Part 17
I got up a little before six & as it is very warm, I threw up the window to enjoy the Morning's fine salubrious Air--I saw a _Lady_--She was walking to the _Poplars_--She appeared small but walked genteel--She walked slow & looked on the ground--Her Dress look'd to be extremely good, but was only thrown carelessly on; She had a Silk shade thrown over her shoulders in which her hands were muffled--I had the Idea in a moment of a Woman in some kind of Difficulty--But how can such a woman have been to Mr Carters & done Business, who was not there last night.?--It was Mrs _Oakly_--She has the Ague and was walking for the benefit of the _Morning Air_.--We are rid of two _troubles_ from this morning till Monday: for _Bob_ & _Nancy_ are gone to the Dancing School--They dance at Colonel Lee's--Two great troubles, indeed, for this hot weather I can hardly keep them in the Room, much less to any useful business--Please to excuse me from Dinner, says Mrs Carter, & retired to her Chamber--There appears in the North a black Cloud, where it Thunders--Send us a Shower in Mercy, bountiful Heaven, tho' our Sins deserve thy Frowns & Judgments.--The Cloud thickens. it rises--At last there comes a kind Shower--After the Rain about six Ben & I took a Ride for exercise, the Corn litterally looks glad--I have made a party, Says Mr Carter at Coffee, for a Trip by Water to morrow, Mr Fithian will you be one?--With all my heart Sir, if it is agreeable--We are to ride then to Mr _Atwels_ says he, & there enter my new Barge; with her we will go down the River Machodockin to Potowmack then up the Potowmack & enter the River Nomini, & up that River Home--
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO JOHN PECK]
Nomini-Hall. July 15th. 1774.
SIR.
I have communicated your intention to Mr _Carter_; he begs you will by no Means disappoint him.
I wrote you a letter by the post early in June possibly it was lost, for either letters are lost, or you and the rest of my friends in _Jersey_ use me vastly ill, for I have not received a line since I have been in Virginia--You had better go into the school and acquaint yourself with the method of teaching, and procure some copper plate copies: I am by the goodness of heaven very well; I hope you will remember me to all friends at Princeton to relations and friends at Cohansie; desire _Charles_ to carry my _Homer_ to cohansie when he goes down in the vacancy; tell him I shall be at home if no unforeseen accident prevents by the last of october.
You had better provide yourself with recommendations from several, especially from Doctor Witherspoon, something of the kind will not be a hindrance, but may possibly at some J[u]ncture be of eminent Service.
I am, Sir, Yours, PHILIP V FITHIAN
Mr John Peck. Nassau-Hall
[JOURNAL]
_Saturday 16._
The _Colonel_, _Ben_, & _myself_ rode on Horse-back about Six to Mr Atwels; four lusty, hearty Men had gone on foot before who were Oarsmen: Here we were to enter a Boat never Rowed before, & proceed down the River Machodock to Mr _Carters_ Store-Houses which are now building near the mouth of that River--But I am going to venture upon a Description of a Scene which I am sure I shall not do Justice to--A Scetch of three Rivers--Their Beautiful Banks--Several Gentlemens Seats--Their commodious harbours--In particular that near which Mr _Carter_ is erecting Store-Houses--The whole is to be an account of our peregrination this 16th burning day of July 1774--With several remarks.--What a Crack of Thunder there was! I must run to the Window & view the Cloud--It is a small white remote Cloud in the North-West. I am summoned to Coffee--Mrs _Carter_ gave us a Dish round--Amazing what a Flash of Lightning! how fast it rises!--Ben child, says the lovely Woman, take my Seat & fill out the Coffee. Please to excuse me; & She then retired up chamber--We finished our Coffee--The Gust came up, & to be sure I have seldom seen one more terable! Long, bright, forked bolts seemed to dart incessantly through the broken parts of the Cloud; some of them would appear perpendicular others horizontal, and some would split, & in a Moment seem to bespangle, with sparks of Fire, the whole Front of the Cloud! And these were continually succeeded with alarming alternate Cracks of Thunder!--It brings, however to the scorched Earth a plenteous needful Supply--By nine it is past, & opens a serene beautiful western Sky--I resume my Description.
