Title: [Diary entry: 12 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Rid with Colo. Bassett &ca. to the Fishing Landing at Posey.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 14. Went a hunting. Killd a bitch Fox with three young ones almost hair’d. Doctr. Rumney dind here & stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Rid with Mrs. Bassett &ca. to the fishing Landing at Johnson’s. Mr. Digges & his three daughters Teresa Betcy & Jenny dind here. Doctr. Rumney went away.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Rid with Mrs. Bassett &ca. to the Mill & Fishing Landing at Posey’s. Colo. Richd. Lee dind & Lodgd.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Attempted to go to Alexa. Church but broke the Poll of the Chariot & returnd. Colo. Lee went away after Breakfast.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Went with Colo. Bassett, Mrs. Bassett &ca. to Mr. Digges’s & dined.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Went with the above Compy. to the Fishing Landing at Johnsons.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. All the foregoing Company except Colo. Bassett & Family went away after Breakfast. I rid with him to the Fish[er]y at Posey.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Mr. Tilghman & Mr. Stewart came here to Dinner. The first stayed all Night the other returnd.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 25. Colo. Bassett & family went away after Breakfast and Mr. Tilghman after Dinner. Mr. Adam dind here. Mr. Lanphire came to W[or]k.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. At home all day. Mr. Robt. Adam Dined here.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. At home all day alone.


Title: [April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

April 1st. At home all day. Price Posey dined here.

2. At home all day. Mr. Robt. Adam dined here.

3. At home all day. Mr. Hooe & Mr. Robt. Harrison dined and lodged here.

4. The above Gentlemen went away early in the morning & Mrs. Washington and myself went & dined at Mr. Digges’s with Mr. & Mrs. Custis on their way to Mr. Calverts.

5. Tuesday, at home all day. Captn. Posey came in the Evening.

6. At home all day.

   For the past several weeks GW had been corresponding with Dr. Hugh Mercer of Fredericksburg, who wished to buy the Ferry Farm. On this day Dr. Mercer accepted GW’s price, promising to pay the £2,000 Virginia currency in five annual payments, plus interest (Mercer to GW, 6 April 1774. DLC:GW).

7. At home all day. Captn. Posey went away after Dinner as Mrs. Barnes also did to her own habitation.

8. At home all day alone.

9. At home all day. Colo. Bassett, Mrs. Bassett, with Billy & Fanny came here to Dinner. Mr. Robt. Adam also dind here.

10. Went with Colo. Bassett &ca. to Pohick Church. Returnd to Dinner. Doctr. Brown dind here.

11. At home all day. Mr. Milner & a Mr. Marle dined here.

   William Milnor, merchant of Philadelphia, had come to Mount Vernon to buy fish taken from GW’s fishing grounds along the Potomac (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 123). Milnor also rented a new fish house, which GW had built for him at Johnston’s fishery, on the Clifton’s Neck land (GW to William Milnor, 16 Dec. 1773, DLC:GW). mr. marle: may be Richard Marley, merchant of Philadelphia.

12. Rid with Colo. Bassett &ca. to the Fishing Landing at Posey.

   The fishermen were taking some shad but mostly herring, worth over £100 sterling, most of which was sold to Milnor on credit (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 123).

13. Rowed to the different Fishing Landings as high as Broad Creek. Met & brot. Mr. Custis & his wife home with us.

14. Went a hunting. Killd a bitch Fox with three young ones almost hair’d. Doctr. Rumney dind here & stayed all Night.

15. Rid with Mrs. Bassett &ca. to the fishing Landing at Johnson’s. Mr. Digges & his three daughters Teresa Betcy & Jenny dind here. Doctr. Rumney went away.

16. Rid with Mrs. Bassett &ca. to the Mill & Fishing Landing at Posey’s. Colo. Richd. Lee dind & Lodgd.

17. Attempted to go to Alexa. Church but broke the Poll of the Chariot & returnd. Colo. Lee went away after Breakfast.

18. Went with Colo. Bassett &ca. to Alexa. Returnd in the Afternoon. Mr. Magowan came home with us.

19. Went with Colo. Bassett, Mrs. Bassett &ca. to Mr. Digges’s & dined.

20. Rid to the Fishing Landg. at Johnson’s. Mr. Herbert & Mr. Stewart came home with us to Dinner. Mrs. Brown dined here & in the Aftern. Colo. Mason, Doctr. Brown, Mr. Jno. Cook, & my Brother John came.

   John Travers Cook (1755–1823), of Stafford County, married Mary Thomson Mason, daughter of George Mason of Gunston Hall.

21. At home all day. Mr. Herbert, Mr. Stewart, Colo. Mason, & Doctr. Brown & Wife went away before Dinner. Mr. Warnr. Washington & Captn. Nourse came to it.

22. Went with the above Compy. to the Fishing Landing at Johnsons.

23. All the foregoing Company except Colo. Bassett & Family went away after Breakfast. I rid with him to the Fish[er]y at Posey.

24. Mr. Tilghman & Mr. Stewart came here to Dinner. The first stayed all Night the other returnd.

   On 7 April 1774 James Tilghman, Jr., had written to GW, mentioning “the agreeable Prospect that I have of shortly seeing all my Friends in Virginia, I shall leave Philadelphia in a Week, and in one week more hope to pay a Visit to Mount Vernon” (DLC:GW).

25. Colo. Bassett & family went away after Breakfast and Mr. Tilghman after Dinner. Mr. Adam dind here. Mr. Lanphire came to W[or]k.

   mr. lanphire: Going Lanphier (1727–1813), a house joiner and carpenter from Alexandria, had first done interior carpentry for GW in 1759, when the Mount Vernon mansion house was “raised” from 1½ to 2½ stories (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 58). GW had now hired Lanphier to work on extending both ends of the house, which would add a downstairs library and upstairs master bedroom on the south end and a two-story room on the north end later referred to as the Banquet Hall. The south end, built first, was not completed until after GW had left Mount Vernon to serve in the Revolution. On 10 Dec. 1775 Lund Washington wrote to GW that the south addition was almost done, adding, “we have been trying to Cure the [new] Chimney from smokeg. & I am in hopes [I] have done it, after doing & undoing twenty times” (ViMtvL). Because of his service in the Revolutionary War, GW did not see the south end or the unfinished north end until the fall of 1781.

26. At home all day alone.

27. Mr. & Mrs. Cox & Mr. Robt. Adam Dined here. The latter went away afterwards. The other two stayed.

28. At home all day. Mr. Robt. Adam Dined here.

29. At home all day. Mrs. French Miss Molly Manley and Mr. Thos. Addison dind here and went away afterwards.

30. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Raining a little in the forenoon with the Wind Easterly wch. ceasd in the afternoon Wind getting more Westerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Clear but cool, wind pretty fresh from the South West.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Warm and pleasant with but little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Cool again with the Wind at No. East & pretty fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 7. Wind in the same quarter & fresh. Also Cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Raw and Cold. Wind at No. Et. and like for Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Raining a little in the forenoon—but clear afterwds. & Cool. Wind westwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Cool in the forenoon with the Wind at No. West—Warmr. afterwards & Calm.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

12th. Wind Westwardly & Cool. Weather clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Clear, calm, & pleasant in the forenoon. Cool afterwards with the Wind fresh from the West, & No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Clear & calm in the Morning. Wind pretty fresh from the Westward afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Wind very fresh from the Southwest all day & in the Evening like to Rain but none fell.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Clear all day & Warm with but little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Clear and very warm with but little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Again very warm with very little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. A little Cool in the Morning, but warm afterwards with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Clear and warm, with but very little wind. That Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 25. Much such a day as yesterday being clear, still and warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Very warm with but little wind and that Southerly again.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Lowering in the Morning with the Wind abt. No. Et. In the Afternoon moderate Rain which con[tinue]d through the Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 April 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Warm in the forepart of the day with Showers. Cool in the Afternoon with the Wind blowing violently hard from the Northwest which again moderating it set in to Raining & Raind all Night.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in Aprl. [1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

April 1st. Clear & pleasant Forenoon with but little Wind. Lowerg. afterwards.

2. Raining a little in the forenoon with the Wind Easterly wch. ceasd in the afternoon Wind getting more Westerly.

3. Clear and tolerably pleasant but a little cool.

4. Clear but cool, wind pretty fresh from the South West.

5. Warm and pleasant with but little Wind & that Southerly.

6. Cool again with the Wind at No. East & pretty fresh.

7. Wind in the same quarter & fresh. Also Cool.

8. Raw and Cold. Wind at No. Et. and like for Rain.

9. Raining a little in the forenoon—but clear afterwds. & Cool. Wind westwardly.

10. Cool in the forenoon with the Wind at No. West—Warmr. afterwards & Calm.

11. Tolerably pleasant & clear all day with not much Wind.

12th. Wind Westwardly & Cool. Weather clear.

