00 A.M. Monday (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1766–69, 268–71).

19. Went to Church & returnd to Eltham to Dinner w. Mr. Dangerfd. & the Parson.

   mr. dangerfd.: probably William Daingerfield, who at this time was a New Kent County militia colonel and justice of the peace and a vestryman for Blisland Parish. In 1770 he moved to the plantation of Belvidera in Spotsylvania County, which had been inherited by his wife, Sarah Taliaferro Daingerfield. The parson for Blisland Parish in New Kent and James City counties was Rev. Price Davies.

20. At Eltham all day—occasiond by Rain.

   The burgesses met today as scheduled (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1766–69, 271–75).

21. Came to Town with Mrs. Washington P & Jacky Custis. I dind at Mrs. Campbells. Mrs. W &ca. dined at Mrs. Dawsons. I spent the Eveng. (without suppg.) at Mrs. Campbells.

   Patsy and Jacky lodged with GW at Mrs. Campbell’s place (custis account bookGW’s Accounts Kept for Martha Parke Custis and John Parke Custis, 1760–75. Manuscript in Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond.). Mrs. Washington may have stayed there also since GW apparently had a private room, or she may have been the guest of Mrs. Dawson or some other acquaintance in the city. GW today bought a padlock for 2s. 6d. (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 296).

22. Dined at Mrs. Dawsons all of Us. I & J. P. Custis supped at Mrs. Campbells.

23. Dined with Mrs. Washington &ca. at the Speakers by Candlelight & spent the Evg. there also.

   GW on this date paid Edmund Pendleton £9 13s. for representing the Custis estate in some legal matters, including asking the General Court whether or not Jacky should rent the dower lands (receipt from Edmund Pendleton, ViHi: Custis Papers).

24. J. P. Custis and I dined with others at the Govrs. I spent the Evening at Hayes.

   GW and Thomas Nelson, Jr., of York County were today ordered by the burgesses to prepare “a Bill for laying a Tax upon Dogs.” Nelson presented the bill to the house 1 Dec., but it was defeated (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1766–69, 289, 309).

   Dr. Sequeyra saw Patsy on 24, 25, 26, and 28 Nov. and 1 Dec. (receipt from John de Sequeyra, 16 Dec. 1769, ViHi: Custis Papers).

25. Dined at Mrs. Campbells with Mrs. Washington & JPC[ustis] as also did Colo. & Mrs. Bassett. Spent the Evening in my own Room.

26. Dined at Colo. Burwells. Mrs. Washington JPC[ustis] & Mrs. Bassett dined at Mrs. Campbells. I spent the Evening in my own Room.

   Col. Lewis Burwell (1716–c.1784) of James City County lived at Kingsmill plantation on the James River about four miles southeast of Williamsburg. He was a burgess for James City County 1758–74 and a member of the board of visitors and governors of the College of William and Mary from before 1769 to 1775. Heavily in debt at this time, he was selling much of his property to balance his books, but Kingsmill was not sacrificed until 1781 (maysDavid John Mays. Edmund Pendleton, 1721–1803: A Biography. 2 vols. Cambridge, Mass., 1952., 1:213, 359; kingsmill“Kingsmill Plantation.” William and Mary Quarterly, 1st ser., 12 (1903–4): 24., 24).

   The House of Burgesses did not meet today, it being Sunday (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1766–69, 295).

27. Dined at Mrs. Dawson’s with Mrs. Washington & the Children. Supped with J. P. Custis at Mrs. Campbells.

28. Dined at Mrs. Campbells by Candlelight. Spent the Evening there without Supping.

29. Dined at the Treasures. Mrs. Washington & Mr. & Miss Custis dind at Mrs. Dawson’s. I supped at the Treasures.

30. Dined at the Presidents & spent the Evening there without Suppg.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

Novr. 1. Very Cloudy & sometimes Misty with but little Wind & that Eastwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Misty & Raining all day. Wind Eastwardly tho but little of it.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Raing. in the Morning & misty afterwards till 4 Oclock, then clear. Wind Westwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Clear. Wind westwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Lowering with a good deal of Rain Lightning & some thunder in the Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Clear and very pleasant with but little wind and that Southwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Very pleast. Morning with the Wind at south. Afternoon Lowering with an Eastwardly wind & a good deal of Rain in the Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Clear & pleasant but somewhat cool Wind being Northwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Clear and pleasant Morning but lowering & threatning afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Rain in the Night. Wind high from the Northwest—but not very cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Cool Morning but more moderate afternoon. Wind Southwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Raw & cold Wind at Southwest & like for Snow but turnd to Rain abt. 10 Oclock & cd. to Rain till two.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Clear and pleasant, tho somewhat cool wind being westwardly & No. Wt.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Clear & not so cool as yesterday tho the wind was in the same Qr.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Morning clear and pleasant but Wind Eastwardly—after which it grew Raw Cold & Cloudy threatning Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Cold & disagreeable. Wind Eastwardly & very fresh. Very Cloudy also.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. A good deal of Rain in the Night & more or less all day. Wind still East.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Clear & pleasant (but somewhat cool). Little or no Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Clear and pleasant with but little Wind till late in the Night, when it shifted to No. Wt. & blew hard & Cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Wind No. & No. Wt. & very cold but clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. A Remarkable white Frost.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 November 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Clear forenoon & pleasant with little or no wind. The Afternoon lowering & threatning Rain.


Title: Acct. of the Weather—in Novr. [1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

Novr. 1. Very Cloudy & sometimes Misty with but little Wind & that Eastwardly.

2. Misty & Raining all day. Wind Eastwardly tho but little of it.

3. Raing. in the Morning & misty afterwards till 4 Oclock, then clear. Wind Westwardly.

4. Clear. Wind westwardly.

5. Clear, Calm, & pleasant.

6. Lowering with a good deal of Rain Lightning & some thunder in the Night.

7. Tolerably pleasant, & clear, Wind Northwardly.

8. Clear and very pleasant with but little wind and that Southwardly.

9. Very pleast. Morning with the Wind at south. Afternoon Lowering with an Eastwardly wind & a good deal of Rain in the Night.

