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

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

2. Cloudy with a Mixture of Hail Rain & Snow, but not much of it.

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

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

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

6. Clear and pleasant with the wind at South.

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

8. Clear & pleasant with the Wind Southwardly.

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

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

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.

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

13. Ground hard froze—but the morning calm, clear and pleasant. The afternoon raw & cold with the Wind fresh from So. West & very cloudy. In the Night Snow abt. an Inch deep.

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

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.

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

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

18. Clear, warm & pleasant, there being but little Wind.

19. Cloudy all day—till Evening at least with much appearance of Rain in the Morning, but high Wind at No. West in the afternoon.

20. Clear & pleasant Morning with the Wind at South but lowering Afternoon & very cloudy Evening.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

30. Clear & pleasant with but little wind.

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


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

 26. Countess a hound Bitch after being confind sometime got loose and was lined before it was discovered by my Water dog once and a small foist looking yellow cur twice.


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

28. She was lined by Ranger a dog I had from Mr. Fairfax. I planted three french Walnuts in the New Garden, & on that side next the work House.


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

Apl. 1. Went to Pohick Church and returnd home to Dinner.


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

2. Rid to see Mr. Humphrey Peake who lay ill. Returnd to Dinner.


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

4. Rid to the Mill—Doeg Run and Muddy hole.


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

6. Went a hunting but found nothing. Returnd to Dinner.


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

7. Run round the Lines of the Land I bought of the Ashfords. In the Evening Doctr. Craik his Wife and daughter & Mr. Phil Fendall came here.


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

9. Major Wagener went away after breakfast. I rid to Muddy hole & from thence to the Mill.


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

10. Miss Polly Washington set of home. I rid to the Genl. Muster at Cameron.


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

12. Mr. West & I run and markd the Dividing Line between my Part & that of Spencer’s Tract at least began to do it but cd. not finish it.


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

14. Rid to the Mill & fishing Landg. at Poseys. Mr. Stedlar came in the afternoon and Mr. West & Mr. Adam went away in the Morng. before breakfast. Rid to the Mill & came home by the Fishery at Poseys, found Mr. Stedlar here; & in the Afternoon the Stone Masons came to go about my Mill.


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

16. Went up to Alexandria to Court & stayed all Night.


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

18. The above Gentlemen went away after breakfast. Patsy Custis, & Milly Posey went to Colo. Mason’s to the Dancing School. Mr. Magowan who I found here yesterday stayed. Mr. Ball & one of his People set in to Work today—as did the Mason’s to raising stone yesterday.


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

19. Mr. Magowan & Mr. Adam dind here. The Mason’s began to Dig the foundation of my Mill at 2/6 pr. day. I rid to the Mill & doeg Run.


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

20. Rid to see Mr. Peake who was Sick from thence to the Mill & home by Posey’s. Mr. Adams dind here.


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

21. Rid to where they were digging the foundation of my Mill and home again by the Millwright and the fishery at Poseys.


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

22. At home all day. Mr. Adam & Doctr. Rumney dined here and the latter lodged here also & Captn. Posey.


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

 25. The Doctr. went away after breakfast and I rid the same round. Colo. Robt. Fairfax calld here in the forenoon but did not stay dinner.


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

26. Rid my usual rounds before Dinner and the same after dinnr.


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

28. Rid to the Millwrights Mill, & to Mr. Peakes before dinner and to the fishery at Posey, & to the Mill again in the afternoon.


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

29. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney dined and lodged here & Mr. Matthw. Campbell lodged here.


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

30. The Doctr. stayed till after dinner and then returnd to Alexandria. I rid to the Mill & my usual rounds before dinner and to the Mill after Dinner.


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

Apl. 1. Went to Pohick Church and returnd home to Dinner.

2. Rid to see Mr. Humphrey Peake who lay ill. Returnd to Dinner.

3. Rid to see Mr. Peake again with Mrs. Washington. Returnd to Dinner.

4. Rid to the Mill—Doeg Run and Muddy hole.

5. Rid into the Neck and called to see Mr. Peake in my way.

6. Went a hunting but found nothing. Returnd to Dinner.

7. Run round the Lines of the Land I bought of the Ashfords. In the Evening Doctr. Craik his Wife and daughter & Mr. Phil Fendall came here.

   Dr. James Craik had married Mariamne Ewell (1740–1814), daughter of Charles Ewell of Prince William County, in Nov. 1760. Her mother, Sarah Ball Ewell, was a granddaughter of GW’s maternal grandfather, Joseph Ball. The Craiks eventually had nine children, of whom three were daughters: Nancy, Sarah, and Mariamne (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., 341–43).

   Philip Richard Fendall (1734-1805) was at this time a merchant and clerk of court in Charles County, Md. (md. archivesArchives of Maryland. 72 vols. Baltimore, 1883–1972., 62:280, 462). Son of Benjamin and Elinor Lee Fendall, he had married his cousin Sarah Lettice Lee, daughter of Squire Richard Lee of Blenheim, Charles County, Md. (lee [1]Cazenove Gardner Lee, Jr. Lee Chronicle: Studies of the Early Generations of the Lees of Virginia. Edited by Dorothy Mills Parker. New York, 1957., 108 n.20).

8. Major Wagener came here to Dinner, & the others went away after.

9. Major Wagener went away after breakfast. I rid to Muddy hole & from thence to the Mill.

10. Miss Polly Washington set of home. I rid to the Genl. Muster at Cameron.

   Polly Washington must be Mary Townshend Washington, who apparently continued at Mount Vernon after her father and the rest of her party left on 1 Mar. General musters of county militias during this period were held once a year in March or April. Because GW was a county magistrate and held no rank in the Fairfax militia, he was exempt by law from attending its musters (heningWilliam Waller Hening, ed. The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619. 13 vols. 1819–23. Reprint. Charlottesville, Va., 1969., 7:534, 8:242–45). He probably went to Cameron today to see friends or to conduct some business (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 314).

11. Rid to Doeg Run Qrs. & returnd to Dinner. Mr. John West came in the Afternoon.

12. Mr. West & I run and markd the Dividing Line between my Part & that of Spencer’s Tract at least began to do it but cd. not finish it.

   GW had long been frustrated in attempts to plot accurately the dividing line between the two halves of the Spencer-Washington grant, because about 1741 the northern boundary of the grant had been moved south nearly 200 rods to accommodate other grants (R. O. Brooke’s survey, c.1741, callahanCharles H. Callahan. Washington: The Man and the Mason. Washington, D.C., 1913., facing p. 3). Thus, GW did not know whether to run the line as if it were coming from the center of the original northern boundary as stipulated in the 1690 division or from the center of the revised boundary (survey and division by George Brent, 18 Sept. and 23 Dec. 1690, ViMtvL). In addition, many of the marking trees mentioned in the old surveys had disappeared or could not be found (survey by GW, 1–2 Oct. 1759, ViMtvL). Determined to establish at last the exact western boundary of the Mount Vernon tract, GW had invited John West, Jr., and Thomas Hanson Marshall, the two gentlemen who now owned the portions of the old Spencer tract lying on the line, to join him in making the survey begun today. Marshall declined to come, giving first his own illness and then his wife’s as his excuse, probably a legitimate one in the latter case, at least, because Mrs. Marshall died 5 Dec. 1770 (Marshall to GW, 8 and 11 April 1770, DLC:GW; geraldHerbert P. Gerald [annotator]. “Marshall Hall Burying Ground at Marshall Hall, Md.” Maryland Historical Magazine 24 (1929): 172–76., 173). None of the Spencer tract now remained in that family’s possession, Col. Nicholas Spencer’s grandson William having sold it in various parcels 1738–39. Those besides West and Marshall who now owned parts of the tract were Daniel French, Harrison Manley, the Wade sisters, and GW.

13. We finished to day what we began yesterday & he and Mr. Robt. Adam dined and lodged here.

   GW and West probably decided to use Brent’s original dividing line, running it as accurately as possible, because West’s and Marshall’s tracts had been bought from William Spencer before the northern boundary had been changed (deed of Spencer to George Harrison, 25–26 May 1739, Prince William County Deeds, Book D, 94–100, Vi Microfilm; deed of Spencer to Thomas Marshall, 20–21 Nov. 1739, Prince William County Deeds, Book D, 289–94, Vi Microfilm).

14. Rid to the Mill & fishing Landg. at Poseys. Mr. Stedlar came in the afternoon and Mr. West & Mr. Adam went away in the Morng. before breakfast.
Rid to the Mill & came home by the Fishery at Poseys, found Mr. Stedlar here; & in the Afternoon the Stone Masons came to go about my Mill.

   stone masons: See “Remarks” entry for 14 April 1770.

15. At home all day. Mr. Grayson came here in the Afternoon.

   William Grayson had brought suit in Fairfax County court against John Ballendine for recovery of a debt, and the case was to be heard on the following day along with several similar cases involving creditors of Ballendine (Fairfax County Order Book for 1770–72, 4, Vi Microfilm).