13. A little Cool. Wind pretty fresh from the So. East. Clear.

14. Warm with but little Wind & that Southerly. Lowering with much appearances of Rain but little fell.

15. Clear, calm, & pleasant in the forenoon. Cool afterwards with the Wind fresh from the West, & No. West.

16. Clear & calm in the Morning. Wind pretty fresh from the Westward afterwards.

17. Wind very fresh from the Southwest all day & in the Evening like to Rain but none fell.

18. Clear all day & Warm with but little Wind & that Southerly.

19. Clear & Warm. Wind pretty fresh from the So. East.

20. Clear and very warm with but little Wind & that Southerly.

21. Again very warm with very little Wind.

22. Very Warm—with little or no Wind. In the Afternoon Thunder, with appearances of Rain, but none fell.

23. A little Cool in the Morning, but warm afterwards with but little Wind.

24. Clear and warm, with but very little wind. That Southerly.

25. Much such a day as yesterday being clear, still and warm.

26. Clear & warm all day with very little Wind and that Southerly.

27. Very warm with but little wind and that Southerly again.

28. Lowering in the Morning with the Wind abt. No. Et. In the Afternoon moderate Rain which con[tinue]d through the Night.

29. Warm in the forepart of the day with Showers. Cool in the Afternoon with the Wind blowing violently hard from the Northwest which again moderating it set in to Raining & Raind all Night.

30. Very cold. Wind blowing exceeding hard at No. West all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

May 1st. At home all day. Alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Set off for Mr. Calverts. Dined and lodged there.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Went with the above Company to a Boat Race & Barbicue at Johnson’s Ferry. Returnd at Night with Mr. Milner.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Mr. Tilghman, & Mr. Milner went away after Breakfast. We (that is the rest) went to Pohick Church.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Set of with Mrs. Washington for Williamsburg. Dined at Dumfries & lodgd at Colo. Lewis’s in Fredericksburg.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. At Fredg. all day. Dined at Colo. Lewis’s & spent the Evening at Weedens.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 15. Breakfasted at Ruffins Ferry and dined and lodgd at Colo. Bassetts.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Came to Wmsburg., dind at the Governors & spent the Evening at Mrs. Campbells.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Dined at the Speakers & Spent the Evening at Southalls.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Dined at the Club at Mrs. Campbells and Spent the Evening at Southalls.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Dined & Spent the Evening at Mrs. Campbells.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Dined at Mrs. Campbells & Spent the afternoon at my own lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

21st. Dined at the Speakers & went up to Colo. Bassetts in the afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. At Colo. Bassetts all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Came to Williamsburg with Mrs. Washington. Dined at the Attorneys, & spent the Evening there.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Dined and spent the Eveng. at the Governor’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Dined at the Treasurers and went to the Ball given by the House of Burgesses to Lady Dunmore.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Dined at Mrs. Campbells & Spent the Evening at my Lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Went to Church in the fore, & afternoon. Dined at Mrs. Dawsons & spent the Eveng. at my Lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Dined at Mr. Southalls. Spent the Evening in my own Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Dined at Mr. Charltons & spent the Evening in my Room.


Title: [May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

May 1st. At home all day. Alone.

2. Rid in the forenoon with Mrs. Washington to Belvoir.

3. At home all day. Mr. Adam dined and lodged here.

4. At home all day alone.

5. Set off for Mr. Calverts. Dined and lodged there.

6. After dinner returnd home. Mr. & Mrs. Custis & Miss Calvert came home with us. Found Mr. Tilghman here.

7. Went with the above Company to a Boat Race & Barbicue at Johnson’s Ferry. Returnd at Night with Mr. Milner.

   In 1745 a ferry was authorized to cross the Potomac from the land of William Clifton to the Maryland shore (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., 5:364). GW’s 1760 purchase of the Clifton’s Neck land included Clifton’s home, which, after Clifton moved out in 1761, GW rented to Samuel Johnston (Johnson). Near the house was

the ferry, which was now called Johnston’s ferry. It was often used by GW in trips northward, and GW described it in 1773 as being “upon the most direct Road leading from Annapolis . . . to Williamsburg” (Va. Gaz., P&D, 29 July 1773). A boat race held in 1774 on the Rappahannock River involved two long boats, each with a captain and five or six Negro hands, who rowed a mile out “round a Boat lying at Anchor” and then back to shore. Among the spectators, who picnicked on the shore and in boats in the river, small bets were made (FITHIANHunter Dickinson Farish, ed. Journal & Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian, 1773–1774: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion. Williamsburg, Va., 1943., 198, 202). GW ordered 48 bottles of claret “for the Boat Race at Johnsons Ferry” from William Herbert, who later assumed the cost (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 122).

8. Mr. Tilghman, & Mr. Milner went away after Breakfast. We (that is the rest) went to Pohick Church.

9. At home all day alone.

10. Miss Calvert, Miss Custis & Mr. Custis went over to Maryland. I contd. at home all day. Major Wagener and Mr. Thoms. Triplet dind here.

   miss CUSTISGeorge Washington Parke Custis. Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington. New York, 1860.: GW obviously meant Mrs. John Parke Custis.

11. At home all day alone.

12. Set of with Mrs. Washington for Williamsburg. Dined at Dumfries & lodgd at Colo. Lewis’s in Fredericksburg.

13. At Fredg. all day. Dined at Colo. Lewis’s & spent the Evening at Weedens.

   On 11 April 1774 GW wrote to Dr. Hugh Mercer: “I will bring down my title papers [for the Ferry Farm] & leave them with you, as I go to the Assembly” (DLC:GW). The sale by GW of his boyhood home to Hugh Mercer was concluded, probably on this day; but within a year the Revolution broke out, and in Jan. 1776 Mercer was appointed brigadier general in the Continental Army. He was with GW’s army from the New York campaign in 1776 to the Battle of Princeton, where he was mortally wounded. Mercer’s brother-in-law George Weedon, as executor of the estate, offered to pay GW in the current (1778) much-inflated currency. “After animadverting a little upon the subject,” GW authorized Lund Washington to accept the payment (GW to Lund Washington, 17 Aug. 1779, DLC:GW).

14. Dined at Roys Ord[inar]y & lodgd at Tods Bridge.

   During the previous year John Hoomes had built a new tavern on the main road, “a little above the Bowling Green,” and it was now being kept by Wiley Roy (Va. Gaz., R, 2 Dec. 1773, and P, 6 Dec. 1776).

15. Breakfasted at Ruffins Ferry and dined and lodgd at Colo. Bassetts.

16. Came to Wmsburg., dind at the Governors & spent the Evening at Mrs. Campbells.

   The current session of the House of Burgesses opened on 4 May and achieved a quorum the next day. During this week, GW and John West received petitions from William Ramsay, Robert Adam, John Carlyle, and John Dalton, four of the leading merchants and town fathers of Alexandria, requesting certain acts to be passed in this session. One would lower the duty on rum. A second was for “the inlargement of our Town . . . as this place is in a very thriving condition.” A third act would standardize the quality and packing of “the Herring fishery which you well know, is become very considerable.” Finally, the two Fairfax County burgesses were advised they would also receive “a petition for a more effectual method to prevent the raising of Hogs and suffering them to run at large, also Goats and Geese” (16 May 1774, DLC:GW).

17. Dined at the Speakers & Spent the Evening at Southalls.

18. Dined at the Club at Mrs. Campbells and Spent the Evening at Southalls.

19. Dined & Spent the Evening at Mrs. Campbells.

20. Dined at Mrs. Campbells & Spent the afternoon at my own lodgings.

21st. Dined at the Speakers & went up to Colo. Bassetts in the afternoon.

   During this week, news reached Williamsburg of the passage of an act by the British Parliament closing the port of Boston on 1 June until it paid reparations for the tea destroyed in the Boston Tea Party the previous December.

22. At Colo. Bassetts all day.

23. Came to Williamsburg with Mrs. Washington. Dined at the Attorneys, & spent the Evening there.

   While the Washingtons were dining at the home of John Randolph, a handful of younger burgesses, led by Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and Richard Henry Lee, “cooked up a resolution,” as Jefferson later recalled, “for appointing the 1st day of June, on which the [Boston] port-bill was to commence, for a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer.” To introduce the resolution, the young burgesses “agreed to wait the next morning on Mr.

