Title: November [1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday first. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 56 at Night.
A White frost and damp kind of a Morning, with but little Wind. Rather hazy all day, & towards evening lowering.
Rid to my Plantations at Dogue run and Muddy hole—at the former preparing, & Sowing Ground with Timothy seed.
Mrs. Fendall, Mrs. Lee & Miss Flora Lee, daughters of the former with Doctr. Skinner, came here to Dinner. And stayed all Night.
A Mr. Sacket from Tygers Valley on the Monongahela, and another person came here before Dinner and shewed me some propositions they had to make to Congress for a large territory of Country West of the Ohio, which I discouraged them from

offering, as I was sure they never would be acceded to by that body.

   Mrs. Lee was Matilda Lee, the wife of Henry (Light Horse Harry) Lee. Flora Lee, Matilda’s sister, was the younger daughter of Elizabeth Steptoe Lee Fendall and her first husband, Philip Ludwell Lee. In 1788 Flora married her cousin Ludwell Lee (1760–1836).

   Alexander Skinner (1743–1788) served as head of the military hospital at Suffolk in 1776. He later served as surgeon of the 1st Virginia Regiment and of Lee’s Legion.

   mr. sacket: possibly Nathaniel Sackett of New York who had, during the Revolution, supplied GW with intelligence from behind the British lines. He laid before Congress on 22 Aug. 1785 a plan for making a “new state intended for the relief of all our distressed and neglected citizens.” For this purpose, Sackett wanted a grant of western lands bounded by the Ohio, Scioto, and Muskingum rivers and Lake Erie. Congress did not act on the memorial, and so Sackett again presented the plan with 340 supporting signatures on 28 Dec. Nothing ever came of the scheme (Sackett to GW, 23 May 1789, DNA:PCC, Item 78; Sackett to GW, 7 April 1777, GW to Sackett, 8 April 1777, NNgWHM; BOND [2]Beverley W. Bond, Jr. The Foundations of Ohio. Vol. 1 of The History of the State of Ohio. Edited by Carl Wittke. Columbus, Ohio, 1941., 273; JCCWorthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37., 29:650, n.3, 788, n.1, 909). GW’s designation “from Tygers Valley” may have meant that Sackett had just come from a visit to Tygart Valley River.

Wednesday 2d. Thermometer at 58 in the Morng. 58 at Noon and  at Night.
A Very thick, damp Morning, & heavy Fog until about 9 Oclock, when it began to Rain; & continued to do so until Noon, when it thinned, and looked as if it would be fair, but soon recommenced raining, which lasted until near night.
Perceived the Wheat from the Cape, which had been sent to me by Mr. Powell of Philada., & which I sowed on the 19th. of last Month had come up very well.
The Guinea Grass in my Botanical Garden was as much injured by the frosts which we have had, and the colour of the blade as much changed, as those of Indian Corn would have been from the same cause.
Could perceive none of the Guinea grass up which I sowed in the Inclosure behind the Stable (old Vineyard)—the 1st. day of Sepr.

Thursday 3d. Thermometer at 54 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 58 at Night.
Morning clear, Calm, and very pleasant; but the wind springing up about 10 Oclock in the No. West, & blowing pretty fresh, it turned cool towards Evening.
Borrowed a Scow from Colo. Gilpin, with which to raise Mud

from the Bed of the river or Creek, to try the efficacy of it as a Manure, and sent it to the river Plantation for that purpose. Went over there myself to mark off a piece of ground to spread it on, after it should get mellowed by the frosts of the Winter.

   Mrs. Fendal, Mrs. & Miss Lee & Doctr. Skinner went away, breakfasting first.
Took up 11 Pines of a large size & planted them in the green brier hedge & circle at the extremity of the Lawn within the Gate.

Friday 4th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morng.  at Noon and 60 at Night.
Lowering, and the wind very brisk from the So. West in the Morning; but clear, calm, warm, and very pleasant afterwards.
Raised the heavy frame in my [Ice] House to day and planted 16 Pines in the avenues on my Serpentine Walks.
Rid to my Dogue run Plantation, where they were still preparing ground for, & sowing of, Timothy seed. Went from thence to Mr. Lund Washington’s on a visit to Mr. Robt. Washington who was gone up to Alexandria. Returned home by the way of Muddy hole.
In the Evening a Mr. Jno. Fitch came in, to propose a draft & Model of a Machine for promoting Navigation, by means of a Steam.

   John Fitch (1743–1798), of Bucks County, Pa., had been experimenting with a steam-driven boat for the navigation of rivers. He applied to the Continental Congress for financial assistance in Aug. 1785 and to the American Philosophical Society in September, but without success. He was at this time on his way to Richmond to try, again unsuccessfully, to procure assistance from the state legislature. On his way south, Fitch had stopped at former governor Thomas Johnson’s in Frederick Town, Md., where he first heard of James Rumsey’s boat. Concerned about the possibility that Rumsey too was experimenting with steam power, Fitch had, at Johnson’s suggestion, stopped to ask GW whether Rumsey was experimenting with steam. According to Fitch, GW evaded a direct answer and gave him no encouragement (WESTCOTTThompson Westcott. The Life of John Fitch, the Inventor of the Steam-Boat. Philadelphia, 1857., 127–47).

Saturday 5th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morng. 64 at Noon and 65 at Night.
Morning a little lowering with the wind pretty brisk from the Southward until about Noon when it became Calm & clear.
Went over the Creek to see how my people went on in raising mud from the bed of the Creek—their progress but slow.
Mr. Robert Washington of Chotanck—Mr. Lund Washington & Mr. Lawrence Washington dined here, as did Colo. Gilpin and Mr. Noah Webster. The 4 first went away afterwards—the last stayed all Night. In the afternoon a Mr. Lee came here to sollicit Charity for his Mother who represented herself as having nine Children—a bad husband and no support. He also stayed the Evening.

   Noah Webster, in his effort to get the state to enact a copyright law, had come to request letters of introduction from GW to the governor of Virginia and to the speakers of both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates. Webster wrote GW, on 16 Dec. 1785, to inform him that the legislature had passed such an act. He also offered to come to Mount Vernon to act, without pay, as tutor for the Custis children, provided he would be given access to GW’s papers (PHi: Gratz Collection). GW refused this offer, as he needed someone who could also act as secretary (GW to Webster, 18 Dec. 1785, NN: Washington Collection).

Sunday 6th. Thermometer at 64 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 68 at Night.
Clear, Calm, and remarkably pleasant all day. Sun set in a bank.
Mr. Webster and Mr. Lee went away after breakfast.
Mr. Geo. Washington & wife went to Church at Alexandria—as did Mr. Shaw. The two first returned to dinner. The other not ’till some time in the Night—after the family were in bed.
Although it was omitted in the occurrences of Yesterday, I tried 2 quarts of the pulverized plaister of Paris; one of them burned, the other unburnt; upon two sections of the Circle in front of

the House—from the Dial Post to the Center post, opposite to the pavemt. leading to the Gate by the Quarter. The section nearest the House was sprinkled with the burned Plaister. These sections are only from one Post to another in the circle, and do not contain more than about 145 square ft. A quart therefore on each is at the rate of 8 Bushels to the Acre. This was the poorest part of the Circle.

Monday 7th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morng. 69 at Noon and 69 at Night.
Clear, calm, and remarkably pleasant all day, but rather too warm for the Season.
Mrs. Peake and Miss Eagland dined here and returned in the Eveng.
Employed since I first began to supply the dead Trees in the Serpentine Walks which I compleated this day except with the lime (or Linden) and horse chesnut, neither of wch. I have or could easily get at. The numbers replanted are as follow—of Pine 19—of Elm 2—of Poplar 18—of the black Gum 17—of the Aspan 2—of the Mulberry 5—Ash 2—and of the Maple none.

   miss eagland: probably Mrs. Peake’s niece, Frances Edelen. GW constantly misspelled her name, calling her Eaglin, Eldredge, England, and Evelin.

Tuesday 8th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 66 at Night.
A very heavy fog (with little or no wind) until near Noon—when it dispelled; became clear, warm & pleasant.
Rid to Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations—the first preparing Ground, & sowing Timothy Seed.
Began to replace the dead trees in my shrubberies.
Doctr. Craik first, and a Captn. Lewis Littlepage afterwards, came here to Dinner; the first went away after it—the other stayed all Night. This Captn. Littlepage has been Aid de Camp to the Duke de Crillon—was at the Sieges of Fort St. Phillip (on the Island of Minorca) and Gibralter; and is an extraordinary character.
In the Evening Doctr. Griffith came, & stayed all Night.

   Lewis Littlepage (1762–1802), of Hanover County, served briefly in John Jay’s legation in Spain in 1780 and as a volunteer with the Spanish army in the sieges of Port Mahón (Fort St. Philip) 1781–82 and Gibraltar 1782–83. He had received an invitation from the king of Poland to accept a position at his court, and had been given a year’s leave of absence to arrange his affairs in America. In Richmond, Littlepage received from Gov. Patrick

Henry a letter of introduction to GW and also a draft for £300 on the state of Virginia, to be conveyed to the sculptor Houdon as a partial payment for his statue of GW. Littlepage stopped at Mount Vernon on his way to New York. After he arrived in New York a long-standing feud with John Jay almost sent him to jail, and he used the money belonging to the state of Virginia to extricate himself from his difficulties. This done, he sailed for France and by 1786 was serving as chamberlain and envoy in the service of Stanislas II Augustus, king of Poland.

   Louis de Berton des Balbes de Quiers, duc de Crillon-Mahón (1717–1796), was a Frenchman in the service of Spain. In 1782 he had captured Fort St. Philip, the fortification for Port Mahón on Minorca, and then commanded an unsuccessful Franco-Spanish siege of Gibraltar.

Wednesday 9th. Thermometer at 64 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 66 at Night.
A red, & watery Sun in the Morning, which about Noon was obscured, slow rain afterwds. Wind Southerly all day; and at Night appeared to be getting to the Westward.
Mr. Griffith went away after Breakfast and Captn. Littlepage after Dinner.
Having put in the heavy frame into my Ice House I began this day to Seal it with Boards, and to ram straw between these boards and the wall. All imaginable pains was taken to prevent the Straw from getting wet, or even damp, but the Moisture in the air is very unfavourable.

Thursday 10th. Thermometer at 59 in the Morning— at Noon and  at Night.
There having fallen so much rain in the Night as to convince me that the Straw which I had placed between the Cieling & the Wall of my Ice House, must have got wet, and being in some doubt before of the propriety of the measure, lest it should get damp, heat, & rot; I had it all taken out, leaving the Space between unfilled with any thing.
Went up to Alexandria to meet the Directors of the Potomack Company. Dined at Mr. Fendalls (who was from home) and returned in the Evening with Mrs. Washington. Mr. George Washington & his wife who accompanied us remaining to a Ball.
Planted 8 of the Hemlock Pine which were brought from Neabsco in my Shrubberies—More still wanting to make up the deficiencies.

Friday 11th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morng. 54 at Noon and 55 at Night.

Wind at No. Et. and fresh all day. Very cloudy and sometimes dripping. At Night it began to fall a little more seriously, but in no great qty.
Sent my Carriage up for & brought George Washington & his wife down after dinner.

Saturday 12. Thermometer at 54 in the Morng. 58 at Noon and 60 at Night.
Wind a little west of the No. and pretty fresh all the forenoon; and cloudy. Afternoon clear, still, & very pleasant.
Received 215 Apple trees (red striek) from Major Jenifer; wh[ic]h I sent to the river plantation in the Neck, to be planted. At the same time, and from the same place, received two New Town & 2 Golden Pippin trees—Two of the Bury, & two St. Germain Pear Trees and 2 duke Cherry Trees.
Rid to my Plantations at the Ferry—Dogue run and Muddy hole; at the second of which they were yet preparing ground, & sowing grass-seeds—at the last gathering Corn.
Covered my exotic plants in that section of my Botanical Garden between the Salt House & the House next the Circle; & began to cover the Guinea grass, which two days before I had cut of near the Crown—but did not finish it.