10. Clear & pleasant but somewhat cool Wind being Northwardly.

11. Clear and pleasant Morning but lowering & threatning afternoon.

12. Rain in the Night. Wind high from the Northwest—but not very cold.

13. Cool Morning but more moderate afternoon. Wind Southwardly.

14. Raw & cold Wind at Southwest & like for Snow but turnd to Rain abt. 10 Oclock & cd. to Rain till two.

15. Wind Westwardly & cold. Ice upon the Waters & ground froze.

16. Clear and pleasant, tho somewhat cool wind being westwardly & No. Wt.

17. Clear & not so cool as yesterday tho the wind was in the same Qr.

18. Morning clear and pleasant but Wind Eastwardly—after which it grew Raw Cold & Cloudy threatning Rain.

19. Cold & disagreeable. Wind Eastwardly & very fresh. Very Cloudy also.

20. A good deal of Rain in the Night & more or less all day. Wind still East.

21. A great deal of Rain fell last Night. Wind at No. West & After noon clear & cool. Morning Cloudy.

22. Clear & pleasant (but somewhat cool). Little or no Wind.

23. Clear and pleasant with but little Wind till late in the Night, when it shifted to No. Wt. & blew hard & Cold.

24. Wind No. & No. Wt. & very cold but clear.

25. A Remarkable white Frost.

26. Clear forenoon & pleasant with little or no wind. The Afternoon lowering & threatning Rain.

27. Much Rain fell in the Night, & showery all day, with the wind Southwardly & Warm with Lightng. and thunder. Wind shiftg. in the Eveng.

28. Clear and Cold. Wind Northwardly.

29. Clear and Cold. The afternoon lowering & like to Rain.

30. Misting all day but not Cold there being but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

Decr. 1. Dined at Mrs. Campbells with the Speaker, Treasurer & other Company. Mrs. Washington & Childn. Dined at the Attorneys. Myself & J. P. Custis suppd at Mrs. Campbells.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Mrs. Washington & children, myself, Colo. Basset, Mrs. Basset & Betcy Bassett all Eat Oysters at Mrs. Campbells abt. One oclock and afterwards went up to Eltham.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. At Eltham all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Returnd to Town and dined at Mrs. Campbells. Spent Eveng. there also witht. Supg.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Dined at Mr. Cockes & spent the Eveng. there.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Dined at Mrs. Campbells & the Evening spent in my Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Dined at Mrs. Campbells and suppd there with the speaker &ca.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Dined at the Speakers & spent the Evening in my own Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Dined at Mr. Wythes—and the Eveng. Spent in my own Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Dined at Mrs. Campbells and Spent the Evening in my own Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Dined at Mrs. Campbells and went to the Ball at the Capitol.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Dined at Mrs. Campbells & spent part of the Evening in drawing Colo. Moores Lottery.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Dined at the Attorney’s and went to Southalls in the Evening to draw Colo. Moores Lottery.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Dined at Mrs. Campbells & drawg. Colo. Moores Lottery till 10 Oclock & then compleated it.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Dined at the Palace and went up in the Afternoon to Colo. Bassetts.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Dined at Mrs. Campbells an hour after Candlelight & spent the Eveng. in my own Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Dined at Mrs. Campbells and spt. the Evening in my own Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Sett of for home. Dined at Todds Bridge and lodgd at Hubbards.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Went to Prayers, & dined afterwds. at Colo. Lewis. Spent the Evening with Mr. Jones at Julians.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Dined & spent the Evening at Colo. Lewis’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. At Home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Mr. Boucher went away. I Rid to My Mill with  Ball and agreed with [him] to Build here.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. At Home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Lowering Forenoon with some Intervals [of] Sun in the Afternoon. Warm. Wind So. Wt.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Wind at No. Et. & Raining more or less all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Cold & Raw. Cloudy afternoon with some Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Clear and tolerable pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Clear but cool the Wind at No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Clear and Cool the Wind Westwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Also clear & cool. Wind in the same quarter.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Fine Morning, disagreeable Noon, & Rainy Afternoon. Wind Eastwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Wind Southwest—& Misty, Rainy & sometimes Sunshine. Night warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Wind shifted to No. West in the Morning and blew hard growing amazingly Cold in the Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Ground exceeding hard froze and day cold (& clear) but not equal to Yesterday Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Still cold but more moderate than yesterday. The Afternoon lowering & exceeding like for Snow.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Clear & pleasant with but little Wind. Evening Cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Clear, warm & pleasant in the forenoon. Wind southwardly and Afternoon Lowering. Night Raining.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Misting & Raining by turns all day—the Wind being at No. East.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Cold Raw and Cloudy Wind what there was of it, Northwardly. Evening more moderate & clearing.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Wind at No. Et. Cloudy & Cold with a little appearance of the Sun.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Exceeding cold Morning. Very cloudy with great appearance of Snow. Wind Northwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Clear and more moderate but still cool. A very white frost & Wind Northwardly—but little of it.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. A very white Frost, clear, still, & very pleasant till the Evening then cloudy and boisterous.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. A Very white frost but still clear & exceeding pleast. Gd. Hard froze.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Ground exceeding hard froze & a very white frost. The day lowerg. & very threatning of Snow. Wind East.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Remarkably fine, clear & still.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Wind at No. West & fresh & day Cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 December 1769]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Clear, still & remarkably fine and pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. At home all day. Mr. Peake dined here.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Went a hunting with Jno. Custis & Lund Washington. Started a Deer & then a Fox but got neither.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Mr. Washng. & Mr. Thruston went to Belvoir.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Went a huntg. with Mr. Alexander, J. P. Custis & Ld. W[ashingto]n, killd a fox (a dog one) after 3 hours chase. Mr. Alexr. went away and Wn. & Thruston came in the Aftern.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Mr. W[ashingto]n & Mr. Thruston set of home. I went a hunting in the Neck & visited the Plantn. there. Found & killd a bitch fox after treeing it 3 times, & chasg. it abt. 3 Hr.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Ditto—Ditto.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Dined at Belvoir with Mrs. Washington Mr. & Miss Custis & returnd afterwds.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Went up to Alexandria, expecting Court but there was none.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Rid to the Mill Doeg Run and Muddy hole.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Went to the Plantn. in the Neck.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Went a hunting with Jacky Custis & catchd a Bitch Fox after three hours chace. Founded it on the Ck. by J. Soals.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Rid to Posey’s Barn and the Mill.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Ditto. Do. Do.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Went a hunting, & after trailing a fox a good while the Dogs Raizd a Deer & run out of the Neck with it & did not (some of them at least) come home till the next day.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. At home all day. In the Afternoon Mr. Semple came here.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Dined at Belvoir (with J. P. Custis) & returnd in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. At home alone.


