Spring of my Watch either unhook'd or broke, for when I thought She
had run down, & trying to wind her, I found the Chain made no
Resistance As there is no oppertunity here of having her refitted, I
seem in considerable difficulty--In Spite of all my strongest opposing
efforts, my thoughts dwell on that Vixen _Laura_. I strive to refuse
them admission, or harbour them in my heart, yet like hidden fire they
introduce themselves, & seize; & overcome me when perhaps I am
pursuing some amuseing or useful Study; on giving precepts &
Directions to my little fair Seminary--At ten Mr Lane & Mr John
Simpson call'd to see us--At twelve we had a pleasant walk in the
Garden--Mr Carter, & Mrs Carter along--Mr Lane informs that he has by
particular Request, in the Absence of the Parson, Read the funeral
Service twice since he has been in the county, which is only a few
Weeks--He sets off for home soon; Mr Carter says he is in Love, & I
think it is with Miss _Camel_. I was introduced to Mr _Simpson_: He
talks much; & often mentions his having been to England--They Dined
with us; Toasts as usual. Evening I have the Tooth Ach.
_Wednesday 23._
I was almost wholly deprived of Sleep last night with a pain in my Jaw
& Teeth; which conti[n]ues this morning so bad I scarce know what, or
how to do--Frail, & weak nature; how we are forever teas'd, & vexed
with Anciety in our minds, or Pains & other distresses in our
Bodies!--We dined at half after two--It is now seven in the Evening &
I am about entering into bed, as the pain has entirely left me, that I
may satisfy my Body for last nights loss of my usual rest, I leave Ben
by the Fire, poring over a History of England, nodding Sometimes,
however, & impatient of the distance of nine o-Clock.--
_Thursday 24._
At Breakfast Mr Carter entertained us with an account of what he
himself saw the other Day, which is a strong Representation of the
cruelty & distress which many among the Negroes suffer in Virginia! Mr
Carter dined at Squire Lees some few Weeks ago; at the same place,
that day, dined also Mr George Turburville & his Wife--As Mr Carter
rode up he observed Mr Turburvilles Coach-Man sitting on the
Chariot-Box, the Horses off--After he had made his compliments in the
House, He had Occasion soon after to go to the Door, when he saw the
Coachman still sitting, & on examination found that he was there fast
chained! The Fellow is inclined to run away, & this is the method
which This Tyrant makes use of to keep him when abroad; & so soon as
he goes home he is delivered into the pityless Hands of a bloody
Overseer!--In the Language of a Heathen I query whether cunning old
_Charon_ will not refuse to transport this imperious, haughty
Virginian Lord When he shall happen to die over the Styx to the
Elysian Gardens; lest his Lordship in the passage should take affront
at the treatment, & attempt to chain him also to the Stygean Galley
for Life!--
Or, In the language of a Christian, I query whether he may be admitted
into the peaceful Kingdom of Heaven where meekness, Holiness, &
Brotherly-Love, are distinguishing Characteristicks?--
Tho the Pain in my Teeth has entirely left me, I am not therefore free
from distress; for to day I am attacked with a pain in my Head, &
Fever; which hinders me from Walking out at twelve as is my Custom!--
_Fryday 25._
I rose by seven--& through Gods mercy I feel myself much relieved of
yesterdays complaints--The weather cloudy, cold, rainy at times, &
unpleasant--Evening _Ben_ took courage & asked his _Papa_ for his
consent to allow him to go with me to Philadelphia--The Colonel very
kindly, & at the same time very Politely consented--For he would not
agree till he knew of me whether it is agreeable to me, & at my
Request that he is to go--
_Saturday 26._
_Ben_ & _Bob_ are soon after Breakfast on Horseback; Breakfasted with
us one Lee, a Gentleman of what they call here the back Woods--He
seems indeed a little stiff in his manner; but he has had a long
Ride--I spend the Day close in my Room Reading Writing &c--
_Sunday 27._
An odd Jumble of affairs happened this morning--_Bob_ drest himself &
came into our Room & in his usual way began to be pretty free in
