little security in a letter directed to you, the youngsters are so
curious to examine what is written for you--I understand that you
never recieved my last dated "May 1774. Delaware River on board the
swallow." I wish I could detect the impudent interceptor--You have
then at last condescended to visit Cohansie! I hear by Mr _Ewing_ that
you was in the Country several weeks--Does it delight you, to hear the
noise of Birds, of Lowing Cows, of Sheep, and of chatt'ring poultry,
instead of the City-Cries? But I forget myself--Did you see that your
Merchant, who, as I mentioned to you, is so moved with youn[g] person
and manner? I suppose he was your constant and unwearied gallant--I
expect that according to promise, you spent some part of your time
with my sister--She a little Vixen, has never scribbled me a line, but
I am level with her, for I have been as silent as she--Miss Beatty,
that girl you seem so passionately fond of, is I expect, before this
returned--She is indeed a lovely girl, if I say more you will call me
partial--At any rate, as you correspond, I beg you will present her
with my compliments, which are indeed but empty, thread-bare
things--But Madam, I assure you they are the most valuable articles I
can now transmit--I expect to be in town by the latter end of October,
or beginning of November--If you are not too busy when you recieve
this, I beg you will sit yourself instantly down and write me a
friendly answer--This I think my due since I have written to you only,
and to no other Lady either in town or country
I am, Madam,
P. V. FITHIAN
To Miss Ruth Webster.
[JOURNAL]
_Monday 22._
Mr _Grubb_ & Ben returned last evening--They spent their Day in
_Richmond_[196]--I wrote to day several letters. to Philadephia One to
Miss _Webster_. To her _Brother_. To _John McCalla_ junr--To Mr
_Donald_--These I send by 'Squire _Lee_ who is to be of the
Party--After School _Ben_, _Grubb_, & Myself rode to the
_'Squires_--He took us into his Garden, shewed and gave us great
Plenty of fine Peaches, _Nectarines_ &c
[196] Richmond County.
He has a large Garden, & great abundance of fruit--His People were
shaking the trees to prepare the Peaches for Brandy
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO JOHN MCCALLA, JR.]
Nomini Hall Virginia Augt: 22d: 1774.
SIR.
Since I left you I have heard not a syllable about you, whether the
ague has left you, whether you have left the City removed to
Alexandria, as you proposed in the spring, in short both yourself and
fame have been, as to you, wholly silent--
I have now an oppertunity which I gladly improve of sending you a
line, and I beg that by the same conveyance you will send me an
Answer--There are many from this Colony to attend the general
Congress, seven by appointment, the others out of curiosity, by Mr
_Blain_, a gentleman of my acquaintance in this Colony, a Merchant of
Note I forward this; you will oblige me if you use him with
civility.--
I cannot write home at present; if you should write soon to Cohansie,
please to mention to whoever you write to that I am in good health;
that the neighbourhood is in good health; and that I propose to return
about the latter end of october--I can transmit nothing now concerning
public affairs, you will know by the gentlemen from this province that
the reigning spirit is liberty--I hope Mr and Mrs Hollinshead keep
clear of the fevers this fall; but I fear they will suffer in that
common calamity. I think they ought to remove to the City for a few
weeks in september when the disorder rages where they reside--My best
compliments attend your family, and to Miss _Pratt_, Miss _Boyd_ and
others of my acquaintance in town as shall be convenient.
I am, Sir, with great truth
and Regard your most obedient
Most humble Servt:
P. V. FITHIAN
Mr John McCalla Junr:
I shall thank you if you will send me the latest Journal, Gazette, and
the Packet.
