_Bob_ which tho it discovered stupidity, yet at the same time
discovered great thoughtfulness.--It was about his sleeping with the
_Dog_; Mr _Randolph_ told me _Bob_ asked him with great solemnity if
he thought _God Almighty_ knew it!--While we supped Mr _Carter_ as he
often does played on the _Forte-Piano_. He almost never sups. Last
Night and to night I had large clear, & very elegant Spermaceti
Candles sent into my Room;
_Sunday 26._
I rose at eight--The morning is fair; all seem quiet--I went to the
window before I was drest, having only a Gown thrown about me &
enjoy'd a beautiful Prospect of the high Banks of the River Nomini
gilded by the morning Sun--I could not help casting my Eyes with
eagerness over the blue Potowmack and look homewards.--After having
paid my morning secret Devotion to the King of Kings, I sat myself to
the correcting and transcribing my Sermon--I had the pleasure to wait
on Mrs _Carter_ to Church She rode in the Chariot, & Miss Prissy and
Nancy; Mr Carter chose to stay at Home--The Sacrament was to have been
administred but there was so few people that he thought it improper,
and put of til Sunday fortnight. He preach'd from Isaiah 9.6. For unto
us a child is Born &c. his Sermon was fifteen Minutes long! very
fashionable--He invited me very civilly to Dine & spend the Evening
with him, but I could not leave the Ladies! He made me almost promise,
however to call some Day this Week.
At the Church to day I heard an impious Expression from a young
Scotch-Man,[106] Tutor in Mr Washingtons Family; he meant it for a
Satire upon the neglect of the people in suffering their Grave Yard to
lie common--He saw some Cattle & Hogs feeding & rooting in the yard;
"Why, says he, if I was buried here it would grieve me to look up and
see _Swine_ feeding over me"!--But I understand only the lower sort of
People are buried at the Church; for the Gentleman have private
burying-Yards.
[106] John Lowe (1750-1798), a Scotsman, was the tutor of the children
of Colonel John Augustine Washington, a brother of George Washington,
at this period. John Augustine Washington's manor plantation,
"Bushfield," was located on the Potomac River in Westmoreland County,
a short distance from "Nomini Hall" and "Hickory Hill." Lowe was the
author of a number of ballads which are still popular in Scotland
today. After serving for some time as a tutor and conducting an
academy at Fredericksburg, he was ordained an Anglican clergyman, and
appears to have served as minister in both St. George's and Hanover
Parishes. An unhappy marriage is believed to have led to a dissipation
which resulted in his early death. Cf. Meade, _Old Churches, Ministers
and Families of Virginia_, Vol. II, p. 185; _Virginia Magazine of
History_, Vol. 29 (January 1921), pp. 102-105.
_Monday 27._
At Breakfast Mrs Carter gave me an Invitation to wait on her to Parson
_Smiths_ Mr Carter offered Me his riding Horse, A beautiful grey,
young, lively Colt; We sat out about ten, Mrs Carter, Miss Prissy,
Miss Fanny, & Miss Betsy, in the Chariot; Bob and I were on Horse
back; Mrs Carter had three waiting Men; a Coachman. Driver &
Postillion. We found the way muddy; got there a little after twelve;
Mr Smith was out; I was introduced by Mrs Carter to Mrs Smith, and a
young Lady her Sister who lives with them; At Dinner I was at Mr
Smiths request to "say Grace" as they call it; which is always
express'd by the People in the following words, "God bless us in what
we are to receive"--& after Dinner, "God make us thankful for his
mercies"--As we were sitting down to Table Ben Carter rode up; when we
had dined, the Ladies retired, leaving us a Bottle of Wine, & a Bowl
of Toddy for companions--Ben came with a Message for me to go to a
Ball, but poor fellow, I cant dance!--He prest me very much, but I was
forced to decline it--We returned in the Evening; & found Mr Carter &
Miss Nancy practising Music, one on the Forte-Piano, and the other on
the Guitar. Mr Carter is Learning Bedford, Coles hill, and several
other Church Tunes.
