Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 11

_Fryday 17._

I dismissed the children this morning til' monday on account of Mr Christian's _Dance_, which, as it goes through his Scholars in Rotation, happens to be here to Day--and I myself also am unwell, so as not to go out;--Mrs Carter sent me over Coffee for Breakfast; & soon after some Spirits of _Hartshorn_ for my Head--At twelve she sent the waiting Man to know if I was better, & what I would choose for Dinner. I thank'd her, & desired that She would give herself no trouble; She was careful, however, from her undistinguished kindness, to send me before Dinner some hot _Barley Broth_,--_Ben Carter_ before Noon introduced into my Room, Mr _Billy Booth_,[96] a young Gentleman of Fortune, who is one of Mr Christians pupils--The two Master Fantleroys came in also to see me--There came to the dance three _Chariots_, two _Chairs_, & a number of Horses. Towards Evening I grew Better, & walked down, with a number of young Fellows to the River; after our return I was strongly solicited by the young Gentlemen to go in and dance I declined it, however, and went to my Room not without Wishes that it had been a part of my Education to learn what I think is an innocent and an ornamental, and most certainly, in this province is a necessary qualification for a person to appear even decent in Company!--

[96] William Booth, who was a planter of considerable means in Westmoreland County at this time, was probably the father of this youth.

Mrs _Carter_ in the Evening, sent me for Supper, a Bowl of hot Green Tea, & several _Tarts_. I expected that they would have danced til late in the Night, but intirely contrary to my Expectation, the Company were separated to their respective apartments before half after nine o_Clock_.

_Sat.u.r.day 18._

Rose by Seven, Sent for Mr Carters Barber and was drest for Breakfast--We went in to Breakfast at ten;--I confess I have been seldom more dash'd than when I entered the dining-Room, for I must of necessity be interrogated by Mr _Carter_ before them all, about my indisposition, and if I was better.--I went through the several Ceremonies with as much resolution, and speed as possible, and soon mixed with the Company in promiscuous conversation. There were present of Grown persons Mr & Mrs. _Carter_, Mrs _Lee_, & Miss _Jenny Corbin_; young Misses about Eleven: & Seven young Fellows, including myself;--After Breakfast, we all retired into the Dancing-Room, & after the Scholars had their Lesson singly round Mr Christian, very politely, requested me to step a _Minuet_; I excused myself however, but signified my peculiar pleasure in the Accuracy of their performance--There were several Minuets danced with great ease and propriety; after which the whole company Joined in country-dances,[97]

and it was indeed beautiful to admiration, to see such a number of young persons, set off by dress to the best Advantage, moving easily, to the sound of well performed Music, and with perfect regularity, tho' apparently in the utmost Disorder--The Dance continued til two, we dined at half after three--soon after Dinner we repaired to the Dancing-Room again; I observe in the course of the lessons, that Mr Christian is punctual, and rigid in his discipline, so strict indeed that he struck two of the young Misses for a fault in the course of their performance, even in the presence of the Mother of one of them!

And he rebuked one of the young Fellows so highly as to tell him he must alter his manner, which he had observed through the Course of the Dance, to be insolent, and wanton, or absent himself from the School--I thought this a sharp reproof, to a young Gentleman of seventeen, before a large number of Ladies!--When it grew too dark to dance, the young Gentlemen walked over to my Room, we conversed til half after six; Nothing is now to be heard of in conversation, but the _b.a.l.l.s_, the _Fox-hunts_, the fine _entertainments_, and the _good fellows.h.i.+p_, which are to be exhibited at the approaching _Christmas_.--I almost think myself happy that my Horses lameness will be sufficient Excuse for my keeping at home on these Holidays.--Mr Goodlet[98] was barr'd out of his School last Monday by his Scholars, for the Christmas Holidays, which are to continue til twelfth-day; But my Scholars are of a more quiet nature, and have consented to have four or five Days now, and to have their full Holiday in May next, when I propose by the permission of Providence to go Home, where I hope to see the good and benevolent _Laura_.

[97] "County-dances" were English dances of rural or native origin, especially those in which an indefinite number of couples stood face to face in two long lines. Country dances had been popular on greens and at fairs in England long before they were introduced into polite society. When the country dance was imported into France the name became _contre-dance_, and it has been erroneously a.s.sumed that "country-dance" is a corruption of the French term.

[98] Goodlet was apparently a tutor in the Fauntleroy family of "The Cliffs."