[JOURNAL]
_Teusday 23._
Blessed be God who yet preserves me in perfect health--_Priss_ has
another fitt of the Ague these Disorders are giving Alarms. in a few
Weeks I suppose they will grow numerous & troublesome--A violent Gust
of Wind, Rain, & some Thunder we had about twelve o clock, the Country
seems to be afloat--A [I] received this Morning a Note from a School
Master in the Village, who signs himself "Brother Quill" He sends me
with his compliments a Question. To multiply 12£ 12s 12½d by itself
in Cross multiplication--And tells me the Answer is 160£ 1s 6d his
way, viz by Decimals--I did not alter his answer, but suffered him to
continue satisfied with his own performance.--
_Wednesday 24._
Stormy--A poor Man arrived from Maryland with Grain to grind. It was
wet--He saw Mr Carter and Mr _Randolph_--Mr Randolph wore a red
Coat--the Marylander asked _Bob_ which was the master of the
House--_Bob_ with his usual impudence answered, the Man you see drest
in a scarlet Coat--Who then says he is the other in a frowsled
Wig?--He is says _Bob_ my fathers Clerk--The Colonel heard this
Anecdote of _Bob_, which entertained him, While we were dining. I hear
nothing of the Ague abroad, it seems to go by turns, sometimes brief
then exceeding scarce--all this day the wind North East rainy.
_Thursday 25._
Still stormy. The Gentlemen who are sailing up the Bay to the Congress
have a disagreeable time--This is a true August Northeaster, as we
call it in Cohansie--_Ben_ is in a wonderful _Fluster_ lest he shall
have no company to-morrow at the Dance--But blow high, blow low, he
need not be afraid; _Virginians_ are of genuine Blood--They will dance
or die!--I wrote some at my Letter for Mr _Peck_--The people here
pronounce Shower "Sho-er"--And what in New-Jersey we call a Vendue
here they a "Sale"--All Taverns they call "Ordinary's"--When a Horse
is frolicsome & brisk, they, say at once he is "gayly"--she [if he] is
mischievous, they call him, "vicious."--At five, with _Ben_. I rode
out for exercise--After a while we arrived at _George-Lee's_--He gave
us some excellent Peaches--He returned with us to Mr Turberville's--We
met here with Miss _Betsy Lee_, Mr _Grubb_, _Lancelot Lee_ & here we
spent the evening--_Fish-Feasts_, & _Fillies_, Loud disputes
concerning the Excellence of each others Colts--Concerning their
Fathers, Mothers (for so they call the Dams) Brothers, Sisters,
Uncles, Aunts, Nephews, Nieces, & Cousins to the fourth Degree!--All
the Evening Toddy constantly circulating--Supper came in, & at Supper
I had a full, broad, sattisfying View of Miss _Sally Panton_--I wanted
to hear her converse, but poor Girl any thing She attempted to say was
drowned in the more polite & useful Jargon about Dogs & Horses!--For
my Part, as I was unwilling to be singular, if I attempted to push in
a word, I was seldom heard, & never regarded, & yet they were
constantly refering their Cases to me, as to a supposed honest fellow,
I suppose because I wear a black Coat, & am generally silent; at Home
I am thought to be noisy enough; here I am thought to be silent &
circumspect as a _Spy_--How different the Manners of the People! I try
to be as cheerful as I can. & yet I am blamed for being stupid as a
Nun--
_Fryday 26._
Mr Christian came while we were at Breakfast--Soon after came Miss
_Washington_, Miss _Hale_ & the Miss _Lee's_--I kept myself in my Room
pretty Close--Towards evening Mrs _Carter_, Miss _Washington_, Miss
_Hale_, Mrs _Christien_ & _Myself_ had a thorough ramble, first thro'
the Garden--We gathered some Figs, the Ladies seem fond of them, I
cannot endure them--Then we stroll'd down the Pasture quite to the
River, admiring the Pleasantness of the evening, & the delightsome
Prospect of the River, Hills, Huts on the Summits, low Bottoms, Trees
of various Kinds, and Sizes, Cattle & Sheep feeding some near us, &
others at a great distance on the green sides of the Hills, People,
some fishing, others working, & others in the Pasture among the
Horses;--The Country emphatically in her goodly Variety! I love to
walk on these high Hills where I can see the Tops of tall Trees lower
than my Feet, at not half a miles Distance--Where I can have a long
View of many Miles & see on the Summits of the Hills Clusters of Savin
Trees, through these often a little Farm-House, or Quarter for
