Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 13

The morning was so extremely stormy that I declin'd going to Breakfast--All the others went my Breakfast was sent over--Immediately after Breakfast Ben came over with a Message from Mr _Carter_, that he desired me to correct _Bob_ severely immediately--Bob when I went into School sat quiet in the corner, & looked sullen, and penitent; I gave some orders to the Children, and went to my Room.--I sent for Bob--He came crying--I told him his Fathers Message; he confess'd himself guilty--I sent him to call up _Harry_--He came--I talked with them both a long Time recommended Diligence, & good Behaviour, but concluded by observing that I was obliged to comply with Mr Carter's request; I sent _Harry_ therefore for some Whips.--_Bob_ and poor I remained trembling in the chamber (for Bob was not more uneasy than I it being the first attempt of the kind I have ever made)--The Whips came!--I ordered Bob to strip!--He desired me to whip Him in his hand in Tears--I told him no--He then patiently, & with great deliberation took of his Coat and laid it by--I took him by the hand and gave him four or five smart twigs; he cring'd, & bawld & promis'd--I repeated then about eight more, & demanded and got immediately his solemn promise for peace among the children, & Good Behaviour in general--I then sent him down--He conducts himself through this day with great Humility, & unusual diligence, it will be fine if it continues. At noon I went over to Dinner, but it was storming, & continues so bad that I choose rather to go without Supper than venture out in the Storm.

_Thursday 6._

To Day about twelve _Bob_ & _Prissy_ & _Nancy_ went in the Chariot to Stratford, to attend the Dancing-School--Mr Taylor,[110] the Colonels princ.i.p.al Overseer dined with us--After School in the Evening, I sat with _Betsy_ & _f.a.n.n.y_ while they sung me many songs, When they had done I waited on them Home, & spent the Evening with Mr & Mrs _Carter_.

[110] The account books of Robert Carter show that William Taylor was at this period overseer of three of Carter's plantations or "quarters," called d.i.c.ks, Morgans and Rutters.

_Fryday 7._

The morning cold, muddy and drisly--Our School seems still, and vacant. _Betsy_ & _f.a.n.n.y_ at their Leisure are constantly knitting with small smoth stiff straws, in imitation of their Sister _Sylla_, who knits sometimes. The Colonel told me last Evening that he proposes to make the vacant End of our School-Room, Where Dr Frank lived a Concert-Room, to hold all his instruments of Music--As he proposes to bring up from _Williamsburg_ his _Organ_, & to remove the _Harpsichord_, _Harmonica_, _Forte-piano_, _Guittar_, _Violin_, & _German-Flutes_, & make it a place for Practice, as well as Entertainment.

This afternoon _Dennis_, a Boy of about twelve Years old, one of the Waiters at Table, as he was standing in the front Door which is vastly huge & heavy; the Door flew up, and drew off the Skin & Flesh from his middle Finger caught between, took off the first Joint, and left the Bone of the greater part of the Rest of the Finger naked.

_Sat.u.r.day 8._

Catechised the Children, and dismiss'd them about ten. The morning pleasant--Rode before Dinner to Mr Blains Store--Was introduced to Dr _Thompson_,[111] Mr _Balantine_,[112] Mr _Carr_ a young Scotch-Man Clerk, to Mr Blain; dined with Mr Blain. Parson _Smith_, his Wife, & her Sister were there--Colonel Was.h.i.+ngton, his Wife, & their Daughter Miss Jenny a young Lady of few words, a sanguine Countenance, and as to her Size, something below what Ladies call elegant; neat but not _flashy_ in her Dress; Some of her Dress I admired because I have seen _Laura_ in the like, yit strongly shewed me that it is not Dress alone I admire in Her. All these had been at a Widding in the country and were returning--In Dr _Thomsons_ Room there was hanging against the Wall a Skeleton!--Balantine, either to shew himself a true full-blooded Buck, or out of mere wantonness & pastime turned the Bones (as they were fixed together with Wires) into many improper and indecent postures; but this officious industry met with such reception from the company as it Justly merited, and as I wish'd might happen; for they gave visible signs of their contempt of his Behaviour--About Six in the Evening the Chariot returned with _Bob_, Miss _Prissy_ & _Nancy_ from the Dance at _Stratford_--They brought News as follows: Miss Prissy told us, that they had an elegant Dance on the Whole; that Colonel Philip Lee, where they met to Dance, was on Fryday, at the Wedding of which I made mention Just now; that Mr _Christian_ the Master danced several Minuets, prodigiously beautiful; that Captain Grigg (Captain of an English s.h.i.+p) danced a Minuet with her; that he hobled most dolefully, & that the whole a.s.sembly laughed!--_Bob_ told us that there was a Race between Mr ---- And Colonels Horses--that they run a Mile, & that _Dottrell_[113] belonging to Mr ---- won the Race;--_Bob_ told me in private, after we were alone in my Room, that Colonel Lee took an Opportunity, & asked him in the Hearing of a large company at Supper, what sort of _Fellow_ he is whom your _Papa_ had provided for your _Tutor_--_Bob_ told me that for answer he Informed him I was good and agreeable--That Miss Jenny Corbin, (a young Lady with whom I have had the greatest Opportunity of being acquainted, of any young Lady in Virginia) gave him so favourable an Account of my Behaviour, that he was pleased to say He should be glad to see me at his House, & of my company--But after having heard this much, I shall esteem myself pardonable, & shall always think it proper to refuse without thanks his warmest Invitations; & will plead for my excuse nothing else than mere inclination.

