Title: [Diary entry: 2 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 2d. Mercury at 67 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 75 at Night. Morning lowering but clear warm, & pleasant afterwds. Set out before Six Oclock, & arrived at the Great Falls abt. half after nine. Found Colo. Gilpin there & soon after Govrs. Johnson & Lee, and Colo. Fitzgerald & Mr. Potts arrived when the board proceeded to enquire in to the charges exhibited by Mr. James Rumsey the late against Mr. Richardson Stuart the present Manager of the Companys business. The examination of the Witnesses employed the board until dark when the members dispersed for Lodgings. I went to Mr. Fairfax’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 3d. Mercury at 67 in the Morng.—79 at Noon—74 at Night.  Morning somewhat lowerg. with thunder lightning and rain in the evening. Returned to the Falls by appointment at 7 Oclock to Breakfast: we proceeded immediately afterwards to a consideration of the evidence, and to decide upon each article of charge: a record of which was made & upon the whole appeared (the charges) malignant, envious, & trifling. After this the board settled many accts. and adjourned till 8 oclock next Morning.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 4th. Mercury at 68 in the morning—78 at Noon and 72 at Night. Morning clear, and it continued so till near 3 Oclock when it began to rain and continued with little or no intermission untill past 6 Oclock. The Board having agreed to a Petition to be offered to the assemblies of Virga. and Maryland for prolonging the time allowed by Law for improving the Navigation of the river above the Great Falls—Directed the Manager respecting the Winter Work for the hands and having settled and regulated every other matter which came before them broke up about three oclock—when in company with Colos. Fitzgerald & Gilpin, & Mr. Potts I set off home. With much difficulty on acct. of the rising of the Water by the rain of last Night we crossed Difficult run and through a constant rain till I had reached Cameron. I got home a little before 8 oclock where I found my Brother Jno. Auge. Washington.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 7th. Mercury at 52 in the Morning—58 at Night [Noon] and 56 at Night. Morning clear and tolerably pleasant—wind still westerly and pretty fresh—No frost though one was expected from appearances. Immediately after breakfast my Brother left this, when I rid to all my Plantations. Found my People securing fodder in the Neck, Dogue run and Ferry—at the last of which the drilled corn by the meadow was untouched. At Muddy hole the fodder had all been secured on Monday last and some of the Wild Pea vine (such as came from the Eastn. shore) had been pulled. The hands on Tuesday went to assist the Dogue run people to get in their fodder—a suspension of all wch. business was had on Wednesday afternoon & all day thursday. In the Neck, the first gathering of 6 rows of drilled pease measured 4¾ bushels and the first gathering of the next 6 rows planted in rows also, but 18 Inches a part in the rows yielded 6½ bushels.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 8th. Mercury at 56 in the Morning—60 at Night [Noon] and 57 at Night. A brisk southerly wind all day & pleasant. Mr. Rumney, Mr. Powell, and a Mr. Patterson an English Gentn. dined here & returned in the afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 11th. Mercury at 60 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 73 at Night. This day as yesterday, was clear, calm, and warm. Majr. Washington, his wife, and Nelly & Washington Custis went up to the race at Alexa. All but the Major returned to Dinner with Betcy & Patcy Custis along with them. I rid to all the Plantations, found most of my People had gone to the races. Those remaining in the Neck were cleaning rye which had been tread out the day before & preparing to continue their wheat sowing tomorrow.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 13th. Mercury at 64 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 74 at Night. Clear Calm, and very warm all day. At Night it began to Thunder & lighten—accompanied in the course of it with frequent & hard Showers. All the company except Mrs. Stuart went away directly after breakfast. She with Betcy & Patcy Custis did not leave this till after dinner. Rid to the Ferry, Dogue run, & Muddy hole Plantations and to the Mill and Ditchers. Finished securing the Fodder at the Ferry. Tread out a stack of Wheat at Dogue run in order to renew my sowing of this grain at that place. Tried here and in the Neck to plow before sowing, then sow and harrow in, but it would not answer in the Corn ground. The grass occasioned the Earth to be drawn in heaps. Began to pull the early Corn at Muddy hole.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 14th. Mercury at 62 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 68 at Night. Morning cloudy but clear afterwards with the Wind at So. West & warm. Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck, found the rain of last Night had wet the Corn ground so much that there was no plowing in Wheat. Ordered them to shift to the Wheat Stubble (where they had formerly been) and Plow for Rye. Finding at the same place that part of the first sowed rye had either not come up, or had been destroyed by some insect, I directed that part of the first cut—North of the Meadow, to be sowed over again; and to be harrowed in by the double harrow—if sufficient to cover the grain. At Muddy hole gathering the early Corn & husking it. At Dogue run Sowing Wheat—the ground, in places rather too wet. At the Ferry just finished plowing, sowing & harrowing the ground allotted for Rye at the Ferry and securing the fodder. Directed, as the fly appeared to be getting into the Wheat more or less at all the Plantations, that that at the Ferry should be immediately tread out & sent to the Mill.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 15th. Mercury 65 at Morn—76 at Noon and 74 at Night. Clear, warm, & pleasant all day. Accompanied by Majr. Washington his wife Mr. Lear & the two

Childn. Nelly & Washington Custis went to Pohick Church & returned to Dinner. Fell in with on the Road, Colo. Jno. Mercer, his Lady & child coming here and their nurse.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 16th. Mercury at 64 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 72 at Night. A Watery Sun in the morning and Clouds in the afternoon but no rain fell till towards day in the Night. Colo. Mercer &ca. crossed the River after breakfast on their way to Annapolis. Majr. Washington & myself went up to Alexandria, & dined at Lomax’s. Got the Deed from Manley’s Exrs. acknowledged to me in open Court & for the 2d. time agreed with Mr. Wm. Triplett for the use of Mrs. French’s Plantation for wch. during Robinsons term and Interest in it, I am, for the Land & Negroes, to pay £136 & 150£ afterwards during her life. Returned home in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 18th. Mercury at 48 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 55 at Night. Clear and cool, wind pretty fresh from the No. West. Rid by Muddy hole and Dogue run Plantations to Mr. Tripletts. 3 plows and most of the hands from the first had gone to the latter to assist in sowing Wheat in Corn ground. Having met Mrs. French at Mr. Tripletts, I concluded the bargain with her for her Plantation & Negroes in my Neck and had a Lease executed for the same and sent word to a Mr. Robertson the present tenant to come to me to see if I cd. not engage him to quit it, and coming accordingly some propositions were made to him of which he was to consider till saturday night or Monday Morning & then give an answer.  Monsr. Ouster, French Consul at Williamsburgh & Mr. Lacaze two French Gentlemen dined here & returned to Alexa. in the evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

[Thursday] 19th. October 1786. Mercury at 46 in the Morning—55 at Noon and 52 at Night. A large white frost this Morning—the air cool, but calm & pleasant afterwards. Rid to my Plantations in the Neck and at Muddy hole & from thence to Colo. McCartys to Dinner where I met Mrs. Washington & Fanny Washington. On our return home found Mr. John Dawson and Mr. Theodk. Lee here. In the Neck my People were sowing Wheat; but the ground was much too wet for it—but it was either to be put in in this condition or put off altogether. The former I chose. The resowing of Rye (directed on Saturday last) had been suspended, & was now put off altogether to see whether the part which appeared so thin would come to any thing—Sowing Rye on the New plowed Wheat stubble and had it harrowed and cross harrowed which put the ground in much finer order than the single harrowing had done the first. This Rye had both the harrowing after it was sowed as the lay land at Dogue run was managed. At Muddy hole the Overseer & two or three of the weak hands (the rest being at Dogue run) were gathering the Wild (or Magity bay) Pea a tedious operatn.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 20th. Mercury at 50 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 56 at Night. Calm clear & pleasant in the Morning—lowering afterwards with the Wind Southe[r]ly. Rid (after Mr. Dawson & Mr. Lee went away) first to the Ferry

plantation, and thence to Dogue run through the Plantation lately rented of Mrs. French which I find less injured by Gullies than I expected. At the Ferry the people were getting out the wheat and at Dogue run upon the point of finishing sowing the last cut of common corn (about the Houses)—after which I directed them to sow part of the drilled Corn. In the afternoon Geo. Dunnington, a Tenant of mine in Charles County, Maryland, came in to give an acct. of the situation of the place on which he lives and of the attempts to take part of the Land away by one Strumat. It ought to have been mentioned on Thursday that the early Corn drilled, in alternate rows, at Muddy hole had been measured; that of it there was only 19 Barrls. of sound corn—3 Barrls. of faulty Corn (fit only for Hogs) and 2 Barrls. of the Common Corn which had got intermixed—In all from these Alternate rows, 24 Barrls. Much rotten & bad corn was found in this early kind & proves as well from the experiment of this year as the last, that it does not do in this climate or soil.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 22d. Mercury at 48 in the Morning—59 at Noon and 56 at Night. Clear and pleasant with but little wind. The Honble. Wm. Drayton and Mr. Walter Izard came here to dinner and stayed all Night. Mr. Rumney, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Wilson & Mr. Porter also came here to dinner all of whom except the first went away after it.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 24th. Mercury at 53 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 66 at Night. Clear, calm, and extremely pleasant all day.  Mr. Drayton and Mr. Izard set out after breakfast on their rout to South Carolina. I remained at home all day, being prevented from going up to Abingdon to Meet Mrs. Washington according to promise by the above company. Entered into articles of agreement and bonds for the performance of the Covenants with John Robertson for the Plantation I lately leased of Mrs. French, and on which he lives. Sent up to Abingdon for a young Bull of extraordinary make for which I had exchangd and given a young heifer of the same age.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 25th. Mercury at 53 in the Morng.—67 at Noon and 66 at Night. An exceedingly heavy fog till 10 Oclock—after which it became clear warm & pleasant. Mr. Maddison and Colo. Monroe & his Lady set out after breakfast for Fredericksburgh. I called at the Ferry, Dogue run, & Muddy hole plantations on my way to Mr. Fendalls where I met Mrs. Washington, dined, & returned home in the evening bringing Betcy & Patcy Custis with the other two home with us. Found all the Wheat at the Ferry tred out but not quite cleaned or carried to the Mill. At Muddy hole the 4 rows of Irish Potatoes had been dugged. Out of one which appeared to be best set (though they were all much missing) 2¼ bushels were obtained and from the other 3 rows 4½ Bushels were gathered—In all 6¾ Bushels. This at best is a poor encrease—but would have been very bad if the rows had been nearly compleated but this they were not—the flat places having none on them.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 26th. Mercury at 56 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 68 at Night. Calm, clear, and very pleasant day throughout.  Immediately after breakfast I rid into the Neck, and to Muddy hole & Dogue run Plantations. At the first finished sowing and plowing in all the Rye, but had not compleated the harrowing & Hoeing of it. This comprehended the 3d. cut of Wheat and the furthest cut of drilled corn except 52 rows which were left for Oats in the Spring & this sowing having advanced 18 rows into the Corn which had Peas between I directed the same number of Pea rows in the middle cut to be sowed with Wheat to bring them even. This would be set about tomorrow. Ordered three plows from this place to Dogue run to assist in putting in the Wheat & rye there wch. was more backward than at any other place in sowing. At Muddy hole the people had recommenced sowing rye in the Corn ground which had been left for this purpose. The Pease of the 6 rows in the Neck which had been drilled or sowed thick, yielded 15 bushels after they were cleaned (besides the green ones) and the next 6 rows of the same kind, dropped 18 inches in the row, measured (besides the green ones) 16 Bushels. The whole field therefore (if Pease had been planted between all the Corn rows) would have yielded at this rate, 410 bushels there being 159 of them and it is to be observed that many of the rows if not all of them were greatly missing occasioned by too early planting and the frequent rains which drowned them in all low and cold places. Ordered a piece of ground to be prepared in the Neck on which to transplant Turneps for the purpose of saving seed. Colo. and Mrs. McCarty & Colo. Ball and his Lady came here to dinner & returned afterwards and abt. Sun down Mr. Mayo & his wife & Miss D’Hart in a Post Chaise & 4 came in.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 27th. Mercury at 56 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 56 at Night. Cloudy in the Morning, with the wind very fresh at N. W. About 10 oclock it cleared but continued to blow fresh, and grew colder. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole and examined the Land I lately bought from the Exr. of

