JOURNAL & LETTERS (continued 3)

Fryday 8.

The Ladies before breakfast gave us several tunes on the Harpsichord—About ten Mr Carter set out for Williamsburg, to the general Court, which sits twice a year, each Time twenty four Days Sundays excluded—We had some agreeable Conversation this morning; Horses seem to be the Colonels favourite topic—He inquired of me however, where I was born; where educated; & if I am pleased with Virginia—He told me he saw Dr Witherspoon, & conversed with him an Evening last Fall, & is much pleased with his manner, & Qualities—He informed me that Dr Morgan[149] of Philadelphia breakfasted with him a few Days ago; he calls the Docter facetious, sensible, & prudent. The Colonel desired me to enquire for some Gentleman of undoubted ability to teach in a Family—I shall apply to Mr Saml Leek junr[150] & if he declines I will look no further—Ben & I took our Leave about Eleven, and returned Home—The Day is cloudy and cold, the wind hard at North, & threatens Snow—This evening Ben met with a sad repulse; Mrs Carter proposes going to Williamsburg soon, & says She must have his company! Poor Boy, he feels the Force of Disappointment! And I confess I am a little vexed—

Saturday 9.

Mrs Carter gave Ben liberty to go with me as far as Anopolis, provided we set out soon, & accordingly we propose to set off to-morrow or Monday morning, I begin therefore to prepare for the Ride. The Day is rainy & cold, & I am in a vastly disagreeable Humour—

Sunday 10.

Mrs Carter yesterday, in the Character of a truely fond Mother, altered her mind concerning Ben many Times and in several different manners: At first she agreed for him to go with me as far as Anopolis without a waiting Man; then She concluded he was not well and had better decline going entirely; towards Evening She gave him full liberty if he will take a Waiting-Man; & will not set away till Monday morning; This I urged not being pleased from the Begining with going on the Sabbath—I gave yesterday to the Shoemaker a Bit—& a Bit to the Wash woman; half a Bit to her little Girl; & half a Bit to Nelson the Boy who waits on our School; the whole is 11½. This morning is extremely pleasant the Country full of Flowers, & the branches full of lovely singing Birds.—Before Breakfast, I saw a Ring of Negroes at the Stable, fighting Cocks, and in several parts of the plantation they are digging up their small Lots of ground allow'd by their Master for Potatoes, peas &c; All such work for themselves they constantly do on Sundays, as they are otherwise employed on every other Day. Sermon to Day, is at Ucomico, too far for my Horse immediately before his Journey—Neither Mrs Carter nor any of the Family go—At Dinner I received a Letter from Mr Lowe, with his Testimonials from the College in Edinburg which I am to present to the Presbytery of Philadelphia and if it shall be accepted, I am to bring such Exercises as they may appoint—

Monday 11.

Bens Mare lame; Nat must stay, Ben & I set out at eight Rode by Westmoreland Court-House, Mattox Church; fed at Mattox-Bridge,[151] Rode by round-hill Church,[152] to Tylors Ferry[153] by three o-Clock 36 Miles—passed over the Ferry 7 Miles Ferriage 6/2—At a small House in Virginia for a gallon of Corn 1/4.—At a small Tavern at the Ferry on the Maryland side Expence 9d rode from thence three Miles to Squire Lees who has the Naval office here—Spent the Evening with young Mr Lee, Miss Lee, Miss Booth, & Miss Washington—Toasts—I gave Miss Nancy Galloway—Between the Ferry & Mr Lees we passed through four gates.

Teusday 12.

Up soon, expence to Boy 3d. Rode to Port Tobacco[154] 13 Miles good Road—Fine Hill near the town; betwen Mr Lees & Port Tobacco 13 Gates—This is a small Town of not more than twenty or twenty Houses mostly of one story—Expence for a gallon of Oats ... 8d, for bitters 4d, the Day fine—Rode thence to Piscataway;[155] the road good 15 Gates—ma[n]y fine streams of pure water—and many beautiful hills—This is a small Town of low Houses not more than two in it two Stories High; It lies however in a fine rich valey—Expence for Dinner, Wine & Oats 5/ ... from Piscataway we rode to upper Marlboroug[156] the road something hilly, we passed through 15 Gates, two elegant Seats Mr Wests, & Mr Diggs[157]—arrived at Marlborough[158] by six it is a pleasant levil spot, 16 Miles from Alexandria[159]—they have a Presbyterian Meeting House which Mr Hunt supplies—They have a latin School also here; & an elegant Ball-Room—Piscataway is seven miles from Alexandria. In bed by nine—

Wednesday 13.

Up early, the morning fine. Expence here 4/11 Rode thence through a pleasant country four miles to a small Ferry over Patuxen,[160] Ferriage /6. then 12 Miles to South River three quarters of a Mile over Ferriage 6d then we rode thro a piny sandy road four miles to Anopolis 32 Gates—This is a pleasant situated Town: the Inhabitants appear gay & cheerful—I put up at the Coffee-House—An agreeable Woman keeps it Expence to a Barber for shaving & dressing 1/6—For oats Coffee &c. 3/1—To Boy /10. I roved through the Town til five then I entered into a Boat the wind South West & Sailed over the Bay for Rock-Hall[161] distance 25 miles—the Boats are extremely good, well built, & strongly manned, & indeed there is need, for the Bay is broad, & often boistrous; we arrived at Rock Hall by half after nine; I was very sick on the passage, & I never was sick before on the water—The ferriage here for a Man & Horse is 15/.—To the Ferry Men for a Quart of Rum 1/3. And for my footing never having crossed the ferry before I paid 1/. The whole expence of this Day is 1£ 8s 7d.

