Girl, which certainly I shall ever retain, that neither, Place, nor
Time, nor any Alteration in my Condition of Life, will blot it out.
This, however, I intrust only to you, & put so great Confidence in the
many Expressions of your Friendship for me, that I hope you will use
your Influence to persuade her that what I write is Truth.
I expect to leave Deerfield[36] & go Home next Week; But I am not
determined yet upon going to Virginia. Dr Witherspoon desires &
advises me to go--My Directors here seem backward, & rather
unwilling.--I myself Am yet in doubt--But, on the Whole, it is
probable I shall go down in October. But whether I do the one or the
other I am always
Yours,
PHILIP. V FITHIAN.
[36] Fithian was studying theology in Deerfield under the supervision
of the Reverend Enoch Green, at the same time he was being taught
Hebrew by Andrew Hunter, Sr., in nearby Greenwich.
[JOURNAL]
_Monday August 30._
Rose by half after six--Wrote a Letter to Dr Witherspoon concerning my
going to Virginia--I hear that many of my Friends in this Place are
unwilling I should go--I am indeed in a Dilimma--But I have
agreed--Well, I must away--And I hope in the Kindness of him who was
my Fathers God, & has been the Guide of my Youth, that he will save me
from being corrupted, or carried away with the Vices which prevail in
that Country--Wrote a Letter to And: Hunter--In the Evening, rode with
my Letters, to the Stage--Saw there by Chance, the famous Miss _Betsy
Elmore_: famous for _Wit_, Extensive Knowledge, but especially for
_Volubility of Tongue_--
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO DR. WITHERSPOON]
Greenwich august 30th 1773.
_Revd Sir._
I am sorry that I may inform you of the dissattisfaction which my
friends in general since my return home seem to discover, with my
intention of going this fall to _Virginia_. However willing I am
myself to accept the proposal and go, it will not be easy to break
through the entreaties of those who are my neares[t] relations, and
who have all along, with the warmest friendship interested themselves
to procure my welfare. I do not intend by any means, abruptly to
decline the fulfilling my agreement, but only desire to know, if there
are not some to be found among the late Seniors who would willingly
discharge me by accepting the offer themselves. If not I have only
further to beg, that you would be pleased, Revd Sir, to favour me with
the proposal of the gentleman; and so soon as there is a return from
him, I shall be glad to know the time when I must leave home;
I am Revd Sir,
with great respect
your humble Servt
PHILIP V. FITHIAN
P. S. Letters come safe sent by the princeton stage, and directed to
me at Greenwich.
[PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO ELIZABETH BEATTY]
Princeton. August 31. 1773.
TO LAURA.
As an old Sinner, who has been long accustomed to Mishief, cannot bear
to think of quitting his much-loved Practice; so I, from Time to Time,
with few Returns, am intruding my Epistles upon you.
I have just been reading Yorrick's celebrated Letters to Eliza: They
are familiar--They are plain--They are beautiful. I love Eliza, from
the admirable Description he has given of her: But possibly he has
been wholly romantic; & only painted the Woman he could love; or, if
has given his own candid Sentiments, & described that Woman in Truth;
There is in America an Eliza I would venture, from Yorricks own
Picture, to set against it; & let Yorrick himself be Judge, should I
venture never so largely, I am sure I should succeed--
I was, yesterday, at Deerfield, & heard News enough--I was told that a
civil, good looking Gentleman; who had been lately from N--n, told
them he saw me there with you--That I was wild, & noisy--He thinks I
shall make a damn'd droll Figure in a Pulpit, with Powdered-Hair; a
long Cue; & deep Ruffles!--I fancy myself it would appear odd!--I was
told there also every Circumstance of our Ride from Princeton to N--n.
Of my being with your Brother in Philadelphia as I went up, &
returned--Of almost the whole of my Company & Conduct while in Town.
It is something curious, tho' by no Means troublesome, that every part
of my Behaviour, is in whatever Place I go, so circumstantially
inspected.--I shall suppress all I heard of you, only that you are
soon to be married, & I should not have mentioned this, but that I
might let you know it was told in Triumph to dash me!--Yet if it had
wounded my Soul I would have sustained & concealed the Pain, to
outbrave such Insolence! I cannot help, however, when I am alone in my
Chamber, reflecting on the Danger of the Impropriety I may possibly be
guilty of in thus continuing my Intimacy with you.
