Part 8
Mrs _Carter_ is prudent, always cheerful, never without Something pleasant, a remarkable Economist, perfectly acquainted (in my Opinion) with the good-management of Children, intirely free from all foolish and unnecessary fondness, and is also well acquainted (for She has always been used) with the formality and Ceremony which we find commonly in high Life--Ben, the eldest, is a youth of genius: of a warm impetuous Disposition; desirous of acquiring Knowledge, docile, vastly inquisitive & curious in mercantile, and mechanical Matters, is very fond of Horsses, and takes great pleasure in exercising them--Bob, the other Brother, is By no means destitute of capacity, As Mr Marshal who was his last Tutor has asserted, & as many now suppose: He is extremely volatile & unsettled in his temper, which makes it almost wholly impossible to fix him for any time to the same thing--On which account he has made but very little advancement in any one Branch of Study, and this is attributed to Barrenness of Genius--He is slovenly, clumsy, very fond of Shooting, of Dogs, of Horses, But a very stiff untoward _Rider_, good natur'd, pleased with the Society of persons much below his Family, and Estate, and tho' quick and wrathful in his temper, yet he is soon moderated, & easily subdued--Harry the Nephew, is rather stoical, sullen, or saturnine in his make. He is obstinate, tho' Steady, and makes a slow uniform advance in his Learning, he is vastly kind to me, but in particular to my Horse, of his health or Indisposition--Miss _Priscilla_, the eldest Daughter about 16, is steady, studious, docile, quick of apprehension, and makes good progress in what She undertakes; If I could with propriety continue in the Family, I should require no stronger Inducement than the Satisfaction I should receive by seeing this young Lady become perfectly acquainted with any thing I propose so soon as I communicate it to her, but the situation of my affairs makes it out of my power to stay longer than a year; She is small of her age, has a mild winning Presence, a sweet obliging Temper, never swears, which is here a distinguished virtue, dances finely, plays well on key'd Instruments, and is upon the whole in the first Class of the female Sex.
_Nancy_ the Second, is not without some few of those qualities which are by some (I think with great ill nature, and with little or no truth) said to belong intirely to the fair Sex. I mean great curiosity, Eagerness for superiority, Ardor in friend ship, But bitterness and rage where there is enmity--She is not constant in her disposition, nor diligent nor attentive to her business--But She has her excellencies, She is cheerful, tender in her Temper, easily managed by perswasion & is never without what seems to have been a common Gift of Heaven, to the _fair-Sex_, the "_Copia Verborum_," or readiness of Expression!--She is only beginning to play the _Guitar_, She understands the Notes well, & is a graceful Dancer.
_Fanny_ next, is in her Person, according to my Judgment, the Flower in the Family--She has a strong resemblance of her _Mama_ who is an elegant, beautiful Woman--Miss Fanny seems to have a remarkable Sedateness, & simplicity in her countenance, which is always rather chearful than melancholy; She has nothing with which we can find Fault in her Person, but has something in the Features of her Face which insensibly pleases us, & always when She is in Sight draws our Attention, & much the more because there seems to be for every agreeable Feature a correspondent Action which improves & adorns it. Betsy next is young, quiet, and obedient--Harriot is bold, fearless, noisy and lawless; always merry, almost never displeased; She seems to have a Heart easily moved by the force of Music; She has learned many Tunes & can strike any Note, or Succession of Notes perfectly with the Flute or Harpsichord, and is never wearied with the sound of Music either vocal or _Instrumental_.
These are the Persons who are at present under my direction, & whose general Character I have very imperfectly attempted to describe.
_Wednesday 5._
Rose at Seven. The morning very stormy. _Bob_ & _Nancy_ before Breakfast had a quarrel--Bob called Nancy a Lyar; Nancy upbraided Bob, on the other Hand, with being often flog'd by their Pappa; often by the Masters in College; that he had stol'n Rum, & had got drunk; & that he used to run away &c--These Reproaches when they were set off with Miss Nancys truely feminine address, so violently exasperated _Bob_ that he struck her in his Rage--I was at the time in my Chamber; when I enter'd the Room each began with loud and heavy complaints, I put them off however with sharp admonitions for better Behaviour.