16. Went up to Alexandria to Court & stayed all Night.

   The court met 16–17 April. On this day John Ballendine, having been convicted in several cases of debt and being insolvent, was committed to the county jail. After staying there for 20 days, he could, according to law, be released by a warrant from two or more justices, and his creditors could then sue to have his property seized and sold for their benefit (Fairfax County Order Book for 1770–72, 1–15, Vi Microfilm; heningWilliam Waller Hening, ed. The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619. 13 vols. 1819–23. Reprint. Charlottesville, Va., 1969., 8:329).

17. Returnd home in the Afternoon with Mr. Josh. Gallaway, & Colo. R. Lee.

   In court today Thomas Montgomerie of Dumfries had recorded a letter from Margaret Savage which granted him power of attorney in her affairs (Fairfax County Order Book for 1770–72, 15, Vi Microfilm). Mrs. Savage’s husband had apparently coerced or coaxed her into taking this step, which put her trustees, GW and Bryan Fairfax, in the awkward position of having to demand payment of her annuity from Montgomerie as Dr. Savage’s agent and then giving the money to him as Mrs. Savage’s legal representative. Knowing that Montgomerie had no obligation to send Mrs. Savage her money, GW and Fairfax tried to postpone dealing with him until they could get some clarification of the matter from Mrs. Savage (GW to Bryan Fairfax, 12 Dec. 1770; GW to Margaret Savage, 5 Sept. 1771; and Margaret Savage to GW, 19 Aug. 1772, DLC:GW).

   Joseph Galloway (c.1731–1803) of Philadelphia was a rich and powerful lawyer with scholarly tastes. At this time he was Speaker of the Pennsylvania

Assembly and vice-president of the American Philosophical Society. He also had a great interest in western lands and was a member of the Grand Ohio Company, commonly known as the Walpole Company.

18. The above Gentlemen went away after breakfast. Patsy Custis, & Milly Posey went to Colo. Mason’s to the Dancing School. Mr. Magowan who I found here yesterday stayed. Mr. Ball & one of his People set in to Work today—as did the Mason’s to raising stone yesterday.

   GW today paid Francis Christian £2 to admit Patsy and Milly to his school (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 314). Christian’s dancing classes often lasted several days in each home, and the days were usually long. In a class which he held in Westmoreland County in 1773, “the Scholars” began soon after breakfast by having “their Lesson singly round.” Then, “there were several Minuets danced with great ease and propriety; after which the whole company Joined in country-dances.” The class continued until 7:30 P.M. with breaks for dinner and candle lighting. Christian was observed to be “punctual, and rigid in his discipline, so strict indeed that he struck two of the young Misses for a fault in the course of their performance” (fithianHunter Dickinson Farish, ed. Journal & Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian, 1773–1774: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion. Williamsburg, Va., 1943., 44–45).

   mr. ball: see “Remarks” for 16 and 18 April 1770.

19. Mr. Magowan & Mr. Adam dind here. The Mason’s began to Dig the foundation of my Mill at 2/6 pr. day. I rid to the Mill & doeg Run.

20. Rid to see Mr. Peake who was Sick from thence to the Mill & home by Posey’s. Mr. Adams dind here.

21. Rid to where they were digging the foundation of my Mill and home again by the Millwright and the fishery at Poseys.

22. At home all day. Mr. Adam & Doctr. Rumney dined here and the latter lodged here also & Captn. Posey.

23. Rid to see Mr. Peake, from thence to Muddy hole & Doeg Run to the Mill & then home by the fishg. Landing. Mr. Adam dined and lodgd here. Captn. Posey also lodgd here.

   Although the strip of land on which Posey’s house and ferry were located was still involved in the court suit of John West, Jr., GW today agreed to rent it from Posey for £10 a year (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 256). Posey apparently moved to Queenstown on the Eastern Shore of Maryland some time during the next year (John Posey to GW, 25 May 1771, DLC:GW).

24. Went the same Round as yesterday. Captn. McCarty & Captn. Posey dined here & the Doctr. lodgd here.

25. The Doctr. went away after breakfast and I rid the same round. Colo. Robt. Fairfax calld here in the forenoon but did not stay dinner.

26. Rid my usual rounds before Dinner and the same after dinnr.

27. Went to Belvoir—dined and returnd afterwards.

28. Rid to the Millwrights Mill, & to Mr. Peakes before dinner and to the fishery at Posey, & to the Mill again in the afternoon.

29. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney dined and lodged here & Mr. Matthw. Campbell lodged here.

30. The Doctr. stayed till after dinner and then returnd to Alexandria. I rid to the Mill & my usual rounds before dinner and to the Mill after Dinner.


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

2. This Morning the Snow was an Inch or two deep & continued Snowing (fine Snow) all day with the Wind Northwardly & cold but the Snow did not Increase much in depth.


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

3. Clear and very cold, the Wind blowing hard at No. West notwithstanding wch. the Snow was almost wholely gone before Night.


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

4. The Ground froze very hard. The Weather clear and exceeding cold. The Wind blowing fresh at No. West.


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

5. Wind still Westwardly & cool, but not equal to the former days.


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

6. Warm and pleasant, tho the Wind was still Westwardly and fresh.


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

7. Cool. Wind blowing fresh at No. West. Weather clear.


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

 8. Lowering & much like Snow. Wind blowing cold & Raw from the No. & N. Et.


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

9. Cold & disagreeable Wind blowing fresh from the No. West again.


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

10. Just such a day as yesterday but if anything colder.


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

11. Wind still in the same place but not so cold as yesterday.


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

12. Wind at So. West and Weather warmer than the preceeding days.


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

13. Wind at South, the day very hot & sultry—with thunder, lightning & a Shower of Rain about three oclock.


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

14. Cooler than yesterday & lowering with the Wind abt. No. Et. In the Afternoon it began Raining & continued to do so more or less through the Night.


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

15. Misty & lowering all day with but little Wind & that from the Southward.


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

16. Lowering Morning but clear & Warm afterwards, the Wind being southwardly.


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

17. Also warm, notwithstanding the Wind was westwardly & varying to the North and blowing very fresh.


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

18. Cold & Raw all day. Wind Eastwardly in the Morning & Southwardly afterwards—much like Rain.


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

19. Clear & pleasant weather turning warm again.


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

20. Clear & warm in the forenoon—it being still. But cooler in the Afternoon. Wind being tolerably fresh from the Eastward.


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

21. Warm and still all the day till the Afternoon, then a floury of wind which soon subsided.


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

22. Very warm and still with some appearances of Rain.


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

23. Very warm in the forenoon clear and still with severe wind & some Rain from the No. West just at Night.


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

 24. Wind at No. West & cool compard with the preceeding days.


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

26. Something warmer than yesterday but rather cool still. Wind fresh from the Southeast & cloudy in the afternoon.


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

28. Morning Calm, clear and pleast. Afterwards cool & windy from the Northwest.


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

29. High Wind from the Northwest all day, & cold.


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

30. Wind in the same place and very cold & hard. A smart frost this morning.


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

9th. Finished listing Ground for Corn at Muddy hole. The Hound Bitch Singer was lind by Jowler.


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

11. The Bitch Truelove was lined twice by Ringwood. She had been frequently shut up with forrister—but it is thought he never lined her.


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

13. Forrister was seen lined to Truelove. Began my Fishery at Poseys for Mr. Robt. Adam.


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

16. Mr. Ball the Millwright and one of his People came here to work.


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

17. Hull & his Partner began to raise stone.


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

18. Ball and his Apprentice set abt. the shaft for the Mill &ca. Jowler lined Singer & Ringwood Truelove again.


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

19. The Mason’s went to digging the foundation of my Mill at 2/6 pr. day. Jowler lined Singer & Forrister lined truelove.


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

21. Richd. Talbot & one other of Ball’s hands came here in the Afternoon.


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

23. Began to Plant Corn in the Neck—at Muddy hole, and at Doeg Run. Mr. Ball, Talbot & Grinnel were levalling the Mill Race. His other hand went for their Tools to Cameron. T. Ball came this Aftern. Thomas Bird set to work on the foundation of the Mill at 1/3 pr. day.


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

27. As it Raind from abt. 3 or 4 Oclock in the Afternoon I presume work was stoped by the Millwrights and Masons.


Title: Remarks & Occurrances in Apl. [1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

9th. Finished listing Ground for Corn at Muddy hole. The Hound Bitch Singer was lind by Jowler.

11. The Bitch Truelove was lined twice by Ringwood. She had been frequently shut up with forrister—but it is thought he never lined her.

13. Forrister was seen lined to Truelove. Began my Fishery at Poseys for Mr. Robt. Adam.

14. She was again lined by Ringwood and Singer I saw lined by Jowler.
This day I began to draw the Water of my Meadow by breaking the Dam or stop that confind it.
Hull & the other Stone Mason came here to set about my Mill—but did not began work till the 17th.

   GW is having his old millpond drained. John Hull was paid £31 15s. 1d. in September for work done on the new mill, which probably included wages for both stonemasons between April and September. Hull’s partner could be Joseph Goart, who continued doing occasional work for GW through the spring of the next year (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 320, 333, 340).