[Robert Carter] Nicholas, whose grave and religious character was more in unison with the tone of our resolution. . . . He moved it the same day [24 May]; the 1st of June was proposed; and it passed without opposition” (BERGHAlbert Ellery Bergh, ed. The Writings of Thomas Jefferson. Memorial Ed. 20 vols. Washington, D.C., 1903–4., 1:9–10).

24. Dined at the Speakers & Spent the Evening at Mrs. Campbells.

25. Dined and spent the Eveng. at the Governor’s.

26. Rid out with the Govr. to his Farm and Breakfasted with him there. Dined at Mrs. Dawson’s, & spent the Evening at my lodgings.

   Today’s House of Burgesses session did not begin until 11:00 A.M., giving GW ample time to return the few miles from Governor Dunmore’s farm. When the governor returned to town this day he proceeded to dissolve the assembly, ostensibly because of the resolution for a fast day. GW later discussed Dunmore’s action in a letter to George William Fairfax: “this Dissolution was as sudden as unexpected for there were other resolves of a much more spirited nature ready to be offerd to the House wch. would have been unanimously adopted respecting the Boston Port Bill as it is call’d but were withheld till the Important business of the Country could be gone through. As the case stands the assembly sat In 22 day’s for nothing—not a Bill being [passed]” (10 June 1774, WRITINGSJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. 39 vols. Washington, D.C., 1931–44., 3:223).

   The expiration of two laws in particular would lead to major consequences in the colony. One was the law setting the schedule of fees for the colony’s court system (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., 8:515), which had expired the previous month, thus closing the courts to civil cases. The other was the colony’s basic militia act (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., 7:93–106), which had come up for renewal in the spring 1773 assembly but had been caught in a conflict between the burgesses and the council when Governor Dunmore had prorogued the assembly on 15 Mar. The militia act had thus expired on 20 July 1773.

27. Dined at the Treasurers and went to the Ball given by the House of Burgesses to Lady Dunmore.

   For this date the Virginia Gazette had some political news: “This Day, at ten o’Clock, the Honourable Members of the late House of Burgesses met, by Agreement, at the long Room in the Raleigh Tavern, in this City, called the Apollo,” where an “Agreement was unanimously entered into by that patriotick Assembly, in Support of the constitutional Liberties of America, against the late oppressive Act of the British Parliament respecting the Town of Boston, which, in the End, must affect all the other Colonies” (Va. Gaz., P&D, 26 May 1774).

   The meeting agreed to boycott tea and other goods of the East India Company. They then directed their committee of correspondence to write to other colonies “on the expediency of appointing deputies from the several colonies of British America, to meet in general congress” (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1773–76,

xiv). GW joined the other burgesses and a number of local leaders in signing the statement.

   The “Ball and Entertainment at the Capitol” was given “to welcome Lady Dunmore and the rest of our Governour’s Family to Virginia” (Va. Gaz., P&D, 26 May 1774).

28. Dined at Mrs. Campbells & Spent the Evening at my Lodgings.

29. Went to Church in the fore, & afternoon. Dined at Mrs. Dawsons & spent the Eveng. at my Lodgings.

   On this Sunday afternoon letters from Boston to the Virginia committee of correspondence arrived in Williamsburg asking for a nonimport and nonexport association by all of the colonies, to reopen the port of Boston.

30. Dined at Mr. Southalls. Spent the Evening in my own Room.

   Peyton Randolph called together the 25 burgesses who remained in town to discuss what action Virginia should take on the circular letters from Boston. The meeting agreed that Virginia should act in concert as much as possible with the other colonies and voted to call a meeting of the burgesses in 90 days to decide on steps to be taken. The group then agreed to send the news of their decisions “through the Hands of our Friends in Philadelphia to our Friends in Boston” (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1773–76, 139–40).

   GW commented that “the Ministry may rely on it that Americans will never be tax’d without their own consent that the cause of Boston . . . is and ever will be considerd as the cause of America (not that we approve their conduct in destroyg. the Tea) and that we shall not suffer ourselves to be sacrificed by piece meals though god only knows what is to be become of us” (GW to George William Fairfax, 10 June 1774, WRITINGSJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. 39 vols. Washington, D.C., 1931–44., 3:224).

31. Dined at Mr. Charltons & spent the Evening in my Room.

   Although by law only the governor could summon the burgesses into session, the members remaining in Williamsburg today called for a convention of all their colleagues on 1 Aug. (Peyton Randolph et al. to members of the late House of Burgesses, 31 May 1774, DLC:GW; see also JEFFERSON [1]Julian P. Boyd et al., eds. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. 41 vols. to date. Princeton, N.J., 1950–., 1:105–12; FREEMANDouglas Southall Freeman. George Washington: A Biography. 7 vols. New York, 1948–57., 3:348–66).


Title: [Diary entry: 1 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

May 1st. Cool, Wind blowing fresh all day from the Northwest. Also clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Clear and rather Cool. Wind still Northerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 3. Warm in the Morning. Sultry about Noon and exceeding Cold before Night Wind blowing very hard at No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Very Cold all day with spits of Snow and the Wind blowing hard at No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Ground Froze, & Ice, killing most things in the Garden the Leaves &ca. Wind at So. West & less Cool blowing pretty fresh however.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Lowering most part of the day with not much wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

10th. Clear and tolerably pleasant with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Much such a day as yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Misting all day, with but little Wind and that Easterly.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Again Misting in the Morning with Showers in the Afternoon accompanied in some places with violent Hail.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Lowering all the forenoon & clear about Noon with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Clear and Cool, wind abt. No. West & pretty fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Still Cool, Wind being in the same place.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 18. Clear and rather incling. to turn warm—there being but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Very warm, with a Thunder Shower in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. A little Cloudy & still warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Warm with Rain about Noon & after it.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Clear and warm with but little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 May 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Much such a day as yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

June 1st. Went to Church & fasted all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Dined at Mr. Charlton’s & came up to Colo. Bassets in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. At Colo. Bassetts all day in Compa. with Mr. Dandridge &ca.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Went up by Water with Mr. & Mrs. Bassett, Mrs. Dandridge & Mrs. Washington to the L[an]d bot. of Black in King & Queen. Returnd to Colo. Bassetts to Dinr.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. At Colo. Bassetts all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Set [out] with him for Williamsburg. Dined at Richd. Charltons & Supped at Anderson’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Dined at Mrs. Dawson’s and Spent the Evening at the Raleigh.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Dined at the Raleigh, and Spent the Evening at Andersons.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Dined at the Raleigh and spent the Evening there also.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Dined at the Raleigh, & went to the Fire works.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 12. At Colo. Bassetts all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Returned with him to Will[iamsbur]g. Dined at the Raleigh and Spent the Evening at Andersons.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Dined with the Council at Southalls and spent the Evening at Anderson’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Dined at Mrs. Dawson’s & Spent the Evening at the Capitol at a Meeting of the Society for promoting useful Kn[owledge].


Title: [Diary entry: 16 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Dined at the Governors & Spent the Evening at Anderson’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Dined at Anderson’s and Spent the Evening there.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Dined at Mrs. Dawson’s and came up to Colo. Bassetts in the afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. At Colo. Bassetts all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Breakfasted at the Bolling green. Dind & lodged at Colo. Lewis’s in Fredericksburg.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Reachd home to a late Dinner, after Breakfasting at Aquia.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. At home all day. Alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Went up to Church at Alexa. Returnd to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. At home all day. Mr. Custis came here to dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. I rid to the Plantation’s in the Neck and to the Muddy hole. Found Doctr. Rumney here upon my return who stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. At home all day alone except Mr. Peake coming here in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

June 1st. Very hot & clear with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Also very hot. Wind from the Southward but not fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Clear & tolerably pleast. with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Clear. Wind Northerly but not much of it.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Wind in the same Quarter & Cool for the Season.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Wind more Southerly & warmer. With some appearances of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Wind Southerly & exceeding warm. Clear withal.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Again warm with the Wind in the same place and some appearances of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Very warm Wind Southerly in the forenoon & Easterly afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Clear, with the Wind pretty fresh from the South west, & pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Cloudy in the forenoon, but clear afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 19. Clear and pretty Cool. Wind chiefly Eastwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Lowering & Showery most part of the day.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Clear and tolerably pleasant. Wind Northwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Tolerably cool in the forenoon, but warm afterwds. Wind Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Exceeding Warm. Two or three very fine showers in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Clear and pleasant. Wind rather Westerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Warm, with some appearances of Rain but none fell here.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Tolerably pleasant. Wind pretty fresh from the Northd.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Warm with little or no Wind, & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Very Warm again. Wind blowing fresh from the Southward.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 June 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Again warm with little or no Wind & that in the same Quarter. A little Rain in the Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

July 1st. Rid to Dogue Run, Mill, Mill Plantation & the Ferry at Posey’s, before Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Went to Pohick Church & returnd home to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. At home all day. Mr. & Mrs. Custis came here from Maryland.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Went up to Alexandria to a Meeting of the Inhabitts. of this County. Dined at Arrells & lodgd at my own Ho[use].