I have said, that we rode on Horseback to Mr _Atwels_ where we were to go on board & have our Horses sent back. This House is called six Miles from the mouth of Machodock--It stands on the Bank of the River; The Boat that carried us is built for the purpose of carrying the young Ladies and others of the Family to Nominy Church--It is a light neat _Battoe_ elegantly painted & is rowed with four Oars--We went on board; The Sun beamed down upon us, but we had each an Umberella--The River is here about Gunshot over; the Banks are pretty low, but hard to the very Water--I was delighted to see Corn & Tobacco growing, or Cattle & Sheep feeding along the Brink of this River on both Sides, or else Groves of Pines, Savins & Oaks growing to the side of the Bank--We passed by an elegant small Seat of Mr _Beal_;[190] it was small, but it was neat--We arrived at Mr _Carters Store-Houses_ in 50 minutes, they are 5 Miles from Mr _Atwels_, & one from Potowmack--These Houses are building for the reception of Iron, Bread, Flour &c. there are two Houses each 46 Feet long by 20.--They stand at the Bottom of a Bay which is a safe & spacious harbour--Here we Breakfasted at ten.--At twelve we pushed of from thence & rowed by parson Smiths Glebe & in sight of his house in to the broad beautiful Potowmack--: I think it is here ten Miles or twelve over has a fine high hard Bank; no Marshes--but Cornfields, Trees, or Grass!--Up the lovely Water we were rowed six Miles in to the Mouth of Nominy--We went on Board a small Schooner from _Norfolk_ which lay in Nominy-Bay--Mr Carter is loading her with Flour & Iron--Here we were in Sight of Stratford, Colonel Lee's, Seat.--We were in Sight too of Captain Cheltons--And of Colonel Washingtons Seat at Bushfield--From the Schooner we Rowed up Nominy-River--I have forgot to remark before that from the time of our setting out as we were going down Machodock, & along the Potowmack-Shore, & especially as we were rowing up Nominy we saw Fishermen in great numbers in Canoes, & almost constantly taking in Fish Bass & Perch--This was beautiful!--The entrance of Nomini is very shoal, & stony, the Channel is very narrow, & lies close to the Easternmost Side--On the edges of these shoals, or in Holes between the Rocks is plenty of Fish--The Banks of Nominy are steep and vastly high, twenty & thirty Feet, & in some places almost perpendicular; The Course of the River is crooked, & the prospects on each Side vastly romantic & diversified--We arrived at the Granary near Nominy-Hall about six--I went to my room to take off an Account of the expedition--When the Gust soon hindred.
[190] The Beales were a prominent family in Richmond and Westmoreland counties. Several members of this family had intermarried with the Carters. Robert Carter's uncle, Landon Carter of "Sabine Hall," had taken Elizabeth Beale as his third wife in 1746. Landon's son, Robert Wormeley Carter, married Winifred Beale, and Robert Wormeley's sister, Judith, married Reuben Beale.
_Sunday 17._
The Air this morning serene & cool--I do not go to Church. At last I have finished my Presbyterial pieces roughly they are to be reviewed & corrected; In the mean Time tho', (as Workman say) I must blow a little, for to be sure I am fatigued--Mr _Fithian_, says Mr _Carter_ at Dinner with a serious Air, you see we cannot with conveniency attend _Ucomico_ Church. If I should propose having prayrs read in the great Room on that vacant Day would you encourage & assist me?--I answered him that I was heartily agreed--You then, Sir, says he, may read the _prayrs_--& I will read the _Lessons_. The Afternoon extremely hot I could not leave my Room til the Sun had hid his flaming Place behind the Earth--Then I walked through the Garden--The whole Family seem to be now out Black, White, Male, Female, all enjoying the cool evening--
_Monday 18._
Pray Sir let all our Windows be put up, says Bob the Moment he came down from his chamber, & let the Doors be set open or we shall faint with Heat--Such a night I never spent before--The Heat says he, and these cursed Chinches made me intirely restless--I scribbled over a Letter to Mr _John Peck_, & one to Miss ... pray Mr Fithian says Nancy draw me a picture such as you drew for Fanny last Week--At two, just before we sit Down to Dinner a Cloud appear'd in the West--Mrs Carter excused herself from Dinner; while we were dining the Cloud came over, very moderate tho' with plenty of Rain--It is now, says Mrs Carter at Coffee, cool enough, a fine fair evening, a Northerly breeze & lovely evening--Mrs Oakly came into my Room this evening--It was to take her leave; she is to leave us early tomorrow morning--Good night, said I to the little Woman, I wish you a safe passage over the Rappahannock, & a pleasant journey home--I drew off as well as I could a rough plan of Nominy-Hall for Nancy.