But I turn it all off with a Smile, &, if the Report be true, with a
Wish, in the Language of the Poet Walter to a Lady of his Acquaintance
"That you may possess all your Wishes, as to earthly Happiness &
Comfort, in the Society of him whom you have preferr'd to the rest of
Men; & that you may feel as much for him, of that Anxiety which arises
from Esteem, as others have felt for you"--I am going, next Month to
Virginia, unless the Remonstrances of my Relations prevail with me to
decline it.
But on I go little thinking how much I may incur your Censure by
writing so freely, & so long--O Laura, I wish most ardently, that I
could with Propriety, from the present Moment, spend all my hours near
your Person.--They would then, with their purple Wings, fly along
through the Sorrows, & Tumults of Life, wholly unnoticed.
Laura, yours
PHILIP. V. FITHIAN.
[ANDREW HUNTER TO PHILIP FITHIAN]
Nassau Hall Septr 6th 1773
DR SIR.
I am very sorry that I cannot answer your letter so much to your
satisfaction as I could desire. Doctor Witherspoon is gone to
New-England to the convention and is not expected home 'till the
latter end of this week--he received no account from Virginia before
he went from home. You may trust that I will let you know when ever I
can hear any thing related to your prospect of going to the southward.
Mr Imlay[37] is gone from College and is not expected back 'till near
commencement, however I have talked with some of his acquaintances,
and they say he expects to go.
[37] William Eugene Imlay was graduated at Princeton in 1773. Cf.
Williams, ed., _Fithian_, p. 41.
I would have the spelling of your name corrected, but the catalogue is
sent off, and I suppose by this time is in the press. I must thank you
for the good news you give me concerning the young lady's health.
I was very uneasy about the account we heard before you left
princeton.
We go on pretty well in College, but I hope we shall have two or three
of the _possessed swine_ turned off when the Doctor comes home.
Do write me every week and give what news you can.
I am, Sir,
Your friend.
ANDW HUNTER.
[JOURNAL]
_Wednesday Sept: 8._
Received a Letter from Mr Hunter--No News from Princeton--Nor
Virginia--Evening Mr Paterson came home with Uncle.[38]
[38] Probably Samuel Fithian, the brother of Philip's father. Philip
refers to him as "Uncle Fithian" on other occasions.
* * * * *
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO ELIZABETH BEATTY]
Greenwich. Sept: 10th: 1773.
TO LAURA.
I hope the World is using you very well, & that you enjoy yourself in
Contentment; & the Society of your Friends with Pleasure. The Reason
of my saying this, is, because many People here are often enquiring
about you; Where you live? How you do? When you will return? The Cause
of your Absence?--And forty other things that none knows, or ought to
speak of, but yourself.
You inform me that you propose to be at the approaching Commencement:
It will not be in my Power, with any Convenience, to go--I can,
however, give you a Caution; Let not Pity so much affect you, nor Fear
so much alarm you, as again, (you remember last Fall) to excite Tears
in your Eyes, or one sorrowful Ake in your Breast, if any of Nassau's
bold Sons shall attempt once more, to support their Right by
suppressing Impertinence & Violence.
There are many going from Philada &, I am told, some Ladies of Note &
Eminence--There are many expected from the Southern Colonies--And,
because of the Connexions, many from York, & the New-England
Goverments. The Assembly, no Doubt, will be large, & splendid--And I
hope the Exercises may be worthy their Attention & Approbation.
Nothing hinders my being there but only my Purpose of going soon to
the Southward.
I may not omitt telling you that--Smith as we were returning Home,
pitied you from his Heart; An agreeable, & sensible young Lady,
separated from genteel Society, & prisoned in a Room in the Woods, in
the Midst of an unpleasant Country, like a penitent Virgin conscious
of her Sins, voluntarily retiring to a lonely Monastary!--But he
forgot, Laura, that infelt Peace, makes us always happy, even tho' our
Circumstances be apparently distressful.
