Title: [Diary entry: 17 October 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 17th. Thermometer at 57 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 71 at Night. Clear and calm in the Morning. Pleasant all day. Colo. Carrington going away after breakfast—I vis[i]ted all the Plantns. In the Neck—All the Plows were stopped to tread out Wheat and all the hands were employed about the same. From Muddy hole all the hands were at Dogue run. At Dogue run—some hands from the Ferry had joined those of Muddy hole & this place in digging Potatoes, and putting in Wheat. Ordered the two Ploughs which were breaking up in field No. 3 for Spring grain to join those in the Corn field, in order to expedite the Sowing of Wheat. At French’s—5 plows and harrows were putting in Wheat on the Pease ground. The other hands were getting in and securing the

Fodder. The Ditch would be nearly finished this Evening—the Pease turning with the House gang. At the Ferry—Five hands were stacking blades and doing other odd jobbs.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 October 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 19th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—60 at Noon—and 58 at Night. Wind at No. Et. in the Morning & cloudy which it continued to be all day & at Night began to rain. Mr. OKelly the Dancing Master Mr. O’Kelly the Lawyer, Mrs. O’Conner of Alexandria—Mrs. Peake & her Son Harry & her Nephew Eaglan Dined here, all of whom except Mrs. O’Conner went away after it.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 October 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 20th. Thermometer at 49 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night. Much Rain (with the wind high from No. Et.)

fell in the Night and continued to do so until past Noon when it moderated and towards Night entirely ceased but continued very cloudy. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 October 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 21st. Thermometer at 54 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night. Flying clouds all day, with the Wind very hard from the No. Wt. Went up to Alexandria to move the Court to appoint Commissioners to settle the Accts. of the Administration of Colo. Thos. Colvills Estate to whose Will I was an Executor. Colo. Fitzgerald, Mr. William Herbert & Mr. Robt. McCrae being nominated for this purpose—any two to act—I dined at Mr. Fendalls & came home in the afternoon.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 October 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 22d. Thermometer at 49 in the Morning 60 at Noon and 60 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind (especially in the Night) fresh from So. Wt. Sent Mrs. O’Conner to Alexa. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s & Dogue run. At the latter, the hands from the two first except the Ferry men & Carts, together with their plows as were the Plows of Muddy were all at work digging Potatoes & plowing & Hoeing in Wheat among the Corn. At Muddy hole—the Hoe People were pulling up their Pease wch. had been planted in Hills. They were in a manner green but the apprehension of a frost induced this Measure. Those Pease which were sent me by Colo. Spaight and planted at this place at the same were quite ripe and had been pulled great part of them many days ago—qty. of these latter about 9 bushels from about  Acres of grd. These are a very forward kind, and must be reserved for Seed.


Title: [Diary entry: 24 October 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 24th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morng.—75 at Noon and 75 at Night. Clear and warm with but little Wind & that Southerly. Rid to the Ferry, Frenchs and Dogue run Plantations. From the Ferry, the Plows were gone to French’s to put in Wheat—and the other hands except the Ferry men were at Dogue run digging Potatoes. At Frenchs 5 plows were at Work putting in Wheat in No. 6. The other hands were at D. Run digging Potatoes. At D. Run Seven plows and Harrows were covering Wheat among the Corn in field No. 6. All the other hands were following with the Hoes & digging Potatoes before them. Muddy hole people aiding.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 October 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 25th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—73 at Noon and 73 at Night. Clear calm & warm all day. Rid to the Ferry, French’s and Dogue run Plantation to make a fresh distribution of the Mares Colts and other Horses that do not work but not being able to finish it the relation of it is postponed. At these three plantations & Muddy hole—the same work precisely was going on as yesterday. But at Frenchs, all the Wheat except the garden at, and a small spot just by, Manleys Houses was sown with Wheat—plowed & harrowed in once but some part had not received the cross harrowing.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 October 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 26th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning 75 at Noon and 74 at Night. Clear, calm, warm & very pleasant. Went to Pohick Church and returned home to dinner. Found Dr. Stuart at Mt. Vernon—who dined there & returned home afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 October 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 27th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning 76 at Noon and 75 at Night—Clear, calm and very warm.  Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck 8 plows were covering Rye among the Corn. All the other hands were digging Pots. before them, or Hoeing in Rye in the Step, after them. The hands from Muddy hole were at D. Run. At Dogue Run, 7 Plows and Harrows were putting in Wheat as yesterday. All the other hands, consisting of those from the Ferry, Frenchs & Muddy hole, were putting in Wht. in the Step between the Corn behind the Plows—and digging Potatoes before them. At Frenchs 5 plows and a harrow were putting in Rye, in the Middle part of field No. 6, between the newly, & first sown Wheat, at this Place. Getting up the Hogs for killing at the Ferry, quantity 25—feeding them with Potatoes. Made the following distribution of the Mares, Colts and Horses that do not work—viz.— At Dogue Run in the Upper Meadows. 22 Mares, besides Doctr. La Moyeurs. For breedg. work or Sale. In the Ferry Meadows, & fields adjoining, under the same Inclosure.
yrs.
Jennies	2
Washingtons horse	1	age	5
Peters Ditto	1	2	5
Stallion Colts from Mn. Ho.	2	3 & 2
The sett—viz.—4 sorrels each 2 yrs. old; 2 Horses & two Mares little or no Wh.	4	each	2
A Sorrel horse colt—oldest of French’s—W.	1	4
A Sorrel mare frm. Frhs.	1	3
A Sorrel horse—blaze face light feet & legs from French’s	1	2
A Sorrel Mare Blaze face White feet—frm. M. Hole	1	2
A Sorrl. horse colt blaze face White feet. Frhs.	1	1
A Sorrl. colt small blaze face 2 hd. feet White—Ferry	1	spring
A Bay Mare—blaze face Dogue run	1	2
A Bay do. no white D.R.	1	2
A small bay horse Colt with a very small & dim Star—D.R.	1	1

A small bay Do. from D. Run. no white	1	1
A likely bla. horse from Ferry	1	2
A bla. horse Colt with a small snip—Frhs.	1	2
A bla. or brown Mare Colt Star & near hd. foot Wh.	1	1
A Black or brown Mare Colt from Davys Mare a star & 2 hind ft. Wh.	1	Spring
A Bla. horse Colt—no white—from French	1	Spring
Doctr. La Moyeurs—a sorr.	1	1
A Black or dark bro. with a blaze face fm. Neck	1	2
In all	27


Title: [Diary entry: 28 October 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 28th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—57 at Noon and 55 at Night. Wind pretty fresh from the No. Et. with encreasing clouds as the Sun rose. About 11 Oclock it began to rain, and continued to do so with intermission till after 2 oclock—from thence till night it remained cloudy & misty. Rid to the Ferry, Frenchs and Dogue run Plantations. At the first the Plows & Harrows were putting in Rye at Frenchs in field No. 6. The other hands, except the Ferry men, were at Dogue Run. At Frenchs putting in Rye as above. The other hands were at D. Run. At D. Run—Seven Plows and harrows were putting in Wheat and all the hands above mentioned with those of the Plantation and Muddy Ho. were digging Potatoes & covering Wheat in the Step between the Corn.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 October 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday the 30th. Thermometer at 39 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 42 at Night. Clear Morning and severe white frost. Wind at No. Wt. & cold all day. Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue Run, Frenchs & Ferry Plantations. At Muddy hole—the Hoe people began to dig their Irish Potatoes in field No. 3. The Plows of this place wd. finish sowing Wheat at Dogue run to day, & return & put in their own Rye.  At Dogue Run—All the Potatoes wd. be dug to day; total qty., besides scattering ones yet to pick up after the plows, 106½ bushels. Finished sowing wheat also in field No. 5 among Corn—qty. 64 Bushels. At French’s all the Rye wd. be sown this Evening—qty.  bushels. This must be too thick, as the grd. in which it was put could not exceed  acres. The grd. for this was first plowed, then the Seed sown & harrowed in—afterwards cross harrowed. At the Ferry (as from Frenchs) the Hoe people were all at D. Run: would return home to Night—as would the Ferry Plows from Frenchs. Sowed the remainder of the yellow bearded Wheat adjoining the last in the enclosure below the Stable in the ground where the Irish Potatoes grew—6 Rows.


Title: [Diary entry: 31 October 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 31st. Thermometer at 34 in the morning—45 at Noon and 44 at Night. Clear with the Wind at No. Et. in the morning and veering round got to So. Et. by Night with appearance of rain. Finished pruning the Weeping Willows, & other Trees in the Serpentine walks front of the House and was on the point of Riding when Mr. William Fitzhugh Junr. (of Maryland) came in, about 10 Oclock—after whom, Colo. Henry Lee arrived. Both stay’d dinner and the latter all night. Remained at home all day.


Title: October 1788
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 1st. day. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 56 at Night. Cloudy morning with the Wind at No. East. Lowering afterwards till about 2 Oclock when it began to Rain & continued to do so pretty steadily till bedtime—probably all night.
Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck—The Fodder not being dry enough to take in, the People were employed in pulling up the Blackeye pease by the Roots. Seven plows were at work in No. 9.
At Muddy hole—all the hands with the Cart were at Dogue run.
At Dogue run—Seven plows were at Work. All the other hands (that were well) with those from Muddy hole were turning flax.
At Frenchs—the hands of the Plantation, with those from the Ferry, were turning flax & getting Poles & forks for a fodder House.
At the Ferry—Six plows were at Work. The other hands, except one or two who were about their fodder house were as above, at French’s.

Thursday 2d. Thermometer at 53 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 62 at Night. Morning very thick & cloudy with the Wind at No. Et.—Clear afterwards and tolerably pleasant.
Rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue Run, Frenchs and the Ferry.
At the first—All the hands were still at Dogue run—also the Plows.
At Dogue run—in the forenoon the hands (with those of Muddy hole) were employed about a cross fence betwn. fields No. 5 & 6—Afterwards in opening & spreading the fodder. Six Plows only were at work here.
At Frenchs—The Plows & people were, in the forenoon, working at the Ferry. In the Afternoon the latter were engaged about their fodder House except 3 who went to Dogue run.
At the Ferry—Six Plows were at Work. The other hands (with those from Frenchs) were in the forenoon making & compleating

the Fence between fields No. 3 & 4. In the afternoon they were opening and turning their fodder.
Yesterday before the Rain fell, & partly while it was falling I sowed 19 Rows of the Yellow bearded Wheat between the Rows of the Mangel Wurzel & those of the Carrots—placing the grains about one inch apart.

Friday 3d. Thermometer at 56 in the morning 64 at Noon and 64 at Night. Clear & pleasant Morning with the Wind still at No. Et. Cloudy in the afternoon with appearances of Rain.
Went with Mrs. Washington to Abingdon, to visit Mrs. Stuart who was sick.

Saturday 4th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—64 at Night and 63 at Night. Raining till about 9 or 10 Oclock with the Wind Easterly. Cloudy all the rest of the day. Towards dusk the wind shifted to the No. Wt. and it grew cool.
At Abingdon still.

Sunday 5th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 56 at Night—Cool, the Wind being at No. Wt. in the morning—North & a little Easterly afterwards with appears. of Rain.
Returned home after breakfast and reached it about 11 ock.