Negroes; these airy Situations seem to me to be the Habitations of
Health, and Vigor--We return'd, & all were apparently well satisfied
with the walk--Evening was spent jovially in Dancing, at Supper, I
left the Company, being not very well, & retired to my Chamber, Thanks
to my heavenly Father, that I can enjoy a competent Measure of Health
when many are sick around--A Note from Mr Lowe. Miss _Betsy Lee_, &
her Brother came in just at night--Miss _Lee_ seems cheerful, dances
well, sings agreeably, appears free of formality, & Haughtiness the
Common foible here,--
_Saturday 27._
The morning spent in setting coppies, Sums &c, for the School--After
Breakfast, I spent a couple of Hours in the Dancing-Room--Mr _Lee_ in
our Room raved against the Scotch--He swore that if his Sister should
marry a Scotchman, he would never speak with her again; & that if he
ever Shall have a Daughter, if She marries a Scotchman he shoots her
dead at once!--At twelve I rode to Mr Washingtons, the Country
extremely pleasant Dined with the _Parson_, his _Brother_, Mrs
_Smith_, Miss Pettit, Mr Blain, Mr Buckner,[197] & several of Mr
_Lowes_ Boys; Mr Lowe was from home. On my return I found no company,
except _Grubb_ who had come in my absence. We spent the Evening after
sipping our Coffee in Chat with Mr & Mrs Carter.
[197] Richard Buckner (1730-1792) of "Albany" in Westmoreland County
was a planter who sometimes had business dealings with Robert Carter.
Members of the Buckner family had been prominent planter-merchants in
Tidewater Virginia since John Buckner had emigrated from England and
settled in Gloucester County shortly after the middle of the
seventeenth century. John Buckner had imported the first printing
press into the colony.
_Sunday 28._
Mr _Grubb_ rose very early, having yesterday made every previous
necessary preparation, & set out for Home about One hundred miles
Distance. He has so much good Nature, is always so cheerful, & at the
same time void of any thing malicious, clamorous & impudent, that I
cannot but esteem & very much respect him--On some whimsical
unsubstantial Miff or other, however, our Girls cannot endure him--he
wrote them some Copies the other Day, & tho' he writes a much finer
neater hand than I they would not allow it, nor hardly--Strive to
imitate--I laughed at the ridiculous, the perfect Picture of Female
_Caprice_, & _Obstinacy_ in Miniature--Sermon is to Day at Ucomico, so
that I keep my Room--I wrote several Letters which are to be forwarded
by Mr _Blain_, one to _Jack Peck_, one to _John Duffield_,[198] at Dr
Shippen's[199] Junr Philadelphia, & one to _Laura_. I begun also a
Sermon I understand by Mrs _Carter_ & _Ben_ who were at Church, that
the _Parson_ was unable to read Prayrs or Preach, having a Fever, but
that there was a thronged Assembly; many I am told, have the Ague &
Fever, but none are dangerous or have it fixed--
[198] John Duffield was graduated at Princeton in 1773. He served as a
tutor there during the next two years.
[199] Dr. William Shippen (1736-1806) was a distinguished physician of
Philadelphia. He was at this time professor of surgery and anatomy at
the medical school of the College of Philadelphia. Shippen had married
Alice Lee, a sister of Richard Henry, Arthur, Frances Lightfoot, and
William Lee.
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO ELIZABETH BEATTY]
Nominy-Hall. August 28: 1774.
TO LAURA.
There is a Letter of yours lying before me, in which you say "that if
I had continued writing to you, it is more than probable you had been
as negligent as ever; but that my leaving off for a Time has at last
extorted a Letter from you"--Mighty pretty! I dare say the Sentiment
is genuine, & you may be assured that I allow & believe it.
You are not, therefore, to account this any thing more than the Ghost,
the Shade of a Letter; for, thinking this an extraordinary Case, I
have gone beyond my usual Manner of speaking, in Order to convince you
of my Resolution--And _swore_ that I will not interrupt you til' I
have received several.
If you receive this by the Conveyance I expect (I send it by Col:
_Lee_ who attends the Congress) it will be a few Days before I leave
Virginia; for I intend, by the Permission of Heaven, being at Home by
the beginning of November at farthest.
