[January 1787]

[Monday 1st.] Mercury at 55 in the Morning—67 at Noon and 58 at Night.

But little wind and that southerly—very warm. Morning foggey—flying vapour rather than a standing fog.

Went to the Plantation of Jno. Robinson to have his Stock of Horses & Cattle appraised to me. Colo. McCarty on my part and Mr. Lund Washington on his valued them—as follow

£ s d A Black (or dark brown) Mare about 14 hands high—no white but a long switch tail and supposed to be 9 years old. With a sorrel horsecolt of last spring—a long narrow blaze—a little white on the upper lip and 2 White hind feet 9 0 0 A Bla. Mare. No white except a few gray hairs on her nose abt. 13½ hands high 6 yrs. old A bla. horse colt—last Spring no white but a small snip on the nose 6 0 0 A Sorrel Mare blazed face off hind foot white abt. 14 hands high 7 years old A Sorrel Mare colt. 1 year old—blaze in the face A Sorrel horse Colt of this Spring blaze in the face white rd. the hoofs both hers 11 10 0 A Sorrel Stallion—a blaze face—2 hind feet & off fore foot white—13 ½ hds. high & 6 years old 5 0 0 A Sorrel horse with a kd. of blaze & snip in one 2 hind feet white—Thin & badly made. 13½ hds. high and 7 years old 4 10 0 0106 88 A Dark bay horse (Stallion) one hind foot near one white—4 next Spg. 13 ½ hands high. 5 10 0 A Sorrel two years old horse Colt—long Star & white Nose 3 0 0 11. in all amountg. to £44 .10 —

Cattle

1 Brindle Bull. 3 yrs. next Sprg. 4 0 0 1 Red Oxen 12 0 1 Brindle & pied 1 Brindle & White Steer unbroke 4 1 Bla. Cow—White Belly—& red Yearlg. Bull Calf 4 1 Bla. Cow & bla. Bull Calf 4 1 Brindle Cow & brind. B. Calf 4 1 Red Cow & pied bull Calf 4 I Brindle Cow with white belly & red calf with wh. belly 4 1 Brindle hiefer with calf 2 10 15 head in all amt. £42. 10 11 horses as above 44. 10 Total £87.

For the payment of the Sum on the other side viz. £87 I passed my Certificate payable to Mrs. French.

Besides the above 20 bushls. of Wheat sowed on the Plantation, and putting it in, was valued by the aforementioned Gentlemen at 7/6 pr. Bushel; for [ ] Bushels I am to pay Thos. Pool.

It being wet where James Lawson was ditching, I ordered him to quit & go to that part where he had left off the [ ] of Decr. last & to continue that ditch up to the road by the bridge.

Began to Plow in Field No. 1 at Dogue run to day 4 plows for Barley &ca. & to prepare the fencing for field No. 4. at the same place.

Also begun with the Muddy hole people to Hoe the ground on the right of the road (going out) at the Home House for Corn.

Colo. McCarty and Mr. Lund Washington came home with me to dinner. Found the wife of the latter & Colo. White and a Mr. West the two last of whom stayed all Night. The rest went away in the evening.

0107 89 JNO. ROBINSON: John Robertson. HORSES & CATTLE APPRAISED TO ME: GW's agreement with Robertson on 24 Oct. 1786 had specified that GW would buy Robertson's horses and cattle at an appraised price and pay the sum to Mrs. French. Robertson in turn would be exonerated from part of the rent owed to her (DLC:GW). THOS. POOL: GW may mean Peter Pool, who had relinquished his tenant house to Robertson (see entry for 24 Oct. 1786). Both Thomas and Peter Pool appear in the 1785 Virginia tax census in the same Fairfax County tax list (HEADs OF FAMILIES, VA., 85). GW's opinion of the Pool family, which in 1794 was living on land near his mill, was that “a more worthless set are no where to be found” (GW to William Pearce, 14 Dec. 1794, DLC:GW). Anthony Walton White (1750–1803), of New Jersey, often called Walton White, was the son of Anthony and Elizabeth Morris White, daughter of Gov. Lewis Morris of New Jersey. White was privately educated and before the Revolution assisted his father in the management of the family's considerable estates. During the Revolution he served as a lieutenant colonel and colonel in various New Jersey regiments. From 1788 to 1793 White resided in New York and attempted to recoup his finances, depleted by wartime expenditures and unsuccessful business ventures, through applications for a government post (White to GW, 1 May and 22 Sept. 1789, DLC:GW). In 1793 he returned to New Jersey.

Tuesday 2d. Mercury at 46 in the Morning—63 at Noon and 59 at Night.

A Moist, vapoury morning but clear till afternoon when it lowered & looked much like rain. The ground quite uncovered and the frost entirely out of it.

Colo. Walton White and Mr. West went away before breakfast. I rid to the Ferry—Frenchs & Dogue run Plantations. Set the Muddy hole Ploughs 3 to work, to prepare a small piece of ground East of the Branch in field No. 1 for Barley & grass Seeds.

Wednesday 3d. Mercury at 53 in the Morning—61 at Noon and 60 at Night.

Moist, warm, and giving all day; with little or no wind. At times it dripped a little of rain and at other times was foggy.

Rid to Alexandria to a meeting of the board of Directors of the Potomack Co. Did the business which occasioned the Meeting. Dined at Lomax's & returned home in the evening.

Dug the 10 Rows of Carrots wch. I had sowed between the Rows of drilled Corn at Muddy hole Plantation which turned out as follow—viz.—the first and most Northerly row yielded 3 Bushls. and the next to this 2½ Bushels—the other 8 were measured together and amounted to 14 Bushels—The tops ends and fibres being first taken from the whole. It is to be noted, that these Carrots came up exceedingly thin, whether owing to the Seeds being burried too 0108 90 deep, or to any other cause is not certain—They were even much thinner than the Potatoes in the same field—That the two rows first named were transplanted, the tip ends of the Roots being first taken off; which, or some thing else occasioned them to fork, & branch improperly—that the first of these rows i.e. the one which produced 3 bushels had no sprinkling of dung at the time of Planting—the second (yielding 21½ bushels) had and so alternately though the whole ten rows. The 8 rows not transplanted produced very fair Carrots the medium size of which might be [ ] inches in length and [ ] in circumference about midway the length of them. The greater part of these Carrots too grew in more indifferent land apparently than the Potatoes did tho part of the latter being low was drowned. Notwithstanding this I think there were more plants upon the whole of Potatoes than Carrots in the rows. Hence it appears that in the same kind of Land the latter yields more bushels to the acre than the former—for of Potatoes, 4 rows nearly of the same length as those with Carrots, produced only 6¾ Bush. and the best set one of the 4, two and a ¼ Bushels. The average of which is not quite a bushel and three pecks Whereas the average of the 10 rows of Carrots is nearly 2 Bushels—which of these is most valuable by the Bushel—in feeding or for any farm uses must be determined by experience or the accounts of others. One great advantage seems to attend Carrots and that is that they may remain without any detriment in the ground till this time for those now spoken off appear to have received no damage during the last severe frost. How much longer they woud. have remained unhurt in the ground I can not say.

Thursday 4th. Mercury at 57 in the Morning—67 at Noon and 64 at Night.

Exceedingly pleasant all day, being clear, calm and warm. Ground much dried. About dusk the wind sprung up from the South west and blew very fresh till near day.

Rid to the Ferry, Dogue run, & Muddy hole Plantations and to the Ditchers—also to Frenchs. At the last 3 Men had begun to get rails—at the Ferry the People were grubbing and cleaning up the Swamp below the Meadow and at Dogue run I set them to filling up gullies where the Plows were at work.

Friday 5th. Mercury at 54 in the Morning—51 at Noon and 46 at Night.

Day clear. In the Morning it was calm but by 8 oclock the wind Sprung up at No. Wt. & encreased till it came to blow hard & continued 0109 91 to do so till Night and some time within it. It grew colder but was not disagreeably cold.

A Mr. Smith—Boat builder came here to build me a fishing Boat for which I am to allow him 8/. a foot and a pint of rum pr. day.

Rid to the Plantations, all. In the Neck began with 8 plows to plow the cut which had been in drilled Corn next the Barn—crossing the old farrows at this plowing.

MR. SMITH: On 17 Mar. GW settled his account with Simon Smith “for buildg. & repai[rin]g boats” (LEDGER B, 242).

Saturday 6th. Mercury at 35 in the Morning—49 at Noon and 45 at Night.

The wind pretty fresh all day from the Southward—weather tolerably clear & pleasant—ground not froze.

Brought [ ] Bullocks from the Mill Meadow to Stall feed.

At home all day.

Mrs. Stuart, Miss Allan, and the two youngest Children of the former came here just before dinner.

The Muddy hole Plows finished plowing the ground they were in at Dogue run and began to plow No. 2 at home.

Purchased, and had brought home from Alexandria 10 Bushels of red Clover Seed—a bushel of which was weighed 68½ lbs.

Sunday 7th. Mercury 32 at Morn 46 at Noon and 43 at Night. Wind Southerly and pretty brisk all day—clear and warm.

At home.

Monday 8th. Mercury at 45 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 46 at Night.

Heavy & lowering all day & sometimes sprinkling. Abt. 4 Oclock it set in to a fine & constant rain which continued through the Night. But little Wind all day & tht. southerly till the evening whn. it got to the No. Et.

Rid to all the Plantations. Finished cleaning and grubbing the New Meadow at the Ferry. Old Will & the Women at Fren[ch's] were grubbing and clearing away for the Plows in the field (No. 1) on the Road. At Dogue run they were plowing & filling gullies—In the Neck clearing the ground from Corn Stalks before the Plows and the Muddy hole people employed as usual in the New ground front of the home house.

OLD WILL: Will was one of the 24 slaves belonging to Mrs. French who were leased to GW along with the land (deed of Penelope French to GW, Fairfax County Deeds, Book Q-1, 392–96, Vi Microfilm). 0110 92

Tuesday 9th. Mercury at 38 in the Morning—39 at Noon and 38 at Night.

Wet Morning with the Wind tho' light at No. Et. Cloudy and Mizzling all day.

Two Millwrights who came to my Mill yesterday began to work to day on a new Cog wheel to the grist Mill.

Kept within doors by the badness of the weather.

Took an acct. of my grass seeds on hand—which are as follows

10 Bushl. Clover a 68½ 685 lbs.

Expected from Phil. 300

985

20 Bushels orchard Grass

16½ Ditto Timothy

Ditto New river

6 Quarts Pumpkin Seeds

½ Bushl. Magity bay Pease

½ Ditto Spg. Barley Mr. Lee

½ ditto Wheat of the Cape of Good hope.

NB—The above Clover Seed at 10 lbs. to the Acre will sow 98½ acr.—at 12 lbs., 82 acres—at 14 lb. 70 lbs.—& at 16 lbs. the largest quantity bestowed on an acre. 61½ acres.

The Orchard grass at a bus. to the acre will sow 20 acres.

The Timothy Seed at a quart to the Acre will sow 528 acres at 3 pints 352 acres and at 2 Quarts to the Acre, 264 acres.

At home all day.

TWO MILLWRIGHTS: Some time in late March or early April of this year these two artisans were paid a total of £12 12s. by GW “for repairs done my mill” (LEDGER B, 245). New River grass is probably not a variety; GW often used localities as a means of designating plants for which he had no other name. The New River joins the Gauley to form the Kanawha, an affluent of the Ohio, and GW may have collected the grass seed on his western trip of 1784. In the entry for 14 May 1788 he says it appears to be a “course kind of grass.”

Wedneday 10th. Mercury at 33 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 37 at Night.

Raining in the Morning, and lowering, & sometimes mizzling the rest of the day with the wind at No. Et.

Mrs. Stuart & her Children and Miss Allan went away after breakfast.

Just before Dinner Mr. Brindley Manager of the Susquehanna Works & his Son in law came on their way to South Carolina.

0111 93

Washington's “beloved Brother,” John Augustine Washington. (Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, A.F. & A.M., Alexandria, Va.)

About the sametime I recd. by express the acct. of the sudden death (by a fit of the Gout in the head) of my beloved Brother Colo. Jno. Auge. Washington.

At home all day.

Thursday 11th. Mercury at 31 in the Morning—32 at Noon and 30 at Night.

Cloudy all day with the Wind at No. East. The greatest part of the day it was spitting Snow, but so thin and lighty, as never to whiten the ground.

Sent Mr. Lear to Alexandria to receive money and do other business for me.

Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, French's and Dogue run and to the Ditchers. At the first the labourers had begun to grub & clean up the 19 acre field on the hill part of No. 1.

Friday 12th. Mercury at 24 in the Morning—27 at Noon and 22 at Night.

Wind at No. Wt. with flying clouds and very cold.

At home all day, writing letters, & doing other matters previous to Majr. Geo. Washingtons setting of for New Kent for which place he set out after dinner, in order to receive & bring up some Negroes which his Wife's Father Colo. Bassett had given him.

0112 94 A notation in the Mount Vernon store book for this date says that the white workers are to have a bottle of rum per day “on acct. of the Cyder's being out” (ViMtV).

Saturday 13th. Mercury at 17 in the Morning—32 at Noon and 30 at Night.

Wind at No. West in the Morning but at South East in the Evening—forenoon clear, but lowering afterwards but not very much—rather raw and cold.

Rid to the Ferry, French's, and Dogue Run & Muddy hole Plantations; also to the Mill & the Ditchers—Nothing remarkable at any of them.

About 8 Oclock in the evening Doctr. Stuart on his return from the General Assembly at Richmond & Mr. Anstey came in.

Sunday 14th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—51 at Noon and 46 at Night.

Day clear and pleasant the Wind being Southerly.

Doctr. Stuart stayed and dined as did Mr. Anstey after which both went away—the 1st. to his own home and the other to Alexandria.

At home all day.

Monday 15th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 50 at Night. Rain last Night with the wind fresh from the So. Wt. which continued so through the day. Very lowering all day & now and then a sprinkling with rain but not enough to drive people from work. The Sun set clear and the Western horison indicated fair weather.

Rid to all the Plantations & to the Ditchers. In the Neck set the best plowman (Nat) to marking field No. 3 into 5 feet rows for Corn, Potatoes, Pease &ca. and finding the plowing in No. 2 wet & heavy I directed the plows to list after Nat every alternate row as soon as he had got sufficiently ahead and in the meantime while No. 2 (which was in Corn last year) remained so wet to endeavour to plow the New field about to be taken in for Corn next year. Plowing and other work going on as usual at the other places. Began to Maul Rails for French's & to fit up two plows for plowing there.

James Lawson just finished the Ditch through the Woods from the Road to the fence where the Dutchman began & began below Manleys Ho[use] opposite to work up till he meets the Dutchman.

Ascertained how many of the following Sorts of Seeds there are 0113 95 in a lb. Troy—The weight of a bushel of each & how much an acre will take of each sort to sow it.

See table on next page.

Tuesday 16th. Mercury at 35 in the Morning—55 at Noon and 52 at Night.

The forenoon a little lowering, but the afternoon clear and remarkably pleasant—little or no Wind all day.

Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, French's, Dogue run and Muddy hole—also to the Ditchers. The same kind of work going on as usual at all of them.

On my return home found Mr. Porter and Mr. Ingraham here, who dined and stayed all night.

Nathaniel Ingraham was a business partner of Thomas Porter of Alexandria.

Wednesday 17th. Mercury at 33 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 45 at Night.

Clear, with the Wind very brisk all day from the So. West—moderate but not very warm.

At home all day. Just as we had dined Messrs. Richd. & Theodk. Lee came in, and after Sundown Colo. Carrington from Congress, and Major Swan from Boston arrived, all of whom stayed the Night.

Maj. James Swan (1754–1830), who was twice wounded at Bunker Hill, subsequently held several civil offices in Massachusetts during the Revolution. In 1785, at the request of Henry Knox, GW wrote Swan letters of introduction for a trip by Swan to France where he developed a career in commerce and international finance (GW to Knox, 28 Feb. 1785, MHi: Knox Papers; PRICE [2], 2:834–37).

Thursday 18th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—55 at Noon and 47 at Night.

The Morning was exceedingly pleasant & perfectly calm. The Wind afterwards rose in the So. Wt. quarter & shifted to the westward. The ground was froze this Morning tho' not very deep.

All the Gentlemen (messrs. Porter & Ingraham who had stayed two Nights with the others) went away after Breakfast.

I rid to all the Plantations. The plows began on Tuesday to break up the New field for Corn in the Neck on Tuesday last. Worked there yesterday and would do so to day also; after which, as the ground they had left, appeared to be a good deal dried by yesterdays Wind I directed them to return to it to morrow, Finished except two lands which were left untouched, plowing the 0114 0115 97 Lay land at Dogue run, and began to list the field (alternate rows) intended for Corn at that place and began plowing with 2 plows at French's for Oats & Barley. Set another (makg. 3 plows) to work at the Ferry Plantation to day. The Muddy hole people went from the New ground in front of the Ho[me] Ho[use] to the Plantation to work, to grub & clear the stumps & bushes before the Plows at that place.

Friday 19th. Mercury at 27 in the Morning—37 at Noon and 27 at Night.

Wind at No. Et. in the Morning, with appearances of a change of Weather. About Noon it was calm, clear, and very pleast, but towards sundown the wind Sprung up again at No. Et.—the clouds gathered fast, and indicated rain speedily.

Went to French's and marked of the fields (as they are to be divided in future) by stakes.

Saturday 20th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning 45 at Noon and 43 at Night.

About 8 Oclock in the evening of yesterday it began a slow, & very moderate rain which continued it is supposed through the Night. In the morning it was very heavy with great appearances of a repetition of rain but none fell. Towards noon the Sun shone & the afternoon was clear & very pleasant. Wind at So. Et. all day but not much of it.

Rid to the Ferry, French's, Dogue run, & Muddy hole plantations—as also to the Ditchers and to the Mill. Employed as yesterday at all of them.

Mr. Lund Washington dined here.

Sunday 21st. Mercury at 37 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 42 at Night.

A very heavy thick fog till 10 Oclock—Cloudy & lowering Most part of the day afterwds. though the sun made feeble efforts to shine. Evening clr.—but little wind and that at No. Et.

Major Swan (of Boston) & Mr. Hunter of Alexandria came here to dinner & stayed all nig[ht].

Monday 22d. Mercury at 37 in the Morning—37 at Noon and 36 at Night.

Wind still at No. Et. Morning very heavy, which, about 10 Oclock turned to a thick mist and in the Afternoon to rain.

0116 98

Major Swan & Mr. Hunter set off for Fredericksburgh before Breakfast.

At home all day.

Tuesday 23d. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—34 at Noon and 32 at Night.

Heavy & thick—always misting & sometimes raining. A good deal of the latter fell in the night. Wind—tho' not much of it at No. Et.

At home alone all day.

Wednesday 24th. Mercury at 46 in the Morning—49 at Noon and 48 at Night.

Raining more or less all day. In the Morning there were some appearances of the weather clearing, but it soon thickened and set in to raining, slowly till towards sundown, when the clouds again broke to the Westward. In the Night the wind blew fresh from the So. West & Continued to come from that quarter all day but very moderately.

At home all day.

Thursday 25th. Mercury at 35 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 39 at Night.

Lowering morning, with some appearances of the weathers breaking in the forenoon but it soon thickened again and before 3 began a fine snow which soon turned to rain which it continued to do thru the whole, or greater part of the Night. Wind at So. West.

Rid to the Ditchers & Mill and to the Ferry, French's Dogue run, & Muddy hole Plantations. At work as usual at the Ferry and Frenchs—at Dogue run repairing & altering the Meadow fence & filling up gullies before the Plows. The Muddy hole Hoe People had returned to the New ground in front of the house and were breaking it up as heretofore. They came to this work on Monday Morning.

On my return home found Mr. Madison here and after Dinner Mr. Griffith came in both of Whom stayed all night.

Friday 26th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 46 at Night.

In the Morning early it rained—about 9 Oclock the weather seemed disposed to break but sooned thickened again and rained more or less from abt. Noon till Night when the weather again 0117 99 seemed inclined to clear. Wind tho' not much of it, was at So. Wt. in the Morning & more Westerly in the afternoon.

Mr. Madison & Mr. Griffith going away after breakfast (the former to attend Congress) I rid as yesterday to all the Plan[tation]s.

The Ditchers abt. Noon this day finished the level ditch as far as was intended on both sides the Swamp at French's Plantation and then began to dig a 4 feet ditch at top, & a foot (intending it for a dble. ditch) deep, on the dividing line between this & the Ferry Plantation immediately after.

Saturday 27th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—40 at Noon and 36 at Night.

A good deal of Rain falling in the Night, the ground was very wet; after 9 oclock it became clear with little or no Wind till towards Sundown, when it came out pretty brisk from the No. West.

Rid to all the Plantations and to the Ditchers whom I found had made a mistake and instead of working on the line dividing the Plantations were on one which divides the fields 2 & 3. Shifted them to the right place about 1 Oclock.

Sunday 28th. Mercury at 26 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 32 at Night.

Wind Westerly all day, and not much unlike Snow—Grd. froze in the Morning.

Colo. Henry Lee, his Lady, Miss Lee and Mr. Fendall came here to dinner—the last of whom went away afterwards (crossing the river for Maryland).

Miss Lee is undoubtedly Mrs. Matilda Lee's sister Flora Lee.

Monday 29th. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—30 at Noon and 30 at Night.

Wind cold & raw from the So. West. About Sun rise it began to snow & continued to do so for 3 or 4 hours when it turned to rain, and rained thro' the day. The Wind was Southerly but raw & cold; ground hard frozen.

Rid in the Morning before breakfast to Muddy hole Plantation in order to set the Ditcher (Danl. Overdonck) to work, but the ground was so hard froze & the weather setting in so stormy he could not proceed and returned.

0118 100

Tuesday 30th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 32 at Night.

Foggy and warm with very little or no Wind the greater part of the day. In the evening it became clear.

Rid to the Ferry, & French's Plantation, and intended to have gone further but getting wet in passing a Mirey place at French's I returned home to get on dry cloaths.

Sent Danl. Overdonck to Muddy hole again who with a fellow Charles belonging to the place began a ditch 3 feet wide at top, one at bottom, and [ ] Inches deep.

Set the Plows to work again at French's where the women & boys had begun to fence.

Wednesday 31st. Mercury at 32 in the Morng.—48 at Noon and 40 at Night.

Wind at No. West and pretty fresh early in the Morning, but decreased as the Sun rose and became quite calm & a little lowering towards Night.

Accompanied by Colo. Lee I rode to the Ferry, Frenchs Dogue run and Muddy hole Plantations and also to my Mill & the Ditches. At Dogue run the Women were altering the Meadow fences and at Muddy hole finding the Ditch too small I ordered it to be made 4 feet wide. Being in a Sandy soil the ditching here was perfectly dry, but where James Lawson & Boston were ditching at French's in Clayey ground it was very wet and disagreeable.

Mr. Fendall returned from Maryld. to dinner.

February [1787]

[Thursday 1st.] Mercury at 32 in the Morning—46 at Noon and 46 at Night.

Wind (tho' not much of it) variable and weather lowering but with changeable appearances.

Mr. Fendall, Colo. Lee & his Lady, & Miss Lee went away after breakfast.

I rid to the Ferry & French's Plantations. At the first the women were cleaning up field No. 1 below the Hill.

Friday 2d. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 36 at Night.

Very cloudy most part or all the day. Wind at No. Wt. in the Morning and So. Wt. afterwards and cold and raw.

0119 101

Majr. G. Washington & Mr. Jno. Dandridge came here to dinner yesterday. Rid to all the Plantations to day and to the Ditchers. At the River Plantn. began to sow 3 pints of Timothy seed (mixed in a bushel of Ashes) to the Acre on Tuesday last, on the Snow—but it melted so fast that not more than 2 Acres were sown before the ground getting uncovered put a stop to the Sowing. Began at the same place to plow the Homestead for Barley or Oats, or both, as Seeds could be obtained. A horse failing at French's yesterday one of the plows was stopped about 12 Oclock.

Yesterday Morning the Dogue run (Men 3 of them) began to get rails to fence in the Largest piece of Tobo. ground at Frenches for Corn.

The Mill wrights finished the repairs at my Mill last Night.

John Dandridge (d. 1799) was the son of Martha Washington's brother Bartholomew Dandridge by his second wife, Mary Burbidge Dandridge. Young Dandridge lived in New Kent County where he practiced law.

Saturday 3d. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—36 at Noon and 36 at Night.

About 8 Oclock in the evening of yesterday it began to Snow & continued to do so moderately thro the Night & till about 10 Oclock this day when after getting to be about 6 Inches deep it cleared. Wind, what little there was of it being Southerly the whole time.

Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, French's Dogue run and Muddy hole; also to the Mill and to the Ditchers.

Sunday 4th. Mercury at 24 in the Morning—30 at Noon and 34 at Night.

In the Night; or early this Morning, the Wind shifted to the No. West blew very hard and turned cold.

At home all day. About two Oclock Doctr. Stuart came in.

Monday 5th. Mercury at 18 in the morning—30 at Noon and 30 at Night.

Ground very hard froze. Wind at So. Et.; raw & cold with great appearances of a change in the weather.

After breakfast Doctr. La Moyeur went up to Alexandria and Doctr. Stuart and Mr. Jno. Dandridge to Abingdon.

I rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs Dogue run & Muddy hole. At the Ferry the Overseer had begun to sow Timothy seed mixed with Sand in the Rye field on the Snow—but the Sand being too wet & clammy to do it regular I ordered him to desist 0120 102 till the Sand could be dried. Three gallons of Timothy Seed mixed with ashes was Sown on Rye in the Neck on Saturday—adjoining what was sown there on the last Snow. Heaping the dung in the Farm pens at Muddy hole.

THE OVERSEER: Hezekiah Fairfax.

Tuesday 6th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 48 at Night.

Last evening & Night being Soft no frost to day—little or no Wind. Clear and exceedingly pleasant. Snow tho' there was a good deal in the Morning had quite disappeared by Night.

Mr. Willm. Craik who came here to dinner yesterday went away after breakfast. I rid to all the Plantations and to Simpsons with my Nephew G. A. Washington to advise him (as he was going to settle a plantation there) abt. his fencing. Sowed [ ] gallons of Timothy Seed mixed in ashes on the Rye in the Neck. Began to put up a New fence through the wood at the Ferry plantation to day—The Dogue run people putting up the rails that wet mauled by them a round frenchs Tobacco grd.—French's People also fencing and getting New rails.

About Sun down Messrs. Bushrod & Corbin Washington came in on their return from Berkeley County.

SIMPSONS: a plantation in Clifton's Neck and part of GW's 1760 purchase from William Clifton. The land had originally been leased by Clifton to Gilbert Simpson, and after Simpson's death in 1773 the lease was inherited by his son Gilbert Simpson, Jr. In Nov. 1786 Simpson agreed to sell his lease to GW (agreement between Gilbert Simpson, Jr., and GW, 21 Nov. 1786, DLC:GW).

Wednesday 7th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—30 at Noon and 32 at Night.

A good deal of rain fell in the Night. About Sun rise it began to Snow and continued to do so, more or less all day.

Continued at home.

Thursday 8th. Mercury at 27 in the Morning—30 at Noon and 30 at Night.

The Wind which had been at No. Et. all day yesterday still continued there. In the Night and early this Morning it Rained after which it hailed and then Snowed.

At home all day.

Friday 9th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 38 at Night.

0121 103

Clear, with the wind at No. Wt.; but neither hard, nor cold.

Mr. Bushrod Washington and his Brother Corbin went away after breakfast and Geo. Washington went up to Alexandria. Doctr. La Moyeur left this but meeting with some accident to his Chaise returned again.

I rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, French's, Dogue run, & Muddy hole and to the Mill & Ditchers. At the first the people were cutting down Corn stalks—at the latter heaping the dung of the Farm yards and at the other two fencing.

In the evening Doctr. Craik returned with Majr. Washington.

Saturday 10th. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—38 at Noon and 36 at Night.

Clear but raw and cold the Wind being pretty fresh all day from the So. Et. In the Night it blew very hard.

After breakfast Doctr. La Moyeur again set out & soon after Docter Craik went away.

I went into the Neck to run the outer lines of my land there bounded by Mr. Mason and Mr. Alexander and to ascertain lines for the fences of the Plantation let Major Geo. Washington.

Meeting with Mr. Edwd. Williams I bought his lease for 20 pds. and some other priviledges wch. I agreed to allow him.

