Title: September. [1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 1st. Dined at Mr. Morris after coming out of Convention and drank Tea there.

Sunday 2d. Rode to Mr. Bartrams and other places in the Country, dined & drank Tea at Grays ferry and returned to the City in the evening.

Monday 3d. In Convention. Visited a Machine at Doctr. Franklins (called a mangle) for pressing, in place of Ironing, clothes from the wash. Which Machine from the facility with which it dispatches business is well calculated for Table cloths & such Articles as have not pleats & irregular foldings and would be very useful in all large families. Dined, drank Tea, & spent the evening at Mr. Morris’s.

Tuesday. 4th. In Convention. Dined &ca. at Mr. Morris’s.

Wednesday 5th. In Convention. Dined at Mrs. Houses & drank Tea at Mr. Binghams.

Thursday 6th. In Convention. Dined at Doctr. Hutchinson’s and spent the afternoon and evening at Mr. Morris’s.

   Dr. James Hutchinson (1752–1793) lived on south Second Street between Walnut and Spruce streets (Pa. Mag., 11 [1887], 307). He was surgeon general of Pennsylvania (1778–84), taught at the University of Pennsylvania, and died while fighting the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia.

Friday 7th. In Convention. Dined and spent the afternoon at home (except when riding a few Miles).

Saturday 8th. In Convention. Dined at Springsbury with the Club and spent the evening at my lodgings.

Sunday 9th. Dined at Mr. Morris’s after making a visit to Mr. Gardoqui who as he says came from New York on a visit to me.

   Today GW wrote George Augustine Washington that he thought the convention would adjourn within a week. “God grant I may not be disappointed in this expectation, as I am quite homesick” (John Rylands Library, Manchester, Eng.).

   On 19 May 1787 Diego de Gardoqui (1735–1798), Spanish representative in the United States, wrote GW from New York requesting “the honor of a personal acquaintance with your Excellency” (DLC:GW). GW replied on 31 May: “I look with much pleasure to the moment which promises me the honor of a personal acquaintance with your Excellency” (DLC:GW). Gardoqui was in the third year of frustrating negotiations regarding American rights to navigate the lower Mississippi River, which then ran through Spanish territory. GW’s cryptic entry here may reflect his concern at being dragged into the emotional and nationally divisive debate of “the Spanish negociation,” lately described as being “in a very ticklish situation” (James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 April 1787, MADISONWilliam T. Hutchinson et al., eds. The Papers of James Madison, Congressional Series. 17 vols. Chicago and Charlottesville, Va., 1962–91., 9:400; see also GW to Gardoqui, 28 Nov. 1787, DLC:GW).

Monday. 10th. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris’s & drank Tea there.

Tuesday 11th. In Convention. Dined at home in a large Company with Mr. Gardoqui. Drank Tea and spent the evening there.

Wednesday 12th. In Convention. Dined at the Presidents and drank Tea at Mr. Pines.

Thursday 13th. Attended Convention. Dined at the Vice Presidents Chas. Biddles. Drank Tea at Mr. Powells.

   Charles Biddle (c.1745–1821) was the son of William Biddle, a native of New Jersey, and Mary Scull Biddle of Pennsylvania. When Biddle was chosen vice-president of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania in 1785 he was living on Front Street. He later moved to a house on Chestnut Street below Fifth Street.

Friday 14th. Attended Convention. Dined at the City Tavern, at an entertainmt. given on my acct. by the City light Horse. Spent the evening at Mr. Meridiths.

Saturday 15th. Concluded the business of Convention, all to signing the proceedings; to effect which the House sat till 6 Oclock; and adjourned till Monday that the Constitution which it was proposed to offer to the People might be engrossed and a number of printed copies struck off. Dined at Mr. Morris’s & spent the evening there.
Mr. Gardoqui set off for his return to New York this forenoon.

Sunday 16th. Wrote many letters in the forenoon. Dined with Mr. & Mrs. Morris at the Hills & returned to town in the Eveng.

Monday 17th. Met in Convention when the Constitution received the Unanimous assent of 11 States and Colo. Hamilton’s from New York (the only delegate from thence in Convention) and was subscribed to by every Member present except Govr. Randolph and Colo. Mason from Virginia & Mr. Gerry from Massachusetts. The business being thus closed, the Members adjourned to the City Tavern, dined together and took a cordial leave of each other—after which I returned to my lodgings—did some business with, and received the papers from the secretary of the Convention, and retired to meditate on the momentous wk. which had been executed, after not less than five, for a large part of the time Six, and sometimes 7 hours sitting every day, sundays & the ten days adjournment to give a Comee. opportunity & time to arrange the business for more than four Months.

   Elbridge Gerry (1744–1814), one of the most active delegates in the convention and a frequent advocate of compromise, listed a series of objections to his signing the completed document (see FARRANDMax Farrand, ed. The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787. Rev. ed. 4 vols. New Haven, 1966., 2:632–33, 635–36, 646–47, 649). Other delegates besides the three mentioned by GW opposed the Constitution, but they had already left the convention.

   the papers: “Major Jackson, after burning all the loose scraps of paper which belong to the Convention, will this evening wait upon the General with the Journals and other papers which their vote directs to be delivered to His Excellency” (William Jackson to GW, 17 Sept. 1787, DLC:GW).

Tuesday 18th. Finished what private business I had to do in the City this forenoon. Took my leave of those families in wch. I had been most intimate. Dined early at Mr. Morris’s with whom & Mr. Gouvr. Morris I parted at Grays ferry and reached Chester in Company with Mr. Blair who I invited to a seat in my Carriage ’till we should reach Mount Vernon.

Wednesday 19th. Prevented by rain (much of which fell in the Night) from setting off till about 8 Oclock, when it ceased, & promising to be fair we departed. Baited at Wilmington—dined at Christiana and lodged at the head of Elk—at the bridge near to which my horses (two of them) and Carriage had a very narrow escape. For the rain which had fallen the preceeding evening having swelled the Water considerably there was no fording it safely. I was reduced to the necessity therefore of remaining on the other side or of attempting to cross on an old, rotten & long disused bridge. Being anxious to get on I preferred the latter and in the attempt one of my horses fell 15 feet at least the other very near following which (had it happened) would have taken the Carriage with baggage along with him and destroyed the whole effectually. However, by prompt assistance of some people at a Mill just by and great exertion, the first horse was disengaged from his harness, the 2d. prevented from going quite through and drawn off and the Carriage rescued from hurt.

Thursday. 20th. Sett off after an early breakfast. Crossed the Susquehanna and dined in Havre de gras at the House of one Rogers and lodged at Skirretts Tavern 12 Miles short of Baltimore.

   house of one rogers: John Rodgers’s ferry house was at this time on the east bank of the Susquehanna River at Perryville. GW must have dined at a house Rodgers still owned on the west bank. He at one time owned a house on what is now W. Washington Street and an estate, Sion Hill, near the river, two and one half miles off the main highway (W.P.A. [2]W.P.A. Writers’ Project. Maryland: A Guide to the Old Line State. American Guide Series. New York, 1940., 323).

Friday 21st. Breakfasted in Baltimore—dined at the Widow Balls (formerly Spurriers) and lodged at Major Snowdens who was not at home.

   spurriers: site of the town of Waterloo in Howard County, Md., twice chosen during the Revolution as an encampment for Rochambeau’s army (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., 1:160, 2: pl. 128).

Saturday 22d. Breakfasted at Bladensburgh and passing through George Town dined in Alexandria and reached home (with Mr. Blair) about Sunset after an absence of four Months and 14 days.

The following
Is a diary of the Weather, occurrances on, and management of, my farms; together with the progress of the Crops thereon, during my absence; as taken & reported to me by my Nepw. G. A. Washington.

M. N. Night
   Wednesday 9th. May.    Thermometer—50–65–58. Morning Cloudy—afternoon from 2 to 4 Showery.
Began to plant Corn in the commn. way at the Ferry on Monday last. Nearly finished it to day. The drill corn nearly finished planting at this place. A few fish heads, guts &ca. ordered to be put into some of the Corn hills, to try the effect of them as a manure. Two plows preparing for the planting of Potatoes Pease &ca. at Frenchs.
At Frenchs the people were still in the swamp at work and two ploughs breaking up, and the harrow preparing ground designed for Turnips &ca.
At Dogue run. Finished planting the Corn in the small field by Frenchs & began to plant Pumpkins in the angles of the fence around the drilled Corn—4 plows preparing for Parsnips—1 sent to the Shop.

   NOTE. After entering upon the above, it was found that too much time for my convenience, would be required either to insert the report as it had been made, or to make a proper digest of it; and therefore both are declined. The reports must accompany this volume and be refered to as part thereof, for the purpose of information as above whilst I continue my own diary from the day on which I returned home.

Sunday. 23d. Thermometer at 60 in the morning—70 at Noon and 70 at N. Foggy Morning—calm & clear afterwards.
Mr. Blair remained. Colonels Fitzgerald, Simms, Ramsay &

Lyles; Mr. Hunter, Mr. Murray & Mr. Taylor and Doctr. Stuart, Mrs. Stuart, and the girls came to dinner: All, except Mr. Blair, Doctr. & Mrs. Stuart went away afterwards.