Sunday 13th. Thermometer at 59 in the Morning—65 at Noon—65 at Night.
Clear all day. Morning calm & very pleasant; but Windy afterwards from the No. West.
Mr. Saml. Hanson and his wife, Mr. Thos. Hanson and their two sisters, & Mrs. Dulany wife to Waltr. Dulany, lately from England came to Dinner, & stayed all Night.

   Samuel Hanson of Samuel was married to Mary Key (Kay) Hanson, of New Jersey, and was a merchant in Alexandria at this time. GW’s ledger entries between 1784 and 1786 include several business transactions with the “Messrs. Hansons” (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 180, 207). Maj. Walter Dulany, Jr., brother-in-law of Thomas Hawkins Hanson, served in the Maryland Loyalist Regiment during the Revolution. In 1785 he returned to Maryland from England with his new wife, Elizabeth Brice Dulany, widow of his uncle, Lloyd Dulany.

Monday 14th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 62 at Night.
Calm, clear, & pleasant Morning. Wind pretty brisk afterwards from the No. Wt., but fine notwithstanding.

The Company who came to dinr. yesterday, & lodged here last Night went away after breakfast—upon which I went to my Neck Plantation in the Neck with intention to take a descriptive list of my Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Working Tools &ca., but the forenoon being far spent I could only do it of the Horses & Tools.
Began to Plant the Apple Trees which were brought from Major Jenifers on Saturday.
Finished covering the Guinea grass in my Botanical Garden except 6 rows of it which I left uncovered—and uncut—to try the effect of the Winters frosts & snows upon it.
In the Evening Mr. Willm. Craik returned from his trip over the Alligane Mountains having effected no business for his father or me, being disappointed of seeing those with whom he had it to transact.

   no business for his father or me: GW had given young Craik a letter to be delivered to Maj. Thomas Freeman of Red Stone, now Brownsville, Pa., detailing what Freeman was to do regarding the lands in Pennsylvania under lease to Gilbert Simpson (16 Oct. 1785, DLC:GW). Simpson was dissatisfied with his lease and had been threatening to leave the tenement (see entries for 15 and 17 Sept. 1784).

Tuesday 15. Thermometer at 54 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 60 at Noon [night].
Wind Southerly and pretty fresh. Weather somewhat hazy and Smoaky.
Went to my Neck Plantation and compleated the Acct. of my Stock there—except that of the Hogs—which stand thus.

Horses
A grey dray Stallion	1
Buck a Sorrel	16 yr. old	Working Horses
Gilbert a black	17 Do.
Randolph a Grey	7 Do.
Doctr. a Grey	7 Do.
Prentice a Bay	10 Do.
Jolly a Black	9 Do.
Dick a White	12 Do.
Grunt a Bay	9 Do.
Pompey a Bay	14 Do.
Diamond White	9 Do.
Possum—Grey	10 Do.
Jack—Black	10 Do.	12

Kit	a black Mare	5 yrs.	Workg. Mares
Fly	Dark brown
Patience
Betty White Stockgs.	9 Do.
Punch grey flea bittn.
Jenny light grey	9 Do.
Brown	11 Do.
Fanny	Black	9 Do.
Oversrs	Black	9
A brown Horse	5	unbroke Hors.
Bright Bay	rising	3
Black	Do.	3
Brown Mealy Cod.	Do.	3
Black	Do.	3
Black	Small	Do.	3
Ditto	Do.	2
Iron Grey	Do.	2
Black bald face	2	9
A Grey spring Colt	1
Dark bay	9	unbroke Mares
Sorrel	5
Brown	6
Black	rising	3
Dark brown	3
Grey	3
Black	rising	2	7
Black Spring Colt	1
In all	40
Cattle
Bulls y[oun]g	3
Working Oxen	7
Fatting Steers in Corn field	5
Cows	41
Heifers	6 yrs. old	6
3 yrs. old	15
2 yrs. old	11
1 yr. old	7
Spring	Cow calves	19	58
Steers—full grown	18
4 yrs. old	2
3 yrs. old	4
2 yrs. old	7

1 yr. old	3
Spring	Bull calves	11	45
159
Cows brot. to the Home for Milk & to go back	8
Total Cattle	167
Sheep
Rams	7
Ewes	92
Weathers	12
Ditto in Corn field	16
127
Weathers brot. to Ho[me] Ho[use]	42
Total	169
Tools & Implemts.
A Waggon Saddle and Gier for 4 Horses	1
An Oxe Cart—good	1
Ditto not good	1	2
Oxe Chains	2
Bolts for Tongues	2
Yokes, Rings &ca.
Bar shear Plows	9
Two pr. Iron traces to each	18
Old Bridles for ditto	18
NB. These Traces serve the Waggon
Hilling Hoes helved	20
unhelved pretty gd.	3
indifferent	2
At the Smiths Shop	2	27
Mattocks but indifft.	6
Ditto said to have come to the Home Ho[use]	7	13
Grubbing Hoes indifft.	3
Axes	7
Ditto at Smiths Shop	1
Ditto old Iron	1	9
Iron Wedges—pairs	3
Open Iron wire Sieve	1
Sand Sieve	1	2
Note these to be sent to the Home Ho[use]
Harvest Rakes	5 only gd.	13
Pitch forks	1
Half Bushels	new	1

Old Do	1	2
Plantation Gun	1

Wednesday 16th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morng. 66 at Noon and  at Night.
A large circle round the Moon last night—a red & angry looking sky at the Suns rising and a brisk Southerly Wind all day with rain in the Evening and Night.
Finished the Arch over my Ice House to day.
Went early in the Morning to take an acct. of My Stocks &ca. at Dogue run & Muddy hole Planns.

At the first
Horses
Height	Age
Dabster	a grey	14¼	8	Workers
Buck	Bay	14	6	2
Nancy	Bay	14	old	Workg. Mares
From
Camp	Ditto	14¼
Fly	Ditto	13	8
Brandy	Ditto	13½
Fancy	Black	13	old
—	Sorrel	13	old
—	Ditto	13
Bonny	Bay	very old	8
Englh.
Hunter	Brown	15	old	Old M.
Grey Mare bot. at Bristol	Do.
Dray	Black	Camp	Do.	3
Bay	likely in foal	14	6
Bay Roan—white face	14	5
Sorrel	14½
Black—Snip on the nose	13	Unbroke Mares
Iron grey—dark	14	3
Black—from Hunter	2
Black Star & Snip likely	2
Bay—white face	1
Black—long star	1
Bay near hind foot wh[ite]	1
Bay small Star	1
Bay (blood) near hind f[oot] W[hit]e	1
Bay—star & snip	1	13

A Grey	snip	14	3
✻Bay Roan wh. face	1	Unbroke Horses
✻Sorrel	Snip	1
✻Dark Grey	1
Grey Colt frm. Bristl.	M[are]	Sp[rin]g
✻It is not certain whether these are horses or Mares not having distinguished them on the Spot at the time	5
In all	31
Cattle
Working Oxen	7
Fatting Steers in Meadow	2
Cows	15
Heifers	4 yrs. old	5
3 yrs. old	3
2 yrs. old	6
1 yr. old	2
Spring Calves	6	22
Steers	full grown	7
3 years old	1
2 yrs. old	2
1 yr. old	7
Spring Calves	5	22
Bulls	1
Total	69
Sheep
Rams	7
Ewes	32
Weathers	7
Ditto in Meadow fattg.	7	14
Total	53
Old Cows in the Meadw.	2

N.B. The Tools not being got up no Acct. was taken of them at this time.

Muddy hole Plantation
Horses
height	age
Jockey . a black	13½	14	W.H.
Diamond . Ditto	14	10	2

Rankin	14	10	Workg. Mares
Fly	a Grey	14¼	2
Jenny . Brown	13¼	8
Finwick . Dun Sorrel	13½	7
Fancy . Grey	13¼	9	5
White	13	7
Bay . small Star &ca.	13	5
Bay . long blaze	13	5	unbroke Mares
Bay . very small Star	13	5
Dark Bay sml. star & snp.	13
Dark Brown Simpson	13½	3
Bay . midlg. likely	1
Bay . small Star	Spring
Black . sml. star	Spring	9
Brown Bay . crookd blaze . 13 hands high	5 yrs. old	unbroke Hors.
Grey . unlikely	2
Bay . sml. star . unlikely
Grey . natural pacer	spg.	4
Total	20
Cattle
Working Oxen	4
Cows	10
Heifers	1 yr. old	1
Cow Calves	this spring	1
Steers	full grown	8
2 years old	2
1 year old	1	11
Male Calves	4
Total	31
Sheep
Rams	5
Ewes	39
Lambs	11
Total	50
Tools & Implements A good oxe Cart—2 Oxe yokes & Iron Rings—Compleat	1

Oxe Chain 	1
Bar shear plows 	3
Iron Traces . pairs	6
Haims, Collars, Bridles &ca. Compt. 2 spare Colters	2
Mattoxs	5
Axes—includg. 1 at the Home Ho[use]	4
Iron Wedges . pairs 	1
Hilling Hoes	11
Pitch fork	1
A Wheat Fan	1
Half Bushel	1

The Hogs at all the Plantations running in the Woods after the Mast, no Acct. could be taken of them.
Richard Henry Lee, lately President of Congress; his Son Ludwell, Colo. Fitzgerald, and a Mr. Hunter (Mercht.) of London came here to Dinner & stayed all Night.
The Stock at the Ferry not being got up, Postponed taking the Acct. of them until they shod. be got together.

   Richard Henry Lee’s son Ludwell Lee lived at Shuter’s (Shooter’s) Hill near Alexandria.

   Mr. Hunter was a son of Robert Hunter, a Scottish merchant living in London and trading primarily with Canada. Hunter’s son Robert Jr., or John, as he is identified in some sources (Pa. Mag., 17:76–82), was only 20 years old when his father sent him to America in 1785, at a time when representatives of British mercantile houses were swarming into the country to collect pre-Revolutionary debts. In Montreal young Hunter met Joseph Hadfield, who was also collecting debts for his family’s firm, and the two joined forces for part of their journey through the states (see 31 Jan. 1785). Hadfield, who had visited Mount Vernon in January, remained in Baltimore while Hunter went to Alexandria and Mount Vernon. Among the subjects discussed during Hunter’s visit was navigation of the Potomac River. GW “gave success to the navigation of the Potomac for his toast, which he has very much [at] heart. . . . He is quite pleased at the idea of the Baltimore merchants laughing at him and saying it was a ridiculous plan and would never succeed. They begin now, says the General, to look a little serious about the matter, as they know it must hurt their commerce amazingly” (WRIGHTLouis B. Wright and Marion Tinling, eds. Quebec to Carolina in 1785–1786: Being the Travel Diary and Observations of Robert Hunter, Jr., a Young Merchant of London. San Marino, Calif., 1943., 193).

Thursday 17th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 62 at Night.
Colo. Lee & all the Company went away after Breakfast.
Mr. Shaw went up to the Assembly in the Afternoon ’at Alexand.

Morning a little foggy & thick but clear afterwards with the Wind at No. West and cool.

   assembly . . . at alexand.: “The Gentlemen of Alexandria, who are desirous to become Subscribers to the Assemblies for the approaching Season, are requested to meet at the Coffee-House this Evening at 6 o’Clock, to form Regulations for the same. It is intended that the Assemblies commence on Thursday the 17th Instant, at Mr. Wises’s new Room” (Va. Journal, 10 Nov. 1785). John Wise’s Fountain Tavern, where the assemblies were held, was located on Royal Street (Va. Journal, 16 June 1785 and 17 Aug. 1786).