In the mean Time, since I ardently wish your constant and perpetual
Felicity, from a deep-rooted Friendship, which I have discovered in a
thousand Variations, suffer me to borrow a Form of Mr Addison, & put
up one important Prayr in your Behalf "Ye guardian Angels to whose
Care heaven has intrusted its dear Laura, guide her still forward in
the Paths of Virtue, defend her from the Insolence & wrongs of this
undiscerning World; At length, when we must no more converse with such
Purity on Earth, lead her gently hence, innocent & unreproveable to a
better Place, where by an easy Transition from what She now is, She
may shine forth an Angel of Light."
It would be bold & presumptuous, or I would with Earnestness &
Sincerity extend the Wish a little farther, but transfer it to
Fortune, & pray that She would make you mine. I ought, however, to be
cautious here--In so nice a Case, Truth & Virtue are often thought
impertinent.
I advise you, upon the whole, to consult & examine the Prospect you
have of substantial Happiness, when you are about to change your State
for Life. Inform yourself, so far as you are able, of the _Quality_ &
_Measure_ of what you think your chief Happiness--Your Satisfaction &
Comfort will consist in.
Place this against necessary Distress & Perplexity; You will thereby
have a clearer & fuller View of both; Your Judgement will be less
confused; & more likely to fix to Advantage;--You are to consider that
a wrong Choice brings on a Train of Curses; but view it in the other
Light, & it is almost a State of unmixed Pleasures--
I am, Madam yours
PHILIP. V. FITHIAN.
[JOURNAL]
_Monday 29._
Miss _Fanny_ in School to Day, but not entirely well of her Sores made
by the _Ticks_--_Ben_ complains of a pain in his breast; he seems to
have many symptoms of Weakness in his breast--I attempted to take a
rough Draught of the Great House for myself--Evening after Coffee the
C[o]lonel entertained us by playing on the Harmonica.
_Teusday 30._
Mr _Carter_ rides to Westmoreland Court. By him I send my Letters to
Mr _Blain_, who is going to the Congress--_Ben_ seems to be no better;
has a slight Fever, pain in his Breast, & Uneasiness, I fear he is
bordering on a Consumption--His fond Mother discovers great Anxiety, &
true affection. Once I too had a fond indulgent Mother; when I was
sick, or otherwise distress'd, She was always impatient til my Health
& Ease returned; & She used to urge me likewise by precept & example
to strive for an habitual Preparation for Sickness and Death! But oh!
She has gone & left me, & Friendship seems to have been buried with
her!--Formality & Pretence are common enough, but Sincerity &
affection are exceeding rare--Mrs _Carter_ thinks it better for _Ben_
to sleep at the Great-House til he grows better, for the advantage of
giving him medicine--I seem now when it is late in the Evening,
lonely, & a little fearful, at least I think on what I made a Subject
for a merry Hour, when I was at Home last, & a young Lady was
complaining of being fearful at Night, & afraid to sleep in a Room
alone--There are now (asleep I suppose) in this House, below Stairs Mr
_Randolph_, & Mr _Burney_ the Cooper; two clever lusty youngsters, &
in the Room next to mine _Bob_ & _Harry_ sleep--I feel yet gloomy;
_Ben_ is missing, & which is worse, he is sick--
_Wednesday 31._
Last Fryday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Teusday, & this Day have been
perfectly fair, but yesterday & to Day are very hot--_Ben_ quits
reading & is quite unwell--Dined with us Mr _Wadman_: He is, I
believe, a Man of a good understanding, but desperate in his religious
Principles--
_Thursday Septemr: 1st: 1774._
One other _Calm_, _sunny_, _sweltering_ day
The Colonel says it is the hottest Day we have had--I keep myself
caged up in my Room, & cannot venture out on my usual _walk_ or Ride
for exercise--Through divine goodness I continue in perfect Health,
but as skinny & meagre as tho' I was continually sick--_Ben_ seems a
little more pert today--Evening it Lightens in the North West.