Monday. 24th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 70 at Night.
Wind Westerly with some Clouds. After breakfast I rid to the Plantatns. at the Ferry—Frenchs—Dogue run & Muddy hole.
At the first, the hands were getting out Wheat & Rye; and the Plows were putting in Wheat in field No. 6.
At the next, 4 plows were putting in Rye in No. 6 and the rest of the hds. grubbing in the New Meadow.
At Dogue run the plows were covering Wheat in No. 6 and the other hands employed chiefly in grubbing the Swamp between the upper Meadows.
At Muddy hole the Plows were (3 of them) following for Wheat in No. 4—the other people gathering fodder.
In the Afternoon Doctr. Stuart, Mrs. Stuart & the Girls returned to Abingdon.

Tuesday 25th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 64 at Night. Calm in the Morning—cloudy afterwards—wind, what there was of it—So. Wt.
Mr. Blair left this before Sun rise in my carriage which carried him to the junction of the Roads at Boggess’ where he met the Stage.
After breakfast I rode into the Neck—hands chiefly employed in getting fodder.

   Robert Boggess’s house was on the Cameron-Colchester stage road, at the intersection of the road from Gum Springs.

Wednesday 26th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 72 at Night. Foggy morning—calm, & clear for the most part of the day.
Rid to all the Plantations—the hands at each employed nearly as they were yesterday.

Thursday 27th. Thermometer at 68 in the morning—76 at Noon and 74 at Night. Cloudy in the Morning—clear afterwards—wind at South all day.
Visited all the Plantations—same employment at each as yesterday.

Friday 28th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 65 at Night. Clear all day with variable winds.
Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run, and Muddy hole—engaged in the same work at each.
Mrs. Jenifer came here to dinner.

Saturday 29th. Thermometer at 54 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 62 at Night. Clear all day, with the Wind at No. Wt.
Rid into the Neck and set Six plows to breaking up the Orchard Inclosure (wch. was an Oat Stubble) for Wheat & grass Seeds, &ca.
After Breakfast Mr. Corbin Washington and his wife, and Miss Fanny Ballendine (who came here on Thursday afternoon) returned and after dinner Majr. G. A. Washington left this for Fredericksbg.

Sunday 30th. Thermometer at 57 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 62 at Night. Clear all day with the wind at No. Wt. in the morning & Southerly afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

October 1st. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 62 at Night—Cloudy in the Morning but clear afterwds. with variable winds. Mrs. Fanny Washington, and the Children, and Mrs. Jenifer went up to Abingdon. Colo. Gilpin and Mr. Willm. Craik dined here. The latter stayed all Night. Rid to all the Plantations. Work at each as usual except that the Plows at Dogue run were putting in rye in field No. 6. North part of it. Daniel Overdonck & 5 Negro Ditche[r]s went to work at Muddy hole to ditch between fields—3 & 4. Mr. Craik went away very early this morning.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 3d. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning 70 at Noon & 67 at Night. Foggy Morning but clear afterwards. Westerly Wind in the forenoon & No. Wt. afterwards. Went up with Mrs. Washington to Abingdon. Dined at Mr. Herberts in Alexandria on our way.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Saturday 6th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—72 at Noon & 70 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at South. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run, and Muddy hole. At the first, having got out all the Wheat & Rye, the fodder next claimed attention and was accordingly set about. Colo. McCarty & his wife; Mrs. Craik and her daughters Mrs. Jenifer & Mariamne; and Mrs. Ann Jenifer came here to dinner & returned afterwards. Towards evening Mr. & Mrs. Powell of Philadelphia came in.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 7th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 63 at Night. Clear in the forenoon & cloudy afterwards with variable Winds. After breakfast Mr. Donald went away and whilst we were at dinnr. Mr. Bushrod Washington & his wife came in.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday. 8th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—56 at Noon & 56 at Night. Cloudy all day with the Wind at No. Et. & Et.  Rid with Mr. Powell to my Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run Frenchs & the Ferry. Work going as usual.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 10th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—63 at Noon & 60 at Night. Clear with variable Winds. Mr. & Mrs. Powell, Mr. Bushrod Washington & wife, and Mr. Griffith going away after an early breakfast I rid to all the Plantations and found the same work at ea. going forward.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 11th. Thermometer at 54 in the morning—64 at Noon and 62 at Night. Foggy Morning & clear afterwards—wd. at N. Wt. & Wt. all day. Rid to all the Plantations. Began to sow Wheat and Sainfoin in the orchard in the Neck—the ground being first plowed—then crossed—on which the Wheat was sown and harrowed in with a heavy harrow the way it was last plowed—then followed the Sainfoin and harrowed in the same way, with the same harrow—so that, on the whole the Oat Stubble had two plowings and two harrowings.  Finding the Pease at Muddy hole riper than the latter sowed ones at Frhs. I ordered the Scythes there to morrow leaving the greenest for the last to see if they would fill & ripen more. In the evening Genl. Pinkney and his Lady came in on their return to South Carolina from the Federal Convention.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 12th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 60 at Night. Weather clear and Winds variable—viz. N.E.: N.W. & S.W. Genl. Pinkney and Lady going away after breakfast I rid to Muddy hole Dogue Run & Frenchs. At the first finding great waste in Cutting the Pease (owing as has been observed to the cloddy & uneven surface of the grd.) I attempted to pull them by hand but found it so tedious as to oblige me to return to the Scythes notwithstanding the loss. Sent the Plows belonging to Frenchs and Dogue run to their respective plantations.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 13th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 56 at Night. Cloudy in the Morning and clear afterwds. with the Wind at No. Wt. Rid to Dogue run, French’s & the ferry Plantns.  At the two first took an Acct. of the Horses Cattle and Sheep wch. are as follow—viz.—
At Dogue run.
Horses
height	Age
Dabster	a grey	14½	10	Ploughers Horss.
Columbus	bay	14 Camp
bay	14¼ Ferry	3
bro: bay	14½ Camp	Working Horses
2d. bodd. Do.	13¼
Milk & Cydr.	14¼
Bay
Dark bro:	5
A Bay Mare, stabled at Mansn. Ho[use] last year	14½	10	Mares unbroken—or not used
A Black—blaze face 2 hind feet white
A bay, off hind foot whe.
A bla. Snip & Star—2 hind feet white
From Milk & Cyder.
Bay—Stabled last year	13½	4
Bay. like her, rather Smaller No white
Chesnut—likely
Bay—No white	3
Bay. blaze—near fore and 2 hind feet wh[it]e
Sorrel—no white	1	11
Bay. stabled last year	4
Grey, breaking
Sorrel—sml. Star—2 fore feet light—not wh[it]e	1	3
Bay. horse colt sml. Star	spg.
Bay. Mare Do. no white	Do.
Yellow bay—blaze face	Do.	3
Not belongg. to the Plantn.
old Partner	Charr[io]t Horses
Old Valiant
Jersey—Mare
Augusta Do—bay	4
In all	29

Cattle
Oxen	7
Cows	in the pasture	20
at home house	2
Mill besides a calf	1	23
Heifers	4 years old	1
3 years old	0
2 Do. Do	5
1 Do. Do.		8
Calves (cows)	11	25
Steers	4 years old	5
3 Do. Do.		8
2 Do. Do.		6
1 Do. Do.		1
Bull Calves	6	26
Bulls		4 yrs. old	1
1 Do. Do.		1	2
83
Calf at the Mill		1
In all	84
1 Steer—&	on the M: Meadw. for Sla:
1 Cow
Sheep—of all sorts		99
At French’s Horses.
The same as had from Robinson, and particularly enumerated and described the 1st. day of Jany. last, as registered in the Diary of that date	11
A Sorrel horse colt last Spring from the Sorrel Mare	1
in all	12
Cattle.
Oxen	4
Cows	(Includg. the Farmers)	7
Heifers	1 year old	1
cow calves	3
Steers	1 year old	4
spring calves	1
In all	20
Sheep	in all	29
  At French’s sowed a narrow slipe of the grd. off which Pease had been taken next the Meadow Ditch with Wheat. The Wheat was sown on the ground without breaking and plowed in which it did in a very mellow & pulverized state, although the grd. in common never was drier or harder to work. In short, had the grd. been often plowed it could not have been in a better state of culture than it appeared (as did the whole field) to be in—which evinces, if Pease is not an exhauster, that land cannot be better prepared for an Autumnal sowing than by raising a crop of them previous thereto. Finished cutting, and putting into small heaps the Pease at Muddy hole.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday. 15th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning 56 at Noon and 52 at Night. Clear all day—Wind at So. Wt. in the Morning and at No. Wt. afterwards. Ordered the Buckwheat to be immediately cut—beginning with that at Dogue run (abt. 12 Acres) which was accordingly done this forenoon (when the frost was likewise severe) before the moisture was off the Straw. Put the Buck Wheat, as cut (with scythe and cradle) into small heaps to dry. Note—Whether this grain has std. out too long, or not I am not sufficiently acquainted with the nature of it to decide. There appeared to be as much shattered on the grd. as fully to sow it again, & at the same time there was at least as much Green Seed as had shed & many Blossums also on the Straw. Rid to Muddy hole and into the Neck. Took an Acct. of the Horses Cattle and sheep at each as follow.
In the Neck.
Horses.
age
Doctor	white	15 hands	12	Plow Horses
Prentis	dark bay	15	16
Randolph	grey	14½	9
Jack	Black	15	11
Grunt	Bright bay	14½	12
Pompey	Dark bay	14½	9
Dick	Dingy bay	14½	5
Ranger	Black	14	5
Diamond	White	14	10
Possum	Flea bittn. grey	15½	9
10
Betsy	Bay	14½	10	Work Mares
Fanny	Black	15	11
Betsy	Dun	13½	15
Kate	Brown	14	11
Punch	Grey	14½	10
Jenny	Grey	14	12
Patience	Bright B.	13	15
Brandy	Black	13½	9
Nancy	Sorrel	14½	9	9
Davys	M: Bla.	14½	13	1
A Brown or black—14½ - 4 years right hind foot White sml. Star	Unbroke Horss.
A Black—13 hds.—5 yrs. Sml. Star
A black. 13 hands—3 yrs. old white all fours—blaze fa.
A black Colt: 1 year old blaze face right fore foot white & the left hind ft. do.
A Bay gelding 1 yr. old no white handsome
A Bay Stallion Colt—Ho.
6
A Black 14 hands. 4 yrs. old
A Brown 13½ Do. 3 yrs. two hind feet white—right eye wh[it]e
A Bla: 13 hands. 2 yrs. old. Star and right hind foot white
A White 14 hands 4 yrs. old.
4
Horses	In all	30