The morning was so extremely stormy that I declin'd going to Breakfast--All the others went my Breakfast was sent over--Immediately after Breakfast Ben came over with a Message from Mr _Carter_, that he desired me to correct _Bob_ severely immediately--Bob when I went into School sat quiet in the corner, & looked sullen, and penitent; I gave some orders to the Children, and went to my Room.--I sent for Bob--He came crying--I told him his Fathers Message; he confess'd himself guilty--I sent him to call up _Harry_--He came--I talked with them both a long Time recommended Diligence, & good Behaviour, but concluded by observing that I was obliged to comply with Mr Carter's request; I sent _Harry_ therefore for some Whips.--_Bob_ and poor I remained trembling in the chamber (for Bob was not more uneasy than I it being the first attempt of the kind I have ever made)--The Whips came!--I ordered Bob to strip!--He desired me to whip Him in his hand in Tears--I told him no--He then patiently, & with great deliberation took of his Coat and laid it by--I took him by the hand and gave him four or five smart twigs; he cring'd, & bawld & promis'd--I repeated then about eight more, & demanded and got immediately his solemn promise for peace among the children, & Good Behaviour in general--I then sent him down--He conducts himself through this day with great Humility, & unusual diligence, it will be fine if it continues. At noon I went over to Dinner, but it was storming, & continues so bad that I choose rather to go without Supper than venture out in the Storm.
_Thursday 6._
To Day about twelve _Bob_ & _Prissy_ & _Nancy_ went in the Chariot to Stratford, to attend the Dancing-School--Mr Taylor,[110] the Colonels principal Overseer dined with us--After School in the Evening, I sat with _Betsy_ & _Fanny_ while they sung me many songs, When they had done I waited on them Home, & spent the Evening with Mr & Mrs _Carter_.
[110] The account books of Robert Carter show that William Taylor was at this period overseer of three of Carter's plantations or "quarters," called Dicks, Morgans and Rutters.
_Fryday 7._
The morning cold, muddy and drisly--Our School seems still, and vacant. _Betsy_ & _Fanny_ at their Leisure are constantly knitting with small smoth stiff straws, in imitation of their Sister _Sylla_, who knits sometimes. The Colonel told me last Evening that he proposes to make the vacant End of our School-Room, Where Dr Frank lived a Concert-Room, to hold all his instruments of Music--As he proposes to bring up from _Williamsburg_ his _Organ_, & to remove the _Harpsichord_, _Harmonica_, _Forte-piano_, _Guittar_, _Violin_, & _German-Flutes_, & make it a place for Practice, as well as Entertainment.
This afternoon _Dennis_, a Boy of about twelve Years old, one of the Waiters at Table, as he was standing in the front Door which is vastly huge & heavy; the Door flew up, and drew off the Skin & Flesh from his middle Finger caught between, took off the first Joint, and left the Bone of the greater part of the Rest of the Finger naked.
_Saturday 8._
Catechised the Children, and dismiss'd them about ten. The morning pleasant--Rode before Dinner to Mr Blains Store--Was introduced to Dr _Thompson_,[111] Mr _Balantine_,[112] Mr _Carr_ a young Scotch-Man Clerk, to Mr Blain; dined with Mr Blain. Parson _Smith_, his Wife, & her Sister were there--Colonel Washington, his Wife, & their Daughter Miss Jenny a young Lady of few words, a sanguine Countenance, and as to her Size, something below what Ladies call elegant; neat but not _flashy_ in her Dress; Some of her Dress I admired because I have seen _Laura_ in the like, yit strongly shewed me that it is not Dress alone I admire in Her. All these had been at a Widding in the country and were returning--In Dr _Thomsons_ Room there was hanging against the Wall a Skeleton!--Balantine, either to shew himself a true full-blooded Buck, or out of mere wantonness & pastime turned the Bones (as they were fixed together with Wires) into many improper and indecent postures; but this officious industry met with such reception from the company as it Justly merited, and as I wish'd might happen; for they gave visible signs of their contempt of his Behaviour--About Six in the Evening the Chariot returned with _Bob_, Miss _Prissy_ & _Nancy_ from the Dance at _Stratford_--They brought News as follows: Miss Prissy told us, that they had an elegant Dance on the Whole; that Colonel Philip Lee, where they met to Dance, was on Fryday, at the Wedding of which I made mention Just now; that Mr _Christian_ the Master danced several Minuets, prodigiously beautiful; that Captain Grigg (Captain of an English Ship) danced a Minuet with her; that he hobled most dolefully, & that the whole Assembly laughed!--_Bob_ told us that there was a Race between Mr ---- And Colonels Horses--that they run a Mile, & that _Dottrell_[113] belonging to Mr ---- won the Race;--_Bob_ told me in private, after we were alone in my Room, that Colonel Lee took an Opportunity, & asked him in the Hearing of a large company at Supper, what sort of _Fellow_ he is whom your _Papa_ had provided for your _Tutor_--_Bob_ told me that for answer he Informed him I was good and agreeable--That Miss Jenny Corbin, (a young Lady with whom I have had the greatest Opportunity of being acquainted, of any young Lady in Virginia) gave him so favourable an Account of my Behaviour, that he was pleased to say He should be glad to see me at his House, & of my company--But after having heard this much, I shall esteem myself pardonable, & shall always think it proper to refuse without thanks his warmest Invitations; & will plead for my excuse nothing else than mere inclination.
