Part 14
Left Port Tobacco by six, rode to Mrs Laidlers Ferry. At Port Tobacco expence 3/10. 12 Miles Breakfasted with Mrs. Laidler Breakfast & Oats 1/7 Ferriage 6/. The broad beautiful Potowmack looks smooth & unbroken as tho' it was fettered in Ice: it is to where we land on the other Side eight miles a little down the River the passage over, in the best time of this loveliest month was vastly agreeable--From Tylers[177] in Virginia where I landed about twelve o-Clock I rode to Mattox Bridge eight miles; thence to Mattox Church six miles--Here I bought some Ears of corn for my Horse--Thence to Westmorland Court House 16 miles--Here is a Tavern I got a Bowl of Punch & fed 2/6--Thence I rode to Nomini Hall about Eeight in the Evening 10 miles--I found Mr & Mrs Carter at home sitting together--They received me with great welcome--_Ben_, _Bob_, Miss _Fanny_ & _Betsy_ came in to see me--The others in bed--sup'd on _Crabs_ & an elegant dish of Strawberries & cream--How natural, how agreeable, how majestic this place seems!
[177] Tyler's Ferry.
_Sunday 29._
I rose by half after six--Ben informed me that Bob has behaved vastly ill since I left him--He has reported several mischievous & false stories of his brother; That has been intimate in some bad families--That he has injured his own fathers Servants &c--The morning pleasant--I did not attend Church, Ben out of kindness kept me company at Home--I had however chosen to stay alone--The family is invited to dine with Mr Turburville--Mr & Mrs _Carter_, Miss Priscilla & Nancy with three Servants went from Church--_Ben_, _Bob_, Miss _Fanny_, _Betsy_ & _Harriot_ with two Servants cross'd the River--Miss _Sally_ with _Tasker_ & one Servant rode in a Chair--Dined with us Captain Dennis, of the Ship Peggy; Dr _Steptoe_; & Mr _Cunningham_. Politicks were the topic--and indeed the Gentlemen seemed warm--The Governor of this province dissolved the Assembly last week after they had made a resolve that a general & solemn fast be observed thro' this whole Colony, on Account of the melancholy aspect of American Affairs at present, to be kept the first day of June, which is next Wednesday, when the alarming Act of Parliament which has lately come over is to take place at Boston--Parson Smith accordingly gave it out at the Church to Day & it is to be observed--I only saw Miss Sally Panton, she did not dine with us--I am told She has an Estate in England of 50£ Sterling pr Annum, but for some unknown cause came over, probably the same as drew me from home--After dinner we had a Grand & agreeable Walk in & through the Gardens--There is great plenty of Strawberries, some Cherries, Goose berries &c--Drank Coffee at four, they are now too patriotic to use tea--Soon after we set out for Home--The young Ladies chose to walk and Cross the water with us--I am much more pleas'd with the Face of the Country since my return than I have ever been before--It is indeed delightsome!--
_Monday 30._
Our little beautiful Seminary collected They seem all glad to see me, & willing to enter on business--I am truely fond of the young growing beauties--Soon they will be the admiration of the world, & ornaments in their family--This morning I asked & received four Guineas of Mr Carter to satisfy Mr Taylor of whom I had a small Sum. Mr Randolph is yet here, & is recovered of the hurt I formerly mentioned--After Dinner my Toast was the amiable _Laura_--Evening called in & staid only a few minutes Captain Dennis, & Parson Gibbern--At Supper I had an agreeable conversation with Mr & Mrs Carter on the _Times manners_, &c.
_Teusday 31._
Very warm--I feel well reliev'd of the Fatigues of my ride--The lower Class of People here are in a tumult on the account of Reports from Boston, many of them expect to be press'd & compell'd to go and fight the Britains!--Evening I asked the Colonel if he proposes to observe the fast, & attend Sermon tomorrow; he answered that "No one must go from hence to Church, or observe the Fast at all"--By this, (for it is hard to know his opinion from any thing he declares) I conclude he is a courtier.--Last Night, & this evening the Colonel sup'd with us, which is more than he has done before since I have been in the Family--
_Wednesday June 1st 1774._
Cool & pleasant--I began my English Exegesis--or Thesis.