Cattle
Oxen	8
Cows	15 yrs. old	1
12.Do.	2
11.Do.	1
10.Do.	1
9.Do.	4
8.Do.	3
7.Do.	2
6.Do.	11
5.Do.	4
unknown	1
at the Mansn. Ho[use]	10
40
Heifers	4 Years old	7
3 Do.	3
2 Do.	9
1 Do.	15
Calves	11
45
Steers	7 Years old	4
6 Do.	2
5 Do.	3
4 Do.	2
3 Do.	1
2 Do.	5
1 Do.	4
Calves	6
27
Bulls	4 Years old	1
3 Ditto	1
1 Ditto	2
4
On the Plantn. to be accounted for	124
Besides the above
1 Cow & Calf to the Farmer	2
2 Cows & 2 Calves to G. A. W.	4
6
Fattg. at the Mill Meadow. Steers	5
Cows	3
8
Not on the Plantation	14

Sheep.
In great Pasture	92
River Ditto	83
Field—No. 1	24
199
Stock at Muddy hole Horses
Diamond H[orse]	Plow beasts	6
Jockey Do.
Dobbin Do.
Phoenix M[are]
Jenny Do.
Old Fly Do.
A Grey mare; old—with foal by the Jack 13½ hands high	Unbroke Mares & M.Colts
A bay Mare 13½ hands said to be 8 yrs. old—no white
A bay (brandy) 13½ hands with foal by the Jack. Slender—2 hd. feet white—narrow blaze & Snip—8 or 9 yrs. old.
a dark bay (Jenny) 13½ - 6 or 7 yrs. old & unsightly a small streak & Snip—2 hind feet white
A Brown Mare (Simpson) 14 hands—5 years old.
A Bay 13½ hands—7 yrs. old slight & unsightly—a small star 2 hind feet and off fore foot white.
A Bay not 13 hands. 7 yrs. old with a very dim & sml. Star.
A Grey 2 yrs. old well grown & strong, but not sightly
A Grey 14 hands—9 yrs. old Slight
A dark brown or black (it was not noted whether horse or mare) 2 yrs. old—near fore & hind foot w. very small Star.
A Sorrel—1 year old no wh. sent from the house
A Sorrel 1 year old, blaze face 4 feet white
A Brown spring colt from Simpson—got in the Woods
13

A Bay 2 yrs. old—a very dim and small Star—but one eye near fore, & off hind foot white—small but tolerably likely.	Unbroke Horse Colts
A black 2 yrs. old—small & unsightly—no white but the off hind foot.
A Sorrel year old Colt from Phoenix—got by Magnolio No white.
A  year old from brandy blaze face—2 hind feet White—wall eye & not sightly.
A  spring Colt—no white except a very dim Star small but sightly—got by Magnolio
5
In all	24
Cattle.
Oxen	6
Cows	6 yrs. old	3
4 Do.	6
9
Heifers	2 Do.	1
1 Do.	2
Calves	3	6
Steers	4 Years old	1
3 Ditto	2
2 Ditto	1
Calves	3	7
Bulls	2 yrs. old	1
1 Do.	3	4
At Mansn. House	Cow	1
To be accounted for	33
Fatting—Steers	4
Cows	1
In the Mill Meadw	5
Sheep.
Rams	1
Weathers	3
Ewes	17
In all—	21
 Finished Sowing the Orchard in the Neck with Wheat & Sainfoin seed. Of the first it took  bushels and of the latter

bushels. Note—This grd. has been plowed & cross plowed—then Wheat sown & harrowed in—with the heavy harrow—Next sown with Sainfoin and harrowed in like manner (both the way the ground was plowed last)—after which 50 lbs. of Trefoil was sown over the whole and harrowed with the double harrows cross the former.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 17. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 46 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at No. Wt. Rid to all the Plantations except the Ferry. In the Neck cut the Buck Wheat. a good deal of which shattered but perhaps (it is a grain I am not accustomed to) not more than common & therefore I cannot undertake to decide whether it stood too long or not. Finished getting in the fodder at this place (which concluded this business at all the places—Sowed as yesterday and to day (Wind preventing it sooner) 50 lbs. of Trefoil on the Wheat and Sainfoin in the Orchard in the Neck and began to sow at the No. Wt. Corner of this enclosure under furrow the Winter Vetches crossing by so doing the first plowing after which a light harrow followed to level the ground. The Pease in broad cast at French’s were much injured by the frost. It was unfortunate that they had not been cut a day or two sooner. Note. The ground in which Pease and Buck Wheat are sown ought always to be rolled when it is expected the Crops are to be cut. Without this they can never be got off clean. The Pease however that are left would be fine for Sheep and in that case the waste is of no great signification but in this case there must be nothing else in the inclosure that they can injure.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 18th. Thermometer 38 in the morning—52 at Noon and 48 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at No. West. Rid into the Neck, to Muddy hole & Frenchs Plantations. At the first doubled the small heaps of Buck Wheat in the Morning whilst the dew was on. Finished plowing Sowing & harrowing in 6 Bushels of red clover Seed between the branch which runs from the gate to the Spring and the road which leads from the gate also the Quarters and thence into the Creek field. At Muddy hole finished late in the afternoon the ditch round the Barn and Dug the Irish Potatoes in the half acre of experimental

ground (adjoining the ½ acre of Sweet or Country Potatoes) which being of the red and white in alternate rows through the piece yielded as follow
red	white
Bushls.
In the ½ wch. had been dungd	11	&	8¼
½ which had no dung	6	3½
17	11¾
11¾
Total of both sorts	28¾
5
Difference betwn. the red & Wh[it]e is	4¾	4¾
Of both together	9¾	Bush.
 All the hands from the House, except the Carpenters, that were employed in the Neck yesterday went to French’s to day to assist in securing as many of the Pease there as they could—great loss by the frost—The ripe pease opening and sheddg. and the green ones with the vines on which they grew had turned quite black loking like a thing parboiled. Carried the Pease and the Vines which appeared to be cured into one end of the Tobo. House in field No. 1. In the Evening Mr. Houston and lady & Miss Maria Livingston her Sister came in and stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 19th. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 50 at Night. In the Morning the weather was hazy—at Noon Cloudy and in the evening raining. Mr. Houston going away abt. 10 Oclock I rid to French’s the Ferry Dogue run & Muddy hole.  At the Ferry the hands were making a farm pen. At French’s about the Pease as yesterday. The Vines of some of them appeared to me to be not sufficiently cured. At Dogue run getting out Wheat and removing brush from the Swamp to the gullies. At Muddy hole began to ditch between fields No. 1. 2. 3. & 4 and to sow Wheat with a Barrel 6 feet long—perforated with holes strapped round with leather bands in order with intention to drop the wheat in clumps 6 Inches square but the leather not binding equally alike in all parts it discharged Seeds from the Sides and sowed it broad. On my return home I found a Mr. Dunlap (a West Indian) Mr. Cary Mr. Donaldson, and Mr. Porter here who returned to Alexa. after dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 20th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—48 at Noon & 46 at Night. Wind at No. Et. with a continued rain since it began yesterday afternoon. No out doors work done this day.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 22d. Thermometer 46 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 56 at Night. Clear and exceedingly pleasant all day—with the Wind Northerly in the Morning and Southerly in the evening. Went up to a meeting of the Potk. Company at George Town. Called at Muddy hole Plantation in my way. Did the business which called the Comy. together. Dined at Shuters Tavern, and returned as far as Abingdon at Night. Whilst at Muddy hole, finding that the Barrel continued to scatter the Wheat, and not having time to try new expedients to alter it; the Season for sowing this grain being far advanced; I directed that it should proceed as it was.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 24th. Thermometer at 43 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 61 at Night. Morning Foggy but clear afterwards with the Wind at So. Wt. & South. Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck found that the Sowing of the orchard Inclosure with Wheat had been compleated on Monday last and that such parts thereof as have not been already enumerated, had been sown with Wheat alone. The Orchard part had received the workings already mentioned as also the part which was sown with the winter Vetches. The Part which had been sown with Wheat & clover, as already mentioned had been plowed & cross plowed—the Wheat then harrowed in, after which the clover seed was Sown over which a bush passed to scratch in the Seed and level the grd. That part which had Wheat alone had also been plowed—crossed plowed—& the Wheat harrowed in. Ordered the Buck Wheat at every place to be got in and threshed out. yield—exclusive of abt. ¼ at the So. Wt. Corner of the Sqr., which had perished by, it is apprehended the lowness of the situation, as follow 3¾ bushls. & ½ a peck whereof 2¼ grew on the dunged part of the half acre. At Frenchs, the Pease would be all got in this Night (but with great loss)—and at the Ferry the people were cleaning Oats which were tread out yesterday. Mr. Richard Lee & his Sister came here in the evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 October 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Friday. 26th. Thermometer at 57 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 67 at Night. Clear all day & wind pretty fresh from the So. Wt. Rid to all the Plantations after Mr. & Miss Lee went away. In the Neck, the Buck Wheat was all drawn to a yard in the field for the purpose of threshing and it was accordingly done and removed to the Barn but not measured. 6 plows at Wk. there to day. At Muddy hole finished Sowing with the Barrel, the ground on the left of the road leading from the gate on the Ferry road, to the Barn with 18½ Bushls. of Wheat—and thinking this quantity inadequate I had more holes perferated in the Barrl. to sow the other part on the right of the above road. Got all the Pease into the Barn yard which had been cut down with the Scythes—also the remains of the Buck Wheat. At Dogue run gathered in to the Farm yard & began to thresh and clean it. At Frenchs filling gullies & Plowing (2 plows) part of field No. 2 which had been left unbroke in the Spring & Summer. At the Ferry treading out Oats began with 2 plows to break up the lay part of field No. 2.