[111] Thomas Thompson was a well known physician of Westmoreland County. Robert Carter retained the services of Thompson for the blacks on his plantations for a number of years.
[112] Probably James Balendine of the firm referred to in the Carter account books as "Messrs. James Balendine & Co."
[113] "Dotterell" was an English blooded horse that had been bred by Sir John Pennington. He was regarded as the swiftest in that country with the exception of one, called "Eclipse." Dotterell had been imported into the colony in 1766 by Philip Ludwell Lee of "Stratford" in Westmoreland County.
[Illustration: man at writing table in bed chamber]
In the Evening about seven o-Clock it snowed exceeding fast til Eight when it ceased, it being the second Snow we had this winter here, At Supper we had much conversation about the Dance. Mrs Carter & myself, sat while ten and the Colonel read philosophy.
_Sunday 9._
The Morning very cold--None from our Family went to church; _Bob_ beg'd of me to let him go, I refused him; he then asked to go and dine with Mr Turburville, I gave him no liberty.--I wrote to-Day a letter to _Laura_, I wish it _speed_ & _Success_--I wrote also a letter to Mr _Bryan_ in Baltimore; Another to the Gentleman who keeps the "Fountain Inn" in _Baltimore_; & one to Dr _John Beaty_--_Bob_ returned in the Evening after having stole away and spent the day at Mr _Turburvill's_ with a Note to his Papa from Squire _Lee_, in which Mr Carter & his Family are invited to the Ball at his House on Monday the 17th Instant But I must stay alone.
[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO ELIZABETH BEATTY]
Nominy-Hall. Virginia. Jan: 9th: 1774.
TO LAURA.
The long Distance there is between us, & Uncertainty of the Conveyance, makes it improper for me to write what I wish to tell you. I may not, however, neglect to acquaint you that you still possess the largest earthly Share of my Regard; & that my Fidelity towards you is unshaken & inviolable.
I continue this Winter, by the Kindness of Heaven, in perfect Health; & expect to return by the last of April next, if no Accident comes between, when I promise myself Madam, much Pleasure, much Peace in your Company.
The Family in which I live, is so kind, & suitable to my Wish, that I would gladly continue in it--Or, at least, provide some well-qualified Person to succeed me since I must by previous Agreement, shortly leave it, as I do not propose to let my coming here put off my entering on the Great-World.
If I shall be so happy as to meet with you in the Spring, I will tell you many curious Occurrences of this Winter; but none with greater Truth than that I have been your constant Admirer.
PHILIP. V. FITHIAN.
[JOURNAL]
_Monday 10th_
The Morning very cold--Dined with us to-day Mr _Sanford_ a Captain of a Sloop which trades out of _Potowmack_ to _Norfolk_--I wrote out some Exercises for _Bob_ & _Harry_--In the Evening the Colonel began with a small Still to distill some Brandy from a Liquor made of Pisimmonds. I set Ben this Evening to writing. I likewise gave _Catalines_ Speech in _Salust_ to commit to memory in Latin, which he is to pronounce Extempore. In the Evening I borrowed of _Ben Carter_ 15s.--I have plenty of Money with me, but it is in Bills of Philadelphia currency & will not pass at all here.
_Teusday 11._
The morning very cold--As cold I think, and the Frost seems to be as intense & powerful as I have ever known it either at Cohansie or at Princeton. This morning I put Ben to construe some Greek, he has yet no Testament, I gave him therefore Esops Fables in Greek, and Latin. I also took out of the Library, and gave him to read Gordon, upon Geography. Ben seem'd scared with his Greek Lesson, he swore, & wished for Homer that he might kick Him, as he had been told Homer invented Greek.
