Title: [Diary entry: 30 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Ditto—Ditto—Ditto.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Ditto—Ditto—Ditto.


Title: [March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

Mar. 1. Messrs. Ross and Wagener went away after breakfast. I rid to my Mill and Ditchers in the forenoon. In the Afternoon Doctr. Craik came.

   Hector Ross today settled his current account with GW, paying him £89 9s. 5d. cash, much of which was owed as a result of an arrangement made at John Posey’s sale in Oct. 1769 (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 276, 327, 333).

2. The Doctr. & I set of for Winchester. Dined at Triplets and lodgd at Wests.

   GW had called a meeting of the officers of the Virginia Regiment at Winchester on 4 Mar. to report on the trip down the Ohio River that he had made the previous fall (Va. Gaz., P&D, 31 Jan., 7 Feb., and 14 Feb. 1771, and R, 31 Jan. 1771).

   triplets: the ordinary of James and William Carr Lane at Newgate (now Centreville). Since GW had last stopped there on 12 Sept. 1769, William Carr Lane had died, leaving the tavern and the other family enterprises to the care of James Lane and James’s son-in-law Simon Triplett. A second cousin of Thomas and William Triplett of Fairfax County, Simon Triplett had married James Lane’s daughter Martha in 1765 (MCDONALDCornelia McDonald. A Diary with Reminiscences of the War and Refugee Life in the Shenandoah Valley, 1860–1865. Nashville, 1935., 474–76, 487–88).

3. Dined at Barry’s (on Shanondoah) and reached Greenway Court in the Afternoon where we stayd all Night.

   Berry’s ferry was on the Shenandoah River about eight miles east of Greenway Court. Joseph Berry had moved into this area about 1759, and by April 1767 he had taken over the ferry and a nearby ordinary from Joseph Combs. He continued to operate both until at least 1795. The Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson map of 1755 and the Thomas Jefferson map of 1786 refer to the ferry as Ashby’s ferry, but the Ashby family apparently was never connected with it (BERRY’S FERRY“Berry’s Ferry, And Old Roads Leading To That Ferry.” Proceedings of the Clarke County Historical Association 6 (1946): 8–13., 11–12).

4. Reachd Winchester to Dinner according to Appointment with the Officers &ca. claimg. part of the 200,000 Acs. of L[an]d.

   Before GW left Greenway Court, he obtained a grant from Lord Fairfax for the unclaimed land on Dogue Run he had surveyed on 24 Mar. 1770, a total of 20½ acres (Lord Fairfax’s grant to GW, 4 Mar. 1771, Northern Neck Deeds and Grants, Book I, 187, Vi Microfilm). This land gave him control of most of the area around his new dams and upper millrace, but a portion of the race still infringed upon William Harrison’s patent, a problem that was not resolved until he exchanged some small strips of land there with William Triplett 18 May 1785.

5. At Winchester all day. Dined with Lord Fairfax.

   Although scheduled for 4 Mar., the officers’ meeting was actually held today. Besides GW and Dr. James Craik, only four officers or their representatives were present. After hearing GW’s report and learning that William Crawford had begun to survey along the Great Kanawha River, they unanimously agreed that he should be instructed to finish his work there and then proceed as soon as possible to survey lands on the Tygart Valley River, a branch of the Monongahela. To cover Crawford’s expenses, GW was authorized to advance

him £80, collecting money for that purpose not only from officers but now for the first time from former rank-and-file members of the regiment also. Each field officer was assessed £11 5s., each captain £6 15s., each subaltern £4 10s., and each common soldier a fourth of a subaltern’s share (minutes of the officers of the Virginia Regiment, 5 Mar. 1771, DLC:GW).

6. Dined at my Lodging which was at Mr. Philp. Bushes and went home with my Br. Mr. Saml. Washington in the Eveng.

   Philip Bush (1732–1812) reputedly offered the best accommodations in Winchester at his Golden Buck Inn, a handsome two-story stone building on Cameron Street. He was born in Mannheim, Germany, and settled in Winchester about 1762 (NORRIS [1]J. E. Norris, ed. History of the Lower Shenandoah Valley. 1890. Reprint. Berryville, Va., 1972., 178; GREENE [3]Katherine Glass Greene. Winchester, Virginia, and Its Beginnings, 1743–1814. Strasburg, Va., 1926., 127).

7. At my Brothers all day writing Instructions & dispatches for Captn. Crawford the Surveyor of our 200,000 Acs. of Land.

8. Ditto—About Ditto.

9. Finished Ditto for Mr. Marcus Stephenson—who was to be the bearer of them. Mr. Dick & the two Mr. Nurses dined at my Brothers today.

   Marcus Stephenson of Frederick County was a half brother of William Crawford. Mr. Dick is probably Charles Dick of Fredericksburg, who owned land on Patterson’s Creek in Hampshire County (Va. Gaz., P&D, 17 Oct. 1771). the two mr. nurses: James Nourse (1731–1784) and his son Joseph Nourse (1754–1841), who lived at Piedmont, about two miles east of Harewood. James Nourse was born in Herefordshire, Eng., and in 1753 married Sarah Fouace in London. They left London with their nine children in 1769 and settled at Piedmont a year later (LYLEMaria Cook Nourse Lyle. “James Nourse of Virginia.” Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 8 (1900–1901): 199–202., 8–10, 24).

10. Dined at Mr. Nurses, & returnd to my Brother’s in the Evening.

11. Set of from my Brother’s for Mr. Warnr. Washington’s on my return Home.

12. Left Mr. Washingtons, & crossing at Snickers’s (where I eat an early Dinner) reach’d Leesburg betwn. 4 & 5 Oclock in the Afternoon.

   Leesburg, founded in 1758, was the county seat of Loudoun County. The English traveler Nicholas Cresswell described the town in 1774 as “regularly laid off in squares, but very indifferently built and few inhabitants and little trade, tho’ very advantageously situated, for it is at the conjunction of the great Roads from the North part of the Continent to the South and the East and the West” (CRESSWELLLincoln MacVeagh, ed. The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, 1774–1777. New York, 1924., 48).

13. Reachd home, after being obliged to Ferry over goose Creek at Houghs Mill & coming Round by Ellzeys. Found Doctr. Craik here.

   Hough’s mill was owned by John Hough (d. 1797), of Loudoun County, a well-known surveyor who had settled in the area about 1744 (DLC:Toner Collection; WILLIAMS [1]Harrison Williams. Legends of Loudoun: An account of the history and homes of a border county of Virginia’s Northern Neck. Richmond, 1938., 82). He was one of the original trustees of Leesburg, an agent for Robert Carter of Nomini Hall 1767–77 and collector of quitrents for Lord Fairfax from 1764 until at least 1773 (HENINGWilliam Waller Hening, ed. The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619. 13 vols. 1819–23. Reprint. Charlottesville, Va., 1969., 7:236; MORTON [1]Louis Morton. Robert Carter of Nomini Hall: A Virginia Tobacco Planter of the Eighteenth Century. Williamsburg, Va., 1941., 279; General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 199, 257; General Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 53).

   ellzeys: probably the home of Lewis Ellzey, father of William and Thomasin Ellzey. Lewis, who was the first sheriff of Fairfax County, served as a Truro Parish vestryman 1744–48.

14. Rid to my Mill & came home by Posey’s. Captn. Adam dined here.

   Although Robert Adam of Alexandria had been appointed a captain in the Fairfax County militia during 1768, GW usually refers to him in the diaries as Mr. Adam (Fairfax County Order Book for 1768–70, 36, Vi Microfilm). The Captain Adam who came today was probably Thomas Adam, who commanded the brig Adventure on several trading voyages out of the South Potomac Naval District 1766–68. The Adventure had apparently been owned jointly by Thomas and Robert Adam until this year, but now the two men were having a new vessel built to replace the Adventure: the ship Martha, which on 23 Dec. 1771 would make her maiden voyage from the South Potomac under the command of John Thomas Boucher (P.R.O., C.O.5/1350, f. 51; P.R.O., C.O.5/1449, f. 83; P.R.O., C.O.5/1450, ff. 10–12, 40; see main entry for 14 April 1771).

15. Surveyed the Plantation at Posey’s & came home to Dinner Plotting the Courses afterwards.

16. Rid by Posey’s to the Mill in the forenoon—at home afterwards.

17. At home all day alone till the Evening when Doctr. Rumney came here.

18. Rid to Posey’s to lay of a fence before Breakfast & went to Court afterwards & stayd all Night.

   The court met 18–22 Mar., but GW attended only the first two days. On this date Harrison Manley appeared before the justices as a third witness to GW’s deeds from Valinda Wade, and the documents were ordered to be officially recorded in the county deed books (Fairfax County Order Book for 1770–72, 172–75, Vi Microfilm). However, GW was unable to take immediate possession of the land he had bought because John Barry refused to let the 193–acre tract be divided and soon planted his own crops on most of it. GW

hired two lawyers to represent him against Barry and his son, but the case did not come before the court until 20 Aug. 1772 (Robert H. Harrison to GW, 10 Jan. 1772, DLC:GW).

19. At Court all day. In the Afternoon came home, and found Majr. Jenefir, Mr. Boucher, & Jacky Custis here.

   Jacky and his tutor had come at Robert Fairfax’s request to see him before he returned to England. Fairfax shared Boucher’s opinion that Jacky should tour Europe, and he had invited him to vacation at Leeds Castle during his stay abroad. The matter was probably discussed over dinner at Belvoir two days later, but still no definite decision was made about it (GW to Jonathan Boucher, 3 Feb. 1771, CSmH).

20. At home all day (except before Breakfast when I rid to the Mill) with the above Company.

21. Went with the above to Belvoir to Dinner & returnd in the Evening with Mr. Boucher and Jacky Custis.

22. At home all day.

23. Mr. Boucher went away after Breakfast. I rid to the Mill by Muddy hole & Doeg Run. Majr. Jenefir Mr. Saml. Gallaway & Mr. Thos. Ringold dined & lodgd here, as did Mr. B. Fairfax.