Thursday 14.

The morning fine. I have from this place a view of the broad Chesapeek—Expence here for Tea in the Evening, Oats Cordial &c. 4/10, set away half after Six—To Boy /3d. Rode from Rock Hall over a delightful part of the country to Chester-Town 13 Miles[162]—this is a beautiful small Town on a River out of the Bay navigable for Ships. The Situation is low & I apprehend it is subject to summer Fevers—It has an elegant I may say grand Court-House, in which is the town Clock—Mr Wall[163] the Commedian, has been for several Evenings past exhibiting Lectures in Electricity, & I understand with some considerable applause. They have a lottery here on foot & to be drawn in May next for to assist them in building a market-House Town-Wharf &c.—I breakfast here, & feed, Expence 2/3. to Boy 2d—In this Town & the neighbouring Country rages at present a malignant, putrid Fever, & what is generally called the spotted Fever!—From chester Town I rode to George-Town, 16 miles—The Land levil, fertile, & vastly pleasant—In this Town I visited Mr Voorhees, an eminent Merchant here, & he seems to be a Gentleman of peculiar smartness Industry & Oconomy—The Fever I now mentioned, is also here, & the whooping-Cough is very general & malignant—I lodged with this Gentleman—We had Evening prayers—Since I left Cohansie I have not heard the like—This is a small Town, & lies on a fine River, which divides it from another small Town directly opposite call'd Frederick.[164]

Fryday 15.

I rose early—After Breakfast I rode to see Miss Rachel Stocktin,[165] now Mrs Ryley; She lives on this River, about a mile higher up, in a large very elegant brick House; in considerable grandeur—Poor Girl She herself is much indisposed either of a bad Cold, (as She thinks) or of this epidemical Fever; Mrs Ryley introduced me ceremoniously to Miss Ryley her Husbands Sister, She has a small handsome Fortune, & is perhaps agreeable—I returned to Town, & dined with Mr Voorhees, & immediately after crossed over the Ferry for Port-Penn.[166] Expence at George-Town for my Horse 2/3 to Boy 4d. I rode next to small village called Warwick,[167] a pitful place indeed—Expence here 1/11 Boy /2. then I rode on to Port-Penn, the Country beautiful, the Land apparently very rich, the Timber strait, & large; I entered Port-Penn just as the Sun went down, but could not prevail with the Ferry-Man to carry me over before the morning—In George-Town I was told the following distressing News: that Dr Ward, & my Aunt Fithian of Cohansie are both Dead; that my Aunt died in a very sudden unusual manner!—That Miss Polly Bullock of Philadelphia is dying in a Consumption!—In the Evening I called in to see Mr Steward an ancient, gray headed, wealthy Gentleman in Port-Penn, who, by some Weakness in his Back, has been unable to walk at all for four years, he is hearty, religious, cheerful, seemed much pleased, & thanked me often for calling to see him, & desired by me his kindest Compliments to Mr Hunters Family—I spend the Evening alone with quiet & content.—In Bed by nine—

Saturday 16.

I rose early, & expected to pass soon over the Ferry—The wind moderate at North West but the boat is aground, & I must wait until eleven, when She is expected to float—I was much alarmed in the night, thinking I had in Maryland taken the putrid Fever; I lay sleepless, felt feverish, had pains in my Head—But I feel wholly relieved this morning. At twelve the Boat came—We run over—Expence at Port-Penn 4/8. Ferriage 5/-. Once more through Gods Mercy in New-Jersey. The Favours of God our common Parent are innumerable, & great beyond our merit—I rod with Pleasure from Elsenborough to Greenwich; I stopt to see the forsaken Mrs Ward; She seems to be truely distress'd! I arrived by Sunset at my Uncles he also seems much afflicted, with his Loss—He informed me that many have Died in the Neighbourhood of Greenwich this winter. Dr Ward, Squire Millar, Mr Boy'd Merchant—Aunt Fithian, aunt Ware, Rachel Peck, Rachel Ware, David Mills, Mrs Mills &c. a very Mortal Winter!

Sunday 17.

The morning vastly pleasant & Cohansie looks a delightsome as ever it used I went to meeting. How unlike Virginia, no rings of Beaux chatting before & after Sermon on Gallantry; no assembling in crowds after Service to dine & bargain; no cool, spiritless harangue from the Pulpit; Minister & people here seem in some small measure to reverence the Day, there neither do the one or the other—I spent the day at Home.

Monday 18.