telling us _News_. Amongst a vast quantity of other stuff he informed
_Ben_ & I that he heard Mr _Randolph_ has the P... we both join'd in
severely reprimanding for attempting to propogate so unlikely a
Tale--Why, Brother Ben, said the mischeivous Wretch I heard in this
Neighbourhood, yesterday a Report concerning you not much to your--but
I will conceal it--This inraged Ben he at first however persuaded him
but soon began to threaten loudly unless he told the whole--why then,
Brother said Bob, it is reported that two Sundays ago you took Sukey
(a young likely Negro Girl maid to Mrs Carters youngest Son) into your
stable, & there for a considerable time lock'd yourselves
together!--Before Bob had done, the Bell rung for Breakfast & we
parted--All went to Church to-day but Miss _Nancy_, _Harry_, &
_Myself_--I spend the day agreeably in Mr _Carters_ Library--Evening
when the Colonel returned, (for he dined at Squire Lee's) he informed
me of an affair which happened yesterday in this County, One Smith, a
Man of a Middle age who lives with his aged Father, & his Father too
is old & declining fast with disease--This youth has lately made a
will for his Father which he yesterday compell'd him to sign; & after
the Good old Man had obliged him, he beat and abused him (tho his
father) in desperate manner it is thought with a design to destroy
him! Soon after this he discharged a musket at his own Brother who was
at some distance from him & lodged in his body eighteen large
Shott!--Docters were immediately call'd--& officers directed to take
the villian but he, with his Wife have hid themselves in a Thicket &
have as yet evaded the search of the Sheriff--
Sup'd with us one Mr Mathews a Steward for Mr Carter in Louden.
[_Monday 28_]
Breakfasted with us Mr Mathews; he seems to be a man of great Gravity,
says little, & Sighs often--The day is warm & vastly mild; it is the
first Day we have in all our Rooms been without any Fire--At twelve I
rode to Mr Taylors two miles; he was out, I sat half an hour with Miss
Taylor & returned to Dinner, the Ride exceeding pleasant, and my Horse
seems (as jockeys say) in good Flesh & well prepar'd for our
approaching & much wished for Journey--Evening Mr _Simpson_ came in,
sup'd & stays the Night. He has last Week, been destilling Mr Carter's
Liquor made of Pisimonds--it is soft, mild, of a fair pure Colour,
burns clear, but does not answer the Colonels Expectations; so that he
does not propose to recommend it to his Neighbours in this or the
Neighbouring Counties as a useful experiment. When call'd on for my
Toast, at Supper I gave Miss _Jenny Corbin_; Mrs _Carter_ gave Captain
_Lee_; & Mr _Simpson_ gave Miss _Jones_.
_Teusday 29._
To warm to day for fire, but we have the wind very strong from the
West--Mr _Carter_ rode to Court--Soon after Breakfast I receiv'd a
Letter from Mr _Andrew Bryan_ of Baltimore, Maryland formerly at
College my Class-Mate--the Letter bears Date January 21st 1774 Dated
at _Baltimore_. He informs me of his good Health, & that, he shall
soon forward my Letters inclosed to him; perhaps kind oppertunity
shall have before this hour favoured my wish, & brought to Laura
advices of my State--At twelve I rode out, with Ben, an hour & better,
the Day vastly windy. About four Colonel Philip Lee's Chariot arrived,
in which came four young Misses to be ready for the Dance which
happens here tomorrow--I am informed this Evening that Smith the
Villian mentioned last Sunday was to day apprehended, & committed to
the prison in this County
[Illustration: prisoner being taken to prison]
_Wednesday 30._
Rainy & cold--The Colonel informed me this morning that the general
Opinion of the Gentlemen at Court yesterday seem'd to be that the
County would be free'd of three Villians if the old abused Father, the
wounded Son & Brother, & the offending guilty Son were to be all
hanged--The Day so bad Mr _Christian_ does not attend--Mrs
_Washington_ came however, with Miss Jenny her Daughter; the two
Fantleroys came also, & Miss Corbin, & Miss Turburville, & one Miss
Hale[142] a new _Scholar_--Mr Carters Man play'd & the Dance goes on
with great Spirit & neatness. Evening there is as common a good play.