Title: [January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

Jany. 1. At home all day alone.

2. At home all day. Mr. Peake dined here.

3. At home all day alone.

4. Went a hunting with Jno. Custis & Lund Washington. Started a Deer & then a Fox but got neither.

5. Rid to Muddy hole & Doeg Run. Carrd. the Dogs with me but found nothing. Mr. Warnr. Washington & Mr. Thruston came in the Evening.

6. The two Colo. Fairfaxs and Mrs. Fairfax dind here as did Mr. R. Alexander & the two Gentn. that came the day before. The Belvoir Family returnd after Dinner.

7. Mr. Washng. & Mr. Thruston went to Belvoir.

   GW today paid the Rev. Mr. Thruston £10 for his share of lands on the Ohio to be granted under the Proclamation of 1763 (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 302).

8. Went a huntg. with Mr. Alexander, J. P. Custis & Ld. W[ashingto]n, killd a fox (a dog one) after 3 hours chase. Mr. Alexr. went away and Wn. & Thruston came in the Aftern.

9. Went a ducking but got nothing the Creeks and Rivers being froze. Mr. Robt. Adam dined here & returnd.

10. Mr. W[ashingto]n & Mr. Thruston set of home. I went a hunting in the Neck & visited the Plantn. there. Found & killd a bitch fox after treeing it 3 times, & chasg. it abt. 3 Hr.

11. At home all day alone.

12. Ditto—Ditto.

13. Dined at Belvoir with Mrs. Washington Mr. & Miss Custis & returnd afterwds.

14. At home all day alone.

15. Went up to Alexandria, expecting Court but there was none.

16. Rid to the Mill Doeg Run and Muddy hole.

17. At home all day alone.

18. Went to the Plantn. in the Neck.

   GW today paid a Mr. Awbrey 10s. for prescribing medicines for Patsy Custis (custis account bookGW’s Accounts Kept for Martha Parke Custis and John Parke Custis, 1760–75. Manuscript in Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond.).

19. At home all day alone.

20. Went a hunting with Jacky Custis & catchd a Bitch Fox after three hours chace. Founded it on the Ck. by J. Soals.

   Joseph Soal, a cobbler, rented a plantation from GW in 1769 and 1770 (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 304).

21. At home all day alone.

22. Rid to Posey’s Barn and the Mill.

23. Went a hunting after breakfast & found a Fox at Muddy hole & killd her (it being a Bitch) after a chace of better than two hours & after treeing her twice the last of which times she fell dead out of the Tree after being therein sevl. minutes apparently we[ll]. Rid to the Mill afterwards. Mr. Semple & Mr. Robt. Adam dind here.

   John Semple (d. 1773) was a Scottish speculator who moved from Charles County, Md., to Prince William County, Va., in 1763 and took over the iron furnace and gristmills on Occoquan Creek that John Ballendine had previously operated. About that same time, Semple acquired Keep Triste iron furnace, on the Virginia shore of the Potomac River a short distance above Harpers Ferry, and in May 1765 he bought from Thomas Colvill the tract of land called Merryland lying in nearby Frederick County, Md. (skaggsDavid C. Skaggs and Richard K. MacMaster, eds. “Post-Revolutionary Letters of Alexander Hamilton, Piscataway Merchant.” Maryland Historical Magazine 63 (1968): 22–54; 65 (1970): 18–35., 63:28 n.15). He was also an active promoter of a scheme to improve the navigation of the Potomac by forming a company to build locks around the falls and probably discussed the idea with GW on this visit (Semple to GW, 8 Jan. 1770, MnHi).

24. At home all day alone.

25. At home all day alone.

26. Ditto. Do. Do.

27. Went a hunting, & after trailing a fox a good while the Dogs Raizd a Deer & run out of the Neck with it & did not (some of them at least) come home till the next day.

28. At home all day. In the Afternoon Mr. Semple came here.

29. Dined at Belvoir (with J. P. Custis) & returnd in the Afternoon.

30. Went a hunting, & having found a Deer by Piney Cover. It run to the head of Accatinck before we coud stop the Dogs. Mr. Peake dined here.

   Piney Cover was a densely wooded area along Piney Branch, a small stream flowing southeast into Dogue Run about a mile above GW’s present mill. The head of navigation on Accotink Creek was about 2 miles southwest of the mouth of Piney Branch.

31. At home alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

Jany. 1st. Constant Rain the whole day with high & boisterous Wind from the No. Et.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Clear & pleasant. Wind Southwardly—the Ground notwithstanding close blockd up.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Cloudy Morning, & Rainy Afternoon wind Eastwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Clear and Cold. Wind at No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Clear & cold Wind Northwardly & fresh River shut up again.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Much such a day as yesterday except that what little Wind blew appeard to come [from] the No. East.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Cloudy with great appearances of Snow in the forenoon but clear afterwards. Wind at No. West & very cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Exceeding hard frost River shut up. Wind at No. West and very cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Exceeding cold tho but little Wind that however at No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Clear & pleasant in the Morning Cloudy Afternoon & cold. Wind at N. Et.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Cloudy & still in the morning but a cold Southwesterly wind & wild sky afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Clear and tolerably pleasant with variable Wind which abt. Sunset was at No. Et.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Clear and very pleasant Wind being Southwardly & thawing.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Very warm & thawing in the forenoon. Frequent showers in the afternoon & wind shifting from south to North & growing Cold. Ice breaking in the River for the first time since the 14.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Cold and disagreeable with a fine kind of Sleety Snow. Wind Northward⟨ly⟩ & very cloudy.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Wind Southwardly, pleast. & thawing.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Wind at No. West—tolerably fresh in the Morning but not cold. Still afterwards & pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Rather lowering, but moderate & pleasant, with but little Wind & that Southwardly. Ice broken again.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 January 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Clear and cool again, wind No. West.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in January [1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

Jany. 1st. Constant Rain the whole day with high & boisterous Wind from the No. Et.

