Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 12

This morning came from the Post-office at Hobbes-Hole, on the Rappahannock, our News-papers. Mr Carter takes the Pennsylvania Gazette, which seems vastly agreeable to me, for it is like having something from home--But I have yet no answer to my Letter. We dined at four o-Clock--Mr Carter kept in his Room, because he breakfasted late, and on Oysters--There were at Table Mrs Carter & her five Daughters that are at School with me--Miss _Priscilla_, _Nancy_, _f.a.n.n.y_, _Betsy_, and _Harriot_, five as beautiful delicate, well-instructed Children as I have ever known!--_Ben_ is abroad; _Bob_ & _Harry_ are out; so there was no Man at Table but myself.--I must carve--Drink the Health--and talk if I can! Our Dinner was no otherwise than common, yet as elegant a _Christmas Dinner_ as I ever sat Down to--The table Discourse was Marriage; Mrs _Carter_ observ'd that was she a Widow, she should scruple to marry any man alive; She gave a reason, that She did not think it probable a man could love her grown old when the world is thronged with blooming, ripening Virgins; but in fact Mrs Carter looks & would pa.s.s for a younger Woman than some unmarried Ladies of my acquaintance, who would willingly enough make us place them below twenty!--We dined at four; when we rose from table it was growing dark--The wind continues at South East & is stormy and muddy.

Mr _Randolph_ the Clerk told me this Evening a Circ.u.mstance concerning _Bob_ which tho it discovered stupidity, yet at the same time discovered great thoughtfulness.--It was about his sleeping with the _Dog_; Mr _Randolph_ told me _Bob_ asked him with great solemnity if he thought _G.o.d Almighty_ knew it!--While we supped Mr _Carter_ as he often does played on the _Forte-Piano_. He almost never sups. Last Night and to night I had large clear, & very elegant Spermaceti Candles sent into my Room;

_Sunday 26._

I rose at eight--The morning is fair; all seem quiet--I went to the window before I was drest, having only a Gown thrown about me & enjoy'd a beautiful Prospect of the high Banks of the River Nomini gilded by the morning Sun--I could not help casting my Eyes with eagerness over the blue Potowmack and look homewards.--After having paid my morning secret Devotion to the King of Kings, I sat myself to the correcting and transcribing my Sermon--I had the pleasure to wait on Mrs _Carter_ to Church She rode in the Chariot, & Miss Prissy and Nancy; Mr Carter chose to stay at Home--The Sacrament was to have been administred but there was so few people that he thought it improper, and put of til Sunday fortnight. He preach'd from Isaiah 9.6. For unto us a child is Born &c. his Sermon was fifteen Minutes long! very fas.h.i.+onable--He invited me very civilly to Dine & spend the Evening with him, but I could not leave the Ladies! He made me almost promise, however to call some Day this Week.

At the Church to day I heard an impious Expression from a young Scotch-Man,[106] Tutor in Mr Was.h.i.+ngtons Family; he meant it for a Satire upon the neglect of the people in suffering their Grave Yard to lie common--He saw some Cattle & Hogs feeding & rooting in the yard; "Why, says he, if I was buried here it would grieve me to look up and see _Swine_ feeding over me"!--But I understand only the lower sort of People are buried at the Church; for the Gentleman have private burying-Yards.

[106] John Lowe (1750-1798), a Scotsman, was the tutor of the children of Colonel John Augustine Was.h.i.+ngton, a brother of George Was.h.i.+ngton, at this period. John Augustine Was.h.i.+ngton's manor plantation, "Bushfield," was located on the Potomac River in Westmoreland County, a short distance from "Nomini Hall" and "Hickory Hill." Lowe was the author of a number of ballads which are still popular in Scotland today. After serving for some time as a tutor and conducting an academy at Fredericksburg, he was ordained an Anglican clergyman, and appears to have served as minister in both St. George's and Hanover Parishes. An unhappy marriage is believed to have led to a dissipation which resulted in his early death. Cf. Meade, _Old Churches, Ministers and Families of Virginia_, Vol. II, p. 185; _Virginia Magazine of History_, Vol. 29 (January 1921), pp. 102-105.