_Wednesday 12._
I gave _Sam_ Mr Carters Barber, for shaving & dressing me, & for mending my Shoes, two pisterenes, which pass here for half a Crown--The morning is serene, pleasant, but cold yet. Miss _Hariot_ this morning being over curious tasted some Mercury Mixture in Mr _Randolph's_ Room, it made her very sick; I was frighted, the family was frighted! she puked, & threw it off her Stomach, & was soon relieved--
I gave _Martha_ who makes my Bed, for a Christmas Box, a _Bit_, which is a pisterene cut into two equal parts--I gave to John also, who waits at Table & calls me to Supper a _Bit_. So that My whole Expence to-Day has been _3/9_. Mrs Carter invited me to Day to go to the Ball, I excused myself, & declined it.
_Thursday 13._
Mr Cunningham came before Noon to skait--At twelve we all went down to Mr Carters Millpond--none had skaits but Mr Cunningham--we diverted ourselves on the Ice til two, when we went up to dinner--Immediately after Dinner Mr _Carter_ Miss _Prissy_ & _Nancy_ rode out to Mr _Lanes_.--Mr _Cunningham_ staid the Night, Prissy play'd for us--She has since I came made great advances--
_Fryday 14._
The morning very foggy, & warmer--I gave to Tom the Coach-man who cured my Horse two _pisterenes_ & half a _Bit_, which is two & ninepence 2/9. Mr Cunningham breakfasted with us--When I went into School there came a complaint from Miss _Sally Stanhope_[114] of _Bob_ that he was rude, swore, & quarrell'd at Breakfast, poor untoward, unfortunate Boy he gives me great Trouble--
[114] Miss Sarah Stanhope was the housekeeper at "Nomini Hall."
_Saturday 15._
I rose at seven--The morning fair the ground muddy--_Ben_ asked me to ride with him to Mr Blains Store I chose rather to stay at Home--Ben is preparing for the approaching Ball--Bob urged me to let him go to Mr Lees, but he is so unruly & mischeivous when abroad that I was obliged to refuse him the liberty of going. I spent some hours to Day with the Girls when they were practising Music on the Guitar, & Forte-piano, Priscilla plays her tunes true and exceeding finely--In the Evening _Ben_ returned from Mr Blains--He told me the Store was thronged with company--Sup'd on chocolate, & hoe-Cake, so called because baked on a Hoe before the fire--The Colonel and his Daughter busy at Music.
_Sunday 16._
The morning frosty & cold--_Ben_, _Bob_, _Harry_, & Mr _Randolph_ went to Church--I stay at Home; Read Pictete--I feel very desirous of seeing Home: of hearing good Mr Hunter Preach; of seeing my dear Brothers & Sister; Indeed the very soil itself would be precious to me!--I am shut up in my chamber; I read a while, then walk to the North window, & look over Potowmack through Maryland towards Home; then throw myself down into my Chair again & console myself that I have every necessary, & convenient Accommodation here, which I should have; nay much more than I should allow myself were I at Home. I am contented--This whole world is only a Point almost unnoticeable, when compared with the numerous _Systems_ which compose the _universe_, & yet they all are under the particular Direction & Government of _Almighty God_; How insignificant therefore is it for me and how foolish to be uneasy, & solicitous whether I live in _Cohansie_, in _Princeton_, or in _Virgininia_; Or in _America_, or in _Europe_, so long as I am still supported, & upheld by the Divine Agency!--I am fully satisfied--Guide me, propitious Heaven! Help me to Glorify my God; To honour the holy Religion which I profess; & If I shall be fitted, & introduced to the Ministry, may I still go on and be of advantage to my fellow Mortals!--
Evening, The Boys are returned; _Bob_ brings me the _parsons_ Compliments; Mr _Cunninghams_; & that Miss Corbin enquired If I was well!--Bob [also] informed me that the _Parson_, Mr _Blain_, _Cunningham_, _Balantine_, & others are to come to Captain _Turburvilles_ Mill-Pond to Skate before they go to the Ball--
_Monday 17._
At Breakfast the Colonel gave orders to the Boys concerning their conduct this Day, & through the course of the Ball--He allows them to go; to stay all this Night; to bring him an Account of all the company at the Ball; & to return tomorrow Evening--All the morning is spent in Dressing.--Mr Carter & Mrs Carter pressed me to go; But, mindful of my Promise when I left Home, I stay and enjoy myself in quiet.--I give the Children a Holiday to Day--I gave Dennis the Waiter half a Bit a Present--Mrs _Carter_, Miss _Prissy_, & _Nancy_ dressed splendidly set away from Home at two.