Separated all for Bed by half after nine.
[142] The Heale family was a well-known one in Lancaster County where
they lived on "Peach Hill" and other manor plantations. The name was
apparently pronounced Hale all through the eighteenth century.
Priscilla Heale was the daughter of George Heale of Lancaster County.
Heale had served as a Burgess from that county.
_Thursday 31._
All our company continue. The morning fair & cool--Yesterday & to-day
I am strongly solicited to dance--I decline however & must
persevere.--Mr & Mrs Turburville came in before Dinner--With the two
Fantleroys, Ben, Bob, & Harry, I had a pleasant walk through the
Fields, to the Mill &c. I paid my forfeit to the Baker 7½d--The
Plumb-Trees are beginning to blossom--Towards Evening our company all
left us.
_Fryday April 1st 1774._
Good Fryday--A general Holiday here--Wednesday & thursday I gave up my
School on account of the Dance, and they must have this Day for
Devotion!--The Colonel, _Ben Harry_, & _myself_ all go to Ucomico
Church--Parson _Smith_ gave the usual Prayers for the Day and a long
Sermon very suitable & well chosen.
After Service we were invited and went Home with Captain Walker to
dine; I was here introduced to Dr Steptoe[143] & a young Gentleman
Brother to the Parson Both seem agreeable, & appear to be men of Sense
Dined here also the Parson, his Wife, Sister, Mr Warder the Lawyer
[143] Dr. George Steptoe of "Windsor" in Westmoreland County had been
graduated in medicine at Edinburgh in 1767.
Towards Evening we rode home I observed as I rode along People are
universally plowing up their Land for planting Corn & for Tobacco And
in one field I saw several Women planting Corn I think however, it is
early even here--They raise no Flax, their Land in general being so
poor that it will not produce it--And their Method of farming is
slovenly, without any regard to continue their Land in heart, for
future Crops--They plant large Quantities of Land, without any Manure,
& work it very hard to make the best of the Crop, and when the Crop
comes off they take away the Fences to inclose another Piece of Land
for the next years tillage, and leave this a common to be destroyed by
Winter & Beasts till they stand in need of it again to plough--The
Land most commonly too is of a light sandy soil, & produces in very
great quantities shrubby _Savins_ & _Pines_, unless in the Vallies
(for it is very hilly) & near the Potowmack where it is often vastly
rich--Mr Carter has been lately solicited & was to have gone this Day
with a number of Gentlemen to Horn-Point on the River Ucomico, with an
intention, if they think the Situation will be proper, to establish
Ware-Houses, & form a small Town--It is however, in my opinion, a
fruitless Scheme--
_Saturday 2._
The morning stormy. I kept the children in til twelve o-Clock then
dismissed them--I spent the greater part of this Day in reading
Miscellaneous Pieces out of Magazines--The weather cleared before
Evening--At five with _Ben_, I rode over to Mr Turburville's, chiefly
to see a young Lady[144] lately from London; who has come over at Mr
Turburville's Invitation in the character of Governess to Miss
Turburville She seems to be young, genteel, & is not without personal
excellence--I received together with Mr _Carters_ Family an Invitation
from Mr Turburville to dine with him to morrow; which I propose to
accept.--
[144] Miss Sally Panton.