_Monday 27._

At Breakfast Mrs Carter gave me an Invitation to wait on her to Parson _Smiths_ Mr Carter offered Me his riding Horse, A beautiful grey, young, lively Colt; We sat out about ten, Mrs Carter, Miss Prissy, Miss f.a.n.n.y, & Miss Betsy, in the Chariot; Bob and I were on Horse back; Mrs Carter had three waiting Men; a Coachman. Driver & Postillion. We found the way muddy; got there a little after twelve; Mr Smith was out; I was introduced by Mrs Carter to Mrs Smith, and a young Lady her Sister who lives with them; At Dinner I was at Mr Smiths request to "say Grace" as they call it; which is always express'd by the People in the following words, "G.o.d bless us in what we are to receive"--& after Dinner, "G.o.d make us thankful for his mercies"--As we were sitting down to Table Ben Carter rode up; when we had dined, the Ladies retired, leaving us a Bottle of Wine, & a Bowl of Toddy for companions--Ben came with a Message for me to go to a Ball, but poor fellow, I cant dance!--He prest me very much, but I was forced to decline it--We returned in the Evening; & found Mr Carter & Miss Nancy practising Music, one on the Forte-Piano, and the other on the Guitar. Mr Carter is Learning Bedford, Coles hill, and several other Church Tunes.

[Ill.u.s.tration: horse-drawn coach]

_Teusday 28._

Last Night there fell a Snow, which is about half Shoe deep, the Air is sharp, the wind at North, & Snows yet by turns. I finished and laid by my Sermon for the Presbytery this morning--Breakfasted at ten: Ben staid last Night at Mr _Turbuville's_ & got Home to day about twelve from his _Christmas Jaunt_.

Spent most of the Day at the great House hearing the various Instruments of Music. Evening, at Miss Prissy's Request I drew for her some Flowers on Linen which she is going to imbroider, for a various Counterpane.

_Wednesday 29._

This Morning our School begins after the Holidays. Bob seems sorry that he must forsake the Marsh & River when he is daily fowling, & never kills any Game. At Dinner we had the Company of Dr Franks[107]

who has been all along Mr Carters Clerk; but is now leaving Him. We had a large Pye cut to Day to signify the Conclusion of the Holidays.

I drew, this afternoon more Flowers for Miss Prissy.

[107] Dr. Henry Francks of Westmoreland County.

_Thursday 30._

Dr Franks is moving, he has lived in the House adjoining our School.

The morning is fine, I rose by eight, breakfasted at ten, Miss Prissy & Nancy are to-Day Practising Music one on the Forte Piano, the other on the Guitar, their Papa allows them for that purpose every Teusday, & Thursday. Ben is gone to the Quarter to see to the measuring the crop of Corn. On his return in the Evening, when we were sitting & chatting, among other things he told me that we must have a House-warming, seeing we have now got possession of the whole House--It is a custom here whenever any _person_ or _Family_ move into a _House_, or repair a house they have been living in before, they make a _Ball_ & give a Supper--So we because we have gotten Possession of the whole House, are in compliance with Custom, to invite our Neighbours, and dance, and be merry--But poor me! I must hobble, or set quiet in the Corner!

_Fryday 31._

I rose at eight. _Ben_ gone again to the quarter--_Harriot_ to Day for the first time said all her letters--

The Colonel shewed me after Dinner a new invention, which is to be sure his own, for tuning his _Harpischord_ & _Forte-Piano_: it is a number of _Whistles_, of various Sizes so as to sound all the Notes in one Octave. At twelve o-Clock Mr _Carter_ ordered his Boy to bring two Horses, and himself & Miss _Prissy_ rode out for an airing as the Day is vastly fine--a.s.soon as the Bell rang & I had dismissed the Children I took a walk in the Garden; When I had gone round two or three Platts Mrs Carter entered and walked towards me, I then immediately turn'd and met Her; I bowed--Remarked on the pleasantness of the Day--And began to ask her some questions upon a Row of small slips--To all which she made polite and full answers; As we walked along she would move the Ground at the Root of some plant; or prop up with small sticks the bended _scions_--We took two whole turns through all the several Walks, & had such conversation as the _Place_ and _Objects_ naturally excited--And after Mrs Carter had given some orders to the Gardiners (for there are two Negroes Gardiners by Trade, who are constantly when the Weather will any how permit working in it) we walked out into the _Area_ viewed some Plumb-Trees, when we saw Mr Carter and Miss Prissy returning--We then repaired to the Slope before the front-Door where they dismounted--and we all went into the Dining Room. I shall in a proper time describe the great-House, & the several smaller ones in its neighbourhood; the _Area_, _Poplar-Walk_, _Garden_, & _Pasture_: In the mean time I shall only say, they discover a delicate and Just Tast, and are the effect of great _Invention_ & _Industry,_ & _Expence_. At Dinner we were conversing on the seasons of the Year, & giving our different opinions of which of the Seasons we each thought most agreeable: Mrs Carter chose the Months of October, November & December, her reasons were, that we are always most sensible of pleasure when it succeeds Axiety & Pain; therefore because these months immediately follow those in which there is usually Thunder & Lightning & intense Heat, She thinks them most pleasant: The Colonel agreed with her as to the Months but gave a different Reason; He supposes that in these Months the Air is more uniform and settled than at any other so long time in the year. I preferr'd May, June, and July, because our Bodies at that Season are generally sprightly, vigorous and healthy, and the world around us is beautiful & growing to necessary perfection. Miss Prissy & Miss Nancy were on my side.