BOUNDED BY MR. MASON: This land, consisting of four tracts totaling 676 acres, had formerly been owned by Col. George Mason. He had transferred it to his son Thomson Mason by deeds of 1781 and 1786 (Fairfax County Deeds, Book Q-1, 249–54). The younger Mason began building his home, Hollin Hall, on the property at about this time, and he and his wife, Sarah McCarty Chichester Mason, and their children moved into the new house in Dec. 1788 (COPELAND, 237–38). PLANTATION LET MAJOR GEO. WASHINGTON: Although George Augustine Washington and his wife, Fanny, had made their home at Mount Vernon since their marriage, in a statement to George on 25 Oct. 1786 GW wrote that “to make that situation more stable and pleasing . . . it is my present intention to give you, at my death, my landed property in the neck; containing by estimation, between two and three thousand acres . . . And under this expectation and prospect, that you may, moreover, when it prefectly suits your inclination and convenience, be preparing for, and building thereon by degrees.” GW stressed that he did not intend this as a hint for the young couple to prepare another home. “To point you to a settlement which you might make at leizure, and with convenience, was all I had in view. More than once I have informed you that in proportion as age and its concomitants encrease upon me, I shall stand in need of some person in whose industry and integrity I can confide, for assistance.” GW added that “no other married couple could give, or probably would receive the same satisfaction by living in it [the Mount Vernon family] that you do” and that with George's help he would be able “to manage my concerns without having recourse to a Steward, 0122 104 which comports neither with my interest nor inclination to employ” (GW to George Augustine Washington, 25 Oct. 1786, WRITINGS, 29:28–31). Young Washington stayed on as manager at Mount Vernon until his death in 1793. It was he who managed the estate during GW's absence at the Constitutional Convention and during the early years of the presidency. Edward Williams had a lease on some of William Clifton's land in the neck when GW purchased it in 1760 (see entry for 5 Dec. 1772). In 1782 Williams had 12 whites and no slaves in his household, and in 1785 he still had 10 whites (HEADS OF FAMILIES, VA., 17, 86). In 1786 one Edward Williams was exempted by the Fairfax County court from paying any further taxes (SPROUSE [2], 2:15).

Sunday 11th. Mercury at 31 in the Morng.—33 at Noon and 33 at Night.

Began to rain at or before day and kept very steadily at it—sometimes hard, till abt. 2 Oclock when the Sun came out for a short duration—little or no Wind & that Southerly.

Monday 12th. Mercury at 86 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 40 at Night.

The Sun rose clear, and the Morning was tolerably free from clouds but it soon over cast, and all the latter part of the day had great appearances of Snow or rain.

Rid to the Plantations at The Ferry, French's, Dogue run and Muddy hole—Plowing at the Ferry in the New Meadw. and at French's in field No. [ ] intended for Turnips Potatoes &ca. Field No. 5 in which they had been plowing for Oats & Barley being too wet. Three Plows from Muddy hole went to work at this place about Noon. Neither the Dogue run, nor Neck Plows were at Work to day.

Mr. Lear went to an Assembly at Alexandria to be held this evening and Mr. John Dandridge came from Abingdon here to Dinner.

Tuesday 13th. Mercury at 38 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 45 at Night.

Moderate and pleasant with Sun and Clouds alternately—Wind Southerly.

Rid to all the Plantations. Plows at Work—those of Muddy hole at work at Frenchs.

Ferry people came to work in the New ground front of the Mansion house on Friday the 9th.

Wednesday 14th. Mercury at 36 in the Morng.—36 at Noon and 36 at Night.

0123 105

Thick and heavy clouds in the Morning and wind at No. Et. About 8 Oclock A. M. it began to rain and kept steadily at it all day—at times raining very fast.

Rid immediately, after breakfast to French's Plantation to see a sick man and intended to have gone to others but was driven back by the rain.

Thursday 15th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 48 at Night.

Clear, wind at So. Wt. in the Morning which blew fresh by Noon—after which it came out at No. Wt. blew hard and turned cold.

Rid to the Plantations at The Ferry, French's Dogue run and Muddy hole—also to the Mill and ditchers—Plowing at all except Muddy hole—the plows of that being at Fr[enc]hs—where No. 5 being too wet they were plowing in No. 2—at the other two places, plowing the ground intended for Meadow.

Friday 16th. Mercury at 28 in the Morning 52 at Noon and 50 at Night. Very clear and pleasant in the Morning with little or no Wind. About 9 Oclock it Sprung up at No. Wt. and seemed inclined to blow hard—but before Noon it died away and came out afterwards at So. Wt.

Mr. Dandridge went away after an early breakfast and G. A. Washington set out for Berkley.

I rid to all the Plantations. Plowing at all except at Muddy hole the plows of wch. at Frenchs—In the Neck the men employed in getting Posts for railing. The Plows at that place had just got into the Orchard—the Women heaping dung.

Bath (a Negro Man from the Neck) joined the Dutch man Danl. Overdonck in ditching, yesterday.

Mr. & Mrs. Lund Washington dined here to day.

Saturday 17th. Mercury at 32 in the Morng.—48 at Noon and 42 at Night.

Wind Southerly and warm all day. Towards night it lowered.

Went into the Neck to Mark some lines for fences. Finished this Evening plowing the orchard for Barley.

Received, before I had done a message acquainting me that Colo. Wadsworth and a Mr. Chaloner were here which brought me home.

Jeremiah Wadsworth (1743–1804), Of Hartford, Conn., was an active advocate of independence and for several years served as commissary general for 0124 106

Jeremiah Wadsworth. (New-York Historical Society)

the Continental Army. Of his service GW wrote: “I only wish his successor may feed the Army as well as he has done” (GW to Samuel Huntington, 24 Nov. 1779, DLC:GW). After the war Wadsworth became an active member of the Cincinnati. Now a member of the Continental Congress while also engaging in various business enterprises, he was visiting Mount Vernon to discuss his hopes for a new and stronger national government (PLATT, 199). Mr. Chaloner was John Chaloner, formerly an assistant commissary of purchases during the Revolution, and now a partner in the Philadelphia firm of Chaloner and White. Chaloner had been the Philadelphia agent for John Barker Church and his wartime partner Jeremiah Wadsworth, and he was at this time engaged in settling the tangled business affairs of their now defunct company (HAMILTON [2], 3: 12, 432, n.1, 634, n.4).

Sunday 18th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at N.

Clear, Warm, and very pleasant all day, with very little wind. Towards dusk it began to lower again.

After dinner Colo. Wadsworth & Mr. Chaloner returned to Alexandria.

Monday 19th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 56 at N.

A very thick fog till nine or 10 Oclock when it dispelled, became clear & exceedingly pleasant.

Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck heaping dung with the 0125 107 Women ar[oun]d the Barn. Began after the Fog dispelled to plow for Oats in the Easternmost cut of drilled Corn (Timber landing field) intending to sow and harrow close at the heels of the Ploughs. At the other Plantations (Muddy hole plows at Frenchs) Plowing as before. The Muddy hole People finished hoeing thr. side of the New ground in front of the house.

Tuesday 20th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—35 at Noon and 30 at Night.

The Wind in the Night sprung up at No. West and blew very hard all day and till within Night. Ground froze this Morn.

Went with Mrs. Washington to Mr. Fendalls to make a visit to Colo. and Mrs. Lee. Dined and returned home in the Evening. Found Doctr. Craik here.

Wednesday 21st. Mercury at 24 in the Morning—45 at Noon and 36 at Night.

Morning clear, but cold; ground hard froze—wind fresh all day from West.

Doctr. Craik went away before breakfast—after wch. I rode to Muddy hole and Neck Plantations. Began to Sow Oats at the latter in the ground which the Plows went into on Monday abt. Noon, & finished yesterdy. about dinner time. They were not more than half (at the East end) harrowed; in the way the plow went yesterday and this forenoon it was too hard to do it. Ordered it to be done this afternoon tho' the ground has not thawed much. Part of the ground about the place where the water had been drained from broke up in large flakes—whether because wet, or because the frost was in it when plowed yesterday I know not, but does not appear as if it would be made fine by harrowing & cross harrowing. The ground adjoining this (intended for Barley) which they were plowing to day, broke up in large flakes owing to the frost not being sufficiently out of it. Quaere will these large lumps or flakes crumble & fall to pieces by the sun & Rain when the frost is out?

Thursday 22d. Mercury at 30 in the morng.—55 at Noon and 48 at Night.

Day pleasant, with the Wind at South till the evening when it began to lower. The Wind had shifted to the No. Et. & the Moon & Stars looked dim.

Rid to Muddy hole Dogue run & Frenchs Plantation.

At the first about a fence on the New ditch which was begun 0126 108 yesterday. At the second, the Plows having done all they could in the newly inclosed Meadows for the Washes & wet places went over into the Mill Meadow & had begun to plow the Island where the hay stacks are (containing by stepping abt. 4 ¼ acres) which would be done today when they wd. get into the piece above East side the Mill race which was in Wheat last year and which by stepping contains about 5 ¾ acres. At the last, i.e. Frenchs Plantation the plows having finished plowing the Cut along the Road were beginning to plow the Corn ground next adjoining between that & Manleys old Houses but finding it too Wet to sow immediately with Oats and that by lying (as one plowing only was intended) it might get hard again before it was dry enough to sow I directed the Plows to continue there no longer than this day and to morrow to go into No. 1 and plow that part of it which was intended for Barley and which would receive before it was seeded two plowings. Staked off a ditch along the ferry road.

On my return home found Mr. Bryan Fairfax, his wife & daughter here.

Bryan Fairfax and his first wife, Elizabeth Cary Fairfax (1738–1788), had two daughters, the younger of whom, Elizabeth, appears here with her parents (KILMER, 39–42, 90–100).

Friday 23d. Mercury at 27 in the Morning—33 at Noon and 30 at Night.

The Wind which shifted last Night to No. Et. brought Snow which by day break was abt. 2 Inches deep. It continued Snowing with the wind in the same quarter till 12 Oclock this day when the Sun appeared, tho it did not perfectly dear.

At home all day. In the Evening Mr. Griffith came in and stayed all night.

Saturday 24th. Mercury at 30 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 36 at Night.

Cloudy, heavy morning—wind Southerly tho not fresh—Red horison at the Suns rising & lowering all day.

After breakfast Mr. Fairfax, his wife & daughter and Mr. Griffith went away.

I rode to the Plantations at the Ferry, French's, Dogue run, Muddy hole. Plowing at Frenchs and Dogue run. Finished the Ditch at Muddy hole which divides fields No. 2 & 3. Would this afternoon finish plowing the other piece about 5 ¾ acres of Wheat Stubble on the East of the Mill race for Barley. This would have been done yesterday but there was no plowing any where.

0127 109

Looked at the Dogue run Wheat. That which was sowed on lay land seemed to be well set in the ground—the Roots but little turned out with the frost. The early sown wheat in the Corn ground also looked tolerably well; but in places the roots were turned out of the ground, and in spots was injured by Water lying, or remaining on them too long. The latter sown Wheat cut but a very indifferent appearance—little being to be seen & that which was, seemed (the Root) to be entirely thrown out, except on the highest parts of the ridges. What alterations, or whether any for the better will take place must be determined here-after.

Rev. David Griffith was going to Nomini Hall with a letter of introduction from GW to Robert Carter (24 Feb. 1787, PHi: Dreer Collection).

Sunday 25th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 44 at Night.

Dull heavy morning, with the Wind what little there is of it at No. Et. The Moon last Night had a dim circle round it—also a bur and the Stars when they did appear were dim also. About Noon it became quite calm—this afternoon was clear & exceedingly pleasant.

Monday 26th. Mercury at 33 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 32 at Night.

Red Sky at Sunrising—Wind Southerly in the fore Noon and at East in the afternoon. Morning heavy and damp with great appearances of rain. About Noon the clouds broke and the Sun appeared after which it clouded and looked very much like rain.

Rid to all the Plantations—to the Mill, and to the Ditchers. In the Neck, the ground which had been sowed the 21st. instr. with Oats, and which (though I sent 15 bushels of seed for it) was sown with 12 (on about 8 acres) was this day cross harrowed with the light harrows—the part I mean which was not cross harrowed on Thursday last and sowed with quarts of Timothy seed previous to the last harrowing. Finished at the same place plowing in the Middle cut adjoining the Wheat, and went about 11 Oclock into field No. 9 to breaking up—The other People grubbing, cutting, & filling up Gullies in the same field. At Muddy (except the Plows, which were at French's) the People were making the New fence. At Dogue run the Plows began to Plow in the No. end of the field west of the Mill race for Oats—all the other hands filling gullies before them the 2 Men who were Mauling. At Frenchs the Plows &ca. were employed as on Saturday. At the Ferry Caesar was beginning to lay out the list for Corn. The other two were plowing in 0128 110 the ground intended for the New Meadow. The Women were fencing.

Began to Ditch along the Ferry road from where the New fence East of the Plantation comes to it towards the Mill—The Dutchman, Charles Bath & Cupid employed abt. it.

G. A. Washington returned this Evening from Berkeley.

Tuesday 27th. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 44 at Night.

Morning early, cloudy, with the Wind Southerly. Before Noon it became clear—warm, and very pleasant, after which the wind came out at No. Wt. blew pretty fresh turned cloudy, & grew colder, but not disagreeably so, or likely to freeze.

Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenches, Dogue run and Muddy hole. Set the Plows at the first to crossing the Winter fallow, in order to sow Oats. The Plows and hands at the other Plantations, all working as yesterday.

Wednesday 28th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 44 at Night.

Morning clear—ground not froze—Wind westerly, but not very fresh. Afterwards it shifted more to the No. West and blew hard but did not freeze.

Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck began to cross the Plowing in the homestead (orchard inclosure) in order to sow Oats; but the grd. in places having been tolerably well turfed, and stiff and not having had time since the plowing thereof for the grass to rot the last furrows were only cut in two, and remained exceedingly rough. Finding this would not answer I ordered the Plows to discontinue crossing and a heavy harrow to go over the ground the way the Ploughs run last to see if that, and harrowing after the Seed was sown, & cross harrowing, would be sufficient for the Oats. Began to cross the So. Et. quarter of the plowing at the ferry, to prepare it for Oats; intending to Sow the No. Et. quarter without crossing. At French's finished plowing all the ground between the Wheat and the Creek about 10 Oclock; and got into that pt. which was in Wheat last year immediately afterwards. At the Ferry spread some dung which had been carted out on the plowed ground which would be with in the New Meadow No. Wt. Corner of it.

On my return home, found young Doctr. Craik and his two Sisters Mariamne and Nancy here. The first returned after dinner—the girls remained.

March, 1787

Thursday First. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 46 at Night.

Morning very pleasant with little or no wind—but it soon Sprung up at No. West and blew fresh and though it grew cooler was not cold.

Rid to all the Plantations. The operation of harrowing which was begun yesterday in the Neck was going on; but as it did not appear to me that it would prepare the ground sufficiently for Oats I desired my farmer to go over and give me his Sentiments thereon. Had the Posts, which were morticed at this place counted—of which there were 184 of the long kind, & 116 of the Short. The New fence at Muddy hole being at a st[an]d for want of rails—the old fence round field No. 2 was righted up to keep creatures out of it and the Women went to Threshing rye in the Barn. Began to Sow Oats at Dogue run where the plows had been preparing the ground. The parts that were wet & heavy I ordered to be harrowed before sowing, & to receive the same workings after it, as the other part should. Began to Sow Oats at the Ferry on that part of the field which had been cross plowed. Harrowed after sowing.

Began to spread Ashes on the poorest part of the Lawn, in front of the House. The first levelled, and sown part of it, was the part on which it was laid.

Ordered Robin from Dogue run & Paschal from French's to join James Lawson in the work of Ditching to morrow.

Observed the difference between plowing with a broad furrow and narrow ones and the propriety of a narrow one where one only is to be given, as now in the case of Oats. My Farmer in field No. 1, at Frenchs East side of it began with the Narrow furrow and the ground seen as fitting again for the Oats as that which had been before plowed with a broad furrow. Where the Land is to be a second and a third time plowed broad furrows answer better because it rids over more gr[oun]d.

PASCHAL: one of the slaves leased from Mrs. French.

[Friday] 2d. Mercury at 31 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 44 at Night.

Morning very clear and pleasant—ground a little frozen. About 8 Oclock the wind sprung up at No. Wt. & blew rather cool. Before Noon it died away and became warm and pleast.—after which 0130 112 it began to lower and towards Night looked very hazy & portentious of a change.

Rid into the Neck with my Compass to ascertain if practicable the outer boundary of My land (had of Clifton). Could not do it effectually but was inclined to think that the place fixed on below Simpsons house was nearly right and I run a straight line accordingly; and fixed Stakes for my fencing thereon as also between Colo. Mason & myself—leaving 20 odd feet for a road.

Began to sow Oats in the Neck to day of the kind had from Mr. Young as the first sowed there also was.

Ordered yesterday; every thing to be turned of the Wheat at all the Plantations—Those in the Neck to be put upon the Rye and those at Dogue run to be turned into the great Meadow.

Ms reads “Saturday.” MR. YOUNG: may be either Notley Young (c.1736–1802), of Prince George's County, Md., one of the original proprietors of the Federal City, or the Mr. Young who rented Traveller's Rest in King George County from Col. Burgess Ball. William Deakins, Jr., of Georgetown in Jan. 1787 had contracted for 100 bushels of seed oats for GW from Notley Young, and, at about the same time, Alexander Spotswood had purchased for GW 150 bushels of oats from Mr. Young at Traveller's Rest (Deakins to GW, 31 Jan. 1787 and Spotswood to GW, 13 Jan. 1787, DLC:GW; LEDGER B, 242).

Saturday 3d. Mercury at 31 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 40 at Night.

Very rainy Morning and till towards Noon—when it ceased, but no sun appeared all day. Wind, tho' very little of it, was at No. Et.

The Revd. Mr. Weems, and yg. Doctr. Craik who came here yesterday in the afternoon left this about Noon for Port Tobo.

Doctr. Stuart came here in the evening.

Mason Locke Weems (1759–1825), born in Anne Arundel County, Md., spent part of his youth in England, where in 1784 he was ordained a priest of the Anglican church, returning to Maryland to be rector (1784–89) of All Hallows Parish at South River in Anne Arundel County. Writing to GW in 1792 Weems recalled he had been “introduced to your Excellency by Doctor [James] Craik [Jr.] . . . some Years ago at M. Vernon” (6 July 1792, PHi: Gratz Collection). In 1785 Weems married Frances Ewell (1775–1843), a cousin of Dr. Craik and daughter of Col. Jesse Ewell of Bel Air, Prince William County, where the Weemses later made their home. Weems supported his wife and their ten children by traveling the east coast promoting and selling popular books, preaching in various sanctuaries (including Pohick Church), and writing moral essays and biographies of American heroes, including one of the earliest biographies of GW, which was published in 1800 (HAYDEN, 339; see WEEMS).

Sunday 4th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 42 at Night.

0131 113

In the Morning early it was pleasand with the Wind at So. Afterwards it shifted to the No. Wt. and became variable with appearances all the evening of Snow or rain.

Mr. William Fitzhugh (Son to the Colo.) came here before dinner.

Monday 5th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—42 at Noon and 38 at Night.

Cloudy morning with the Wind at No. West, but neither fresh nor cold. Cloudy all day with appears, of rain or Snow.

Doctr. Stuart and Mr. Fitzhugh went away after breakfast.

I rid to the Ferry, French's Dogue run and Muddy hole Plantations. Began at French's to Sow Oats, & to harrow them in and at Dogue run to Cut & Maul rails with the two Jacks for the string of fencing through the Woods to inclose the Meadows.

The Rain which fell on friday Night and the forenoon of Saturday was more considerable than I had conceived by the wetness of the ground and other appearances.

The Ferry plows had desisted from putting in Oats but I ordered them to go at it this afternoon again.

James Lawson with his Party consisting of Boatswain Paschal & Robin just began on friday evening to ditch f[ro]m the Plank bridge towards the other Party but the Rain on Saturday prevented a full commencement of the work till this Morning—when in the two Parties 8 Ditchers were at work.

Whilst we were at dinnr. a Mr. Custis of the Eastern shr. came in—dined and stayed all Night.

MR. CUSTIS: Although Martha Washington had married a Custis before marrying GW, this “Mr. Custis of the Eastern sh[o]r[e],” where that family proliferated, may have come not on family business but to sell GW oats. Later this week GW paid for 125 bushels of oats bought “of an E[aster]n Shore man” (LEDGER B, 242).

Tuesday 6th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 48 at Night. Wind at No. West tho' not very fresh but raw and Cold; the Sun seldom appearing.

Rid to all the Plantations; No appearance of the first sowed Oats coming up in the Neck—Women, there, putting up a fence by Williams's house—at all the other places working as yesterday.

On my return home found Colo. Ball here and soon after dinner Mr. G. W. Lewis Son to Mr. Fielding Lewis of Frederick came in.

0132 114 G. W. LEWIS; George Warner Lewis, third child of Fielding Lewis, Jr., and Ann Alexander Lewis who were living in Frederick County (now in Clarke County) at this time.

Wednesday 7th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—63 at Noon and 54 at Night.

Cloudy with the wind brisk at So. Et. in the Morning, and varying more westerly afterwards and blowing fresh all day—Clear after 8 Oclock.

Mr. G. W. Lewis went away after breakfast. Colo. Ball rid with me to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run, & Muddy hole—Sowing Oats at the 3 first as also grass seeds—At the Ferry & Dogue Run of no other kind than Timothy, 3 pints, mixed with a bushel of Sand to the acre—at the other (French's) sowing Clover Orchd. Grass and Timothy mixed in the following proportions, 5 pints of Clover, one Gallon Orchd. grass, and 1 quart of Timothy Seeds Which is the allowance for an acre. More would be given of the Orchd. Grass but I had it not to afford. Plowed the last yrs. Wheat Stubble in field No. 1 and began abt. breakfast time to Plow the Corn in the back part of the field—West of the Wheat which was sown by Robinson. Began to thresh the Clover seed at Muddy hole yesterday—very tedious.

Thursday 8th. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 42 at Night.

Grey Morning with some appearances of falling Weather—the wind however at No. West; about 9 Oclock it shifted to the No. East and blew raw and cold; before Noon it died away, and was very pleasant but towards evening it sprung up again at No. Et. and looked threatning again.

Colo. Ball went away immediately after breakfast.

I rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck, removed from the Homestead, or orchard Inclosure where Oats were sowing, to the Middle cut of drilled Corn (plowed for that purpose) and began to sow Poland Oats with Orchard, & Timothy grass Seeds—a gallon of the first, and a quart of the latter to the Acre. Finished sowing the Corn grd. at frenchs below the Tobo. grd. in which the house stands; both with Oats and grass Seeds. Of the first it took 20 bushels of the sort had from Mr. Young—of the latter abt. [ ] lbs. of Clover [ ] gallons of Orchd. grass, and [ ] quarts of Timothy Seed.

No appearance of the 1st. sowed Oats in the Neck coming up.

Finished the Ditch along the Ferry road, East of Muddy hole 0133 115 branch and began on the west side—Danl. Overdonck and the 3 with him at the Plank bridge and James Lawson with his 3 at the Forks of the Road—each party working towards each other. This was begun late in the afternoon of yesterday.

My Corn house, with Robinsons Corn in it at French's was burned down in the Night, either by carelessness or design. The latter seems most likely, but whom to suspect was not known.

POLAND OATS: producing on dry, warm lands a very large and plump grain (YOUNG, 79).

Friday 9th. Mercury at 36 in the Morng.—44 at Noon and 42 at Night.

A good deal of Rain fell last Night—wind at South all day. Abt. 9 Oclock it ceased raining; and about Noon the Sun came out, and it was very pleasant; but it clouded and lowered much after. wards.

At home all day.

Saturday 10th. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 59 at Night.

A clear and pleasant Morning with the Wind at So. after wch. it shifted to the No. Wt. and blew fresh but not cold. Towards evening it became calm and exceeding pleasant. A violent [wind] in the Night with storms of rain.

Rid to all the Plantations. Found that much rain had fallen and that the sowing of Oats was stopped at every place on acct. of the wetness of the ground—but that the Plows at Dogue run were at work in that intended for them. In the Neck they were breaking up No. 9 for Corn—at the Ferry they were listing the Stoney field part of No. 1 for Do. and at Frenchs were breaking up No. 2 for Turnips, Pease &ca. At Muddy hole the Overseer and Women were threshing & getting out the clover Seed.

No appearances of the first Sowed Oats in the Neck coming up.

Sunday 11th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 50 at Night.

Calm, clear and remarkably pleasant all day till about Sun down when the wd. sprung up fresh from the So. Et. and the Sky became Muddy.

Doctr. Craik came here to dinner to day. Mrs. Jenifer came here to dinner yesterday.

Mrs. Jenifer is probably Sarah Craik Jenifer, Dr. Craik's daughter. 0134 116

Monday 12th. Mercury at 36 in the Morng.—60 at Noon and 58 at N.

Morning a little Cloudy with the wind at South—much the same all day. Towds. Night the wind freshened and in the Night blew a storm.

Rid to all the Plantations—Plowing, and Sowing Oats and grass Seeds at all except at Muddy hole—threshing clover Seed there.

No appearance of the first Sowed Oats rising yet.

Majr. Washington went up to town on my business.

Tuesday 13th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—68 at Noon and 64 at Night.

The Southerly Storm of last Night was very violent—blowing down some of my fencing and the tops of my Hay & wheat Stacks. Much rain also fell by which the ground was made very wet and the Runs filled with water. Till about 8 Oclock this morning it continued to rain fast after which it cleared with a fresh Southerly Wind which continued till afternoon when it shifted to the No. West and blew hard.

Rid to the Ferry, French's and Dogue run Plantations. No sowing at any—Plows picking the driest spots to plow in. At the Ferry they were listing for Corn in Stoney field & at Frenchs breaking up field No. 2.

Wednesday 14th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 58 at Night.

Remarkably fine and pleasant all day with little or no wind.

Rid to all the Plantations—began to sow Oats as usual. The first sowed ones in the Neck were beginning to come up. At that place Nat finished on Monday last laying off field No. 3 for Corn. At Dogue run finished filling gullies & grubbing before the Plows in the long field West of the Mill race.

Thursday 15th. Mercury at 42 in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at N.

Clear and pleasant with [wind] at South. Towards sundown the horison looked a little thick in the West.

Went out with my Compass in order to Mark the ground at Muddy hole intended for experiments, into half Acre lotts, and two other places adjoining all on field No. 2—into 10 Acre lotts—Also to mark the lines which divide field No. 1 from No. 2 & 3 and the fields 6 & 7 at Dogue run.

Plowing and Sowing as usual. In the Neck the Middle cut in 0135 117 field No. 2 wd. be finished sowing this evening with 24 bushels of the Poland Oats; and 12 quarts of Timothy Seed—qty. about 17 Acres.

The Ditchers finished the ditch along the Ferry road this afternoon.

Friday 16th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 60 at Night.

Clear, warm, and very pleasant all day with but little Wind and that Southerly.

Rid to all the Plantations, to the Mill and to the Ditchers. The last began to ditch on both sides the New Meadow at the ferry—Plowing and sowing as usual at all the other places.

Mrs. Jenifer and the two Miss Craiks went away yesterday and Mr. Porter who came here last Night left it before breakfast this Morning.

Mr. Griffith came in the evening and stayed all Night.

Saturday 17th. Mercury at 40 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 48 at Night.

Morning tolerably clear but lowering all day afterwards and sometimes misting with the wind at No. Et.

Mr. Griffith went away after breakfast.

I rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run, French's, and Ferry Plantations. At French's the Plows began yesterday after noon to plow in that cut of field No. 5 by Manleys houses. At the Ferry, in ground which had been sown with Oats on Wednesday last, I measured, by stepping, on the line formerly dividing this plantation from French's two Ac[re]s on the most Southerly of wch. I had sowed two bushels, and on the next, one bushel of Oats, in addition to what was in the ground before; and wch. was, as near as could be estimated, two bushels to ea. acre. These two, with the grd. on each side, were as nearly of an equallity as possibly could be in every respect; and perfectly level. It was done as an experiment to try what quantity of Seed was best for an Acre. The one and two bushels added, would give 3 on one Acre and 4 on the other. On the right & left of these the grd. would have only two Bushls. thereabouts to the acre. These two acres on acct. of harrowing in the additional Oats will have had one harrowing more than the other. In all other respects the management, as well as the soil, was precisely the same and will be a fair trial. The same experiment was this day made also in the Neck, in field No. 2; which had been sown & harrowed on thursday last, with abt. a bushel and 0136 118 half of Oats to the acre—the addition making 3 ½ and 2 ½ to the Acre. This ground likewise lyes perfectly level, and as near as possible of a quality. The acre which has 3 ½ bushls. is the most westerly of the two. These will also have had by means of the additional quantity of Seed, an additional harrowing. These two acres as well as those at the ferry are marked of by stakes—in order that they may be Cut and threshed separately at harvest.

Sunday 18th. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 63 at Night.

A thick fog in the early part of the Morning and lowering till towards Noon—Clear afterwards till evening when the Sun set in a bank—Wind at So. Et. till Night when it appeared to be at So. West. The day was warm & pleasant. Wind fresh in the Night.

A Mr. Black from New York, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Porter, Mr. Monshur, Mr. Murray, & Mr. Clanagan of Alexandria dined here & returned in the Evening.

MR. BLACK: may be John Blagge, who sailed as a supercargo between New York and Alexandria. MR. CLANAGAN: probably John McClanaghan (McClenahan), who settled as a merchant in Alexandria and later married Ann (Nancy) McCarty, youngest daughter of Col. Daniel McCarty of Mount Air (O'BRIEN, 121, Fairfax County Deeds, Q-1, 226, Vi Microfilm).

Monday 19th. Mercury at 58 in the Morning—63 at Noon and 63 at Night.

Morning lowering, and the Wind fresh from South. The same kind of Weather through the day, with drops of rain now and then.

Rid to the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations; and to the Ditchers. Plowing and Sowing Oats as usual at the 3 first and at all of them the first sowed Oats were coming up. The ground is in gd. order for plowing, but in some places where it had been plowed for some time it had become rather too closely settled by the rains wch. had fallen since, for the harrow to do as good work as were to be wished.