   Samuel Galloway (d. 1785) was a prominent merchant from Anne Arundel County, Md. He lived with his invalid wife, Anne Chew Galloway, at Tulip Hill, an elegant house on the West River about ten miles south of Annapolis. A Quaker, he was, nevertheless, reputed to be “a man of opulence” and a great lover of horseflesh (TAYLOEBenjamin Ogle Tayloe. “American Gentlemen of the Olden Time, Especially in Maryland and Virginia.” Tyler’s Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine 2 (1920–21): 85–97., 90). Galloway’s companion on this visit was either Thomas Ringgold (c.1715–1772), of Chestertown, Md., or his son Thomas Ringgold (c.1744–1776), also of Chestertown. The elder Ringgold had married Anna Maria Earle and was an active merchant who sometimes joined Galloway as a partner in the West Indian or Portuguese trades. Both he and Galloway dealt in a wide variety of commodities including tobacco, grain, lumber, wine, and slaves (BARKER [1]Charles Albro Barker. The Background of the Revolution in Maryland. New Haven, 1940., 98–100, 114, n.118). The younger Ringgold was married to Galloway’s daughter Mary and was a merchant like his father.

24. At home all day. Majr. Jenefir & Mr. Ringold went away after Breakfast & Mr. Fairfax after Dinner. Mr. Robt. Adam & Mr. M. Campbell dined here.

25. Mr. Gallaway went away after Breakfast. I rid to my Mill and Dam both in the fore and afternoon.

26. Rid to My Mill and Mill dam at the head of the Race in the forenoon (after going a hunting in the Morning). In the Afternoon Rid to Posey’s.

   GW today provided Jacky Custis with £5 10s. for traveling expenses to Annapolis and Baltimore. A decision had been reached to allow Jacky to go to the latter place to be inoculated, but upon his departure sometime within the next few days, he had “so many doubts and difficulties” about the matter, that GW and Mrs. Washington “concluded nothing was more foreign from his Intention” (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 335; CUSTIS ACCOUNT BOOKGW’s Accounts Kept for Martha Parke Custis and John Parke Custis, 1760–75. Manuscript in Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond.; GW to Jonathan Boucher, 20 April 1771, CSmH).

27. Dined at Colchester in my way to Dumfries on the Arbitration between Doctr. Ross & Compa. & Mr. Semple. Supped at Grahams & lodgd at Mr. Montgomeres.

   Graham’s is probably the home of Dumfries merchant Richard Graham, but may be John Graham’s home about 1½ miles southeast of town (MASON [2]Robert A. Rutland, ed. The Papers of George Mason, 1725–1792. 3 vols. Chapel Hill, N.C., 1970., 1:iv; VERMEElizabeth Cometti, trans. and ed. Seeing America and Its Great Men: The Journal and Letters of Count Francesco dal Verme, 1783–1784. Charlottesville, Va., 1969., 49, 126; W.P.A. [1]W.P.A. Writers’ Project. Prince William: The Story of Its People and Its Places. American Guide Series. Manassas, Va., 1941., 94). GW recorded no tavern expenses for this stay in Dumfries.

28. Upon the Arbitration all day with Colo. Mason—Mr. Mundell & Mr. Ross.

29. Upon the Arbitration with the above Gentlemen as above.

30. Ditto—Ditto—Ditto.

31. Ditto—Ditto—Ditto.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

2d. Lowering & Cloudy Morning (with the Ground frozen & Wind at No. East)—all the Afternoon Snowing.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Clear & Cool Wind being at No. West. Ground a little frozen.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Still, Cool, & frosty. Weather clear & Wind at No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. But little frost—day calm & the fore part of it clear, & very pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Scarce any Frost. Morning clear, calm, & pleasant but the afternn. very lowering & like for Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Snowing all this day, and Night also, Wind appearing to be abt. No. Et.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Still Snowing more or less all day. In the Night it began to Hail & sometimes Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Fine Snow with a mixture of Rain & then Snow. In the Night it Haild & Raind.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Fine Misting Rain all the day with the Wind pretty fresh at No. Et. but thawing (it never having yet froze).


Title: [Diary entry: 11 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Misting till abt. 12 Oclock then clearg. with the wind westwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. No Frost. Wind still continuing at North West pretty fresh with some Clouds. Snow all gone.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Pleasant Morning, but Cloudy afterwards With the Wind at No. West & cool but no frost in the Morning.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Ground but little froze, Wind still in the same Quarter but moderate, and tolerably pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. White frost but the Ground not froze. Morning clear, calm & pleasant, but Evening very lowering with the [wind] at South.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Smoky, and more or less Cloudy with but little Wind and pleast.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Clear and pleasant forenoon, with but little wind. Afternoon very cloudy & like for Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Raining more or less till the Afternoon, then tolerably clear but in the Night heavy Rain with thunder.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Clear and pleasant with the Wind pretty fresh from the Northwest but not cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Clear & very pleasant with but little Wind and that from the Southward.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Clear, Warm, and pleasant with but little Wind and that Southwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. A little Cooler than yesterday but tolerably pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Warm forenoon, and Afternoon With Rain, thunder, Lightning, & Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Flying Clouds with the Wind pretty fresh from the No. West & Cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Wind Eastwardly & Cool with Rain more or less all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. But little wind. Misting & sometimes Raining all day.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in March [1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

Mar. 1st. Ground hard froze. Wind fresh & Cold in the forenoon—clear, calm, & warmer in the Afternoon.

2d. Lowering & Cloudy Morning (with the Ground frozen & Wind at No. East)—all the Afternoon Snowing.

3. Clear & Cool Wind being at No. West. Ground a little frozen.

4. Still, Cool, & frosty. Weather clear & Wind at No. West.

5. But little frost—day calm & the fore part of it clear, & very pleasant.

   calm: In the manuscript this word reads “clalm.”

6. Scarce any Frost. Morning clear, calm, & pleasant but the afternn. very lowering & like for Rain.

7. Snowing all this day, and Night also, Wind appearing to be abt. No. Et.

8. Still Snowing more or less all day. In the Night it began to Hail & sometimes Rain.

9. Fine Snow with a mixture of Rain & then Snow. In the Night it Haild & Raind.

10. Fine Misting Rain all the day with the Wind pretty fresh at No. Et. but thawing (it never having yet froze).

11. Misting till abt. 12 Oclock then clearg. with the wind westwardly.

12. Wind at No. West & pretty fresh, tho neither Cold & freezing.

13. No Frost. Wind still continuing at North West pretty fresh with some Clouds. Snow all gone.

14. Still Cloudy and the Wind fresh from No. West but no Frost.

15. Pleasant Morning, but Cloudy afterwards With the Wind at No. West & cool but no frost in the Morning.

16. Ground very hard froze. Morng. clear, and Wind cold from the No. West which blew hard all day & very piercing.

17. Still at No. West & cold but neither so high or piercing as yesterday. Ground however froze hard.

18. Ground but little froze, Wind still in the same Quarter but moderate, and tolerably pleasant.

19. White frost but the Ground not froze. Morning clear, calm & pleasant, but Evening very lowering with the [wind] at South.

20. Smoky, and more or less Cloudy with but little Wind and pleast.

21. Clear and pleasant forenoon, with but little wind. Afternoon very cloudy & like for Rain.

22. Raining more or less till the Afternoon, then tolerably clear but in the Night heavy Rain with thunder.

23. Clear and pleasant with the Wind pretty fresh from the Northwest but not cold.

24. Clear & very pleasant with but little Wind and that from the Southward.

25. Clear, Warm, and pleasant with but little Wind and that Southwardly.

26. Very Pleasant, clear, and Calm forenoon. Lowering Afternoon with great appearance of Rain but none of consequence fell.

27. A little Cooler than yesterday but tolerably pleasant.

28. Warm forenoon, and Afternoon With Rain, thunder, Lightning, & Wind.

29. Flying Clouds with the Wind pretty fresh from the No. West & Cool.

30. Wind Eastwardly & Cool with Rain more or less all day.

31. But little wind. Misting & sometimes Raining all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 March 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

20th. Began to Manufacture my Wheat with the Water of Piney Branch, which being insufficient to keep the Mill constantly at Work, & Country Custom coming in no great progress coud be made.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

April 1st. Still at Dumfries upon the Arbitration between Doctr. Ross and Compa. & Mr. Semple, which was finished about 9 Oclock this Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Got home to breakfast about 9 Oclock. Mr. Robt. Adam dined & lodgd Here. In the Afternoon, I rid to the Mill Race, Mill, & Posey’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Lowering with the Wind very high from the Eastward wch. contd. all Night. Rid to my Mill—the Mill dam & fishing Landing in the forenoon & the two first again in the Afternoon. Mr. Hadan lodgd here.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Rid to the Mill, the Mill Dam, & Fishing Landing before Dinner. Doctr. Rumney dind here.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney dined here and went away afterwds.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Rid to the fishing Landing before Dinner, in the afternoon Doctr. Craik came here, and stayd all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Doctr. Craik went away in the Morning. I rid to the fishing Landing at Poseys. Mr. Magowan came here to Dinner and stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Rid by Muddy hole to Doeg Run & from thence to the Mill. Mr. Magowan went this Afternn. to Colchester.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Rid into the Neck & returned home by Muddy hole & Posey’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Rid to the Mill and to Poseys in the forenoon at home Afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Went to Pohick Church & came home to Dinner Mr. Magowan with us. Found Mr. Adam, Mr. Campbell & Captns. Conway & Adam who Dined and went away afterwds.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Went to Alexandria to Court. Stayd all Night. Mr. Magowan w[en]t.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Came home to Dinner. Mr. Magowan & Mr. Pierce Baily came with me the latter went away afterwds.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Rid to Muddy hole—Doeg Run, the Mill, & Posey’s in the forenoon. Mr. Campbell dined here with Mr. Magowan.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Rid to Muddy hole, Doeg Run & the Mill & came home by Posey’s to Dinner. Mr. Magowan went away after Breakfast & Mr. Campbell dind here.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. At home all day. Mrs. Fairfax din’d here and went away in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

22d. Rid by Muddy hole & Doeg Run to the Mill—from thence to the Fishing Landing at Posey & home to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Rid to the Fishing Landing at Poseys & home to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Rid with Mrs. Washington & Patcy Custis to the Fishg. Landing at Poseys & from thence I rid to the Mill & home to Dinner. Mr. Campbell dined here. Mr. Robt. Alexander came in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Mr. Alexander & I rid to my Mill & then to the Fishg. Landing at Posey and came home to dinner after wch. he went away.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Dined at my Mother’s and lodgd at Colo. Lewis’s. Supped at my Brother Charles’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Breakfasted at Todds Ordinary and after making some considerable stop at Ruffins Ferry, occasioned by a Sick Horse—reachd Colo. Bassetts a little in the Night.