Monday 6th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 52 at Night. Morning very heavy with the Wind a little to the Eastward of North. About Noon it began to sprinkle rain and in the Afternoon (towards Night) it set in to close raining with but little wind and continued so through the night.
Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s, Dogue run and Muddy hole.
At the Ferry—Six plows were at work which was done much better since the rain. Some of the hands were stacking blades and the rest were at work at French’s.
At French’s—all hands were pulling blades from the Corn from which the tops were taken on Saturday last.
At Dogue Run—Seven plows were at Work. All the other hands were getting in and securing fodder.
At Muddy hole. The Plows were at Dogue Run. The other hands were repairing a fence through the Swamp which incloses field No. 4 untill it began to Rain—after which they began to thresh.

Tuesday 7th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 50 at Night—Wind at No. Et. with unceasing tho remitting rain till Noon and very cloudy the remaing. part of the day.
Did not stir from home.

Wednesday 8th. Thermometer at 55 in the Morning—65 at Noon and 63 at Night. A very thick fog till nine Oclock—after which the Sun came out and it was very pleasant till about Noon when there was Sun shine and clouds alternately afterwards—Wind at So. Wt. in the morning which veered more to the northward afterwards.
Rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run, Frenchs & the Ferry.
At Muddy hole, after pulling up the Early (or Carolina) Pease, the hands about Noon, went to Dogue run to assist about their fodder.
At Dogue run—The people were opening & spreading the fodder. 7 Plows were at work and the Cart as that of Muddy hole, Frenchs and the Ferry also were, were carting brick wood at the New Barn.
At French’s—After opening the Tops, the People were employed in taking up the Flax which had been spread and was supposed to be rotten enough.
Sent Mr. Lear to Alexandria to day on business.

Thursday 9th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—63 at Noon and 63 at Night. Clear calm, warm and remarkably pleasant all day. Towards night a light breeze came up from the Eastward.
Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck—the People having pulled up all the Pease that were planted in Hills had begun to dig the Irish Potatoes between the Corn rows in order to Sow Rye. The Carts and Waggon were getting in the Pease and one man was cutting down with a scythe those Pease which had been sown in Broadcast. Six plows were plowing the grd. where the Pease grew in Hills for wheat & 1 pr. of dble. harrows covering it, but finding the ground to work very loose & mellow I directed what remained unplowed of the ground to be sowed before plowing that the Wheat might be plowed in—the harrows to follow after; first as the plows run, & then to cross; that the ground might be made level and fit for the reception of Seeds.
From Muddy hole, all the hands had gone to Dogue run.
At Dogue run—Two Carts, and all the other hands were employed

in getting in the Fodder which they finished doing in the evening.
With the Ditchers, House People &ca. the Flax at this place was taken up tied in bundles, and heaped to be Housed.
At French’s—all hands, together with those from the Ferry were employed in and about the fodder, and sending to the Mansion House the rotted Flax.
At the Ferry—the People were aiding as above at French’s.
Cut the young bay Stallion Colts which (at first) were designed for stud Horses—the one rising 3 & the other 2 Years old. Also cut 3 sorrel & a black colt from frenchs. One of the first must have been 3 years old last spring—another of them 2 years old and the third one year old. The black was two years old last Spring.
The Revd. Mr. Keith, and Doctr. Craik dined here and went away afterwards.

Friday 10th. Thermometer at 57 in the Morning—57 at Noon and 57 at Night. Wind at No. Et. all day and very cloudy. After dark it rained pretty briskly for some time.
Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs & Dogue run.
It was this day, and not yesterday, that the above Horses were cut.
At the Ferry the hands were assisting about the Fodder. At French’s—all hands were engaged about the Fodder.
At Dogue run—after having got all the Flax which had been taken up the overnight into the Tobacco Ho. the People assisted by those of Muddy hole set about taking up the Irish Potatoes in order to prepare the ground for Wheat. 7 Plows at Work.

Saturday 11th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 68 at Night. Clear with the Wind at No. Wt. all day, and not unpleasant.
Rid to all the Plantation’s. In the Neck—Seven Plows and a harrow were at Work in the Pease grd. by the Barn which by Night would be sowed with Wheat. On the South side of this field  bushls. of the Wh. English Seed Wheat was sown. Next to this (a small space being left) was a Wheat sent me by Mr. Jno. Barns—about 3½ bushels and the residue of the grd. was sown with Wheat raised on the Plantation 19½ bushels. The other hands were turning Pease and digging Irish Potatoes. Of the latter, from 23 rows comprehended between the first & last Carrot Rows were taken 135 Bls. & put into the Corn Ho.

From Muddy hole—all hands were gone to Dogue R.
At Dogue run—The whole force were employed (except the Plows) in getting up & carrying in Potats. Seven Plows were at work.
At French’s—The hands of the Plantation, with those of the Ferry, were employed about the fodder; finished at this Place with the House gang & Ditchers, cuttg. down the Pease which had been sown in Broadcast in field No. 6 but, though some of them had been cut down more than a week none were dry enough to stack, or put away.
At the Ferry—Six plows (as usual) were at work in field No. 3 which was nearly broke up.
Cut at the Mann. Ho. to day—the 2 Working Stallions from Frenchs; 1 Year old Mule Colt; 3 Mule Colts of this Spring; and 1 horse Colt belonging to the Black Mare at Frenchs and likewise a spring (sorrel colt with a blaze face) at Dogue run, & one in the Neck.
Mr. Hunter and a Captn. Oudebards (a French Gentleman from the West Inds.) dined here to day and returned to Alexandria in the Evening.

Sunday the 12th. Thermometer at 55 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 66 at Night. Wind at West in the Morning—abt. No. Wt. at Noon and So. Wt. at Night. Clear warm and pleasant all day.
A Mr. Whiting of Berkeley, on his way from Gloucester (with a letter from Mr. Francis Willis Junr.) called here—& dined, after which he proceeded to Alexandria. This Gentleman was requested to inform Mr. Willis, in answer to his letter to me—dated 24th. of Septr. last—that if the sum for which he sold the Negroes (of which Mrs. Washington the Widow of my deceased Brother Saml. Washington died possessed, & by Will gave to her Son, by him, to whom I am heir) with Interest thereon from the time of her death and my interest therein commenced that I shall neither reclaim the Negros—nor give him any trouble for the illegality of the Act of disposing of them.

   Francis Willis, Jr. (1744–1797), of Whitehall, Gloucester County, was the executor of the will of his sister-in-law, Susannah Perrin Holding (Holden) Washington, fifth wife of Samuel Washington. In her will Susannah bequeathed five slaves supposedly given to her by her brother to her only son, John Perrin Washington (1781–1784). When the son died a short time after his mother’s death, Willis sold the slaves for £240 not realizing that they were to pass to GW. Willis’s letter of 24 Sept. 1788 was the second one that he sent to GW apologizing for his error and asking for instructions on settling

   the matter (DLC:GW). GW requested the £240, not for his own use, but for the use of Samuel Washington’s daughter Harriot who had been left only a pittance by her father. However, it was later discovered that Susannah Washington had no legal title to the five slaves, her brother having failed to make a proper conveyance. Her estate actually included only one slave left to her by her mother. For that slave GW agreed to take £100 from Willis, a sum which was to be applied to the “immediate support” of Harriot (Willis to GW, 4 Aug. 1793, DLC:GW; GW to Willis, 25 Oct. 1793, ViMtvL).

Monday 13th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—65 at Noon and 64 at Night. Clear and very pleasant all day with the wind Southerly.
Rid to all the Plantations and to Majr. Geo. Washingtons to give him, at his request, my opinion respecting the spot on which to place his Houses.
In the Neck—The Plows began to put in Rye in the Corn ground—the Pease in Broad cast not being removed from the ground, so as to admit the Sowing of Wheat—Turning the Pease which had been pulled up by the Roots in order to cure & Stack them—Pulling Pumpkins and threshing Oats.
Muddy hole hands at Dogue run—the Cart belonging to that place drawing Pease together at French to Stack.
At Dogue Run—Seven Plows were at Work and would, by dinner time, finish (with what was plowed in the Spring) breaking up field No. 7 for Corn next year. The Cart was drawing Rails to fence the Hay Stacks in the middle & upper Meadow. All the other hands, with those from Muddy hole were digging Irish Potatoes. From the short Rows between the first Carrot row on the West side of the Field & the Woods 126½ bushls. of Potatoes were dug. At French’s. Two Carts, and all the hands of that & the Ferry Plantation were employed about the Fodder—the Ferry men excepted. The House gang were employed at this place in curing, getting up, & Stacking the Pease which had been cut here.
The Ditchers went into the Neck to cutting the broadcast Pease there.
At the Ferry 5 Plows only were at Work.

   the spot on which to place his houses: George Augustine Washington began to build a house on the Clifton’s Neck property a few years later to house his growing family, but after his death in 1793 Fanny discontinued the construction (GW to Anthony Whitting, 9 Dec. 1792 and 3 Mar. 1793, DLC:GW).

Tuesday 14th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 64 at Night. Wind Southerly with great appearances of Rain all the forenoon but clear afterwards.

Rid to the Ferry, Frenchs, and Dogue run Plantations.
At the Ferry, only 5 plows were at Work. The driver of the other got hurt. The other hands were at French’s.
At French’s, two Carts and all the hands were about the Fodder. Stirring the Pease at this place with the small gang about the Mann. House. 3 Men began to ditch below Manleys houses up to the Ferry road.
At Dogue run—Two Plows and a harrow began to put in Wheat among the Corn (from whence the Potatoes were taken) on the west side of field No. 5. The other 4 Plows began on the South side of No. 3 to break it up for Spring grain next year. All the other hands with those from Muddy hole were digging Potatoes.
A Mr. Brown clerk to Mr. Hartshorn came here on business of the Potomk. Company.

Wednesday 15th. Thermometer at 60 in the morning—65 at Noon and 63 at Night. Morning clear and calm.
Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck—the Mowers having cut down all the Pease (in broad Cast) in field No. 8 were employed in cuttg. down the grass and Weeds where the flax grew in order that it might be spread and rot. The Hoe People were digging Potatoes, chopping in Rye and wd. go to getting the Pease from field No. 8 in order that Wheat might be sowed therein. Seven plows and two harrows were employed in putting in Rye.
The Muddy hole people were employed with their Plows at D.R. as usual.
At Dogue run—Four Plows were breaking up field No. 3 and three others were plowing in Wheat, but finding more plows necessary for the latter purpose two from the former were added. All the others were digging Potatoes—of which, between the Easternmost and Westernmost Carrot rows came 198½ Bushels from 34 Rows.
At Frenchs—about 1 Oclock—the last of the blades were pulled and some of the Pease ground in field No. 6 got in order for plowing in Wheat.
At the Ferry—5 plows were at work and would by Night compleat breaking up field No. 3. The other hands were at Work at Frenchs.
Colo. Carrington and Mr. Robt. Purviance of Baltimore, and Mrs. Jenifer and Miss Wagener came here to dinner and stayed all Night.

