til twelve o Clock as they used to go out all the last winter at
Breakfast--_Bob_ especially is vastly vociferous on the Occasion--Our
Bells for School & play-Hours are at present under good Regulations.
The Children come in as soon as they rise and are Drest which is
usually about seven--The Bell rings at eight for Breakfast--At nine it
Rings for two purposes; for the Children to enter School, & for the
Gardiners, Carpenters, & other workmen to come into Breakfast--At ten
it Rings them to work. At twelve it rings for the School play
hours--At two it rings for us to Dine, & the workmen--And the las[t]
bell is at three for School & for the workmen to go to Labour--I
dismiss them by my watch at half after Five.--After Dinner I rode
alone to Mr Blains Store; bought a pen-knife, nine Jacket-Buttons, & a
primmer for Miss _Harriot 3/_. It is alarming to observe how hard, &
dusty the Country is; towards evening some clouds arose & looked
promising in the West, but they bring no rain--No rain has fell here
since the 24th of May, & then but a Scanty Shower, & most of the time
since windy.
_Sunday 12._
_Ben_ & Mr _Randolph_ had a small wrangle about Horses: The Day is
vastly hot, the wind small at West, clear & very Dry I choose
therefore to stay at Home--I lent my Horse to _Ben_, & staid myself at
Home to write my Lecture, Mrs _Carter_ the two Misses, & Ben went to
Church, Mr Randolph went on Board Captain Blackwells Ship to
dine--_Bob_ pleaded hard with me for Leave to go on Board the Ship,
but I kept him at home with me--Evening I finished my Lecture & laid
it by for future examination. Some Clouds & Lightning in the west but
no rain.
Monday 13.
_Ben_ gave _Bob_, for some imprudent Language a drubbing this
morning--About nine we had a Shower but soon over & of little use; be
to God, however, that we have any--I begun, to day my Sermon for the
Presbytery--The change in the weather since yesterday is remarkable.
This afternoon is so cool that I should be glad of a winter
suit--yesterday afternoon was so hot I could not be comfortably cool
in a thin gown, with all the windows of my chamber up. Evening, John
the waiting Man play'd, & the young Ladies spent the evening merrily
in dancing--I staid til ten, saw them & Conversed with Mrs Carter.
_Teusday 14._
I added last night to my Bed-Clothes a Quilt, Blanket, & my own
Clothes & lay under them all, none too warm--The children call'd for a
Fire in the school-Room, & were so cold I was obliged to dismiss them
before the Bell--I believe there is no Frost--Befor Breakfast, Mr
_Stadley_ the musician came from Colonel _Taylors_ at _mount Airy_.
Miss Priscilla & Nancy attend his instructions. Mr Stadley shewed me
some Verses he is carrying from Mr Washingtons to His Daughter they
seem good and are as follow.
A Hymn for a dying Believer.
1st Happy Soul thy Days are ended,
All thy mourning Days below,
Go by Angel-Guards attended
To the Sight of Jesus, go.
2d Waiting to recieve my Spirit,
Lo thy Saviour stands above,
Shews the purchase of his merit
Reaches out the Crown of Love.
3d For the Joy he Sets before thee
Bear a momentary pain,
Die to live the Life of Glory
Suffer, with thy Lord to reign.
Spent the evening very agreeably with Mrs Carter & Mr Stadley, we sat
about a good Fire in the Dining-Room, and it seems as necessary &
agreeable as in November or December.--
_Wednesday 15._
So cold that I ordered a Fire in the School-Room--Mr Stadley with us
yet--I took out of the Library to read for entertainment the
"Amusement of the _German Spa_; it is a well written piece--Designed
entirely for Amusement Before dinner Mrs Taylor,[179] with her two
Daughters Miss Polly, & Kitty came in a Chariot--_Bob_ was in a moment
on Fire; He is deeply Smitten with Polly's Charms--beg'd me for Leave
to go out of School & dress--I allow'd him, The Day was vastly windy &
the drouth is alarming!--Close Attention for two weeks past has
fatigued me so much, that yesterday, & to Day I have laid aside Study,
& read only for Relaxation--I took a whim in my head & would not go to
Dinner, my Head was not dress'd, & I was too lazy to change my
clothes--Mrs Carter, however, in the evening lash'd me severely. I
told her I was engaged in reading a pleasant Novel.--That I was not
perfectly well--But She would not hear none, & said I was rude, &
censurable--Mr Stadley spent the evening in playing several songs &
Sonata's on the Harpsichord & violin--
[179] Mrs. Tayloe.