Manley more attentively. Find some of it in very good condition and other parts much gullied and worn and that there is more & better meadow ground on it than I expected.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 28th. Mercury at 46 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 60 at Night. Clear and pleasant all day with but little wind and that from So. West. Mr. Mayo, his wife and Miss D’Hart went away after breakfast. Rid to the Plantations in the Neck, Muddy hole, and Dogue Run. At the first compleated sowing Wheat yesterday and finished covering Rye with the Hoes & Harrows the same day—Gathering for plantation use some of the drilled Corn at Muddy hole & plowed a poor ½ acre to Cowpen on—Taking up the Irish Potatoes at Dogue run out of the way of the Wheat sowing. Found Mrs. Stuart and her two youngest children here on my return home.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 29th. Mercury at 54 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 58 at Night. Lowering at times through the day—very little wind and that South—very smoaky all day.  About noon Mrs. Stuart and one of her youngest Children left this for Mr. Lund Washingtons. At the same time I crossed the river with intention to view & Survey my land in Charles County Maryland. Went to and lodged at Govr. Smallwoods about 14 Miles from the Ferry.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 October 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 30th. Mercury at 49 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 50 at Night. Raining all the forenoon with the Wind at No. Et.—Misting & very cloudy all the latter part of the day altho the Wind had shifted to the No. Wt. About One Oclock accompanied by the Governor, I set out to take a view of my land which lay 12 Miles from his House—after doing which and finding it rather better than I expected we returned to the Governrs. having from the badness of the Weather & wetness of the ground given over the idea of Surveying. This land lyes full level enough. The cleared part has been lively & good but much abused and a good deal worked. The wood part, of wch. there is a good deal, is tolerably full of rail timber and Wood (chiefly spanish Oak & black Jack) but the soil is thin and of a mean quality tho very capable of improvement from the Nature of it & levelness. Govr. Smallwood thinks the whole is worth and would sell for 35 or 40. Shillings Maryland Curry. pr. Acre and seems to have an inclination to buy it himself and that his Manager (one Franklin) is that way inclined also. Being informed by my Tenant (on this Land) George Dunnington of a vacancy containg. 20 or 30 acres within, or adjoining to my lines the Governor promised to obtain a warrant for it on my behalf and a Mr. Stromat who had obtained Warrants for sevel. vacancies one of which being within my Tract sent me word by the above Geo. Dunnington that I might have the latter (more than 100 acres) upon condition of my paying a proportionate part of the expence he had been at to obtain them, which I consented to do & sent him word so by Dunnington.


Title: October 1786
From: Washington, George
To:

[Sunday 1st.] Mercury at 68 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 76 at Night.
The day clear and warm. Took an early Dinner and set out for Abingdon on my way to the Great Falls to meet the Directors of the Potomack Co.
Left Doctr. Craik at Mt. Vernon who came in a few minutes before I set off.

Monday 2d. Mercury at 67 in the Morning—78 at Noon and 75 at Night.
Morning lowering but clear warm, & pleasant afterwds.
Set out before Six Oclock, & arrived at the Great Falls abt. half after nine. Found Colo. Gilpin there & soon after Govrs. Johnson & Lee, and Colo. Fitzgerald & Mr. Potts arrived when the board proceeded to enquire in to the charges exhibited by Mr. James Rumsey the late against Mr. Richardson Stuart the present Manager of the Companys business. The examination of the Witnesses employed the board until dark when the members dispersed for Lodgings. I went to Mr. Fairfax’s.

Tuesday 3d. Mercury at 67 in the Morng.—79 at Noon—74 at Night.

Morning somewhat lowerg. with thunder lightning and rain in the evening.
Returned to the Falls by appointment at 7 Oclock to Breakfast: we proceeded immediately afterwards to a consideration of the evidence, and to decide upon each article of charge: a record of which was made & upon the whole appeared (the charges) malignant, envious, & trifling. After this the board settled many accts. and adjourned till 8 oclock next Morning.

Wednesday 4th. Mercury at 68 in the morning—78 at Noon and 72 at Night.
Morning clear, and it continued so till near 3 Oclock when it began to rain and continued with little or no intermission untill past 6 Oclock.
The Board having agreed to a Petition to be offered to the assemblies of Virga. and Maryland for prolonging the time allowed by Law for improving the Navigation of the river above the Great Falls—Directed the Manager respecting the Winter Work for the hands and having settled and regulated every other matter which came before them broke up about three oclock—when in company with Colos. Fitzgerald & Gilpin, & Mr. Potts I set off home. With much difficulty on acct. of the rising of the Water by the rain of last Night we crossed Difficult run and through a constant rain till I had reached Cameron. I got home a little before 8 oclock where I found my Brother Jno. Auge. Washington.

   a petition . . . to the assemblies: Frequent rains and high water in the summer and fall of 1785 and the summer of 1786 had prevented much work from being done on the bed of the Potomac River. The Potowmack Company petition, signed by GW, requested an extension of the three years originally allowed until Nov. 1790 or “such other time as your Honors shall deem reasonable for making and improving the Navigation between Great Falls and Fort Cumberland.” Both the Maryland and Virginia legislatures promptly complied with the request (BACON-FOSTERCorra Bacon-Foster. Early Chapters in the Development of the Patomac Route to the West. Washington, D.C., 1912., 78–79, 80).

Thursday 5th. Mercury at 70 in the Morng.—72 at Noon and 68 at Night.
A good deal of Rain fell in the Night; & a great deal in the course of this day (with the Wind from the So. East & sometimes very high) which occasioned very high tides, and high freshes. At home all day.

Friday 6th. Mercury at 62 in the morning—60 at Noon and 57 at Night.

Morning clear, except scattering clouds—Winds high from the westward.
In the afternoon (having first dined) rid with my Brother to Mr. Lund Washington’s and returned. Found the waters had been exceeding high.

Saturday 7th. Mercury at 52 in the Morning—58 at Night [Noon] and 56 at Night.
Morning clear and tolerably pleasant—wind still westerly and pretty fresh—No frost though one was expected from appearances.
Immediately after breakfast my Brother left this, when I rid to all my Plantations. Found my People securing fodder in the Neck, Dogue run and Ferry—at the last of which the drilled corn by the meadow was untouched. At Muddy hole the fodder had all been secured on Monday last and some of the Wild Pea vine (such as came from the Eastn. shore) had been pulled. The hands on Tuesday went to assist the Dogue run people to get in their fodder—a suspension of all wch. business was had on Wednesday afternoon & all day thursday. In the Neck, the first gathering of 6 rows of drilled pease measured 4¾ bushels and the first gathering of the next 6 rows planted in rows also, but 18 Inches a part in the rows yielded 6½ bushels.

Sunday 8th. Mercury at 56 in the Morning—60 at Night [Noon] and 57 at Night. A brisk southerly wind all day & pleasant.
Mr. Rumney, Mr. Powell, and a Mr. Patterson an English Gentn. dined here & returned in the afternoon.

Monday 9th. Mercury at 56 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 60 at Night.
Clear warm & pleasant, with but little wind.
Rid to all the Plantations & to the Ditchers in my Mill swamp. Finished securing Fodder at the River Quarter & would nearly do so at Dogue run—at the Ferry, gathering the Fodder of the Drilled Corn by the Meadow—Pulling pease in the Neck with the small hands. Allowed all my People to go to the races in Alexandria on one of three days as best comported with their respective businesses—leaving careful persons on the Plantations.

Tuesday 10th. Mercury at 59 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 72 at Night.
In company with Major Washington (who with his wife returned yesterday evening from Fredericksburgh) and Mr. Lear

went up to Alexandria to see the Jockey club purse run for (which was won by Mr. Snickers). Dined by invitation with the Members of it and returned home in the evening.

   William Snickers (b. 1759), son of Edward and Elizabeth Taliaferro Snickers of Frederick County, won 100 guineas at the Alexandria Jockey Club Purse with his horse Paul Jones. In 1793 Snickers married Frances Washington (b. 1775), daughter of Warner Washington, Jr. (1751–1829) and Mary Whiting Washington (MCILHANYHugh Milton McIlhany, Jr. Some Virginia Families. Staunton, Va., 1903., 107, 111; Va. Journal, 12 Oct. 1786).

Wednesday 11th. Mercury at 60 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 73 at Night.
This day as yesterday, was clear, calm, and warm.
Majr. Washington, his wife, and Nelly & Washington Custis went up to the race at Alexa. All but the Major returned to Dinner with Betcy & Patcy Custis along with them.
I rid to all the Plantations, found most of my People had gone to the races. Those remaining in the Neck were cleaning rye which had been tread out the day before & preparing to continue their wheat sowing tomorrow.

Thursday 12th. Mercury at 60 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 72 at Night.
Clear, calm, and warm all day, or rather till noon when a breeze from the Southward came up.
Rid to all the Plantations. Began in the Neck to sow wheat in the middle cut of drilled Corn. Ferry people all gone to the race and those at home at Dogue run all idle—Overseer being gone to the Race.
In the afternoon Doctr. Stuart and his wife Mr. Fitzhugh of Chatham, Mr. Presley Thornton Mr. Townshend Dade, and Mr. Stith came here, and stayed all Night.

   Presley Thornton (1760–1807), of Northumberland County, was the son of Presley Thornton (1721–1769) and Charlotte Belson Thornton. The younger Thornton left with his mother for England in the early 1770s and served with the British army on the Continent during the Revolution. Thornton returned to Virginia immediately after the war and restored his citizenship by taking the required oaths of allegiance. In 1799 he served as a captain in the 8th United States Infantry and an aide to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. About 1800 Thornton sold his Northumberland estate and moved to Genesee, N.Y., where he died (GW to James McHenry, 4 Feb. 1799, and GW to Thornton, 12 Aug. 1799, DLC:GW; WMQThe William and Mary Quarterly: A Magazine of Early American History. Williamsburg, Va., 1st ser., 5 [1896–97], 198–99).