I am, Eliza,
yours PHILIP. V. FITHIAN.
[JOURNAL]
_Wednesday. Sept: 15._
Rose at seven; slept but little for I was affraid--Breakfasted on
Oysters, at the Ferry-Mans, with John Holmes, Esq:--Had an Hours
Conversation with him, on Lotteries--Whether they are just &
lawful--He thinks not--At ten we came up to his Brother Benjamin
Holmes's Esq:--They mentioned to me an Intention they have to erect, &
establish a School, among them, that their Children may be taught,
Latin, Greek, & the Practical Branches in Mathematicks--They desired
to know if it would be convenient, & agreeable for me to undertake
with them, to prosecute their Plan. But I must, with Doubt, away to
_Virginia_--It would be a laudable undertaking if such a School could
be founded in this Part of our Province; & I think ought to be duely
encouraged--
I left Mr Holmes's about twelve, & came to Mr Hunters about four,
seventeen Miles--Evening walked Home. Expence 2s/0.
_Sunday. Sept: 19._
Rose half after six--Read some in Pictete--Walked to Sermon by ten;
Smith Rode in order to go home with Mr Hunter after Sermon--Dr Ward
seems very low, confined commonly to his Bed; the Disorder it is to be
feared is a Consumption, & increases in malignity almost daily--How
much will Cohansie feel his Death if by this Illness he is soon taken
of, or by the Violence of it wholly disabled to practice among us, who
has been so long successful in his Work! Received a Letter late last
Night from Mr Hunter at College, and He informs me that the Dr insists
on my Going to Virginia--
* * * * *
[WILLIAM R. SMITH TO PHILIP FITHIAN]
Philadelphia Octr 3d 1773.
FUTURUS PEDEGOG'ISSIMUS.
Fe-O-whiraw, whiraw, hi, fal, lal fal, lal de lal dal a fine
song--commencement is over whiraw I say again whiraw, whiraw.
And what is more never was there such a commencement at princeton
before and most likely never will be again. The galeries were cracking
every now and then all day--every mouse hole in the church was cram'd
full--The stage covered with Gentlemen and ladies amongst whom was the
Governor and his lady; and that he might not appear singular Lee[39]
was stiff with lace, gold-lace--
[39] Henry Lee (1729-1787) of "Leesylvania," in Prince William County,
Virginia (known later as "Light Horse Harry" Lee) was a student at
Princeton at this time. He was a brother of "Squire" Richard Lee of
"Lee Hall" in Westmoreland County. Henry Lee later became the father
of Robert E. Lee.
A band of music from Philadelphia assisted to make all agreeable and
to crown the whole the eloquence of Demosthenes was heared in almost
every mans mouth, so that the person who spoke last was always the
hero of the tale--O murder! what shall I do I want to say a great deal
to you but cannot for the girls who are almost distracting my heart--O
murder! murder, murder I say what will become of me, murder, murder--I
shall go distracted--I saw Dr Beaty[40] and Betsy--I gave your love to
them--and indeed to tell you the truth I could not for my life help
leaving my own heart, and love, and all with Besy--she is realy a
sweet soul. I wish ten millions and she were mine, I should be a happy
creature, happy indeed to the last degree--. I got cleverly up from
cohansie early in the evening--My love ten thousand times and ten
thousand kisses to all the girls of my acquaintance.
[40] Dr. John Beatty had been graduated at the College of New Jersey
in 1769. Cf. Williams, ed., _Fithian_, p. 90, fn. 1.
I cannot quit but must
WILLM R. SMITH.
[JOURNAL]
_Wednesday. Octob. 6._
Walked with _Paterson_, after Breakfast to Mr _Hunters_, where we met
with Mr _Smith_, & Mr _Irwin_ two young Clergimen, & Mr Hunter Junr.
They came down yesterday, & inform that the Commencement was the most
splendid, & honoured with the greatest Number of Strangers of any one,
perhaps, since it was founded, May it still increase, & long
flourish!--Immediately after Dinner _Smith_ & _Irwin_ set off for
_Cape-May_--Andrew brings me Word that I must by the twentieth of this
Month meet Mr _Imlay_ in New-Castle, who is going down into Virginia.