[111] Thomas Thompson was a well known physician of Westmoreland County. Robert Carter retained the services of Thompson for the blacks on his plantations for a number of years.

[112] Probably James Balendine of the firm referred to in the Carter account books as "Messrs. James Balendine & Co."

[113] "Dotterell" was an English blooded horse that had been bred by Sir John Pennington. He was regarded as the swiftest in that country with the exception of one, called "Eclipse." Dotterell had been imported into the colony in 1766 by Philip Ludwell Lee of "Stratford"

in Westmoreland County.

[Ill.u.s.tration: man at writing table in bed chamber]

In the Evening about seven o-Clock it snowed exceeding fast til Eight when it ceased, it being the second Snow we had this winter here, At Supper we had much conversation about the Dance. Mrs Carter & myself, sat while ten and the Colonel read philosophy.

_Sunday 9._

The Morning very cold--None from our Family went to church; _Bob_ beg'd of me to let him go, I refused him; he then asked to go and dine with Mr Turburville, I gave him no liberty.--I wrote to-Day a letter to _Laura_, I wish it _speed_ & _Success_--I wrote also a letter to Mr _Bryan_ in Baltimore; Another to the Gentleman who keeps the "Fountain Inn" in _Baltimore_; & one to Dr _John Beaty_--_Bob_ returned in the Evening after having stole away and spent the day at Mr _Turburvill's_ with a Note to his Papa from Squire _Lee_, in which Mr Carter & his Family are invited to the Ball at his House on Monday the 17th Instant But I must stay alone.

[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO ELIZABETH BEATTY]

Nominy-Hall. Virginia. Jan: 9th: 1774.

TO LAURA.

The long Distance there is between us, & Uncertainty of the Conveyance, makes it improper for me to write what I wish to tell you.

I may not, however, neglect to acquaint you that you still possess the largest earthly Share of my Regard; & that my Fidelity towards you is unshaken & inviolable.

I continue this Winter, by the Kindness of Heaven, in perfect Health; & expect to return by the last of April next, if no Accident comes between, when I promise myself Madam, much Pleasure, much Peace in your Company.

The Family in which I live, is so kind, & suitable to my Wish, that I would gladly continue in it--Or, at least, provide some well-qualified Person to succeed me since I must by previous Agreement, shortly leave it, as I do not propose to let my coming here put off my entering on the Great-World.

If I shall be so happy as to meet with you in the Spring, I will tell you many curious Occurrences of this Winter; but none with greater Truth than that I have been your constant Admirer.

PHILIP. V. FITHIAN.

[JOURNAL]

_Monday 10th_

The Morning very cold--Dined with us to-day Mr _Sanford_ a Captain of a Sloop which trades out of _Potowmack_ to _Norfolk_--I wrote out some Exercises for _Bob_ & _Harry_--In the Evening the Colonel began with a small Still to distill some Brandy from a Liquor made of Pisimmonds. I set Ben this Evening to writing. I likewise gave _Catalines_ Speech in _Sal.u.s.t_ to commit to memory in Latin, which he is to p.r.o.nounce Extempore. In the Evening I borrowed of _Ben Carter_ 15s.--I have plenty of Money with me, but it is in Bills of Philadelphia currency & will not pa.s.s at all here.