15. Singer was again lined by Jowler & Truelover by Ringwood.

16. Mr. Ball the Millwright and one of his People came here to work.

   Ball at one time or another had five of his own men working on the mill: Thomas Ball for 38½ days, Richard Talbott for 31 days, John Grinstead for 24½ days, Reason Porter for 19½ days, and Edward Todd for 9 days. The helper who came this day was probably Grinstead, Porter, or Todd. Ball himself worked for 38 days on the mill (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 324).

17. Hull & his Partner began to raise stone.

18. Ball and his Apprentice set abt. the shaft for the Mill &ca. Jowler lined Singer & Ringwood Truelove again.

   The shaft was the large wooden axle on which the waterwheel was to turn.

19. The Mason’s went to digging the foundation of my Mill at 2/6 pr. day. Jowler lined Singer & Forrister lined truelove.

20. Jowler again lined Singer.

21. Richd. Talbot & one other of Ball’s hands came here in the Afternoon.

23. Began to Plant Corn in the Neck—at Muddy hole, and at Doeg Run.
Mr. Ball, Talbot & Grinnel were levalling the Mill Race. His other hand went for their Tools to Cameron. T. Ball came this Aftern.
Thomas Bird set to work on the foundation of the Mill at 1/3 pr. day.

   grinnel: This name does not appear in GW’s ledger for this year and may be a garbling of the last name of Ball’s helper, John Grinstead. t. ball: The John Ball who settled in Fauquier County in 1771 had a younger brother Thomas (snoddyMrs. Allen B. Snoddy. “Ball Notes.” Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 23 (1915): 308–9., 308; see main entry for 30 Dec. 1769).

   Thomas Byrd was paid £1 1s. 3d. in May for his work at the mill, and during the summer he received £3 15s. 6d. more for helping to harvest GW’s wheat (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 321).

26. He began to work on my Mill Race at 1/3 pr. Rod & to find himself and Sciagusta a prisoner from the Indians came here, and began to work with my People.

   Work on the millrace began near the mill, and during the next year it progressed slowly north toward Piney Branch and the upper part of Dogue

   Run. The race was dug several feet into the ground along its two-mile route, except where occasional low-lying areas had to be crossed. In those places earth embankments were raised to keep the water at a constant level, thus preventing any great lowering of the head of water at the mill. The sides of the race were probably supported by timber in both the banked and excavated sections (Lund Washington to GW, 2 Sept. 1778, ViMtvL). to find himself means that Byrd was to supply his own food. “Sciagusta did not work long, as he received but three shillings for his services” (Fitzpatrick, DiariesJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Diaries of George Washington, 1748–1799. 4 vols. Boston and New York, 1925., 1:376 n.1; General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 314). Other ditchers hired during the next two weeks to work on the millrace would prove to be no more eager to stick to this backbreaking task.

27. As it Raind from abt. 3 or 4 Oclock in the Afternoon I presume work was stoped by the Millwrights and Masons.

28. Clevelands Waggon & Team began to Work for me at  pr. day.
Reason—one of Balls Men did no work by a Boyl under his Arm.

   James Cleveland’s wagon and team worked ten days at 10s. a day between this date and 9 May. GW had also employed them on 19 and 20 April at 12s. 6d. a day, and on 15 April they had carried two loads for him at 1s. 6d. a load (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 312).

29. Coxe Rice came to Work at the rate of 30/. pr. Month & Victuals found him.
Reason Porter went to work again today.

   Rice, who may have been hired to help with the mill, was to receive his meals as well as wages for his work, but it is apparent, as he is not mentioned in GW’s ledger, that he quit before earning any money.


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

May 1st. Rid in the forenoon to where the Millwrights & Masons were at Work—also the Ditchers & the fish Landing at Poseys. In the afternoon rid to the Mill only. Mrs. W. Washington & her youngest Child & Mrs. Bushrod & Katy Washington came in the Eveng.


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

 2. Mrs. Washington went to Belvoir & Mrs. Bushrod continued here. I rid to the Mill and Ditcher[s] in the forenoon, and afternoon.


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

4. Rid to the Masons & Ditchers before dinner.


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

6. At home all day. Colo. Robt. Fairfax Mrs. Fairfax Mrs. W. Washington & the two Miss Carlyles came from Belvoir & dined here. Colo. Fairfax Mrs. Fairfax & Nancy Carlyle returnd after dinr. Mrs. W. & Sally stayed.


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

8. Went the same rounds again and promised the ditchers 18d. a Rod if they woud be brisk and stick to it. Miss Betty Ramsay & Milly Hunter also Anthy. Ramsay came here today. The latter returnd after dinner. The others stayed.


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

9. Mr. Christian danced here—⟨who⟩ (besides his Scholars, and those already mentioned to be here) Mrs. Peake & Niece Mr. Massey—Mr. Piper & Mr. Adams dined here.


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

10. Rid to the Mill. Mr. Christian & some of his scholars went away this afternoon. Mrs. W——n & Mrs. B[ushrod] went to B[elvoir].


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

13. Went to Church with all the Compy. here. Dind at Belvoir & returnd in the Afternoon.


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

15. Rid to the Ditchers & Mill before Dinner—at home afterwards.


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

16. Rid by Muddy hole to the Mill and to the Ditchers & came home by Poseys.


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

17. Rid to the Mill and Ditchers again.


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

18. Did the same. Returnd to Dinner with Mr. Ross. Found Mr. Ramsay there. Went in the Afternoon to McCartys Sale of Poseys Effects. He & Mr. Ramsay returnd with me & lodgd.


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

19. Set of for Williamsburg—dind at Dumfries—calld at My Mothers and lodgd at Colo. Lewis’s in Fredericksbg.


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

20. Breakfasted at Mr. Bouchers—dind at Coleman’s & lodgd at Todds bridge.


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

21. Breakfasted at King Wm. Ct. House & dind & lodgd at Eltham.


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

22. Reached Williamsburg to Breakfast & dined at the Club at Mrs. Campb[ells] and supped at the Raleigh.


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

23. Dined at Mrs. Dawson’s and spent the Evening in my own Room.


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

 24. Dined at the Treasurers, & spent the Evening in my own Room.


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

25. Dined at the Palace & attended a Committee of the Association at Hayes. Spent the Eveng. there.


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

26. Took a Snack at Mrs. Dawson’s & went up to Eltham in the Afternn.


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

27. At Eltham all day.


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

28. Returnd to Williamsburg by 9 Oclock. Dined at the Speakers and attended a Committee of the Associn. at Hayes till 11 Oclock.


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

29. Dined at Mrs. Dawson’s and spent the Evening in my own Room.


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

30. Dined at the Club and spent the Eveng. in my own Room.


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

31. Dined at the Attorneys and attended a Committee of the Association at Hayes till One Oclock.


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

May 1st. Rid in the forenoon to where the Millwrights & Masons were at Work—also the Ditchers & the fish Landing at Poseys. In the afternoon rid to the Mill only. Mrs. W. Washington & her youngest Child & Mrs. Bushrod & Katy Washington came in the Eveng.

   Mrs. Warner Washington’s youngest child at this time was Catharine Washington (b. 1769). katy washington: Catherine Washington, daughter of the deceased Henry Washington of Middlesex County and niece of Mrs. Mildred Bushrod.

2. Mrs. Washington went to Belvoir & Mrs. Bushrod continued here. I rid to the Mill and Ditcher[s] in the forenoon, and afternoon.

3. Went the above rounds before dinner—but did not go out afterwards.

4. Rid to the Masons & Ditchers before dinner.

5. Rid to the Mill Rights—Masons & Ditchers before dinner, & to Doeg Run Qr.

6. At home all day. Colo. Robt. Fairfax Mrs. Fairfax Mrs. W. Washington & the two Miss Carlyles came from Belvoir & dined here. Colo. Fairfax Mrs. Fairfax & Nancy Carlyle returnd after dinr. Mrs. W. & Sally stayed.

7. Rid to the Mill ditchers, &ca. before dinner & to the Mill afterwards.

8. Went the same rounds again and promised the ditchers 18d. a Rod if they woud be brisk and stick to it.
Miss Betty Ramsay & Milly Hunter also Anthy. Ramsay came here today. The latter returnd after dinner. The others stayed.

   For GW’s difficulties with the ditchers, see “Remarks” entries for 1–8 May 1770.

   Amelia Hunter, a daughter of the Alexandria physician John Hunter and his wife Elizabeth, married a Mr. Terrett sometime before May 1776 (will of John Hunter, 10 June 1763, Fairfax County Wills, Book B–1, 364–65, Vi Microfilm; will of George Hunter, 17 May 1776, Fairfax County Wills, Book C–1, 257–58, Vi Microfilm). Anthony Ramsay of Alexandria was a lawyer who had been admitted to the bar of the Fairfax County court 19 Feb. 1770 (Fairfax County Order Book for 1768–70, 286, Vi Microfilm). Young Ramsay, the eldest son of William Ramsay, died during the winter of 1772–73.

9. Mr. Christian danced here—⟨who⟩ (besides his Scholars, and those already mentioned to be here) Mrs. Peake & Niece Mr. Massey—Mr. Piper & Mr. Adams dined here.

   Mrs. Humphrey Peake’s sister, Sarah Stonestreet, married Richard Edelen of Maryland; the niece is probably a daughter of that marriage, possibly Frances Edelin (see main entry for 28 Dec. 1771).

