Chapter VII: Part 7

PHILIP V. FITHIAN.

[JOURNAL]

_Monday 6._

Mr _Carter_ rode to richmond court--At Dinner I had a long and useful conversation with Mrs Carter She told me openly & candidly the Several failings of her children, & indeed She knows them perfectly--In particular she knows not what to do with her perverse Son _Bob_--He abuses his Mama, Miss Sally, the children, Family, and is much given to slander. Poor unhappy youth, I fear he will come to an unhappy end! This afternoon I found it necessary to correct Bob severely for impertinence in School--Mr Carter at Court received his Invoice from London for this Spring, in which was a gold Seal for _Ben_ with a Coat of Arms price five Guineas!--

_Teusday 7._

The morning pleasant, cool & agreeable--I corrected Harry this morning for telling me a Lie--Stomachful & sullen as any youth--The day warm but very bearable--Breakfasted with us Mr Blain & Mr Warden, all the conversation is Politicks; But People seem moderate & yet settled in their determinations to stand out

_Wednesday 8._

The morning pleasant--Mr _Carter_ rode to the Ucomiko Ware-houses to examine in the Shipping some of his Tobacco--We have no Company. The day is very warm--A flaming sultry Sun, a dusty scorched Ground, Mr _Carter_ returned, the day being smoky introduced, at Coffee, a conversation on Philosophy, on Eclipses; the manner of viewing them; Thence to Telescopes, & the information which they afforded us of the Solar System; Whether the planets be actually inhabited &c.

[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO SAMUEL FITHIAN]

Nomini Hall Virginia June 8th. 1774.
SIR.

After I acquaint you that, by the kindness of providence I arrived safe and am in good health, I shall not neglect to inform you that the Virginians are warm and active in supporting the liberties of America; the first day of June throughout this Colony, by a resolve of the House of Burgesses, or Assembly of Representatives for the province was kept a solemn Fast, and kept religiously too, to invoke almighty God to assist our falling country, and save us from oppression and Tyranny--The ware-Houses are already hindring the Shipping Tobacco, and it is expected there will shortly be a general embargo laid on all exportable commodities--The people here wish for the union of all the Colonies, and for firm perseverance in what shall seem most conducive to the good of America, notwithstanding this Colony and Maryland will suffer vastly, because Tobacco is a comodity less saleable among ourselves than most of the produce of the Northern Colonies, and it is in these the staple--

I am seated once more to great sattisfaction in my business, the family and neighbourhood are well, but I propose and expect by the permission of providence to return home the latter end of October; in the mean time, I am,

Dear Unkle
Your most obliged Nephew
PHILIP V FITHIAN

P. S. Please to remember me to the family, &c.

[JOURNAL]

_Thursday 9._

The morning haizy, no Wind, & very warm--I wrote a Letter to Uncle _Samuel Fithian_--After Dinner Mr Carter set out for Williamsburg--by him I sent to the Post-office at _Hobbes-Hole_, My Letters to Mr _Hunter_, Uncle _Fithian_, Miss _Beatty_. & Mr _Peck_--After School in the evening I had an agreeable walk with Mrs _Carter_ in the Garden--

_Fryday 10._

Cool but exceeding dry--Writing at my Lecture. Mrs _Carter_ was to day sadly frighted with a Lizard, that lives under the House--After School, with Ben I wakked over to Mr Turburville's to gather Cheries, which are there in great plenty--Mrs _Carter_ in the evening after our return, gave me a Lecture for taking _Ben_ to _Annapolis_ when I went last Home without a waiting-Man--Wrote at my Lecture til eleven. Ben sleeps at the Great-House in the absence of his _Papa_.

_Saturday 11._

I was sitting in the Colonels Library I took a Catalogue of the whole of His Books--& he tells me he has left behind him at Williamsburg, with many other things 458 volumes besides Music & Pamphlets.[178]

[178] See this catalogue of Carter's library in Appendix, pp. 221-229.

It is with considerable Difficulty that I keep the Children in School til twelve o Clock as they used to go out all the last winter at Breakfast--_Bob_ especially is vastly vociferous on the Occasion--Our Bells for School & play-Hours are at present under good Regulations. The Children come in as soon as they rise and are Drest which is usually about seven--The Bell rings at eight for Breakfast--At nine it Rings for two purposes; for the Children to enter School, & for the Gardiners, Carpenters, & other workmen to come into Breakfast--At ten it Rings them to work. At twelve it rings for the School play hours--At two it rings for us to Dine, & the workmen--And the las[t] bell is at three for School & for the workmen to go to Labour--I dismiss them by my watch at half after Five.--After Dinner I rode alone to Mr Blains Store; bought a pen-knife, nine Jacket-Buttons, & a primmer for Miss _Harriot 3/_. It is alarming to observe how hard, & dusty the Country is; towards evening some clouds arose & looked promising in the West, but they bring no rain--No rain has fell here since the 24th of May, & then but a Scanty Shower, & most of the time since windy.

_Sunday 12._

_Ben_ & Mr _Randolph_ had a small wrangle about Horses: The Day is vastly hot, the wind small at West, clear & very Dry I choose therefore to stay at Home--I lent my Horse to _Ben_, & staid myself at Home to write my Lecture, Mrs _Carter_ the two Misses, & Ben went to Church, Mr Randolph went on Board Captain Blackwells Ship to dine--_Bob_ pleaded hard with me for Leave to go on Board the Ship, but I kept him at home with me--Evening I finished my Lecture & laid it by for future examination. Some Clouds & Lightning in the west but no rain.

Monday 13.

_Ben_ gave _Bob_, for some imprudent Language a drubbing this morning--About nine we had a Shower but soon over & of little use; be to God, however, that we have any--I begun, to day my Sermon for the Presbytery--The change in the weather since yesterday is remarkable. This afternoon is so cool that I should be glad of a winter suit--yesterday afternoon was so hot I could not be comfortably cool in a thin gown, with all the windows of my chamber up. Evening, John the waiting Man play'd, & the young Ladies spent the evening merrily in dancing--I staid til ten, saw them & Conversed with Mrs Carter.