Mrs Carter told the Colonel that he must not think her setled (for they have been for a long time from this place in the City _Williamsburg_, and only left it about a year and a half ago) till he made her a park and stock'd it; while these and many other things were saying, I was surprized at a Remark which Miss _Prissy_ made, "Why Mama says she, you plan and talk of these things as tho' you should never die"!

_Sat.u.r.day January 1. 1774._

Another Year is gone! Last New years Day I had not the most remote expectation of being now here in _Virginia_! Perhaps by the next I shall have made a longer and more important Remove, from this to the World of Spirits!

It is well worth the while, for the better improving of our time to come to recollect and reflect upon the Time which we have spent; The Season seems to require it; it will give entertainment at least, perhaps much substantial pleasure too, to be able to make with a considerable degree of certainty a review of the general course of our Actions in the course of a year. This shall be my employment, so far as I am able to recollect, when I shall have suitable time for the fixing & laying my thoughts together--

In the mean time I observe that the Day is most pleasant, the wind is West, not fresh; the air is void of clouds, but near the Earth is smoky; the Ground is clear of Frost and setled, what can be finer? Mr Carter Miss Prissy and myself were to have rode out for an Exercise at twelve, but we were prevented by the coming of a Gentleman, Dr _Fantleroy_,[108] to whom Mr Carter introduced me--

[108] Dr. Moore Fauntleroy (1743-1802) was the son of William Fauntleroy of Naylor's Hole in Richmond County. Fauntleroy, who had studied medicine in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, practiced in Ess.e.x County after his return to Virginia in 1770.

After Dinner was finished which was about four o-Clock, Miss Prissy & Myself, together with a Servant (for Mr Carter would not trust us alone he said) rode on Horse-Back to Mr Turbuvilles, about three quarters of a Mile distance; It is the first time I have been there, the House is near, & in Sight, and the families intimate. I rode my Horse for the first time since his misfortune. When we returned about Candlelight, we found Mrs Carter in the yard seeing to the Roosting of her Poultry; and the Colonel in the Parlour tuning his _Guitar_.

_Sunday 2._

The weather warm and Damp--The Family rode to Church to-day and are to dine out. Mr Carter at my request, gave me the Keys of his Book-Cases and allowed me to spend the Day alone in his Library.

The place seems suitable for Study, & the Day ought to be spent in serious contemplation; therefore, as I proposed Yesterday, I shall collect together and write down what I have been doing in the last Year. But will my Life bear the review? Can I look upon my Actions and not Blus.h.!.+ And shall I be no less careful, or have no better Success, in the prosecution of my Duty the Year to come, if I shall be kept alive to the Close of it?--

