20th March – Sunday Fine cool day Wind about 10 A.M. fresh at N.W. Mrs. T. and three children went to Town, to stay a few days at Mr. Wirgmans. Edw. & Jo. Patterson call’d in the forenoon after which I rode to the Meadows and Furley where I din’d, in the evg. John VanWyck, Wm. Sterett, & Alex Stewart rode out & sat half an Hour~ Great many Wild Pigeons flying ~
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, March 20, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
11th Fine cool day, did not go to Town, rode to Fortune, Meadows, etc. very busy. Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. & Fanny Bowly call’d. Red Cow with White Face at Furley
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, March 11, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
8 – Mild but hazy day, Wind S. – Rode to Fortune, the Meadows, and to Town, return’d to Dinner, busy burning brush, spreading Manure & Sowing Clover Seed in front of House in the old Field on Rye ~ Today finished scraping Trees at Furley Orchard, which has taken 17 days
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, March 8, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
4th – More mild, but still cold, Wind N.W. Went to Town return’d to Dinner, and afterwards to Furley Orchard, being very busy scraping Trees & cutting Wood for Posts & Rails ~
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, March 4, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
28th – Excessive cold morning & severe Frost last Night with high Wind at N.W. which continued all day. Went to Town return’d to dinner – Engag’d Thos Johnson as Overseer to my new Purchase at Furley, his Wages $200 p. An. & 4 barrels of Flour ~ Commences tomorrow. Red Cow at Furley
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, February 28, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
27th Sunday – Blustering cold day with Wind at N.W. & high. Rode to Fortune & Furley. Return’d to Dinner., at which Maria Peters ~D.A. Smith & Beckey Peters call’d in the forenoon & our particular Friend Col Wm. Fitzhugh arriv’d in the evening and staid all Night
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, February 27, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
15th Cloudy morning, but clear’d up at midday – Wind West Went to Town, return’d to Dinner, afterwards Rode to Furley Orchard & mark’d several Trees to cut for Fencing. Beautiful mild, clear evening ~
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, February 15, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
Feby 13th – Sunday – Rain this morng. Win chang’d at 12 O’Clock to W. clear evening. Staid at home all day, no company. Finish’d Pruning Furley Orchards last evening, it has taken four hands about five weeks
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, February 13, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
17th – Mild & Clear day – the Roads are bad, in consequence of the Thaw – Went to Town & return’d to Dine with Mr. Nicols, who had a pleasant party My hands busy trimming Orchard at Furley – Bot Cow & Calf $35
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, January 17, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
In May 1818, an assessment of Thompson’s property noted that he held 10 enslaved people—likely including the “hands” who worked to trim the orchard at Furley Hall on January 17.
Source: National Register of Historic Places, Clifton Park, Baltimore, (Independent City), Maryland, National Register # 07000941 – see Section 8, 3, citing Baltimore County Commission on Tax.
“3 – Very fine day – Mrs. T accompanied me to Town, we return’d to dinner – Had a Lamb last Night & one today – John Conrad commenc’d trimming the Orchard at Furley, it is in very bad order & required much Pruning.”
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, January 3, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.