   Rev. Lee Massey (1732–1814), rector of Truro Parish 1767–77, lived at this time on the Occoquan with his first wife, Mary Johnston Massey, daughter of George and Sarah McCarty Johnston of Alexandria (will of Mary Johnston, 20 Nov. 1769, Fairfax County Wills, Book C–1, 73, Vi Microfilm; Mason

Family Bible, mason [2]Robert A. Rutland, ed. The Papers of George Mason, 1725–1792. 3 vols. Chapel Hill, N.C., 1970., 1:480–81). After her death he married a Miss Burwell, who soon died also; he then married Elizabeth Bronaugh of Prince William County (meade [1][William] Meade. Old Churches, Ministers and Families of Virginia. 2 vols. Philadelphia, 1857., 2:239–40). A lawyer in early life, Massey had been chosen successor to Rev. Charles Green by the Truro vestrymen in Feb. 1766 and had been sent to England for ordination, officially becoming rector the next February (Truro Vestry Book, 110, 119, DLC).

10. Rid to the Mill. Mr. Christian & some of his scholars went away this afternoon. Mrs. W——n & Mrs. B[ushrod] went to B[elvoir].

11. The rest of the Scholars went away after breakfast. Mrs. Washn. & Mr. W. Washington came this Afternoon. Mr. Semple who came last Night went away after Bt. I rid to the Mill &ca. before & after Dinner.

12. At home all day. Mr. Stedlar here. Mr. & Mrs. Washington & Mrs. Bushrod went to Colchester & returnd in the Afternn.

13. Went to Church with all the Compy. here. Dind at Belvoir & returnd in the Afternoon.

14. Rid to Muddy hole to my Ditchers & the Mill. Mr. Washington wife & Child & Mrs. Bushrod &ca. went away.

15. Rid to the Ditchers & Mill before Dinner—at home afterwards.

16. Rid by Muddy hole to the Mill and to the Ditchers & came home by Poseys.

17. Rid to the Mill and Ditchers again.

18. Did the same. Returnd to Dinner with Mr. Ross. Found Mr. Ramsay there. Went in the Afternoon to McCartys Sale of Poseys Effects. He & Mr. Ramsay returnd with me & lodgd.

   Daniel McCarty and Bryan Fairfax had given special bail for John Posey in several suits decided against him during Feb. 1770 (Fairfax County Order Book for 1768–70, 234–35, 305–14, Vi Microfilm).

19. Set of for Williamsburg—dind at Dumfries—calld at My Mothers and lodgd at Colo. Lewis’s in Fredericksbg.

   The burgesses were to begin meeting again on 21 May. Before GW left home, he gave Lund Washington, who was to be in charge of his business at Mount

Vernon while he was gone, £30 in cash to be accounted for (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 313, 314).

20. Breakfasted at Mr. Bouchers—dind at Coleman’s & lodgd at Todds bridge.

   Jonathan Boucher had been trying for several years to obtain the rectorate of St. Anne’s Parish in Annapolis, Md., which offered a better livelihood than he had in Caroline County. Now, through the influence of Rev. Henry Addison, he was near to achieving that aim. At breakfast on this day, he and GW apparently discussed the matter and agreed that, if the move was made, Jacky would go to Annapolis also and continue his schooling under Boucher there, provided that Mrs. Washington approved. But GW was unwilling to agree with the tutor on another point. Boucher had been recently urging the Washingtons to allow him to take Jacky on an extended tour of Europe beginning about 1772. GW did not dispute the educational advantages of such a tour, but he was concerned that its cost would be more than Jacky’s estate could afford. Any decision about the trip, he told Boucher, would have to wait until he consulted friends in Williamsburg (Boucher to GW, 9 and 21 May 1770, DLC:GW; GW to Boucher, 2–9 June 1770, NN).

   This Coleman tavern was probably at Bowling Green, on the main road from Fredericksburg to Williamsburg, about three miles from Caroline Court House (see main entry for 25 June 1770 and Va. Gaz., R, 19 Oct. 1769). The Bowling Green tavern was owned by John Hoomes (d. 1805), “a very wealthy person” who was now living in Sussex County (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., 2:98, 176). He had advertised the tavern for lease during the previous October, and apparently a member of the local Coleman family, possibly Francis Coleman of Caroline Court House, had taken it over and had opened it since GW’s last trip to Williamsburg, when he had eaten at the Court House (Va. Gaz., R, 19 Oct. 1769). GW and most other travelers through this area preferred to stop at Bowling Green when the tavern there was open, because going to the Court House required a side trip of several miles.

21. Breakfasted at King Wm. Ct. House & dind & lodgd at Eltham.

   GW today spent 3s. at Ruffin’s ferry and somewhere on his route bought a pair of shoes costing 6s. for the mulatto manservant, Billy, who accompanied him (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 314).

22. Reached Williamsburg to Breakfast & dined at the Club at Mrs. Campb[ells] and supped at the Raleigh.

   GW lodged at Mrs. Campbell’s tavern for his stay in town. The House of Burgesses, which had convened the previous day as scheduled, dealt mostly with private bills during this session and transacted relatively “little business of a public nature” (GW to George W. Fairfax, 27 June 1770, IaDmSR).

23. Dined at Mrs. Dawson’s and spent the Evening in my own Room.

24. Dined at the Treasurers, & spent the Evening in my own Room.

   Between this date and 29 May, GW bought four play tickets for 30s.; clubbed twice at the Raleigh, purchased a vial of red ink costing 1s. 3d., and paid 2s. for postage and coffee (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 314).

25. Dined at the Palace & attended a Committee of the Association at Hayes. Spent the Eveng. there.

   A general meeting of the Virginia nonimportation association had been held in Williamsburg 22 May, and a committee of 20 gentlemen, including GW, had been appointed to revise the agreement that the associators had signed the previous year (Va. Gaz., R, 3 May 1770; carter [3]Jack P. Greene, ed. The Diary of Colonel Landon Carter of Sabine Hall, 1752–1778. 2 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1965., 1:418). Changes were needed, it was generally agreed, because the agreement was causing much confusion and dissatisfaction in the colony and there were many violations of its terms by Virginians. Men in some of the other colonies were complaining that “if some prudent steps are not taken to regulate importation, in a short time Virginia will be remarkable, only, for resolving” (Va. Gaz., P&D, 14 June 1770, supp.). However, the members of the committee were deeply divided in opinion about how the nonimportation agreement should be changed. Some members, led by Treasurer Robert Carter Nicholas and Edmund Pendleton, wanted to moderate or abolish it as a gesture of compromise to Parliament for repealing all the disputed taxes except the one on tea. Other members insisted there could be no compromise of principle as long as the tea tax remained, and they favored strengthening the association’s agreement with stricter terms and stricter means of enforcement (carter [3]Jack P. Greene, ed. The Diary of Colonel Landon Carter of Sabine Hall, 1752–1778. 2 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1965., 1:418). GW seems to have agreed with this last viewpoint, but he was willing to relax the association in order to obtain a more general adherence to it (GW to Jonathan Boucher, 30 July 1770, IEN; GW to Robert Cary & Co., 20 Aug. 1770, DLC:GW).

26. Took a Snack at Mrs. Dawson’s & went up to Eltham in the Afternn.

   The House of Burgesses adjourned after today’s meeting until 11:00 A.M. Monday, 28 May (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 20).

27. At Eltham all day.

28. Returnd to Williamsburg by 9 Oclock. Dined at the Speakers and attended a Committee of the Associn. at Hayes till 11 Oclock.

29. Dined at Mrs. Dawson’s and spent the Evening in my own Room.

30. Dined at the Club and spent the Eveng. in my own Room.

   GW today paid £1 10s. to Col. John Henry (d. 1773), father of Patrick Henry, for a copy of his map of Virginia which had been published the previous February by Thomas Jefferys of London.

31. Dined at the Attorneys and attended a Committee of the Association at Hayes till One Oclock.


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

May 1st. A hard frost which destroyd all the Peaches &ca. from the Water. Wind still at No. Wt. & West but neither so cold nor hard as the two preceeding days.


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

3. Wind fresh and cool from the So. West—which shifted to the So. Et. and East, & began to Rain briskly abt. Sunset attended with thunder & Lightg.


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

4. Very Cloudy, Misty & sometimes raining. Wind pretty fresh from the Northwest & cool.


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

5. Cloudy in the forenoon, & cool. Wind being at No. West—but clear and warm afterwards with but little Wind.


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

6. More moderate & pleasant in the forenoon—but cool & windy in the Evening—also Cloudy.


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

9. Raining more or less all day with the wind fresh and variable.


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

 11. Cloudy & sometimes Misty in the Afternoon. The forenoon clear & wind at No. West but variable.


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

12. Cloudy & sometimes Misting in the Morning but clear and pleasant afterwards.


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

14. Very like for Rain in the Morning but cleard afterwards. Wind fresh all day from the East and cool—especially towards Night.


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

15. A Lowery cloudy Morning but clear afternoon & tolerably warm.


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

17. Misty kind of Morning but clear warm and calm afterwards.


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

18. Clear and Warm in the forenoon with but little Wind which howevr. after a little sprinkle came out violent from the No. West & contd. so all the Afternoon.