   Townshend Dade who appears on this day may be David Stuart’s brother-in-law Townshend Dade (b. 1743). He had been married to Stuart’s sister Jane Stuart (1751–1774).

   Mr. Stith was possibly John Stith (1755–1808), son of Buckner Stith (1722–1791)

and brother of Col. Robert Stith of Chotank. John Stith married Ann (Nancy) Washington, daughter of Lawrence Washington (b. 1728) of Chotank and Elizabeth Dade Washington. Stith served as a captain with several different Virginia regiments during the Revolution.

Friday 13th. Mercury at 64 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 74 at Night.
Clear Calm, and very warm all day. At Night it began to Thunder & lighten—accompanied in the course of it with frequent & hard Showers.
All the company except Mrs. Stuart went away directly after breakfast. She with Betcy & Patcy Custis did not leave this till after dinner.
Rid to the Ferry, Dogue run, & Muddy hole Plantations and to the Mill and Ditchers. Finished securing the Fodder at the Ferry. Tread out a stack of Wheat at Dogue run in order to renew my sowing of this grain at that place. Tried here and in the Neck to plow before sowing, then sow and harrow in, but it would not answer in the Corn ground. The grass occasioned the Earth to be drawn in heaps. Began to pull the early Corn at Muddy hole.

Saturday 14th. Mercury at 62 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 68 at Night.
Morning cloudy but clear afterwards with the Wind at So. West & warm.
Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck, found the rain of last Night had wet the Corn ground so much that there was no plowing in Wheat. Ordered them to shift to the Wheat Stubble (where they had formerly been) and Plow for Rye. Finding at the same place that part of the first sowed rye had either not come up, or had been destroyed by some insect, I directed that part of the first cut—North of the Meadow, to be sowed over again; and to be harrowed in by the double harrow—if sufficient to cover the grain. At Muddy hole gathering the early Corn & husking it. At Dogue run Sowing Wheat—the ground, in places rather too wet. At the Ferry just finished plowing, sowing & harrowing the ground allotted for Rye at the Ferry and securing the fodder. Directed, as the fly appeared to be getting into the Wheat more or less at all the Plantations, that that at the Ferry should be immediately tread out & sent to the Mill.

Sunday 15th. Mercury 65 at Morn—76 at Noon and 74 at Night. Clear, warm, & pleasant all day.
Accompanied by Majr. Washington his wife Mr. Lear & the two

Childn. Nelly & Washington Custis went to Pohick Church & returned to Dinner. Fell in with on the Road, Colo. Jno. Mercer, his Lady & child coming here and their nurse.

   Col. John Francis and Sophia Sprigg Mercer of Maryland had a son, Richard, born 19 Nov. 1785. He died before reaching maturity (GARNETT [2]James Mercer Garnett. Biographical Sketch of Hon. James Mercer Garnett of Elmwood, Essex County, Virginia, With Mercer-Garnett and Mercer Genealogies. Richmond, 1910., 52–53).

Monday 16th. Mercury at 64 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 72 at Night.
A Watery Sun in the morning and Clouds in the afternoon but no rain fell till towards day in the Night.
Colo. Mercer &ca. crossed the River after breakfast on their way to Annapolis.
Majr. Washington & myself went up to Alexandria, & dined at Lomax’s. Got the Deed from Manley’s Exrs. acknowledged to me in open Court & for the 2d. time agreed with Mr. Wm. Triplett for the use of Mrs. French’s Plantation for wch. during Robinsons term and Interest in it, I am, for the Land & Negroes, to pay £136 & 150£ afterwards during her life.
Returned home in the Evening.

   For further information on the complicated French-Dulany land transactions, see GW to David Stuart, 12 Dec. 1790, PHi: Dreer Collection; GW to William Triplett, 25 Sept. 1786, DLC:GW; Fairfax County Deeds, Book P–1, 311–16, 318–20, and Book Q–1, 392–96, Vi Microfilm).

Tuesday 17th. Mercury at 68 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 59 at Night.
Wind Southerly and raining till about 9 Oclock when it chopped round to the No. Wt.—blew hard & cleared.
At home all day. Began to set a brick kiln.

Wednesday 18th. Mercury at 48 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 55 at Night.
Clear and cool, wind pretty fresh from the No. West.
Rid by Muddy hole and Dogue run Plantations to Mr. Tripletts. 3 plows and most of the hands from the first had gone to the latter to assist in sowing Wheat in Corn ground.
Having met Mrs. French at Mr. Tripletts, I concluded the bargain with her for her Plantation & Negroes in my Neck and had a Lease executed for the same and sent word to a Mr. Robertson the present tenant to come to me to see if I cd. not engage him to quit it, and coming accordingly some propositions were made to him of which he was to consider till saturday night or Monday Morning & then give an answer.

Monsr. Ouster, French Consul at Williamsburgh & Mr. Lacaze two French Gentlemen dined here & returned to Alexa. in the evening.

   Martin Oster, who came to Philadelphia from France in 1778 as an officer in the French consular service, held the post of vice-consul of Philadelphia 1781–83 and of Norfolk and Williamsburg from 1783 until his recall in 1792. He was traveling to several port cities at the time of this visit to Mount Vernon (NASATIR AND MONELLAbraham P. Nasatir and Gary Elwyn Monell. French Consuls in the United States: A Calendar of their Correspondence in the Archives Nationales. Washington, D.C., 1967., 196, 566–67). Mr. Lacaze was probably James Lacaze, a merchant, partner in the firm of Lacaze & Mallet, which operated in Philadelphia from 1780 to 1785.

[Thursday] 19th. October 1786. Mercury at 46 in the Morning—55 at Noon and 52 at Night.
A large white frost this Morning—the air cool, but calm & pleasant afterwards.
Rid to my Plantations in the Neck and at Muddy hole & from thence to Colo. McCartys to Dinner where I met Mrs. Washington & Fanny Washington.
On our return home found Mr. John Dawson and Mr. Theodk. Lee here.
In the Neck my People were sowing Wheat; but the ground was much too wet for it—but it was either to be put in in this condition or put off altogether. The former I chose. The resowing of Rye (directed on Saturday last) had been suspended, & was now put off altogether to see whether the part which appeared so thin would come to any thing—Sowing Rye on the New plowed Wheat stubble and had it harrowed and cross harrowed which put the ground in much finer order than the single harrowing had done the first. This Rye had both the harrowing after it was sowed as the lay land at Dogue run was managed. At Muddy hole the Overseer & two or three of the weak hands (the rest being at Dogue run) were gathering the Wild (or Magity bay) Pea a tedious operatn.

   John Dawson (1762–1814), of Spotsylvania County, was the son of Rev. Musgrave and Mary Waugh Dawson. He represented Spotsylvania County in the House of Delegates 1786–89, was a member of the Continental Congress in 1788 and 1789, and served in the United States Congress from 1797 to 1814.

   Theodorick Lee (1766–1849) was the fourth son of Henry Lee of Leesylvania, and younger brother of Light Horse Harry Lee and Charles Lee.

Friday 20th. Mercury at 50 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 56 at Night.
Calm clear & pleasant in the Morning—lowering afterwards with the Wind Southe[r]ly.
Rid (after Mr. Dawson & Mr. Lee went away) first to the Ferry

plantation, and thence to Dogue run through the Plantation lately rented of Mrs. French which I find less injured by Gullies than I expected.
At the Ferry the people were getting out the wheat and at Dogue run upon the point of finishing sowing the last cut of common corn (about the Houses)—after which I directed them to sow part of the drilled Corn.
In the afternoon Geo. Dunnington, a Tenant of mine in Charles County, Maryland, came in to give an acct. of the situation of the place on which he lives and of the attempts to take part of the Land away by one Strumat.
It ought to have been mentioned on Thursday that the early Corn drilled, in alternate rows, at Muddy hole had been measured; that of it there was only 19 Barrls. of sound corn—3 Barrls. of faulty Corn (fit only for Hogs) and 2 Barrls. of the Common Corn which had got intermixed—In all from these Alternate rows, 24 Barrls. Much rotten & bad corn was found in this early kind & proves as well from the experiment of this year as the last, that it does not do in this climate or soil.

   George Dunnington lived on the land in Maryland which GW had obtained from Daniel Jenifer Adams (see 22 Jan. 1775 and 12 Sept. 1785). In 1790 Dunnington was the head of a household of 10 whites and 15 slaves in Charles County (HEADS OF FAMILIES, MD.Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Maryland. 1907. Reprint. Baltimore, 1965., 49). one strumat: Capt. John Stromatt in 1790 was the head of a household of 8 whites and 8 slaves in Charles County (HEADS OF FAMILIES, MD.Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Maryland. 1907. Reprint. Baltimore, 1965., 54).

Saturday 21st. Mercury at 50 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 55 at Night.
Wind at No. Et. all day with various appearances—sometimes threatning Rain—at other times promising to be fair.
Colo. Richard Henry Lee with his daughter Nancy, who came here yesterday to dinner, going away after breakfast, I rid into the Neck, and to Muddy hole & Dogue run Plantations. At the first the People had finished sowing Wheat about Noon yesterday; & to day were picking up the fallen Corn and gathering the residue of the Pease. The Plows were preparing the Wheat Stubble for rye, & sowing it. At Dogue run the Plows had got into the drilled Corn, the stalk of which were cut down & entirely taken of the ground. The ground with this plowing seemed to be in perfect tilth, & in good order. I was about to harrow it after sowing & plowing, but my Farmer advised the contrary & I desisted.

   nancy: Anne Lee (1770–1804) was the eldest daughter of Richard Henry Lee and his second wife, Anne Gaskins Pinckard Lee.

Sunday 22d. Mercury at 48 in the Morning—59 at Noon and 56 at Night.
Clear and pleasant with but little wind.
The Honble. Wm. Drayton and Mr. Walter Izard came here to dinner and stayed all Night. Mr. Rumney, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Wilson & Mr. Porter also came here to dinner all of whom except the first went away after it.

   William Drayton (1732–1790), of Charleston, S.C., was the son of Thomas Drayton, prominent in political circles in that colony. Before the Revolution Drayton practiced law in South Carolina and was chief justice of East Florida. He spent part of the war in England. After his return to South Carolina in 1780, Drayton served as judge of the admiralty court, associate justice of the state supreme court, and in 1789 became the first judge of the United States court for the district of South Carolina.

   Drayton began corresponding with GW on 23 Nov. 1785 when he informed GW that the South Carolina Society for Promoting and Improving Agriculture and Other Rural Concerns had elected him its first honorary member (DLC:GW). At the time of this visit to Mount Vernon, Drayton and Izard were en route to South Carolina from New York.

   Walter Izard (c.1750–1788) was a son of Ralph Izard (1717–1761), of Berkeley County, S.C., and cousin of Ralph Izard (1742–1804), the revolutionary diplomat. During the Revolution Walter Izard served as a volunteer in the Continental Army. In 1779 he married Mary Fenwick, the second daughter of Edward Fenwick.