_Fryday 2._
Extreme hot to day--Yesterday a Negro Child about six years old
sickened as to appearance with the Ague & Fever, & to Day about eleven
in the morning it expired! It is remarkable that the Mother has now
lost seven successively, none of which have arrived to be ten years
old!--The Negroes all seem much alarm'd, & our School make it a
Subject for continual Speculation; They seem all to be free of any
terror at the Prescence of Death; _Harry_ in special signified a Wish
that his turn may be next. I should be glad if his desire were wise; &
he was as fit for the business of the other world, as he seems willing
to leave the business of this--In the evening this unexpected Death
was the Subject of Conversation in the House--Mr _Carter_ observed,
that he thought it the most desirable to die of a Short Illness. If he
could have his Wish he would not lie longer than two days; be taken
with a Fever, which should have such an unusual effect on his Body as
to convince him that it would be fatal, and gradually increase till it
affected a Dissolution--He told us that his affairs are in Such a
state that he should be able to dictate a Will which might be written
in five Minutes, & contain the disposal of his estate agreeable to his
mind--He mentioned to us the Substance--"That he would leave Mrs
_Carter_ 6000£ Serling; & leave the remainder of his Estate to be
disposed among his children as the Law directs."--
He told us likewise, with great firmness, that if he hives [lives] to
see his children grown, he will pay no regard to age, but give his
wealth to Him who bids fairest to be useful to mankind--That he allows
all an equal oppertunity of improvement, but the One who is found then
improved shall with the Learning inherit also the Substance--_Dennis_
the Lad who waits at Table, I took into the School to day at his
Fathers request, He can spell words of one syllable pretty readily. He
is to come as he finds oppertunity.
_Saturday 3._
Indeed says Mrs Carter at Breakfast, the Lightning, Rain, & Thunder,
disturbed me, & kept me padding from Room to Room all Night; I first
had the Girls Beds removed as far as possible from the Chimneys--then
had lights placed in the passage; and then but without _rest_ or
_pleasure_, I wandered through the house silent & lonely like a
disturbed Ghost!--It has however effected an agreeable change in the
Air; which is now cool & agreeable. I was invited this morning by
Captain _Fibbs_ [Gibbs] to a _Barbecue_: this differs but little from
the Fish Feasts, instead of Fish the Dinner is roasted _Pig_, with the
proper apendages, but the Diversion & exercise are the very same at
both--I declined going and pleaded in ex[c]use unusual & unexpected
Business for the School--By appointment is to be fought this Day near
Mr _Lanes_ two fist Battles between four young Fellows. The Cause of
the battles I have not yet known; I suppose either that they are
lovers, & one has in Jest or reality some way supplanted the other; or
has in a merry hour call'd him a _Lubber_, or a _thick-Skull_, or a
_Buckskin_, or a _Scotchman_, or perhaps one has mislaid the others
hat, or knocked a peach out of his Hand, or offered him a dram without
wiping the mouth of the Bottle; all these, & ten thousand more quite
as triffling & ridiculous, are thought & accepted as just Causes of
immediate Quarrels, in which every diabolical Stratagem for Mastery is
allowed & practised, of Bruising, Kicking, Scratching, Pinching,
Biting, Butting, Tripping, Throtling, Gouging, Cursing, Dismembring,
Howling, &c. This spectacle, (so loathsome & horrible!) generally is
attended with a crowd of People! In my opinion, (others may think for
themselves) animals which seek after & relish such odious and filthy
amusements are not of the human species, they are destitute of the
remotest pretension to humanity; I know not how they came by their
form, by the help of which they are permitted to associate with Men,
unless it has been (unfortunate for the World!) by an intermixture of
the meaner kind of Devils with prostitute Monkeys!--This however, I
cannot determine; But I think all such should be deemed by the
community infectious, & suspended at least any kind of intercourse,
til, either the lineage be settled & recorded, or those shrew'd
Characteristicks of a spurious, illegitimate claim to kindred with men
be in a good Measure abated.