Title: [April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

April 1st. Still at Dumfries upon the Arbitration between Doctr. Ross and Compa. & Mr. Semple, which was finished about 9 Oclock this Night.

2. Got home to breakfast about 9 Oclock. Mr. Robt. Adam dined & lodgd Here. In the Afternoon, I rid to the Mill Race, Mill, & Posey’s.

3. At home all day. Lord Fairfax, the two Colo. Fairfax’s, and Mr. Chas. Alexander dind here & went away afterwards.

4. Lowering with the Wind very high from the Eastward wch. contd. all Night. Rid to my Mill—the Mill dam & fishing Landing in the forenoon & the two first again in the Afternoon. Mr. Hadan lodgd here.

5. Rid to the Mill Dam and contd. there all day. Returnd home by the Mill.

6. Rid to the Mill, the Mill Dam, & Fishing Landing before Dinner. Doctr. Rumney dind here.

7. At home all day. Doctr. Rumney dined here and went away afterwds.

8. Rid to my Mill Race & Mill before Dinner. Mr. Carson dined here.

   Mr. Carson is probably Thomas Carson (died c.1772), merchant of Alexandria.

9. Rid to the fishing Landing before Dinner, in the afternoon Doctr. Craik came here, and stayd all Night.

10. Doctr. Craik went away in the Morning. I rid to the fishing Landing at Poseys. Mr. Magowan came here to Dinner and stayed all Night.

11. Rid by Muddy hole to Doeg Run & from thence to the Mill. Mr. Magowan went this Afternn. to Colchester.

12. Rid into the Neck & returned home by Muddy hole & Posey’s.

13. Rid to the Mill and to Poseys in the forenoon at home Afterwards.

14. Went to Pohick Church & came home to Dinner Mr. Magowan with us. Found Mr. Adam, Mr. Campbell & Captns. Conway & Adam who Dined and went away afterwds.

   Richard Conway (died c.1808), of Alexandria, had commanded merchant vessels sailing out of the Potomac River since 1765 and at this time was captain of the Friendship, a schooner owned by John Williams & Co. of Alexandria. The Friendship had returned from the West Indies on 3 April with a cargo of rum, molasses, and sugar (P.R.O., C.O.5/1449, f. 82; P.R.O., C.O.5/1450, f. 11; P.R.O., C.O.5/1349, f. 207).

15. Went to Alexandria to Court. Stayd all Night. Mr. Magowan w[en]t.

   The court met only on this day in April (Fairfax County Order Book for 1770–72, 205–8, Vi Microfilm).

16. Came home to Dinner. Mr. Magowan & Mr. Pierce Baily came with me the latter went away afterwds.

   Before returning to Mount Vernon, GW attended a meeting of the Fairfax nonimportation committee. At the request of two merchants, Alexander Henderson of Colchester and William Balmain of Alexandria, the committee examined the invoices for cargoes that had recently arrived from Glasgow and ruled that the merchants could properly accept them (Va. Gaz., R, 18 July 1771).

17. Rid to the Mill and fishing Landg. at Posey’s in the forenoon. Majr. Wagener dined here & went away aftds.

   GW today gave Hanson Posey 16s. drawn on the account of his father, John Posey, who was now living in Maryland (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 256, 335).

18. At home all day.

19. Rid to Muddy hole—Doeg Run, the Mill, & Posey’s in the forenoon. Mr. Campbell dined here with Mr. Magowan.

20. Rid to Muddy hole, Doeg Run & the Mill & came home by Posey’s to Dinner. Mr. Magowan went away after Breakfast & Mr. Campbell dind here.

21. At home all day. Mrs. Fairfax din’d here and went away in the Afternoon.

22d. Rid by Muddy hole & Doeg Run to the Mill—from thence to the Fishing Landing at Posey & home to Dinner.

23. Rid to the Fishing Landing at Poseys & home to Dinner.

24. Rid with Mrs. Washington & Patcy Custis to the Fishg. Landing at Poseys & from thence I rid to the Mill & home to Dinner. Mr. Campbell dined here. Mr. Robt. Alexander came in the Evening.

25. Mr. Alexander & I rid to my Mill & then to the Fishg. Landing at Posey and came home to dinner after wch. he went away.

26. At home in the forenoon. In the Afternoon Rid by Muddy hole to Doeg Run from thence to the Mill & so home by the fishing Landing at Poseys.

27. Set out with Mrs. Washington & Patcy Custis on my journey to Williamsburg. Dined at Colchester & Suppd & lodgd in Dumfries.

   Setting out only one day later than planned, the family traveled south in GW’s chariot. The burgesses were not meeting this spring because they had no pressing business to consider. But GW had to go to Williamsburg to give the General Court his annual report on the administration of Jacky and Patsy Custis’s affairs and to collect interest on various Custis bonds (CUSTIS ACCOUNT BOOKGW’s Accounts Kept for Martha Parke Custis and John Parke Custis, 1760–75. Manuscript in Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond.).

28. Dined at my Mother’s and lodgd at Colo. Lewis’s. Supped at my Brother Charles’s.

29. Dined at Caroline Court House and lodgd at Hubbards Ordinary.

   GW today recorded paying 2s. 6d. for repair of his chariot (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 335).

30. Breakfasted at Todds Ordinary and after making some considerable stop at Ruffins Ferry, occasioned by a Sick Horse—reachd Colo. Bassetts a little in the Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

April 1st. Morning Calm, & Warm. Afternoon a little Windy from the No. West & cooler—day clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

2d. Morning Cool Wind still Northwardly, the Weather clear, & tolerably pleasant.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Clear and the Wind variable, being Northwardly in the forenoon & Easterly afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Wind high and boisterous from the Eastward with great appearances of Rain (except being cold).


Title: [Diary entry: 5 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Wind in the same place all last Night & till 10 Oclock to day & as high. In the forenoon 2 or 3 hours close constt. Rain—then clear & pleast. Wind getting Westwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Clear in the forepart of the day but lowering afterwards. Wind very fresh from the So. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Rain in the Night and the Wind exceeding fresh from the No. West all day & Night & very Cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Ice this Morning & very cold. The Wind continuing all day in the same place but lying at Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Wind Southwardly and not fresh. Day Cloudy, & every now & then Raining tho’ but little fell. In the Evening the Wind got to Northwest and blew fresh all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Wind hard at No. West all day and Cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Very Raw and Cold with but little Wind. Cloudy all day & sometimes Snowing, sometimes hailing & at other times Raining but little of any fell—most however of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Lowering in the Morning and calm. Clear afterwards with the Wind at No. West and tolerable fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Clear and very Cold. Wind very high from the same point as yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Wind till about an hour or two by Son in the Morning was Southerly—then hard at No. West but not very cold—clear also.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Calm and Cloudy in the Morng. then high Wind from the So. West after that at So. Et. with Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Cold, & boisterous Wind from the North West.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

22d. A Pleasant day & Warm—the Morning Calm. In the Evening Wind at So. East & somewhat threatning.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Warm and very pleasant with the Wind Southerly & clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Warm and very pleasant with but little Wind and that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Clear & very warm in the forenoon with but little Wind. The Afternoon Cloudy with the Wind fresh & Cold from the No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Cool all day Wind hanging to the Northward till the Afternoon when it shifted to the Eastward.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Still Cool tho the Wind was Southerly & weather clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Cool in the Morning, & Cloudy all day, with Appearances of Rain but none fell. Afternoon warmer.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Cloudy Morning, but clear and Warm afterwards, with the Wind Southwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Lowering & like to rain all day but none fell. Wind Southwardly & Warm.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in April [1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

April 1st. Morning Calm, & Warm. Afternoon a little Windy from the No. West & cooler—day clear.

2d. Morning Cool Wind still Northwardly, the Weather clear, & tolerably pleasant.

3. Clear and the Wind variable, being Northwardly in the forenoon & Easterly afterwards.

4. Wind high and boisterous from the Eastward with great appearances of Rain (except being cold).

5. Wind in the same place all last Night & till 10 Oclock to day & as high. In the forenoon 2 or 3 hours close constt. Rain—then clear & pleast. Wind getting Westwardly.

6. Clear & tolerably pleasant Wind being Westwardly in the forenoon but Southwardly afterwards.

7. Clear in the forepart of the day but lowering afterwards. Wind very fresh from the So. West.

8. Rain in the Night and the Wind exceeding fresh from the No. West all day & Night & very Cold.

9. Ice this Morning & very cold. The Wind continuing all day in the same place but lying at Night.

10. Wind Southwardly and not fresh. Day Cloudy, & every now & then Raining tho’ but little fell. In the Evening the Wind got to Northwest and blew fresh all Night.