Friday 18th. Thermometer at 49 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 50 at Night.
Morning clear & serene—a white Frost and ground froze—Ice an eighth of an Inch thick. Wind at No. Wt. & pretty fresh untill the afternoon when it was almost calm.
Began to take up a number of small Pines to replace the dead ones in my wilderness. Got them with much dirt about the Roots.
Took an Account of the Horses, Cattle & Sheep at Home.
viz.

Horses
Magnolia—an Arabian	1
Nelson . Riding Horse	1
Blewskin . Ditto	1	2
height	age
Partner . A Bay	15	12	For the Chariot
Ajax . lightr. Bay	15	11
Chatham . dull Bay	15	8
Valiant . Yellowh. Bay	14¾	16
English . Bay	15	very old
McIntosh . Bay	14½	9
Careless . Bay	14½	5
Young . Bay	8
Dragon . Black 	15	6	Waggn. Hors.
Jolly . Ditto	15	14
Chichester . Bay	14½
Jock . Grey	14¼	5	4
Black . Mare dray	15	old	Cart H.
Black . Horse Ditto	14	old
used in Tumblers	2

A Brown Bay	14	6	Hacks
Chevalier 	dull bay	14½
Brown Bay	Muddy hole
Columbus	br[own] Do.	14	4
Total	21
Cattle
Working Oxen	old	2
Ditto Do	young	2	4
Cows from Camp	4
Rivr. Plantn.	8
Dogue run Do.	6
Ferry Do.	3	21
Bull	1
In all	26

Note. One of the Cows that came from the River Plantn. (making the above, 9) got mired this Fall and died, and of the above, the 4 Cows from Camp—two from the Ferry—three from Dogue run—and one from the Neck are ordered to be detained here—and all the rest to be sent to their respective places.

Sheep
Weathers	40
Ewes	sucking Lambs	4
Lambs	for killing	4	48

Began to take up my summer Turnips at the House. Got abt. half up to day.
Sent to Mr. Digges for Papaw Bushes to replace the dead ones in my Shrubberies. Coming late I had not time to plant them but put the Roots in the ground until tomorrow.
Planted the two duke Cherries—sent me by Major Jenifer in the two gardens—one under each Wall, abt. 30 feet from the Garden Houses—and planted the Bury & 2 St. Germain Pairs also sent me by him in the No. Garden—new part thereof—one of each kind on the circular Walk and the other two on the Strait walk.
Put the Box with the Magnolia, & other exotics from So. Carolina and that with the Kentucke Coffee tree under a bush cover in the open part of the Green Ho[use] and began to cover the Palmetto Royal at the Front gate with Brush with the leaf on—but got a small part only South of the gate & South part thereof done before night.

   Magnolia, or Magnolio, was an Arabian horse which GW had bought for £500 from the estate of John Parke Custis (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 224). He was a five-year-old, “a chesnut colour, near sixteen hands high, finely formed, and thought by all who have seen him to be perfect. He was got by the Ranger Arabian, his dam by Othello son of Crab, her dam by Morton’s Traveller, and her dam was Selima by the Godolphin Arabian” (Va. Journal, 24 Mar. 1785).

   Nelson and Blueskin, two horses that had carried GW during the Revolution, were now in honorable retirement at Mount Vernon. Nelson was, according to George Washington Parke Custis, the chestnut which GW rode at Yorktown. He was named for Gov. Thomas Nelson, Jr., of Virginia, and was probably the horse which Governor Nelson sent GW as a gift in 1778 after hearing of GW’s difficulties in finding a suitable animal to replace one he had been riding (CUSTISGeorge Washington Parke Custis. Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington. New York, 1860., 166; Nelson to GW, 11 Aug. 1778, DLC:GW). Blueskin seems to have been sold or given to GW by Benjamin Dulany or his wife, and GW wrote late in 1785 to Elizabeth French Dulany, presenting the horse to her: “Marks of antiquity have supplied the place of those beauties with which this horse abounded in his better days. Nothing but the recollection of which, & of his having been the favourite of Mr. Dulany in the days of his Court ship, can reconcile her [Mrs. Dulany] to the meagre appearance he now makes” (GW to Elizabeth French Dulany, c.23 Nov. 1785, MdHi).

Saturday 19th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morng. 54 at Noon and  at Night.
Wind at No. West and cold all day, with Clouds which threatned Snow in the evening. Ground very hard frozen.
Finished digging my Summer Turnips and putting them in a Cellar.
Also finished covering the Palmetto royal at the front gate, except a small piece on the south side, nearest the gate, for which brush could not be got in time.
My Ice House Walls except the Pediment over the outer door and the inner Walls of the arch were compleated this day likewise.
Doctr. Craik whom I had sent for to visit York George (in the Neck) who is much afflicted with the gravel came here about Sundown and stayed all Night.

Sunday 20th. Thermometer at 48 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night.
Clear and calm all day, but the Air keen notwithstanding.
George Washington & wife & Mr. Shaw went to Lund Washingtons to Dinner & returned in the afternoon.
Colo. Harrison (Judge) came here to Dinner and Doctr. Craik (who went away early this Morning) at Night.

My Nephew Lawe. Washington came here with a letter today from Mr. Bayley respecting their Board &ca.

   William Bailey, a Georgetown merchant, boarded GW’s nephews George Steptoe and Lawrence Augustine Washington during part of their stay at the Georgetown academy, furnishing them with supplies from his store (GW to Stephen Bloomer Balch, 26 June 1785, Benjamin Stoddert to GW, 21 June 1785, DLC:GW).

Monday 21st. Thermometer at 48 in the Morning— at Noon and  at N.
Lowering morning, with the wind at No. Et. About half after ten A.M. it began to Snow & continued to do so (of a Wet kind) until Night, when it ceased tho’ the ground was not covered more than an Inch thick.
Colo. Harrison & Doctr. Craik left this after Breakfast, and I went up to Alexandria with G. Washington to meet the Directors of the Potomack Coma. and to a Turtle feast (the Turtle given by myself to the Gentlemen of Alexa.).
Returned in the Evening and found the Count Doradour recommended by, & related to the Marqs. de la Fayette here, as also the Revd. Mr. Magowan.

   The directors of the Potowmack Company met to approve some accounts receivable (PICKELLJohn Pickell. A New Chapter in the Early Life of Washington, in Connection with the Narrative History of the Potomac Company. New York, 1856., 82).

   The comte de Doradour, a Frenchman from Auvergne, was “going to look for a settlement in America. His fortune Has Been partly deranged By a law suit, and what Remains of it He intends to fix in some of the United States” (Lafayette to GW, 11 May 1785, PEL). Doradour carried letters of introduction to numerous Virginians from Thomas Jefferson, at this time United States minister to France, and eventually purchased a large tract of land west of the mountains (Jefferson to Nicholas Lewis, 19 Dec. 1786, DLC: Jefferson Papers).

Tuesday 22d. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 52 at Night.
Clear and cold Wind at No. West all day. The Snow, except on the No. side of Hills & Houses had dissolvd.
The Count Doradour and Mr. Magowan went away after Breakfast.
The Reverd. Mr. Keith of Alexandria and a Mr. Bowie of Philadelphia came to Dinner and returned to Alexandria in the Evening.
Gave my People their Cloathing pr. list taken.
Removing Earth to day, as yesterday, to cover my Ice Ho[use].

   Isaac Stockton Keith (d. 1813) became minister of the Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria in 1780 and was one of the first trustees of the Alexandria

academy. He left to go to Charleston, S.C., in 1788. Keith was probably the Isaac Keith, a Pennsylvanian, who received a degree from Princeton in 1778 (MCGROARTYWilliam Buckner McGroarty. The Old Presbyterian Meeting House at Alexandria, Virginia, 1774–1874. Richmond, 1940., 17–18; POWELLMary G. Powell. The History of Old Alexandria, Virginia: From July 13, 1749 to May 24, 1861. Richmond, 1928., 101; HENINGWilliam Waller Hening, ed. The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619. 13 vols. 1819–23. Reprint. Charlottesville, Va., 1969., 12:393).

   John Bowie asked permission in 1784 to write a biography of GW. Although GW initially agreed to the proposal, he had second thoughts and put so many restrictions on Bowie that it is doubtful that the book was ever completed. GW’s foremost worry seems to have been that he would be thought vain for allowing his biography to be written during his lifetime, and he insisted the book not be published until after his death (see GW to James Craik, 25 Mar. 1784, GW to John Witherspoon, 8 Mar. 1785, DLC:GW).

Wednesday 23d. Thermometer at 48 in the Morng. 54 at Noon and  at Night.
Clear, warm, and pleasant, with the Wind at South.
Finished all the Brick work of my Ice House today.
Miss Kitty Washington, Genl. Lincoln, Colonels Hooe & Lyles, Mr. Porter, Captn. Goodwin, Doctr. Swift, Mr. Potts, Mr. Dalby, Mr. Monshur Mr. Williams, Mr. Philips & a Mr. Cramer or Cranmur came here to Dinner and all of them returned in the evening except Kitty Washington.
Sent Mr. Shaw through Alexandria, to agree for the Schooling & Board of my Nephews George & Lawrence Washington now at the Academy at George Town & thence to the latter place to conduct them to the former for the purpose of going to School at the Alexandria Academy.

   William Lyles, a merchant from Charles County, Md., who had moved to Alexandria c.1782, had a distillery and a dry goods store there and rented the house formerly owned by George W. Fairfax on Prince Street (Va. Journal, 10 June 1784, 30 Nov. 1786; MOORE [1]Gay Montague Moore. Seaport in Virginia: George Washington’s Alexandria. 1949. Reprint. Charlottesville, Va., 1972., 87–92).

   Capt. Nash Goodwin of the ship Mary was a cousin of Thomas Porter and nephew of Josiah Watson. His ship was due to leave for Le Havre, France, on 10 Dec. (Va. Journal, 1 Dec. 1785; WRIGHTLouis B. Wright and Marion Tinling, eds. Quebec to Carolina in 1785–1786: Being the Travel Diary and Observations of Robert Hunter, Jr., a Young Merchant of London. San Marino, Calif., 1943., 190).

   Dr. Foster Swift, of Massachusetts, settled in Alexandria to practice medicine (Va. Journal, 7 July 1785). He later moved to New London, Conn., and eventually became resident physician on Governors Island in New York harbor (BROCKETTF. L. Brockett. The Lodge of Washington. A History of the Alexandria Washington Lodge, No. 22, A.F. and A.M. of Alexandria, Va., 1783-1876. Alexandria, Va., 1876., 128). Swift was the brother of the Alexandria merchant Jonathan Swift and a friend of Benjamin Lincoln, who introduced him to GW on this day (BUCHANAN [2]Roberdeau Buchanan. Genealogy of the Roberdeau Family, Including a Biography of General Daniel Roberdeau of the Revolutionary Army, and the Continental Congress; and Signer of the Articles of Confederation. Washington, D.C., 1876., 92, 96).

   Mr. Williams is probably Thomas Williams, an Englishman and a partner in the Alexandria firm of Williams, Cary & Williams, which sold European and East Indian goods. In 1784 the business moved from Capt. John Harper’s wharf to Fairfax Street, next to Robert Lyle’s store (WRIGHTLouis B. Wright and Marion Tinling, eds. Quebec to Carolina in 1785–1786: Being the Travel Diary and Observations of Robert Hunter, Jr., a Young Merchant of London. San Marino, Calif., 1943., 191; 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., 19; Va. Journal, 3 June and 4 Nov. 1784).

   The Alexandria academy was formed in 1785 through the efforts of Dr. William Brown and other Alexandria residents. In November, GW became a trustee of the academy.