Title: [Diary entry: 6 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Dined at Doctr. Brown’s & returnd home in the Eveng.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. At home all day. Ditto.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. At home all day—Ditto.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney came here, Dined & stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Went up to Alexandria to the Election where I was Chosen, together with Majr. Broadwater, Burgess. Staid all Night to a Ball.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Return’d home to a late Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Went to Pohick Church & returnd to Dinner. Colo. Mason came in the Afternoon & stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Went up to Alexandria to a Meeting of the County. Returnd in the Evening—Mr. Magowan with me.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 20. Rid into the Neck. Mr. Piper, Mr. Ross & Mr. Gibson Dind & Lodgd here.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. The Gentlemen who came Yesterday went after Breakfast. I contd. at home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Went up to Church at Alexandria. Returnd to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Mr. Peake dind here. I continued at home.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Set out from Fredericksburg late. Dined at Roys and lodged at Hubbards.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Breakfasted at King Wm. Court Ho. Dined at Ruffins & reachd Colo. Bassetts.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. At Colo. Bassetts all day.


Title: [July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

July 1st. Rid to Dogue Run, Mill, Mill Plantation & the Ferry at Posey’s, before Dinner.

2. At home all day. Mr. Wm. Waite dind here.

   William Waite (died c.1787), of Fauquier County, was a stonemason who owned his own quarry. On this day GW made his first payment to Waite for an order of over 700 feet of stone (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 111).

3. Went to Pohick Church & returnd home to Dinner.

   In anticipation of the upcoming burgesses election, GW wrote Bryan Fairfax 4 July: “I entreated several gentlemen at our church yesterday to press Colonel [George] Mason to take a poll. . . . And therefore I again express my wish, that either you or Colonel Mason would offer. I can be of little assistance to either, because I early laid it down as a maxim not to propose myself, and solicit for a second” (WRITINGSJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. 39 vols. Washington, D.C., 1931–44., 3:227–28).

4. At home all day. Mr. & Mrs. Custis came here from Maryland.

5. Went up to Alexandria to a Meeting of the Inhabitts. of this County. Dined at Arrells & lodgd at my own Ho[use].

   The date for the convention in Williamsburg had been set as late as 1 Aug., so that each burgess might “have an Opportunity of collecting the Sense of their respective Counties” (see main entry for 31 May 1774), and it was for this purpose that GW attended this Fairfax County meeting of inhabitants, probably held at the courthouse.

6. Dined at Doctr. Brown’s & returnd home in the Eveng.

   The meeting of inhabitants, held yesterday, chose a committee to draft resolutions to instruct their two burgesses, who would represent them in the August convention, on nonimportation, nonexportation, aid to Boston, a continental congress to give the 13 colonies one voice, and general views on English liberty and American rights. GW was chosen chairman of the committee, which was probably meeting in Alexandria on this day.

7. At home all day.

8. At home all day alone.

9. At home all day. Ditto.

10. At home all day—Ditto.

11. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney came here, Dined & stayed all Night.

12th. Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue Run & Mill Plantation. Mr. Digges, Doctr. Digges & Miss Tracy Dind & went away in the Afternoon as did Doctr. Rumney also.

13. At home all day alone.

14. Went up to Alexandria to the Election where I was Chosen, together with Majr. Broadwater, Burgess. Staid all Night to a Ball.

   Governor Dunmore, who had dissolved the assembly upon its protest of the Boston Port Bill in May 1774, had issued the writs for new elections on 16 June (Va. Gaz., P&D, 16 June 1774, supp.).

   Maj. Charles Broadwater (d. 1806) lived at Springfield, in northern Fairfax County. After serving for a number of years as a vestryman in Truro Parish, Broadwater was elected to the vestry of newly created Fairfax Parish in 1765. He served in the last session of the Virginia House of Burgesses and in the first four Virginia conventions of 1774–75 (SLAUGHTER [1]Philip Slaughter. The History of Truro Parish in Virginia. Edited by Edward L. Goodwin. Philadelphia, 1908., 45, 120; STETSON [2]Charles W. Stetson. Washington and His Neighbors. Richmond, Va., 1956., 236–38; stanard, 199, 201, 204).

   An English visitor in Alexandria, who was present for the election, recorded in his diary: “Thursday, July 14th, 1774. An Election for Burgesses in town. . . . There were three Candidates, the Poll was over in about two hours and conducted with great order and regularity. The Members Col. George Washington and Major Bedwater. The Candidates gave the populace a Hogshead of Toddy (what we call Punch in England). In the evening the returned Member [GW] gave a Ball to the Freeholders and Gentlemen of the town. This was conducted with great harmony. Coffee and Chocolate, but no Tea. This Herb is in disgrace amongst them at present” (CRESSWELLLincoln MacVeagh, ed. The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, 1774–1777. New York, 1924., 27–28).

   In his accounts GW entered £8 5s. 6d. for “my p[ar]t of the Electn. Ball” (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 126).

15. Return’d home to a late Dinner.

16. At home all day alone.

17. Went to Pohick Church & returnd to Dinner. Colo. Mason came in the Afternoon & stayed all Night.

   George Mason of Gunston Hall was a member of the Fairfax resolutions committee that GW chaired. He and GW probably spent this Sunday afternoon and evening perfecting a draft, probably Mason’s, of resolutions to be presented the following day. The final draft submitted to the committee contained 24 separate resolutions regarding English liberty, American rights, taxation and representation, the boycotting of most British imports (including slaves), and “a Congress [that] shou’d be appointed, to consist of Deputies from all the Colonies, to concert a general and uniform Plan for the Defence and Preservation of our common Rights” (MASON [2]Robert A. Rutland, ed. The Papers of George Mason, 1725–1792. 3 vols. Chapel Hill, N.C., 1970., 1:205).

18. Went up to Alexandria to a Meeting of the County. Returnd in the Evening—Mr. Magowan with me.

   When GW arrived in Alexandria he first attended a meeting wherein “the Resolutions [were] revised, alterd, & corrected in the Committee” (GW to Bryan Fairfax, 20 July 1774, ViHi). Then the whole committee went “into a general Meeting in the Court House,” where GW found an almost “perfect satisfaction, & acquiescence to the measures propos’d,” though his friend Bryan Fairfax thought otherwise (see Fairfax to GW, 5 Aug. 1774, DLC:GW). These resolutions, approved on this day by the “General Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the County of Fairfax, at

the Court House,” thereafter were commonly known as the Fairfax Resolves (VAN SCHREEVENWilliam J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record. 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83., 1:127–33).

   The meeting also chose a 25–man committee, headed by GW, which would “have power to call a General Meeting, and to Concert and Adopt such Measures as may be thought most expedient and Necessary” (VAN SCHREEVENWilliam J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record. 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83., 1:133; and see MASON [2]Robert A. Rutland, ed. The Papers of George Mason, 1725–1792. 3 vols. Chapel Hill, N.C., 1970., 1:201–10). This committee subsequently absorbed the role of the Alexandria committee of correspondence that had been formed the preceding May (PURVIANCERobert Purviance. A Narrative of Events Which Occurred in Baltimore Town during the Revolutionary War. Baltimore, 1849., 126–28).

   There were meetings similar to this Fairfax County meeting in almost every county in Virginia during this summer, all of which passed resolutions and chose delegates (usually their burgesses) for the upcoming August convention (VAN SCHREEVENWilliam J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record. 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83., 1:105–168). Only a few of the preconvention meetings, however (including those of Fairfax, Dunmore, Frederick, and Stafford counties), formed county committees before the convention even met. While Dunmore and Frederick counties each chose committes of 6, Stafford County chose a 69–man committee, 5 of whom were cousins of GW (VAN SCHREEVENWilliam J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record. 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83., 1:161).

19. At home all day.

20. Rid into the Neck. Mr. Piper, Mr. Ross & Mr. Gibson Dind & Lodgd here.

   Mr. Gibson may be James Gibson, merchant of Suffolk, Nansemond County, with whom GW had some dealings (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 281, 283), or John Gibson, who in 1780 was a Colchester merchant (George Mason to James Mercer, 5 Feb. 1780, MASON [2]Robert A. Rutland, ed. The Papers of George Mason, 1725–1792. 3 vols. Chapel Hill, N.C., 1970., 2:617).