11. Wind hard at No. West all day and Cold.

12. Wind still fresh and Cold from the West & No. West With a Muddy Sky.

13. Very Raw and Cold with but little Wind. Cloudy all day & sometimes Snowing, sometimes hailing & at other times Raining but little of any fell—most however of Rain.

14. Lowering in the Morning and calm. Clear afterwards with the Wind at No. West and tolerable fresh.

15. Clear and very Cold. Wind very high from the same point as yesterday.

16. Wind still in the same quarter & high—also very Cold.

17. Wind till about an hour or two by Son in the Morning was Southerly—then hard at No. West but not very cold—clear also.

18. Calm and Cloudy in the Morng. then high Wind from the So. West after that at So. Et. with Rain.

19. Calm & lowering Morning—every now and then dropping Rain, and Warm. Afternoon high Wind from the No. West & Cold.

20. Cold, & boisterous Wind from the North West.

21. Clear with the Wind at No. Wt. till the Afternoon then Calm & more moderate.

22d. A Pleasant day & Warm—the Morning Calm. In the Evening Wind at So. East & somewhat threatning.

23. Warm and very pleasant with the Wind Southerly & clear.

24. Warm and very pleasant with but little Wind and that Southerly.

25. Clear & very warm in the forenoon with but little Wind. The Afternoon Cloudy with the Wind fresh & Cold from the No. West.

26. Cool all day Wind hanging to the Northward till the Afternoon when it shifted to the Eastward.

27. Still Cool tho the Wind was Southerly & weather clear.

28. Cool in the Morning, & Cloudy all day, with Appearances of Rain but none fell. Afternoon warmer.

29. Cloudy Morning, but clear and Warm afterwards, with the Wind Southwardly.

30. Lowering & like to rain all day but none fell. Wind Southwardly & Warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

5th. Turn’d the Water of Doeg Run into my Mill Race, which seemd to afford Water enough for both Mills. One of which constantly employd in Grinding up my own Wheat.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Began to Haul the Sein, tho few fish were Catchd, & those of the Shad kind, owing to the coolness of the Weather. Many Shad had been catchd on the Maryland Shore.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Obligd to send a hand to the Mill to Assist in Packing &ca.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Began to Plant Corn at my Mill Plantation.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 April 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Began Ditto at Doeg Run. The Herring began to run in large Shoals—but were checkd again by the Cool Weather.


Title: Remarks & Occs. in April. [1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

5th. Turn’d the Water of Doeg Run into my Mill Race, which seemd to afford Water enough for both Mills. One of which constantly employd in Grinding up my own Wheat.

   With the new millrace and dams finished GW now had a gravitational force of water sufficient for his needs, but his water supply remained undependable. The millrace often froze in the winter and dried up in the summer. At other times freshets broke his dams and the sides of the race. The new mill could run only about half of each year. The two mills to which GW here refers are the two sets of millstones, each technically constituting a gristmill by itself, although both are in the same millhouse. When GW says “mill,” he usually means the millhouse including both sets of stones or the small plantation surrounding the millhouse.

10. Began to Haul the Sein, tho few fish were Catchd, & those of the Shad kind, owing to the coolness of the Weather. Many Shad had been catchd on the Maryland Shore.

11. Obligd to send a hand to the Mill to Assist in Packing &ca.

   GW’s flour was being packed into large barrels and small casks for sale to Virginia merchants (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 326, 341; see “Remarks” entry for 6 June 1771).

17. Began to Plant Corn at my Mill Plantation.

20. Began to Plant Ditto at Muddy hole.

25. Began Ditto at Doeg Run.
The Herring began to run in large Shoals—but were checkd again by the Cool Weather.

   Fishing on the Potomac must have soon improved, because by the end of May, GW had delivered 679,200 herring and 7,760 shad to Robert Adam’s company. Despite the fact that some of the herring spoiled due to improper packing, he was credited with £134 4s. 3d. for the fish and £12 for rent of fish houses (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 326). This year Adam shipped GW’s herring to Jamaica on board the brig Adventure now owned by Judson Coolidge of Maryland (P.R.O., C.O.5/1349, f. 208; Adam to GW, 24 June 1771, DLC:GW).


Title: [Diary entry: 1 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

May 1st. At Colo. Bassetts all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Dined at the Speaker’s and went to the Play—after wch. Drank a Bowl or two of Punch at Mrs. Campbells.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Dined at Mrs. Campbells (& paid for Dinner & Club) and went up to Eltham with Colos. Bassett & Lewis.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. At Eltham all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Returnd to Williamsburg by 11 Oclock with Colo. Bassett & Colo. Lewis. Dined at Mrs. Vobes and Suppd at Anderson.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Dined at Southalls with Colo. Robt. Fairfax & some other Gentlemn. & went to the Play &


Title: [Diary entry: 9 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Dined at Mrs. Campbell’s and Spent the Evening at Southalls with the Treasurer &ca.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Dined at Mrs. Campbells & went to Bed early.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Returnd to Eltham with Colo. Bassett, after dining at Mrs. Campbells.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. At Eltham all day except Ridg. to Colo. Bassetts Meadow at Roots’s with him.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Rid to the Brick House with Colo. Bassett and returnd to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Went into the Fields with Colo. Bassett a shooting—killd sevl. Hares &ca.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Went up to the Plantations about Rockahock. Dined at Mrs. Chamberlaynes with Mrs. Washington & returnd to Colo. Bassetts in the Eveng.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Dined at Mrs. Dangerfields with Colo. Bassetts Family & returnd in the Afternoon to Eltham.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Visited my Plantation in King William. Dined at Colo. Bd. Moores & returnd to Colo. Bassetts in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Rid to the Brick House with the Family. Hauld the Sein & returnd to Dinner after which went to Mr. Davis’s & Drank Tea.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Went to Church & returned to Colo. Bassetts to Dinner with other Compy. among whom were the two Mr. Dandridges.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Rid to the Brick House to see my Chariot & Horses (which were sent round to my Quarter) cross.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Set out for my Brothers at Nomony—crossing over to my Quarter, & so by Frazer’s to Hobs Hole where we dined, & then crossing the [Rappahannock] River lodged at Mr. Josh. Lanes.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Reached my Brothers pretty early in the day.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Dined at the Revd. Mr. Smiths and returnd to my Brother’s again in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Dined at Mr. Booths and proceeded to Mrs. Washington’s of Popes Creek in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Set out after Breakfast. Dined at Mr. Burdett Ashtons and continued on Afterwards to Mr. Lawrence Washington’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Stayed at Mr. Washington’s all day. Good deal of Company dining there.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Reachd home—crossing at Boyd’s hole to the Widow Martin’s Landing & pass by Nangemoy Church & the Widow Elbecks to my own Ferry. Found Jacky Custis there.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Rid to Muddy hole—Doeg Run & the Mill before Dinner. In the Afternoon Vale. Crawford came here & went away again in the Morning.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

May 1st. Wind tolerably fresh from the South East, with appearances of Rain but none fell.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Cloudy Morning and Warm with the Wind fresh from the Southward.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Warm, with appearances of Rain but none fell. Wind Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. A little Cool. Wind Northwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Clear & Cool. Wind in the same place.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Warm (but not Hot)—the Sky Muddy & thick.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Raining in the Morning, & more or less all day. With but very little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Clear and pleasant Morning with the Wind Westwardly. In the Evening thunder Lightning & Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Clear and pleasant with the Wind Westwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Clear forenoon—little like Rain afterwards with the Wind Eastwardly & cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Cold all day, and Cloudy.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Still Cold with the Wind fresh from the Northward.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Much such a day as yesterday Wind being in the same place.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Morning clear, but Afternoon like for Rain; Wind fresh from the Westward.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Wind still Eastwardly & pretty fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Warm with but little Wind. In the Afternoon great appearances of Rain, but none fell here. Thunder & lightning in the Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Still warm, with the Wind Southerly and showery in places.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Morning lowering but clear afterwards, and warm. In the Afternoon showers.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Wind in the same place. The Weather clear and pleasant, but a little Warm, especially in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

 25. Wind very fresh from the So. West all the forenoon. In the afternoon it was Easterly and Raining.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Cloudy all the Morning with the Wind Eastwardly & cool. Afternoon something clearer & warmer.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. In the Morning early, Rain—then clear & warm. After that Rain with the Wind at No. & Cold.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 May 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Clear and Warm—Wind being Southwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

June 1st. Rid into the Neck and to the Mill before Dinner. In the Afternoon a Mr. Debutts of Maryland came & stayd all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. At home all day without Compa.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Mr. Campbell went away after Breakfast, & Jacky Custis returnd to Annapolis. Mrs. Washington Patcy Custis & myself Dined at Belvoir.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Rid to Muddy hole, Doeg Run and the Mill before Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Rid to Ferry Plantation—Mill—Doeg Run & home by Muddy hole to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. At home in the forenoon. In the afternoon Rid by the Ferry Plantation to the Mill and back.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

 12. At the Mill in the forenoon & Afternoon Inspecting and delivering Flour to Messrs. Robt. Adam & Co.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. At the same place as yesterday & on the same business till Dinner. Colo. Fairfax & Lady dined here.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Clear & Cool. Rid to the Mill and the Plantation at the Ferry. In the afternoon Doctr. Craik came here.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Doctr. Craik went away after Breakfast. I rid as far as the Ferry with him afterwards was at the delivery of Flour at my Fish Ho[use] Landing.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. At home all day. My Brother Jno. Came here to Dinner & Majr. Waggener in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Went up to Alexandria & returnd in the Afternoon Mr. Magowan with me. My Brothr. went in the Morning.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Mr. Robt. Adam came here in the Morning to Breakfast & went with me to Mr. French’s Funeral. Mr. Magowan came here with me to Dinner where we found Mr. Stedlar.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Mr. Magowan returnd to Maryland. I rid to Muddy hole and into the Neck.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. At Home all day—writing.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Rid by the Ferry Plantation to the Mill from thence to Doeg Run Quartr. & home by Muddy hole.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. At home all day Writing. Miss Nancy McCarty came in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Rid by the Ferry Plantation & Mill to Doeg Run Quarter & Meadow. Returnd home by Muddy hole Plantn.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Rid to Ferry Quarter Mill and Muddy hole.