_Teusday 11._

The morning very cold--As cold I think, and the Frost seems to be as intense & powerful as I have ever known it either at Cohansie or at Princeton. This morning I put Ben to construe some Greek, he has yet no Testament, I gave him therefore Esops Fables in Greek, and Latin. I also took out of the Library, and gave him to read Gordon, upon Geography. Ben seem'd scared with his Greek Lesson, he swore, & wished for Homer that he might kick Him, as he had been told Homer invented Greek.

_Wednesday 12._

I gave _Sam_ Mr Carters Barber, for shaving & dressing me, & for mending my Shoes, two pisterenes, which pa.s.s here for half a Crown--The morning is serene, pleasant, but cold yet. Miss _Hariot_ this morning being over curious tasted some Mercury Mixture in Mr _Randolph's_ Room, it made her very sick; I was frighted, the family was frighted! she puked, & threw it off her Stomach, & was soon relieved--

I gave _Martha_ who makes my Bed, for a Christmas Box, a _Bit_, which is a pisterene cut into two equal parts--I gave to John also, who waits at Table & calls me to Supper a _Bit_. So that My whole Expence to-Day has been _3/9_. Mrs Carter invited me to Day to go to the Ball, I excused myself, & declined it.

_Thursday 13._

Mr Cunningham came before Noon to skait--At twelve we all went down to Mr Carters Millpond--none had skaits but Mr Cunningham--we diverted ourselves on the Ice til two, when we went up to dinner--Immediately after Dinner Mr _Carter_ Miss _Prissy_ & _Nancy_ rode out to Mr _Lanes_.--Mr _Cunningham_ staid the Night, Prissy play'd for us--She has since I came made great advances--

_Fryday 14._

The morning very foggy, & warmer--I gave to Tom the Coach-man who cured my Horse two _pisterenes_ & half a _Bit_, which is two & ninepence 2/9. Mr Cunningham breakfasted with us--When I went into School there came a complaint from Miss _Sally Stanhope_[114] of _Bob_ that he was rude, swore, & quarrell'd at Breakfast, poor untoward, unfortunate Boy he gives me great Trouble--

[114] Miss Sarah Stanhope was the housekeeper at "Nomini Hall."

_Sat.u.r.day 15._

I rose at seven--The morning fair the ground muddy--_Ben_ asked me to ride with him to Mr Blains Store I chose rather to stay at Home--Ben is preparing for the approaching Ball--Bob urged me to let him go to Mr Lees, but he is so unruly & mischeivous when abroad that I was obliged to refuse him the liberty of going. I spent some hours to Day with the Girls when they were practising Music on the Guitar, & Forte-piano, Priscilla plays her tunes true and exceeding finely--In the Evening _Ben_ returned from Mr Blains--He told me the Store was thronged with company--Sup'd on chocolate, & hoe-Cake, so called because baked on a Hoe before the fire--The Colonel and his Daughter busy at Music.

_Sunday 16._

The morning frosty & cold--_Ben_, _Bob_, _Harry_, & Mr _Randolph_ went to Church--I stay at Home; Read Pictete--I feel very desirous of seeing Home: of hearing good Mr Hunter Preach; of seeing my dear Brothers & Sister; Indeed the very soil itself would be precious to me!--I am shut up in my chamber; I read a while, then walk to the North window, & look over Potowmack through Maryland towards Home; then throw myself down into my Chair again & console myself that I have every necessary, & convenient Accommodation here, which I should have; nay much more than I should allow myself were I at Home. I am contented--This whole world is only a Point almost unnoticeable, when compared with the numerous _Systems_ which compose the _universe_, & yet they all are under the particular Direction & Government of _Almighty G.o.d_; How insignificant therefore is it for me and how foolish to be uneasy, & solicitous whether I live in _Cohansie_, in _Princeton_, or in _Virgininia_; Or in _America_, or in _Europe_, so long as I am still supported, & upheld by the Divine Agency!--I am fully satisfied--Guide me, propitious Heaven! Help me to Glorify my G.o.d; To honour the holy Religion which I profess; & If I shall be fitted, & introduced to the Ministry, may I still go on and be of advantage to my fellow Mortals!--

Evening, The Boys are returned; _Bob_ brings me the _parsons_ Compliments; Mr _Cunninghams_; & that Miss Corbin enquired If I was well!--Bob [also] informed me that the _Parson_, Mr _Blain_, _Cunningham_, _Balantine_, & others are to come to Captain _Turburvilles_ Mill-Pond to Skate before they go to the Ball--