21. The Gentlemen who came Yesterday went after Breakfast. I contd. at home all day.

22. Mr. Magowan went away. I continued at home all day.

23. At home all day. Mr. Thoms. Johnson & Mr. Paca of Ann[ap]o[li]s & Mr. Digges & his Son George Dined here & went away afterwards.

   Thomas Johnson, Jr. (1732–1819), the fifth child of Thomas Johnson, Sr. (d. 1777), and Dorcas Sedgwick Johnson (d. 1770), was born in Calvert County, Md. As a young man, Johnson read law in Annapolis with Stephen Bordley (1710–1764) and practiced law both in Annapolis and in frontier Frederick County, Md., where the Johnson family had interests in land and ironworks and where, by 1768, Johnson himself owned an interest in over

22,000 acres (DELAPLAINEEdward S. Delaplaine. The Life of Thomas Johnson: Member of the Continental Congress, First Governor of the State of Maryland, and Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. New York, 1927., 67). In 1762 Johnson, an early and active promoter of commercial navigation on the upper Potomac, became a manager of the navigation company and began correspondence with GW on the feasibility of opening a canal above the great falls of the Potomac River (DELAPLAINEEdward S. Delaplaine. The Life of Thomas Johnson: Member of the Continental Congress, First Governor of the State of Maryland, and Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. New York, 1927., 59–84; GW to Johnson [1762], DLC:GW). From 1762 until the Revolution, Johnson represented Anne Arundel County in the Maryland House of Delegates, becoming a moderate but firm leader in the popular resistance to British incursions upon American interests and rights.

   William Paca (1740–1799), second son of John and Elizabeth Smith Paca, was born in Harford County, Md. From 1768 to the Revolution, Paca represented Talbot County in the Maryland House of Delegates, where he, like Johnson, actively fought the Proprietary party. Paca joined Johnson as a member of the Maryland committee of correspondence and became a Maryland delegate to the First Continental Congress.

24. Went up to Church at Alexandria. Returnd to Dinner.

25. At home all day alone.

26. Mr. Peake dind here. I continued at home.

27. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney Dined and lodged here.

28. Set of with Mr. Custis for Williamsburg. Dined at Tylers on Aquia and lodged at Colo. Lewis’s.

29. Set out from Fredericksburg late. Dined at Roys and lodged at Hubbards.

30. Breakfasted at King Wm. Court Ho. Dined at Ruffins & reachd Colo. Bassetts.

31. At Colo. Bassetts all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

July 1st. Very warm with but little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Warm. Wind Southerly but not much of it. About 6 Oclock a pretty smart Shower for a few Minutes.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Another Shower in the Night with appearance’s of Rain throughout the day.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Again very hot with Clouds in the Afternoon & a fine Rain in the Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Very Warm with a Shower of Rain & pretty high Wind from the No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. A little Cool in the forenoon. Wind at No. West. Warm in the middle of the day there being no Wind & cool again in the Afternoon the Wind blowing pretty fresh from the Eastward.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

9th. Pretty warm in the forenoon with but little Wind. Cool afterwards Wind being Eastwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Clear and pleasand being rather cool. Without much wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Wind Northerly in the forenoon and rather Cool but warmer afterwards & clear all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Clear with but little wind & rather Warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Very warm, with but little Wind, & that Southerly. Appearances of Rain with some thundr. & lightning but none fell here or very little.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Very warm with but little Wind & that Southerly. Night very hot.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Morning exceeding Warm. Evening Cooler.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Cool all day, Wind Northerly & clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 20. Pleasant, but not so Cool as yesterday. Cloudy.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Warm again. Wind Southerly but not much of it.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Very warm, & clear. Wind Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Wind fresh from the Southward, but very warm. Abt. 2 Oclock a fine Shower, & another in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Cool Wind at No. West & Clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Wind Southerly & turnd a good deal Warmer.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Warmer than yesterday, Wind what little there was of it Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Exceeding warm with but little & clear Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Clear forenoon with but little Wind & exceeding Warm. In the Afternoon Rain where I was.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 July 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Exceeding Warm with little or no Wind.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in July [1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

July 1st. Very warm with but little Wind & that Southerly.

2. Warm. Wind Southerly but not much of it. About 6 Oclock a pretty smart Shower for a few Minutes.

3. Another Shower in the Night with appearance’s of Rain throughout the day.

4. Very warm with the Wind Southerly. Cloudy in the Afternoon & a good deal of Rain in the Night.

5. Exceeding Warm, with little or no Wind.

6. Again very hot with Clouds in the Afternoon & a fine Rain in the Night.

7. Very Warm with a Shower of Rain & pretty high Wind from the No. West.

8. A little Cool in the forenoon. Wind at No. West. Warm in the middle of the day there being no Wind & cool again in the Afternoon the Wind blowing pretty fresh from the Eastward.

9th. Pretty warm in the forenoon with but little Wind. Cool afterwards Wind being Eastwardly.

10. Rather Cool all day altho there was but little Wind. That however was Northerly.

11. Clear and pleasand being rather cool. Without much wind.

12. Wind Northerly in the forenoon and rather Cool but warmer afterwards & clear all day.

13. Clear with but little wind & rather Warm.

14. Clear, and exceeding warm, especially in the Afternoon, there being no Wind at the time.

15. Warm Morning with fine Showers in the Afternoon.

16. Very warm, with but little Wind, & that Southerly. Appearances of Rain with some thundr. & lightning but none fell here or very little.

17. Very warm with but little Wind & that Southerly. Night very hot.

18. Morning exceeding Warm. Evening Cooler.

19. Cool all day, Wind Northerly & clear.

20. Pleasant, but not so Cool as yesterday. Cloudy.

21. Warm again. Wind Southerly but not much of it.

22. Very warm, & clear. Wind Southerly.

23. Wind fresh from the Southward, but very warm. Abt. 2 Oclock a fine Shower, & another in the Evening.

24. Cool Wind at No. West & Clear.

25. Again Cool Wind in the same place.

26. Wind Southerly & turnd a good deal Warmer.

27. Warmer than yesterday, Wind what little there was of it Southerly.

28. Exceeding warm with but little & clear Wind.

29. Clear forenoon with but little Wind & exceeding Warm. In the Afternoon Rain where I was.

30. Clear, and again very Warm, there being but little Wind.

31. Exceeding Warm with little or no Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

Augt. 1st. Went from Colo. Bassetts to Williamsburg to the Meeting of the Convention. Dined at Mrs. Campbells. Spent the Evening in my Lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. At the Convention. Dined at the Treasurer’s. At my Lodgings in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

  3. Dined at the Speaker’s & Spent the Evening at my own Lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Dined at the Attorneys & Spent the Evening at my own Lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Dined at Mrs. Dawson’s & Spent the Evening at my own Lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Dined at Mrs. Campbells & Spent the Evening at my own Lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

8th. Left Colo. Bassetts. Visited my own Plantn. in King Wm. & Mr. Custis’s in King & Queen. Dind at King Wm. Ct. House & lodged at Tods Bridge.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Breakfasted at Roys Ord[inar]y. Dined and lodged at Colo. Lewis’s in Fredericksburg.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Breakfasted at Tylers on Acquiae & Dined at home.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. I rid to the Neck Plantation & came home by Muddy hole.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Went to Pohick Church with Mr. Custis. Found Messrs. Carlyle, Dalton, Ramsay, Adam, & Doctr. Rumney here upon my return. Doctr. Craik also came in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Ramsay Dalton & the Doctr. went away after Breakfast.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. I rid to Doeg Run, Muddy hole, Mill, & Poseys Plantns.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Mr. Fitzhugh went away after Breakfast.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Rid with Mrs. Washn. to Alexa. & returnd to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. At home all day. Mr. Moylan, Doctr. Craik, & Mr. Fitzgerald Dind here. The latter went away.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Doctr. Craik went away after Breakfast, & Mr. Moyland after Dinner havg. Rid with [him] to Shew Belvoir.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Ditto. Mrs. Slaughter dind here.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 27. Went to the Barbacue at Accatinck.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Went to Pohick Church. Messrs. Stuart, Herbert, Mease, Doctr. Jenifer Mr. Stone & Mr. Digges dind here. The first three stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Colo. Pendleton, Mr. Henry, Colo. Mason & Mr. Thos. Triplet came in the Eveng. & stayd all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. All the above Gentlemen dind here, after which with Colo. Pendleton, & Mr. Henry I set out on my journey for Phila. & reachd uppr. Marlbro.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Tolerably pleasant in the forenoon—but Warm Afterwards with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Close & warm all day with frequent Shower’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Very hot with a heavy Rain abt. One Oclock. Still warm afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Raining more or less all the Morning. After noon warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Foggy Morning but no Rain. Warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