_Thursday 2._
I took out of the Colonels Library for Assistance in making my pieces Biblia-Sacra, & Mr Hammonds Exposition of the New Testament. I toasted Miss _Beatty_ to day in a Bumpper of old Medaira--Evening Mr Carter at the Harpsichord.
_Fryday 3._
The dancing School happens in course to day at Mr Washingtons--Mrs _Carter_ takes _Bob_ & _Nancy_ with her--Our School seems silent--Writing at my English Thesis--I put _Harry_ & _Bob_ this week to read Popes Homer but Homers inimitable fire cannot charm or move them!--Evening _Ben_ rode to the Dance--We were informed that in Queen-Anns in Maryland many die at present, of a Fever that follows a slight Ague!--I took a Ramble, in the evening, as usual, through the Garden.
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO JOHN PECK]
Nomini Hall June 3d. 1774. Virginia.
SIR.
I have the pleasure to inform you I arriv'd safe and had a pleasant ride; I expect to hear from you by every post but have received no letter yet--If you did not receive my letter dated "Delaware-River, on board the Swallow," this is to request you to apply immediately to Dr Witherspoon who promised me in Philadelphia that he would recommend you here; the reason of my demanding dispatch is, that Mr Carter proposes to write to England for a Tutor if he cannot be speedily satisfied of having one from the Northward--If I attempt to write news I must inform you that the Assembly of this province is dissolved on passing a resolve to keep the first day of June through the whole province a solemn fast, the resolve past however, and the day was kept--The frost of the 4th. of May was much more fatal here than to the Northward, for not only Garden produce, but Wheat and Rye in the upper parts of the province are blasted and the owners mow them down for fodder; and here the Woods look like winter!--I expect to hear from you several times this summer, I beg you will not disappoint me.
My compliments to acquaintances--
From, Sir, yours PHILIP V. FITHIAN
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO THE REVEREND ANDREW HUNTER]
Nomini-Hall, Virginia. June 3d. 1774.
REVD: & DEAR SIR.
It will not be wonderful if I inform you that this Colony is in great tumult and confusion. The general Voice is _Boston_. You will have heard before the reception of this, that the Governor dissolved the Assembly in this province on their making a resolve to keep the first day of June on which the Act of Parliament is to take place at Boston, (excepting the days of grace) a solemn fast. The people agree however in general to unite with the people of Boston and the other northern trading Cities, and by their example to influence all the Colonies, not to make any resistance to the Britains, but to keep themselves independant, and refuse to receive their comodities, and keep within themselves, their own more valuable comodities, because they are for the support of life--So stedfast are the people here that the Captain of a Ship belonging to an eminent house in London was yesterday refused any more Tobacco til' there is intelligence from the Northward--
The frost which happened the 4th. of May, was by far more severe and fatal here than either in Maryland, New-Jersey, or Pennsylvania--The expected produce of Gardens and Peaches, (which were some planters chief dependance) are not only almost wholly destroy'd, but in the upper parts of the province Wheat and Rye are so much cut off that the owners think it best to mow it down for fodder!--
I have the pleasure to inform you that I had a speedy and pleasant ride; found the family in good health; that it is a time of general health in the County--and that I am again agreeably settled to business--
Please to make my compliments to Mrs Hunter, Miss Nancy, Andrew, and to Uncles family--I am, sir
Your most obedient Most humble Servt: PHILIP V. FITHIAN
[JOURNAL]
_Saturday 4._
The day cool & agreeable--I kept the children in til twelve tho' with great difficulty; they were for asserting their liberty. & pleaded the custom of las winter--I finished a rough incorrect plan of my English Thesis, & laid it by for future examination--