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

19. Clear & cool till abt. Noon. Wind blowg. fresh from No. West—then calm and warm. Eveng. still cool.


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

20. Morning & Evening Cool. Mid day warm—there being but little Wd.


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

21. Still & Calm forenoon Wind pretty fresh from the Eastward afterwards.


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

22. Clear and rather Cool Wind being fresh from the westward.


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

24. Warm with some appears. of Rain of which a little fell in the Night.


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

25. Very warm. Wind being Southwardly—a little Rain in the Morning.


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

28. Lowering kind of a Morning but clear afterwards & cool all day.


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

29. Not as cool as yesterday. Wind variable with appearances of Rain.


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

30. Wind Eastwardly. Cool and cloudy with Rain towards Night which continued all Night.


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

31. Raining more or less all day with the wind westwardly.


Title: Acct. of the Wheather in May [1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

May 1st. A hard frost which destroyd all the Peaches &ca. from the Water. Wind still at No. Wt. & West but neither so cold nor hard as the two preceeding days.

2. Calm and tolerably pleasant again altho the Morning was cool.

3. Wind fresh and cool from the So. West—which shifted to the So. Et. and East, & began to Rain briskly abt. Sunset attended with thunder & Lightg.

4. Very Cloudy, Misty & sometimes raining. Wind pretty fresh from the Northwest & cool.

5. Cloudy in the forenoon, & cool. Wind being at No. West—but clear and warm afterwards with but little Wind.

6. More moderate & pleasant in the forenoon—but cool & windy in the Evening—also Cloudy.

7. Cool in the Morning but Hot afterwards with appearances of Rain.

8. Very warm & clear in the forenoon with but little Wind—but a severe Gust of wind & Rain in the Afternn. from the So. West—which moderated abt. dark.

9. Raining more or less all day with the wind fresh and variable.

10. Drizzling several times with the Wind westwardly but not so cool as yesterday.

11. Cloudy & sometimes Misty in the Afternoon. The forenoon clear & wind at No. West but variable.

12. Cloudy & sometimes Misting in the Morning but clear and pleasant afterwards.

13. Clear and very warm with but little Wind and that Southwardly.

14. Very like for Rain in the Morning but cleard afterwards. Wind fresh all day from the East and cool—especially towards Night.

15. A Lowery cloudy Morning but clear afternoon & tolerably warm.

16. Much such a day as yesterday, but a good deal warmer.

17. Misty kind of Morning but clear warm and calm afterwards.

18. Clear and Warm in the forenoon with but little Wind which howevr. after a little sprinkle came out violent from the No. West & contd. so all the Afternoon.

19. Clear & cool till abt. Noon. Wind blowg. fresh from No. West—then calm and warm. Eveng. still cool.

20. Morning & Evening Cool. Mid day warm—there being but little Wd.

21. Still & Calm forenoon Wind pretty fresh from the Eastward afterwards.

22. Clear and rather Cool Wind being fresh from the westward.

23. Clear and still cool for the Season notwithstanding the wind was Southwardly.

24. Warm with some appears. of Rain of which a little fell in the Night.

25. Very warm. Wind being Southwardly—a little Rain in the Morning.

26. Wind very fast from the Westwd. all day and towards Evening Cool with appearances of Rain but none fell.

27. Cool and clear all day. Wind being still to the westward.

28. Lowering kind of a Morning but clear afterwards & cool all day.

29. Not as cool as yesterday. Wind variable with appearances of Rain.

30. Wind Eastwardly. Cool and cloudy with Rain towards Night which continued all Night.

31. Raining more or less all day with the wind westwardly.


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

May 1st. John Harvey went to Ditchg. on my Mill Race at 1/3 pr. Rod.


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

2. The Mason’s went to laying Stone in the walls of the water Pit (dry Stone). Mr. Flemings ship Carpenter finishd his work here and returnd home havg. been employd 31¼ days. Went to Flatting Sand &ca. round to the mill. Carrd a Load of sand this day.


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

4. Began to flat Stone round—as also to carry wood round for burning Lyme. William Crook began to Work on my Mill Race on the same terms above mentioned.


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

5. Richard Talbot, one of Mr. Balls hands was absent from work. John Harvey was also absent from his ditching. Finished Planting Corn at Doeg Run Plantation this day—viz the 5th. Richd. Talbot was not at work but went up to Alexandria.


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

7. Got the Battoe, & the two Boats round to the Mill with stone. William Crook nor Thoms. Emmerson were at work on the Mill Race today.


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

8. Neither of the above Persons were at work on the Race today. But Abel Cellicoe and one of his Sons set into ditching on the Race. Finished Planting of Corn in the Neck this day. Got two Boats load of Lime, Wood & one of Stone to the Mill—but the Battoe was stopd by Wind.


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

9. Dischargd Clevelands Waggon. Ball & his People Went about 12 Oclock to Framing the Mill Work.


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

10. Mr. Christian went away this afternoon. I rid to the Mill.


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

11. Eight hands were at work upon dry Mill Race today.


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

12. Seven hands were at Work this day upon my Mill Race.


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

14. Ten or Eleven hands were at Work to day.


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

17. 10 hands at work to day. The H⟨oist⟩ frame & Mill beam were put up to day. Began also to raise Scaffolds for the Masons this day.


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

18th. Mr. Ball & his People went into the Woods again to get Scantling to carry on his work there not being sufft. for that purpose.


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

19. Set of for Williamsburg to the Assembly.


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

May 1st. John Harvey went to Ditchg. on my Mill Race at 1/3 pr. Rod.

   Harvey settled 12 Aug. 1770 for £1 in return for his labor for GW (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 288).

2. The Mason’s went to laying Stone in the walls of the water Pit (dry Stone). Mr. Flemings ship Carpenter finishd his work here and returnd home havg. been employd 31¼ days. Went to Flatting Sand &ca. round to the mill. Carrd a Load of sand this day.

   The water pit was the trough in which the new mill’s waterwheel was to turn. dry stone: The stones in the pit were fitted together without mortar. The ship carpenter was an indentured servant of Thomas Fleming (d. 1786), shipwright formerly of Annapolis and now of Alexandria. During the past several weeks, Fleming’s carpenter had sheathed the bottom of GW’s schooner and had made needed repairs (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 135, 314; General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 10). flatting sand &ca.: GW had materials needed by the stonemasons brought by flatboat up Dogue Creek to the site of the new mill. The sand was to be mixed with lime and water to form mortar needed to build the exterior walls of the mill.

3. Thomas Emmerson set into ditchg. on my Mill Race on the same terms as above that is 1/3 pr. Rod & finding himself. Finished planting Corn at Muddy hole Plantation.

   Thomas Emmison had been hired by Lund Washington in 1764 to work on a mill then being built, apparently under Lund’s general supervision, for

William Fitzhugh of Chatham, Stafford County (Lund Washington’s account book, 1762–85, MdAN). Lund was probably also responsible for engaging Emmison to help dig GW’s millrace, but Emmison, like Coxe Rice, must have done little or no work for GW; he, too, is not mentioned in GW’s ledger.

4. Began to flat Stone round—as also to carry wood round for burning Lyme. William Crook began to Work on my Mill Race on the same terms above mentioned.

   Freestone from George William Fairfax’s quarries and firewood for GW’s limekiln are now being brought upstream by the flatboats. GW had oyster shells burned in the kiln to produce lime for making mortar. William Crook was another ditcher who apparently did not stick to his task long enough to justify an entry for payment in GW’s ledger.

5. Richard Talbot, one of Mr. Balls hands was absent from work. John Harvey was also absent from his ditching. Finished Planting Corn at Doeg Run Plantation this day—viz the 5th. Richd. Talbot was not at work but went up to Alexandria.

7. Got the Battoe, & the two Boats round to the Mill with stone. William Crook nor Thoms. Emmerson were at work on the Mill Race today.

8. Neither of the above Persons were at work on the Race today. But Abel Cellicoe and one of his Sons set into ditching on the Race. Finished Planting of Corn in the Neck this day. Got two Boats load of Lime, Wood & one of Stone to the Mill—but the Battoe was stopd by Wind.

   Abel Callico had worked for Lund Washington on Fitzhugh’s mill in 1764, but neither he nor his son proved to be of much help in digging GW’s millrace, as they also failed to merit any pay (Lund Washington’s account book, 1762–85, 36, MdAN).

9. Dischargd Clevelands Waggon. Ball & his People Went about 12 Oclock to Framing the Mill Work.

10. Mr. Christian went away this afternoon. I rid to the Mill.

11. Eight hands were at work upon dry Mill Race today.

   GW had given up hiring ditchers and had set some of his slaves to digging the race.

12. Seven hands were at Work this day upon my Mill Race.

14. Ten or Eleven hands were at Work to day.

15. About 10 hands at Work to day on the Race.

16. Jonathan Palmer and his Family movd to Poseys to live. Abt. 7 hands at Work to day.

17. 10 hands at work to day. The H⟨oist⟩ frame & Mill beam were put up to day. Began also to raise Scaffolds for the Masons this day.

