In a letter to his grandson, Washington acknowledged that an early wake-up could be "irksome."
Source: "George Washington: The Man of the Age"
Still, he added that "... the practice will produce a rich harvest forever thereafter."
Source: "George Washington: The Man of the Age"
Washington himself awoke early, frequently rising at dawn. He would start off his day with a meal of three small cornmeal cakes and three cups of tea, without cream.
He would also bathe, shave, and have his hair brushed by Will Lee, his enslaved valet. When Washington died in 1799, the enslaved population of Mount Vernon was 317.
Washington would then saddle up and ride around his 8,000-acre estate on horseback.
Source: Mount Vernon
He would return home around 7 a.m. to eat breakfast with his family and any guests who had stopped by the estate.
According to historian James A. Crutchfield, the Washingtons entertained hundreds of visitors every year.
Washington wasn't a big eater, although he did enjoy a glass of Madeira wine with dinner. After his main meal of the day, he would continue riding around his estate.
At Mount Vernon, dinner took place at 2 p.m. The first president would prepare for the dinner by changing and powdering his hair.
Source: Mount Vernon
Topics of conversation typically focused on agriculture, as well as current events. As an afternoon snack, he would indulge in a glass of punch, a draught of beer, and two cups of tea.
He spent at least part of his day writing. According to Crutchfield, he was a prolific writer, authoring 20,000 letters.
According to historian John P. Kaminski, Washington would have tea with guests at 7 p.m.
Source: "George Washington: The Man of the Age"
During the Revolutionary War, Washington's habits understandably varied a bit. If he had a free moment in the evening, he would relax with his aides, drinking Madeira wine and snacking on nuts, cheese, and bread.
Source: Moland House Historic Park
Dubious signs boasting that "George Washington slept here" have long been a common occurrence at historical buildings throughout the East Coast. But when it came to the man's sleeping habits, he seemed to adhere to the "early to bed, early to rise" advice of his fellow Founding Father Benjamin Franklin.
Source: Smithsonian, The New York Times
Washington preferred not to idle away the evening with his guests. And 9 p.m., he would retire to bed, and "read and write until the candle burned low."
Source: "George Washington: The Man of the Age"