Thursday 24th. Thermometer at 48 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 55 at Night.
Clear, Warm & pleasant, wind being still southerly.
Immediately after Breakfast, rid to my Plantation at the Ferry and took the following Acct. of my Stock—viz.

Horses
hands	age
Prince a black Horse	14	20 old	W.H.
Ditto—a Sorrel Do.	14¼	2
Jenny—bla. Mare	14¼	old	Working Mares
Peggy—White Do.	14	10
Fly—Dark Grey Do.	13½	8
Kitty—Small bay—Do.	13	15
Bonny—Sorrel—Do.	14	10
Nancy—black—Do.	sml.	12	6
A Black Mare	unb. Ms.
Steady, likely	13½	4
A sorrel Ditto,
Leonidas Do.	1
A bay—Do. very small	Spring	3
A bla. Horse . unlikely	4 1 Sprg.	unb. Hors.
A Small bay
Leonidas—likely
A black—bald face	3
Total	14
Cattle
age
Darling—a red & W. Ox	6
Bembo	White & red Do.	9
Mark black & White Do.	11
Duke red brindle	very old	4
Cows	14
Heifers	4 Years old	1
3 years.	2
2 years	2
Calves this spg.	5	10
Steers	full grown	2
4 years old	2
3 years old	5
2 years Do.	3

1 years Do.	1
Spring Calves	7	20
Bulls	2 years old	1
Beeves in Corn field	2
Total	51
Sheep
Rams	1
Ewes	9
Weathers	5
Total	15
Tools & Implements
A good Cart
2 Yokes with Rings
A Cain
Wheat Fans	1
Wire riddles—course	4
Sand Sieves	1
Courser Size	1	6
Plows Bar shears	4
Iron Traces	pairs	8
Haims, Clevis, Bridles &ca. compleat for them
Weeding Hoes	1
Hilling Ditto	13
Grubbing Ditto	1
Mattocks	4
Axes	5
Iron Wedge—1½ pair

From the Ferry, I went to the Plantation at Dogue run and took the following Account of the Tools there—being omitted when I was there last.

Viz.
Oxe Carts	1
At the Ho[use] for repair	1	2
Oxe Yokes with rings	4
Oxe Chains	2
Wheat Fans	1
Riddles—viz.
1 Open & tolerable good
1 Sand Sieve & much worn
Axes	9

Mattocks	6
Grubbing Hoes	6
Hilling Ditto	16
Iron Wedges—pairs	4
Spades—good	1
Bar shear Plows	4
Iron Traces	8
Haims, Clevis, Bridles &ca. complete
Spare Colters	3
Adzes	1
Drawing knife	1
Handsaws	1
Froes	1
Broad Chissels	1
Narrow Do.	1
Gouge	1
Auger—¾ Inch	1

Recapitulation of all my Stocks of Horses, Cattle & Sheep.
Horses
Stud Horse. Magnolio	1
Ditto	Dray	1	2
Riding Horses	2
Chariot Horses	8
Hack Horses	4
Waggon Horses—Home Ho[use]	4
Cart Ditto Do. Do.	1	5
Plow Ditto Plantns.	18
Cart Mare Home Ho[use]	1
Plow Ditto Planns.	28	29
Broke Ditto, not worked	5
Unbroke Do. ove[r] 4 yr. old	13
Ditto	3 yrs.	5
Ditto	2 yrs.	3
Ditto	1	8
Ditto	Colts	5	68
Unbroke	Horses 4 & upwds.	3
Ditto	Ditto	3 yrs	6
Ditto	Do.	2 Ditto	4
Ditto	Do.	1 Ditto	4
Ditto	Do.	Spring Colts	6	23
In all	130

Note, In the above Acct., are included 2 English Mares and their Colts—the one a Horse, and the other a Mare which by being at a Meadow had not been included in any of the foregoing lists.
Of the above Mares 16 may go to Magnolio and 33 to the Jack Ass if he should arrive safe, and both of them be in order at the proper Season for covering.

Cattle
Bulls	aged	2
2 yrs. old	2
1 yr. old	2	6
Draught Oxen	26
Steers—full grown	35
4 yrs. old	4
3 yrs. old	10
2 yrs. old	14
1 yr. old	12
Calves	27	102
Cows	101
Heifers	6 yrs. old	6
4 yrs. old	6
3 yrs. Do.	20
2 yrs. Do.	19
1 yr. Do.	10
Calves	31	92
327
Beeves fatting	9
In all	336
Sheep
Rams	19
Ewes	167
Lambs	15
Weathers	59
Ditto—fatting	23	82
In all	283

Friday 25th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morng.  at Noon and  at Night.
Wind Westerly & cooler than it had been the two days preceeding. About Noon a black Cloud arose to the Westward out of which came a mixture of Snow and Rain—this disappearing the Sun shone but the day upon the whole was variable & unpleast.
Set out after breakfast, accompanied by Mr. G. Washington, to

make Mr. Mason at Colchester a Visit, but hearing on the road that he had removed from thence I turned into Gunston Hall where we dined and returned in the Evening & found Colo. Henry Lee & his Lady here.
Mr. Shaw returned, having removed George & Lawe. Washington to the Alexandria Academy & fixed them at the Widow Dades.

   Mrs. Dade was probably Parthenia Alexander Massey Dade, widow of Townshend Dade (d.1781), and the aunt of GW’s neighbor, Robert Alexander. GW’s two nephews boarded at Mrs. Dade’s house in Alexandria until Jan. 1787, when they were moved to the home of Samuel Hanson of Samuel (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 206, 229). Hanson had difficulties with the boys and eventually they were removed to the care of GW’s old friend, Dr. Craik (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 301; GW to Hanson, 5 May 1788, GW to George Steptoe Washington, 23 Mar. 1789, DLC:GW).

Saturday 26th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—51 at Noon and 50 at Night.
Wind Westerly and rather Cool in the Morning but less of it & warmer afterwards. Day variable—Clouds & sunshine.
Colo. Lee & his Lady went away after breakfast—crossing to Maryland on their Way home.

Sunday 27th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morng. 52 at Noon and 50 at Night.
Very little wind all day but smoaky with some Clouds and rather chilly.
General Lincoln and Colo. Henley Dined here & returned in the Afternoon.

Monday 28th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning—50 at Noon and  at Night.
Thick Smoak and Clouds in the morning & great appearances of Snow until one Oclock, when the Sun came out and was More pleasant but cold notwithstanding.
Went with G. Washington to dine with Colo. Lyles in Alexandria. Returned in the evening.

Tuesday 29th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night.
A large hoar frost followed by Southerly Wind and some Clouds—but upon the whole tolerably clear & pleasant.
Sent my Boat to Alexandria for a Hhd. of Common Rum and some Articles brought from Boston for me by General Lincoln. Majr. G. Washington went up to receive them.

Went out after Breakfast with my hounds from France, & two which were lent me, yesterday, by young Mr. Mason. Found a Fox which was run tolerably well by two of the Frh. Bitches & one of Mason’s Dogs. The other French Dogs shewed but little disposition to follow and with the second Dog of Mason’s got upon another Fox which was followed slow and indifferently by some & not at all by the rest until the sent became so cold that it cd. not be followed at all.

   articles brought from boston: Among the items received on this day were eight boxes of “Spermacita Candles” and “68 lbs. New England Cheese” (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 205). young mr. mason: GW probably means George Mason, Jr., oldest son of George Mason of Gunston Hall. He and his new wife, Elizabeth Mary Ann Barnes Hooe Mason, lived at Lexington, a plantation on Dogues Neck given him by his father (COPELANDPamela C. Copeland and Richard K. MacMaster. The Five George Masons: Patriots and Planters of Virginia and Maryland. Charlottesville, Va., 1975., 238).

Wednesday 30th. Thermometer at 45 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 55 at Night.
Morning very thick with Clouds & Smoak. About 9 Oclock it began to snow very moderately, which neither continued long—nor lay on the ground. At one the Sun came out, and the afternoon became clear & pleasant, the Wind, though not much of it, being Southerly all day.
On the Wheat which was given to me by Colo. Spaight from the Cape of Good hope, and which having been sowed forward

had become very forward—full half leg high—and jointed, I determined to try an experiment and accordingly on three Rows next the fencing on the East side the Inclosure I cut it within 4 Inches of the ground just above the Crown of the plant from whence the Shutes had issued. The remainder I suffered to remain in its exuberent state to try the difference.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 1st. Thermometer at  in the Morning— at Noon and 52 at Night. White frost, and clear morning—very little wind all day, and that Southerly. Took the Hounds out before Sun rise and about 8 Oclock, after being upon several drags, or the same drag several times, put up a Fox which the Dogs run very indifferently—being very much dispersed and often at Cold Hunting until about 12 or between that and one when the Scent had got so cold that they could follow it no longer. 3 or 4 of the French Hds. discovered no greater disposition for Hunting today than they did on tuesday last. Miss Kitty Washington went from this After Breakfast, to Alexandria and Mr. Shaw who with G. Washington went out a Hunting with me meeting her in the Road accompanied her to that place. In order to try the difference between burning Spermaciti and Tallow Candles—I took one of each—

The
1st.
weighing
3 oz.
10 p[enny] w[eight] 6 g[rams]

2
Ditto
5
2

and lighted them at the same instant. The first burnt 8 hours and 21 Minutes; when, of the latter, their remained 14 penny weight; which continued to burn one hour and a quarter longer, making in all 9 hours & 36 Minutes. By which it appears (as both burnt without flairing) that, estimating Spirmaciti Candles at 3/. pr. lb. & Tallow Candles at 1/. pr. lb. the former is dearer than the latter as 30 is to nearly 13. In other words more than 2¼ dearer.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 2d. Thermometer at  in the morning—56 at Noon and 56 at Night. Colo. & Mrs. Macarty came here to Dinner—as did Colonels Fitzgerald and Gilpin and Mr. Chas. Lee & Doctr. Baker. Wind Southerly all day—clear & pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Saturday 3d. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 61 at Night. The day very pleasant until the afternoon, when it began to lower. The Wind in the morning was Westerly, & in the Evening Easterly but not much of it. Employed all day at my writing Table on business of the Potomack Company. Brot. 2 Hounds fm. Colo. McCarty. George Washington & wife went up to Abingdon after Breakfast. Doctr. Brown dined here and went away afterwards. Finished covering my Ice House with dirt, & sodding of it.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 6th. Thermometer at 52 in the morng. 57 at Noon and 59 at Night. Morning clear & very pleasant with but little wind. Before Noon it sprang up from the Westward and afterwards became cloudy but the Sun set clear. Finished getting in the Woods the Posts & railing for the fencing of my paddock. Made another experiment of the difference in expence between burning Spirmaciti & Tallow Candles which stand thus: A Tallow Candle weighing 3 oz. 11 py. Wt. burned 5 Hrs. 48 M. A Spirma Citi Do. weighing 3 oz. 9 P.W. 18 grms. burned 7 Hrs. & 28 M. Which is an hour and 40 mints. longer than the Tallow Candle & of which when the latter was burnd out there remained 14 penny Wt. 6 grs. Hence, reckoning as in the former instance Tallow at 1/. pr. lb. & Spirma Citi at 3/. pr. lb. the latter is dearer than the former as 31½ is to ten & an half or