_Sunday 3._
The Day pleasant; I rode to church--after the Service proper for the
Day, Mr Smith entertained us with a Sermon from Pauls Defence before
King Agrippa "How is it thought a thing impossible with you that God
should raise the dead," He in this gave us a very plain & just
Discourse on the doctrine of the resurection--This being
Easter-Sunday, all the Parish seem'd to meet together High, Low,
black, White all come out--After Sermon the Sacrament was
administered, but none are admited except communicants to see how the
matter is conducted--
After Sermon I rode to Mr Turburville's (for I found to day the true
spelling of his name) There dined with him, Ladies Mrs _Carter_, &
Mrs _George Turburville_: Gentlemen, Colonel _Carter_, Squire-_Lee_,
Mr _Cunningham_, & Mr _Jennings_, Merchants; Mr _George Lee_, & _Ben
Carter_ & Myself--We had an elegant dinner; Beef & Greens; roast-Pig;
fine boil'd Rock-Fish, Pudding, Cheese &c--Drink: good Porter-Beer,
Cyder, Rum, & Brandy Toddy. The Virginians are so kind one can scarce
know how to dispense with, or indeed accept their kindness shown in
such a variety of instances.--I had again an oppertunity of seeing
Miss _Sally Panton_ which is the name of Mrs Turburville's English
Governess--But the common voice seems to be against me as to her being
Handsome--But her huge _Stays_ low Head _dress_; enormous long
_Waist_, a Dress entirely contrary to the liking of Virginia Ladies,
these I apprehend make her in their Eyes less personable, than to any
one wholly unprejudiced--Her _Stays_ are suited to come up to the
upper part of her shoulders, almost to her chin; and are swaithed
round her as low as they can possibly be, allowing Her the liberty to
walk at all: To be sure this is a vastly modest Dress!--She speaks
French & is to teach the Language to Miss Turburville, & also Writing,
& reading English--Upon the whole, if her Principles of Religion, &
her moral behaviour, be as unexceptionable as her person, & her
Manner, let Mr and Mrs Carters opinions go again me I shall think her
agreeable--Miss _Prissy_ Miss _Nancy_; & Miss _Fanny_ all stay the
night at Captain Turburville's--At Church, Mr Low, a young Scotch
Gentleman, tutor in Colonel _Washingtons_ Family, solicited me to
carry his Recommendations from Scotland, to Dr Witherspoon as he is
desirous to be licensed in one of our northern Presbyteries--I shall
do him the Favour.[145]--The country begins to put on her Fowery
Garment, & appear in _gaity_--The _Apricots_ are in their fulles
Bloom; Peaches also, & Plumbs, & several sorts of Cheries are
blossoming; as I look from my Window & see Groves of Peach Trees on
the Banks of Nomini; (for the orchards here are very Large) and other
Fruit Trees in Blossom; and amongst them interspers'd the gloomy
Savin; beyond all these at a great Distance the blue Potowmack; & over
this great River, just discern the Woods of Maryland & conceive that
beyond them all lies Cohansie my native pleasant Residence; & when I
think with myself that by Gods permission, in a very few days more I
shall be in the midst of Society, quite remote from formality, and
from the least fear of giving offence by being familiar, or of being
aw'd to silence by ostentatious vanity: how the thought fires me!
Direct my Way, merciful God, and keep my Feet from falling, & my
Heart from disobeying thy pure & perfect commandments--And make my Way
prosperous that I may go and return again, still doing thy Pleasure, &
honouring thy great Name!--
[145] Lowe was apparently not licensed as a Presbyterian minister at
this time for he shortly afterwards appears as an Anglican clergyman
in St. George's and Hanover Parishes in Virginia.