   Robert Purviance (d. 1806) and his brother Samuel Purviance, Jr., were prominent merchants and civic leaders in Baltimore for many years. Born in

Ireland, they settled in Baltimore during the 1760s and soon established a prosperous distillery and shipping business. They were active in local Presbyterian affairs and in revolutionary politics. In 1788 Samuel was captured by Indians while on an expedition to the Ohio Country and was never seen again. About this time Robert’s fortunes were declining. On 19 May 1789 he wrote GW soliciting a minor post in the Baltimore naval office (DLC:GW). GW appointed him to the position and in 1794 he became collector of the port, an office he retained until his death (SCHARF [2]J. Thomas Scharf. The Chronicles of Baltimore; Being a Complete History of “Baltimore Town” and Baltimore City from the Earliest Period to the Present Time. Baltimore, 1874., 54, 299; Md. Hist. Mag., 42 [1947], 27n, 61 [1966], 350, 63 [1968], 16, 71 [1976], 296–99).

   miss wagener: probably one of the daughters of Peter Wagener (d. 1798): Sinah, Mary Elizabeth, Ann, or Sarah (Sally). Mary Elizabeth later married her cousin William Grayson (1766–1806) of Prince William County (GRAYSON“The Grayson Family.” Tyler’s Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine 5 (1923–24): 195–208, 261–68., 263; King, Abstracts of WillsJ. Estelle Stewart King. Abstracts of Wills and Inventories, Fairfax County, Virginia, 1742–1801: With Rent Rolls for 1761 and 1774. 2d ed. Baltimore, 1978., 62).

Thursday 16th. Thermometer at 55 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 68 at Night. Clear morning & day with the Wind pretty fresh from So. Wt.
After breakfast Mrs. Jenifer Miss Wagener and Mr. Purviance went away. Colo. Carrington and myself rid to the Ferry, French’s and D. R. Plantations and to the New Barn.
At the Ferry the hands were assisting at Frenchs in getting in the Fodder. The 3 plows belonging to the Plantation were breaking up the head lands in field No. 3.
At Frenchs—Two Plows began to cover Wheat in the Pease ground in field No. 6. All the other hands were about the fodder.
At Dogue run—Five Plows and Harrows were covering Wheat in the Corn ground—and two breaking up in field No. 3. All the other hands of this & Muddy hole Plantation were employed in this work also, & digging Potatoes. Turned the Mare & Colts yesterday into the upper Meadows which were opened to field No. 6.

Friday 17th. Thermometer at 57 in the Morning—72 at Noon and 71 at Night. Clear and calm in the Morning. Pleasant all day.
Colo. Carrington going away after breakfast—I vis[i]ted all the Plantns.
In the Neck—All the Plows were stopped to tread out Wheat and all the hands were employed about the same.
From Muddy hole all the hands were at Dogue run.
At Dogue run—some hands from the Ferry had joined those of Muddy hole & this place in digging Potatoes, and putting in Wheat. Ordered the two Ploughs which were breaking up in field No. 3 for Spring grain to join those in the Corn field, in order to expedite the Sowing of Wheat.
At French’s—5 plows and harrows were putting in Wheat on the Pease ground. The other hands were getting in and securing the

Fodder. The Ditch would be nearly finished this Evening—the Pease turning with the House gang.
At the Ferry—Five hands were stacking blades and doing other odd jobbs.

Saturday 18th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 70 at Night. Cloudy morning with great appearances of Rain all the forenoon and a little sprinkle of it—but clear warm and pleasant in the Afternoon.
Went up to Alexandria agreeably to a summons to give evide. in the Suit between the Estate of Mr. Custis & Robt. Alexander, but the latter not appearing nothing was done & I returned home to dinner.

Sunday 19th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—60 at Noon—and 58 at Night. Wind at No. Et. in the Morning & cloudy which it continued to be all day & at Night began to rain.
Mr. OKelly the Dancing Master Mr. O’Kelly the Lawyer, Mrs. O’Conner of Alexandria—Mrs. Peake & her Son Harry & her Nephew Eaglan Dined here, all of whom except Mrs. O’Conner went away after it.

   Eliza Harriet O’Connor, wife of the John O’Connor who had visited GW 3 Feb. 1788, opened an academy for young ladies in Alexandria earlier this year and tried unsuccessfully to induce GW to serve as one of the school’s official visitors (Eliza H. O’Connor to GW, 17 June 1788, and GW to Eliza H. O’Connor, 20 June 1788, DLC:GW). She was now preparing to leave Alexandria to join her husband, who, she said, had obtained a public office and superintendency of an academy in Edenton, N.C. Wishing to reopen her own school in Edenton, Mrs. O’Connor asked GW to give her a letter of introduction to North Carolina’s governor, Samuel Johnston, a request that GW refused on grounds that he did not know Governor Johnston and had never corresponded with him (Eliza H. O’Connor to GW, 7 Oct. 1788, and GW to Eliza H. O’Connor, 17 Oct. 1788, DLC:GW). However, GW did permit her to come to Mount Vernon for “advice upon some matters of very material consequence” concerning her decision to leave town, a decision of which her students’ parents did not approve (Eliza H. O’Connor to GW, 18 Oct. 1788, DLC:GW). Mrs. O’Connor did soon leave Alexandria, but if she went to Edenton, she probably did not stay there long; her husband by the fall of 1789 was at Georgetown, Md., still professing his intention to publish his history of the Americas (John O’Connor to GW, 5 Oct. 1789, DNA:PCC, Item 78; O’BRIENMichael J. O’Brien. George Washington’s Associations with the Irish. New York, 1937., 45).

   eaglan: apparently one of the several sons of Mrs. Peake’s sister Sarah Stonestreet Edelen of Prince George’s County, Md. (BRUMBAUGHGaius Marcus Brumbaugh. Maryland Records: Colonial, Revolutionary, County and Church, from Original Sources. 2 vols. 1915 and 1928. Reprint. Baltimore, 1975., 59; see main entry for 9 May 1770).

Monday 20th. Thermometer at 49 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night. Much Rain (with the wind high from No. Et.)

fell in the Night and continued to do so until past Noon when it moderated and towards Night entirely ceased but continued very cloudy.
At home all day.

Tuesday 21st. Thermometer at 54 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night. Flying clouds all day, with the Wind very hard from the No. Wt.
Went up to Alexandria to move the Court to appoint Commissioners to settle the Accts. of the Administration of Colo. Thos. Colvills Estate to whose Will I was an Executor. Colo. Fitzgerald, Mr. William Herbert & Mr. Robt. McCrae being nominated for this purpose—any two to act—I dined at Mr. Fendalls & came home in the afternoon.

Wednesday 22d. Thermometer at 49 in the Morning 60 at Noon and 60 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind (especially in the Night) fresh from So. Wt. Sent Mrs. O’Conner to Alexa.
Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s & Dogue run.
At the latter, the hands from the two first except the Ferry men & Carts, together with their plows as were the Plows of Muddy were all at work digging Potatoes & plowing & Hoeing in Wheat among the Corn.
At Muddy hole—the Hoe People were pulling up their Pease wch. had been planted in Hills. They were in a manner green but the apprehension of a frost induced this Measure. Those Pease which were sent me by Colo. Spaight and planted at this place at the same were quite ripe and had been pulled great part of them many days ago—qty. of these latter about 9 bushels from about  Acres of grd. These are a very forward kind, and must be reserved for Seed.

Thursday 23d. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning 70 at Noon and 72 at Night. Clear, Warm & exceedingly pleasant all day, with [wind] (tho’ but little of it) at So. West.
Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck—the Plows had, about Noon, just finished sowing the last of the Wheat in field No. 9 qty., South of the Road leading to the Creek landing,  bushels; which with a small Corner on the No. Side of the Road that had been in Homony Beans make  bushels in all in this field. This compleats the last sowing of Wheat at this Plantation. The Hoe People were digging Potatoes; & for want of having them out of the way of the Plows to be putting in Rye, these were

obliged to return to field No. 8 to breaking up till the Hoe People should get sufficiently ahead with the Potatoe digging between the Corn Rows.
At Dogue Run—the hands and Plows of all the other Plantations were at Work.
The Ditchers & Mansn. House Gang, with the Waggon & two Carts were getting in and stacking the Pease at French’s.

Friday 24th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morng.—75 at Noon and 75 at Night. Clear and warm with but little Wind & that Southerly.
Rid to the Ferry, Frenchs and Dogue run Plantations.
From the Ferry, the Plows were gone to French’s to put in Wheat—and the other hands except the Ferry men were at Dogue run digging Potatoes.
At Frenchs 5 plows were at Work putting in Wheat in No. 6. The other hands were at D. Run digging Potatoes.
At D. Run Seven plows and Harrows were covering Wheat among the Corn in field No. 6. All the other hands were following with the Hoes & digging Potatoes before them. Muddy hole people aiding.

Saturday 25th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—73 at Noon and 73 at Night. Clear calm & warm all day.
Rid to the Ferry, French’s and Dogue run Plantation to make a fresh distribution of the Mares Colts and other Horses that do not work but not being able to finish it the relation of it is postponed.
At these three plantations & Muddy hole—the same work precisely was going on as yesterday.
But at Frenchs, all the Wheat except the garden at, and a small spot just by, Manleys Houses was sown with Wheat—plowed & harrowed in once but some part had not received the cross harrowing.

Sunday 26th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning 75 at Noon and 74 at Night. Clear, calm, warm & very pleasant.
Went to Pohick Church and returned home to dinner. Found Dr. Stuart at Mt. Vernon—who dined there & returned home afterwards.

Monday 27th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning 76 at Noon and 75 at Night—Clear, calm and very warm.

Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck 8 plows were covering Rye among the Corn. All the other hands were digging Pots. before them, or Hoeing in Rye in the Step, after them.
The hands from Muddy hole were at D. Run.
At Dogue Run, 7 Plows and Harrows were putting in Wheat as yesterday. All the other hands, consisting of those from the Ferry, Frenchs & Muddy hole, were putting in Wht. in the Step between the Corn behind the Plows—and digging Potatoes before them.
At Frenchs 5 plows and a harrow were putting in Rye, in the Middle part of field No. 6, between the newly, & first sown Wheat, at this Place.
Getting up the Hogs for killing at the Ferry, quantity 25—feeding them with Potatoes.
Made the following distribution of the Mares, Colts and Horses that do not work—viz.—
At Dogue Run in the Upper Meadows. 22 Mares, besides Doctr. La Moyeurs. For breedg. work or Sale.
In the Ferry Meadows, & fields adjoining, under the same Inclosure.

yrs.
Jennies	2
Washingtons horse	1	age	5
Peters Ditto	1	2	5
Stallion Colts from Mn. Ho.	2	3 & 2
The sett—viz.—4 sorrels each 2 yrs. old; 2 Horses & two Mares little or no Wh.	4	each	2
A Sorrel horse colt—oldest of French’s—W.	1	4
A Sorrel mare frm. Frhs.	1	3
A Sorrel horse—blaze face light feet & legs from French’s	1	2
A Sorrel Mare Blaze face White feet—frm. M. Hole	1	2
A Sorrl. horse colt blaze face White feet. Frhs.	1	1
A Sorrl. colt small blaze face 2 hd. feet White—Ferry	1	spring
A Bay Mare—blaze face Dogue run	1	2
A Bay do. no white D.R.	1	2
A small bay horse Colt with a very small & dim Star—D.R.	1	1

A small bay Do. from D. Run. no white	1	1
A likely bla. horse from Ferry	1	2
A bla. horse Colt with a small snip—Frhs.	1	2
A bla. or brown Mare Colt Star & near hd. foot Wh.	1	1
A Black or brown Mare Colt from Davys Mare a star & 2 hind ft. Wh.	1	Spring
A Bla. horse Colt—no white—from French	1	Spring
Doctr. La Moyeurs—a sorr.	1	1
A Black or dark bro. with a blaze face fm. Neck	1	2
In all	27

Tuesday 28th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—57 at Noon and 55 at Night. Wind pretty fresh from the No. Et. with encreasing clouds as the Sun rose. About 11 Oclock it began to rain, and continued to do so with intermission till after 2 oclock—from thence till night it remained cloudy & misty.
Rid to the Ferry, Frenchs and Dogue run Plantations.
At the first the Plows & Harrows were putting in Rye at Frenchs in field No. 6. The other hands, except the Ferry men, were at Dogue Run.
At Frenchs putting in Rye as above. The other hands were at D. Run.
At D. Run—Seven Plows and harrows were putting in Wheat and all the hands above mentioned with those of the Plantation and Muddy Ho. were digging Potatoes & covering Wheat in the Step between the Corn.