Title: [Diary entry: 7 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 7th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning & 59 at Noon—but removing it afterwards out of the room where the fire was, into the East Entry leading in to my Study, this circumstance with the encrease of the cold fell the Mercury to 42. Morning clear calm & pleast.; but the wind coming out violently from the No. West about half after eight Oclock, it turned cold & uncomfortable. Doctr. Baynham went away after breakfast. Sent Mr. Shaw to Alexandria, to discharge Lieutt. Governor Cushings draft on me for 300 Silver Dollars in favor of Mr.  the Order being in the hands of Mr. Tayler—and to do other business. Took away the supports to the Arch over my Ice house.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 9th. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—39 at Noon and  at Night. Not much wind—thick and Misting all day. Towards Night it began to rain fast & continued to do so until day.  Planted the Crab trees which were brought home yesterday and more young pines.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 11th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morng. 50 at Noon and 58 at Night. A heavy mist all day with little or no wind. At or before dusk it began to rain fast and about 9 at Night it cleared with a puff of Wind from the Southward and the Moon & Stars appeared. Mr. Wilson, Mr. Sanderson and a Mr. Hugh Mitchel dined here and went away in the afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 12th. Thermometer at  in the Morning— at Noon and 58 at Night. Morning cloudy and soft without any wind. In the Evening it began to Mizzle, and after dark to rain fast and continued to do so until I went to bed and how much longer I know not. Majr. Farlie went away before breakfast, with 251 Diplomas which I had signed for the Members of the Cincinnati of the State of New York, at the request of General McDougall Presedent of that Society. After an early breakfast George Washington, Mr. Shaw & my self went into the woods back of Muddy hole Plantation a hunting and were joined by Mr. Lund Washington and Mr. William Peake. About half after ten Oclock (being first plagued with the Dogs running Hogs) We found a fox near Colo. Masons Plantation on little Hunting Creek (West fork) having followed on his

Drag more than half a Mile; and run him with Eight Dogs (the other 4 getting, as was supposed, after a second Fox) close and well for an hour—When the Dogs came to a fault, and to cold Hunting until 20 Minutes after 12 When being joined by the missing Dogs they put him up a fresh and in about 50 Minutes killed [him] up in an open field of Colo. Mason’s—every rider & every Dog being present at the death. Two Hounds which were lent, and sent to me yesterday by Mr. Chichester—viz.—a Dog named Rattler, & a Bitch named Juno—behaved very well. My French Dogs also come on—all, except the Bitch which raized Puppies, running constantly whilst the Scent was hot. Mr. Peak & Lund Washington came home to dinner with us.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 13th. Thermometer at  in the Morng. 47 at Noon and  at Night. Wind Westerly, fresh, & air turning cold. Flying Clouds all day, but clear at Night, and still. Finished killing my Hogs—The Number & weight of which are as follow.

No.
Wt.

River Plantn.
44
6814

Dogue run Do.
28
4003

Muddy hole Do.
30
3638

Ferry—Do.
26
2930

Total
128
17385

 Out of the above Thos. Bishop & Thos. Green are each to have 500. Hezekiah Fairfax has had 480 & Morris 416 and Davy 414—leaving for family use 15075 lbs. which with 4 Hogs killed for early Bacon (in October) Weighing 810 lbs. make in all 15,885 lbs. laid up for the consumption of my Table—use of my People—and the poor who are distressed for it. Mr. Baldwin, formerly a Chaplain in the Army from Connecticut—now a Lawyer in the state of Georgia called here on his way to the last but would not stay [to] dinner. A Mr. Douglas came here to rent my Land on Difficult run for which I asked him £50 pr. Ann. and to which he is to give an Answer after consulting his Brothers in Alexanda.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 15th. Thermometer at 40 in the Morng. 45 at Noon and  at Night. Moderate & clear all the fore part of the day with the Wind at So. East, but not fresh. In the Afternoon it began to lower—at Dusk turned very cloudy and in the Night set in to a constant rain. Mr. Shaw went up to Alexandria, after dinner, to a Ball I presume. And in the Evening Joseph Winzor & Willm. Kirchwall 2 of my tenants from Frederick came in & stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 17th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morng.  at Noon and  at Night. Rainy Morning, wind though not fresh at No. West which afterwards more to the No. & East & continued raining off & on all day. Went to Alexandria to meet the Trustees of the Academy in that place and offered to vest in the hands of the said Trustees, when they are permanently established by Charter, the Sum of One thousand pounds, the Interest of which only, to be applied towards the establishment of a charity School for the education of Orphan and other poor Children—which offer was accepted. Returned again in the Evening—Roads remarkably wet & bad.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 19th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 52 at Night. Calm and pleasant all day, especially in the Morning. Towards evening the wind, though very little of it, came from the Eastward & the weather lowered. Rid to the Mill, and to Dogue run Plantation. Took the Hounds with me, and in the Pincushion found a fox, which the Dogs run very well for an hour—after which, coming to a fault—they took (as I presume) the heel, & in Muddy hole found a fresh Fox, which was only run by part of the Dogs. The others did not seem inclined to hunt. Davy a Mulatto Man who has for many years looked after my Muddy hole Plantation, went into the Neck to take cha[rge] of the River Plantation in the room of Jno. Alton deceased. And Will (Son of Doll) was sent to Muddy hole as an Overseer in his place. Both my Mills stopped & repairing.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 20th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morng. 47 at Night and 45 at Noon. Morning tolerably clear; but a red sky at the place of the Suns rising (which is an indication of dirty weather) and the wind (tho not fresh) at No. East. The day continued tolerably clear and pleasant, until the Evening when it began to lower. Dispatched at his own reqt. the Spaniard who had the cha[rge] of my Jack from Spain. Sent him with Mr. Shaw to Alexandria to go in the Stage to New York. Brought some Carts and Cutters from my Plantations to assist in laying in a Stock of Fire wood for Christmas. Mr. Shaw returned in the evening accompanied by my Nephew Ferdinando Washington.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 26th. Thermometer at 32 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 38 at Night. Clear and cold in the Morning with the wind high at No. West which moderated a little towards Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 27th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morning—44 at Noon and  at Night. Clear with the wind very high from the Southward until the Evening when it shifted to the Westward & blew equally hard but did not get to be very cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 28th. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—38 at Noon and  at Night. Colo. Ball went away yesterday, after breakfast—tho’ it was unnoticed in the occurrances of the day. Wind exceedingly high from the No. West & clear. A Mr. Israel Jenny of Loudoun County came here in the Afternoon, respecting some Land which he has been endeavouring to obtain under an idea of its being waste, but which he finds to be within the lines of my Chattin run tract in Fauquier County, though claimed by Mr. Robert Scott who has put a Tenant upon it of the name of Jesse Hitt, who has now been upon it three years and thereafter to pay Rent. Mr. Muse my Collector to be written to on this Subject as also concerning my Land in Ashbys Bend part of wch. is claimed by Mr. Landon Carter.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 December 1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 30th. Thermometer at 46 in the [morning]— at Noon and  at Night. A good deal of rain fell in the Night which ceased about day break but the Wind from the Southward continued to blow very hard all day with flying Clouds. Went to Dogue run again to compleat my Surveys of the Fields which I did about 2 Oclock and upon my r[e]turn Found Miss Sally Ramsay Miss Kitty Washington—Mr. Porter and Doctr. Craik Junr. here. Mr. Shaw also returned from Alexandria before Dinner.


Title: December [1785]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 1st. Thermometer at  in the Morning— at Noon and 52 at Night.
White frost, and clear morning—very little wind all day, and that Southerly.
Took the Hounds out before Sun rise and about 8 Oclock, after being upon several drags, or the same drag several times, put up a Fox which the Dogs run very indifferently—being very much dispersed and often at Cold Hunting until about 12 or between that and one when the Scent had got so cold that they could follow it no longer. 3 or 4 of the French Hds. discovered no greater disposition for Hunting today than they did on tuesday last.
Miss Kitty Washington went from this After Breakfast, to Alexandria and Mr. Shaw who with G. Washington went out a Hunting with me meeting her in the Road accompanied her to that place.
In order to try the difference between burning Spermaciti and Tallow Candles—I took one of each—

The
1st.
weighing
3 oz.
10 p[enny] w[eight] 6 g[rams]

2
Ditto
5
2

and lighted them at the same instant. The first burnt 8 hours and 21 Minutes; when, of the latter, their remained 14 penny weight; which continued to burn one hour and a quarter longer, making in all 9 hours & 36 Minutes. By which it appears (as both burnt without flairing) that, estimating Spirmaciti Candles at 3/. pr. lb. & Tallow Candles at 1/. pr. lb. the former is dearer than the latter as 30 is to nearly 13. In other words more than 2¼ dearer.

Friday 2d. Thermometer at  in the morning—56 at Noon and 56 at Night.
Colo. & Mrs. Macarty came here to Dinner—as did Colonels Fitzgerald and Gilpin and Mr. Chas. Lee & Doctr. Baker.
Wind Southerly all day—clear & pleasant.

   Dr. Baker is probably Dr. William Baker of Alexandria.

Saturday 3d. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 61 at Night.
The day very pleasant until the afternoon, when it began to lower. The Wind in the morning was Westerly, & in the Evening Easterly but not much of it.
Employed all day at my writing Table on business of the Potomack Company. Brot. 2 Hounds fm. Colo. McCarty.
George Washington & wife went up to Abingdon after Breakfast.
Doctr. Brown dined here and went away afterwards.
Finished covering my Ice House with dirt, & sodding of it.

Sunday 4th. Thermometer at 53 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 59 at Night.
A thick fog, or rather mist in the morning, without any Wind until about 10 Oclock when it turned to a slow rain—which ceased about Noon and assumed the appearance of fair Weather—but about 4 Oclk. it began to drip again.
Last Night Jno. Alton, an Overseer of mine in the Neck—an old & faithful Servant who had lived with me 30 odd years died of an imposthume in his thigh after lingering for more than 4 Months with it, and being reduced to a mere skeleton—and this evening the wife of Thos. Bishop, another old Servant who had lived with me an equal number of years also died.

   Thomas Bishop’s wife, Susanna, had served as midwife for slaves and servants on the Mount Vernon plantations.

Monday 5th. Thermometer at  in the Morning—58 at Noon & 58 at Night.
Lowering all day—with very little wind and that Northerly.
It being a good scenting morning I went out with the Hounds (carrying the two had from Colo. McCarty). Run at different two foxes but caught neither. My French Hounds performed better to day; and have afforded hopes of their performing well, when they come to be a little more used to Hunting, and understand more fully the kind of game they are intended to run.
When I returned home, wch. was not until past three Oclock found a Doctr. Baynham here—recommended to me by Colo. Fairfax of England.
George Washington and his Wife returned in the Evening from Abingdon.
My Overseer Fairfax also returned this Evening with Jack Ass, and his Keeper, a Spaniard from Boston.

   William Baynham (1749–1814), from Caroline County, Va., was introduced by George W. Fairfax as “a young Gent. of a most worthy character, held in the highest Esteem by all that know him, in Scotland, where he lived many years, prosecuting his Studies in Surgery, also in London, where I understand he was in considerable practice sometime past” (Fairfax to GW, 23 June 1785, DLC:GW). Baynham was returning to his native country after 16 years abroad. He settled in Essex County, where he practiced surgery and medicine, enjoying a national reputation as one of the ablest surgeons in the United States.