The early Wheat is beginning to spring fast, and looks as well as can be expected from the ground. The lay land Wheat, both at Dogue run & Muddy hole, looks promising, and stands sufficiently thick on the ground. The latter sowed Wheat at Dogue run begins to show something better; but is thin, and very backward, as the Rye at this place also is.

Set the Ditchers this Morning to continue the Ditch wch. runs 0137 119 through the New Meadow at the Ferry into Muddy hole branch and to cleanse the old ditch in the said New Meadow.

Tuesday 20th. Mercury at 58 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 56 at Night.

A Very thick fog all the Morning—lowering afterwds, with but little Wind. A little rain last N.

Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, and Dogue run. Had the hands from the latter and Muddy hole brot. to Frenchs to put up the fence along the Road, that that by Grays house might be removed out of the way of the plows.

Mr. Martin Cockburn, for the purpose of taking the list of taxable property; and Mr. Potts & Mr. Roger West for the purpose of taking the privy examination of Fanny Washington came here—dined and returned in the afternoon.

Roger West (C. 1755–1801) was the only son of Col. John West of West Grove. He was a justice of the peace for Fairfax County c. 1787–99, and represented Fairfax County in the House of Delegates from 1788 to 1789, 1791–92, and 1797–99. PRIVY EXAMINATION: When real property in which a married woman had a right was to be sold, a privy (i.e., private) examination of the woman, made by at least two justices of the peace, was provided for by law in order to determine whether or not her agreement to the sale was by her own free will. This examination, made by John Potts, Jr., and Roger West of the Fairfax County court, may relate to a piece of land sold by Fanny and her husband George Augustine Washington, the sale of which was entered into the Spotsylvania County court on 3 April 1787 (CROZIER [2], 405).

Wednesday 21st. Mercury at 48 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 60 at Night.

Heavy, lowering Morning; with but little wind from the So. Et. Calm all day with Clouds and Sun shine alternately through the whole of it. When the Sun was out, it was very warm—Vegetation advancing very quick. The grass had come on surprisingly & the blossoms of the early fruits were putting forth as were the leaves of the early trees, and the buds of all.

Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck the Oats in the Homestead or Orchard Inclosure would be all in by noon except just the Orchard part of it—that is the part on which the Trees grow. And the Plows finished breaking field No. 9 except the small Neck next the wood which they entered upon about breakfast time. At Dogue run the plows by dinner time would have finished breaking up the field West of the Mill race except two or 3 wet spots, wch., together would not amount to an Acre. At Frenchs the 0138 120 field No. 1 would be finished this Evening, except abt. 5 Acres designed for Barley which had been plowed and a small slipe adjoining the Wheat, which by mistake the plowing was omitted. This, the Barley ground, and the ground in Wheat, may together, make about 15 acres, wch. will leave about 40 Acres that are sowed in Oats.

The Oats every where, according to the time they were sowed are coming up very well and to appearance sufficiently thick.

In the field No. 1, at Frenchs, which according to the above estimation contains 40 acrs. in Oats 87 Bushels of them were sowed therein, and the following grass—mixed together—viz. 26 gallons and i Quart of Red Clover Seed (of that had from Alexandria) 42 gallns. of Orchard grass seeds, and 9 ½ gallons of Timothy Seed.

Directed the Toll (⅛th.) to be taken from 10 Bushels of Corn and the residue to be ground at my Mill and the quantity of Meal it yielded to be reported to me-wch, is as follow—viz.—

11 Bushl. & 1 peck of unbolted Meal and

10 Bushls. 1 peck & 4 quarts when the husks were bolted from the Meal.

So that there will be more meal when bolted in Measure than there is of the Corn before the Toll is taken from it. [ ] And [ ]

It appeared by another trial that a peck of unbolted Meal midlingly heaped will yield more than a peck of Meal when bolted or sifted.

Thursday 22d. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 44 at N.

Clear all day, with the wind pretty fresh from the Southward. Towards Night and in the Night, it encreased; and grew colder.

Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, & Dogue run. Began to sow Oats in Field No. 5 at Frenchs—in the West cut East side thereof with the Oats from George Town (the common kind). At Dogue run the Plows would finish breaking up field No. 1 as follow—the land next the lay wht. quite across the field from the Meadow fence to the Swamp being untouched either in the fall or Winter and which was now coming up very thick with the White clover principally was turned for the first time. The land next to this was untouched having been flush plowed in the fall. The 3d. land was in grass the same as the first and plowed in like manner. The 4th land had been plowed in the fall in half furrows, by my farmers directions—that is, a furrow was turned upon an 0139 121 equal breadth of unbroke ground quite through the land and was then, that is the unbroke part, split and turned with the plow.

My ditchers having cleansed the ditch in the Middle of the New Meadow returned to the side ditches again.

WHITE CLOVER: Trifolium repens, white clover or sometimes white Dutch clover.

Friday 23d. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—46 at Noon And 38 at N.

The Wind shifted from the Southward to the No. West in the Night and blew violently hard, which it continued to do all day turning cold & very disagreeable.

Rid to all the Plantations. Finished about 9 Oclock breaking up all the ground in field No. 9 in the Neck.

The Muddy hole force all at French's putting up the fence along the road as all the Dogue run hands were except the plowers —One of which was cross plowing a piece of ground (abt. an acre) in the Meadow, to receive 3 bushels of Oats sent me by Genl. Spotswood. Two were breaking up as much of the ground between the two Meadows (which they had been obliged to leave on acct. of the wet) as they now could do for water and the 4th was harrowing in Oats. At Frenchs the wind had blown down the fence between Fields No. 1 & 4. From this place Gray moved this day. At the Ferry all the Oats would be Sowed this day in field No. 2 the quantity 55 ½ Bushels Whereof 45 ½ bush. were of the Poland sort & 10 bushls. of those from Mr. Young's. The cross harrowing of these could not be given to day, as the wind blew too hard to sow the grass Seeds, which preceeded the 2d. harrowing.

Saturday 24th. Mercury at 28 in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at Night.

The Wind still violent at No. Wt.—ground frozen and so dried & baked with the Wind as not to be in condition for plowing or harrowing in the Morning. Ice almost through the day which was very cold for the season and exceedingly disagreeable.

Rid to the Ferry, French's, and Dogue run Plantations—The Plows at the first listg. of Field No. 3 below the hill. Attempted with the harrow to level and smooth the grd. intended for a New Meadow at this place—righted all the Fencing at Frenchs which had been blown down with the Wind—compleated the New Fence on the ditch by the road up to the plank bridge and as the ground could not be harrowed there, nor the unbroke ground plowed, the plows went to crossing that which had been plowed some time ago 0140 122

Two types of Virginia fences, drawn by Samuel Vaughan in his 1787 journal. (Collection of the descendants of Samuel Vaughan)

in the east cut of the same field No. 5 West part. The Harrow being also stopped at Dogue run all the plows united and finished breaking up the grd. between the two Meadws. adjoining the Overseers Ho[use] except the lowest part thereof where the water drains.

A Captn. Rice came here in the evening with Mr. Lear who went up to Alexandria to day.

Captain Rice of the brig Polly, recently arrived in Alexandria from the West Indies, was preparing to sail for New England ports ( Va. Journal, 8 Mar. 1787).

Sunday 25th. Mercury at 32 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 49 at Night.

Very severe frost last Night—More Ice than yesterday morning—Wind still at No. West but not so fresh as yesterday and weather clear.

Mr. Snow from Alexandria came down and dined and returned in the Afternoon with Captn. Rice—immediately after which a Mr. Martin—an English Gentleman came in and a few minutes afterwards Mr. Arthur Lee, both of whom stayed all Night.

Arthur Lee had been appointed to the Board of Treasury in 1785; he served until the new government went into effect.

Monday 26th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—58 at Noon And 54 at Night.

Morning clear and pleasant Wind Southerly but not much of it.

At home all day. The English Gentleman went away after breakfast and Mr. Lee after

Colo. Gilpin—Doctr. Stuart, Mrs. Stuart and Betcy & Patcy Custis came here to Dinner. The first went away after it.

Finished sowing Oats in the Neck on Saturday last, in the Homestead, or Orchard Inclosure; Which took 57 bushels; Whereof 15 0141 123 bushels of the first sown were of those from Mr. Young, the others from the Eastern shore which had been culled from the wild garlick. Had the harrows brot. from hence. The light double ones were carried to French's and the heavy one to Dogue run. Plowed the last years Turnip patch up at this place for Barley (about 5 Acres) on Saturday last and began to lay off field No. 9 for Corn.

At Dogue run about an acre was sown in my Meadow—part of which had been cowpened and part had had dung carried on it, with 3 Bushels of Oats sent me by General Spotswood and after harrowing these in, with abt. half a bushel of New River grass seeds. The ground in which these Oats were sown, had been plowed, cross-plowed, & twice harrowed before Sowing, and twice harrowed afterwards; once for the Oats, & once for the Seed. Removed the Ditchers into field No. 5 at French's to ditch for a fence. The Plows at this place were also removed into the West cut in the same field from whence they were taken when the ground was frozen but finding after trying some time that the ground had got very hard by the late drying & baking winds I shifted them back & continued cross plowing.

Tuesday 27th. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 49 at Night.

Very smoky, and lowering all day with but little wind & that from the Southward.

Rid to the Ferry, French's Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations. At the first began yesterday, & would finish to day, harrowing Timothy Seed on the Rye which had been omitted in the Fall; and on the Snow during winter. Ordered a part of it to be cross harrowed in order to raise more loose earth for the covering of it. Began at this place also to Harrow & others ways to prepare the New Meadow for the Sowing of Oats & grass Seeds in it. Sowing Oats and fencing at French's and threshing Clover Seed at Muddy hole.

Doctr. Stuart, Mrs. Stuart and the two girls went home after dinner.

Had a descriptive list taken of all my Horses and Cattle in the Neck today.

Wednesday 28th. Mercury at 48 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 54 at Night.

A heavy fog in the Morning—a pretty brisk shower of Rain for about an hour at Noon and clear warm and pleasant Afternoon.

Rid into the Neck and was [prevented] from going to the other 0142 124 places by the Rain. The cold winds and frost last Week had turned the Oats yellow and in some places had bitten the blades. Rid over my Wheat at this place and found it more indifferent than I expected—indeed scarce any on the ground, especially in the cut on the River; and the whole so weedy that I do not expect it will be worth reaping. Examined the clover also on this place, in field No. [ ] and found this likewise very thin and indifferent, except at the point where it had been sown with flax. Whether the goodness of this was owing to the ground being stronger—better prepared—or by being sown with the flax—I know not; but the difference was very apparent. The clover was also much better where the Mud had been spread last Spring, than it was any where else except at the point; & the white Clover was coming up very thick on it. In the other parts of the field the Clover was not only very thin but looked weak and sickly. Began to set the posts and rails for a ditch fence on the line between Mr. Mason & myself in the Neck and began to list, or rather to renew the listing, in field No. 3 at this place.

Thursday 29th. Mercury at 38 in the Morning—56 at Noon And 50 at Night.

Raining before day with the Wind fresh and cold from the No. West. About 8 Oclock it began to Snow, and continued to do so by intervals till 11 or 12 but not enough at any time to cover the ground. The afternn. was clear and tolerably pleasant the wind what remained of it having shifted round to the So. West.

Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run & Muddy hole. At the first, finding the harrow to make tolerable good Work in the New Meadow I directed it to continue on, till the ground, with the assistance of the hoes in the places which had been unbroke, were the wettest & most grassy—should be properly prepared for sowing the Oats, and grass seeds. The Ditchers would have finished the side ditches to this Meadow to day and were ordered to open a ditch between the fields No. 2 & 3 at Frenchs. The rain having put the ground about Manleys old House in better order for plowing the Plows, after the rain Let up proceeded to finish this part of field No. 5. At Dogue run the Sowing of Oats &ca. going on as usual—At Muddy hole the clover seed was all threshed out, but not cleaned. Ordered 50 bushels of dung to be carried upon the half acre squares of No. 2 & 4 (counting from the ditch fence) and on that part adjoining the Wheat, in order to sow Oats thereon.

0143 125

Friday 30th. Mercury at 39 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 44 at Night.

A Frost this Morning, notwithstanding the Wind appeared to have been Southwardly all Night. Abt. 8 oclock, or Sooner the wd. shifted to No. Wt.—blew fresh—turned cold & spit Snow. Towards the afternoon it veered round more to the Southward again, but continued cool.

Rid to Muddy hole, Dogue run, French's, and the Ferry. The dung ordered to be spread yesterday at the first having been laid on, the cross plowing of the ground was set about. The Square No. 2, the South half of it, was very Sandy, and did not require a 2d. plowing, but that all might have equal culture, this and the other half, as well as the square No. 4, was plowed; this last was much stiffer soil than No. 2 and the North end a good deal stiffer than the South half of it—Cutting down Corn Stalks at Dogue run with the Women. Finished about Noon, Plowing that part of field No. 5 at Frenches round Manleys old houses, & went to cross plowing again in the other part of the same field from whence they had shifted—Preparing the New Meadow with the Hoes & Harrows at the Ferry.

Mrs. Lund Washington & Captn. Walter Brooke dined here.

Saturday 31st. Mercury at 34 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 54 at N.

The ground was frozen this Morning. The Wind however had got Southerly and the day except flying clouds was for the most part clear. The evening was warm and pleasant.

Rid to all the plantations. In the Neck 105 Pannels of Post and rail fencing which was begun there on Wednesday was compleated—Plows listing & women threshing. At Muddy hole, the Clover seed being cleaned, measured 3 bushls. and 3 quarts—Sowed the Squares No. 2 & 4 at this place with Oats in the following manner—viz.—the East half of No. 2 with half a Bushel of Oats from George Town and the west half with a Bushel of the Poland Oats—The east half of No. 4 with half bushel of the Poland Oats and the West half with a bushel of the George Town Oats. The objects, and design of this experiment, was to ascertn. 3 things—1st. which of these two kinds of Oats were best the George Town (which was a good kind of the common Oat) —2d. Whether 2 or 4 bushels to the Acre was best and 3d. the difference between ground dunged at the rate of 5 load, or 200 bushels to the Acre and ground undunged. It is to be observed however that though these two squares appears to be of equal quality, or rather strength 0144 126 yet the So. half of each, which had no dung was the lightest and much the greater mixture of Sand in them. Brought another of the Muddy hole plows home from French's, & set it to laying off the 20 acre cut designed (if Carrot Seed can be obtained) for Carrots, Potatoes, Peas, & Turnips between the Corn which will be drilled in Rows 10 feet a part. Women Threshing wheat at this place. Employed at Dogue run as yesterday. At Frenchs harrowing in the Oats about Manleys old houses—as also cross plowing the square next the Road in the other cut and about 2 Oclock began to cross plow about half of the other part next the water ditch, east end of it adjoining the Cabins. At the Ferry the west side of the New Meadow—above the Water ditch was compleated and Sowed both with Oats & Timothy Seed. The ground appeared to be in very good order by the frequent harrowings it had received.

April 1787

Sunday. first. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 50 at Night.

Wind at No. West in the Morning and Southerly afterwards but not very fresh at any time of the day—Weather clear.

At home all day.

Mr. Hunter, Mr. Rumney, Mr. Porter, Doctr. Craik and a Captain Nixon dined here—all of whom except Mr. Hunter went away after it. In the evening, one Young who lives on Colo. Balls place, a Farmer, came here to see, he says, my drill plow & stayed all Night.

CAPTAIN NIXON: On 8 Mar. 1787 John Rumney's Alexandria firm advertised: “Just arrived, The ship Friendship, Capt. Wilson Nixon, from Whitehaven, with an assortment of European goods” ( Va. Journal ). ONE YOUNG: possibly the Mr. Young living at Traveller's Rest in King George County. See entry for 2 Mar. 1787.

Monday 2d. Mercury at 37 in the Morning—56 at Noon and 47 at Night.

Morning Mild, calm, & smoaky till abt. 8 oclock when the wind came out at No. Wt. and blew fresh all day. Weather clear.

Mr. Hunter and Young went away before breakfast and after it I rid to Muddy-hole Dogue run—Frenchs and the Ferry Plantations. At the first began to sow Clover seed at the rate of 6 pints to the acre on the lay Wheat & Timothy; but the wind was so high that the Seed could only be sown at times when it lulled. 0145 127 This Seed was harrowed in, & where the ground was hard which was pretty generally the case, the harrow run two or 3 times in the same place; this tore out of the ground some of the Wheat & Timothy; but not in the proportion it was supposed the rest would be benifitted by the Working. Ordered a pretty heavy roller to follow the harrow to Morrow, & to keep close to it afterwards in order to press the loose earth round the roots of the Wheat, and more effectually to cover the clover seed. The work at Dogue run—Frenchs & Ferry going on as on Saturday. Ordered 2 Carts in the Neck to carry dung on the last years Turnps. and to be immediately spread that it might receive 2d. plowing for Barley.

Tuesday. 3d. Mercury at 38 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 52 at Night.

Ground froze, and Ice half an Inch thick with a small, white frost. Morning tho' cool, pleasant, being calm and clear.

Scarcely a Morning since the high wind the 23d. of March that has not produced frost in a greater or less degree.

Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck finished listing field No. 3. Ordered the Plows to do the same in field No. 9 with 3 furrows only the others having 5 furrows. Sowing Clover & harrowing and rolling it on the lay wheat at Muddy hole. Finished Sowing the long field, West of the Mill race, at Dogue run with Oats and Timothy Seed; of the first it took [ ] bushels and of the latter [ ] quarts. The quantity of ground may be about 75 Acres. At French's began to Sow Barley.

Began to Fish to day.

Brought the Ditchers to the home house to finish the New road and to compleat the sunk fence in front of the Lawn. Ordered Cupid from the Ferry to return home.

Wednesday. 4th. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—73 at Noon and 70 at Night.

Wind Southerly, and weather clear, & very warm all day and appearances of dry weather.

Rid to the Fishing Landing and to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run, and Muddy hole. Finished harrowing in all the Oats that were sown in field No. 5 at Frenchs. To sow this field it took 117½ Bushels. The quantity of Land sowed with them is about 40 Acres. The Plows after having cross plowed the grd. for Barley in this field went to breaking up No. 2. but I ordered the 3 belonging to Dogue run to return home at Night 0146 128 and leave the two belonging to the Plantation to continue this work. At Dogue run, The upper piece which was in Wheat, in the Meadow, East of the race, was sowed with Oats from Mattawoman, [ ] bushls, and Timothy [ ] Quarts. Finished sowing, harrowing, and Rolling the Clover which had been sown on the lay wheat at Muddy hole—to do which it took 60 pints of Seed—the ground ten acres.

Thursday. 5th. Mercury at 54 in the Morning—80 at Noon and 76 at Night.

Wind Southerly in the Morning, variable afterwards, often times at No. Wt. and pretty fresh but clear and very warm all day—very smoaky and hazy with the Sun red and other indications of a drought.

Rid to the Fishing landing, and to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run and Muddy hole. At the first, sowing Oats and grass Seeds on the No. Et. Corner of the New Meadow. At Frenchs finished covering the Barley which was sown on ten acres in field No. 5—quantity 19 Bushels. This ground had been twice plowed and 4 times harrowed after the Barley was sown—as thus—first half the quantity of Seed sown and harrowed—then the other half sown and harrowed; both as the Plows run and then twice cross harrowed. N.B. the half sowings was to cause the ground to be more regularly sown. At Dogue run the Harrows began to Cover Oats in field No. 1 next the road & the Branch by Manleys; and the 3 plows were listing in Field No. 4. At Muddy hole began to Sow, harrow, & roll the Clover & orchard grass Seeds on the Rye by the Barn which I directed to be sown in the following proportion to the Acre—viz.—a gallon of orchard grass Seeds and Six pints of Clover Seed. N.B. all the Clover Seed Sown at this place was raised on it.

In the afternoon a Mr. Beall of Williamsburgh came in & stayed all Night.

Samuel Beall, of Williamsburg, was a merchant in the West Indies trade (KIDD, 58; MASON [1], 399, 462, 470).

Friday 6th. Mercury at 44 in the Morning—54 at Noon and 45 at Night.

In the Night it turned cool and continued so all day with the Wind at No. East and appearances of rain in the forenn. but much less afterwards.

Mr. Beall went away after breakfast.

Rid to all the Plantations and to the Fishing landing at the 0147 129 Ferry. Listing, and laying off Corn at Muddy hole, the latter in the South part of field No. 2—the other every eighth row in the No. part for Carrotts. The grd. in field No. 1 at Dogue run preparing for, and sowing with Oats, works very fine and well with the Harrows. Rolling the Barley at Frenchs and Sowing Flax Seed and Clover in the grd. about the huts at that place, on the Et. side the partition fence between the two Plantations. Rolling the ground in the New meadw. at the Ferry, which had been sown with Oats & Timothy and preparing the wettest part of the rest.

Finished Sowing the Flax seed and Clover in the ground mentioned above, this afternoon. Of the first it took 9 bushls. and of the latter 44 Quarts. This Ground has been plowed, & cross plowed, and well harrowed; 3 or 4 times, as occasion required; and will be rolled to morrow—after the roller has passed over the Barley. The qty. abt. 6½ acres.

Sent the other Plow belonging to Muddy hole, home this evening, from French's.

Saturday 7th. Mercury at 52 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 52 at Night.

Wind Easterly in the Morning & cool; but shifting afterwards more Southerly and dying away till the evening it grew warmer. The appearances of rain vanished.

Rid to the Fishing landing and the Plantations at the Ferry, French's, Dogue run, and Muddy hole. At French's the rolling of the Barley, and the Flax seed & Oats would be compleated by Night and the grd. round the Barn which had been originally intended for Barley was sown upon the first plowing with Oats and grass seeds as the other parts of the field had been. The qty. of grd. being about 5 acres recd. 9 bushls. of Oats and [ ] gallns. of Orchard grass Seed, [ ] pints of red clover, and [ ] pints of Timothy. At Muddy hole plowed the 1st. & 3d. square for Barley; as I had done the 2d. & 4th. before for Oats. These two Squares were, that is the North half of them, manured each with 50 bushels of dung, precisely as those for Oats had been.

In my Botanical garden in the Section immediately adjoining to, & west of the Salt House I sowed first 3 rows of the Kentucke clover 15 inches a part and next to these 9 rows of the guinea grass in rows the same distance apart.

Colo. Henry Lee, and his Brother Mr. Richd. Lee came here to dinner and proceeded to Alexandria afterwards.

Sent up to day for my Nephews George & Lawe. Washington who came down whilst we were at Dinner.

0148 130

Sunday 8th. Mercury at 46 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 56 at Night.

Wind Southerly, and Morning a little lowering—About 11 Ock. it began to rain moderately, and continued to do so 15 or 20 Minutes when it ceased and cleared. About Sun down a slight cloud arose in the So. Wt. quarter from whence proceeded a pretty heavy shower for a few minutes which seemed to discharge a good deal of rain for the time.

Mrs. Stuart and her daughters Betcy & Patcy Custis came here to dinner and stayed all Night.

At home all day.

Monday 9th. Mercury at 56 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 68 at Night.

Clear all day with the Wind variable from So. Wt. to No. Wt. and very high.

Mrs. Stuart went away after breakfast leaving Betcy and Patcy Custis.

At home all day.

Tuesday 10th. Mercury at 48 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 72 at Night.

Clear, calm, and warm all day. The appearances of fruit is very great from the innumerable blossoms with which every Tree is loaded.

Rid to all the Plantations, spreading as much dung as I could spare, & find time to carry out on the poorest part of the last years Turnip field in the Neck, I ordered it to be cross plowed for sowing Barley and Clover. The first sowed Oats at this place do not look well the blade appearing yellow and singed at the ends by the frost nor have they made much progress in their growth. At Muddy hole, Sowed the 1st. and 3d. half Acre squares (plowed friday last) with three kinds of Barley, in the following manner, viz.—Each being divided from No. to South in three exactly equal parts by which each part was half dunged as mentioned on friday—the Eastermost ⅓ of each was sowed with 8 qts. of the Barley had from Phila. (originally from Rhode Island) and which my Farmer thought very good. The middle third of each was sowed with the same quantity of the naked Barley—had from Colo. Henry Lee and the Westermost ⅓ with a Barley 8 Quarts also, sent me by Genl. Spotswood under the denomination of Bear and which in appearance was very much like the Rhode Island, or Philadelphia Barley just mentioned. This ground had been twice 0149 131 Plowed, and after the Seed had been sowed was harrowed & Cross harrowed. At Dogue run chopped, and made fine a piece of grd. in the meadow wch. had been plowed, in order to sow in drills the New River grass Seed. At French's finished Sowing the last Oats—viz. a slipe between the Wheat and road—with 2 Bushels together with grass Seeds in the mixture & proportion given to the other ground and began to Sow the same on the Wheat and to harrow it in.

Mrs. Fanny Washington was delivered of a boy this Morning.

Examined the Seed Potatoes which I had buried for preservation in my Garden—and found them all rotten. The Wet had got to them—whether from the nature of the Soil or improper mode of covering them (though the ground was ridged over them) I know not—but the mode does not appear to be efficacious.

Recd. from Mr. Jno. Lawson, Negro Neptune, on trial as a Brick layer.

Miss Sally Ramsay came down this evening with Mr. Lear, who went up to Alexandria on my business.

BEAR [BARLEY]: a kind of common barley, Hordeum vulgare, called “bere or big barley.” After Spotswood had promised the seed, GW asked him 23 Jan. 1787 whether it was a spring or winter barley and at what time it should be sown (DLC:GW). DELIVERED OF A BOY: Fanny Washington's first child, George Fayette Washington, lived only two weeks (see entry for 25 April 1787). John Lawson (1754–1823), of Dumfries, had agreed to sell his newly acquired slave, Neptune, to GW. Upon the slave's arrival at Mount Vernon, GW wrote Lawson that Neptune, “although he does not profess to be a workman, yet as he has some little knowledge of Bricklaying, seems willing to learn, and is with a man who understands the business, I will keep him.” Unfortunately, however, GW learned also that Neptune was unhappy at being sold so far from his wife. GW informed Lawson that he was “unwilling to hurt the feelings of anyone. I shall therefore if agreeable to you keep him a while to see if I can reconcile him to the separation (seeing her now and then) in which case I will purchase him, if not I will send him back.” A short time later Neptune ran away and returned to Lawson's plantation. Lawson offered to hire him to GW by the month, an offer Neptune himself agreed to (Lawson to GW, 17 Mar., 2, 18, and 25 April 1787, and GW to Lawson, 10 April 1787, DLC:GW).

Wednesday 11th. Mercury at 54 in the Morning—76 at Noon and 74 at Night.

Calm, clear, and Warm all day—Wind, what little there was of it, Southerly.

Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck, cross plowing, as directed, for Barley. At Muddy hole finished harrowing in grass Seeds on the Rye by the Barn—viz.—a bushel of clean red clover 0150 132 Seed, and 13 gallons of Orchard grass seed—qty. of Land abt. 13 acres. The Barley was sowed as directed; harrowed in, and compleated as mentioned yesterday. Ordered the 6th. half acre to be deep plowed for to receive the Jerusalem Artichoke plants. At Dogue run, began to Sow in drills, in the Meadow, by the Gate (the rows 18 Inches asunder) the new River grass, had from Colo. Chs. Carter, at least what remained of it. The Women at this place were hoeing the wet part of the grd. between the meadows which the plows could not touch. Ordered them as soon as this was done, to go to the Ferry, and Assist in getting the grd. in the New Meadow in order for Oats and Timothy. At Frenchs the Farmer was sowing grass Seeds on the Wheat & was harrowing & rolling it in. The qu[anti]ty to the acre the same as had been given to the Oat Land in the same field. The double harrows do this work better than the heavier single harrow by raising more mould wch. the roller presses down again benifitting both the grain wch. is growing and the Seed wch. is Sown.

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE: Helianthus tuberosus, a potatolike tuber in the sunflower family. Roots for this first planting came from Benjamin Grymes, of Chotank, who sent him five bushels. GW thought this would be sufficient to plant one acre as an experiment. Thomas Jefferson told Tristram Dalton, 2 May 1817 (DLC: Jefferson Papers), that he found this crop better as a winter feed for cattle than carrots or potatoes, maintaining that it far exceeded the potato in output, and could remain in the ground throughout the winter without injury.

Thursday 12th. Mercury at 60 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 74 at N.

Clear and Warm, wind fresh all day from the Southward. The Sun set in a bank.

Rid to all the Plantatns. The Women from Dogue run had joined those at the Ferry and were working in the New Meadow—preparing it for Oats and Timothy. At French's, the Roller w[oul]d about got over the Wheat which had been sown with grass Seeds and harrowed. At Dogue run I set my Farmer to sowing grass Seeds—Viz. Orchard red Clover, and Timothy; in the proportion the grd. adjoining (in Oats) received—viz.—4 quarts of the first—3 of the 2d. and one of the latter on the lay Wheat. The ground in places being hard, I directed the harrow to go twice over it—the last, crossing the first. Finished yesterday, sowing in drills, the ground allotted, with the New river grass seeds. At Muddy hole directed the 6th. Square which was deep plowed yesterday, to be harrowed and cross harrowed, and then, with the 0151 133 Plow to be laid off into 4 feet Squares or chequers to receive the Jerusalem Artichoke. In the Neck, finished cross plowing the ground for Barley about Sundown yesterday.