18th. Mr. Ball & his People went into the Woods again to get Scantling to carry on his work there not being sufft. for that purpose.

   The scantling was being taken for the new mill from the land Thomas Hanson Marshall had agreed to give GW in exchange for the Maryland property GW had bought from Robert Alexander. This was the most convenient location from which to get the timber. However, because Alexander had not yet given Marshall either use of or title to the land in Maryland, the deal was still pending, and GW was obliged to pay Marshall £5 for the trees cut here. Most of the timber for the mill had been obtained during the previous summer from land belonging indisputably to GW (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 139; GW to Marshall, 16 Mar. 1770, DLC:GW).

19. Set of for Williamsburg to the Assembly.


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

June 1st. Dined at the Club at Mrs. Campbells (Williamsburg) and attended a Meeting of the Association at the Capitol at 6 Oclock & contd. there till Eleven Oclock.


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

2. Dined at the Club & spent the Evening in my own Room.


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

3. Dined at the Club and spent the Evening in my own Room.


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

[5.] Dined at the Club & spent the Evening in my own Room.


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

7. Dined with the Council and spent the Evening in my own Room.


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

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


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

10. Dined at Eltham and in the Afternoon went to see Mrs. Dandridge & returnd to Eltham again.


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

11. Went over to Colo. Thos. Moores Sale & purchasd two Negroes—to Wit Frank & James & returnd to Eltham again at Night.


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

12. Came to Williamsburg to Breakfast. Dined at the Club and spent the Evening in my own Room.


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

 13. Dined at the Club and spent the Evening in my own Room.


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

14. Dined at the Speakers and went to Bed by 8 Oclock.


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

15. Dined at the Treasurers and went to a meeting of the Association at which till 11 Oclock then wt. to Bed.


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

18. Came into Williamsburg in the Morning. Dined at the Club and went to the Play in the Afternoon.


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

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


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

21. Dined at the Club at Mrs. Campbells at 8 Oclock & went to Bed directly after.


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

22. Dined at the Club and went to the Play after meeting the Associates at the Capitol.


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

24. Dined at Todds bridge & lodged at Hubbards.


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

25. Breakfasted at the Bolling green. Dined at Colo. Lewis’s and lodgd at my Mothers.


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

26. Breakfasted at my Mothers and dined at home before three Oclock.


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

27. Rid to Muddy hole Doeg Run and the Mill before Dinner & to where my People were cuttg. Hay at the upper Meadow.


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

29. Dined at Belvoir. Went on Board the Boston frigate to Drink Tea and returnd in the Afternoon.


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

June 1st. Dined at the Club at Mrs. Campbells (Williamsburg) and attended a Meeting of the Association at the Capitol at 6 Oclock & contd. there till Eleven Oclock.

   At this general meeting, it was resolved “that a friendly Invitation be given to all Gentlemen Merchants, Traders, and others, to meet the associators, in Williamsburg, on Friday the 15th Instant, in order to consult and advise touching an association, and to accede thereto in such Manner as may best answer the Purposes of the same” (Va. Gaz., R, 31 May 1770).

2. Dined at the Club & spent the Evening in my own Room.

   GW wrote to Jonathan Boucher on this date, telling him that he had discussed the proposed European tour with several gentlemen in town and they had confirmed his suspicion that the expense would exceed Jacky’s income. But he did not close the door on the matter. He would gladly approve the trip, he said, if a way could be found to reduce its cost and to gain the concurrence of the General Court (GW to Boucher, 2–9 June 1770, NN).

Consideration of the tour would drag on inconclusively for several months.

   GW on this date paid accounts with a Williamsburg tailor and a blacksmith (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 318).

3. Dined at the Club and spent the Evening in my own Room.

   The burgesses were again adjourned for Sunday (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 44).

4. Dined at the Club and spent the Evening at the Councills Ball at the Capitol.

   GW today paid Edmund Pendleton £1 1s. 6d. for a legal opinion on John West, Jr.’s agreement to sell his land adjoining Mount Vernon (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 318). The council’s ball was held this evening in honor of the king’s birthday. Attending, besides the members of the council, were the governor, the burgesses, and “the magistrates and other principal inhabitants” of Williamsburg (Va. Gaz., P&D, 7 June 1770).

[5.] Dined at the Club & spent the Evening in my own Room.

6. Dined at the Club and spent the Evening in my own Room.

7. Dined with the Council and spent the Evening in my own Room.

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

9. Had a cold Cut at Mrs. Campbells and went up to Eltham in the afternoon.

   The burgesses adjourned today until Monday morning, 11 June (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 61).

10. Dined at Eltham and in the Afternoon went to see Mrs. Dandridge & returnd to Eltham again.

11. Went over to Colo. Thos. Moores Sale & purchasd two Negroes—to Wit Frank & James & returnd to Eltham again at Night.

   All of Moore’s estate, including 26 slaves and about 1,000 acres of land on the Mattaponi River, was offered for sale at West Point today in order to pay some of his many debts (Va. Gaz., R, 31 May 1770). The Negro Frank cost £31 and James, a boy, cost £55. GW also bought a bay mare at the sale for £8 5s. All sums were credited against Moore’s debt to the Custis estate (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 204).

12. Came to Williamsburg to Breakfast. Dined at the Club and spent the Evening in my own Room.

13. Dined at the Club and spent the Evening in my own Room.

   GW on this date received £357 10s. in cash from Joseph Valentine, manager of the Custis plantations (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 318).

14. Dined at the Speakers and went to Bed by 8 Oclock.

15. Dined at the Treasurers and went to a meeting of the Association at which till 11 Oclock then wt. to Bed.

   The treasurer of the colony today gave GW £70 on an order from Richard Starke, clerk of the committees of privileges and elections and of propositions and grievances. Starke had given this order to GW 21 Dec. 1769 to pay two years’ rent on a house and lots belonging to Jacky Custis, where Starke’s mother lived (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 303, 318; GW to Starke, 14 Dec. 1767, DLC:GW). The treasurer also gave GW £4 19s. 6d. on this date as his bounty for making hemp (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 318; see entry for 7 Aug. 1765).

16. Dined at the Club at Mrs. Campbells and went to the Play in the Evening.

   GW today paid 6s. 3d. to a blacksmith and spent 15s. 6d. for tickets and other expenses at the play (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 318).

   The American Company of Comedians had arrived in town from Philadelphia on 13 June and today opened the theater with The Beggar’s Opera and “other entertainments” (Va. Gaz., P&D, 14 June 1770). Written by the English playwright John Gay (1685–1732), The Beggar’s Opera is a burlesque of conventional Italian opera, “a Newgate pastoral, among the whores and thieves there.” It was first performed in 1728 and became one of the most popular plays of the century, being included in the repertoire of almost every English acting company (gayJohn Gay. The Beggar’s Opera. Edited by Peter Elfed Lewis. Edinburgh, Scotland, 1973., 1–4).

17. Went to Church in the Forenoon & from thence to Colo. Burwells where I dind & lodgd.

   The day being Sunday, the burgesses did not meet (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 77). GW probably attended Bruton Parish Church before going to dine at Kingsmill.

18. Came into Williamsburg in the Morning. Dined at the Club and went to the Play in the Afternoon.

   In the House of Burgesses today a bill for dividing Frederick Parish was referred to a special committee of six members, one of whom was GW (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 78–79). No expenses for the play appear under this date in GW’s ledger, but he did record paying the jeweler James Craig £1 10s. for a pair of gold earrings for Patsy Custis and £2 15s. for other merchandise. GW also bought Patsy a tortoiseshell comb costing 3s. 7½d. (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 318; receipt from Craig, ViHi: Custis Papers; 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. Dined at the Club and went to the Play.

   GW on this date spent 7s. 6d. for a play ticket and paid several small accounts in town: 5s. 7d. to Anthony Hay, £2 19s. 6d. to the printer William Rind, and 10s. to the saddler Alexander Craig (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 318).

20. Dined at the Presidents and went to the Play afterwards.

   The House of Burgesses on this date gave permission to GW and two other members to be absent for the remainder of the session (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 83). GW spent £1 today for play tickets and discharged two old debts totaling almost £88: one for lottery tickets sold for the benefit of Bernard Moore and the other for shingles bought of John Washington of Suffolk (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 318).

21. Dined at the Club at Mrs. Campbells at 8 Oclock & went to Bed directly after.

   GW today received £60 15s. 6d. from the treasurer of the colony in payment for his burgess’s wages and traveling expenses since 30 April 1769 (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 191, 303).

22. Dined at the Club and went to the Play after meeting the Associates at the Capitol.

   On this day a new nonimportation agreement was signed by 164 persons, including GW, and a copy was sent to Governor Botetourt. The new association, GW wrote to George W. Fairfax on 27 June, “is form’d, much upon the old plan, but more relax’d” (IaDmSR). Previously prohibited items now to be allowed included barley, pork, sugar, pewter, trinkets and jewelry, plate and gold, bridles, and cheap hats, shoes, boots, and saddles. Price limitations on several types of cheap cloth were eased somewhat, but horses were added to the list of prohibited imports. To enforce the agreement, the associators in each county were to elect a committee of five men, who would inspect invoices and other papers relating to imports and publish the names of signers who violated the terms (a printed copy of the agreement is in DLC:GW). GW, like many Virginians, was not entirely pleased with this compromise plan, but he was satisfied that “it was the best that the friends to the cause coud obtain . . . and tho too much relaxd from the Spirit, with which a measure of this sort ought to be conducted, yet, will be attended with better effects (I expect) than the last; inasmuch as it will become general, & adopted by the Trade” (GW to Jonathan Boucher, 30 July 1770, IEN).