Title: October [1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

October 1st. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 62 at Night—Cloudy in the Morning but clear afterwds. with variable winds.
Mrs. Fanny Washington, and the Children, and Mrs. Jenifer went up to Abingdon.
Colo. Gilpin and Mr. Willm. Craik dined here. The latter stayed all Night.
Rid to all the Plantations. Work at each as usual except that the Plows at Dogue run were putting in rye in field No. 6. North part of it.
Daniel Overdonck & 5 Negro Ditche[r]s went to work at Muddy hole to ditch between fields—3 & 4.
Mr. Craik went away very early this morning.

Tuesday 2d. Thermometer at 55 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 67 at Night. Cloudy in the Morning & clear afterwards—Wind No. Et. in the forenoon & Southerly afterwards.
Rid to all the Plantations. Sent 2 plows from Frenchs to Muddy hole—The other two preparing a piece of ground which had been twice plowed before on the side of the Meadow for Rye & grass

Seeds—on which 1½ B. of Rye was sown and therewith on the No. part of the grd. 1½ Bushls. of Sainfoin & 6 lbs. of Trafoil adjoining the Road. The lower part of the grd. had 2 quarts of Timothy Seed sown with the Rye.

Wednesday 3d. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning 70 at Noon & 67 at Night. Foggy Morning but clear afterwards. Westerly Wind in the forenoon & No. Wt. afterwards.
Went up with Mrs. Washington to Abingdon. Dined at Mr. Herberts in Alexandria on our way.

   mrs. washington to abingdon: appears in the manuscript as “Mrs. Abingdon to Washington.”

Thursday. 4th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning 60 at Noon and 60 at Night. Clear all day, Wind Northerly in the forenoon & Southerly afterwards.
Dined at Abingdon and came home in the afternoon. Brot. Fanny Washington with us.
Found two more plows from Frenchs at work at Muddy hole.

Friday 5th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 67 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at South.
Rid to all the Plantations. Having finished sowing Rye at Dogue run, 22½ Bushels, sent one of the Plows to Muddy hole. The rest of the horses, & hands, were employed in treading out wheat—the Fodder there being also secured.
Finding it in vain to attempt following the whole of No. 4 for Wheat, I quitted breaking up any more till the whole should be crossed, and accordingly set all the plows to the latter work.
In the Afternoon Mr. Alexr. Donald came in.

   On 12 Nov. 1787 Alexander Donald wrote to Thomas Jefferson of this visit: “I staid two days with General Washington at Mount Vernon about Six weeks ago. He is in perfect good health, and looks almost as well as he did Twenty years ago. I never saw him so keen for any thing in my life, as he is for the adoption of the new Form of Government. As the eyes of all America are turned towards this truly Great and Good Man, for the First President, I took the liberty of sounding him upon it. He appears to be greatly against going into Publick Life again, Pleads in Excuse for himself, His Love of Retirement, and his advanced Age, but Notwithstanding of these, I am fully of opinion he may be induced to appear once more on the Publick Stage of Life. I form my opinion from what passed between us in a very long and serious conversation as well as from what I could gather from Mrs. Washington on the same subject” (JEFFERSON [1]Julian P. Boyd et al., eds. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. 41 vols. to date. Princeton, N.J., 1950–.Julian P. Boyd et al., eds. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. 41 vols. to date. Princeton, N.J., 1950–., 12:345–48).

Saturday 6th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—72 at Noon & 70 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at South.
Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run, and Muddy hole.
At the first, having got out all the Wheat & Rye, the fodder next claimed attention and was accordingly set about.
Colo. McCarty & his wife; Mrs. Craik and her daughters Mrs. Jenifer & Mariamne; and Mrs. Ann Jenifer came here to dinner & returned afterwards. Towards evening Mr. & Mrs. Powell of Philadelphia came in.

   mrs. craik: In the original Philadelphia journal GW had written “Mrs. Craik & Sally & two Mrs. Jenifers came.” Sally was, of course, Mrs. Sarah Craik Jenifer. He made the correction when copying the entry into the final version.

Sunday 7th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 63 at Night. Clear in the forenoon & cloudy afterwards with variable Winds.
After breakfast Mr. Donald went away and whilst we were at dinnr. Mr. Bushrod Washington & his wife came in.

Monday. 8th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—56 at Noon & 56 at Night. Cloudy all day with the Wind at No. Et. & Et.

Rid with Mr. Powell to my Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run Frenchs & the Ferry.
Work going as usual.

Tuesday 9th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—59 at Noon & 57 at Night. Clouds, Mists & Sunshine alternately. Wind at So. Et. & So.
Rid with Mr. & Mrs. Powell to view the Ruins of Belvoir.
Called on my return at Frenchs where I had begun with grass Scythes (a cradle having been found not to answr.) to cut the Pease which had been sown broadcast. The first sowing of these appeared pretty ripe, & the vines pretty full. The others were quite green. Whether this is owing to their being too late sown—or to the drought which kept them back I am unable to determine—to the latter however it is ascribed. In cutting these vines, the Pods of many of them were left without means of getting them up without picking them by hand. Hence it is evident that the Surface of the grd. after the Pease are sown ought by rolling and otherwise to be laid quite smooth that it might be raked easily and effectually. Without this many of them will always be lost—left at least on the ground where they would be excellent for falling weathers which would undoubtedly glean them compleatly—but [in] this case there should be nothing in the same enclosure that they can injure or destroy. Raked the Pease into small heaps.
Finished ditching up to the lane by the Overseers house.
Doctr. Griffith came in and stayed all Night.

Wednesday 10th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—63 at Noon & 60 at Night. Clear with variable Winds.
Mr. & Mrs. Powell, Mr. Bushrod Washington & wife, and Mr. Griffith going away after an early breakfast I rid to all the Plantations and found the same work at ea. going forward.

Thursday 11th. Thermometer at 54 in the morning—64 at Noon and 62 at Night. Foggy Morning & clear afterwards—wd. at N. Wt. & Wt. all day.
Rid to all the Plantations. Began to sow Wheat and Sainfoin in the orchard in the Neck—the ground being first plowed—then crossed—on which the Wheat was sown and harrowed in with a heavy harrow the way it was last plowed—then followed the Sainfoin and harrowed in the same way, with the same harrow—so that, on the whole the Oat Stubble had two plowings and two harrowings.

Finding the Pease at Muddy hole riper than the latter sowed ones at Frhs. I ordered the Scythes there to morrow leaving the greenest for the last to see if they would fill & ripen more.
In the evening Genl. Pinkney and his Lady came in on their return to South Carolina from the Federal Convention.

Friday 12th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 60 at Night. Weather clear and Winds variable—viz. N.E.: N.W. & S.W.
Genl. Pinkney and Lady going away after breakfast I rid to Muddy hole Dogue Run & Frenchs.
At the first finding great waste in Cutting the Pease (owing as has been observed to the cloddy & uneven surface of the grd.) I attempted to pull them by hand but found it so tedious as to oblige me to return to the Scythes notwithstanding the loss.
Sent the Plows belonging to Frenchs and Dogue run to their respective plantations.

Saturday 13th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 56 at Night. Cloudy in the Morning and clear afterwds. with the Wind at No. Wt.
Rid to Dogue run, French’s & the ferry Plantns.