Cut my Ram lambs at the several Quarters to day & at the home house.

Friday 13th. Mercury at 62 in the Morng.—74 at Noon and 74 at N.

A Fresh Southerly wind all day with some appearances of rain. Warm.

Rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run, French's and the Ferry—and to the Fishing Landing. At Muddy hole the artichokes were planted as directed yesterday but upon recollection the method does not seem to be proper, because the cross in which they were planted (being the bottom of the furrows) must be unbroke earth and the bed not so compendious and light as it might have been in a hill. In each of these checks or crosses, one Root, when it was large and looked well was put and two where they were small. None was cut, but this it seems might have been done, as with Potatoes—leaving an eye to each cutting. About 1½ bushels planted the Square, or half acre. Near half a bushel was left for replanting. At Dogue run, finished Sowing the Winter fallow by the Ferry road with Pold. Oats and grass Seeds. Of the first it took [ ] bushls. and of the latter [ ] gallons of Orchard grass, [ ] pints of Clover, and [ ] quarts of Timothy. From here the harrows went into the Meadow by the house began to cover Oats in the fork thereof wch. were sowed on the plowing the ground had received about the [ ] of [ ]. The ground in No. 1, by the road, by the harrowing in the Oats with the heavy harrow once; & sometimes where it was hard or grassy, twice, and the crossing, to put in the grass Seeds was got light, smooth, & in very good order. The Barley at this place was begun to be sowed on a second plowing of the ground by the Bars near the house in the Meadow this afternoon and the lay Wheat which had been harrowed, and cross harrowed got rolled this evening. Making the trunnel fence at French's in the line that divides this Plantation from the Ferry. The Barley here was perceived to be coming up thick and well. At the ferry, breaking, and rending as fine as the case would admit, the ground in the New Meadow—Sowed 7½ bushls. of Barley in the Turnip ground wch. had been plowed & cross plowed and harrowed it in with the dble. harrow.

Mr. Benja. Grymes (of the Eagles Nest) came here this Evening and Stayed all Night.

0152 134 TRUNNEL: treenail. The parts of the fence were fastened together with treenails, small wooden pegs. Benjamin Fitzhugh Grymes (died c. 1803), son of Benjamin Grymes of Smithfield and Elizabeth Fitzhugh Grymes of Eagle's Nest, in the Chotank area of King George County, had served as a lieutenant and later captain in the Revolution.

Saturday 14th. Mercury at 62 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 68 at Night.

Cloudy in the Morning with a few drops of rain, but the Wind getting to No. Wt. it soon cleared, and blew pretty fresh all day. Towds. Night it grew cool.

Mr. Grymes went up to Alexandria after breakfast, returned to dinner, and crossed the river afterwards.

Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck Sowed on the Barley which was put in yesterday a bushel (lacking a quart) of the Clover seed which was saved at Muddy hole—harrowed and rolled it in. Began yesterday afternoon to make or rectify the fence around field No. 3. Directed the Plows which were laying off in field No. 9, to lay off what is east of the branch which runs through the field, 4 feet each way; that it may be planted with a single stalk of Corn in a hill. Rid over the rye at this place, and was surprised to see how much it had amended; the two Eastermost cuts (except in a few places which appeared to have been injured by the wet) looked very Promising, and nearly thick enough, and the Westermost cut in wch. hardly any was to be perceived all winter, and till very lately, discovered a good deal.

At Muddy hole laying off, & listing for Corn.

At Dogue run, besides sowing Oats as mentioned yesterday, and grass Seeds in the same proportion as in field No. 1, the Island (abt. 4 Acres) in the Mill meadow was cross plowing, and sowing with Barley. Rid over the rye at this place, which was exceedingly bad; in great part of the field not any; whe[ther] this was altogether owing to late sowing, or to that and harrowing the grd. too level when sowed, is questionable. The forward Wheat at this place where the ground is tolerably good, looks well; and the latter wheat seems to be coming on beyond expectation. The Cape Wheat is forwarder than the common wheat and has a broader blade. The spelts, black and common, look very indifferent[l]y.

At French's the Flax was coming up—Work here going on as yesterday.

At the Ferry the same.

THE SPELTS: Triticum spelta, a species of grain similar to wheat. 0153 135

Sunday 15th. Mercury at 36 in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at N.

Clear, with the Wind fresh and Cool from the No. West all day.

Monday 16th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at N.

Morning Cold with the wind (tho not fresh) still at No. Wt. calm afterwards—frost.

Went up to Alexandria to the Election of Delegates to represent the County in General Assembly—when Colo. Mason and Doctr. Stuart were chosen.

Returned in the Evening, accompanied by Colo. Mason—his two Sons William and George—& his Son in Law Colo. Cooke.

Ordered my Overseers in the Neck, and at Muddy hole, to begin (with the drill plows) to plant Corn.

COLO. COOKE: John Travers Gook (Cooke). George Mason's son William Mason (1757–1818) had served as a captain in the militia during the Revolution. He lived at Mattawoman in Charles County, Md., part of a large estate which he inherited from his maternal grandmother, Sarah Edgar Eilbeck.

Tuesday 17th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at Night.

Calm and very smoaky, but not warm. Towards night it seemed to lower and put on appearances of rain but cleared after dark again.

Colo. Mason and his Sons, & Colo. Cook, going away about 11 Oclock I rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole—Dogue run, Frenchs and the Ferry. At the first they had begun to harrow the List and plant Corn with the drill plow—but the land having been thrown into a 3 furrow list and from being hard and dry not well broke, I ordered both to desist and to make the 3 furrows 5 that the ground might be better prepared.

At Dogue run the Island in the Mill Meadow had been sown with Barley and grass (Timothy only) and each harrowed in after the ground had been cross plowed. From hence the Plows went in to the other Meadow to cross plow the ground on the West side of it for Barley—beginning next the piece which had been sowed with the 3 bushels of Oats from Generl. Spotswoods. The ground in the fork, within this Meadow between the Meadow and Swamp was sown both with Oats & the mixture of Clover Orchd. grass & Timothy seed as usual & the harrowing of them in (on the first 0154 136 plowing) compleated. To do this it required [ ] bushels of Oats & grass seeds in proportion. From hence they went to the plowed ground between the upper and lower part of this Meadow.

At Frenchs; Fencing as usual.

At the Ferry; they were so near finishing chopping over, and compleating the ground in the New Meadow for Oats and Timothy, that I ordered the Dogue-run hands home. This tedeous job would be about compleated to morrow; though the ground would not be in such good order as were to be wished, as it was next to impossible to get the grassy clods wch. were hoed up, in the lowest part of it perfectly reduced. However, by the assistance of the harrows and roller, it will be laid tolerably smooth and fine; and dry.

Wednesday 18th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at Night.

Wind at So. West in the forenoon and at No. Et. afterwards—Cloudy all the forenoon with slow rain; but not much more of it than would lay the dust. About 2 Oclock the Sun came out after which it clouded agn.

Mr. Jonathan Williams of Nantz—Nephew of Doctr. Franklins came here yesterday, dined, and returned to Alexandria in order to proceed on in the Stage for Richmond.

Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck; they finished fencing of field No. 3. and began to plant Corn with the drill plow on Monday afternoon in it, preceeded by two harrows a heavier and a lighter which were directed to go as often on the list as would make the ground fine. Ordered to day, a hand to follow the drill to cover any Corn that the small harrow at the tale of it should miss doing. These workings would put the Corn in very effectually and well.

At Muddy hole began to sow Carrot Seeds betwn. the rows intended for Corn. Rubbed the Seeds, so as to separate them well; then mixed a pint (thus prepared) in half a bushel of dry sand incorporating them well and sprinkling it along the list which was previously harrowed once, twice, or more, to render it sufficiently fine—lastly followed a light bush to cover the Seed. This method if it answers is expeditious but the plants if too thick will be to be thinned either by the hoe or with the hand. Ordered two plows from French's after they were done with the Barley at Dogue run to come to this place to assist in preparing the ground &ca.

At Dogue run; Sowing Barley, Oats, and grass Seeds in the 0155 137 home meadow as yesterday. Women putting up the New fence but ordered them to chop in Oats in the low parts wch. had been hoed, and where the Plows & harrows could not make good work.

At Frenchs; about the Fencing—The Barley and Flax at this place were up thick and well.

At the Ferry; finished all the work of the New Meadow—both the Oats and grass being Sowed—harrowed and rolled in.

In the Afternoon, Mr. Wil. Craik and his Sisters Jenifer & Nancy came in and stayed all Night.

Adjoining the rows of Guinea grass in my botanical gardn. (sowed the 7th. instt.) I sowed 12 rows more. Next to these, and compleating the Section are 19 rows of the Birding grass sent me by Mr. Sprigg of Annapolis.

Jonathan Williams (1750–1815), grandson of Benjamin Franklin's sister Anne, served in the Revolution as an American commercial agent in Nantes, France. In 1785 he returned to America and became a merchant in Philadelphia. Because of his interest and expertise in theoretical engineering he was appointed (1801) by Thomas Jefferson the first superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Thursday 19th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon And [ ] at Night.

The Wind shifting to No. Wt. in the Night it blew fresh and cold. This morning there was a small white frost and a black one wch. was so severe as to stop brick laying till the sun had removed the effect of it. The leaves of the clover in the lawn were quite stiff & there was Ice full half an inch thick. Before noon the Wind got to the Southward but blew moderately. The air nevertheless continued cool.

Mr. Craik and his Sisters went away after breakfast.

I rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run, Frenchs, and the Ferry and to the fishing landing.

At Muddy hole, finished sowing Carrot seed in drills—viz.—Every eighth row of exactly 20 acres of Corn; drilled in rows 5 feet a part. These were sowed in the manner, and in grd. prepared as mentioned yesterday, in two equal parts; The Northernmost of which was sowed with the large orange Garrot Seed (sent to me unaccompanied by a letter, or intimation from whom it came). The other half was sown with Garrot seed saved in my garden, and to be relied on. Of the first it took a quart, and about a gill to sow the Northern 10 Acres; of the latter it is presumed the same quantity sufficed—No. acct. of the qty. rendered. The 8th. square, or half acre which had been plowed the 11th. inst. for the Sweet 0156 138 Potatoes, was, the West half of it, hilled this day (by order yesterday) to plant, whilst the other half was to have been planted in drills 4 feet a part between the rows; and 8 inches between the cuttings or sets in the rows to try the difference; but the frost last night induced me to postpone this planting. Two plows, according to order, came to work here to day. Recommenced planting of Corn with the drill plow at this place, this afternoon. The harrow was ordered to preceed it once, or as many times as the ground, from the clodiness, or grasiness of it, should appear to need it, to prepare the ground for the drill.

At Dogue run, putting in Barley, Oats, and grass Seeds as yesterday. The Women were hoeing the low part between the two meadows—that is breaking the clods and pulverising the ground to fit it for the Seed. Sowed the remainder of the New river grass seeds in broad cast (yesterday just before the rain fell) adjoining that wch. had been sowed in drills the a 11th. inst. at this place.

At Frenchs, fencing on the ditch between fields No. 2 & 3, with trunnels.

At the Ferry, the plows had just finished listing the So. cut of field No. 1 below the hill and the Women were employed in making the trunnel fence on the ditch along the road.

A good many Herrings were caught last Night and this afternoon, at my fishery—but few this forenoon.

The field crop not previously annotated is Ipomea batatas, sweet potato.

Friday 20th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morng.—[ ] at Noon And [ ] at Night.

Morning cold, with the Wind at No. West at which point it continued most part, if not all of the day. The fruit much injured with yesterdays frost—as it is to be feared that the grain, by this and the drought, also is—the Wheat appearing to turn yellow and the Oats in Week land to be dying; and neither, any more than the grass to grow.

Rid to all the Plantations.

In the Neck, the grd. being rather hard, and in places rough—two harrows could not prepare it sufficiently to keep the drill plow constantly at work. I therefore ordered the plowman who attended it to make good the work of covering the corn, which the little harrow at the tail of it might leave unfinished and this he is well able to do, because where the ground is difficult to prepare he can outgo the harrows, and here it is assistance is wanting. When the ground is light and the harrows prepare it sufficiently there is no 0157 139

Dr. Arthur Lee of Virginia, by John Trumbull. (Yale University Art Gallery)

occasion of the hoe to follow. This supercedes the necessity of the special hand ordered for this Service on Wednesday last. Where the grd. is naturally light, or well pulverized the drill plow plants with great dispatch regularity and to good effect. Where it is rough and hard manual labour as in the common mode must be applied. Muddy hole-Cross plowed deep the east half of the 10th. half acre, or Square, for the purpose of sowing Carrots in Broadcast. Before plowing the Northern half of this piece was manured with 25 bushels of Dung and after plowing, it was harrowed, to be ready for sowing in the Morning. Finished laying off Corn ground at this place about breakfast time.

At Dogue run, Finished Sowing Oats, wch. compleated my seeding of this grain (except a little at the Mansion house with which to sow grass Seeds). The whole quantity of Oats Sowed at this Plantation amounts to 215 bushls. Whereof 59 were Poland, in field No. l; the rest were, 50 from York River, 52 from Mattawoming, 29 from Mr. Young's, 13½ from George Town, and 12 from the Eastern Shore. The quantity of Barley sowed here amounted to 22 Bushels. With the Oats and Barley which were sown in field No. 1, and the inclosure of the Meadow near the Overseers house, was sown 4 bushls. and a galln. of red clover Seed—5½ bushls. of Orchard grass Seeds and 1 bushl. and 3 Gal. of Timothy seed. The other Oats in the Mill Meadow, & long field 0158 140 adjoining, had only Timothy seed mixed—of which there was sown in them 3 bushels & 6 gallns.

At French's and the Ferry the People were putting up fences.

On my return home I found Mr. Arthur Lee, the Revd. Mr. West, Mr. McQuir, Mr. Porter and Mr. Triplet here—All of whom went away after dinner except Mr. Lee and Mr. Porter.

Rev. William West (c.1739–1791), originally of Fairfax County, was ordained an Anglican minister in 1761 in England. Upon his return to America he obtained a position in Maryland, for which GW recommended him as being “of a good Family,” and “a neighbour of mine . . . one of those few of whom every body speaks well” (GW to Gov. Horatio Sharpe, 26 Mar. 1762, CSmH). In 1779 West became rector of St. Paul's Parish, Baltimore, and in 1790 he was chosen president of the convention of Maryland Episcopalian clergy (RIGHTMYER, 144, 218). West may have visited Mount Vernon in his capacity as the executor of the estate of his deceased brother Capt. John West, Jr., who had been a coexecutor with GW of the Colvill estate (see entry for 26 Feb. 1767; GW to John Rumney, 24 Jan. 1788, DLC:GW).

Saturday 21st. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at Night.

Wind at No. Wt. all day, and at times fresh & cool. Towards Sundown the Wind increased, seemed to be getting to the Eastward—with appearances of Rain.

Mr. Porter going away before breakfast and Mr. Lee directly after it, I rid to the Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run, Frenchs, and the Ferry—and to the fishing landing.

At Muddy hole, in the ground which was cross plowed, & harrowed yesterday, (which did not make it very fine) I sowed 2½ pints of Carrot seeds; which weighed 1 lb. lacking an ounce, and which is at the rate of 4 lbs. to the acre, the qty. directed in Youngs Annals of Agriculture. Harrowed them in with a light bush. Half the Seed was mixed in half a bushel of Sand and sown and then the other half in the like quantity, and sown over it a second time, to spread them more regularly. These Seeds were a mixture of the large Orange, and others, & from my garden. The goodness uncertn.

At Dogue run directed a small spot of low ground, in the swamp, between the two Meadows, to be hoed up, and made fine on which to sow part of the Birding grass which was sent to me by Mr. Sprig; and which he wrote me delighted in low, moist land. Three plows were listing and a heavy harrow running after them, to see if the ground could, without a second plowing, be sufficiently pulverized to plant Corn in with the drill plow.

At Frenchs, and the Ferry, fencing as yesterday.

0159 141

No great hand made of fishing—few were caught in the forenoon of this day & only about 30,000 last Night.

Sunday 22d. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon And [ ] at Night.

Clear and cold, with the wind hard all day at No. Wt.—Ice of considerable thickness in the Morning.

Doctr. Craik returned here this forenoon from Maryland—Dined and proceeded afterwards to Alexandria.

At home all day.

Monday 23d. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] At Noon and [ ] at Night.

Wind at No. Wt. all day, but not so cold as yesterday. Clear with every appearance of a continued drought, the atmosphere being very thick (smoaky) with a red looking Sun.

Rid to all the Plantations.

In the Neck began with James Lawson, Danl. Overdonck, Boatswain, Charles, Bath, Robin and Pascal to dig a ditch to the Post & rail fence erected on the line between Colo. Mason and me. The ditch to be 5 feet at top, 18 Inches at bottom, and two feet deep and to be faced with sod. Lawson, Boatswain, Robin & Paskall beginning at the So. and Danl., Charles, and Bath at the No. end—working towards each other. Drilling Corn going on but slow, because the harrows cannot prepare the ground fast enough for the Drill. Davy, and Ned, Ben, Essex & Robin; and two Women, began to put up the Posts and rails through the woods. Barley coming up at this place. Oats look very thin, and indifferently here, especially in some parts of the Orchard Inclosure. Cutting down Corn Stalks in field No. 2.

At Muddy hole. Planting Corn with the drill plow after the harrow—3 plows listing the intermediate rows, between the Corn. Overseer and Women cutting down Corn Stalks—Carting out dung on field No. 1.

At Morris's (that is Dogue run)—One plow is laying off—2 are listing and one Team harrowing, to prepare the lists for Corn. Sowed abt. a Quart of Birding grass (sent me by Mr. Sprigg) partly on the ground prepared on Saturday and partly on a little Spot near the Spring (which had been sown with Barley). The first was sown with Oats. Overseer & Womn. making up fences round the Mill Meadow.

At French's raising a trunnel fence on the ditch between fields No. 2 & 3 and a harrow employed in crossing the ground which 0160 142 was first plowed in the first. The Barley at this place is come up well, & looks well and the Oats tolerable, considering the dryness of the ground. The Flax also is up thick, and looks well.

At the Ferry 3 plows Are listing the other hands cutting down Corn Stalks.

But poor success in fishing to day.

Sowed in drills in the Inclosure behind the Stables (called the Vineyard) on the West side of it the Seeds of the honey locust. Part of these were sown on Saturday and part to day—part remains yet to be sown. The rows were about 15 Inches a part and the Seeds an inch or two a sunder in them.

Tuesday 24th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon And [ ] at Night.

Calm, clear, and very warm.

Rid to the Fishing landing and to the Ferry, French's, Dogue run, and Muddy hole Plantations.

Caught many fish at the first this evening.

At the Ferry, clearing the Wheat field of the Corn Stalks and listing as yesterday with g plows.

At French's still about the same fence & harrowing as yesterday.

At Dogue run, laying the worm of the New fence through the Woods. Sowed the remains of my Carrot Seed, between the rows intended for Corn, first ploughing the list a second time (as the first) and then harrowing it 4 times with the heavy harrow, after wch. the Seed (mixed in sand) was sown. The first row (west side next the huts) with a little Seed from Miss Balendine. The next (Carrot) rows, all to 50 yds. from the So. end, at which a stake is driven are of the early Car[ro]t and the others 6 in number besides the part are the large red Carrot. Directed a bush to be passed over the Seeds thus Sown. Of the last kind there was near a Quart Sown.

At Muddy hole, preparing for, & planting Corn with the drill, as yesterday—also cutting down Corn Stalks & Cartg. out Dung.

Majr. G. Washington's Child which had been sick since Sunday, & appearing to be very ill occasioned the sending for the Revd. Mr. Massey to Christen it who arriving about 5 Oclk. performed the Ceremony and stayed the evening.

Wednesday 25th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at Night.

The Morning lowering with the Wind—at times great appearances 0161 143 or rain, at other times the clouds looked thin and the Sun shone—but about half after five it began to rain, and continued to do so pretty fast and steadily for about half an hour preceeded by thunder & lightning which continued through the Rain frequent & sharp.

The Majors child dying betwn. 7 & 8 Oclock A.M. Mr. Massey stayed to bury it. About 10 Oclock Doctr. & Mrs. Stuart arrived & as were setting down to dinner Doctr. Craik came in from Maryland—all of whom went away after it.

A good many fish caught before the rain.

Thursday 26th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at N.

Cloudy and soft all day with appearances of more rain.

Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck the People were putting up the fence between fields No. 4 and No. 9—the last of which would be listed by Night when two plows would go to Crossing the list of No. 9 and the rest to preparing No. 3 for Corn by relisting the grd. that had got hard by laying. The harrows and drill plow working as usual. The Overseer & other Men putting up the Posts & rails through the Woods. The ditchers did about 2 rods each of the five foot ditch they began on Monday & sodded it.

At Muddy hole, the Corn Stalks would be cut down and piled this evening & the people would next be employed about the New ground in front of the Mansion house—In hoeing up the old list of last year wch. never was planted. The plows at work as usual.

At Dogue-run, the last sowed Barley, and the Clover wch. was first sown, were coming. The New river grass which was sown broad with Oats and that wch. was sown in drills was also coming up. Began here with 3 pair of dble. harrows and one single one to harrow Clover, orchard grass, & Timothy as a Mixture, & that part of the Wheat & rye which falls within field No. 1. The Women were raising & securing the fence about the Meadow near the Overseers House.

At French's Two plows were, as before, at Work at Muddy hole; & a harrow at Dogue Run. The Overseer, Women and boys grubbing & cleaning the sides of the Meadow by Manley's house.

At the Ferry, the 3 plows were listing, and the Women & other hands after having picked up & piled the Corn Stalks came to their side (South) of the New ground in front of the Mansion house.

Receiving an Express between 4 & 5 O'clock this afternoon informing me of the extreme illness of my Mother and Sister Lewis, 0162 144 I resolved to set out for Fredericksburgh by daylight in the Morning and spent the evening in writing some letters on business respecting the Meeting of the Cincinnati, to the Secretary General of the Society, Genl. Knox.

A Captn. McCannon came here this evening and got 40 Diplomas signed for the Delaware line.

FRENCH'S: The farm GW refers to as French's contained not only the land acquired from Mrs. French and the Dulanys but the smaller Manley tract which divided the two sections of the French land. The overseer of French's plantation was Will, one of the slaves GW had leased from Mrs. French (see entry for 8 Jan. 1787). Mrs. Mary Washington had a cancer of the breast, but, despite her weakness and bad health, she lived until 25 Aug. 1789. CAPTN. MCCANNON: Capt. William McCammon served as a second lieutenant in the Flying Camp during the latter part of 1776.

Friday 27th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at Night.

Wind Northerly, cool, and pleasant all day.

About sun rise I commenced my Journey as intended. Bated at Dumfries, and reached Fredericksburgh before two Oclock and found both my Mother & Sister better than I expected—the latter out of danger as is supposed, but the extreme low State in wch. the former was left little hope of her recovery as she was exceedingly reduced and much debilitated by age and the disorder. Dined and lodged at my Sisters.

Saturday 28th. Dined at Mrs. Lewis's and Drank Tea at Judge Mercers; Genl. Weedon, Colo. Chs. Carter, Judge Mercer, and Mr. Jno. Lewis and his wife dined with me at my Sisters.

Of John Lewis's five wives, this wife is probably his third, Elizabeth Jones, daughter of Gabriel Jones of the Shenandoah Valley.

Sunday 29th. Dined at Colo. Charles Carters and drank Tea at Mr. John Lewis's.

Monday 30th. Set out about Sun rise on my return home. Halted at Dumfries, for about an hour where I breakfasted. Reached home about 6 Oclock in a sml. shower, which did not continue (and that not hard) for more than 15 Minutes.

On my return, recd. the following report of the Weather and business of the plantations—viz.—

0163 145 M. N. Night Friday 27th. Mercy. 50 63 58 Saturday 28. Do. 51 72 58 Sunday 29 Do. 58 74 Monday. 30. Do. 58 74

27th. In the morning the Wind was at No. Wt.—at Noon So. W. and at Night calm.

Many Fish caught to day—no demand for them.

At the Ferry, the plows were listing, and the People grubbing in the New ground. Drill plow sent for to begin Corn planting, preceeded by the harrow.

At French's, the People were grubbing and cleaning along the sides of the Meadow—two plows at Muddy hole and a harrow at Dogue run.

At Dogue run, The Women were hoeing the enclosed Tobacco ground for Corn—1 Plow listing, and 4 harrows putting in grass Seeds at the rate of [ ] gallns. of Orchard Grass, [ ] quarts of red Clover, and [ ] qts. of Timothy to the Acre on the Wheat and rye in field No. 1.

At Muddy hole, Planted half an acre of the Sweet Potatoes one half of which (containing 1240 hills) were in Hills, the other half was in rows 4 feet apart—The cuttings about 6 inches apart in the Rows; which were marked by the Plow. To plant the hills (with 2 or 3 cuttings in each) it took 1½ Bushl.; a bushl. of wch. was had from Marshalls Neg[roe]s, and the remaining half bushl. was of those brot. from York River. Those in drills (14 in number) took a bushel and a peck—the Bushel had from Marshalls People and the Peck fm. my old Negro fellow Jupiter.

Finished planting the Seed of the honey locust, began on the [ ] instt.

Breaking the remainder of the Turnip patch at the home house for Oats and grass Seeds.

28th. Wind at So. W. in the forenoon—So, afterwards till it grew calm.

Much fish caught and no demand for them; Salting them up.

At the Ferry commenced Corn planting with the drill plow; first running the harrow on the list, to smooth & pulverise the ground, 3, 4, and sometimes oftener, before the drill and this not enabling the small harrow at the end, to cover well, on acct. of the grassiness of the grd. particularly wire grass. A hand followed with a hoe to make the work good.

At French's the hands employed as yesterday.

0164 146

At Dogue Run, nearly so, except that a plow was re-listing for Parsnips which were intended to commence where the Carrots ended, and to occupy every 8th. Row in like manner as they did. Finished sowing Grass Seeds on the wheat and rye in field No. 1—quantity of which amounted to 32 gallons of Orchard grass; 12 gallons of red clover and [ ] gallons of Timothy Seed. This ground was harrowed and cross harrowed and the roller was following them. The grd. where the rye was and which had been harrowed in the fall was very hard, run together, and much baked.

At Muddy hole, finished planting Corn with the drill about 1 Oclock, and sent it to Dogue run. All the plows now, 6 in number went to compleating the intermediate lists. Hands at the New grd. in front of the H[ome] House.

In the Neck, 3 plows listing in Field No. 3—two harrows following them—and the drill plow following the Harrows. In field No. 9 two Plows were crossing to prepare for Plantg. Corn. Women staking and ridering fence of the said field.

PARSNIPS: Pastinaca sativa, attempted here as a field crop to produce livestock feed. In June, when GW was in Philadelphia to participate in the Constitutional Convention, he wrote manager George Augustine Washington that he was sorry to learn the parsnips and carrots were doing poorly (10 June 1787, DLC:GW). There are additional references to the parsnip in farm records of 1798.

29th. Wind at So.—& warm all day.

30th. A brisk Southerly Wind all day, with appearances of rain; some of which, abt. 6 oclock, fell for abt. 15 Minutes.

But few fish caught to day.

At the Ferry drilling Corn as on Saturday but run the harrow oftener—6 times at least, before the drill which made it do better work. One plow listing—the hands in the New grd.

At Frenchs, employed as on Saturday.

At Dogue run, The Harrows having finished puttg. in grass Seeds, the one from French's returned home, and those belonging to the place went to preparing by listing Corn grd. whilst the drill plow preceeded by the harrow began to plant. Women hoeing New ground. Roller going.

At Muddy hole, the Plows were breaking up the Corn field, and the other hands listing the New grd. at the home house.

At the River Plantation began to Plant Corn in field No. 9.

Hoeing up the old road through the Turnip fld. at home, and otherwise preparing the grd. for the intended seed by crossing plowing it.

[May 1787]

Tuesday—May first. Mercury at [ ] in the Morng.—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at Night.

Wind Southerly with appearances in the forenoon of rain but the Wind shifting to the No. Wt. it cleared.

Notwithstanding my fatiegue I rid to all the Plantations to day. The Ditchers in the Neck had compleated about 500 yards of the 5 feet ditch—or in other words about 2 rods each pr. day.

The Drill plow would about finish the 2d. cut of No. 3 by Noon. The Barley by the Barn is either not all come up, or was irregularly sown. The clover among it is up in places thick. The first planted Corn is coming up & destroyed by the Birds as fast as it appears. Harrowing in Timothy Seed on the middle cut of Rye. This must have been much too long delayed as the Rye was almost on the point of putting forth its ear—but being thin did not appear to be much, if any injured by the harrowing and trampling.

At Muddy hole, the Plows and hands employed as yesterday. No appearance of the first planted Corn at this place coming up.

At Dogue run Parsnips all but the two last rows of them, west of the road leading from the gate to the Houses were sown in the same manner, and with the same preparation of the grd. as the Carrots had been. In other respects all things were going on as yesterday.

At French's—the same as yesterday; except that a harrow was crossing the plowing in No. 2.

Wednesday 2d. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at Night.

Cooler than yesterday, and clear Wind being at No. West.

