Part 15

_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.

What made me desirous to see, & curious to reconnoitre this young Lady, was, a Sentence that was dropt yesterday by a respectable Member of our Family, intimating a Desire that I may, on seeing Miss Lee, after having known, by report, her faultless character, be so pleased with her person as to try to make her mine, & settle in this Province--That kind Body, who is for making me happy by settling me in Virginia, & connecting me with one of the best families in the Government, little knows how painful it would be if I was indeed compell'd by any accident of Fortune to spend the remainder of my Days in Virginia if is the pleasure of Providence that I am to continue for any length of time in the World--Strong, & sweet are the bands which tye us to our place of nativity; If it is but a beggarly Cottage, we seem not satisfied with the most elegant entertainment if we are totally seperated from it--But if a Princess should solicit me to accept, together with Herself, 50000£ a Year--I declare, with as great _pleasure_ as _truth_, that the esteem, & Fidelity which I possess for my dear, dear _Eliza_ would make me without reflection, evade & refuse the Proposal--Ben & I returned Home before dark--We had the 'Squire to drink Coffee with us--He brought us a Newspaper containing the debate, of the House of Commons concerning the Repeal of the Tea-duty.

_Teusday 5._

While we were at Breakfast came from Hobbes-Holes Mrs _Oakly_ a Woman who has acted as nurse for several of Mrs Carters Children with great credit--All the family speak of her with Love & regard--This day is very warm, but no rain--I gave all the Girls this day to chat with their old acquaintance--Tho' the weather is warm & very Damp we have here no Musquetoes; I have not seen one, since I came into the Province as I can now recollect which seems to me a little strange; for at Princeton in Jersey some warm evenings in July & August they are so numerous as to be troublesome, & that is more than twenty miles from Salt Water, this not more than three times as many _Rod_.--In the evening, among several other things Mr Carter informed me that he has on this plantation a Negro Man called Prince who is now unwell of a Strain--This Man, he swears, he would not sell for 500£ ready Cash--I was almost ready to say it is more Money than I would give for all he owns on his Estate--The evening is very pleasant I had an oppertunity on the Pavement before the Hall Door of shewing away on Astronomy to Mrs _Carter_, I lectured for half an hour on the Milky-Way, on several of the Stars, on Jupiter in particular, & on the Course of Comets--

In bed by half after ten as usual.

_Wednesday 6._