Monday 23d. Mercury at 48 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 58 at Night.
Calm clear and pleasant all day.
Mr. Rumney went away directly after breakfast and Mrs. Washington with Nelly and Washington Custis for Abingdon about the same time.
I remained at home all day. In the evening Colo. Monroe, his Lady and Mr. Maddison came in.

   James Monroe (1758–1831) had served as a delegate from Virginia to the Continental Congress since 1783 but had recently resigned because no delegate was eligible to serve more than three out of six years. Writing from New York on 7 Oct. 1786, Monroe had suggested to James Madison, who was in Philadelphia on personal business after attending the convention in Annapolis, that they travel to Virginia together and stop over at Mount Vernon to visit GW (MADISONWilliam T. Hutchinson et al., eds. The Papers of James Madison, Congressional Series. 17 vols. Chicago and Charlottesville, Va., 1962–91., 9:121–22, 143). Monroe and his wife, Elizabeth Kortright Monroe (d. 1830), were on their way to Fredericksburg, Va., where they intended to reside in a house belonging to Monroe’s uncle, Joseph Jones. Madison was going to Richmond for the fall session of the General Assembly.

Tuesday 24th. Mercury at 53 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 66 at Night.
Clear, calm, and extremely pleasant all day.

Mr. Drayton and Mr. Izard set out after breakfast on their rout to South Carolina.
I remained at home all day, being prevented from going up to Abingdon to Meet Mrs. Washington according to promise by the above company.
Entered into articles of agreement and bonds for the performance of the Covenants with John Robertson for the Plantation I lately leased of Mrs. French, and on which he lives.
Sent up to Abingdon for a young Bull of extraordinary make for which I had exchangd and given a young heifer of the same age.

   John Robertson agreed to give up the use of the land and slaves on or before 1 Jan. 1787, and in the meantime GW could “employ the labourers on the said Plantation in such works as may have a tendency to prepare for his crops & Inclosures designed for the next year, when they are not necessarily engaged in finishing the present crop, and taking care of the stock and other Interests” of Robertson. Robertson could have use of a tenant house, now occupied by Peter Pool, rent free for 1787, and for an additional year for payment of rent. GW was to pay Robertson for the wheat actually sown this year and Robertson would in turn pay Pool for the wheat planted on the tenement Pool relinquished to Robertson (agreement between GW and Robertson, 24 Oct. 1786, DLC:GW).

Wednesday 25th. Mercury at 53 in the Morng.—67 at Noon and 66 at Night.
An exceedingly heavy fog till 10 Oclock—after which it became clear warm & pleasant.
Mr. Maddison and Colo. Monroe & his Lady set out after breakfast for Fredericksburgh.
I called at the Ferry, Dogue run, & Muddy hole plantations on my way to Mr. Fendalls where I met Mrs. Washington, dined, & returned home in the evening bringing Betcy & Patcy Custis with the other two home with us. Found all the Wheat at the Ferry tred out but not quite cleaned or carried to the Mill. At Muddy hole the 4 rows of Irish Potatoes had been dugged. Out of one which appeared to be best set (though they were all much missing) 2¼ bushels were obtained and from the other 3 rows 4½ Bushels were gathered—In all 6¾ Bushels. This at best is a poor encrease—but would have been very bad if the rows had been nearly compleated but this they were not—the flat places having none on them.

Thursday 26th. Mercury at 56 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 68 at Night.
Calm, clear, and very pleasant day throughout.

Immediately after breakfast I rid into the Neck, and to Muddy hole & Dogue run Plantations. At the first finished sowing and plowing in all the Rye, but had not compleated the harrowing & Hoeing of it. This comprehended the 3d. cut of Wheat and the furthest cut of drilled corn except 52 rows which were left for Oats in the Spring & this sowing having advanced 18 rows into the Corn which had Peas between I directed the same number of Pea rows in the middle cut to be sowed with Wheat to bring them even. This would be set about tomorrow. Ordered three plows from this place to Dogue run to assist in putting in the Wheat & rye there wch. was more backward than at any other place in sowing. At Muddy hole the people had recommenced sowing rye in the Corn ground which had been left for this purpose. The Pease of the 6 rows in the Neck which had been drilled or sowed thick, yielded 15 bushels after they were cleaned (besides the green ones) and the next 6 rows of the same kind, dropped 18 inches in the row, measured (besides the green ones) 16 Bushels. The whole field therefore (if Pease had been planted between all the Corn rows) would have yielded at this rate, 410 bushels there being 159 of them and it is to be observed that many of the rows if not all of them were greatly missing occasioned by too early planting and the frequent rains which drowned them in all low and cold places. Ordered a piece of ground to be prepared in the Neck on which to transplant Turneps for the purpose of saving seed.
Colo. and Mrs. McCarty & Colo. Ball and his Lady came here to dinner & returned afterwards and abt. Sun down Mr. Mayo & his wife & Miss D’Hart in a Post Chaise & 4 came in.

   John Mayo (1760–1818), the son of John and Mary Tabb Mayo of Richmond, represented Henrico County in the House of Delegates in 1785–86, 1793, and 1796. Mayo married Abigail De Hart (1761–1843), the daughter of John De Hart (1728–1795) and Sarah Dagworthy De Hart of Elizabethtown, N.J. (MAYOMary Mayo Crenshaw, ed. An American Lady in Paris, 1828-1829: The Diary of Mrs. John Mayo. Boston and New York, 1927., xiii, 143–44). Miss D’Hart may have been Abigail’s sister Sarah De Hart (1759-1832), who had created shadow silhouettes of GW in 1783 (GW to William Gordon, 8 Mar. 1785,  DLC:GW; Eisen, Portraits of WashingtonGustavus A. Eisen. Portraits of Washington. 3 vols. New York, 1932., 2:590).

Friday 27th. Mercury at 56 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 56 at Night.
Cloudy in the Morning, with the wind very fresh at N. W. About 10 oclock it cleared but continued to blow fresh, and grew colder.
Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole and examined the Land I lately bought from the Exr. of

Manley more attentively. Find some of it in very good condition and other parts much gullied and worn and that there is more & better meadow ground on it than I expected.

Saturday 28th. Mercury at 46 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 60 at Night.
Clear and pleasant all day with but little wind and that from So. West.
Mr. Mayo, his wife and Miss D’Hart went away after breakfast.
Rid to the Plantations in the Neck, Muddy hole, and Dogue Run. At the first compleated sowing Wheat yesterday and finished covering Rye with the Hoes & Harrows the same day—Gathering for plantation use some of the drilled Corn at Muddy hole & plowed a poor ½ acre to Cowpen on—Taking up the Irish Potatoes at Dogue run out of the way of the Wheat sowing.
Found Mrs. Stuart and her two youngest children here on my return home.

   Mrs. Stuart’s two youngest children were Ann Calvert (Nancy) Stuart (b. 1784) and Sarah (Sally) Stuart (born c.1786).

Sunday 29th. Mercury at 54 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 58 at Night.
Lowering at times through the day—very little wind and that South—very smoaky all day.

About noon Mrs. Stuart and one of her youngest Children left this for Mr. Lund Washingtons. At the same time I crossed the river with intention to view & Survey my land in Charles County Maryland. Went to and lodged at Govr. Smallwoods about 14 Miles from the Ferry.

   William Smallwood (1732–1792) came from a distinguished Charles County, Md., family. In 1761 he represented Charles County in the Maryland legislature, joined the Maryland nonimportation association in 1769, and became a delegate to the Maryland Convention of 1775. During the Revolution he attained the rank of major general. He was elected to Congress in 1785 but before assuming office was chosen to succeed William Paca as governor of Maryland. After serving three one-year terms, Smallwood retired in 1788 to his home in southern Maryland.

Monday 30th. Mercury at 49 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 50 at Night.
Raining all the forenoon with the Wind at No. Et.—Misting & very cloudy all the latter part of the day altho the Wind had shifted to the No. Wt.
About One Oclock accompanied by the Governor, I set out to take a view of my land which lay 12 Miles from his House—after doing which and finding it rather better than I expected we returned to the Governrs. having from the badness of the Weather & wetness of the ground given over the idea of Surveying.
This land lyes full level enough. The cleared part has been lively & good but much abused and a good deal worked. The wood part, of wch. there is a good deal, is tolerably full of rail timber and Wood (chiefly spanish Oak & black Jack) but the soil is thin and of a mean quality tho very capable of improvement from the Nature of it & levelness. Govr. Smallwood thinks the whole is worth and would sell for 35 or 40. Shillings Maryland Curry. pr. Acre and seems to have an inclination to buy it himself and that his Manager (one Franklin) is that way inclined also. Being informed by my Tenant (on this Land) George Dunnington of a vacancy containg. 20 or 30 acres within, or adjoining to my lines the Governor promised to obtain a warrant for it on my behalf and a Mr. Stromat who had obtained Warrants for sevel. vacancies one of which being within my Tract sent me word by the above Geo. Dunnington that I might have the latter (more than 100 acres) upon condition of my paying a proportionate part of the expence he had been at to obtain them, which I consented to do & sent him word so by Dunnington.

   an inclination to buy it: GW wrote Smallwood on 6 Oct. 1787: “When I had the pleasure of being at your house last fall, you gave me reason to believe

that you would become the purchaser of my land adjoining yours, in Charles County—And if I recollect rightly, was to have written to me on that subject from Annapolis” (NjP). GW expressed his continued interest in selling the land to Smallwood, but apparently nothing ever came of it, for GW still owned the land when he died. a vacancy: There were several strips of unclaimed, or waste, land bordering on, or intruding into, GW’s land. Both GW and John Stromatt, whose land marched with GW’s, obtained a warrant to survey the land for their own use. For the ensuing dispute and final settlement, see GW to William Craik, 19 and 27 Mar. 1789 and 8 Feb. 1790, DLC:GW. one franklin: George Augustine Washington mentions an F. P. Franklin as “Govr. Smallwoods agent” in 1788 (LEDGER BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., 270). He may have meant Francis B. Franklin who lived in the area in 1790 and owned 29 slaves (HEADS OF FAMILIES, MD.Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Maryland. 1907. Reprint. Baltimore, 1965., 49).

Tuesday 31st. Mercury at 41 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 42 at Night.
Wind pretty fresh at No. West in the Morning but cloudy which it continued to be through the day with Mists in the afternoon and rain at Night, the wind getting round to No. Et.
After breakfast I left Govr. Smallwoods & got home to dinner. Attempted to cross at the Widow Chapmans in order to pay Colo. Mason a visit but could not get over.