_Teusday 19._
Nurse left us early this morning postilion Nat. carried her in a chair to the Ferry--The Day is fine cool enough--After School in the evening I rode out to a Corn-field, about a Mile & a half off, where I usually go for exercise, the Corn is beginning pretty generally to tassel, & I saw one hill in Silk, and in Blossom--To day I put _Harry_ into decimal Arithmetic--
_Wednesday 20._
Shut the Door, _Harriot_, says _Fanny_ I I'm so cold I shake--indeed the morning is cool enough to sit with December clothes on!--I spent the little time I have for myself to Day in forming my Latin _Exegesis_--Mr _Taylor_ the head Overseer Dined with us--At _Coffee_ The Colonel & myself entered somehow into Dispute upon the advantage in working an Oar--He asserted & tried to prove that the advantage lies in having the Oar longer from the _Thole-pin_ or where it lies on the Boat to the water, than from the _Thole-pin_ to the Rowers hand in a mathematical sense; He allow'd the Water to be the Fulcrum or Prop, & the Boat to be the weight, & the Rower to be a secondary Power--But the resistance of the Water to the Oar he call'd the chief & primary Power--
_Thursday 21._
Lazy Fellows! _Ben_, _Bob_, _Harry_, & _Myself_ all this Morning slept til near seven!--It was a sleepy Morning tho', for the Girls to give us countenance slept too--My Leisure time to Day is spent in forming my Latin Exegesis--Only just before the Sun went Down _Ben_ & I had our Horses & rode to our accustomed Resort the Corn-field, now many of the Hills are in Silk--We returned to Coffee--The Day has been very warm; the evening is light & pleasant, &, Thank, to our common, & bountiful Preserver, I am in good Health--
_Fryday 22._
My Exegesis goes on lustily; I have finished three pages--Indeed Sir, says _Harry_ I cannot reduce 7s 6d into the decimal of a Pound Sterling--you must reduce 7s & 6d to pence; for a numerator; then you must reduce a Pound Sterling to Pence for a Denominator; this Numerator you divide by the denominator & the Quotient will be the Decimal sought--Well _Ben_ you & Mr _Fithian_ are invited by Mr Turberville, to a Fish feast to-morrow, said Mr Carter when we entered the Hall to Dinner--I am uncertain whether my Latinitas will not be a Shackle too heavy to allow me to favour his kind invitation.
_Saturday 23._
_Priscilla_, & _Fanny_, each presented me with a fine Jessamine Nosegay this morning--At eight I dismissed the School: _Ben_, _Bob_, & _Harry_ go to the _Fish-Feast_, I to making latin--While we were Dining a black turbulent Cloud came over from the West (I believe the Boys will commend my choice now) It rained, it Thundered hard, & continued exceeding stormy til after six in the Evening; I spent the Afternoon however in Quiet & to advantage--I am more & more pleased with my Situation. the Time draws nigh when I must enter on a new, & perhaps less agreable exercise--There were many at the River; the Boys tell me, among others Miss _Betsy Lee_--I do not, however, repent my having staid at Home--The Colonel shewed me some Powder which was made in _Frederick_ in this Province--It seems good--He charged a _Pistol_, it fired quick & strong--
_Sunday 24._
I lazy slept til seven--The Boys seem sick of their yesterdays Voyage--I rode to Nomini-Church--The Parson invited me home but we have company--Mr _Turberville_, _Mr Cunningham_, _George_ & _Lancelot Lee_ dined with us--After the ordinary Toasts we were call'd on to Toast Ladies: I gave Miss _Jenny Washington_--The Lee's came over to our School-Room I swear says George, there is no Devil!--There is no Devil, I swear!--He went on in such an impious, & at the same time whimsical & foolish manner, that I left the Room, and went over to Mr & Mrs Carter, with whom nothing is heard indecent or profane--After the Company were gone as we were walking near the Poplar Avenue, says Mrs Carter how sweet, & pure the Air is; how much the weather resembles September!--Indeed I think it feels like the fever & Ague!--_Bob_ in the Evening brought me Colonel Taylors[191] compliments, who begs I will wait on him soon; He wants to know if I have provided a Tutor for Mrs _Thornton_ Mr _Leek_ told me something about coming, but not til next Spring, & I judge that Mrs Thornton will be impatient before that time--Do you now indeed, sincerely, in your Heart, Sir says Ben to me after we had retired to our Chamber, believe that there is a Devil?--For my part, tho' I made _George Lee_ think otherwise, I do not--I told him that it was universally allowed by writers of the greatest reputation for Learning and Religion in the established Church of England, whose Canons he profess'd to believe & adhere to--And that, if he would attend to my advice, he ought not to doubt its Reality.