Rid to the Fishing landing where few fish were caught and to the Ferry, French's & Dogue run Plantations—also to the Carpenters.

At the Ferry, the Work going on as yesterday except that the drill plow having finished the No. end (beyond a sml. branch) was stopped till the harrow could make head before it. In the meanwhile the Plow man went to crossing in the other part of the field which was intended for Corn in the common way, 5 feet, a Plow was listing in Stony field part of No. 1—Women &ca. working in the New grd.

0166 148

At French's, the same work going on as yesterday.

At Dogue run the same. The drill plow about Noon had got on the East side of the road leading up to the Houses.

The Oats every where in strong and moist land seem to thrive; but appear at a std. elsewhere. The Barley at French's look well. And the Cape wheat at Dogue run is forwarder than the common Wheat; but not more branched—perhaps less so, and of a paler green. It was, as has been observed before, more eaten by the Sheep and other Stock that had been fed upon the field than any of the other—whether owing to any peculiar taste or to its being generally forwarder cannot be determined with precision.

A Mr. Wilson of Elizabh. Town, in the State of New Jersey called here to know on wht. terms I would dispose of my tract of Land in Fayette & Washington Counties. These I gave him agreeably to what I had mentioned in my letter to Colo. Jno. Cannon.

At Fredericksburgh, I was informed by Mr. Chs. Yates, a Gentleman on whose veracity entire confidence may be placed, that he has tried the experiment of raising Irish Potatoes by laying them on unbroken, hard, or grassy ground & covering them with straw and found them to succeed admirably. The following he gave as an instance—viz.—an irregular piece of ground 28 of his Steps one way which he computed might be abt. 23 yards—18 wide at one end, and 8 or 10 at the other, reduced in the same proportion will not exceed 255 sqr. yards. These he says produced 36 bushls. of fine large well tasted Potatoes, and 12 bushl. of Seed Potatoes. In this proportion an Acre would yield 900 Bushels but as Mr. Yates said that he computed at the time upon 700 bushls. it is probable there may be some mistake as to measurement of the ground or Roots. The way he managed was this—In April he laid the Seed Potatoes (after cutting them in the usual manner) on the ground (no matter what sort of land he thinks) in rows 2 feet a sunder, and the cuttings 8 or 9 inches apart in the rows. The whole of this Space was then covered 6 inches thick with straw. When the potato vines had risen 6 Inches through this bed of straw another layer of equal thickness—that is 6 inches—was spread between the rows and close up to the Stems—after which nothing more was done with them. The Land on which these Potatoes grew was perfectly cleansed of weeds &ca. when the Potatoes and Straw were taken of and ameliorated.

Mr. Yates also mentioned another matter worthy of attention, respecting Potatoes; which was discovered accidentally—viz.—that some in a Corn field which had remained over (being left when the rest were dug, or unattended to) being covered with Corn 0167 149 stalks in the usual manner when they are cut down and thrown into heaps grew (the tops) through the stalks and yielded abundantly of very fine Potatoes. Query whether this covering, laid on thicker will not do instead of Straw.

It seems to be agreed by the farmers about Fredericksburgh that 6 bushels of Clover in the pug, or chaff is equal to 16 lbs. of clean Seed and that either is sufficient for an Acre. Colo. Carter sows 2 Bushels of Orchard grass (when alone) to an Acre and One peck when unmixed with other Seed, of Timothy. When clover and Orchard grass are sown together he gives 10 lb. of the first and a bushel of the latter.

Sowed the Turnip patch, and last years Cowpens in front of the Mansion house with Oats 11 bushels—Orchard Grass 3 Bushels, and Clover 1 Bushel. The qty. of ground my Farmer thinks is near 4 Acres but I believe this is large guessing. Perhaps there may be about [ ].

MY TRACT OF LAND IN FAYETTE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES: GW advertised for sale his two tracts of land in Pennsylvania: a 2,800-acre tract in Washington County and a 1,650-acre tract, originally in Washington County and subsequently in Fayette County when that county was formed in 1784 (advertisement for sale of lands, 22 Sept. 1786, DLC:GW). In this postrevolutionary period a number of the new settlers in southwestern Pennsylvania were from New Jersey (George McCarmick to GW, 31 Oct. 1786, and Israel Shreve to GW, 7 April 1787, DLC:GW). Col. John Cannon was GW's agent in that area (GW to Cannon, 13 April 1787, DLC:GW; and see entry for 18 Sept. 1784, n.3). Charles Yates (1728–1809), the son of Rev. Francis Yates of Whitehaven, Eng., emigrated to Virginia in 1752 and settled in Fredericksburg, where he became a prosperous merchant ( Va. Mag., 7 [1899–1900], 91–92). He probably had a plantation in Spotsylvania County, for in 1783 he owned 37 slaves there, and he was interested in agricultural experimentation (GW to Charles Carter, 10 Jan. 1787, DLC:GW; Va. Mag., 4 [1896–97], 297).

Thursday 3d. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at Night.

Clear all day, wind at No. Wt. and cold all the forenoon—but little wind and that Southerly afterwards.

Rid to the Fishing landing—and thence to the Ferry, French's Dogue run, and Muddy hole Plantations with my Nephew G. W. to explain to him the Nature, and the ordr. of the business at each as I would have it carried on during my absence at the Convention in Philadelphia.

At the Ferry the same work going on as yesterday.

Likewise at French the same.

The Same also at Dogue Run.

0168 150

And at Muddy hole nothing differing from yesterday. At the latter the Corn ground will go near to be. broke up this day.

Friday 4th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at Night.

Morning clear and cool, tho the Wind was Southerly; and in the afternoon fresh with appearances of rain.

Rid into the Neck to explain to G.W. the business to be done there, and mode of conducting it.

At this place the Post and rail fence around field No. 9 would be closed, and entirely compleated (except the ditch) by Noon. Harrowing, drilling, and listing in field No. 3 going on as usual. The first planted Corn in this field appears to have been much destroyed by the birds and the first planting of all not to have come up. Finished planting in field No. 9, the So. Wt. cut and began the middle cut with the Corn from Nomeny.

At Muddy hole finished breaking up the Corn ground, ordered the two plows from French's home; and the plows of the Plantation to cross plow the 9th. square allotted for experiments (to be previously dunged as the others had been) in order to receive the bunch homeny bean, the common homeny bean, and the common black eyed Pease.

At Dogue run, the Harrow, drill, and other plows were working as yesterday. Finished Hooing the Tobacco grd. which had been inclosed by French's for Corn. And sowed 9 gallons of Clover Seed on the Barley in the Island in the Great Meadow and ordered it to be rolled in.

At French's the Harrow at work as usual—the two Plows from Muddy hole would return home to their work after dinner And the Rest of the People were grubbing along the sides of the Meadow, and preparing them for grass.

A Person calling himself Hugh Patton dined here & returned to Alexandria afterwards.

HOMENY BEAN: Phaseolus vulgaris, kidney bean or common garden pole bean. The bush or “bunch” variety is P. vulgaris humilis. “The Hominy-Bean is a sort of kidney-bean, and very productive” (PARKINSON, 2:341). GW raised both red and white varieties in the climbing and bush forms. Later he tried the lima bean, P. limensis, sending a packet to William Pearce 27 April 1794, with instructions that they were to be planted the first of May (NBLiHi). He also tried Vicia faba, broad or Windsor bean, which both he and Jefferson called the horse bean. Jefferson wrote John Taylor, 29 Dec. 1794, “The President has tried it without success” (BETTS [2], 221). It failed for Jefferson, too, perhaps because it was not suited to the hot Virginia summers. A Hugh Patton (d. 1790) was a merchant in Richmond after the Revolution ( Va. Mag., 13 [1905–6], 427). 0169 151

Saturday 5th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at Night.

A few drops of rain fell in the Night—the Morning cloudy and the Wind brisk from the Southward. A good shower abt. 10.

Rid to the Fishing landing, Ferry, French's and D. run Plantations.

At the first Plantation One Plow was listing in the Stoney field, another crossing in the flat, and the harrow preparing for the drill plow. The Women preparing, & hoeing the New grd. in front of the House;

At Frenchs two Plows were set to plowing alongside the Meadow, where the roots and Grubs had been taken out in order to prepare it for grass seeds but making bad work my farmer thought the grd. cd. not be made fit to receive them this Spring. One harrow was harrowing as usual And the rest of the People grubbing. The clover seemed to be coming up pretty thick in places among the flax. The flax & Barley seemed to grow pretty well.

At Dogue-run, one Plow was crossing in the last years Tobo. grd. for Corn. In the laps of the fence Inclosg. it 139 pumpkin hills were Planted. Drilling corn, & listing going on as usual there.

At Muddy hole, the Plows began to break up the ground which was in drill Corn last year for Turnips, Pease, Potatoes &ca. Finished Plantg. their parts of the New ground in front of the home house with Corn—in every other 4th. row of which and 10th. hill two Pumpkin seeds were planted through the whole ground.

Ordered this to be done on the other side by the Ferry People.

Mr. Bull—A Delegate in Congress from South Carolina on his return to that came here to dinner and stayed all Night.

John Bull (c. 1740–1802) was returning home, his third (and last) one-year term having expired on 21 Feb. 1787 (SALLEY [1], 34–35; JCC, 30:410).

Sunday 6th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morng.—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at Night.

Wind Southerly, lowering at times till about 12 Oclock when it began to rain and continued to do so slowly for an hour but not so as wet more than a thin Surface of the Earth.

Colo. Fitzgerald, Doctr. Stuart and Doctr. Craik came here to dinner and returned afterwards.

Monday 7th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morng.—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at Night.

Clear, with the wind pretty fresh at No. Wt. all day but not cold.

0170 152

At home preparing for my journey to Philadelphia.

In the Afternoon Cols. Simms and Darke came in, the first expecting to meet the Governr. here, the other on business of the Potomack Compy. Both returned in the Evening.

THE GOVERNR.: Edmund Randolph had been elected governor of Virginia in Nov. 1786.

Tuesday. 8th. Mercury at [ ] in the Morning—[ ] at Noon and [ ] at Night.

The Weather being squally with Showers I defer'd setting off till the Morning. Mr. Chas. Lee came in to dinner but left it afterwards.

Following his entry for 8 May 1787 GW set off for Philadelphia to attend the Constitutional Convention scheduled to convene on 14 May. He soon realized, however, that his current Mount Vernon diary (which he had numbered volume eight [Regents' No. 33]) had, he wrote George Augustine Washington, “by mistake” been “left behind” (27 May 1787, CSmH). Before arriving in Philadelphia GW bought another blank leaf booklet, probably in Baltimore, and began another journal (Regents' No. 34) with an initial entry for Friday, 11 May 1787, the day he left Baltimore on his journey to Philadelphia. The first part of this Philadelphia journal covers the period of the Constitutional Convention and ends with GW's return to Mount Vernon on 22 Sept. He apparently intended at first to transfer his Philadelphia journal entries into the diary he had left at Mount Vernon but decided instead to make the 23 Sept. entry in his Philadelphia volume, and he continued to make his Mount Vernon entries in the Philadelphia volume until the last blank page was filled with his entry of 15 Nov. At this point GW returned to volume eight of his Mount Vernon diary (Regents' No. 33) where, following his entry for 8 May, he proceeded to copy (and expand) all of his entries from his Philadelphia journal through 22 Sept., the date he had returned to Mount Vernon. GW turned next to abstracting the farm reports that George Augustine Washington had sent to him during his absence in Philadelphia but quickly realized that such elaborate recopying of other records would be a waste of time and effort, as he explains in the diary. He then went on to transfer into volume eight of the Mount Vernon diaries the remainder of his daily entries from his Philadelphia journal (i.e., his Mount Vernon entries beginning with his entry of 23 Sept.). When this volume was full he was only through 27 Oct. 1787. He then began a new volume (nine [Regents' No. 35]), completing his transfer into that volume seriatim through the last entry in his Philadelphia journal, that of 15 Nov. 1787. Now well into his ninth volume of postwar Mount Vernon diaries, GW resumed making his original entries with that for 16 Nov. 1787, in which he noted: “remained within doors all day.” It may have been on this rainy day that he did his copying from his Philadelphia journal into the eighth and ninth volumes of his Mount Vernon diaries. This date seems particularly likely because when he copied his entry of 15 Nov. from the Philadelphia journal he added the information that Mr. O'Kelly and George Steptoe Washington had appeared at Mount Vernon on the fifteenth. The remainder of 0171 153 his 1787 diary appears in the ninth manuscript volume of the postwar Mount Vernon diaries. It should be noted here that when GW copied in his daily entries from his Philadelphia journal to volumes eight and nine of his Mount Vernon diaries he added temperature readings taken each day at Mount Vernon, presumably from his nephew's farm reports. After the Philadelphia volume was copied, it was probably stored away and seldom referred to, for it is in much better condition than the regular Mount Vernon diaries to which GW often turned to check previous weather and crop entries. GW's second and more complete (revised) version of his entries from 9 May through 15 Nov. (found in Regents' Nos. 33 and 35) is used as the text in this edition of the diaries. Although the information contained in the two versions does not differ greatly, there is considerable variation in length, wording, and tone. The original version of the entries from 9 May through 15 Nov. (Regents' No. 34) is therefore printed in reduced type in this volume immediately following the diaries for 1787.

A concise acct. of my Journey to Philadelphia, and the manner of spending my time there, and places where, will now follow—after whih. I shall return to the detail of Plantation occurrances as they respect my Crops & intended experiments agreeably to the reports which have been made to me by my Nephew Geo: Auge. Washington in my absence.

Wednesday 9th. Crossed from Mt. Vernon to Mr. Digges a little after Sun rise & pursuing the rout by the way of Baltimore—dined at Mr. Richd. Hendersons in Bladensbg. and lodged at Muir. Snowdens where feeling very severely a violent hd. ach & sick stomach I went to bed early.

Thomas Snowden (1751–1803) lived at Montpelier about 20 miles south of Baltimore in Prince George's County (BOWIE, 439; W.P.A. [2], 310; and see RICE, 2: pl. 127).

Thursday 10th. Very great appearances of rain in the morning, & a little falling, induced me, tho' well recovered, to wait till abt. 8 Oclock before I set off. At one Oclock I arrived at Baltimore. Dined at the Fountain, & Supped & lodged at Doctr. McHenrys. Slow rain in the Evening.

The Fountain Inn, which GW had visited several times before, was now in its new location on Light Lane ( Md. Journal, 3 Dec. 1782). The inn was probably copied after the old George Inn at Southwark, Eng., with balconies surrounding an open courtyard, and was considered one of the outstanding public houses in the United States. Daniel Grant, the builder and first proprietor, advertised the business for sale in 1795, and the description in the advertisement reveals something of the size and appearance of the house. “The House is 100 feet front, and 44 deep, and laid out in the following manner, viz. Excellent Cellars, floored and properly divided, under the whole House, six Parlours, or Rooms of different sizes, for company to meet in. 0172 154

James McHenry, attributed to James Sharples. (Independence National Historical Park Collection)

Twenty-four Bed-Rooms, eight Garrets for servants, three kitchens with Garrets over them, a Laundry, Spring-House, and Larder, Ice-House, and Barber's Shop, four Brick Stables containing 84 Stalls. . . . The principal part of the inside work of the House, is finished with Mahogany” (ANDREWS, 17, 44, 62–63, 67). James McHenry (1753–1816) immigrated in 1771 from Ireland to Philadelphia, where he studied medicine with Benjamin Rush. During the Revolutionary War he was an aide to GW and later to Lafayette. After the war he settled in Baltimore and served several years as a Maryland delegate to the Continental Congress, and was chosen one of the five Maryland delegates to the Constitutional Convention. McHenry had a town house at the corner of Baltimore and Fremont streets and a country estate, Fayetteville, near the city.

Friday 11th. Set off before breakfast. Rid 12 miles to Skirretts for it. Baited there and proceeded without halting (weather threatning) to the Ferry at Havre de gras where I dined but could not cross the wind being turbulent & squally. Lodged here.

SKIRRETTS: Skerrett's tavern, at the head of the Bird River in Baltimore County, went through many changes of owners and names. It was probably the “Cheyns's” tavern GW recorded having breakfast at on 7 May 1775.

Saturday. 12th. With difficulty (on acct. of the Wind) crossed the Susquehanna. Breakfasted at the Ferry house, on the East side —Dined at the head of Elk (Hollingsworths Tavern) and lodged 0173 155 at Wilmingtons at O'Flins. At the head of Elk I was overtaken by Mr. Francis Corbin who took a seat in my Carriage.

Hollingsworth's tavern, at Head of Elk on Elk Creek, Cecil County, Md., is shown in COLLES, 172. O'FLINS: Patrick O'Flynn (1748–1818), an immigrant from Ireland, was a Delaware militia captain in the Revolution. He settled in Wilmington, where he opened a tavern, Sign of the Ship. Located on Third and Market streets, it was a popular tavern for ceremonial dinners, including occasional meetings of the Delaware Society of the Cincinnati (O'BRIEN, 48–51). Francis Corbin was apparently on a trip to Philadelphia. When, in late June, a vacancy occurred in the Virginia delegation, Corbin, who was a member of the Virginia legislature and already in Philadelphia, was recommended to fill that vacancy. No appointment, however, was made (George Mason to Beverley Randolph, 30 June 1787, MASON [2], 3:918).

Sunday. 13th. About 8 Oclock Mr. Corbin and myself set out, and dined at Chester (Mrs. Withy's) where I was met by the Genls. Mifflin (now Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly) Knox and Varnum—The Colonels Humphreys and Minges and Majors Jackson and Nicholas—With whom I proceeded to Philada. At Grays Ferry the City light horse commanded by Colo. Miles met me, and escorted me in by the Artillery Officers who stood arranged & saluted me as I passed. Alighted through a crowd at Mrs. Houses—but being again warmly and kindly pressed by Mr. & Mrs. Rob. Morris to lodge with them I did so and had my baggage removed thither.

Waited on the President, Doctr. Franklin as soon as I got to Town. On my arrival, the Bells were chimed.

The inn of Mary Withy (Withey), located on the northeast corner of Market and Fifth streets in Chester, was well known for the quality of its food (CHASTELLUX, 1:315). Thomas Mifflin (1744–1800), who began service in the Revolution as GW's first aide-de-camp and later resigned as quartermaster general under a cloud, was now a Pennsylvania delegate to the convention. From 1790 to 1799 he was governor of Pennsylvania. James Mitchell Varnum (1748–1789), of Rhode Island, served as a brigadier general in the Continental Army and was with GW at Valley Forge. After the Revolution he became a founder of the Society of the Cincinnati, now holding a general meeting in Philadelphia, and was, in 1787, a member of the Continental Congress for Rhode Island. MINGES: Col. Francis Mentges (d. 1805), born in France, was a dancing teacher in Philadelphia before the Revolution. He joined the Pennsylvania line in 1776 and was with GW at Valley Forge. In 1781, following the victory at Yorktown, he supervised military hospital services in Virginia and resigned from the army in 1783. He was an active member of the Cincinnati and at this time was inspector general of the Pennsylvania militia ( Pa. Mag., 45 [1921], 385). 0174 156 Maj. William Jackson (1759–1828), born in England and raised in South Carolina, served in the Revolution in the southern theater. After returning from a mission to Europe in 1781 he was appointed assistant secretary at war and subsequently settled in Philadelphia, where he studied law and became an active member of the Society of the Cincinnati ( Pa. Mag., 2 [1878], 353–69). NICHOLAS: Maj. Francis Nichols (d. 1812), Of Pottsgrove, Pa., participated in the seige of Quebec (1775) and retired from the Continental Army as a major in the 9th Pennsylvania Regiment. He was later appointed United States marshal for the eastern district of Pennsylvania ( Pa. Mag., 20 [1896], 504; Nichols to GW, 21 Aug. 1789, DLC:GW). GRAYS FERRY: The Lower Ferry over the Schuylkill took its name from George Gray, who ran it in the 1740s. A floating bridge, built at the Middle Ferry by the British during their occupation of Philadelphia (1777–78) was, upon their evacuation in 1778, moved by the Americans downstream to Gray's ferry, where it remained until swept away by a flood in 1789. The bridge was crossed by GW in his march to Yorktown in 1781 and in his trip to be sworn in as president of the United States in April 1789 (SCHARF [1], 1:454, 3:2141, 2143; SNYDER, 152). Col. Samuel Miles (1739–1805), of Montgomery County, Pa., who had served in the Braddock expedition, was commissioned colonel of the state's rifle regiment in 1776 and later served as auditor, quartermaster, and brigadier general of state forces. In 1790 he was elected mayor of Philadelphia. From 1786 to 1788 he was captain of the First City Troop of Light Horse, founded in 1774 as a gentlemen's arm of the local militia which participated in public ceremonies ( Pa. Mag., 46 [1922], 72–73). Mrs. Mary House's boardinghouse, on the southwest corner of Fifth and Market streets, was just a few doors down Market Street from the Morris house. Within the week George Read, a delegate from Delaware, found that “Mrs. House's, where I am, is very crowded” (FARRAND, 3:25). Benjamin Franklin was at this time president of the Supreme Council of Pennsylvania. BELLS WERE CHIMED: The Pennsylvania Packet, 14 May 1787, reported the next day that “His Excellency General Washington, a member of the grand convention, arrived here. He was met at some distance and escorted into the city by the troop of horse, and saluted at his entrance by the artillery. The joy of the people on the coming of this great and good man was shewn by their acclamations and the ringing of bells.”

Monday 14th. This being the day appointed for the Convention to meet, such Members as were in town assembled at the State Ho[use]; but only two States being represented—viz.—Virginia & Pensylvania—agreed to attend at the same place at 11 'Oclock to morrow.

Dined in a family way at Mr. Morris's.

Tuesday 15th. Repaired, at the hour appointed to the State Ho[use], but no more States being represented than were yesterday (tho' several more members had come in) we agreed to meet again to morrow. Govr. Randolph from Virginia came in to day.

0175 157

A view of the State House, Philadelphia, from the Columbian Magazine, June 1787. (New-York Historical Society)

Dined with the Members, to the Genl. Meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati.

Edmund Randolph, in his capacity as governor of Virginia, was the head of the Virginia delegation. Randolph was active in the convention but disapproved of some of the provisions of the Constitution and refused to sign it. Later, however, he supported its ratification by the state of Virginia, CINCINNATI: GW was dining with about 20 delegates of various state societies of the Cincinnati, in Philadelphia for the second general meeting of the society. The general meeting reelected GW president.

Wednesday 16th. No more than two States being yet represented, agreed till a quoram of them should be formed to alter the hour of Meeting at the State house to One oclock.

Dined at the President Doctr. Franklins and drank Tea, and spent the evening at Mr. Jno. Penns.

Benjamin Franklin later commented on this dinner: “We have here at present what the French call une assemblée des notables a convention composed of some of the principal people from the several States of our confederation. They did me the honor of dining with me last Wednesday” (Franklin to Thomas Jordan, 18 May 1787. FARRAND. 3:21). Franklin's dining room seated 0176 158 24 comfortably, which was about the number of delegates in the city by this date. John Penn (1729–1795) of Lansdowne, a grandson of William Penn, was the last proprietary lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. After 1776 he lived in political retirement, dividing his time between his country estate, Lansdowne, and his town house in Philadelphia.

Thursday 17th. Mr. Rutledge from Charleston and Mr. Chs. Pinkney from Congress having arrived gave a representation to So: Carolina and Colo. Mason getting in this Evening placed all the Delegates from Virginia on the floor of Convention.

Dined at Mr. Powells and drk. Tea there.

John Rutledge, who had been a war governor of South Carolina, was later appointed a justice of the United States Supreme Court. Charles Pinckney (1757–1824), cousin of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, was a member of Congress from South Carolina from 1784 until Feb. 1787 and a prime mover for the Constitutional Convention, where he played an active role. Four times elected governor of South Carolina, he subsequently left the Federalists to become a leader of the Republicans in South Carolina. The Virginia General Assembly, through a joint ballot of both houses, elected a seven-man delegation (any three providing a minimum for a quorum), which could cast Virginia's vote in the convention by a majority vote within the delegation. The returns show GW first, followed by Patrick Henry, Edmund Randolph, John Blair, James Madison, George Mason, and George Wythe (FARRAND, 3:561). Of the seven originally chosen, GW vacillated for months before accepting (see FREEMAN, 6:75–84). Only Patrick Henry declined outright. To Henry's place Governor Randolph appointed Thomas Nelson, who declined. Randolph then turned to Richard Henry Lee. Lee declined, on account of poor health. Finally on 2 May Randolph appointed Dr. James McClurg (1746–1823), a member of the Virginia Council of State, who was at that time in Philadelphia (FARRAND, 3:21, 558, 561). Hence, GW's notation on 16 May in his Philadelphia journal that “Doctr. McClerg of Virginia came in” probably records McClurg's first day of attendance at the convention. COLO. MASON: Three days after his arrival, George Mason wrote to his son, George Mason, Jr.: “the Virg[ini]a Deputies (who are all here) meet and confer together two or three Hours, every Day; in order to form a proper Correspondence of Sentiments” (MASON [2], 3:880). Samuel Powel's house was on the west side of Third Street between Spruce and Walnut streets (GW ATLAS, pl. 44; BAKER [2], 75n).

Friday 18th. The representation from New York appeared on the floor to day.

Dined at Greys ferry, and drank Tea at Mr. Morris's—after which accompanied Mrs. [Morris] and some other Ladies to hear a Mrs. O'Connell read (a charity affair). The lady being reduced in circumstances had had recourse to this expedient to obtain a little money. Her performe. was tolerable—at the College-Hall.

0177 159 GREYS FERRY: The recently opened public gardens on the west bank of the Schuylkill at Gray's ferry were an innovation in public amusement gardens for Philadelphia. Patterned after the public gardens of London, the Gray's ferry gardens placed artificial grottoes and waterfalls among beds of flowers and exotic plants, set in several acres of the natural landscape along the Schuylkill River. Here concerts, illuminations, and fireworks were presented, especially on holidays. Refreshments and meals were served at the ferry inn, incorporated into the gardens (SCHARF [1], 2:942–44). MRS. O'CONNELL: On this day the Pennsylvania Packet reported: “THE Lecture which was to have been read by a LADY in the University,last evening was postponed until tonight, at the particular desire of several ladies and gentlemen of distinction. The Lecture to be read THIS EVENING is a continuance of the Dissertation on Eloquence, which commenced in the first course.”

Saturday 19th. No more States represented.

Dined at Mr. Ingersolls. Spent the evening at my lodgings—& retird. to my room soon.

Jared Ingersoll (1749–1822), originally of Connecticut, became a prominent attorney in Philadelphia. In 1785 his residence was near the northeast corner of Fourth and Market streets, but by 1791, when in his first term as attorney general of Pennsylvania, he had moved to a house on Chestnut Street across from the Pennsylvania State House. An early advocate of a revision of the Articles of Confederation, he became a Pennsylvania delegate to the convention (GW ATLAS, pl. 44; JACKSON [3], 110).

Sunday 20th. Dined with Mr. & Mrs. Morris and other Company at their farm (called the Hills). Returned in the afternoon & drank Tea at Mr. Powells.

THE HILLS: While visiting Philadelphia in July 1787 Manasseh Cutler recorded how he rode “out of the city on the western side . . . in view of the Schuylkill, and up the river several miles, and took a view of a number of Country seats, one belonging to Mr. Robert Morris. . . . His country seat . . . is not yet completed but it will be superb. It is planned on a large scale, the gardens and walks are extensive and the villa situated on an eminence has a commanding prospect down the Schuylkill to the Delaware” ( Pa. Mag., 12 [1888], 105; and see SNYDER, 140, 188).

Monday 21st. Delaware State was represented.

Dined, and drank Tea at Mr. Binghams in great Splender.

MR. BINGHAMS: William Bingham (1752–1804), scion of an old Pennsylvania family, was horn in Philadelphia, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania (1768), and was a British consul in Martinique before the Revolution and an American commercial agent in the West Indies during the Revolution. In 1780 he returned to Philadelphia with a large fortune and married Anne Willing (1764–1801), a daughter of Thomas Willing and renowned as a great beauty and a brilliant hostess. After spending several years in Europe 0178 160 the Willings returned to Philadelphia to build an elaborate town house on the west side of Third Street above Spruce Street, where they entertained extensively during the 1790s.

Tuesday 22d. The Representation from No. Carolina was compleated which made a representation for five States.

Dined and drank Tea at Mr. Morris's.

Wednesday 23d. No more States being represented I rid to Genl. Mifflins to breakfast—after which in Company with him Mr. Madison, Mr. Rutledge and others I crossed the Schuylkill above the Falls. Visited Mr. Peters—Mr. Penns Seat, and Mr. Wm. Hamiltons.

Dined at Mr. Chews—with the Wedding guests (Colo. Howard of Baltimore having married his daughter Peggy). Drank Tea there in a very large Circle of Ladies.