2. Clear and Cold, wind high from the No. West. River froze over.

3. Wind in the same Quarter & very fresh remarkably cold & frosty.

4. But very little Wind, & that Southwardly. Day clear & more moderate but the ground very little thawed.

5. Clear & pleasant. Wind Southwardly—the Ground notwithstanding close blockd up.

6. Cloudy Morning, & Rainy Afternoon wind Eastwardly.

7. Again Cloudy in the Morning & rainy Afternoon. River opened.

8. Clear and Cold. Wind at No. West.

9. Clear & cold Wind Northwardly & fresh River shut up again.

10. Remarkably fine & pleasant being perfectly calm & clear till the Evening then lowering.

11. Raining moderately all day with but little wind and that about So. Wt.

12. Much such a day as yesterday except that what little Wind blew appeard to come [from] the No. East.

13. Cloudy with great appearances of Snow in the forenoon but clear afterwards. Wind at No. West & very cold.

14. Exceeding hard frost River shut up. Wind at No. West and very cold.

15. Exceeding cold tho but little Wind that however at No. West.

16. Very Cold. Wind still at No. West but not hard—yet piercing—clear.

17. Clear & very cold Wind from the same place. Ground not the least thawed.

18. Clear & pleasant in the Morning Cloudy Afternoon & cold. Wind at N. Et.

19. Slightly snowing in the Morning & cloudy afterwards with but little Wind & that Southwardly.

20. Cloudy & still in the morning but a cold Southwesterly wind & wild sky afterwards.

21. Clear & tolerably pleasant Wind being about So. Wt. & yet cool.

22. Clear and tolerably pleasant with variable Wind which abt. Sunset was at No. Et.

23. Clear and very pleasant Wind being Southwardly & thawing.

24. Very warm & thawing in the forenoon. Frequent showers in the afternoon & wind shifting from south to North & growing Cold. Ice breaking in the River for the first time since the 14.

25. Cold and disagreeable with a fine kind of Sleety Snow. Wind Northward⟨ly⟩ & very cloudy.

26. Raw, cold & cloudy the first part of the day—but clearg. afterwards. Wd. N. W.

27. Wind Southwardly, pleast. & thawing.

28. Wind at No. West—tolerably fresh in the Morning but not cold. Still afterwards & pleasant.

29. Rather lowering, but moderate & pleasant, with but little Wind & that Southwardly. Ice broken again.

30. Clear and tolerably pleasant but the Wind very high in the Afternoon from the Westward.

31. Clear and cool again, wind No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

Feby. 1. Went a huntg. (being joind by Mr. Peake Wm. Triplet & Harrison Manley) & after a Chace of near five hours we killd a Fox. Mr. Piper & Mr. Adams came here this afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Mr. Adam & myself walkd to the Mill & up Doeg Run before Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. At home all day, the above Gentlemn. returnd after dinner to Alexandria.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

 4. At home all day. Carlin the Taylor came here in the afternoon and stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. At home all day. In the Evening Sally Carlyle & Betty Dalton came here.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Rid to Muddy hole. Sally Carlyle went to Belvoir—Betty Dalton stayd.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Rid to Alexandria to a Meeting of the Trustees. Returnd in the Evening & found Captn. McCarty here.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Captn. McCarty, Doctr. Rumney and Mr. Jno. Ballendine Dined and lodged here.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Went a hunting—found a fox and lost it. Mr. Ballendine & the Doctr. still here. Captn. McCarty went from the field.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

 10. Jacky Custis returnd to Mr. Bouchers to School. Mr. Ballendine and myself leveled Doeg Run in ordr. to fix on a Mill seat. Returnd to Dinr. wt. the Doctr.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. The Doctr. still here. Mr. Ballendine went away early in the Morng. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. At home all day with the Doctr. Mr. Fairfax came in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Went into the Neck with Mr. Fairfax a huntg. but was forcd back by Rain. Doctr. Rumney returnd to Alexandria after breakfast this day.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Huntg. again—found a bitch fox at Piney branch & killd it in an hour. Mr. Fairfax returnd from there and Mr. Alexr. went away [after] dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Went to Pohick Church and returnd to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Went to Court at Alexandria and returnd in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Went up to Court again and stayd all Night. Lodgd at Captn. Daltons.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

 21. Came home in the Evening—Mr. Ross with me.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Went out with the hounds but found nothing.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Ditto. Ditto.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Went out with Guns returnd about 12 Oclock without killg. of any thing. My Brothers and the Company that came with them still here.


Title: [February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

Feby. 1. Went a huntg. (being joind by Mr. Peake Wm. Triplet & Harrison Manley) & after a Chace of near five hours we killd a Fox. Mr. Piper & Mr. Adams came here this afternoon.

2. Mr. Adam & myself walkd to the Mill & up Doeg Run before Dinner.

   Robert Adam, who owned a merchant mill and a bakery near Alexandria, would be a major buyer of flour from GW’s new mill.

3. At home all day, the above Gentlemn. returnd after dinner to Alexandria.

4. At home all day. Carlin the Taylor came here in the afternoon and stayed all Night.

   William Carlin of Alexandria made clothing for GW, Jacky, Patsy, and some of the Mount Vernon house servants 1764–72 (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 184, 217; General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 47; GW’s account with Carlin 26 Sept. 1772, ViMtvL).

   GW today recorded winning £1 5s. at cards (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 302).

5. At home all day. In the Evening Sally Carlyle & Betty Dalton came here.

6. Rid to Muddy hole. Sally Carlyle went to Belvoir—Betty Dalton stayd.

7. Rid to Alexandria to a Meeting of the Trustees. Returnd in the Evening & found Captn. McCarty here.

   GW had been appointed a trustee of Alexandria on 16 Dec. 1766, replacing George Johnston of Belvale. However, there is no record in the trustees’ minutes of his ever officially attending one of their meetings, even on this day, nor is there any record of his formally resigning the office or being replaced. The business of the trustees today was routine: the draining of marshland, the building of a warehouse, the collection of debts owed to the town, the appointment of a clerk, and the appointment of Jonathan Hall as a trustee in place of John Kirkpatrick (Alexandria town trustees’ minutes, 1749–80, 61, 75–76, Vi).

   In Alexandria today GW paid several accounts including one for a pair of shoes for Jacky Custis (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 302).