11th. Clear and Warm, with but little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Much such a day as yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Cool in the Morning, and Evening with the Wind No. Easterly with some Rain at Night. Midday warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. No Wind, but clear & exceeding hot.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Again warm with but little wind. In the Afternn. a Shower or two of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Very warm with Rain at Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Warm again and clear, after the Morning which was lowering with some appearances of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Very warm with little or No Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Much such a day as the former.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Wind very fresh from the So. West—otherwise exceeding warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Cloudy in the Morning, but clear afterwards. Wind at No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Clear and very pleasant. Wind at No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Pleasant, & clear with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Warm & clear. Wind Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Very warm. Wind in the same place tho’ not much of it.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 August 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Exceeding hot with very little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in August [1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

1. Exceeding Warm. About 4 Oclock a fine Shower of Rain with thunder wch. Cool’d the Air a little.

2. Tolerably pleasant in the forenoon—but Warm Afterwards with but little Wind.

3. Very warm and clear with but little Wind.

4. Again warm with appearances of Rain but none fell.

5. Warm with moderate Showers in the Afternoon & Night.

6. Close & warm all day with frequent Shower’s.

7. Very hot with a heavy Rain abt. One Oclock. Still warm afterwards.

8. Close & warm with appearances of Rain but none fell.

9. Raining more or less all the Morning. After noon warm.

10. Foggy Morning but no Rain. Warm.

11th. Clear and Warm, with but little Wind & that Southerly.

12. Much such a day as yesterday.

13. Cool in the Morning, and Evening with the Wind No. Easterly with some Rain at Night. Midday warm.

14. Lowering Morning but clear & very warm afterwards with very little Wind.

15. No Wind, but clear & exceeding hot.

16. Again warm with but little wind. In the Afternn. a Shower or two of Rain.

17. Very warm with Rain at Night.

18. Again warm with but little Wind & that Southerly.

19. Warm again and clear, after the Morning which was lowering with some appearances of Rain.

20. Very warm with little or No Wind.

21. Much such a day as the former.

22. Wind very fresh from the So. West—otherwise exceeding warm.

23. Lowering in the Morning with fine Showers afterwards. Wind Northerly & a little Cool.

24. Misting all day & sometimes Rain. In the Evening a settled Rain. Wind at No. East but not much of it.

25. Cloudy in the Morning, but clear afterwards. Wind at No. West.

26. Clear and very pleasant. Wind at No. West.

27. Pleasant, & clear with but little Wind.

28. Clear but turning Warm. Wind Southerly.

29. Warm & clear. Wind Southerly.

30. Very warm. Wind in the same place tho’ not much of it.

31. Exceeding hot with very little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

Septr. 1. Breakfasted at Queen Anne. Dined in Annapolis, & lodged at Rock Hall.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Din’d at Rock Hall (waiting for my Horses) & lodg’d at New Town on Chester.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Breakfasted at Christeen Ferry. Dined at Chester & lodged at Doctr. Shippens’s in Phila. after Supping at the New Tavern.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Breakfasted and Dined at Doctr. Shippen’s. Spent the Eveng. at Tavern.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Dined at Mr. Pleasants and spent the Evening in a Club at the New Tavern.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Dined at Mr. James Allan’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Dined at Mr. Thos. Mifflins.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Dined at my Lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Dined at the State House at an Entertainment given by the City to the Members of the Congress.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Dined at Mr. Dickensons about 2 Miles from Town.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Dined at Mr. Hills about 6 Miles from Town.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Rid out in the Morning. Dined at Mr. Ross’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Dined with Mr. Fisher the Mayor.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Dined with Mr. James Mease.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Dined with Mr. Chew the Chief Justice.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Dined with Mr. Joseph Pemberton.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Dined with Mr. Thos. Willing and Spent the Eveng. at the City Tavern.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 25. Went to the Quaker meeting in the Forenoon & St. Peters in the Afternoon. Dind at my lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Dined at the old Doctr. Shippens & went to the Hospital.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Dined at the Tavern with the Virga. Gentn. &ca.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Dined at Mr. Edward Shippens. Spent the afternn. with the Boston Gentn.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 29. Dined at Mr. Allan’s and went to the Ball in the aftern.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Dined at Doctr. Cadwalladers.


Title: [September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

Septr. 1. Breakfasted at Queen Anne. Dined in Annapolis, & lodged at Rock Hall.

   Queen Anne was a small village on the Patuxent River in Prince George’s County, Md., nine miles northeast of Upper Marlboro. It consisted of only a few houses and a tobacco warehouse in 1783 (SCHOEPFJohann David Schoepf. Travels in the Confederation [1783–1784]. Translated and edited by Alfred J. Morrison. 2 vols. Philadelphia, 1911., 1:364; Md. Gaz., 5 Aug. 1746). rock hall: GW lists expenses “at Hodges” as 16s. 9d. (GW’s Cash Memoranda, 24 Mar.–25 Oct. 1774, CSmH). A 30 Nov. 1775 advertisement in the Maryland Gazette for the rental of the “White Rock-Hall ferry” describes James Hodges as currently living on the ferry plantation. He probably ran the ferry-house where GW stayed.

2. Din’d at Rock Hall (waiting for my Horses) & lodg’d at New Town on Chester.

3. Breakfasted at Down’s. Dind at the Buck Tavern (Carsons) & lodg’d at Newcastle.

   down’s: a tavern operated by William Down at Down’s Cross Roads, now Galena, Md., 1½ miles south of Georgetown (W.P.A. [2]W.P.A. Writers’ Project. Maryland: A Guide to the Old Line State. American Guide Series. New York, 1940., 365). The Buck Tavern was in New Castle County, Del., 11 miles south of the present city of Newark, Del. William Carson, a tavern keeper in New Castle County in 1778, was probably the proprietor at this time (W.P.A. [3]W.P.A. Writers’ Project. Delaware: A Guide to the First State. American Guide Series. New York, 1938., 461; CALENDAR [2]Leon de Valinger, Jr., comp. Calendar of Kent County Delaware Probate Records, 1680–1800. Dover, 1944., 316).

4. Breakfasted at Christeen Ferry. Dined at Chester & lodged at Doctr. Shippens’s in Phila. after Supping at the New Tavern.

   Christina (Christiana) ferry crossed Christina (Christiana) River at Wilmington on the main road from New Castle to Philadelphia (LINCOLNAnna T. Lincoln. Wilmington, Delaware: Three Centuries under Four Flags, 1609–1937. Rutland, Vt., 1937., 83–84).

   William Shippen, Jr. (1736–1808), son of Dr. William Shippen (1712–1801) and Susannah Harrison Shippen, was a Philadelphia physician and surgeon, educated at Edinburgh. In 1765 he was appointed professor of surgery and anatomy at the new medical school connected with the College of Philadelphia, and during the Revolution he was chief physician and director general of the military hospital of the Continental Army. Shippen was married to Alice Lee Shippen, sister of GWs fellow delegate, Richard Henry Lee. Lee had undoubtedly invited GW to stay at his brother-in-law’s house until suitable lodgings were obtained.

   The New Tavern, or City Tavern, was on the west side of Second Street, above Walnut. Designed in the style of the best London taverns, it contained several large club rooms. Daniel Smith was the proprietor at this time (SCHARF [1]J. Thomas Scharf and Thompson Westcott. History of Philadelphia. 1609–1884. 3 vols. Philadelphia, 1884., 1:291).

5. Breakfasted and Dined at Doctr. Shippen’s. Spent the Eveng. at Tavern.

   On this day the delegates to Congress met at City Tavern. The credentials of the various members were read, and Peyton Randolph of Virginia was elected chairman, or president, and Charles Thomson of Pennsylvania secretary. Carpenters’ Hall, which has been offered by the Carpenters’ Guild of Philadelphia, was chosen as the meeting place for Congress (JCCWorthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37., 1:13–14). GW rarely mentions in his diaries anything concerning his presence in Congress, but he seems to have attended the sessions regularly. For information on the day-to-day transactions of the Congress, see JCCWorthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. and LMCCEdmund C. Burnett, ed. Letters of Members of the Continental Congress. 8 vols. 1921–36. Reprint. Gloucester, Mass., 1963..

6. Dined at the New Tavern—after being in Congress all day.

   On this day GW spent 15s. for shoes, etc., for William Lee, his body servant, who accompanied him to Philadelphia (Cash Memoranda, 24 Mar.—25 Oct. 1774, CSmH). In Congress today the decision was made to keep secret the proceedings of the Congress (JCCWorthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37., 1:25–26).