_Teusday 14._

I added last night to my Bed-Clothes a Quilt, Blanket, & my own Clothes & lay under them all, none too warm--The children call'd for a Fire in the school-Room, & were so cold I was obliged to dismiss them before the Bell--I believe there is no Frost--Befor Breakfast, Mr _Stadley_ the musician came from Colonel _Taylors_ at _mount Airy_.

Miss Priscilla & Nancy attend his instructions. Mr Stadley shewed me some Verses he is carrying from Mr Washingtons to His Daughter they seem good and are as follow.

A Hymn for a dying Believer.

1st Happy Soul thy Days are ended,
All thy mourning Days below,
Go by Angel-Guards attended
To the Sight of Jesus, go.

2d Waiting to recieve my Spirit,
Lo thy Saviour stands above,
Shews the purchase of his merit
Reaches out the Crown of Love.

3d For the Joy he Sets before thee
Bear a momentary pain,
Die to live the Life of Glory
Suffer, with thy Lord to reign.

Spent the evening very agreeably with Mrs Carter & Mr Stadley, we sat about a good Fire in the Dining-Room, and it seems as necessary & agreeable as in November or December.--

_Wednesday 15._

So cold that I ordered a Fire in the School-Room--Mr Stadley with us yet--I took out of the Library to read for entertainment the "Amusement of the _German Spa_; it is a well written piece--Designed entirely for Amusement Before dinner Mrs Taylor,[179] with her two Daughters Miss Polly, & Kitty came in a Chariot--_Bob_ was in a moment on Fire; He is deeply Smitten with Polly's Charms--beg'd me for Leave to go out of School & dress--I allow'd him, The Day was vastly windy & the drouth is alarming!--Close Attention for two weeks past has fatigued me so much, that yesterday, & to Day I have laid aside Study, & read only for Relaxation--I took a whim in my head & would not go to Dinner, my Head was not dress'd, & I was too lazy to change my clothes--Mrs Carter, however, in the evening lash'd me severely. I told her I was engaged in reading a pleasant Novel.--That I was not perfectly well--But She would not hear none, & said I was rude, & censurable--Mr Stadley spent the evening in playing several songs & Sonata's on the Harpsichord & violin--

[179] Mrs. Tayloe.

_Thursday 16._

Mr Stadley left us before Breakfast--Reading at the Amusement of _Spa_--Drew off some Tunes--

_Fryday 17._

Bob was missing last night I was at his Room at twelve o Clock he was absent--This morning I examined him, he told me he was at Mr Turburville's, but told me several palpable Lies--I gave him however severe correction--We had this morning about 5 o Clock a smart Gust of wind, Rain & Thunder, but soon over.

_Saturday 18._

_Ben_ not very well--At twelve _Bob_ teaz'd me for leave to go to a Cock-Fight & Horse-Race about two Miles off, I gave him Leave with his promising to be home by Sun Set.--Spent the Afternoon in my room writing--Towards evening 'Squire _Lee_ call'd in, & brought a late London News-Paper in which we are informed that another Act of Parliament has pass'd taking from the People of Boston all power of trying any Soldier, or Person whether for commiting any Crime; & obliging all such offenders to be sent home for legal Tryal--Heaven only knows where these tumults will End!--He informed us likewise that last Saturday in Richmond (our neighbour County) the people drest & burnt with great marks of Destestation the infamous Lord _North_--Mrs _Carter_, after the 'Squire left us quite astonished me in the Course of the evening. with her perfect acquaintance with the American Constitution--

_Sunday 19._

The day cool--Sermon is at Ucomico, so that we all stay at Home Mrs Carter was in the morning frightned thinking that several of the Negro-Girls in the Family are unwell with the Measles, but I believe it to be only a Frett of the Heat Ben is unwel; He has a sick Stomach; at Times aguish; complains of Pains in his Breast & Side; & in the morning Spits Blood. He keeps about however, but his fond Mama discovers great anxiety.--I spend the Day in my Room writing at my Sermon, & reading the plain & useful _Pictete_.

_Monday 20._

So cool that I sit with my Cloths buttoned, & am chilly. the children also complain of the cold; this must certainly be unwholesome weather--Breakfasted with us Mr _Cox_--Ben continues no better, he lays by Study to day & keeps in--I myself either conceit or in reality have a Fever & head-Ach to Day--Before twelve we had a moderate Shower no wind nor Thunder--Mrs _Carter_ wrote a note to Dr _Jones_ & Desired him to call & See _Ben_, towards evening he came; He thinks _Ben_ has only Symptoms of an Agu approaching--He prescribed some Physick--Drank Coffee with us, & went home about six--I lightens in the North.

_Teusday 21._

Harry is unwel, takes this morning Physick, and keeps his Room--Ben is in the same way--_Priscilla_ & Nancy are practising Musick, so that to Day we have only four in School--At five in the Evening, Ben, _Prissy_ & I rode out on Horse back for exercise; before we returned Captain _Dobby_, of the Ship _Susannah_ an agreeable, sensible, polite Gentleman came, & 'Squire _Lee_--The conversation, at Coffee was on American affairs, the 'Squire shew'd us one of Mr Dunlaps papers,[180] in which are accounts that the Northern Colonies are zealous & stedfast in resolutions to maintain their Liberties--We sat til eleven--

[180] John Dunlap had established the _Pennsylvania Packet_ in 1771.