When the candles were lighted we all repaired, for the last time, into the dancing Room; first each couple danced a Minuet; then all joined as before in the country Dances, these continued till half after Seven when Mr Christian retired; and at the proposal of several, (with Mr Carters approbation) we played _b.u.t.ton_, to get Pauns for Redemption; here I could join with them, and indeed it was carried on with sprightliness, and Decency; in the course of redeeming my Pauns, I had several Kisses of the Ladies!--Early in the Evening cam colonel Philip Lee,[99] in a travelling Chariot from Williamsburg--Half after eight we were rung in to Supper; The room looked luminous and splendid; four very large candles burning on the table where we supp'd, three others in different parts of the Room; a gay, sociable a.s.sembly, & four well instructed waiters!--So soon as we rose from supper, the Company form'd into a semicircle round the fire, & Mr Lee, by the voice of the Company was chosen _Pope_, and Mr Carter, Mr Christian, Mrs _Carter_, Mrs _Lee_, and the rest of the company were appointed Friars, in the play call'd "break the Popes neck"--Here we had great Diversion in the respective Judgments upon offenders, but we were all dismiss'd by ten, and retired to our several Rooms.

[99] Philip Ludwell Lee (1727-1775) was the eldest son of Thomas Lee, who had served as president of the Council. He had inherited his father's manor plantation, "Stratford," on the Potomac River in Westmoreland County. Like Robert Carter, Philip Ludwell Lee was now a member of the Council.

_Sunday 19._

Early this morning, I was awaked out of sleep by two youngsters, (for we are thronged with company, so that two slept in my Room) who were agreeing upon a Ride the Day after Christmas, (which will be Sunday) up to Fredricksburg, which lies upon the Rapahannock, fifty Miles higher up the country than where we live;--Breakfasted at nine, soon after which all our company dispersed; I had the offer of a Horse, & was strongly solicited to go to Church, but I declined it--My Horse is very lame, his Thigh, from the sore down to his knee is much swell'd!--It runs however, and the Hostler tells me it is mending.

Dined at three; Miss Betsy Lee[100] dined with us--Writing to day my Sermon for the Presbitery. Sup'd on Oysters.

[100] Probably Elizabeth Lee, daughter of John Lee of Ess.e.x County, a nephew of Thomas Lee of "Stratford."

This is the first day I have missed Church.

_Monday 20._

Rose at half after Seven; the Morning extremely cold--We had in School to Day as visitors Miss Betsy, and Miss Matilda Lee[101] Mr Carter gave me for his Daughter Nancy to Read, the "Compleat Letter-writer"-- Also he put into my hands for the use of the School, "the British-Grammar."

[101] Matilda Lee was the daughter of Philip Ludwell Lee of "Stratford." She later married "Light Horse Harry" Lee.

_Teusday 21._

Rose by Half after seven--the weather serene but sharp and cold.--To day, before Dinner called in and stayed a short time Mr _Blain_ and Mr _Lee_ who were going to one Mr Lanes[102] to a _Christning_, which I understand is one of the chief times for Diversion here--Miss _Carter_, this afternoon told me that her Mama thought of giving a small _Ball_ at the approaching Christmas for select friends.

[102] One Joseph Lane was a prominent planter in Westmoreland County at this time.

[PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO ELIZABETH BEATTY]

Nominy-Hall Virginia. Decem: 21. 1773.

TO LAURA.

If these shall be so fortunate, as to come to your Hands, I beg leave to acquaint you that I am as agreeably settled as I can possibly be when so remote from the chief object of my Esteem on Earth--And, that I am, & have been, since I left Home, through the Kindness of Heaven, in good Health.

You will be surprized if I tell you that I should have been now in Cohansie, had I never seen you, or had you been less uncertain of your future Purpose! That you may not be wholly without a Reason for what I say, I must tell you, that in your Absence last Summer I found it difficult to restrain myself from Writing frequently to you; And after I was compell'd, tho' unwilling, to believe that you would grant me no Return; lest I should be troublesome or impertinent, when I had an advantageous Offer from the Gentleman with whom I now reside, I determined to leave Home a few Months. So far I have jested--But to be serious, Laura, I hope to see you in the Spring as I propose to be at Home by the Beginning of May--Perhaps the fine Air; the sprightly Conversation; the sociable b.a.l.l.s; & various Pleasures so common here, will have made so very a "c.o.xcomb" of musty Philander, that you will blush to confess you ever knew him! Be not hasty to judge--Possibly, on the other Hand, Laura; even Laura, may appear so dull & unfas.h.i.+onable that Philander tho' a c.o.xcomb will look down & despise her--No Laura, for tho, we have fine Ladies; Gay Fellows, charming Music; rich & I may say luxurious Entertainment; to all which I am almost every Week strongly invited; Yet I find greater Pleasure at Home, where I have every genteel Accomodation I could wish, and a Family of lovely Children to instruct--You would envy me if I was able to tell you how kind, obedient, & beautiful the Children are which I teach!--I have three Boys the youngest of which is about the Age & Size of your Brother R--Also five Girls between five & fourteen years Old. The Girls all dress in White, & are remarkably genteel. They have been educated in the City Williamsburg in this Colony--The two eldest are now learning Music, one to play the Harpsichord; the other the Guittar, in the practice of which they spend three Days in the Week--I have only further to acquaint you that every one is now speaking of the approaching Christmas.--The young Ladies tell me we are to have a Ball, of selected Friends in this Family--But I, hard Lot, I have never learn'd to dance!

