31st – The year finishes with the most beautiful weather, I ever recolleted for this Season, the Nights have been clear with light Frost, & days as mild as April, the roads very good. Went to Town din’d at P. Wirgmans. Mrs. Eliza Hollins, S. Hollins & Fany Bowly rode out this morning, the latter staid Dinner & walk’d to Town in the evening with Beckey Peters.
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, December 31, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
19 – Cleared up at sunrise, Wind N.W. Went to Town return’d to Dinner. Roads very bad indeed
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, December 19, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
22nd – More Rain last Night which continued at intervals nearly all this day, Wind East – Roads very bad- Went to Town return’d to Dinner – Purchas’d this day Mr. D. A. Smiths Interest in the Merino Sheep recd. from him 16th Nov. last, they are now all my own & consist of 2 Rams, 20 Ewes and 19 Lambs, all in fine condition and very Healthy-
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, April 22, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
18th – Remarkable fine day. Wind S.W. Went to Town return’d to Dinner. Miss Meroni walk’d out on a visit & actually lost her Shoes by sticking in the deep roads & came one half the distance without any
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, February 18, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
17th – Rain all last Night & lightly all this day, Wind S.W. – Went to Town, return’d to Dinner, Clear’d up at Sunsett, Wind N.W. The roads never were worse
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, February 17, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
12th – Clear morng. Wind N.W. and high but chang’d at 12 O’Clock to S.E. Went to Town din’d with Jo. Patterson, roads very bad, cloudy evening ~
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, February 12, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
9th – Commenc’ Town, din’d at C. Wirgmans roads very bad – Cold evening
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, February 9, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
8th – Very mild day, no Frost last night Wind South – Roads deep. Went to Town return’d to Dinner –
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, February 8, 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.