TODAY
Washington dines at Mount Vernon with Capt. Thomas Marshall, who has come to offer him command of the Fauquier County Independent Company.
This invitation is part of a wider movement in Virginia and other colonies, where “independent companies” are forming as volunteer military units outside of British-controlled militia structures.
On a warm day, Washington makes the roughly 10-mile trip to Alexandria, attending the election of delegates to represent Fairfax County at the Second Virginia Convention. Scheduled for next month in Richmond, this convention is set to address the colonies' escalating concerns about British rule.
“At home all day alone,” Washington writes in his diary. In his weather report, he adds, "Cloudy all day, but not Cold with but little wind, and that variable. At Night Rain."
Writing from his home Gunston Hall, George Mason informs Washington, “By a Letter from Maryland Yesterday I am inform’d that his Majesty has ordered his Embassadors at the different Courts in Europe to declare his American Subjects in a State of Rebellion.”
This is a significant shift in British policy.
George Mason writes from Gunston Hall updating Washington on several matters, including a logistical issue involving an over-purchase of gunpowder for Fairfax County and his plan to collect funds directly from tithables to expedite payment for the powder and supplies procured for the county.
I can’t conceive how Mr Harper cou’d make such a Mistake as to buy double the Quantity of powder wanted for this County, when He had the Order in Writing sign’d by You & Me.
James Scott, Jr., a captain of the Fauquier Independent Company, writes Washington. Scott and Captain Thomas Marshall (the father of future Chief Justice John Marshall) had been chosen to offer Washington command of their militia unit, a role reflecting the increasing militarization and resistance efforts in Virginia.
A draft of what would be known as Barclay’s Plan of Reconciliation circulates in London, proposing various measures to heal the rift between Great Britain and the colonies.
Washington goes fox hunting on a clear but cold day at Mount Vernon. Unlike yesterday, no foxes are found.
On a “cool & raw” day, Washington goes hunting and bags a fox. Washington hosts several guests at Mount Vernon, writing in his diary “Robt. Phil, & George Alexander came home with us. Mr. Muir Doctr. Rumney & Cap. Harper lodgd here.”
The Alexander brothers belonged to one of the wealthiest families in Fairfax County and were instrumental in the development of Alexandria—a city that bears their name.
Washington spends a clear day at Mount Vernon. In Massachusetts, John Adams (writing as “Novanglus”) responds to the writings of "Massachusettensis," a loyalist. Adams defends the colonies' opposition to taxation without representation:
We had considered ourselves as connected with Great-Britain, but we never thought parliament the supreme legislature over us.
Virginia landowner Robert Ashby and his brother depart Mount Vernon after staying the night. A light snow persists at Mount Vernon all morning.
Washington notes in his diary that the day is "cloudy for the most part and raw." He and his stepson John Parke Custis “went a hunting but killd nothing although we found a Fox.”
Snow and rain fall at Mount Vernon all morning. Dr. Daniel Jenifer (a future signer of the Constitution) and his brother visit Washington for dinner.
In London, Benjamin Franklin continues his efforts to advocate for the colonies.
Washington spends a snowy day at Mount Vernon. Across the Atlantic Ocean, conciliatory proposals circulate in the British government—attempts to avoid a further escalation of conflict with the American colonies.
William Grayson, a lawyer and foxhunting companion, writes Washington that the equipment (flags and drums) ordered for the Prince William Independent Company have arrived. “I am with great respect yr Most Obedt Servt,” Grayson writes.
In letter to Thomas Cresap, Washington, on behalf of his late brother Augustine's executors, seeks clarification on allegations that Cresap has unlawfully occupied and leased land in Maryland belonging to Augustine's orphaned son.
George Mason sits down at his home, Gunston Hall, to write a letter to Washington. He expresses concern over recent news from Britain, specifically King George III's dismissive tone towards American grievances:
I suppose You have seen the King’s Speech, & the Addresses of both Houses in the last Maryland Paper; from the Style in which they speak of the Americans I think We have little Hopes of a speedy Redress of Grievances.
Washington continues to host yesterday’s guests at Mount Vernon. From London, Benjamin Franklin reports that a petition from the Continental Congress has been presented to both Houses of Parliament but was buried among other documents without distinction.
Colonel Nathaniel Harrison and “a Mr. Murdock,” possibly John Murdock of Maryland, arrive at Mount Vernon for dinner. As a trustee of the Potomac Navigation Company, Murdock likely discusses issues of navigation and economic development with Washington.
Two overnight guests, “Mr. Wagener, & Mr. Mills,” leave Mount Vernon after breakfast—part of a steady stream of acquaintances and business associates visiting the Washingtons.
Washington hosts several guests at Mount Vernon, writing in his diary, “In the Afternn. Mr. Calvert, Mr. Bordley, & Mr. Jacques from Maryland and Mr. Wagener, Mr. Mills, Doctr. Rumney, & Mr. Rutherford came here.”
“Miss Dent & a daughter of Captn. Marshalls dind here,” Washington writes in his diary. Capt. Thomas Hanson Marshall’s daughter is Mary Marshall. Miss Dent is likely Mary’s aunt, Sarah Dent. The Marshall family had longstanding ties to Mount Vernon; the family home, Marshall Hall, was located across the Potomac River.
Normand Bruce of Frederick County, Maryland, arrives at Mount Vernon with a letter of introduction from Thomas Johnson. Bruce, the letter explains, seeks "to shew that Hemp is the proper material for us to rely on much in preference of Flax" when manufacturing coarse cloth. Washington invites Bruce to dine at Mount Vernon.