I am, however, my dear Eliza, thine PHI: V. FITHIAN.

[JOURNAL]

_Wednesday 22._

Mr _Cunningham_ came last Evening and staid the Night.--There is a Report that he is making suit to Miss _Jenny Corbin_.

To day I finished my Sermon for the Presbitery--I read _Pictete_, The _Spectator_, _Sal.u.s.t_, _History of England_, _English Grammar_, _Arithmetic_, and the _Magazines_ by turns. Miss _Priscilla_, and Miss _Nancy_ rode this morning in the Chariot over to Mr _Turburvills_-- Bob, every day at twelve o-Clock, is down by the River Side with his Gun after Ducks, Gulls &c.--Ben is on his Horse a Riding, Harry, is either in the Kitchen, or at the Blacksmiths, or Carpenters Shop. They all find places of Rendesvous so soon as the Beell rings, and all seem to choose different Sports!--To day dined with us Mr c.o.x the Gentleman at whose House I breakfasted the Day after I came first.--Evening Mr Carter spent in playing on the Harmonica; It is the first time I have heard the Instrument. The music is charming! He play'd, Water parted from the Sea.[103]--The Notes are clear and inexpressibly Soft, they swell, and are inexpressibly grand; & either it is because the sounds are new, and therefore please me, or it is the most captivating Instrument I have Ever heard. The sounds very much resemble the human voice, and in my opinion they far exceed even the swelling Organ.

[103] This song occurs in an opera, _Artaxerxes_, by Thomas Augustine Arne, which was first performed in London in 1762. The libretto of Arne was an adaptation of an Italian drama, _Artaserse_, by Metastasio (Pietro Antonia Domenico Bonaventura). Metastasio was born in 1698 and died in 1782.

_Thursday 23._

Rose at eight--Rains this morning, the weather is also warmer. Mr Carter has sent his son Ben to his head _Overseer_, to take notice and account of the measuring the Crop of Corn--For the Planters now have just gathered in their Summers Crop!--To Day I write a letter to _Laura_: Waft it, kind Oppertunity, soon to the dear Maid, and Make it easy, & desirable for her to make me a Return!--

At Dinner Mr & Mrs _Carter_ gave their opinion concerning what they thought pleasing and agreeable in a person; Mrs Carter said she loved a sociable open, chatty person; that She could not bear Sullenness, and stupidity--Mr Carter, on the other-hand, observed that it is just which Solomon says, that there is a "time for all things under the Sun"; that it discovers great Judgment to laugh in Season, and that, on the whole, he is pleased with Taciturnity--pray which of the two should I suit?--It is a custom with our _Bob_ whenever he can coax his _Dog_ up stairs, to take him into his Bed, and make him a companion; I was much pleased this morning while he and _Harry_ were reading in Course a Chapter in the Bible, that they read in the 27th Chapter of Deuteronomy the Curses threatened there for Crimes; Bob seldom, perhaps never before, read the verse, at last read that "Cursed be he that lyeth with any manner of Beast, and all the People shall say Amen." I was exceedingly Pleased, yet astonished at the Boy on two accounts.--1st At the end of every verse, befor he came to this, he would p.r.o.nounce aloud, "Amen." But on Reading this verse he not only omitted the "Amen," but seem'd visibly struck with confusion!--2d And so soon as the Verse was read, to excuse himself, he said at once, Brother _Ben_ slept all last winter with his Dog, and learn'd me!--Thus ready are Mankind always to evade Correction!--This Evening, after I had dismiss'd the Children, & was sitting in the School-Room cracking Nuts, none present but Mr _Carters Clerk_, a civil, inoffensive, agreeable young Man, who acts both in the character of a Clerk and Steward, when the Woman who makes my Bed, asked me for the key of my Room, and on seeing the young Man sitting with me, she told him that her Mistress had this afternoon given orders that their Allowance of Meat should be given out to them to-morrow.--She left us; I then asked the young man what their allowance is? He told me that excepting some favourites about the table, their weekly allowance is a peck of Corn, & a pound of Meat a Head!--And Mr Carter is allow'd by all, & from what I have already seen of others, I make no Doubt at all but he is, by far the most humane to his Slaves of any in these parts! Good G.o.d! are these Christians?--When I am on the Subject, I will relate further, what I heard Mr George Lees Overseer, one Morgan, say the other day that he himself had often done to Negroes, and found it useful; He said that whipping of any kind does them no good, for they will laugh at your greatest Severity; But he told us he had invented two things, and by several experiments had proved their success.--For Sulleness, Obstinacy, or Idleness, says he, Take a Negro, strip him, tie him fast to a post; take then a sharp Curry-Comb, & curry him severely til he is well sc.r.a.p'd; & call a Boy with some dry Hay, and make the Boy rub him down for several Minutes, then salt him, & unlose him. He will attend to his Business, (said the inhuman Infidel) afterwards!--But savage Cruelty does not exceed His next diabolical Invention--To get a Secret from a Negro, says he, take the following Method--Lay upon your Floor a large thick plank, having a peg about eighteen Inches long, of hard wood, & very Sharp, on the upper end, fixed fast in the plank--then strip the Negro, tie the Cord to a staple in the Ceiling, so as that his foot may just rest on the sharpened Peg, then turn him briskly round, and you would laugh (said our informer) at the Dexterity of the Negro, while he was releiving his Feet on the sharpen'd Peg!--I need say nothing of these seeing there is a righteous G.o.d, who will take vengeance on such Inventions!--Miss _Priscilla_ and _Nancy_ returned in the evening.