   Joseph Valentine today paid GW £52 10s. in cash (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 318).

23. Dined at Mrs. Campbells & set off homewards after it—reaching Colo. Bassetts.

   In the House of Burgesses today, the report of the committee on the bill to divide Frederick Parish was given by James Mercer of Hampshire County. The house accepted several amendments suggested by the committee and ordered the bill to be engrossed. It was passed on the following day and was approved by the council soon afterwards (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 94, 96, 98; heningWilliam Waller Hening, ed. The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619. 13 vols. 1819–23. Reprint. Charlottesville, Va., 1969., 8:425–28). Before GW left Williamsburg, he paid several more bills, including £2 for play tickets, probably for the previous day’s performance; £3 7s. 6d. to his barber George Lafong; £16 13s. 4d. for lodging and food at Mrs. Campbell’s tavern; and 14s. to the printers Alexander Purdie and John Dixon (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 318; receipt from Christiana Campbell, NNPM). The House of Burgesses remained in session until 28 June.

24. Dined at Todds bridge & lodged at Hubbards.

25. Breakfasted at the Bolling green. Dined at Colo. Lewis’s and lodgd at my Mothers.

   GW ate breakfast in Coleman’s tavern. During the day he paid 8s. to a blacksmith and gave his mother 7s. (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 318).

26. Breakfasted at my Mothers and dined at home before three Oclock.

27. Rid to Muddy hole Doeg Run and the Mill before Dinner & to where my People were cuttg. Hay at the upper Meadow.

28. Rid into the Neck between breakfast and Dinner. Mr. Addison and Mr. Boucher, who came yesterday in the Afternoon went away today after Breakfast.

   Jonathan Boucher had been installed as rector of St. Anne’s Parish in Annapolis 12 June, and now, accompanied by his sponsor Rev. Henry Addison, he was returning to Caroline County to settle his affairs there (st. ann’s“Vestry Proceedings, St. Ann’s Parish, Annapolis, Md.” Maryland Historical Magazine 6 (1911): 325–51; 7 (1912): 59–82, 166–83, 268–86, 395–408; 8 (1913): 66–73, 149–68, 270–86, 353–68; 9 (1914): 47–53, 162–69, 280–89, 336–47; 10 (1915): 37–41, 127–43., 10:135; 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., 59–60). Mrs. Washington had by this time given her permission for Jacky to go with him to Annapolis, and GW today paid Boucher £75 on the boy’s account (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 318).

29. Dined at Belvoir. Went on Board the Boston frigate to Drink Tea and returnd in the Afternoon.

   The Boston was a British man-of-war commanded by Sir Thomas Adams. Sent from England to serve three years on station in American waters, she had arrived at Hampton in early March of this year (Va. Gaz., P&D, 2 Nov. 1769 and 8 Mar. 1770).

30. Went into the Neck between breakfast and Dinner.


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

June 1st. Cloudy & Misty all day. In the Evening a pretty hard shower of Rain.


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

2. Clear & exceeding pleasant—being also Warm & growing.


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

 3. Clear & pleasantly warm. The Wind being at So. West & rather fresh in the Afternoon.


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

5. Lowering Morning & sometimes slight Showers—with the Wind about Southwest.


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

6. Clear and pleasant with the wind Eastwardly, which occasiond towards Night a lowering sky & Cool Air.


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

7. Raining more or less all day & sometimes very hard. Wind Eastwardly but not very cool.


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

8. Cloudy & now and then Misty. In the Evening very hard rain. Wind abt. So. West.


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

9. Very warm with but little Wind & that southwardly. In the Eveng. a little Rain.


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

10. Winds variable in the Afternoon & all Night Rain.


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

11. Raining till 10 Oclock with the Wind at So. Et. Afterwards clear with little or no wind.


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

12. Clear and Cool. Wind Westwardly.


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

13. Wind Southwardly and very warm & sultry—especially in the Afternoon—with appears. of Rain.


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

16. Clear & Pleasant forenoon. Appearances of Rain afterwards but none Fell.


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

17. Cloudy forenoon—but clear afterwards and very warm, wind Eastwardly.


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

18. Calm and clear till the Afternoon then Showers—but very hot.


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

 19. Warm and sometimes slight Showers.


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

20. Clear and Warmer in the Afternn.


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

21. Lowering Morning, but clear day and Warm.


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

23. Very warm with Clouds and a little Rain at Night.


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

24. Cool & cloudy with a good deal of Rain about Noon. Wind fresh & variable.


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

26. Clear and not very warm. Wind at So. West.


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

27. Clear and warm with the Wind Southwardly. Some appearances of Rain but none fell.


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

28. Lowering Morning but clear afterwards and Hott.


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

29. Clear and very warm. Wind being southwardly and but little of it.


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

June 25. Began to cut my Meadow at Doeg Run Quarter.


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

30. Got my Mill Walls up to the 2d. Floor of the House—and then quitted it for Harvest. Began my Wheat Harvest in the Neck.


Title: Remarks & Occurans. in June [1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

June 25. Began to cut my Meadow at Doeg Run Quarter.

29. Finish’d it, & got the Hay all Stack’d.

30. Got my Mill Walls up to the 2d. Floor of the House—and then quitted it for Harvest.
Began my Wheat Harvest in the Neck.

   This fragment of remarks and occurrences is in the possession of the superintendent of schools, Exeter, N.H.


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

July 1st. At home—Sir Thomas Adams—the two Colo. Fairfax’s & Mr. Waker a Midshipman dined here.


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

2. Went into my Wheat field before diner. Mr. Davis a Midshipman dined here.


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

3. One of the Bostons Midshipmen breakfasted here. Between breakfast and Dinner I went into my Harvest field.


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

4. Went into my Harvest field between breakfast and Dinner.


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

5. Sir Thomas Adams and Mr. Glasford his first Lieutt. Breakfasted here. Sir Thos. returnd after it, but Mr. Glasford dined here as did the 2 Lieutt. Mr. Sartell [probably George Sautel] Mr. Johnston of Marines Mr. Norris & Mr. Richmore—two Midshipmen.


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

6. At home all day. Mr. Stedlar came to dinner. Mr. Wallace Burser to the Boston came in the Afternoon & purchased & Killed my Bull—the 4 quarters of which weighed 710 lbs. Nett.


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

7. At home all day. In the Afternoon Mr. Edward Smith came.


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

8. Went to Pohick Church & returnd to Dinner. Mr. Smith went to Colo. Fairfax’s & returnd to Dinner & Mr. Stedlar went away after Breakft.


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

13. Mr. Christian and all his Scholars except Peggy Massey went away. I rid to the Harvest field at M. Hole.


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

14. Rid to my Harvest People at the Mill in the forenoon & in the afternn. likewise with Mrs. W., Peggy Massey & P[atsy].


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

15. At home all day alone except Miss Massey being here.


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

16. Went to Alexandria to Court and returnd again in the Afternoon.


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

 17. At home all day. Major Wagener dined here, & went away in the Afternn.


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

18. Rid to Harvest People at Doeg Run & returnd to Dinner.


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

19. At home all day. Alone—except P[eggy] M[assey].


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

20. Was riding out to the Mill &ca. met an Augusta Man with Horses with whom I returnd & purchasd four.


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

21. At home alone.


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

22. At home all day alone except that Miss Massey, still here & Mr. Semple came just after we had dind & went away after dinner was got for him.


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

23. Miss Massey went away, and in the Evening Mr. Boucher, Majr. Taylor and Jackey Custis came here.


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

24. Colo. Fairfax & Lady and Mrs. Ambler dined here—with the Gentlemen that came yesterday & went away after.


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

25. Mr. Boucher & Major Taylor went away after Breakfast. Mr. Alexander (Robt.) who lodged here Last Night and went over to give Notice to his Tenant of Mr. Marshalls want of part of his Tenement dined here and went home afterwards.


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

26. Jackey Custis went away after Breakfast to Annapolis to School.


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

27. Went with Mrs. Washington and Patcy Custis to Belvoir to Dinner and returned in the Afternoon.


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

28. Went up to Alexandria with the Association Papers. Dined at Mr. Ramsays calld at Mr. Jno. Wests and returnd home in the Evening.


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

29. Captn. Ingles, and his Master, Mr. Bruce and Mr. John West dind here. All of whom returnd afterwards.


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

30. After an Early Dinner (which Mr. Peake took with us), we set of for Fredericksburg that is Mrs. Washington, P. Custis & myself. Reachd Mr. Lawson’s.


