Washington went in to dinner, which was waiting, without changing his dress, as he usually did.

"In the evening he appeared as well as usual.

The next day, Friday, there was a heavy fall of snow, but having a severe cold, he went out for only a little while to mark some trees, between the house and the river which were to be cut down.
During the day his hoarseness increased, but he made light of it, and paid no heed to the suggestion that he should take something for it, only replying, as was his custom, that he would 'let it go as it came.'" Mrs.Washington went upstairs to a room on the floor above to chat with Mrs.Lewis (Nelly Custis) who had recently been confined.
Washington remained in the parlor with Lear, and when the evening mail was brought in from the post-office, they read the newspapers; Washington even reading aloud, as well as his sore throat would allow, anything "which he thought diverting or interesting." Then Lear read the debates of the Virginia Assembly on the election of a Senator and Governor.

"On hearing Mr.Madison's observations respecting Mr.
Monroe, he appeared much affected, and spoke with some degree of asperity on the subject, which I endeavored to moderate," says Lear, "as I always did on such occasions.

On his returning to bed, he appeared to be in perfect health, excepting the cold before mentioned, which he considered as trifling, and had been remarkably cheerful all the evening." At between two and three o'clock of Saturday morning, December 14th, Washington awoke Mrs.Washington and told her that he was very unwell and had had an ague.