_Fryday 24._

Ben Rode off this morning before day to Mr Fantleroys, for Christmas I dismiss'd the children while next Wednesday. I was introduced by Mr Carter at Dinner, to Dr Jones[104] a pract.i.tioner in Richmond. I spent my Day in my Room alone as agreeably as I have done any since I have been in virginia coppying off my Sermon, & correcting it. Retirement is as pleasing, & desirable to me here as at _princeton_, or _Cohansie!_ & by G.o.ds blessing I hope to make it as profitable. In the Evening I read the two first Books of _popes Homer_. Dr Jones supped with us, & is to stay the Night. The conversation at supper was on Nursing Children; I find it is common here for people of Fortune to have their young Children suckled by the Negroes! Dr Jones told us his first and only Child is now with such a Nurse; & Mrs Carter said that Wenches have suckled several of hers--Mrs Carter has had thirteen Children She told us to night and she has nine now living; of which seven are with me. Guns are fired this Evening in the Neighbourhood, and the Negroes seem to be inspired with new Life.[105] The Day has been serene and mild, but the Evening is hazy.

Supp'd on Oysters.

[104] Dr. Walter Jones of "Hayfield" in Lancaster County, was known as "the luminary of the Northern Neck." He was the son of Colonel Thomas Jones, a planter-businessman of Williamsburg and Hanover County. His mother, Elizabeth c.o.c.ke, was a niece of Mark Catesby, the well-known English naturalist. Dr. Jones had been educated at the College of William and Mary and he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. At the former inst.i.tution he became a fast friend of Thomas Jefferson and of Bathurst Skelton, whose widow Jefferson later married. Jones achieved distinction both in the field of medicine and in politics. In 1777 he was appointed physician-general of the Middle Department, but declined the office, which was later filled by Dr.

Benjamin Rush of Philadelphia. Jones was made a member of the American Philosophical Society in 1774. He served as a member of Congress for a number of years. Dr. Jones' wife was Alice Flood, the daughter of William Flood, the well-known physician and turfman of Richmond County.

[105] The custom of firing powder during the Christmas season is one that persists in the South today in various forms.

_Sat.u.r.day 25._

I was waked this morning by Guns fired all round the House. The morning is stormy, the wind at South East rains hard Nelson the Boy who makes my Fire, blacks my shoes, does errands &c. was early in my Room, drest only in his s.h.i.+rt and Breeches! He made me a vast fire, blacked my Shoes, set my Room in order, and wish'd me a joyful Christmas, for which I gave him half a Bit.--Soon after he left the Room, and before I was Drest, the Fellow who makes the Fire in our School Room, drest very neatly in green, but almost drunk, entered my chamber with three or four profound Bows, & made me the same salutation; I gave him a _Bit_, and dismissed him as soon as possible.--Soon after my Cloths and Linen were sent in with a message for a Christmas _Box_, as they call it; I sent the poor Slave a Bit, & my thanks.--I was obliged for want of small change, to put off for some days the Barber who shaves & dresses me.--I gave _Tom_ the Coachman, who Doctors my Horse, for his care two Bits, & am to give more when the Horse is well.--I gave to _Dennis_ the Boy who waits at Table half a _Bit_--So that the sum of my Donations to the Servants, for this Christmas appears to be five Bits, a Bit is a pisterene bisected; or an English sixpence, & pa.s.ses here for seven pence Halfpenny, the whole is _3s 1d._--

At Breakfast, when Mr Carter entered the Room, he gave us the compliments of the Season. He told me, very civily, that as my Horse was Lame, his own riding Horse is at my Service to ride when & where I Choose.

Mrs Carter was, as always, cheerful, chatty, & agreeable; She told me after Breakfast several droll, merry Occurrences that happened while she was in the City Williamsburg.--