Title: [June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

June 1st. Rid into the Neck and to the Mill before Dinner. In the Afternoon a Mr. Debutts of Maryland came & stayd all Night.

   John De Butts was a wealthy planter from St. Mary’s County, Md.

2. After Breakfast Mr. Debutts went away, and in the afternoon Mr. Wagener the younger came here & stayed all Night.

3. Mr. Wagener went away after Breakfast. I rid to the Mill & Plantation at Posey’s before Dinner.

4. At home all day without Compa.

5. Ditto. Mr. Matthw. Campbell came in the Afternoon & stayed all Night.

6. Mr. Campbell went away after Breakfast, & Jacky Custis returnd to Annapolis. Mrs. Washington Patcy Custis & myself Dined at Belvoir.

   Jacky’s departure from home had been briefly delayed so that his laundry could be done. He returned to school with £2 8s. Virginia currency to use as personal pocket money and £50 Maryland currency from which the bills for his inoculation and living expenses at Baltimore were to be paid (GW to Jonathan Boucher, 5 June 1771, WRITINGSJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. 39 vols. Washington, D.C., 1931–44., 3:42–46; General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 337).

7. Rid to Muddy hole, Doeg Run and the Mill before Dinner.

8. Rid to the Plantn. at the Ferry—then into the Neck, & so home to Dinner, by Muddy hole.

   Henceforth, GW usually refers to Capt. John Posey’s former plantation, all of which he now controlled either by purchase or rental, as Ferry plantation, the ferry there being its most distinctive feature.

9. At home all day.

10. Rid to Ferry Plantation—Mill—Doeg Run & home by Muddy hole to Dinner.

11. At home in the forenoon. In the afternoon Rid by the Ferry Plantation to the Mill and back.

12. At the Mill in the forenoon & Afternoon Inspecting and delivering Flour to Messrs. Robt. Adam & Co.

   See agreement with Adam & Co. under “Remarks” entry for 6 June 1771.

13. At the same place as yesterday & on the same business till Dinner. Colo. Fairfax & Lady dined here.

14. Clear & Cool. Rid to the Mill and the Plantation at the Ferry. In the afternoon Doctr. Craik came here.

15. Doctr. Craik went away after Breakfast. I rid as far as the Ferry with him afterwards was at the delivery of Flour at my Fish Ho[use] Landing.

16. At home all day. My Brother Jno. Came here to Dinner & Majr. Waggener in the Afternoon.

17. At home all day both the above Gentlemen here—the last of whom Sick.

18. Went up to Alexandria & returnd in the Afternoon Mr. Magowan with me. My Brothr. went in the Morning.

   GW went to Alexandria for a meeting of the Fairfax nonimportation committee, which had been asked by Alexander Henderson and William Balmain to judge two new shipments of goods. Only 12 hats sent by mistake of the manufacturer were found to be unacceptable, and the committee was convinced that Henderson and Balmain had “strictly adhered to the spirit and intention of the association” for their part. But the two merchants complained “that they found so little regard paid to the association by others . . . that they should think themselves obliged for the future” to protect their businesses by sending “their orders in the same manner with other importers; restraining themselves only from importing tea, and other taxed articles” (Va. Gaz., R, 18 July 1771).

19. Major Wagener went away this Morning. I rid to Muddy hole & Doeg Run Plantation’s.

20. Rid to the Mill and Ferry Plantations. Mr. Magowan went to Colchr.

21. Mr. Robt. Adam came here in the Morning to Breakfast & went with me to Mr. French’s Funeral. Mr. Magowan came here with me to Dinner where we found Mr. Stedlar.

   Robert Adam today brought GW an initial payment of £300 for the flour he had agreed to buy on 6 June. Further cash payments totaling £201 6d. were

made in October and November, and the balance was credited to GW’s general account with Adam’s company (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 340, 345, 347).

   Although Daniel French had died 25 May, the public funeral sermon was apparently not preached until this day. The services may have been held at the still-unfinished new Pohick Church, the construction of which French had been directing before he died. French’s grave is in the churchyard there.

22. Mr. Magowan returnd to Maryland. I rid to Muddy hole and into the Neck.

23. Went to Pohick Church and returnd home to Dinner.

24. At Home all day—writing.

25. Rid by the Ferry Plantation to the Mill from thence to Doeg Run Quartr. & home by Muddy hole.

26. At home all day Writing.

27. At home all day Writing. Miss Nancy McCarty came in the Afternoon.

28. Rid by the Ferry Plantation & Mill to Doeg Run Quarter & Meadow. Returnd home by Muddy hole Plantn.

29. Rid to Ferry Quarter Mill and Muddy hole.

30. At Home all day. Miss Nancy Peake &ca. dined here as did Price Posey & went away in the Afternoon as Miss Nancy McCarty also did.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

June 1st. Clear and Warm—Wind being Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Warm, but clear, with little Wind & that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Wind Easterly & pretty fresh. Evening Cool.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Very foggy Morning, then Rain with thunder and Lightning. Afternoon very Cloudy.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Very warm in the forenoon with Thunder & lightning & great appearances of Rain every[where] but none fell here. This Morning also.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Lowering Morning, and very warm day with Clouds & appearances of Rain in the Evening.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Dull foggy Morning & Afterwards warm—with black clouds & a little Rain in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Clear and tolerably pleasant with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Pretty smart & constant Rain in the forenoon. Afternoon clear with the wind Northwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Clear and Cool—Wind Northwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Clear in the Morning, but Cloudy afterwards and Warm, with appearances of Rain. Wind Eastwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Rain in the Night, & till 8 or Nine Oclock this Morning; then clear, and Warm. Wind Eastwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Misting, of and on all day with the Wind still to the Eastward.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. A good deal of Rain fell last Night and this Morning. Wind Easterly.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Clear & Warm. Wind Southerly. In the Night Rain again.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Clear and something Cooler—Wind getting Westwardly.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Clear and Warm wind Southerly in the Night Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Cloudy and like for Rain all day, but none fell. Still and very Warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Calm & very warm the first part of the day. The Latter part Raining with variable Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Foggy Morning—close & still day, & very warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Dewey Morning, close still and Smoky—also very warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Dewey Morning and very Warm in the Afternoon two or three Showers of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

June 1st. Morris at Doeg Run Quarter Planted his Swamps with Corn. Finished breaking up Corn Ground at Muddy hole. Only half done in the Neck but quite finishd at Doeg Run.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Agreed with Mr. Pendleton of Frederick for all the Land to be Included by a Line to be run from the No. West C[orne]r of Owen Thomas’s Patent to a Corner of the Land on which James McCarmick lives in my Line supposd to contain abt. 180 Acres for £400 the Money to be paid in two years with Int[eres]t from the 25th. of next Decr. This years Rent to be paid to me & only a special Warrantee to be given with the Land. Got done breaking up my Corn Ground at the Mill.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. The Appearances of the Weather, for sevl. days past, has given the greatest room to apprehend the Rust—the Mornings close, foggy, and Calm; the Evenings Cloudy & sometimes Raining—Heavy Dews at Nights & Warm Sultry days.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Finished Breaking up Corn Ground at the Ferry Plantation.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Finished Ditto in the Neck.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Discoverd the Rust bad in the Wheat at the Mill. My Wheat every where being much Injurd by the Speck or Spot. Finished Cutting the Meadow at Doeg Run—6 Scythe men being employd each day.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Finishd Plowing over my Corn at Muddy hole a 2d. time and got all over it with the Hoes at the same time.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 June 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Finishd Securing my Hay at Doeg Run. Also got over all but the last Cut of Corn in the Neck with the Plows and Hoes.


Title: Remarks & Occurs. in June [1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

June 1st. Morris at Doeg Run Quarter Planted his Swamps with Corn.
Finished breaking up Corn Ground at Muddy hole.
Only half done in the Neck but quite finishd at Doeg Run.

6. Sold all the Flour I have left to Robt. Adam & Co. at the following Rates—fine flour at 12/6 Midlings at 10/. & Shipstuff at 8/4 pr. Ct. £300 of the Money, to be paid in Octr.—the residue in April with Int[eres]t from Octr.

   In May the company had bought about 13,500 pounds of GW’s flour for £60 7s. 10d., and during June it bought about 128,000 pounds more for £765 3s. 7d. (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 326, 341). Over three-fourths of this flour was of fine quality, that is, finely ground and relatively free of bran and impurities. The rest

consisted of middlings, a coarse medium-grade flour containing some bran, and ship stuff, the lowest quality of flour, containing much bran. Adam & Co. may have used some of GW’s flour for local sale or for making bread at the company’s bakery, but much of it, especially the fine flour, must have been exported as it was. The brig Adventure sailed from the Potomac for Jamaica with 200 barrels of flour on 8 July, and the ship Nancy of Philadelphia, which left for Lisbon on the same day, carried 2,269 barrels of flour (P.R.O., C.O.5/1349, f. 208).

   During the spring GW also sold flour to two Norfolk merchants. Philip Carberry, a baker, bought 1,432 pounds of ship stuff for £5 19s. 4d., and William Chisholm, who traded with the West Indies, purchased 36,997 pounds of fine flour for £236 19s. 8d. (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 336, 338; Lund Washington to GW, 12 May 1771, ViMtvL).