I took a tour over to Town before dinner to see old acquaintances The Neighbourhood looks in nothing altered Mr Potter took home my Brother Amos with an intention if it shall suit to learn him the Shopkeeping business—Afternoon I rode to Mr Hunters—And in the Evening with Andrew to Deerfield, spent the Evening til ten at Mr Greens in company with the amiable Miss Beatty—Mrs Green is much indisposed, has lately had a daughter—The School here is at the present time larger than it has ever been; there are now seven viz. John Leek, Reading-Beatty,[168] James & John Ramsey, Stephen Ranney, Seeley Fithian, & Thomas Greenman—We rode to Mrs Pecks. Joseph since I left home, has married Mrs Hannah.

Teusday 19.

Rose by six. Breakfasted with Mrs Peck. Soon after we again visited Mr Green—I spent the Day most agreeably. Kind Heaven has indulg'd my wish;—In the Evening I went up & staid the Night at Mrs Pecks.

Wednesday 20.

Soon after breakfast I rode home and visited several of my acquaintances—I had my Hair cut short—Feel myself much indisposed. Looked over, sorted & adjusted my Books.—

Thursday 21

Spent all this day in preparing for my approaching examination before the Revd Presbytery—I am to review Greek Testament—Moral & Natural Philosophy—Logic—Geography And if I have time I must look over the Lattin Classics.

Fryday 22.

Rode to the Stage early for the Papers thence I went Mr Hunters where I met with that great master of music, Mr Lyon[169]—He sung at my request, & sing with his usual softness & accuracy—He is about publishing a new Book of Tunes which are to be cheifly of his own Composition—He has removed out of Halifax into the Northern part of New-England, but poor Man, since he left Cohansie he has felt the hardy arm of want!—

I returned towards Evening but promised first to visit him again tomorrow afternoon—

Saturday 23.

At home drawing off some of Mr Lyons Tunes, & revising my own Exercises—The morning pleasant but the weather dry. Afternoon according to appointment I visited Mr Lyon at Mr Hunters. He sings with great accuracy I sung with him many of his Tunes & had much Conversation on music, he is vastly fond of music & musical genius's We spent the Evening with great sattisfaction to me

Sunday 24.

I left Mr Hunters Early I wrote a line to Miss Beatty, for a excuse for not seeing her yesterday Attended Sermon at Greenwich. I rode in the Evening to the Bridge to hear Mr Green, my old, much respected Tutor preach, he came & delivered himself admirably without making Use of Notes at all I staid the Night at Mr Seeleys, visited Mrs Ramsey, & Dr Elmer & spoke with many of my acquaintances—

Monday 25.

I breakfasted with Mrs Ramsey, then rode to Mrs Boyds, & by Mr Ewing I was introduced to herself & her two Daughters Miss Matty & Miss Sally—I had heard that this family is genteel, industrious & religious. I saw now & beleived it—Lately, by a sore stroke of providence Mr Boyd the Head has been remov'd by Death!—

Left Mrs Boyds & rode to Ephraim Seeleys junr—then about Eleven rode to Deerfield; dined with Mr Green. I had the pleasure to spend the afternoon and evening with Miss Beatty.

Teusday 26.

Visited Mr Nathan Leek, he seems to be still loquacious, & historical—He gave me a long and full account of the present difference between Messrs Hunter, Greenman, & Brown,—He told me likewise the Beginning & continuation of the quarrel of the Magistrates-freeholders, & other officers about raising money by taxation for repairing Cohansie-Bridge—After Dinner, with Miss Beatty I rode and visited Mrs Boyd—

Wednesday 27.

John Peck agreed to succeed me at Mr Carters in Virginia I spoke to Mr Samuel Leek junr concerning Mr Taylors proposal;[170] he is doubtful about an answer

Paid John Peck for postage of my Letter to him last Winter 4/. Bought a watch-seal 1/. Rode to Greenwich after Dinner.

Thursday 28.

I waited on the Miss Boyds to day to Mr Hollinsheads, New England-Town. His Family are in good health; there I saw the amiable Miss Debby Pratt.—Mr Hollinshead informed me that the Presbytery have been only a little pleased with the Examination of Messrs —— probably mine will be worse! Returned to Mrs Boyds in the Evening

Fryday 29.

I rode to Mr Green's after breakfast—Mr. Dicky Howel came in; we spent the afternoon & Evening with Mr Green & Miss Beatty; Mr Green is, to be sure, vastly sensible, very intelligible, dry, witty, satirical, yet good and exceeding agreeable.

Saturday 30.

Breakfasted with the parson—Rode home soon after breakfast—proceeded in preparing for the near approaching examination—The latter part of this Day very stormy.

Sunday May 1st 1774.

Very cool the wind violent at North West—I spent the morning in looking over the Greek-Testament—To day preached for us Mr Aiken. He seems to be much applauded by the People.

Monday 2.

Very early I rode over to Mr Holinshead's at Miss Pratts request to carry her to Mr Hoshels to be ready to-morrow morning for the Stage—We rode to the Bridge & dined at Mrs Boyds—After dinner we rode to Mr Hoshels—Miss Debby Pratt according to her general character, is in every measure what I have said somewhere before, Genteel, modest, Religious & cheerful—

Teusday 3.

I conducted Miss Pratt to the Stage this morning by five & took my leave—I immediately after returned to the Bridge, thence to Mr Holinsheads by eight o Clock—Returned home by twelve.

Wednesday 4.

Last night & this morning fell a very considerable Snow, so much that I imagine had it not melted after it fell it would have been six inches deep! Afternoon I walked to Deerfield—Miss Beatty a little—thoughtful.