7. Dined at Mr. Pleasants and spent the Evening in a Club at the New Tavern.

   Mr. Pleasants is probably Samuel Pleasants, a Philadelphia Quaker, who was married to Mary (Polly) Pemberton, a member of another prominent Quaker family.

   Most of the work of Congress during the next two weeks was done in two committees appointed this day, to neither of which GW was appointed (JCCWorthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37., 1:26–27). Much of his time was spent becoming acquainted with delegates from the various colonies and exchanging views on important questions of the day.

8. Dined at Mr. Andw. Allan’s & spent the Evening in my own Lodgings.

   Andrew Allen (1740–1825), a son of William Allen, chief justice of Pennsylvania until 1774, and Margaret Hamilton Allen, graduated from the College of Philadelphia and studied law in England as well as Philadelphia. He was at this time an influential Patriot active in opposing British policies. Allen was attorney general of Pennsylvania, a member of the provincial council, and in November of this year became one of the founders of the First Troop of Philadelphia City Cavalry. In 1775 he was elected to the Continental Congress. However, after the move toward independence seemed inevitable he resigned from Congress and fled behind British lines. Much of his property was confiscated and sold, and he spent most of his remaining years in England (KEITH [2]Charles P. Keith. “Andrew Allen.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 10 (1886): 361–65., 361–65).

   my own lodgings: The location of GW’s lodgings during his attendance at the First Continental Congress is uncertain. A mutilated entry in his cash memoranda book for 24 Oct., two days before he left Philadelphia, shows a payment of £34 2s. 6d. “at Carsons” (CSmH). The size of this expenditure would be commensurate with the cost of lodgings for himself and his servant, William, during his stay in the city. William Carson (b. 1728), an Irish immigrant, at this time ran a tavern called the Harp and Crown, on North Third Street just below Arch Street (DORLANDW. A. Newman Dorland. “The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 49 (1925): 75–94., 363).

9. Dined at Mr. Tilghman’s & spent the Evening at home (at my Lodgg.).

   James Tilghman, Sr. (1716–1793), originally of Maryland, had moved to Philadelphia in 1765 and married Anna Francis, daughter of Tench Francis. He was a member of the provincial council and secretary of the proprietary land office. In May 1774 he had been sent to Williamsburg with James Allen to consult with Governor Dunmore about the Pennsylvania-Virginia boundary dispute, and GW probably had seen the two men there during the meeting

of the House of Burgesses. Tilghman was a moderate and tried to preserve his neutrality during the Revolution. His son Tench was one of GW’s most trusted friends and aides and another son, James Tilghman, Jr., of Alexandria, appears frequently at Mount Vernon (HANSONGeorge A. Hanson. Old Kent: The Eastern Shore of Maryland: Notes Illustrative of the most Ancient Records of Kent County . . .. Baltimore, 1876., 255; SCHARF [1]J. Thomas Scharf and Thompson Westcott. History of Philadelphia. 1609–1884. 3 vols. Philadelphia, 1884., 2:1508).

10. Dined at Mr. Richd. Penn’s.

   Richard Penn was the former governor who had been superseded by his brother John (see main entry for 16 May 1773).

11. Dined at Mr. Griffen’s.

   GW visited a man named Samuel Griffin in Philadelphia several times in 1775. This may be Samuel Griffin of Williamsburg (1746–1810), a lawyer who was appointed aide-de-camp to Gen. Charles Lee in 1775. He later became deputy adjutant general of the Flying Camp and a member of the Virginia Board of War. After the Revolution, Griffin served in the Virginia House of Delegates 1787–88 and the United States House of Representatives 1789–95.

12. Dined at Mr. James Allan’s.

   James Allen (c.1742–1778), son of William and Margaret Hamilton Allen, was a lawyer and a member of the common council of Philadelphia. In May 1776 he was elected to the Pennsylvania assembly from Northampton, where his country seat, Trout Hall (near Allentown, Pa.), was located. Although a Patriot at this time, he, like his father and brothers, could not accept the Declaration of Independence and in the late summer of 1776 left the assembly to retire to Trout Hall (ALLENJames Allen. “Diary of James Allen, Esq., of Philadelphia, Counsellor-at-Law, 1770–1778.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 9 (1885): 176–96, 278–96, 424–41., 176–77, 188–91).

13. Dined at Mr. Thos. Mifflins.

   Thomas Mifflin (1744–1800), a Philadelphia merchant, was at this time a member of the provincial assembly and of the First Continental Congress. In June 1775 he was chosen GW’s first aide-de-camp and later served as a general, quartermaster general, member of the Board of War, and president of the Continental Congress. After the Revolution, Mifflin was president of Pennsylvania and later governor.

14. Rid over the Provence Island, & dind at Mr. Wm. Hamiltons.

   Province Island was a low island of 342 acres near the mouth of the Schuylkill River. On it the province of Pennsylvania had erected a “pest house” for the quarantine of sick immigrants and rented a portion of it for truck farms.

   William Hamilton (1745–1813), son of Andrew Hamilton the younger, owned Woodlands, an estate on the Schuylkill River three miles from Philadelphia. Although he supported the colonists in their dispute with Britain, he disapproved of the Declaration of Independence. Hamilton was greatly

interested in horticulture and after the Revolution introduced from England many specimens of plants and flowers (WARD [1]Townsend Ward. “A Walk to Darby.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 3 (1879): 150–66., 160–62; BLACK [1]R. Alonzo Brock, ed., “Journal of William Black, 1744.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 1 (1877): 117–32, 233–49, 404–19; 2 (1878): 40–49., 1:242).

15. Dined at my Lodgings.

16. Dined at the State House at an Entertainment given by the City to the Members of the Congress.

   The State House, later called Independence Hall, was to become the meeting place for the Second Continental Congress in 1775. “On Friday last the Honourable Delegates, now met in General Congress, were elegantly entertained by the gentlemen of this city. Having met at the City Tavern about 3 o’clock, they were conducted from thence to the State House by the Managers of the entertainment, where they were received by a very large company composed of the Clergy, such genteel strangers as happened to be in town, and a number of respectable citizens, making in the whole near 500. After dinner . . . toasts were drunk, accompanied by musick and a discharge of cannon” (Pa. Packet, 19 Sept. 1774).

17. Dined at Mr. Dickensons about 2 Miles from Town.

   John Dickinson (1732–1808) was a representative to the Continental Congress from Pennsylvania. He had gained fame by his “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania” and had drafted the petition to the king from the Pennsylvania legislature in 1771. During the First Continental Congress, Dickinson drew up Congress’s petition to the king and was on the committee that prepared an address to the people of Canada. Dickinson lived at Fair Hill, north of Philadelphia on the Germantown Road.

18. Dined at Mr. Hills about 6 Miles from Town.

   Henry Hill (1732–1798), son of Richard Hill of Maryland, was a Philadelphia merchant engaged largely in the Madeira wine trade. He became a

member of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention of July 1776 and in 1780 subscribed £5,000 for relief of the Continental Army. Hill’s home was on the Germantown Road near the Schuylkill Falls. GW had met Hill in 1773 when he atended the meeting of the Jockey Club in Philadelphia with Jacky Custis (JACKSONJoseph Jackson. “Washington in Philadelphia.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 56 (1932): 110–55., facing p. 118).

19. Rid out in the Morning. Dined at Mr. Ross’s.

   Mr. Ross is either George Ross (1730–1779), a Pennsylvania delegate to the Continental Congress 1774–77 and member of the colonial legislature, or John Ross (1729–1800), a Scottish-born Philadelphia merchant who was active in the cause of the colonies before and during the Revolution.

20. Dined with Mr. Fisher the Mayor.

   William Fisher, a Quaker merchant, was mayor of Philadelphia 1773–74. He had been a member of the common council of Philadelphia 1767–70 and of the board of aldermen 1770–76 (LOYALIST“A Loyalist’s Account of Certain Occurrences in Philadelphia after Cornwallis’s Surrender at Yorktown.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 16 (1892): 103–7., 105, n.1).

21. Dined with Mr. James Mease.

22. Dined with Mr. Chew the Chief Justice.

   Benjamin Chew (1722–1810), son of Dr. Samuel Chew (1693–1743) and Mary Galloway Chew of Maryland, moved from Delaware to Philadelphia c.1754. He held a number of posts in the provincial government, including attorney general from 1755–69, member of the council from 1755 to the Revolution, and Speaker of the assembly of the Lower Counties in 1756. In 1774 he replaced William Allen as chief justice of Pennsylvania. He remained a moderate Loyalist during the Revolution but retained GW’s friendship. In 1791 he became president of the High Court of Errors and Appeals in Pennsylvania. Chew lived on South Third Street between Walnut and Spruce.