_Wednesday 22._

Breakfasted with us Captain _Dobby_, & Mr Taylor, their conversation promiscuous--Clear & warm, not sultry, _Harry_ better & in School, but _Ben_ continues indisposed. I wrote to Day some at my Sermon--After School, with Mrs Carter & the young Ladies & _Bob_, I walked through the Garden--But I seem not suited in being confin'd wholly at Home, yet my stay is quite voluntary--

_Thursday 23._

Very warm all the morning--From twelve to two I was writing at my Sermon--While we were at dinner a very black cloud rose in the West: Mrs Carter, is fearful when it thunders, so that I did not leave the Room till it was over, about four, there was a strong Gale of wind, some thunder, & a refreshing Shower. At five with Mrs Carter & the young Ladies I took a walk; She shewed me from a high Hill several beautiful Prospects--I was diverted tho it was a little cruel, to see the Girls gather the Blossoms of some Prickly-Pears.

_Fryday 24._

Lat night we had a Gust of Rain & Thunder; very acceptable--To Day in course Mr Christians Dance happens here--He came before Breakfast--Miss _Jenny Washington_ came also, & Miss _Priscilla Hale_ while we were at Breakfast--Miss Washington is about seventeen; She has not a handsome Face, but is neat in her Dress, of an agreeable Size, & well proportioned, & has an easy winning Behaviour; She is not forward to begin a conversation, yet when spoken to She is extremely affable, without assuming any Girlish affectation, or pretending to be overcharg'd with Wit; She has but lately had oppertunity of Instruction in Dancing, yet She moves with propriety when she dances a _Minuet_ & without any _Flirts_ or vulgar _Capers_, when She dances a _Reel_ or _Country-Dance_: She plays well on the Harpsichord, & Spinet; understands the principles of Musick, & therefore performs her Tunes in perfect time, a Neglect of which always makes music intolerable, but it is a fault almost universal among

young Ladies in the practice; She sings likewise to her instrument, has a strong, full voice, & a well-judging Ear; but most of the Virginia-Girls think it labour quite sufficient to thump the Keys of a Harpsichord into the air of a tune mechanically, & think it would be Slavery to submit to the Drudgery of acquiring Vocal Music; Her Dress is rich & well-chosen, but not tawdry, nor yet too plain; She appears to Day in a Chintz cotton Gown with an elegant blue Stamp, a Sky-Blue silk Quilt, spotted apron; Her Hair is a light Brown, it was crap'd up, with two Rolls at each Side, & on the top a small cap of beautiful Gawze and rich Lace, with an artificial Flower interwoven--Her person & carriage at a small distance resembles not a little my much respected _Laura_. But on close examination her Features are something masculine, those of _Laura_ are mild and delicate: Mr _Christien_ very politely requested me to open the Dance by stepping a Minuet with this amiable Girl, but I excused myself by assuring Him that I never was taught to Dance.--Miss Hale is about fourteen; a slim, puny silent Virgin; She has black Eyes, & black Hair, a good sett of Eye-Brows, which are esteem'd in Virginia essential to Beauty; She looks innocent of every human Failing, does not speak five Words in a Week, & I dare say from her Carriage that her Modesty is invincible; She is drest in a white Holland Gown, cotton Diaper quilt very fine, a Lawn apron, has her Hair crap'd up, & on it a small Tuft of Ribbon for a Cap She is but just innitiated into the School, and only hobbles yet Once I saw her standing; I rose immediately and begg'd her to accept my Chair; She answered most kindly, "Sir I thank you." that was all I could extract from this Wonder of the Sex for the two Days she stay'd, & I seemed to have an equal Share too in the Favours of her Conversation; so that I cannot be any way particular in describing the mental faculties of Miss _Hale_. it is sufficient to say that I think She is far removed from most of the foibles of Women--Some time after these came Colonel Lee's[181] Chariot with five young Misses--These five, with Miss Washington & Miss Hale & Miss Nancy Carter, & Bob are Mr Christiens Compliment of Scholars in this School except Miss Turburville who is just now up the country with an Uncle, where She is to Stay some time together with Miss Corbin. Miss Betsy Lee[182] is about thirteen; a tall slim genteel Girl; She is very far from Miss Hale's taciturnity, yet is by no means disagreeably forward; She dances extremely well, & is just begining to play the Spinet--She is drest in a neat shell Callico Gown, has very light Hair done up with a Feather, & her whole carriage is easy inoffensive, & graceful--The other Miss Lee's are small Towards evening came in George Lee, & Mr _Grubb_, an English Gentleman; the Company danced after candle-light a Minuet round, three Country Dances, several Reels, when we were Rung to Supper after Supper we sit til twelve drinking loyal Toasts--

[181] Colonel Richard Henry Lee of "Chantilly."

[182] This Betsey Lee was perhaps Elizabeth, the daughter of John Lee of Essex County, a nephew of President Thomas Lee.

_Saturday 25._

Ben & I slept til eight--we breakfasted at nine, soon after Christien collected his School and gave them a Lesson round--About ten the two Gentlemen left us. They quit Dancing about two--After Dinner Mrs _Carter_ & the young Ladies, with Mr _Christien_ Ben & Myself walked in the garden, & through the Pasture, There are several beautiful prospects of the green Bottoms, & of the River Nominy from the High hills--By Miss Washington I wrote a letter to Mr Lowe, acquainting him with what was done for him in the business he sent by me to Philadelphia. The Day is cool, & intirely agreeable & the Ground has been refreshed by a Shower or two lately--I am told that the people are already reaping not only Rye but Wheat in the Neighbourhood; certainly it is earlier than we reap to the Northward.--

[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO JOHN LOWE]

Nomini Hall June 25th 1774.
To Mr John Lowe. Bushfield.

SIR.