Tuesday 6th. Thermometer at 52 in the morng. 57 at Noon and 59 at Night.
Morning clear & very pleasant with but little wind. Before Noon it sprang up from the Westward and afterwards became cloudy but the Sun set clear.
Finished getting in the Woods the Posts & railing for the fencing of my paddock.
Made another experiment of the difference in expence between burning Spirmaciti & Tallow Candles which stand thus:
A Tallow Candle weighing 3 oz. 11 py. Wt. burned 5 Hrs. 48 M.
A Spirma Citi Do. weighing 3 oz. 9 P.W. 18 grms. burned 7 Hrs. & 28 M.
Which is an hour and 40 mints. longer than the Tallow Candle & of which when the latter was burnd out there remained 14 penny Wt. 6 grs. Hence, reckoning as in the former instance Tallow at 1/. pr. lb. & Spirma Citi at 3/. pr. lb. the latter is dearer than the former as 31½ is to ten & an half or

Wednesday 7th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning & 59 at Noon—but removing it afterwards out of the room where the fire was, into the East Entry leading in to my Study, this circumstance with the encrease of the cold fell the Mercury to 42.
Morning clear calm & pleast.; but the wind coming out violently from the No. West about half after eight Oclock, it turned cold & uncomfortable.
Doctr. Baynham went away after breakfast.
Sent Mr. Shaw to Alexandria, to discharge Lieutt. Governor Cushings draft on me for 300 Silver Dollars in favor of Mr.  the Order being in the hands of Mr. Tayler—and to do other business.
Took away the supports to the Arch over my Ice house.

   cushings draft: This was for money that Gov. Thomas Cushing had expended for the care of the Spanish jackass after its arrival in Boston and

before GW’s overseer arrived to take it to Mount Vernon (see entry for 26 Oct. 1785). Cushing wrote that he had “at present taken the liberty to draw a sett of bills of exchange dated November 16th. 1785 for the sum of three hundred dollars in favour of Messrs. Isaac & William Smith merchants of this Town or their order, payable at sight” (Thomas Cushing to GW, 16 Nov. 1785, DLC:GW).

   mr. tayler: probably Jesse Taylor, Sr., a Belfast merchant who immigrated to America in 1779. He had a store in Alexandria which dealt in imported goods (Va. Journal, 3 June 1784; BROCKETTF. L. Brockett. The Lodge of Washington. A History of the Alexandria Washington Lodge, No. 22, A.F. and A.M. of Alexandria, Va., 1783-1876. Alexandria, Va., 1876., 95).

Thursday 8th. Thermometer at 30 in the Morning—38 at Noon and  at Night.
Wind to the Eastward of North, in the Morning, and Cold—ground hard frozen. Afterwards it died away in a great Measure and Shifted more to the westward backing.
Finished removing the Earth for covering of, and the way in to my Ice House. And again set the People to taking up & planting small Pines in the Wilderness on the Right of the lawn.
Also sent to Colo. Masons Quarter, and got young Crab trees for the Shrubberies—but not getting them home in time to plant, the Roots were buried until they could be planted in the places designed for them to morrow or &ca.
Captn. Sullivan, of a Ship at Alexandria, agreeably to my request, came here to dinner, to interpret between me and the Spaniard who had the care of the Jack Ass sent me. My questions, & his Answers respecting the Jack, are committed to writing. Captn. Sullivan returned after dinner & Captn. Fairley of New York came here in the afternoon.

   Capt. Giles Sullivan’s ship Union was lying in Alexandria harbor awaiting a cargo of tobacco for L’Orient (Va. Journal, 24 Nov. 1785). Sullivan was connected with the firm of Hooe & Harrison in Alexandria.

   captn. fairley: James Fairlie (d. 1830), a major and aide-de-camp to Baron von Steuben during the Revolution, had brought GW letters from Alexander Hamilton (25 Nov. 1785, DLC:GW) and Henry Knox (22 Nov. 1785, DLC:GW). Hamilton requested GW’s help in getting financial relief through Congress for Steuben, whose affairs were in serious difficulties. He also, as did Knox, informed GW of problems in getting the state chapters of the Society of the Cincinnati to accept the recommendations of the general meeting held at Philadelphia on 12 May 1784. These recommendations had been designed to quiet the widespread fear and criticism of the society.

Friday 9th. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—39 at Noon and  at Night.
Not much wind—thick and Misting all day. Towards Night it began to rain fast & continued to do so until day.

Planted the Crab trees which were brought home yesterday and more young pines.

Saturday 10th. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 40 at Night.
Little or no wind all day but thick and Mizling as yesterday till Night when it began to rain fast again.
Opened a drain into the Shoar that goes from the Cellers, to receive the water from the Gutters, and spout from the House top that it may be carried of under ground.
Flooring the Ice House. Preparing with the Negros for Killing Hogs on Monday.

   shoar: shore, an open sewer or drainage ditch.

Sunday 11th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morng. 50 at Noon and 58 at Night.
A heavy mist all day with little or no wind. At or before dusk it began to rain fast and about 9 at Night it cleared with a puff of Wind from the Southward and the Moon & Stars appeared.
Mr. Wilson, Mr. Sanderson and a Mr. Hugh Mitchel dined here and went away in the afternoon.

   Hugh Mitchell is probably a member of the large Mitchell family of Maryland, whose members were intermarried with the Hansons and Jenifers. A Hugh Mitchell was listed as a juror in Fairfax Court in 1786 (Fairfax County Order Book, 1783–88, 277, Vi Microfilm). In 1790 there was a Hugh Mitchel living in Anne Arundel County, Md. (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., 12).

Monday 12th. Thermometer at  in the Morning— at Noon and 58 at Night.
Morning cloudy and soft without any wind. In the Evening it began to Mizzle, and after dark to rain fast and continued to do so until I went to bed and how much longer I know not.
Majr. Farlie went away before breakfast, with 251 Diplomas which I had signed for the Members of the Cincinnati of the State of New York, at the request of General McDougall Presedent of that Society.
After an early breakfast George Washington, Mr. Shaw & my self went into the woods back of Muddy hole Plantation a hunting and were joined by Mr. Lund Washington and Mr. William Peake. About half after ten Oclock (being first plagued with the Dogs running Hogs) We found a fox near Colo. Masons Plantation on little Hunting Creek (West fork) having followed on his

Drag more than half a Mile; and run him with Eight Dogs (the other 4 getting, as was supposed, after a second Fox) close and well for an hour—When the Dogs came to a fault, and to cold Hunting until 20 Minutes after 12 When being joined by the missing Dogs they put him up a fresh and in about 50 Minutes killed [him] up in an open field of Colo. Mason’s—every rider & every Dog being present at the death.

   Two Hounds which were lent, and sent to me yesterday by Mr. Chichester—viz.—a Dog named Rattler, & a Bitch named Juno—behaved very well. My French Dogs also come on—all, except the Bitch which raized Puppies, running constantly whilst the Scent was hot.
Mr. Peak & Lund Washington came home to dinner with us.

   Alexander McDougall (1732–1786), a Scottish emigrant, was a prosperous New York merchant. He had been a leading radical in New York before

the Revolution, and became a brigadier and major general in the Continental Army. He served in the Continental Congress in 1781–82, 1784–85 and was president of the New York chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati from its organization until his death.

Tuesday 13th. Thermometer at  in the Morng. 47 at Noon and  at Night.
Wind Westerly, fresh, & air turning cold. Flying Clouds all day, but clear at Night, and still.
Finished killing my Hogs—The Number & weight of which are as follow.

No.
Wt.

River Plantn.
44
6814

Dogue run Do.
28
4003

Muddy hole Do.
30
3638

Ferry—Do.
26
2930

Total
128
17385

Out of the above Thos. Bishop & Thos. Green are each to have 500. Hezekiah Fairfax has had 480 & Morris 416 and Davy 414—leaving for family use 15075 lbs. which with 4 Hogs killed for early Bacon (in October) Weighing 810 lbs. make in all 15,885 lbs. laid up for the consumption of my Table—use of my People—and the poor who are distressed for it.
Mr. Baldwin, formerly a Chaplain in the Army from Connecticut—now a Lawyer in the state of Georgia called here on his way to the last but would not stay [to] dinner.
A Mr. Douglas came here to rent my Land on Difficult run for which I asked him £50 pr. Ann. and to which he is to give an Answer after consulting his Brothers in Alexanda.

   Thomas Green, overseer of the plantation carpenters, was working at Mount Vernon as a joiner by Jan. 1783 and stayed until late 1794. He was a drunken incompetent, and although GW often threatened to fire him, his compassion for the man’s family restrained him. Green finally ran away or was fired and left his wife Sarah (Sally), daughter of GW’s old servant, Thomas Bishop, and several small children destitute (General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 170, 209, 239, 243, 252, 279, 350; THANEElswyth Thane. Potomac Squire. New York, 1963., 246, 328–30).

   Morris and Davy, two of GW’s slaves, were at this time in charge of Dogue Run and Muddy Hole farms, respectively.

   Abraham Baldwin (1754–1807) was a tutor at Yale during the early years of the Revolution and then served as chaplain of the 2nd Connecticut Regiment. He later studied law and in 1784 settled in Georgia where he became a member of the Georgia Commons House of Assembly. He was influential in setting up an educational system in Georgia and was the first president of Franklin College (later the University of Georgia). Baldwin was a member of the Continental Congress 1785, 1787–88, and of the Federal

Convention in 1787. He was in the United States House of Representatives 1789–99 and the United States Senate 1799–1807. He was undoubtedly on his way home from the Continental Congress at this time.

   mr. douglas: This may have been Hugh Douglass (Douglas) of Garrallan in Loudoun County (WISEJennings Cropper Wise. Col. John Wise of England and Virginia (1617–1695): His Ancestors and Descendants. Richmond, Va., 1918., 292–96). GW’s 300–acre tract on Difficult Run in Loudoun County was of value chiefly for its location at Difficult Bridge on the road from Alexandria to Leesburg and Winchester (WRITINGSJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. 39 vols. Washington, D.C., 1931–44., 37:295).

Wednesday 14th. Thermometer at 36 in the Morng.  at Noon and 42 at Night.
Morning and day clear & pleasant—wind at So. East. Ground a little froze in the Morning.
Mr. George Washington and his Wife set off to visit her friends in New Kent &ca.—Mr. Bassetts Carriage & Horses having come up for them on Sunday Night last.
Rid to the Ferry Plantn. The Mill, and Dogue run Plantation and went & came by the place (in front of the Ho[use]) where Muddy hole [people] were at Work.

Thursday 15th. Thermometer at 40 in the Morng. 45 at Noon and  at Night.
Moderate & clear all the fore part of the day with the Wind at So. East, but not fresh. In the Afternoon it began to lower—at Dusk turned very cloudy and in the Night set in to a constant rain.
Mr. Shaw went up to Alexandria, after dinner, to a Ball I presume. And in the Evening Joseph Winzor & Willm. Kirchwall 2 of my tenants from Frederick came in & stayed all Night.

   tenants from FREDERICKMillard Milburn Rice. New Facts and Old Families: From the Records of Frederick County, Maryland. Redwood City, Calif., 1976.: GW had bought two lots totaling about 570 acres at George Mercer’s 1774 sale of a 6,500–acre tract in Frederick County. The land, now in Clarke County, was on the Shenandoah River near the present town of Berryville. Late in 1784 Joseph Windsor of Maryland bargained with Edward Snickers, who was acting as GW’s agent in the matter, for a 14–year lease on 172 acres of the land. Although GW preferred a shorter lease, he honored Snickers’s agreement with Windsor for a lease commencing 1 Jan. 1785 and ending 31 Dec. 1798, at a rent of £17 4s. per year. William Kirchwall’s (Kercheval) lease for 172 acres was for 13 years, commencing 1 Jan. 1786 and ending 31 Dec. 1798 at a rental of £17 6s. per year. Both men had their rent increased slightly after the 1789 resurvey, when their farms were discovered to total 174½ acres each (CHAPPELEAR [3]Curtis Chappelear. “Early Landowners in the Benjamin Harrison and Robert Carter Nicholas Tracts.” Proceedings of the Clarke County Historical Association 7 (1947): 33–48., 33–36; GW to Battaile Muse, 28 July 1785, DLC:GW; GW’s rental accounts, 1788–90 and 1791, ViMtvL).

Friday 16th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 56 at Night.
Rainy Morning and an Easterly wind, but not much of it.

Drizzling all day and towards Night it began to rain again and threatned a wet Night. Very light wind all day.
Before dinner Joseph Hickman, another of my Tenants from Frederick came in, to whom and those that came yesterday and  Williams, I passed Leases for the Land on which they live. All went away after it.
Mr. Shaw returned before dinner from Alexandria.