In the Beginning of the last year I was in Deerfield, in c.u.mberland County New-Jersey, with the Rev'd Mr Green; Under him I studied the Hebrew-Language and Divinity. I left the college the last of September 1772. After having setled my business at Home, I entered upon the Study of Divinity with the Rev'd Andrew Hunter; I was with him about a Month, and on the first of December I went to Mr _Green_ with a design to acquaint myself with the Hebrew Tongue; he put me to the Grammar, which I learn'd through, and read some Chapters in the Psalter in the Course of the Winter: In Divinity, he advised me to read Ridgeleys body of Divinity for a System: And he gave me several separate treatisses on Repentance, Regeneration, Faith, &c, & towards spring gave me subjects to consider in the Sermon-Way. Yet how barren am I still? It is an arduous task to bring the Mind to close application; & still greater to lay up and retain useful Knowledge. I continued with Mr _Green_ & pursued my studies, I hope with some Success till August 1773. when I was solicited by Dr _Witherspoon_ to go into _Virginia_ & teach in a Gentlemans Family--The Offer seem'd profitable; I was encouraged by the Dr and was to have his Recommendation--I had likewise myself a strong inclination to go--Yet I was in great Doubt, & Wholly undetermined for some Weeks, because many of my friends, and some of my near Relations opposed my leaving Home, and all seem'd utterly unwilling to advise to go--It is time, according to the Course of my Life they said that I was settling to some constant Employment, and they told me I ought especially to enter with as great speed as convenient into that plan of Life for which I have in particular had my Education--That Virginia is sickly--That the People there are profane, and exceeding wicked--That I shall read there no Calvinistic Books, nor hear any Presbyterian Sermons--That I must keep much Company, and therefore spend as much, very probably much more Money than my Salary--These considerations unsettled for a while my mind--On the other hand I proposed to myself the following advantages by going--A longer opportunity for Study than my friends would willingly allow me If I should remain at home--A more general acquaintance with the manners of Mankind; and a better Knowledge of the Soil, & Commerce of these neighbouring Provinces--And a more perfect acquaintance with the Doctrines, & method of Wors.h.i.+p in the established Church in these Colonies, & especially with the Conduct of the Clergy of which there have been so many bad reports--All these however when I had laid them together, seem'd to overbear the others, so that I determined at last to break through and go!--Here now I am in a strange Province; But I am under no more nor stronger temptations to any kind of vice, perhaps not so great as at Cohansie,--unless sometimes when I am solicited to dance I am forc'd to blush, for my Inability--I have the opportunity of living with Credit perfectly retired--in a well regulated family--With a man of Sense--May G.o.d help me to walk in his fear & Gloryfy his Name!--

_Monday 3d._

Last Evening, by Miss Prissy, I was complimented with an Invitation from Mr _Turburville_ to Dine with Him tomorrow--Squire _Lee_[109] is as Miss Prissy told me, preparing to make a splendid _Ball_, which is to last four or five Days; we are to be invited!--But I must stay at Home and read _Sal.u.s.t_--Mr Carter is at Richmond-Court, which is held monthly here in every County. In the Evening Mr Warden, a young Scotch Lawyer came home with him. I spent the Evening in the Parlour--After Supper when I was call'd upon for my Tost I mentioned with Pleasure Miss _Betsy Beaty_.

[109] Richard Lee of "Lee Hall."

_Teusday 4._

Rose by eight--Mr _Warden_ breakfasted with us. Miss Prissy befor Breakfast, as it is her practising Day, gave us sundry Tunes on the _Forte Piano_. I kept the children while twelve then as we were to dine out, I dismiss'd them till morning, and prepar'd to ride--Mrs Carter, Miss Sylla, and Miss Betsy rode in the Chariot, and set off about half after twelve with three waiting men--Mr Carter, Ben, and myself, waited, & left Home by half after one, we rode on Horse back, and waited on ourselves--It was two o-Clock when we got to Mr Turburvilles where we were to dine--We found there two Gentlemen, with their Wives, and one of them had also a Son & Daughter Mr Booth also came in a short time after us; So that there dined to day with Mr Turburville to day besides his usual Family thirteen Persons.--And if I mention the Waiting Men With the Carriages they were twenty. We had an Elegant Dinner, but it did not in any thing exceed what is every day at Mr _Carters_ Table.

--We all returned Home before Dark--In the Evening the Colonel is busy in transposing Music, I have not been at any house since I left Home, which, from the appearance of its Situation, and the Economy of the Family, or any other apparent Convenience, I would so soon choose to reside in as a tutor, as the one in which it is my lot to be placed--The Family is most agreeable! Mr Carter is sensible judicious, much given to retirement & Study; his Company, & conversation are always profitable--His main Studies are _Law_ & _Music_, the latter of which seems to be his darling Amus.e.m.e.nt--It seems to nourish, as well as entertain his mind! And to be sure he has a nice well judging Ear, and has made great advances in the Theory and Practice of music--

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 dest.i.tute of capacity, As Mr Marshal who was his last Tutor has a.s.serted, & 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 Cla.s.s of the female s.e.x.

_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 s.e.x. I mean great curiosity, Eagerness for superiority, Ardor in friend s.h.i.+p, 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-s.e.x_, the "_Copia Verborum_," or readiness of Expression!--She is only beginning to play the _Guitar_, She understands the Notes well, & is a graceful Dancer.

_f.a.n.n.y_ 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 f.a.n.n.y 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.