8. Captn. McCarty, Doctr. Rumney and Mr. Jno. Ballendine Dined and lodged here.

   Ballendine, having been forced by financial difficulties to transfer his Occoquan mills and iron furnace to John Semple, had since 1765 established another commercial complex farther up the Potomac River at Little Falls. At this time it consisted of merchant mills capable of grinding 50,000 bushels of wheat a year, a bakery with three ovens, a landing for large vessels complete with granaries and countinghouses, and a “public house, well finished, with 10 fire places, good cellars, and . . . a fine French cook.” In addition, he was currently building another gristmill and a sawmill and had the rights to 40 lots in the town of Philee, which was planned for the area (Va. Gaz., R, 29 Nov. 1770). Financial troubles, however, were again plaguing him. His debts were great, and his many creditors were beginning to press him. Nevertheless, like Semple, he was, and until 1775 would remain, a leading promoter of the Potomac navigation scheme.

9. Went a hunting—found a fox and lost it. Mr. Ballendine & the Doctr. still here. Captn. McCarty went from the field.

10. Jacky Custis returnd to Mr. Bouchers to School. Mr. Ballendine and myself leveled Doeg Run in ordr. to fix on a Mill seat. Returnd to Dinr. wt. the Doctr.

   Jacky’s departure had been delayed for several weeks, first by the freezing over of the fords between Mount Vernon and Caroline County, then by the heavy snowfall of 4 Feb. (GW to Jonathan Boucher, 3–10 Feb. 1770, NN). He took 10s. in pocket money with him today and rode on a newly repaired saddle (custis account bookGW’s Accounts Kept for Martha Parke Custis and John Parke Custis, 1760–75. Manuscript in Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond.).

11. The Doctr. still here. Mr. Ballendine went away early in the Morng. At home all day.

12. At home all day with the Doctr.

13. At home all day with the Doctr. Mr. Fairfax came in the Afternoon.

14. Went into the Neck with Mr. Fairfax a huntg. but was forcd back by Rain. Doctr. Rumney returnd to Alexandria after breakfast this day.

15. Went a huntg. again with Mr. Fairfax & found a fox at the head of the blind Pocoson which we suppose was killd in an hour but coud not find it. Mr. Peake dind here & Mr. R. Alexr. came after.

   The mouth of the blind pocosin was on the Potomac shore below the mansion house, at the southwest corner of the Mount Vernon tract (survey by GW for John Posey, 10 Oct. 1769, ViMtvL).

16. Huntg. again—found a bitch fox at Piney branch & killd it in an hour. Mr. Fairfax returnd from there and Mr. Alexr. went away [after] dinner.

17. At home all day alone.

18. Went to Pohick Church and returnd to Dinner.

19. Went to Court at Alexandria and returnd in the Evening.

   The February court met 19–24 Feb. (Fairfax County Order Book for 1768–70, 285–331, Vi Microfilm). GW today collected a debt, paid one, and spent 1s. 6d. to have a coffeepot mended (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 302).

20. Went up to Court again and stayd all Night. Lodgd at Captn. Daltons.

21. Came home in the Evening—Mr. Ross with me.

22. Went up to Court again. Mr. Ross returnd to Colchester. Returnd in the Evening and found my Brothers Saml. & John & the latters wife & Daughter Mr. Lawe. Washington & Daughter & the Revd. Mr. Smith here.

   John Augustine and Hannah Bushrod Washington had two daughters: Jane Washington (1759–1791) and Mildred Washington (c.1760-1796). The daughter of Lawrence Washington of Chotank who came with him on this day is apparently Mary Townshend Washington, who married Robert Stith of King George County in 1773 (see main entry for 10 April 1770). The Rev. Mr. Smith is Thomas Smith of Cople Parish, Westmoreland County.

23. At home all day with the above Com[pany].

24. Went out with the hounds but found nothing.

25. At home all day.

26. At home all day.

27. Ditto. Ditto.

28. Went out with Guns returnd about 12 Oclock without killg. of any thing. My Brothers and the Company that came with them still here.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

Feby. 1. Clear & tolerably pleasant there being but little Wind, that however was Northwardly & cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Cloudy with appearances of Snow but clear & pleasant in the Afternoon but little Wind stirring.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Snowing more or less all day—the snow about 8 Inches deep. Wind Northward.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Cool and Clear Wind No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

 6. Pleasant Wind Southwardly and clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Clear Morning but lowering afternn. intermixed with Snow. Not very cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Misty kind of Rain at times with a Southwardly Wind and thawing.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Still giving and damp with the Wind Northwardly but not cold. Snow almost gone.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Heavy damp Morning, with little or no wind, Evening clear and pleast.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Still, Mild and pleasant with Clouds.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Calm, clear, and Warm Morning. About 10 Oclock the Wind came out at No. West and blew pretty fresh but not Cold tho it clouded.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Wind at No. West but neither fresh nor cold. Clear, & the Eveng. very pleast.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Clear and exceeding pleasant with the wind at So. and but little of it.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Fresh Wind from So. with more or less Rain all day. In the Afternoon late the Weather cleard the wind coming out hard & very cold from the No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Hard frost. Wind fresh and cold from the No. West. Indeed it might be said that the Wind was high till the Eveng.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

 21. But little Wind. Clear and pleast.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Lowering forenoon & Rainy Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Foggy kind of Morning but clear & pleasant afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Clear & cold in the forenoon wind being at No. West. Lowerg afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Hard frost. The Wind shifting in the Night to No. West—but the latter part of the day pleast. The Wind getting Southwardly.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in February [1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

Feby. 1. Clear & tolerably pleasant there being but little Wind, that however was Northwardly & cool.

2. Cloudy with appearances of Snow but clear & pleasant in the Afternoon but little Wind stirring.

3. Cloudy with a slight mixture of fine hail & Rain. But little Wind & that southly.

4. Snowing more or less all day—the snow about 8 Inches deep. Wind Northward.

5. Cool and Clear Wind No. West.

6. Pleasant Wind Southwardly and clear.

7. Clear Morning but lowering afternn. intermixed with Snow. Not very cold.

8. Misty kind of Rain at times with a Southwardly Wind and thawing.

9. Still giving and damp with the Wind Northwardly but not cold. Snow almost gone.

10. Heavy damp Morning, with little or no wind, Evening clear and pleast.

11. Still, Mild and pleasant with Clouds.

12. Wind at No. East and slow rain all day which Increasd in the Evening.

13. Rain in the Morning with the Wind abt. So. West. Cloudy & sometimes misty.

14. Cloudy Morning, and from nine or 10 Oclock, constant Rain till abt. One then appearance of fair weather. Wind Southwardly.