   Constantia Pearson Chapman (c.1714–c.1791) was the daughter of Capt. Simon Pearson (d. c.1733) of Stafford County, Va., and the widow of Nathaniel Chapman of Charles County, Md.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 1st. Mercury at 38 in the Morning—41 at Noon and 41 at Night. Cloudy all the forenoon, with a light sprinkle of rain—Wind at No. West, & afternoon clear. Rid to all the Plantations, & to the Ditchers. Found, in the Neck that the People had begun to take up the Irish Potatoes, and during the rain had been cleaning rye & thrashing out the Pease and yesterday, & part of this day, were setting out (the summer) Turnips for Seed—at Muddy hole Sowing rye and at Dogue run that 3 pecks of the black spelt had been sowed yesterday in the drilled Corn next the Swamp, where the turnips and cabbages had been planted at the North end. On Saturday last one plow had begun a winter fallow for Oats; adjoining the rye at the Ferry; & the other people were clearing the Bryers & Shrubs out of the way of it. The Ditchers had nearly compleated the middle ditch on

Saturday, but the rain on Monday obliged them to shift to the upper ditch. On my return found Mrs. Stuart.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 2d. Mercury at 35 in the Morning—49 at Noon and 47 at Night. A very large white frost—the ground froze and Ice. Morning calm, wind afterwards variable and evening cool. Rid to the Ferry, Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations. From the latter the Potatoes and Pease were brought home; of the former there were  Bushels; and of the latter  Bushels  whereof were of the large kind (had from the Revd. Mr. Stuart). The Potatoes at Dogue run, from the rows planted in the drilled corn, measured 38½ Bushels. At this place the Plows were at work for Rye crossing the Corn rows; on which plowing I mean to sow the grain and then harrow & cross harrow the ground as had been done before with both Wheat & rye. At the ferry getting out Rye. Directed one or two plows more to assist in breaking up the ground at this place if the plowers could do it well. Left this to the Overseer to determine. Levelled round to the Road at a Stake by the bridge near Manleys, & begun to do the same on the other side of Muddy hole swamp from the plank bridge. Mr. Lund Washington and his wife dined here and returned in the evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 4th. Mercury at 43 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night. Morning mild, clear, and pleasant with the wind Southerly in the afternoon. Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck, finished gathering and Measuring the Irish Potatoes, wch. turned out as follow—viz.—In the Cut next the Barn 100 Bushels—There being 10 rows, every alternate one had a sprinkling of dung; 4 of which produced 52 bushels—the other being of another kind of Potatoe, produced not more than 1 Bushel, the 5 undunged rows yielded 48 Bushels.

The Middle cut turned out 50 Bushels & the Easternmost cut 25 Bushels only. As the number & length of the Rows were the same in these as the first the differe. in the quantity is to be ascribed to the difference of Land and to that part of the first cut in wch. the Potatoes grew having been dunged formerly over and above the sprinkling it got at Seed time. It is to be noted however that the last mentioned cuts were more missing than the first; and the whole more or less so. At Muddy hole compleated sowing the rye and at Dogue run only began this day to sow—the ground being too wet before. At the Ferry 2 plows employed in fallowing. On my return home found Colo. Pinkney his Lady & 4 Childn., Mrs. Middleton her Child nurse &ca. here—also Mr. Robt. and Mr. Lawe. Washington and Mr. Thompson. The 3 last went away after dinner—the others stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 5th. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night. The forenoon variable—sometimes threatning and then promising—but clear, fine and agreeable in the afternoon. Wind southerly all day. Colo. Pickney &ca. set out after breakfast. At home all day writing.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 6th. Mercury at 43 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 57 at Night. But very little wind and that southerly. Clear & remarkably pleasant all day. After breakfast Mrs. Stuart & all her Children except Washington Custis went away. I rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run & Muddy hole—Making a farm pen at the latter. On my return home found Colo. Lewis Morris and his Brother Major Jacob Morris here, who dined and returned to Alexandria

afterwards where Mrs. Lewis Morris & her Mother Mrs. Elliot were on their way to Charleston.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 7th. Mercury at 53 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 59 at Night. Clear mild & very pleast. all day—Calm in the forenoon & a light Southerly breeze after Noon. Rid to all the Plantations to day. In the Neck the people had just finished gathering and measuring the Pease which in all amounted to only 80 Bushels. They were, in places, very much missing to which this short quantity is principally to be ascribed. Some had not ripened and were destroyed by the frost & left on the Vines. Ordered the three plows belonging to Muddy hole to go to Dogue run to assist in getting in the rye while the weather continued good. My old Farmer thinking the Nights had got too long tho’ the weather as yet has been mild to keep the Cattle in open pens on the naked ground, I ordered the whole not to be penned till proper shelters were made for them.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 11th. Mercury at 41 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 42 at Night. Morning clear and cool, with the wind pretty fresh from the No. Wt. By noon it became calm & very pleasant. Rid to the Mill, and to Dogue run & Muddy hole plantations. At the first named Plantation finished plowing for Rye in the Morning, but there remained of it 8 or 10 acres to sow & harrow in. By Night the ground from which the Corn & Stalks had been taken off would be plowed (4 or 5 acres of it) for to lay down in Spelts provided for me by Colo. Deakins. Having received a letter from Baltimore, announcing the arrival of three Asses (a male and two females) from the Marquis de la Fayette for me together with some Pheasants and Patridges from France, I sent my Overseer Jno. Fairfax and a servant to bring the former.  Received from the Ferry Plantation 48½ bushels of a fine red (Irish) Potatoe, which were planted in the rows of drill corn by the fish house. This with  bushels of the white kind, which were planted in the missing places—of which after all replanting, there were many—is what came of that piece of drilled ground. The common Corn in the alternate rows of Drilled, at Muddy hole, turned out 28 Barrels wch. is 7 Barrels more than the other rows did of the early Corn. In the Neck the disproportion between these is much greater.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 12th. Mercury at 41 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 48 at Night. Morning clear, wind fresh from the Southward—lowering after wards till Noon when it began to rain & continued to do so moderately all the afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 13th. Mercury at 39 in the morning—47 at Noon and 46 at Night. Morning clear and cool, the Wind being fresh at No. West. Towards the afternoon the wind veered round (backed) to the Southward and in the evening lulled. Rid to all the Plantations—getting up Hogs for feeding at all. Finished sowing and harrowing in Rye at Dogue run & began to gather Corn in the Neck and at the Ferry for lofting. Agreed to let the Widow Alton have the House used for a School by my Mill if the School should be discontinued and Told James Bloxham, my Farmer, who was about to write to England for his Wife & family, and who proposed the measure that he might write to one Caleb Hall a Neighbour of his in Gloucestershire (who had expressed a desire to come to this Country, and who he said was a compleat Wheel Wright, Waggon builder, and Plow & Hurdle maker) that I wd. give him 25 Guineas a year for his Services (if he paid his own passage to this Country) the first year, and if I found he answered my purposes, & we liked each other, that I might give him 30 guineas the next yr. and held out encouragemt. if he chose to work for himself, that I would provide him with some place to live at—Whilst with me that he should be found in Provisions, Washing & lodging.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 14th. Mercury at 41 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 50 at Night. Lowering in the Morning with appearances of rain. About Noon the Clouds broke; and the afternoon became clear mild & exceedingly pleasant. Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run, & Ferry Plantations. At the latter compleated all my fall Sowing of winter grain, by putting into the Corn ground wch. had been prepared for the purpose, 6½ bushels of the Common Spelts. This ground after the Corn, & stalks were taken off, was plowed—the grain then Sowed, & harrowed & cross harrowed. The Soil is strong, but being very grassy, the Spelts with all this working were not put in very well—some places not being broke, & by means of the grass choaking the harrow, drawn, it is to be feared, in heaps—abt. 5 Acres of it. Beat about one Bushel of the Wild Crab into pummice, and sowed it in the hop Inclosure—lower end, in 19 rows, one foot apart.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 15th. Mercury at 46 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 54 at Night. Wind Southerly but not very fresh in the forepart of the day. About Noon it came out very powerfully at No. West and towds. Night turned cold. Rid to Muddy hole and Dogue run Plantations. The hands at these places & the ferry at work on the public Roads. Attempted to level to day, but the wind was too high to admit it.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 16. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 47 at Night. Morning windy clear, and cold; before Noon it moderated and became mild & pleasant and before Night it got to the Southwd. and lowered a little. Mr. & Mrs. Fendall came from Maryland here to Breakfast—as did Mr. Willm. Craik—after which they all went away. Rid into the Neck, and to Muddy hole plantations. At the first having measured the remainder of the Middle cut of drilled Corn it was found to turn out 85 Barls.—the further, or Eastermost cut of drilled Corn in the same field turned out miserably bad—there

being only 6 barrl. of the early Corn & 18 of the other or common corn. Here the difference against the early or Eastern is found greater than at Muddy hole and decidely in both in favor of the common Corn of the Country. On my return home, found Mons. Campoint sent by the Marqs. de la Fayette with the Jack and two She Asses which he had procured for me in the Island of Malta and which had arrived at Baltimore with the Chinese Pheasants &ca. had with my Overseer &ca. got there before me. These Asses are in good order and appear to be very fine. The Jack is two years old and the She Asses one three & the other two. The Pheasants and Patridges will come round by Water.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 18th. Mercury at 43 in the Morning—43 at Noon and 40 at Night. Wind Easterly all day and very cloudy and like for snow—sometimes drops of it for the first this year. Rid to the Ferry, Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations—gathering & husking Corn at all. Also rid to the Ditche[r]s who had begun to scour a ditch in the Mill Meadow. One of them, James Lawson went up to Town to day. Yesterday they entered upon standing wages. Monsr. Campion accompanied by Mr. Lear went to Alexandria & returned in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Sunday 19th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 32 at Night. Ground lightly covered with Snow this Morning. Continued cloudy all day and Snowing a little, at times, but the ground was never more than an inch thick. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 21st. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—40 at Night [Noon] and 38 at Night. Flying clouds with the Wind pretty fresh from the No. Wt. in the Morning and cold. Pleasanter afterwards and clear Wind moderating about Noon and by night was calm. Rid to the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole Plantn.—gathering and husking Corn at all of them. Sent George Washington to Town on business. Colo. Darke dined here.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 22. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—32 at Noon and 30 at Night. Two inches or more snow fell in the Night—more [or] less fell all day—but little Wind and that Southerly. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 24th. Mercury at 31 in the Morning—41 at Noon and 36 at Night. Very clear, and pretty cold in the Morning Wind being at No. West but not hard. About Noon it moderated, and at Night was calm. After breakfast Judge Harrison and Mr. Craik returned to Maryland. I rid to the Ditchers and thence to the Ferry Plantation—Grubbing at the latter and getting up wild hogs. Major Washington went into the Neck, and to Muddy hole. At the first he measured 86½ Barrels of Corn—gathered from the drilled cut of Corn nearest the Barn and at Muddy hole he Measured 67 Barrls. which was gathered out of the Middle Cut besides 14 Barls. of Short Corn givn. Hogs.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 27th. Mercury at 38 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 44 at Night. Wind Southerly, and moderately all day. Sometimes there were great appearances of rain at other times it looked promising. Evening clear but a circle and bur both rd. the Moon.  Rid to the Ferry, Dogue run and Muddy hole Plantations—also to the Mill and to the Ditchers—about the Corn at all the places—Measd. 68 Barls. at Dogue run. The Revd. Mr. Keith, and the Revd. Mr. Morse dined here & returned to Alexandria in the Evening. Received my Chinese Pheasents &ca. from Baltimore by the Packet—viz.—

A Cock
}
of the Gold Pheast.