[Illustration: horse-drawn coach]
_Teusday 28._
Last Night there fell a Snow, which is about half Shoe deep, the Air
is sharp, the wind at North, & Snows yet by turns. I finished and laid
by my Sermon for the Presbytery this morning--Breakfasted at ten: Ben
staid last Night at Mr _Turbuville's_ & got Home to day about twelve
from his _Christmas Jaunt_.
Spent most of the Day at the great House hearing the various
Instruments of Music. Evening, at Miss Prissy's Request I drew for her
some Flowers on Linen which she is going to imbroider, for a various
Counterpane.
_Wednesday 29._
This Morning our School begins after the Holidays. Bob seems sorry
that he must forsake the Marsh & River when he is daily fowling, &
never kills any Game. At Dinner we had the Company of Dr Franks[107]
who has been all along Mr Carters Clerk; but is now leaving Him. We
had a large Pye cut to Day to signify the Conclusion of the Holidays.
I drew, this afternoon more Flowers for Miss Prissy.
[107] Dr. Henry Francks of Westmoreland County.
_Thursday 30._
Dr Franks is moving, he has lived in the House adjoining our School.
The morning is fine, I rose by eight, breakfasted at ten, Miss Prissy
& Nancy are to-Day Practising Music one on the Forte Piano, the other
on the Guitar, their Papa allows them for that purpose every Teusday,
& Thursday. Ben is gone to the Quarter to see to the measuring the
crop of Corn. On his return in the Evening, when we were sitting &
chatting, among other things he told me that we must have a
House-warming, seeing we have now got possession of the whole
House--It is a custom here whenever any _person_ or _Family_ move into
a _House_, or repair a house they have been living in before, they
make a _Ball_ & give a Supper--So we because we have gotten Possession
of the whole House, are in compliance with Custom, to invite our
Neighbours, and dance, and be merry--But poor me! I must hobble, or
set quiet in the Corner!
_Fryday 31._
I rose at eight. _Ben_ gone again to the quarter--_Harriot_ to Day for
the first time said all her letters--
The Colonel shewed me after Dinner a new invention, which is to be
sure his own, for tuning his _Harpischord_ & _Forte-Piano_: it is a
number of _Whistles_, of various Sizes so as to sound all the Notes in
one Octave. At twelve o-Clock Mr _Carter_ ordered his Boy to bring two
Horses, and himself & Miss _Prissy_ rode out for an airing as the Day
is vastly fine--Assoon as the Bell rang & I had dismissed the Children
I took a walk in the Garden; When I had gone round two or three Platts
Mrs Carter entered and walked towards me, I then immediately turn'd
and met Her; I bowed--Remarked on the pleasantness of the Day--And
began to ask her some questions upon a Row of small slips--To all
which she made polite and full answers; As we walked along she would
move the Ground at the Root of some plant; or prop up with small
sticks the bended _scions_--We took two whole turns through all the
several Walks, & had such conversation as the _Place_ and _Objects_
naturally excited--And after Mrs Carter had given some orders to the
Gardiners (for there are two Negroes Gardiners by Trade, who are
constantly when the Weather will any how permit working in it) we
walked out into the _Area_ viewed some Plumb-Trees, when we saw Mr
Carter and Miss Prissy returning--We then repaired to the Slope before
the front-Door where they dismounted--and we all went into the Dining
Room. I shall in a proper time describe the great-House, & the several
smaller ones in its neighbourhood; the _Area_, _Poplar-Walk_,
_Garden_, & _Pasture_: In the mean time I shall only say, they
discover a delicate and Just Tast, and are the effect of great
_Invention_ & _Industry,_ & _Expence_. At Dinner we were conversing on
the seasons of the Year, & giving our different opinions of which of
the Seasons we each thought most agreeable: Mrs Carter chose the
Months of October, November & December, her reasons were, that we are
always most sensible of pleasure when it succeeds Axiety & Pain;
therefore because these months immediately follow those in which there
is usually Thunder & Lightning & intense Heat, She thinks them most
pleasant: The Colonel agreed with her as to the Months but gave a
different Reason; He supposes that in these Months the Air is more
uniform and settled than at any other so long time in the year. I
preferr'd May, June, and July, because our Bodies at that Season are
generally sprightly, vigorous and healthy, and the world around us is
beautiful & growing to necessary perfection. Miss Prissy & Miss Nancy
were on my side.