_Thursday 16._
Mr Stadley left us before Breakfast--Reading at the Amusement of
_Spa_--Drew off some Tunes--
_Fryday 17._
Bob was missing last night I was at his Room at twelve o Clock he was
absent--This morning I examined him, he told me he was at Mr
Turburville's, but told me several palpable Lies--I gave him however
severe correction--We had this morning about 5 o Clock a smart Gust of
wind, Rain & Thunder, but soon over.
_Saturday 18._
_Ben_ not very well--At twelve _Bob_ teaz'd me for leave to go to a
Cock-Fight & Horse-Race about two Miles off, I gave him Leave with his
promising to be home by Sun Set.--Spent the Afternoon in my room
writing--Towards evening 'Squire _Lee_ call'd in, & brought a late
London News-Paper in which we are informed that another Act of
Parliament has pass'd taking from the People of Boston all power of
trying any Soldier, or Person whether for commiting any Crime; &
obliging all such offenders to be sent home for legal Tryal--Heaven
only knows where these tumults will End!--He informed us likewise that
last Saturday in Richmond (our neighbour County) the people drest &
burnt with great marks of Destestation the infamous Lord _North_--Mrs
_Carter_, after the 'Squire left us quite astonished me in the Course
of the evening. with her perfect acquaintance with the American
Constitution--
_Sunday 19._
The day cool--Sermon is at Ucomico, so that we all stay at Home Mrs
Carter was in the morning frightned thinking that several of the
Negro-Girls in the Family are unwell with the Measles, but I believe
it to be only a Frett of the Heat Ben is unwel; He has a sick Stomach;
at Times aguish; complains of Pains in his Breast & Side; & in the
morning Spits Blood. He keeps about however, but his fond Mama
discovers great anxiety.--I spend the Day in my Room writing at my
Sermon, & reading the plain & useful _Pictete_.
_Monday 20._
So cool that I sit with my Cloths buttoned, & am chilly. the children
also complain of the cold; this must certainly be unwholesome
weather--Breakfasted with us Mr _Cox_--Ben continues no better, he
lays by Study to day & keeps in--I myself either conceit or in reality
have a Fever & head-Ach to Day--Before twelve we had a moderate Shower
no wind nor Thunder--Mrs _Carter_ wrote a note to Dr _Jones_ & Desired
him to call & See _Ben_, towards evening he came; He thinks _Ben_ has
only Symptoms of an Agu approaching--He prescribed some Physick--Drank
Coffee with us, & went home about six--I lightens in the North.
_Teusday 21._
Harry is unwel, takes this morning Physick, and keeps his Room--Ben is
in the same way--_Priscilla_ & Nancy are practising Musick, so that to
Day we have only four in School--At five in the Evening, Ben, _Prissy_
& I rode out on Horse back for exercise; before we returned Captain
_Dobby_, of the Ship _Susannah_ an agreeable, sensible, polite
Gentleman came, & 'Squire _Lee_--The conversation, at Coffee was on
American affairs, the 'Squire shew'd us one of Mr Dunlaps
papers,[180] in which are accounts that the Northern Colonies are
zealous & stedfast in resolutions to maintain their Liberties--We sat
til eleven--
[180] John Dunlap had established the _Pennsylvania Packet_ in 1771.