   Joseph Hickman and John Williams seem to have been living on GW’s Frederick lands before the leases were made out. Both were given 14–year leases, retroactive from 1 Jan. 1785 to 31 Dec. 1798. Hickman’s tenement was 116 acres, for which he paid £11 12s. per year. Williams leased 100 acres for £10. GW wrote his rental agent, Battaile Muse, on this day, instructing Muse to use his own judgment in making decisions about whether the tenants were complying with the terms of the leases. Since Williams did not come to Mount Vernon on this day, GW sent his lease to Muse for completion. GW also requested that Muse send him a list of his tenants, with an account of the lots they leased, the rents due, and the amounts paid (GW to Muse, 28 July and 16 Dec. 1785, DLC:GW; CHAPPELEAR [3]Curtis Chappelear. “Early Landowners in the Benjamin Harrison and Robert Carter Nicholas Tracts.” Proceedings of the Clarke County Historical Association 7 (1947): 33–48., 33–36; GW’s rental accounts, 1788–90 and 1791, ViMtvL).

Saturday 17th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morng.  at Noon and  at Night.
Rainy Morning, wind though not fresh at No. West which afterwards more to the No. & East & continued raining off & on all day.
Went to Alexandria to meet the Trustees of the Academy in that place and offered to vest in the hands of the said Trustees, when they are permanently established by Charter, the Sum of One thousand pounds, the Interest of which only, to be applied towards the establishment of a charity School for the education of Orphan and other poor Children—which offer was accepted. Returned again in the Evening—Roads remarkably wet & bad.

   GW wrote the trustees: “It is not in my power at this time to advance the above sum; but that a measure which may be productive of good may not be delayed—I will until my death, or until it shall be more convenient for my Estate to advance the principal, pay the interest thereof (to wit, Fifty pounds) annually” (GW to Trustees of the Alexandria Academy, 17 Dec. 1785, DLC:GW). In his will, GW left 20 shares of stock in the Bank of Alexandria, valued at $4,000, to fulfill this promise. The charity school was incorporated as an integral part of the academy, to be governed by the same board of trustees. In 1786 there were 20 charity children attending the school.

Sunday 18th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 52 at Night.

Morning perfectly clear & pleasant, with but little wind and continued so through the day. Serene moderate and pleasant.

Monday 19th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morng. 56 at Noon and 52 at Night.
Calm and pleasant all day, especially in the Morning. Towards evening the wind, though very little of it, came from the Eastward & the weather lowered.
Rid to the Mill, and to Dogue run Plantation. Took the Hounds with me, and in the Pincushion found a fox, which the Dogs run very well for an hour—after which, coming to a fault—they took (as I presume) the heel, & in Muddy hole found a fresh Fox, which was only run by part of the Dogs. The others did not seem inclined to hunt.
Davy a Mulatto Man who has for many years looked after my Muddy hole Plantation, went into the Neck to take cha[rge] of the River Plantation in the room of Jno. Alton deceased. And Will (Son of Doll) was sent to Muddy hole as an Overseer in his place.
Both my Mills stopped & repairing.

   the pincushion: The Devil’s Pincushion, or Mother Minton’s Pincushion, was a large rock near the Alexandria-Colchester road about halfway between Dogue Run and Little Hunting Creek. The land around the rock was called the Pincushion (MUIRDorothy Troth Muir. Potomac Interlude: The Story of Woodlawn Mansion and the Mount Vernon Neighborhood, 1846–1943. Washington, D.C., 1943., 51–52).

Tuesday 20th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morng. 47 at Night and 45 at Noon.
Morning tolerably clear; but a red sky at the place of the Suns rising (which is an indication of dirty weather) and the wind (tho not fresh) at No. East. The day continued tolerably clear and pleasant, until the Evening when it began to lower.
Dispatched at his own reqt. the Spaniard who had the cha[rge] of my Jack from Spain. Sent him with Mr. Shaw to Alexandria to go in the Stage to New York.
Brought some Carts and Cutters from my Plantations to assist in laying in a Stock of Fire wood for Christmas.
Mr. Shaw returned in the evening accompanied by my Nephew Ferdinando Washington.

   the spaniard: Pedro Tellez, who had accompanied the Spanish jackass to Mount Vernon (see entry for 26 Oct. 1785), had asked to return to Spain by way of New York, where he would see the Spanish minister, Don Diego de Gardoqui. He refused any payment from GW, asserting that he was being paid by the king, but GW did prevail upon him to take £21 “as an acknowledgment

of the obligation I am under to him, for his care of the animal on which I set the highest value” (GW to Francisco Rendon, 19 Dec. 1785, DLC:GW; General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 205). GW also gave the Spaniard two certificates. One, for the benefit of the king, acknowledged Tellez’s care and attention to the animal; the other, addressed to the public at large, identified Tellez and solicited aid in his behalf: “Not being able to speak any other language than that of his native tongue, it is requested as a favor of the good people on the road to assist & direct him properly” (19 Dec. 1785, DLC:GW).

   Ferdinand, or Ferdinando, Washington (1767–1788) was the oldest son of GW’s brother Samuel and Anne Steptoe Washington. In 1783 GW had written his brother John Augustine about the possibility of a berth in the navy or on a merchant ship for their nephew but nothing seems to have come of this inquiry. Ferdinand, by extravagance and bad conduct, incurred GW’s displeasure, and GW later refused to assist in settling the young man’s estate (GW to Robert Chambers, 28 Jan. 1789, DLC:GW).

Wednesday 21st. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 46 at Night.
Lowering all day with but little Wind and that Easterly.
Mr. Danl. Dulany (son of Danl.) Mr. Benja. Dulany, Messrs. Saml. & Thos. Hanson, Mr. Philp. Alexander, and a Mr. Mounsher came here to Dinner and Stayed all Night.
Finished measuring my Corn at the several Plantations, which stand thus.

River Plantation viz.
Barrels

Large end of Corn Ho[use]
203

Small end of Ditto.
135

Fatting Hogs have eat
44

For Mrs. Alton
  6

388

Muddy hole Plantn. viz.

In the Corn House
112

Given to the fattg. Hogs
 28

140

Dogue Run Plantn. viz.

In Corn House
85

Given to the Hogs
 30

75

Ferry Plantation—viz.

In the Corn House
85

Fatting Hogs
28

Overseers Share
 14

127

Total

730

Deduct

Corn already expd. on Hogs
130

Overseers Shares
 20

150

Remaining for all my purps., only

580

   Daniel Dulany, Jr. (1750–1824), had come back to America to try to settle problems arising from the confiscation of his family’s estates during the Revolution. He sailed for England a few months later, never to return to his native land.

   This Alexander was either Philip Alexander (died c.1790), son of Gerard Alexander (d. 1761), of the “Robert” Alexanders, or Philip Alexander (b. 1742), son of Philip Alexander of the “Philip” branch. The second Philip served Fairfax County on the committee of safety (1774) and in the House of Delegates (1777).

[Thursday 22d.] Went a Fox hunting with the Gentlemen who came here yesterday—together with Ferdinando Washington and Mr. Shaw, after a very early breakfast. Found a Fox just back of Muddy hole Plantation and after a Chase of an hour and a quarter with my Dogs, & eight couple of Doctor Smiths (brought by Mr. Phil. Alexander) we put him into a hollow tree, in which we fastned him, and in the Pincushion put up another Fox which in an hour & 13 Minutes was killed. We then after allowing the Fox in the hole half an hour put the Dogs upon his Tracks & in half a Mile he took to another hollow tree and was again put out of it but he did not go 600 yards before he had recourse to the same shift. Finding therefore that he was a conquered Fox we took the Dogs off and all came home to Dinner except Mr. Danl. Dulany who left us in the Field after the first Fox was Treed. Lund Washington came home with us to dinner.
Doctr. Brown who had been sent for to Philip Bateman came to Dinner and returned afterwards as did all the Gentlemen except the two Mr. Hansons and Mr. Alexander.
The Morning of this day indeed all the forenoon was very lowering but the Evening was clear & very pleasant.

   Lund Washington by this time was winding up his long tenure as manager at Mount Vernon. He had told GW in November that he wished to leave his employment as soon as convenient, and by 20 Dec., GW had made definite arrangements for the change. “Having come to a fixed determination . . . to attend to the business of my plantations; and having enquired of Geo: [Augustine] Washington how far it would be agreeable to him & his wife to make this place a permanent residence, (for before it was only considered as their temporary abode, until some plan could be settled for them) & finding it to comport with their inclinations, I now inform you that it will be in my power to comply with your wishes with less inconvenience than

appeared when you first proposed to leave my employment” (DLC:GW). GW did request that Lund continue to help with the mill and some business matters until George Augustine Washington became familiar with these. “Nothing else occurs to me at this time in which it is essential to give you any trouble after the present year; for if I should not be able to visit the plantations as often as I could wish . . . I am resolved that an account of the stock & every occurence that happens in the course of the week shall be minutely detailed to me every saturday. Matters cannot go much out of sorts in that time without a seasonable remedy” (GW to Lund Washington, 20 Nov. and 20 Dec. 1785, DLC:GW).

Friday 23d. Thermometer at  in the Morng. 44 at Noon and 42 at Night.
Morning cloudy, with the Wind at West; which shifting to the No. Et. produced strong, and encreasing appearances of falling weather before the Evening.
Went out with the two Mr. Hansons & Mr. Alexander, when they set out on their return after breakfast, with the Dogs; just to try if we could touch on a Fox as we went along the Road—they homewards and I to my Plantation in the Neck. This we did, but the Scent being Cold, and seeing no great prospect of making it out the Dogs were taken off and the Gentlemen Went home and I to Muddy hole Plantation instead of the Neck—it being too late to go to, and return from the former before Dinner.

Saturday 24th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morng. 34 at Night and 36 at Noon.
Wind at No. East with rain in the Morning (a good deal of wch. appeared to have fallen in the Night). About 10 Oclock it began to Snow & continued to do so untill about 2 Oclock when it ceased—just covering the ground the Snow being wet.

Sunday 25th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morng. 42 at Noon and 42 at Night.
Morning perfectly clear and fine without Wind. About 9 Oclock it sprung up from the Southward and blew fresh with various appearances of weather sometimes much like rain & then clearing. At Night the Wind Shifted to the Westward and before Morning got to No. West blowing hard all the while.
Count Castiglioni, Colo. Ball, and Mr. Willm. Hunter came here to dinner—the last of whom returned to Alexandria afterwards.

   Count Luigi Castiglioni (1757–1832) of Milan, a student of natural sciences, arrived in America in May 1785 and spent two years traveling throughout

the states, studying various aspects of American life, especially the political institutions and the flora and fauna. He was a great admirer of GW and an impartial observer of American life. His Viaggio negli Stati Uniti dell’ America Settentrionale was published in Milan in 1790.

   Burgess Ball (1749–1800), formerly of Lancaster County, served in various Virginia regiments throughout most of the Revolution, retiring in 1781 as a lieutenant colonel. He was at this time married to Frances Washington (1763–1815), sister of George Augustine Washington, and was living in Spotsylvania County.

Monday 26th. Thermometer at 32 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 38 at Night.
Clear and cold in the Morning with the wind high at No. West which moderated a little towards Night.

Tuesday 27th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morning—44 at Noon and  at Night.
Clear with the wind very high from the Southward until the Evening when it shifted to the Westward & blew equally hard but did not get to be very cold.

Wednesday 28th. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—38 at Noon and  at Night.
Colo. Ball went away yesterday, after breakfast—tho’ it was unnoticed in the occurrances of the day.
Wind exceedingly high from the No. West & clear.
A Mr. Israel Jenny of Loudoun County came here in the Afternoon, respecting some Land which he has been endeavouring to obtain under an idea of its being waste, but which he finds to be within the lines of my Chattin run tract in Fauquier County, though claimed by Mr. Robert Scott who has put a Tenant upon it of the name of Jesse Hitt, who has now been upon it three years and thereafter to pay Rent.
Mr. Muse my Collector to be written to on this Subject as also concerning my Land in Ashbys Bend part of wch. is claimed by Mr. Landon Carter.