Mrs Carter told the Colonel that he must not think her setled (for
they have been for a long time from this place in the City
_Williamsburg_, and only left it about a year and a half ago) till he
made her a park and stock'd it; while these and many other things were
saying, I was surprized at a Remark which Miss _Prissy_ made, "Why
Mama says she, you plan and talk of these things as tho' you should
never die"!
_Saturday January 1. 1774._
Another Year is gone! Last New years Day I had not the most remote
expectation of being now here in _Virginia_! Perhaps by the next I
shall have made a longer and more important Remove, from this to the
World of Spirits!
It is well worth the while, for the better improving of our time to
come to recollect and reflect upon the Time which we have spent; The
Season seems to require it; it will give entertainment at least,
perhaps much substantial pleasure too, to be able to make with a
considerable degree of certainty a review of the general course of our
Actions in the course of a year. This shall be my employment, so far
as I am able to recollect, when I shall have suitable time for the
fixing & laying my thoughts together--
In the mean time I observe that the Day is most pleasant, the wind is
West, not fresh; the air is void of clouds, but near the Earth is
smoky; the Ground is clear of Frost and setled, what can be finer? Mr
Carter Miss Prissy and myself were to have rode out for an Exercise at
twelve, but we were prevented by the coming of a Gentleman, Dr
_Fantleroy_,[108] to whom Mr Carter introduced me--
[108] Dr. Moore Fauntleroy (1743-1802) was the son of William
Fauntleroy of Naylor's Hole in Richmond County. Fauntleroy, who had
studied medicine in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, practiced in Essex County
after his return to Virginia in 1770.
After Dinner was finished which was about four o-Clock, Miss Prissy &
Myself, together with a Servant (for Mr Carter would not trust us
alone he said) rode on Horse-Back to Mr Turbuvilles, about three
quarters of a Mile distance; It is the first time I have been there,
the House is near, & in Sight, and the families intimate. I rode my
Horse for the first time since his misfortune. When we returned about
Candlelight, we found Mrs Carter in the yard seeing to the Roosting of
her Poultry; and the Colonel in the Parlour tuning his _Guitar_.
_Sunday 2._
The weather warm and Damp--The Family rode to Church to-day and are to
dine out. Mr Carter at my request, gave me the Keys of his Book-Cases
and allowed me to spend the Day alone in his Library.
The place seems suitable for Study, & the Day ought to be spent in
serious contemplation; therefore, as I proposed Yesterday, I shall
collect together and write down what I have been doing in the last
Year. But will my Life bear the review? Can I look upon my Actions and
not Blush! And shall I be no less careful, or have no better Success,
in the prosecution of my Duty the Year to come, if I shall be kept
alive to the Close of it?--
In the Beginning of the last year I was in Deerfield, in Cumberland
County New-Jersey, with the Rev'd Mr Green; Under him I studied the
Hebrew-Language and Divinity. I left the college the last of September
1772. After having setled my business at Home, I entered upon the
Study of Divinity with the Rev'd Andrew Hunter; I was with him about a
Month, and on the first of December I went to Mr _Green_ with a design
to acquaint myself with the Hebrew Tongue; he put me to the Grammar,
which I learn'd through, and read some Chapters in the Psalter in the
Course of the Winter: In Divinity, he advised me to read Ridgeleys
body of Divinity for a System: And he gave me several separate
treatisses on Repentance, Regeneration, Faith, &c, & towards spring
gave me subjects to consider in the Sermon-Way. Yet how barren am I