At the two first took an Acct. of the Horses Cattle and Sheep wch. are as follow—viz.—

At Dogue run.
Horses
height	Age
Dabster	a grey	14½	10	Ploughers Horss.
Columbus	bay	14 Camp
bay	14¼ Ferry	3
bro: bay	14½ Camp	Working Horses
2d. bodd. Do.	13¼
Milk & Cydr.	14¼
Bay
Dark bro:	5
A Bay Mare, stabled at Mansn. Ho[use] last year	14½	10	Mares unbroken—or not used
A Black—blaze face 2 hind feet white
A bay, off hind foot whe.
A bla. Snip & Star—2 hind feet white
From Milk & Cyder.
Bay—Stabled last year	13½	4
Bay. like her, rather Smaller No white
Chesnut—likely
Bay—No white	3
Bay. blaze—near fore and 2 hind feet wh[it]e
Sorrel—no white	1	11
Bay. stabled last year	4
Grey, breaking
Sorrel—sml. Star—2 fore feet light—not wh[it]e	1	3
Bay. horse colt sml. Star	spg.
Bay. Mare Do. no white	Do.
Yellow bay—blaze face	Do.	3
Not belongg. to the Plantn.
old Partner	Charr[io]t Horses
Old Valiant
Jersey—Mare
Augusta Do—bay	4
In all	29

Cattle
Oxen	7
Cows	in the pasture	20
at home house	2
Mill besides a calf	1	23
Heifers	4 years old	1
3 years old	0
2 Do. Do	5
1 Do. Do.		8
Calves (cows)	11	25
Steers	4 years old	5
3 Do. Do.		8
2 Do. Do.		6
1 Do. Do.		1
Bull Calves	6	26
Bulls		4 yrs. old	1
1 Do. Do.		1	2
83
Calf at the Mill		1
In all	84
1 Steer—&	on the M: Meadw. for Sla:
1 Cow
Sheep—of all sorts		99
At French’s Horses.
The same as had from Robinson, and particularly enumerated and described the 1st. day of Jany. last, as registered in the Diary of that date	11
A Sorrel horse colt last Spring from the Sorrel Mare	1
in all	12
Cattle.
Oxen	4
Cows	(Includg. the Farmers)	7
Heifers	1 year old	1
cow calves	3
Steers	1 year old	4
spring calves	1
In all	20
Sheep	in all	29

At French’s sowed a narrow slipe of the grd. off which Pease had been taken next the Meadow Ditch with Wheat. The Wheat was sown on the ground without breaking and plowed in which it did in a very mellow & pulverized state, although the grd. in common never was drier or harder to work. In short, had the grd. been often plowed it could not have been in a better state of culture than it appeared (as did the whole field) to be in—which evinces, if Pease is not an exhauster, that land cannot be better prepared for an Autumnal sowing than by raising a crop of them previous thereto.
Finished cutting, and putting into small heaps the Pease at Muddy hole.

Sunday 14th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 56 at Night—weather clear—Wind at No. W. in the Morning, & So. Wt. in the afternoon; A severe frost this Morning, which killed Pease Buckwheat, Pumpkins, Potatoe Vines &ca. turning them quite bla[ck].

Monday. 15th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning 56 at Noon and 52 at Night. Clear all day—Wind at So. Wt. in the Morning and at No. Wt. afterwards.
Ordered the Buckwheat to be immediately cut—beginning with that at Dogue run (abt. 12 Acres) which was accordingly done this forenoon (when the frost was likewise severe) before the moisture was off the Straw. Put the Buck Wheat, as cut (with scythe and cradle) into small heaps to dry. Note—Whether this grain has std. out too long, or not I am not sufficiently acquainted with the nature of it to decide. There appeared to be as much shattered on the grd. as fully to sow it again, & at the same time there was at least as much Green Seed as had shed & many Blossums also on the Straw.
Rid to Muddy hole and into the Neck. Took an Acct. of the Horses Cattle and sheep at each as follow.

In the Neck.
Horses.
age
Doctor	white	15 hands	12	Plow Horses
Prentis	dark bay	15	16
Randolph	grey	14½	9
Jack	Black	15	11
Grunt	Bright bay	14½	12
Pompey	Dark bay	14½	9
Dick	Dingy bay	14½	5
Ranger	Black	14	5
Diamond	White	14	10
Possum	Flea bittn. grey	15½	9
10
Betsy	Bay	14½	10	Work Mares
Fanny	Black	15	11
Betsy	Dun	13½	15
Kate	Brown	14	11
Punch	Grey	14½	10
Jenny	Grey	14	12
Patience	Bright B.	13	15
Brandy	Black	13½	9
Nancy	Sorrel	14½	9	9
Davys	M: Bla.	14½	13	1
A Brown or black—14½ - 4 years right hind foot White sml. Star	Unbroke Horss.
A Black—13 hds.—5 yrs. Sml. Star
A black. 13 hands—3 yrs. old white all fours—blaze fa.
A black Colt: 1 year old blaze face right fore foot white & the left hind ft. do.
A Bay gelding 1 yr. old no white handsome
A Bay Stallion Colt—Ho.
6
A Black 14 hands. 4 yrs. old
A Brown 13½ Do. 3 yrs. two hind feet white—right eye wh[it]e
A Bla: 13 hands. 2 yrs. old. Star and right hind foot white
A White 14 hands 4 yrs. old.
4
Horses	In all	30

Cattle
Oxen	8
Cows	15 yrs. old	1
12.Do.	2
11.Do.	1
10.Do.	1
9.Do.	4
8.Do.	3
7.Do.	2
6.Do.	11
5.Do.	4
unknown	1
at the Mansn. Ho[use]	10
40
Heifers	4 Years old	7
3 Do.	3
2 Do.	9
1 Do.	15
Calves	11
45
Steers	7 Years old	4
6 Do.	2
5 Do.	3
4 Do.	2
3 Do.	1
2 Do.	5
1 Do.	4
Calves	6
27
Bulls	4 Years old	1
3 Ditto	1
1 Ditto	2
4
On the Plantn. to be accounted for	124
Besides the above
1 Cow & Calf to the Farmer	2
2 Cows & 2 Calves to G. A. W.	4
6
Fattg. at the Mill Meadow. Steers	5
Cows	3
8
Not on the Plantation	14

Sheep.
In great Pasture	92
River Ditto	83
Field—No. 1	24
199
Stock at Muddy hole Horses
Diamond H[orse]	Plow beasts	6
Jockey Do.
Dobbin Do.
Phoenix M[are]
Jenny Do.
Old Fly Do.
A Grey mare; old—with foal by the Jack 13½ hands high	Unbroke Mares & M.Colts
A bay Mare 13½ hands said to be 8 yrs. old—no white
A bay (brandy) 13½ hands with foal by the Jack. Slender—2 hd. feet white—narrow blaze & Snip—8 or 9 yrs. old.
a dark bay (Jenny) 13½ - 6 or 7 yrs. old & unsightly a small streak & Snip—2 hind feet white
A Brown Mare (Simpson) 14 hands—5 years old.
A Bay 13½ hands—7 yrs. old slight & unsightly—a small star 2 hind feet and off fore foot white.
A Bay not 13 hands. 7 yrs. old with a very dim & sml. Star.
A Grey 2 yrs. old well grown & strong, but not sightly
A Grey 14 hands—9 yrs. old Slight
A dark brown or black (it was not noted whether horse or mare) 2 yrs. old—near fore & hind foot w. very small Star.
A Sorrel—1 year old no wh. sent from the house
A Sorrel 1 year old, blaze face 4 feet white
A Brown spring colt from Simpson—got in the Woods
13

A Bay 2 yrs. old—a very dim and small Star—but one eye near fore, & off hind foot white—small but tolerably likely.	Unbroke Horse Colts
A black 2 yrs. old—small & unsightly—no white but the off hind foot.
A Sorrel year old Colt from Phoenix—got by Magnolio No white.
A  year old from brandy blaze face—2 hind feet White—wall eye & not sightly.
A  spring Colt—no white except a very dim Star small but sightly—got by Magnolio
5
In all	24
Cattle.
Oxen	6
Cows	6 yrs. old	3
4 Do.	6
9
Heifers	2 Do.	1
1 Do.	2
Calves	3	6
Steers	4 Years old	1
3 Ditto	2
2 Ditto	1
Calves	3	7
Bulls	2 yrs. old	1
1 Do.	3	4
At Mansn. House	Cow	1
To be accounted for	33
Fatting—Steers	4
Cows	1
In the Mill Meadw	5
Sheep.
Rams	1
Weathers	3
Ewes	17
In all—	21

Finished Sowing the Orchard in the Neck with Wheat & Sainfoin seed. Of the first it took  bushels and of the latter

bushels. Note—This grd. has been plowed & cross plowed—then Wheat sown & harrowed in—with the heavy harrow—Next sown with Sainfoin and harrowed in like manner (both the way the ground was plowed last)—after which 50 lbs. of Trefoil was sown over the whole and harrowed with the double harrows cross the former.

Tuesday 16th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning 50 at Noon and 46 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at No. Wt. & fresh.
Rid to the Ferry, French’s Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations.
At the former took an Acct. of the Horses—Cattle & Sheep as follow.
Horses.
Note—The Acct. of the Horses being mis-laid, cannot be entered here; but will come in when a fresh one can be taken—see Decr. 15th. 1787.

Cattle
Oxen 	5
Bulls—4 yrs. old	1
2 Do.	1
2
Cows 	8 years old	2
7 Ditto 	3
6 Ditto 	3
5 Ditto 	2
10
Heifers	4 years old	3
3 Ditto 	2
2 Ditto 	2
Calves 	7
14
Steers 	5 years old	1
4 Ditto 	3
3 Ditto 	8
2 Ditto 	5
Calves 	2
19
On the Plantatn. to be accd.	50

Besides the above.
Cows with the Farmrs	1
In the Meadw. fattg	2
3
Steers Do. Do	1
Oxen 	2
Not in care of the Overr.	6
Sheep.
Rams 	1
Wethers—old 	1
young 	20
Ewes	19 	41

At Muddy hole put the Buck Wht. which was this day cut into very small heaps and dug the Country Potatoes which measured as follow from the half Acre of experimental ground (the half of which had received dung—viz. 50 Bushels)—viz.—The No. Wt. quarter of the Piece, which had been dunged, and was in hills, yielded 4 bushels of eatable, and 3½ which were fit only for seed. The So. Wt. quarter also in hills but not dunged yielded 2½ Eatable & 3½ Seed. The No. Et. quarter which had been dunged & was in 4 feet drills produced 2½ eatable and 2 of Seed and the So. Et. Quarter 2½ eatable and 2 of Seed. In the whole 11½ of eatable and 11 of Seed. The Potatoes in the dunged part of the ground were much the largest and yielded

eatable	seed
from the Hills	4 B.	&	3½
In 4 feet rows	2½	2
6½	5½
Undunged
In Hills	2½	3½
4 feet Rows	2½	2
5	5½
difference	1½
6½	5½

Note.
Upon remeasurg. of these after they came to the Mansion House they turned out (heaped measure) only 7½ Bushls. of eatable and 10½ of Seed.