    & Hen

A Cock &
}
of the Silver Pheat.

   Hen

A Cock &
}
of the French Pheat.

   2 Hens

 and one French Patridge. The other French Patridge died in coming round from Baltimore. The German Man, his wife and Child came home last Night by water from Alexanda.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 28th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—29 at Noon and 27 at N. Wind fresh all day from the No. West, and North, with clouds and appearances of Snow. Towards evening it cleared, and was very cold all day.  A Hound bitch which like most of my other hounds appearing to be going Mad and had been shut up getting out, my Servant Will in attempting to get her in again was snapped at by her at the arm. The Teeth penetrated through his Coat and Shirt and contused the Flesh but he says did not penetrate the skin nor draw any blood. This happened on Monday forenoon. The part affected appeared to swell a little to day. Rid to the Plantations at Dogue run, Muddy hole, and in the Neck. Set my Dutchman to ditching within the fence at the Ferry where the water level of the branch was traced out.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 November 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 30th. Mercury at 26 in the Morning— at Noon and  at Night. Morning cloudy but Mild—Wind westerly all day. About 9 or 10 Oclock the clouds dispersed and the day turned out very fine and pleasant. Thawing considerably—the frost having stopped the Plow at the Ferry Plantation. Surveying my New purchases of Manley’s and French Land, in order to lay the whole of into proper inclosures. Geo. Washington went up to Abingdon in my Chariot to bring his wife and Nelly Custis home who went thither on Monday last.  Jno. Fairfax measured 42 Barrls. of corn at Muddy hole gathered out of the Eastermost (& furthest) cut in the field. Mr. Lear left this for the Western Parts of Pensylva. in the Neighbourhood of Pittsburgh on my business.


Title: November [1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 1st. Mercury at 38 in the Morning—41 at Noon and 41 at Night.
Cloudy all the forenoon, with a light sprinkle of rain—Wind at No. West, & afternoon clear.
Rid to all the Plantations, & to the Ditchers. Found, in the Neck that the People had begun to take up the Irish Potatoes, and during the rain had been cleaning rye & thrashing out the Pease and yesterday, & part of this day, were setting out (the summer) Turnips for Seed—at Muddy hole Sowing rye and at Dogue run that 3 pecks of the black spelt had been sowed yesterday in the drilled Corn next the Swamp, where the turnips and cabbages had been planted at the North end. On Saturday last one plow had begun a winter fallow for Oats; adjoining the rye at the Ferry; & the other people were clearing the Bryers & Shrubs out of the way of it. The Ditchers had nearly compleated the middle ditch on

Saturday, but the rain on Monday obliged them to shift to the upper ditch.
On my return found Mrs. Stuart.

Thursday 2d. Mercury at 35 in the Morning—49 at Noon and 47 at Night.
A very large white frost—the ground froze and Ice. Morning calm, wind afterwards variable and evening cool.
Rid to the Ferry, Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations. From the latter the Potatoes and Pease were brought home; of the former there were  Bushels; and of the latter  Bushels  whereof were of the large kind (had from the Revd. Mr. Stuart). The Potatoes at Dogue run, from the rows planted in the drilled corn, measured 38½ Bushels. At this place the Plows were at work for Rye crossing the Corn rows; on which plowing I mean to sow the grain and then harrow & cross harrow the ground as had been done before with both Wheat & rye. At the ferry getting out Rye. Directed one or two plows more to assist in breaking up the ground at this place if the plowers could do it well. Left this to the Overseer to determine.
Levelled round to the Road at a Stake by the bridge near Manleys, & begun to do the same on the other side of Muddy hole swamp from the plank bridge.
Mr. Lund Washington and his wife dined here and returned in the evening.

Friday 3d. Mercury at 49 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 56 at Night.
Cloudy with small showers at intervals, till after noon, when the weather cleared & became warm and pleasant. Wind Southerly all day.
At home writing Letters.

Saturday 4th. Mercury at 43 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night.
Morning mild, clear, and pleasant with the wind Southerly in the afternoon.
Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck, finished gathering and Measuring the Irish Potatoes, wch. turned out as follow—viz.—In the Cut next the Barn 100 Bushels—There being 10 rows, every alternate one had a sprinkling of dung; 4 of which produced 52 bushels—the other being of another kind of Potatoe, produced not more than 1 Bushel, the 5 undunged rows yielded 48 Bushels.

The Middle cut turned out 50 Bushels & the Easternmost cut 25 Bushels only. As the number & length of the Rows were the same in these as the first the differe. in the quantity is to be ascribed to the difference of Land and to that part of the first cut in wch. the Potatoes grew having been dunged formerly over and above the sprinkling it got at Seed time. It is to be noted however that the last mentioned cuts were more missing than the first; and the whole more or less so. At Muddy hole compleated sowing the rye and at Dogue run only began this day to sow—the ground being too wet before. At the Ferry 2 plows employed in fallowing.
On my return home found Colo. Pinkney his Lady & 4 Childn., Mrs. Middleton her Child nurse &ca. here—also Mr. Robt. and Mr. Lawe. Washington and Mr. Thompson. The 3 last went away after dinner—the others stayed all Night.

   Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (1746–1825), the son of Charles and Elizabeth Lucas Pinckney of South Carolina, had a distinguished career in the public service of his state and country as a soldier, statesman, and diplomat. Pinckney’s first wife, Sarah Middleton Pinckney, was the daughter of Henry Middleton (1717–1784). Sarah died in 1784, and on 23 June 1786 Pinckney married Mary Stead, the daughter of Benjamin Stead. The children GW mentioned here were Pinckney’s by his first wife. Mrs. Middleton probably referred to Mary Izard Middleton, the daughter of Walter Izard of Cedar Grove, S.C., and the wife of Arthur Middleton (1742–1787), who was the brother of Sarah Pinckney. At this time Pinckney and his entourage were returning from a trip north.

Sunday 5th. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night.
The forenoon variable—sometimes threatning and then promising—but clear, fine and agreeable in the afternoon. Wind southerly all day.
Colo. Pickney &ca. set out after breakfast.
At home all day writing.

Monday 6th. Mercury at 43 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 57 at Night.
But very little wind and that southerly. Clear & remarkably pleasant all day.
After breakfast Mrs. Stuart & all her Children except Washington Custis went away.
I rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run & Muddy hole—Making a farm pen at the latter.
On my return home found Colo. Lewis Morris and his Brother Major Jacob Morris here, who dined and returned to Alexandria

afterwards where Mrs. Lewis Morris & her Mother Mrs. Elliot were on their way to Charleston.

   Lewis and Jacob Morris (1755–1844) were sons of Lewis Morris (1726–1798) and Mary Walton Morris of Morrisania, Westchester County, N.Y., and nephews of Gouverneur Morris. Both brothers served during the Revolution in the New York militia before becoming aides-de-camp. Jacob was aide to Charles Lee 1776–78 and Nathanael Greene 1781–82, and Lewis was aide to John Sullivan 1776–79 and to Greene from 1779 to the end of the war. In 1783 Lewis married Ann Elliott, the daughter of William and Sabina Elliott (d. 1793) of Accabee on the Ashley River near Charleston, S.C.

Tuesday 7th. Mercury at 53 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 59 at Night.
Clear mild & very pleast. all day—Calm in the forenoon & a light Southerly breeze after Noon.
Rid to all the Plantations to day. In the Neck the people had just finished gathering and measuring the Pease which in all amounted to only 80 Bushels. They were, in places, very much missing to which this short quantity is principally to be ascribed. Some had not ripened and were destroyed by the frost & left on the Vines. Ordered the three plows belonging to Muddy hole to go to Dogue run to assist in getting in the rye while the weather continued good.
My old Farmer thinking the Nights had got too long tho’ the weather as yet has been mild to keep the Cattle in open pens on the naked ground, I ordered the whole not to be penned till proper shelters were made for them.

Wednesday 8th. Mercury at 54 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 58 at Night.
Very mild, with but little Wd. and that Southerly—Lowering more or less all day with great appearances now & then of rain but none fell. In the evening the clouds dispelled.
Rid to the Ferry & Dogue run Plantations. At the first, the wheat & rye having been all Tread & threshed out, there was in the whole of the former  Bushels; and of the latter  Bushels. The people were employed in digging the Irish Potatoes near the Fish House. At the latter 9 plows & 2 harrows employed in getting in rye—the rest of the People getting off the Corn & Stalks of the only unsowed Corn ground at this Plantation.
The Farmer having carrd. the level & staked it for conducting the Water on the South side of Muddy hole swamp below the fork by Manleys old House and Cornelius McDermot Roe having done the same on the No. Side from the plank bridge on Muddy

hole (where the farmer also began) I tried with a water level across in several places within Manleys field and found that the farmer was higher on his side than the other by between 13 and 16 Inches. But this will make no essential difference in a ditch for the water 18 Inches deep.

Thursday 9th. Mercury at 48 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 52 at Night.
Morning heavy, about Noon it began to rain, & continued to do so all the Afternoon moderately.
Rid to the River, Muddy hole, and Dogue run Plantations. At the first the People were employed in removing the Potatoes from thence to the Mansion House—at the 2d. in gathering Corn except the 3 plow people who were at Work at Morris’s—at the 3d. they were employed as yesterday.

Friday 10th. Mercury at 53 in the Morning— at Noon and  at Night.
Morning a little lowering—more favourable at Noon but raining afterwards. But little wind in the forepart of the day and that Southerly. Towards evening it got to the Eastward and in the Night Westerly & cleared.
With Mrs. Washington and all the family, I went to Alexanda. and dined with Doctr. Craik. Returned in the Evening.

   dined with doctr. craik: James Craik seems to have moved with his family from Maryland to Alexandria, probably during the summer or early fall of 1786.

Saturday 11th. Mercury at 41 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 42 at Night.
Morning clear and cool, with the wind pretty fresh from the No. Wt. By noon it became calm & very pleasant.
Rid to the Mill, and to Dogue run & Muddy hole plantations. At the first named Plantation finished plowing for Rye in the Morning, but there remained of it 8 or 10 acres to sow & harrow in. By Night the ground from which the Corn & Stalks had been taken off would be plowed (4 or 5 acres of it) for to lay down in Spelts provided for me by Colo. Deakins.
Having received a letter from Baltimore, announcing the arrival of three Asses (a male and two females) from the Marquis de la Fayette for me together with some Pheasants and Patridges from France, I sent my Overseer Jno. Fairfax and a servant to bring the former.

Received from the Ferry Plantation 48½ bushels of a fine red (Irish) Potatoe, which were planted in the rows of drill corn by the fish house. This with  bushels of the white kind, which were planted in the missing places—of which after all replanting, there were many—is what came of that piece of drilled ground.
The common Corn in the alternate rows of Drilled, at Muddy hole, turned out 28 Barrels wch. is 7 Barrels more than the other rows did of the early Corn. In the Neck the disproportion between these is much greater.