I should have waited on you immediately after my return from Philadelphia, to acquaint you with what was done in regard to the business you intrusted me with, and to return the certificate which I now send inclosed; but necessary business detain'd me for a few days at home, and when _Bob_ was at the Dance at Mr _Washingtons_ he informed me you proposed shortly to be here. As I expect to see you shortly I shall write nothing particular, but only inform you that your intention was considered and approved:

I am, Sir,
Your humble Servt:
PHILIP V FITHIAN

[JOURNAL]

_Sunday 26._

Mr _Smith_ to Day is out of the Parish so that we have no sermon--I shut up myself therefore in my chamber to reading--Eleven I am sent for to see Mr Lowe who is come--I invite him to my Room, where we sit til Dinner--He informed me of the Manner of Trials in Scotland, which Candidates undergo. It is similar & indeed almost the same as with our Presbytery Evening Mr Carter returned about seven o-Clock from Williamsburg; He has been unwell himself while there, & he informs us that many are indisposed in that City While we were at Coffee I was taken with a Sudden & unusual pain in my Breast, a sickness at my stomach, attended with a trembling and dizzy faintness; I retired to my Room immediately, laid myself down in bed but had a Fever most of the Night--

_Monday 27._

I feel myself perfectly reliev'd blessed be God who upholds my Life Mr _Carter_ says the people are reaping on the Road as he came. He opened & shewed me a curious Case of mathematical Instruments price ten Guineas; He shewed me _Bens Seal_ five Guineas--We have to day several plentiful Showers--Evening at Coffee the Colonel shew'd me a book of vocal Musick which he has just imported, it is a collection of psalm-Tunes, Hymns, & Anthems set in four parts for the Voice; He seems much taken with it & says we must learn & perform some of them in their several parts with our voices & with instruments.--Lightning in several parts of the Heaven Mrs _Carter_ is much afraid, & can never eat if a cloud is rising nor lie down to sleep.

_Teusday 28._

Warm this morning. Mr _Carter_ rode to Court. I wrote some at my sermon but it goes on slowly--_Ben_ is not perfectly well, he studies, however, at times a little, to day he makes Doctr _Jones_ a visit--The Day very hot; people I understand are reaping in this County--Evening we have in the West & North-West amazing Lightning--Mrs _Carter_ retired to her Chamber, where She always chooses to sit quite alone in bad Weather--

_Wednesday 29._

Writing at my Sermon--The day cool & agreeable. I was never so much confined as now, not even when I was at College, for I used to go with my sweet mates, as Virgil calls them, about the Fields, or to the Brooks to wash, & often ride to Trenton for exercise & pleasure--& sometimes to _Newington_ & spend an Afternoon with that dear girl _Laura_--Here in Virginia I have no Call out, people seem sociable & kind but I want Spirit to improve & relish Society Soon, however, soon, if I keep my Health, I shall be again at Liberty.

_Thursday 30._

The morning pleasant none too hot to be agreeable--My Charge seem rising slowly, & uniformly in their several Parts--Harry begun at Reduction & is now working Fellowship; he improves too in Writing. Bob began at Addition and is working Compound Division: he is the best writer in the School--Ben begun with reading Salust he is now reading Virgil & the Greek-Testament. He writes extremely bad--Priscilla began Addition & is working Division; She improves in writing, & reads tolerably--Nancy mends fast in writing, but reads carelessly thick & inaccurately.

--I mentioned to Day Mr _Peck_ to Mr _Carter_ He objected at first to his Age as rather too young for the Duty of a Tutor, he assented however & requested me to write him word that he is desired to come by the Time I shall leave Virginia--

_Fryday July 1. 1774._

I rose at six. The morning bearable Breakfasted with us 'Squire Lee.--About one came in Captain _Blackwell_, Mr _Grubb_, & _Lancelot Lee_. the two youngsters came suddenly into our Room, bold gay & noisy. We conversed with them till the Bell rung for Dinner, when we all repair'd to the dining-Room: Captain Blackwel is to sail in about ten Days for London. I gave the Children the afternoon for Recreation.

_Saturday 2._

Mr _Grubb_ called again about twelve with an intention to ride out to the Potowmack but there came on a Rain & kept us at Home--We spent the afternoon sociably in our Room. Miss _Nancy Carter_ last Night or this morning, in some whimsical freak, clipt off her Eye-Brows; She has a very good Skin; exceeding black hair, & black-well arched, full Eye-brows, which, as I said the other day are much esteemed in Virginia--She denies positively that She cut them herself, & swears some mischievous person has done it when She was sleeping. But I am inclined to think it is an experiment She has been making on herself to see how she can vary the looks of her face. It made me laugh when I saw it first, to think how early & how truely She copies Female absurdities.

Towards evening we rode out merely for exercise, & straggled at last to Mr _Simpsons_; near his house we saw two trees standing near each other both of which have lately been struck by Lightning & are torn to shivers in several parts--

Mr Grubb agreed to stay the night. we supt on Artichoks, & Huckleberries & Milk--The toasts, after Supper, were the King, Queen & Royal Family, the Governor & his family, & then young Ladies of our acquaintance--We were alone. Mr and Mrs Carter left us immediately, so that we spent the evening without restraint.

_Sunday 3._

We were all to go to Church to day, but we were prevented by a storm of thunder & Rain; the Ground is now sufficiently wetted--I have not heard a Sermon on Sunday since the fifteenth of May; a longer Vacancy from publick worship than I have ever had since my first remembrance. About ten an old Negro Man came with a complaint to Mr Carter of the Overseer that he does not allow him his Peck of corn a Week--The humble posture in which the old Fellow placed himself before he began moved me. We were sitting in the passage, he sat himself down on the Floor clasp'd his Hands together, with his face directly to Mr _Carter_, & then began his Narration--He seem'd healthy, but very old, he was well dress'd but complained bitterly--I cannot like this thing of allowing them no meat, & only a Peck of Corn & a Pint of Salt a Week, & yet requiring of them hard & constant Service. We have several Rains this day so that the Ground is sufficiently wetted--I spent the greater part of the day writing at my Sermon.