Wednesday 29th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—53 at Noon and 50 at Night. Clear morning with a frost. Wind at No. West all day & cold.
Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck—the hands were digging Potatoes but not being able to keep way before the plows, the latter went to breaking up field No. 8. Ordered the Pumpkins at this and all the other plantations to be taken up & secured as a severe frost might be expected.
The hands from the several places were at work as yesterday.
Took up the Mangel Wurzel, or Roots of Scarcity in the Inclosure

below the Stable. Had those raised from the seeds sent me from Doctr. Rush (coming immediately from Doctr. Letsum) 48 in number—put by themselves; being of the grey or marble coloured sort. And those which approached nearly to this colour from the seed had from Mr. Peters was also put by themselves—both kinds to raise seed from for another year making together 2½ bushl. Those with red leaves, and leaves approaching nearly to this colour were laid aside for eating or giving to the Stock. The largest of these white leaved roots only weighed (after the leaves were taken of) 3 lbs. 6 oz. and altogether  lbs. filling 6 bushels.
Colo. Symm on business respecting the Affairs of Colo. Geo. Mercer and his Mortgagees came here—dined, & returned afterwards.

   John Coakley Lettsom (1744–1815) of London, a somewhat eccentric Quaker physician, corresponded with Benjamin Rush on a wide variety of subjects including, besides mangel-wurzel and medicine, the abolition of the slave trade, prison reform, and balloons. Born in the West Indies and educated at Edinburgh and Leyden, Lettsom enjoyed a large and lucrative medical practice in London, but expended much of his income on his elaborate suburban residence and various philanthropies. He was also the author of numerous medical, biographical, and philanthrophic works (RUSHL. H. Butterfield, ed. Letters of Benjamin Rush. 2 vols. Princeton, N.J., 1951., 1:313, n.1). Marble-colored mangel-wurzel was considered to be the best variety (GW to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 27 Sept. 1788, DLC:GW).

   On this date GW received, undoubtedly from Charles Simms, £7 18s. 5d., the balance due upon a bond from the estate of James Kirk of Alexandria. At the same time, he paid Simms for bringing suit for the bond and for entering an action against his neighbor Robert Alexander for a long-standing debt (LEDGER BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., 275).

   The deceased George Mercer’s affairs were no longer of much concern to GW. At the beginning of the War of Independence, GW had announced that he would cease acting as one of Mercer’s trustees, and in Nov. 1782 the general court ordered all bonds and other papers in GW’s hands relating to the 1774 sale of Mercer’s lands to be turned over to James Mercer. Nevertheless, an unsuccessful attempt was made about this time to involve GW in some of the continuing legal problems of George Mercer’s estate (“The Answer of George Washington to the Bill of Complaint exhibited against him by William Owens,” 15 Feb. 1789, ViU).

Thursday the 30th. Thermometer at 39 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 42 at Night. Clear Morning and severe white frost. Wind at No. Wt. & cold all day.
Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue Run, Frenchs & Ferry Plantations.
At Muddy hole—the Hoe people began to dig their Irish Potatoes in field No. 3. The Plows of this place wd. finish sowing Wheat at Dogue run to day, & return & put in their own Rye.

At Dogue Run—All the Potatoes wd. be dug to day; total qty., besides scattering ones yet to pick up after the plows, 106½ bushels. Finished sowing wheat also in field No. 5 among Corn—qty. 64 Bushels.
At French’s all the Rye wd. be sown this Evening—qty.  bushels. This must be too thick, as the grd. in which it was put could not exceed  acres. The grd. for this was first plowed, then the Seed sown & harrowed in—afterwards cross harrowed.
At the Ferry (as from Frenchs) the Hoe people were all at D. Run: would return home to Night—as would the Ferry Plows from Frenchs.
Sowed the remainder of the yellow bearded Wheat adjoining the last in the enclosure below the Stable in the ground where the Irish Potatoes grew—6 Rows.

Friday 31st. Thermometer at 34 in the morning—45 at Noon and 44 at Night. Clear with the Wind at No. Et. in the morning and veering round got to So. Et. by Night with appearance of rain.
Finished pruning the Weeping Willows, & other Trees in the Serpentine walks front of the House and was on the point of Riding when Mr. William Fitzhugh Junr. (of Maryland) came in, about 10 Oclock—after whom, Colo. Henry Lee arrived. Both stay’d dinner and the latter all night.
Remained at home all day.

   Henry Lee was returning to his home in Westmoreland County from New York where he had been attending Congress (Lee to GW, 13 Sept. 1788, DLC:GW; GW to Lee, 22 Sept. 1788, Vi).


Title: [Diary entry: 3 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 3d. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—70 at Noon And 70 at Night. A thick fog untill 8 or 9 Oclock—Clear, calm & exceedingly pleasant afterwards. Remained at home all day. Colo. Fitzgerald & Doctr. Craik came down to dinner—& with the copy of an address (which the Citizens of Alexandria meant to present to the Minister) waited on him to know when he would receive it. Mr. Lear went to Alexandria to invite some of the Gentlemen and Ladies of the Town to dine with the Count & Marchioness here to morrow.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 5th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—75 at Noon and 73 at Night. Very clear, calm, warm & pleast. all day. The Minister & Madame de Brehan expressing a desire to Walk to the New Barn—we accordingly did so and from thence through Frenchs Plantation to my Mill and from thence home compleating a tour of at least Seven Miles. Previous to this, in the Morning before breakfast I rid to the Ferry, Frenchs, D. Run and Muddy hole Plantations. At the Ferry some of the People were cleaning up the Rye

which had been tread out the day before. Others were digging Potatoes. The Plows were at work in No. 5. At French’s—the People were preparing the yard to tread out Oats which had remained in shocks at the yard. At Dogue Run—some hands were cleaning up Rye and preparing to lay down a bed of Wht. and others digging a Cellar to Store Irish Potatoes in—The Plows yesterday & this day being stopped to tread out grain. At Dogue run—The People were raising Mud for Manure. The Rye would be all in and covered to day.


Title: [Diary entry: 6 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 6th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—73 at Noon and 72 at Night. Clear, calm, warm and exceeding pleasant. About Nine Oclock the Minister of France, the Marchioness de Brehan & their Suit, left this on their return for New York. I accompanied them as far as Alexandria & returned home to dinner. The Minister proceeded to George Town after having received an address from the Citizens of the Corporation. In the Afternoon Mr. Ferdinand Fairfax came in and stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 7th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning 62 at Noon and 60 at Night. Brisk Wind from the So. Wt. with great appearances of much rain till towards evening when it cleared—Sprinklings now & then through the day. Went with Mr. Fairfax to my New Barn and to the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s, Dogue run and Muddy hole. At the Ferry—five plows were breaking up Field No. 5. The other force was cleaning Wheat which had been tread out and digging Potatoes. At French’s—Two of the Plows were at the Ferry—the other was stopped. Some of these people were digging Potatoes at the Ferry and others cleaning up Oats.  At Dogue run—The Plows were at work in Field No. 3: that is five; one of them from Muddy hole. The People were cleaning Wheat. At Muddy hole—The hands were getting up Mud & some endeavouring to get up Hogs.


Title: [Diary entry: 8 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 8th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 62 at Night. Clear all day, with the Wind high from the No. Wt. Went up to Alexandria, agreeably to a summons, to give testimony in the Suit depending between the Estate of Mr. Custis and Mr. Robt. Alexander. Returned by the New Barn which had got about half the Rafters up. Found Mrs. Stuart, Miss Stuart, and all Mrs. Stuarts Children here when I came home.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 10th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 50 at Night. Wind Easterly all day & fresh with clouds and great appearances of Rain. Doctr. Craik went away in the Morning. Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck—the Plows and all hands were putting in Rye and taking up Potatoes—except a few who were threshing out Oats. At Muddy hole—Two Plows were gone to Dogue Run. The Plowman of the other, and the Overseer were endeavouring to get up some outlaying hogs. The other People were getting up Mud. At Dogue run. The Plows were at work in No. 3. The other hands were cleaning up the Tailings of Wheat & preparing the Cellar for Potatoes. At French’s—The Overseer & one or two other hands were employed in putting in Wheat in the bouting rows, in field No. 6; especially in that part where the Wht. was sown in drills. The other hand & his plows were at the Ferry.  At the Ferry—five plows were at Work in No. 5. Part of the hands were cleaning Wheat which had been tread out and part were getting up Potatoes. The New Barn would nearly if not quite have the Rafters up to day.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Thursday 13th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning— at Noon and  at Night. Clear calm, and very pleasant all day. Began a Survey of the Road leading from my Ferry to Cameren and thence along the Back road by Mr. Lund Washingtons & Mr. Triplett to my Mill, & from thence direct to the Ferry—But meeting Doctr. Craik coming to introduce a Mr. Wilming and another German from Bremin, I turned back with them—after having got as far as Cameren. Dr. Craik retd.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 14th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning— at Noon and 56 at Night. Wind Southerly in the forenoon, and thro’ the day till evening, when it shifted to No. Wt. All the forenoon was very cloudy with great appearances of rain—some of which in a sprinkle or two, fell about 11 Oclock—afternoon clear. Mr. Wilming—the German Gentleman above mentioned having offered to engage a Gardener for me and to send him in a ship from Bremen; I requested that it might not exceed the following conditions for him and his Wife (if he brings one)—viz.—Ten pounds sterling for the 1st. year—Eleven for the 2d.—Twelve for the 3d. and so on, a pound encrease, till the sum should amt. to £15. beyond which not to go. That he would be found a comfortable House, or room in one, with bedding, victuals & drink; but no clothes; these for self and wife to be provided at his own expence—That he is to be a compleat Kitchen Gardener with a competent knowledge of Flowers and a Green House. And that he is to come under Articles and firmly bound. His, or their passages to be on as low terms as it can be obtained—The Wife if one comes is to be a Spinner, dairy Woman—or something of that usefulness. After Mr. Wilming went away as soon as breakfast was over I rid to all the Plantations.  In the Neck—The sowing of ten Bushels of Winter Barley, East side of field No. 6 between the Corn was just finished (for an experiment)—being delayed till this time for want of the Barley, from Mr. Wayles. The People were employed in digging Potatoes which they wd. finish doing to day. The Plows were, some breaking up No. 8 and others plowing in Rye the sowing of which would be compleated to morrow. At Muddy hole—the hands were getting up Mud. Plows at D. Run. At Dogue run—they were cleaning a bed of Wheat which had been tread out yesterday; & compleating the Potatoe Cellar. At Frenchs—The People were repairing the Fences around field No. 5. The Plows were at the Ferry. At the Ferry 6 plows were at Work—the People digging Potatoes. Mr. Lear finished to day what was left undone yesterday of the Survey of the Roads. Doctr. Logan and Lady of Philaa. and a Monsr.  of Lyons in France came here to dinner and went away afterwards.