   Israel Janney (died c.1823) was a son of Jacob Janney (d. 1786) of Loudoun County. He was interested in agricultural experimentation and was a pioneer in the use of gypsum (plaster of paris) to improve his lands.

   GW’s Chattins Run tract in Fauquier County was on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge near Rector Town. The land in question amounted to 170–80 acres, and the suit brought against GW by Robert Scott ran on for years and was still unsettled in 1791. For further details of the dispute, see GW to Battaile Muse, 5 Jan. and 4 Feb. 1786, Muse to GW, 7 Feb., 21 Mar. 1789,

22 Aug. 1791, DLC:GW. GW’s Ashby’s Bent land, amounting to approximately 2,500 acres, was located in both Fauquier and Loudoun counties on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge. Both this and the Chattins Run land was subdivided into small farms, or tenements, of about 100–200 acres each, which were rented out for periods of time varying from ten years to three lives.

   It is uncertain which of the three Landon Carters then living in Virginia claimed the Ashby’s Bent land.

Thursday 29th. Thermometer at 29 in the Morning— at Noon and 40 at Night.
Morning clear with very little wind and that from the South. Pleasand all day until the evening when it began to lower and about eight at Night set in to raining with a strong Southerly wind wch. continued through the Night.
Count Castiglioni went away after breakfast, on his tour to the Southward.
Mr. Jenny also left this at the same time.
After which I went to my Dogue run Plantation to measure, with a view to new model, the Fields at that place. Did not return until dark nor finish my Survey.
Mr. Shaw went to Alexandria to the Assembly.

Friday 30th. Thermometer at 46 in the [morning]— at Noon and  at Night.
A good deal of rain fell in the Night which ceased about day break but the Wind from the Southward continued to blow very hard all day with flying Clouds.
Went to Dogue run again to compleat my Surveys of the Fields which I did about 2 Oclock and upon my r[e]turn
Found Miss Sally Ramsay Miss Kitty Washington—Mr. Porter and Doctr. Craik Junr. here.
Mr. Shaw also returned from Alexandria before Dinner.

Saturday 31st. Thermometer at  in the Morning— at Noon and 37 at Night.
A Raw Wind from the Eastwd. blew in the forenoon. Afternoon Calm, but chilly with appearances now & then of a change in the weather.
Rid to my Plantations in the Neck Muddy hole, and Ferry. George Steptoe Washington came here to dinner and after it went away the Company that came yesterday.
Landed 230 Bushels of Oats today from an Eastern shore Vessel

and by her had brought from Alexandria the Pictures drawn by Mr. Pine of Fanny Bassett now Washington and the young Custis.

   bushels of oats: GW’s Indian corn crop for 1785 was very poor and did “not amount to one third of what I made last year; which is insufficient to feed my negroes, much more to afford support for my Horses” (GW to David Stuart, 24 Dec. 1785, DLC:GW). He was forced to buy grain to supplement his own supply.


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

Sunday 1st. Thermometer at 36 in the Morng.  at Noon and  at Night. Lowering day, with but little Wind, and that Easterly. Lund Washington and Wife dined here & returned in the Afternoon. Mr. Shaw went up to Alexandria and stayed all Night.


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

Monday 2d. Thermometer at 34 in the Morng. 35 at Noon and 35 at Night. Heavy lowering Morning with the wind at East. About 9 Oclock it began to rain and continued to do so, slowly, all day. Immediately after an early breakfast I went out with the Hounds but returned as soon as it began to rain, without touching upon the drag of a Fox. Mr. Shaw returned from Alexandria this Morning before Breakt.


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

Tuesday 3d. Thermometer at 39 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 42 at Night. Clear and pleasant morning without wind at Sun rising but it soon sprung up from the Southwesterly quarter and veering more to the westward blew hard until the evening when it again turned calm & very pleasant.


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

Wednesday 4th. Thermometer at 35 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 40 at Night. Morning calm and clear with very little wind all day. After breakfast I rid by the places where my Muddy hole & Ferry people were clearing—thence to the Mill and Dogue run Plantations and having the Hounds with me in passing from the latter towards Muddy hole Plantation I found a Fox which after dragging him some distance and running him hard for near an hour was killed by the cross road in front of the House. Having provided cutting Knives, and made the Boxes at my own Shop, I directed my Overseers at the several Plantations at which I had been to cut Straw and mix three 4ths. of it with one

fourth Bran (from my Mill) to feed their out lying Horses—whilst their work Horses is also to be fed with this and Oats mixed. I also directed that my Chariot Horses and all others about my home Ho[use] except the Stud horse and three horses which will be frequently rid a hunting to be fed with Bran & chopped Hay in the above proportion and that my waggon & Cart Horses should be fed with chopped Rye & chopped Hay in the same proportion of one to 4. Mr. Bushrod Washington and his wife came here in a Chariot 4 Horses & 3 Servants just after we had dined.


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

Saturday 7th. Thermometer at 26 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 32 at Night. Morning clear with the Wind at No. West. Fresh, and Cold, all day. The little Snow which fell yesterday had disappeared except in places where the influence of the Sun could not be felt. The Boat which was sent off yesterday with flour got no further

than Johnsons Ferry & there by neglect suffered to get aground. Sent and ordered it to be got off, and to proceed, or to return, as circumstances might dictate. The last of which was done.


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

Sunday 8th. Thermometer at 27 in the Morng.—38 at Noon and 35 at Night. Day clear, with the wind pretty fresh at No. West in the forenoon which moderating as the Sun rose backed to South West and grew calm towards the evening. Mr. Bushrod Washington and his Wife went away after Breakfast and about 11 Oclock Betcy & Patcy Custis returned to Abingdon in my Chariot—accompanied by their Brother & Sister, Nelly & Washington Custis. Sent my Boat of this afternoon with the Flour for Alexandria, with which she returned last Night on Acct. of the weather.


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

Monday 9th. Thermometer at 28 in the Morng. 38 at Noon and  at Night. Wind Southerly all day. Clear but a chilly air. Saturday, yesterday, and this day morning, the flats and Creeks were froze, but that on the former dispersed with the tide when the Winds blew. The latter remained. Sent Mr. Shaw to Alexandria to dispatch my Boat which went up yesterday and to pur⟨cha⟩se & send down a ton of Iron in ⟨it⟩ wch. was accordingly [done]. He and the Boat both, returned at Night. Rid over my ferry plantation—thence to the Mill, & thence to my Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations before dinner—as also to the place where my Negro Carpenters were at Work and directed them to get me a stick for a heavy roller, and scantling for Plow stocks—Harrows &ca. &ca.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 January 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 10th. Thermometer at  in the Morning— at Noon and 38 at Night. Wind Southerly all day & at times pretty fresh, and in the forenoon cold—but warmer & much pleasanter afterwards. Rid to my Plantation in the Neck, and took the hounds with me. About 11 Oclock found a fox in the Pocoson at Sheridens point and after running it very indifferently and treeing it once caught it about one Oclock. In the evening one William Barber from the lower end of

Fauquier came here to rent some Land I have in that quarter and stayed all Night.


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

Thursday 12th. Thermometer at 28 in the Morning—39 at Noon and 40 at Night. The Snow which fell yesterday had not covered the ground more than ¾ of an inch thick. A very heavy hoar frost this Morning. Day calm, and the evening clear, and remarkably pleasant & warm. Mr. Shaw went up to the Ball at Alexandria.


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

Friday 13th. Thermometer at 32 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 35 at Night. But little wind all day and that from the No. West. Evening quite calm. Laid out the ground behind the Stable, formerly a Vineyard, for a fruit Garden. Mr. Shaw returned about 12 Oclock from Alexandria.


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

Saturday 14th. Thermometer at 26 in the Morng.—35 at Noon and 36 at Night. Went out with the Hounds, & run a fox from 11 Oclock untill near 3 Oclock when I came home and left the Dogs at fault after which they recovered the Fox & it is supposed killed it. Before the Chase, I visited my Ferry & Dogue run Plantations.


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

Sunday 15th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning 42 at Noon and 40 at Night. Little or no Wind all day. Clear and very pleasant.  Nelly & Washington Custis returned home to day. Doctr. Stuart came here to Dinner & returned in the Afternoon.


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

Wednesday 18th. Thermometer at 20 in the Morning—22 at Noon and 26 at Night. Day very cold—no thawing and the afternoon threatning of Snow. A fine mist of it falling—Wind Northerly. Colo. Fitzgerald called here on his way from Dumfries & dined and then proceeded. Fixed with him, and requested that he would give the Board of Directors of the Potomack Company notice of the meeting intended to be held at the Great Falls on Monday the 30th. Instt. Getting Ice this day also.


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

Thursday 19th. Thermometer at 19 in the Morning—20 at Noon and 22 at Night. Morning Cloudy—Wind Northerly and weather cold. Snow about an Inch deep fell in the Night. After ten oclock it began again, & continued Snowing fine till bed time with the wind Northerly. Discontinued getting Ice, the river not being in a State to get it from the other shore and the prospect such as to get it any where in the course of a day or two. The Negro Shoemaker belonging to Mr. Lund Washington came to work here in the forenoon of this day.


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

Friday 20th. Thermometer at 18 in the Morng.—24 at Noon and 26 at Night. A Mixture of Snow and hail fell all the fore part of the day and hail & rain the latter part, which consolidated the Snow

which in the Morning might be about 6 or 8 Inches deep. Wind Northwardly all day, but not much of it in any part of it.


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

Sunday 22d. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 48 at Night. Raining more or less all day, and a close thick fog the whole day proceeding from the dissolution of the Snow which by Night was almost gone. Wind tho’ not much of it Southerly and warm—the damps in the house being also very great the damps upon the walls being to be swept of.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 January 1786]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 23d. Thermometer at 38 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 40 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at No. West but neither hard nor cold. Snow entirely gone, except in places hid from the influence of the Sun & the Southwardly wind which blew yesterday.


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

Tuesday 24th. Thermometer at 31 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 34 at Night. Morning clear & pleasant: Lowering afterwards; with appearances of Snow—little or no Wind all day. Began my work of Ice-getting again to day but it was not in a proper State being rather a mixture of Snow & Ice and not hard enough.


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

Wednesday 25th. Thermometer at 34 in the morning  at Noon and 40 at Night. Morning calm and very foggy till after 8 oclock when the fog

dispersed and was very pleasant. About one oclock the Wind sprung up at No. West but blew neither hard nor cold. Mr. Jno. Dandridge set off on his return home after breakfast. I rid to Morris’s, Muddy hole and Neck Plantations between Breakfast and dinner. The State of the Ice was such that I was obliged to disist from getting more until the next freezing spell. And set about the Banks round the Lawn, in front of the gate between the two Mounds of Earth.


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

Thursday 26th. Thermometer at 33 in the Morng.— at Noon and 39 at Night. Clear and pleasant all day and more especially in the afternoon—Not much wind, but that from the No. West. Renewed my Ice operation to day, employing as many hands as I conveniently could in gettg. it from the Maryland shore, carting, and pounding it. Mr. Shaw went up to the dancing assembly at Alexandria after Dinner.


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

Friday 27th. Thermometer at 30 in the Morning— at Noon and  at Night. Clear and pleasant all day; Wind at No. West in the forenoon and Eastwardly afterwards, but not much of it. Mrs. Washington set out after breakfast for Abingdon—to see Mrs. Stuart who is ill. I rid to my Mill and to the Plantation at Dogue run—also to the places where the Muddy hole & ferry people were at Work. Mr. Shaw returned home an hour or two within Night. Getting Ice again to day.