_Monday 4._

I begun to read the first Volume of Tristam-Shandy--He is droll in the account he gives us of his Birth & Family--We have several good showers to day, the weather is warm, funky, very damp, & I fear will not turn out long to be healthful. With us in Jersey wet Weather about this time not only is prejudicial to the Harvest, but is generally thought, & I believe almost never fails being a forerunner of Agues, Fall-Fevers, Fluxes, & our Horse-Distempers--Fearing these, any of which so far from Home, would be painful & expensive, I keep myself much at Home, contrary to the repeated & strong invitations of the youngsters--And indeed my Duty, seems to require my Presence pretty constantly; & I am forced to produce an Example for what I find it necessary to enforce on our Boys, in order to do it with some face, for they always call upon me for a Reason for every one of my precepts--It is now the Height of Harvest--There is at Mr Turburville's a young Lady, from the Isle-of Wight, Miss _Betsy Lee_,[183] a Sister of _George_ & _Lancelot Lee's_--It is proposed that Ben & I go this Evening to the Captain's & Invite her here--Accordingly after School we rode on our errand, We found besides Miss _Lee_--Mr _George Turburville_, his _Wife_, Mr _Grubb_, & _Lancelot Lee_--After the ceremony of Introduction, & our Congees were over, we took our seats in a cool passage where the Company were sitting; all the Company when we entered were laughing at Master _Lee_, who had been gathering Mulberries, & either through _carelessness_ or _Greediness_ had stained his ruffles--At any Rate they looked like a scarlet Clock in a Bunters stocking, both indilicate & impudent--The attention of the Company however being wholly taken up with Mr Lee, I had the opportunity, which I wanted, of examining the person of his Sister, without being interrupted either by the notice of others, or by my own timidity--Miss _Betsy Lee_, I am told is but lately entered her twenty sixth year; She is a well set maid, of a proper Height, neither high nor low--Her Aspect when she is sitting is masculine & dauntless; she sits very erect; places her feet with great propriety, her Hands She lays carelessly in her lap, & never moves them but when she has occasion to adjust some article of her dress, or to perform some exercise of the _Fan_--She has a full face, sanguine Complection, her Nose is rather protuberant than otherwise; Her Eyes are exactly such as _Homer_ atributes to the Goddess _Minerva_; & her Arms resemble those which the same Poet allows to _Juno_. When She has a Bonnet on & Walks, She is truely elegant; her carriage neat & graceful, & her presence soft & beautiful--Her hair is a dark Brown, which was crap'd up very high. & in it she had a Ribbon interwoven with an artificial Flower--At each of her ears dangled a brilliant Jewel; She was pinched up rather too near in a long pair of new fashioned Stays, which, I think, are a Nusance both to us & themselves--For the late importation of Stays which are said to be now most fashionable in London, are produced upwards so high that we can have scarce any view at all of the Ladies Snowy Bosoms; & on the contrary, they are extended downwards so low that whenever Ladies who wear them, either young or old, have occasion to walk, the motion necessary for Walking, must, I think, cause a disagreeable Friction of some part of the body against the lower Edge of the Stays which is hard & unyielding--I imputed the Flush which was visible in her Face to her being swathed up _Body_ & _Soul_ & _limbs_ together--She wore a light Chintz Gown, very fine, with a blue stamp; elegantly made, & which set well upon her--She wore a blue silk Quilt--In one word Her Dress was rich & fashionable--Her Behaviour such as I should expect to find in a Lady whose education had been conducted with some care & skill; and her person, abstracted from the embelishments of Dress & good Breeding, not much handsomer than the generality of Women--

[183] This Elizabeth Lee was the daughter of the late George Lee of "Mount Pleasant" and his first wife Judith Wormeley of "Rosegill" in Middlesex County. She died unmarried.

What made me desirous to see, & curious to reconnoitre this young Lady, was, a Sentence that was dropt yesterday by a respectable Member of our Family, intimating a Desire that I may, on seeing Miss Lee, after having known, by report, her faultless character, be so pleased with her person as to try to make her mine, & settle in this Province--That kind Body, who is for making me happy by settling me in Virginia, & connecting me with one of the best families in the Government, little knows how painful it would be if I was indeed compell'd by any accident of Fortune to spend the remainder of my Days in Virginia if is the pleasure of Providence that I am to continue for any length of time in the World--Strong, & sweet are the bands which tye us to our place of nativity; If it is but a beggarly Cottage, we seem not satisfied with the most elegant entertainment if we are totally seperated from it--But if a Princess should solicit me to accept, together with Herself, 50000£ a Year--I declare, with as great _pleasure_ as _truth_, that the esteem, & Fidelity which I possess for my dear, dear _Eliza_ would make me without reflection, evade & refuse the Proposal--Ben & I returned Home before dark--We had the 'Squire to drink Coffee with us--He brought us a Newspaper containing the debate, of the House of Commons concerning the Repeal of the Tea-duty.

_Teusday 5._

While we were at Breakfast came from Hobbes-Holes Mrs _Oakly_ a Woman who has acted as nurse for several of Mrs Carters Children with great credit--All the family speak of her with Love & regard--This day is very warm, but no rain--I gave all the Girls this day to chat with their old acquaintance--Tho' the weather is warm & very Damp we have here no Musquetoes; I have not seen one, since I came into the Province as I can now recollect which seems to me a little strange; for at Princeton in Jersey some warm evenings in July & August they are so numerous as to be troublesome, & that is more than twenty miles from Salt Water, this not more than three times as many _Rod_.--In the evening, among several other things Mr Carter informed me that he has on this plantation a Negro Man called Prince who is now unwell of a Strain--This Man, he swears, he would not sell for 500£ ready Cash--I was almost ready to say it is more Money than I would give for all he owns on his Estate--The evening is very pleasant I had an oppertunity on the Pavement before the Hall Door of shewing away on Astronomy to Mrs _Carter_, I lectured for half an hour on the Milky-Way, on several of the Stars, on Jupiter in particular, & on the Course of Comets--

In bed by half after ten as usual.

