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.
30th – Weather continues elegant – Went to Town return’d to Dinner, at which had the following company, Major Belton, Worth, Cold, Oliver, George, Ben & Wm. Howard, a. Hamilton, L. Godwin, Doct. Graham, Konig, J. Hollingsworth, W. Sterett, P. Wirgman, S. Bowly, all very agreeable & broke up about 7 O’Clock. Finish’d filling Ice House –
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, December 30, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
29th – Beautiful day, went to Town & return’d to Dinner – Mr. & Mrs. Nicols left us this morning – Haul’d Ice all day – very fine-
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, December 29, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
28 Dec. – Very fine mild day Wind So. Went to Town return’d to dinner. Mr. & Ms. Nicols again went to Mr. Tennants where they contemplate residing some time, return’d in the evg. and staid all Night. Commenc’d putting up ice today, which is very fine ~
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, December 28, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
27 – Very fine day – Went to Town return’d to Dinner. Mr. & Mrs. Nicols went to Mr. Tenants to arrange their Furniture, they return’d in the evg. with Miss Peters & Jn. Merryman, all staid all night
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, December 27, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
26 – Last Night was the coldest we have had this winter – Wind North. Went to Town & at one O’Clock heard that Mr. Nicols house was on Fire, rode out immediately & found it nearly consum’d, the Furniture principally sav’d & deposited at Cap. Tennants, Mr. & Mrs. Nicols came to Clifton & staid all Night, they bear the loss with great fortitude – Beckey Peters came & staid all Night
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, December 26, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
25 – Xmas day, and a very pleasant one but cool – Rode to Town & paid the customary visit to D.A. Smith, who expects all his Friends to drink Egg Nog as usual, afterwards rode with him to S. Steretts to the meadows & Furley return’d by Clifton – Din’d at home without company & afterwards walk’d with Js. Fitzhugh Sam & Charley to Mr. Nicols & Mr. Peters.
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, December 25, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
24 – Fine cool day, went to Town, din’d with Lyde Goodwin ~
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, December 24, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
23 – Very fine day, went to Town, din’d at S. Steretts, whose brother Jo. recd a Comm. as Brig. Gen of 3rd Brigade.
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, December 23, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
22nd Dec. Very fine day & more mild – Did not go to Town, but remain’d at Home to Salt my Hogs, which was handsomely done before Sunsett – [Mar?] new season Timothy in meadow near the Garden
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, December 22, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.