Mifflin's country seat, overlooking the falls of the Schuylkill, was one of his three homes; the other two were a farm in Berks County and a town house in Philadelphia (ROSSMAN, 174; and see SNYDER, 157, 193). Richard Peters (1744–1828), secretary of the Board of War (1776–81), was later appointed by GW a judge of the United States District Court for Pennsylvania. His country seat, Belmont, where he carried out large-scale agricultural experimentation, was on the west side of the Schuylkill below the falls (BAKER [2], 76n). MR. PENNS SEAT: Lansdowne, an Italianate house built c. 1773 by lieutenant governor John Penn. Located on the west side of the Schuylkill about halfway between the falls and the Middle Ferry, Lansdowne was later incorporated into Fairmount Park (see SNYDER, 169, 173). William Hamilton (1745–1813), a wealthy Philadelphia patron of the arts, was particularly devoted to landscape gardening. Hamilton employed trained gardeners and was responsible for the introduction of many new plants. When Meriwether Lewis sent plant specimens back from the Lewis and Clark expedition (1804–6), some were forwarded to Hamilton by Thomas Jefferson for experimentation. In Mar. 1792 Hamilton shipped a small collection of plants and cuttings to Mount Vernon, including several species which GW had not planted before. Today GW is visiting Hamilton at Bush Hill, located just north of the city. He had inherited the property from his uncle James Hamilton upon the latter's death in 1783 (see SNYDER, 156, 159). Benjamin Chew's daughter Margaret (Peggy) Chew (1760–1824) married John Eager Howard (1752–1827) on 18 May 1787. Howard had served as an officer of Maryland troops under Nathanael Greene during most of the Revolution, participating in the Jersey campaigns with GW before being reassigned to the southern theater, where he distinguished himself. In 1788 Howard was elected governor of Maryland. This party was probably at the town house of Benjamin Chew, on Third Street between Walnut and Spruce streets. The house, built in the 1770s for William Byrd III of Westover, was later bought by Benjamin Chew, who was proscribed as a Tory during the Revolution. During the winter of 1781–82, GW made the Chew town house his headquarters (see EBERLEIN, 103–27; VIRKUS, 5:730). 0179 161

Bush Hill, one of the estates of William Hamilton, on the Schuylkill River. From New-York Magazine, February 1793. (New-York Historical Society)

A view by William Strickland of the falls of the Schuylkill River from the portico of Thomas Mifflin's house. (New-York Historical Society)

0180 162

Thursday 24th. No more States represented.

Dined and drank Tea at Mr. John Ross's.

One of my Postilion boys (Paris) being sick, requested Doctr. Jones to attend him.

Dr. John Jones (1729–1791), who had studied medicine in Europe, helped organize the medical department of the Continental Army, published several important medical papers, and was an organizer and first vice-president of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.

Friday 25th. Another Delegate coming in from the State of New Jersey gave it a representation and encreased the number to Seven which forming a quoram of the 13 the Members present resolved to organize the body; when, by a unanimous vote I was called up to the Chair as President of the body. Majr. William Jackson was appointed Secretary and a Comee. was chosen consisting of 3 Members to prepare rules & regulations for conducting the business and after [ap]pointing door keepers the Convention adjourned till Monday, to give time to the Comee. to report the matters referred to them.

Returned many visits to day. Dined at Mr. Thos. Willings and sp[en]t the evening at my lodgings.

A unanimous vote for GW as president had been generally expected by the delegates. Benjamin Franklin, the only other possible candidate for the honor, had planned to nominate GW, but he was unwell and Robert Morris made the nomination, seconded by John Rutledge. James Madison's notes described the scene: “General [Washington] was accordingly unanimously elected by ballot, and conducted to the chair by Mr. R. Morris and Mr. Rutlidge; from which in a very emphatic manner he thanked the Convention for the honor they had conferred on him, reminded them of the novelty of the scene of business in which he was to act, lamented his want of [better qualifications], and claimed the indulgence of the House towards the involuntary errors which his inexperience might occasion” (FARRAND, 1:3–4). William Jackson, who later served as one of GW's secretaries, was not the only candidate for secretary of the convention. John Beckley, clerk of the Virginia House of Delegates, accompanied Governor Randolph to Philadelphia “in expectation of being appointed clerk ” of the convention (James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 27 July 1787, JEFFERSON [1], 11:631). William Temple Franklin, secretary to his grandfather Benjamin Franklin when he was in Paris, was nominated by the Pennsylvania delegation, but Jackson, who actively solicited GW and other delegates for support, was elected (FARRAND, 1:4, 3:18). In Nov. 1795 GW attended Jackson's wedding to Eliza Willing, daughter of Thomas Willing, GW's dinner host today ( Pa. Mag., 2 [1878], 366, 21 [1897], 27). Thomas Willing's three-story town house was on Third Street just below Walnut Street. 0181 163

Saturday 26th. Returned all my visits this forenoon. Dined with a club at the City Tavern and spent the evening at my quarters writing letters.

MY VISITS: In 1780 Chastellux remarked that following breakfast, “we went to visit the ladies, according to the Philadelphia custom, where the morning is the most proper hour for paying calls” (CHASTELLUX, 1:135). For the City Tavern, see entries for 4 Sept. 1774, 12 May 1775, and 26 July 1786.

Sunday 27th. Went to the Romish Church—to high Mass. Dined, drank Tea, and spent the evening at my lodgings.

ROMISH CHURCH: Of the two Roman Catholic chapels in Philadelphia at this time GW probably attended the larger, St. Mary's, on Fourth below Spruce Street. The chapel had been extensively renovated in 1782 (SCHARF [1], 2:1372).

Monday 28th. Met in Convention at 10 Oclock. Two States more—viz.—Massachusetts, and Connecticut were on the floor to day.

Established Rules—agreeably to the plan brot. in by the Comee. for the governmt. of the Convention & adjourned. No com[municatio]ns without doors.

Dined at home, and drank Tea, in a large circle at Mr. Francis's.

NO COM[MUNICATIO]NS WITHOUT DOORS: GW is referring to the secrecy rule which was proposed in the convention on this day. It was referred to the rules committee and adopted on the following day (FARRAND, 1:13, 15). Tench Francis, Jr. (1730–1800), was the son of Tench Francis (d. 1758) and an uncle of Tench Tilghman, one of GW's aides during the Revolution. In 1787 he lived on Chestnut Street between Third and Fourth streets. He later became first cashier of the Bank of North America ( Pa. Mag., 11 [1887], 299, n.2, 49 [1925], 82).

Tuesday 29th. Attended Convention and dined at home—after wch. accompanied Mrs. Morris to the benifit Concert of a Mr. Juhan.

BENIFIT CONCERT: Members of the local music community, made up of native Americans and post-Revolution musical migrants from England and the Continent, sometimes participated in benefit concerts in which the musician who benefited took the financial risks and received all the profits (SONNECK, 123). Today's concert, which featured pieces by the contemporary European composers Haydn, Sarti, and Martini (Schwartzendorf), also included “A New Overture” by Alexander Reinagle, the local musical impresario, a flute concerto by the local composer and organist William Brown, a “Concerto Violoncello” by Henry (Henri) Capron, whom GW later hired as a music 0182 164 teacher for Nelly Custis, and several pieces for violin and piano by “Mr. Juhan” ( Pa. Packet, 29 May 1787; PHi: GW Household Accounts, 1793–97; see entry for 28 May 1795; and see covey, 517). In the spring of 1783 James Juhan (Joan, Juan), who advertised himself as a teacher of harpsichord, violin, flute, “Tenor Fiddle,” violincello, and guitar, and also as a maker of harpsichords and “the great North American fortepianos,” arrived in Philadelphia, and on 6 Aug. presented “a grand Concert of MUSIC, Vocal and Instrumental” ( Pa. Gaz., 25 June, 6 Aug. 1783; SONNECK, 123–24, 265). He may have been related to Alexander Juhan, Jr., who advertised himself as &ldquo ;Master of Music, lately arrived in this city,” who offered to teach “the Harpsichord and Violin” as well as singing, and who cosponsored a series of subscription concerts in 1786–87 in Philadelphia ( Pa. Packet, 23 Dec. 1783; SONNECK, 80).

Wednesday 30th. Attended Convention.

Dined with Mr. Vaughan. Drank Tea, and spent the evening at a Wednesday evenings party at Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence's.

Mr. Vaughan is probably Samuel Vaughan rather than one of his sons. The elder Vaughan was in Philadelphia until about Dec. 1787 when he sailed to visit his holdings in Jamaica. He returned to Philadelphia by 1789 but left again in 1790 to take up permanent residence in England (STETSON [3], 472–74). John Lawrence (1724–1799), who in the colonial period had been a mayor of Philadelphia and a judge of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, was proscribed a Tory during the Revolution. Mrs. Lawrence was Elizabeth Francis Lawrence (1733–1800), a sister of Tench Francis, Jr., whom GW visited twice this week, and an aunt of GW's wartime aide Lt. CoL Tench Tilghman. In 1790 Lawrence lived on Chestnut Street below Sixth Street ( Pa. Mag., 24 [1899], 403; HEADS OF FAMILIES, PA., 225).

[Thursday 31st.] The State of Georgia came on the Floor of the Convention to day which made a representation of ten States.

Dined at Mr. Francis's and drank Tea with Mrs. Meredith.

THE STATE OF GEORGIA: In his Philadelphia diary GW specified William Houstoun (1757–1812), who was an active convention participant, and William Pierce (d. 1789), who participated little hut left some notes of the convention, including character sketches of delegates (FARRAND, 1:xxi, 3:87–97). MRS. MEREDITH: Margaret Cadwalader, daughter of Dr. Thomas Cadwalader (d. 1799) and a sister of Lambert and John Cadwalader, both of whom served under GW. She married Samuel Meredith (1741–1817) in 1772.

[June 1787]

Friday 1st. June. Attending in Convention and nothing being suffered to transpire no minutes of the proceedings has been, or will be inserted in this diary.

0183 165

Dined with Mr. John Penn, and spent the evening at a superb entertainment at Bush-hill given by Mr. Hamilton—at which were more than an hundred guests.

Saturday 2d. Majr. Jenifer coming in with sufficient powers for the purpose, gave a representation to Maryland; which brought all the States in Union into Convention except Rhode Island which had refused to send delegates thereto.

Dined at the City Tavern with the Club & spent the evening at my own quarters.

Although the state of Maryland appointed five delegates to the Constitutional Convention, their official instructions provided that the presence of a single delegate was enough to fully represent the state. James McHenry, the first of the five Maryland delegates to join the convention (28 May), was still the only Maryland delegate present when he was forced to leave on i June because of illness in his family. Hence the arrival on 2 June of Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, the second Maryland delegate to join the convention, again allowed the state to be fully represented (FARRAND, 1:xxi, 3:586).

Sunday. 3d. Dined at Mr. Clymers and drank Tea there also.

George Clymer (1739–1813) was a Philadelphia merchant and financier and an early advocate of independence. As a member of the Continental Congress (1776–78, 1780–83) he was active on committees dealing with finance, prisoners of war, Indian relations, commissary reform, and penal law revision. Clymer was a Pennsylvania delegate to the Federal Convention and a representative in the First Congress. In 1785 he resided on Fourth Street between Walnut and Spruce streets ( Pa. Mag., 11 [1887], 300n).

Monday 4th. Attended Convention. Representation as on Saturday.

Reviewed (at the importunity of Genl. Mifflin and the officers) the Light Infantry—Cavalry—and part of the Artillery, of the City.

Dined with Genl. Mifflin & drk. Tea with Miss Cadwallader.

MISS CADWALLADER: probably either Rebecca Cadwalader (1746–1821) or Elizabeth Cadwalader (1760–1799), daughters of Dr. Thomas Cadwalader of Philadelphia. Rebecca, who some time after 1791 became the second wife of Philemon Dickinson, and Elizabeth, who never married, were probably the “Misses” Cadwalader listed in 1790 as “Spinsters” living next door to Philemon Dickinson on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia (HEADS OF FAMILIES, PA., 225).

Tuesday 5th. Dined at Mr. Morris's with a large Company, Spent the Evening there. Attended in Convention the usual hours.

0184 166

Robert Morris's house in Philadelphia. (Historical Society of Pennsylvania)

Wednesday 6th. In Convention as usual. Dined at the Presidents (Doctr. Franklins) & drank Tea there—after which returnd. to my lodgings and wrote letters for France.

Thursday 7th. Attended Convention as usual. Dined with a Club of Convention Members at the Indian Queen. Drank Tea & spent the evening at my lodgings.

The Indian Queen, on Fourth Street between Market and Chestnut streets, was the lodging house for a number of delegates to the convention. It was described by a visitor that summer as being “kept in an elegant style” ( Pa. Mag., 12 [1888], 103).

Friday 8th. Attended the Convention. Dined, drank Tea, and spent the evening at my lodggs.

Saturday 9th. At Convention. Dined with the Club at the City Tavern. Drank Tea, & set till 10 oclock at Mr. Powells.

Sunday 10th. Breakfasted by agreement at Mr. Powell's, and in Company with him rid to see the Botanical garden of Mr. Bartram; which, tho' Stored with many curious plts. Shrubs & trees, 0185 167 many of which are exotics was not laid off with much taste, nor was it large.

From hence we rid to the Farm of one Jones, to see the effect of the plaister of Paris which appeared obviously great—First, on a piece of Wheat stubble, the ground bearing which, he says, had never recd. any manure; and that the Wheat from whence it was taken was so indifferent as to be scarcely worth cutting—The white clover on this grd. (without any seed being sown & the plaister spread without breaking up the soil) was full high enough to mow, and stood very thick. The line between this and the herbage around it, was most obviously drawn, for there nothing but the naked stubble, some weeds & thin grass appeared with little or no white clover. The same difference was equally obvious on a piece of mowing grd. not far distant from it for where the Plaister had been spread the White and red clover was luxuriant and but little of either beyond it and these thin. The Soil of these appeared loamy—slightly mixed with Ising-glass and originally had been good; but according to Jones's account was much exhausted. He informed us of the salutary effect of this plaister on a piece of heavy stiff meadow (not liable however to be wet) where it transcended either of the two pieces just mentioned in the improvement.

This manure he put on the 29th. of October in a wet or moist spot, and whilst the Moon was in its increase, which Jones says he was directed to attend to (but this must be whimsical) and at

William Bartram, by Charles Willson Peale. (Independence National Historical Park Collection)

0186 168

Title page of William Bartram's Travels, from Washington's library. (Boston Athenaeum)

the rate of about 5 bushls. to the Acre. When it is laid on grass land or Meadow he advises harrowing, previously, to the laying it thereon in order to raise the mould for incorporation.

From hence we visited Mr. Powells own farm after which I went (by appointment) to the Hills & dined with Mr. & Mrs. Morris. Returned to the City abt. dark.

William Bartram (1739–1823) operated a botanical garden with his brother John, Jr. (1743–1812), on the west bank of the Schuylkill three miles from Philadelphia. The establishment was still called John Bartram & Sons although it had passed into the hands of the sons upon the death of its founder, John Bartram (1699–1777). William's reputation as a traveler-naturalist was enhanced by the publication in 1791 of his Travels through North and South Carolina. GW was a subscriber to the book but declined a request that it be dedicated to him. On 2 Oct. 1789 GW sent word to Clement Biddle, his agent in Philadelphia, that he wanted the Bartrams' list of plants plus a note about the care of each kind (PHi: Washington-Biddle correspondence). In Mar. 1792 he obtained plants of 106 varieties, the surviving list bearing the heading “Catalogue of Trees, Shrubs & Plants, of Jno. Bartram” (DLC:GW). These plants were sent to George Augustine Washington, 0187 169 GW's manager at Mount Vernon, and a second shipment was sent down in November to replace the plants that had not flourished. While it is assumed that GW purchased the plants, it is quite possible that they were a gift from Bartram. MR. POWELLS OWN FARM: Samuel Powel owned land across the Schuylkill River southwest of Philadelphia.

Monday 11th. Attended in Convention. Dined, drank Tea, and spent the evening in my own room.

Tuesday 12th. Dined and drank Tea at Mr. Morris's. Went afterwards to a concert at the City Tavern.

This benefit concert, with tickets at 7s. 6d., was for Alexander Reinagle (1756–1809), born into a musical family of Austrian descent who lived in England. He was accomplished both as a composer and a performer on several instruments. In 1786 he immigrated to America and soon became Philadelphia's leading musical impresario. This concert, scheduled to begin at “exactly” 7:45 P.M., opened with an overture by Bach, and included compositions by the then current European composers Sarti, André, Fiorillo, and Piccini as well as pieces by the local musicians Henry Capron and William Brown. The concert concluded with two works by Reinagle, a piano sonata and “a new Overture” ( Pa. Packet, 12 June 1787; SONNECK, 80, 131–32).

Wednesday 13th. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Clymers & drank Tea there. Spent the evening at Mr. Binghams.

Thursday 14th. Dined at Major Moores (after being in Convention) and spent the evening at my own lodgings.

Although there were several Major Moores in Philadelphia at this time, GW is probably visiting Maj. Thomas Lloyd Moore (d. 1819), on Pine Street between Second and Third streets. At the end of the Revolutionary War, GW referred to Moore as among “the best Officers who were in the Army” (GW to Thomas Mifflin, 21 Dec. 1783, DNA: PCC, Item 152).

Friday 15th. In Convention as usual. Dined at Mr. Powells & drank Tea there.

Saturday 16th. In Convention. Dined with the Club at the City Tavern and drank Tea at Doctr. Shippins with Mrs. Livingstons party.

Anne Hume Shippen (1761–1841) was the daughter of Dr. William Shippen (1736–1808). She married (1781) Henry Beekman Livingston, son of Judge Robert R. Livingston (1718–1775), but at this time the Livingstons were separated. 0188 170

Sunday. 17th. Went to Church. Heard Bishop White preach, and see him ordain two Gentlemen Deacons—after wch. rid 8 Miles into the Country and dined with Mr. Jno. Ross in Chester County. Returned in the Afternoon.

William White (1748–1836), a native of Philadelphia, was the assistant minister and then, during the Revolution, the successor to Jacob Duché as minister for Christ and St. Peter's Anglican churches in Philadelphia. White had recently returned from England, where earlier this year he had been consecrated an Anglican bishop, thus becoming empowered to consecrate deacons for the newly formed Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, which he was instrumental in organizing following the Revolution. White's sister Mary was the wife of GW's Philadelphia host Robert Morris. DEACONS: One of the deacons was apparently a son of Dr. Gerardus Clarkson ( Pa. Mag., 12 [1888], 105). John Ross's farm, Grange Farm, or The Grange, was located on the old Haverford Road near Frankford in Chester County. He bought the property, formerly called Clifton Hall, from his father-in-law, Capt. Charles Cruikshank, in 1783 and renamed it in honor of Lafayette's home in France ( Pa. Mag., 23 [1899], 77–85).

Monday 18th. Attended the Convention. Dined at the Quarterly meeting of the Sons of St. Patrick—held at the City Tavn. Drank Tea at Doctr. Shippins with Mrs. Livingston.

SONS OF ST. PATRICK: Founded in 1771 in Philadelphia by Irish-American merchants and their friends, the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick strongly supported the American Revolution and several of its dinners were attended by GW, who was “adopted” by the society (DOUGHERTY, 1–21).

Tuesday 19th. Dined (after leaving Convention) in a family way at Mr. Morris's and spent the Evening there in a very large Company.

Wednesday. 20th. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Meridiths & drank Tea there.

MR. MERIDITHS: Samuel Meredith (1741–1817) had been a brigadier general under GW during the New Jersey campaigns (1777–78) and was now a Pennsylvania delegate to Congress. In 1789 GW appointed him first treasurer of the United States. His home was on Front Street between Arch and Race streets.

Thursday 21st. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Pragers, and spent the evening in my Chamber.

Mr. Prager is probably Mark Prager, Sr., a member of the Jewish mercantile family that came to Philadelphia shortly after the Revolution. The firm, at 0189 171 first called Pragers, Liebaert & Co., was some time before 1791 changed to Pragers & Co. GW had written William Fitzhugh on 23 July 1784 introducing Mr. Prager, who had been strongly recommended to him as “a Gentleman who is very extensively engaged in Trade, & a partner in several very capital Houses in Europe. He is taking a review of the State of our Trade & Ports, & probably, if he finds them answerable to his wishes, will fix a House in this State” (DLC:GW). Prager evidently found Philadelphia more to his liking.

Friday 22d. Dined at Mr. Morris's & drank Tea with Mr. Frans. Hopkinson.

Francis Hopkinson, lawyer, musician, composer, and poet, and, as a delegate from New Jersey, signer of the Declaration of Independence, was at this time a judge in the admiralty court of Pennsylvania. During the Revolution he wrote and published a series of satiric essays and pamphlets supporting the American cause, and in 1787–88 wrote essays supporting the proposed new Constitution. In this year Hopkinson published a collection of his compositions, Seven Songs, which he dedicated to GW. GW was pleased, but took exception to the dedication, pleading that although he would “defend your performance, if necessary, to the last effort of my musical Abilities . . . what, alass! can I do to support it? I can neither sing one of the songs, nor raise a single note on any instrument to convince the unbelieving” (GW to Hopkinson, 5 Feb. 1789, DLC:GW).

Saturday 23d. In Convention. Dined at Doctr. Ruston's & drank Tea at Mr. Morris's.

Dr. Thomas Ruston, a native of Chester County, Pa., attended the College of New Jersey and received a medical degree from the University of Edinburgh in 1765. He practiced in England until after the Revolution. In 1785 Ruston returned to Philadelphia where he became an associate of Robert Morris in land speculations. He was jailed for debt in 1796 (RUSH, 1:92, n.1). Ruston had been introduced to GW by George William and Sally Fairfax in a letter of 2 July 1785 as “not only a good American by birth, but also in sentiments” (DLC:GW). Ruston had a town house built for him on Chestnut Street. In the 1790 census he appears on West Market Street between Eighth and Ninth streets ( Pa. Mag., 8 [1884], 111; HEADS OF FAMILIES, PA., 226; JACKSON [3], 232).

Sunday 24th. Dined at Mr. Morris's & spent the evening at Mr. Meridiths—at Tea.

Monday 25th. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's—drank Tea there—& spent the evening in my chamber.

Tuesday 26th. Attended Convention. Partook of a family dinner with Govr. Randolph and made one of a party to drink Tea at Grays ferry.

0190 172 Edmund Randolph first boarded at Mrs. House's, where George Read had been obliged to give up a larger room “for Governor Randolph, it being then expected he would have brought his lady with him, which he did not, but she is expected to follow some time hence” (Read to John Dickinson, 21 May 1787, FARRAND, 3:25). A week later Randolph “engaged a couple of rooms in a House at a small distance” from Mrs. House's. “As Mr. Randolph expects his lady his situation is too Confined in this House. He is to dine at our Table” (Read to Dickinson, 25 May 2787, FARRAND, 4:61). A week later Randolph wrote his cousin Lt. Gov. Beverley Randolph: “the prospect of a very long sojournment here has determined me to bring up my family” (FARRAND, 3:36).

Wednesday 27th. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's. Drank Tea there also and spent the evening in my chamber.

Thursday 28th. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's in a large Company—(the news of his Bills being protested, arriving last night a little malapropos). Drank Tea there, & spent the evening in my chamber.

Over a month earlier, Robert Morris's “£50,00 sterling of . . . bills of exchange” had been protested in London. The protest interrupted the financier's purchase of American tobacco and threatened to disrupt the American tobacco trade with France, for which Morris had an exclusive contract with the French Farmers General (James Maury to Thomas Jefferson, and William Short to Jefferson, 21 May 1787, JEFFERSON [1], 11:370–71, 373).

Friday 29th. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris and spent the evening there.

Saturday 30th. Attended Convention. Dined with a Club at Springsbury—consisting of several associated families of the City—the Gentlemen of which meet every Saturday accompanied by the females of the families every other Saturday. This was the ladies day.

In his original Philadelphia journal GW refers to the club at Springettsbury as the Cold Spring Club. SPRINGSBURY: One of the original manors set aside by William Penn for his family was named Springettsbury, taking its name from the family name of Penn's first wife, Gulielma Maria Springett. Much of the original manor, encompassing thousands of acres just north of the original city, was gradually sold off, but a portion retaining the manor name was kept in the family and developed in the mid-eighteenth century by William Penn's son Thomas Penn (1702–1775). The manor house, within an easy walk from Bush Hill, was the temporary country home of Robert Morris in 1779 and 1780. In the 1780s its overgrown gardens, random springs, and abandoned buildings offered a gothic setting for pastoral outings (see SNYDER, 200; BAKER [2], 81n).

[July 1787]

July. 1st. Dined and spent the evening at home.

Monday. 2d. Attended Convention. Dined with some of the Members of Convention at the Indian Queen. Drank Tea at Mr. Binghams, and walked afterwards in the state house yard.

Set this Morning for Mr. Pine who wanted to correct his portrt. of me.

For Robert Edge Pine's visit to Mount Vernon to paint this portrait, see entry for 28 April 1785.

Tuesday. 3d. Sat before the meeting of the Convention for Mr. Peale who wanted my picture to make a print or Metzotinto by.

Dined at Mr. Morris's and drank Tea at Mr. Powells—after which, in Company with him, I attended the Agricultural Society at Carpenters Hall.

Charles Willson Peale, now living in Philadelphia, wrote GW of the “great desire I have to make a good mezzotinto print” of him assuring GW he would “make the business as convenient to you as possible . . . by bringing my

Peale's mezzotint of Washington hung at Mount Vernon. (Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union)

0192 174 Pallette and Pensils to Mr. Morris's that you might sett at your leisure” (29 May 1787, May–June, 1787, PPAmP: Charles Willson Peale Papers; see also SELLERS, 1:257–58; EISEN, 2:378). On this day a local diarist recorded: “Before breakfast went with my daughter Hannah to the meadow. . . . On returning we met his Excellency General Washington taking a ride on horseback, only his coachman Giles with him” (HILTZHEIMER, 128). The Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture, founded in Feb. 1785 to promote agriculture in the United States, consisted of active (resident) members living in or near Philadelphia and honorary (later corresponding) members. GW became one of the latter in 1785. Samuel Powel was president from 1785 to 1794. The regular monthly meetings, drawing between 10 and 20 members, were held in Carpenters' Hall, on Chestnut Street near Third Street. Built in 1770 by the Carpenters' Company of Philadelphia, the hall had been the meeting place of the First Continental Congress (1774), to which GW had been a delegate (see GAMBRILL, 410–39).

Wednesday 4th. Visited Doctr. Shovats Anatomical figures and (the Convention having adjourned for the purpose) went to hear an Oration on the anniversary of independence delivered by a Mr. Mitchell, a student of Law—After which I dined with the State Society of the Cincinnati at Epplees Tavern and drank Tea at Mr. Powells.

DOCTR. SHOVATS ANATOMICAL FIGURES: The surgeon and anatomist Abraham Chovet (1704–1790) was born in England, studied in France, practiced in England and the West Indies, and in 1774 opened his “Anatomical Museum” of wax human figures on Vidal's Alley off Second Street in Philadelphia. Chastellux, impressed with Chovet's work, was even more impressed with Chovet: “a real eccentric: his chief characteristic is contrary-mindedness; when the English were at Philadelphia he was a Whig, and since they left he has become a Tory” (CHASTELLUX, 1:146, 311). Chovet remained in Philadelphia, where he practiced medicine, taught anatomy, and helped found the College of Physicians (1787). CINCINNATI: “Gen. Washington presents his Complts. to The honle. The Vice Presidt. of the Pensa. State Society of Cincinnati and will do himself the honor of dining with the society on the 4th of July agreeable to Invitation” (GW to Thomas McKean, 29 June [1787], PHi: McKean Papers). EPPLEES TAVERN: Henry Epple (d. 1809) kept The Sign of the Rainbow, a popular tavern on the north side of Sassafras (Race) Street, above Third. Epple, who ran the tavern until 1794, had served as an officer in the army during the Revolution.

Thursday 5th. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's and drank Tea there. Spent the evening also.

Friday 6th. Sat for Mr. Peale in the Morning. Attended Convention. Dined at the City Tavern with some members of Convention and spent the evening at my lodgings.

0193 175

Saturday 7th. Attended Convention. Dined with the Club at Springsbury and drank Tea at Mr. Meridiths.

Sunday 8th. About 12 Oclock rid to Doctr. Logans near German town where I dined. Returned in the evening and drank Tea at Mr. Morris's.

Dr. George Logan (1753–1821), a strict Quaker and an active pacifist, took his medical degree from the University of Edinburgh in 1779 and returned to Pennsylvania to settle at his family home, Stenton, near Germantown, Pa., where he pursued experimental agriculture, and where GW is visiting this day.

Monday 9th. Sat in the Morning for Mr. Peale. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's & accompanied Mrs. Morris to Doctr. Redmans 3 Miles in the Country where we drank Tea and returned.

On 8 July Charles Willson Peale wrote GW: “the Drapery and background of your Portrait is painted and if it is convenient to your Excellency to favor me with a sitting tomorrow morning, I will have my pallit sett with fresh ground Colours” (PPAmP: Charles Willson Peale Papers). Although there were several Dr. Redmans in Philadelphia at this time GW is probably visiting Dr. John Redman (1722–1808), who was trained in Edinburgh and Leyden and practiced in Paris and London before returning home to Philadelphia. Here he specialized in obstetrics and trained many local physicians, including George Logan and Benjamin Rush. From 1786 to 1804 Redman served as first president of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.

Tuesday. 10th. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's. Drank Tea at Mr. Binghams & went to the Play.

