The first of George Washington's journals that still exists is one which he began at age 16. He continued to keep journals with some regularity for the remainder of his life. The following excerpts are from three journals. The spelling, abbreviations, and capitalization are Washington's throughout. Brackets indicate modern additions or explanations.
Surveying trip with George Fairfax at age 16
A Journal of my Journey over the Mountains began Friday the 11th of March 1747/8.
Tuesday 15th.
We set out early with Intent to Run round the sd. [said-mentioned in previous entry] Land but being taken in a Rain &it Increasing very fast obliged us to return. It clearing about one o'clock & our time being too Precious to Loose we a second time ventured out & Worked hard till Night & then returned to Penningtons we got our Suppers & was Lighted in to a Room & I not being so good a Woodsman as the rest of my Company striped my self very orderly & went in to the Bed as they call'd it when to my Surprize I found it to be nothing but a Little Straw-Matted together without Sheets or any thing else but only one Thread Bear blanket with double its Weight of Vermin such as Lice Fleas & c. Had we not have been very tired, I am sure we should not have slep'd much that night. I made a Promise not to Sleep so from that time forward chusing rather to sleep in the open Air before a fire as will Appear hereafter.
April, 16 1789-Inaugural journey
About 10 O'clock I bade adieu to Mount Vernon, to private life, and to domestic felicity, and with a mind oppressed with more anxious and painful sensations than I have words to express, set out for New York in company with Mr. Thompson, and Colonel Humphries, with the best dispositions to render service to my country in obedience to its call, but with less hope of answering its expectations.
Suggested Activities:
- Have each student keep his or her own journal for a week. Afterwards, invite them to discuss and compare their journals. Did the students record what they did or what they thought? Are their entries on weekdays different from those on weekends?
- Have your students plan a trip. Address the following: the purpose, destination and length of the trip, the mode of transportation, the weather and time of year, the people traveling, the people being left behind. How will a trip today differ from one in Washington's time?