[191] Colonel John Tayloe.
_Monday 25._
_Harry_ & _Bob_ go shrugging up their backs with their Coats Buttoned about the School, first one then the other complaining of the cold--The Girls too, in their white Frocks, huddle close together for the benefit of warming each other, & look like a Flock of Lambs in the Spring--I wish they were half as innocent--I myself, after having added a Waistcoat, am notwithstanding disagreeably Cold--The air is clear, the wind strong from the West--I proceeded in my Latin Exegesis, & shall, I hope, shortly be through it--I gave to _Nancy_ at her Request, my Scetch of _Nominy-Hall_--I propose to take off one for myself--
_Teusday 26._
The morning cool enough--Order me a Horse & Chair, says the Colonel after Breakfast, for I must go to Westmoreland-Court--I piddled at my Exegessis, but (as they say here in Virginia) I did a mighty little--Priscilla after School invited me to ride with her, but I had preengaged to go on Board the _Harriot_; She now lies in Nominy about half a mile Distant--_Bob_ conducted me on board, She is a neat vessel, carries 1400 Bushels--_Bob_ strip'd & swam round us half an hour--Coffee; Well, Sir, says the Colonel at las I can treat you with several Letters--My heart jumped--A fine Repast indeed, valuable because exceeding rare! But shall I hear any thing from--_Laura_?--On this he gave me Letters from,
1. Rev'd Enoch Green, Dated Feb: 1774. 2. From Laura, Dated Feb: 13th 1774. 3. From John Peck Dated Nassau Hall July 2. 1774 4. From John Peck dated Feb: 25th 1774. 5. From the Revd: Andrew Hunter, dated Cohansie June 24th. 1774. 6. From Andrew Hunter Junr: Dated June 24th. 1774. Cohansie. 7. From Mr James Ewing, Dated Bridge-town July 7th. 1774.
For these Letters I paid--12s 5d--Pennsylvania Currency, & I am very proud of my Bargain--
Mr Peck informs me that he is to succeed me in this place--Mr _Hunter_ & Mr Ewing inform me of the Death of Uncle Ephraim Seeley! That he died of a _Diabetes_ which has long troubled him! He has left no Doubt a mourning Family--Mr _Hunter_ writes me word that _Andrew_ was licensed to preach about the middle of June. Laura says--They all express with Concern the great Commotions which at present exist through the Colonies.
_Wednesday 27._
Somehow I have taken a bad Cold, & am low-spirited to Day--The Colonel was all the forenoon down at the _Harriot_ in the Sun, so that when we went in to dine he seem'd fatigued & eat nothing--We have an Addition to our numerous Family, one Mr ---- I forget his name, he is a Cooper, tho', & an Irishman, & seems to be pretty smart; I sat the Evening with him in Mr Randolphs Room.
_Thursday 28._
Evening, after the Sun had gone, with _Priss_ I walked in the Garden. we gathered some few Figs which are just growing ripe--My Leisure to Day I spent in finishing off my Latin Exercises.
