The not-yet-first-president rode to view his crops back in August 1788, and he rode again on the Washington Commemorative Silver Half Dollar coin in 1982.
From his diary…
Wednesday 6th. Thermometer at 70 in the Morning—76 at Noon—and 74 at Night. Very warm with the Wind Southerly & great appearances of Showers all the forenoon, but no rain fell here.
Rid to the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s, Dogue run & Muddy hole.
At the first—The Rows between the Corn, which had been planted with Cabbages and had perished, had been plowed and harrowed and were sowing with the Green (Norfolk) Turnip. One Plow was at Work before the Hoes in the Corn ground, & the other two, with the three belonging to Frenchs, had gone to that Place about 10 Oclock to plow in the Buck Wheat, weeds, &ca. in field No. 5 for Wheat—where 4 plows frm. Dogue run—& 3 from Muddy hole had gone for the same purpose yesterday. The Hoes except Cupid were hilling & Weeding Corn.
At Frenchs—all hands—with the Ferry Cart, & the Waggon from the mansn. Ho. were getting in the Wheat & Rye from field No. 6.
At Dogue Run, One plow was preparing the Intervals which was designed for Turnips between the Corn for sowing—Six hands were weeding & hilling Corn—and the others with the Cart were getting in and stacking the Wheat & Rye of No. 4.
At Muddy hole—Six hands were chopping down the Weeds in the Corn at M. Ho. The others were getting in and Stacking the Barley.
Thursday 7th. Thermometer at 74 in the Morning—79 at Noon and 76 at Night. Clear with the Wind at No. West and tolerably pleasant.
Visited all the Plantations. In the Neck—Nine hands were weeding & hilling Corn, one plow going before them to throw a furrow on each side. The rest with the Waggon & two Carts were getting (Spotswood’s) Oats—The Barley and wht. in the Orchard having been brot. in and stacked. Six plows were turning in Buck Wheat.
At all the other Plantations the Work was precisely the same as yesterday.
Friday 8th. Thermometer at 66 in the Morning 69 at Noon and 70 at Night—Morning clear & rather cool—with appearances of dry weather—Wind North. About one Oclock however it overcast and betwn. 3 & 4 began a very slow rain wch. increased in the Night and a good deal fell.
Visited the Plantations at the Ferry, French’s D. Run & Muddy Ho.
At French’s—they would have finished, about two ’Oclock, getting in and stacking all the grain in No. 6; and would proceed to fencg. the yard, & securing the Inclosure—after which if there was time for it they would begin to get in and stack the Barley & Oats in No. 2. Plows in No. 5.
At the Ferry—One Plow, and the Hoe people were weeding and Hilling of Corn.
At Dogue Run—the Cart and necessary attendance for that, and Stacking, were employed about the Rye (Six besides the Overseer). The rest Seven, with two plows were in the Corn.
At Muddy hole. Having finished getting in, and stacking the Barley all hands about 1 Oclock came to the Corn grd. at the Mansn. Ho. but the Cart was ordered tomorrow to assist in getting in the Rye at D. Run.
Brought the Jenny with the Jack Colt from Muddy hole, and turned them, with the other Maltese Jenny—the two yearling Mule Colts and the 4 Sorrel Colts, into the Clover Paddock. The other Mares and Colts which were in No. 1 at Muddy hole were carried to No. 1 at Dogue Run for the benefit of the pasture.
Mr. Geo. Digges & a Dr. Kelty came to Dinr. & retd.
See the Founders Archives for his activities for the rest of August 1788 (http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/01-05-02-0004-0008)
Visit the Greater Atlanta Coin Show’s Numismatic Shoppe for fun and useful products showcasing coins.