Title: [Diary entry: 15 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 15th. Thermometer at 43 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 50 at Night. Clear morning with the Wind at No. Wt. Pleasant all day & clear with less Wind. Went with my Compass and finished the line of stakes from Dogue run (at the Tumbling dam) to Hunting Ck.; for a road on the border of my land adjoining to Colo. Masons. Also connected

this with the road leading from the Gum Spring to Alexandria and from the former run the courses and measured the distances to my Mill and from the Mill to the Mansion House. On my return home in the Evening I found Mr. Warville and a Mr. de Saint Tries here—brought down by Mr. Porter who returned again.


Title: [Diary entry: 16 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 16th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 50 at Night—Lowering all day with the Wind fresh from the So. Wt.—towards Night the Wind shifted to the Eastward, and in the course of it rained. Monsrs. Warville and Saint Tres returned to Alexandria in my Chariot.


Title: [Diary entry: 17 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday the 17th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 50 at Night. Warm and lowering. It was this day and not yesterday that Mr. Warville and Mr. Staint trees went to Alexandria. An Officer in the Navy of the United Netherlands came here to dinner and stayed all Night—introduced by Mr. Jas. McHenry of Baltimore—his name Richard Daily. I remained at home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 18 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 18th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 48 at Night. Warm and pleasant. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs & Dogue run. At the Ferry—Six plows were at Work. All the other force of this place & Frenchs were digging Potatoes. At Dogue run—Seven plows were at Work. The other hands were cleaning up Wheat which had been tread out and grubbing and Sprouting in the field where the Plows were. The Muddy hole began to gather Corn in the New grd. at the home house yesterday. Mr. Roger West dined here to day.


Title: [Diary entry: 19 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 19th. Thermometer at 48 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 56 at Night. Lowering all day; but little wind and that from the Southward. Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck the Plows were at Work breaking up field No. 8. The other hands were stripping the Seed off the flax in order to Spread. At Muddy hole—gathering & carrying home as on the preceeding days. At Dogue run Sprouting the meadow—the weather being too heavy to tread Wheat. At French’s & the Ferry the same Work going on as yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 20 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Thursday 20th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning 56 at Noon and 56 at Night. A very heavy fog—and lowering Weather all day—with a light air from the No. East. Went to Alexandria with Mrs. Washington. Dined with Colo. Henry Lee & Lady at Mr. Fendalls and returned home in the Evening. Found Doctr. La Moyeur here.


Title: [Diary entry: 21 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 21st. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning 56 at Noon and 56 at Night. Thick morning and dull through the day—without wind. Visited the Plantations at the Ferry—Frenchs and D. Run. At the two first—the Plows were at Work as usual. The other hands were digging Potatoes. At Dogue run 7 plows were at Work—the other hands riddling Potatoes and putting them away in the Cellar which has been prepared for them. Muddy hole People about Corn. Doctr. Lee came here to dinner and stayed all Night.


Title: [Diary entry: 22 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 22d. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning 66 at Noon and 66 at Night. A very thick fog in the Morning—but clear, calm & remarkably pleasant afterwards. Docter Lee going away after breakfast I rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck—Seven plows began to break up that part of field No. 8 wch. is directly opposite to Mr. [Abednego] Adams’s on the point. The other hands having finished spreading the flax were employed in threshing out Pease. At Muddy hole—finished gathering the Corn in the New ground & Carting it to the Plantation. The Grey Mare slunk her fold. At Dogue run—Seven Plows as usual were at Work. The other hands were Riddling Potatoes. At the Ferry & French’s (which are now united under one management) Six plows were at Work as usual and the other People began to get Corn from the Ferry field No. part & to husk it. Began at all the Plantations to feed my fatting hogs with Corn,

not finding that they throve much on Potatoes altho’ they eat them very greedily. This might be owing to their not having sufficient age, for they are all young and growing.


Title: [Diary entry: 23 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 23d. Thermometer at 47 in the morning—54 at Noon and 56 at Night. A good deal of rain fell in the course of last Night and this day.


Title: [Diary entry: 25 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 25th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 36 at Night. Wind at No. East with rain in the morning heavy all day and sometimes dripping Rain. At home all day, intending if the weather would have permitted to have gone up to the Great & Seneca falls by appointment made with Colos. Fitzgerald & Gilpin. After dinner the two Mr. Fairfaxs went away.


Title: [Diary entry: 26 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 26th. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 46 at Night. Raining more or less all day—with the Wind at No. East.


Title: [Diary entry: 27 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Thursday 27th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—49 at Noon and 48 at Night. Clear and tolerably pleasant, with the Wind at So. Wt. Rid to the Plantations (United) & to D. Run & Muddy hole. At the first—Six plows were at Wk. and all the other hands were Grubbing in fields No. 7 at Frenchs, where the plowing was going on. At Dogue Run—The Plows (Seven) were still at Work in field No. 3 and the other People removing Potatoes. At Muddy hole (the Plows being at D. Run) the People were threshing Rye. Colo. Blackburn and Mr. Gustavus Scott of Maryland came here to dinner & stayed all Night—as did a Mr. Packet.


Title: [Diary entry: 28 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 28th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 45 at Night. Wind at No. Et. all day, with heavy clouds and at times thick mists—in the evening it Rained. Colo. Blackburn & Mr. Scott not going away until towards Noon together with the suspiciousness of the day prevented me from riding.


Title: [Diary entry: 29 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 29th. Thermometer at 45 in the morning—54 at Noon and 50 at Night. Morning cloudy with the Wind at So. Wt. which veering round to the No. Wt. blew very hard & cleared. Mr. Richd. Harrison, late Consul in Spain, Colo. Ramsay and

Mr. Snow came here to dinner and returned to Alexandria afterwards. Rid to the two Plantations (united) to Dogue run, and to Muddy hole. At the first, the Plows (6) were as usual at Work and all the others were digging Potatoes in the Ferry part. At Dogue run—Seven plows were at Work. The other hands were digging, topping & stringing Carrots. At Muddy hole. The Ploughs as usual, were at Dogue run. The other hand were (as yesterday) threshing Oats.


Title: [Diary entry: 30 November 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 30th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 46 at Night. The Wind was fresh from the No. West in the Morning and the grd., for the first time, this fall, pretty hard frozen. Towards noon the wind lulled; and at Night came out from the So. Wt. and lowered a good deal blowing fresh. It was this day & not yesterday that Mr. Harrison &ca. were here.


Title: November 1788
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday the First. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 54 at Night. The Wind in the Morning was from the So. Wt. & pretty fresh. About 9 Oclock it clouded up and began to rain for 10 or 15 minutes pretty smartly after which two or three other scuds of rain for a few minutes passed over. Afternoon clear.
Colo. Lee went away after breakfast and I rid to all the Plantations.
In the Neck—all the Plows were putting in Rye, and all the Hoes employed in taking up Potatoes & hoeing in Rye between the Corn.
At Muddy hole—The Plows began to put in Rye in field No. 3

where the Pease grew in hills. The Hoe People continued digging the Irish Potatoes which they began on thursday last.

   At Dogue run—The Plows were breaking up field No. 3 and the other hands were employed in taking up the scattering Potatoes & fallen Corn.
At Frenchs—both plows and Hoes were employed in breaking up the bouting Roes along the fence that they may be sowed wth. the grain the field has received.
At the Ferry—The plows were breaking up No. 5. The other people, some were cleaning up the Rye that was tread out yesterday, and some digging Potatoes.
Doctr. Craik was sent for, and came down this afternoon to visit Waggoner Jack, who had been sick two or three days.

   Waggoner Jack was shipped to the West Indies “to be disposed of” in 1791 (Ledger BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., 336; GW to Anthony Whitting, 3 March 1793).

Sunday 2d. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning— at noon and 70 at Night. Wind at No. Et., with clouds, and appearances of rain till about Noon; when it cleared and became pleasant.

Mr. George Mason came here to dinner and returned in the Evening. After dinner word was brot. from Alexandria that the Minister of France was arrived there and intended down here to dinner. Accordingly, a little before Sun setting, he (the Count de Moustiers) his Sister the Marchioness de Brehan—the Marquis her Son—and Mr. du Ponts came in.

   Eléanor François Elie, comte de Moustier (1751–1817), successor to the chevalier de La Luzerne as French minister to the United States, had arrived at New York in January. Although an officer in the French army from the age of 17, he spent most of his life in diplomatic service. He was appointed minister to the German state of Trier in 1778, was sent to London in 1783 to soothe relations between Britain and France’s ally Spain, became minister to Prussia in 1790, and later served Royalist exiles of the French Revolution in negotiations with both the British and Prussians (BIOG. UNIVERSELLEBiographie Universelle Ancienne et Moderne . . .. 45 vols. Paris, 1843–65., 29:482–84). In the midst of this distinguished career, his mission to the United States was a failure almost from the start. “A very well informed man” sincerely desirous of promoting American-French commercial relations, he lacked the tact and insight needed to deal with American republicans (David Humphreys to Thomas Jefferson, 29 Nov. 1788, JEFFERSON [1]Julian P. Boyd et al., eds. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. 41 vols. to date. Princeton, N.J., 1950–., 14:300–304). “The Count de Moustier,” wrote John Jay to Jefferson 25 Nov. 1788, “it seems . . . expected more particular and flattering Marks of minute Respect than our People in general entertain Ideas of, or are either accustomed or inclined to pay to anybody” (JEFFERSON [1]Julian P. Boyd et al., eds. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. 41 vols. to date. Princeton, N.J., 1950–., 14:290–91).

   The marquise de Bréhan, an artist and much esteemed friend of Thomas Jefferson, proved to be a further detriment to Moustier’s reputation in America. “Appearances (whether well or ill founded is not important),” Jay told Jefferson, “have created and diffused an opinion that an improper Connection subsists between him [Moustier] and the Marchioness. You can easily conceive the Influence of such an opinion on the Minds and Feelings of such a People as ours” (Jay to Jefferson, 25 Nov. 1788, James Madison to Jefferson, 8 Dec. 1788, JEFFERSON [1]Julian P. Boyd et al., eds. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. 41 vols. to date. Princeton, N.J., 1950–., 14:290–91, 339–42).