_Wednesday 22._
Breakfasted with us Captain _Dobby_, & Mr Taylor, their conversation
promiscuous--Clear & warm, not sultry, _Harry_ better & in School, but
_Ben_ continues indisposed. I wrote to Day some at my Sermon--After
School, with Mrs Carter & the young Ladies & _Bob_, I walked through
the Garden--But I seem not suited in being confin'd wholly at Home,
yet my stay is quite voluntary--
_Thursday 23._
Very warm all the morning--From twelve to two I was writing at my
Sermon--While we were at dinner a very black cloud rose in the West:
Mrs Carter, is fearful when it thunders, so that I did not leave the
Room till it was over, about four, there was a strong Gale of wind,
some thunder, & a refreshing Shower. At five with Mrs Carter & the
young Ladies I took a walk; She shewed me from a high Hill several
beautiful Prospects--I was diverted tho it was a little cruel, to see
the Girls gather the Blossoms of some Prickly-Pears.
_Fryday 24._
Lat night we had a Gust of Rain & Thunder; very acceptable--To Day in
course Mr Christians Dance happens here--He came before
Breakfast--Miss _Jenny Washington_ came also, & Miss _Priscilla Hale_
while we were at Breakfast--Miss Washington is about seventeen; She
has not a handsome Face, but is neat in her Dress, of an agreeable
Size, & well proportioned, & has an easy winning Behaviour; She is not
forward to begin a conversation, yet when spoken to She is extremely
affable, without assuming any Girlish affectation, or pretending to be
overcharg'd with Wit; She has but lately had oppertunity of
Instruction in Dancing, yet She moves with propriety when she dances a
_Minuet_ & without any _Flirts_ or vulgar _Capers_, when She dances a
_Reel_ or _Country-Dance_: She plays well on the Harpsichord, &
Spinet; understands the principles of Musick, & therefore performs her
Tunes in perfect time, a Neglect of which always makes music
intolerable, but it is a fault almost universal among [Illustration:
formally dressed group]
young Ladies in the practice; She sings likewise to her instrument,
has a strong, full voice, & a well-judging Ear; but most of the
Virginia-Girls think it labour quite sufficient to thump the Keys of a
Harpsichord into the air of a tune mechanically, & think it would be
Slavery to submit to the Drudgery of acquiring Vocal Music; Her Dress
is rich & well-chosen, but not tawdry, nor yet too plain; She appears
to Day in a Chintz cotton Gown with an elegant blue Stamp, a Sky-Blue
silk Quilt, spotted apron; Her Hair is a light Brown, it was crap'd
up, with two Rolls at each Side, & on the top a small cap of beautiful
Gawze and rich Lace, with an artificial Flower interwoven--Her person
& carriage at a small distance resembles not a little my much
respected _Laura_. But on close examination her Features are something
masculine, those of _Laura_ are mild and delicate: Mr _Christien_ very
politely requested me to open the Dance by stepping a Minuet with this
amiable Girl, but I excused myself by assuring Him that I never was
taught to Dance.--Miss Hale is about fourteen; a slim, puny silent
Virgin; She has black Eyes, & black Hair, a good sett of Eye-Brows,
which are esteem'd in Virginia essential to Beauty; She looks innocent
of every human Failing, does not speak five Words in a Week, & I dare
say from her Carriage that her Modesty is invincible; She is drest in
a white Holland Gown, cotton Diaper quilt very fine, a Lawn apron, has
her Hair crap'd up, & on it a small Tuft of Ribbon for a Cap She is
but just innitiated into the School, and only hobbles yet Once I saw
her standing; I rose immediately and begg'd her to accept my Chair;
She answered most kindly, "Sir I thank you." that was all I could
extract from this Wonder of the Sex for the two Days she stay'd, & I
seemed to have an equal Share too in the Favours of her Conversation;
so that I cannot be any way particular in describing the mental
faculties of Miss _Hale_. it is sufficient to say that I think She is
far removed from most of the foibles of Women--Some time after these
came Colonel Lee's[181] Chariot with five young Misses--These five,
with Miss Washington & Miss Hale & Miss Nancy Carter, & Bob are Mr
Christiens Compliment of Scholars in this School except Miss
Turburville who is just now up the country with an Uncle, where She is
to Stay some time together with Miss Corbin. Miss Betsy Lee[182] is
about thirteen; a tall slim genteel Girl; She is very far from Miss
Hale's taciturnity, yet is by no means disagreeably forward; She
dances extremely well, & is just begining to play the Spinet--She is
drest in a neat shell Callico Gown, has very light Hair done up with a
Feather, & her whole carriage is easy inoffensive, & graceful--The
other Miss Lee's are small Towards evening came in George Lee, & Mr
_Grubb_, an English Gentleman; the Company danced after candle-light a
Minuet round, three Country Dances, several Reels, when we were Rung
to Supper after Supper we sit til twelve drinking loyal Toasts--
[181] Colonel Richard Henry Lee of "Chantilly."