Thursday 5.

At the Bridge before noon to agree with Mr Potter about taking my Brother Amos prentice—We put it off some Days—Expence for a Watch Key 9d. Last Night was very cold; I shall scarce be beleived if I say that I saw, handled, & measured Ice this morning two Inches thick!

Fryday 6.

Still very cold. To Day is the fast before Sacrament. Mr Hunter gave us two Sermons. The leaves on the Trees are grown black, the Fruit must be past recovery, probably. the Flax too.

Saturday 7.

I did several errands for myself in Greenwich—Before Noon Mr Patterson call'd to see me; He is shortly to be married to Miss Amy Ewing—She is a Girl of Reading, Taste, & Delicacy; has a good share of personal Beauty, open, sociable, & kind in her manner, & on the whole agreeable—Mr Paterson seemed always to me formal, has a peculiar, universal Fondness for the Fair is a great mathematician, a good English Scholar & Philosopher, & is frugal & industrious. I rode with Mr Patterson to Mr Hunters, he informed me many things concerning the new School or small Acadamy lately instituted at Wilmington, in which he is second Master. Evening I wrote a sentimental Letter to Miss Beatty.

Sunday 8.

To day at Greenwich was administred, & I received the holy Sacrament—Grant, great God, that I may have been a worthy communicant! I dined with Mrs Ward. She speaks with great Respect, Affection, and Sincerity of her late worthy Partner.

Monday 9.

Til Eleven I am busy in looking over Exercises for the approaching Presbytery. After Dinner I made Mrs Brewster a Visit. Mr Ben Peck in my opinion is rashly entering on an important matter; he is going to begin in a few Days the Study of Phisic under the direction of Dr Bowen; whose kowledge & Practice, by those who are in fact Judges in the Art seems to be wholly exploded. There is a Report that Mrs Brewster is in prospect of being married to a Gentleman from Maryland; She talks freely of it, says She can fancy him; that he is a man of Fortune, of character & to her agreeable—But there is one She regards more who has left her, however, without hope!—

Teusday 10.

Yesterday, in a private lonely manner, at nine in the morning, were married Mr Patterson & Miss Amy Ewing. I wish them from my heart a long, unbroken, & strong friendship for each other, & mutual, unmixed happiness. After breakfast according to a previous appointment, I rode to Deerfield Dine at Mrs Pecks. I am ashamed that I may record here what does no honour to my old Aunt, I saw her with three Partners round a Table playing Cards at that vulgar game fit only for the meanest gamblers "all Fours"[171]—At three I visited Miss Beatty that amiable Girl, I always see with pleasure, am happy where She is & feel uneasy & disturbed always when I must leave her. Since June in the year 1770 I have had an acquaintance with her—& since May in the year 1771 I have happily had an Intimacy. Her Goodness has at length indulged my importunate Solicitations & in her Society I hope to be happy—I spent the Evening til eleven with her, & in the most entertaining manner, Mr Howel & Mr John Peck call'd in a small Time.

Wednesday 11.

I rose a little after seven. It is not my custom to lie in bed so long, but I was with Lazy Boys, Reading Beatty, and Stephen Ranney. Mrs Green is better, but Miss Beatty says she has the Hipp—Soon after breakfast I returned Home—Mrs Pecks Family Mr Howel, & Miss Beatty at the same time set out on a visit to Mr Hoshels. There came a report to Day that Mr Stephen Reeve Silver Smith of Philadelphia is broken up, & has left the City; disagreeable News this to his Relations here—There was an Ox killed this Day at Bridge-Town which weighed upwards of a thousand weight, supposed to be the largest ever kill'd in the County.

Thursday 12.

I wrote a chronological Letter to Miss Beatty. Spent the Day at home. Feel pensive on leaving Cohansie.

Fryday 13.

I rode before Dinner to Mr Hunters. Andrew is finishing his Exercises for the Presbytery—Mrs Hunter advised me to shew my Pieces to Mr Hunter for correction I agreed—Four o Clock I rode to the Bridge, drank Tea with Mrs Boyd. They are Girls of Great prudence, & good breeding—

Saturday 14.

After breakfast I wrote a private Letter to Laura, befor Dinner rode to Mr Hunters gave him my Pieces; he examined them, made some small alterations, & advised me to present them to the Presbytery—Took my Leave of several Friends in Greenwich—

Sunday 15.

I wrote a Letter to Dr Beatty, & a Letter to Charles Beatty[172] of the Junior Class at Nassau Hall—To Day is the yearly Meeting with the Baptists—Last Evening was the first thunder Gust we have had this Season, it was not however Severe.

Mr James Ward was excommunicated this Day from our Church—

Monday 16.

We set out for Philadelphia from Mr Hunters by five Expence by the way 3/6. In Town by five.

Teusday 17.

Took lodgings at Mrs Cheesmans—Expence for a Register 3/9.—Spoke for a mourning Ring. Motto I. & H. ob: Feb: 1772.—

Met in Presbytery at eleven A. M.—Business of last Session looked over, at one adjourn'd til three—at three met. Mr Evans[173] pronounced his first exercise a Sermon length an hour—After him Mr Keith produced his length 44 Minutes. Afternoon I spent several hours with the Miss Sprouts

Wednesday 18.