Short in the eatable
4 bush.

Seed
1/2
4 1/2

Whether this was occasioned by the difference of measure or theft of the Carter is not certain.
At Dogue run Treading out And at French’s plowing and filling up Gullies in the New Meadow.
At the Ferry pulling Pease.

Wednesday 17. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 46 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at No. Wt.
Rid to all the Plantations except the Ferry.
In the Neck cut the Buck Wheat. a good deal of which shattered but perhaps (it is a grain I am not accustomed to) not more than common & therefore I cannot undertake to decide whether it stood too long or not. Finished getting in the fodder at this place (which concluded this business at all the places—Sowed as yesterday and to day (Wind preventing it sooner) 50 lbs. of Trefoil on the Wheat and Sainfoin in the Orchard in the Neck and began to sow at the No. Wt. Corner of this enclosure under furrow the Winter Vetches crossing by so doing the first plowing after which a light harrow followed to level the ground.
The Pease in broad cast at French’s were much injured by the frost. It was unfortunate that they had not been cut a day or two sooner.
Note.
The ground in which Pease and Buck Wheat are sown ought always to be rolled when it is expected the Crops are to be cut. Without this they can never be got off clean. The Pease however that are left would be fine for Sheep and in that case the waste is of no great signification but in this case there must be nothing else in the inclosure that they can injure.

   winter vetches: Vicia villosa, hairy or winter vetch. The spring or common vetch, also called tare, is V. sativa.

Thursday 18th. Thermometer 38 in the morning—52 at Noon and 48 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at No. West.
Rid into the Neck, to Muddy hole & Frenchs Plantations.
At the first doubled the small heaps of Buck Wheat in the Morning whilst the dew was on. Finished plowing Sowing & harrowing in 6 Bushels of red clover Seed between the branch which runs from the gate to the Spring and the road which leads from the gate also the Quarters and thence into the Creek field.
At Muddy hole finished late in the afternoon the ditch round the Barn and Dug the Irish Potatoes in the half acre of experimental

ground (adjoining the ½ acre of Sweet or Country Potatoes) which being of the red and white in alternate rows through the piece yielded as follow

red	white
Bushls.
In the ½ wch. had been dungd	11	&	8¼
½ which had no dung	6	3½
17	11¾
11¾
Total of both sorts	28¾
5
Difference betwn. the red & Wh[it]e is	4¾	4¾
Of both together	9¾	Bush.

All the hands from the House, except the Carpenters, that were employed in the Neck yesterday went to French’s to day to assist in securing as many of the Pease there as they could—great loss by the frost—The ripe pease opening and sheddg. and the green ones with the vines on which they grew had turned quite black loking like a thing parboiled. Carried the Pease and the Vines which appeared to be cured into one end of the Tobo. House in field No. 1.
In the Evening Mr. Houston and lady & Miss Maria Livingston her Sister came in and stayed all Night.

   mr. houston: probably William Houstoun of Georgia. Houstoun, the son of Sir Patrick Houstoun, Bart., and Lady Priscilla Dunbar Houstoun, went to England to study law at the Inner Temple during the Revolution, returning to America in time to obtain a commission and serve briefly in the army. He served in the Continental Congress from 1784 to 1787 and in 1785 was one of the commissioners to settle the boundary line between Georgia and South Carolina. Houstoun was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention; although he took an active part in the convention, urgent personal business called him away before the signing of the Constitution. Houstoun’s “Lady” was his future wife Mary Bayard (c.1766–1808), daughter of Nicholas Bayard and Catherine Van Brugh Livingston Bayard of New York. They were to marry the following year. Maria Livingston, her traveling companion, was probably one of her numerous Livingston cousins.

Friday 19th. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 50 at Night. In the Morning the weather was hazy—at Noon Cloudy and in the evening raining.
Mr. Houston going away abt. 10 Oclock I rid to French’s the Ferry Dogue run & Muddy hole.

At the Ferry the hands were making a farm pen.
At French’s about the Pease as yesterday. The Vines of some of them appeared to me to be not sufficiently cured.
At Dogue run getting out Wheat and removing brush from the Swamp to the gullies.
At Muddy hole began to ditch between fields No. 1. 2. 3. & 4 and to sow Wheat with a Barrel 6 feet long—perforated with holes strapped round with leather bands in order with intention to drop the wheat in clumps 6 Inches square but the leather not binding equally alike in all parts it discharged Seeds from the Sides and sowed it broad.
On my return home I found a Mr. Dunlap (a West Indian) Mr. Cary Mr. Donaldson, and Mr. Porter here who returned to Alexa. after dinner.

   Joseph Cary (Carey) was a partner of Thomas and John Williams in the Alexandria firm of Williams, Cary & Williams (Va. Journal, 29 Mar. and 15 Nov. 1787; Fairfax IndexEdith Moore Sprouse, ed. A Surname and Subject Index of the Minute and Order Books of the County Court, Fairfax County, Virginia, 1749–1800. Fairfax County History Commission. Fairfax, Va., 1976., 2:19).

   Robert Donaldson, an Alexandria merchant, in 1785 was selling imported goods from the West Indies (Va. Journal, 30 June 1785). In the 1790s he was a partner in the firm of Hartshorne & Donaldson.

Saturday 20th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—48 at Noon & 46 at Night. Wind at No. Et. with a continued rain since it began yesterday afternoon.
No out doors work done this day.

Sunday 21st. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 50 at Night. Wind at No. Et. till the afternoon then No.—Cloudy all day with some rain—at home alone.

Monday 22d. Thermometer 46 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 56 at Night. Clear and exceedingly pleasant all day—with the Wind Northerly in the Morning and Southerly in the evening.
Went up to a meeting of the Potk. Company at George Town. Called at Muddy hole Plantation in my way. Did the business which called the Comy. together. Dined at Shuters Tavern, and returned as far as Abingdon at Night.
Whilst at Muddy hole, finding that the Barrel continued to scatter the Wheat, and not having time to try new expedients to alter it; the Season for sowing this grain being far advanced; I directed that it should proceed as it was.

Tuesday 23d. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 58 at Night—Weather calm & clear.

After a very early break fast at Abigdon I arrived at Muddy hole Plantation by 8 oclock and took the Bands off the Barrel that the grain might drop without interruption from the holes therein.
Went round by Dogue run, Frenchs and the Ferry Plantation.
At the first getting out Wheat.
At the 2d. (Frenchs) securing Pease and
At the Ferry Treading out Oats.

Wednesday 24th. Thermometer at 43 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 61 at Night. Morning Foggy but clear afterwards with the Wind at So. Wt. & South.
Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck found that the Sowing of the orchard Inclosure with Wheat had been compleated on Monday last and that such parts thereof as have not been already enumerated, had been sown with Wheat alone. The Orchard part had received the workings already mentioned as also the part which was sown with the winter Vetches. The Part which had been sown with Wheat & clover, as already mentioned had been plowed & cross plowed—the Wheat then harrowed in, after which the clover seed was Sown over which a bush passed to scratch in the Seed and level the grd. That part which had Wheat alone had also been plowed—crossed plowed—& the Wheat harrowed in.
Ordered the Buck Wheat at every place to be got in and threshed out. yield—exclusive of abt. ¼ at the So. Wt. Corner of the Sqr., which had perished by, it is apprehended the lowness of the situation, as follow 3¾ bushls. & ½ a peck whereof 2¼ grew on the dunged part of the half acre.
At Frenchs, the Pease would be all got in this Night (but with great loss)—and
at the Ferry the people were cleaning Oats which were tread out yesterday.
Mr. Richard Lee & his Sister came here in the evening.

   These visitors were probably Richard Bland Lee and his eldest sister Mary Lee, children of Henry Lee of Leesylvania, who died earlier this year. Mary later (c.1792) became the third wife of Philip Richard Fendall of Alexandria (LEE [5]Edmund Jennings Lee. Lee of Virginia, 1642–1892: Biographical and Genealogical Sketches of The Descendants of Colonel Richard Lee . . .. Philadelphia, 1895., 296–98).

Thursday 25th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 66 at Night. Clear all day, with the Wind at So. Wt.
Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck, began with 4 plows to flush plow field No. 6 (in 6 feet Ridges) for Indian Corn & Potatoes next yr. and began also to draw the Buck Wh. together, and to get up the Hogs at this place for killing.

At Muddy hole began also to get in, and thresh out the Buck Wheat. An half acre of the experimental grd. at this place which had been divided into 3 equal parts and planted with the Bunch homeny Beans—Of the commn. homony bean and with the small round Pease yielded as follow—viz.—of the first which had been gathered before I came home 3 pecks—of the 2d. (just now gathered) 1 peck only and of the other viz. Pease the 2d. & last gathering of which has been just made—3 pecks. Note each of these Thirds contained the 6th. of an acre. Of the experimental half acres there are 3 yet to obtain the crops from—viz.—Jerusalem Artichokes (of which, out of 1442 hills 417 are missing)—Carrots and Turnips. In the half acre of Irish Potatoes there were 27 Rows 4 feet a part & 60 in length. These were also missing in places, and more in the undunged than dunged part. Had the Rows been nearer, the Crop would have been greater. Ordered the Irish Potatoes at this place wch. had been planted under Straw &ca. for experiments to be taken up.

Yield as follow.

Bushls.