After dinner I begun the Lecture, wrote an introduction--Towards evening I took my hat & a Sermon, & retired to a Shady Green where I rambled about til dusk committing my Sermon to memory--We have omitted Supper, & in its place substituted Coffee which we commonly take about seven in the evening--Ben, this Afternoon rode to Colonel Frank Lee's. The ground is very dry; The Frost of the fourth of May has been much more severe and fatal here than in the northern colonies--The peaches here, except on Farms lying near the Potowmack are wholly destroy'd, & these were the choisest expectation of some, who think Brandy their most valuable comodity!--And I am told that in Louden, & the other upper counties, (which indeed are the best for grain) Wheat & Rie are cut off, so intirely that the owners mow it down for fodder!--And in these lower Counties in many places the Woods appear like November, & the Leaves are actually dropping!--To be sure it is unusual & melancholy!--
_Sunday 5._
The weather cool & agreeable--Sermon is to Day at Ucomico, at the lower church, I choose therefore to stay in my Room--How pleasant is retirement! And how easy is it to enjoy it--This may seem strange, but it is true--I have but very few acquaintances, & they easily dispense with my Absence--I have an elegant inviting apartment for Study--I have plenty of valuable & entertaining Books--And I hav business of my own that requires my attention--At Home my Relations call me proud and morose if I do not visit them--My own private business often calls me off & unsettles my mind--There too lives the Girl who has subdued my heart!--All these put together, when they operate at once, are a strong incitement to divert me from Study. Yet I love Cohansie! And in spite of my resolution, when I am convinced that my situation is more advantageous here, yet I wish to be there--How exceedingly capricious is fancy! When I am Home I then seem willing to remove, for other places seem to be full as desirable--It is then Society which makes places seem agreeable or the Contrary--It can be nothing else--Adam when he had no troublesome painful thoughts within him; and had a flowery Paradise for his habitation & enjoyment, was not yet fully happy while he possessed it alone; much less can we his offspring, frail, & variable, enjoy much sattisfaction without intercourse with one another--I have just spoken in praise of Society & retirement; And I now observe we are of such a make that, if we be happy, these must alternately succeed each other--It is something like the opinion of _Socrates_ concerning pleasure & pain, that if we possess the one, we may expect it will not be long before we shall meet with the other--Towards evening At Mrs Carters request I waited on Miss _Priscilla_, _Nancy_, & _Fanny_ who rode on Horse-back for an airing--Wrote a Letter to the Revd Mr Andrew Hunter, Cohansie New Jersey--In the evening Ben returned full of news of _Boston_, that we must fight that the troops are arrived & impudent &c, &c.
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO ELIZABETH BEATTY]
Nominy-Hall Virginia June 5: 1774. TO LAURA.
I have the Pleasure, since you allow me the Honour of corresponding with you, to acquaint you that I had a speedy & delightsome Passage from Home to this Place: It was you know, in the best Time of the lovliest of Months.
The Delaware, the broad Chesapeak, & the beautiful Potowmack were mild & lovely as a handsome, Woman's Presence when her Mind is at Rest--But are fine Women, Laura, as easily thrown into Confusion & Tumult as they--?
I expect these, if you receive them at all, will find you at N--n. If they should, please to make my kind Respects to your Brother--& compliment him on his new Alliance.
I shall wish, very much, to see you at C--e in the Fall, but if it be inconvenient I do not ask you to pay any Manner of Regard, in this Case, to my Inclination. The Face of this Part of Virginia is now indeed beautiful. I wish often that you was here for a While to see, because I am unable to describe, the charming Landskips, & long delightsome Prospects of our winding River which we have from the high Hills! But especially in the Evening when I commonly (as it is the Custom of the Family) walk for half an hour through the Garden in Company generally with three brisk mischievous Girls you would I am certain, for you delight in Gardens, & love the Company of noisy, gay, & agreeable young Girls, be highly entertain'd.--And as for myself, if you was here, I should take these Walks & Arbours to be a verdant flowery Elysium!--I must not omit to thank you for your Letter of Feb: last; because a Line from you is rare & valuable as the Phenix of Arabia.
Write to me, best of Girls, the Moment you receive this, that I may know how, & where you be; & let me hear often from you this Summer.