And I must at last, away--The thought is indeed hard!
_Thursday Octob: 7._
Slept but little last Night; my Mind seems troubled and involuntarily
disturbs me! Rose early--After Breakfast rode to Deerfield. Settled
all my Affairs, & took a formal, final Leave of my Friends, &
Relations there! Rode home in the Evening. By the State I received a
Letter from Mr _McCalla_,[41] with a Suit of _Cloths_. Cost £6/16/6.
Expence in the Evening for a Bowl of _Punch_ 1/6--
[41] John McCalla, Jr., was a friend of Fithian who lived in
Philadelphia.
_Fryday Octob: 8._
To Day is the Fast before our Sacrament--O that the mighty God would
teach me true Humiliation for my many Sin's, & give me Grace that
shall enable me to hate & forsake them!--Grace to keep me right in the
Path of Life, & to guide me to his heavenly Kingdom.--Mr Hunter
preached two useful Sermons, describing worthy, & unworthy
Communicants--
_Saturday October 9._
Rode to the _Bridge_, & bought a Saddle, Bridle, Spurrs, &c. for my
intended Journey--Returned before Evening, & of Saml Dennis bought a
Pr of Sadle-Bags.--
[Illustration: Lone rider on horse]
_Monday Octob: 11._
By Six up--Busy in Preparing for my Journey--Agreed with Uncle for his
Horse; I am to give him 25£.--The Money to be paid in May next.
_Teusday October 12._
Rose early; very busy--Had my Boots altered & mended--Was measured for
a Surtout-Coat--Drew up a Form to settle my Affairs before I leave
Home--Afternoon Mrs Peck, Mrs Hoshel, Johnny Peck, Stephen Ranney,
Miss Abby Peck call to see me & take a final Adieu for the
present--The Thought of Leaving Home haunts me at Times!
_Wednesday Octob: 13._
Dismissed Study, & begin to take Leave of Relations & Friends!--
Dined at Mrs Brewsters, and at two went to Mr Danl Mashells; & from
thence to Mr John Gibbon's, At all which Places I gave them my last
_Farewel_--
_Thursday Octob: 14._
Rose early--Busy in making Preparations--Had my Horse shod, Did sundry
Pieces of Writing--This Eveng Mr _Irwin_, & Smith returned from
Cape-May.
_Friday Octob: 15._
Rose early--Did sundry Pieces of Writing--At twelve Mr Irwin gave us a
Sermon, on Felix's trembling before Paul preaching--He preached
without Notes; His Sermon was easy, well-digested, plain, yet
pathetic, short, and in general much admired--
Mr Smith & Mr Hunter junr dined with me--In the Evening of this Day I
had a severe Fit of the Fever & Ague--Violent Pains in my Head, &
Back!
_Saturday. Octob: 16._
Rose at seven; feel bewildered, & unesy--Finished some necessary
Writings, & begin before noon to grow better.
_Sunday Octob: 17._
Rose early--Not well--Attended Sermon; Mr Smith preached--Before the
last Sermon was done I was obliged to come Home with my second fit of
the Fever & Ague. It kept on me violently while about seven in the
Evening; then went off in a gentle Sweat!--
_Monday Octob: 18._
My Fit is well gone off, & I feel bravely--Finished & executed some
Writings to Joel Fithian[42] for the Securing the Several Porttions to
the Children--Took my Leave of Mr _Wallings_, & Mr Ewings Families. Mr
Paterson in to see me in the Evening--In the Night we had a fine
Shower--I have through this Day taken the Peruvian Bark, to try if by
any Means I can break my Fits.
[42] Joel Fithian was the cousin of Philip Fithian, who married
Elizabeth Beatty Fithian after the latter's death. Cf. Williams, ed.,
_Fithian_, p. xv.
_Teusday Octob: 19_
Early went to Mr Hunters; took my Leave & left them by eleven--Rode &
took Leave of all my Relations--How hard is it at last? My Heart
misgives, is reluctant, in spite of me; But I must away!