_Fryday 29._
I feell wholly relieved of my cold--I wrote & sent to the Post a Letter to Mr _John Peck_, to remind & hurry him in his way here--O! it is very hot--The wind itself seems to be heated! We have a fine Room, & sufficiently open; & I dress in a thin Waist-Coat, & a loose, light linen Gown; The _Boys_, _Harry_ & _Bob_ have nothing on, in School, but their shirts & Breeches; and I laugh'd cordially to see the contrivance of _Fanny_, the loveliest of them all, to grow cool, She sat on a low bench, & put her Hand in her pocket, & seem'd exceeding diligent in looking for something--But before She took out her hand She had off both her Stockings, & left them both in her pocket!--Mrs _Carter_ in particular seems to be overcome with the extreme Heat & looks like a fainting, expiring yet lovely Creature!--At seven I rode out to the Corn-field, the Sun was almost down, & was hid behind a large white thick Cloud where it Thunders--The Corn is roll'd up with the heat & Drouth! Yet it is strange there is no Musquetoes--I have seen one & heard another, & this is the whole compliment I have either _seen_, _heard_ or _felt_ since I have been in _Virginia_--While we were drinking _Coffee_ the Lightning, as it began to grow Dark, began to stream, it was at some Distance, but was incessant, bright, & awful--The Colonel, however sat, & with unmoved Composure observed it;
_Saturday 30._
The weather is something cooler & bearable this Morning--_Frank Christien_ one of Mr _Lowe's_ Scholars came to visit _Harry_ & _Bob_, so that I discharged them about eleven, & retired to my Chamber to writing--I sent Mr _George Lee_ a note this morning begging him to excuse _Ben_ & I from attending his Fish-Feast this Day--Captain _Dobby_ dined with us; he is a Man of much Spirit and Humour: A great Mimick--He acquainted us that at Hobbs's-Hole this Day is a Boat-Race on the River Rappahannock Each Boat is to have 7 Oars: to row 2 Mile out & 2 Miles in round a Boat lying at Anchor--The Bett 50£--And that in the Evening there is a great Ball to be given--I believe both the _Rowers_ & _dancers_, as well _Ladies_ as _Gentlemen_ will perspire freely--Or in plain English they will soak in Sweat! The Captain invited us on Board his Ship next Teusday to Dine with him & wish them a pleasant Passage as the Ship is to Sail the day following--If the Weather is not too burning hot I shall go provided the Others go likewise. Ben towards evening rode to Colonel Tayloe's--
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO GEORGE LEE]
To Mr. George Lee. July 30th. 1774.
SIR.
With my compliments I am to inform you that _Ben_:-_Carter_ is, of necessity, to go this day into _Richmond_; and as my company alone will not be equal to the trouble you must be at I give you this timely notice that you may avoid it,
I am, with my thanks for your Invitation, Sir, Your most humble Servt: P. V. FITHIAN.
[JOURNAL]
_Sunday 31._
Daddy _Gumby_ saw me walking--I had just got up, it was early I had only a Gown thrown round me--He walked towards me--Well Master you never call for no Eggs. I can now give you a _Water Melon_--No, Thomas, with your Wife & family enjoy these things. I am well provided for--Well, Master, I promised you Eggs, for writing you will think I never designed to pay you--God yonder in Heaven Master will burn _Lyars_ with _Fire_ & _Brimstone_!--I speak Truth I will not deceive you Men are wicked, Master; look see the Grass is burnt: God burns it to punish us! Is the ground dry, Dadda. O! all dry, all burnt--Pray, Pray, Master, do you go to Church?--No No Dadda it is too hot--Too hot, Good God, too hot! I shall affront you, Master--Too hot to serve the Lord! Why I that am so old & worn out go on Foot.--I felt a little non plus'd, I confess, but walk'd to my Room & went none to Church--I expected that we should have had prayrs at home, but it was not mentioned--Fanny towards Evening brought me half a _Water-Melon_--I accepted & thank'd the little pretty Slut, she seems so artless, & delicate I esteem her exceedingly--I walked out about Sun-set, when it is a little cool, along the River Nominy--
_Monday August 1st 1774._
The Colonel rode to Richmond Court--The morning very hot--A Cloud appeared about two o Clock as we were going to Dinner in the West where it thundered--Mrs. _Carter_ kept her Chamber--There is almost no Rain--I looked to day over Dr _Burney's_ present State of Musick in Germany--I think it more entertaining than realy useful--Ben to Day begun the _Eneid_--Poor Mr _Randolph_ seems to be sickening with the _Ague_ & _Fever_!--Evening the Colonel returned & gave us Captain Dobby's repeated Invitation.
_Teusday 2._