_Sunday 4._
We had last night a flood of rain, the wind North East stormy--No
Church to Day--Mr Carter sent down to his Mill-Dam, & channel all his
people to try if they can secure them; he gives them Rum, & a Shilling
a man--
I read Prayrs, by the desire of the Parents, at the Grave over the
deceased Child _Priscilla_, _Nanccy_, _Fanny_, _Betsy_, _Ben_, _Bob_,
_Harry_, & Myself, & about forty or fifty Negroes were present.
Neither the Father nor the Mother of the Child went out; imitating the
example they see in others, & stay from an affectation of overflowing
Grief.
_Monday 5._
There is wonderful _To do_, this morning among the Housekeeper &
children, at the great house. They assert that a Man or a Spirit came
into the Nursery about one o-Clock this morning--That if it was indeed
a Spirit the Cause of his appearance is wholly unknown; but if it was
Flesh & blood they are pretty confident that the design was either to
rob the House, or commit fornication with _Sukey_, (a plump, sleek,
likely Negro Girl about sixteen)--That the doors & windows were well
secured, but that by some secret manner, unknown to all, the _Thing_
opened the Cellar door, went through the Cellar, & up the narrow dark
Stairs (which are used only on necessary occasions, as when the great
Stair way is washing or on some such account)--That it left the said
Cellar door standing open, & besides unbar'd, & threw open the East
Window in the little Room, in order, as they wisely supposed, to have,
if it should be hurried, a ready passage out--That it had previously
put a small wedge in the Lock of the Nursery Door, where several of
the young Ladies, & the said _Sukey_ sleep, so that when they were
going to Bed they could not Lock nor bolt the door, but this they all
believed was done in mischief by the children, & went thereupon to
bed, without suspicion of harm, with the door open--That Sukey some
time in the Night discovered Something lying by her Side which she
knew to be a Man by his having Breeches--That She was greatly
surprised, & cry'd out suddenly to the others that a Man was among
them, & that the Man _tickled_ her, & said _whish, whish_--That on
this She left the Bed & run & squeased herself in by the side of Miss
Sally the House-keeper, but that by this time the Whole Room was awake
& alarmed--That when the thing knew there was a discovery it stamped
several times on the floor, shook the Bedstead by the side of which it
lay, rattled the Door several Times & went down Stairs walking very
heavy for one barefoot--That on its leaving the Room the Hous[e]Keeper
went to Ben Carters Chamber, & that he rose & they all went down &
found the Doors & window as I have mentioned--All this with many other
material accidents is circulating through the family to Day; some
conclude it was a Ghost because it would not speak--But, more probably
it was one of the warm-blooded, well fed young Negroes, trying for the
company of buxom _Sukey_--The Colonel however, at Breakfast gave out
that if any one be caught in the House, after the family are at Rest,
on any Pretence what ever, that Person he will cause to be
hanged!--This Afternoon _Nelson_ the Lad who waits in our School, was
in the woods about half a mile off, where he met with & kill'd a
_Rattle-Snake_ having six Rattles--He cut off the head, & brought Home
the remainder of the Body, which we have skin'd & stuff'd--Mrs Carter
complains to Day of the Tooth-Ach, & a slight Fever.
_Teusday 6._
The day fine--It is whispered to Day that B... is the Ghost that
walk'd in the Nursery the other night, but I think the report is
false, and arises from calumny. We had an expectation of company to
day, but are disappointed. We dined on Fish & Crabs, which were
provided for our company, to-morrow being Fish-Day--I begun a Sermon
Job XXIII. 3. 4. We have too vagrant Tinkers with us mending several
articles, one of whom is this afternoon violent sick with the Fever &
Ague--I rode to my old spot, the Corn field, by chance met with Mr
Taylor. I walked with him among the Tobacco Cotton &c. He gave me
Directions for raising the latter.--Cotton must be planted about the
middle of May in rich Land, prepared with Hills, & made very mellow.
When up it must be weeded & kept clean, it must be top'd & suckered as
Tobacco, otherwise it runs too much to vine. Towards the Fall it will
begin to open, when the opened pods mu[s]t be gathered & laid by til
dry, then the Cotton pick'd out & clean'd--
_Wednesday 7._