Here
is the month of February from George Washington's diaries. Remember, it's the year of our
Lord 1771. Although what he is doing is of interest (during some construction, the mill
wall has fallen in), look at the language. Remember as you read that this is one of the
more educated men in the county. How would those of lower station sound? You may wish to
contrast this with Washington's letters that were to be read by others. How many phrases
and spellings can you find that are no longer proper English?
FEBRUARY Where & how my time is Spent
1st. At the Mill in the forenoon and afternoon
Doctr. Rumney came here before Dinner and stayd all Night.
2. At the Mill and where my People was at work
on the Race in the forenoon and afternoon. Mr. Rutherford and Price Posey came here in
the Evening.
3. Val. Crawford came this afternoon and Price
Posey went away in ye Morng.
4. Mr. Rutherford went away after breakfast-I
rid to my Mill, & ca. Doctor Rumney came to Dinner, and Doctr. Cralk in the afternoon.
Both stayd all Night.
5. The Gentlemen all went away-I rid to my Mill
in the forenoon and afternoon.
6. Rid to
my Mill by the Ferry in the forenoon and afternoon. Price Posey came here this Evening.
7. Price Posey went away. I rid to the Mill and
Dam at the head of the Race in the forenoon and afternoon.
8. Rid to my Mill and Tumbling Dam in the forenoon
and afternoon. Doctr. Rumney dind here and went away, afterwds.
9. Attempted to go a hunting, but prevented by
Rain. Rid to the Mill in the fore and afternoon.
10. At home all day. Mr. Val Crawford came to
Dinner.
11. Rid by my Mill and Dam at the head of the
Race on my way to an arbitration between John Graham and the Estate of Allan Macrae decd.
12. At Colchester on the said Arbitration.
13. Ditto-at Ditto-on Ditto,
14. Ditto -at Ditto -on Ditto
15. Ditto -at Ditto -on Ditto -in Company with
Colo. Mason and Colo. T. Lee -the other arbitrators, Mr. T. Mason and Mr. Mercer the Attorneys.
16. Still at Colchester upon the same business
and in the same Company till 8 Oclock at Night.
17. Returnd home to Breakfast by my Mill Dam.
Found my Brother Charls and one Mr. Thompson here who came on Friday last.
18. Those two Gentlemen went a Gunning and I rid
to my Mill in the forenoon.
19. They went a Ducking and I again Rid to my
Mill in the forenoon.
20. Rid to my Mill-Colo. Thos. Lee came here to
Dinner. My Bro and Mr. Thompson a Ducking.
21. At home all day. Col. Lee still here. The
other Gentn. went a Ducking.
22. Rid to my Mill in the forenoon. All the Gentlemen
went away after Breakfast. Doctr. Rumney came in the Afternoon and stayd all Night.
23. I rid to the Mill before breakfast and returnd
to Dinner. Doctor Rumney went away after breakfast.
24. At Home all day alone.
25. Rid to the Mill in the forenoon and
afternoon. Colo. Robt. Fairfax made a Morning visit here.
26. Detaind at home all day by bad Weather.
27. Rid to my Mill in the forenoon and afternoon.
Colo. Robt. Fairfax dined here.
28. Rid to the Mill in the forenoon. Mr. Ross
and Mr. Peter Waggener came here in the Evening and stayed all Night.
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