I passed my first examination before the Presbytery; after which I read my thesis & Sermon both which were accepted—In this examination I was questioned on my personal Religion, & on the Latin, & Greek Languages. I spent the evening at Mr Armitages.

Thursday 19.

Waited on the Synod—Preparing to set out to-morrow. Visited several Ladies—Spent the afternoon agreeably with the Miss Holinsheads—Evening I visit Miss Bedford—Waited on Dr Witherspoon on Colonel Carters & on Mr Lowes account.

Fryday 20.

Before noon I waited on the agreeable Miss Debby Pratt. I spoke with Miss Sally Boyd. Afternoon I took my Leave at Mr McCalla's, & Mrs Cheesemans where I lodge—At six with Miss Ruth Webster, her Sister Alhe [Althea], & Betsy, & Polly Armitage I walked to a lovely Garden near the Hospital call'd Lebanon, drank some Mead, & had a most agreeable Ramble—At ten the same Evening I entered on Board the Swallow Captain Balinger for Cohansie—

Saturday 21.

I waked & found myself only a little below the Fort—The morning pleasant—the Wind a head—I wrote a Letter on Board to Johnny Peck to acquaint him with Dr Withespoons Opinion—I wrote also to Miss Webster. About five in the evening we anchored off Marcus Hook, we went on Shore; Drank a bowl of punch with Mr Andrew Ferguson who has lately moved here—He informed me that two young Gentlemen of Fashion & Substance in Town are making their addresses to Laura—She is worthy the Regard of the most worthy on Earth.

Sunday 22.

I found myself this morning a few miles above Port Penn. Perfectly calm—I wrote a Letter this morning to Miss Beatty—The Sea Nymph Captain Blewer came in Sight, Mr Cook & Mr Howel are passengers—About twelve a Breese sprung up at South—& with the Tide we entered our Creek by four, & I was at Home by five—Spent the evening in writing—

Monday 23.

Busy in getting ready to set away. Wrote a Letter to Dr Beatty—& one to Miss Pratt. The morning warm. I took my leave of the People in town of my acquaintance & set out for Virginia a little after noon—Mr Donaldson is very ill—There are strange & rediculous reports concerning him—That he has sent since his illness to Mr Ewing to be married to Tempy Fithian—Left Home about two o Clock—at the Ferry by five. The Boat is on the other side—Half after five she set off, the wind fair over by half after six—We left the shore at Seven. The wind light at West North West before we were over the wind fell—I was obliged to take to the Oar—& pull like a Turk—The flood strong against us—I rowed thus a full hour—My poor hands, when I got ashore were sore enough—I was set ashore more than a mile above Port Penn—Had to ride down on high rotten Bank through the dark—Once I got mired—On the whole it has been the worst adventure I have had in my travels.—I reached the Tavern in Port Penn by half after Nine. Call'd for half a Gill of bitters to qualify my humours; & a dish of Tea to cheer me, & soon to Bed. Ferriage 5/.

Teusday 24.

The morning pleasant & cool. Expence at Port Penn, 3/—Rode thence by the Trap five miles thence to middleton[174] five miles. Thence to Warwick four miles. Here I breakfasted. Expence for myself & Horse 1/7.—Thence I rode to George Town. Expence for oats 6d—Thence I rode to New-Town[175] fifteen Miles expence for—2/—For having my Coat altered in the Sleeves and Shoulders 2/. Expence for a pair of black worsted Stockings 6/.—Mr Stephen Reeve[176] is in George Town Working for Money Money to Gamble—This evening I feel more fatigued & dispirited than since I first went to Virginia—

Wednesday 25.

Expence at Newtown 4/9. Rode befor Breakfast to Rock-Hall the morning rainy—The Day calm & (hard Disappointment) I must stay til to-morrow!—My Land-Lord invited me to a race about four miles off, & as the day grew better I went; the Purse was fifty Dollars. I was surprised to see that almost, I think quite one third of the of the People were in mourning—A discouraging aspect for one who has any intention to settle in this part of Maryland, but none to leave the World—Many who wore black & Scarfs I took notice swore most desperately!—Not Death the formidable King of terrors can frighten men from provoking God by Sin!—Afternoon I was troubled with a Tooth Ach—I returned about two—Laid down til six—Slept but little—A thousand things perplex me. I am unwilling to leave Home.—I have already overstaid my Time—I am vexed at having to continue here—I have left the Girl I love—I am keeping myself out of publick business—O ten thousand difficulties embarrass me!—Heavenly Father, to thee in trouble I fly, comfort, sustain, guide & uphold me—Evening Seven Gentlemen came in—They went to Cards—I to Bed—Troubled much with a Tooth Ach—

Thursday 26.

Slept but little—Breakfasted—Set off at seven—four in company expence 26s/6. Arrived at Annopolis—Bought at Annopolis a pair of buckles 2/9. Expence ... 10d—Left Annapolis at five for Marlborough—Ferriage 6d—Rode to a point of Patuxen 22 Miles—Tooth-Ach still troubles me—In Bed by eleven, tired & discouraged!

Fryday 27.