From 400 Sqr. yards laid on Green sward & covd. w. str.

3 3/4

From 56 sqr. yds. laid on a poor washed knowl—gulld.

3 Pecks

From a sqr. made by Fence rails & raised lair above lair with Straw & Potatoes
}
3/4 of a Peck

From 160 sqr. yds. laid in grn. Sward & covd. with Corn Stalks
}
1 Peck

At Dogue Run the hands were getting in & threshing out Buck Wheat.
At Frenchs—The Hoe people and Cart were filling up gullies and two plows were at work.
At the Ferry two plows began to break up part of No. 2 for Indian Corn & Potatoes. The rest of the Negroes were measuring and carrying off Oats—Stacking blades and otherwise securing the fodder.
At the Mansion House setting Turnips raised from the Seed sent me by Mr. Young to propagate Seed from.
On my return home found Mrs. Stuart and her two youngest daughters here—and Mr. & Miss Lee whom I had left.

   mr. young: GW had included turnip seeds in the list of items requested on 6 Aug. 1786 of Arthur Young, the English agriculturist (PPRF).

Friday. 26th. Thermometer at 57 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 67 at Night. Clear all day & wind pretty fresh from the So. Wt.
Rid to all the Plantations after Mr. & Miss Lee went away.
In the Neck, the Buck Wheat was all drawn to a yard in the field for the purpose of threshing and it was accordingly done and removed to the Barn but not measured. 6 plows at Wk. there to day.
At Muddy hole finished Sowing with the Barrel, the ground on the left of the road leading from the gate on the Ferry road, to the Barn with 18½ Bushls. of Wheat—and thinking this quantity inadequate I had more holes perferated in the Barrl. to sow the other part on the right of the above road. Got all the Pease into the Barn yard which had been cut down with the Scythes—also the remains of the Buck Wheat.
At Dogue run gathered in to the Farm yard & began to thresh and clean it.
At Frenchs filling gullies & Plowing (2 plows) part of field No. 2 which had been left unbroke in the Spring & Summer.
At the Ferry treading out Oats began with 2 plows to break up the lay part of field No. 2.

Saturday 27th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning 67 at Noon and 64 at Night. The Morning was calm and mild but the Wind blew fresh afterwards from the Westward.
Went to the Woods back of Muddy hole with the hounds. Unkennelled 2 foxes and dragged others but caught none—the dogs running wildly and being under no command.
Passed through Muddy hole Plantation & returned home by way of Dogue run, French’s and the Ferry.
At the first, Sowed in 6 Oblong Squares at the West end of field No 4 (on the Wheat just sown) abt. an acre in each, the following grass Seeds. viz.—on the most Westerly square (being a breadth across the field) and divided, as all the others are, by a partition furrow 8 lbs. of rib grass—Next to this 20 lbs. of red clover—in the 3d. 2 Bushls. of Orchard grass—In the 4th. 20 lbs. of Hop-clover—In the 5th. four Bushls. of Ray grass and in the 6th. 2 bushls. of Sainfoin. After sowing these Seeds the ground was first rolled and then harrowed with a bush. The square containing Sainfoin had the Seed first harrowed in with the Wheat over and above what is mentioned to have been done with respect to the others.
At Dogue run finished threshing cleaning and measuring the Buck Wht. wch. amounted to 121 Bushls. from about 12 Acres.

At Frenchs cleared up the shattered Pease and threshed those wch. had been picked off the grd. wch. together amounted to 9 Bushls.
At the Ferry set 3 plows to work. Put the girl Eby to one of them.
The tryal that was made in the Neck of differt. qties. of Oats to the acre turned out as follow.

That wch. had
2
bushls.
yielded

8 1/2

3
Do.
Do.

7

4
Do.
Do.

5 1/2

The above 3 acres were adjoining each other and as nearly alike as possible in quality of Soil, levelness and other circumstances. The grd. was prepared in all respects alike and sowed at the same time.

   eby: GW calls her Edy in the 18 Feb. 1786 entry of the Diaries and in his 1799 list of slaves. She was about 14 years old at this time (list of Negroes belonging to GW, c. June 1799, NjP:Armstrong Collection, photostat).

Sunday 28th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 54 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at So. Wt. in the Morning and No. Et. in the Evening.
Went to Pohick Church—Mr. Lear & Washington Custis in the carriage with me.
Mr. Willm. Stuart came from Church with me & Mr. Geo. Mason Junr. came in soon after.

Monday 29th. Thermometer at 45 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 46 at Night. Raining slowly at day breaking—how much earlier it began is not known; continued to do so, mixed with flakes of Snow till one oclock, when it cleared away pleasantly; but little wind all day, & that at East.
Spread, whilst it was raining, 2 Bushels of the Plaster of Paris had from Philadelphia on the So. half of the lawn beyond the break or small fall therein—quantity about half an acre.
After dinner Mr. George Mason went away.

Tuesday 30th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 46 at Night. Cloudy in the Morning with the Wind at So. Wt. About 8 oclock it began a slow & misling rain which encreased till it came on to rain fast which it continued to do until 11 Oclock when it ceased. A variable afternoon, but upon the whole pleasant.
Rid to Muddy hole and Dogue run, in the Morning but being

driven in by the Rain I rode after it ceased to the Ferry & French’s.
At Muddy hole cleaning up the Buck Wheat—57 bushls. of it only from 18 acres of ground.
At Dogue run 4 plows were at Work—the other hands agrubbg.
At French’s 2 plows were at Work and the other hands weeding 2 yards for treading out grain.
At the Ferry the 3 plows were at work and the other people grubbing.