Sunday 12th. Mercury at 41 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 48 at Night.
Morning clear, wind fresh from the Southward—lowering after wards till Noon when it began to rain & continued to do so moderately all the afternoon.

Monday 13th. Mercury at 39 in the morning—47 at Noon and 46 at Night.
Morning clear and cool, the Wind being fresh at No. West. Towards the afternoon the wind veered round (backed) to the Southward and in the evening lulled.
Rid to all the Plantations—getting up Hogs for feeding at all. Finished sowing and harrowing in Rye at Dogue run & began to gather Corn in the Neck and at the Ferry for lofting.
Agreed to let the Widow Alton have the House used for a School by my Mill if the School should be discontinued and
Told James Bloxham, my Farmer, who was about to write to England for his Wife & family, and who proposed the measure that he might write to one Caleb Hall a Neighbour of his in Gloucestershire (who had expressed a desire to come to this Country, and who he said was a compleat Wheel Wright, Waggon builder, and Plow & Hurdle maker) that I wd. give him 25 Guineas a year for his Services (if he paid his own passage to this Country) the first year, and if I found he answered my purposes, & we liked each other, that I might give him 30 guineas the next yr. and held out encouragemt. if he chose to work for himself, that I would provide him with some place to live at—Whilst with me that he should be found in Provisions, Washing & lodging.

   widow alton: Mrs. Elizabeth Alton was the widow of GW’s old servant John Alton, who had died the previous year (see entry for 4 Dec. 1785).

   James Bloxham noted, in a letter of 12 Nov. 1786 to his former employer William Peacey, that he had sent for his wife and two daughters to join him at Mount Vernon, while his two sons were to remain in England to obtain an

education. Bloxham’s former neighbor, Caleb Hall, eventually decided against emigrating (Peacey to GW, 2 Feb. 1787, DLC:GW; GW to Peacey, 16 Nov. 1786, PHi, and 7 Jan. 1788, ViMtvL).

Tuesday 14th. Mercury at 41 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 50 at Night.
Lowering in the Morning with appearances of rain. About Noon the Clouds broke; and the afternoon became clear mild & exceedingly pleasant.
Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run, & Ferry Plantations. At the latter compleated all my fall Sowing of winter grain, by putting into the Corn ground wch. had been prepared for the purpose, 6½ bushels of the Common Spelts. This ground after the Corn, & stalks were taken off, was plowed—the grain then Sowed, & harrowed & cross harrowed. The Soil is strong, but being very grassy, the Spelts with all this working were not put in very well—some places not being broke, & by means of the grass choaking the harrow, drawn, it is to be feared, in heaps—abt. 5 Acres of it.
Beat about one Bushel of the Wild Crab into pummice, and sowed it in the hop Inclosure—lower end, in 19 rows, one foot apart.

Wednesday 15th. Mercury at 46 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 54 at Night.
Wind Southerly but not very fresh in the forepart of the day. About Noon it came out very powerfully at No. West and towds. Night turned cold.
Rid to Muddy hole and Dogue run Plantations. The hands at these places & the ferry at work on the public Roads.
Attempted to level to day, but the wind was too high to admit it.

Thursday 16. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 47 at Night.
Morning windy clear, and cold; before Noon it moderated and became mild & pleasant and before Night it got to the Southwd. and lowered a little.
Mr. & Mrs. Fendall came from Maryland here to Breakfast—as did Mr. Willm. Craik—after which they all went away.
Rid into the Neck, and to Muddy hole plantations. At the first having measured the remainder of the Middle cut of drilled Corn it was found to turn out 85 Barls.—the further, or Eastermost cut of drilled Corn in the same field turned out miserably bad—there

being only 6 barrl. of the early Corn & 18 of the other or common corn. Here the difference against the early or Eastern is found greater than at Muddy hole and decidely in both in favor of the common Corn of the Country.
On my return home, found Mons. Campoint sent by the Marqs. de la Fayette with the Jack and two She Asses which he had procured for me in the Island of Malta and which had arrived at Baltimore with the Chinese Pheasants &ca. had with my Overseer &ca. got there before me. These Asses are in good order and appear to be very fine. The Jack is two years old and the She Asses one three & the other two. The Pheasants and Patridges will come round by Water.

   on my return home: During his visit to Mount Vernon in 1784, Lafayette had apparently offered to obtain breeding stock from Malta. Because GW was unsure that his Spanish jacks were coming, he asked Lafayette to obtain “a male & female, or one of former & two of the latter” from the governor of Malta or some other person (GW to Lafayette,  15 Feb., 1 Sept. 1785, DLC:GW). When they arrived, accompanied by caretaker Jacques Campion, GW was delighted. He wrote to Lafayette on 19 Nov. 1786: “On thursday last I received in very good order . . . the most valuable things you could have sent me” (DLC:GW). He named the jack Knight of Malta. GW expected to pay for the animals, but Lafayette clearly intended them as a gift (GW to Lafayette, 25 Mar., 15 Aug. 1787, DLC:GW).

Friday 17th. Mercury at 38 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 45 at Night.
Cloudy with drops of rain now and then in the forenoon—more promising afterwards with the wind fresh from the Southward all day.
At home writing all day. Finished the ditch along the side of my Mill Meadow intended to conduct the water in common heights of the run.

Saturday 18th. Mercury at 43 in the Morning—43 at Noon and 40 at Night.
Wind Easterly all day and very cloudy and like for snow—sometimes drops of it for the first this year.
Rid to the Ferry, Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations—gathering & husking Corn at all. Also rid to the Ditche[r]s who had begun to scour a ditch in the Mill Meadow. One of them, James Lawson went up to Town to day. Yesterday they entered upon standing wages.
Monsr. Campion accompanied by Mr. Lear went to Alexandria & returned in the Evening.

Sunday 19th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 32 at Night.
Ground lightly covered with Snow this Morning. Continued cloudy all day and Snowing a little, at times, but the ground was never more than an inch thick. At home all day.

Monday 20th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 34 at Night.
A thick fog & Mist all day with little or no wind. After dark the Clouds dispelled and Stars appeared.
At home all day.

Tuesday 21st. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—40 at Night [Noon] and 38 at Night.
Flying clouds with the Wind pretty fresh from the No. Wt. in the Morning and cold. Pleasanter afterwards and clear Wind moderating about Noon and by night was calm.
Rid to the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole Plantn.—gathering and husking Corn at all of them.
Sent George Washington to Town on business.
Colo. Darke dined here.

   William Darke (1736–1801), of Berkeley County, during the Revolution attained the rank of lieutenant colonel in the 4th Virginia Regiment, and in the early 1790s he was made a brigadier general as a reward for his frontier service under Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair. Often during the 1790s Darke represented Berkeley County in the General Assembly.

Wednesday 22. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—32 at Noon and 30 at Night.
Two inches or more snow fell in the Night—more [or] less fell all day—but little Wind and that Southerly.
At home all day.

Thursday 23d. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 36 at Night.
Very cold in the forenoon and not very agreeable at any time of the day—Wind at No. West.
Rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole & Dogue run. At the first raking up dung—at the other gathering and husking of Corn.
Set James Lawson and his comrade, Patrick Sheriden, to running a level ditch 2 feet wide at top, 1 at Bottom, and a spit deep, from the bridge over Muddy hole by the corner of the fence till it should come to the road by the other bridge and branch.

On my return home found Colo. (or Judge) Harrison of Maryland here as also Mr. William Craik.

   spit: the depth of the blade of a spade.

Friday 24th. Mercury at 31 in the Morning—41 at Noon and 36 at Night.
Very clear, and pretty cold in the Morning Wind being at No. West but not hard. About Noon it moderated, and at Night was calm.
After breakfast Judge Harrison and Mr. Craik returned to Maryland. I rid to the Ditchers and thence to the Ferry Plantation—Grubbing at the latter and getting up wild hogs.
Major Washington went into the Neck, and to Muddy hole. At the first he measured 86½ Barrels of Corn—gathered from the drilled cut of Corn nearest the Barn and at Muddy hole he Measured 67 Barrls. which was gathered out of the Middle Cut besides 14 Barls. of Short Corn givn. Hogs.

Saturday 25th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 40 at Night.
Mild and but little wind, which was Southerly—lowering all day. In the Night the Wind came out from the No. Wt. and it froze hard.
Rid to Alexandria to place the Papers respecting the Administration of Colo. Thos. Colvills Estate in the hands of Mr. Keith to adjust & settle them & to do some other Business.
Bought the time of a Dutch family consisting of a Man by profession a Ditcher, Mower, &ca., a Woman his wife a Spinner, washer, Milker and their child—names.
Daniel OverdunkMargarett OverdunkAnna Overdunk
Dined at Colo. Hooes and returned home in the evening.

   GW had secured the services of the Overdoncks, a German family—probably redemptioners—through the agency of Philip Marsteller, an Alexandria merchant. Today GW sent a barge to Alexandria to transport them to Mount Vernon and requested Marsteller “to impress upon them in strong terms the propriety of diligent attention to their duty” (GW to Marsteller, 27 Nov. 1786, and Marsteller to GW, 27 Nov. 1786, DLC:GW; LEDGER BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., 245).

Sunday 26th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—43 at Noon and 40 at Night. Wind at No. West in the fore noon, but not hard;

about Noon it died away, and in the evening was quite calm. Ground pretty hard frozen in the Morning.

   The following Gentlemen dined here.
Colonels Hooe & Henley—Dr. Craik, Mr. Porter, Mr. Swift, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Jenkes, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Lowry, Mr. Abenethy, Mr.  Mr. Peran, Captns. Sullivan and  Lund Washington all of whom went away in the Evening.

   Mr. Jackson may be John Jackson who was licensed as a merchant to retail goods in Fairfax County in 1787 (Fairfax IndexEdith Moore Sprouse, ed. A Surname and Subject Index of the Minute and Order Books of the County Court, Fairfax County, Virginia, 1749–1800. Fairfax County History Commission. Fairfax, Va., 1976., 2:7). mr. Jenkes: either John, Joseph, or Crawford Jenckes, partners in the firm of Jenckes, Winsor & Co. In 1787 their store was located at the foot of King Street in Alexandria (Va. Journal, 19 April 1787; Alexandria City Hustings Courts, Book D, 227–43, Vi Microfilm).

   Mr. Thompson is probably Jonah Thompson, an Alexandria merchant. In 1784 he had a store on Fairfax Street, where he sold imported goods (Va. Journal, 11 Nov. 1784; MOORE [1]Gay Montague Moore. Seaport in Virginia: George Washington’s Alexandria. 1949. Reprint. Charlottesville, Va., 1972., 74).