Expence at this little Town 2/9—Ferriage a full mile up the River Patuxen 1/. Rode from the River to upper Marlborough three miles thence without stoping to Piscataway 15 miles—Here I dined—My pain has wholly left me—Two young Ladies Daughters of the Landlady, rather gay & noisy than discreet, very forward in discourse, both in Love with Scotch Merchants & both willing to be talked to, gave me much Diversion—Expence here 3/4—Rode thence in the Evening to Port Tobacco 15 miles. staid here the night—For company all the night in my Room I had Bugs in every part of my Bed—& in the next Room several noisy Fellows playing at Billiards.

Saturday 28.

Left Port Tobacco by six, rode to Mrs Laidlers Ferry. At Port Tobacco expence 3/10. 12 Miles Breakfasted with Mrs. Laidler Breakfast & Oats 1/7 Ferriage 6/. The broad beautiful Potowmack looks smooth & unbroken as tho' it was fettered in Ice: it is to where we land on the other Side eight miles a little down the River the passage over, in the best time of this loveliest month was vastly agreeable—From Tylers[177] in Virginia where I landed about twelve o-Clock I rode to Mattox Bridge eight miles; thence to Mattox Church six miles—Here I bought some Ears of corn for my Horse—Thence to Westmorland Court House 16 miles—Here is a Tavern I got a Bowl of Punch & fed 2/6—Thence I rode to Nomini Hall about Eeight in the Evening 10 miles—I found Mr & Mrs Carter at home sitting together—They received me with great welcome—Ben, Bob, Miss Fanny & Betsy came in to see me—The others in bed—sup'd on Crabs & an elegant dish of Strawberries & cream—How natural, how agreeable, how majestic this place seems!

Sunday 29.

I rose by half after six—Ben informed me that Bob has behaved vastly ill since I left him—He has reported several mischievous & false stories of his brother; That has been intimate in some bad families—That he has injured his own fathers Servants &c—The morning pleasant—I did not attend Church, Ben out of kindness kept me company at Home—I had however chosen to stay alone—The family is invited to dine with Mr Turburville—Mr & Mrs Carter, Miss Priscilla & Nancy with three Servants went from Church—Ben, Bob, Miss Fanny, Betsy & Harriot with two Servants cross'd the River—Miss Sally with Tasker & one Servant rode in a Chair—Dined with us Captain Dennis, of the Ship Peggy; Dr Steptoe; & Mr Cunningham. Politicks were the topic—and indeed the Gentlemen seemed warm—The Governor of this province dissolved the Assembly last week after they had made a resolve that a general & solemn fast be observed thro' this whole Colony, on Account of the melancholy aspect of American Affairs at present, to be kept the first day of June, which is next Wednesday, when the alarming Act of Parliament which has lately come over is to take place at Boston—Parson Smith accordingly gave it out at the Church to Day & it is to be observed—I only saw Miss Sally Panton, she did not dine with us—I am told She has an Estate in England of 50£ Sterling pr Annum, but for some unknown cause came over, probably the same as drew me from home—After dinner we had a Grand & agreeable Walk in & through the Gardens—There is great plenty of Strawberries, some Cherries, Goose berries &c—Drank Coffee at four, they are now too patriotic to use tea—Soon after we set out for Home—The young Ladies chose to walk and Cross the water with us—I am much more pleas'd with the Face of the Country since my return than I have ever been before—It is indeed delightsome!—

Monday 30.

Our little beautiful Seminary collected They seem all glad to see me, & willing to enter on business—I am truely fond of the young growing beauties—Soon they will be the admiration of the world, & ornaments in their family—This morning I asked & received four Guineas of Mr Carter to satisfy Mr Taylor of whom I had a small Sum. Mr Randolph is yet here, & is recovered of the hurt I formerly mentioned—After Dinner my Toast was the amiable Laura—Evening called in & staid only a few minutes Captain Dennis, & Parson Gibbern—At Supper I had an agreeable conversation with Mr & Mrs Carter on the Times manners, &c.

Teusday 31.

Very warm—I feel well reliev'd of the Fatigues of my ride—The lower Class of People here are in a tumult on the account of Reports from Boston, many of them expect to be press'd & compell'd to go and fight the Britains!—Evening I asked the Colonel if he proposes to observe the fast, & attend Sermon tomorrow; he answered that "No one must go from hence to Church, or observe the Fast at all"—By this, (for it is hard to know his opinion from any thing he declares) I conclude he is a courtier.—Last Night, & this evening the Colonel sup'd with us, which is more than he has done before since I have been in the Family—

Wednesday June 1st 1774.

Cool & pleasant—I began my English Exegesis—or Thesis.

Thursday 2.

I took out of the Colonels Library for Assistance in making my pieces Biblia-Sacra, & Mr Hammonds Exposition of the New Testament. I toasted Miss Beatty to day in a Bumpper of old Medaira—Evening Mr Carter at the Harpsichord.

Fryday 3.

The dancing School happens in course to day at Mr Washingtons—Mrs Carter takes Bob & Nancy with her—Our School seems silent—Writing at my English Thesis—I put Harry & Bob this week to read Popes Homer but Homers inimitable fire cannot charm or move them!—Evening Ben rode to the Dance—We were informed that in Queen-Anns in Maryland many die at present, of a Fever that follows a slight Ague!—I took a Ramble, in the evening, as usual, through the Garden.