Washington spends a misty day at Mount Vernon. From London, Benjamin Franklin writes to Thomas Cushing that Britain is preparing to dispatch “three more Regiments of Foot and one of Dragoons, seven hundred Marines, Six Sloops of War and two Frigates” to America.
Washington spends the day reviewing land he recently purchased from the Mercer family near Four Mile Run, a creek that flows into the Potomac River. He returns to Mount Vernon in the evening.
Washington travels to Alexandria for a scheduled meeting of the trustees working on a project to improve the navigation of the Potomac River. Unfortunately, no other trustees attend, leaving Washington to spend the night in Alexandria.
![Harpers Ferry along the Potomac River in 1803 (Harpers Ferry NHP Historic Photo Collection [HF-628])](https://mtv-drupal-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/files/callout/text-image-block-full/image/1944-1-1_harpers_ferry.jpg?VersionId=2zYw7c9h4MjM6z2jMNNsued7VBEXL1zo)
Thomas Johnson, a Maryland delegate to the Continental Congress, writes to Washington to discuss Maryland's preparations for impending conflict, particularly the challenge of acquiring arms. He expresses concern that British vigilance would force the colonies to seek local sources for materials rather than rely on imports.
Washington makes preparations for two Virginia militia units. In a letter from Mount Vernon, Washington details his orders for military supplies, including muskets, sashes, and gorgets. He requests additional shoulder knots for the sergeants and corporals of the Fairfax Independents and offers to pay for them himself.
Washington is visited at Mount Vernon by Daniel Jenifer Adams, a man who has outstanding debts to Washington dating back to a 1772 trading voyage. They discuss Adams’s ongoing efforts to settle these debts, a process that will ultimately involve a land transfer in Maryland later in the year.
On a warm and pleasant day, Washington goes hunting with his stepson John (Jacky) Parke Custis and kills “a Dog Fox” before returning home for dinner.
Washington spends his day at Mount Vernon. His stepdaughter-in-law’s sister, Elizabeth “Betsey” Calvert, returns home after a lengthy visit to Mount Vernon.
After three days in Alexandria, Washington rides home in the rain and snow. “Returnd home to Dinner alone,” he writes in his diary.
Washington, still in Alexandria, spends another day as chair of the Fairfax County Committee, addressing preparations for the potential escalation of conflict.
In Alexandria, Washington participates in military activities and chairs the Fairfax County Committee during a rainy evening. As chairman, he oversees the drafting of resolutions declaring it essential for Fairfax County to provide ammunition for a volunteer militia funded by a tax of three shillings per person. Additionally, the committee resolves to form a voluntary militia of men aged 16 to 50. This militia aims to give the colonies their own means of defense, reducing the need for Britain to maintain a standing army in the colonies and impose taxes to support it.
Washington travels from Mount Vernon to Alexandria, where he reviews the Fairfax Independent Company, a voluntary militia not under the royal governor’s control. He also participates in an election to choose members for the Committee of Fairfax County. He spends the night in Alexandria.
Washington attends Pohick Church on a “pleasant but rather too warm” Sunday. George Mason and others return with Washington to Mount Vernon “& stayed all Night.”
Washington replies to a letter from John West, who reported poor health and asked Washington to be the guardian for his son Roger. Washington expresses deep sympathy but explains that he is overwhelmed by numerous responsibilities and is reluctant to commit fully to the guardianship.
“Went a Fox hunting—found but did not kill,” Washington writes in his diary.
Washington spends a clear and cold day at Mount Vernon. Across the colonies, committees of correspondence disseminate information about British actions, helping unify colonial grievances.
The morning starts with a hard frost. Washington notes that a “Mr. Stone” dines at Mount Vernon—likely Thomas Stone, a prominent Maryland lawyer and a future signer of the Declaration of Independence.
“At home all day,” Washington writes in his diary from Mount Vernon. “Doctr. Rumney & Mrs. Newman went away after Breakfast.”
Dr. William Rumney, a local physician and friend of Washington’s, arrives to dine and lodge at Mount Vernon. Rumney is known for his role in treating the sick among Mount Vernon’s enslaved population.
Visiting friends, including prominent Maryland planter George Digges and his three sisters, depart Mount Vernon after breakfast.
The Washingtons, on the day of their 16th wedding anniversary, host friends at Mount Vernon.
Washington spends his day at Mount Vernon. “Very pleasant in the Morning, and calm,” he records. “Towards Noon the wind sprung up Northerly, but neither cold or hard.”
General Charles Lee departs Mount Vernon after breakfast. Washington lends Lee £15 cash, likely for traveling expenses to Williamsburg. Leonard Tarrant, representing the Hampton, Va., law firm of Balfour & Barraud, visits for breakfast and discusses a contract to purchase flour and bread from Washington.
![Charles Lee Esq'r. - Americanischer general-major, G.N. Raspe Nürnberg, [1778], Library of Congress.](https://mtv-drupal-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/files/resources/charles-lee-loc.jpg?VersionId=uu3tCvdw.uiyEX.KgfCS9eOURgq6n1iv)
“At home all day,” Washington writes in his diary on an “exceeding pleasant” day. General Charles Lee, a vocal supporter of colonial rights, spends the night at Mount Vernon.
“Genl. [Charles] Lee and myself rid up to Alexandria & returnd in the Afternoon,” Washington writes in his diary.
1775
“At home all day,” Washington writes in his diary from Mount Vernon. The first day of the new year is “calm, clear, warm, & exceeding pleasant.” His guest Dr. James Craik, a close friend and trusted physician, departs after breakfast.