still? It is an arduous task to bring the Mind to close application; &
still greater to lay up and retain useful Knowledge. I continued with
Mr _Green_ & pursued my studies, I hope with some Success till August
1773. when I was solicited by Dr _Witherspoon_ to go into _Virginia_ &
teach in a Gentlemans Family--The Offer seem'd profitable; I was
encouraged by the Dr and was to have his Recommendation--I had
likewise myself a strong inclination to go--Yet I was in great Doubt,
& Wholly undetermined for some Weeks, because many of my friends, and
some of my near Relations opposed my leaving Home, and all seem'd
utterly unwilling to advise to go--It is time, according to the Course
of my Life they said that I was settling to some constant Employment,
and they told me I ought especially to enter with as great speed as
convenient into that plan of Life for which I have in particular had
my Education--That Virginia is sickly--That the People there are
profane, and exceeding wicked--That I shall read there no Calvinistic
Books, nor hear any Presbyterian Sermons--That I must keep much
Company, and therefore spend as much, very probably much more Money
than my Salary--These considerations unsettled for a while my mind--On
the other hand I proposed to myself the following advantages by
going--A longer opportunity for Study than my friends would willingly
allow me If I should remain at home--A more general acquaintance with
the manners of Mankind; and a better Knowledge of the Soil, & Commerce
of these neighbouring Provinces--And a more perfect acquaintance with
the Doctrines, & method of Worship in the established Church in these
Colonies, & especially with the Conduct of the Clergy of which there
have been so many bad reports--All these however when I had laid them
together, seem'd to overbear the others, so that I determined at last
to break through and go!--Here now I am in a strange Province; But I
am under no more nor stronger temptations to any kind of vice, perhaps
not so great as at Cohansie,--unless sometimes when I am solicited to
dance I am forc'd to blush, for my Inability--I have the opportunity
of living with Credit perfectly retired--in a well regulated
family--With a man of Sense--May God help me to walk in his fear &
Gloryfy his Name!--
_Monday 3d._
Last Evening, by Miss Prissy, I was complimented with an Invitation
from Mr _Turburville_ to Dine with Him tomorrow--Squire _Lee_[109] is
as Miss Prissy told me, preparing to make a splendid _Ball_, which is
to last four or five Days; we are to be invited!--But I must stay at
Home and read _Salust_--Mr Carter is at Richmond-Court, which is held
monthly here in every County. In the Evening Mr Warden, a young Scotch
Lawyer came home with him. I spent the Evening in the Parlour--After
Supper when I was call'd upon for my Tost I mentioned with Pleasure
Miss _Betsy Beaty_.
[109] Richard Lee of "Lee Hall."
_Teusday 4._
Rose by eight--Mr _Warden_ breakfasted with us. Miss Prissy befor
Breakfast, as it is her practising Day, gave us sundry Tunes on the
_Forte Piano_. I kept the children while twelve then as we were to
dine out, I dismiss'd them till morning, and prepar'd to ride--Mrs
Carter, Miss Sylla, and Miss Betsy rode in the Chariot, and set off
about half after twelve with three waiting men--Mr Carter, Ben, and
myself, waited, & left Home by half after one, we rode on Horse back,
and waited on ourselves--It was two o-Clock when we got to Mr
Turburvilles where we were to dine--We found there two Gentlemen, with
their Wives, and one of them had also a Son & Daughter Mr Booth also
came in a short time after us; So that there dined to day with Mr
Turburville to day besides his usual Family thirteen Persons.--And if
I mention the Waiting Men With the Carriages they were twenty. We had
an Elegant Dinner, but it did not in any thing exceed what is every
day at Mr _Carters_ Table.