_Monday 4._
Easter Monday; a general holiday; Negroes now are all disbanded till
Wednesday morning & are at Cock Fights through the County; This
morning I make a general payment First to Sam the Barber 8/2. Second
to Tom the Hostler 7/6. third to Nelson who waits on me /3½. Sum
15/11½--
Mr & Mrs _Carter_, with Mr _Cunningham_ & _Ben_ (as Mr Cunningham came
home with us last Night) all rode to Day to Richmond Court--I was in
the morning strongly solicited to go, but chose to decline it--After
Breakfast, came home from Mr Turburville's our young Ladies, they
inform me that Miss Panton discovered a strong inclination to be
better acquainted with me; which indeed is a Curiosity that I cannot
say I am altogether destitute of. I shall therefore, when I find it
convenient make Miss Panton a visit--
I was before Dinner very strongly urged, by Mr Taylor, Mr Randolph, &
some others to attend a Cock-Fight, where 25 Cocks are to fight, &
large Sums are betted, so large at one as twenty five Pounds, but I
choose rather to stay at Home. I read to day, & am much charmed with a
Speech of _Plato's_ over Alexander the _Great_ lying dead before
him--"O thou, who deceived by vain-Glory didst think of grasping at
every thing, others are now going to gather the fruits of thy labours
& thy Fatigues. Of so many conquests, there remains of thee but the
terrible account, which thou art obliged to render unto the sovereign
Judge"!--
I have also to Day with considerable attention been looking over
Junius's Letters. His sentiments are strong, & bold. His language is
chaste, & concise. & his Genius seems free and vast--I cannot easily
omit transcribing a short passage from his Letter to the Revd Mr
_Horne_ in which he is speaking of Lord _Chatham_. as it pleases me
vastly. "As for the common, sordid views of avarice, or any purpose of
vulgar Ambition, I question whether the applause of _Junius_, would be
of service to Lord Chatham. My vote will hardly recommend him to an
increase of his pension, or to a Seat in the Cabinet. But if his
Ambition be upon a levil with his understanding--If he judges of what
is truely honourable for himself with the same superior Genius which
animates & directs him to Eloquence in Debates, to Wisdom in Decision,
even the Pen of _Junius_ shall contribute to reward him. Recorded
Honour shall gather round his Monument, & thicken over him. It is a
solid Fabric, & will support the Lawrels that adorn it--I am not
conversant in the language of panegyric--These praises are extorted
from me; but they will wear well, for they have been dearly earned."--
Junius, however, does not seem to have been at all ignorant of his own
merit; for in the close of the same letter he says "Such Artifices
cannot long delude the understanding of the People; &, without meaning
an indecent Comparison I may venture to foretell, that the _Bible_ &
_Junius_ will be read when the Commentaries of the Jesuits are
forgotten. We supped at nine--Mr Carter tired and early in Bed.
After Supper I had a long conversation with Mrs Carter concerning
Negroes in Virginia, & find that She esteems their value at no higher
rate than I do. We both concluded, (& I am pretty certain that the
conclusion is just) that if in Mr Carters, or in any Gentlemans
Estate, all the Negroes should be sold, & the Money put to Interest in
safe hands, & let the Lands which these Negroes now work lie wholly
uncultivated, the bare Interest of the Price of the Negroes would be a
much greater yearly income than what is now received from their
working the Lands, making no allowance at all for the trouble & Risk
of the Masters as to the Crops, & Negroes.--How much greater then must
be the value of an Estate here if these poor enslaved Africans were
all in their native desired Country, & in their Room industrious
Tenants, who being born in freedom, by a laudable care, would not only
inrich their Landlords, but would raise a hardy Offspring to be the
Strength & the honour of the Colony.
_Teusday 5._
It is with difficulty I am able to collect the members of our School
together for Business. Holidays have become habitual, & they seem
unwilling to give them over. As the Negroes have this Day for a
Holiday our Schollars thinks it hard that they should be compell'd to
attend to Business. I summon them together however, and shall keep
them to constant Study until the time of my setting away. Miss
Priscilla this morning told me, of Miss Panton, a moving story: Last
Sunday Evening after we left there She took a lonely Walk, & being
asked why She chose to walk without a companion, she answered that she
was thinking of Home & of her Friends, & indulging her fond Grief on
account of their absence!--Such a feeling as this I have not been a
stranger to, I therefore Sympathize with the poor young Girl. The Day
agreeably pleasant--Towards Evening Miss _Corbin_ came over to pay us
a visit After School I waited on the Ladies in the Dining-Room the
conversation was on Fashions, which instantly introduced the oddity of
Miss _Panton_. But Miss Corbin with a _Sneer_, & with ill-nature
enough, swore She would not think of imitating such a thing as
her!--O!--Tantam Animis cælestibus Iræ?--I spent the Evening in
cheerful chat with the Ladies. I think I have not had a more sociable
& unconstrained feeling since I left Home, & my forgiving Friends.