Protect me, merciful Heaven, & keep me under the Wing of thy
over-ruling Providence--Make me know myself, & my constant, &
necessary Dependance on thee!
The Continuation of my Journal, &c.
_Wednesday October 20th 1773._
Left Greenwich by six in the Morning. Rode to Michael Hoshels 8 Miles.
Thence Mr Hoshel, & John Peck along, rode to Quintons-Bridge 8 Miles.
Expence there is 1s/: Rode thence to Penn's-Neck Ferry by two oClock
10 Miles. Expence at Toll-Bridge /2. Ferriage over Delaware 4s/6d.
Oats & Cordial in New-Castle 1s/2d. Rode thence to Mr Achans Tavern 12
Miles. Whole Distance 38 Miles. Whole Expence 6/10.
_Octob: 21._
Expence at Mr Achans 3s/4d. Rode thence to North-East 12 Miles.
Breakfast 1s/6d. Thence to Sesquehannah 10 Miles. Ferriage 1s/: Oats
/9d. At Bush-Town by 4 o Clock 12 Miles. Whole Distance 34 Miles.
Whole Expence 6s/7d.
_Fryday 22d_
Expence at Bush-Town _4/2_. Rode thence to a small, mean Tavern to
Breakfast, 13 Miles--Expence _1/6_. Thence to Baltimore by one O-Clock
13 Miles. Whole distance 26 Miles--Whole Expence _5/8_.
_Saturday 23d_
Expence at Baltimore _15/3_. Rode and forded Petapsko[43] to a small
Tavern 15 Miles. Expence _1/11_. Rode thence to Blandensburg 23 Miles.
Whole distance 38 Miles. Whole Expence _17/2_.
[43] Patapsco River.
_Sunday 24._
Expence at Blandensburg _5/7_.[44] Rode thence to Georgetown[45] 8
_Miles_. Expence _1/6_. Ferriage _/6_.--From thence we rode by
_Alexandria_,[46] 9 Miles--Thence to Colchester[47] 18 Miles--
Dined--Expence _3/9_. Ferriage _/6_. Rode thence to Dumfries 10
Miles.[48] Whole distance 45 Miles. Whole Expence _11/4_.
[44] Bladensburg, Maryland.
[45] Georgetown, then a small town in Maryland, was later incorporated
in the District of Columbia.
[46] Alexandria, Virginia.
[47] Colchester was a thriving shipping center on the Occoquan River,
now called Occoquan Creek, in Fairfax County, Virginia, near where
this creek empties into the Potomac. The town had been incorporated by
an act of the Assembly in 1753 to promote "trade and navigation."
[48] Dumfries, a town on Quantico Creek, had been settled by a group
of Scotch merchants, who traded in the colony. Quantico Creek empties
into the Potomac. Dumfries had been incorporated by Act of Assembly in
1749. The town had prospered owing to its advantageous position as a
center of trade in the western section of the Northern Neck.
_Monday 25._
Expence at Dumfries _4/5_. Rode thence to Aquia 10 Miles.[49] Expence
_2/4_--Rode thence to Stafford-Court-House 12 Miles.[50] Whole
Distance 22 Miles. Whole Expence _6/6_.
[49] Aquia had originated as a Catholic settlement on Aquia Creek
about the middle of the eighteenth century. A short distance from the
town were located the celebrated Aquia stone quarries which had been
opened as early as 1683.
[50] Stafford Court House, the seat of government of Stafford County.
_Teusday 26._
Expence at Stafford _5/._ Stopped at Colonel Thomas Lees,[51] only a
few Rods from Stafford Tavern. Continued there all day, and the
following Night. Expence to Day _5/_.
[51] Thomas Ludwell Lee (1730-1778) of "Bellevue" in Stafford County
was the fourth son of Thomas Lee of "Stratford" in Westmoreland
County, who had served as president of the Council of Virginia.
_Wednesday 27._
Expence to boy _1/_. Rode from Mr Lees to a small poor Ordinary 13
Miles--Expence _/8_ for Oats--Rode thence, without feeding to Captain
Cheltons.[52] on the Potowmack 32 Miles--Whole Distance 45 Miles.