Wednesday 31st. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 41 at Night. Clear pleasant and warm in the forenoon. Towards Noon it grew cold the Wind being hard at No. Wt.
Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck 6 plows were at Work and two more just added—one of which broke immediately. The other hands were digging Potatoes in the further cut opposite to Mr. Digges in No. 3.
At Muddy hole, finished sowing Wheat on the right of the road leading from the gate on the Ferry road to the Barn—in which 12½ bushls. of Seed was deposited and put in as that on the other side was. The hands getting the Remainder of the frost bitten Pease; and taking up those Turnips in the experimental grd. (which, not havg. the tops taken of being intended for seed) the yield could not be ascertained.
At Dogue run—The plows and People were employed as yesterday.
The Ditchers went to Frenchs this Morning.
Mrs. Stuart and her two youngest Children and Mr. William Stuart went from this Yesterday morning.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 1st. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 42 at Night. A frost this morning which crusted the grd. and formed Ice. Early it was calm & not unpleasant but the Wind blew fresh from the No. Wt. & grew cold afterwards. Rid by the way of Muddy hole where the people were taking up Turnips to transplant for Seed to Alexandria to attend a meeting of the Directors of the Potomack Company. Also the exhibition of the Boys of the Academy in this place. Dined at Leighs Tavern & lodged at Colo. Fitzgeralds after returning abt. 11 Oclock at Night from the performance which was well executed.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 2d. Thermometer at 32 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 44 at Night. Last Night being very cold the grd. this morning was hard frozen. The Weather however through the day was very pleasant. After breakfast I returned home by way of Muddy hole, Dogue run, Frenchs and the Ferry. At the first 3 plows were breaking up the remains of field No. 4. The other hands were taking up the Jerusalem Artichoke from the half Acre of experimental ground adjoining the half Acre in which the Irish Potatoes grew. Yield 58½ bushls. The quantity in the dunged, and undunged part was equal but the roots of the 1st. were largest. At Dogue run all hands were engaged in treading out Wheat. At Frenchs except the two Plows which were at work, they were employed in digging Irish Potatoes. At the Ferry in treading out Oats.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 3rd. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 47 at Night. Clear weather & very pleasant with but little wind. Rid to all the Plantations. Digging Potatoes at the River, Muddy hole, and Frenchs—at all of which the Plows were also at work. Treading Wheat at D. Run & Oats at the Ferry.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 5th. Thermometer at 48 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 56 at Night. But little Wind, clear & pleasant all day. Mr. & Mrs. Powell remaining here I continued at home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 6th. Thermometer at 48 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 56 at Night. Little or no Wind. Clear and pleasant all day.  Mr. & Mrs. Powell crossing the river to Mr. Digges a little after Sunrise I accompanied them that far & having my horse carried into the Neck I rid round that and all the other plantations. From the cut of drilled Corn in the Neck (in wch. the Tobo. house stands) came 45 bushls. of Irish Potatoes from every 3d. interval between the Corn Rows. From the So. Cut on the river came 38 Bushels from the 4 rows and from the Farm yard cut 4th. rows came 98 Bushels in all 181 whereof 21 only were red. Eight Plows were at work here. At Muddy hole 2 plows were at Work. The driver of the 3d. was after Hogs. The rest of the hands getting Potatoes from a 10 acre cut of Corn, adjoining the experimental ground from whence (every 4th. row) came 25 bushls. of white & 22¾ of red—alternate rows of each sort—In all 47¾. At Dogue run all hands were engaged in cleaning wheat, stacking the Straw &ca. At Frenchs two plows were at Work—all the other hands diggg. Potatoes. At the Ferry 3 plows were at Work. The other hands were gettg. Corn from the New ground in front of the Mansn. House.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 10th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 52 at Night. The morning was mild & pleasant with the Wind at South. About 5 oclock it thundered & began to rain which it continued to do more or less till 10 oclock at Night. Went again on the business I quitted yesterday without finishing it. Passed by the Ferry, Frenchs and Dogue run, and returned by Muddy hole. At the Ferry the Plows were at work as usual and the other hands were digging Potatoes. At Frenchs they were employed as yesterday but were ordered to remove the trash out of the wet part of the Meadow (that had been grubbed) before it got wet. At Dogue run only 2 plows were at work—the other hands digging Potatoes.  At Muddy hole all were digging Potatoes. On my return home found the Widow Graham and her daughter here who stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 11th. Thermometer at 48 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 56 at Night. Morning clear & pleasant with the Wind westerly but not hard nor cold. After breakfast Mrs. Graham & her daughter went away and to dinner came my Nephew Geo. Steptoe Washington and young Mr. McCrae. In the Evening Colo. Richd. Henry Lee came in.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 12th. Thermometer at 46 in the morning—52 at Noon And 52 at Night. Wind Southerly, weather mild but lowering all day. Towards noon, and from thence till 4 oclock it had much the appearance of Snow after wch. the clouds thinned and the prospect of fair weather brightned. Colo. Lee went away about 11 Oclock and the young men after dinner. I did not ride as usual. Finished digging the Irish Potatoes at Dogue run in the cut they began on thursday last—quantity from every 4th. interval between the Corn rows 120 bushl—63 of wch. were red. Red & white were in the rows alternately.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Thursday 15th. Thermometer at 63 in the morning—62 at Noon and 62 at Night. Morning mild and very heavy—the Wind having blown very fresh from the So. West all night. About 10 oclk. (after some previous sprinklings) it began a constant rain which continued till near three oclock without intermission, and at times very powerfully. After this till Night it ceased, but recommenced sometime after dark and continued it is supposed thro’ the Night. Went to Alexandria to an Election of a Senator, for the district of Fairfax & Prince William. Was accompanied by Mr. William Stuart who with Mrs. Stuart & his Sister came here last evening. Gave my suffrage for Mr. Thos. West who with a Mr. Pope from the other County were Candidates and returned home to dinner through the midst of the rain from an apprehension that the weather was not likely to abate in the evening. The last of the Potatoes were brought from the left hand cut at Dogue run making therefore 113½ Bushels whereof 57¾ were red and 56½ were white. These added to those on the other side of the road, make 120¾ of red, and 113½ of White; In all 234¼ Bushls. from the 4th. Intervals of the Corn rows. The No. of Acres in Corn may be abt. 57. In the Evening Mr. Kelly the Dancing Master and my Nepw. G. Steptoe Washington came in.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 17th. Thermometer at 44 in the morning—56 at Noon And 55 at Night. A very clear and pleasant Morning. Day fine, Wind tho’ not much of it at No. West. Rid to the Ferry, French’s, Dogue run and Muddy hole. At the first ground being too wet to Plow I sent them to Frenchs which was something drier being lay land.  At the other, cleaning the Barley, aided by some of the Dogue run people—but was not able to finish it. At Dogue run four plows were at work. The other hands were filling gullies before the Plows. At Muddy hole 3 plows were at Work. The other people & the small gang from the House were digging Potatoes tho’ it was bad doing it on acct. of the wetness of the earth. Mrs., Miss Stuart and the Miss[es] Custis together with Harriot W. went up to Abingdon, & Mr. Kelly & Geo. Steptoe Washington to Alexandria, after breakfast.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 18th. Thermometer at 41 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 51 at Night. Weather clear and pleasant. The Wind in the morning was at No. Et.—at Noon East and at Night Southerly. Geo. Auge. Washington and his wife went up to Abingdon. To Dinner came Mr. Potts his wife and Brother and Mr. Wilson from Alexandria and soon after them Colo. Humphreys. The first company went away after dinner and in the evening Mr. Corbin Washington came in.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 19th. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—53 at Noon and 51 at Night. Morning clear and calm, with a red sky in the Eastern horizon and some fog on the River. Rid before breakfast to the Plantations at Frenchs, Dogue run & Muddy hole. Had the Barley at the former fanned, cleaned and Measured—quantity 126½ bushls. from about 9 acres of ground. At Dogue run, laid down the Barley to tread out. At Muddy hole digging Potatoes. The hands from the Ferry, and sml. gang from the Mansn. house assisting. The Ploughs would abt. finish breaking up field No. 4 this evening. Mr. Robt. Morris, Mr. Gour. Morris & Doctr. Ruston came in before Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 21st. Thermometer at 51 in the Morning—51 at Noon And 46 at Night. A great deal of rain fell in the Night. Cloudy morning but clear afterwards. Wind at No. West all day but neither very hard, nor cold. Messrs. Morris’s, & Doctr. Ruston went away after Breakfast. With the first two I rid a few miles and then visited my plantations at Frenchs, Dogue run & Muddy hole on my return. At the first, the Ferry Plows were aiding those of the Plantatn., their own grd. being too wet and the other hands were assisting the Muddy hole people in digging Potatoes. The rest of French’s hands were filling up gullies before the Plows. At Dogue run 4 plows were at work. The other hands were fillg. up gullies. At Muddy hole the Plows (three) only finished breaking up No. 4 last night, instead of doing it the eveng. before, as I expected. And began this morning to plow No. 3. The other hands with those from the Ferry were about the Potatoes. In the Neck, finished breaking up field No. 4.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 22d. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—51 at Noon And 45 at Night. Cloudy morning with the Wind fresh all day at No. West. About Noon it was clear. Lowered again in the Afternoon. Rid into the Neck and to Muddy hole. At the first, began to Plow (next the Mouth of Carneys gut) field No. 9 as the first preparation for a wheaten Crop, next fall—to receive in the Mean while Buck Wheat, & some other fallow Crops. 6 plows only at work.  At the Plantation at Muddy hole 2 plows only were at work in No. 3. The third had come down to the House to be repaired; all the other hands, together with those from the Ferry, were digging Potatoes. Examined the squares which I had sowed at this place with grass seeds; and found that the red clover, hop clover, Ray grass, and orchard grass were all up very thick. None of the rib grass could I perceive up and very little if any of the Sainfoin. The Winter Vetches, red clov. and trafoil which had been sowed in the Neck were also up the two last very thick & well; but I could perceive none of the Burnet, and very little of the Sainfoin above ground.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 25th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 45 at Night. Clear & pleasant all day—Notwithstanding the Wind (though not brisk) continued at No. East. Colo. Simms, Mr. Porter, and young Mr. Bowen came here to dinner, and returned afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 26th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning—49 at Noon And 47 at Night. Wind at No. Et. and great appearances of rain all day. About Noon it began to Mizzle after which the clds. broke & the weather looked less threatning. Colo. Lee & his Lady, & Colo. Harrison going away after breakfast I rid to French’s, Dogue run, and Muddy hole. At the first, 2 plows were at work; the other hands were cleaning Oats. At Dogue run, all hands were engaged in getting out Oats, for which purpose the Plows were stopped. At Muddy hole, 3 plows were at work; the other hands were gathering Corn; Three plows were at Work at the Ferry. Mrs. Jenifer came here.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Tuesday 27th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning—49 at Noon and 47 at Night. Wind at No. Et. all day and weather very heavy and threatning. Rid to the Plantations in the Neck, Muddy hole, Dogue run, Frenchs and Ferry. At the first gathering, and measuring Corn. The whole produce of field No. 3 amounted to no more than  Barrls. 6 plows were at work. At Muddy hole, 3 plows were at work—the other hands gathering Corn & husking it. At Dogue run, 4 plows were at Work. The other hands were cleaning the Oats which had been tread out yesterday. At French’s 2 plows were at Work. All the other hands were cleaning Oats. At the Ferry 3 plows were at Work. All the rest of the hands were gathering & husking Corn.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 28th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 47 at Night. Wind variable, sometimes East, and sometimes West of North. Began to drop rain by or before Sun rise. About 10 Oclock it encreased so as to rain pretty fast; which it continued to do, more or less till abt. 4 oclock when it cleared & the Sun. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s, Dogue run & Muddy hole. The Plows were at Work at all of them till abt. 10 Oclock when they were stopped by rain—as all other outdoors work was.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 29th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 49 at Night. Clear and calm in the fore part of the day, & in the afternoon. Cloudy from 12 Oclock till 3, with appearances of Snow & wind at No. West. In Company with Colo. Humphreys Majr. Washington & Mr. Lear went a hunting, found a fox about 11 Oclock near the Pincushion. Run him hard for near 3 quarters of an hour & then lost him. Mr. Lund Washington who joined us, came & dined with us and returned afterwards. Passed through Muddy hole Plantation. 3 plows were at Work, the other hands were gathering & husking Corn.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 November 1787]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 30th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 39 at Night. Cloudy in the Morning but clear afterwards. Early in the Morning the Wind was about So. West after which it

got to No. Wt. but neither blew hard nor cold. In the evening it was calm & quite clear. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s, Dogue run & Muddy hole. At the first three plows were at work in field No. 3, Number 2 being two wet to plow. The rest of the hands were gathering and husking Corn. At French’s 2 plows were at Work. The other hands were filling gullies before the Plows. The last load of Oats from the stack which had been tread were brot. to the Mansion house from this place—qty. 287½ bushls. from this Stack. At Dogue run, 4 plows were at Work. The other hands were making drains to let of the water (wch. was ponding in wet weather) from fields No. 4 & 6, now in grain. Brot. the last of the Oats from this place which grew in the ground (abt. 25 acs.) that was winter fallowed in No. 1, adjoining the Ferry road. Qty. 139½ Bushls. All these (last mentioned) Oats, were deposited in the Seed loft, over the Green Ho. At Muddy hole 3 plows were at work. The other hands were gathering and husking corn. Mrs. Jenifer went away about Noon.