7. Agreed with Mr. Pendleton of Frederick for all the Land to be Included by a Line to be run from the No. West C[orne]r of Owen Thomas’s Patent to a Corner of the Land on which James McCarmick lives in my Line supposd to contain abt. 180 Acres for £400 the Money to be paid in two years with Int[eres]t from the 25th. of next Decr. This years Rent to be paid to me & only a special Warrantee to be given with the Land.
Got done breaking up my Corn Ground at the Mill.

   GW is agreeing to sell Philip Pendleton (1752–1802) a small part of his Bullskin plantation. A contract was not signed until 7 Dec. 1771, but the terms remained unchanged. Owen Thomas’s patent for 400 acres, which GW had surveyed 3 April 1750, adjoined GW’s land on the south and east. Pendleton had previously bought all or part of this patent from Thomas (Northern Neck Grants and Deeds, Book-H, 88, Vi Microfilm; CHAPPELEAR [2]Curtis Chappelear. “A Map of the Original Grants and Early Landmarks in Clarke County, Virginia, and Vicinity.” Proceedings of the Clarke County Historical Association 2 (1942): facing p. 56., map facing p. 56).

9. The Appearances of the Weather, for sevl. days past, has given the greatest room to apprehend the Rust—the Mornings close, foggy, and Calm; the Evenings Cloudy & sometimes Raining—Heavy Dews at Nights & Warm Sultry days.

11. Finished Breaking up Corn Ground at the Ferry Plantation.

15. Finished Ditto in the Neck.

24. Began to cut grass at Doeg Run Quarter.

25. Discoverd the Rust bad in the Wheat at the Mill. My Wheat every where being much Injurd by the Speck or Spot.
Finished Cutting the Meadow at Doeg Run—6 Scythe men being employd each day.

27. Finishd Plowing over my Corn at Muddy hole a 2d. time and got all over it with the Hoes at the same time.

28. Finishd Securing my Hay at Doeg Run.
Also got over all but the last Cut of Corn in the Neck with the Plows and Hoes.

29. Got over all my Corn at Doeg Run twice with the Hoes and Plows.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

July 1. Rid into the Neck to my Harvest People, & back to Dinner. Mr. Robt. Rutherford came in the Afternoon & went away again.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Rid to the Harvest Field in the Neck & back to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. At home all day with Mr. Smith. In the Afternoon Jno. Custis came.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Went to a Vestry held at the New Church at Pohick. Doctr. Rumney & Mr. Robt. Harrison came home with me.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Mr. Jno. Custis returnd to Annapolis. I remaind at home all day writing my Invoices.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Rid by the Plantation at the Ferry & Mill to my Harvest Field at D. Run. In the Afternn. Messrs. Watson & West came.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. I set of for Williamsburg & crossing at Laidlers lodgd at Mr. Lawe. Washingtons.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Dined at Leeds Town & reachd Todds Bridge. Leedstown, founded 1742, was a tobacco port on the Rappahannock River in King George (now Westmoreland) County.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Breakfasted at King Wm. C[our]t Ho[use] Dined at Ruffins and reachd Colo. Bassetts.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Came to Williamsburg abt. 10 Oclock. Dined at Mrs. Campbells—spent the Evening in my own Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Dined at the Speakers spent the Evening in my own Room.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Dined at the Treasurers. Supd at Mrs. Campbell’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Dined and Supped at Mrs. Campbell’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Breakfasted at the Caroline Court House & Reachd Fredericksburg before two Oclock & dined and lodgd at Colo. Lewis’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Dined at Colo. Lewis’s & went to the Play.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Breakfasted at my Mother’s. Dined at Dumfries & lodgd at Home.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. At Home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Ditto.  Ditto.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Rid into the Neck and to the Carpenters—also to the Mill Plantation.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Rid to the Ferry Plantation to the Mill—Doeg Run and Muddy hole.


Title: [July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

July 1. Rid into the Neck to my Harvest People, & back to Dinner. Mr. Robt. Rutherford came in the Afternoon & went away again.

2. Rid to the Harvest Field in the Neck & back to Dinner.

3. Rid to the Harvest Field in the Neck by the Ferry & Muddy hole Plantations. In the Afternoon Mr. Jno. Smith of Westmoreland came here.

   John Smith of Cabin Point, the smallpox inoculator, was going to Warm Springs in Frederick County, apparently for his health, which by fall was so bad that “everyone expected to have the burying of him into whose house he came” (GW to Samuel Washington, 6 Dec. 1771, excerpt, Parke-Bernet Galleries Catalogue, 11 June 1941, Item 578).

4. At home all day with Mr. Smith. In the Afternoon Jno. Custis came.

   Jacky probably brought GW the letter that Jonathan Boucher wrote to him on this date, asking for a final decision about the proposed European tour (DLC:GW). GW replied five days later that he thought that Mrs. Washington was so reluctant to part with her son for a long period, and Jacky was so indifferent about the trip, that “it will soon be declared he has no inclination to go” (9 July 1771, DLC:GW). Boucher did not again raise the subject.

5. Mr. Smith set out after breakfast on his journey to the Frederick Sprgs. In the Afternoon I rid to the Harvest Field in the Neck.

6. Writing the forepart of the day. In the afternoon Rid to the Harvest Field at Muddy hole.

7. At Home all day. Mr. Alexr. Ross of Pittsburg and Mr. George Digges dined here & went away in the Afternoon.

   Alexander Ross, a Scottish merchant who settled in Pittsburgh in 1763, served as the supplier to the Fort Pitt garrison. When the fort was abandoned by the British army in 1772 Ross bought the buildings. Like GW, he was heavily involved in western lands.

8. Went to a Vestry held at the New Church at Pohick. Doctr. Rumney & Mr. Robt. Harrison came home with me.

   After Daniel French’s death, responsibility for completing the new church devolved on his executor, George Mason. The work was apparently going well, for the vestrymen today had only a few small changes to request of Mason. Finding that the stone used at the corners of the building’s brick walls was “coarse grain’d and rather too soft,” they ordered it to “be painted with white Lead and Oyle.” They also stipulated “that the rub’d Bricks at the returns of all the Windows ought to be painted as near as possible the same colour with the Arches” and that the dimensions of the altarpiece, which had been incorrectly given in the contract with French, should be “according to the true proportions of the Ionic order” of architecture (Truro Vestry Book, 148–49, DLC).

9. Doctr. Rumney & Mr. Harrison went away after Breakfast. In the Afternoon I rid to my Harvest People.

10. Mr. Jno. Custis returnd to Annapolis. I remaind at home all day writing my Invoices.

   These invoices were apparently for goods that GW wished to order from Robert Cary & Co. and other English merchants (see main entry for 20 July 1771).

11. Rid by the Plantation at the Ferry & Mill to my Harvest Field at D. Run. In the Afternn. Messrs. Watson & West came.

12. I set of for Williamsburg & crossing at Laidlers lodgd at Mr. Lawe. Washingtons.

   GW was going to attend the House of Burgesses, which had convened 11 July to deal with problems resulting from a great flood that had come down the James, Rappahannock, and Roanoke rivers in late May, causing about 150 deaths and much property damage. The calamity had not affected Mount Vernon or the Custis lands, but many Virginia planters had lost both their recently planted tobacco crop and the harvested tobacco they had stored in public warehouses for shipment to England. Prompt financial relief

was needed to save those men from bankruptcy. GW delayed his departure from home, because he apparently knew that the first few days of the session would be devoted to ceremonial and organizational matters and he preferred to use that time to continue supervising his wheat harvest (FREEMANDouglas Southall Freeman. George Washington: A Biography. 7 vols. New York, 1948–57., 3:273–74). Only 55 of the 118 burgesses were recorded as present at this session (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 113–14).

   John Laidler’s ferry on the Potomac ran from a site near Lower Cedar Point, Maryland.

13. Dined at Leeds Town & reachd Todds Bridge.
Leedstown, founded 1742, was a tobacco port on the Rappahannock River in King George (now Westmoreland) County.

14. Breakfasted at King Wm. C[our]t Ho[use] Dined at Ruffins and reachd Colo. Bassetts.

15. Came to Williamsburg abt. 10 Oclock. Dined at Mrs. Campbells—spent the Evening in my own Room.

   GW may have arrived too late to attend the House of Burgesses today; during this session the burgesses were sitting at 9:00 A.M. to avoid the midday heat, and this day’s meeting was apparently a brief one. The matter of flood relief had been referred 12 July to a committee that was to determine as nearly as possible how much tobacco had been lost in the public warehouses, but it was not yet ready to report (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 123–27).

   Later this day at the Capitol there was a general meeting of the Virginia association, at which GW was probably present. Responding to complaints from Fairfax and Fauquier counties about unequal enforcement of the current agreements, the associators decided in the future to prohibit the importation of only “Tea, Paper, Glass, and Painters Colours of foreign Manufacture, upon which a Duty is laid for the Purpose of raising a Revenue in America” (Va. Gaz., P&D, 18 July 1771).

   GW lodged with Mrs. Campbell.

16. Dined at the Speakers spent the Evening in my own Room.

17. Dined at the Treasurers. Supd at Mrs. Campbell’s.

18. Dined and Supped at Mrs. Campbell’s.

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

   The flood relief bill was presented to the burgesses today, and after several amendments were made, it was ordered to be engrossed for a final reading. The bill as amended authorized the issuance of up to £30,000 in treasury

notes for payment of planters’ claims, which were to be examined and approved by a commission appointed for that purpose. Taxes for redeeming the notes were to be in effect 25 Oct. 1771 to 25 Oct. 1775 (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 136–38; HENINGWilliam Waller Hening, ed. The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619. 13 vols. 1819–23. Reprint. Charlottesville, Va., 1969., 8:493–503).