Whole Expence _1/9_.
[52] The Chilton family owned plantations in Westmoreland and Fauquier
Counties. Cf. _William and Mary College Quarterly_, second series,
Vol. 10 (January 1930), pp. 56-63.
_Thursday 28._
Rode after Breakfast to the Honorable Rob: Carters the End of my
Journey; 12 Miles, by two o-Clock in the Afternoon. Both Myself, and
my Horse seem neither tired nor Dispirited--Occasional Expences on the
Road. In Baltimore for some _Buff-Ball, 1/6_. In Blandensburg for
having straps put to my Saddle-Bags _3/_. In Colchester for Shaving
and Dressing _1/3_. The whole _5/9_. So that my whole Distance appears
to be _260 Miles_, perform'd in seven Days. And my whole Expence
appears to be 3£ 6s 6d.
_Fryday 29._
Settled myself in the Room appointed me--and adjusted my Affairs after
my Ride.
_Saturday 30._
Rode with Mr Carters eldest Son[53] to a Store, about seven
Miles--Bought half a Box of Wafers for 1/--And a quire of paper for
_1/6_. Dined at three--And rode into Richmond Parish 15 Miles to Mr
Fantleroys[54]--Was introduced to Mr Fantleroy--two of his Sons--Mr
Christian[55] a dancing a dancing-Master--
[53] Benjamin Tasker Carter.
[54] The Fauntleroy family owned extensive holdings and occupied a
high social position in Richmond County and other sections of the
Tidewater. "Mars Hill" and "Crandall" were two seats of the family on
the Rappahannock River in Richmond County, and in the vicinity of the
modern towns of Warsaw and Tappahannock. A third manor plantation of
the Fauntleroys' was "The Cliffs," also on the Rappahannock, some
miles north of the other two. The name of the family was pronounced
variously as "Fantleroy," "Fantilroy" and "Fauntleroy." Aphia, Samuel
and Henry or "Harry" Fauntleroy were the daughter and sons of Moore
Fauntleroy (1716-1791) of "The Cliffs." Information supplied by Miss
Juliet Fauntleroy of Altavista, Virginia.
[55] Francis Christian held his dancing classes in rotation in a
number of the manor houses of the Northern Neck at this period. After
the pupils had been instructed an informal dance was usually enjoyed
on such occasions.
_Sunday 31._
Rode to Church six Miles[56]--Heard Mr Gibbern[57] preach on Felixes
trembling at Pauls Sermon.
[56] Nomini Church, one of the two Anglican houses of worship in Cople
Parish, stood on the bank of the Nomini River some five miles from
Carter's home.
[57] Isaac William Giberne, an English clergyman, thought to have been
a nephew of the Bishop of Durham, was licensed to preach in Virginia
in 1758. The following year he had arrived in the colony and was
serving as the minister in Hanover Parish in King George County.
Possessing a high tempered and somewhat contentious nature, Giberne
was involved in numerous sharp controversies. An exceptionally
sociable and convivial man, he spent much of his time in visiting and
gambling and tippling. Admitted by his enemies at that time to be the
most popular and admired preacher in the colony, he had been invited
shortly after his arrival in Virginia to preach a sermon before the
Burgesses. This sermon was later printed at their request. In 1760
Giberne married a wealthy widow, Mary Fauntleroy Beale of Richmond
County, a daughter of Moore Fauntleroy of "Crandall." She had
previously been the wife of Charles Beale. Removing to her plantation,
"Belle Ville," he was two years later chosen as minister of Lunenburg
Parish, and served in that capacity until 1795. He is mentioned in
numerous diaries and letters of the period. Cf. Goodwin, Edward Lewis,
_The Colonial Church in Virginia_, pp. 271-272; Jonathan Boucher,
_Reminiscences of an American Loyalist_, _passim_; letter of Miss
Juliet Fauntleroy of November 21, 1941 in Department of Research and
Record, Colonial Williamsburg, Inc.
[Illustration: Preacher expounding]
_Monday Novemr 1st_