_Wednesday 6._
Ben is making a great Bustle about going to Philadelphia--He almost
counts the Hours--We propose to go next Wednesday. But with composure,
& Patience, yet with great Satisfaction I anticipate the near
approaching Day. _Ben_ begs me to acquaint him with the manners of the
People in regard to Religion, and he swears he can suit himself to any
serious, or formal Visage--
Mrs _Carter_, & Miss _Corbin_, after Breakfast rode to Colonel
Frank-Lee's--We dine alone. I informed the Colonel that I do not think
it will be convenient for me to continue with him longer than one
year--He discovered some dissattisfaction; I told him my reason & he
assented--he honours me, by putting in me so much confidence as to
commission me to find out and recommend to Him some young Gentleman to
succeed me in the instruction of his Children--He flattered my vanity
also by reading a Letter to me which I am to bear to Dr Witherspoon,
the contents of it as follows--
"Robert _Carters_ compliments to Dr _Witherspoon_: He has
the pleasure to acquaint Him that Mr Fithians Method of
teaching, & his conduct are highly approved here; He is
about to visit his friends in _New-Jersey_, & will bring
these from Sir,
Your humble Servt"--
He informed me that he does indeed prefer a Tutor for his Children who
has been educated upon the Continent, not on a supposition that such
are better Schollars, or that they are of better principles, or of
more agreeable Tempers; but only on account of pronunciation in the
English Language, (as most of his Children are to be taught chiefly in
this) in which he allows young Gentlemen educated in good Schools on
the Continent, to excel the Scotch young Gentlemen, & indeed most of
the English.--Evening came in & staid the Night Captain Blackwell.
[Illustration: man in horse-drawn cart]
_Thursday 7._
Breakfasted with us Miss _Corbin_. The Day pleasant--Mr Carter
proposes to set away soon after Dinner--He seems, however, to prepare
himself for his Journey with all the sedateness of a philosopher--Besides
the Commands he gave me yesterday, he desires me to wait on Mr
Willing[146] Merchant in Philadelphia & know if he will trade here for
either Flour or Bread in any Quantity.--He has given Ben & me an
Invitation to ride & spend this Evening with him at Colonel
_Tayloe's_--We set out about three; Mr _Carter_ travels in a small,
neat _Chair_, with two waiting Men--We rode across the Country which
is now in full Bloom; in every field we saw Negroes planting Corn, or
plowing, or hoeing; we arrived at the Colonels about five, Distance
twelve miles. Here is an elegant Seat!--The House is about the Size of
Mr. _Carters_, built with Stone, & finished curiously, & ornamented
with various paintings, & rich Pictures. This Gentleman owns
_Yorick_, who won the prize of 500£ last November, from Dr Floods
Horse _Gift_--In the Dining-Room, besides many other fine Pieces, are
twenty four of the most celebrated among the English Race-Horses,
Drawn masterly, & set in elegant gilt Frames.--He has near the great
House, two fine two story stone Houses, the one is used as a Kitchen,
& the other, for a nursery, & Lodging Rooms--He has also a large well
formed, beautiful Garden, as fine in every Respect as any I have seen
in _Virginia_. In it stand four large beautiful Marble Statues--From
this House there is a good prospect of the River _Rapahannock_, which
opposite here is about two miles across; We can also from the chambers
easily see the Town Hobbes-Hole & the Ships which lie there. I was
introduced by Mr _Carter_ to the Colonel, to Miss Polly, & to Miss
Kitty his Daughters--& to a Lady (Mrs Thornton,)[147] that happened
there, & to a young Gentleman, Mr Corvin[148]--The young Ladies played
several tunes for us, & in good Taste on the _Harpsichord_; We supp'd
at nine; & had the usual Toasts.