[Letter of Philip V. Fithian To John Peck]

Nomini Hall June 3d. 1774. Virginia.

Sir.

I have the pleasure to inform you I arriv'd safe and had a pleasant ride; I expect to hear from you by every post but have received no letter yet—If you did not receive my letter dated "Delaware-River, on board the Swallow," this is to request you to apply immediately to Dr Witherspoon who promised me in Philadelphia that he would recommend you here; the reason of my demanding dispatch is, that Mr Carter proposes to write to England for a Tutor if he cannot be speedily satisfied of having one from the Northward—If I attempt to write news I must inform you that the Assembly of this province is dissolved on passing a resolve to keep the first day of June through the whole province a solemn fast, the resolve past however, and the day was kept—The frost of the 4th. of May was much more fatal here than to the Northward, for not only Garden produce, but Wheat and Rye in the upper parts of the province are blasted and the owners mow them down for fodder; and here the Woods look like winter!—I expect to hear from you several times this summer, I beg you will not disappoint me.

My compliments to acquaintances—

From, Sir, yours

Philip V. Fithian

[Letter of Philip V. Fithian to the Reverend Andrew Hunter]

Nomini-Hall, Virginia. June 3d. 1774.

Revd: & Dear Sir.

It will not be wonderful if I inform you that this Colony is in great tumult and confusion. The general Voice is Boston. You will have heard before the reception of this, that the Governor dissolved the Assembly in this province on their making a resolve to keep the first day of June on which the Act of Parliament is to take place at Boston, (excepting the days of grace) a solemn fast. The people agree however in general to unite with the people of Boston and the other northern trading Cities, and by their example to influence all the Colonies, not to make any resistance to the Britains, but to keep themselves independant, and refuse to receive their comodities, and keep within themselves, their own more valuable comodities, because they are for the support of life—So stedfast are the people here that the Captain of a Ship belonging to an eminent house in London was yesterday refused any more Tobacco til' there is intelligence from the Northward—

The frost which happened the 4th. of May, was by far more severe and fatal here than either in Maryland, New-Jersey, or Pennsylvania—The expected produce of Gardens and Peaches, (which were some planters chief dependance) are not only almost wholly destroy'd, but in the upper parts of the province Wheat and Rye are so much cut off that the owners think it best to mow it down for fodder!—

I have the pleasure to inform you that I had a speedy and pleasant ride; found the family in good health; that it is a time of general health in the County—and that I am again agreeably settled to business—

Please to make my compliments to Mrs Hunter, Miss Nancy, Andrew, and to Uncles family—I am, sir

Your most obedient Most humble Servt:

Philip V. Fithian

[JOURNAL]

Saturday 4.

The day cool & agreeable—I kept the children in til twelve tho' with great difficulty; they were for asserting their liberty. & pleaded the custom of las winter—I finished a rough incorrect plan of my English Thesis, & laid it by for future examination—

After dinner I begun the Lecture, wrote an introduction—Towards evening I took my hat & a Sermon, & retired to a Shady Green where I rambled about til dusk committing my Sermon to memory—We have omitted Supper, & in its place substituted Coffee which we commonly take about seven in the evening—Ben, this Afternoon rode to Colonel Frank Lee's. The ground is very dry; The Frost of the fourth of May has been much more severe and fatal here than in the northern colonies—The peaches here, except on Farms lying near the Potowmack are wholly destroy'd, & these were the choisest expectation of some, who think Brandy their most valuable comodity!—And I am told that in Louden, & the other upper counties, (which indeed are the best for grain) Wheat & Rie are cut off, so intirely that the owners mow it down for fodder!—And in these lower Counties in many places the Woods appear like November, & the Leaves are actually dropping!—To be sure it is unusual & melancholy!—

Sunday 5.

The weather cool & agreeable—Sermon is to Day at Ucomico, at the lower church, I choose therefore to stay in my Room—How pleasant is retirement! And how easy is it to enjoy it—This may seem strange, but it is true—I have but very few acquaintances, & they easily dispense with my Absence—I have an elegant inviting apartment for Study—I have plenty of valuable & entertaining Books—And I hav business of my own that requires my attention—At Home my Relations call me proud and morose if I do not visit them—My own private business often calls me off & unsettles my mind—There too lives the Girl who has subdued my heart!—All these put together, when they operate at once, are a strong incitement to divert me from Study. Yet I love Cohansie! And in spite of my resolution, when I am convinced that my situation is more advantageous here, yet I wish to be there—How exceedingly capricious is fancy! When I am Home I then seem willing to remove, for other places seem to be full as desirable—It is then Society which makes places seem agreeable or the Contrary—It can be nothing else—Adam when he had no troublesome painful thoughts within him; and had a flowery Paradise for his habitation & enjoyment, was not yet fully happy while he possessed it alone; much less can we his offspring, frail, & variable, enjoy much sattisfaction without intercourse with one another—I have just spoken in praise of Society & retirement; And I now observe we are of such a make that, if we be happy, these must alternately succeed each other—It is something like the opinion of Socrates concerning pleasure & pain, that if we possess the one, we may expect it will not be long before we shall meet with the other—Towards evening At Mrs Carters request I waited on Miss Priscilla, Nancy, & Fanny who rode on Horse-back for an airing—Wrote a Letter to the Revd Mr Andrew Hunter, Cohansie New Jersey—In the evening Ben returned full of news of Boston, that we must fight that the troops are arrived & impudent &c., &c.