20. Dined at Mrs. Dawsons & spent the Evening in my own Room.

   The House of Burgesses passed the flood relief bill on its final reading this morning, and having accomplished the main purpose of this session, it was prorogued (JHBH. R. McIlwaine and John Pendleton Kennedy, eds. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. 13 vols. Richmond, 1905–15., 1770–72, 138–40).

   GW today dispatched his orders for goods to Robert Cary & Co. and other English merchants. Included in them were many luxuries that he had apparently postponed buying while the nonimportation agreements were in full effect: expensive shoes and boots, fine silk and broadcloth clothing, “a man’s very best Bear. Hat,” a leather portmanteau and saddle of the very best quality, and two seals made of “Topaz or some other handsome stone . . . w[it]h the Washington Arms neatly engraved thereon” (GW to John Didsbury, 18 July 1771, GW to Thomas Gibson, 18 July 1771, and GW to Cary & Co., 20 July 1771, DLC:GW).

21. Set out early in the Morning for Colo. Bassetts & arrivd there abt. 10 Oclock.

22. Left Colo. Bassetts before Sunrise. Breakfasted at King Wm. Ct. House—dined at Todds bridge & lodgd at Hubbards.

23. Breakfasted at the Caroline Court House & Reachd Fredericksburg before two Oclock & dined and lodgd at Colo. Lewis’s.

24. At Fredericksburg all day. Dined & Supped at Mr. Dicks.

25. Dined at Colo. Lewis’s & went to the Play.

   The American Company of Comedians had been performing in Fredericksburg every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday since late May, when it had come to take advantage of the crowds at the town’s annual June fair (Va. Gaz., P&D, 16 May 1771). The plays may have been staged in the county courtroom, a warehouse, or the 44–by–25–foot billiard room of George Weedon’s tavern (RANKINHugh F. Rankin. The Theater in Colonial America. Chapel Hill, N.C., 1960., 160; KING [2]George H. S. King. “General George Weedon.” William and Mary Quarterly, 2d ser., 20 (1940): 237–52., 246–47).

26. Breakfasted at my Mother’s. Dined at Dumfries & lodgd at Home.

27. At Home all day.

28. Ditto.  Ditto.

29. Rid to the Ferry Plantation the Mill—Doeg Run & Muddy hole & returnd to Dinner.

30. Rid into the Neck and to the Carpenters—also to the Mill Plantation.

   carpenters: See “Remarks” entry for 29 July 1771.

31. Rid to the Ferry Plantation to the Mill—Doeg Run and Muddy hole.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

July 1st. Tolerable cool all day with Clouds. Wind Northwardly in the Morning, & Eastwardly in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. Cloudy all day with the Wind at East, and light Showers in the Afternoon. Cool & pleasant—in the Night a good deal of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. For the most part clear and warm with but little wind and that in the Morning Northerly in the Afternn. Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Clear, calm, and rather warm in the Afternoon Cloudy but no Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Warm Morning but cooler Afterwards. Wind fresh from the Southwest.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Cool & Cloudy all day with light showers now & then & Wind Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Clear and tolerably pleasant with but little wind and that Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Very Warm with Clouds & a light Shower of Rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Cloudy for the most part of the day with a pretty smart Shower & Wind from the Westward.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

11. Very Warm in the forenoon with a good deal of Rain in the Afternoon and Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

 12. Cloudy, & Misting forenoon. Hot Noon, & Rainy afternoon where I was at Hoes.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Still, & very warm in the Forenoon. In the Afternoon much Rain & Wind from the So. West. At Colo. Bassetts.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Something Cooler in the forenoon with Rain. Afternoon Warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Clear and Warm. Wind, what little there was, Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Cooler than Yesterday Wind from the Eastward & fresh.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Still Warmer with but little Wind & that at South.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

21. Very Warm the Wind in the same Quarter.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Clear & the Sun very hot but a pleasant breeze from the Westwd.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

23. Clear forenoon with a fresh breeze from the So. West. Afternoon and Night very rainy.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. Raining more or less all day sometimes very hard but little wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. Much such a day as yesterday but not quite so much rain.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Misty Morning. Rainy Evening & cloudy all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Clear and warm forenoon Rainy Afternoon. Wind Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Clear forenoon & very warm but Cloudy afternoon no Rain however fell here.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

 30. Clear and Warm Wind being Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Just such a day as yesterday.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in July [1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

July 1st. Tolerable cool all day with Clouds. Wind Northwardly in the Morning, & Eastwardly in the Afternoon.

2. Cloudy all day with the Wind at East, and light Showers in the Afternoon. Cool & pleasant—in the Night a good deal of Rain.

3. For the most part clear and warm with but little wind and that in the Morning Northerly in the Afternn. Southerly.

4. Clear, calm, and rather warm in the Afternoon Cloudy but no Rain.

5. Warm Morning but cooler Afterwards. Wind fresh from the Southwest.

6. Cool & Cloudy all day with light showers now & then & Wind Southerly.

7. Clear and tolerably pleasant with but little wind and that Southerly.

8. Very Warm but clear with the Wind Southerly.

9. Very Warm with Clouds & a light Shower of Rain.

10. Cloudy for the most part of the day with a pretty smart Shower & Wind from the Westward.

11. Very Warm in the forenoon with a good deal of Rain in the Afternoon and Night.

12. Cloudy, & Misting forenoon. Hot Noon, & Rainy afternoon where I was at Hoes.

13. Cloudy forenoon & midling pleasant but very Hot afternn.

14. Still, & very warm in the Forenoon. In the Afternoon much Rain & Wind from the So. West. At Colo. Bassetts.

15. Something Cooler in the forenoon with Rain. Afternoon Warm.

16. Clear and Warm. Wind, what little there was, Southerly.

17. Clear and something Cooler. Wind in the Evening Easterly.

18. Cooler than Yesterday Wind from the Eastward & fresh.

19. Warm with appearances of Rain but none fell.

20. Still Warmer with but little Wind & that at South.

21. Very Warm the Wind in the same Quarter.

22. Clear & the Sun very hot but a pleasant breeze from the Westwd.

23. Clear forenoon with a fresh breeze from the So. West. Afternoon and Night very rainy.

24. Raining more or less all day sometimes very hard but little wind.

25. Much such a day as yesterday but not quite so much rain.

26. Misty Morning. Rainy Evening & cloudy all day.

27. Clear and warm. Wind Southerly.

28. Clear and warm forenoon Rainy Afternoon. Wind Southerly.

29. Clear forenoon & very warm but Cloudy afternoon no Rain however fell here.

30. Clear and Warm Wind being Southerly.

31. Just such a day as yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Finishd the Wheat in the Neck abt. two Hours by Sun in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Finishd going over my Corn in the Neck the 2d. Time. Also Began my Harvest at Muddy Hole this day.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Finish’d Cutting & Securing my Wheat at Muddy hole abt. 4 Oclock in the Afternoon and removd my People to Doeg Run.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Left home for Williamsburg to the Assembly.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Finish’d Cutting and Securg. all my Wheat.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Began to Cut the Meadow at the Mill.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Finishd Curing Do. Weather being very unfavourable.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Three Carpenters belonging to the Estate of Colo. Steptoe (hired of Jas. Hardige Lane at £7 pr. Month) came to work here.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Sowed Turneps at Home House.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 July 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Began to Sow Wheat at Muddy hole Plantation.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

August 1st. Rid to Muddy hole the Mill and where the Carpenter’s were at Work.


Title: [Diary entry: 2 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

2. At home all day a writing Letters & Advertisements of Harry who run away the 29th. Ulto.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Rid to the Mill—Muddy hole & Neck.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Went to Pohick Church, and came home to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. At home all day. Colo. Fairfax came here to breakfast & returnd afterwards. Doctr. Craik came to Dinner & went away after it.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

6. Dined at Belvoir and returnd in the Evening. Mrs. Washington & Patcy Custis went with me.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

8. Rid into the Neck and from thence to the Mill.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

9. Went to the Mill & returnd from thence to Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Rid to the Ferry Plantation, Mill, Doeg Run, & Muddy hole.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Rid by the Ferry Plantation to the Mill—from thence into the Neck.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

16. Rid by the Plantation at the Ferry to the Mill, & from thence home.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Rid by Muddy hole to Doeg Run—from thence to the Mill & so home by the Ferry Plantn.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. At home all day alone.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Went up to Alexandria to Court, & returnd in the Evening, home.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Went up to Court again and lodgd in my own House.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Rid by the Ferry Plantation & Mill to Colo. Fairfax’s to see Mrs. Fairfax who was said to be Ill.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

 23. Went up to Court again and returnd home in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

25. At home all day. Mr. Jno. Smith came here to Dinner on his return from the Springs.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

26th. Mr. Smith went away. After Breakfast I rid to the Ferry Plantn. Mill, Doeg Run and Muddy hole.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Rid to the Mill only before Dinner.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Rid by the Ferry Plantation to the Mill. Miss Manley here.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Went to the Mill, & returnd from thence. Miss Manley went home after Breakfast and Mr. Jno. Johnson who has a nostrum for Fits came here in the Afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Rid to the Mill in the forenoon. Mr. Johnson here all day. In the afternoon Doctr. Rumney came, & stayd all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. After Breakfast both Mr. Johnson & Doctr. Rumney went away. I rid to the Mill, and in the afternoon Mr. Lewis Burwell the younger came here.


Title: [August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

August 1st. Rid to Muddy hole the Mill and where the Carpenter’s were at Work.

2. At home all day a writing Letters & Advertisements of Harry who run away the 29th. Ulto.

   GW spent £1 16s. to recover this slave, who apparently was soon returned to Mount Vernon (General Ledger AGeneral Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., folio 340; list of GW’s tithables, 10 June 1772, DLC: Toner Collection).

3. Rid to the Mill—Muddy hole & Neck.

4. Went to Pohick Church, and came home to Dinner.

   Old Pohick Church continued to be used for regular worship services until 15 Feb. 1774, when the vestry officially accepted the new church for use of the parish (Truro Vestry Book, 160, DLC).