_Wednesday 6._

Ben seems pretty well recovered--We dined to day on the Fish call'd the Sheeps-Head, with Crabs--Twice every Week we have fine Fish, & every Day good Fruit for Dinner, caudled Apples, Hurtle-Berries with milk &c--Yes, says Mrs Carter at Supper, this hot weather takes away all my life; the small Lightning that we now have makes me uneasy & melancholy--I love to see her in such Distress--_Beauty_ & _Virtue_ when combined together & Strugling against Misfortune; O how such objects move, & awaken the most delicate sensations of our Souls--Call in Nancy to her Guitar, says the Colonel. In She minces slow & silent from her supper--She scratches her Instrument, after a long preparation, into the Air of "Water parted from the Sea." What, pray Miss Nancy, what bewitched you with a desire of clipping your Eye-Brows--The Genius of Woman shines forth in this little Girlish trick--Pray Mr _Fithian_, was you ever taught Singing? Yes Sir, I attended two years--Had you any instructions in particular for using the Shake[184]--I am giving Nancy some Lessons, but She is vastly indolent--Nancy, play over and sing the Funeral Hymn--Excuse me, Papa, I have lost the Verses--Happy Soul, thy Days are ended,--Go on--How steady & how sharp it lightens in the North too--Good Night.

[184] A trill, or rapid reiteration of two notes comprehending an interval not greater than one whole tone, nor less than a semitone.

_Thursday 7._

Yes Fanny may sit down to Breakfast--Where's Ben--The Weather is hot & Ben for enjoyment had stript himself naked--Of every thing but his shirt & Trowsers--Where's Ben--He is not very well, Madam,--This Day says the Colonel after having Prefac'd our Breakfast with a--"God bless us in what we are to recieve"--is our Rye yonder to be mown down; mown down thinks I, do they mow their Grain in Virginia--Yes two Negroes take naked Sythes & mow down the Grain; others are imploy'd in raking it into heaps, but much of it is left--Shall I help you, Mr Fithian, to a Dish of Coffee?--I choose a deep Plate, if you please, Ma'am, & Milk--Our Corn, Madam, in Jersey is inferior to yours in this Province--Or your Cooks, Sir, are less Skilful in managing it--Well, Nancy, I have tuned your Guitar; you are to practice to Day with Priscilla, who is to play the Harpsichord, till twelve o Clock; You can repeat the Verses of the Funeral Hymn?--I can Sir--What, Harry, do you hesitate at that plain Sum in Arithmetical Progression?--_Bob_, attend to your Business--When I am bedizen'd with these clamorous children, sometimes I silently exclaim--Once I was told, now I know I feel how irksome the Pedagoging Scheme is--Fanny--I say, Fanny, dont you hear me, Fanny, and Betsy, sit down--pray, Sir, must I multiply here by 32--Yes, thick-Scull--But Mr Fithian, I dont know how to divide by 5½--Look, Sir, do you see what Mouth's _Harry Willis_ is making?--I can say my Lesson--Buz, Buz--To divide by 5½ you must double both your Dividend & divi[sor]--Half after two we were rung to Dinner; poor _Tasker_, his Fever has continued high since yesterday afternoon, he lies quiet, and asks for nothing--If his Disorder does not abate to night, I shall give him in the morning a dose of "James's Powder"--Will you lend me Jack, he meant my Horse, says Mr Randolph, to ride tomorrow to Captain Cheltons; Yes Mr Randolph, I will oblige Jenny so far.

_Fryday 8._

I swear, says Bob, Harry belies me. I never told the Nurse that Harriot should stay in School all Day--It was Mama's order that so long as Mrs _Oakly_ the Nurse stays, Harriot is to go into School after Breakfast, & after Dinner, & say a lesson each time--I was passing through the Hall from Breakfast--The Nurse, a short Stump of a [wom]an, who blundered by mere accident, when she was young, out of the road in which Virgins commonly travel, & felt the difficulties of being a Mother, several years before She enjoyed the Pleasures of being a Wife--She call'd to me, & begg'd me to close the Quarrel; You shall have, said I, dear Madam, with the greatest Freedom my consent--Harriot shall be with you--At Breakfast--Where is Ben?--He breakfasts with the House-keeper Madam--At School--What a likeness there is in the manners of Boys; Bob, & Harry had skulk'd behind the writing-Table with their Slates on their Knees, & their Faces close together, just as I have done a thousand Times, in our little School-House in _Greenwich_--But once I was threshed confoundedly for a piece of such hidden play--_Tom Parks_ [blotted] asleep, poor Fellow he is now sleeping in the Dust;--Then he was fast asleep on a Bench, with his mouth open--I fill'd his mouth with Snuff!--He sprung up--Nature was in distress, & found all her Avenues too scanty at that time to clear out at once the tickling penetrating Powder--He snuffed--He coughed--He--He told the Master, & then I was tickled--Indeed he made my Feet beat time to his Lash---Says Bob to Harry, behind the Table, I wonder Mr _Fithian_ has not fallen in Love yet with some of our Nominy-Girls--Here he sits from Month to Month--(Not many Months longer said I to myself)--Mr _Marshal_[185] was always out; I suppose Mr _Fithian_ never thinks of Girls--Indeed says _Harry_, drawing his chair clos[e &] lowering his voice, I never in my Life saw a Man who thought so little of these things--Here Tom the Coachman came in with a wood Tarripin which he brought to be a resident in our Room to catch the Bugs & Cockroaches--

[185] James Marshall, Fithian's predecessor as tutor of the Carter children, had formerly been an usher at the College of William and Mary. Marshall had inherited a plantation in Orange County. The _Virginia Gazette_ of April 18, 1773 had announced the death of Marshall, at "Nomini Hall" and had corrected the error in its next issue.