[182] This Betsey Lee was perhaps Elizabeth, the daughter of John Lee
of Essex County, a nephew of President Thomas Lee.
_Saturday 25._
Ben & I slept til eight--we breakfasted at nine, soon after Christien
collected his School and gave them a Lesson round--About ten the two
Gentlemen left us. They quit Dancing about two--After Dinner Mrs
_Carter_ & the young Ladies, with Mr _Christien_ Ben & Myself walked
in the garden, & through the Pasture, There are several beautiful
prospects of the green Bottoms, & of the River Nominy from the High
hills--By Miss Washington I wrote a letter to Mr Lowe, acquainting him
with what was done for him in the business he sent by me to
Philadelphia. The Day is cool, & intirely agreeable & the Ground has
been refreshed by a Shower or two lately--I am told that the people
are already reaping not only Rye but Wheat in the Neighbourhood;
certainly it is earlier than we reap to the Northward.--
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO JOHN LOWE]
Nomini Hall June 25th 1774.
To Mr John Lowe. Bushfield.
SIR.
I should have waited on you immediately after my return from
Philadelphia, to acquaint you with what was done in regard to the
business you intrusted me with, and to return the certificate which I
now send inclosed; but necessary business detain'd me for a few days
at home, and when _Bob_ was at the Dance at Mr _Washingtons_ he
informed me you proposed shortly to be here. As I expect to see you
shortly I shall write nothing particular, but only inform you that
your intention was considered and approved:
I am, Sir,
Your humble Servt:
PHILIP V FITHIAN
[JOURNAL]
_Sunday 26._
Mr _Smith_ to Day is out of the Parish so that we have no sermon--I
shut up myself therefore in my chamber to reading--Eleven I am sent
for to see Mr Lowe who is come--I invite him to my Room, where we sit
til Dinner--He informed me of the Manner of Trials in Scotland, which
Candidates undergo. It is similar & indeed almost the same as with our
Presbytery Evening Mr Carter returned about seven o-Clock from
Williamsburg; He has been unwell himself while there, & he informs us
that many are indisposed in that City While we were at Coffee I was
taken with a Sudden & unusual pain in my Breast, a sickness at my
stomach, attended with a trembling and dizzy faintness; I retired to
my Room immediately, laid myself down in bed but had a Fever most of
the Night--
_Monday 27._
I feel myself perfectly reliev'd blessed be God who upholds my Life Mr
_Carter_ says the people are reaping on the Road as he came. He opened
& shewed me a curious Case of mathematical Instruments price ten
Guineas; He shewed me _Bens Seal_ five Guineas--We have to day several
plentiful Showers--Evening at Coffee the Colonel shew'd me a book of
vocal Musick which he has just imported, it is a collection of
psalm-Tunes, Hymns, & Anthems set in four parts for the Voice; He
seems much taken with it & says we must learn & perform some of them
in their several parts with our voices & with instruments.--Lightning
in several parts of the Heaven Mrs _Carter_ is much afraid, & can
never eat if a cloud is rising nor lie down to sleep.