You may rest assured of my Constancy in continuing a free & full Correspondence.
PHILIP V. FITHIAN.
[JOURNAL]
_Monday 6._
Mr _Carter_ rode to richmond court--At Dinner I had a long and useful conversation with Mrs Carter She told me openly & candidly the Several failings of her children, & indeed She knows them perfectly--In
## particular she knows not what to do with her perverse Son _Bob_--He
abuses his Mama, Miss Sally, the children, Family, and is much given to slander. Poor unhappy youth, I fear he will come to an unhappy end! This afternoon I found it necessary to correct Bob severely for impertinence in School--Mr Carter at Court received his Invoice from London for this Spring, in which was a gold Seal for _Ben_ with a Coat of Arms price five Guineas!--
_Teusday 7._
The morning pleasant, cool & agreeable--I corrected Harry this morning for telling me a Lie--Stomachful & sullen as any youth--The day warm but very bearable--Breakfasted with us Mr Blain & Mr Warden, all the conversation is Politicks; But People seem moderate & yet settled in their determinations to stand out
_Wednesday 8._
The morning pleasant--Mr _Carter_ rode to the Ucomiko Ware-houses to examine in the Shipping some of his Tobacco--We have no Company. The day is very warm--A flaming sultry Sun, a dusty scorched Ground, Mr _Carter_ returned, the day being smoky introduced, at Coffee, a conversation on Philosophy, on Eclipses; the manner of viewing them; Thence to Telescopes, & the information which they afforded us of the Solar System; Whether the planets be actually inhabited &c.
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO SAMUEL FITHIAN]
Nomini Hall Virginia June 8th. 1774. SIR.
After I acquaint you that, by the kindness of providence I arrived safe and am in good health, I shall not neglect to inform you that the Virginians are warm and active in supporting the liberties of America; the first day of June throughout this Colony, by a resolve of the House of Burgesses, or Assembly of Representatives for the province was kept a solemn Fast, and kept religiously too, to invoke almighty God to assist our falling country, and save us from oppression and Tyranny--The ware-Houses are already hindring the Shipping Tobacco, and it is expected there will shortly be a general embargo laid on all exportable commodities--The people here wish for the union of all the Colonies, and for firm perseverance in what shall seem most conducive to the good of America, notwithstanding this Colony and Maryland will suffer vastly, because Tobacco is a comodity less saleable among ourselves than most of the produce of the Northern Colonies, and it is in these the staple--
I am seated once more to great sattisfaction in my business, the family and neighbourhood are well, but I propose and expect by the permission of providence to return home the latter end of October; in the mean time, I am,
Dear Unkle Your most obliged Nephew PHILIP V FITHIAN
P. S. Please to remember me to the family, &c.
[JOURNAL]
_Thursday 9._
The morning haizy, no Wind, & very warm--I wrote a Letter to Uncle _Samuel Fithian_--After Dinner Mr Carter set out for Williamsburg--by him I sent to the Post-office at _Hobbes-Hole_, My Letters to Mr _Hunter_, Uncle _Fithian_, Miss _Beatty_. & Mr _Peck_--After School in the evening I had an agreeable walk with Mrs _Carter_ in the Garden--
[Illustration: couple walking]
_Fryday 10._
Cool but exceeding dry--Writing at my Lecture. Mrs _Carter_ was to day sadly frighted with a Lizard, that lives under the House--After School, with Ben I wakked over to Mr Turburville's to gather Cheries, which are there in great plenty--Mrs _Carter_ in the evening after our return, gave me a Lecture for taking _Ben_ to _Annapolis_ when I went last Home without a waiting-Man--Wrote at my Lecture til eleven. Ben sleeps at the Great-House in the absence of his _Papa_.
_Saturday 11._
I was sitting in the Colonels Library I took a Catalogue of the whole of His Books--& he tells me he has left behind him at Williamsburg, with many other things 458 volumes besides Music & Pamphlets.[178]
[178] See this catalogue of Carter's library in Appendix, pp. 221-229.
It is with considerable Difficulty that I keep the Children in School 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._