_Teusday 18._
Mrs _Carter_, & the young Ladies came Home last Night from the Ball, & brought with them Mrs _Lane_, they tell us there were upwards of Seventy at the Ball; forty one Ladies; that the company was genteel; & that Colonel _Harry Lee_,[115] from _Dumfries_, & his Son _Harrey_ who was with me at College, were also there; Mrs Carter made this an argument, and it was a strong one indeed, that to-day I must dress & go with her to the Ball--She added also that She Desired my Company in the Evening when she should come Home as it would be late--After considering a while I consented to go, & was dressed--we set away from Mr Carters at two; Mrs _Carter_ & the young Ladies in the Chariot, Mrs Lane in a Chair, & myself on Horseback--As soon as I had handed the Ladies out, I was saluted by Parson _Smith_; I was introduced into a small Room where a number of Gentlemen were playing Cards, (the first game I have seen since I left Home) to lay off my Boots Riding-Coat&c--Next I was directed into the Dining-Room to see Young Mr _Lee_; He introduced me to his Father--With them I conversed til Dinner, which came in at half after four. The Ladies dined first, when some Good order was preserved; when they rose, each nimblest Fellow dined first--The Dinner was as elegant as could be well expected when so great an Assembly were to be kept for so long a time.--For Drink, there was several sorts of Wine, good Lemon Punch, Toddy, Cyder, Porter &c.--About Seven the Ladies & Gentlemen begun to dance in the Ball-Room--first Minuets one Round; Second Giggs; third Reels; And last of All Country-Dances; tho' they struck several Marches occasionally--The Music was a French-Horn and two Violins--The Ladies were Dressed Gay, and splendid, & when dancing, their Silks & Brocades rustled and trailed behind them!--But all did not join in the Dance for there were parties in Rooms made up, some at Cards; some drinking for Pleasure; some toasting the Sons of america; some singing "Liberty Songs" as they call'd them, in which six, eight, ten or more would put their Heads near together and roar, & for the most part as unharmonious as an affronted--Among the first of these Vociferators was a young Scotch-Man, Mr _Jack Cunningham_; he was nimis bibendo appotus; noisy, droll, waggish, yet civil in his way & wholly inoffensive--I was solicited to dance by several, Captain Chelton, Colonel Lee, Harry Lee, and others; But George Lee,[116] with great Rudeness as tho' half drunk, asked me why I would come to the Ball & neither dance nor play Cards? I answered him shortly, (for his Impudence moved my resentment) that my Invitation to the Ball would Justify my Presence; & that he was ill qualified to direct my Behaviour who made so indifferent a Figure himself--Parson Smiths, & Parson Gibberns Wives danced, but I saw neither of the Clergymen either dance or game[117]--At Eleven Mrs Carter call'd upon me to go, I listned with gladness to the summons & with Mrs Lane in the Chariot we rode Home, the Evening sharp and cold!--I handed the Ladies out, waited on them to a warm Fire, then ran over to my own Room, which was warm and had a good Fire; oh how welcome! Better this than to be at the Ball in some corner nodding, and awaked now & then with a midnight Yell!--In my Room by half after twelve; & exceeding happy that I could break away with Reputation.--
[115] Colonel Henry Lee of "Leesylvania."
[116] Apparently George Fairfax Lee of "Mount Pleasant."
[117] Parson Giberne was not so fortunate in escaping criticism on other occasions. Fithian, himself, notes his gambling several times, and the Reverend Jonathan Boucher, Landon Carter and Robert Wormeley Carter all comment upon it in their journals.
_Wednesday 19._
Rose at Nine while the Bell was ringing--Breakfasted at ten, Mr _Carter_ and I alone, the Ladies yet in Bed--I gave the Children the third Holiday; _Bob_ _Ben_ & _Harry_ are yet at the Dance--Mrs Carter declines going to Day, I took a Walk out before Dinner, & with my Pen-knife carved _Laura's_ much admired Name, upon a smooth beautiful Beech-Tree--Towards Evening Mrs Lane left us & rode home--_Bob_ came Home about six, but so sleepy that he is actually stupified!--