Miss Letty[95] Miss Jenny Corbin, & Mr Blain. We dined at three. The
manner here is different from our way of living in Cohansie--In the
morning so soon as it is light a Boy knocks at my Door to make a fire;
after the Fire is kindled, I rise which now in the winter is commonly
by Seven, or a little after, By the time I am drest the Children
commonly enter the School-Room, which is under the Room I sleep in; I
hear them round one lesson, when the Bell rings for eight o-Clock (for
Mr Carter has a large good Bell of upwards of 60 Lb. which may be
heard some miles, & this is always rung at meal Times;) the Children
then go out; and at half after eight the Bell rings for Breakfast, we
then repair to the Dining-Room; after Breakfast, which is generally
about half after nine, we go into School, and sit til twelve, when the
Bell rings, & they go out for noon; the dinner-Bell rings commonly
about half after two, often at three, but never before two.--After
dinner is over, which in common, when we have no Company, is about
half after three we go into School, & sit til the Bell rings at five,
when they separate til the next morning; I have to myself in the
Evening, a neat Chamber, a large Fire, Books, & Candle & my Liberty,
either to continue in the school room, in my own Room or to sit over
at the great House with Mr & Mrs Carter--We go into Supper commonly
about half after eight or at nine & I usually go to Bed between ten
and Eleven. Altho the family in which I live, is certainly under as
good political Regulations, and every way as suitable & agreeable as I
can expect, or even could desire; & though the Neighbourhood is
polite, & the Country pleasant, yet I cannot help reflecting on my
situation last winter, which was near the lovely _Laura_ for whom I
cannot but have the truest, and the warmest Esteem! possibly, If
Heaven shall preserve my life, in some future time, I may again enjoy
her good society.
[95] Letitia Corbin Turberville.
Mr Carter heard this Evening that Captain _Walker_ cannot go to
Maryland, he is thus stop'd.
_Thursday 16._
I can only to day write down my Misfortune; my poor Horse as he was
feeding in a miry Bottom, walked upon a sharp Stick, which stuck into
his Thigh on the under Side about four Inches below his Flank!--The
stick went in more than three Inches!--He is very lame, but they tell
me will recover, The Hostler, when we had lead him to the Stable,
applied Spirits of Turpentine to the part, and in the Evening is to
fill it with Comfrey Roots pounded Soft.
I had the pleasure of walking to Day at twelve o-Clock with Mrs
Carter; She shewed me her stock of _Fowls_ & _Mutton_ for the winter;
She observed, with great truth, that to live in the Country, and take
no pleasure at all in Groves, Fields, or Meadows; nor in Cattle,
Horses, & domestic Poultry, would be a manner of life too tedious to
endure; Dined at three.
_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_.
_Saturday 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
_Balls_, the _Fox-hunts_, the fine _entertainments_, and the _good
fellowship_, 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 assumed 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 _Button_, 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 Assembly, & 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 Essex 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 Balls; & various Pleasures so common here,
will have made so very a "Coxcomb" 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 &
unfashionable that Philander tho' a Coxcomb 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_, _Salust_, _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 Cox 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 pronounce 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 God! 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 scrap'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 God, 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 practitioner 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 Gods 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 Cocke, 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 institution 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.
_Saturday 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 shirt 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, & passes here for seven pence
Halfpenny, the whole is _3s 1½d._--
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.--
This morning came from the Post-office at Hobbes-Hole, on the
Rappahannock, our News-papers. Mr Carter takes the Pennsylvania
Gazette, which seems vastly agreeable to me, for it is like having
something from home--But I have yet no answer to my Letter. We dined
at four o-Clock--Mr Carter kept in his Room, because he breakfasted
late, and on Oysters--There were at Table Mrs Carter & her five
Daughters that are at School with me--Miss _Priscilla_, _Nancy_,
_Fanny_, _Betsy_, and _Harriot_, five as beautiful delicate,
well-instructed Children as I have ever known!--_Ben_ is abroad; _Bob_
& _Harry_ are out; so there was no Man at Table but myself.--I must
carve--Drink the Health--and talk if I can! Our Dinner was no
otherwise than common, yet as elegant a _Christmas Dinner_ as I ever
sat Down to--The table Discourse was Marriage; Mrs _Carter_ observ'd
that was she a Widow, she should scruple to marry any man alive; She
gave a reason, that She did not think it probable a man could love her
grown old when the world is thronged with blooming, ripening Virgins;
but in fact Mrs Carter looks & would pass for a younger Woman than
some unmarried Ladies of my acquaintance, who would willingly enough
make us place them below twenty!--We dined at four; when we rose from
table it was growing dark--The wind continues at South East & is
stormy and muddy.