--We all returned Home before Dark--In the Evening the Colonel is busy
in transposing Music, I have not been at any house since I left Home,
which, from the appearance of its Situation, and the Economy of the
Family, or any other apparent Convenience, I would so soon choose to
reside in as a tutor, as the one in which it is my lot to be
placed--The Family is most agreeable! Mr Carter is sensible judicious,
much given to retirement & Study; his Company, & conversation are
always profitable--His main Studies are _Law_ & _Music_, the latter of
which seems to be his darling Amusement--It seems to nourish, as well
as entertain his mind! And to be sure he has a nice well judging Ear,
and has made great advances in the Theory and Practice of music--
Mrs _Carter_ is prudent, always cheerful, never without Something
pleasant, a remarkable Economist, perfectly acquainted (in my Opinion)
with the good-management of Children, intirely free from all foolish
and unnecessary fondness, and is also well acquainted (for She has
always been used) with the formality and Ceremony which we find
commonly in high Life--Ben, the eldest, is a youth of genius: of a
warm impetuous Disposition; desirous of acquiring Knowledge, docile,
vastly inquisitive & curious in mercantile, and mechanical Matters, is
very fond of Horsses, and takes great pleasure in exercising
them--Bob, the other Brother, is By no means destitute of capacity, As
Mr Marshal who was his last Tutor has asserted, & as many now suppose:
He is extremely volatile & unsettled in his temper, which makes it
almost wholly impossible to fix him for any time to the same thing--On
which account he has made but very little advancement in any one
Branch of Study, and this is attributed to Barrenness of Genius--He is
slovenly, clumsy, very fond of Shooting, of Dogs, of Horses, But a
very stiff untoward _Rider_, good natur'd, pleased with the Society of
persons much below his Family, and Estate, and tho' quick and wrathful
in his temper, yet he is soon moderated, & easily subdued--Harry the
Nephew, is rather stoical, sullen, or saturnine in his make. He is
obstinate, tho' Steady, and makes a slow uniform advance in his
Learning, he is vastly kind to me, but in particular to my Horse, of
his health or Indisposition--Miss _Priscilla_, the eldest Daughter
about 16, is steady, studious, docile, quick of apprehension, and
makes good progress in what She undertakes; If I could with propriety
continue in the Family, I should require no stronger Inducement than
the Satisfaction I should receive by seeing this young Lady become
perfectly acquainted with any thing I propose so soon as I communicate
it to her, but the situation of my affairs makes it out of my power
to stay longer than a year; She is small of her age, has a mild
winning Presence, a sweet obliging Temper, never swears, which is here
a distinguished virtue, dances finely, plays well on key'd
Instruments, and is upon the whole in the first Class of the female
Sex.
_Nancy_ the Second, is not without some few of those qualities which
are by some (I think with great ill nature, and with little or no
truth) said to belong intirely to the fair Sex. I mean great
curiosity, Eagerness for superiority, Ardor in friend ship, But
bitterness and rage where there is enmity--She is not constant in her
disposition, nor diligent nor attentive to her business--But She has
her excellencies, She is cheerful, tender in her Temper, easily
managed by perswasion & is never without what seems to have been a
common Gift of Heaven, to the _fair-Sex_, the "_Copia Verborum_," or
readiness of Expression!--She is only beginning to play the _Guitar_,
She understands the Notes well, & is a graceful Dancer.
_Fanny_ next, is in her Person, according to my Judgment, the Flower
in the Family--She has a strong resemblance of her _Mama_ who is an
elegant, beautiful Woman--Miss Fanny seems to have a remarkable
Sedateness, & simplicity in her countenance, which is always rather
chearful than melancholy; She has nothing with which we can find Fault
in her Person, but has something in the Features of her Face which
insensibly pleases us, & always when She is in Sight draws our
Attention, & much the more because there seems to be for every
agreeable Feature a correspondent Action which improves & adorns it.
Betsy next is young, quiet, and obedient--Harriot is bold, fearless,
noisy and lawless; always merry, almost never displeased; She seems to
have a Heart easily moved by the force of Music; She has learned many
Tunes & can strike any Note, or Succession of Notes perfectly with the
Flute or Harpsichord, and is never wearied with the sound of Music
either vocal or _Instrumental_.
These are the Persons who are at present under my direction, & whose
general Character I have very imperfectly attempted to describe.
_Wednesday 5._
Rose at Seven. The morning very stormy. _Bob_ & _Nancy_ before
Breakfast had a quarrel--Bob called Nancy a Lyar; Nancy upbraided Bob,
on the other Hand, with being often flog'd by their Pappa; often by
the Masters in College; that he had stol'n Rum, & had got drunk; &
that he used to run away &c--These Reproaches when they were set off
with Miss Nancys truely feminine address, so violently exasperated
_Bob_ that he struck her in his Rage--I was at the time in my Chamber;
when I enter'd the Room each began with loud and heavy complaints, I
put them off however with sharp admonitions for better Behaviour.
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
principal Overseer dined with us--After School in the Evening, I sat
with _Betsy_ & _Fanny_ 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 Dicks, Morgans and Rutters.
_Fryday 7._
The morning cold, muddy and drisly--Our School seems still, and
vacant. _Betsy_ & _Fanny_ 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.