23. Dined with Mr. Joseph Pemberton.

   Joseph Pemberton, son of Israel Pemberton, Jr., was a member of a prominent Philadelphia Quaker family. He was married in 1767 to Ann Galloway of Maryland.

24. Dined with Mr. Thos. Willing and Spent the Eveng. at the City Tavern.

   Thomas Willing (1731–1821), merchant, was a partner of Robert Morris in the Philadelphia firm of Willing, Morris & Co. He held a number of posts including that of commissioner for trade with the western Indians 1758; mayor of Philadelphia 1764; member of the provincial assembly 1767; justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 1767–77; and a member of the Continental Congress 1775–76. He refused to support the move for independence and remained neutral during the Revolution.

25. Went to the Quaker meeting in the Forenoon & St. Peters in the Afternoon. Dind at my lodgings.

   quaker meeting: It cannot be determined which Quaker meetinghouse GW attended. According to Toner, it was probably the meetinghouse at Second and High streets (Toner Transcripts, DLC).

   St. Peter’s, an Anglican church located at Third and Pine streets, was completed in 1761. From 1762 to 1775 both St. Peter’s and Christ churches, called the United Churches, were under the rectorship of Rev. Richard Peters.

26. Dined at the old Doctr. Shippens & went to the Hospital.

   William Shippen (1712–1801) was a Philadelphia physician and father of Dr. William Shippen, Jr. (1736–1808). He was one of the founders of the College of Philadelphia, a member of the American Philosophical Society, and a member of the Continental Congress 1778–80. Among the guests at Dr. Shippen’s on this evening, in addition to GW and some of the other Virginia delegates, were Dr. William Shippen, Jr., Rev. and Mrs. Samuel Blair, John Adams, and the New Jersey delegates (ADAMS [1]L. H. Butterfield, ed. Diary and Autobiography of John Adams. 4 vols. Cambridge, Mass., 1961., 2:137).

   The Pennsylvania Hospital, the first of any importance in the colonies, was bounded by Eighth and Ninth and Spruce and Pine streets. It had been completed in 1756, partly by money voted by the assembly of Pennsylvania and partly by subscription. According to John Adams, on this visit to the hospital young Dr. Shippen gave him, GW, and the other guests a lecture on anatomy. John Adams had also visited the hospital earlier with young Dr. Shippen: “We saw in the lower Rooms under Ground, the Cells of the Lunaticks, a Number of them, some furious, some merry, some Melancholly. . . . We then went into the Sick Rooms which are very long, large Walks with rows of Beds on each side, and the lame and sick upon them—a dreadfull Scene of human Wretchedness” (ADAMS [1]L. H. Butterfield, ed. Diary and Autobiography of John Adams. 4 vols. Cambridge, Mass., 1961., 2:116).

27. Dined at the Tavern with the Virga. Gentn. &ca.

   virga. gentn: the Virginia delegates.

28. Dined at Mr. Edward Shippens. Spent the afternn. with the Boston Gentn.

   Edward Shippen (1729–1806), the son of Edward Shippen of Lancaster, Pa., was a lawyer in Philadelphia and at this time was prothonotary of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, a member of the provincial council, and judge of the court of vice admiralty. Although a moderate Loyalist in the Revolution, he became chief justice of Pennsylvania in 1791. He was married to Margaret Francis, daughter of Tench Francis of Philadelphia.

   The Boston gentlemen were the Massachusetts delegates to the Congress: Thomas Cushing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Paine, all from Boston. Richard Henry Lee and young Dr. Shippen were also present. John Adams made this entry in his diary: “Spent the Evening at Home, with Coll. Lee, Coll. Washington and Dr. Shippen who came in to consult with us” (ADAMS [1]L. H. Butterfield, ed. Diary and Autobiography of John Adams. 4 vols. Cambridge, Mass., 1961., 2:140).

29. Dined at Mr. Allan’s and went to the Ball in the aftern.

30. Dined at Doctr. Cadwalladers.

   Dr. Thomas Cadwalader (c.1708–1799) was one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Hospital, a vice-president of the American Philosophical Society, and a member of the provincial council from 1755 until the Revolution.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Again very warm with but little wind & that Southerly. In the Night Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Cloudy & Cool, Wind fresh from the Northward.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Again Cloudy & Cool. Wind about No. East & fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Clear & pleasant with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Clear and Warm with but little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Warm & close, Weather lowering, & in the Afternoon Rain, tho little of it.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Clear & cool, Wind Westwardly & tolerably fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

13th. Lowering most part of the day—with a little Rain in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Wind a little fresh from the Northward & day clear & somewhat Cooler.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 15. A little lowering & dull in the forenoon—but cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Rather warm being clear with little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Warm in the forenoon with a brisk Southwest Wind. In the Afternoon Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Pleasant, and clear with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Very pleasant and clear as also a little Cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Much such a day as yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Clear but Pleast. and Cool. Wind Northerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Clear and pleasant but somewhat cool. Wind in the same Quarter.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Very pleasant and somewhat [warmer], there being no Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Clear and pleasant but rather warm there being no wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Again clear and warm with but little or no wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Very warm again, being clear with no Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 September 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Still warm with some appearances of Rain.


Title: An Acct. of the Weather in Septr. [1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sepr. 1. Exceeding Hot, with but little wind from the Southward. In the Night Rain (where I was).

2. Again very warm with but little wind & that Southerly. In the Night Rain.

3. Cloudy & Cool, Wind fresh from the Northward.

4. Again Cloudy & Cool. Wind about No. East & fresh.

5. Cloudy all day & now and then Misting. Wind at No. Et.

6. Clear & pleasant with but little Wind.

7. Clear and Warm with but little Wind & that Southerly.

8. Again Warm & clear, wind in the same place.

9. Warm & close, Weather lowering, & in the Afternoon Rain, tho little of it.

10. Clear & cool, Wind Westwardly & tolerably fresh.

11. Pleasant, but growing warmer, there being but little Wind.

12. Warmer than yesterday and clear.

13th. Lowering most part of the day—with a little Rain in the Evening.

14. Wind a little fresh from the Northward & day clear & somewhat Cooler.

15. A little lowering & dull in the forenoon—but cool.

16. Rather warm being clear with little Wind.

17. Warm & clear with but little Wind & that Southerly.

18. Warm in the forenoon with a brisk Southwest Wind. In the Afternoon Rain.

19. Pleasant, and clear with but little Wind.

20. Very pleasant and clear as also a little Cool.

21. Much such a day as yesterday.

22. Ditto. Ditto.

23. Clear but Pleast. and Cool. Wind Northerly.

24. Clear and pleasant but somewhat cool. Wind in the same Quarter.

25. Very pleasant and somewhat [warmer], there being no Wind.

26. Clear and pleasant but rather warm there being no wind.

27. Again clear and warm with but little or no wind.

28. Very warm. Foggy in the Morning but clear afterd.

29. Very warm again, being clear with no Wind.

30. Still warm with some appearances of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Went to Christ Church & dined at the New Tavern.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. At Congress till 3 Oclock. Dined at Mr. Reed’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. At Congress. Dined at Mr. Thos. Smiths.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. At Congress. Dined with Mr. John Cadwallader.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

 9. Went to the Presbeterian Meeting in the forenoon and Romish Church in the Afternoon. Dind at Bevans’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. At Congress. Din’d at Doctr. Morgan’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Din’d at my Lodgings & Spent the Evening at Bevan’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. At Congress all the forenoon. Dined at Mr. Josh. Whartons & went to the Govrs. Club.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Dined at my lodgings—after being at Congress till 4 Oclk.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Dined at Mr. Thos. Barclay’s and Spent the Evening at Smiths.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Dined at Bevans’s. Spent the Evening at home.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. After Congress dind on board Captn. Hamilton. Spent the Evening at Mr. Miflins.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Dined at Doctr. Rush’s and Spent the Evening at the New Tavern.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Dined at Mr. Willings & Spent the Evening at my own lodgings.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Dind at the New Tavern with the Pensa. Assembly. Went to the Ball afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Dined at Mr. Griffins & drank Tea with Mrs. Roberdeau.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Dined with Mr. Mease & Spent the Evening at the New Tavern.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Dined at Bevans’s, and Spent the Evening at the New Tavern.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Breakfasted at the Buck Tavern. Dined at Downs’s & lodged at New town upon Chester.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Breakfasted at Mr. Calverts & reachd home abt. 3 Oclock.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 October 1774]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. At home all day.