   For her part Madame de Bréhan was already “furiously displeased with America” (Jefferson to Maria Cosway, 14 Jan. 1789, JEFFERSON [1]Julian P. Boyd et al., eds. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. 41 vols. to date. Princeton, N.J., 1950–., 14:445–46). She came to America hoping to find a climate beneficial to her delicate health and a pastoral utopia where the simple virtues of rural life extolled by French intellectuals of the time really existed. The harshness of the American winters and the realities of American life both in towns and in the country soon gave the lie to those romantic preconceptions, leaving her with a feeling of betrayal (JEFFERSON [1]Julian P. Boyd et al., eds. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. 41 vols. to date. Princeton, N.J., 1950–., 14:300–304).

   Madame de Bréhan’s son, Armand Louis Fidèle de Bréhan (1770–1828), who later became the marquis de Bréhan, had been brought to America with the hope of giving him an education that would be “more masculine and less exposed to seduction” than in France (Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 30 Aug. 1787, JEFFERSON [1]Julian P. Boyd et al., eds. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. 41 vols. to date. Princeton, N.J., 1950–., 12:65–66). He was later commissioned a captain in the Royal Lorraine cavalry and accompanied Moustier to Berlin when the comte was appointed minister to Prussia. Although Bréhan joined the Royalist émigrés during the early years of the French Revolution, he returned to France in 1803 and became a baron of the empire under Napoleon. When Napoleon fell from power, he apparently accommodated himself to the new Bourbon regime with little difficulty (Balteau, Dictionnaire de Biographie FrançaiseJ. Balteau et al., eds. Dictionnaire de Biographie Française. 20 vols. to date. Paris, 1933–., 7:196–97; Md. Journal, 11 Nov. 1788).

   Victor Marie du Pont (1767–1827), eldest son of the French economist and diplomat Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours (1739–1817), had recently become an attaché to the French legation. When Lafayette became commander of the French national guard in 1789, Du Pont returned home to serve the marquis as an aide-de-camp. He subsequently held several diplomatic posts in the United States and in 1800 joined his father and other members of the family in establishing permanent residence in the new nation. His American business ventures, unlike those of his younger brother Eleuthère Irénée du Pont (1771–1834), were generally unsuccessful.

   mr. george mason: probably George Mason, Jr., of Lexington (see entries for 17 Dec. 1773 and 29 Nov. 1785).

Monday 3d. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—70 at Noon And 70 at Night. A thick fog untill 8 or 9 Oclock—Clear, calm & exceedingly pleasant afterwards.
Remained at home all day. Colo. Fitzgerald & Doctr. Craik came down to dinner—& with the copy of an address (which the Citizens of Alexandria meant to present to the Minister) waited on him to know when he would receive it.
Mr. Lear went to Alexandria to invite some of the Gentlemen and Ladies of the Town to dine with the Count & Marchioness here to morrow.

   Alexandria’s address, welcoming Moustier to Virginia and expressing hope for continued close political connections and growing trade between France and the United States, was warmly received by him on 6 Nov. (Md. Journal, 25 Nov. 1788).

Tuesday the fourth. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—75 at Noon and 72 at Night. Morning clear, calm and very pleasant—as the weather continued to be thro’ the day.
Mr. Herbert & his Lady, Mr. Potts & his Lady, Mr. Ludwell Lee & his Lady, and Miss Nancy Craik came here to dinner and returned afterwards.

   In MS “Tuesday” reads “Thuesday.”

Wednesday 5th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—75 at Noon and 73 at Night. Very clear, calm, warm & pleast. all day.
The Minister & Madame de Brehan expressing a desire to Walk to the New Barn—we accordingly did so and from thence through Frenchs Plantation to my Mill and from thence home compleating a tour of at least Seven Miles.
Previous to this, in the Morning before breakfast I rid to the Ferry, Frenchs, D. Run and Muddy hole Plantations.
At the Ferry some of the People were cleaning up the Rye

which had been tread out the day before. Others were digging Potatoes. The Plows were at work in No. 5.
At French’s—the People were preparing the yard to tread out Oats which had remained in shocks at the yard.
At Dogue Run—some hands were cleaning up Rye and preparing to lay down a bed of Wht. and others digging a Cellar to Store Irish Potatoes in—The Plows yesterday & this day being stopped to tread out grain.
At Dogue run—The People were raising Mud for Manure. The Rye would be all in and covered to day.

Thursday 6th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—73 at Noon and 72 at Night. Clear, calm, warm and exceeding pleasant.
About Nine Oclock the Minister of France, the Marchioness de Brehan & their Suit, left this on their return for New York. I accompanied them as far as Alexandria & returned home to dinner. The Minister proceeded to George Town after having received an address from the Citizens of the Corporation.
In the Afternoon Mr. Ferdinand Fairfax came in and stayed all Night.

   Moustier and Madame de Bréhan originally planned to make a more extensive tour of Virginia including stops at Richmond, the Natural Bridge, and Monticello, home of their friend Thomas Jefferson. They cut short their visit to the state because, in their opinion, “the season was too far advanced” and they already “had so much suffer’d from the cold” on their travels. Nevertheless, they were greatly pleased with GW and Mount Vernon. “Every thing there,” they wrote Jefferson, “is enchanting” (29 Dec. 1788, JEFFERSON [1]Julian P. Boyd et al., eds. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. 41 vols. to date. Princeton, N.J., 1950–., 14:399–400).

   Ferdinando Fairfax, a godson of GW, had inherited most of the estate of his uncle George William Fairfax during the past year (GW to Warner Washington, 9 Nov. 1787, NHi: George and Martha Washington Papers).

Friday 7th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning 62 at Noon and 60 at Night. Brisk Wind from the So. Wt. with great appearances of much rain till towards evening when it cleared—Sprinklings now & then through the day.
Went with Mr. Fairfax to my New Barn and to the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s, Dogue run and Muddy hole.
At the Ferry—five plows were breaking up Field No. 5. The other force was cleaning Wheat which had been tread out and digging Potatoes.
At French’s—Two of the Plows were at the Ferry—the other was stopped. Some of these people were digging Potatoes at the Ferry and others cleaning up Oats.

At Dogue run—The Plows were at work in Field No. 3: that is five; one of them from Muddy hole. The People were cleaning Wheat.
At Muddy hole—The hands were getting up Mud & some endeavouring to get up Hogs.

Saturday 8th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 62 at Night. Clear all day, with the Wind high from the No. Wt.
Went up to Alexandria, agreeably to a summons, to give testimony in the Suit depending between the Estate of Mr. Custis and Mr. Robt. Alexander. Returned by the New Barn which had got about half the Rafters up.
Found Mrs. Stuart, Miss Stuart, and all Mrs. Stuarts Children here when I came home.

Sunday 9th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 52 at Night. Clear & pleasant without much Wind—that Easterly.
At home all day. One of the Bucks in the Paddock having much wounded the Young woman Dolshy, Doctr. Craik was sent for who came and stayed all Night.

   Dolshy, a dower slave, was listed in 1799 as a spinner. She was then the wife of the slave carpenter Joe (list of Negroes belonging to GW, c.June 1799, NjP: Armstrong Collection).

Monday 10th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 50 at Night. Wind Easterly all day & fresh with clouds and great appearances of Rain.
Doctr. Craik went away in the Morning. Rid to all the Plantations.
In the Neck—the Plows and all hands were putting in Rye and taking up Potatoes—except a few who were threshing out Oats.
At Muddy hole—Two Plows were gone to Dogue Run. The Plowman of the other, and the Overseer were endeavouring to get up some outlaying hogs. The other People were getting up Mud.
At Dogue run. The Plows were at work in No. 3. The other hands were cleaning up the Tailings of Wheat & preparing the Cellar for Potatoes.
At French’s—The Overseer & one or two other hands were employed in putting in Wheat in the bouting rows, in field No. 6; especially in that part where the Wht. was sown in drills. The other hand & his plows were at the Ferry.

At the Ferry—five plows were at Work in No. 5. Part of the hands were cleaning Wheat which had been tread out and part were getting up Potatoes.
The New Barn would nearly if not quite have the Rafters up to day.

Tuesday 11th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 52 at Night. In the Night past the Wind shifted more to the Southward and blew most violently. About day it began to rain (which it had done by intervals durg. the Night) and continued to do so till about sun rise when it cleared but still continued to blow very hard at So. West the whole day.
All my People, except those in the Neck were on the public roads repairing of them to day: attended, in some measure, this business myself.
Mr. Lund Washington—Overseer of the Roads—dined here to day.

   Lund Washington was appointed by the Fairfax County court on 20 Oct. 1785 to oversee two public roads that ran across the Mount Vernon plantation: from Gum Spring to the mill on Dogue Run and from Gum Spring to Posey’s ferry (Fairfax County Order Book for 1783–88, 180, Vi Microfilm). His visit today was apparently an official one made to request GW to repair one or both roads with his slaves.

Wednesday 12th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 51 at Night. Wind at So. Wt. all day & pleasant—Clear in the morning, but a little lowering towards 3 oclock—clear afterwards.
The force of yesterday was employed in the roads to day.
Mrs. and Miss Stuart went away after breakfast. I rid to the repairers of the Road and to my New Barn—the Rafters of which were all raised about Noon.
Mr. Lund Washington dined here again to day.

   GW bought about 100,000 eighteen-inch-long juniper shingles for the barn from Thomas Newton, Jr., of Norfolk at a cost of about £40, but unfortunately the last and largest load of shingles did not reach Mount Vernon until the middle of December (GW to Newton, 1 Aug., 10 Oct., and 17 Dec. 1788, DLC:GW). “The Season,” GW wrote the comte de Moustier 15 Dec. 1788, “will be so far advanced before I shall have compleatly finished covering my Barn, that I can be able to do nothing more to it this year” (Arch. des Aff. Etr., Mémoires et Documents, Etats-Unis, vols. 5–6). George Augustine Washington oversaw the completion of the building the following spring (GW to George Augustine Washington, 31 Mar. 1789, DLC:GW).

Thursday 13th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning— at Noon and  at Night. Clear calm, and very pleasant all day.
Began a Survey of the Road leading from my Ferry to Cameren and thence along the Back road by Mr. Lund Washingtons & Mr. Triplett to my Mill, & from thence direct to the Ferry—But meeting Doctr. Craik coming to introduce a Mr. Wilming and another German from Bremin, I turned back with them—after having got as far as Cameren. Dr. Craik retd.

   GW wished to replace the public roads running through the Mount Vernon plantation with a single new road. Virginia law forbade the use of gates on public roads; to fence or ditch both sides of a road to keep livestock in or out was expensive. The new road would run from Posey’s ferry past the new barn on Ferry plantation to the mill, thence generally with the millrace to the tumbling dam at the head of the race, and then east across Mount Vernon’s northern boundary to join the “riverside old road” between Gum Spring and Cameron. The “Back road” on which Lund Washington and William Triplett lived was the main road from Alexandria to Colchester (GW to George Augustine Washington, 31 Mar. 1789, and GW to William Pearce, 28 Sept. 1794, DLC:GW; Fairfax County Order Book for 1788–91, 32, Vi Microfilm; map of roads and fences to be maintained for use of the ferry, [Oct. 1790], Vi; map of roads from Cameron to Posey’s ferry and Robert Boggess’s, n.d., ViMtvL). mr. wilming: Henrich Wilmans of Bremen, Germany.