15. Calm, clear, and Warm Morning. About 10 Oclock the Wind came out at No. West and blew pretty fresh but not Cold tho it clouded.

16. Cloudy & cool forenoon, Wind being still at No. West, and sometimes pretty fresh. Afternoon clear.

17. Wind at No. West but neither fresh nor cold. Clear, & the Eveng. very pleast.

18. Clear and exceeding pleasant with the wind at So. and but little of it.

19. Fresh Wind from So. with more or less Rain all day. In the Afternoon late the Weather cleard the wind coming out hard & very cold from the No. West.

20. Hard frost. Wind fresh and cold from the No. West. Indeed it might be said that the Wind was high till the Eveng.

21. But little Wind. Clear and pleast.

22. Lowering forenoon & Rainy Afternoon.

23. Foggy kind of Morning but clear & pleasant afterwards.

24. Rain in the Night & high Wind from the No. West afterwards & Cold afternoon clear.

25. Clear & cold in the forenoon wind being at No. West. Lowerg afternoon.

26. Hard frost. The Wind shifting in the Night to No. West—but the latter part of the day pleast. The Wind getting Southwardly.

27. Clear forenoon but lowering afternoon with the Wind raising from So. Wt. to No. West & Cool.

28. Clear and pleasant with but little Wind & that Southwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 February 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Agreed with Mr. Robt. Adam for the Fish catchd at the Fishing Landing I bought of Posey, on the following terms—to wit He is obligd to take all I catch at that place provided the quantity does not exceed 500 Barls. and will take more than this qty. if he can get Cask to put them in. He is to take them as fast as they are catchd with out giving any interruption to my people; and is to have the use of the Fish House for his Salt, fish, &ca. taking care to have the House clear at least before the next Fishing Season.  In consideration of which he is to pay me Ten pounds for the use of the House, give 3/ a thousd. for the Herrings (Virg. Money) and 8/4 a hundred (Maryland Curry.) for the whitefish. Mr. Piper and Lund Washington present.


Title: Remarks & Occurs. in Feby. [1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

Feby. 2d. Agreed with Joseph Goart, to come down and raise Stone out of my Quarry for my Mill at the Rate of Three pounds pr. Month 26 days to the Month and lost time to be made up.

   The walls of the new mill were to be built with local sandstone, which the residents of the area called freestone because of its abundance and the ease with which it could be cut and carved (studebakerMarvin F. Studebaker. “Freestone from Acquia.” Virginia Cavalcade 9 (Summer 1959): 35–41., 37). GW’s quarry may have been on the banks of the Potomac River west of his mansion house, where a large bed of freestone was located (GW to Daniel Carroll, 16 Dec. 1793, DLC:GW). Goart, whose name GW variously spelled Gort, Goord, Goort, and Gourt, began his work on 6 Mar. (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 314, 333, 340).

3. Agreed with Mr. Robt. Adam for the Fish catchd at the Fishing Landing I bought of Posey, on the following terms—to wit
He is obligd to take all I catch at that place provided the quantity does not exceed 500 Barls. and will take more than this qty. if he can get Cask to put them in. He is to take them as fast as they are catchd with out giving any interruption to my people; and is to have the use of the Fish House for his Salt, fish, &ca. taking care to have the House clear at least before the next Fishing Season.

In consideration of which he is to pay me Ten pounds for the use of the House, give 3/ a thousd. for the Herrings (Virg. Money) and 8/4 a hundred (Maryland Curry.) for the whitefish.
Mr. Piper and Lund Washington present.

   The fishery was on the 200–acre tract of land GW had acquired at Posey’s sale the previous October (Va. Gaz., R, 19 Oct. 1769). Taken by seining in the Potomac, the fish were packed with salt in large barrels to be sold to local planters for their slaves or to be shipped abroad, often to the West Indies (Robert Adam to GW, 24 June 1771, DLC:GW). Between 13 April and the end of May, Adam received 473,750 herring and 4,623 shad (whitefish), and on 1 Oct. GW was credited with £102 Virginia currency for his fish and rent of his fish house. For shad he was paid 8s. 4d. Virginia per hundred, a better rate than the 8s. 4d. Maryland per hundred given above (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 310).


Title: [Diary entry: 2 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. At home all day with the two.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Mr. Magowan went to Dumfries and I to Mr. Rt. Alexanders on a hunting Party where I met Mr. B. Fairfax but first I went over to George Town returng. to Mr. Alexanders at Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Went out a hunting with Mr. Alexander [and] his Brothers. Found two or three Foxes but killd neither.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Went a hunting again. Found a Fox and run it 6 hours & then lost [it]. I returnd home this Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Rid to Muddy hole Doeg Run and the Mill.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Went a huntg. above Darrels Hills & to G. Alexrs. Pocoson. Found a fox by two Dogs in Cliftons Neck but lost it upon joing. the Pack. Returnd abt. 5 Oclock & found Colo. Mason & Mr. Christian here.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

 14. At home all day. Colo. Mason & Mr. Christian dined here & returnd afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Rid with Mr. West to Mr. Triplets to settle the Lines of Harrisons Patent. Passd by the Mill with Colo. Lewis. Mr. Whiting went home this Mor⟨n⟩ing & Mr. West in the Afternn. from T[riplet]s.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Went to Pohick Church and retur⟨nd⟩ to Dinner. Colo. Lewis &ca. went away this Morning & Jno. Ball the Millright came in the afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Went to the Mill with Jno. Ball to take the Level of the Run on the otherside. Did not get home till Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Went up to Court & returnd in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

 21. Joind some dogs that were self hunting & from thence went to the Mill & was levelling all the remainder of the day with Jno. Ball &ca.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Rid to the Mill and laid of with the Millwright the foundation for the New Mill House. Upon my return found Captn. Crawford here.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Went a hunting with the above Gentln. & killd a fox after two hours chace. The two Mr. Triplets Peake &ca. were with us. T. Triplet & H. Manley dind he⟨re⟩.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Again went a hunting with the above Compy. but found no Fox. Mr. Geo. Alexander & Mr. Peake dind here with the other Compa.—as Mr. Ramsay did.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Went a huntg. again & killd a fox. All the Compy. went home from the field.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Running some Lines by Mr. Wm. Triplets all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. At home all day writing.