[Letter of Philip V. Fithian to Elizabeth Beatty]

Nominy-Hall Virginia June 5: 1774.

To Laura.

I have the Pleasure, since you allow me the Honour of corresponding with you, to acquaint you that I had a speedy & delightsome Passage from Home to this Place: It was you know, in the best Time of the lovliest of Months.

The Delaware, the broad Chesapeak, & the beautiful Potowmack were mild & lovely as a handsome, Woman's Presence when her Mind is at Rest—But are fine Women, Laura, as easily thrown into Confusion & Tumult as they—?

I expect these, if you receive them at all, will find you at N—n. If they should, please to make my kind Respects to your Brother—& compliment him on his new Alliance.

I shall wish, very much, to see you at C—e in the Fall, but if it be inconvenient I do not ask you to pay any Manner of Regard, in this Case, to my Inclination. The Face of this Part of Virginia is now indeed beautiful. I wish often that you was here for a While to see, because I am unable to describe, the charming Landskips, & long delightsome Prospects of our winding River which we have from the high Hills! But especially in the Evening when I commonly (as it is the Custom of the Family) walk for half an hour through the Garden in Company generally with three brisk mischievous Girls you would I am certain, for you delight in Gardens, & love the Company of noisy, gay, & agreeable young Girls, be highly entertain'd.—And as for myself, if you was here, I should take these Walks & Arbours to be a verdant flowery Elysium!—I must not omit to thank you for your Letter of Feb: last; because a Line from you is rare & valuable as the Phenix of Arabia.

Write to me, best of Girls, the Moment you receive this, that I may know how, & where you be; & let me hear often from you this Summer.

You may rest assured of my Constancy in continuing a free & full Correspondence.

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]

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.

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—

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—

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—

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—

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.

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—

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.

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—

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—

Indeed, said the Colonel at Breakfast, cool as it was last Night, I kept my Window up the whole night—I am not fond of your hot a dust Air—Was yours up Mr Fithian no truly; so long as I can breath without panting I am for keeping my Window down, & my Room close on summer nights; especially here in Virginia, Madam, where the Dews are so heavy, and so dangerous—The Postilion keeps a fox at the Stable & I am often much diverted with his Cunning Tricks. The other Day, Mrs Carter was lying in the long room among the Books on the Couch; In jumps Reynard, through a broken Pane of Glass, & begins to frisk & hue about the Room like a Bedlam—How is Nurse, pray, says the Colonel at Dinner? She has her Ague & Fever again to Day, Sir—This is a fine Sheeps-Head, Mr Stadly shall I help you?—Or would you prefer a Bass or a Perch?—Or perhaps you will rather help yourself to some picked Crab—It is all extremely fine, Sir, I'll help myself—Well says the Colonel when we had almost finished our Dinner with a Glass of sparkling Porter on the Table before him, we have but fasted to Day; here stands a fine Ham, & a Shoulder of excellent Mutton yet untouched—At least, says the merry, good-hearted Man, we have kept Lent—Yesterday evening I scribled a little for Laura, & to Day I drank her Health from my Heart in generous Medaira—Yes, best of Women, when you are the Toast I drink wine with Pleasure—

Thursday 14.

To Day is the election of Burgesses in Richmond the neighbouring County—Come, Fithian, will you go? My old objection recurs; I am too busy—I met this morning in Wingates Arithmetic, with the following merry Problem—"To discover a Number which any one shall have in his mind, without requiring him to reveal any part of that or any Number whatsoever"—After any one has thought upon any number at Pleasure; bid him double it, & to that double bid him add any such even number as you please to assign: Then from the Sum of that Addition let him reject one half, & reserve the other half; Lastly, from this half bid him subtract the Number which he first thought upon; then you may boldly tell him what Number remains in his mind after that Subtraction is made, for it will be always half the Number which you assigned him to add—A Reason for the Rule is added. "Because, if to the double of any number (which number for Distinction sake I call the first) a second number be added, the half of the Sum must necessarily consist of the said first number, & half the Second: Therefore if from the said half sum the first Number be subtracted, the remainder must of necessity be half the second Number which was added—Mr Inspector dined with us again to day—We had after Dinner, Lime Punch & Madaira: but he chose & had a Bowl of Grogg—You are a mean Puppy, a treacherous, ungenerous Scoundrel, says Bob, to Harry just as I entered the School after Dinner—you told Mr Lowe, you did more, you published in Mr Washingtons Family that Mr Fithian horsed me for Staying out all night—That he call'd in John the Waiter to help him—& that you was sent to cut & bring in Whips—After School with Ben I rode out the Day is warm, & the Ground grows to be very dry—I was not a little Surprized to see Corn out in Tassel—But the Tobacco looks dismal, it is all poor, much of it is dead with the drouth; I think, however, that the Season is ten days or two Weeks earlier here than in New Jersey.—