Friday 14th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning— at Noon and 56 at Night. Wind Southerly in the forenoon, and thro’ the day till evening, when it shifted to No. Wt. All the forenoon was very cloudy with great appearances of rain—some of which in a sprinkle or two, fell about 11 Oclock—afternoon clear.
Mr. Wilming—the German Gentleman above mentioned having offered to engage a Gardener for me and to send him in a ship from Bremen; I requested that it might not exceed the following conditions for him and his Wife (if he brings one)—viz.—Ten pounds sterling for the 1st. year—Eleven for the 2d.—Twelve for the 3d. and so on, a pound encrease, till the sum should amt. to £15. beyond which not to go. That he would be found a comfortable House, or room in one, with bedding, victuals & drink; but no clothes; these for self and wife to be provided at his own expence—That he is to be a compleat Kitchen Gardener with a competent knowledge of Flowers and a Green House. And that he is to come under Articles and firmly bound. His, or their passages to be on as low terms as it can be obtained—The Wife if one comes is to be a Spinner, dairy Woman—or something of that usefulness.
After Mr. Wilming went away as soon as breakfast was over I rid to all the Plantations.

In the Neck—The sowing of ten Bushels of Winter Barley, East side of field No. 6 between the Corn was just finished (for an experiment)—being delayed till this time for want of the Barley, from Mr. Wayles. The People were employed in digging Potatoes which they wd. finish doing to day. The Plows were, some breaking up No. 8 and others plowing in Rye the sowing of which would be compleated to morrow.
At Muddy hole—the hands were getting up Mud. Plows at D. Run.
At Dogue run—they were cleaning a bed of Wheat which had been tread out yesterday; & compleating the Potatoe Cellar.
At Frenchs—The People were repairing the Fences around field No. 5. The Plows were at the Ferry.
At the Ferry 6 plows were at Work—the People digging Potatoes.
Mr. Lear finished to day what was left undone yesterday of the Survey of the Roads.
Doctr. Logan and Lady of Philaa. and a Monsr.  of Lyons in France came here to dinner and went away afterwards.

   Henrich Wilmans sent a gardener named John Christian Ehlers to GW in the summer of 1789. Ehlers, who was later joined by his wife, began work at the rate of 12 guineas a year and received subsequent raises. GW dismissed him in the fall of 1797 (GW to Wilmans, 12 Oct. 1789, Wilmans to GW, 28 Feb. 1790, and GW to James Anderson, 7 April 1797, DLC:GW; LEDGER BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., 313, 353; LEDGER CGeneral Ledger C, 1790–1799. Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, N.J., 9).

   Andrew Wales (c.1737–1799) operated a brewery in Alexandria for many years. Little barley of any kind was grown or sold in the Alexandria area, and Wales as a brewer was the only local person who maintained a supply of it (GW to Thomas Peters, 4 Dec. 1786, NN: Emmet Collection; GW to William Pearce, 23 Mar. 1794, DLC:GW).

   Dr. George Logan married Deborah Norris (1761–1839) of Philadelphia 6 Sept. 1781. Granddaughter of a chief justice of Pennsylvania, she obtained an exceptionally good education for a woman of her times largely as a result of a self-directed program of study at home. Her many social connections in the Philadelphia area and her precise and well-informed mind make her Memoir of Dr. George Logan of Stenton (Philadelphia, 1899), written after her husband’s death in 1821, and her extensive annotation of family manuscripts, also undertaken in her later years, valuable sources for historians.

Saturday 15th. Thermometer at 43 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 50 at Night. Clear morning with the Wind at No. Wt. Pleasant all day & clear with less Wind.
Went with my Compass and finished the line of stakes from Dogue run (at the Tumbling dam) to Hunting Ck.; for a road on the border of my land adjoining to Colo. Masons. Also connected

this with the road leading from the Gum Spring to Alexandria and from the former run the courses and measured the distances to my Mill and from the Mill to the Mansion House.

   On my return home in the Evening I found Mr. Warville and a Mr. de Saint Tries here—brought down by Mr. Porter who returned again.

   Jacques (Jean) Pierre Brissot de Warville (1754–1793), French journalist and reformer, came to the United States in July of this year as an agent for three European financiers who were interested in investing in the American public debt and in public lands. However, Brissot also had reasons of his own for coming. A warm friend of the United States and an admirer of Jean Jacques Rousseau, he was thinking of settling in America, possibly in the Shenandoah Valley and was planning to write a history of the new country (BRISSOTJ. P. Brissot de Warville. New Travels in the United States of America, 1788. Translated by Mara Soceanu Vamos and Durand Echeverria. Edited by Durand Echeverria. Cambridge, Mass., 1964., xi—xxi). It was this last project that brought him to Mount Vernon. Brissot, Lafayette wrote to GW 25 May 1788, “is . . . very desirous to Have a peep at Your papers, which Appears to me a deserved Condescension as He is Very fond of America, writes pretty well, and will set Matters in a proper light” (PEL). How much Brissot used GW’s papers during his brief stay, if at all, is not known, but he was well received by GW and was given, he said, “a great deal of information both on the recent war and on present conditions in America” (BRISSOTJ. P. Brissot de Warville. New Travels in the United States of America, 1788. Translated by Mara Soceanu Vamos and Durand Echeverria. Edited by Durand Echeverria. Cambridge, Mass., 1964., 345). From Mount Vernon, Brissot went to New York and sailed for France, where he soon became deeply involved in the French Revolution. He was a prominent member of the Paris Commune and a leader of the Girondist party, but during the Terror he fell from power and was guillotined.

   The chevalier de St. Trys (St. Tries, St. Trise, St. Fris), “a Captain in a french Rgt of dragoons,” had a letter of introduction to GW from Lafayette (4 May 1788, PEL). He had probably come to America on the ship that

brought Brissot, but did not return to France with him (Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 1 May 1788, James Madison to Jefferson, 12 Dec. 1788, JEFFERSON [1]Julian P. Boyd et al., eds. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. 41 vols. to date. Princeton, N.J., 1950–., 13:122–23, 14:352–53; St. Trys to Benjamin Franklin, 25 July 1788, HAYSI. Minis Hays, ed. Calendar of the Papers of Benjamin Franklin in the Library of the American Philosophical Society. Philadelphia, 1908., 4:377).

Sunday 16th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 50 at Night—Lowering all day with the Wind fresh from the So. Wt.—towards Night the Wind shifted to the Eastward, and in the course of it rained.
Monsrs. Warville and Saint Tres returned to Alexandria in my Chariot.

Monday the 17th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 50 at Night. Warm and lowering.
It was this day and not yesterday that Mr. Warville and Mr. Staint trees went to Alexandria. An Officer in the Navy of the United Netherlands came here to dinner and stayed all Night—introduced by Mr. Jas. McHenry of Baltimore—his name Richard Daily.
I remained at home all day.

Tuesday 18th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 48 at Night. Warm and pleasant.
Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs & Dogue run.
At the Ferry—Six plows were at Work. All the other force of this place & Frenchs were digging Potatoes.
At Dogue run—Seven plows were at Work. The other hands were cleaning up Wheat which had been tread out and grubbing and Sprouting in the field where the Plows were.
The Muddy hole began to gather Corn in the New grd. at the home house yesterday.
Mr. Roger West dined here to day.

Wednesday 19th. Thermometer at 48 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 56 at Night. Lowering all day; but little wind and that from the Southward.
Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck the Plows were at Work breaking up field No. 8. The other hands were stripping the Seed off the flax in order to Spread.
At Muddy hole—gathering & carrying home as on the preceeding days.
At Dogue run Sprouting the meadow—the weather being too heavy to tread Wheat.
At French’s & the Ferry the same Work going on as yesterday.

Thursday 20th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning 56 at Noon and 56 at Night. A very heavy fog—and lowering Weather all day—with a light air from the No. East.
Went to Alexandria with Mrs. Washington. Dined with Colo. Henry Lee & Lady at Mr. Fendalls and returned home in the Evening. Found Doctr. La Moyeur here.

   Matilda Lee and her mother, Elizabeth Steptoe Lee Fendall, were both very ill. Neither ever fully recovered her health, Mrs. Fendall dying the next spring, and Matilda in the fall of 1790. The Lees stayed in Alexandria until the middle of March (GW to Henry Lee, 30 Nov. 1788, and Lee to GW, 2 and 23 Dec. 1788 and 14 Mar. 1789, DLC:GW).

Friday 21st. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning 56 at Noon and 56 at Night. Thick morning and dull through the day—without wind.
Visited the Plantations at the Ferry—Frenchs and D. Run.
At the two first—the Plows were at Work as usual. The other hands were digging Potatoes.
At Dogue run 7 plows were at Work—the other hands riddling Potatoes and putting them away in the Cellar which has been prepared for them.
Muddy hole People about Corn. Doctr. Lee came here to dinner and stayed all Night.

   riddling potatoes: removing soil from potatoes with a coarse sieve.

Saturday 22d. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning 66 at Noon and 66 at Night. A very thick fog in the Morning—but clear, calm & remarkably pleasant afterwards.
Docter Lee going away after breakfast I rid to all the Plantations.
In the Neck—Seven plows began to break up that part of field No. 8 wch. is directly opposite to Mr. [Abednego] Adams’s on the point. The other hands having finished spreading the flax were employed in threshing out Pease.
At Muddy hole—finished gathering the Corn in the New ground & Carting it to the Plantation. The Grey Mare slunk her fold.
At Dogue run—Seven Plows as usual were at Work. The other hands were Riddling Potatoes.
At the Ferry & French’s (which are now united under one management) Six plows were at Work as usual and the other People began to get Corn from the Ferry field No. part & to husk it.
Began at all the Plantations to feed my fatting hogs with Corn,

not finding that they throve much on Potatoes altho’ they eat them very greedily. This might be owing to their not having sufficient age, for they are all young and growing.

   Ferry and French’s plantations were put under the management of James Bloxham (GW to George Augustine Washington, 26 Aug. 1787, WRITINGSJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. 39 vols. Washington, D.C., 1931–44., 29:263–66; GW’s instructions for James Bloxham, 1 Jan. 1789, DLC:GW). GW called this area “the United Plantations” or simply “Ferry & French’s” until 1793 when he named it “Union Farm, or Plantation” (GW to Anthony Whitting, 27 Jan. 1793, DLC:GW).

Sunday 23d. Thermometer at 47 in the morning—54 at Noon and 56 at Night. A good deal of rain fell in the course of last Night and this day.

Monday 24th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 68 at Night. A brisk So. Wester with Clouds, Mists & Sun shine, alternately in the forenoon. Clear afterwards till Night, when the wind came out hard from the No. West but shifted to the No. Et. and rained a little in the Night. Visited the United Plantations, D. Run & Muddy hole.
At the first the People were husking Corn and the Plows at work in No. 7 at Frenchs breaking up for B. Wheat & Wheat next year.
At D. Run Seven plows were still at work in No. 3—the other hands riddling & stowing away Potatoes.
At Muddy hole—the Plows were at D. Run. The other hands were getting up Mud and threshing out Rye.
Messrs. Thos. and Ferdinand Fairfax came here to dinner and stayed all Night.