Yes, Harry, & Bob, _Fithian_ is vulnerable by Cupids Arrows--I assure you, Boys, he is, Not by the Girls of Westmorland--O my dear Laura, I would not injure your friendly Spirit; So long as I breathe Heavens vital air I am unconditionally & wholly Yours--At Dinner, Mrs Carter call'd for the Chariot, Mrs Turburville will think me rude, unless I welcome her Home. I will take Priscilla this Afternoon & make her a visit--I saw in a moment that _Miss_ was better pleased with the notion of trotting off in the Carriage, than to be [blotted] up with Multiplication & Division--O yes, says Mrs _Oakly_, I know Dadda _Gumby_ at _Williamsburg_. I think you look as brisk, as hearty & as young now as you did ten years ago--_Gumby_--I & my old Woman, here Master, are the two oldest Negres in Mr _Carters_ Estate. Here we live, Master, on our worthy Landlords Bounty--The _Nurse_, _Betsy_, & _Harriot_ were at Gumby's House which stands about twenty Rod from the Garden--I was walking, with a Book in my Fist, musing & stumbling along--I saw them, I went up, & with a lower Bow than I should give to a Nurse, if Women were plenty, says I, pray Mrs _Oakly_ do you know Dadda Gumby? We stood chattering with the old African, or rather he stood chattering with us, relating one story after another, leaving some of his Narrations half untold, beginning others in the middle having entered into the true Spirit of Loquacity--Dennis, in the Height of a Story about his Grandfathers Uncle's harpooning a _Porpoise_ summoned me to Coffee--Mrs Oakly, will you walk?--Come Betsy--Where's Ben?--Says the Colonel has Ben r[e]tired from the World?--He rode out this Evening, Sir, about five o Clock for Exercise--Mrs Carter, Mr Carter, good Night--

_Saturday 9._

I was waked by _Sam_ the Barber thumping at my Door--I was dressed--In Powder too; for I propose to see & dine with Miss _Jenny Washington_ to Day. D--n the Bugs & Chinches, says _Ben_ rolling over on the Bed, & rubbing his Eyes, I have slept none for them--Mr Fithian, do you rest any o-Nights? Dont these cursed Bugs keep you awake?--No Sir; for you see I commonly sit & read til half after ten, or eleven--So that by the Time I lay my poor Skin & Bones on the Bed, I am so much fatigued with the tumultuous Business of the Day, & the Study of the Evening that my sleep the rest of the night is sound & unbroken-- Priscilla hangs her head a little this morning, She looks feverish, dispirited, sits on a low bench, with her Elbow in her Lap, & Leaning her head upon her hand, swings backwards and forwards, just as I have seen beautiful Quaker Girls when they are weeping at the frightful distortions & Grimaces of some deep-inspired _Father_. But _Priscilla_ & _Tasker_ are unwell--Fanny teizes me for a Picture, I must draw her a slip, she says, on Paper like the one I drew for Her the other Day with my finger in the Sand--I love the little careless Girl, & will oblige her--On the writing-Table in the School-Room I found this morning an old Book of Esops Fables done into English Verse; In the Margins of this Book up & Down Bob had in his scribbling Way recorded the Names of several young Ladies of Westmorland & Richmond Counties. I shall set them down, as I turned over the Leaves & found them--I do not insinuate, by writing this Story, the smallest reproach to either of the Ladies; I mention it solely to shew _Bob's_ Taste, & the Meditations of his heart when wholly alone. In the Life of Esop, page 23, at the Bottom of the Leaf his own Name is written at full length & in as elegant a hand as he is master of with a Dash below.

_Robert Bladen Carter._

He has in the same manner introduced it a few leaves further on, he has done this to be a kind of Preface for what is to follow; he has also very cleverly interspersed it with the Ladies, either that the Ladies Names should be a foil to set his off to advantage, or that his Name be a Foil to adorn the Ladies--In the Life of Woglog the great at the first page

Miss Lucy Carter of Sabine-Hall.
Page 3d at the Bottom of the Leaf
Miss Lettitia Turberville of Hickory Hill.
Page 8.
Miss Betsy Carter of Sabine-Hall.
Page 9.
Miss Priscilla Carter of Nomini-Hall--his Sister:
Esops Fables Page 1st he writes the Name of the Girl he loves
above all others
Polly Tayloe the Lovely of Mount-Airy.
Page 39th Miss Betsy Lee.
Page 41.
Miss Kitty Tayloe. Mount Airy.
Page 43.
Miss Lydia Pettit has d--m'd ugly Freckles in her Face, otherways
She is handsome & tolerable--
Page 45.
Miss Betsy Gaskins.[186]
Page 47.
Miss Sally Tayloe.
Page 50.
Miss Jenny Washington of Bushfield is very Pretty.

Then he Bolts in

Robert Carter.
Page 57.
Miss Polly Tolliver.[187]
Page 59.
Miss Steerman is a beautiful young Lady.
Miss Jane Corbin.
-- Aphia Fantleroy.
-- -- Edwards.
-- Betsy Jones
-- Sally Panton.

[186] The Gaskins family lived in Northumberland County. Elizabeth Gaskins, daughter of Colonel Thomas Gaskins of that County married Edward Digges of "Bellfield" in York County in 1775.

[187] The Taliaferro family was a prominent one in Tidewater Virginia. While the name is pronounced "Tolliver," it is believed to be of Italian origin.

But this afternoon Mrs _Oakly_ is taken with a Fever; I suppose, She was out last evening without any thing on her head rather too late, when I saw her at Daddy Gumby's--

_Sunday 10._

A Sunday in Virginia dont seem to wear the same Dress as our Sundays to the Northward--Generally here by five o-Clock on Saturday every Face (especially the Negroes) looks festive & cheerful--All the lower class of People, & the Servants, & the Slaves, consider it as a Day of Pleasure & amusement, & spend it in such Diversions as they severally choose--The Gentlemen go to Church to be sure, but they make that itself a matter of convenience, & account the Church a useful weekly resort to do Business--I am told, for I have not yet been to Church since my Return, that all the Sermons are in the forensic Style, & on political Subjects. But I shall go to Church to Day--I am sorry that I may relate an accident which happened last night--By some accident; or by the carelessness of some Negroes Mr Turburville's Barn took fire and burnt Down--His loss is judged at 300£ which is something considerable for a Man who is with the greatest Anxiety turning every ear of Corn into Money--At Church Parson _Smith_ Read to the Congregation an Order Issued out lately by the Governor to elect Burgesses in the several Counties--He preached us a Sermon on Brotherly Love--Dined with us to Day Mr Parker,[188] a Lawyer of this County, & his Son, a young Man about 20 who is also licensed to plead Law--And Mr _Cunningham_--I am not very well to Day. I have pains in several parts of my Body--Mr _Lowe_ informed me that Colonel Washington is unwell of a sort of _Cholic_--

[188] Richard Parker (1729-1813) of "Lawfield" was a distinguished lawyer in Westmoreland County at this time.