5. At home all day. Colo. Fairfax came here to breakfast & returnd afterwards. Doctr. Craik came to Dinner & went away after it.

6. Dined at Belvoir and returnd in the Evening. Mrs. Washington & Patcy Custis went with me.

7. Rid by the Ferry Plantation to the Mill—from thence to Doeg Run & so home by Muddy hole.

8. Rid into the Neck and from thence to the Mill.

9. Went to the Mill & returnd from thence to Dinner.

10. Rid to the Mill Doeg run and Muddy hole.

11. At home all day. Miss Polly Brazier dined here.

   Polly Brazier may be a relation of Capt. Zacharias Brazier, who in 1759 married Elizabeth Fowke Buckner (1727–1797), a widow of Stafford County (agreement between Zacharias Brazier and Elizabeth Buckner, 5 Nov. 1759, Stafford County Deed Book, 1755–64, 241–43, and will of Elizabeth Brazier, 29 June 1795, Prince William County Will Book, 1792–1803, 194–95, Vi Microfilm).

12. Rid to the Mill by the Plantation at the Ferry.

   GW today wrote Robert Cary & Co., requesting that a few goods be added to his last order. The most important article, “and the principal end of my writing,” he told the company, was “a pair of French Burr Millstones” for merchant milling. The stones that he was presently using were giving him flour of fine quality, but he wanted to produce superfine flour, which could best be done with buhrstone, noted for its hardness and the many minute cutting edges on its surfaces. In choosing the new millstones, GW instructed, care was to be taken to see that they were “of a good and even quality. I should not Incline to give any extravagent Sum for them on the one hand nor miss of getting a pair of good ones by limiting the price on the other” (DLC:GW; CRAIK [1]David Craik. The Practical American Millwright and Miller: Comprising the Elementary Principles of Mechanics, Mechanism, and Motive Power, Hydraulics, and Hydraulic Motors, Mill Dams, Saw-Mills, Grist-Mills, the Oat-Meal Mill, the Barley Mill, Wool Carding and Cloth Fulling and Dressing, Windmills, Steam Power, etc. Philadelphia, 1870., 293–94).

13. Rid to the Mill and returnd home by the Ferry Plantation.

14. Rid to the Ferry Plantation, Mill, Doeg Run, & Muddy hole.

15. Rid by the Ferry Plantation to the Mill—from thence into the Neck.

16. Rid by the Plantation at the Ferry to the Mill, & from thence home.

17. Rid by Muddy hole to Doeg Run—from thence to the Mill & so home by the Ferry Plantn.

18. At home all day alone.

19. Went up to Alexandria to Court, & returnd in the Evening, home.

   The court met 19–23 Aug. GW was not recorded as being officially present today, but his name is among the justices who attended on 20, 21, and 23 Aug. (Fairfax County Order Book for 1770–72, 231–74, Vi Microfilm).

20. Went up to Court again and lodgd in my own House.

   GW was to spend little time at his recently completed town house at the corner of Pitt and Cameron streets. After the War of Independence he usually lent it to relatives or rented it.

21. At Court all day. In the Evening returnd home.

22. Rid by the Ferry Plantation & Mill to Colo. Fairfax’s to see Mrs. Fairfax who was said to be Ill.

23. Went up to Court again and returnd home in the Afternoon.

24. Rid to the Ferry Plantation & Mill before Dinner.

25. At home all day. Mr. Jno. Smith came here to Dinner on his return from the Springs.

26th. Mr. Smith went away. After Breakfast I rid to the Ferry Plantn. Mill, Doeg Run and Muddy hole.

27. Rid to the Mill only before Dinner.

28. Rid by the Ferry Plantation to the Mill. Miss Manley here.

29. Went to the Mill, & returnd from thence. Miss Manley went home after Breakfast and Mr. Jno. Johnson who has a nostrum for Fits came here in the Afternoon.

   Dr. John Johnson (b. 1745), of Frederick, Md., had for the past few months been sending the Washingtons a special herbal medicine to relieve the

   seizures that had been plaguing Patsy Custis (Thomas Johnson to GW, 18 June 1770, MnHi). His remedy had proved to be totally ineffective, but Johnson had come to Mount Vernon to prescribe further treatments (GW to Jonathan Boucher, 5 June 1771, WRITINGSJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. 39 vols. Washington, D.C., 1931–44., 3:42–48). A nephew many years later characterized Johnson as a person who was “extremely indolent, self-opinionated, and had as little of manhood as he had of his profession” (DELAPLAINEEdward S. Delaplaine. The Life of Thomas Johnson: Member of the Continental Congress, First Governor of the State of Maryland, and Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. New York, 1927., 351).

30. Rid to the Mill in the forenoon. Mr. Johnson here all day. In the afternoon Doctr. Rumney came, & stayd all Night.

31. After Breakfast both Mr. Johnson & Doctr. Rumney went away. I rid to the Mill, and in the afternoon Mr. Lewis Burwell the younger came here.

   Lewis Burwell the younger was either Lewis Burwell, Jr., son of Col. Lewis Burwell of Kingsmill, James City County, or Lewis Burwell (1737–1779), lawyer and burgess of Fairfield plantation, Gloucester County, who was also known as Lewis Burwell, Jr. at this time. Lewis Burwell of Fairfield studied law at the Inns of Court in London and represented Gloucester County in the House of Burgesses 1769–74. An avid horseman, he owned the stallion Eclipse, a “Noted High Bred Swift Running Horse” (Va. Gaz., D&N, 8 May 1779).


Title: [Diary entry: 3 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

3. Very warm, Wind Southerly & Weather clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

4. Still very warm & clear with the Wind Southerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

5. Exceeding warm with the Wind still in the same place. Forenoon clear—afternoon Gusty but no Rain fell here tho it thunderd & lightnend.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

7. Clear and very warm. Wind Westerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

10. Clear and Cool Wind being Northwesterly.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

11th. Clear and quite Calm. Morning little Cool; Evening Warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

12. Some appearance of Rain but none fell. Very warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

13. Wind very fresh from abt. SSW with now and then great shews of Rain but very little fell.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

14. Calm, and great appearances of Rain again, but scarce any fell in this Neighbourhood.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

15. Clear in the forenoon and exceeding Hot with Clouds in the Afternoon but no Rain here.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

17. Very cool in the Morning & clear all day with the Wind Northerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

18. Cool & clear all day. Wind in the same place.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

19. Cool & Clear all day. Wind Northerly.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

20. Evening & Morning very Cool Midday warmer—quite clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

22. Much warmer than the preceeding days but little Wind & clear.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

23d. Perfectly clear, with very little Wind & warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

24. No Wind in the forenoon, or but little, & that Southerly. Afternn. Cloudy with a little Rain & pretty high Wind from the No. West.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

26. Clear and calm Morning. Warm Midday. Wind fresh in the Evening from the Southard with some Rain in the Night—but not much.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

27. Morning Cloudy. Afternoon clear with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

28. Clear and Cool in the Morning & Evening but warm in the midday with but little Wind.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

29. Much such a day as yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

30. Quite clear & pleasant without any Wind. Morning & Evening also Warm.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

31. Wind at Southwest, with Clouds and appearance of Rain but none fell.


Title: Acct. of the Weather in August [1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

August 1st. Clear and very warm with the Wind pretty fresh from the Southwestward.

2. Clear and warm again with the Wind in the same place. The Afternoon Cloudy with a little thunder & appearances of Rain but none fell here.

3. Very warm, Wind Southerly & Weather clear.

4. Still very warm & clear with the Wind Southerly.

5. Exceeding warm with the Wind still in the same place. Forenoon clear—afternoon Gusty but no Rain fell here tho it thunderd & lightnend.

6. Very warm with but little Wind. In the Evening a little Rain but not much.

7. Clear and very warm. Wind Westerly.

8. Cloudy forenoon with appearances of Rain but none fell. Afternoon clear.

9. Afternoon Cloudy again with a fine mist for a few Minutes. Very little Wind.

10. Clear and Cool Wind being Northwesterly.

11th. Clear and quite Calm. Morning little Cool; Evening Warm.

12. Some appearance of Rain but none fell. Very warm.

13. Wind very fresh from abt. SSW with now and then great shews of Rain but very little fell.

14. Calm, and great appearances of Rain again, but scarce any fell in this Neighbourhood.

15. Clear in the forenoon and exceeding Hot with Clouds in the Afternoon but no Rain here.

16. Wind fresh from the Northwest & Cool, tho the Sun was very hot.

17. Very cool in the Morning & clear all day with the Wind Northerly.

18. Cool & clear all day. Wind in the same place.

19. Cool & Clear all day. Wind Northerly.

20. Evening & Morning very Cool Midday warmer—quite clear.

21. Quite clear with but little Wind & that at No. or No. East. Morning & Evening Cool—warm midday.

22. Much warmer than the preceeding days but little Wind & clear.

23d. Perfectly clear, with very little Wind & warm.

24. No Wind in the forenoon, or but little, & that Southerly. Afternn. Cloudy with a little Rain & pretty high Wind from the No. West.

25. Clear and tolerably pleast. with but little Wind and that Westerly.

26. Clear and calm Morning. Warm Midday. Wind fresh in the Evening from the Southard with some Rain in the Night—but not much.

27. Morning Cloudy. Afternoon clear with but little Wind.

28. Clear and Cool in the Morning & Evening but warm in the midday with but little Wind.

29. Much such a day as yesterday.

30. Quite clear & pleasant without any Wind. Morning & Evening also Warm.

31. Wind at Southwest, with Clouds and appearance of Rain but none fell.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 August 1771]
From: Washington, George
To:

August 1st. Began to Sow Wheat in the Neck with Wheat steep’d in Brine & allum.