   GW today wrote letters of introduction for Ferdinando Fairfax to Samuel Powel and Dr. Thomas Ruston, both of Philadelphia. Ferdinando was preparing to go to that city “for the laudable purpose of compleating his Studies” (GW to Powel, ViMtvL; GW to Ruston, WRITINGSJohn C. Fitzpatrick, ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. 39 vols. Washington, D.C., 1931–44., 30:132).

Tuesday 25th. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 36 at Night. Wind at No. East with rain in the morning heavy all day and sometimes dripping Rain.
At home all day, intending if the weather would have permitted to have gone up to the Great & Seneca falls by appointment made with Colos. Fitzgerald & Gilpin.
After dinner the two Mr. Fairfaxs went away.

Wednesday 26th. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 46 at Night. Raining more or less all day—with the Wind at No. East.

Thursday 27th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—49 at Noon and 48 at Night. Clear and tolerably pleasant, with the Wind at So. Wt.
Rid to the Plantations (United) & to D. Run & Muddy hole.
At the first—Six plows were at Wk. and all the other hands were Grubbing in fields No. 7 at Frenchs, where the plowing was going on.
At Dogue Run—The Plows (Seven) were still at Work in field No. 3 and the other People removing Potatoes.
At Muddy hole (the Plows being at D. Run) the People were threshing Rye.
Colo. Blackburn and Mr. Gustavus Scott of Maryland came here to dinner & stayed all Night—as did a Mr. Packet.

   Gustavus Scott (1753–1800), of Cambridge, Md., was the youngest son of Rev. James Scott of Prince William County. A lawyer, he was educated at King’s College, Aberdeen, Scotland, and at the Inns of Court, London. He represented Somerset County in the Maryland conventions of 1775 and 1776 and was a delegate from Dorchester County in the assembly 1780–81 and 1783–85. During the latter session he played an active role in the creation of the Potowmack Company. He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1784 but was prevented from attending by bad health. GW appointed him a commissioner for the city of Washington in 1794 (GW to Tobias Lear, 28 Aug. 1794, DLC:GW).

   Mr. Packet, who lived at Bushfield with Bushrod Washington apparently as an employee, today brought a letter from Bushrod to GW, dated 20 Nov. 1788, in which Bushrod announced his intention of moving to Alexandria. The demands of his plantation and of his legal career, Bushrod had found, were incompatible. “The life as well as the capacity of man,” he wrote, “is insufficient to attain even a competant degree of perfection in more than one Study, and as my inclination is attached to that of Law, I wish not to be diverted from it.” Packet was on his way “up to Alexandria to enquire about the Rent of Houses in that place” (ViMtvL). This Mr. Packet may be the John Packett whom GW employed in some capacity from Aug. 1789 to Sept. 1791 (LEDGER BGeneral Ledger B, 1772–1793. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers., 313).

Friday 28th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 45 at Night. Wind at No. Et. all day, with heavy clouds and at times thick mists—in the evening it Rained.
Colo. Blackburn & Mr. Scott not going away until towards Noon together with the suspiciousness of the day prevented me from riding.

Saturday 29th. Thermometer at 45 in the morning—54 at Noon and 50 at Night. Morning cloudy with the Wind at So. Wt. which veering round to the No. Wt. blew very hard & cleared.
Mr. Richd. Harrison, late Consul in Spain, Colo. Ramsay and

Mr. Snow came here to dinner and returned to Alexandria afterwards.
Rid to the two Plantations (united) to Dogue run, and to Muddy hole.
At the first, the Plows (6) were as usual at Work and all the others were digging Potatoes in the Ferry part.
At Dogue run—Seven plows were at Work. The other hands were digging, topping & stringing Carrots.
At Muddy hole. The Ploughs as usual, were at Dogue run. The other hand were (as yesterday) threshing Oats.

Sunday 30th. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 46 at Night. The Wind was fresh from the No. West in the Morning and the grd., for the first time, this fall, pretty hard frozen. Towards noon the wind lulled; and at Night came out from the So. Wt. and lowered a good deal blowing fresh. It was this day & not yesterday that Mr. Harrison &ca. were here.


Title: [Diary entry: 1 December 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Monday 1st. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—55 at Noon and 54 at Night. Wind at So. Wt., & very fresh all day, with clouds but no great appearance of Rain. Towards Night it shifted to No. Wt. & continued to blow hard—turning cold. Visited all the Plantations on this side the Creek. At the United ones—The Plows as usual were at Work. The other hands were in part digging the remainder of the Potatoes in the Ferry field No. 2 and would go when they were done, wch. would be about Noon, into French’s No. 4 adjoining about the same work. The other part were cleaning Wheat at the Ferry wch. had been tread out before the late wet weather & part of it sprouted. At Dogue run—The Plow horses, and part of the hands were getting out Wheat. The other part finished taking up the Carrots wch. after topping, stringing and washing turned 86 bushels. These grew on 17 Rows between the Corn—two of which were transplanted & yielded badly—being (generally) small short, & forked—running more into top than root. 34 Rows of Potatoes, also between the Corn & intermixed with the above Carrots, yielded as noted 15th. Oct. 198½ bush. The other mixtures among the Corn were Cabbages, which came to nothing and Turnips (in drills) which at this time, are not much better; five Rows

of each; making together, of the vegitable tribe, 61 Rows, all of which were intermixed between 60 Rows of Indian Corn which are to be gathered, & measured seperately, to see the yield of each. At Muddy hole the people were getting up Mud for manure.


Title: [Diary entry: 3 December 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 3d. Thermometer at 32 in the Morning—33 at Noon and 29 at Night. Clear with the Wind fresh from No. Wt. & cold—ground as yesterday froze hard. Rid to the two Plantations united and to the New Barn. The Plows at these places were at work as usual. After sending of the wheat to the Mill—the whole force with some hands from Muddy hole the ditchers &ca. from the House were employed in getting up & securing the Potatoes in field No. 4 at Frenchs in the Barn.


Title: [Diary entry: 4 December 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 4th. Thermometer at 25 this Morning—42 at Noon and 40 at Night. Wind still at No. Wt. and fresh—but after the Morning the cold was not so severe as yesterday. At home all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 5 December 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

 Friday 5th. Thermometer at 36 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 42 at Night—Wind Southerly and weather moderate—a few flakes of snow fell in the early part of the Morning—but not enough to whiten the grd. This is the first that has fallen here this fall. Clear & pleasant all day—but the Wind getting to No. Wt. again at Night it turned cold. Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck the Plows were stopped by the frost which had frozen the ground quite hard. The greater part of the hands had been working on the public roads the two preceeding days. To day they were removing Potatoes into the Barn from the Corn House. All the hands from Muddy hole were at Dogue run, & digging Potatoes at Frenchs. No plowing. At Dogue Run—Plows were stopped. Part of the hands were gathering, drawing & husking corn and part cleaning up Wheat which had been tread out. At the Ferry & Frenchs Plantations The Plows were at work and most of the other hands were from about 10 or 11 Oclock digging Potatoes. In the Morning, and all day yesterday the ground was too hard frozen to dig them up. Some of the People were cleaning up (at the Ferry) the last tread wheat.


Title: [Diary entry: 7 December 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 7th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—57 at Noon and 57 at Night. Clear, warm & pleasant all day.


Title: [Diary entry: 9 December 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Tuesday 9th. Thermometer at 60 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 60 at Night. Wind still Southerly and fresh—a good deal of

rain fell in the course of last Night and the early part of this Morning. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs & Dogue run. At the two first the Plows were at work in field No. 7 at French’s and all the other hands with the assistance as mentioned last week were employed to day as they were yesterday in getting up Potatoes. At Dogue run. The Plows finished about Noon, breaking up field No. 3 and the other hands compleated the Husking and measuring the Corn which grew in 60 rows between the Carrots—qty. 46 barrls. of sound Corn and 4 of what is called cow Corn—hence

60 Rows of Corn produced
}
230 Bls.

34 ditto of Irish Potatoes intermixed with these
198 1/2

17 ditto of Carrots—ditto
86

 Mr. Ludwell Lee & Mr. Elliot Lee came here to dinner and in the afternoon with Colo. Henry Lee returned to Alexandria. Concluded my exchange after dinner to day with Colo. Hy. Lee of Magnolio for 5000 acres of Kentucke Land agreeably to the memo. which he gave to me—which in case it should have been disposed of by Doctr. Skinner (now deceased) is to be supplied by other Lands of equal value. This bargain was made in the presence of Colo. Humphreys, the two Mr. Lees above mentioned Mr. Lear, & my Nephew Geo. Auge. Washington.


Title: [Diary entry: 10 December 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Wednesday 10th. Thermometer at 41 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 43 at Night. Clear, with the Wind fresh at No. Wt. all day. Remained at home all day. William Gardener—my New Overseer for the Neck, arrived (by Water) with his family to day.


Title: [Diary entry: 11 December 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Thursday 11th. Thermometer at 37 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 44 at Night—Clear & tolerably pleasant—the Wind being Southerly. Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry & Frenchs—Dogue run & Muddy hole. At the first, the 6 Plows having finished breaking up No. 7 at Frenchs began yesterday about dinner to plow in No. 4 at the Ferry. All the other hands assisted as before were digging Potatoes in No. 4 at Frenchs. At Dogue run—the 4 plows at this place, and the 3 belonging to Muddy hole, began in the afternoon of Tuesday to plow in No. 5 at the latter plantation having finished breaking up No. 3 at the first. Some of the hands at this place were cleaning Wheat & the others about the Corn. At Muddy hole—The Plows began in No. 5 as has been mentioned. Some hands were getting in a Stack of Oats and the rest were at French’s.


Title: [Diary entry: 12 December 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Friday 12th. Thermometer at 35 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 46 at Night—Clear in the forenoon with appearances of Snow, in the afternoon but these vanished before Night. Wind Southerly all day. Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck 7 Plows were in No. 8 breaking it up. The other hands were pulling and getting in Corn; and topping Carrots. At Muddy hole—3 plows were at work in No. 5. The other hands were in part threshing Oats and part at Frenchs about the Potatoes. At Dogue run—the Plow horses were treading Wheat and the hands attending—getting in & husking Corn. At the Ferry & Frenchs—6 Plows were at work in No. 5 at the Ferry. The other hands were all employed abt. the Potatoes.


Title: [Diary entry: 13 December 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Saturday 13th. Thermometer at 38 in the Morning—52 at Noon and  at Night. Clear, calm & pleasant. Visited the Ferry & French’s, & Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations. At the two first the Horses were getting out the remainder of the wheat—a small damaged stack and the Plow people attending. All the other hands were about the Potatoes which were dug & housed

to day—quantity in the whole (at Frenchs) 1088 bushels—but many of them having suffered by frost—and all being put up wet, owing to the sloppiness of the ground occasioned thereby—the whole must be taken out, assorted & dried in order to preserve them. It is indispensable that this work should be, next year, & every succeeding one, be compleated before the ground begins to freeze—in short as soon as the tops of the Potatoes begin to fade & while there is Sun to dry them properly. At Dogue run—treading Wheat again & the other hands employed as yesterday. At Muddy hole—the Plows and other People were at Work as yesterday.


Title: [Diary entry: 14 December 1788]
From: Washington, George
To:

Sunday 14th. Thermometer at 40 in the morning— at Noon and 50 at Night—Clear, warm & pleasant all day with the Wind at So. Et.