_Monday 11._

Indeed says Mrs Carter at Breakfast a Fire this morning would be very pleasant--Yes says I, for I have had the look & feeling of November all the morning; My Room shut up, My Coat buttoned, & yet my Body cold Besides!--Mr Carter on this, advanced a strange Assertion, that there is not a single Person on this whole Continent, if this Change is as powerful through the Continent as it is here, who is not to day, in a greater or less Degree affected with a Fever!--My poor skinny Body, I know is in a prodigious Tumult; I impute it tho to my ride Yesterday to Church in the schorching Sun; & to drinking five or six Glasses of Wine extraordinary--_Priscilla_ & _Harriot_ are confined at Home of an eruptive Fever, some think it a Swine Pox at any Rate they are sick, & break out into Pustules--I am in such Ferment to Day that I cannot sit nor Walk, nor Write with any Stomach--I made out tho' with some Difficulty to finish a rough Draught of my Sermon, & laid by for future Perusal.

_Teusday 12._

Indeed I enjoy this fine cool weather, says Ben as he lay on his Back in the Bed rubbing his Eyes, & ears about half after six o-Clock; _Lancelot Lee_ had never I am sure, more sensible Pleasure in swallowing a well prepar'd Dinner--To be sure I have slept last Night with the sweetest composure in Spight of the Chinches, & in spight of my Disorder!--Get up, Lump of Indolence, said I to him; Get up & clap to _Virgil_ instead of lying there & boasting--Breakfasted with us Captain Guthrie, of a Small Schooner of _Norfolk_; & Mr Stadley the Musician--I love this good German, He used to teach in _New York_ & _Philadelphia_--He has much simplicity & goodness of heart--He performs extremely well--He is kind & sociable with me--Dined with us one--one--Mr--Mr--I forget his name--I know his trade tho': An Inspector--He is rather Dull, & seems unacquainted with company for when he would, at Table, drink our Health, he held the Glass of Porter fast with both his Hands, and then gave an insignificant nod to each one at the Table, in Hast, & with fear, & then drank like an Ox--The Good Inspector, at the second toast, after having seen a little our Manner "Gentlemen & Ladies (but there was none in Womans Cloathing at Table except Mrs Carter) The King"--I thought that during the Course of the Toasts, he was better pleased with the Liquor than with the manner in which he was at this Time obliged to use it--I made a b[e]gining of my Latin Thesis--"Cuinam Usui inservi: at Lex moralis sub Evangeliis." I made out to write thus much--Duabus hisce Propositionibus sequentibus simulatim Respondeo.--But if I wrote so much every Day for a twelve Month my Thesis will be short. The Day is pleasant, cool enough: & my disorder which has been for several days a growing painful _Dysentery_, seems to have subsided--

[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO ELIZABETH BEATTY]

Nominy-Hall July 12. 1774.

TO LAURA.

The Summer is advancing briskly on, & bringing me with it every Day still nearer to you--And to my last Change--With you I am looking for the purest Happiness in Friendship & Love that I can derive from any thing below; And it will add to measure of Felicity if I can make the Woman I choose to protect & esteem think me worthy her Regard.

I said that the swift Advances of Summer are bringing me swiftly on to Death--In Virginia there are numberless Admonitions to this Reflection, but I suppress any farther Declaration. I wrote you by Mr ---- early last Month; & at the same Time I wrote to several of my Acquaintances: but if they lived in the Moon I could hear from them as often as I do now when only a Couple of Hundred Miles, or a little more, separates us: Would it not be more agreeable to me if they did--? For then I should every Night almost, see, at least, the Place of their Habitation, tho' we could have no Correspondence.

You are such a Pilgrim, Laura; I mean such a Rover, that I am at some Loss to know how to direct a Letter to you; & I want my Letters, while they are on their Passage to go through as few Hands as possible, not because I write any _Secrecy_, or _Scandal_, for you will not allow either the one or the other; but only that you may speedily receive & read the Little I do write, fresh from my Heart.

I suppose that Miss ---- has before now seen Cohansie--And cloyed of it too, no Doubt. She is a lively, sportful Soul. But that dear Place, which ingrosses so many of my Thoughts, has not Variety enough to entertain her long--You yourself, who are not always soaring on Follie's Wing, through the Regions of Vanity & Nonsense, sometimes find the Country dull--But Miss ---- does not find Satisfaction in the City; it is plain then since that young Lady cannot find Contentment either in City or Country, that She cannot be happy at all.

Merciful, merciful Heaven! O grant me what I am trying hard to obtain; grant that my Inclinations be all duely bended to a perfect Satisfaction with my Lot here--! With such a Temper I shall be at Rest, be happy, if I continue here in Virginia; Or I shall be happy if I remove into new Jersey; But, must I declare it, Laura, that if I am destitute of this, I should be wretched, tho' your Friend & Companion--I am,

Laura, thine
PHILIP. V. FITHIAN.

[JOURNAL]

_Wednesday 13._

I drew off this morning for Dadda _Gumby_ a List of his Children, & their respective ages--He himself is 94--For this office I had as many _Thanks_, As I have had _blessings_ before now from a Beggar for Sixpence--Thank you, thank you, thank you Master, was the language of the old Greyheaded pair.--Call on us at any time, you shall have _Eggs_, _Apples_, _Potatoes_--You shall have every thing we can get for you--Master!--In this Torrent of Expressions of Gratitude I was rung to Breakfast; I bow'd to the venerable old Negroes, thank'd them in my Turn for their Offers, & left them--