Title: [March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

Mar. 1. My Brothers and the Company with them went away about 10 O clock. I went to level the Ground on the other side of Doeg Run. Mr. Magowan & Captn. Wm. Crawford came here this afternoon.

   GW was taking elevations west of Dogue Run to determine the best route for a millrace to his new mill. Several months earlier he had been thinking of supplying the new mill with water by having a race dug to it from the pond near his old mill (GW to Charles West, 6 June 1769, DLC:GW). But now he had another plan in mind. The dam near the old mill would be replaced with one farther up Dogue Run, a short distance above the place where it is joined by Piney Branch. From the new Dogue Run dam, a race would be dug southwest to a point on Piney Branch, a few hundred yards above its mouth, where a second dam would be built. Then the race, which would be about two miles in total length, would parallel Dogue Run along the higher ground west of the run down to the new mill, where it would pass through the building into Dogue Creek (vaughanSamuel Vaughan. “Minutes Made by S. V. from Stage to Stage on a Tour to Fort Pitt or Pittsburgh in Company with Mr. Michl. Morgan Obrian, from Thence by S. V. Only through Virginia, Maryland, & Pensylvania (18 June to 4 Sept. 1787).” Manuscript diary in the collection of the descendants of Samuel Vaughan., 56; Warrington Gillingham’s map of Mount Vernon, muirDorothy Troth Muir. Potomac Interlude: The Story of Woodlawn Mansion and the Mount Vernon Neighborhood, 1846–1943. Washington, D.C., 1943., between pp. 90 and 91). The idea for this arrangement may have come from John Ball or John Ballendine. Its advantage over GW’s first idea was that it would make possible a higher head of water at the mill, because the race would begin at a greater elevation on Dogue Run and would remain near that level by following the higher terrain to the west.

   Crawford came today to report on his surveys for GW in western Pennsylvania.

2. At home all day with the two.

3. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto.

4. Mr. Crawford set of for Williamsburg & Mr. Magowan for Colchester the last of whom returnd.

   GW lent Crawford £5 for his journey, which the captain repaid upon his return to Mount Vernon later in the month (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 302).

5. Mr. Magowan went to Dumfries and I to Mr. Rt. Alexanders on a hunting Party where I met Mr. B. Fairfax but first I went over to George Town returng. to Mr. Alexanders at Night.

   Established in 1751, Georgetown, Md. (now part of Washington, D.C.), was at this time a small but active trading community at the mouth of Rock Creek, eight miles up the Potomac River from Alexandria. At Georgetown today GW paid John Jost £6 10s. Maryland currency for a rifle and apparently dined at one of the town’s two taverns. He also played cards either at Georgetown or at Robert Alexander’s house, winning £1 5s. (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 302; riceHoward C. Rice, Jr., and Anne S. K. Brown, eds. The American Campaigns of Rochambeau’s Army, 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783. 2 vols. Princeton, N.J., 1972., 2:87–88).

6. Went out a hunting with Mr. Alexander [and] his Brothers. Found two or three Foxes but killd neither.

7. Went a hunting again. Found a Fox and run it 6 hours & then lost [it]. I returnd home this Evening.

8. Went to Belvoir with Mr. Magowan, dined and Returnd in the afternoon.

9. At home all day.

10. Rid to Muddy hole Doeg Run and the Mill. Mr. Magowan went home.

11. At home all day alone.

12. Rid to Muddy hole Doeg Run and the Mill.

13. Went a huntg. above Darrels Hills & to G. Alexrs. Pocoson. Found a fox by two Dogs in Cliftons Neck but lost it upon joing. the Pack. Returnd abt. 5 Oclock & found Colo. Mason & Mr. Christian here.

   Francis Christian, a dancing master from Richmond County who had married Katherine Chinn of Lancaster County in 1750, came this day with Mason to discuss a series of dancing classes to be held during the next few months for the young people of the neighborhood. Some of the classes would meet at Gunston Hall, some at Mount Vernon, and some possibly at other nearby homes (carterJack P. Greene, ed. The Diary of Colonel Landon Carter of Sabine Hall, 1752–1778. 2 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1965. [3], 2:737; 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., 76).

14. At home all day. Colo. Mason & Mr. Christian dined here & returnd afterwards.

15. At home all day alone.

16. Went to doeg run and took the hounds with me—found a fox by the Widow Ashfords & soon lost him. Upon my return home found Colo. Lewis my Br[other] Ch[arle]s & Mr. Brooke here. In the Evening Mr. Jno. West & Mr. Stedlar came—also Mr. Whiting.

   Elizabeth Ashford (died c.1773) is the widow of John Ashford who sold land on Dogue Run to GW in 1761. Mr. Brooke is probably Richard Brooke (died c.1792), a prominent Spotsylvania County landowner who lived near Fredericksburg, and Mr. Whiting is probably Francis Whiting, of Frederick County (later Berkeley County).

   GW lost 6s. 3d. at cards on this day (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 302).

17. Rid with Mr. West to Mr. Triplets to settle the Lines of Harrisons Patent. Passd by the Mill with Colo. Lewis. Mr. Whiting went home this Mor⟨n⟩ing & Mr. West in the Afternn. from T[riplet]s.

   Harrison’s patent, a grant of 266 acres made to William Harrison 4 Dec. 1706, lay northwest of Dogue Run between the lands that GW had bought from Pearson and the Ashfords in 1761–62 and Trenn’s land, which he had bought in 1764. Part of the patent was now owned by John West Jr.’s mother, Sybil, a daughter of William Harrison, and the remainder by William Triplett (Lord Fairfax’s grant to GW, 4 Mar. 1771, Northern Neck Deeds and Grants, Book I, 187, Vi Microfilm; deed of Sybil West to Triplett, 26 Mar. 1777, Fairfax County Deeds, Book M–1, 315–16, Vi Microfilm). The boundaries of the patent were surveyed on this day because GW’s proposed new millrace and dams would be near the southeast line and might infringe upon it.

18. Went to Pohick Church and retur⟨nd⟩ to Dinner. Colo. Lewis &ca. went away this Morning & Jno. Ball the Millright came in the afternoon.