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

31. Got to my Mothers to Dinner and staid there all Night.


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

 2. Cloudy Morning but afterwards clear & warm. Then thunder but no Rain.


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

3. Clear & very Cool—the Wind being at No. West & fresh.


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

5. Cloudy & lowering all day—but no Rain. Wind Southwardly.


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

7. Raining more or less till 3 Oclock then clear. With but little Wind.


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

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


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

10. Clear and tolerably pleasant not being warm. Wind Southwardly.


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

11. Clear & warm—especially in the afternoon. There being but little wind & that Southwardly.


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

12. Warm with thunder at the forenoon & moderate Rain (a good deal of it) in the Afternoon with hard thunder.


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

13. Still warm with appearances of Rain but none fell.


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

14. Clear and Warm the Wind being Southwardly.


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

15. Warm, and clear notwithstanding the Wind blew fresh from the Eastward.


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

16. Clear and Warm. Wind Southwardly.


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

18. Hot and Sultry with but little [wind] and that Southwardly.


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

20. Exceeding hot and Sultry with a southerly Breeze.


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

21 Also very hot with a black Cloud to the westward and great appearance [of rain]—but none fell here.


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

23. Again appearances of Rain to the Westward with only a sprinkle here.


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

24. Clear and Warm all day with but little Wind.


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

25. Light showers in the afternoon and sevl. of them but not sufft. to wet the Ground.


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

26. Sevl. very fine Showers but rather heavy in the Afternoon from the Southwest. With wind.


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

27. Clear and warm with but little Wind—that Northwardly.


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

28. Very warm. Wind Southwardly in the Afternoon Thunder, lightning and Rain.


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

30. Exceedingly warm—especially in the Afternoon there being but little wind & that Southwardly.


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

31. Again very warm & still—especially in the Evening and Night.


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

July 1st. Lowering Morning and wind at East. Abt. 12 Oclock it began to Rain & continued to do so till after 3 Oclock.

2. Cloudy Morning but afterwards clear & warm. Then thunder but no Rain.

3. Clear & very Cool—the Wind being at No. West & fresh.

4. Also clear but not so Cool as Yesterday. Wind in the same place but not fresh.

5. Cloudy & lowering all day—but no Rain. Wind Southwardly.

6. Cloudy & misty all day with some pretty smart showers of Rain. Wind still to the Southward.

7. Raining more or less till 3 Oclock then clear. With but little Wind.

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

9. Clear and Warm—with but little wind and that Southwardly.

10. Clear and tolerably pleasant not being warm. Wind Southwardly.

11. Clear & warm—especially in the afternoon. There being but little wind & that Southwardly.

12. Warm with thunder at the forenoon & moderate Rain (a good deal of it) in the Afternoon with hard thunder.

13. Still warm with appearances of Rain but none fell.

14. Clear and Warm the Wind being Southwardly.

15. Warm, and clear notwithstanding the Wind blew fresh from the Eastward.

16. Clear and Warm. Wind Southwardly.

17. Rather lowering all day with appearances of Rain—but none fell—tho it thunderd a little in the Afternoon.

18. Hot and Sultry with but little [wind] and that Southwardly.

19. Very hot and Sultry with but little wind.

20. Exceeding hot and Sultry with a southerly Breeze.

21 Also very hot with a black Cloud to the westward and great appearance [of rain]—but none fell here.

22. Clear and Warm in the forenoon with a Black Cloud to the Westward but no Rain here.

23. Again appearances of Rain to the Westward with only a sprinkle here.

24. Clear and Warm all day with but little Wind.

25. Light showers in the afternoon and sevl. of them but not sufft. to wet the Ground.

26. Sevl. very fine Showers but rather heavy in the Afternoon from the Southwest. With wind.

27. Clear and warm with but little Wind—that Northwardly.

28. Very warm. Wind Southwardly in the Afternoon Thunder, lightning and Rain.

29. Clear and Warm. Wind Southwardly again.

30. Exceedingly warm—especially in the Afternoon there being but little wind & that Southwardly.

31. Again very warm & still—especially in the Evening and Night.


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

July 2. Prosecuting my wheat Harvest which I began on Saturday last in the Neck.


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

5. Stately A Hound Bitch was lind by Jowler.


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

 6. She was again lined by the same Dog. I killed and sold my English Bull to the Boston’s Crew at 20/. p. Ct. His 4 Quarters weighd 711 lbs. Nett.


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

10. About Ten Oclock finished Cutting and Securing my Wheat in the Neck and about Eleven began the field at Muddy hole.


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

13. Finished cutting and Securing my Wheat at Muddy hole.


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

14. Began my Harvest at the Mill but did not quite finish the field on the other side by the New Mill.


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

20. Compleated my Wheat Harvest altogether & exceeding bad I am apprehensive it will turn out—owing I am of opinion to the frequent Rains in the Month of June. The Heads containd but few grains—the Grain but little flower being for the most part perishd and Milldewed. The frequent Rains had by beating down the straw been the occasion of much loss in the Field both by shattering and unclean cutting & to compleat all I was too late in beginning my Harvest by 3 or 4 day as it ought where a Harvest is to continue 3 Weeks to be begun always before it is ripe as the loss in the shrinkage of Green Wheat is not equal to that of its shattering & various other Accidents when it is over-ripe & the straw falling.


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

23. Began to Cut my Meadw. at the Mill.


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

31st. Finished Do. Also laid the 2d. Floor of my Mill.


Title: Remarks & Occuran. in July [1770]
From: Washington, George
To:

July 2. Prosecuting my wheat Harvest which I began on Saturday last in the Neck.

5. Stately A Hound Bitch was lind by Jowler.

6. She was again lined by the same Dog. I killed and sold my English Bull to the Boston’s Crew at 20/. p. Ct. His 4 Quarters weighd 711 lbs. Nett.

   The Boston’s purser paid GW £7 2s. in cash for the bull. GW had bought an English bull, probably this one, in Dec. 1765 for £3 (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 222, 318).

10. About Ten Oclock finished Cutting and Securing my Wheat in the Neck and about Eleven began the field at Muddy hole.

13. Finished cutting and Securing my Wheat at Muddy hole.

14. Began my Harvest at the Mill but did not quite finish the field on the other side by the New Mill.

17. Finished my Harvest at the Mill about 10 or 11 Oclock and began to cut the Wheat at Doeg Run Abt. 12 Oclock.

20. Compleated my Wheat Harvest altogether & exceeding bad I am apprehensive it will turn out—owing I am of opinion to the frequent Rains in the Month of June. The Heads containd but few grains—the Grain but little flower being for the most part perishd and Milldewed. The frequent Rains had by beating down the straw been the occasion of much loss in the Field both by shattering and unclean cutting & to compleat all I was too late in beginning my Harvest by 3 or 4 day as it ought where a Harvest is to continue 3 Weeks to be begun always before it is ripe as the loss in the shrinkage of Green Wheat is not equal to that of its shattering & various other Accidents when it is over-ripe & the straw falling.

23. Began to Cut my Meadw. at the Mill.

31st. Finished Do. Also laid the 2d. Floor of my Mill.


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

 2. Met the Officers of the first Virga. Troops at Captn. Weedens where we dined & did not finish till abt. Sun set. Mrs. Washington & Patcy dind at Colo. Lewis’s where we lodgd.


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

3. Dined at my Brother Charles’s—spent the Evening there & lodgd at Colo. Lew⟨is⟩.


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

4. Dined at the Barbicue with a great deal of other Company and stayd there till Sunset.


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

7. Dined at Colo. Lewis’s—Colo. Dangerfield & Lady & Miss Boucher comg. there to see us.


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

10. Rid to Muddy hole—Doeg Run and the Mill.


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

12. Rid to Belvoir after Dinner to see Sir Thos. Adams who was sick there.


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

14. At home all day writing Invoices and Letters.


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

15. Rid to the Mill—by the Ferry and returnd to Dinner. Miss Betty Dalton came here.


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

16. Rid to the Mill and to the Ditchers.


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

17. At home all day.


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

18. Rid to the Mill—Ditchers—Doeg run and Muddy hole.


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

19. Went to Pohick Church. Calld in our way at Belvoir to take leave of Sir Thos. Returnd to Dinner.


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

20. Went up to Alexandria to Court. Returnd in the Evening with Jacky Custis & Mr. Magowan.


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

22. Mr. Beal went away after Breakfast. I continued at home all day.


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

 23. I went up to Alexandria calling by Mr. Jno. Wests going & coming. Returnd again at Night—with Mr. B. Fairfax.


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

24. Went out a huntg. with Mr. Fairfax. Killd a young fox without running him and returnd to Dinner. Doctr. Rumney dind here & lodged.


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

25. Mr. Fairfax—Doctr. Rumney—Mr. Magowan and Jacky Custis all went away after Breakfast. I rid into the Neck and to Muddy hole.


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

26. At home all day alone.


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

27. Went by my Mill & Doeg Run to Colchesters—there to settle a dispute betwen. Doctr. Ross & Company & Mr. Semple.


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

28. At Colchester all day—upon the same business.


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

29. Still at Colchester upon this Affair Colo. Lewis My Sister & Brothr. Chas. passd this in their way to Mount Vernon.


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

30. Still at Colchester upon the business before mentioned.


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

31. At the same place and on the same business.