The play was performed at the Southwark Theater, located just south of the city boundary. Because of a state law (1779) prohibiting theatrical performances, the building was called an opera house by the American Company, which played there from 25 June to 4 Aug. To skirt this same law the plays presented were billed under false titles that could still be recognizable by the theater-going public. Hence, in this evening's “concert” James Townley's High Life below the Stairs was billed as an “entertainment” called “the Servants Hall in an Uproar,” while the farce Love in a Camp, or Patrick in Prussia was advertised as a “Comic Opera” (SCHARF [1], 2:965–67; SEILHAMER, 2:217–21).

Wednesday 11th. Attended Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's and spent the evening there.

Thursday 12th. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's & drank Tea with Mrs. Livingston.

0194 176

Friday 13th. In Convention. Dined, drank Tea, & Spent the Evening at Mr. Morris's.

Saturday. 14th. In Convention. Dined at Springsbury with the Club and went to the play in the Afternoon.

The play was Shakespeare's The Tempest, adapted by John Dryden (SEILHAMER, 2:219).

Sunday 15th. Dined at Mr. Morris's & remaind, at home all day.

Monday 16th. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's and drank Tea with Mrs. Powell.

Tuesday 17th. In Convention. Dined at Mrs. Houses, and made an excursion with a party for Tea to Grays Ferry.

On this day Jacob Hiltzheimer went “in the afternoon . . . to Mr. Gray's ferry, where we saw the great improvements made in the garden, summer houses, and walks in the woods. General Washington and a number of other gentlemen of the present Convention came down to spend the afternoon” (HILTZHEIMER, 128).

Wednesday 18th. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Milligans and drank Tea at Mr. Meridiths.

In 1790 James Milligan (d. 1818) lived on south Second Street (HEADS OF FAMILIES, PA., 237). As auditor and then as comptroller general of the treasury under the Articles of Confederation he had audited many of GW's Revolutionary accounts.

Thursday 19th. Dined (after coming out of Convention) at Mr. John Penn the youngers. Drank Tea & spent the evening at my lodgings.

John Penn (1760–1834), son of Thomas Penn, grandson of William Penn, and a first cousin of John Penn of Lansdowne, returned from England to Philadelphia in 1784 and built a home, The Solitude, on the west bank of the Schuylkill, later incorporated into Fairmount Park. Penn probably also had a house in town. He returned to England in 1788, where he promoted philanthropic causes, including the Outinian Society to promote matrimony, although Penn himself died a bachelor (see SNYDER, 131–32).

Friday 20th. In Convention. Dined at home and drank Tea at Mr. Clymers.

Saturday 21st. In Convention. Dined at Springsbury with the Club of Gentn. & Ladies. Went to the Play afterwards.

The play was the tragedy Edward and Eleanora, by the Scots poet James Thomson (SEILHAMER, 2:221). 0195 177

Sunday 22d. Left Town by 5 oclock A.M. Breakfasted at Genl. Mifflins. Rode up with him & others to the Spring Mills and returned to Genl. Mifflins by Dinner after which proceeded to the City.

SPRING MILLS: Spring Mill was an old grist mill on the east side of the Schuylkill River, about two miles below Conshohocken in Montgomery County, Pa. It was powered by the combined waters from several springs in a small area. The diary of Peter Legaux, a French immigrant who lived near Spring Mill, has the following entry for this date: “This day Gen. Washington, Gen. Mifflin and four others of the Convention did us the honor of paying us a visit in order to see our vineyard and bee houses. In this they found great delight, asked a number of questions, and testified their highest approbation with my manner of managing bees” (BAKER [2], 84n).

Monday 23d. In Convention as usual. Dined at Mr. Morris's and drank Tea at Lansdown (the Seat of Mr. Penn).

Lansdowne, home of former governor John Penn on the Schuylkill River. From W. Birch's Country Seats of the United States, Springfield, Pa., 1808. (Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University)

0196 178 On this day GW wrote Elizabeth Powel that he would “do himself the honor of calling upon her at, or before 5. oclock (in his Carriage) in hopes [of] the pleasure of conducting her to Lansdown this Evening” (ViMtV).

Tuesday 24th. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's and drank Tea, by appointment & partr. Invitation at Doctr. Rush's.

Dr. Benjamin Rush (1745–1813), republican and reformer, and an earnest supporter of the American cause, developed the practice and teaching of medicine in Philadelphia, where he was a center of medical controversy. He campaigned for the ratification of the Federal Constitution and in the early years of the new nation worked for reforms in the fields of prisons, insane asylums, poverty, education, and public medical care and campaigned for the abolition of slavery.

Wednesday 25th. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's, drank Tea, & spent the evening there.

Thursday 26th. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's, drank Tea there, and stayed within all the Afternoon.

Friday 27th. In Convention, which adjourned this day, to meet again on Monday the 6th. of August that a Comee. which had been appointed (consisting of 5 Members) might have time to arrange, and draw into method & form the several matters which had been agreed to by the Convention as a Constitution for the United States.

Dined at Mr. Morris's, and drank Tea at Mr. Powells.

Here GW was relying too much upon his memory, for his Philadelphia diary (see entry for 8 May 1787) had no notation of the date of adjournment, which was actually 26 July (FARRAND, 2:118, 128).

Saturday 28th. Dined with the Club at Springsbury. Drank Tea there and spent the Evening at my lodgings.

Sunday 29th. Dined and spent the whole day at Mr. Morris's principally in writing letters.

Monday. 30th. In company with Mr. Govr. Morris, and in his Phaeton with my horses; went up to one Jane Moores in the vicinity of Valley-forge to get Trout.

Before setting off on this fishing expedition GW, in a note to Mrs. Elizabeth Powel dated “Monday Morning,” wrote: “Genl. Washington presents his respectful compliments to Mrs. Powell, and would, with great pleasure, have made one of a party for the School for Scandal this evening; had not everything 0197 179 been arranged, & Mr. Govr. Morris and himself on the point of stepping into the Carriage for a fishing expedition at Jenny Moores; at Which place Mr. & Mrs. Robt. Morris are to be tomorrow, to partake of the successes, of Mr. Govr. Morris & himself this day. The Genl. can but regret that matters have turned out so unluckily, after waiting so long to receive a lesson in the School for Scandal” ([30 July 1787], ViMtV). Mrs. Jane Moore's Montgomery County farm bordered on Trout Creek and was within the old Valley Forge encampment (FREEMAN, 6:102).

Tuesday 31st. Whilst Mr. Morris was fishing I rid over the old Cantonment of the American [army] of the Winter 1777, & 8. Visited all the Works, wch. were in Ruins; and the Incampments in woods where the ground had not been cultivated.

On my return back to Mrs. Moores, observing some Farmers at Work, and entering into Conversation with them, I received the following information with respect to the mode of cultivating Buck Wheat, and the application of the grain. Viz.—The usual time of sowing, is from the 10th. to the 20th. of July—on two plowings and as many harrowings at least—The grain to be harrowed in. That it is considered as an uncertain Crop being subject to injury by a hot sun whilst it is in blossom and quickly destroyed by frost, in Autumn—and that 25 bushls. is estimated as an average Crop to the Acre. That it is considered as an excellent food for horses, to puff and give them their first fat—Milch cattle, Sheep, and Hogs and also for fatting Beeves. To do which, 2 quarts of Buck Wheat Meal, & half a peck of Irish Potatoes at the commencemt. (to be reduced as the appetite of the beasts decrease or in other words as they encrease in flesh) mixed and givn. 3 times a day is fully competent. That Buck wheat meal made into a wash is most excellent to lay on fat upon hogs but it must be hardened by feeding them sometime afterwards with Corn. And that this meal & Potatoes mixed is very good for Colts that are weaning. About 3 pecks of Seed is the usuall allowance for an Acre.

On my return to Mrs. Moores I found Mr. Robt. Morris & his lady there.

August. [1787]

Wednesday 1st. About 11 oclock, after it had ceased raining, we all set out for the City and dined at Mr. Morris's.

Thursday 2d. Dined, Drank Tea, & Spent the Evening at Mr. Morris's.

0198 180

Friday 3d. In company with Mr. Robt. Morris and his Lady and Mr. Gouvr. Morris I went up to Trenton on another Fishing party. Lodged at Colo. Sam Ogdens at the Trenton Works. In the Evening fished, not very successfully.

Samuel Ogden (1746–1810), an iron founder who had supplied iron products to GW's army during the Revolution, had also served as a colonel in the New Jersey militia. In 1775 he married Euphemia Morris, a younger sister of Gouverneur Morris (MINTZ, 39, 47, 70; SWIGGETT, 15, 48).

Saturday 4th. In the morning, and between breakfast & dinner, fished again with more success (for perch) than yesterday.

Dined at Genl. Dickenson's on the East side of the River a little above Trenton & returned in the evening to Colo. Ogden's.

Philemon Dickinson (1739–1809), a brother of John Dickinson, was a brigadier general and major general in the New Jersey militia and participated in the 1777 New Jersey campaign. In that year John Adams “walked . . . [from Trenton] to General Dickinsons House,” which he found to be “a Scaene of Desolation” from the war (ADAMS [1], 2:264). In 1784 Jacob Hiltzheimer found Dickinson “busy looking after the stone house he is having built at the end of his wooden building, about a mile out of Trenton” (HILTZHEIMER, 65). Dickinson was John Cadwalader's second in a duel (4 July 1778) with Thomas Conway over the latter's criticism of GW's abilities as a general.

Sunday 5th. Dined at Colo. Ogdens, early; after which in the company with which I came, I returned to Philadelphia at which we arrived abt. 9 Oclk.

Monday 6th. Met, according to adjournment in Convention, & received the rept. of the Committee. Dined at Mr. Morris's and drank Tea at Mr. Meridiths.

Tuesday 7th. In convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's and spent the evening there also.

Wednesday 8th. In Convention. Dined at the City Tavern and remained there till near ten oclock.

Thursday 9th. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Swanwicks and spent the Afternn. in my own room—reading letters and accts. from home.

John Swanwick, who became a partner of Thomas Willing and Robert Morris in 1783, later served in the United States House of Representatives (1795–98). 0199 181

Friday 10th. Dined (after coming out of Convention) at Mr. Binghams and drank Tea there. Spent the evening at my lodgings.

Saturday 11th. In Convention. Dined at the Club at Springsbury and after Ten returnd. home.

Sunday 12th. Dined at Bush hill with Mr. William Hamilton. Spent the evening at home writing letters.

Monday 13th. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's, and drank Tea with Mrs. Bache, at the Presidents.

Sarah Franklin Bache (1744–1808), daughter of Benjamin Franklin and wife of Richard Bache (1737–1811), served as her father's hostess after his return from France to America in 1785.

Tuesday 14th. In Convention. Dined, drank Tea, and spent the evening at home.

Wednesday 15th. The same—as yesterday.

Thursday 16th. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Pollocks & spent the evening in my chamber.

In 1790 Oliver Pollock lived on Chestnut Street below Sixth Street (HEADS OF FAMILIES, PA., 225).

Friday 17th. In Convention. Dined and drank Tea at Mr. Powells.

Saturday 18th. In Convention. Dined at Chief Justice McKeans. Spent the afternoon & evening at my lodgings.

Thomas McKean (1734–1817) began his law career in Delaware and in 1777 became chief justice of Pennsylvania, serving until 1799 when he was elected governor of Pennsylvania. In 1790 he lived on the east side of Third Street (HEADS OF FAMILIES, PA., 238).

Sunday 19th. In company with Mr. Powell rode up to the white Marsh. Traversed my old Incampment, and contemplated on the dangers which threatned the American Army at that place. Dined at German town. Visited Mr. Blair McClenegan. Drank Tea at Mr. Peters's and returned to Philadelphia in the evening.

WHITE MARSH: about 12 miles north and west of Philadelphia, the last camp of GW's army (Nov.–Dec. 1777) before he moved his men to Valley Forge for the winter. See FREEMAN, 5: chap. 21. GERMAN TOWN: the scene of a confused 0200 182 battle between the Continental Army and the British (3–4 Oct. 1777) a few miles north of Philadelphia on the east side of the Schuylkill River. Blair McClenachan, a Philadelphia merchant, had bought Cliveden, the Chew country home in Germantown, from Benjamin Chew in 1779, which is probably where GW is visiting this day. In the American attack on Germantown this house, stubbornly held by British troops, was the center of intense fighting and cannonading by GW's troops.

Monday 20th. In Convention. Dined, drank Tea and spent the evening at Mr. Morris['s].

Tuesday 21st. Did the like this day also.

“We have lately made a rule to meet at ten and sit 'til four, which is punctually complied with” (David Brearley to William Paterson, 21 Aug. 1787, FARRAND, 3:73).

Wednesday 22d. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's farm at the Hills. Visited at Mr. Powells in the Afternoon.

Thursday 23d. In Convention. Dined, drank Tea & spent the evening at Mr. Morris's.

Friday 24th. Did the same this day.

Saturday 25th. In Convention. Dined with the Club at Springsbury & spent the afternoon at my lodgings.

Sunday 26th. Rode into the Country for exercise 8 or 10 miles. Dined at the Hills and spent the evening in my chamber writing letters.

Monday 27th. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's and drank Tea at Mr. Powells.

Tuesday 28th. In Convention. Dined, drank Tea, and spent the evening at Mr. Morris's.

Wednesday 29th. Did the same as yesterday.

Thursday 30th. Again the same.

Friday 31st. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's and with a Party went to Lansdale & drank Tea with Mr. & Mrs. Penn.

LANSDALE: Lansdowne. John Penn's wife, Ann Allen Penn, was the daughter of William Allen, the former chief justice of Pennsylvania.

September. [1787]

Saturday 1st. Dined at Mr. Morris after coming out of Convention and drank Tea there.

Sunday 2d. Rode to Mr. Bartrams and other places in the Country, dined & drank Tea at Grays ferry and returned to the City in the evening.

Monday 3d. In Convention. Visited a Machine at Doctr. Franklins (called a mangle) for pressing, in place of Ironing, clothes from the wash. Which Machine from the facility with which it dispatches business is well calculated for Table cloths & such Articles as have not pleats & irregular foldings and would be very useful in all large families. Dined, drank Tea, & spent the evening at Mr. Morris's.

Tuesday. 4th. In Convention. Dined &ca. at Mr. Morris's.

Wednesday 5th. In Convention. Dined at Mrs. Houses & drank Tea at Mr. Binghams.

Benjamin Franklin from Charles Willson Peale's mezzotint, executed in 1787 and hung at Mount Vernon during Washington's lifetime. (Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union)

0202 184

Thursday 6th. In Convention. Dined at Doctr. Hutchinson's and spent the afternoon and evening at Mr. Morris's.

Dr. James Hutchinson (1752–1793) lived on south Second Street between Walnut and Spruce streets ( Pa. Mag. , 11 [ 1887 ], 307). He was surgeon general of Pennsylvania (1778–84), taught at the University of Pennsylvania, and died while fighting the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia.

Friday 7th. In Convention. Dined and spent the afternoon at home (except when riding a few Miles).

Saturday 8th. In Convention. Dined at Springsbury with the Club and spent the evening at my lodgings.

Sunday 9th. Dined at Mr. Morris's after making a visit to Mr. Gardoqui who as he says came from New York on a visit to me.

Today GW wrote George Augustine Washington that he thought the convention would adjourn within a week. “God grant I may not be disappointed in this expectation, as I am quite homesick” (John Rylands Library, Manchester, Eng.). On 19 May 1787 Diego de Gardoqui (1735–1798), Spanish representative in the United States, wrote GW from New York requesting “the honor of a personal acquaintance with your Excellency” (DLC:GW). GW replied on 31 May: “I look with much pleasure to the moment which promises me the honor of a personal acquaintance with your Excellency” (DLC:GW). Gardoqui was in the third year of frustrating negotiations regarding American rights to navigate the lower Mississippi River, which then ran through Spanish territory. GW's cryptic entry here may reflect his concern at being dragged into the emotional and nationally divisive debate of “the Spanish negociation, ” lately described as being “in a very ticklish situation ” (James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 23 April 1787, MADISON, 9:400; see also GW to Gardoqui, 28 Nov. 1787, DLC:GW).

Monday. 10th. In Convention. Dined at Mr. Morris's & drank Tea there.

Tuesday 11th. In Convention. Dined at home in a large Company with Mr. Gardoqui. Drank Tea and spent the evening there.

Wednesday 12th. In Convention. Dined at the Presidents and drank Tea at Mr. Pines.

Thursday 13th. Attended Convention. Dined at the Vice Presidents Chas. Biddles. Drank Tea at Mr. Powells.

0203 185 Charles Biddle (c.1745–1821) was the son of William Biddle, a native of New Jersey, and Mary Scull Biddle of Pennsylvania. When Biddle was chosen vice-president of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania in 1785 he was living on Front Street. He later moved to a house on Chestnut Street below Fifth Street.

Friday 14th. Attended Convention. Dined at the City Tavern, at an entertainmt. given on my acct. by the City light Horse. Spent the evening at Mr. Meridiths.

Saturday 15th. Concluded the business of Convention, all to signing the proceedings; to effect which the House sat till 6 Oclock; and adjourned till Monday that the Constitution which it was proposed to offer to the People might be engrossed and a number of printed copies struck off. Dined at Mr. Morris's & spent the evening there.

Mr. Gardoqui set off for his return to New York this forenoon.

Sunday 16th. Wrote many letters in the forenoon. Dined with Mr. & Mrs. Morris at the Hills & returned to town in the Eveng.

Monday 17th. Met in Convention when the Constitution received the Unanimous assent of 11 States and Colo. Hamilton's from New York (the only delegate from thence in Convention) and was subscribed to by every Member present except Govr. Randolph and Colo. Mason from Virginia & Mr. Gerry from Massachusetts. The business being thus closed, the Members adjourned to the City Tavern, dined together and took a cordial leave of each other—after which I returned to my lodgings—did some business with, and received the papers from the secretary of the Convention, and retired to meditate on the momentous wk. which had been executed, after not less than five, for a large part of the time Six, and sometimes 7 hours sitting every day, sundays the ten days adjournment to give a Comee. opportunity & time to arrange the business for more than four Months.

Elbridge Gerry (1744–1814), one of the most active delegates in the convention and a frequent advocate of compromise, listed a series of objections to his signing the completed document (see FARRAND, 2:632–33, 635–36, 646– 47, 649). Other delegates besides the three mentioned by GW opposed the Constitution, but they had already left the convention. THE PAPERS: “Major Jackson, after burning all the loose scraps of paper which belong to the Convention, will this evening wait upon the General with the Journals and other papers which their vote directs to be delivered to His Excellency” (William Jackson to GW, 17 Sept. 1787, DLC:GW). 0204 186

Tuesday 18th. Finished what private business I had to do in the City this forenoon. Took my leave of those families in wch. I had been most intimate. Dined early at Mr. Morris's with whom & Mr. Gouvr. Morris I parted at Grays ferry and reached Chester in Company with Mr. Blair who I invited to a seat in my Carriage 'till we should reach Mount Vernon.

Wednesday 19th. Prevented by rain (much of which fell in the Night) from setting off till about 8 Oclock, when it ceased, & promising to be fair we departed. Baited at Wilmington—dined at Christiana and lodged at the head of Elk—at the bridge near to which my horses (two of them) and Carriage had a very narrow escape. For the rain which had fallen the preceeding evening having swelled the Water considerably there was no fording it safely. I was reduced to the necessity therefore of remaining on the other side or of attempting to cross on an old, rotten & long disused bridge. Being anxious to get on I preferred the latter and in the attempt one of my horses fell 15 feet at least the other very near following which (had it happened) would have taken the Carriage with baggage along with him and destroyed the whole effectually. However, by prompt assistance of some people at a Mill just by and great exertion, the first horse was disengaged from his harness, the 2d. prevented from going quite through and drawn off and the Carriage rescued from hurt.

Thursday. 20th. Sett off after an early breakfast. Crossed the Susquehanna and dined in Havre de gras at the House of one Rogers and lodged at Skirretts Tavern 12 Miles short of Baltimore.

HOUSE OF ONE ROGERS: John Rodgers's ferry house was at this time on the east bank of the Susquehanna River at Perryville. GW must have dined at a house Rodgers still owned on the west bank. He at one time owned a house on what is now W. Washington Street and an estate, Sion Hill, near the river, two and one half miles off the main highway (W.P.A. [2], 323).

Friday 21st. Breakfasted in Baltimore—dined at the Widow Balls (formerly Spurriers) and lodged at Major Snowdens who was not at home.

SPURRIES: site of the town of Waterloo in Howard County, Md., twice chosen during the Revolution as an encampment for Rochambeau's army (RICE, 1:160, 2: pl. 128). 0205 187

Saturday 22d. Breakfasted at Bladensburgh and passing through George Town dined in Alexandria and reached home (with Mr. Blair) about Sunset after an absence of four Months and 14 days.

The following

Is a diary of the Weather, occurrances on, and management of, my farms; together with the progress of the Crops thereon, during my absence; as taken & reported to me by my Nepw. G. A. Washington.

M. N. Night

Wednesday 9th. May. Thermometer—50—65—58. Morning Cloudy—afternoon from 2 to 4 Showery.

Began to plant Corn in the commn. way at the Ferry on Monday last. Nearly finished it to day. The drill corn nearly finished planting at this place. A few fish heads, guts &ca. ordered to be put into some of the Corn hills, to try the effect of them as a manure. Two plows preparing for the planting of Potatoes Pease &ca. at Frenchs.

At Frenchs the people were still in the swamp at work and two ploughs breaking up, and the harrow preparing ground designed for Turnips &ca.

At Dogue run. Finished planting the Corn in the small field by Frenchs & began to plant Pumpkins in the angles of the fence around the drilled Corn—4 plows preparing for Parsnips—1 sent to the Shop.

NOTE. After entering upon the above, it was found that too much time for my convenience, would be required either to insert the report as it had been made, or to make a proper digest of it; and therefore both are declined. The reports must accompany this volume and be refered to as part thereof, for the purpose of information as above whilst I continue my own diary from the day on which I returned home.

[September 1787]

Sunday. 23d. Thermometer at 60 in the morning—70 at Noon and 7 at N. Foggy Morning—calm & clear afterwards.

Mr. Blair remained. Colonels Fitzgerald, Simms, Ramsay & 0206 188 Lyles; Mr. Hunter, Mr. Murray & Mr. Taylor and Doctr. Stuart, Mrs. Stuart, and the girls came to dinner: All, except Mr. Blair, Doctr. & Mrs. Stuart went away afterwards.

Monday. 24th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 70 at Night.

Wind Westerly with some Clouds. After breakfast I rid to the Plantatns. at the Ferry—Frenchs—Dogue run & Muddy hole.

At the first, the hands were getting out Wheat & Rye; and the Plows were putting in Wheat in field No. 6.

At the next, 4 plows were putting in Rye in No. 6 and the rest of the hds. grubbing in the New Meadow.

At Dogue run the plows were covering Wheat in No. 6 and the other hands employed chiefly in grubbing the Swamp between the upper Meadows.

At Muddy hole the Plows were (3 of them) following for Wheat in No. 4—the other people gathering fodder.

In the Afternoon Doctr. Stuart, Mrs. Stuart & the Girls returned to Abingdon.

Tuesday 25th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 64 at Night. Calm in the Morning—cloudy afterwards—wind, what there was of it—So. Wt.

Mr. Blair left this before Sun rise in my carriage which carried him to the junction of the Roads at Boggess' where he met the Stage.

After breakfast I rode into the Neck—hands chiefly employed in getting fodder.

Robert Boggess's house was on the Cameron—Colchester stage road, at the intersection of the road from Gum Springs.

Wednesday 26th. Thermometer at 63 in the Morning—74 at Noon and 72 at Night. Foggy morning—calm, & clear for the most part of the day.

Rid to all the Plantations—the hands at each employed nearly as they were yesterday.

Thursday 27th. Thermometer at 68 in the morning—76 at Noon and 74 at Night. Cloudy in the Morning—clear afterwards—wind at South all day.

Visited all the Plantations—same employment at each as yesterday.

0207 189

Friday 28th. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 65 at Night. Clear all day with variable winds.

Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run, and Muddy hole—engaged in the same work at each.

Mrs. Jenifer came here to dinner.

Saturday 29th. Thermometer at 54 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 62 at Night. Clear all day, with the Wind at No. Wt.

Rid into the Neck and set Six plows to breaking up the Orchard Inclosure (wch. was an Oat Stubble) for Wheat & grass Seeds, &ca.

After Breakfast Mr. Corbin Washington and his wife, and Miss Fanny Ballendine (who came here on Thursday afternoon) returned and after dinner Majr. G. A. Washington left this for Fredericksbg.

Sunday 30th. Thermometer at 57 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 62 at Night. Clear all day with the wind at No. Wt. in the morning & Southerly afterwards.

October [1787]

October 1st. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—64 at Noon and 62 at Night—Cloudy in the Morning but clear afterwds. with variable winds.

Mrs. Fanny Washington, and the Children, and Mrs. Jenifer went up to Abingdon.

Colo. Gilpin and Mr. Willm. Craik dined here. The latter stayed all Night.

Rid to all the Plantations. Work at each as usual except that the Plows at Dogue run were putting in rye in field No. 6. North part of it.

Daniel Overdonck & 5 Negro Ditche[r]s went to work at Muddy hole to ditch between fields—3 & 4.

Mr. Craik went away very early this morning.

Tuesday 2d. Thermometer at 55 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 67 at Night. Cloudy in the Morning & clear afterwards—Wind No. Et. in the forenoon & Southerly afterwards.

Rid to all the Plantations. Sent 2 plows from Frenchs to Muddy hole—The other two preparing a piece of ground which had been twice plowed before on the side of the Meadow for Rye & grass 0208 190 Seeds—on which 1½ B. of Rye was sown and therewith on the No. part of the grd. 1½ Bushls. of Sainfoin & 6 lbs. of Trafoil adjoining the Road. The lower part of the grd. had 2 quarts of Timothy Seed sown with the Rye.

Wednesday 3d. Thermometer at 62 in the Morning 7 at Noon & 67 at Night. Foggy Morning but clear afterwards. Westerly Wind in the forenoon & No. Wt. afterwards.

Went up with Mrs. Washington to Abingdon. Dined at Mr. Herberts in Alexandria on our way.

MRS. WASHINGTON TO ABINGDON: appears in the manuscript as “Mrs. Abingdon to Washington.”

Thursday. 4th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning 60 at Noon and 60 at. Night. Clear all day, Wind Northerly in the forenoon & Southerly afterwards.

Dined at Abingdon and came home in the afternoon. Brot. Fanny Washington with us.

Found two more plows from Frenchs at work at Muddy hole.

Friday 5th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 67 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at South.

Rid to all the Plantations. Having finished sowing Rye at Dogue run, 22½ Bushels, sent one of the Plows to Muddy hole. The rest of the horses, & hands, were employed in treading out wheat—the Fodder there being also secured.

Finding it in vain to attempt following the whole of No. 4 for Wheat, I quitted breaking up any more till the whole should be crossed, and accordingly set all the plows to the latter work.

In the Afternoon Mr. Alexr. Donald came in.

On 12 Nov. 1787 Alexander Donald wrote to Thomas Jefferson of this visit: “I staid two days with General Washington at Mount Vernon about Six weeks ago. He is in perfect good health, and looks almost as well as he did Twenty years ago. I never saw him so keen for any thing in my life, as he is for the adoption of the new Form of Government. As the eyes of all America are turned towards this truly Great and Good Man, for the First President, I took the liberty of sounding him upon it. He appears to be greatly against going into Publick Life again, Pleads in Excuse for himself, His Love of Retirement, and his advanced Age, but Notwithstanding of these, I am fully of opinion he may be induced to appear once more on the Publick Stage of Life. I form my opinion from what passed between us in a very long and serious conversation as well as from what I could gather from Mrs. Washington on the same subject” (JEFFERSON [ 1 ], 12:345–48). 0209 191

Saturday 6th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—72 at Noon & 70 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at South.

Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, Frenchs, Dogue run, and Muddy hole.

At the first, having got out all the Wheat & Rye, the fodder next claimed attention and was accordingly set about.

Colo. McCarty & his wife; Mrs. Craik and her daughters Mrs. Jenifer & Mariamne; and Mrs. Ann Jenifer came here to dinner & returned afterwards. Towards evening Mr. & Mrs. Powell of Philadelphia came in.

MRS. CRAIK: In the original Philadelphia journal GW had written “Mrs. Craik & Sally & two Mrs. Jenifers came.” Sally was, of course, Mrs. Sarah Craik Jenifer. He made the correction when copying the entry into the final version.

Sunday 7th. Thermometer at 58 in the Morning—70 at Noon and 63 at Night. Clear in the forenoon & cloudy afterwards with variable Winds.

After breakfast Mr. Donald went away and whilst we were at dinnr. Mr. Bushrod Washington & his wife came in.

Monday. 8th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—56 at Noon & 56 at Night. Cloudy all day with the Wind at No. Et. & Et.

Julia Ann (Nancy) Blackburn Washington, wife of Washington's nephew Bushrod. (The Supreme Court of the United States)

0210 192

Rid with Mr. Powell to my Plantations at Muddy hole, Dogue run Frenchs & the Ferry.

Work going as usual.

Tuesday 9th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—59 at Noon & 57 at Night. Clouds, Mists & Sunshine alternately. Wind at So. Et. & So.

Rid with Mr. & Mrs. Powell to view the Ruins of Belvoir.