19. Went to the Mill with Jno. Ball to take the Level of the Run on the otherside. Did not get home till Night.

20. Went up to Court & returnd in the Evening.

   The court was in session 19–23 Mar. GW attended only on this day, arriving late with John West, Jr. (Fairfax County Order Book for 1768–70, 331–55, Vi Microfilm).

21. Joind some dogs that were self hunting & from thence went to the Mill & was levelling all the remainder of the day with Jno. Ball &ca.

22. Rid to the Mill and laid of with the Millwright the foundation for the New Mill House. Upon my return found Captn. Crawford here.

   The site selected for the new mill was about one-third of a mile down Dogue Run, on the opposite bank, from the old mill. There, as planned, the tidal waters of the navigable portion of the stream, Dogue Creek, would flow up to the tailrace, enabling flat-bottom boats to deliver grain to the mill’s door, from whence it would be “hoisted . . . to the garners above” (advertisement, 1 Feb. 1796, writingsJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. 39 vols. Washington, D.C., 1931–44., 34:433–41). The same boats would carry flour down to the mouth of the creek, where a brig or schooner would take the cargo aboard and transport it to the markets at Alexandria, Norfolk, or elsewhere. The site of the new mill was also convenient for land traffic, because the road from Gum Spring to Colchester passed between it and the edge of the creek, being only a few feet from both. The foundations of the building, as laid off on this day, measured roughly 40 by 50 feet (bursonR. E. Burson. “A Report of the Findings of Mr. R. E. Burson on the George Washington Grist Mill, Situated on Dogue Run Creek, Mount Vernon, Va.” Mimeographed Report. Richmond, 1932., blueprint no. 2). When finished, the mill would be 2½ stories high, equipped with a breast wheel 16 feet in diameter and two sets of millstones, one to be used exclusively for merchant work and the other for custom work, that is, grinding local farmers’ grain in return for one-eighth of the amount brought in, the legal toll at this time (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., 6:58). This custom business would be still another source of income provided by the new mill.

23. At home all day. Captn. Crawford and Mr. Manley here.

   On this day GW gave Crawford £8 15s. Pennsylvania currency to buy surveying instruments in Philadelphia and £57 Pennsylvania currency to survey and obtain rights to some tracts of land along the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers for him (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 316). Crawford later returned the £57 when doubt arose over whether those lands would be in Pennsylvania after the colony’s western boundary was established, but GW continued to be interested in the area for some time (William Crawford to GW, 5 May 1770, DLC:GW). That interest was apparently shared by Harrison Manley, on whose account GW today advanced Crawford £27 Virginia currency plus £10 Virginia currency for Lund Washington and £15 Pennsylvania currency for Samuel Washington (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 115, 313, 315).

24. Surveying the vacancy’s of waste Land by Mr. Triplet & straitning the Mill Race.

   GW had found there was a small parcel of unclaimed land between Harrison’s patent and Dogue Run, and he was now surveying it with the intention of obtaining a grant from Lord Fairfax and thus providing more room along the run to accommodate his new millrace and dams (grant of Lord Fairfax to GW, 4 Mar. 1771, Northern Neck Deeds and Grants, Book I, 187, Vi Microfilm).

25. At home all day. In the afternoon Messrs. B. Fairfax & Robt. & Philip Alexander came here.

26. Went a hunting with the above Gentln. & killd a fox after two hours chace. The two Mr. Triplets Peake &ca. were with us. T. Triplet & H. Manley dind he⟨re⟩.

27. Again went a hunting with the above Compy. but found no Fox. Mr. Geo. Alexander & Mr. Peake dind here with the other Compa.—as Mr. Ramsay did.

28. Went a huntg. again & killd a fox. All the Compy. went home from the field.

29. Running some Lines by Mr. Wm. Triplets all day.

30. At Home. The two Colo. Fairfax’s & Mrs. Fairfax dind here & returnd in the afternoon.

31. At home all day writing.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

Mar. 1st. Wind Northwardly. Cold & Cloudy with Snow every now and then.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Clear and tolerably pleasant, but a little Cool. Wind being rather fresh from the No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Cloudy Morning, then Snow, after that Snow and Rain mixd, and lastly constant Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Snow about 3 Inches deep. Weather clear. Wind Westwardly in the forenoon but calm warm and thawing afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Clear and pleasant with the wind at South.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Clear & calm in the Morning, with a Northwardly Wind afterwards but pleasant Notwithstanding.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Clear and very pleasant with the Wind still Southwardly. In the Afternoon the Wind fresh with appearances of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Lowering and very smoky all day. Wind very fresh from the Southward in the forenoon but quite calm afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Raining a little, and misting all the forenoon, which ceased in the Afternoon, but still kept cloudy. Wind variable but for the most part about North.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Cloudy Morning with but little Wind. Clear afternoon with the wind fresh at No. West & Cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Cloudy all day, & sometimes dropg. Rain. Wind being Eastwardly & fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Wind Eastwardly—from thence shifting to North & No. Wt. Constant Snow about abt. Sun rise till 12 or one Oclock then ceasing but cloudy & cold afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Wind blowing fresh & clear all day from the No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Ground hard froze and Morning Cool. Wind being fresh from the No. West. Afternoon being pleast. & little Wind—also clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. The Morning was fine, but the Wind and Weather was variable. Afterwards sometimes cloudy & then clear & sometimes calm & then the Wind woud be fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

 22. Wind at No. West and very hard. Snowd fast till abt. 9 or 10 Oclock then clear and cold. Wind still high.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Clear, and hard frost. Morning calm and pleasant but high & boisterous wind in the Afternoon from the No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Ground very hard froze. The morning again clear and calm but the Wind hard from the No. West after 9 Oclock.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Clear, calm, warm and pleasant in the Evening. The Wind blew pretty fresh from the Southward.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Very smoky. Calm and some appearance of Rain, but none fell till in the Night & not much then.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Close warm Morning, & Rain (tho not hard) about 10 or 11 Oclock. No. Wind and the Afternoon clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Clear & still Morning with some Wind in the Afternoon from the Westward.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Hazy but pleasant notwithstanding. Wind westwardly & fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Clear & pleasant with but little wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 March 1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Clear and pleasant with but little wind and that Southwardly.