_Teusday 28._
Warm this morning. Mr _Carter_ rode to Court. I wrote some at my
sermon but it goes on slowly--_Ben_ is not perfectly well, he studies,
however, at times a little, to day he makes Doctr _Jones_ a visit--The
Day very hot; people I understand are reaping in this County--Evening
we have in the West & North-West amazing Lightning--Mrs _Carter_
retired to her Chamber, where She always chooses to sit quite alone in
bad Weather--
_Wednesday 29._
Writing at my Sermon--The day cool & agreeable. I was never so much
confined as now, not even when I was at College, for I used to go with
my sweet mates, as Virgil calls them, about the Fields, or to the
Brooks to wash, & often ride to Trenton for exercise & pleasure--&
sometimes to _Newington_ & spend an Afternoon with that dear girl
_Laura_--Here in Virginia I have no Call out, people seem sociable &
kind but I want Spirit to improve & relish Society Soon, however,
soon, if I keep my Health, I shall be again at Liberty.
_Thursday 30._
The morning pleasant none too hot to be agreeable--My Charge seem
rising slowly, & uniformly in their several Parts--Harry begun at
Reduction & is now working Fellowship; he improves too in Writing. Bob
began at Addition and is working Compound Division: he is the best
writer in the School--Ben begun with reading Salust he is now reading
Virgil & the Greek-Testament. He writes extremely bad--Priscilla began
Addition & is working Division; She improves in writing, & reads
tolerably--Nancy mends fast in writing, but reads carelessly thick &
inaccurately.
--I mentioned to Day Mr _Peck_ to Mr _Carter_ He objected at first to
his Age as rather too young for the Duty of a Tutor, he assented
however & requested me to write him word that he is desired to come by
the Time I shall leave Virginia--
_Fryday July 1. 1774._
I rose at six. The morning bearable Breakfasted with us 'Squire
Lee.--About one came in Captain _Blackwell_, Mr _Grubb_, & _Lancelot
Lee_. the two youngsters came suddenly into our Room, bold gay &
noisy. We conversed with them till the Bell rung for Dinner, when we
all repair'd to the dining-Room: Captain Blackwel is to sail in about
ten Days for London. I gave the Children the afternoon for Recreation.
_Saturday 2._
Mr _Grubb_ called again about twelve with an intention to ride out to
the Potowmack but there came on a Rain & kept us at Home--We spent the
afternoon sociably in our Room. Miss _Nancy Carter_ last Night or this
morning, in some whimsical freak, clipt off her Eye-Brows; She has a
very good Skin; exceeding black hair, & black-well arched, full
Eye-brows, which, as I said the other day are much esteemed in
Virginia--She denies positively that She cut them herself, & swears
some mischievous person has done it when She was sleeping. But I am
inclined to think it is an experiment She has been making on herself
to see how she can vary the looks of her face. It made me laugh when I
saw it first, to think how early & how truely She copies Female
absurdities.
Towards evening we rode out merely for exercise, & straggled at last
to Mr _Simpsons_; near his house we saw two trees standing near each
other both of which have lately been struck by Lightning & are torn to
shivers in several parts--
Mr Grubb agreed to stay the night. we supt on Artichoks, &
Huckleberries & Milk--The toasts, after Supper, were the King, Queen
& Royal Family, the Governor & his family, & then young Ladies of our
acquaintance--We were alone. Mr and Mrs Carter left us immediately, so
that we spent the evening without restraint.
_Sunday 3._
We were all to go to Church to day, but we were prevented by a storm
of thunder & Rain; the Ground is now sufficiently wetted--I have not
heard a Sermon on Sunday since the fifteenth of May; a longer Vacancy
from publick worship than I have ever had since my first remembrance.
About ten an old Negro Man came with a complaint to Mr Carter of the
Overseer that he does not allow him his Peck of corn a Week--The
humble posture in which the old Fellow placed himself before he began
moved me. We were sitting in the passage, he sat himself down on the
Floor clasp'd his Hands together, with his face directly to Mr
_Carter_, & then began his Narration--He seem'd healthy, but very old,
he was well dress'd but complained bitterly--I cannot like this thing
of allowing them no meat, & only a Peck of Corn & a Pint of Salt a
Week, & yet requiring of them hard & constant Service. We have several
Rains this day so that the Ground is sufficiently wetted--I spent the
greater part of the day writing at my Sermon.