   James Abernathy, a close friend of Thomas Porter, was probably a young merchant in Alexandria (Fairfax IndexEdith Moore Sprouse, ed. A Surname and Subject Index of the Minute and Order Books of the County Court, Fairfax County, Virginia, 1749–1800. Fairfax County History Commission. Fairfax, Va., 1976., 2:16; Porter to Benjamin Lincoln, Jr., 11 July 1787, MHi: Benjamin Lincoln Papers).

   Capt. Giles Sullivan of the ship Union had brought with him from Ireland a letter and gift for GW from Richard Harrison, of the Alexandria firm of Hooe & Harrison (Harrison to GW, 10 July 1786, DLC:GW).

Monday 27th. Mercury at 38 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 44 at Night.
Wind Southerly, and moderately all day. Sometimes there were great appearances of rain at other times it looked promising. Evening clear but a circle and bur both rd. the Moon.

Rid to the Ferry, Dogue run and Muddy hole Plantations—also to the Mill and to the Ditchers—about the Corn at all the places—Measd. 68 Barls. at Dogue run.
The Revd. Mr. Keith, and the Revd. Mr. Morse dined here & returned to Alexandria in the Evening.
Received my Chinese Pheasents &ca. from Baltimore by the Packet—viz.—

A Cock
}
of the Gold Pheast.

    & Hen

A Cock &
}
of the Silver Pheat.

   Hen

A Cock &
}
of the French Pheat.

   2 Hens

and one French Patridge. The other French Patridge died in coming round from Baltimore.
The German Man, his wife and Child came home last Night by water from Alexanda.

   Jedidiah Morse (1761–1826) was born in Woodstock, Conn., the son of Jedidiah and Sarah Child Morse. While studying theology at Yale in the early 1780s, Morse expanded an early interest in geography and in 1784 published the first school textbook on the subject, Geography Made Easy, a forerunner of his more ambitious later works. The day after his ordination in the Congregational Church on 9 Nov. 1786, Morse left his position as tutor at Yale and at this time was on his way to become pastor of a church in Midway, Ga. Morse and a fellow classmate, Abiel Holmes, exchanged posts temporarily so that Holmes could visit New England and Morse could learn more about the geography of the South. By Aug. 1787 Morse had returned to Yale to embark on a career in the ministry (MORSEAbraham P. Nasatir and Gary Elwyn Monell. French Consuls in the United States: A Calendar of their Correspondence in the Archives Nationales. Washington, D.C., 1967. [1], 26–28).

   my chinese pheasents: The birds, from the royal aviary of France, were a gift from Lafayette. Charles Willson Peale wrote from Philadelphia that if any of the birds should die he would like to obtain the bodies for display. GW replied on 9 Jan. 1787: “I cannot say that I shall be happy to have it in my power to comply with your request by sending you the bodies of my Pheasants; but I am afraid it will not be long before they will compose a part of your Museum” (sold by American Art Association, 17 Mar. 1931, Item 260). In February GW sent Peale the body of a golden pheasant packed in wool, and said he would like to free the others but feared they would be taken by hawks. In acknowledging receipt of the Chinese pheasant on 27 Feb. 1787, Peale admitted that until receiving the specimen he thought the birds he had seen in Chinese paintings were only “works of fancy” (DLC:GW).

Tuesday 28th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—29 at Noon and 27 at N.
Wind fresh all day from the No. West, and North, with clouds and appearances of Snow. Towards evening it cleared, and was very cold all day.

A Hound bitch which like most of my other hounds appearing to be going Mad and had been shut up getting out, my Servant Will in attempting to get her in again was snapped at by her at the arm. The Teeth penetrated through his Coat and Shirt and contused the Flesh but he says did not penetrate the skin nor draw any blood. This happened on Monday forenoon. The part affected appeared to swell a little to day.
Rid to the Plantations at Dogue run, Muddy hole, and in the Neck. Set my Dutchman to ditching within the fence at the Ferry where the water level of the branch was traced out.

Wednesday 29th. Mercury at 17 in the Morning—23 at Noon and 22 at Night.
Wind Northerly and rather fresh in the forenoon and about So. Et. afterwards—very raw and cold all day with appears. of Snow. Towards Night a mixture of it and hail fell but not enough to cover the ground.
Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole and to the Ditchers.
At the first G. Washington measured 72 Barrls. of Corn from the cut on the flat (exclusive of the drilled corn) which with 9 used for the Hogs and 6 for the Negroes makes 87 out of that Cut.
At the same time John Fairfax my Overseer 76 Barrls. in the Neck from the Cut next the Barn.
Gathering, husking, and securing Corn at all the Plantations.
Mr. Campion (who brought the Asses and Pheasants here from the Marqs. de la fayette) for Alexa. to proceed in the Stage for Baltimore. Gave him 30 Louis dores for his trouble.

   louis dores: A louis d’or was a French gold coin first struck in 1640 and issued until the French Revolution. In 1717 its legal value in England was fixed at 17s. In his ledger, GW entered the amount given Campion as “30 Guineas & 28s.,” or “£42” (LEDGER BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., 238).

Thursday 30th. Mercury at 26 in the Morning— at Noon and  at Night.
Morning cloudy but Mild—Wind westerly all day. About 9 or 10 Oclock the clouds dispersed and the day turned out very fine and pleasant. Thawing considerably—the frost having stopped the Plow at the Ferry Plantation.
Surveying my New purchases of Manley’s and French Land, in order to lay the whole of into proper inclosures.
Geo. Washington went up to Abingdon in my Chariot to bring his wife and Nelly Custis home who went thither on Monday last.

Jno. Fairfax measured 42 Barrls. of corn at Muddy hole gathered out of the Eastermost (& furthest) cut in the field.
Mr. Lear left this for the Western Parts of Pensylva. in the Neighbourhood of Pittsburgh on my business.

   Tobias Lear’s journey to Pennsylvania was precipitated by news from GW’s Pennsylvania lawyer, Thomas Smith, that GW had won his suit of ejectment in the Pennsylvania court against the settlers trespassing on the Millers Run tract in Washington County (see entries for 14, 20, and 22 Sept. 1784). Smith urged GW to appoint an agent in the area to take possession of the lands as soon as the settlers left (Smith to GW, 7 Nov. 1786, DLC:GW). Lear’s primary objective on the trip was undoubtedly to persuade Presley Nevill, John Canon, or George McCarmick to act as an agent. GW also needed local information as to the highest prices he could expect to get for these lands and the smaller Washington’s Bottom tract in Fayette County. GW gave Lear additional commissions: at Bath he was to inquire into the condition of a small tract of land owned by GW in the area; at Col. John Stephenson’s on the road from Fort Cumberland to Pittsburgh, he was to try to collect money owed GW; at Pittsburgh he was to request Gen. Richard Butler’s help in acquiring an Indian vocabulary requested by Catherine the Great; he was to ascertain the condition of GW’s small tenement on Braddock’s Road; and at Winchester he was to attempt to collect money owed GW by the estate of Maj. Gen. Charles Lee (instructions for Lear, 30 Nov. 1786, CSmH). Lear carried with him letters, dated 27 Nov., from GW to Nevill, Butler, and McCarmick; to Thomas Freeman, Canon, and Stephenson dated 28 Nov.; and a blank power of attorney to be given to the person who accepted the job of agent for the Millers Run land (DLC:GW).


Title: [Diary entry: 1 December 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 1st. Mercury at 36 in the Morning— at Noon and  at Night. Wind Southerly and pretty fresh—clear and pleasant all day. Employed as yesterday, running round the Lands of Manley and French. Geo. Washington and his wife returned home in the Evening. Received 50 Bushels of Buck Wheat from Colo. Leven Powell of Loudoun.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 December 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 4th. Mercury at 31 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 32 at Night. Began to Snow an hour or two before day, and continued steadily at it quite through it—by Night it was about 6 Inches deep—the Wind at No. East. No stirring out to day. Doctr. Craik who had been sent for to a laying in Woman at the river Plantation came here after dark and stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 December 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 5th. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 31 at Night. Morning clear and cold. Wind (which had blown all Night) continued hard at No. West till near Sun down when it lulled, but rose again after dark. Doctr. Craik went away after Breakfast. I remained at home all day writing.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 December 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Thursday 7th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 36 at Night. Wind Southerly all day and Weather lowering. In the afternoon it began to rain slowly, & continued to do so I believe through the Night. Rid to the Ferry, Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations—also to the Mill, & to the Ditchers—Grubbing at the first place and beating out & cleaning, for house use, Corn at the latter. Gathering in, and husking this at Dogue run. The Wheat made, and disposition of it at the Ferry is as follow

Made
How disposed of

Bushels 245 1/3
Sowed
95 Bls.

Sent to D. Run
20

Ditto to the Mill
130 1/3

245 1/3

Acct. of Rye made at the same place and disposition of it.

Made
Disposed of
Bls.

Bushels 139
Sowed
25

Do. sent to D. run
28 1/2

Do. to Home Ho[use]
26

Do. to Muddy hole
19 1/2

Given to the Horses
25

Overseers Share
15

139

 At Muddy hole 2 Stacks of Rye of equal size with three remaining have been got out, and disposed of as follows

To Dogue run
52 1/2
Bushls.

Sowed
28

Given to the Horses
24 1/2

105


Title: [Diary entry: 8 December 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 8th. Mercury at 38 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 34 at Night. Wind Southerly all day & with the rain that fell last Night, and at intervals to day occasioned much Water in and on the Earth. Towds. Night a mixture of snow and fine hail began (from the No. West) & continued through the night. Rid to where the Ditchers were at work and to the Ferry Plantation.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 December 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 9th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—26 at Noon and 26 at Night.  A sharp hail, and hard wind all day from the No. West—very cold & disagreeable. Received the Accts. of Wheat sown at Dogue run—159 Bushels.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 December 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 11th. Mercury at 14 in the Morning—26 at Noon and 24 at Night. Wind at No. West all day and Cold—very little, or no thawing though clear. The River was entirely closed this Morning and the Ice so hard as not to be opened or broke by the Wind or tide. At home all day. My Ditchers not being able to level & thereby to carry on the Ditch they were about I shifted them to the Wood on the hither side Muddy hole branch wch. had been levelled by my Farmer. In the Afternoon a Mr. Anstey (Commissioner from England for ascertaining the claims of the refugees) with a Mr. Woodorf (supposed to be his Secretary) came in and stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 December 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 12th. Mercury at 13 in the Morning—28 at Noon and 26 at Night. Wind Southerly, but cold not withstanding with great appearances every now and then through the day of Snow. At other times the Sun seemed to prevail. Mr. Anstey & his companion going away about 11 Oclock I rid to the Ditchers and to Dogue run Plantation, also to Muddy hole—little doing at either. Geo. Washington went to the Ferry Plantation & Measured the corn which was drilled. In the small piece by the fish house, containing rather under 2 acres, the yield was 9 Barrls. 1 bushl. & an half and in the other piece adjoining the Meadow containing 16¼ acres the yield was 29 Barrls. It is to be observed of both; that they

were late planted, which was apparently of considerable disadvantage to them and of the latter, that it was of the Eastern rare ripe Corn which had yielded so unproductively both at Muddy hole & in the Neck.