Called on my return at Frenchs where I had begun with grass Scythes (a cradle having been found not to answr.) to cut the Pease which had been sown broadcast. The first sowing of these appeared pretty ripe, & the vines pretty full. The others were quite green. Whether this is owing to their being too late sown—or to the drought which kept them back I am unable to determine—to the latter however it is ascribed. In cutting these vines, the Pods of many of them were left without means of getting them up without picking them by hand. Hence it is evident that the Surface of the grd. after the Pease are sown ought by rolling and otherwise to be laid quite smooth that it might be raked easily and effectually. Without this many of them will always be lost—left at least on the ground where they would be excellent for falling weathers which would undoubtedly glean them compleatly—but [in] this case there should be nothing in the same enclosure that they can injure or destroy. Raked the Pease into small heaps.

Finished ditching up to the lane by the Overseers house.

Doctr. Griffith came in and stayed all Night.

Wednesday 10th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—63 at Noon & 60 at Night. Clear with variable Winds.

Mr. & Mrs. Powell, Mr. Bushrod Washington & wife, and Mr. Griffith going away after an early breakfast I rid to all the Plantations and found the same work at ea. going forward.

Thursday 11th. Thermometer at 54 in the morning—64 at Noon and 62 at Night. Foggy Morning & clear afterwards—wd. at N. Wt. & Wt. all day.

Rid to all the Plantations. Began to sow Wheat and Sainfoin in the orchard in the Neck—the ground being first plowed—then crossed—on which the Wheat was sown and harrowed in with a heavy harrow the way it was last plowed—then followed the Sainfoin and harrowed in the same way, with the same harrow—so that, on the whole the Oat Stubble had two plowings and two harrowings.

0211 193

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, by John Trumbull. (Yale University Art Gallery)

Finding the Pease at Muddy hole riper than the latter sowed ones at Frhs. I ordered the Scythes there to morrow leaving the greenest for the last to see if they would fill & ripen more.

In the evening Genl. Pinkney and his Lady came in on their return to South Carolina from the Federal Convention.

Friday 12th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 60 at Night. Weather clear and Winds variable—viz. N.E.: N.W. & S.W.

Genl. Pinkney and Lady going away after breakfast I rid to Muddy hole Dogue Run & Frenchs.

At the first finding great waste in Cutting the Pease (owing as has been observed to the cloddy & uneven surface of the grd.) I attempted to pull them by hand but found it so tedious as to oblige me to return to the Scythes notwithstanding the loss.

Sent the Plows belonging to Frenchs and Dogue run to their respective plantations.

Saturday 13th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 56 at Night. Cloudy in the Morning and clear afterwds. with the Wind at No. Wt.

Rid to Dogue run, French's & the ferry Plantns.

0212 194

At the two first took an Acct. of the Horses Cattle and Sheep wch. are as follow—viz.—

At Dogue run. Horses height Age Dabster a grey 14½ 10 Columbus bay 14 Camp Ploughers Horss. bay 14¼ Ferry 3 bro: bay 14½ Camp 2d. bodd. Do. 13¼ Milk & Cydr. Working Horses 14¼ Bay Dark bro: 5 A Bay Mare, stabled at 14½ 10 Mansn. Ho[use] last year A Black—blaze face 2 hind feet white A bay, off hind foot whe. A bla. Snip & Star—2 hind feet white From Milk & Cyder. Mares unbroken—or not used Bay—Stabled last year 13½ 4 Bay. like her, rather Smaller No white Chesnut—likely Bay—No white Bay. blaze—near fore and 2 hind feet wh[it]e Sorrel—no white 1 11 Bay. stabled last year 4 Grey, breaking Sorrel—sml. Star—2 fore feet light—not wh[it]e 1 Bay. horse colt sml. Star spg. Bay. Mare Do. no white Do. Yellow bay—blaze face Do. 3 Not belongg. to the Plantn. old Partner Charr[io]t Horses Old Valiant Jersey—Mare Augusta Do—bay 4 In all 29 0213 195 Cattle Oxen 7 Cows in the pasture 20 at home house 2 Mill besides a calf 1 23 Heifers 4 years old 1 3 years old 0 2 Do. Do. 5 1 Do. Do. 8 Calves (cows) 11 25 Steers 4 years old 5 3 Do. Do. 8 2 Do. Do. 6 1 Do. Do. 1 Bull Calves 6 26 Bulls 4 yrs. old 1 1 Do. Do. 1 2 83 Calf at the Mill 1 In all 84 1 Steer—& on the M: Meadw. for Sla: 1 Cow Sheep—of all sorts 99

At French's Horses.

The same as had from Robinson, and particularly enumerated and described the 1st. day of Jany. last, as registered in the Diary of that date 11

A Sorrel horse colt last Spring from the Sorrel Mare 1

in all 12

Cattle. Oxen 4 Cows (Includg. the Farmers) 7 Heifers 1 year old 1 cow calves 3 Steers 1 year old 4 spring calves 1 In all 20 Sheep in all 29 0214 196

At French's sowed a narrow slipe of the grd. off which Pease had been taken next the Meadow Ditch with Wheat. The Wheat was sown on the ground without breaking and plowed in which it did in a very mellow & pulverized state, although the grd. in common never was drier or harder to work. In short, had the grd. been often plowed it could not have been in a better state of culture than it appeared (as did the whole field) to be in—which evinces, if Pease is not an exhauster, that land cannot be better prepared for an Autumnal sowing than by raising a crop of them previous thereto.

Finished cutting, and putting into small heaps the Pease at Muddy hole.

Sunday 14th. Thermometer at 50 in the Morning—60 at Noon and 56 at Night—weather clear—Wind at No. W. in the Morning, & So. Wt. in the afternoon; A severe frost this Morning, which killed Pease Buckwheat, Pumpkins, potato Vines &ca. turning them quite bla[ck].

Monday. 15th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning 56 at Noon and 52 at Night. Clear all day—Wind at So. Wt. in the Morning and at No. Wt. afterwards.

Ordered the Buckwheat to be immediately cut—beginning with that at Dogue run (abt. 12 Acres) which was accordingly done this forenoon (when the frost was likewise severe) before the moisture was off the Straw. Put the Buck Wheat, as cut (with scythe and cradle) into small heaps to dry. Note—Whether this grain has std. out too long, or not I am not sufficiently acquainted with the nature of it to decide. There appeared to be as much shattered on the grd. as fully to sow it again, & at the same time there was at least as much Green Seed as had shed & many Blossums also on the Straw.

Rid to Muddy hole and into the Neck. Took an Acct. of the Horses Cattle and sheep at each as follow.

0215 197

In the Neck.Horses.

age Doctor white 15 hands 12 Prentis dark bay 15 16 Randolph grey 14½ 9 Jack Black 15 11 Grunt Bright bay 14½ 12 Plow Horses Pompey Dark bay 14½ 9 Dick Dingy bay 14½ 5 Ranger Black 14 5 Diamond White 14 10 Possum Flea bittn. grey 15½ 9 10 Betsy Bay 14½ 10 Fanny Black 15 11 Betsy Dun 13½ 15 Kate Brown 14 11 Work Mares Punch Grey 14½ 10 Jenny Grey 14 12 Patience Bright B. 13 15 Brandy Black 13½ 9 Nancy Sorrel 14½ 9 Davys M: Bla. 14½ 13 1 Unbroke Horss. A Brown or black—14½—4 years right hind foot White sml. Star A Black—13 hds.—5 yrs. Sml. Star A black. 13 hands—3 yrs. old white all fours—blaze fa. A black Colt: 1 year old blaze face right fore foot white & the left hind ft. do A Bay gelding 1 yr. old no white handsome A Bay Stallion Colt—Ho. 6 A Black 14 hands. 4 yrs. ol A Brown 13½ Do. 3 yrs. two hind feet white—right eye wh[it]e A Bla: 13 hands. 2 yrs. old. Star and right hind foot white A White 14 hands 4 yrs. old. 4 Horses In all 30 0216 198 Cattle Oxen 8 Cows 15 yrs. old 1 12.Do. 2 11.Do. 1 10. Do. 1 9.Do. 4 8.Do. 3 7.Do. 2 6.Do. 11 5.Do. 4 unknown 1 at the Mansn. Ho[use] 10 40 Heifers 4 Years old 7 3 Do. 3 2 Do. 9 1 Do. 15 Calves 11 45 Steers 7 Years old 4 6 Do. 2 5 Do. 3 4 Do. 2 3 Do. 1 2 Do. 5 1 Do. 4 Calves 6 27 Bulls 4 Years old 1 3 Ditto 1 1 Ditto 2 4 On the Plantn. to be accounted for 124 Besides the above 1 Cow & Calf to the Farmer 2 2 Cows & 2 Calves to G. A. W. 4 6 Fattg. at the Mill Meadow. Steers 5 Cows 3 8 Not on the Plantation 14 0217 199 Sheep. In great Pasture 92 River Ditto 83 Field—No. 1 24 199 Stock at Muddy hole Horses Diamond H[orse] Jockey Do. Dobbin Do. Plow beast 6 Phoenix M[are] Jenny Do. Old Fly Do. A Grey mare; old—with foal by the Jack 13½ hands high A bay Mare 13½ hands said to be 8 yrs. old—no white A bay (brandy) 13½ hands with foal by the Jack. Slender—2 hd. feet white—narrow blaze & Snip—8 or 9 yrs. old. a dark bay (Jenny) 13½—6 or 7 yrs. old & unsightly a small streak & Snip—2 hind feet white A Brown Mare (Simpson) 14 hands—5 years old. A Bay 13½ hands—7 yrs. old slight & unsightly— a small star 2 hind feet and off fore foot white. A Bay not 13 hands. 7 yrs. old with a very dim & sml. Star. A Grey 2 yrs. old well grown & strong, but not sightly A Grey 14 hands—9 yrs. old Slight A dark brown or black (it was not noted whether horse or mare) 2 yrs. old—near fore & hind foot w. very small Star. A Sorrel—1 year old no wh. sent from the house A Sorrel 1 year old, blaze face 4 feet white A Brown spring colt from Simpson—got in the Woods 13 Unbroke Mares & M. Colts 0218 200 A Bay 2 yrs. old—a very dim and small Star—but one eye near fore, & off hind foot white—small but tolerably likely. A black 2 yrs. old—small & unsightly—no white but the off hind foot A Sorrel year old Colt from Phoenix—got by Magnolio No white A [ ] year old from brandy blaze face—2 hind feet White—wall eye & not sightly. A [ ] spring Colt—no white except a very dim Star small but sightly—got by Magnolio 5 In all 24 Unbroke horse Colts Cattle. Oxen 6 Cows 6 yrs. old 3 4 Do. 6 9 Heifers 2 Do. 1 1 Do. 2 Calves 3 6 Steers 4 Years old 1 3 Ditto 2 2 Ditto 1 Calves 3 7 Bulls 2 yrs. old 1 1 Do. 3 4 At Mansn. House Cow 1 To be accounted for 33 Fatting—Steers 4 Cows 1 In the Mill Meadw 5 Sheep. Rams 1 Weathers 3 Ewes 17 In all— 21

Finished Sowing the Orchard in the Neck with Wheat & Sainfoin seed. Of the first it took [ ] bushels and of the latter [ ] 0219 201 bushels. Note—This grd. has been plowed & cross plowed—then Wheat sown & harrowed in—with the heavy harrow—Next sown with Sainfoin and harrowed in like manner (both the way the ground was plowed last) —after which 50 lbs. of Trefoil was sown over the whole and harrowed with the double harrows cross the former.

Tuesday 16th. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning 50 at Noon and 46 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at No. Wt. & fresh.

Rid to the Ferry, French's Dogue run & Muddy hole Plantations.

At the former took an Acct. of the Horses—Cattle & Sheep as follow.

Horses.

Note—The Acct. of the Horses being mis-laid, cannot be entered here; but will come in when a fresh one can be taken—see Decr. 15th. 1787.

Cattle Oxen 5 Bulls—4 yrs. old 1 2 Do. 1 2 Cows 8 years old 2 7 Ditto 3 6 Ditto 3 5 Ditto 2 10 Heifers 4 years old 3 3 Ditto 2 2 Ditto 2 Calves 7 14 Steers 5 years old 1 4 Ditto 3 3 Ditto 8 2 Ditto 5 Calves 2 19 On the Plantatn. to be accd. 50 0220 202

Besides the above.

Cows with the Farmrs. 1 In the Meadw. fattg. 2 3 Steers Do. Do. 1 Oxen 2 Not in care of the Overr. 6 Sheep. Rams 1 Wethers—old 1 young 20 Ewes 19 41

At Muddy hole put the Buck Wht. which was this day cut into very small heaps and dug the Country Potatoes which measured as follow from the half Acre of experimental ground (the half of which had received dung—viz. 50 Bushels) —viz.—The No. Wt. quarter of the Piece, which had been dunged, and was in hills, yielded 4 bushels of eatable, and 3½ which were fit only for seed. The So. Wt. quarter also in hills but not dunged yielded 2½ Eatable & 3½ Seed. The No. Et. quarter which had been dunged & was in 4 feet drills produced 2½ eatable and 2 of Seed and the So. Et. Quarter 2½ eatable and 2 of Seed. In the whole 11½ of eatable and 11 of Seed. The Potatoes in the dunged part of the ground were much the largest and yielded

eatable seed from the Hills 4 B. & 3½ In 4 feet rows 2½ 2 6½ 5½ Undunged In Hills 2½ 3½ 4 feet Rows 2½ 2 5 5½ difference 1½ 6½ 5½

Note.

Upon remeasurg. of these after they came to the Mansion House they turned out (heaped measure) only 7½ Bushls. of eatable and 10½ of Seed.

Short in the eatable 4 bush.

Seed ½ 4½

0221 203

Whether this was occasioned by the difference of measure or theft of the Carter is not certain.

At Dogue run Treading out And at French's plowing and filling up Gullies in the New Meadow.

At the Ferry pulling Pease.

Wednesday 17. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 46 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at No. Wt.

Rid to all the Plantations except the Ferry.

In the Neck cut the Buck Wheat. a good deal of which shattered but perhaps (it is a grain I am not accustomed to) not more than common & therefore I cannot undertake to decide whether it stood too long or not. Finished getting in the fodder at this place (which concluded this business at all the places—Sowed as yesterday and to day (Wind preventing it sooner) 50 lbs. of Trefoil on the Wheat and Sainfoin in the Orchard in the Neck and began to sow at the No. Wt. Corner of this enclosure under furrow the Winter Vetches crossing by so doing the first plowing after which a light harrow followed to level the ground.

The Pease in broad cast at French's were much injured by the frost. It was unfortunate that they had not been cut a day or two sooner.

Note.

The ground in which Pease and Buck Wheat are sown ought always to be rolled when it is expected the Crops are to be cut. Without this they can never be got off dean. The Pease however that are left would be fine for Sheep and in that case the waste is of no great signification but in this case there must be nothing else in the inclosure that they can injure.

WINTER VETCHES: Vicia villosa, hairy or winter vetch. The spring or common vetch, also called tare, is V. sativa.

Thursday 18th. Thermometer 38 in the morning—52 at Noon and 48 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at No. West.

Rid into the Neck, to Muddy hole & Frenchs Plantations.

At the first doubled the small heaps of Buck Wheat in the Morning whilst the dew was on. Finished plowing Sowing & harrowing in 6 Bushels of red clover Seed between the branch which runs from the gate to the Spring and the road which leads from the gate also the Quarters and thence into the Creek field.

At Muddy hole finished late in the afternoon the ditch round the Barn and Dug the Irish Potatoes in the half acre of experimental 0222 204 ground (adjoining the 1½ acre of Sweet or Country Potatoes) which being of the red and white in alternate rows through the piece yielded as follow

red white Bushls. In the ½ wch. had been dungd. 11 & 8¼ which ½ had no dung 6 3½ 17 11¾ 11¾ Total of both sorts 28¾ 5 Difference betwn. the red & Wh[it]e is 4¾ 4¾ Of both together 9¾ Bush.

All the hands from the House, except the Carpenters, that were employed in the Neck yesterday went to French's to day to assist in securing as many of the Pease there as they could—great loss by the frost—The ripe pease opening and sheddg. and the green ones with the vines on which they grew had turned quite black loking like a thing parboiled. Carried the Pease and the Vines which appeared to be cured into one end of the Tobo. House in field No. 1.

In the Evening Mr. Houston and lady & Miss Maria Livingston her Sister came in and stayed all Night.

MR. HOUSTON: probably William Houstoun of Georgia. Houstoun, the son of Sir Patrick Houstoun, Bart., and Lady Priscilla Dunbar Houstoun, went to England to study law at the Inner Temple during the Revolution, returning to America in time to obtain a commission and serve briefly in the army. He served in the Continental Congress from 1784 to 1787 and in 1785 was one of the commissioners to settle the boundary line between Georgia and South Carolina. Houstoun was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention; although he took an active part in the convention, urgent personal business called him away before the signing of the Constitution. Houstoun's “Lady” was his future wife Mary Bayard (c. 1766—1808), daughter of Nicholas Bayard and Catherine Van Brugh Livingston Bayard of New York. They were to marry the following year. Maria Livingston, her traveling companion, was probably one of her numerous Livingston cousins.

Friday 19th. Thermometer at 40 in the Morning—52 at Noon and 50 at Night. In the Morning the weather was hazy—at Noon Cloudy and in the evening raining.

Mr. Houston going away abt. 10 Oclock I rid to French's the Ferry Dogue run & Muddy hole.

0223 205

At the Ferry the hands were making a farm pen.

At French's about the Pease as yesterday. The Vines of some of them appeared to me to be not sufficiently cured.

At Dogue run getting out Wheat and removing brush from the Swamp to the gullies.

At Muddy hole began to ditch between fields No. 1. 2. 3. & 4 and to sow Wheat with a Barrel 6 feet long—perforated with holes strapped round with leather bands in order with intention to drop the wheat in clumps 6 Inches square but the leather not binding equally alike in all parts it discharged Seeds from the Sides and sowed it broad.

On my return home I found a Mr. Dunlap (a West Indian) Mr. Cary Mr. Donaldson, and Mr. Porter here who returned to Alexa. after dinner.

Joseph Gary (Carey) was a partner of Thomas and John Williams in the Alexandria firm of Williams, Cary & Williams ( Va. Journal, 20 Mar. and 15 Nov. 1787; SPROUSE [2], 2:19). Robert Donaldson, an Alexandria merchant, in 1785 was selling imported goods from the West Indies ( Va. Journal, 30 June 1785). In the 1790s he was a partner in the firm of Hartshorne & Donaldson.

Saturday 20th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—48 at Noon & 46 at Night. Wind at No. Et. with a continued rain since it began yesterday afternoon.

No out doors work done this day.

Sunday 21st. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning—50 at Noon and 50 at Night. Wind at No. Et. till the afternoon then No.—Cloudy all day with some rain—at home alone.

Monday 22d. Thermometer 46 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 56 at Night. Clear and exceedingly pleasant all day—with the Wind Northerly in the Morning and Southerly in the evening.

Went up to a meeting of the Potk. Company at George Town. Called at Muddy hole Plantation in my way. Did the business which called the Corny. together. Dined at Shuters Tavern, and returned as far as Abingdon at Night.

Whilst at Muddy hole, finding that the Barrel continued to scatter the Wheat, and not having time to try new expedients to alter it; the Season for sowing this grain being far advanced; I directed that it should proceed as it was.

Tuesday 23d. Thermometer at 46 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 58 at Night—Weather calm & clear.

0224 206

After a very early break fast at Abigdon I arrived at Muddy hole Plantation by 8 oclock and took the Bands off the Barrel that the grain might drop without interruption from the holes therein.

Went round by Dogue run, Frenchs and the Ferry Plantation.

At the first getting out Wheat.

At the 2d. (Frenchs) securing Pease and

At the Ferry Treading out Oats.

Wednesday 24th. Thermometer at 43 in the Morning—62 at Noon and 61 at Night. Morning Foggy but clear afterwards with the Wind at So. Wt. & South.

Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck found that the Sowing of the orchard Inclosure with Wheat had been compleated on Monday last and that such parts thereof as have not been already enumerated, had been sown with Wheat alone. The Orchard part had received the workings already mentioned as also the part which was sown with the winter Vetches. The Part which had been sown with Wheat & clover, as already mentioned had been plowed & cross plowed—the Wheat then harrowed in, after which the clover seed was Sown over which a bush passed to scratch in the Seed and level the grd. That part which had Wheat alone had also been plowed—crossed plowed—& the Wheat harrowed in.

Ordered the Buck Wheat at every place to be got in and threshed out. yield—exclusive of abt. ¼ at the So. Wt. Corner of the Sqr., which had perished by, it is apprehended the lowness of the situation, as follow 3¾ bushls. & ½ a peck whereof 2¼ grew on the dunged part of the half acre.

At Frenchs, the Pease would be all got in this Night (but with great loss)—and at the Ferry the people were cleaning Oats which were tread out yesterday.

Mr. Richard Lee & his Sister came here in the evening.

These visitors were probably Richard Bland Lee and his eldest sister Mary Lee, children of Henry Lee of Leesylvania, who died earlier this year. Mary later (c. 1792) became the third wife of Philip Richard Fendall of Alexandria (LEE [5], 296–98).

Thursday 25th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning—66 at Noon and 66 at Night. Clear all day, with the Wind at So. Wt.

Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck, began with 4 plows to flush plow field No. 6 (in 6 feet Ridges) for Indian Corn & Potatoes next yr. and began also to draw the Buck Wh. together, and to get up the Hogs at this place for killing.

0225 207

At Muddy hole began also to get in, and thresh out the Buck Wheat. An half acre of the experimental grd. at this place which had been divided into 3 equal parts and planted with the Bunch homeny Beans—Of the commn. homony bean and with the small round Pease yielded as follow—viz.—of the first which had been gathered before I came home 3 pecks—of the 2d. (just now gathered) 1 peck only and of the other viz. Pease the 2d. & last gathering of which has been just made—3 pecks. Note each of these Thirds contained the 6th. of an acre. Of the experimental half acres there are 3 yet to obtain the crops from—viz.—Jerusalem Artichokes (of which, out of 1442 hills 417 are missing)—Carrots and Turnips. In the half acre of Irish Potatoes there were 27 Rows 4 feet a part & 60 in length. These were also missing in places, and more in the undunged than dunged part. Had the Rows been nearer, the Crop would have been greater. Ordered the Irish Potatoes at this place wch. had been planted under Straw &ca. for experiments to be taken up.

Yield as follow.

Bushls.

From 400 Sqr. yards laid on Green sward & covd. w. str. 3¾

From 56 sqr. yds. laid on a poor washed knowl—gulld. 3 Pecks

From a sqr. made by Fence rails & raised lair above lair with Straw & Potatoes ¾ of a Peck

From 160 sqr. yds. laid in grn. Sward & covd. with Corn Stalks 1 Peck

At Dogue Run the hands were getting in & threshing out Buck Wheat.

At Frenchs—The Hoe people and Cart were filling up gullies and two plows were at work.

At the Ferry two plows began to break up part of No. 2 for Indian Corn & Potatoes. The rest of the Negroes were measuring and carrying off Oats—Stacking blades and otherwise securing the fodder.

At the Mansion House setting Turnips raised from the Seed sent me by Mr. Young to propagate Seed from.

On my return home found Mrs. Stuart and her two youngest daughters here—and Mr. & Miss Lee whom I had left.

MR. YOUNG: GW had included turnip seeds in the list of items requested on 6 Aug. 1786 of Arthur Young, the English agriculturist (PPRF). 0226 208

Friday. 26th. Thermometer at 57 in the Morning—68 at Noon and 67 at Night. Clear all day & wind pretty fresh from the So. Wt.

Rid to all the Plantations after Mr. & Miss Lee went away.

In the Neck, the Buck Wheat was all drawn to a yard in the field for the purpose of threshing and it was accordingly done and removed to the Barn but not measured. 6 plows at Wk. there to day.

At Muddy hole finished Sowing with the Barrel, the ground on the left of the road leading from the gate on the Ferry road, to the Barn with 18½ Bushls. of Wheat—and thinking this quantity inadequate I had more holes perferated in the Barrl. to sow the other part on the right of the above road. Got all the Pease into the Barn yard which had been cut down with the Scythes—also the remains of the Buck Wheat.

At Dogue run gathered in to the Farm yard & began to thresh and clean it.

At Frenchs filling gullies & Plowing (2 plows) part of field No. 2 which had been left unbroke in the Spring & Summer.

At the Ferry treading out Oats began with 2 plows to break up the lay part of field No. 2.

Saturday 27th. Thermometer at 56 in the Morning 67 at Noon and 64 at Night. The Morning was calm and mild but the Wind blew fresh afterwards from the Westward.

Went to the Woods back of Muddy hole with the hounds. Unkennelled 2 foxes and dragged others but caught none—the dogs running wildly and being under no command.

Passed through Muddy hole Plantation & returned home by way of Dogue run, French's and the Ferry.

At the first, Sowed in 6 Oblong Squares at the West end of field No 4 (on the Wheat just sown) abt. an acre in each, the following grass Seeds. viz.—on the most Westerly square (being a breadth across the field) and divided, as all the others are, by a partition furrow 8 lbs. of rib grass—Next to this 20 lbs. of red clover—in the 3d. 2 Bushls. of Orchard grass—In the 4th. 20 lbs. of Hopclover—In the 5th. four Bushls. of Ray grass and in the 6th. 2 bushls. of Sainfoin. After sowing these Seeds the ground was first rolled and then harrowed with a bush. The square containing Sainfoin had the Seed first harrowed in with the Wheat over and above what is mentioned to have been done with respect to the others.

At Dogue run finished threshing cleaning and measuring the Buck Wht, wch. amounted to 121 Bushls. from about 12 Acres.

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At Frenchs cleared up the shattered Pease and threshed those wch. had been picked off the grd. wch. together amounted to 9 Bushls.

At the Ferry set 3 plows to work. Put the girl Eby to one of them.

The tryal that was made in the Neck of differt. qties. of Oats to the acre turned out as follow.

That wch. had 2 bushls. yielded 8½

3 Do. Do. 7

4 Do. Do. 5½

The above 3 acres were adjoining each other and as nearly alike as possible in quality of Soil, levelness and other circumstances. The grd. was prepared in all respects alike and sowed at the same time.

EBY: GW calls her Edy in the 18 Feb. 1786 entry of the Diaries and in his 1799 list of slaves. She was about 14 years old at this time (list of Negroes belonging to GW, c.June 1799, NjP:Armstrong Collection, photostat).

Sunday 28th. Thermometer at 52 in the Morning—58 at Noon and 54 at Night. Clear all day with the Wind at So. Wt. in the Morning and No. Et. in the Evening.

Went to Pohick Church—Mr. Lear & Washington Custis in the carriage with me.

Mr. Willm. Stuart came from Church with me & Mr. Geo. Mason Junr. came in soon after.

Monday 29th. Thermometer at 45 in the Morning—48 at Noon and 46 at Night. Raining slowly at day breaking—how much earlier it began is not known; continued to do so, mixed with flakes of Snow till one oclock, when it cleared away pleasantly; but little wind all day, & that at East.

Spread, whilst it was raining, 2 Bushels of the Plaster of Paris had from Philadelphia on the So. half of the lawn beyond the break or small fall therein—quantity about half an acre.

After dinner Mr. George Mason went away.

Tuesday 30th. Thermometer at 44 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 46 at Night. Cloudy in the Morning with the Wind at So. Wt. About 8 oclock it began a slow & misling rain which encreased till it came on to rain fast which it continued to do until 11 Oclock when it ceased. A variable afternoon, but upon the whole pleasant.

Rid to Muddy hole and Dogue run, in the Morning but being 0228 210 driven in by the Rain I rode after it ceased to the Ferry & French's.

At Muddy hole cleaning up the Buck Wheat—57 bushls. of it only from 18 acres of ground.

At Dogue run 4 plows were at Work—the other hands agrubbg.

At French's 2 plows were at Work and the other hands weeding 2 yards for treading out grain.

At the Ferry the 3 plows were at work and the other people grubbing.

Wednesday 31st. Thermometer at 42 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 41 at Night. Clear pleasant and warm in the forenoon. Towards Noon it grew cold the Wind being hard at No. Wt.

Rid to all the Plantations. In the Neck 6 plows were at Work and two more just added—one of which broke immediately. The other hands were digging Potatoes in the further cut opposite to Mr. Digges in No. 3.

At Muddy hole, finished sowing Wheat on the right of the road leading from the gate on the Ferry road to the Barn—in which 12½ bushls. of Seed was deposited and put in as that on the other side was. The hands getting the Remainder of the frost bitten Pease; and taking up those Turnips in the experimental grd. (which, not havg. the tops taken of being intended for seed) the yield could not be ascertained.

At Dogue run—The plows and People were employed as yesterday.

The Ditchers went to Frenchs this Morning.

Mrs. Stuart and her two youngest Children and Mr. William Stuart went from this Yesterday morning.

November 1787

Thursday 1st. Thermometer at 34 in the Morning—44 at Noon and 42 at Night. A frost this morning which crusted the grd. and formed Ice. Early it was calm & not unpleasant but the Wind blew fresh from the No. Wt. & grew cold afterwards.

Rid by the way of Muddy hole where the people were taking up Turnips to transplant for Seed to Alexandria to attend a meeting of the Direc