_Monday 4._
I begun to read the first Volume of Tristam-Shandy--He is droll in the
account he gives us of his Birth & Family--We have several good
showers to day, the weather is warm, funky, very damp, & I fear will
not turn out long to be healthful. With us in Jersey wet Weather about
this time not only is prejudicial to the Harvest, but is generally
thought, & I believe almost never fails being a forerunner of Agues,
Fall-Fevers, Fluxes, & our Horse-Distempers--Fearing these, any of
which so far from Home, would be painful & expensive, I keep myself
much at Home, contrary to the repeated & strong invitations of the
youngsters--And indeed my Duty, seems to require my Presence pretty
constantly; & I am forced to produce an Example for what I find it
necessary to enforce on our Boys, in order to do it with some face,
for they always call upon me for a Reason for every one of my
precepts--It is now the Height of Harvest--There is at Mr
Turburville's a young Lady, from the Isle-of Wight, Miss _Betsy
Lee_,[183] a Sister of _George_ & _Lancelot Lee's_--It is proposed
that Ben & I go this Evening to the Captain's & Invite her
here--Accordingly after School we rode on our errand, We found besides
Miss _Lee_--Mr _George Turburville_, his _Wife_, Mr _Grubb_, &
_Lancelot Lee_--After the ceremony of Introduction, & our Congees were
over, we took our seats in a cool passage where the Company were
sitting; all the Company when we entered were laughing at Master
_Lee_, who had been gathering Mulberries, & either through
_carelessness_ or _Greediness_ had stained his ruffles--At any Rate
they looked like a scarlet Clock in a Bunters stocking, both
indilicate & impudent--The attention of the Company however being
wholly taken up with Mr Lee, I had the opportunity, which I wanted, of
examining the person of his Sister, without being interrupted either
by the notice of others, or by my own timidity--Miss _Betsy Lee_, I am
told is but lately entered her twenty sixth year; She is a well set
maid, of a proper Height, neither high nor low--Her Aspect when she is
sitting is masculine & dauntless; she sits very erect; places her feet
with great propriety, her Hands She lays carelessly in her lap, &
never moves them but when she has occasion to adjust some article of
her dress, or to perform some exercise of the _Fan_--She has a full
face, sanguine Complection, her Nose is rather protuberant than
otherwise; Her Eyes are exactly such as _Homer_ atributes to the
Goddess _Minerva_; & her Arms resemble those which the same Poet
allows to _Juno_. When She has a Bonnet on & Walks, She is truely
elegant; her carriage neat & graceful, & her presence soft &
beautiful--Her hair is a dark Brown, which was crap'd up very high. &
in it she had a Ribbon interwoven with an artificial Flower--At each
of her ears dangled a brilliant Jewel; She was pinched up rather too
near in a long pair of new fashioned Stays, which, I think, are a
Nusance both to us & themselves--For the late importation of Stays
which are said to be now most fashionable in London, are produced
upwards so high that we can have scarce any view at all of the Ladies
Snowy Bosoms; & on the contrary, they are extended downwards so low
that whenever Ladies who wear them, either young or old, have occasion
to walk, the motion necessary for Walking, must, I think, cause a
disagreeable Friction of some part of the body against the lower Edge
of the Stays which is hard & unyielding--I imputed the Flush which was
visible in her Face to her being swathed up _Body_ & _Soul_ & _limbs_
together--She wore a light Chintz Gown, very fine, with a blue stamp;
elegantly made, & which set well upon her--She wore a blue silk
Quilt--In one word Her Dress was rich & fashionable--Her Behaviour
such as I should expect to find in a Lady whose education had been
conducted with some care & skill; and her person, abstracted from the
embelishments of Dress & good Breeding, not much handsomer than the
generality of Women--
[183] This Elizabeth Lee was the daughter of the late George Lee of
"Mount Pleasant" and his first wife Judith Wormeley of "Rosegill" in
Middlesex County. She died unmarried.